Cottage with Character

I've got a crush on this cottage in Laguna Beach. It's full of fun design elements but still seems so homey, and somehow the styles blend together. Sign me up for surf lessons, I'm moving in.

[photos courtesy of: Sunset Magazine]

Plat du Jour Giveaway

Update: Jamie of La vie ... J'aime is the winner!

I have a giveaway for you today from Plat du Jour. The company makes paper placemats that are so perfect for summer entertaining. They come in tear-away form, 50 sheets per pad, and feature vintage-inspired designs, simple silhouettes and playful patterns. The placemats are made in the U.S. with recycled materials. It's an easy way to add a little life to the dinner table. And one of you has the chance to win two different patterns!

Just leave a comment below before noon on Friday, August 16. For additional entries, like Plat du Jour on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter and let me know you did. One winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!

Roped In

I spy cute and quirky rope necklaces. It must be the nautical factor, but these look so summery to me. Better hurry up and wear 'em!

[found here: aqua; cream; navy; neon; olive green; cream twist]

Thai Iced Tea Popsicles

Sometimes you think you have an original idea and then one quick internet search reveals nope, it's all been done. In fact, Alton Brown had you beat a good two months ago. But it doesn't matter because you can't keep yourself from thinking about Thai iced tea and all that creaminess and sweetness that lends itself so perfectly to popsicle form. And since Alton has done all the heavy lifting, you go ahead and make a batch and enjoy every delicious slurp all while singing the Barenaked Ladies in your head.

Thai Iced Tea Pops
Recipe barely adapted from Alton Brown

1 quart water
12 black tea bags (I used English breakfast)
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground clove
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom

Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Cool for 10 minutes. Add the tea bags and steep for 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags and pour the tea into a large pitcher. Add the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, clove and cardamom and stir until well combined.

Refrigerate the mixture for approximately 8 hours or overnight. Divide the chilled mixture between popsicle molds and freeze until firm, approximately 4 to 8 hours, depending on the size of the molds. My molds made 9 popsicles.

Weekend in Photos

It was one of those low-key weekends full of little pleasantries. On Saturday, I met up with Daina at the Long Island City flea market, had one of my precious Luke's lobster rolls and brought home a bag of doughnuts. It's always fun to meet a blog friend in real life, even when it's raining. Then the skies cleared, and Jonah and I headed to Brooklyn for some waterfront strolling and dinner at Pok Pok. I'm telling you, I could have one of their drinking vinegars every day, and pomegranate is where it's at. We took the East River ferry home because while it's slower than the subway, it's about a thousand times more enjoyable. And you know, sometimes you have to get outside of something to fully appreciate it.

Monthly Photo Project: August

Can you believe it's August? Summer is flying by. For this month's photo theme, let's get colorful! I'll share the results on Friday, August 30th. If you want to email me your photo and information in advance, I'd love to highlight images from some of you. Send it to: southernhostess[at]gmail.com Have a great weekend!

Nature's Candy

Would you believe that these seashells, oysters, sea glass and starfish are all candy? Yep, all kinds of chocolate-filled, vanilla-infused and hard candy goodness. The collection created by Andie's Specialty Sweets would be so perfect in a favor bag or covering a cake for a summer party or beach wedding. They fall into that "too pretty to eat" category, so thank goodness I don't believe in such things.

[photos courtesy of: Andie's Specialty Sweets]