Friday, April 29, 2011

Royal Blush Cocktails*AT*four


 Join me today at Pickwick House for some bubbly-cosmo-meets-mojito! Some festive complementaries for celebrating #royalwedding2011~

Do come!

My Quick Round-Up of top LUVS: 
Kate's Dress {very Sound of Music-ish}
HerVeil
Her Sweet-n-simple Bouquet
Harry just makes me smile
New favorite names: Pippa, Eugenie, and Beatrice 
The hats, hats, hats
The Large Trees in the Westminster Abbey


Royal Blush Cocktail Recipe

1tsp cherry puree

3 tablespoons vodka

1 and1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon simple syrup

5 fresh mint leaves

1 cup ice cubes

1/4 cup dry sparkling wine, such as brut Champagne, chilled


Thursday, April 28, 2011

DesignCrush:RyanKorban

My nesting instincts are kicking in full force, and I still have twelve more weeks to go. I feel the need to straighten all my nests...  Redesign of Web + Blog Design + Home + Clients.  Met with a graphic/web designer today and will meet with an architect next week about the possibilities of adding onto our tiny, tiny house that's about to explode with even more little people and growing teens.  I cannot believe we're about to have another baby!!  Baby A has been waking me up early in the am with all his kicking, and sometimes that's good and sometimes bad.  Today, it was good.  I woke up at five and knocked out a lot!


Okay, moving on...I have a SERIOUS design crush right now....see below to find out who/what/where.
He's so talented.  And cute too...I might add.

LOVE that salmon colored velvet!  Cheetahs making me growl.

Can I just say "Canopy LOVE"?!

Can't get this vanity out of my head!! The over-sized ruffles just-so bubbly fun!

Bringing in the simple, dark furniture keeps it grounded and unfussy.
 Ryan Korban.  I remember seeing this sweet-faced Italiano looking boy and his work a few years back in the old Domino issues.  Now, he's popping up everywhere, including the new TradHome Mag.  I really love his romantic/70's vibe.

What do you think?  Do you have a favorite male designer?  I think Ryan's right up there on my list.

Royal Wedding Thoughts to come tomorrow!!

xo

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Turtle Lovers in Design

I have a collection of antique tortoise shells in the shop for sale.  I do not advocate the killing of turtles for their shells.  I love turtles and have been noticing more and more turtle lovers who surround themselves with turtle shells or representations of turtles.

The Chinese believe that the turtle has the secret of heaven and of earth within its body because its back symbolizes Heaven and that its underside represents Earth.  They love turtles and it is a great Feng Shui symbol of prosperity.




Here is a breath taking design at La Marea restaurant at Miami's Tides South Beach Hotel, decorated by Kelly Wearstler with antique tortoise shells.  Kelly is a god-like inspiration with her bold trend setting eye in all that she does! I love how she incorporates nature's beauty into her designs here.  


 (Photos from VOGUE}

How 'bout you?  Would you be inclined to decorate with turtle shells?

Monday, April 25, 2011

Royal Wedding Details

Happy Monday and Happy Royal Wedding Week!  It's upon us...THE celebration that the world and wedding industry will be watching very closely this week.  One of the most momentous moments of the century and I can't wait!!  How 'bout you?  Will you be tuning in "At the bright of an early morn with tea and scones."?






(photo credits: Suzi Kemp via Anthology Mag, Graham & Brown via Anthology Mag}

Friday, April 22, 2011

Unclouded Skies

Happy Good Friday, Happy Earth Day, and Happy Easter to you all!  I'm wide awake at three in the morning thinking about food, tables, and food.  I need to be sleeping so I won't look like racoon eyes in the morning for the rolling camera.


 Come into the store today and pick up some earth friendly things.  At Pickwick House, we feel good when we can give high-fives to the earth and/or cheap-champagne-like-toasts {my new phrase for DIY} to the earth....like repurposing flea market finds, supporting artists who make the handmade things we carry, refurbing, and also selling sustainable products.  Come get a soy-based candle to take as a hostess gift or if you're running last minute on Easter basket and table scape ideas, we have got just the thing.  Also, tell me what cool earth friendly things you're seeing done out there.  I'm inspired today by poppytalk's earthday post...to see it go here.




(all images from Pinterest)


I'm off!  Happy Celebrations with your families.  ta-ta!  

xo
sharon

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Silvie's Three!


It's Sylvie's birthday today.
Sylvie, pictured here, next to her "Speeder" {her new set of wheels that all the Lampe boys learned to ride on}.   You can hardly see her face with her long bangs.  We're trying to grow them out, but she won't keep a hair tie in!!  She's a fun little thing.  Loves pink, but is tougher than a box a rocks with her determination.  Just last night, Sylvie rode her bike all by herself for a good thirty feet and laughed the whole time she was doing it.

I ordered Syl some little Salt Water sandals and am hoping these little "sylvie-colored" ones arrive before Easter.  Loved these dresses that I found on a blog fave of my sisters, bliss. They look like really good twirlers, don't you think?  They are from kicokids.

We were going to have a little bash for Sylvie this weekend, but as always, it rains on her party day.  So, we're waiting for sunshine.   Hope we can all find some soon!

Happy Day to you all!

xo
sharon

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Spring Table-Tops

My uncle just sent me this little picture and verse that my great, great grandmother Pauline Frances Camp made over 100 years ago.  She would make these as favors for their many party guests that they would entertain-for in their big, beautiful Victorian home on Walnut Street.  Pauline's husband, Walter, commented to his mother that Pauline would make things like this "so quickly, that the expense and passing of time was of no consequence."

Poems and sketches.  So sweet.

I thought that this would make a sweet addition to a table I just put together here, at the store.  The spirea flower is one of my favorites.  Reminds me of mom, because mom battled hard with my dad over these bushes in our own yard, growing up.  Dad loved hedge trimming with his long-corded electric hedge-trimmers and took pride in making a tight-bowled shape bush, while mom loved the free flowing branched bushes.  I have to agree with mom.  Free flowing is much dreamier.  What would you say?

These spirea branches are from a bush from my childhood home, which my brother Philip lives in now.  We live next door and share this one bush that I love.  I loved picking them today.  What's popping up in your yard?  No other bouquet like one from your own yard, is there?

This Friday, on the KY3 News early morning show with Maria Neider, I will be sharing some entertaining ideas for Easter Tables and Baskets. I'll try to share a link then.

Have a good rest of your week!

xo
sharon

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Spring's First Farm to Table Event

The Missouri Chapter of Slow Foods will be kicking off the season's first Farm to Table Dinner at Pickwick House.  I couldn't be more excited to be collaborating on this event that celebrates the efforts of Local Farmers, Locally Grown Foods, Local Vendors, and an intimate gathering of Local folks from the Ozarks who will come to support and celebrate these good things!

I'm going to try to incorporate beautiful florals, rustic woods, and a creamy scheme to accentuate the menu that Guest Chef Vito Palmietto will be preparing.  We're clearing out the entire store to bring in Long Harvest Tables and Candlelight.  Hoping to be able to squeeze 65 people in...with extras to spill over onto tables outside along the storefront's sidewalk.

Vito brought a unique serving piece by the store yesterday to show me a glimpse of what's in store with the menu.  It's unexpected.  And that's exactly what the night will bring.  Unexpected Surprises!  Can't wait!!

*Friday April 22nd, 7pm
*Tickets will not be sold at the door.
*Can be purchased at Home Grown Foods and Pickwick House
*Limited Seating Available
*$40 per

Have a beautiful day!!

xo
sharon

Monday, April 11, 2011

Easter Workshop at Pickwick House

{All images by Adie Gately of twintownstudios.com/.  Place Settings for Workshop}

 

Designed and Created by Anna Bolt-Ezell

Fresh, Homegrown Carrots on the Chandelier

Mint-Lemon Iced Tea

Galvanized Pail for an alternative Easter Basket: Chalkboard Paint Strip + Personalized Name


Raw Silk Bow + Materials for Pysanky Egg Creation

Pysanky Dye in Beautiful Colors created by Katie Kring

Katie's Amazing Pysanky Eggs  {These Eggs are Museum Worthy}

Our Basket-Filling Station

My raw silk hand-made bows + cute brooches 

Easter Basket Goodies

Millie Dolls {Selling Out FAST!}

Me, Guest Artist Katie Kring, and Kendra

Harvest Table w/Potted Lavender set inside Vintage Punch Bowls {SOLD out}
We also hung fresh, homegrown carrots on the chiavari chairs






Hi All! This past workshop was so much fun!  Can't wait to share what the next one will be.   Meanwhile, we're busy preparing for the SLOW Foods dinner that I will be hosting/designing at Pickwick House.  I couldn't be happier to be helping them kick off their season of taking fresh, local food from Farm to Table this year!   We are clearing out the entire store for this special event to make way for something very authentic.  Guest chef is Vito Palmietto...




In April's workshop, I demonstrated how to create pretty embellishments for an "urban-cottage" Easter basket, and guest artist, Katie Kring, showed the inspiring history behind pysanky artistry for eggs.  Katie also demonstrated a how-to on making a simple pysanky egg {a long-held custom from the Ukraine}.  Then, each guest chose a basket to purchase and filled their baskets with unique, one-of-a-kind items that were exclusively selected and made by local artists for this event.  Hors' d'oeuvres were cucumber sandwiches, coconut cupcakes, and iced mint-lemon tea served in vintage punch bowl cups.

Each class participant's place setting included:  
*one of my taylor-made overside bows made with strips of raw silk and antique brooches {the pre-waxed and dyed tutorial pysanky egg was placed on top of bow for a strikingly sweet effect on their favors}.  These bows were later used to adorn the baskets each guest went home with.  The bows were multi-purpose as well...they could be worn as lapel pins.
*One duck egg that Katie collected from her ducks that she raises on her farm.  She prepared these ahead of time{blew out the yokes and sketched each one with her unique designs}
* stylus {known as a kistka)
* beeswax
* candle
* pencil and paper for note-taking
* cupcake {hors' d'oeuvre} 
* Each chiavari chair was embellished with a homegrown carrot {so simple and sweet}
* Chandelier was also embellished with the carrots
* Small side table was covered in white craft paper and used for dying the eggs.  Mason jars held the beautiful dyes.

Easter Basket Table Included Choices of:
*Three different colored grass stuffings displayed in an antique hardware box
*baskets and galvanized pails {painted a strip of chalkboard paint on the side to add a customized touch for personalizing with a child's name}in all shapes and sizes
*personalized Easter cards
*Urn filled with extra-large raw-silk bows


Specialty Items for Easter Basket-Filling:
Lavender Potted Centerpieces placed in Vintage Punch Bowls with 12 cups {sold out}
Yarn-knit wreaths designed and created by local artist Anna Bolt-Ezell
Millie Dolls {sold-out...These are my sisters dolls and can be ordered}
Oversized ribbons made of strips of raw silk and antique brooches {these were demonstrated by me} 
Naturally-flavored jellybeans w/customized wrappings and flowers
Truffles & Chocolate Bunnies made locally by Elle's Patisserie 
Vintage Labeled Candies
Wooden Toys/yo-yos for
Hand-made Headbands by Hillary Fisk {proceeds go to relay for life}
Metal and Wooden Children's Gardening Tools
Madeline and Curious George Books & Puzzles
Colored Pencils wrapped in cute papers


Special Thanks to Adie of twintownstudios.com/, the AMAZING Katie Kring, Kendra of loniemae.blogspot.com/, Anna Bolt-Ezell, Millie Johnson, Eleanor Taylor {my daughter} for her sugar cookies that she makes and sells @Tea Bar and Bites.