Junking at The Shop of Seagate: Home Accessory Finds

If junking were a sport, I'd have a wall of trophies to boast, all thanks to my mum. I grew up junking with her at little antique shops throughout Wilmington. One of our favorite spots over the years has been The Shop of Seagate. This precious store is stocked with fabulous freshly painted dressers, revamped picture frames and antique home accessories. Word on the street is this was the hotspot for the stage crew of Iron Man 3 looking for film props, and it's no surprise! Every time my mum and I stop in the Shop of Seagate, we swoon over their new merchandise, and we always leave with more than we had planned. The owners Kathy, Jayne and Sharon are such a delight and are masters at staging as you'll see upon visiting their adorable store. I decided to document our latest junking adventure at The Shop of Seagate below which Sharon so graciously allowed us to do!
Thanks, Sharon! xx

You can follow them on Facebook by clicking here!

With Wilmington's sudden drop in temperatures, this Christmas display put a smile on my face.
I just love Christmas!

Sheer table delight with wintry touches of silver, glass, crystal and mercury! 

Delicate glass doorknobs and colored glass bottles exude Southern charm.

I wanted that mint green telephone, but Sharon wouldn't budge. It's "not for sale", but I must admit this is a killer visual display 

Tea time, anyone?

Oh hey, old Hollywood glam! (How I want this, but I don't need it.)

Glass bottles in a crate once delivered by the neighborhood's local milk man - what a great past time! 

Just look at this display. The ladies of The Shop of Seagate are staging queens!

Our junking was definitely a success! Lovely stockings made by CeCe Graham, a bright rust red frame, a stained glass window, an amazing lantern, a sweet wire basket, a hanging fixture that holds glass bottles or candles and an aquamarine vase.

This little guy was my favorite furniture thrifting find!

My furniture thrifting attire now that winter is starting to hit Wilmington.

Where are some of your favorite places to go thrifting and junking?

Monday Muse Blake Lively is the All-American "It" Girl of Fashion & Style

Here the all-American "it" girl of fashion and style, Blake Lively, is wearing a black pea coat with a skinny dark trouser, charcoal handbag and oxfords. She completes her look with a fun, patterned scarf and bright red iPad cover. This Charleston-born Southern girl is one of my favorite celebrities. Not only is she a trend setter and talented actress, she is classy! She refuses to go nude on screen (click here for the article). Here in Brooklyn she is on set as Serena van der Woodsen of Gossip Girl. Blake Lively plays and works in style -- It's no wonder that she is The Culture of Design's Monday Muse. xx

Monday Muse Blake Lively is the All-American "It" Girl of Fashion & Style by anderson-mary-h 

What do you think of Blake Lively's style?

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

I hope you all are having an amazing Thanksgiving with those who mean most to you!! This morning my family and I took part in one of my favorite family traditions - Meals on Wheels. We drove around town delivering meals and creating memories with those who are elderly and can't get out on their own. It is so touching to have such loving people welcome you in for conversation and a sweet prayer. We started this tradition years ago with the intention of blessing others, but we are the ones who walk away so blessed. This Thanksgiving, bless those you love, eat your fill, laugh heaps, watch a football game and nap in between! Here's a little Thanksgiving love from me...

Here's our dining table pre-Thanksgiving meal. Stay tuned for the aftermath!

Feast your eyes! I will never eat that much again. Well, at least not until next Thanksgiving...

How did your Thanksgiving go? Were you prepared? Were you with your loved ones? 

I hope you had a wonderful time with the ones that mean most to you! 

Baby Shower DIY Projects

Baby showers allow me to enjoy the things that I love - DIY projects and babies! It doesn't get better than this! Although I love children, I'm nowhere near ready to having my own. But, I'm dying to be an aunt (*hint* to my siblings). Until then, baby showers like the one pictured here are a nice way for me to get my feet wet in aunty activities and crafts. 

For this baby shower, my mum and I were asked to help on the creativity portion by a friend of ours. What did we do first? We hit Target and Hobby Lobby. We scored some white onesies, fabric samples, rolls of ribbon, a ceramic owl, an owl frame and more. The theme came together so nicely - girly owls for a precious little girl.

Scroll down below for details on how to make your own table cloth, onesies and pendant banner and how to customize a baby shower for the mama and her ball of joy!

For the diy table cloth, we ran five ribbons of various widths, colors & prints down the middle of the table. To secure them, we taped them underneath at the ends so we can use the table cloth & ribbon again! We hung paper lanterns to echo the fun girly colors, adding height to the room! A little tip that helps me for parties: I write on a sticky note what is going on each tray so I don't forget anything. ;)

In the top left, I took the owl frame & printed off "Wisdom for Mommy" along with little sheets of paper for the guests to leave words of wisdom & advice for the mommy to be!
In the bottom left, the hot pink ceramic owl was originally dark brown. I first sprayed a coat of primer & then topped it off with hot pink spray paint. I also sprinkled roses, tulips, mason jars & owl toys on the table to bring in color. Mommy can take the toy owls home for her little girl to soon play with too!

Here's the adorable pendant (plus onesies) banner. I anchored the ends of the twine by tying each one to a plastic stick-on hook on the edges of the hearth. I concealed each hook with a fun bow. I am so pleased with it! 

To create these pendants, I folded the fabric in half, cut out the desired shape and then lay it over the twine. To secure it, I pinned a few nots of colorful ribbon just under the twine at the top of each pendant. Isn't it adorable?

These are the different designs that my friend, my mum and I did on the onesies. In the top left is a flower with a cute owl button in the center. In the top right is a twig with leaves. In the bottom left is a pretty little owl, and in the bottom right is a brightly printed sun.

All you need for the diy onesies is iron-on tape, fabric glue, fabric, scissors, onesies, an ironing board, an iron and one little button. Now you're ready to get started!

Here's one example: My mum quickly drew out an owl shape so we could use that as a guide for cutting. Then we cut out the eyes, the wings and the triangle nose from another fabric swatch. We used the iron tape and secured the edges with fabric glue. Lastly, I secured them on the twine with clothes pins, completing the pendant banner. Isn't this just a hoot? 

For the other three, we cut out paper templates for the flower petals, twig, sun's circle and sun's rays. The leaves we free handed, and the button we secured with fabric glue. These onesies were not only a decorative piece but also a conversation piece sure to be enjoyed by the little girl on the way! Mama & guests enjoyed them. How about you?

I hope you enjoyed this Baby Shower feature filled with DIY Projects! I'll keep you posted on any updates of future nieces and nephews! I'm hoping to be an aunt sooner rather than later so keep your fingers crossed! xx

Monday Muse Kate Moss in the Black & White Trend

Model & designer, Kate Moss is one of the leading icons of the fashion industry. If you're a fashionista, you look to her for the latest trends. Here she captures the black & white trend by wearing a Wool Coat with a contrast sleeve, a basic white T and black denim trousers. She is also modeling an army green bodycon dress and black ankle boots, all by Kate Moss for Mango. If I need style inspiration, Kate Moss is one of my go-to girls. Here are a few fashion ensemble ideas inspired by Monday Muse Kate Moss! xx

Monday Muse Kate Moss in the Black & White Trend by anderson-mary-h featuring splendid tops

Thanksgiving Holiday Table Setting

Thanksgiving is only 6 days away! Can you believe it?

Avoid the holiday panic by planning ahead. I have a huge family so I can't afford to leave everything to the last minute. The more I can do ahead of time, the better! To get one step ahead of the holiday rush, decide on your menu and set your table with Thanksgiving decorations and name tags. Leave the last minute details for the last minute.

Below I've shared an example of a Thanksgiving holiday table setting that I put together with feminine fall tones. Also, I've included a Thanksgiving Planner from marthastewart.com that's sure to help you organize your time so you won't forget any detail or feel overwhelmed.

Happy Thanksgiving planning! xx

Gold is the color I've used to ground the overall Thanksgiving look - gold chargers with gold corn and gold acorns.

To add depth and enhance the ambience of the room, I've used mercury vases and mercury votives. 

The adorable gold acorns and corn I scored at Pottery Barn. I love that store!

Create that unexpected personal touch by writing your guest's name with a gold paint pen on a lovely piece of ribbon.

From the gold and mercury tones, I've added in rich reds, plums and fresh greens. The hydrangeas lend dimension and the roses add drama, creating a lovely, warm Thanksgiving feel. 

All you need now is food, family and friends! Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Planner

.............................................................................................................................................................................................

Early November:

 Choose a menu.

 If you’re ordering a fresh turkey, do it now; if you’re buying a frozen turkey, you still have time, but don’t wait until the last minute. Remember: It’s best to allow four to five days for it to thaw.

 Floral centerpieces finish off a well-set table. Florists are busy this time of year, so order flowers now.

4 Days before Thanksgiving:

 Compose a shopping list, and purchase all nonperishables. Wait until the day before Thanksgiving to buy salad greens, fresh bread, or seafood.

 If you’re baking pies for dessert, make the dough for the crust, roll it out, lay it into pie plates, and freeze.

 Start defrosting the frozen turkey in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Plan ahead to allow a full day for every 4 pounds of turkey being thawed.

2 Days before Thanksgiving:

 Homemade stuffing often calls for stale bread; cut and cube the bread now, and set the cubes out in a single layer on a baking sheet.

 If using cloth napkins or tablecloths, iron them now. 

 Make the cranberry sauce; a couple of days in the refrigerator will give the flavors time to

develop. 

 Prepare the serving pieces, plates, flatware, glasses, etc.

1 Day before Thanksgiving:

 Defrost pie dough; assemble and bake pies.

 Make the giblet stock for the gravy.

 Make the vegetables and side dishes that require baking, such as casseroles, and reheat them tomorrow; or assemble them today, and cook them right before dinner.

 Peel the potatoes, and then refrigerate them in a pot of cold water. 

 Pick up the fresh turkey from the market. 

 Prepare the stuffing, but leave out any raw eggs until you stuff the bird. 

 Set the table tonight or first thing in the morning.

Thanksgiving Day:

 9:30 a.m.: Remove the turkey from the refrigerator, and allow it to sit for 1 hour at room temperature.

 11:15 a.m.: Preheat the oven, and stuff the turkey.

 11:30 a.m.: Put the turkey in the oven, basting it every half hour.

 Noon: Chill the white wine.

 1 p.m.: Make the mashed potatoes. Closer to dinnertime, place them in a heat-proof bowl and set them at the back of the stove over simmering water.

 3 p.m.: Whip the cream for the pie; prepare the coffee, but do not brew it until about 20 minutes before it will be served.

 4 p.m.: Check the temperature of the turkey at the thigh, which is the thickest part. If the thermometer reads 165 degrees, remove the turkey from the oven. If not, check the temperature every 15 minutes until the bird is done.

 4:15 p.m.: The turkey will need to sit for 30 minutes prior to carving. Take advantage of the break to make the gravy and any last-minute vegetables. Remove stuffing from bird; transfer to a baking pan. Bake until stuffing reaches 165 degrees.

 4:30 to 5 p.m.: Call everyone to the table. Start the coffee maker just before sitting down.

(I got this amazing preparation checklist from Martha Stewart! Click here to view the printable version.)

Delicious Gluten-free & Dairy-free Raspberry-Lemon Meringue Layer Cake

Want to throw your tastebuds a party? This is the recipe you're looking for. This Raspberry-Lemon Meringue Layer Cake is absolutely delicious, and it looks pretty too! Personally, I'm not a huge fan of lemon flavored desserts, but I absolutely loved this one and plan on making it again soon. With its meringue layers and custard filling (and topping), it's much lighter than most Thanksgiving desserts, allowing for more indulging! Did I mention that it's gluten-free and dairy-free? This means that it's a sweet treat without all the guilt!

I pulled this dessert recipe from Silvana Nardone's Cooking for Isaiah Cookbook. This is a great gluten-free and dairy-free cake for family reunions, the holidays, bridal showers and dinner parties. It would even be cute for the Fourth of July by adding in some blueberries. You can enjoy this cake the moment you assemble it. Or, you can save it for later by refrigerating it for two hours or up to overnight. I prefer refrigerating it overnight to let the flavors set in and mix nicely.

Now, I'm going to be honest with you. The first time I tried to make this, it flopped so be sure to diligently following the directions. I recommend having a helper in the kitchen if you can. The second time around, my mum helped me with the custard, and my cousin helped me with the meringue, thankfully. Scroll down to see the delicious finished product!

SERVES: 8         PREP TIME: 15 minutes (it took me more like 30 minutes)
COOK TIME: 57 minutes (plus cooling in the oven)

Meringue Ingredients:
6 large eggs whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1.5 teaspoons cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Custard Filling & Topping Ingredients:
3 large eggs plus 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
12 ounces (340 g) raspberries
Confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling

Steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a pencil and an 8-inch (20-cm) cake pan, outline two circles on the paper. To make the meringue layers, in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites with the salt on high speed until fluffy (you'll beat them until there are no air bubbles surfacing). Reduce the speed to medium-high and gradually beat in the granulated sugar. Beat in the cornstarch, lemon juice and vanilla until stiff and shiny. Mound half of the meringue onto each circle on the prepared baking sheet, spreading evenly to fill.

2. Reduce the oven temperature to 250º F. Bake the meringues until pale in color, about 45 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the meringue cool in the oven for 45 minutes. Remove and let cool completely on the baking sheet set on a wire rack.

3. Meanwhile, to make the filling, place a large heatproof bowl (I used a Pyrex bowl) over a pot of simmering water. Add the whole eggs and egg yolk, granulated sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest. Whisking constantly, cook until thickened, 10 to 12 minutes (this is where I made my mistake. I actually needed to let my cook longer. Make sure it's not the least bit runny but has the consistency of a custard). Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap; refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

4. To assemble, place 1 meringue layer onto a serving plate, spread with about 1 cup of lemon filling and top with half of the raspberries. Repeat with the remaining meringue layer and lemon filling. Loosely cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. To serve, top with the remaining raspberries, and using a sieve, sprinkle with confestioners' sugar.

Bon appetite! I hope you and your loved ones enjoy your homemade Gluten-free, Dairy-free Raspberry-Lemon Meringue Layer Cake! xx

The Meringue batter is whisked and ready to go onto the parchment paper into two circles!

The Meringue post-oven is looking yummy, but before being tasted, first it must cool.

It tastes just as good as it looks with its drizzling lemon custard filling, raspberries & light dusting of powdered sugar.

Here's the delicious finished product - Gluten-free, Dairy-free Raspberry-Lemon Meringue Layer Cake!
Are you drooling yet?