The Goods - Wine Tags

Here's a collection of wine tags that are all the rage. We're considering carrying them. What do you think? Are they as funny and useful as we think they are?

Design Tip - A Simple Arrangement

Two ideas are illustrated in this picture. First, if you're going to spruce up the place with flowers, it's always better to stick to the "one flower rule" (or at the very least "one color rule") to create something dramatic. In short, unless you really have the touch, leave the cheap looking grocery bouquet where it is; most times, it's simply busy and, frankly, cheap looking. Second, don't be afraid to stray from the glass vase; we're not fans of busy-looking vases, but a solid item, like this antique silver vase, is a welcome departure from the status quo.

The Goods - Juliska Sale

It's no secret we love Juliska, and our customers do too. As a special gift, hurry in between now and May 30th for 20% off ALL JULISKA glassware and ceramics. It simply doesn't get any better than Juliska for gorgeous tableware and serveware; given our low margin, you may not see this deal again. Click the logo above to visit their website, then decide which pieces you can't live without.

Design Tip - Woodwork

Woodwork doesn't always have to be painted glossy white. In fact, there's a heck of a lot more drama when it isn't--great way to show off lots of detail without looking busy.

- images via Curtis & Windham

Lifestyle - Happy Mother's Day!

To be a mom...

HAPPY MOTHERS' Day to all!!!

The Goods - Our Furniture

The Cobbled Path's furniture line has the most amazing inverse cost to beauty/detail ratio we've ever seen. Sure, we're a little partial, but you'll agree when you see it.

The Goods - The Simple Glass Napkin Ring

Hosting a dinner party? These glass napkin rings should be on the menu. Clearly, this classic berry and thread pattern goes with anything, and the look by candle light is divine.

The Goods - Urchin Art

Speaking of a repeating patterns with a local vibe - here's a picture of one of our favorite pieces of art. Perfect for a beach house anywhere... or a traditional home with a love for the beach... or a modern home with clean lines... you get the point.

Design Tip - Repeat Your Style

When in Rome... A repeating pattern is a time-honored stylistic creed. If you're coastal, like we are in Tampa, use those amazing natural gifts that are right at your feet. The result is something no human hands could replicate.

Entertaining - Dinner Party Favours

At your next big event (and, yes, we know this is not practical advice for every dinner party you throw), consider offering something a bit more unusual as a gift for your guests. Imagine replacing either of the items shown below on this plate with a place card for your guest. What remains is the party favour. If any invitees declined the invitation, they'll wish they hadn't. Come see us for more unusual and elegant gifts.

The Goods - A New Old Chandelier

A couple of quick shots of a new chandelier we just hung. Gorgeous, huh?

Design Tip - A Little Blue

A beautiful French blue has always been able to add a delicate, light touch to a room. Used in a room of whites and creams, it's a feature color that's at once uplifting, dramatic, and somehow subdued. The trick is how to use it well. Our suggestions: use it in your linens. If you stick with light walls and light furnishings, the linens add a calm touch of color. For a recent customer, we offered these three options for the linens that would be featured in such a room:

You can see that each is subdued, classic, and yet markedly different.

A Special Post

Here's a picture of a mirrored folding end table that is a favorite in our store. This item is always special, but a little more so this weekend. The one pictured here is being donated as part of a basket for a silent auction to benefit the Jacob Randall Foundation for Morquio, the proceeds of which will benefit research into this syndrome. We encourage you to spend a couple of minutes learning about this worthy cause yourself, and to donate if possible. Feel free to email us for additional information.

Gardening - Tampa's Spring Flowers

Happy Friday! Here's what's blooming in Tampa:

Enjoy your weekend!

Gardening - The Hot Hot Sun

Looking for a quick growing pop of color in your garden? Looking to grow a quick garden "wall?" Sunflowers may be the answer. Coming in shades of yellow and orange, various cultivars range in height from a few feet to over ten feet. True to their name, they love full sun; yes, even in Florida. In fact, sunflowers are native to the Americas and are thought to have first been cultivated in Mexico, although they can be successfully grown as far north as central Canada. Water them often to ensure quick growth, but they can stand a short drought. Gorgeous, huh?

Entertaining - Old World Chrusciki

They're called "Chrusciki." If you're a lover of cookies, you have to try these... think, "warm funnelcake with a crunch." We used to buy these from a small market in Cincinnati. They're even better if you make them yourself.

Ingredients (Makes 7 dozen):
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 large eggs
5 large egg yolks
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1 tablespoon rum
3 tablespoons sour cream
2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
Pure vegetable shortening, for deep-frying
Confectioners' sugar, sifted, for sprinkling

1. Melt butter, and combine with eggs, egg yolks, granulated sugar, salt, extract, vinegar, rum, and sour cream in a large, heavy mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat on medium-high until lemon colored. Gradually add enough flour to produce a fairly stiff dough. Turn out onto a floured board, and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, adding flour if necessary, until dough blisters, becomes elastic, and can be handled easily. Cut dough in half, and wrap one half with plastic wrap; reserve at room temperature.

2. Roll half of dough very, very thin, and cut into strips about 4 inches long and 1 1/4 inches wide. Cut the ends on a diagonal. Slit each piece in the center, and pull one end through the slit. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and cover with a towel to keep moist. Repeat with other half of dough.

3. Heat shortening in a cast-iron frying pan to 375 degrees. and fry the dough strips, a few at a time until lightly browned, about 1 minute, turning once with a long fork or tongs.

4. Drain chrusciki on brown paper bags or paper towels; transfer to a cooling rack, and sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.

5. Finally, store, tightly covered, in wax-paper-lined tins.

Note: This recipe makes an enormous quantity, so it can be halved if you wish, but do not divide the vanilla extract. Also, make sure the eggs and butter are room temperature when you begin. If your guests don't love these, do not invite them back; they are clearly not good people.

Design Tip - Reflecting on the Outdoor Room

Speaking of great mirrors, we have a number of truly unique options that work well outside, and you shouldn't be afraid to add one to your outdoor space. A classic outdoor mirror in zinc, tin, copper, or the like will only get more beautiful with age. Done properly, it'll actually lend a timelessness to your garden from day one.

The Goods - A Favorite Mirror

Here's a simple picture of some of the detail on one of our favorite mirrors. Two hang in the front room of our store. We love these, right down to the antiquing of the reflective mirror itself--each one of which is completely unique since they're done by hand.

Lifestyle - Blue and White

Spring has sprung in Tampa. This season and last, designers seem to be falling over themselves to fawn over the pairing of blue (or light purple) and white... well, let's just say nature does it better. Get out there and enjoy yourselves.

The Goods - Silk Florals

Hope everyone had a very happy Easter. As we welcome spring, we're looking forward to many spring flowers and the lightness of heart they bring. Quite simply, nothing beats fresh flowers for beauty. Of course, they can be ephemeral, which is why we always keep silk flowers as well. In addition to the arrangements we create ourselves, one of our favorite manufacturers of silks is NDI (Natural Decorations, Inc.) If you have something specific you'd like, call. If you'd prefer to simply pick and choose from various options, come visit us, or check out of few of these selections from NDI, which are all works of art:

The Goods - Aidan Gray

Below, we've included a number of images showing furniture, decor, mirrors, and lighting from one of our favorite vendors, Aidan Gray. You'll no doubt have seen their goods numerous times in magazines such as Veranda, Southern Accents, Victoria, Domino, Elle Decor, and the like. Enjoy, and if you want to bring this look home, come see us at the shop.