Bathrooms You'll Never Want to Leave...

When it comes to the bathroom, it's typically a place where you get in...take your shower...prep and then you are out.  Why is it that the bathroom seems to be an afterthought when it comes to comfort?  I love designing beautiful and luxurious bathrooms as they seem to transform into an escape from the real world and a place where you can literally wash all your troubles away in one fluffy bubble bath.  

I have been on a Pinterest and Houzz frenzy lately and below are some inspiring bathrooms that I guarantee you'll never want to leave (or at least until you hear the kids breaking something somewhere on the other side of that bathroom door!) 

Yes please!!!  All I would need is a good red wine and some bubbles!

I love the floors and wallpaper.  What a lovely vanity as well!?

Okay...this has to be the most amazing bathtub I've ever seen!? And look at the "wallpaper" aka beach!

I love the storage space and this fabulous shower!

A series of pictures is a great way to cover a large wall.  Fabulous!

This is fantastic! Love the copper tub!

Old world bathroom with an amazing secretary in the middle..

Welcome!  

Sandy 

High Tea!

My friend Rebecca and I went to the Big Apple together a few years ago and man, did we take a big bite out of that apple!!  We had so much fun it was crazy.  Of course we shopped !! and cried all through Phantom of the Opera and we were practically the only ones who laughed and cried at Steel Magnolias....you just have to be a Southern Girl to get it !!

We had an incredible evening at Tavern on The Green and a lovely lunch at the top of The World Trade Center.........just saying that makes you pause with the words and thoughts and say a prayer for our country that will be forever changed.

Back to the fun stuff. We had made reservations for High Tea at the Plaza Hotel and of course we were properly attired in our "lady like dresses"....We were on the elevator with Joan Rivers and her assistant, thank heaven she wasn't doing her "Critical Slap to Fashion " that she does now!

Back to the Tea.  It was lovely.  Everything glamorous and sophisticate and worldly that you would expect and we were soaking it up.  

We giggled at the array of New York Elite and pretended that we weren't the girls from little ole Arkansas.

It was such an exciting experience that we decided it needed to be celebrated and since it was High Tea we thought what better way to celebrate High than a Divine martini or two !!

Needless to say our time at the Plaza and New York will live in our memories forever and no matter where we are or what is going on Rebecca and I know that we are Soul Sisters (Actually, that is another story about one of our trips to Manzinella where 10 was filmed).

That one involved a little Adult Beverages too but I'll save that story for another day when I am wishing I was with my friend, Rebecca.


I love tea cups and the way they make me feel.  There is something about sipping tea or even coffee out of a pretty cup and below are just three (I have so many) of my favorites!  

I love these Lavender Royal Albert china cups...They would be perfect with a cup of Earl Grey Tea!

Of course I love the saucer as much as the cup!

This Real Robin's Egg Blue Chintz cup is so much fun!

I'm a sucker for Spode and I love this Blue Italian Cup and Saucer

Now...Gather up your best friend and live the High Tea life together!  Don't forget the Olives!  


Sandy

First Impressions....

You never know what kind of an impression you make on someone that is in a class or demonstration that you are doing...You get a lot of comments and thank yous at the end of the class but most likely you won't hear back from them.

That is why this past Thursday morning I had a real surprise.  


We were hosting a ribbon cutting for Joel Newburn, Woodmen of the World Financial Advisor, who has taken office space here at the Design Center and the Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors were coming.

One of the Ambassadors, Cindy Trammel, came early and she handed me four pages of notes and said ,"Sandy, I was going through my files this morning looking for ideas on what to prepare for dinner tonight and look what I found...it's the notes from a cooking /entertaining class you hosted 20 years ago at your home Southampton and I have kept it and prepared these recipes many times "

I was surprised but mostly in awe that someone found my class memorable enough that they kept and enjoyed the menus.  So, if you think that they aren't paying attention or they really don't care ...think again because the impression you are making could be a lasting one.  Thank you Cindy Trammel !!

I actually did the menu on TV at UCA with Doug Bingham and he told me he loved it too so here goes my "STILL ON MY MIND "  recipes and ideas.

MENU:

Appetizer:  Zucchini wrapped in Prosciutto 

Tuscany Chicken Breasts

Lemon Pepper Pasta

Asparagus with Artichoke

Hard Rolls with Flavored Herb Butter

Platter of Fresh Tomatoes with Basil and Mozzarella

Angel Food Cake filled with Lemon Curd

SERVES 4-6

Tuscany Chicken Breasts

Six boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Sundried tomatoes soaked in Olive oil and then chopped.  (You can buy the tomatoes in olive oil)

Fresh Basil

Capers

Green onions

White wine (as much as you think you need)

Cheese

Butter

Sour cream with chives

Black pepper

Salt

Cooked pasta of your choice

Beat chicken breast with a meat hammer until very thin and cut into bite size pieces.  Season with salt and pepper and then cover the chicken with fresh basil leaves.  Put cheese in the center of the chicken breast and sprinkle with rest of ingredients.   Secure chicken with toothpicks and bake in a casserole with white wine and pats of butter.  Cook for forty-five minutes at 350 degrees.  In the last ten minutes of baking, top with sour cream with chives.

SERVE ON TOP OF PASTA AND SPOON LIQUIDS FROM CHICKEN ON TOP OF PASTA AND CHICKEN.  THIS CAN BE COVERED AND LEFT IN FRIDGE UNTIL READY TO BAKE.

Asparagus with Artichokes

1 bundle fresh asparagus (always break where it wants to bend)

1 can artichoke hearts

Lemon pepper seasoning with butter

Salt and pepper and garlic powder to taste

Olive oil (a whole lot)

Lemon zest and lemon swirls for garnish

Break steams from asparagus and put a layer in a microwave proof glass casserole

Cut artichokes hearts in half.  Drizzle olive oil over tops of asparagus and hearts and toss.  Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning and a little butter and the rest of the ingredients on top.  This also can be made in advance and covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook.  Cook in microwave 8-10 minutes.  Toss everything together.

OTHER OPTIONS FOR GARNISHES ARE SUN DRIED TOMATOES, CHEESES SUCH AS FETA CHEESE, TOASTED PINE NUTS.

Flavored Butter with Hard Rolls

Remove butter from the refrigerator and let it soften.  Mix with fresh or dried basil or tarragon.  If you use fresh basil, chop very fine.   Put in container of your choice and decorate top with herbs.   You can also form in any shape or use any mold to form any shape.  Put back into the refrigerator to harden.  Place the shaped butter on fresh basil leaves and place on a pretty plate.  Use any hard roll that you like and put in a pretty basket or plate.

Individual Salad Plates

Slice fresh tomatoes and mozzarella.   Layer in sequence on individual plates, tomatoes slices, mozzarella, fresh basil.  Repeat as often as you would like.  Drizzle with good olive oil, cracked black pepper, sea salt.  Cover and let stand in the refrigerator for an hour or so or until you are ready to serve.

Angel Food Cake filled with Lemon Curd

 Apitite

Buy one angel food cake and cut into three sections.  Fill in between layers with a jar of Dickinson’s Lemon Curd.  Stack layer back together and cover the entire cake with shipped cream.  I use Cool Whip and it works great.  For garnish you can use lemon curls and fresh mint.    


Bon Appétit!

Sandy

Books

It's summertime and everyone is looking for a good Summer read.  I happen to love just about every genre of books but right now, I am loving the Father Tim Novels by Jan Karon.  You must check them out!  


But let's talk about my true love for cookbooks and home style books (are you surprised!?)  


There are some amazing books out there that showcase some of the most fabulous homes and have some of the best recipes I have ever tried!  Some are also just fun!  Below are my favorites.  Are there certain books that you just couldn't live without?  

The Hamptons - Food, Family & History, by Ricky Lauren is such a great book that is full of just that...food (fabulous food by the way), family photos of the Lauren family, and some great stories about the family and also the history of the Hamptons.  This is such a great book to have!!

The Seductive Home by Moll Anderson is a fabulous book that is full of rich, elegant and truly seductive rooms full of texture, layering and warm colors.  You will gasp at every page I promise! 

Entertaining with the Sopranos by Carmelo Soprano is a fun book that presents ideas for special occasions and family gathering.  The book has over 75 recipes and menus and even has suggestions for selecting music, wine and advice for planning a party "Sopranos style".  I love it! 

Black and White (and a bit in between) by Celerie Kemble is a fabulous book full of inspirational photos of darks and lights and every page is a beautiful as the next! 

Sophia Loren's Recipes and Memories is another staple in my home.  One that is full of fabulous recipes and also family memories shared.  I love the concept and love the food in this book! 

Cooking up a Storm is a great cookbook for anyone who loves Louisiana food and the soul and spirit of New Orleans! The book is amazing and is a compilation of over 250 recipes lost in hurricane Katrina and found by the Times Picayune.  There is truly so much history (and some good cooking) in this book! 


If these books don't inspire you...I don't know what will!!!  Let's get to cooking and decorating!

Sandy

Not Grillin' but Sure Chillin' 4th of July Menu!!!

Well, here we are planning a hot as a firecracker 4th of July gathering with the family and it won't be the usual pool party because of the burn ban this year so I am going to pull out some recipes that the family has loved forever and do all the cooking indoors. 

Even though all the kids love Big Da's grilled chicken and my Chili Dogs the thing they really love is being with us.  Let me tell you when you have seven grandkids and a few of their friends you are making waves!!!   So much jumpin and splashin they work up quite an appetite.

So I introduce to you my Not Grillin...But Sure Chillin Menu:

Texas Brisket

Fresh Fruit Salad

Corn Casserole

Garlic Cheese Bread

Red and Yellow Cherry Tomatoes

Assorted Cookies

Ice Tea, Fruit Juice and of course a little White Wine for The Adult Beverages

Texas Brisket 

(this recipe will feed six so double , triple or bless your heart double it again!)

1 brisket 4 to 5 pounds

2 teaspoons meat tenderizer

1 bottle (4oz) of liquid smoke

1 teaspoon celery salt

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion salt

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 package Lipton onion soup

splashes of soy sauce

Note: I always add more than called for on the seasonings .

Sprinkle brisket with the meat tenderizer, cover with liquid smoke and refrigerate overnight ,covered with foil.

Next day sprinkle brisket with remaining ingredients ( I mix these all together in a bowl ) Cover tightly with foil and bake 2 hours at 300 degrees. Loosen foil and bake 5 hours more at 200 degrees.

Remove brisket from pan and set aside 1 hour before slicing.  Strain any greased from the pan drippings. Slice the brisket very thin across the grain and arrange on a colorful platter . I love placing my home grown red chili peppers on the platter because my boys love it hot!!

I supply a variety of barbecue sauces but the family favorite is the world famous McClards!

I put out a big basket of buns ( throw in some smaller dinner size rolls for the little ones ) and a bowl of slaw.  Don't forget the mayo.  It is  incredible on the sandwich !

My client and dear friend, Susie Overton, gave me this recipe years ago and my kids devour it.

Creamy Corn Casserole

1 can whole kernel corn

1 can cream corn

1 can Campbell's Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup

1 small onion minced

1 small jalapeno minced

1 stick of butter
1 pack of uncooked Macaroni 

Mix all together in a big bowl and then pour into a prepared casserole and cover it with foil. bake at 325 for 30 minutes covered and then uncover, stir and bake another 30 minutes.

So simple but really great comfort food!

Fresh Fruit Salad

I am so grateful that my family loves fresh fruit and poppy seed dressing. When my boys were little I made the dressing from scratch but now I have found a refrigerated one that is delicious and gives me more time to rest of for the big blow out!

Select all their favorites that are ripe, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, grapes (always cut the grapes in half so little ones don't get choked ) apples, peaches.........just go crazy.

I keep this all cold and at serving time I toss it up.. Sprinkle fresh mint and you are good to go !

Garlic Cheese Bread 

You won't believe how ooey gooey good this cheese bread is...really this bread and a glass of wine and I'm good!!!

Slice lengthwise a loaf of french bread. I buy the day old because it is easier to use.

1 jar Kraft Old English Cheese Spread

1 stick of butter (I feel like Paula Deen)

As much garlic as you like...a LOT.

1 package cream cheese.

Put it all in a bowl together and let it get soft and then blend it well.  Spread evenly over the bread and then bake at 350 til brown and bubbly.

As I have told you before I love to prepare the day before and all of this can be done that way even the bread...just don't bake it till ready.

I hope your 4th of July party is a big success and don't forget that the reason for this celebration is our freedom and think about all the men and women who put their lives in jeopardy so that we can live a free life! 


Happy 4th! 

Sandy