New Orleans is Getting out of the Bucket!

It all started with her "bucket list", things she wanted to do before she couldn't! My best friend is turning 60 in a couple of weeks- yikes- we met when we were in our twenties! So I had to plan an over the top birthday for this special year. Last night I gave her the first installment of her birthday gift- clues to where we are going. Gold envelopes were labeled with clues that are unique to this beautiful American city, lagnaippe, Sazerac, Marie Laveau, Restaurant August, Bayona, Alexa Pulitzer. The envelopes held menus, shopping hints and history about the city. Next she opened the beautiful stationary from Alexa Pulitzer, a very talented New Orleans resident and finally, the beautiful book by Debra Shriver, Stealing Magnolias - Tales from a New Orleans Courtyard. Alas, she knew where we were going- New Orleans was on her bucket list! I had made the kumquats in orange liqueur from this beautiful book ( the page is open and behind my crystal compote filled with tasty concoction)We celebrate tonight by having it with a little bubbly.

After reading this book, I gained a different perspective about New Orleans, specifically their exuberant entertaining style. And as a added bonus, I had emailed Alexa Pulitzer about carrying her unique stationary in our store, and she called me back and gave me some great inside scoop on great shops, clubs and restaurants ! What a sweet person! We don't leave for a couple of weeks, so if anyone has any other insider info on New Orleans - places to go, see, great affordable antique shops etc. please email me. We want to experience the best of this incredible city, go where the locals go, and get in some killer shopping. We are looking for Old Paris Porcelain, gourmet treats, French antiques and great entertainment. After all, it is the Paris of America!

Screen Porch Refurbished!

This was the year to paint the porch- what a tedious project! But with an empty space and to make the most of a tough situation, I decided to re-decorate! Re-arrange the furniture, change the accessories and get some new outdoor rugs were all on my to-do list. I found that both Ballard Designs and Home Decorators had great outdoor rugs. The one shown here is from Ballard. I accessorized the burlap covered table with a vintage paper mache frog, my collection of resin mushrooms and chestnuts, and a little collection of green glasses- so pretty with tea lights in them in the evening hours. The green and gold tin fans are actually sandwich holders from France - given to me by a dear friend years ago. Both the chair and sofa are covered with outdoor fabrics from Robert Allen, an outdoor velvet and zebra printed chenille. The first roses of the year are in a vintage silver sugar bowl on the coffee table. Now with a pile of magazines and a glass of wine, this porch is the best place to be in the summer.

Late Blooming Peonies

You know what they say -"Better late than never!"

Arriving about 3 weeks late this year, the peonies did finally bloom this week. One of my most anticipated flowers of the summer, the peony is a glorious flower. The scent of the peony adds a heavenly scent through out the house. I love mixing the peonies with leaves of Hobbits Foot. It's grey misty color is a perfect blend with the soft pink and white color of the flowers. Such a beautiful flower only blooms for about 2 to 3 weeks. To continue to enjoy their wonderful fragrance, Nest candles has just introduced a delightful new scent, Blanc Peony! It's scent makes you feel like you still have a huge vase of the scented flowers on your table! Available at Romancing the Home, it's a must have fragrance for the summer entertaining season!

Sea Shell Tablescape

Maybe summer is finally arriving in Chicago- maybe?? So it's time to get out the sea shells! It's a similar rule to the one my mother taught me growing up in Virginia- you can only wear patent leather shoes from May to September and linen is only worn during the summer- same thing for sea shells in Chicago! So what that it's June 2 and it's only 56 degrees outside- They are coming out! This tablescape is one that we set for a home tour that was raising money for our local school district. Yards of fabric that resembled seaweed was draped over the table, while Arte Italica chargers held these beautiful salad plates of natural shell. I think one of the most beautiful things on earth is the nautilus shell and love using it for floral arrangements. Fresh kale, roses, fiddleheads, and baby artichokes were arranged in each shell. Fruit sushi was placed on the shell plate. Pink venetian stemware enhanced the soft pink glow from the shells, while vintage mother of pearl flatware added elegance to this tablescape. A mixture of mercury glass candlesticks with antique crystal shades sparkled on the table. Most of the items on this table are available at Romancing the Home. Be sure to visit www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com for other inspiring tables.

Organic Touches

Being in the home fashion business, we are always looking for ways to keep our inventory fresh and reflecting the current trends. While the shabby chic look will always be a way of life for us, we are updating it with a more organic approach. In the Bella Notte and Pom Pom area, we removed all the rose oils and floral accessories and replaced them with curly willow branches and some architectural elements. A twig chandelier replaced one with crystals and evokes the feeling of sleeping in a tree house. A palette of creams, greys, and whites was mixed from our inventory of Bella Notte and Pom Pom bedding. An just for fun, we threw a caramel colored cow rug over the bed and topped it with Pom Pom's cute white throw. Our new cow rugs are soft and easily drape over the mattresse. The aged mirror headboard is actually a window cornice, but it adds a little glamour to our eclectic setting. Now the rose oils have found a new home in our French Country display and look quite fresh!

Costco Treats for a Small Gathering

Today we are getting ready for a small wedding at a very special customers home. So again, Costco was our go-to source for our flowers. Spending only $30 on flowers, I was able to create four small bouquets for the powder rooms. Little square vases were stuffed with the shortened stems of the mixed bouquets for only $7.50 each. These little babies would be at least $30 each at a local florist. The key to making them look great is to cut the stems short and make the arrangement tight! While at the store, I also discovered these precious little tiramisu chocolate cups from Chambord in the refrigerated section. Garnished with edible pansies, they are a festive touch to dessert at any gathering. Costco continues to delight me with a new surprise every time I visit their store.

Summer Tablescape

We just received these beautiful new serving bowls at the store and it inspired us to set a new table in our entry. On a midnight blue taffeta tablecloth, we placed silver crocodile glass chargers and layered Arte Italica Pewter rimmed plates on top. The iridescent grey napkins also came in this week and are perfect for the color of the dishes. Folding the napkins in triangles, we then placed the silver lined pearlized bowls on top. Fuchsia orchids and flowering cherry blossoms added the pop of color. Vintage mother of pearl flatware worked perfectly with the dinnerware. Large pearlized bowls held the orchids, but would be perfect for a cold pasta salad, fruit salad, or greens. Vintage crystal stemware mixed with a new silver compote added the sparkle to the table. The overall effect was dreamy, reminding us of a cool summer pool -a perfect tablescape to kick off the beginning of the summer entertaining season! Please be sure to visit www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com to see many new tablescapes.