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I’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio working on some fabulously creative projects lately. Designing new products, reviewing fabrics, planning a photoshoot, reworking our space for the gift show … the list goes on. So, I thought it might be fun to share a little behind-the-scenes look into the IceMilk Aprons studio! I hope you enjoy … more to come so stay tuned.
If you know me by now, you know I have a thing for jars { just two examples here and here }. So, I just had to share these two new preserves jar finds that I found. The Luxe Canning Jars from Jayson Home have a great vintage appeal and I love the classic gold tops. And, I’m sure you’ve seen these blue Ball jars that have been popping up all over the place, in celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the first perfect Mason jar. I know these will be a big hit for 4th of July parties this year.
If you find any hidden gems I’m missing, I’d love to see any other fabulous jars that you find, too!
Since Spring has sprung and we’re in the midst of showers and sunshine, what better time to chat about Southern Gardens than now. I have extensive photos of my Great-Grandmother {Nana} and her rose gardens in our family collection, and have been so inspired by the beautiful, white climbing roses at Serenbe where we got married. That will be the next garden I tackle, however this year I decided to replant my herbs and go a little further with my vegetables this year in the tiny, square container garden my husband built for me a few years back. I’ve been busy posting photo updates on my Instagram, and pinning some of my favorite garden inspiration as well for ideas!
Southern Living has long been a staple for our Southern home {as I know it has for yours} and Senior Gardens Editor, Steve Bender {aka The Grumpy Gardener} is joining us to chat all about the essentials for growing a Southern Garden today!
As I planned for and planted my own herb & vegetable garden this year, with little thriving success over the past few, I got the chance to ask Steve a few questions, tips & pointers. Here is what he had to share …
What are your favorite plants & flowers to grow in the South?
Native azaleas, angelonia, coleus, oakleaf hydrangea, clivia, Japanese maple, Lenten rose, daffodils, crepe myrtle.
What are your favorite fruits & vegetables to grow in the South?
Blueberries, figs, Japanese persimmon, sweet peppers, lettuce, okra, basil, rosemary.
What epitomizes a truly Southern garden?
A garden with plants well-adapted to the region that expresses the personality of the owner as well as Southern gardening history.
Tell us your top tips for a successful garden in the South?
Give plants what they like — sun or shade, dry soil or wet soil, mild winters or cold winters. Don’t mix plants that have different likes.
What is your favorite thing about gardening?
My favorite thing is it helps you relax and forget about everything else going on in the world. Your garden is your refuge.
What are some of the most creative garden containers or elements that you’ve seen?
There are so many old junky things that make really cool containers — like boots, colanders, bathtubs, suitcases, coffee pots, etc. Last year at P. Allen Smith’s place in Arkansas, I made a beautiful mixed planter out of a bedpan.
When is the best time to plant your garden?
The best time to plant is when it’s right for the plants and right for you.
What is the best way to prepare your plot for planting?
Good soil is everything. Before planting, loosen the soil to a foot deep and mix in lots and lots of organic matter, such as chopped leaves, ground bark, composted manure, garden compost, and sphagnum peat moss.
Who inspired your love of gardening?
My Dad. He was a big gardener and I followed in his footsteps.
How are you carrying on the tradition of gardening?
My garden has lots of pass-along plants given to me by family, friends, and complete strangers. Every time I see one of those plants, I remember the time I got it and the person who gave it. I share my plants too.
#southernchat: Southern Gardens (Monday, 4/29/13, 9:00 pm edt.)
Q1: What elements truly epitomize a Southern garden?
Q2: What are your favorite plants, flowers, fruits & veggies to grow in your Southern garden?
Q3. Who or what inspires your Southern garden?
Q4: What are some of your favorite pots & creative containers for growing a Southern garden?
Q5: What tips & tricks have been passed down to you for growing the best garden?
Images via Shabbiness to Fabulous, KaraRosaLund, Pinterest, Flora & Fauna, Garden Artistry, Williams-Sonoma, Crush Cul de Sac
I have always had a passion for interiors, architecture and designers with a clearly defined signature style. I believe in the South we have a simplicity in home design. Yet, in the simplicity there is a rich and thoughtful detail that helps give nod to the care and craft that went into each selection. I love the craftsmanship of a wooden door and the inclusion of a farmhouse sink.
This week’s #southernchat is focused on the Southern Home and all the goodness and richness that goes into our Southern style. I am so thrilled to have a special guest, M.K. Quinlan, Senior Style Editor at Garden & Gun Magazine. When I asked her if there was an approach she’d like to take to the Southern Home concept, her answer was so much more thoughtful than I could ever have hoped…
“Lately I’ve gotten stuck on this idea of “slow-style.” It’s a play on the slow-food movement, a way of considering your personal style – whether in your home or your wardrobe—in a manner that is authentic to the person you are and the place where you’re from. There’s no science to it, but I think combining heirloom pieces with new purchases that have meaning to you is a good place to start.
My least favorite thing in the world is walking into a home that has been “designed”—each piece of furniture new, fabrics perfectly color-coordinated, family photos stuffed in drawers. It doesn’t tell me anything about the people who live there. This is the danger of hiring an interior designer and not including your personal tastes and opinions in the design process.
In the South, I think we’re able to rise above this more than most because of the value we place in our personal history, and because the home is about so much more than “looking pretty” to us. It’s about entertaining and letting people into your life.”
——–
I have never thought of the Southern Home in such a way, but it truly describes the Southern way and my own personal approach to decorating. I have been collecting and curating pieces for as long as I can remember to slowly build my home into the unique interior it is today. The story behind each piece is truly inspiring, when you step into someone’s home, being able to learn the history behind an item is even further rooted in our art of storytelling. And, if you know me well by now {or if we’re friends on Pinterest …} you know my own personal Southern home style is most certainly barn chic.
I know you’ll enjoy chatting with M.K. as much as I have on this topic, so be sure to join us Monday 4/15/13 at 9:00 PM EDT for this week’s #southernchat! Also, be sure to follow along with M.K. on Twitter at @GGBelleDecor and on the Garden & Gun Style Blog – Belle Decor – that she pens.
#southernchat: The Southern Home (RESCHEDULED TO: Monday, 5/6/13, 9:00 pm edt.)
Q1: What key elements define a Southern Home (interior & exterior)?
Q2: What elements in your own home are Southern-inspired?
Q3: Who are some of your favorite Southern designers, architects, or artists for the home?
Q4: What home accessories & furniture companies are your favorite to shop for curating your Southern home?
Q5: What questions do you have for M.K. about about “Slow-Style,” Garden & Gun or her Southern home?
Images: Garden & Gun / Elle Decor / SJP Home
Spring has nearly sprung and these are some of my must-haves for setting the perfect Spring table this year. I’d love to know what you need for Spring … what would you add to the table?
wooden egg from west elm / heirloomed linen napkins from icemilk aprons / egg crate from anthropologie / organic sea salt from st. helena olive oil co. / bubble drinking glass from canvas / my favorite riondo prosecco / egg cup from match pewter / egg platter from martha stewart for macy’s / big picture farm goal milk chai caramels from eat boutique / honey dipper from brook farm general store / wax resist easter egg party invitation from minted / wheatgrass seeds from terrain / french urn pedestal dining table from restoration hardware.
With daylight savings time underway and the sun shining just a little bit longer, I figure it’s close enough to spring to go ahead and start the celebration with a little giveaway – don’t you think?
My favorite time of year is coming near, when the weather gets warmer (and by warmer, I mean hot here in the South) and when people come out of the woodwork to have fun and gather together for no reason at all. Spring weddings come to life, and long weekends to the lake & beach are more frequent than not. Fresh fruits & veggies are plentiful, and the grill is always on call to be fired up.
I am so proud of the new heirloomed collection linens and think they are just perfect for Spring entertaining. I worked hard to keep them simple, yet still distinctive and to keep a balanced juxtaposition of a luxurious linen paired with the rustic, simple kraft pastry packaging. And, I am so thrilled to share that I’ve just added (just now!) the option to have the table runner embroidered if you so wish. You may either have a single letter monogram for the center of the runner, or an “established” date on the detail tag on one end to commemorate a special date. I love the personal touch, and hope you will too.
And now … onto the Spring Giveaway! Hope you’ll join in for a chance to win the heirloomed table linens gift package – a set of four napkins and table runner.
As always, entering is so simple. …
1. Click here to repin our Spring Giveway pin on Pinterest
2. Leave a comment below telling us you repinned it so you’ll be entered to win.
And, for “extra” chances to win ….
1. Pop over and “Like” the IceMilk Aprons Facebook Page
2. Tweet this : I just entered the Spring Giveaway to win an @heirloomed tabletop linens gift package from @icemilkaprons! http://bit.ly/ZyySov
3. Visit icemilkaprons.com and sign up for our e-newsletter
4. Follow @icemilkaprons on Instagram
5. Follow along on Pinterest
Remember to leave a comment below for EACH “extra” chance to win so they will be counted towards to your overall chances to win! You’ll get more chances to win, and we will get to connect on some of my favorite sites. Be sure to enter by Friday, March 22, 2013 at 5PM EST.
EDITORS NOTE: The winner of our giveaway is Leslie of Leslie’s Desserts! Congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered to win! xo
Giveaway entries must be submitted between 3-12-13 and 3-22-13 at 5PM EST . Winner to be chosen at random and will be announced by 3-25-13. Open only to US residents. No purchase is necessary, of course. Some restrictions may apply.
Are you in? What are your new year’s resolutions?
Summer continues, and so does Throw-Back Thursday! I truly can’t get enough … vintage meets my favorite season. I’m up for new themes for the board next week – leave a comment & give me a challenge, let’s see what I can find!
Throw-Back’s: Van Heesch Brass Bike { beach-cruiser with a little vintage metal? Yes, please!} / Flea Bags { i have literally been swooning for years over these tool bag inspired totes } / Burroughs Beard Oil {doesn’t get much more old-school than this! and, can’t find anyone who loves the scruff like myself, found via design love fest} / To Kill a Mockingbird {i was not exactly a bookworm growing up, though my house is filled with old books. this one is new but feels decades removed }
Yesterday was the first official day of summer, though I’ve been celebrating for quite some time already. I think these throw-backs will help keep you in the summer spirit!
Throw-Back’s: Kinfolk: A Guide for Small Gatherings { a quarterly magazine that will inspire a few memories of your own} J.Crew necklace { vintage-inspired settings would be great for anything from t-shirt to LBD } / Restoration Hardware Deconstructed Highback Wing Chair { the wing has such a regal touch, coupled with the undone finish makes it livable } / Stainless Steel Bendy Straws { a redo of one of our favorite kid classics }
Yesterday, I celebrated 2 years of marriage to my amazing husband.
We had the most wonderful wedding weekend I could ever have imagined and I love reliving the day by looking at photos and watching our wedding video. I will have to share photos with you all soon … since it’s been two years and all …
I always wanted to follow the “traditional” anniversary gift list of gifting rules. Year 1 – paper. Does a card count? Year 2 – cotton. I’ll have to get creative. But, as you know I live for tradition so don’t let me fool you into thinking we don’t have a tradition each year.
I am lucky enough to have been passed down china from my grandmother and great grandmother, so needless to say this was not something we registered for. This did give us the opportunity to register for one of my most favorite things of all – Match Pewter. Oh, the patina is to die for and there is really nothing I love more than a good serving piece.
My husband-to-be gifted me a gorgeous platter as a wedding day gift and from that day forward we vowed to spend the rest of our lives together, and to continue our collection. We love to entertain with family & friends and these make a great, memorable addition to the party.
Year 1 – fork + spoon.
Year 2 – a gravy boat.
What piece will we celebrate with next year? I’m open to your thoughts – but might have my mind set already …
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