Drink It Up!

Rustic, yet Refined

Keith Phillips, Clever Creator

If Keith Phillips were a beverage he might just be a cold PBR served in a beautiful piece of china.

Based right above us in NC, Phillips created Mud Stuffing to showcase his uh-mazing handmade pottery, quilts, and fabrics. The traditional down-home quality spiced with delicate detailing and whimsy has me drooling at the mouth to own a chunk.

First on my list is the sponge holder and a tea or coffee cup to strut around the office with, but if I ever get my hand on a cool grand- that Bee Queen is mine!! Below are some of my favorites but make sure to click here to see all the other beauties from this talented local gem. He also has a blog spot here or a feature interview on etsy here.

P.S. Ladies- it doesn’t hurt that he’s nice on the eyes either!

My sponges shall never look ugly again!

Oh, Bee Queen how I love thee!

Even if your tea goes cold it will still look hot and stylish in this cup!

The details- rock my brain!

All photos by Mud Stuffing.

Glamping

Continuing with the outdoor theme this week, I want to talk about a new hybrid way of experiencing all the mountains majesty in an elevated way. It’s a trend called “Glamping”- a fusion from glamorous camping! I also call it perfection!

If you struggle, the way that I do, with bugs and sleeping on the ground, this may be your ticket. I know there may be traditionalists that will snub their noses, but to each their own. It’s not a camper or an R.V., it’s just a tent with attitude….. and a real bed, and real furniture, and great sheets, and wonderful lighting, and fabulousness- so get over it!

Below are some photos of how others have adopted this trend. And sure I would need to be going for more than one night to schlep all this stuff up the trail, but staying a week or more would make it all worth while. Enjoy!

Lust List: Nature Girl

I am not what you would call a "nature girl", but this weekend I tried my best to be open to the idea as I met some friends for a camping trip in Brevard, NC. How bad could it be? Growing up I spent many nights at Burrell’s Ford playing Foxes and Hounds and roasting marshmallows. So, one night in the wilderness should be a piece of cake.

We hiked, we swam in pools near waterfalls, shot guns (yes, guns), and had a blast playing games and relaxing by the fire. With the exception of banging up my knee (clumsiness is something you never out grow) I survived!

With this in my mind I have chosen great damp-inspired items that I am lusting after for our next trip.

Campers Have S'More Fun Tags $5.00

Slugs Fleece Boot Liners $22.00

Flashlight Flour Sack Towel $8.00

Land Yacht Giclee Print $35.00

Personalized Summer Camp Journal $12.00

Indian Summer Copper and Feather Earrings $40.00

Felted Coozy Set $15.95

Ooo La La Lemonade!

It’s hot here in Greenville, SC. Real, real, hot. So hot, as a matter of fact, that the thought of shaving my head crosses my mind at least once daily. And when it gets that hot around here there is only a couple things that will cool you down.

Top of the list would be a backyard pool oasis or a wonderful boat ride on the lake- but because I have neither pool nor boat, I am going for number three. Lemonade!!!

And although the classic yellow is always a favorite, there is an entire rainbow of flavors to explore. Below are some I have been experimenting with, so take a big gulp and refresh yourself. It’s gonna be a hot one!

Best Lemonade Ever!

Ingredients
1 ¾ cups white sugar
8 cups water
1 ½ cups lemon juice

Directions
1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled.
2. Remove seeds from lemon juice, but leave pulp. In pitcher, stir together chilled syrup, lemon juice and remaining 7 cups water.
3. Chill in refrigerator or pour over ice and enjoy. For picnics or serving outside fill mason jars with lemonade and lemon or orange slices, screw lid on tight, and chill on ice until ready to drink. Cute and tidy!


Raspberry Lemonade

Ingredients
¾ cup fresh or thawed frozen raspberries
9 cups water
2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 12 lemons)
2 cups superfine sugar

Directions
1. Puree the raspberries in a blender and strain through a fine sieve into a pitcher.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk together until the sugar dissolves.
3. Serve over ice. Garnish with fresh raspberries and/or mint leaves for added flare.

Original recipe from Diane Murphy



Watermelon Lemonade

Ingredients
½ cup white sugar
½ cup water
4 cups cubed watermelon
3 cups cold water
½ cup fresh lemon juice
6 cups ice cubes

Directions
1. Place the watermelon into a blender. Cover, and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve.
2. Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 3 cups of cold water and the lemon juice.
3. Divide the ice into 12 glasses, and scoop 2 to 3 tablespoons of watermelon puree over the ice, then top with the lemonade.
4. Gently stir before serving. And garnish with small watermelon pieces, mint, or lemon.

Original recipe from All Recipe

Lust List: Summer Lovin'

As the South Carolina summer continues to drift in to the boiling June days, I can't help but think about all the wonderful summer memories I have. Each thought strung along a lifetime of beach trips, picnics, and boating on the lake, I am really happy to live in a place where we get a fabulous taste of each season.

Below are some juicy finds that scream summer to me in a playful way....

Watermelon Print $20.00

Set of 2 Turkish Beach Towels $44.00

Knot Bracelet $26.14

Summer Burlap Pillow Slip $32.00

Lifegaurd Pogos $40.00

Drink It Up!

Creative Women Change Lives.

If Rubina where a beverage it would be a Hot Pink Pomtini, fabulously feminine and superbly strong!

Rubina partners with creative women globally to build sustainable design businesses in marginalized communities. Supporting their ability to take traditional crafts and use them in a modern design arena, we are able to purchase beautiful art while supporting women's rights all over. 

Below are some of my fav's from the shop. To check out more see the full website here or their blog here. 

Happy Birthday Dad!

Yesterday, Memorial Day, was also my Dad's birthday. In all the excitement and happiness of soaking up the sun, I didn't post my birthday wishes- bad bad daughter!

So, think of today as just another day to celebrate a great guy and my one and only Dad! Happy Birthday Daddy- I love you very much!!!!

Lust List: Patchwork Perfect

As a graphic designer I have learned to love incredible patterns and as a southerner you can’t get much more incredible than hand sewn quilts. I have my own collection made of handed down heirlooms and beauties that I just couldn’t pass up. I love the array of colors and the story that flows through each piece of cloth. Quilts are cool.

That’s why this week’s Lust List is dedicated to patchwork patterns and items that remind me of this fabulous tradition. Enjoy!

Indian Gypsy Cuff $120.00

Eve Lollies from Vanilla Stick $32.24

Postcard Collection $16.00

The Duchess Bracelet $36.00

Lacy Link Shoe $225.00

Folk Miniature Town $30.00

Hello Smartie Hairpiece $58.00

ANNOUNCEMENT!

The new "ONE" project in downtown Greenville will officially house....... (drum roll)...... ANTHROPOLOGIE!!!!!

Yes, it is possible and very very sad to be this excited over a store, especially because this project will not be complete until 2013. But we are growing people! G-R-O-W-I-N-G!!!!

To check out the project click here and to check out Anthropologie's online store, climb out from your rock and click here.

Drink It Up!

Good Clean Nostalgia            

If Nostalgia were a beverage it would be a perfect glass of apple juice at your favorite grandmother’s house.

A supplier of organic soaps and toiletries, this fabulous artisan shop has founded a world that is kind to it’s clients and the planet, while keeping a style all their own. I love the bright traditional prints that take me back to childhood mixed with the happy feeling that these products are actually good for the environment and me.

See some of my favorite picks below or check them out here.  

 

Fashion Food

My two biggest cravings in the world are for food and fashion, so after being inspired by the oh so chic cookies here I decided to dig up more fashion forward edibles. Why can't the food that goes in us be as cute as the clothing and accessories that go on us!? And why can't we bring more than the normal meaning to good taste!