Jib Doors.....

.....a not so modern mystery

Jib doors have been around for hundreds of years, once to hide secret passageways or rooms, but are making a big comeback in modern interiors as well.  While the jib door may still be used to hide a secret room or passageway in today's interiors,  it has taken on a new use to blend in without disturbing the aesthetic of a space - such as if you are fortunate enough to have the luxurious hand-painted wallpaper of de Gournay grace your walls and would hate to take away from its beauty by having a door right in the middle.

Here are a few of my favorites I am currently swooning over.....one day

Traditional Entry by Flushing Interior Designers & Decorators Amy Jesaitis

Photo credit unknown | Image via forpilar

Photo Credit unknown | Image via belle vivar

Photo credit unknown | Pauline Rothschild peering from jib door

Photo Credit unknown | Image via forpilar

Photo credit unknown | Image via belle vivar

Contemporary Bathroom by St Louis Interior Designers & Decorators Savvy Surrounding Style

Contemporary Kitchen by New York Architects & Designers Agencie Group LLC

Traditional Staircase by Asheville Interior Designers & Decorators Alchemy Design Studio

Now typically I would certainly leave installing a jib door to a professional, but if you happen to be pretty confident in your craftsmanship skills involving building and woodwork, then I have found a source for you to attempt to do it yourself here.

I would love to hear how you have used a jib door or would plan to use one in your home - I am definitely adding this to the wish list for a future abode!

Happy Thursday!

What's in your beach bag + GIVEAWAY

Memorial Day is just around the corner, and I am certainly hoping to be celebrating it in sunny Florida along 30A - where are you planning to celebrate?  If you're headed to the coast too then here are a few things you must have for sunning on sugar white sand!

Seagrove Beach . FL | 30A

Seagrove Beach . FL | 30A

Alys Beach . FL | 30A

Now that we have gorgeous scenery - we can't forget our beach essentials....my picks for this weekend are

 

 

Cotton + Quill | Cotton-Voile Scarves

 These scarves from Cotton + Quill are the perfect accessory for breezy beach days - find them here

 

 

 

Cotton + Quill | Beach Bags

 These bright bags are also from Cotton + Quill and are the perfect size for toting all your beach necessities - find them here

 

 

Tilley Hat | R2 Women's Raffia

Also on my list is one of my favorite hats not only for their chic look but also for their excellent sun protection - this little beauty offers a UPF of 50+ which is the maximum sun protection rating...but don't forget to pair it with a little SPF as well!

Purchase here

Mary Kay Andrews | Ladies' Night

And you can't forget a good book!!  I am a true Mary Kay Andrews fan....these little books got me through the frigid winter months of living in New Jersey...I even stayed at her home on Tybee for my bachelorette weekend!!  Find her books at all major bookstores & online - get Ladies' Night here

The Breeze Inn | Mary Kay Andrews Beach Home | Tybee Island, GA

A little throwback to a mini vacation to Tybee with girlfriends - also a must place to visit and not far from sweet Savannah!

And don't forget that beach playlist!!

What's on your playlist??

AND.....since we are so excited about having a LONG weekend + much needed break, we are doing a GIVEAWAY!!  Just follow the steps below ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Perfect Thank You...

It's that time of year again - graduation and of course, WEDDING SEASON!!  So, to all of you who may be graduating, whether it be from high school or college, or for those of you tying the knot, CONGRATULATIONS!! and... I hope you have that stationery ready because you, my friend, will be needing to write plenty of thank you notes in the upcoming months.

There is nothing more personal and meaningful than a hand-penned note, and taking the time to sit down a write a thoughtful note isn't nearly as daunting of a task as it may seem.  I am here to help break down how to write a lovely thank you and help you get through all that note writing during celebratory times like graduation and getting married.....or having a baby!

1 :: Start with a thoughtful greeting

2 :: Begin the body of the note with a thank you - after all this is a thank you note!

3 :: Reference the gift you received and how you plan to use it

4 :: Say thank you again, yes again, and make reference to seeing the gift giver in the future

5 :: End with a thoughtful closing & date!

Follow these simple steps, and you will knock out thank you notes in no time!

Now, in order to write a note, you must have lovely stationery for which to write on...here are some favorites.

For the Fashionista

Cotton + Quill | Vogue Collection :: Hot in L.A. / Coco Liner in Emerald

Get it here

For the Southern Belle

Cotton + Quill | Floral Collection :: Magnolia / Coco Liner in Emerald

Get it here

For the One Who Has it All

Cotton + Quill | Custom Notes

Inquire for Custom Notes here

Quill Notes Tip ::  For the Bride to Be....If having custom notes made for before and after you tie the knot, be sure to have two sets if using a monogram - 1. Maiden Name 2. Married Name (now don't use the married monogram until the knot has been tied...no matter how tempting - it's bad luck!)  Also, another alternative to having a monogram is to have a custom illustration of something meaningful to you - then you can use the custom stationery before and after the wedding and for many other occasions to come!

For Baby

Southern Stationery | photo courtesy of southern stationery.com

Find here

For the Luxury Lover

Southern Stationery | Letterpressed Love (photo courtesy of southern stationery.com)

Find here

Quill Notes Tip :: For the Bride to Be.....Make sure to write your thank you notes as soon as you receive a gift or immediately following a shower - trust me, it will make getting those hundreds of notes finished in record time and take the stress of writing them away!

I hope my lesson on thank you note writing will come into use!  Enjoy and go write!!

"M" is for Monday + Mothers....

Mother's Day is less than a week away, and I don't know about you but I haven't even thought about the right gift to show my mom how much I appreciate her.  

I am here to help you out with the perfect gift guide sure to suit any mother whether she is a cook, a fashionista, a beach-goer, or even an entertainer.

Some Items from Cotton + Quill Featured on the Guide ::

1. Cotton-Voile Scarves {Cuckoo in Marine shown} ONLY $40 here

2. Scented Sachets {Dynasty in Laguna - Rosemary Scent shown} ONLY $20

email sales@cottonandquill.com to order

Sachets In Stock ::

Jasmine

{1} Gigi :: Cerulean

{1} Studebaker :: La Salle

{1} Shishi :: Melon

{1} Hemingway :: Heirloom Red

Rosemary

{1} Dynasty :: Laguna

{1} Hemingway :: Emerald

{1} Dynasty :: Melon

{1} Delahaye :: Runnin' Wild

Lavender

{1} Hemingway :: Emerald

{1} Hemingway :: Heirloom Red

{1} Gigi :: Cerulean

{1} Dynasty :: Melon

3. Baker's Dozen Recipe Cards {Urchin Tango shown} ONLY $12 here

4. Bags {top to bottom}

The Chloe Bag {Cuckoo / Dynasty in Midnight / Orchid shown} $80 here

The Audrey Bag {Dynasty in Orchid shown} $30 here

The Betty Bag {Shishi in Orchid shown} $25 here

5. Stationery Set {Koi / Imperial Liner shown} $24 - $32 here

Folded Notes $24 - $12 here

Not only can you get pretty much all of these items for UNDER $50, they are READY TO SHIP TODAY!!

And, just because I am SUPER EXCITED that I just realized today in Cinco de Mayo, I am offering an extra 25% off all items on the Gift Guide through Mother's Day!

If placing your order via email, 

Mention Code Word :: MOM

If ordering online, discount has already been applied.

Have a WONDERFUL WEEK!!

Bootlegging...

So you may think today's post includes a secret recipe for how to create some good ole Alabama Moonshine, but since there are now much more tasty options for creating your afternoon toddy, I figured I would share an oh so easy project for repurposing your bottles.....after they're empty of course!

With Spring in full force, it is time for the inevitable Spring Cleaning...I have a bittersweet relationship with Spring Cleaning - on one hand I typically do not care nor have the time to clean and reorganize all of the closets and spaces that have been neglected during the cold winter months, but on the other hand, this time of year gives me the chance to reorganize, refresh and get rid of things I no longer need or have been worn to the very last thread.

Today we will be focusing on storing all of those fabulous boots to make room for the sandal months ahead...

Do your boots look like this?

If they do, then I have the perfect solution....and it all starts with that empty wine bottle.

Make sure you have at least two empty bottles to start with - size or shape really doesn't matter.

I had some knitting yarn, which I used to wrap the tops of the bottles and make a loop at the top for easy pulling.  You don't have to use yarn, but I just thought it added a pop of color and softened the bottle a bit.

Drop the bottles in your boots, and you have yourself a pair of custom boot fillers!  Before this I was using plastic bags to hold the shape of my boots and make them stand upright which made a mess and wasn't very effective - now I have no mess and straight boots!  All ready to be stored until next Fall!

I also found when choosing which wine bottles to use in which boots that some bottles fit better in some style boots than others.....my short, fat bottles were a better fit for my moccasin boots while the tall, slim bottles were better for the cowboy boots and knee-high suede boots.

Also, if you aren't a wine drinker, then really any bottle will work for this project.....olive oil comes to mind....

Now get to organizing that closet!!

Wine, Cheese & Lacquer Please....

Today's post is a little DIY with a little bit of effortless entertaining.  I found this fun bamboo piece from a little shop in Irondale and immediately knew I had to get it!

Here is this little gem before I spruced it up a bit...

Bamboo Table in Store 

Bamboo Table | Before

This piece actually wasn't in too terrible of shape if you are looking for that shabby-chic look.  I actually really liked the turquoise hue, but it just wasn't the right fit for my purposes.  This piece was actually constructed of true bamboo which I found was an EXCELLENT feature.

I decided I wanted to lacquer this piece to create a sleek 

+ timeless look.  Thank goodness I found the essentials from Amy Howard at Home!

The best thing of all is that Amy Howard takes your step by step on how to refinish your thrifty find....

Furniture Lacquer Spray Paint here

Step 1 :: Sand

After Lightly Sanding

Step 2 :: Prime

Primed

Step 3 :: Lacquer

Coat #1 :: La Grange

Coat #2 :: La Grange

Final Coat in La Grange + Acrylic Tops

I wanted to add that extra bit of sheen, so I opted for a pair of  acrylic table tops....just to be warned, Home Depot and Lowes will NOT cut the acrylic for you.  I ended up using a table saw to cut mine to size, so another option would be to have true glass tops cut to size...probably just as cost effective.

Now that we have a lovely lacquered piece in record time, it is ready for entertaining!

Finished Lacquered Piece

Another way to effortlessly entertain...I grabbed a fresh tomato from my produce bowl and sliced it, pairing it with a few gourmet crackers I had in the pantry with a generous helping of "Palmetto Cheese" (found at your nearest Publix or Costco).  To wash it all down, I used a Savignon Blanc...Cupcake is actually pretty nice to fit within a tight budget :)

Fresh cut flowers from whatever is blooming in your yard, in my case azaleas, adds a finishing touch to make you the perfect host or hostess for unexpected, or expected guests!

Fresh Cut Azaleas

I hope you enjoyed today's post!! It's effortlessly easy and will be the talk of the town at your next soiree!

Italiano...

If you ever have the chance to travel to Italy, one place you absolutely MUST visit is the Amalfi Coast.  Tyler (the hubs) and I were fortunate enough to be able to honeymoon there, and it was hands down one of the best places I have ever visited.

We began our trip in Sorrento which is a little town located right on the Amalfi Coast and known for their phenomenal Limoncello.

Lemons of Sorrento

Sorrento Lemons

Yes, the lemons were really this big....so I guess you see why Sorrento is known for its Limoncello!

Sorrento's Version of the Green Man

Limonoro in Sorrento

Limonoro is a limoncello factory located right in the heart of Sorrento and this lemon liquor oh so tasty!  Limoncello is also perfect to sip on after a meal as it acts as a digestive.

Societa Operaia | Sorrento

Above is a local meeting place in downtown Sorrento....the mural is just gorgeous don't you think?

Not far from Sorrento is Pompeii, which will easily take a full day to visit, and what better way to visit the remains of Mt. Vesuvius's wrath than with an Italian picnic?

Local Deli in Sorrento

Tyler and I made a pit stop at this quaint deli in the heart of Sorrento before our day trip to Pompeii.  We made sure to get their wonderful cured meat, fresh cheese and bread, a small bottle of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and to wash it all down, a bottle of Prosecco! 

Tyler & I at Pompeii w/ Picnic in Hand | Mt. Vesuvius in the Distance

Since that picnic day, Tyler and I have come up with our own version of bringing a little bit of Italy home...

Italian Sub

Recipe ::

(1) Hoagie Bun {we like Pepperidge Farm}

Mayo {Bama or Duke's is oh so yummy}

Cheese {Provolone or Muenster is a nice pairing}

Pepperoni

Genoa Salami, Capicola, Prosciutto

Lettuce

Dried Basil and/or Oregano

Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Drizzle of EVOO

ENJOY!

Wash down this tasty Italian sub with sparkling water, or if you're feeling really Italian, a carafe of white wine or Prosecco!  Afterwards enjoy a piping hot espresso or sip on a little Limoncello.

Italian Espresso

WINE!!!

Literally they brought out an entire carafe of wine with every meal.....

Another stop you must make while visiting the Amalfi Coast is Positano, a quaint boating town right on the coast.....and you have to take a bus, or if you're really daring, a scooter, to get there...

Ride along Amalfi Coast

You may not want to look down on this exhilarating ride down the Amalfi Coast full of hairpin turns on a road built originally to only fit mules....

Loved the detail on these steps!

Positano

Having a Cocktail at a Positano Cafe

Positano Market

Make sure to visit the markets before you leave!

I could fill this post with pages and pages of beautiful pictures along the Amalfi Coast, but there just isn't enough room!!  So, I hope you have gotten a little peek of why you simply must put the Amalfi Coast on your list of top places to visit!!

View from Hotel | Sorrento

Ciao!