"I've discovered that my own little postage stamp of native soil was worth writing about and that I would never live long enough to exhaust it."
- William Faulkner




Wednesday, August 31, 2011

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?
* A couple of these wingback chairs for my living room.

* That Charlie was a therapy dog.  He'd be so great; don't you think?

* Chocolate Cinnamon Sugar pie crust?  I'll have two.

* This skirt for Harris's rehearsal dinner.  Oh.  My.  Sequins.

* A Shazam app for movies and TV.  Someone get on that, please.

What's your wish?

Monday, August 29, 2011

sweet babies

And before you ask, no I'm not referring to having a baby myself.

Now that that's out of the way, it seems like everywhere I turn someone either has a new baby or one on the way.  And where there are babies and babies-to-be, there are baby showers.  And where there are baby showers, there's food!

It's no secret that I love a cupcake.  I like to think I loved them before they became the new hip thing in the culinary world, but that's neither here nor there.  Certainly you've noticed with the popularity of the cupcake on the rise, so have the little lagniappes to decorate the tops and even the sides of these pint-sized pastries.  I recently helped with a baby shower for a friend having a boy, and I can assure you that more decorating items exist in pink than in blue.  So in case you're ever in the same boat as I was, I made these, and I'll show you how...
After an intense google search (and by "intense" I mean any search over about 5 minutes), I found a free printable cupcake topper here and printed them off. I cut them out and then cut circles in a sheet of card stock just a little larger than the outside of the topper.  Then, I put a piece of double-stick tape on the top and bottom of the elephant topper, attached a toothpick, and slapped the cardstock back on the topper, thereby making a toothpick sandwich.

I just tinted store-bought frosting with a few drops of blue food coloring and piped a hefty swirl on the top of each one.  Add a few little candy pearls and my nifty toppers, and voila!  Here's one up close and personal:
Now how easy is that?

While we're talking about kids and cuteness, my photog friend Beth is doing some great mini-sessions during the last few weeks of September! 
Think back-to-school, families, Christmas cards, etc.  You might remember the great pictures she took of Kell and me this summer.  If you're interested - and you totally should be - contact her at b.mofoto@gmail.com.

And finally, a recipe to share!  We had this at a baby shower this weekend, and it is sinfully sweet and just as easy...


1/2 c. butter
1/3 c. light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 - 8 oz. block cream cheese
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (recipe only calls for 3/4 c., but 1 c. is better...)

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture starts to bubble. Set aside to cool, and whisk in vanilla.


Cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar for 60 seconds. With mixer on low speed, add in brown sugar and butter mixture. Mix until combined. Add chocolate chips and stir again.

We had this with graham cracker sticks, but you can also serve with fruit, animal crackers, pretzels or your fingers.

I hope you had a great weekend!  Don't forget to come back on Wednesday for my next Wish List!

Friday, August 26, 2011

yard sale finds

Hello, friends!

I know it’s been a while since the yard sale, but I thought I’d share with you the items I bought anyway.

I don’t know if it was because my hopes were sky high about the cool stuff I was planning to find, or it really was junk, but seriously, if I saw one hideous old throw pillow, I saw 1,000. I mean, do you honestly expect me to buy a used ceiling fan out of your YARD? No.

Anywho, there were still a few diamonds in all that rough, and those of you that are aware of my love for Japanese culture should not be surprised in the least with my haul. Well, if “haul” means three items.  (Forgive the poor quality of these pictures. I took them with my phone at dusk.)

The dude that sold me this Japanese stamp print actually lived there for a few years while he was in the army! Five bucks!  It needs to be re-framed, but I love the colors.

Aren’t these pretty? I had my first experience with haggling, and it gave me such high anxiety, I didn’t do it again. The lady was asking $12 for each print, and I offered her $20 and she took it. Whew.

I love the yellow flower in this one! They're actually painted on silk, and the pattern around the art is a lovely fabric.

And the bronze bamboo-y frames are so pretty and in great shape. PS – the price tag on the back said $115 each! I can certainly live with 90% off!  I can’t decide what to do with them, but I feel like I’ll know the right place when the time comes.

What do y’all think of my new art?  Do you have any art you're particularly proud of?  Or an incredible deal you scored?

Have a fun weekend, dears. Stay cool!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?

* To go back to the beach.  The real world blows!

* That my hair was not too thick to braid.

* Some of the Lulu Frost for J.Crew jewelry.  I particularly like the bangles and this necklace!

* Cool enough weather outside to wrap up in this blankie.

* A new bag for fall.  Don't you love all the ways this one can be carried?

What's your wish?

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

wish list wednesday

Instead of the traditional wish list today, I have something I wish you'd watch.  Even if our small acts of love don't make MSNBC, they are still impactful...



Do not neglect to show kindness to strangers; for, in this way, some, without knowing it, have had angels as their guests.  - Hebrews 13:2

Monday, August 15, 2011

great giveaway!

Check out this awesome giveaway from Danielle Oakey Interiors.  If you don't currently read her blog, you totally should.  She has an incredible eye for design, and I love her colorful style.  While you're at it, just add her to your Favorites.  Trust me.

Against my better judgement, I decided to share this little contest with you.  But like I've said before, please don't win.  I need this more than you do.

Seriously.  You've never seen my bedroom.

happy un-birthday to me!

Today is my Name Day!

In the Greek Orthodox church, almost every day of the year is dedicated to a saint.  When the saint who you share your name with has his or hear day, it's your Name Day! 

What should I do to celebrate?

Friday, August 12, 2011

nailed it

Have you heard of the Shellac manicures?  Have you gotten one?  Will you?  I think it would be awesome for the beach!

The Pioneer Woman got one.  Check out her review here.

Have a lovely weekend, darlings!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?

* That I'd seen more cool stuff at the yard sale.  A girl can only take so many old Dustbusters.

* A settee for my kitchen.  Don't y'all think this would be PERFECT?  I can't quit dreaming of it!

* A fedora to wear to the beach next week.  This one, maybe?

* That I were handy enough to make a day bed out of the old door I have in my storage room.

* More blog followers.  Don't be shy!

What's your wish?

Friday, August 5, 2011

treasure hunt

Care to take a guess what Harris and I are doing this weekend?  Here are some clues:



Yep, it's Kell's personal purgatory - a yard sale!  And not just any yard sale, it's the World's Longest Yard Sale that goes all the way from Michigan to Alabama (we're just doing the AL portion, of course).  My aunt and cousin have gone for years, and Harris went last year and had a blast.  I have been excited about it for weeks!  I can't wait to tell you all the cool stuff I come back with and how little I spend on it!
I hope you have plans to be inside this weekend, and if not, stay hydrated like I will be!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?

* This funky flower arrangement.  I can think of lots of places I'd like to put it.

* Double ovens in my kitchen.  I don't need them all the time, but when I do, I REALLY need them.

* That I was better with children.  This A Cup of Jo post is very thoughtful about how to talk to little girls.

* To make some of this homemade magic shell.  I bet it's so much better for you than the store-bought stuff!

* Some of these culinary page flags.  Then I wouldn't have to thumb through the entire Southern Living looking for the recipe I want!

What's your wish?

Monday, August 1, 2011

my huckleberry friend



This version of one of my favorite songs in the world gives me chills.  I love how pure and haunting the singer's voice is. 

Want to know more about my favorite songs?  Check out this post.
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