A Few of My Favorite Things

Mercy! I was all prepared to post photos of some of the cutest new things that just arrived in my store...only to realize that I took all of the photos on Sneelock's camera! So, disappointed as I am, I'll just have to give you the categories of new arrivals. It will be up to you to go into the store and see them for yourself!

Some things that I recommend:

Large trophy vases (use them from bookcases to mantles...or, for makeup brushes!)
More vintage books
Cutest small assorted shabby chic photo frames (some with ribbons!)
Etched flask-type glass vases (with fleur de lis)
Clocks, clocks and more clocks!
New stylish selections in jewelry
Unique posting boards (photo and post card holders)
Mirrors (never can have enough)

Sorry about the photo failure! These notes will hopefully give you the incentive to come in for a visit. Hope to see you soon.

A little to the left...

We had a great turnout for our "Mantle Magic" event tonight! It was equally magical to have so much room for the crowd that gathered, unlike my small Yardley location. And, to add to my glee, at least half of the attendees were "Yardley-ites"! It was fun to catch up and have the old gang together.

My subject was embraced by all who attended and many came with photos of their problem mantles for discussion and advice.

Your mantle is a place where you can get personal with the collections and things that you love. In all, 7 demonstrations were given, using various styles and themes. Problem mantles, i.e. narrow 4" ones (!) were discussed and I showed at least 4 examples of how to deal with this design dilemma. Lots of comments and even more questions, both general and personal. It was entertaining and conversational, while being educational as well. It was good to see old friends and make new ones.

This demo was presented using favorite items mainly from my home. On the right, framed vintage flash cards leaning and overlapping a vintage mirror. To the left a double framed photo of my oldest grandson, Max. He just turned 15! Overlapping Max, is a snapshot of my oldest daughter, his mother, Michelle. Look, look, oh look! Some of my finest influences in life.

This mantle uses the principals of symmetry. Books are an important element for any mantle design in my eyes. Just gotta have 'em!

Yet another demonstration . I showed 4 good ways to face the challenge of a historic mantle that is less than 4" deep! Ugh. Vintage empty frame...tortoise shells leaning and red coral branch. Of course, the soft taupe-y books, just the right size, with orange accents on the bindings, perfected the story.

Our events are sociable, entertaining and educational. Lots of questions and individual consultations-a successful evening polished off with my home made brownies and cucumber and lemonade cooler.

For a complete list of remaining events through the end of August, call the retail store. Hope to see you at the next one!

Everything Old is New Again!

There are always trends in interior design. Some come. Some go. Some come back. Some are classic. Some are way out there. Some are stupid. Some are timeless. But sooner or later, interior styles come full circle. What's old is new again.

Retro style is one of those. Modernism has a strong influence in almost all room settings today. Basically, I like it! Of course,you all know how I feel about orange...a totally retro color, back in full swing. 50's and 60's chairs are cool in any book. (Remember the chairs I had reupholstered for the Princeton Designer House this year?!)

Well, tonight, I paid a short visit to my cute friends Wayne and Bonnie. I couldn't help but look around their charming home and this is what I saw!

These vintage retro chairs upholstered in velvet...orange,of course!! Ah, my heart sings.

Okay, so the feet take them a little out of "cool"...but that's nothing my great upholsterer can't take care of. The modern, low profile of these lounge chairs speaks for style, and fairly current I might add!


I queried Bonnie about their age. Promptly, without a moment's delay, she told me she had purchased them in 1966. Brand new when they moved into the house. Orange. Velvet. Couldn't get much better.

And take a look at this lamp in the room! Bonnie just shook her head when I told her how popular this shade was! I rehearsed with her how many times I tell a client to update their rooms by changing up their lamp shades for drum shades. Yep, once again, perfect style! And natural burlap shades-so cool!

As a designer in the trade, it was so fun to see the "real McCoy" so to speak . Bonnie loved my stories of current style and felt amazed to have come full circle.

Look around your mother's or aunt's home. You'll find treasures of your own.

Thanks for sharing a little retro style, Bonnie! I'll take them all.

Father's Day Cheesecake for Two!

After a busy day with Church responsiblities, my darling husband and I sat down to a private dinner for two as we like to call it! I miss the large family dinners we sometimes have with extended family far away, but for tonight, it was a quiet dinner with just us.

Fred's Sundays are filled from 9:00a.m. till about 5:00 or 6:00p.m. and tonight it was later than usual. I love that this service is so much a part of his life and that he is a good man with integrity and a love for The Lord. He is honest in his relationships and a man to be admired for all that he does for his family and friends. He is the supreme example to me of selflessness. I want to be more like him. All who know him love and admire his work ethic and supportive nature to my venture in Black-eyed Susan. I love this man.

Meanwhile, I tried a new recipe of flank steak with a molasses and cracked pepper glaze. It was pretty good...except for the heat over the grill in 95 degree Philadelphia heat. Baby red potatoes and roasted fresh corn completed our easy meal.

This favorite dessert topped the evening! It is one that my darling mother made for us for the last 50 years, and happens to by my father's personal favorite dessert. Look how cute it is for two! It is a frozen cheesecake (not for those faint of heart when using raw eggs!). YUM! It's fast and easy...a bit fattening to be sure.

3 eggs, separated

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 brick cream cheese

graham cracker crumbs

Separate the eggs. Cream the sugar, salt and cream cheese together till fluffy. Add the vanilla. Beat the egg yolks in, one at a time until well beaten. In separate bowls, whip the egg whites until stiff (not too stiff, but will hold a peak). Whip the whipping cream. Fold in alternately the egg whites and whipping cream, being gentle so as to incorporate the air,but be thourough.

I like to use a double recipe for a normal spring form pan, but a single recipe fits nicely in this cute small, deep one. Line the bottom of the pan with graham cracker crumbs, then fill the pan with the mixture. Top with additional graham cracker crumbs and freeze. Make the night before serving. Enjoy!

It's a family favorite! My mother would be proud.

Thanks To My Father...

On the eve of Father's Day, I feel a debt of gratitude to my own father for the drive to work hard that I learned from him. I'm thankful that I enjoy working. I enjoy so much the creative work that I do, and am thankful daily that I am physically able to do the things that I am required and push myself to do. I believe that I inherited my love of work from my darling father, who at the age of 90 still mows his own lawn, prunes and gardens, shovels his own double drive and many times the neighbors, vacuums the house, harvests from his garden, and has a Face Book account!

This is one of my favorite photos of him taken in 1942. He is at his desk in a small apartment in Boston, Ma., where he attended MIT. That was several years before I was born. This handsome man worked his way through college entirely on his own. Born into a large family and being the last of 7, his parents died when he was a young boy. Raised by his brothers and sisters, he milked cows to earn his way through school. He was a successful student and graduated with honors, overcoming a lot of obstacles with drive and perseverance.

As a child, I never recall seeing my father sit in front of the TV. He worked all day at his office, or on the road traveling, came home and worked again, either repairing, building, or serving as a church officer. He was talented with his hands and a fine musician! And, like my own darling husband, he's a pretty good Sneelock!

My love of all things creative was instilled by him. My love of productivity was learned from him. My drive to push a little harder has certainly been passed down from him. If I can learn to give of myself, arise early and work through the day (and into the night), give selflessly of my time and talents, and be as tender as he is, I will have taken the best from his example.

I love you, Daddy. Happy Father's Day 2010.

Cutest Gift Ever!

While visiting with a new client today, after touring Lisa's beautiful home and consulting on several areas she wanted to work on, we came across this:

I commented on the well-worn toys, obviously loved by someone. Turns out that Lisa's mother gave her the diaper bag and favorite toys that she, herself, treasured as an infant, for her 40th birthday! How cute is that! Yep, I call it ...style! Cutest 40th birthday gift ever. Pure sentimental style.

I left with a smile.

Black-eyed Susan in Bucks Living Magazine!

Bucks and Montgomery Living Magazine has written this wonderful article about Black-eyed Susan! You can read it here!