Thursday, January 31, 2013

Savvy Scarves

As I see it, a scarf is one of the best accessories you can add to an everyday, casual outfit, or really any outfit. Scarves are popular not only in the South, but all over! Adding one can tie together an outfit, make you look a little bit more dressed up then you really are or just add a little extra flare for the heck of it. Personally, I love scarves. They go with everything and look great. Plus there are a million different ways you can wear a scarf. Just because you wear the same scarf one day doesn't mean it has to look the same the next day! Here are a few different ways you can wear the scarf to jazz things up a bit:
Happy Scarf Wearing!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Always Coca-Cola

In the South we call every soft drink Coke, not pop, not soda, but good old fashion Coke! Coca-Cola, like all good things, was concocted right here in the South, more specifically in Atlanta, Georgia by a pharmacist named Dr. John Pemberton. Let me tell you there is nothing more refreshing then popping the cap off a glass bottle of Coke. If you want the true Coke experience, you have to drink it out of a cold 8 oz. glass bottle! This drink has been around since 1886 for good reason. If you haven’t had a Coke from a glass bottle well then bless your heart, you need to get in your car and pop on over to the market and find out what you have been missing out on! Here are a few of my favorite Coca-Cola vintage ads:
Rumor has it that Coca-Cola is the only company Santa Clause has agreed to model for and be photographed by. So for all of you who believe in Santa Claus there is the real Santa in the above ad.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The Wonderful World Of Cornbread

Down home in the South we love our cornbread! We can do practically anything with cornbread: cornbread stuffing, cornbread muffins, cornbread quiche, and so much more! It will knock your socks off with all the things a Southerner can do with a plain old box of cornbread mix. Besides whoever said cornbread mix could only be used to make cornbread…here are some of my favorite cornbread dishes, click on the dish name to get the recipe. 

Cornbread Pancakes with honey & butter
Cornbread Waffles, personally I love my cornbread waffles with chili or chicken and dressing on top

Monday, January 28, 2013

Come On In & Sit Right Down

In the South there are some of the most beautiful and warmest entryways that will make you feel right at home! When you meet someone for the first time your first impression is typically made up in 10 seconds based on appearance, body language, and speech. The same concept applies to a house. The very first time you walk into an entryway or foyer you can tell what someone’s decorating taste is, if they have a family, pet, if it’s an organized clean household or something different, etc.  So as you can see it is important that your home makes a good first impression. 
I love how flowers, coffee table books and other decor were used to decorate the table to make the room look dressed up
What could be more welcoming then a comfortable chair or bench
Interesting light fixtures gives character to the space 
Decorating a foyer with pictures and art can make it more interesting 
Putting a table in your foyer can act as a staging ground for decor and as the focal point of the room
Front doors are one of the most important aspects of a foyer; make sure your door is inviting!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Handbag Essentials


Sometimes I feel like my entire life is in my handbag; yes, I realize how dramatic that sounds, but it is so true! Half of the time I feel like my handbag could be used as an overnight bag because I have so much in it. The other half I feel like I forgot to put an essential item in my purse. Today I am going to share with you the 12 purse essentials, Southern or not, that every girl should have in their handbag. 
Always keep a wallet in your handbag with identification and cash in it. Love this Kate Spade Wallet!

Phone

Sunglasses

A compact mirror always comes in handy

Hand Sanitizer & Lotion are great to have on hand, especially during those winter months


Pen and Paper. You never know when you might need to write something down
Nail File
Lip gloss or Lipstick, perfect for a quick touch up
A touch of Blush for when you're on the go
Breath Freshener (mint, gum, spray, etc.)
Always keep some water in your handbag. How cute are the Lilly Pulitzer water bottles!
Last but not least, a picture of your loved ones

Friday, January 25, 2013

Happy Hour Time

It’s finally Friday! This week, I promise you, has felt like it was never going to end! There was some something going on everyday this week; it was never ending, but Friday is here! Hooray for us! To add a little extra celebration this week I decided to do a His and Her cocktail special, all you Gone With The Wind fans out there will especially enjoy these drinks! So eat, drink, be merry, and have a wonderful weekend!

His and Her Drink Special!
Rhett Butler

1 ½ ounces Southern Comfort Bourbon
¼ ounce curacao
½ ounce fresh lime juice
½ ounce fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon sugar
Shaved ice

Mix and pour into a Champagne glass filled with shaved ice
Scarlett O’Hara

1 ½ ounces Southern Comfort Bourbon
1 ounce cranberry juice
1 dash fresh lime juice
Ice cubes

Shake with ice and strain through a green velvet curtain into a chilled cocktail glass



Around Town!
Nashville, TN: SEYA’s The Affair to Care at aVenue, Saturday, January 26, 8:00pm
Birmingham, AL: Topped & Corked: A food pairing with beer and wine at Old Car Heaven, Friday, January 25, 6:00pm
Mount Pleasant, SC: 30th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival at Boone Hall Plantation, Sunday, January 27, 10:30am
Charlottesville, VA: It’s CHILI in January! Saturday, January 26, 12:00pm at First Colony Winery
Memphis, TN: Michael Joyner :: CD Release Party, Friday, January 25, 9:30pm at Memphis Rehearsal Complex

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Lovely Leggings Do's & Don'ts

In case you haven’t noticed between by sock post and tight post, I am slightly obsessed with leg wear, and leggings are definitely in the leg wear category! Since I started the week with Tenacious Tights I thought it only appropriate to include Lovely Leggings in this weeks posts. Although jeans look great, I prefer leggings for the casual everyday life. Leggings are versatile, comfortable, in style, come in tons of cute colors and prints, and they will keep you warm on those cold winter days! The only trick to wearing leggings is wearing them in a flattering manner. I have done some research on the do’s and don'ts of wearing leggings; today I am going to share some valuable tips so you will always look fabulous in your leggings from now on! 

Wear panties that won't show through (i.e.wear dark panties with dark leggings and lighter shades of panties with lighter color leggings). Also be sure to pick a pair of panties to wear with your leggings that won't show  an underwear line
Be sure to wear a longer sweater or shirt with your leggings, this will give you a more sophisticated look.
Make sure that your leggings fit correctly; you don't won't them to fit lose, and you definitely don't want a camel toe, so don't buy a pair that fits too tight. 
Choose a length that is flattering for you. Pick a pair of leggings that stops at the thinnest part of your calf; for the most part leggings look best in longer lengths.  
There is no going wrong with a pair of black leggings! Black is the most elegant color for leggings and they match everything!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Do You Know The Muffin Man


Oh, do you know the muffin man, The muffin man, the muffin man, Oh, do you know the muffin man, That lives on Drury Lane? Unfortunately I do not know the muffin man, but on the upside I do have some pretty great muffin recipes I can share with y’all. So get ready to whip on that apron and get your Betty Crocker on! In the South there is nothing more Southern then to have muffins for dinner; whoever said you could only eat them for breakfast, down here they are an all day treat!

Apple-Nut Muffins
1 egg
2/3 cup apple juice or milk
½ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup nuts, chopped
1 apple, chopped
Topping:
1 tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Grease 12 medium muffin cups or line with paper baking cups. In a bowl, beat egg with juice, oil, and vanilla.

In another bowl mix flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt, then add to liquid mixture. Stir until moistened. Fold in nuts and apple.

Fill prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle with sugar/cinnamon mixture. Bake at 400°F about 20 minutes. Immediately remove from pan.
~ Cherished Recipes The Picnic and its friends

Lemon-Dipped Blueberry Muffins
1 cup fresh blueberries
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 ¼ cups flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoons salt
¾ cup whole milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
Glaze:
2 tablespoons butter, melted
¼ teaspoon lemon juice
6 tablespoons sugar

Toss the blueberries with 2 tablespoons of the sugar and the lemon zest in a bowl; set aside. Combine the flour, the remaining ½ cup sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; mix well. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Whisk the milk, oil, and egg in a bowl until blended. Pour into the flour well; stir just until moistened. Fold in the blueberry mixture. Fill paper-lined or greased muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake for 20 min or until golden brown.

For the glaze: Combine the butter and lemon juice in a bowl; mix well. Dip the warm muffins in the butter mixture and then in the sugar.  
~ The Junior League at Home 
Fudge Muffins
4 blocks semi-sweet chocolate
1 cup melted margarine
½ tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups chopped walnuts

Melt margarine and chocolate in pan. Beat in sugar, salt, and flour. Then add eggs one at a time, stirring in. Add vanilla and chopped walnuts. Pour into a greased 24-cup muffin pan and bake for 25 minutes at 325°F.
~Recipes from Miss Daisy’s