As Charleston locals, we were thrilled to have Southern Living Magazine's Idea House in our back yard this year. Farrah and I spent a lovely Friday afternoon touring the nostalgic Lowcountry farmhouse in Kiawah River. Nestled amid stately live oaks and swaying marsh grass, the house evokes a simpler time when the rhythms of life echoed those of nature. Abundant windows, expansive porches[...]
Give me a beautiful design book, and I will happily while away a Saturday morning pouring over pages of glossy interiors. From striking architecture and perfectly-arranged floor plans to hand-painted wallpapers and chintz-covered fabrics, I enjoy studying these elements and analyzing what it is that really makes a space sing. Time and again, I find myself returning to favorite books to dra[...]
It's the weekend, and we've got a fun little post for you about entertaining at home. These days I'm inclined to favor a night in versus trekking downtown to a fancy restaurant. Hosting friends and family from the comfort of home seems way more personal and relaxed to me, and it's a joy to extend a bit of old-fashioned hospitality.Whether hosting a crowd or a more intimate gathering, it's[...]
Can you believe Easter is right around the corner? Last week's time change kind of sneaked up on me, but the warm weather and extra hour of sunshine more than compensated for any lingering fatigue. Tom and I have made daytime dates an occasional habit, and the spring weather was the perfect excuse for an impromptu cruise around Charleston Harbor. From boat rides to clean beauty, today I'm[...]
If you've ever put your house on the market, you know the rush of activity that goes into making certain it presents well. After all the repairs and upgrades, I recall wishing we wouldn't have waited until we were selling the place to make those improvements. A few weekends’ worth of elbow grease and minor adjustments made such a difference in the way our previous home felt and functione[...]
Have you heard? Esteemed cook, author and hostess extraordinaire Ina Garten never brings wine or flowers to a dinner party when she is a guest! While there's nothing wrong with these standard gifts, Ina says it's more considerate to bring something that the host won't feel obligated to serve or immediately display.We'd say anything is better than showing up empty-handed, and we often admit[...]
My affection for loungewear started way back in the first grade when all I wanted to wear was a favorite Strawberry Shortcake track suit. My six-year old self felt equally cozy and pulled together in a matching terry top and bottoms. These days I still love a great track suit, but am opting for more elevated versions that work whether running errands, catching a flight or hanging out at ho[...]
Butternut Squash Bruschetta Ingredients: 1 butternut squash 2 tablespoons of your favorite olive oil (try to find one that really enhances fresh vegetables - I like Antico Frantoio Muraglia Medium Fruity extra virgin olive oil) 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp honey 1 baguette (I like La Petit Francais which I get at Publix and are frozen) 4 oz goat cheese Fresh sage Balsamic glaze (Trader Joe'[...]
While traveling this summer to Italy, I found myself thinking about how I could bring some of my favorite inspirations home. Charleston, like many U.S. cities, has European influences. But when we venture abroad the full immersion in a new culture makes the experience really special. As I was photographing some of my favorite meals, textiles and decor, I knew with a little effort I could e[...]
This is a surprising collection of short stories. They vary in subject matter and are all interesting in their own right. I really appreciate the quality of writing from Amor Towles. Others have described his writing as "elegant and old world." I agree there is a special characteristic in his writing that reminds me of the classics. He has also[...]
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