6 Ideas for a Unique Bedside Table

I was over at The Glitter Guide yesterday, sharing some ideas for unique bedside tables.  Here is a peek into the feature:

This summer, I decided to tackle a little design project in my home—redecorating our master bedroom.  After painting the walls white and choosing a pretty vintage headboard, one thing had me quite baffled: what kind of bedside tables should we have?  I adore the look of a unique piece of furniture next to the bed.  Here are six inspiring ideas no matter what your design taste!

I love the idea of a simple nightstand—backed by a beautiful antique mirror—leaning against the wall. The reflection of the room is so very pretty! This lovely bedroom was created by designer Lindsey Bond Meadows and featured in House Beautiful.

Click here to view the rest of the article! 

Weekend Craving: A Summer Salad

We had some friends over for supper recently, and I whipped up this corn & avocado salad recipe (found on pinterest).  With fresh grilled corn, hints of honey and lime, it was light and refreshing (not to mention quick & easy to make)!  The perfect summer salad.  Here is the recipe - you should try it this weekend!

Grilled Corn, Avocado and Tomato Salad with Honey Lime Dressing 

INGREDIENTS

GRILLED CORN, AVOCADO AND TOMATO SALAD

• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 ears of fresh sweet corn
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

HONEY LIME DRESSING

• Juice of 1 lime
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Dash of cayenne pepper

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

Accessories - Walters Style

We love great accessories around our house.  Especially little Marguerite.  Hats, sunglasses, bracelets, necklaces, bows...you name it, she adores it.

She has her own style and sometimes loves to over accessorize (see image above).  I find it quite adorable.  Here are a few accessories I wouldn't mind adding to my closet this fall:

Topshop Skull Scarf 

Marni Embellished Clutch

Bop Basics Hair Tie Set

Marni Crystal Brooch Set  

Miu Miu Wayfarer Style Sunglasses 

Sunday Splurge: Southern Fried Chicken

I recently bought Matthew a deep fryer as a gift, and we had yet to cook anything unhealthy and delicious.  We decided to have some friends over for supper last night, so we christened the fryer by making a great Southern delicacy - fried chicken.  We followed this Paula Deen recipe, and dipped each piece in homemade come back sauce (try this recipe).  It was the ultimate indulgence before starting the work week! 

Thanks to Paula, here is the recipe for the yummy fried chicken:

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup water
• About 1 cup hot red pepper sauce (recommended: Texas Pete)
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• House seasoning, recipe follows
• 1 (1 to 2 1/2-pound) chicken, cut into pieces
• Oil, for frying, preferably peanut oil

Directions

In a medium size bowl, beat the eggs with the water. Add enough hot sauce so the egg mixture is bright orange. In another bowl, combine the flour and pepper. Season the chicken with the house seasoning. Dip the seasoned chicken in the egg, and then coat well in the flour mixture.

Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a deep pot. Do not fill the pot more than 1/2 full with oil.

Fry the chicken in the oil until brown and crisp. Dark meat takes longer then white meat. It should take dark meat about 13 to 14 minutes, white meat around 8 to 10 minutes.

House Seasoning:

• 1 cup salt
• 1/4 cup black pepper
• 1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Beauty Buys From Florence, Italy

Yesterday I shared my top beauty buys on The Glitter Guide from a city I cherish deeply...Florence, Italy.  I hope you enjoy!

One of the most beautiful places in the world is the charming city of Florence, Italy. The capital of Tuscany is rich in history and is known for its famous works of art, majestic palaces, beautiful cathedrals, leather goods, and delicious Italian fare. My favorite vacation spot is also the birthplace of many great fashion houses, and not-so-surprisingly, is full of amazing beauty products! After spending five months in the city, I discovered several beauty essentials I could not live without. I use many of these on a daily basis, and each scent floods my mind with memories of my beloved Firenze! Check out my favorite Italian beauty buys.

If you find yourself in Florence, you must stop by the Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. While studying abroad in Italy eight years ago, I stepped through the handsome wooden door to discover one of the world’s oldest pharmacies. Delicious soaps, perfumes, oils, creams, etc. are created from natural herbs, spices and flowers, all grown in the monastery garden next to the store. The recipes used today are the same that monks discovered hundreds of years ago.

Santa Maria Novella’s Crema Per La Mani is a lightly fragrant, moisturizing hand cream. Made with cocoa butter, essential oil of Sicilian lemon peel, and sweet almond oil, it will leave your hands feeling silky and smooth. Available here!

Salvatore Ferragamo launched his first company in Florence in 1927. While the Ferragamo museum is a must-see on a trip to Florence, the new Signorina fragrance will have you dreaming of Italy all summer long. The fashion house boasts it is a “new fragrance creation to celebrate chic young women.” With such a pretty bottle, how could you resist?

I am addicted to the Crema Viso Decollete (cream for the face and neck). It is made up of ginseng, avocado and sweet almond oil. It is delightfully fragrant and makes my skin look and feel amazing! If you cannot make it to Florence, you can find it here onlafcony.com.

Guccio Gucci founded The House of Gucci in Florence in 1921, and their first women’s fragrance was created in 1974. If you are looking for a new, light summer scent, try one of the new Flora by Gucci Garden Collection perfumes. Available here on Gucci.com.

Pack all of your favorite beauty essentials in this adorable Emilio Pucci Cosmetic Case. Emilio Pucci was a Florentine designer and politician, and he used to show his fashion collections in the Pucci family home, which was located in the heart of the city!

I love anything scented with almond. These Almond Bath Salts are made from 100% natural Sicilian sea salts and will make for a relaxing and luxurious bath.

Pack all of your favorite beauty essentials in this adorable Emilio Pucci Cosmetic Case. Emilio Pucci was a Florentine designer and politician, and he used to show his fashion collections in the Pucci family home, which was located in the heart of the city!

Ortigia is a soap and scent company based in Florence. All of the products are made with natural ingredients, and are inspired by Sicily (where the company was originally founded). Fill your house with the aroma of their delicious Geranium Cone Candle. Isn’t the box lovely?

Chanel Haute Couture Makeup Inspiration

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I like to experiment with makeup colors throughout the year and I absolutely adore this makeup look from backstage at the Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter show in Paris.  I love a smoky eye, and this icy (but pretty) look is perfect for this fall and winter.  Paired with a light pink blush and nude lip, it is wintry perfection!  

Get this gorgeous look with Chanel eyeshadow, the new Nude Pink Bobbi Brown blush (color is lighter than the blush shown above), and Estee Lauder's 'Pure Color' Gloss Stick!  

Scrumptious Banana Pudding

My parents held an early 4th of July bash for some friends this weekend, and i was oh-so-impressed with their desserts.  The first was delicious banana pudding, ready to eat in individual mason jars.  The recipe is from the great cookbook Screen Doors & Sweet Tea by Martha Hall Foose (a fellow Mississippian).

You might enjoy whipping this up for your Independence Day guests as well!  Here is the recipe:

PUDDING

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/4 tsp salt

4 large egg yolks

2 cups whole milk

1/2 vanilla bean, split, or 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

freshly grated nutmeg

1/2-inch piece of cinnamon stick

Quality vanilla wafers

4 medium bananas, peeled and sliced

TOPPING

4 large egg whites

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

5 TBS sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, bring 2 inches of water to a boil.  In a large stainless steel bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour and salt.  Whisk in the egg yolks, and then the milk, vanilla bean, nutmeg, and cinnamon.  Place the bowl over the pan of water and cook, stirring until the mixture is thick and coats the back of a spoon, 12 to 15 minutes.  Remove from the heat. Remove the cinnamon and vanilla bean.  If using vanilla extract, stir it in now.  While the pudding is still warm, layer the cookies, bananas, and pudding in 1/2 pint canning jars or ramekins.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

MAKE THE TOPPING

Whip the egg whites in an electric mixer on medium speed until frothy.  Add the cream of tartar and slowly increase the speed as the egg whites become opaque.  Add the sugar 1 TBS at a time.  Add the vanilla extract.  whip until the whites form a soft peak.  Spoon the meringue over the warm puddings, sealing it to the sides of the jars.

Bake the puddings for 4 minutes, or until the meringue is puffed and brown.  Cool on a rack for 20 minutes, and then refrigerate for 2 hours, or until you can't stand it anymore!