Quatre-fabulous

Last week, I was in a fave gift shop of mine, Elle B, picking out a few odds and ends gifts for friends when owner L pointed out an adorable drink bucket that she thought I might like.  It was insulated with a too cute fabric with little clover shapes all over it.  You know the pattern, it's all the rage right now, and bestie M even used it as the background for our girl's luncheon invitation and Preppy Paper Girl has used it on various gifts she has crafted for me too.  Innocently enough, I said to L that I just am so smitten by that pattern and am snatching up any and every item I can find with it.  Her reply, "yes, quatrefoil is real popular right now."  Quatre-who?  And after a quick call to confirm the name of the pattern with M, I realized I just learned something new for the day and I have something of a quatrefoil crush!

Quatrefoil is a term that refers to "four leaves" or petals and applies to four lobed objects in everything from architecture to design.  There's great history of this shape's use it can commonly be found in Renaissance churches and even as a decorative symbol on commissioned Marine officer uniforms.  Who knew?

Besides the adorable stationary and such options I'm already crazy about, here's a few quatre-fabulous items I'm currently crushing on:

Suzanne Kasler designed rugs at Ballard Designs.  My go to store does it again with these simply perfect rugs!

Photo from Ballard Designs

Outdoor furniture at Neiman Marcus.  I'm pretty sure Dear Hubs would squish this purchase on price tag alone, but how fab is this furniture?

Photo from Neiman Marcus

This David Yurman necklace captures the shape and classic design flawlessly.  (What does Mr. Yurman do that isn't flawless?)

Photo from Saks 5th Avenue

These Regina Andrew sconces are just fab!

Photo from Layla Grace

Check it out!  And next time someone tells you that they love that "4 point, clover looking, sort of geometric shape pattern that's real popular" you can look like a total smarty and let them know what it's really called!

~charmed b

K's Easy Weeknight BBQ Shrimp

It's been all the buzz around the neighborhood ... the oh so delish BBQ shrimp recipe that neighbor friend K shared with the gals around the hood.  For one reason or another, I continually misplaced this recipe (a few times) and never got around to making this dish.  Well, when the raves just kept coming in and ya'll know this southern girl hasn't met a shrimp I don't like, so I begged very organized friend J send me the recipe again (for like the 3rd time).  And FINALLY this week... I first hand had the tasty pleasure of enjoying this fab dish.

Friend K kept telling me how easy the recipe was to make and she was indeed right!  It looks and tastes like a culinary masterpiece, but it's easy as pie to whip together.  This makes it the perfect easy weeknight meal to throw together with some cheesy grits and crusty bread; or impress some guests with a weekend meal that puts together in a flash!

And without further delay, here's the super secret, super fab, super easy recipe for K's BBQ Shrimp.  Ya'll enjoy!

BBQ Shrimp
(serves 6-8)

 Ingredients:

• 4 lbs. unpeeled, large fresh shrimp
• 2 lemons cut into wedges
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 4 garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp old bay seasoning

Directions:
1.  Place shrimp in a baking dish. top with lemon wedges.
2.  Stir together butter and next 4 ingredients. Pour over shrimp.
3.  Bake at 400 for 35 - 40 minutes.

Serve with french bread and grits!

Ya'll enjoy!

~charmed b

Charmed Life Kids

The iconic Ina Garten, who I adore from her Barefoot Contessa fame once said, "Be willing to jump off the cliff and figure out how to fly on the way down."  While this goes against every fiber of my control freak, pre-planned, Type A persona ... I'm giving it a whirl!

As of about 8pm last night, I took a very exciting step in publishing the Facebook page for Charmed Life Kids.  This has been something in the works for quite some time now, and I'm pleased as punch to go ahead and kick things off right with a pre-launch to friends and family this week!

In the coming weeks, you will see Charmed Life Kids come to life and a project I've worked very hard to create take form!  Charmed Life Kids is an online children's boutique full of picture perfect designs for play dates and special events at affordable prices that you will just love. 

When I first started shopping for adorable gifts for the children of my dear friends, I realized just how costly some children's clothing can be.  While I love smocked dresses, bubbles and jon jons; I just can't fathom the price tags on some of these darlings!  And so ... the brain child Charmed Life Kids came to be!  By manufacturing and "cutting out the middle man" as much as possible, we are able to keep prices reasonable and provide you with stylish designs for your littles!

In addition to saving YOU money and suiting up the littles in some cuties, Charmed Life is also committed to supporting our community through donation to children's charities.  A portion of the proceeds from ALL sales will go directly to support children in need.

As an added surprise, our first 50 charmed fans will receive a $10 credit towards their first purchase.  And even if you miss the fab 50 cut off, there might just be a special discount for the next 50 or so too!  Given the oh so affordable prices for these darling fashions, this is a STEAL!  So, scoot on over to Facebook and "like" us as quick as you can!

~charmed b

The Art of the Handwritten Note

Zsa Zsa and the cotillion instructor from my youth would be so proud to know that I still practice my good manners and appreciate the art of the handwritten note.  We all stay so very busy with our hustle and bustle life styles that I'm sure many of you are rolling your eyes right now as I step onto my soapbox of the importance of handwritten notes.  I know not everyone agrees, but please allow me to plead my case. 

Over the past few months, this skill has gotten more than a little practice thanks to the beyond generous gifts from my wonderful friends and family as we anxiously (very anxiously) await (still .... waiting) the arrival of Baby B.  Sure, on a few occassions I considered cutting corners and using a more modern, technology savvy means to appreciate these genrous gestures and friends; but each time I consider it I snap myself back in line remembering how thoughtful and wonderful it is to receive a hand written note.  And so... I carry on; ink stained hand and cramped fingers from the cursive writing I don't use much day to day.  I know I haven't written this many notes since my wedding almost 9 years ago, but I find this romantic writing practice such a personal way to appreciate the people in my life.  This time, I vow to be better about writing notes to appreciate people more often and as such.  And, once again, L over at Preppy Paper has saved the day with adorable monogram designed notecards that just make you want to find a reason to write!

As I thought about this post, I asked myself the question ... why do I feel like handwritten notes are so important?  The answer is simply because it's special.  A handwritten card takes time and a break from our normal social media, texting, email and go-go-go lifestyle to write.  The reader instantly knows that this is important and took some time, above and beyond, to contact them.  Plus, what's better mixed in that big stack of bills, magazines and junk flyers that we retrieve daily from the mailbox than a personalized message that brightens our day? 

The next time you have the opportunity to send someone a note to say hello, thank them for something or just because you know it will brighten their day ... do it!  Grab some adorable stationary and know that you not only will make them smile but you will feel good about the outcome as well.  Here's a few tips to  keep in mind:

• Be Specific and focus on one concrete point.  Make sure the reader gets a genuine understanding of "why" you are writing.  Is it to say thank you?  If so, be sure to thank the recipient for the specific gift and maybe even tell them how you plan to use it.  Is it to say congrats for something?  Tell them how you are specifically proud of their accomplishment and it will go a long way!
• Time is of the essence.  Be prompt in giving feedback or sending notes.  If the recipient receives the note closely tied to the action, it is more meaningful.
• It doesn't have to be a Pulitzer Prize novel.  That's right ... a simple deep breath and a moment to collect your thoughts is really all that is needed to plan out a perfect handwritten note.  Don't stress about it thinking it has to be long, drawn out or elaborate.  A short and concise message can be just as impactful!
• It is indeed the thought that counts.  Remember, the tips above and know that the recipient will appreciate knowing you cared enough to write them - and that's what it is all about!

So grab some too cute stationary and whip up a sweet note to make a friend feel special ... the handwritten way!

~charmed b

Reason to Celebrate

I love celebrating milestones, big and small, with friends and family.  I know Dear Hubs is convinced that sometimes I even invent little milestones or cause for celebration just to have a festive fete to plan!  But, that wasn't the case this past weekend - there was an exciting reason to celebrate, indeed.  Dear A is engaged and her friends couldn't be more thrilled!  A is just such a wonderful gal and we all are so excited that she has finally met the man of her dreams in her mister M.

To wish our bride all the best, a group of dear college friends gathered at one of my favorite, girly Atlanta  lunch spots; the Swan Coach House.  You have heard me rave about this spot before and this time it was the perfect location for a fab celebration for our fave bride to be!  Friends travelled from far and away to be part of the special time; and dear C wins the award for making it all the way from NYC that very morning to celebrate (and she still looked adorably polished in the cutest dress after an early morning flight!).  It's always such a fun time catching up with these girls on the latest gossip, what the littles are up to and all the other exciting stories. 

Bestie M and I gussied up the already girly table with favors, flowers and adorable printed decor.  M is an amazing whiz with paper design, and collectively we have such fun whenever we can combine our passions to create a "party in the box" on the go! 

We dined on a lovely SCH lunch and celebrated with the signature swans for dessert!  Of course, I just couldn't pass up the frozen fruit salad that is just my fave!  I found the recipe online and cannot wait to try it at home, it certainly won't come with the side of southern flair that the SCH delivers, but will certainly do in a pinch!

All in all, I sure do love my time with these girls and we all wish dear A nothing but the best and brightest future for her walk down the aisle!  XOXO, A!

Beautiful Waterford frame from L and A - perfect for the bride!

Posing with M and C (I love that I actually look real short here!)

Monogrammed candle from me and M

A & A are all smiles!

Super cute cherry apron & cook book from C

The Corporate Ladder ... in Stilettos

Craftiness, entertaining and keeping a charmed house are all things I love.  Equally, I'm passionate about my career and have both corporate ladder and entrepreneurial goals and aspirations.  Recently, I had the fantastic opportunity to attend a women's leadership conference for work and came home inspired and ready to take on the business world!  Conveniently, I came across this really fab nail polish color that same week.  Fate ... the color is by the Nicole label (by OPI) and is called "The Next CEO".

Nothing says corporate power diva quite like "The Next CEO" nail polish!

So, in addition to buying myself a bottle of this great color, I stocked up (no easy task since every store seemed to be sold out of this color!) and challenged myself to give a few of my fellow corporate divas a sweet surprise.  In addition to wrapping the polish, I tasked myself to write each woman a card to tell them how fab they are and what specifically inspires me about them.  I know that when they receive this their day will be a little brighter and it may just give them that little boost to make their week that much smoother and positive!
 

This was such a fun little treat to brighten a friend's day!  Give it a whirl!

~charmed b

Backyard Challenge: The Porch

One thing is certain when it comes to projects that Dear Hubs and I are supervising, when we make a decision to get moving on something ... we move, and fast.  I'm pleased as punch to report that the Phase 1 of the backyard challenge (the screened in porch) gets a checkmark in the "Complete" column!

The "before" pictures were posted on this posting last week.  First things first, to make the vision a reality, we ripped off, removed and expanded bigger and better the existing deck; making it the perfect foundation for the screened in porch.  Then, the new structure with roof was put in place pretty quickly, painted and stained.  After that ... the fun part (for me) ensues and I get busy locating appropriate furniture and accessories to round out the new outdoor room.  While the surrounding landscape will still take some time to rehabilitate and finalize (future phase), the space is otherwise complete and ready to be lived in on the inside!

Demolition

Directive to contractor "Whatever you do, don't kill my hydrangea!"

All in a day's work!  Well, maybe two or three days :)

Since I'm a mosquito magnet and we don't have an outdoor deck just yet (future phase), we decided to make the screened in porch a dual purpose space with a dining table and a seating area.  So far, it's worked perfectly and I love that we can enjoy this room for both relaxing and reading as well as a shady bug free spot to enjoy a meal.  From previous redecorating projects and patio furniture that was still in good shape, we were only a few key pieces shy of having a fully decorated outdoor room.  Those needs were quickly filled with some determined shopping and collecting of the finishing pieces!

Furniture from Home Depot, Martha Stewart collection

Spacious table with room enough to pull up additional chairs

Antique milk crate, perfect for storing magazines!

Sugar mold, fleur de lis and a small plant round out the coffee table

Now, all is in place and I've spent many a morning reading my WSJ and many an evening reading my current book club book from the comforts of my comfy settee. Zsa Zsa even passed along a little zen water fountain to keep me company until I can decide what larger water feature is appropriate for the space. I just can't rave enough about how necessary a screened in porch is to make these hot southern summer days bearable!


So if you stop by, ya'll know where to find me!
~charmed b

This post is partying over at Savvy Southern Style