Happy Anniversary!!

To my husband! It's been five years and it just gets better and better. It's so amazing to be married to my best friend and companion. I am thankful for him daily. This picture is from our honeymoon. We went to Curacao, a Caribbean island just south of Aruba and stayed at The Hotel Kura Hulanda (below) and it was perfect...the weather, food, service, views...so laid back and beautiful.





My second favorite trip we've ever taken was to Sonoma, California. At the suggestion of my dear friend, we stayed at The El Dorado, right on the square. I highly recommend this trip as a perfect romantic get away. It was delightful...I loved everything about the trip and can't wait to go back!




Honestly, though the trips are wonderful and memorable (and I love planning them), it's the everyday things that make being married to him so special. He truly brings out the best in me and loves and supports me like no one else. I hope and pray I do the same for him. Cheers to my steady Eddy!

Ranch-Style Homes & Front Porch Planters

On a recent trip home to Asheville, I was inspired by my parents neighbors' home and front porch planters. Their ranch-style home has been totally converted into an updated mid-century classic with great details and amazing landscaping and planters. I had to sneak a few pictures!




Although typically I'm drawn to older homes with more details and charm, I really like the idea of an updated ranch and the simple layout and convenience they afford. Characterized by the following details, Ranch-style homes became popular after World War II as an economical alternative for all of the returning soldiers and their families:

•Single story
•Low pitched gable roof
•Deep-set eaves
•Horizontal, rambling layout: Long, narrow, and low to the ground
•Rectangular, L-shaped, or U-shaped design
•Large windows: double-hung, sliding, and picture
•Sliding glass doors leading out to patio
•Attached garage
•Simple floor plans
•Emphasis on openness (few interior walls) and efficient use of space
•Built from natural materials: Oak floors, wood or brick exterior
•Lack decorative detailing, aside from decorative shutters



My mom introduced me to the Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees (she has amazing taste and decorating abilities) and I love their height and shape, especially in the topiary form. And to have two, flanking the front door (which I didn't capture, unfortunately) is very effective! Love the symmetry!

Lonny Magazine Blog!!

Finally Lonny has an updated website and blog, in addition to their on-line magazine, which I love, AND they are offering Lonny in print for those of us who prefer traditional print media. Tons of design inspiration and information. Founded by designer Michelle Adams, former Domino editor and owner of Rubie Green fabrics, and photographer Patrick Cline, Lonny Magazine focuses on new and exciting designers, trends and products. Pour a cup of tea and enjoy every minute of this site!

Children's Gift Ideas

Birthday parties for children are so much fun but sometimes the challenge can be finding the right gift that's age-appropriate, affordable and unique. Here are some ideas I've come across lately.

I love the Paint-a-Pot Garden, pictured above, from Our Garden. It says for ages 5 and up but Janie and I had fun doing it today. It comes with a set of paints and brushes, a terra cotta pot, Marigold seeds and soil. A fun activity and children can watch their special garden grow! You can find them locally at my favorite garden center, Gulley's.

I also love making a short sleeve white T-shirt special (don't they go through hundreds of these?) by adding a child's name or monogram. I buy them from Target and take them to The Butterfly Cottage downtown for a quick, simple monogram. I've also ordered shirts from this Etsy site that are adorable and excellent quality!



We LOVE the book Bee and Me by Elle J. McGuinnes and Heather Brown. I think that book with a jar of local honey would make a great gift (for mom and dad, too) and teach children the importance of supporting local bee keepers. You can always find fresh, local honey at the Farmers Markets.



This is a little bit of a splurge for a very curious child...The Birdsong Identiflyer (below) is the coolest little handheld device that teaches children how to identify bird calls. Janie and I discovered this at Wildbirds Unlimited in Aberdeen and she could have played with it for hours. Do you have any children's gift ideas? I'd love to hear them!!

Foyer Warmth

What does your foyer say about you and your home? Does it welcome guests with warm, soft light a place to sit and maybe some personal touches? Does it come to life with a great wallpaper (like in the photo above, my favorite foyer ever, by Tom Scheerer) or a snappy paint color? Is there a mirror which provides more light and makes the room feel bigger and maybe a nice size tray to gather in and outgoing mail? In our home we mostly go in and out of the kitchen (thank goodness I finally changed out the counter tops) but in a more formal house, it's good to think about the finishing touches. It really does introduce your guests to the rest of the house.

Bringing a "Living Room" to Life

It's fun to bring a room to life conceptually. My goal is to help a client create a living room that's sophisticated but fresh, current but grounded. What do you think? The green lamps are my splurge but I think they make the room!

Living Room by Ginger1719 on Polyvore.com

Hand-woven Brown Wool Rug (5' x 8') | Overstock.com
$137 - overstock.com

Custom Upholstered Piccadilly Chair in Designer Fabrics | Serena &...
$1,399 - serenaandlily.com

Bungalow 5 Cordova Table Lamp Hand Painted Porcelain Chartreuse -...
$445 - laylagrayce.com

Nomad Rug - Wool Rugs - Handmade Rugs - Rugs | HomeDecorators.com
$263 - homedecorators.com

0261-88 : Camden Exposed Leg Sofa by Hickory Chair Furniture
hickorychair.com

9792-10 : Dauphine Mirror by Hickory Chair Furniture
hickorychair.com

Thibaut - Wallpaper and Fabric - Residence - Baron - Wallcovering...
thibautdesign.com

Glazed Apple Spice Cake

Happy October!!!


I am excited to try this recipe this weekend now that apples are in season and at our local farmers market AND I have a beautiful new, blue friend (above) thanks to my sweet husband. Hope everyone has a fun-filled fall weekend!!



Serves 8

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch of ground allspice
6 tablespoons softened unsalted butter
6 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup applesauce
2 apples
1/2 cup granulated sugar

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour a 5-by-9-inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.
3. Use an electric mixer to beat together butter and light brown sugar until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add molasses; beat until combined. Add eggs, 1 at a time, plus vanilla, and beat until incorporated.
4. With the mixer on low, add half the flour mixture and beat until just combined. Beat in applesauce; add remaining flour mixture until just incorporated.
5. Peel and core apples, reserving the peel and the core. Cut apple into 1/4-inch cubes, and fold into the batter. Transfer to pan, and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour, 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.
6. In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar, 1/2 cup water, and apple core and skin. Bring to a simmer and cook over medium-high heat until syrupy, about 10 minutes.
7. Remove cake from pan, and brush glaze over top and sides of cooled cake.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Glazed Apple-Spice Cake