Last Minute Mother's Day Gifts

Mother's Day is almost here and while some people might think this is a holiday created by the greeting card companies to increase sales, I'm not buying it. According to my sources, Mother's Day got its start around the turn of the 20th century when a young lady from West Virginia wanted to honor her mother and it took her three years to get the holiday made official...leave it to a southern girl to do right by mama and set a good example for the rest of us! 

Do we really need a reason to celebrate mom? I think not. We should celebrate the women in our lives daily, but often things get busy and we fail to make note of just what they mean to us. So Mother's Day rolls around and gives us a chance to make up for it! 

I'm sharing some incredible Mother's Day gift ideas and I hope they inspire you to put some heart and soul into making Mom feel special whether its Mother's Day or all through the year. And Mother's Day isn't just for moms....special grandmas, aunts, sisters, step-moms, godmothers and mentors all need to be told they are loved and appreciated too! 

Gifts for New Moms (and Moms who Love Pink) 

These great tote bags from Dash & Albert would make a perfect gift for a new mom who might be celebrating (or getting ready to celebrate) her first Mother's Day. They are stylish and chic, but functional too. Who says diaper bags can't be fashion forward? 

Plus, there's the fun zipper pouch from Sugarboo Designs with the great quote from Audrey Hepburn. Help mom corral those miscellaneous items in her purse or tote with one of these cute organizational tools. 

Gifts for the Mom Who Loves to Feather Her Nest 

Most moms are always on the go and much-needed quiet time at home can be a real treat. The popular Ibiza throw by Pine Cone Hill is a great gift for mom to enjoy during a cozy night at home or a Sunday afternoon nap. 

Some great-smelling candles, such as these from Simpatico would be a great complement to this too. They are clean burning and after all the wax is gone, they double as a beautiful hobnail vase...it's like two gifts in one! 

You could even take it a step further and create a whole day of relaxation for mom, maybe to include a special breakfast and lots of quiet time for her to do what she enjoys most. It might be just what she needs! 

Gifts for the Glamour Gal Mom 

If your mom likes all things that glitter, jewelry is a safe bet. Lenny & Eva holds a special place in my heart because it was started by a lovely lady in my hometown of Cookeville, TN. My southern beau has gifted me with a few different pieces from the Lenny & Eva Trousseau collection and I love mixing and matching them. 

Some of the pieces have sentiments and quotes, while others are made up of beads and charms, but all have a whimsy that is unique. 

Another great line of southern-made jewelry is Louisiana-based Grandmother's Buttons. This line is made up of pieces that are hand crafted with vintage buttons, 100 years old or more! 

Gifts for the DIY Crafty Mom

If your mom is a DIY type, you might want to give her an experience she'll always remember. One idea for a great gift is to treat her to a class or workshop. 

You might remember that I took a class a few years ago where I learned all about the wonders of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. 

I highly recommend this experience and if you're in Knoxville, the Back Porch Mercantile is the place! Plus, there's even a special deal going on now for a discounted class session. This is even something you and your mom could do together! Who doesn't love some quality time with their momma? I know I do! 

All these great Mother's Day gift options are available at the Back Porch Mercantile in Knoxville. This is a fabulous local gift shop with lots of charm and personality. Every time I visit, it's impossible to leave empty-handed...plus it's the place I send my southern beau when he needs inspiration for birthday gifts, Valentine's Day, etc. 

Stop by and tell them I sent you! Or you can call today and reserve a spot for you and your mom to take a workshop in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! 

The Back Porch Mercantile 

865-247-4532

5052 KINGSTON PIKE

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

37919

Memorizing Poetry

A former colleague of mine shared this article from the New Yorker on why it's important to memorize poetry and it caused me to try and recall the last time I memorized something. It's been a long time. In thinking about it, I realized a few things: I don't know many peoples' addresses...I have spreadsheets for that. And as for phone numbers, they are stored safely in my phone's contact list. I am notified of my friends' birthdays by Facebook so I don't have to remember those and my wide assortment of Internet passwords and logins are jotted down in a secure location.

It used to be that we'd have to remember when our favorite television shows aired so we could rush home to watch them...now I watch shows on Hulu whenever I feel like it. With all the technology we currently have at our fingertips, there is little need to memorize anything....except maybe where you put your phone or computer.

While reading the article about poetry memorization, I was reminded of all the poems I memorized as a child. I had an audio recording of Shel Silverstein's A Light in the Attic that I'd listen to as I fell asleep each night. I can still recite many of those poems even though I haven't seen the book in years. It's not that I ever get a chance to recite them, but somehow knowing that I still can gives me a sense of accomplishment.

This is how I ended up awake at nearly 1 o'clock in the morning on Sunday, reading a book of poetry. And this is why I've decided to start memorizing poems again. There are 48 weeks left in 2013...I'm sure I can memorize at least a poem every few weeks or so. Even if I just learned one a month, that would be 12 poems memorized over the course of a year...which is 12 less than I've memorized in the last 12 years. It might seem like a silly goal, but I'm pretty excited.

{If this post doesn't alert you to the fact that I'm sort of a nerd, I don't know what would.}

I'd love for you to join me in this, if you're so inclined. There is no test...no prize. Just the feeling of satisfaction and awe at our brains for being able to hold such a vast amount of knowledge. So wish me luck! I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Tennessee Southern Hospitality for Kathie Lee & Hoda

Knoxville has been buzzing ever since the news broke that the Today Show's Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb were coming to town to broadcast their hour of the popular NBC show from the University of Tennessee campus.

So I was thrilled when my friends at Knoxville's WTNZ Fox43 contacted me about doing a special segment this morning. In the spirit of southern hospitality, I have been tasked with creating a basket of local, southern goodies as a welcome gift to make KLG & Hoda feel right at home.

I knew I wanted to make this gift basket extra special so I thought long and hard about which local products would best showcase all the talent and creativity that Knoxville (and East Tennessee) has to offer. You can see the basket (above) with everything I chose and find links to the items and their sources below.

1. Spoil Me S'mo dog treats
2. Benton's bacon (no shortage here!) 
3. Stonehaus wine (Cumberland Gold) 
4. Tennessee Thunder habanero hot sauce
5. Gunshot Sauce 
6. Haze & Co. salad dressing (poppyseed) 
7. Muddy Pond sorghum made just down the road in Muddy Pond, Tennessee
8. The Tomato Head hummus 
9. Ole Smoky Tennessee moonshine barbecue sauce 

I figured these New York gals love bagels so I also grabbed some Bagels from Flourhead Bakery but as you can see, the basket is pretty full so I wasn't able to get them in the photo.

I hope Kathie Lee & Hoda feel right at home here in Knoxville. We might be a scruffy little city but we're good people and I think we know how to make visitors feel welcome!

No is not a Bad Word, part 2

Earlier this week, I shared my thoughts about how I’m learning that “no” doesn’t have to be a bad word. In fact it can be very good…when we are the one saying it. But what about when we are on the receiving end of “no?” While it might be possible to get more comfortable saying it, it can be a hard thing to hear.

The biggest “no” of my life came this year when I was fired from what was supposed to be my dream job. I couldn’t have imagined that I would go to work one day and be told “no” in so many words. I also couldn’t have imagined how many positive things would come about after that particular “no” (in the moment, all you can think is “what do you mean, gather my things?”).  After getting over the initial shock of being fired, I decided that all I could do was keep moving forward. And now I can honestly say that I'm happier than I've ever been in my whole life.

Since losing my job and starting a new chapter with my professional pursuits, I have learned so many things about myself that I might have once known, but had forgotten. I’m remembering who it was I wanted to be when I grew up. I’m learning that who I am is so much more than what I do. I'm thankful for the "no" that got me to this place. I’m realizing that God put a whole set of passions and dreams inside me and as carefully as He created me, He imagined a way for me to pursue those passions while being true to myself. I believe the same is true for you.

I believe there’s something inside you that the world desperately needs. And by letting your light shine, you will change the world in ways you couldn’t have imagined. I believe that if we could get even a tiny glimpse of how much we are valued, we would never look at ourselves the same way again.

Maybe you’ve been told “no” in the form of being fired or not getting that job you interviewed for. Maybe your “no” came with the end of a relationship. Perhaps you just feel discouraged in your everyday routine. Whatever your unique situation, someone else's "no" can never define you. Even if it feels like the end of the world.

There’s life after “no.” Some of it can be hard, and some a bit easier. But that life is a thing of value and so are we. (If you made it to the end of this post, I thank you sweet friend.) Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

A Trip to Trader Joe’s: Southern Belle Simple Favorites

Knoxville’s new Trader Joe’s store opened recently and after shopping there in Nashville and Atlanta, I have been so excited to have a TJ’s in my own neck of the woods.

The southern beau and I popped in on Sunday and I thought I’d share some of my favorite Trader Joe’s products (and hopefully you’ll share some of yours too!)

Trader Joe’s Lemon Curd – This stuff is heavenly…it’s wonderful over pound cake or biscuits. I’ve also been known to eat it straight from the jar. If you like lemons, you’ll love it!

Trader Joe’s Valencia Peanut Butter – This crunchy, savory spread has roasted flaxseeds for an extra bit of flavor. I consider myself a peanut butter connoisseur and I think this might be the best I’ve ever tasted.

Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Mint Creams – Think Junior Mints, but way better. I keep these in the fridge and attempt to eat only one when I need a little bite of something sweet.

Trader Joe’s GIANT White Beans – If I had to choose one TJ product that was my all-time favorite, it would have to be these beans. They are huge lima beans in some kind of Greek tomato sauce and they are sheer perfection. I first heard about them from my pal BethEats when she shared a recipe on her blog combining them with pesto and goat cheese. De-lish! Before Trader Joe’s opened in town, I would buy several jars of these every time I went to Atlanta and then try to ration them out until the next trip.

Trader Joe’s Margarita Mixer – This is my favorite margarita mixer and when I served it to my family, they loved it too. It’s not syrupy like some of them and it has no artificial flavors.

The store was kind of a circus, but I guess that’s to be expected for awhile since folks are just so excited to try it out. Do you have a Trader Joe’s near where you live? If so, I’d love to hear about your favorite Trader Joe’s products. I probably won’t do all my grocery shopping there, but I’m sure I’ll be stopping by occasionally for my favorite things.

Happy Monday! Hope your week is terrific!

From the China Cabinet: Southern Belle Tumblers

I’ve mentioned that while on vacation, I do more thrifting than sunning much of the time…what can I say, vacation is relative to what you enjoy. My most recent trip to Ormond Beach, Florida yielded a few treasures, but I wasn’t able to bring everything home with me. Looking back, I wish I had gotten these vintage tumblers, but alas it wasn’t meant to be.

Made by the Anchor Hocking company, these antique frosted glasses with southern belles etched on them are just adorable. Can’t you picture a gathering of demure southern ladies of times gone by enjoying a tall glass of sweet tea and possibly a pimento cheese sandwich (on white bread cut in triangles)? I bet bridge was played and gossip was shared. Sigh…I often think I was born in the wrong era.

If you’d like a set of these charming glasses for your collection, do a search for “southern belle frosted beverage glasses” and you should find several options. Or who knows, maybe you already have a set! If so, I’m mighty jealous.

My Granny’s Sugar Cookies, The Best Ever

Today is National Sugar Cookie Day and I can’t let this monumental occasion pass without mentioning my granny’s famous sugar cookies. Sadly, I do not have a photo of them, but below is an image I found that looks very similar. They aren’t really anything like a typical sugar cookie nor are they quite a teacake but you’ll just have to trust me on how delicious they are.

Linnie Mae Hampton’s Sugar Cookies

• 1 c. sugar
• 1 c. powdered sugar
• 1 c. butter
• 1 c. oil
• 2 beaten eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 5 c. sifted plain flour
• 1 tsp. soda
• 1 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Cream together sugar and butter. Combine with remaining ingredients and mix well. Roll into balls the size of small walnuts. Place 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Press with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. (Watch carefully and don’t overbake.)

The glass with sugar on the bottom is the most important part. This flattens each cookie out and coats it in sweetness. My granny’s cookies would all run together on the pan and she’d have to cut them apart so they were always in the shape of squares and rectangles. She kept the cooled cookies in a giant Tupperware bowl and I snuck plenty of them during my childhood.

Hope your week is off to a great start…and if you were looking for a reason to enjoy a sweet treat, grab a sugar cookie in celebration!

I heart art: Folk Art Memory Box

I’ve always been intrigued by folk art. My aunt & uncle (some of the coolest folks I know) collect folk art and their home is carefully curated with face jugs, sculptures and paintings created by many different talented artists. While the southern beau and I were exploring Norris, Tennessee on Memorial Day, I stumbled upon this piece of folk art and had to resist a strong urge to purchase it.

Called a ‘memory box,’ every inch was covered with embellishments such as broken bits of tile, stones, beads and seashells. Part of why I liked it was because the tag listed its origin as Monterey, Tennessee, the small town where my great-grandfather is from. Maybe he (or someone in our family) even knew the artist who created this strangely beautiful object.

I’m sure this piece isn’t everyone’s style, but nobody can deny that a lot of work went into creating it. I wonder why the artist made it, what he or she was thinking about during the process and what he intended the purpose to be. I wonder if the artist would be happy with the asking price of $65 or disappointed it wasn’t more. I have to think the box’s creator must have been somewhat religious because of the prominent placement of the crucifix charm. My favorite part is the small lady figures on either side of crucifix…two southern belles, no doubt. I bet they have stories to tell.

In the south, every person and every thing has a story. I’ve said before that I think one of the greatest ways we can honor people is to let them tell their stories and just listen. You honor me every time you visit Southern Belle Simple, and for that I’m really grateful.

Any other folk art enthusiasts or collectors out there? I’d love to hear what you think about this interesting piece of art!

Anti-Recipe: Cucumber-Lime-Mint Water

Summer officially started yesterday and for anyone who has spent the season in the sweet south, you know how important it is to attempt to stay cool and hydrated. My first-choice cold beverage is un-sweet iced tea, preferably an entire pitcher that I can sip on throughout the day. However, I gave up caffeine a month or so ago and since then, haven’t had a drop of iced tea. I know I could drink decaf, but for now I’m on the wagon.

After my initial tea withdrawal symptoms (headaches, general fussiness, malaise…tee hee), I went through a major lemonade phase (which some might say is still going on….oh sugary lemonade, why must you taunt me so?). I’m trying to refrain from guzzling it daily, not wanting to replace one thing (caffeine) with another (sugar). Thanks to my mom, I think I’ve finally found my signature summer drink: cucumber water.

To make it, fill a large pitcher with water, add sliced cumbers, lime juice (or lemon juice) and a few sprigs of mint. Let this concoction sit in the fridge for maybe 24 hours and enjoy. It’s so refreshing and actually really good for you, as cucumber has some kind of detoxifying properties. Make sure you use organic cucumbers since most commercial varieties have that waxy coating on the outside. Feel free to go wild with herbs too, depending on what you like. I have a container herb garden stocked with a couple kinds of mint and lemon balm so I snipped a sprig of each and it tasted great.

I hope you are staying cool while the weather’s hot! What’s your favorite summertime drink?

Happy Birthday Cynthia Rylant

Today is the birthday of one of my favorite southern writers, Cynthia Rylant. Her simple, yet magical stories are beloved by children and adults and they remain some of my favorites from childhood.

Rylant’s first book When I Was Young in the Mountains was inspired by her time spent growing up with her grandparents in West Virginia. Another favorite of mine is Missing May, a poignant story that made a great impact on me as a child (and began my fascination with whirligigs).

This wonderful book by the author is called Appalachia: The Voices of Sleeping Birds. It paints such a beautiful picture of our region and evokes feelings of longing for a simpler time when time moved (or pretended to move) a little slower.

There’s nothing like getting lost in a good book…having the story wash completely over you and feeling like the characters are really real, even if just for a few pages. I’ve been in a reading slump lately and sometimes it helps me to read something short to get back in the swing of things. Maybe I’ll dig out my childhood stash and reread some of Cynthia Rylant’s books. I’m pretty sure no matter how old I get, I’ll always find some new gem in these sweet stories.

Do you ever go back and read your favorite childhood books? How does it make you feel?

Elegant DIY Framed Art

It’s true I’m a huge art lover, but I’m often appalled by the price of framed art I see in stores. When I spotted these wonderful framed pieces that my friend created on a dime, I just knew I had to share them. He wanted a set of botanical prints that looked great, but didn’t break the bank. His solution? Buy a science book with lots of pretty color plates and use them to create one-of-a-kind art.

I’m sure some librarians would cringe at the thought of cutting up a beautiful book, but I can’t think of a better way to enjoy those gorgeous images than by putting them on display. My friend took these to a frame shop, but you could easily buy ready-made frames to save on cost. Even mismatched frames can be spray painted the same color to create a unified look.

I really enjoy thinking outside the usual to bring a little lovely in your home. Have you done anything lately that made you feel like a DIY rockstar? I’d love to hear about it!

From the Southern Belle Simple Bookshelf: Homemade by Clodagh McKenna

I recently stumbled upon a wonderful book and ended up purchasing it as a little early Christmas gift to myself. Homemade by Clodagh McKenna is one of those volumes I’m sure I’ll refer to again and again as it is filled to the brim with wonderfully easy recipes and creative ideas.

McKenna is an Irish television personality and she just exudes girl next door charm. From her preserved lemons and Christmas chutney recipes to her thoughts about the importance of having picnics and keeping life simple, her book offers a little taste of what things are like in her world. It is beautifully designed and has enough pictures to satisfy even my picky tastes (what can I say…I like cookbooks with a lot of pictures).

You can also visit Clodagh’s website where she shares a ton of recipes and other info that is found in the book. Maybe I’m drawn to her because a part of me longs to connect with my Irish roots. I’m just glad I discovered her because I’ve already gotten quite a bit of inspiration from the book and site.

If you still aren’t convinced, take a look at this recipe for onion soup with cheese toast and just try not to drool.

Hope everyone is having a blessed week! Mine has been busy but Wednesday means Friday is just around the corner so I think we’re gonna make it. Love y’all!

Southern Traditions: Napkin Rings

I ran across this little treasure while thrifting recently with my momma and I wanted to share. Miller’s was an iconic southern department store with flagship locations in Chattanooga and Knoxville, TN…both of which were established in the early 1900s.

The box alone is a blast from the past, but the napkin rings inside are simply precious. They probably weren’t expensive, but I’d like to think they made a sweet wedding present or housewarming gift for a local belle.

I’m guessing they are from the 50s or 60s, but they could be newer. It’s so strange how the simple act of using a cloth napkin makes a meal feel so much more special. And dressing up my cloth napkins with a little something shiny only adds to that special experience.
What ideas do you have to make regular old weekday meals feel a bit fancier?

An Apple A Day…

Who else is enjoying the crop of apples available right now, especially the Honeycrisps? I’ve been eating one almost every day for the past week and they are just so delicious. Apples are considered one of the “dirty dozen,” a.k.a. fruits you should try to buy organic whenever possible. Even if you peel them, it’s possible to get some not-so-great chemicals from the non-organic ones. If you can get them organic from a local farm, even better!

Sometimes I like to have a little something sweet after dinner and apples fit the bill. My favorite way to enjoy them is with a couple tablespoons of peanut butter, but sometimes I melt a handful of chocolate chips and dip the apple slices in that. What’s your favorite way to eat an apple?

A Toast to Marshmallows

I’m trying to slow down these days and appreciate the small joys in life. That includes random obscure holidays that might not cause the banks to close, but are fun just the same. Today is Toasted Marshmallow Day and what better way to enjoy toasted marshmallows than blended up with ice cream in a decadent milkshake! Here’s a recipe to try if you’re interested.
Now, I really want to know…how do you like to eat marshmallows? Here’s a little poll I created so we can share!
 {image via flickr}

Flawless Face a’ la Noxzema

At around 12 years old, I starting experimenting with make-up and asked to wear it regularly. I’ll never forget my mom taking me to the Dollar General store and buying me a giant blue tub of Noxzema. She told me how important it was to wash my face each night and take good care of my skin. This is somewhat ironic because she often sleeps in her make-up, but her skin always looks great.

When I opened that first tub, the smell was so distinct. I don’t remember buying Noxzema in years, but I ran across some of these wipes in my bathroom the other night and used one to clean my face. It was so crazy how the smell was exactly the same as I remembered it, even in a wipe-form.

Did you grow up using Noxzema or some other iconic skincare product? Do you still swear by it or have you declared your loyalties elsewhere?

Sculpture with a Point

As a child, my favorite thing about school starting each fall was picking out school supplies. There is something about crisp new sheets of paper and perfect pencils that makes a person feel reborn. When I ran across these pencil creations, I thought they fit perfectly as today is the first day of school for many folks. My No.2 pencils never looked anything like this!

These intricate creations remind me of my grandfather who sometimes whittled and would always sharpen pencils for me with his pocket knife, which pleased me to no end.

I love people who can take an ordinary everyday object and turn it into something magical. Who would have guessed a simple pencil could be transformed in such a way. Have any of y’all seen this before?

The King (Pencil) says “Have a hunka hunka good Monday!”

{Pencil art by artist Dalton Getty via UK Daily Mail}

Eat Your Words

Ever wondered about your favorite author’s taste in snacks? Here’s one entry from a fabulous illustration by Wendy MacNaughton depicting diets of a few different famous wordsmiths. Of course Truman Capote lived on a liquid diet!

In the meantime, I’ll be snacking on these. Hope everybody has a fantastic weekend!

Shirt Tales

I don’t really look to trends all that much when choosing my clothes, but this summer’s light, airy blouses are definitely making their way into my wardrobe. There’s something about a blouse that feels distinctly feminine…and for a tiny bit of extra effort (I’m talking about ironing, people), a blouse can make you feel special.

These first two options (both from Gap) are lovely because they aren’t the typical button-up variety. Button-up blouses can be problematic for those of us bustier girls. [Sorry Pe-pa…you can skip today’s post]

If you prefer a buttoned blouse, something like this one (from Old Navy) would be a good option. The ruffled detail is sweet and draws attention to your face, plus the color is flattering to many different complexions.

This smocked top (also Old Navy) is another example with pretty details that are easy to wear. I might complain about the heat, but an adorable blouse definitely makes it better. I’m curious…are you wearing blouses this summer? If so, how are you wearing them?

{p.s. I’m not really pushing Gap or Old Navy…I just know what brands work for me and these are two that do!}

Adoring Adore

I’ve always struggled to define my style when it comes to my home. Don’t misunderstand, I know what I like and can put those things together…in small doses. As for the overall statement of my domain, things get a little muddled. Recently, I was very happy to discover a magazine that really captures many aspects of my style.

Open publication - Free publishing

Adore Home Magazine is a wonderful online publication from Australia and I can’t believe I’m just now finding it. All the images I’ve seen so far are really giving me inspiration for what I want to do in my home. Of course I don’t want to simply copy what lots of professional stylists have created…it just helps me to know that it’s possible to take what I like and make it look cohesive.

I love all the unexpected pops of color used for basic pieces of furniture. I’m definitely more maximalist than minimal so the eclectic vignettes and groupings of items appeal to me too.

Another magazine with similar styles is the British publication, LivingEtc. Its site has a great feature that allows you to search by type of room using parameters of color, etc. 

Is there a magazine or blog that really helps you define your style?