What We are Packing: The Fourth of July

FINALLY, time for a little R&R.  While Fourth of July is really fun in Charleston, it is nice to head out of town for a little relaxation.  Marion will be celebrating in Lake Oconee and I will be in Murrells Inlet, SC.  Some of our essentials include breezy shorts, statement earrings, and of course the best sunscreen.  See what is in our bag.

Top, Shorts, Earrings, Sunscreen, Hat, Tote, Necklace, Shoes, Bathing Suit

Guest Blog: Anna from Silver Spoon Taste

We have asked our friend Anna over at Silver Spoon Taste  to curate her registry must-haves. Check out what she has to say!

Top 10 Things You Must Put On Your Wedding Registry

I think when Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” he was talking about a wedding engagement. Being engaged and planning a wedding is a complete spectrum of emotions: delightful happiness, desperate stress, hopeful love, and more desperate stress.

For me personally, the most stressful part of wedding planning was in the details. I didn’t really care what color the reception linens were or what type of glassware to register for, but someone had to make these decisions.  And, much to my chagrin, I was most often the decision maker on these petty – but important! – details, which was a bit more tedious than I would have liked.

Fear not, beautiful brides-to-be! Open Door Shop and Silver Spoon Taste are here to alleviate your wedding woes with a selection of must-haves for your wedding registry. Forgot the wedding cake server? Don’t worry! We have one for you. Skipped over your party platters? We’ve got you covered. Open Door Shop’s wedding registry selection is wonderfully comprehensive and, thankfully, covers all the details.

Don’t forget these 10 things for your wedding registry:

1.     Napkin Rings. I love these gold napkin rings because they can be used for both dressy and casual affairs and add an art deco flair to any table.

2.     Chip and Dip. A good chip and dip bowl will last you a lifetime, and this one is no exception. White porcelain + gold trim = great appetizer serving success! Mmm now I’m craving some guacamole…

3.     Linen Cocktail Napkins. Linen cocktail napkins add a certain sophistication to any party, and who doesn’t want to act sophisticated? Even when I’m feeling less than so I still love using them to add some pomp and circumstance to an affair. A girl can pretend.

4.     Cake Stand. Cake stands are useful for much more than balancing a cake: use them for displaying appetizers, holding veggie cups, even for cutting a pizza. This cake stand will stand the test of time for sure.

5.     Table Placemats. These placemats are the perfect foundation for any table setting. The gray will ground your tablescape and serve as a beautiful backdrop for a variety of place settings.

6.     Cheese Knives. I think one of the most important aspects of being a good hostess is being ready for a party at a moment’s notice, and having this trusty set of cheese knives will allow you to do just that. Use them for dips, sauces, and jams, too. Some of the best parties are the spur of the moment ones.

7.     Glass Carafe. The perfect glass pitcher to have around for any occasion, this carafe can be used for water, mimosas or wine – what’s not to love? Now I’m craving a mimosa too…

8.     Wooden Cutting Board. This wooden cutting board is great for not only dicing veggies, but perfect for displaying charcuterie and meats as well. Carve your pork tenderloin on this board and then serve it from there too – one less platter to wash!

9.     Tin Tray. You can never have too many party platters or trays. I suggest having platters in a variety of sizes, like this one – it’s perfect for holding a nut mix at a party or even serving as a catch-all tray on your bedside table.

10.  Ceramic Bowl. This beautiful handmade bowl would be a great piece for serving salads or a rustic pasta. A good serving piece always makes your food look better! I am always searching for new ways to make my semi-homemade cooking look more appetizing…

See? That wasn’t that bad! Registering for your wedding is a piece of a wedding cake with your pals at Open Door Shop. Remember – relax and enjoy this special time in your life. Weddings are all about celebrating love, family and friends, and the details will always work themselves out. A bottle glass of champagne always helps, too.

For more information on Open Door Shop’s online registry, click here.

Inspiration: Kitchen Backsplash

To back splash or not to back splash?  That is the question.  While I am wrapping up my final tile decisions for our new house, Marion is toying with the idea of adding back splash to her current home.  We both love the clean, simple look of subway tile, but want to avoid looking stark white.  I think it would be fun to do a colored tile, but I am afraid I would grow tired of it? Anyone had experience with that? Here is some inspiration we have found.

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Best, 

Marion + Leslie

 

 

Obsession: The Weekender

The summer means one thing, you're always on the go. Whether it is the beach or the lake for the weekend, it is suitcase living.  If you are anything like us, you are throwing everything in a L.L. Bean bag (which there is nothing wrong with). But, with bags like these you can now travel in style.

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Happy Travels!

Marion + Leslie 

Fab Friday: The Graduate

It's that time of year again....graduation. Whether you know someone graduating high school or college, it's the same question. What do you get them? Don't worry, we have you covered (shameless plug). But seriously, we do. Little knick knacks like the horn tray can make a dorm room feel more chic and cozy. The uncorked glasses are perfect for the college grad (we all know the only glassware you leave college with are stadium cups). Finally, we love this Pehr Tote, it's perfect for dry cleaning, weekend travel, or grocery shopping. 

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Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Marion + Leslie 

Inspiration: Girls Rooms

Even though neither of us have children at the moment, we are always inspired by kid's rooms. The fun colors and patterns make us want to take a risk in our own bedrooms! We love how the rooms below can be transitioned into the teen years. Take a look.

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Marion + Leslie

Fab Friday: Mara Hoffman + Havaiana

Have you all seen Mara Hoffman + Havaiana's collaboration? Well, if you haven't you need to go check it out because we are obsessed. The prints are so fun and will add that something extra to your jean shorts and white tee this summer.  So go snag yourself a pair and enjoy the sunshine this weekend (finally!) 
                                                           Marion + Leslie

Obsession: Kemble Interiors

Have you all ever checked out Kemble Interiors work? Well if you haven't you need to ASAP.  We stumbled across their work via instagram, and have been in love ever since. Founded in Palm Beach with an office in New York, this mother-daughter duo knows what they are doing! It was hard to choose a few favorite pictures to share so be sure to check them out online and on instagram!

All Images Taken From Kemble Interiors

Marion + Leslie

Inspiration: Easter Table

Marion and I will be both be in Charleston for Easter this year, which we are excited about! Finally a weekend to stay in Charleston and relax. We have our fingers crossed it will be warm enough to head out to the beach! We have also discussed having a little get together on Easter Sunday for brunch.  We are thinking tulips, branches, a simple place setting, and cocktails of course. 

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(a girl can dream right?) 

 

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Marion + Leslie 

 

Obsession: Spring Cocktail

Remember our post last week about spring entertaining?  Well don't think that we would leave you all hanging without a cocktail recipe.  This Grapefruit & Mint Mojito from Martha Stewart just screams back porch happy hour.

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Ingredients:

1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
1 ruby-red grapefruit
3/4 cup white rum
3 cups ice
1 cup seltzer

Directions:

STEP 1
Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, and add mint leaves. Let steep 10 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve into a small bowl, and discard mint. Let cool.
 

STEP 2
Using a vegetable peeler, remove zest from grapefruit in long, wide strips. Place in a large glass, and add rum. Cover, and let stand for 30 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve in to a large glass measure, and discard zest.
 

STEP 3
Cut away remaining pith from grapefruit. Cut between membranes to release segments. For each drink, place 2 to 3 segments in a glass. Top with 3/4 cup ice. Stir 3 tablespoons infused rum, 2 tablespoons mint syrup, and 1/4 cup seltzer in a glass measure, and pour over ice. Garnish with mint sprigs

Take a Peak: Ashley Shaw of Ashley Shaw Design

After visiting Ashley Shaw's house of Ashley Shaw Design, we were more than inspired.  Her attention to detail and use of color makes her home sophisticated and welcoming at the same time.  She is able to blend pops of color with neutrals seamlessly creating a look that you won't grow tired of. It was hard to pick just a few pictures to share with you all. Her red desk chair is to die for!

 

Beautiful right? Check out her website here! 

Marion + Leslie

Inspiration: Front Door

The front door is the first thing someone sees when they walk into your home.  This is a matter that both of us have been working on lately. Marion is in the process of repainting her house and front door, and I am building a house so I've been exploring all the options. Who would have thought there were so many choices! The first step is to think about glass or no glass (which is the easy step), then it's all about color or stain.  Here are some of our front door inspirations.

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Fab Friday: House Account

Remember that time we posted about House Account? Well, lucky for you we joined it this week! We are really excited to be a part of the app. Be sure to follow us to keep up with the shop's latest additions, styling tips, and what we are up to! Do you know what makes this twice as fabulous? House Account is offering a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree with us! All you have to do is download the House Account app and follow us for your chance to win. The winner will be announced February 3rd! Stay warm this weekend!

Inspiration: The Organized Garage

We realize the garage isn't the most glamorous place in the home. However, if organized correctly, it can be one of the most important places in the home. I don't know about ya'll, but I my husband store(s) everything out there, and keeping it in order is key. Shelving, peg boards, bins, and benches can help you do all of that. In comes Monkey Bars. An Idaho based garage storage company, with a Charleston location, yes please! They have everything you need from kayak storage racks to bucket holders. You name it they can make it work for you! Wouldn't you love it if all your garage was able to look like this?

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Obsession: Organization

With the start of 2014, there is one thing on everyone's mind. Organization. Whether it's filling out your new planner, cleaning out your closet, or organizing a room; let's admit it, we all have a little work to do. We think the first step to a new you, is completing your planner.  Of all the items on your organization list, this also happens to be the most exciting. We rounded up some of our favorite planners and compiled them here!  

1, 2,3,4

 If you can't tell, we are obsessed with all of the Kate Spade planners, they are colorful, fun, and useful. What is your favorite planner?

Best,

Leslie + Marion

Blogger Holiday Gift Guide: Marion's Picks

Thank you to everyone that came out to last night's trunk show. What a success! We loved seeing so many familiar faces and meeting some new ones! We promise to share some pictures of our shows later this week. In the mean time, we have one more Holiday Gift Guide…our final gift guide comes from me!

 1. Pehr Dish Towel, $15

2. David Lerner leggings, $165

3. Waterproof Bluetooth Shower Speaker, $40

4. Open Door Pig Ornament, $7

5. Lulie Wallace lunchbox, $22.50

Blogger Holiday Gift Guide: Leslie's Picks

Good morning! According to the Today Show it appears that many of you are stuck inside today due to snow or ice storms. Which means, it might be a good time to finish up that holiday shopping online. We decided why not continue our holiday gift guide with OUR gift picks. So, Leslie is here to share her gift picks.

1. Harry's Truman Set, $15

2. Open Door Cocktail Stirrers, $32

3. Wild Abundance cookbook, $45

4. Pehr Market Tote, $40

5. Aerin Matches and Striker, $190

If you are in the Charleston area, we would love to see you at our Holiday Trunk Show at The George Gallery downtown. Come sip and shop and knock out that Christmas list!

Fall Update: Outfit Your Bar

Everyone knows we love a good bar (if you are a new reader, you will catch on fast). Fall means moving inside and bundling up, which means the bar becomes essential to entertaining guests! We wanted to share a few images from a photo shoot we did last week for the shop. We created a rustic bar that seemed fitting for the cool November weather. 

Tray | Coasters | Horn Cup | Slim Glasses | Tea Towels | Bottle Opener | Candlestick Holder

Like what you see? Head over to the shop and see what's new in barware! We will be adding a lot of new things to the shop as the holidays approach, so be sure to check often.

Best,

Marion + Leslie

Fab Friday: Happy Halllloweeen!!!!

Happy (day after) Halloween! We hope everyone had a fun-filled evening. Earlier in the week we realized that no one had plans for Halloween, so we decided to host a gathering at my house for an impromptu Halloween Costume Party. Here are some fun photos from the evening...

Creepy crawler drink stirrers made by Amyleigh (and Danny)

Pomegranate seed ice

Vampire Blood Punch made by the very creative Amyleigh

Turned my Sarah Palin wig into Audrey Hepburn

Forest, Audrey, Pocahontas, and Chief

Fab Friday: Our Night

What a night! We had the best time all over Charleston. It started at Hampden Clothing's fashion show benefiting the Low Country Foodbank. They served plenty of champagne and cocktails, followed by a runway show with some of this fall's latest trends, then lastly a little shopping :). We were so excited that our blogging friend Cassie, from Fooding and Friending was in town to attend! After the fashion show we scooted up to Indaco for dinner, a great new restaurant in town. And when we say it's great, we mean it! With so much competition in Charleston,this one definitely stands out! 

We hope everyone has a wonderful fall weekend!

Best, 

Marion + Leslie