The Pink Veranda

I am organizing a birthday luncheon for a dear friend.  I am polishing the silver, bringing out the crystal and using my finest white linen.  I also thought it would be nice to have favors for all of my guests. Years ago someone gave me the book, A Guide to Elegance by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux.  I thought this book would be a nice gift for this occasion. I am tying the books with white bows and adding a vintage rhinestone brooch to each one for a little panache! Madame Dariaux wrote this little Tiffany blue book back in 1964, but the advice is timeless. This lovely pocket guide provides advice on fashion in a charming but straight forward manner. Advice that your mother may have taught you, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded. Elegance should always have a place in our lives and like birthdays should never be forgotten.

I am obsessed with a clutch purse.  I like to use them when I go out for dinner or meeting the girls for lunch, or whatever excuse I have to take one out of my closet. I like them because I can choose designs that I might not select with a larger bag. Because of their size a brighter, louder print will add a little punch to my outfit and not overwhelm it. How cute are these clutch purses?  I can't choose which one I like best. Isn't the apple and pear print on the Pomum clutch just so fresh and pretty?   Veggie Garden print of this clutch would make a great gift for my gardener friend. I want the Sleeping Beauty clutch to wear with a little black dress or just a pair of black jeans. I love the whimsical blue birds print on this Pennipotenti Clutch.   

Have I said how much I love One Kings Lane ?  They have mastered the art of finding unique home furnishings and accessories so expertly that I don't have to leave the comfort of my southern city to get fabulous deals on luxe items for my home. So now I am not only drooling over the furniture on their web site but also their jewelry.  Yes, I am now being tempted by Carolina Design .  Not a place, but the person. Carol Workinger is the artist behind Carolina Design and she has gorgeous pieces that were sold on One Kings Lane. What I love about the website is that it is like opening a present, you never know what's inside until you open it, but it's always a nice surprise :)   Here are a few pieces from their "Necklaces We Love" and  "Gold Rush" collection now on sale:   Teardrop Sunburst Pendant, Blue Drusy by Coralia Leets .    Gold Rush, Gold Coin Bracelet by BEN-AMUN .   Gold Chain Link Bracelet by BEN-A...

I love s'mores, but can you create the same chocolate, toasted gooey marshmallow flavor without a campfire? This easy recipe has 4 steps and 5 ingredients and the results have the same toasted marshmallow s'more taste that we love. The fudge center is rich and chocolatey and the graham cracker crust and marshmallow cream bring it all together to make a great s'more that you can make in your kitchen. No campfire needed :) 12- mini graham cracker pie crusts 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 1- 14 ounce can sweeten condensed milk 12- tablespoons marshmallow fluff 1/4 cup mini marshmallows Makes 12 Mini S'more Pies 1 . Place the chocolate chips and sweeten condensed milk in a pan and over low heat stir until chocolate chips have melted.  2. In each pie crust spread 1 small tablespoon of  marshmallow fluff on the bottom of each shell (add more if you like the marshmallow fluff). It will be sticky, you may have to use two spoons to g...

I love the color of blue topaz.  The pale blue color of topaz looks like a piece of winter ice. I  don't own any jewelry with this stone but I'd love to wear a glittering piece from this winter wonderland :) I love the color of this icy blue and white topaz ring.  Perfect winter jewelry. Pretty rows of topaz on this silver ring. Sky blue stones and lots of bling on these pendant earrings!

  I love the honey color of this bucket bag from Tory Burch.   A fabulous beaded mini baguette from Fendi.    Brahmin handbag for just going around town. How cute is this Valentino patten leather bag with a bow?

Cool fall nights, sitting by the fire, wearing this cabled sweater with a pair of jeans.   I want this grey fringe sweater to wear with black jeans or with a simple black dress.   I'd like this sweater to wear with everything!