Chase me!

It's race time in Georgia! I'm excited to partner with this year's event team to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Columbus' Steeplechase and get you ready for that tailgate. Polish the silver and press those linens because in just a few days, the boxwoods will go up and the party with go down as one to remember.

Photo Credit: #chaserace

Photo Credit: #chaserace

I don't know about you, but my life is nuts. I have way too many things crammed into each week, kids who have activities, groceries to buy, laundry to clean, etc. Even though my friends and I don't have much time to plan elaborate tablescapes and fancy meals, we still love the idea of going to the race, setting up a pretty tailgate, and enjoying a gorgeous day with our families.

My talented friend Lisa and I hunted and gathered some of mother nature's best treasures last week and came up with several different inspirations for how to create a gorgeous tablescape on a dime. The oh so talented Dori Nix captured each detail beautifully...her images will give you the confidence to sneak to your neighbor's yard before the sun rises and snip a few of those awesome blooms...not that I'd know anything about that. So risky!

I should point out that this lovely silver container is...wait for it...plastic! Nobody's ever noticed. Shhh...don't tell. Use it, wash it, re-use it, or toss it! You're so welcome...

Try mini pumpkins as place card holders or tie your silverware with a sprig of rosemary.

Save your money for the catering! Look to the side of the road for your centerpiece. We used magnolia leaves (and spraypainted a few gold for a little extra), these amazing purple berries (Can someone tell me what they are?) and extra greenery from Lisa's yard. How simple, free, and pretty is that?  

 Make sure to recruit handsome helpers. We added a few blue hydrangeas to the mix.

How adorable are these individual vases with the wood tags?! They're less than $5.00 here.

Try filling a bowl with gourds for color and texture, if you're not a plant person. 

Now for the food...Feast your eyes on this list of amazing options. JK Culinary knows how to make your tastebuds dance...race on over to the phone and place an order quick! Save me a bite!

I love these flags! They are so fun and make me feel like a kid.

Speaking of kids...Don't forget the littles! Here's what I'm thinking:

the child's guide to steeplechase by mbplummer featuring Zara Home

Unison white blanket / Piccadilly white basket / Zara Home silver placemat / Zara Home engraved napkin ring / Joules Horseplay shaped cushion pink, $32 / Williams Sonoma food drink / Zara Home kitchen linen / Zara Home drinkware / Vintage Milk Bottles / Red White Paper Straws / J.Crew Girls' Aigle® riding boots

Come on out to Callaway Gardens, November 1st, and help support the arts. Don't forget your hat!

When I grow up...

Hello, you.

I've been thinking about how to simplify life lately. Then I realize every "simple" idea I have is complicated. So hypocritical of the voices in my head...

I have an incurable idea-itis. Some mornings I hop out of bed, grab a coffee, and am unusually organized...super-mom. Other times, I wake up and just want to be Janis Joplin...I'd make a terrible Janis Joplin. 

Dreamers. 

In this exact moment I'd be content with a little bakery; the kind you find in the movies- quaint, but pretty. Everyday, beside my better half (usually this is the wife, but we like to do things backwards), I'd make warm delicious fritters and fresh baguettes...and other things that are made in bakeries. 

It'd be the place to spend a rainy morning, or to enjoy a slow weekend brunch, or maybe it'd be where folks satisfied a late night sweet tooth. Even the old grump with his worn cardigan and disheveled hair (there's always one) wouldn't be able to resist our special chocolate croissants.

photo credit: c philippeau

To bee-bop down the sidewalk to "work" beside the ones I like/love most, to serve and visit with good people, and to snack on chocolate and carbs all day; This is my (current) idea of luxury.

I'd risk failure and figure to see if it could play out as in my daydream. 

There I am. Image found here

As we'd say in the South, What'chu chewin' on?

Actually, forget that last line. I've never heard anyone say that...but all the bread and pastries made me think of chewing and that seemed like an appropriate metaphor for contemplating. 

creating with #mancrates

Hello from my virtual wo-man cave! I'm so excited to share a collection of items that I curated through Polyvore for a company called Mancrates. You might want to check out their manifesto and keep this in mind for Christmas or father's day.

We have a nice "man room" in our house, but it's a bit sad. I think the fully paneled library we inherited has lost touch with its former self, as it's now less whiskey sipping and more sippy cup. If I could snap my fingers and transform Mac's not-so-sacred-space, I'd incorporate some of these elements. (Selfishly, I created this with things I'd use if I were a guy...Mac is way more of a classic gentleman than I...but I digress.)

mancave by mbplummer featuring framed wall art

Black chandelier / Floor lamp / Kartell table lamp, $435 / Yerra cowhide rug / Wood wine rack / Leonardo red water glasses, $10 / Radius Design fireplace accessory, $49 / H M window curtain, $48 / Diptyque scented candle / Word wall art / Ethan Allen wall art / Rosanna wall plaque / Kate Spade wall art / West Elm framed wall art / Framed wall art / Rosanna wall plaque / Media shelve / Knoll furniture / Black accent chair / Kelly Wearstler round end table / Oval side table / Flamant Richard Chess board, $1,040

I obviously can't squish this whole room concept into a box and deliver it to your house, (BUT!) I can suggest a few extra gifts that might make the dude in your life feel bad to the bone. (Don't forget to click above for easy to order happy's like Diptyque's awesome candles or some cool wall art). 

kick it 80's style with a BOOMBOX! what?! 

and some tapes to play

can't afford the actual stuff? This will keep him in the cool

You're not the only one hoping for a rock this christmas. 

glasses that are decorative and functional

this oversized chess piece is so cool and a fun manly accent

Shoot...now I want to get busy on "our" man cave! Thanks #mancrates for this fun challenge and also for the great gift inspiration! Speaking of man...I gotta run and get supper started before mine gets home from work! Brats, veggies, and...whisky?

A Seren-be-day

If you're on the hunt for a nice getaway, keep reading. I'm about to list some random words. If any of them turn you on, then you should get in your car and start driving. Okay, here we go...

the middle of nowhere

general store

farm animals

bed and breakfast

gorgeous houses

chocolate shop

in-ground trampoline

chic shopping

really good restaurants

socializing (maybe with celebrities?)

walking around, wine in hand

farmers market

art

live music

What's that...do I hear you cranking your car? Thought so.

Over the weekend, I turned the big "it's basically over now." Only kidding! Actually, it's just the beginning and thirty got a really good start when my rockstar husband and friends surprised me with a quick trip to SERENBE. If you haven't heard of this little treasure in the 'boonies' of Georgia, I hope this gives you a good picture of what it's like. 

photo credit: Cam Addison's camera ;)

My peeps know me well...and they may have similar interests, which means this gift was mostly selfless on their part. We got to tour my pinterest dream house board in real life. I mean...I'm ready. Done. I'll take it. For a cool 1.2 million (unfurnished), it can be your's and I can live with you. 

These chairs!

This kitchen...

And this gorgeous little space... 

The mix of brick, stone, wood and shingles...everything was spot on.

Moving along...what's more fun than live music, food trucks, good friends...and Michael Douglas? 

appetizers dinner entertainment 

You aren't seeing things. That's Michael Douglas. Kudos to the Kriegs for suggesting that we grab a drink and a snack, to Mac for his celeb spotting abilities and to that half a beer for the courage to say something. These days, Atlanta is less hot and more 'wood as more and more films are being produced with big budgets and even bigger movie stars. Apparently, lots of actors/actresses have made their way to Serenbe. I don't blame them. You should go! You might get lucky and see one of these superstars...

Christy Etheredge, Dinglewood Design & Press

Today, I'm happy to introduce you to a gal I recently cold-called (ha!). After hearing several folks mention her business, I had to find out who this chick was- so off I went, camera in tow. After driving in circles for what seemed like 20 minutes, I found Dinglewood Design & Press tucked away in an unassuming little corner of midtown.

This awesome little operation is run by Christy Etheredge, her two employees (Anna and Lauren) and their mascot, Mulligan, who they call head of security. Never mind the fact that he's the size of a coffee mug...he's vicious, ferocious, and completely adorable. The four of them were seemingly chill-maybe it's because I was there. Then again, I popped in without warning, so I think they're actually that cool under pressure. I appreciated the ten second tour, as they were busy answering e-mails, designing crazy cool designs on paper, and shipping them out all over the world. Before I left, they had carefully packed two boxes- one was off to Paris (France, not Texas) and the other was addressed to Australia. WHAT?! I know! If that doesn't encourage you to chase your dream, I don't know what will. Three ladies, a little over 250 sq. feet, two gorgeous (and old...like older than your great-grandmother) letterpress machines, one pup, and a glamorous list of repeat customers...making it work in Columbus, GA. Sounds good, right? Here's an example of what these girls are up to...isn't this great? I love it.

Here's a peek at their process. 

Aren't these coasters so cute?! The girls would like to offer you a free set of their pre-printed, packaged coasters with the purchase of any custom order, with coupon code HOUSEWIFE. This offer is good through October 31, 2014. Options include:

Cheers and Polka Dots coasters (available in gold, black, or pink)

Squirrel coasters

East-coasters

West-coasters

Anchor coasters (available in navy, teal, or tan)

If you place an order via Etsy, make sure to type the coupon code and indicate your coaster choice in the "notes to seller" box. (i.e. coupon code HOUSEWIFE - Anchor coasters in Teal)

Dinglewood Design & Press is by appointment only, but you can find them on Etsy or facebook. Tell them I sent you! Happy shopping and press on...pun intended. 

Bon Appetite

Some days are great, some are shatty...which is the worst kind. Today was the latter. It started out well...donuts, coffee, cartoons, pj's. By 5:30, I was on a hot date with my kids at the one place you go when you're feeling run down, sorry for yourself, or in need of grandmotherly comfort...

photo credit

My date(s) challenged me to an epic battle of the wills right off the bat (with a ratio of 3:1, theirs seemed to be winning). I felt like Julie in Julie and Julia in the middle of her boning the duck meltdown. As she put it, "I cried like an emotionally disturbed child." I wasn't on my kitchen floor, though. I was in the middle of a toddler food fight in the local Cracker Barrel. MC didn't like that her grilled chicken looked like "olio," Ford spilt his entire cup of iced water in his lap, the baby was trying her best to throw everything on the floor and they all forgot their listening ears. Completely overwhelmed and miserable, I shoved two buttermilk biscuits, one after the other, in my mouth and wiped the tears and the ketchup off my face with a mac n' cheese covered napkin. Pathetic.

I hope your dinner was calm and that you didn't fall apart in front of ten 4-tops and several waitresses...and a manager named Fred. I hope that your kid didn't pelt innocent bystanders with a stack of large plastic checkers. I hope you didn't find any crayons in your glass of tea. I hope your kid didn't tell you they wanted you to eat poison and get sick and die. Supermoms...I hope you remember that your kids are full of hormones just like you and that they don't mean what they say and that they usually just want you to catch them with they run or hug them when they push you away...and they don't really want you to eat poison or die. Just know this: You're not alone. I'm here...trying to get myself together over a watery iced latte and a trusty keyboard who never ever talks back. 

A Tour through Blogland

Hi there! This morning, I'm happy to take part in the tour of blogland. Last Monday my friend, Heidi Rew (you know her from this post), mentioned me on her blog. Now it's my turn to highlight three of my blogging buddies and inspirations. Between strep throat and soccer games, I didn't give these girls much notice. Please don't hold them to tagging three other bloggers...either way, I wanted to tell you about them. So! Everyone...meet these fun new friends:

First up is Laura Perkins. We weren't "joined at the hip besties," in college, but we did run in the same circles. I admired her style and kind personality. We moved to New York City about the same time. I moved to Georgia and got married and she stayed in the big city. Laura's rocking the fashion scene and her blog that documents her fashionable days. Your Sunday Best is a tribute to her dear friend who past a few years ago. Such a sweet thing to keep someone's passion for life alive in this way. Yay, Laura!

photo credit: Your Sunday's Best

This next lady, you may know. She's kind of a big deal (and she's probably already been featured in a million places), but she happens to be my parents' neighbor so I get to hear/see how awesome she is on a regular basis. You can find Layla Palmer over at The Lettered Cottage. Follow her and her hubby, Kevin, as they transform their home one square foot at a time. They're also in the middle of a beautiful adoption, which she keeps us updated on as well. You can help bring their little blessing and other precious babies home to their families by purchasing one of her cute tee-shirts! 

photo credit: The Lettered Cottage

Finally, I want to introduce you to this housewife I found through instagram. Her name is Tiffany and like me, she's a mom of three kids, a fashion grad, and has worked really hard to launch a line of clothes for children. She's the master of all trades when it comes to her company and since I know what that's like, I had to share her story with you! She was pregnant with twins, when one of them was born very early...miracles happen, people...twin brother is due to arrive in November. She's an inspiring lady with a trendy little collection to boot.  

photo credit: www.missdessa.com