Outdoor Saturday: Garden Incense Cones

Have you tried garden incense cones?  I just got a tube of them from Millstone Market in Memphis - they smell fantastic!  Brazilian andiroba, citronella, rosemary, and thyme - yum!  The tube includes 50 cones and a cute ceramic holder.  The cones are made from renewable bamboo and burn for up to 25 minutes.  These earth-friendly incense cones are perfect for relaxing outside with a morning cup of coffee or an evening cocktail.  Also makes a great gift!

Party Friday: Airplane Hangar Event

Planning a party in an airplane hangar for 400 people was a new experience for me.  The space was HUGE and it was hard to find anything to make a big impact on a small budget.  I ordered giant Chinese lanterns in all shapes, colors, and sizes and tied them together to hang from the very tall ceiling.  It looked fantastic, and it was fairly simple to do.  It just goes to show that you can pretty much have a party anywhere!

Southern Thursday: Tennessee Pewter

 

Tennessee Pewter, owned by pewtersmith and fellow Junior League member, Kathleen Armour Walker specializes in the finest pewter. Located in Somerville, Tennessee, it is the only full service pewter company in the South.  Tennessee Pewter meets all of your entertaining desires and gift needs from barware to jewelry to baby treasures, which are all handmade by spinning or casting of pewter.  Did you see the toothfairy box?  Adorable.  I also love the julep cups - everyone needs a set of pewter julep cups!  Tennessee Pewter is sold around the country, but the website has the entire collection... any piece would make an amazing gift to be passed down for generations. 


I also love their mission:  "The mission of Tennessee Pewter is to be your go-to place for all your home and tableware needs. We understand todays needs, but also feel that formality can be a good attribute in a society that sometimes has grown too casual. Handwritten thank you notes can never be replaced and manners are not a way of the past."   True.

Wonky Wednesday: Corkcicle

The Corkcicle is my new favorite hostess gift.  It is a plastic icicle wine cork that you freeze and put in your wine to keep your wine chilled to perfection! No more ice buckets needed!  Great for red and white wines. Unique wine chiller that makes a great gift!

Tapas Tuesday: Fresh Herb Popovers

Use whatever herbs you have in the backyard:
4 tablespoon butter melted
1/2 cup of Parmigiano - Reggiano cheese
4 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups whole milk
3 tablespoons heavy cream ( I use half and half)
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons chopped mixed fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, basil, chives, or sage
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
Mix all ingredients well in blender. Transfer to bowl and add herbs last. Fill muffin tins halfway with batter. Add cheddar cheese then top with more batter.bake at 450 for 15 min. Then reduce heat to 350 and bake 10 more minutes. Serve immediately...
Enjoy!

Party Supply Monday: Porcelain Berry Baskets

Building a collection of serving pieces can make hosting a party much easier.  I bought these porcelain berry baskets to add to my collection of serveware for fruits and veggies but find myself using them for everything at parties, including candy and nuts.  They are farm chic, and very functional.  You can use them for lemons and limes in a bar or on a bar cart, or  to hold lettuce and tomatoes at a cook-out.    

Secret Source Sunday: Casa Bonampak

Casa Bonampak, dedicated to the Preservation of Mexican Culture & Traditions, is a great source for authentic fiesta decor.  Casa Bonampak specializes in custom picados, which are a new trend in weddings and events.  They also sell beautiful paper flowers and banners in all colors for El Dia de los Muertos, birthdays, and all types of "fiestas."  It's a great way to support Latin American artisans and fair trade. 

Outdoor Saturday: Fairy Gardens

Fairy gardens are a fun new trend in gardening- miniature gardening. They are a blast to make with kids, and fun for adults too.  I made a fairy garden with my niece, and she loves to add to it with bridges, furniture, and rocks - it has even made her interested in gardening!  I have started one for myself as well, and I love it! You can build one in a garden bed, galvanized tub, birdbath, wooden box, or a terracota pot!  Fairy gardens are designed to lure fairies to your garden, which brings good luck!  They are fun to tend and grow- great project for this summer!  I buy my fairy garden supplies locally at Millstone Market but you can buy them online as well!

Party Friday: Special Dinner

We love dinner at a nice restaurant but how do you make it custom for a special occasion?  For this special dinner for a best friend at Interim in Memphis this week, we simply added some capiz shell votives from Luna Bazaar that we lit up with tea lights, put balloons decorated with tinsel and tulle on the chairs, and flashing blinky rings on everyone's place setting.  The table went from simple dinner to special celebration in just a few minutes.  It was very unexpected when our friends arrived, and made the night even more special!

Southern Thursday: Delta Grind

If you haven't had Delta Grind Grits, then you haven't had grits at all!

Delta Grind, based out of Water Valley, Mississippi, is a small family business owned by Becky and John Tatum. They produce grits, cornmeal, polenta, and masa on old-fashioned machines. They service over 50 Southern restaurants, and use yellow corn so Delta Grind grits are actually yellow. We have become "grit snobs" and will only eat Delta Grind grits - they are the best!  

Wonky Wednesday: Napkin Rings

I love using napkin rings!

Napkin rings are a great way to dress up a plain napkin.  This bowl holds my collection of napkin rings - I have rattan, pearl, gold metal, wire, seashell, beaded, and pewter.  Napkin rings are usually inexpensive, so you can collect them in sets of 6 and 12 over time.  I mix and match them for dinners... I love using cloth napkins, so these fun rings really add a special touch!

Tapas Tuesday: Frozen Mint Mojitos

Here's a fun cocktail to try this summer!  

Frozen Mint Mojitos~

1 tube of frozen margarita or limeade mix

1/2 cup rum

1/2 blender of ice

Two handfuls fresh mint

Blend and serve

Frozen mint mojitos!!!

Pair with delicious Alexa sweet potato fries (in the grocery freezer) seasoned with brown sugar and cayenne pepper!

Party Supply Monday: Chargers

 

 

Do you use chargers?

Plate chargers can change the whole look of a table.  I have chargers in all materials - wire, wood, silver, and rattan; I love to mix and match them!  They make the table look full... and they look great on top of place mats.  Simple white dishes look dressed up when placed on rattan chargers (middle photo), which you can purchase at Target for less than $10 a piece.  I love my cane chargers (top photo) from Williams-Sonoma with my pottery plates!

Secret Source Sunday: At West End

We love At West End!

Now that the days are getting warmer and longer... you will want to bask in your backyard sanctuary.  Whether it be a tiny outside nook or your secret garden, there are many beautiful accouterments online!  Our secret source this Sunday, At West End, is based out of Jackson, Mississippi and this site has it all!  From hanging bottletrees to mermaid bookends, you will find many treasures to give to others and to yourself.  

Outdoor Saturday: Horseshoes

Saturday Blog Day is going to be Outdoors & Gardening, or Outdoor Saturday!  Lawn games are always popular at outdoor events, and none is more classic than horseshoes!  We keep a set at our cabin, and we always have fun when we set it up.  This is a very nice set from Pottery Barn but you can find horseshoes sets in a wide range of prices online.

Fiesta

I love a fiesta!

To me, there is nothing more festive than a fiesta theme for a party! Right now I am planning a Stock the Bar Fiesta for 2 of my good friends (the party is in August), so I am stocking up on authentic Mexican party goods.  My favorite source is Amols because they have the BEST pinatas, maracas, cascarones, and paper flowers... and they are inexpensive! I purchased all of the fiesta goods below from Amols last year for my dad's surprise 60th Birthday Fiesta, and I was very happy with the quality and service!  Make plans to throw a fiesta this summer- don't forget the margaritas!

Hammond's Candies

Hammond's Candies is a wonderful site for ordering specialty and nostalgic candies, including McCraw's Flat Taffy, ribbon candy, lollipops, and pillow candies.  

Lavender Obsessed

 

The "Breath of Lavender" candle by Votivo is my newest obsession.  I have always loved lavender, and this candle really delivers an incredible aroma of fresh scent.  I love to snip lavender from my garden and put it in little vases around the house.  It smells so delicious!

Homemade Confetti

I love to make homemade confetti for parties, dinners, or gifts!  I simply use paper punches and colored card stock.  I punch out rabbits for easter, birthday cakes for birthdays, and fleur de lis confetti for Mardi Gras!   You can use circles, hearts, and stars all year round... so invest in those basics first.  I love having 2 different sized circles for a fun look!  Check out Martha Stewart's fabulous paper punches here.

Birthday Bar

Birthday bars are very easy to set up if you clear off a piece of furniture.  This is the set-up for my Sunday afternoon birthday cocktails this past December.  My birthday is December 18th, so we decided to do Sunday afternoon cocktails because it is such a busy holiday week!  We kept it simple with cupcakes and cocktails, and decor consisted of silver mylar balloons, party horns, flowers, acrylic candelabras, and homemade Southern Hostess confetti!

Backyard Musings

I have always loved Adirondack chairs... here is a pair that I rescued from the curb that now live in the backyard!  Why would someone throw those away?

Just a typical table setting for cooking out... love my wine lights in the beer bottles with tiki oil and a little pot of lavender in the middle of the table!

Mardi Gras Engagement Party

Mardi Gras is always a fun theme for a party!

Last year, I helped some friends with a Mardi Gras Engagement Party for a lovely couple in Memphis.  The party was held at an amazing condo down on the bluffs of the Mississippi River.  We were having such a good time that we didn't take a lot of photos of decor, but I liked this photo of the beads and masks on this antique console table.  Simple and fun- by the end of the night, people were wearing all the masks and beads!

Fancy Confetti

This confetti burst is fabulous!

I love LOVE confetti - shooting this confetti cannon mid-party would certainly get the party started! 

Chic Balloons

I must say that clear balloons are surprisingly chic.  

Balloons have really made a comeback in the last couple of years... 

I love also love plain silver mylar balloons for birthdays or parties.  

Hanging ribbons, tulle, or metallic streamers from the balloons instead of string adds that extra chicness!

Oyster Plates

I am starting an oyster plate collection, and this was my first purchase (from Etsy.com)... I LOVE it- isn't she beautiful???