Super Happy, Fun Times with the Slaughters

Tennessee Roadtrip

Do you ever have one of those weeks that makes you look back and say, “Wait… what just happened?” We’ve basically had that kind of week. So, just for fun, let’s play a little catch-up.

Last week, I got in a wreck. (I’m totally fine–no worries!)

New Rides

The next day, Husband found me a new bike. It’s a Hollywood Cruiser that I have affectionately named Betsy Schwinn.

The day after that, we bought our very first new car: a Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI. I now have a car that is not only gorgeous and comfortable but will hold large canvases, groceries, and my dog all at the same time. I am in love!

On Friday, we drove to Nashville to see Tower of Power live at the War Memorial Auditorium. ToP is Husband’s favorite band, and he has been trying to see them in person for about 15 years. They did not disappoint. We danced our way, along with Bestie and lots of middle-agers with hair reaching to Jesus, through an incredible show! If you aren’t familiar with them, here’s a little taste…

On Saturday, we drove south to Chattanooga where we heard some gorgeous music performed by the best high schoolers in the state–the stop was a carry over from  Husband’s band directing days. Then, we spent the rest of our day eating ourselves silly at St. John’s and the Stone Fort Inn’s Terra Mae. (We just love staying at the Stone Fort Inn. If you’re in the area, it is so charming!)

We wrapped up the weekend with a day of antiquing and (you guessed it) more eating with a show at the Tivoli. BILL COSBY! Can you believe it?! He was amazing. He was perfect. He was everything I wanted him to be, and I now find myself even more obsessed than I was before. I just adore him so much.

Finally, on Tuesday, we got invited to see a great show at The Bijou: Chris Thile with Brad Mehldau. It did not disappoint.

So that’s the gist. In between there were lots of other things but really, we are out of time and I could use a nap. So instead, please allow me to gift you the recipe for my latest drink of choice.

This Week's Sparkly Sensation

Pour yourself a glass of prosecco. (Cupcake is my personal favorite.)

Then, simply throw in a slice of lemon and a sprig of lavender from your garden. Trust me. It’s Springtime perfection!

Regular posting will commence again this weekend, with some BIG news coming next week. xoxo*

Snapshot of a Weekend

Gathering Recipes from Southern Living this weekend.

{picture from my instagram feed}

The weekend was absolutely lovely! The weather down South is finally warming up a bit. We spent hours in the sunshine playing games along the river bank and eating absolutely offensive amounts of amazing food! And, as happens every year around this time, I’ve come home with a pile of recipes. There’s just something about sunshine that makes me want to open the windows, let sunshine stream in the kitchen, and try some new recipes. One in particular that I’ve got my eye on is this Strawberries and Cream  Cake from the latest Southern Living. FYI: I’ll also be sharing a couple new recipes here on the blog later this week!

What about you?
Any new recipes your longing to try?
Anything I should add to my list?

Ready for the Weekend?

I know. I know! It’s only Thursday. But I have to tell you, I am sooo ready for the weekend! Tomorrow afternoon, Husband & I will be heading up to the mountains with some of our dearest friends to spend the weekend relaxing by the river. So tonight, I’m putting together a few little goodies for our trip. This, of course, turned into “Why not plan a cute little brunch & post it on the blog?” You’re welcome.

simple-spring-brunch

Find a Le Creuset French Press (which I am currently coveting) here.  //  Cute pic of Strawberry-Lemonade muffins from Southern Living. I’ll be the first to admit, I am a sucker for good food-styling! (I don’t even like lemon in my baked goods; I just can’t seem to get enough of that summery pic.)

So tell me… what is your favorite brunch indulgence?
Is there anything we simply must try?

Morning Ritual: Illustrated

They say that things in the South move at a slower pace. That we tend to take things as they come and appreciate the moment we are in, be it sitting on the front porch sipping tea or having Sunday lunch with the family.

However, I have a tendency to contradict this on a regular basis, which is one of the reasons Husband is so good for me. He regularly reminds me to slow down and breathe. To appreciate the moment we are living. And, to appreciate the processes that bring about the things that we love. The latest of these things? Coffee.

In February, one of our Valentine’s Day gifts was a coffee grinder you turn by hand and a French press. It has transformed our mornings.

Morning Ritual Illustrated | Secrets of a Belle

Morning Ritual Illustrated | Secrets of a Belle

Morning Ritual Illustrated | Secrets of a Belle

What is a daily ritual you love?

 

Hello, Gorgeous!

Just a little random link guaranteed to totally brighten your day! Enjoy!

I cannot get enough of writer-illustrator Joanna Avillez’s interpretation of one of my favorite literary stars: Eloise, for New York Magazine’s Childhood in New York series. (The series is totally worth digging into when you get a chance with stories from legends like Mel Brooks, Joan Rivers, & Barbara Walters just to name a few.)

So what would happen if Eloise was currently growing up in Brooklyn’s famed Wythe Hotel?  She’d tip with Adderall and run a killer instagram account… Naturally.

Click here to check out Joanna’s site or follow her on Twitter.

What Are You Reading?

The Duke of Devonshire Taking a Nap in the Library at Chatsworth, Shot by Christopher Sykes

The Duke of Devonshire Taking a Nap in the Library at Chatsworth, Shot by Christopher Sykes

This afternoon, over on English Muse, I shared some beautiful little reading rooms and posed the question “Where do you read?” I got several responses on the blog and on Twitter, which eventually (& I suppose inevitably) turned into a “What are you reading?” conversation. So I thought I’d share a few of the lovely books I’ve been delving into for the past few days.

currently reading

 

1.) Oddfellow’s Orphanage by the lovely Miss Emily Winfield Martin

I prefer children’s books to just about anything else, and this one in particular is right up my alley. It’s the most magical book I’ve ever read, and when I finish it (right after I post this), I will probably just start at chapter 1 again. An added bonus? Delicate, beautiful illustrations by the author.

Visit the Oddfellow’s Orphanage site.

2.) Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of Country Life by Julia Rothman

When I heard Julia Rothman on Grace Bonney’s podcast “After the Jump” last month, I knew I had to get this book. It’s a beautiful illustrated guide to the farm–from the combs of the roosters to the layers of the soil–created by a Brooklyn artist who happened to marry a Nebraska farm boy. How sweet is that?

Visit Julia’s site.

*Please Note: If you are a lover of illustrations, you should add both of these books to your collection as soon as you can. You can thank me later! 

3.) You Can’t Drink All Day If You Don’t Start in the Morning by Celia Rivenbark

This book is next on my list, but I haven’t started yet. It’s been recommended by multiple people so I’m very anxious to get started. From what I understand it is funny, has short enough chapters to keep me engaged, and has numerous tasty recipes throughout. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Visit Celia’s site.

So what about you? What are you reading?

Snapshots from the Weekend

Weekend Reading: Oddfellows Orphanage by Emily Winfield Martin

 

Breakfast for a Belle

 

You + Me

This weekend was quite divine. Highlights included reading Emily Winfield Martin’s *lovely* Oddfellow’s Orphanage (more on that later), Saturday morning breakfast from East Tennessee’s infamous Donut Palace, and a lot of time with family & my honey.

Happy Easter!

Ezra Jack Keats Jennie's Hat

This illustration from Jennie’s Hat by Ezra Jack Keats always reminds me of an Easter bonnet. Enjoy this special day with friends & family! *Happy Easter!*

Style File: Easter Parade

Easter Parade 1948

You know that feeling. There are so many men surrounding you. However will you choose? Grace Kelly dealt with it in High Society. Julia Roberts had her pick in Runaway Bride. Cameron Diaz experienced it in every single movie she’s ever been in. But poor Judy. I will never understand who says, “Let’s just be friends” to Peter Lawford. No excuses Judy. Nonetheless, this being Easter week, I thought Easter Parade would make for a much better Style File than the Prince of Egypt. So here goes, a few lessons to be learned this Easter week from the classic.

1.) First a little mood music. (Fun Fact: Husband endures me singing this song each time our toes touch 5th Avenue in New York… or any other monosyllable avenue for that matter.)

 

2.) Learn how to confuse children. I have a feeling this skill will come in very handy should Husband and I decide to reproduce.

 

3.) Know how to draw an audience. If you can’t do it on your own, you have two choices:

showstopper-1948easterparade-secretsofabelle

One: Wear something outlandish and find very large accessories.

face-1948easterparade-secretsofabelle

Two: Make ridiculous faces.

4.) Humility is handsome. “I’m just a fella… a fella with an umbrella… a fella with an umbrella that also happens to be a Kennedy in-law with a killer accent from across the pond who hangs out with the rat pack on the weekends and is known for my devastatingly handsome good looks. You know, just a fella.”

fella-umbrella-1948easterparade-secretsofabelle

5.) Have key pieces in your wardrobe that are ridiculously over the top. Might I also suggest practicing your “What? This old thing?!”

lawford-coat-1948easterparade-secretsofabelle

6.) Wear hats–hats & furs. I’m sure you know this, but some things bear repeating.

wear-hats-1948easterparade-secretsofabelle

7.) When dealing with men, you might as well just take charge. Grab the man you really want, dress him up, and take him out. If, in the end, he offers you diamonds, you’ll know you’ve done something right!

judy-fred-1948easterparade-secretsofabelle

A Month…

It’s been a month since I’ve been in Blogland, and I will be the first to admit postings were pretty sparse for quite a while before that. Why you ask? Well, let’s just say things have been abnormally busy around here for the past couple of months. But rather than give you all the details in one post, I’ll just share a few of the highlights from the last couple of weeks.

Currently

I had a new headshot done for work to go with a project that I am super excited to start sharing with you in the next few weeks. Stay tuned on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram for more on that!

I am completely in *love* with my new Kate Spade iPhone case. I always gravitate towards bright yellow so it’s basically the perfect accessory for every outfit.

I threw in the gratuitous shot of Husband doing yard work to tell you 2 things:
1.) I am hopeful Spring is on the way despite the fact that it was snowing big flakes all morning.
2.) It’s been nearly 10 years & Husband really does just keep getting hotter. I have got to go to the gym.

I recently finished Bubbly on Your Budget, which was a such a fun read! It was first published in 1937 and is all about living a luxurious life within your means.

I have recently discovered that IBC root beer is my favorite after work treat, especially when served in a frozen mug!

I don’t know when I have ever been quite so excited to acquire an original work of art as I was on Monday when we adopted this little man from Emily Winfield Martin’s shop. Isn’t he perfect? I mean: a bow tie? a bee? adorable rosy cheeks? What more can you ask for? If you’re interested in finding your own little treasure, I highly recommend visiting Emily’s shop.

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