As I’m winding down from 2016 and getting ready for a new year, I thought I’d get a jump start on the table setting for a New Year’s day brunch. Last year I did a New Year’s Eve get-together and … Continue reading
Here Comes 2017!
Tag Archives: blacksouthernbelle
Being Thankful
On this day, we reflect on the many blessings we have and continue to be thankful. As I prepared dinner for my loved ones I thought about how there are many who don’t have a family to prepare a meal for, … Continue reading
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!!
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!!
Boudoir Refresh
Hey all! I hope you’re doing well and feeling great! I’m so happy Spring is here and I’m almost complete with my indoor projects because it’s time to be outside. So I’m working on two projects at one time.. The Foyer and the Master bedroom. The bedroom refresh is complete.. I chose not to paint because I painted about 3 years ago. (Besides, I don’t want my brother to strangle me…lol). But, I will say just changing a few items and rotating two pieces of furniture not only gave me more space, but I was able to add two more pieces and the room appears more spacious. Hubby thought I took something out.. (Chuckles, Goes to show how much he really pays attention.. Smh). Since this stuff doesn’t phase him much, I hope you’ll sit, relax, sip and enjoy the view of our vintage suite (a girl can dream right ?)
Everytime I think about switching our furniture to something more modern, my inner being just can’t part with this set. I love the bed plus it was custom stained for me. I spotted it in a pile of unfinished work and it had been stripped and a few of the embellishments were missing. My dear friend Joyce was the craftswoman behind this creation. I brought her the drawer of my nightstand and asked her to match the bed stain. When she finished it I’ll never forget how excited I was to see how beautiful the bed looked.
So, that’s my bed story, it’s been with me for almost 20 years and I dont’t think I’ll ever change it. Now moving along, it was an extremely bold move to choose white as my scheme, because my husband is an auto mechanic..(eeeeek..). But when I snagged the crochet coverlet at an estate sale (for $30.00.. what a deal) I knew I wanted to accent it with white. I later found the fur bedspread at another estate sale for $20.00.
I found the the perfect white pillows at HomeGoods, except the purple one.. That’s my special pillow (read here), which is why I chose to paint the headboards purple, because that pillow will always sit on our bed.
Last year I had them monogrammed, but they hung on the wall as window toppers..(see here) Well I’m super excited because they’re actually cornice boards now. Me and my upholsterer worked together and crafted the ends to extend the width, then attached to more wood. This was not a hard project, but it did take time. (kick me in the butt for not taking pics along the way, but you can see some below
I picked out a fabulous champagne color satin fabric for the panels and she made the pleated panels and we attached with Velcro. The sheer panels are equally beatiful., they are embellished with a satin circular pattern. They are on extension rods inserted inside the cornice board. I knew the design I wanted and working with her, it was awesome to see we the accomplished look and I honestly love them. So, if you’ve got or saw some cute twin headboards, here’s a DIY project, designed by yours truly.
(You see why I have the purple pillow)
Sheba came in here for hubby’s dressing corner.
The satin panels are so soft, they actually feel like a designer ball gown. The lucite bedside lamps were purchased from HomeGoods. They were marked down to $25.oo and were perfect for my “vintage glam” design.
Do you notice the beauty of the crochet coverlet.. I still haven’t found the right nightstand, so the hat boxes still serve as nightstand/storage.
I made up my mind to not keep my dresser cluttered. It took some time, but, I actually went through all the jewelry I don’t wear, got rid of receipts and the other “stuff” I tend to throw on there. I want to keep it simple.. This vintage candy dish has always been a favorite of mine. My grandmother (and I’m sure many of yours) had one on the coffee table, and I always liked it. I chose to use mine as powder puff jar.. It fits perfectly
Yea, I kinda feel like a starlet when I use it.. (Giggles… Hey I’m still dreaming)
A picture of my besties stay close by too.. The french ladies chest was another antique find I purchased from my friend Joyce some 20 years ago too. I can’t say enough how she had so many gorgeous pieces. This holds the organized jewelry clutter (gorgeous piece isn’t it) . The antique brocade slipper chair was a sidewalk special.. You can see the before/after here.
My vanity (which I call glamour girl station ) adds to the vintage glam feel of the room.. After all, there’s one in the boudoir of all the Turner Classic movies – so, I have to have one in mine ☺️
When my nieces visit, they love playing dress up in front of this, I have to keep my eye on them or they’d have the room lit up with perfume. The vanity chair got a new look as well…
For a girl with a chair fettish, I came across this cute little lighter and was nice to have just for show – (not a smoker). The only thing I’m still contemplating is taking down my dolls. I haven’t found anything to replace them so, I just decided to keep them out a little longer.
Our room doesn’t have a certain era of furniture pieces, but they’re all blended. That’s mostly the advantage of working with antiques. I’ve never been the matchy-matchy kind of person, so, this allows me to use Victorian, French, Art Deco, midcentury and new items to complete the look of the Vintage Glam bedroom suite. I hope you enjoyed the “fresh” new glam look.
You see, there’s beauty in vintage and I truly adore working with them. If you ever decide you want to incorporate a bit of vintage into your decor and feel stuck.. Feel free to ask me for a bit of advice.. I’d love to help.
I found the right mirror, so, the doll has been retired.
As always .. beauty doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Happy hunting and enjoy thrifting your House into a Home
Thanks for stopping by! Smooches