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Tag Archives: BlackFemaleInteriorDesigner; BloggerBabe
Charlotte Tastemaker Summit
On July 27th, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a topnotch premier event, The Charlotte Tastemaker Summit, hosted by Black Southern Belle. It was a panel of creative professional women ranging from interior decorators/designers, event planners, publishers, entrepreneurs, DIY crafters, stylists and bloggers who joined forces for an inspiring display of influential women. Black Southern Belle/Black Southern Belle Collective was founded by Editor in Chief, Michiel Perry, who noticed while she was planning her wedding and decorating her home, women of color were not represented enough in the media, so she decided to create a platform to showcase the collective group of African-American women who are achieving their goals in this field.
I was so excited as I took the drive up to Charlotte, (aka Queen City) ready to meet the Belle behind the brand Black Southern Belle. The event took place in one of Charlotte’s upscale design showrooms called TUFT. Upon walking into Danielle’s beautifully eclectic designed boutique we were greeted with warm hugs, smiles and sweet treats and swag bags.
This was definitely my kind of welcoming station! Michiel and her staff not only planned one of the best events, but left no stone unturned as for creating style and grace. The simple mere use of all vintage glassware was the complete pièce de ré·sis·tance for me. The delectable sweet treats were the baked goods of Grey Ghost Bakery
The buffet table was equally appeasing with catered dishes from Gravy Waltz Catering Services
The bar cart was refreshingly stocked with Pure Leaf iced tea (looking just as sweet as she could be)
To start the program, Michiel presented her opening remarks on how she started BSB, her goals, objectives and along with her future vision.
Next were guest speakers talking to the attendees about their businesses, blogs, and designs. We all listened attentively as they spoke of testimonies on starting their businesses, the ups&downs, highs&lows and gratifications of being an entrepreneur and how it affects their lives and livelihoods.
All of the ladies were graciously answering any and all questions that were posed.
In addition, we also were shown demonstrations on tablescaping and along with how to create flower arrangements
And this lovely belle (along with some of the other photos) was photographed by Michelle Flowers
No classy event is complete without a swag gift bag…
Michiel and her staff created the most tasteful, elegant, and informative affair and I look forward to attending more. Learn more about Black Southern Belle/Black Southern Belle Collective and their chica-power upcoming Atlanta and Charleston events by clicking here.
The “A” list Vendors
Thanks to Michiel for creating this hub for women to connect and inspire one another. As always… until next time…happy hunting and continue thrifting your house into a home!
Smooches!!
Zenfully Yours
Cheers to a wonderful new week ahead of us. I’m excited for two reasons, one – I’m headed to my first bloggers’ conference and two- I’m looking forward to meeting many of my blog-buddies and enjoying all there is to offer and learn. Before I head off, I wanted to share one of the most fabulous make-overs by a FBF. Last week while I was in the midst of perusing my Facebook newsfeed I stumbled on a picture of her outdoor zen-spot. You know me – I’m always enthused to see beautiful Rest-Havens and when I spotted Keisha’s outdoor creation I had to share it with you.. Thank you Keisha for allowing me to share your haven. Grab you coffee, tea and vittles because you’re gonna want to see all what’s in store and see how she created it. Let’s look at where she began.
I know you’re probably excited, like me, to see how she did it all on a budget of $500.00 – Let’s begin where she started. Keisha cultivated a personal vision for her garden and began to think of ways to incorporate her style while maintaining natural elements for a zen-oasis. The space was no where near easy to work with, and having a tree in the center was even more challenging, so she decided to make that her focal point and build around it.
Her desire was to have a warm, welcoming area to enjoy entertaining her family and friends for outdoor festivities. We all know that pallets are free and there are many, many, many projects you can use them for. Keisha took full advantage of the freebies and that laid the ground work for her oasis to be created.
With some help from her father and a friend, they dis-assembled them and made the floor for her raised deck.
Lots of sawing, cutting, measuring and patience went into this project, but as you see, it was well worth it. Here you can get a visual of the framework and how the pallets became the wall around her space
More pallets are assembled and laid to encompass the tree
Bricks are lined to design a pattern
She added flagstone for another natural element in the space
Filled the area in with small stones and gravel
This bench was a roadside special. Luckily she found it and gave it a new life (keyword – BUDGET)
Old bowling balls spray painted silver are being used as garden art
She used red mulch around the tree for a pop of color
She stained the pallets to weatherproof and give them color
Next up was adding the plants. She found an old ladder to use as a plant stand and the boarder pallets were used as as planters
Nestled between these two sunshine yellow adirondack chairs is a table she made from a tree trunk
Isn’t it gorgeous!! I love the redwood color and blended with the jewel tone vase was pefect
What a warm, welcoming environment she created. By being creative, resourceful, diligent and patient, she was able to achieve her goal and accomplish a zenful retreat for her after work and weekend entertaining.
Using pallets as the gateway separated the haven area from the garden, while still balancing the artful flow into the haven.
Last but not least – it was time to add the cushions and pillows for the seating area. She covered foam and added an array of brightly colored pillow to finish the space.
A piece of driftwood is another artistic element added to the area.
I hope you all stand with me and give Keisha a round of applause for creating such a restful retreat – all on a budget of $500.00!!!
Meet the beauty behind the brains of this creative garden Zen Oasis..
And she did it her way…..
Do you have a project that you’re working on and would like to share with my other readers? If so, email me and you’ll be my next featured guest. Also be sure to follow me on the blog, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest
Until next time lovies!! Remember – it’s not what it costs but it’s how you style it.. Create your own style and design on a dime
Smooches!!
Fruit Cocktail Bread Pudding
Fruit Cocktail Bread Pudding w/Frangelico Carmel Glaze
I am excited to share with you that in two weeks I’ll be headed to Atlanta, Ga connecting with other bloggers who share the same passion as me at the Bloggers University Conference.
This is my first bloggers conference and I’m skipping happy about it. I started blogging for fun and now it’s turned into my passion. I’m headed there on a volunteer ticket – but that’s cool because I get to share in on the fun and learn even more about this thing we call “Blog” world. For my ticket I had to enter the Dixie Crystals Sweet & Southern Recipe Contest (talk about under the gun – I had to do this within 24 hrs – YIKES!!!) but I’m happy to say I accomplished that goal.. – A girl on a mission..
I’m sharing my version of one of the oldest southern classic recipes that will satisfy the after dinner sweet tooth for everyone. Thanks to Dixie Crystal for having this contest where I’ll be competing nationwide with other bloggers submitting their Sweet & Southern Desserts.
For the recipe of this delicious bread pudding you’ll need:
- 1 loaf of white bread (I used Sunbeam giant loaf)
- 5 oz evaporated milk
- 2 cups milk
- 1 large can of fruit cocktail (in heavy syrup)
- 1 egg
- 1 3/4 cup Dixie Crystal pure sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp lemon flavor
- 1 1/2 stick of butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9×13 glass baking dish melt butter (do not let it burn). Tear bread apart and put in large bowl
Pour both milks on top of bread and let it soak in. Stir in fruit cocktail (with the syrup), egg, sugar, extracts and cinnamon. Give a good stir.. I know.. (looks like lumpy oatmeal.. )
Add melted butter and give a good stir. Pour batter into dish (you melted the butter in) sprinkle top with a little cinnamon
Bake for 30-40 minutes.. Let rest approximately 10 mins before cutting. Drizzle with Frangelico Carmel Glaze (optional)
Frangelico liqueur is a is a pale gold colored liqueur made of Tonda Gentile hazelnuts. It is distilled in the Piedmont region of northern Italy from an alcohol and water infusion of the nuts. Natural flavoring extracts such as cocoa and vanilla are added before blending with alcohol, sugar and water to meet the bottle strength.
The glaze adds a bit of a nutty flavor to blend with the fruity flavor without having something crunchy in the pudding. But for those who prefer your pudding plain, its just as yummy.
For the glaze:
- 4 tblspns butter
- 1 cup light Dixie Crystal light brown sugar
- 3 tblspn Frangelico liqueur
- 3/4 cups half&half
In a small saucepan melt butter, add brown sugar, liquer and half&half. Whisk until smooth – drizzle warm glaze over warm bread pudding and enjoy
As always – cooking is easy with “TLC” Enjoy!!
Happy Friday!
Hey Guys! I guess you’ve been wondering what have I been up to – at least I hope I’ve crossed your minds. :-), if not, it’s cool.. I know you’re just as busy. But your girl has been quite busy, between finishing up the foyer refresh and gearing up for our town’s I2I 49 Miles to Shop Yard Sale – which has now been lengthened to 70 miles!! Isn’t that awesome..!!! If you remember me talking about it last year and how much fun it was – well this year is expected to be even more fun. My sister is headed down to join in on the fun again and we’ve got lots and lots of stuff to sell. By taking on my Living Room makeover, the Budoir Refresh, and now the Foyer, I’m realizing it’s time to let go of some stuff. I’m really trying hard to minimalize my hoarding. It’s something when you remove items to begin a re-decorate project, how your thought changes and you somehow are able to let things go that you’ve not thought to get rid of. That’s where my head is now. It’s great because I just recently won first place in a de-clutter contest that was hosted by Goodwill_SC. Along with gift cards, I also received the book “The Life-changing magic of tidying up” – perfect timing right??!!!
So needless to say I’ve got boxes all around the house and just dumping stuff and I’m vowing to price this stuff to sell because I have to let it go. I want to have less stuff to dust, less stuff to store away and less stuff in the way. Wish me luck on this process because it’s not easy.. trust me.. it really isn’t. But..moving along.. I’m really happy how the foyer is coming along. No major big renovation (because hubby ain’t having that..lol) – just painting and changing the light fixture. I love how just doing those two items made a big difference. I pulled an item out of storage to replace the table you see here. I had no love for the table, but it held “more stuff” that I wasn’t using.. I mean really – why did I still have the last 5 years of telephone books in there.. smh. I found candles that I should have been burning, papers, receipts and just – stuff.
It’s not a big space so I wanted to minimize the items I had in there to make it appear more spacious. I had a rococo style mirror and console table to sell, but the buyer decided not to take it. I was going to put it in the yard sale then I took another look at it and decided to use it in my space. Reason #1 – no drawers to hold “stuff” and reason #2 – I love it. Here is the before:
Isn’t that a sweet looking mirror.. I’m not feeling the black or the shabby look of it though..
This is the console table. Black did nothing for this piece not to mention the beautiful rose tone marble top that was on it. They both got a new look with my faithful can of spray paint. I’ll show you the after next week. I want to finish up the foyer and then surprise you 🙂
That’s all for now, and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you next week! Oh and if you’re wanting to travel to the Yard Sale, hop over to the website and read all about it. I’d love to see you there. But in the meantime.. Happy hunting.. Smooches