Innholdsfortegnelse for March - April 2014 i Southern Lady

Dear Friends, Spring is here! My drive to the office is lined with bright forsythia and flowering quince—what a cheerful start to each day! As the weather warms and the days grow longer, I can hardly wait to start planning parties and gettogethers to celebrate this happy season. If you’re thinking the same thing, this issue of Southern Lady is just what you need for inspiration. We have parties galore and menus perfect for entertaining two or twenty. (I even cook up some fun with my grandchildren on page 33.) And with all the buzz about the healthy benefits of honey, we know you’ll love the sweet treats in Recipe Box. Planning a weekend jaunt? Be sure to check out Two Days Away in charming Charleston and our Southern College…

STELLAR CELLAR This clever container will have guests singing for their salt. Aqua Bird Ceramic Salt Cellar, $5.99; World Market, worldmarket.com. TABLETOP HIPPITY-HOP An adorable sculpted rabbit adds an element of refined whimsy to Easter settings. Bunny Soup Tureen with Ladle, $374; Vietri, vietri.com. SWEET SCENT Usher spring into your home with fragrant hints of mandarin, jasmine, and cedar wood. Verbena Blossom Nectar Candle in Bee Jar, $27.20; Hillhouse Naturals, hillhousenaturals.com. SOUTHERN SERVER Ideal for entertaining and display, this handcrafted metal tray will become your go-to piece for garden parties. Hydrangea Large Square Tray, $150; Wendell August, wendellaugust.com. WINNING STATEMENT Add a sophisticated touch to settings with white and gold serving pieces. Luxe Moderne Hexagonal Tray and Trophy Bowls, $26-$58; Rosanna, rosannainc.com. BEAUTIFUL BOTANICAL Celebrate the bounty of spring with…

THE INSPIRATION With its cheery pink rim edged in gold, this dinner plate serves as a lovely foundation piece for the season’s settings. Indienne Dinner Plate in Rose by Philippe Deshoulieres, $90; Bromberg & Co., brombergs.com. ELEGANT OPTIONS Echo the scenes of reawakened gardens with your own panorama of tabletop blooms. Search out salad or dessert plates bearing a favorite flower, then add the real thing in subtle ways, such as stems “tied” around each napkin. Indienne Salad Plate in Anis Green by Philippe Deshoulieres, $75, Burst Camellia Dessert Plate by Royal Limoges, $97.50, Agathe Table Runner by La Maisonnette, $85, White Linen Napkin by Two Girls in Avignon, $24, and Fiesta Red Wine Stemmed Glass by Sherzer, $20; Bromberg & Co., brombergs.com. Milady Flatware, $69.95 for 5-piece place setting;…

FOR THIS LOVELY BASKET OF BLOSSOMS, stylist Tracey MacMillan Runnion combined brilliant apricot spray roses, lavender tulips, and dusty-pink ranunculus with pops of chartreuse viburnum and earthy white kale. To get the look, place floral foam in a plastic-lined basket. Arrange a green bed of viburnum and kale on the bottom layer. Then place flowers in groups, as if they’ve just sprouted from the greenery below. Deliver your heavenly handbasket as a hostess gift at an Easter brunch, or display its brilliance in the foyer to welcome guests with the beauty of spring.…

TOWERING TRADITION Create an impressive backdrop with this handsome wooden mirror handcrafted from reclaimed timbers. Entablature Mirror, $3,495; Restoration Hardware, restorationhardware.com. DRAMATIC DÉCOR The artistic style and intricate wire design of this mirror certainly inspire a second look. Frigg Mirror, $510; Arteriors, arteriorshome.com. IN THE ROUND The simple shape and the veneer of this mirror provide a warm and inviting view. Round Mirror with Antique Wood Frame, $379; Rejuvenation, rejuvenation.com. FLOWER POWER A frame formed by “petals” with abalone-shell insets takes ormamental accents to a whole new level. Jonathan Adler Petal Mirror, $1,150; Horchow, horchow.com.…

true love lasts Mix classic and contemporary emblems of love in a colorful setting that incorporates the coral and jade symbolic of this meaningful milestone. Combine coral-hued lattice hurricanes with live jade plants to create an apropos centerpiece. BLISS BELLINI MAKES 2 DRINKS 8 ounces Champagne, chilled 4 ounces peach nectar, chilled 1 ounce vodka 1 ounce peach schnapps 1. In a 2-cup glass measuring cup, combine Champagne, peach nectar, vodka, and peach schnapps, stirring gently to combine. SHRIMP SATAY WITH SPICY PEANUT DIPPING SAUCE MAKES 12 SERVINGS 12 (8-inch) wooden skewers 36 fresh jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on ¼ cup olive oil, divided ¾ teaspoon garlic salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce (recipe follows) 1. Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes. 2.…

Dine at the renowned Peninsula Grill, where the gorgeously plated cuisine resembles a work of fine art, or head to the classic Charleston fish house, Hank’s Seafood, for traditional fried seafood and Lowcountry favorites. Epicurean delights abound in this town where restaurants like Fig, the Hominy Grill, and The Ordinary garner accolades daily. Award-winning shopping can also be found peppered throughout the city. Be sure to browse the elegant attire at clothiers Ben Silver, Billy Reid, and Anne’s, all on King Street.…

Our staff loves this time of year. The backdrop for spring photography is so inspiring, and the signs of life growing and changing week after week mean there’s something new to discover and capture each day. I wish I could bottle up and release for you the bursts of delight and sheer giddiness that come from our planning meetings for this issue. From flower arrangements and door decorations to dinner menus and place settings, this entertaining showcase is one of our favorite things to produce. As you turn from page to page in the issue, you’ll waltz with us through blossoming fields in Seasonal Settings (page 23) and stroll under a Carolina Blue sky in Southern College Towns (page 45). One of my favorite features is New Looks for Old…

Growing up on the white-sand beaches of St. Simons Island offered an idyllic childhood for Ted Dennard. His family also owned forested property on the mainland, and in his frequent visits there, he struck up a friendship with an older gentleman named Roy Hightower, who introduced him to the wonders of beekeeping. Years later, Ted graduated from Sewanee with a degree in Philosophy of Religion and had his sights set on becoming a professor, but a two-year stint with the Peace Corps teaching beekeeping in Jamaica sidetracked those plans. “I’ve always wanted to enjoy my passion for beekeeping, but I didn’t want it to become adulterated by making money with bees,” says Ted. “The Savannah Bee Company started because a friend of mine put a few jars of my honey…

ALL SOUTHERN LADIES HAVE A FAVORITE LUNCH SPOT, one with little outdoor tables set under a brightly colored awning, lots of flowers all around, and, of course, the best desserts in town. Well, thanks to this idea from the skilled seamstresses at Pate-Meadows Designs, you can re-create that lovely scene in your own home. This adorable window treatment combines a valance with simple café curtains. Leigh Pate used two coordinating fabrics for the awning—one happy floral and one precious polka-dot pattern—then picked up the polka dots for the curtains below. With April’s showers just around the corner, there’s no need to worry about the weather. Just tuck a pretty bouquet in a vase, bake a cake, and put the coffee on. Then, call a friend, and invite her over for…

GOLDEN DAYS From passed-down china to older patterns of your own, see how contemporary linens and other elements highlight beloved collections in a whole new way. This Gold Westchester by Lenox, for instance, feels stately but fresh when paired with richly colored linens, bamboo flatware, and polka-dotted glasses. BOLD BEAUTY When in doubt, try a generous wash of a singular bold color. Here, orange napkins and place mats in a large floral print prove to be a brilliant partner to Ulander in Powder Ruby by Wedgwood. Simple flowers and bell-shaped stemware keep the scene feeling polished and sophisticated. EYE-CATCHING STYLE One of the most popular patterns at the turn of the century, Spode’s Indian Tree lends exotic flair that could suit a number of seasons or occasions. Mix its fiery…

turn for home With the final stretch in sight, this get-together gives the Run for the Roses a run for its money—and cuteness wins by a mile. Commission a cake dressed in racing silks and accented in the Derby’s trademark blooms. Create a horseshoe door hanger in little-boy blue—with ends up so the luck won’t run out—and dress up vases of flowers with jockeys’ signature bow ties. CUCUMBER DIP MAKES ABOUT 8 CUPS 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 (16-ounce) container sour cream 3 English cucumbers, grated and squeezed dry ¼ cup chopped fresh dill 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1¼ teaspoons seasoned salt 1 teaspoon hot sauce 1 teaspoon garlic powder Garnish: fresh dill sprig 1. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese at medium speed with an…

Finish a springtime luncheon or a picnic with goodies that celebrate the pure sweetness of nature. HONEY-ALMOND BARS MAKES 2 DOZEN ¾ cup butter, melted 1¼ cups firmly packed light brown sugar 1 cup sugar ½ cup honey 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt 1 (6-ounce) bag slivered almonds Garnish: sifted confectioners’ sugar 1. Preheat oven to 350°. 2. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with heavyduty aluminum foil, allowing foil to extend over sides of pan. Spray foil with nonstick baking spray with flour; set aside. 3. In a large bowl, combine melted butter, sugars, and honey. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. 4. In a small bowl, combine…

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL TIME OF REBIRTH—fresh green grass blankets the ground, buds spring forth in bursts of color, and all manner of new life chirps happily amid nature’s brilliance. Embrace the season by hosting a gathering of friends. To make this adorable place card, form a nest of decorative moss, and set it atop a small twig. Place a few egg-shaped candies or candy-coated almonds in the nest. Using double-sided tape, attach a tiny banner flying the name of each guest.…

✽To get our recipe for Chocolate Crinkle Cookies—a favorite at my house—visit our website, southernlady magazine.com As any of you grandmothers will agree, spending time with your grandchildren is one of the greatest joys in life—and there’s never a dull moment! The other day, I got together with Hays and Amelia at their house to stir up some fun. We decided to make cookies, and after we all donned our aprons, we spread everything out on the kitchen island and got to work. Hays may be older and a little more experienced with these cookie-making sessions, but Amelia jumped right in and pulled her own weight—though she decided that mixing dough with her hands was much more effective than using a plain, ole spoon. By the time we put the…

floral finery Play up the joyful spirit of the occasion with a colorful combination of spring flowers—roses, peonies, and such—for both a fanciful welcome wreath and small bouquets in white hobnail vases. Pretty china in a soft floral pattern is perfect for this ladylike affair. Add dashes of dainty accents, such as pink ball-fringe trim tied into napkin rings and “bluebirds of happiness” figurines for just the right note on this delightful day. PINK LEMONADE PUNCH MAKES ABOUT 1 GALLON 1 (12-ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed 1 (46-ounce) can pineapple juice, chilled 2 tablespoons grenadine 1 (2-liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled 1. In a large pitcher, combine pink lemonade concentrate, pineapple juice, and grenadine. Add ginger ale, stirring gently to combine. Serve chilled or over ice. Capture the…

Easy, Breezy When the urge to entertain comes on suddenly, embrace your spontaneous spirit—it’s easier than you might think to orchestrate a memorable meal. Use a cloth to instantly elevate everyday dishes, and supplement a gorgeous centerpiece from the florist with simple arrangements of grocery-store flowers. Menu Mixed Green Salad with Fresh Herb Vinaigrette Chicken Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Bow Tie Pasta Lemony Asparagus Coconut Cake MIXED GREEN SALAD WITH FRESH HERB VINAIGRETTE MAKES 4 SERVINGS 1 head green leaf lettuce, chopped 1 English cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved 1 large shallot, thinly sliced 2 ripe avocados, diced Fresh Herb Vinaigrette (recipe follows) Garnish: toasted pine nuts 1. In a large bowl, combine lettuce, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, shallot, and avocado, tossing gently to combine. Drizzle…

The Nathaniel Russell House Museum is the impeccably restored estate of a wealthy sea merchant. The grandiose home offers a peek into the intricate culture of the busy seaport town during the early days of the American Republic. Enjoy more history at the romantic Two Meeting Street Inn, an iconic Charleston bed-and-breakfast; or stay at the intimate and elegant 126-year-old Wentworth Mansion. In 1670, eight loyal friends of King Charles II of England founded Charles Towne in his honor. Colonial Charles Towne was home to a diverse mix of ethnic and religious groups—including English, French, traditional Southern, and West African societies—which are still woven into the unique cultural fabric of the city. Charleston’s West African descendants, the Gullah community, have had tremendous influence not only on early jazz music, but…

COVER See Seasonal Settings. SINCERELY PAGE 9: Dogwood Stationery Notecards; Southern Stationery. EDITOR’S FAVORITES PAGE 11: Dress and Cardigan; ModCloth. SEASONAL SETTINGS: SPLENDOR OF SPRINGTIME PAGES 23-26: Valerie Dinner Plate by PortmeIrion; Replacements, Ltd. Pastorale Tablecloth by Le Cluny; Chickadee. Festival Napkin in Amethyst; Sferra. Egg Cups; Williams-Sonoma. Dotty DOF Recycled Glass and Recycled Stemmed Glass; Mariposa. Decorative Ivory Handle Flatware; Sur la Table. MATERIAL MATTERS: AT-HOME BISTRO PAGE 37: Sadie Valance Pattern (available for purchase) and Café Curtain (free tutorial available online); Pate-Meadows Designs. FRENCH EVOLUTION PAGES 39-43: Real Estate Listing by Johnny Ussery. Special Thanks to the Rowley Family. NEW LOOKS FOR OLD CHINA PAGES 53-58: (Page 54): Gold Westchester China by Lenox; Replacements, Ltd. Garnier Thiebaut Place Mat and Napkins, Juliska Bamboo Flatware, and Mariposa Dot Glasses;…