HGTV Home for the Holidays: Behind the Scenes

That’s me, Blondie, instagramming away!

If you’ve been watching my Instagram this week, you know that our Made + Remade crew over at DIY Network teamed up with HGTV’s Design Happens to throw a holiday party of epic proportions. In the coming weeks each of the blogs will be posting about how we pulled together everything from the mantel to the bar with our characteristic sparkle & charm. The fabulous team put together some really unique projects inspired by Liz’s vision of a modern, rustic holiday party. (See her mood board post here.) We shot in a stone room at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens, and while I can’t give away the finished shots, I just had to share some behind-the-scenes peeks!

Despite the fact that it made my face itchy (I’m allergic to Christmas.), that big, leafy thing on the left was one of my very favorites. My friend Virginia made it–she’s the one wrapped in fur below.

Kayla, Virginia, & Farima getting cozy with Grant hiding in the back. That fabulous bow with the mad iPhone skills? That would be my girl Deanne!

Keri rocked out a beautiful hanging sculpture. Finished pics will be on one of the blogs in a couple weeks.

Liz has a serious gift for baked goods. Wait until you see the rest of the food–it was gorgeous!

My first contribution are some invites you can download and then dress up. Click here to read the post!

Happy Easter!

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: Holiday Inn

In honor of Presidents’ Day, I just couldn’t resist sharing a little Style File from a favorite of ours: 1942’s Holiday Inn. It’s the classic story of boy meets girl set to the tunes of Irving Berlin.

Boy falls in love with girl. Boy’s friend steals girl. Boy moves to farm and finds new girl. Rinse and repeat.

Some would call it a Christmas movie, but I think it’s best enjoyed during the month of February: such a short month yet so many holidays! Regardless of when, here are a few things to be taken…

Old movie sets remind us that cliché can sometimes be fantastic.

The house used in Holiday Inn was the *perfect* New England home. So perfect, in fact, that it was later reused in 1954’s White Christmas. (Personally, my dream house will have those big windows!) However, a few nuances I’d really like to point out are the contrasts between the “girl’s room” and the “boy’s room.” Please note: the lace curtains, hand-painted glass lamps, and chaise lounge, versus the printed drapes and model ship. I’m not gonna lie, I have to go with the gender stereotypes on this one; I’d love to put on my make-up in front of that vanity. (My regular, non-controversial makeup that brings me closer to looking like Joan Rivers than Jennifer Hudson, but keep reading.)

Find a room that has it all.

Working in the industry that I do, I often hear people go on and on about open-concept floor plans. Personally, I’ll just take this one living room if you don’t mind.

When it comes to holidays, overdo it!

Holiday Inn is just that: an inn that is open *just* for holidays. And each holiday comes with some seriously fantastic decor. Take a look…

Maybe I Should Clarify…

Overdo it… tastefully. Which brings us to the first February holiday: February 12th, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. The performance of “Abraham” (obviously not Irving Berlin’s best work) has become so controversial that most channels airing the movie cut it entirely.

While the black face makes my stomach ache, it’s interesting to think of it in the context of when this movie was made: 1942. That’s nearly 80 years after the Civil War’s conclusion but just a decade before the Civil Rights Movement really got ramped up.

Also worth noting in this song (and throughout the film) is the fabulous Louise Beavers. You may recognize her because around this time she was in everything! (For instance, she absolutely stole the show in this movie with Cary Grant.)

Anyway, after Lincoln’s birthday is Valentine’s Day which, of course, is best celebrated surrounded by an overabundance of hearts, lace, crepe paper, and plenty of creepy cupids! As a side note, how glorious is that dress?

We really should work together to bring back “Black Tie.”

Finally, in the words of Paula Deen,

“The closer to Jesus, the better we like it!”

Maybe it’s the Southern Belle in me, but don’t you just *adore* the hair and dress for George Washington’s birthday? It’s as if Linda Mason could be Scarlett O’Hara’s 18th century cousin with that hoop skirt & big hair!

So Happy Presidents’ Day! Will you be watching Holiday Inn? If so, please remember to celebrate in style!

Sunday Snapshot

Husband and I spent a blissful Valentine’s weekend deep in the mountains beside a potbelly stove with lots of food, wine, and books. I hope your weekend was equally as lovely!

Snapshots from Saturday

Yesterday, the Slaughter family took a quick road trip to the mountains to relax, read, and shoot our Valentine’s Day card.

Fashion Week? Blizzard Nemo? I’ll take a little mountaining over those any day!
Hope your weekend was equally as delightful!

P.S. I joined Vine. Have you played with the app at all?

Hello, Gorgeous!

I hope that the chaos of the holidays has been enjoyable for you & yours! Here at the Slaughter house, we were hit with a bit of sickeness just after Christmas which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We’ve spent the past few days resting on the couch watching old movies & episodes of Coach. But now that our break is coming to a close, I thought this blog better get back in the swing of things. So here are a few New Year’s links to get your week started off in style!

Watch:

How about the quintessential New Year’s movie? When Harry Met Sally.

The movie that teaches us several important lessons to carry with us into the new year.

1.) It’s important to know & articulate what you like.

2.) Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.

3.) Hats should be worn with confidence–because years from now you’ll probably wonder what in the world you were thinking.

4.) The perfect go-to karaoke song is always “Surrey with a Fringe on Top.” (You’re welcome.)

Finally, everyone loves Meg Ryan. Everyone.

Wear:

Things I Covet from Shop Ban.do | Secrets of a Belle

from left to right: tiger lily / drinking the stars / up to no good

A statement piece,* of course! Lately, I have been eyeing the piece above from Ban.do.

*A statement piece is an eye-catching (but attractive) accessory. It says something about the wearer to the rest of the room… “I am confident.” “I am fun.” “I am certifiably insane but at least I’m having a good time.”

A good tip to follow when wearing a statement piece for the first time: Tone down the rest of your outfit from dress to hair to make-up so that the statement piece is not competing for attention.

Drink:

Something bubbly… might I recommend a bottle of Veuve?

Listen:

One of Husband’s very favorites…

Til next year! xoxo*

Making Any Resolutions?

Recently, I started a book by a lady who was trying to live a ‘happier’ life.

I started it 3 times.

Each time, making it about 30 pages in and each time putting it down slightly more miffed than the last time. “How tedious can one person be?,” I thought. ‘What is happiness? What does Aristotle have to say about that? How can I flow chart my way to a happier life in 365 days?’ Was she kidding?!

Of course, then it hit me: I have basically been this woman since I was 6. I’m that girl that gave myself homework at the beginning of each summer, I was thrilled at 12 when I finally got the daytimer I had begged for, and I started every Autumn with a list of New Year’s resolutions. (Seriously, if you don’t start in September, how will you ever find the time to evaluate which resolutions are truly worth your time before making your list in January? I may not have valued the wisdom of Aristotle, but Coco Chanel and Walt Disney quotes are scribbled in every sketchbook I’ve ever owned. (For the record, Ben Franklin lost all credibility when I learned that one of his 13 virtues was temperance.)

So with this realization, how do I enter 2013? I could resolve to not worry so much, to care less, and to not take myself so seriously. But who am I kidding? I’ll probably try to read more, to wear more color, to lose those last 10 pounds, and to finish things that I…

In the words of Coco Chanel:

Momma’s Fantasy Fudge

Thanks to Pinterest, I have been finding so many great recipes lately, and this afternoon I plan on sharing a few of my favorites on Twitter & Facebook. But first, I thought I’d share one of our favorite family recipes. This time of year, we keep the ingredients on hand for easy access on a rainy Friday night or a snowed-in school day. I prefer peanut butter fudge as you can tell from the pic below, but the recipe can be for both chocolate and peanut butter fudge… it all depends on what chips you use!

Momma’s Easy Fantasy Fudge

Prepare a 13×9 or 9 inch square pan by lightly greasing it before starting your recipe. You will need a 4 quart microwavable bowl for this recipe.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 sticks butter

3 cups granulated sugar

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 package (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips (or peanut butter chips, plus 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter)

1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

1.) Microwave butter one minute or until melted.

2.) Add sugar and evaporated milk; mix well.

3.) Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes. Mix well; scrape bowl. Then microwave on HIGH for another 5 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes. It’ll be boiling like crazy.

4.) Gradually stir in chips until melted. Add remaining ingredients, in order listed; mix well.
Pour into prepared pan. Cool at room temperature before cutting into squares. Store in an airtight container. Makes 3 pounds.

Tips & Tricks from Momma:

If you are making this recipe with peanut butter, the reason for the 1/2 cup peanut butter addition is that the peanut butter chips come in a smaller weight than the chocolate.

One word of warning: I’ve always made several batches of fudge in a row. I learned the hard way that your spoon needs to be completely dry when you add and stir in the chips and marshmallow creme. I used to stir with my favorite wooden spoon and would wash it in between batches of fudge. The wooden spoon tended to not be completely dry when I’d work with it on the second batch. What happened is that the fudge would suddenly turn grainy and harden much too fast to work with. I learned my lesson…and in the process, realized that an introduction of another liquid such as vanilla flavoring should always be added right at the end of the recipe!

P.S. Don’t forget to check Twitter & Facebook this afternoon to see some of my favorite Pinterest recipes! #BellesPinterestFinds

Giving Thanks

If your mother raised you right (or if she didn’t and you’re trying desperately to make up for it) there is one thing that must be at the top of your ToDo list this week: Send out those thank you notes! If you completed them last night, congratulations! If not: shame on you–sitting here reading blogs instead of getting things done. Lucky for you, I’ve got a few tips to get you back on track.

1. Pick your stationery.

It’s best if your stationery matches your personality…

“The letter we all love to receive is one that carries so much of the writer’s personality that she seems to be sitting beside us, looking at us directly and talking as she really would, could she have come on a magic carpet, instead of sending her proxy in ink-made characters on mere paper.”
-Emily Post

classic | postcard | kitschy cute

*Of Note: I carry those postcards from Rifle Paper Co. in my purse. You know, just in case!

2. Be specific.

A generic thank you note is your way of saying, “I really like getting stuff, and I am happy you’re here to serve me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me.” Instead, be a little chatty…

Start with a greeting.
Say thank you for the specific gift / meal / party.
Note something specific: What do you like about the gift? Is the gift useful? Was the entrée at the dinner especially noteworthy? Were you excited to meet X person at the party?
End with something pleasant. (ex: “Hope to see you again soon.” “We’ll think of you when we drink that bottle of Beaujolais.” “Hope the rest of your year is just as festive.”)

3. Finally, a little inspiration.

{ source }

*Also, please remember: Better late than never! It is never too late to say thank you.

A Little Mood Music

I am a Spotify zealot and iTunes devotee so mood music for the season is a must. With that said, I’ve had several requests for Christmas music lately so I thought I would just do a little post about some of my favorite albums to keep on in the background while baking cookies, opening presents, and drinking champagne. Enjoy!