Floral design inspiration- creating large floral centerpieces

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Every year I would with a small team of fantastic folks on a fund raiser for scholarship money for a local student to attend my Alma Mater- University of Montevallo's fantastic art program.

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Every year, I do the floral centerpieces... usually on the fly from whatever lovelies I find at the local wholesale florist.

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This year is different. This year I am actually looking for inspiration for the flowers. I need it to be a big centerpiece, a purple and gold floral display, and preferably remarkable in floral style. That last one not always met, but striven for.

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Here is some of my Pinterest pinspirations for the floral centerpieces... and some non- floral centerpieces.

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So this last one is not my color scheme, but it is a punny version of my theme (Shades of Purple and Gold, in stead of shades of color, I could do "lampshades" of purple and gold.) I can totally see this idea of purple and gold lanterns hanging over the food tables... and it would be reuseable, which is always a consideration when raising money for a state university!

Spoonflower deal! Free Swatch today!

Just opened my email from Spoonflower, you know the company that can print your fabric design on really nice fabrics, and they are offer a free swatch of their Eco-Canvas with free shipping! This is a great opportunity to see the quality of their fabrics and printing! Click HERE to take you to their website. Then choose a pattern and get your swatch using the FREE SWATCH button!

Here are a few I would like to see in person. By the way, the watermark will not be on the final fabric!

stunning floral

by: peacoquettedesigns

indigo dip dye

by: alicia_vance

Indigo and hand dyed is so hot right now!

indigo flowers

by: eva_the_hun

rococo

by: jadegordon

If you are wondering what you would do with your 8 inch swatch besides note color, quality and pattern, you can always use it as a pocket to personalize a tote... and wouldn't it look cute with a monogram!

Installation day- Asian book box to coffee table

Client space- testing the rug and the new coffee table.

I found this awesome antique Asian book box at a local tag. It was perfect for a client's coffee table, but it was a little short in stature.

I love the light antique patina on the box and the subtle Asian closure.

So, my fantastic metal-smith made a frame to hold the box and it turned out great! This is a perfect example of how to support your local artists!

The waxed finish on the frame looks natural, without being match-y, with the box's hardware.

Such a handsome look, with or without a glass top!

More from this space will be coming in the next few days. We are adding some lighting, art and a bench in the space before we are totally done. But we have good bones installed already.

Life hacks- fried okra and fried green tomatoes

Whenever I drive to my college town, I always stop by the produce stand at the "Crossroads" where the gentleman calls me Darlin'. Today was one of those days!

He had watermelon, okra, green and red tomatoes, onions, peaches (of course) and cantaloupe.  With this array of local goodness, I decided dinner would include fried okra and fried green tomatoes with watermelon for dessert. Once home, I realized that I was tired from meetings and the long drive.

So, dinner plans needed to morph somewhat to not include standing at the stove and frying batches of things, which brought me to this Life Hack... also known as a hoe cake. A hoe cake with benefits!

Like many of my recipes, and the way many Southerns cook, this is a flexible recipe, more of a guide, really. If you do not know how to cook, or can only follow strict instructions, my recipes are not for you. Life is about risk, chance, and change- so are my recipes!







Okra and Green Tomato Hoe Cakes

about 3 cups of washed okra, chopped
2 green tomatoes chopped fine
2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
1 egg
1/2 cup of White Lily cornmeal mix (self rising) and brand is important!
1/2 cup buttermilk
Salt and pepper to taste!

beat egg and mix with buttermilk. Add the chopped okra, tomatoes, onion then mix. Add cornmeal mix and mix. If mix looks too dry add buttermilk, if Okra looks too naked, add more cornmeal mix and buttermilk. Once you have it where you want it, drop by serving spoon sized dollops into a hot lightly greased skillet ( I used a non-stick) and flatten some to make an even layer. Flip when first side is browned, about 1-2 minutes and keep cooked hoe caked in an oven on 275 degrees until all are cooked.


So, I had my fried okra, my fried green tomatoes and my cornbread all in one handy little cake! Leftover can even be heated in the toaster. As you can see from my hoe cakes, I wanted a lot more veg then cornbread. When I look at these pics, they look like jalapenos... which would be delish! Maybe next time will have a little heat.

Pea Soup for the Soul- Pea soup green, my latest obsession

As I am pulling fabrics for clients, I noticed that I keep grabbing Pea Soup colored beauties. It is one of those colors that when placed with navy or orange can look dated, but placed with grey or crisp white, looks very fresh! Here is my latest faves.

Clockwise: Duralee,  Kasmir, EchoDesign from Kravet, Robert Allen

Interested in more info on these fabrics? Just let me know!

What is your color of the moment?