A Sip of Summer

‘Tis the season for backyard barbeques and pool parties. Wouldn’t it be fun to jazz up your next get together with some adorably preppy drinkware? I think these Madras Sea Island Tumblers from Just Madras are just the thing for sipping a G&T while lounging on the porch and catching up with friends.

They're available online at PURSELADYTOO. The best news of all? This weekend, PURSELADYTOO is offering free shipping, as well as a 20% discount on purchases over $24.99 with the code memorial20 and a 25% discount on purchases over $100.00 with the code memorial100. What better time to indulge?

In the Mood for Summer

With spring collections debuting in stores, I’m craving some warm weather. (Not that it gets that cold here, although we did actually have a freeze last week and a dusting of snow.) What better way to get rid of the wintertime blahs than reading a wonderful book?

A book that has been on my “to read” list for a while is One Special Summer by Jacqueline and Lee Bouvier. It details a European tour the famous sisters embarked on in 1951. Written in longhand, the pages are filled with delightful sketches. It’s truly a work of art.

While we are on the subject of the Bouvier sisters, did you see the photos of Lee Radziwell’s abodes in Paris and New York that appear on the Brunch at Saks blog today? Absolutely scrumptious!

Beautifully Aged

I am more than a little taken with the weathered, farmhouse style dining tables that are all the rage at the moment. Last week when I was at World Market, I was surprised by the loveliness of their new Provence Dining Collection. (This photo from their website does not do this justice.)

Provence Dining Collection from World Market

In person, it reminded me a lot of Restoration Hardware’s divine reclaimed wood dining room furniture.

Farmhouse Collection from Restoration Hardware

Avignon Salvaged Dining Table from Restoration Hardware

Do you like this look?

Sale Alert: Sharing the Wealth

I think by now you  know how much I LOVE sales. I am always on the lookout for items of interest at extraordinarily low prices. So I was thrilled to discover the wealth of interesting boutiques that are being featured on sample sale site Rue La La this week.  (Yes, I mention Rue La La quite often, but that's because there is so much to swoon over on that site!)

Tomorrow (June 27): Raynaud Limoges
Do you adore fine china? I know I do, and Raynaud Limoges makes a lot of beautiful, drool-worthy patterns like Cristobal and Heloise. If you are in the market for some gorgeous new dinnerware, this boutique should merit a visit.

Cristobal by Raynaud

Heloise by Raynaud










Monday (June 28): Hunter Dixon
I first became aware of Hunter Dixon when the superbly feminine clothing line garnered a mention from Jessica at The Love List a few weeks ago. The gorgeous frocks immediately captured my attention, so of course I was thrilled to discover that some of their pieces will be offered at a discount.

White Swan Dress from Hunter Dixon

Struthers Dress from Hunter Dixon

















Tuesday (June 29) Lilly Pulitzer for Garnet Hill
If you fancy the idea of brightening your abode with Lilly’s signature bedding and bath collections (which are designed in conjunction with Garnet Hill), you will want to hop over to Rue La La on Tuesday for a visit to the Garnet Hill boutique. This promises to be a very colorful event!

Lilly Pulitzer for Garnet Hill Treasure Chest Bedding












If you still need an invitation to join Rue La La, click here. Trust me when I tell you that the deals Rue La La offers are worth the moment it takes to fill out the membership information. And don’t forget: the sale always starts promptly at 11 a.m. EST!

Bringing Nell Hill's Style Home

For years I have been a fan of Mary Carol Garrity, who is the founder of renowned home furnishings store Nell Hill’s, a syndicated columnist, and the author of a multitude of books on interior design and entertaining, including  Nell Hill's Style at Home and Nell Hill's Feather Your Nest. She has a knack for arranging home accessories and designing tablescapes that I absolutely love. I’ve often dreamt of traveling to Atchison, Kansas for a visit to the Nell Hill’s flagship store, but alas I have not gotten there yet.

You can imagine how excited I was to discover that some of the company’s beautiful (and well-priced) home accents are now available online.

I’m particularly enamored of:

Set of Six 5“ x 7” Fern Prints ($74.00)

Medium Apothecary Jars, Set of Three ($41.00)

Wooden Bird Trays, Set of Two ($59.50)

Verdi Urn Table Lamp ($88.00)

In addition, Ms. Garrity has a fantastic new blog where she shares some of her design tips. The fun is only just beginning!

Paula Deen Showcases Savannah Style

My husband is a BIG fan of Paula Deen (to put it mildly). Ever since he watched her cook a Turducken on the Food Network, he has been determined that we will eventually serve this for Thanksgiving. And trust me when I tell you that he hasn’t stopped reminiscing about the meal we enjoyed at Paula’s restaurant, The Lady and Sons, during a trip to the lovely city of Savannah a few years ago. The only thing that could have made it better would have been a visit from The Lady herself.

When I heard about the publication of Paula Deen's Savannah Style,I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. What could be better than the Queen of Southern Cooking showing us the style of the grand homes and gardens in her historic city?

This book doesn’t disappoint. The pages are filled with gorgeous photos of beautifully appointed spaces brimming with southern charm, including many in Paula’s own home. And Paula’s friendly tone comes shining through, making you feel as though she is right next to you, sharing family anecdotes and taking you on a private tour of her favorite abodes. Add in decorator Brandon Branch’s style secrets that are peppered throughout the book, and the result is a can’t-miss guide to southern style.

Here are a few of my favorite layouts:

If you are looking for some inspiration for your own traditional home, this might be it!

Do any of you own this book?  If so, how do you like it?

Wishful Wednesday… Dream Bedroom

I wish I could come home to:

This gorgeous bedroom, designed by the ultra-talented Tobi Fairley of Little Rock, Arkansas.

I adore this room. It has been in my inspiration file since we moved into our house last year. I love the traditional furnishings and the mixture of yellow patterns. Combined with the white and green accents, the result is absolute perfection.

What does your dream bedroom look like?

Style for a Steal: Serena and Lily

Don’t you just love this red lacquered bamboo table? It’s called the Lucky Lacquered Table and it’s from Serena and Lily. The best part is that it’s priced at a mere $299. In my book, that’s quite a deal for an attention-getting piece that works equally well in a living space or a bedroom.