Comments : 16

Good Sunday morning to you! A reminder that it’s daylight savings time to everyone. Want to announce the winner of our melamine giveaway-

#141

Cheryl Brewer on

These are just gorgeous! Hard to believe they’re melamine! I would be so grateful to get them!

Please email us at [email protected] with your shipping info so your dishes can be on their way!

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Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Here the warmer weather is making its way in and I am loving it. Last week we were teased with getting to the 60’s a few days and it was pure bliss.  I have never in all my years been so happy to say bye to winter, with the pandemic and then being sick myself…its been a long long bleak winter.

Low key weekend here, we were hoping to escape to PB but with me still dragging a bit and my husband getting over being sick (not Covid) we are putting it off a little, though that is really where I want to be!

So, I am happy to share some happiness and beauty today as we all I think so desperately need! Hope you enjoy-

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1 SPRING DINING ROOM MANTLE I had such fun the other day putting this mantle together, always love bringing out our porcelain bunnies and eggs, they just make me happy. Added gorgeous fresh flowers to my collection of smaller vases and voila! All done.

We had the best surprise on Friday, we had been sold out of the mama and papa bunnies but found 3 boxes of them hiding (we are still organizing in our new warehouse). We were never so  happy to see them, so we do now have a limited number of all three bunnies, they are going fast however. Click here to see the collection.

 

 

2 A PRODUCT I LOVE.   A little shine or glow never hurt anyone and I think as you get older and your skin gets drier, a bit of a dewy look is quite flattering. This product constantly wins all kinds of awards and honestly I bought it but didn’t quite get the fuss, after trying it a few times. There must be a reason that every makeup artist in Hollywood won’t leave their makeup bags at home without it!

But I have since started using it regularly and wow I must say I get it now! It gives my skin such a dewy (but not overdone) effect. No sparkles the some have, but just a pretty soft glow. I use this without foundation and use a little bronzing powder over it. You can also mix it in with a foundation or use this first then a foundation over it. This is one of my favorite products now! Go figure, I think its actually brilliant! It can be bought in most dept stores or you can order online, click here.

3  COMING SOON You know how much I love sharing all that is new and extincting over here! I am not good at keeping secrets and often things are just too good to not share. And suffice to say we have all kinds of amazing things happening and coming.

These footed floor planters just came out of production and they have surpassed my expectations, couldn’t love them more!  I have had these large planters alive in my head for years. I wanted a very large tole planter that could accommodate a large palm or big fig plant. And I did it! These beauties will be offered in three great sizes, 22″, 20″ and 18″.

Already have a few spots reserved for these beauties (coming around April 24th, we will hold a presale in a few weeks).

Seriously considering this green and would so love your opinion. Even if they might not fit into your decor curious as to what you think.



And how about this snazzy covered wicker dome and platter? I am going to be doing these in three sizes and a casserole dish! Perfect for summer entertaining, cannot wait.

4 INSTAGRAMS OF INTEREST Such sheer beauty this week. This round up has me more excited for spring than ever, feeling inspired for the first time in a long time….at long last!

5 A GUARANTEED GREAT WAY TO GET A DELICIOUS FILET MIGNON So I have a love/hate relationship with meat, however my husbands and son love it. I always wanted to know how to make a steakhouse style filet Mignon. And I finally conquered it! It was easier than I thought but it’s all in the precision like timing. Only other must have is a cast iron pot/skillet.

So here is what I did- added 2 TBSP and a pat of butter to pot, heated it very high without burning, added my steaks (only thing I did was add salt and pepper to both sides) Cook steaks for 2 minutes on each side. You will get a really nice sear, once done immediately put the entire pot/pan in a preheated oven (set to 375) for medium to medium well, its about a 7-8 minute cooking time.  We did 7 minutes. Took out the pot,removed the steaks an put on a cutting board. Let them “rest” for a few minutes. One step I never did and frankly always thought sounded so ridiculous. But I stand corrected, steaks really do need to rest! OK, so here are a few quick pics-

I did not have whole peppercorns this first time, so used coarse pepper but have since used whole peppercorns which is the way to go

After a few minutes, I served them with the peppercorn sauce (which I whipped up while the steaks were resting), mashed potatoes and spinach. Yum yum! They got rave reviews:)

Peppercorn sauce- This is actually super easy  to make and very flavorful. I did add a little flour to thicken it up a bit-

Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup (85 ml) brandy or cognac
  • 3/4 cup (185 ml) beef broth/stock , low sodium
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) cream , heavy/thickened
  • 2 – 3 tsp coarsely crushed whole black peppercorns

 

  • Add brandy or cognac into the same skillet that steaks were cooked in and let it simmer rapidly, scraping the bottom of the pan, until it has mostly reduced and you can no longer smell the harsh alcohol smell (~1 min).
  • Add broth, bring to simmer and let it simmer rapidly for 2 to 3 minutes or until it reduces by half.
  • Turn heat down to medium. Add cream and pepper, stir, then simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until it thickens (do not let it boil rapidly).
  • Taste sauce, adjust salt (and pepper!) to taste.

 

 

6 MY HOT WATER AND HYDRANGEA TIP! So I have mentioned many times about the hot water trick for wilting hydrangeas that look like they are ready for the garbage. Not so fast.

Did a little test to show you how it works, which is quite an amazing testament. Both my potted hydrangea and stems were badly wilted, almost to the point of new return. I gave them both a generous bath of super hot water (literally as hot as you can stand it) and lo and behold look at the after about 2 hours later!!!

Disclaimer- Does not always work but does most of the time, many of you have emailed me telling me how it worked for you and were amazed. Who knew!

Bef0re

After-

Pretty amazing, don’t you think?

7 SUNDAY’S SURVEY So I was having a discussion the other day with someone about whether when things are back to “normal” if there are specific changes we have made that we will implement into our every day life post Covid. And interestingly enough,  I found myself saying yes.

I thought I will wear a mask in a very crowded place, like a plane, airport, etc…and that I will continue to sanitize my hands frequently throughout the day when out in public. I have always 2 bottles of sanitizer in my center console in my car at all times (and a mini one in my purse).  Two things pre Covid that I rarely thought about.

I think also having had Covid and never wanting to experience it again has made me very aware and more in tuned to the “what if’s” then if I had not had it. Curious what your thoughts are?


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And that is it for this Sunday’s post. Hope you enjoyed it! Anything particularly resonate? Hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Sunday, it’s nice to have one day with no agenda, no “must do”s” and do as much or as little as you like. Though its gotten cooler again,  the sun is bright and we gained an hour of daylight! Moving in the right direction. Thanks for stopping by, until next time…..

PS We have a very special deal of the day! Our gorgeous and regal large ivory/gold Staffordshire dogs are on sale for $95 (regularly $115) for the pair!  Click here to see

Today only (sale price will come off at the end)


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Great post today!
That Hydrangea Tip is very useful- my go to flower of choice when possible.
I have never been great at Steaks in the Oven, but will definitely try your method. Sauce too. Sounds good.

You know….except for the “mask thing”…I pretty much did all those “other” things…used a paper towel to open bathroom doors when traveling, antiseptic wiped plane trays & handles, when flying, etc. “Germ phobe”…not now….franki

What an absolutely beautiful post. Your mantle is gorgeous and I think I’m going to have to copy!

Thank you for the method to cook steaks, I live in a family of serious carnivores but I’ve never tried this method going to give it a go.

LOVE those planters that you are bringing in and please add some in that luscious green.

To answer your question yes I will definitely wear a mask in very crowded spaces and will be much more diligent about sanitizing my hands which I did sporadically but not the way I do now, I have a feeling this will be a lifelong habit going forward!

Would love to see the tole planters in ivory with a medium green botanical pattern as an alternative to the blue and ivory. Thank you.

Everything. Is so pretty! Really love the new planters and wicker dishes!

Your mantle is perfect, I bought your bunnies last year and taking them out today and going buy some tulips

Grew up as a germaphob so will continue as I did pre COVID with sanitizing. Hand washing and trying to avoid large crowds. This is far from over- look at what’s going on in Europe right now. – a third wave!

Hope everyone is careful and stays safe.

The only new behavior for me is a mask, the others I already did. Also please be very careful with hand sanitizer in your car. It’s dangerous in warm weather and can cause a fire.

I have done steaks in the oven for as my go to for a long time. The only difference for me is I heat my skillet in the oven as the oven preheats and I set my oven temperature to 425 and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Think about the blue/white planters just like that in pale green. Also the wicker casseroles with domes in rectangles.thanks. Always look forward to Sunday post.

Hello dear Tina!!! I’m so glad that things have calmed down a bit since your last post. Hope your son’s pup is completely on the mend. I remember you mentioning the hot water tip a couple of years ago. Every time I do it I think of you. Hope that you are feeling 100% quickly. Have a great week.

For wilted Hydrangea (wedding florist) I place them in a bathtub and submerge them for awhile. I learned when prepping for a wedding, I always submerge them for a couple hours the night before, and they come out stronger than when I got them! I’ll try hot water in a vase, might be easier with a smaller amount of blooms. Great tip! Your mantle arrangement looks gorgeous!

The dzinrgal post of the white/green/blue living room with the black coffee table hit me dead center !! Haha !! I’m sure I’ll dream about it tonight ! Also, the gorgeous tablecloth in the Peachtree Club picture has me swooning (and wishing) !

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