Time for snacks! I love snacks!

I've been swamped this morning, but I've managed (surprise!) to make an online purchase. My sweetie packs my lunch for me every morning and we feel bad using and wasting plastic baggies, but they are so convenient. I've been looking for a lunch/snack holder, and this is the most adorable one I've found. Hence, why I had to buy the Banana Boat Bento Box. From ModCloth

Etsy Obsession : box64studios

These would make such a pretty centerpiece; I'd love to see them in varied antique vases. I could try recreate, but I highly doubt they'd look as clean. A great Etsy store!

I want this!

We're making an attempt to get out of our one bedroom apartment (which we love, but it's a tad small with the both of us and our monster-dog). I'm so looking forward to having a yard! Selfishly, for grilling out and entertaining, but it will be nice for the dog... That being said, I've got guest bedroom and outdoor living on the brain. Get ready for an influx of "I want this!" posts.


This is potentially the coolest bird feeder I have ever seen, from DWR. It's made from all natural clay and is designed for birds to have easy access to peanuts, which is a good source of fat and protein for both us and our feathered friends. Theoretically, the shape makes it impervious to predators' advances. I want this for our new yard (whenever we get it!).

I need one of these.

Ben Franklin's "daily plan"... Although, if I had one, I doubt I'd stick to it! From wide open spaces

Wigging out!

Yesterday I posted about Charleston, today it's back to my hometown, Asheville... This wig store has been creeping me out as long as I can remember, but I'm beginning to think it's pretty cool!

fotofind: Holga pic

I'm loving this ghostly photo... Don't know the couple, but it doesn't even matter! From Photosmashing

"Return to Charleston"

Found an interesting article in Southern Living about their favorite Southern lady (no, despite what you are thinking, it's not me!). Check out the 10 must-dos for your visit...

I want this!

...so I got them! How could I not? They were on sale, in my size only, for $49 from $170! Whoo-hoo! From Anthropologie

fotofind: lovely patio

I would much rather be here than at work! I'm especially enjoying the lights strung through the trees (I'll bet this is an extra-nice detail at dusk), sunflowers, and the weathered wooden door leading indoors. From Marie Claire Maison

I want this!

Handmade Team Spirit dress by Parsimony

Oh, Tequila!

I'm always on the hunt for new cocktails to try. We have a new bottle of tequila, but run-of-the-mill margaritas are getting pretty tired. Up next is the "Dorato" - honestly, I'm choosing it because I have everything at home I need to make it!

The Dorato (from Cocktail Times)

What you'll need:

- 2 oz tequila

- 1 oz lemon juice

- 4 oz tonic

- 1 tsp simple syrup (I make my own - find out how here)

- lime or lemon for garnish

What to do:

Shake tequila, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Pour into a tall glass, top with tonic, stick a slice of citrus on the glass, and enjoy!

fotofind: sunny kitchen

I'm loving the crisp apple green and way it contrasts with the yellow dishes and OJ, as well as the bright poppy detail on the glasses and fruit.

Key West kitchen from Coastal Living

Looking forward to... Where The Wild Things Are movie!

A timeless book, Where The Wild Things Are is coming to the silver screen! It's due out in October. I love the hand-drawn posters.

fotofind: sunlight mist print

I'm biased - this photograph was taken by my aunt, but it is one of my favorites. It reminds me of lying on my back in the grass, and getting that feeling that I am just soooo small...
We have this print hanging in our living room, complete with a handmade charcoal frame done by my uncle. Framing a picture you have taken, or a favorite print, is a unique anytime gift idea. Don't forget to write a personal note on the back!


Browse Sylvia's prints at InAweOfNature.Com

Bikini Birthday!

Sixty-two years ago this week, the bikini made its debut. According to Slate, the bikini was so scandalous that even the French models who were supposed to wear it refused - the design was instead worn by a stripper! Webster's Dictionary defines the bikini as "a women's scanty two-piece bathing suit", which lends itself to interpretation.

1946 The bikini was unveiled during a Paris fashion show

1959 St. Tropez

Vintage Inspired Swimwear flatters curves and is sexy, without showing too much skin. It's not something you see on the beaches of SC on a regular basis, either -

Suits from Anthropolgie, Michael Kors 2009 collection, and Urban Outfitters, respectively. It's hard to defy the classic lines and pin-up girl quality of stripes and polka dots.

fotofind: Florence teen

What a great picture. The way the light hits her, the knotted pearls, strappy heels - makes me want to go to Italy! She's got great remarkable panache for a high school student.

From one of my favorites, thesartorialist.com

I want this!

The Antipasti platter is designed to maximize table space and lends itself to serving food to share. There's nothing more I love than a good cheese plate, and this is a GREAT (yet functional - could it get any better??) way to display one. Like I always ask my mom, "Should I get it?"...

From JamieOliver

Feeling Nautical

I'm stuck at work, on a conference call... Wishing I was at the beach! A few nautical-inspired touches:

Can you believe this is a chair?!?! I LOVE it. From Anthropologie

Lanterns from Pottery Barn

Some fun prints... Wish I knew where to buy.

I would wear this dress year-round - also from Anthropologie

ON SALE - Pottery Barn

Might need this for our living room wall!

From shopbop

Perrier Perfection!

I can't keep my hands off of Perrier's newest flavor: Pamplemousse Rose, better known in the US as grapefruit. It's delicious, and calorie-free... I prefer to save my liquid calories for smoothies and cocktails!

An Undying Conundrum...

Things wind down at work, whether at five or at nine... I never know. Then, DUN DUN DUN (insert ominous music here) - It's time to call the boyfriend. Inevitably, the age-old question is posed, "What do you want to do for dinner?". I'm lucky, and I know. We both love to cook, and I am never solely responsible for deciding if we are going out, staying in, meeting for happy hour, or just figuring it out later.

Some days, though, I have an idea. Yesterday was one of those days. I came across a recipe, and knew I wanted to try it. (Thank you, orangette.blogspot.com!) I stopped by Whole Foods on my way home, poured a glass of wine, and got started. It was simple, delicious, and a little different - Egg and Tomato Gratin. It paired perfectly with a spinach salad, tossed with fresh strawberries and blueberries from a local farm, and my favorite olive oil/red wine vinegar/splash of lemon juice/cracked pepper/sea salt/pinch of sugar dressing, and crusty garlic bread.

Egg and Tomato Gratin

Adapted from The Splendid Table Weeknight Kitchen, which in turn excerpted from Jacques Pépin Fast Food My Way

• 6 large eggs, preferably organic and free-range
• 2 Tbs good olive oil
• 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 4 tsp chopped garlic
• ¾ tsp dried thyme leaves
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 14-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, roughly chopped and juices reserved
• 2/3 cup grated gruyère (or other good-quality Swiss-style) cheese - I actually used a block of Jarlsberg and grated

1. Place the eggs in a saucepan and add cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to a simmer, and let cook for exactly nine minutes. Immediately (and carefully) pour the hot water out of saucepan and run cold water over the eggs. Transfer the eggs to a bowl filled with ice water and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes, until thoroughly cooled. Peel the eggs, and cut each of them into four wedges. Arrange the wedges in a 6-cup-capacity gratin dish or baking dish.

2. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the onions, and sauté for about two minutes; then add the garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add the tomatoes and their juice, bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, covered, for 4 minutes.

3. Pour the onion and tomato mixture over the eggs in the gratin dish and sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top. Bake for 10 minutes; then turn on the broiler and broil the gratin 3 or 4 inches from the heat source for 2 or 3 minutes, just to brown the top. Serve.

Says serves four, but we ate the whole thing!

Unique Jewelry Obsession: MagpieCollections

I've been relatively obsessed with Etsy since I purchsed my first print quite some time ago. My latest favorite finds have both been from MagpieCollections; I couldn't decide which piece to buy, so I got them both! I'm glad that I did... I enjoy handmade, unique jewelry and it seems that those are the ones everyone comments on when I wear them. I would much rather support the artisan community and have something memorable and different as opposed to the major chains, many of which I find to be overpriced for the quality.

This "Green Beatrice" necklace, aside from being my favorite color - green - was hard to pass up. At $32, it is well-made and the asymmetrical position of the rose is eye-catching. The necklace is made of semi precious jade white beads,l ight green acrylic rose cabochon set on copper filigree, antique copper chain, and is connected by lobster clasp.I wore it for the first time yesterday and it is one of those pieces that gets noticed, both by the wearer (most important to me) and well as the observer.

My other MagpieCollections purchase:

Welcome home!

As the introductory post of Southern*Chic, I'll take the opportunity to send everyone a big hello and hug (well... a virtual one at least). I plan on using this as an outlet for all things I find inspiring - whether a delicious recipe, a wine I have loved, a pillow I've spotted, or a great book. I love to love and to be inspired!

I find that a lot of blogs and sites are dedicated to metropolitan cities, mostly up north. The south, whether the beach or the mountains, is FULL of muse and places yet to be discovered (and we're pretty friendly).

Welcome home!