Dressing like you give a damn

This Friday, as Gone with the Wind's 75th anniversary blows in,
it's very clear that everyone still
"gives a damn"
about this infamous publication!

It got me to thinking...
If Scarlet could improvise an amazing dress with draperies ...

Wouldn't some of the fabrics that we use to design window treatments
create wonderful dresses? 

Kravet, Runway Diva in Platinum.

Duralee, Round Hill Traditional in Denim

Donghia, Barcelona in Sea Blue

Duralee, Danda in Saffron

While I don't think I'd be able to craft anything as grand as Scarlett's ensemble, 

I think that these fabrics would lend them selves to some very wonderful outfits! 

Fried Chicken... and do a little dance!

Earlier this week I shared my Kentucky Missions Trip with you... 

today, for fun, my Fried Chicken...

Just keep in mind, you need to start this the day before 

You'll need...

• 6 cups buttermilk*
• 1/4 cup Kosher salt 
• 4 teaspoons of Kosher salt 
• 2 threeish pound chickens cut for frying 
• 3 1/4 cups flour 
• 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper (fresh preferably)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of Spanish paprika 
• 2 tablespoons baking powder 
• brown lunch bags 
• Vegetable shortening (about 2 lbs)
• Bacon drippings if available 

Night before...

• Combine the buttermilk & 1/4 of salt in a large bowl or air tight container.  Add chicken, make sure all pieces are coated well with the buttermilk combo. Cover tightly and refrigerate over night.

Now roll up those sleeves...

• Preheat the oven to 225 degrees. 
• Combine flour, 4 teaspoons salt, pepper, paprika and baking powder in a doubled brown lunch bag & give it a good shake...do a little dance its fun!! 
• Separate out 1/2 of the mixture.
• One piece at a time place pieces in bag and shake...and do a little dance! Adding flour mixture as needed to keep the pieces well coated. 
•  Heat shortening and bacon drippings in a cast iron skillet over medium heat...roughly 375 degrees...not a rolling boil.
• Place pieces in hot oil to fry for 10 min. The bottoms will get golden brown, flip with tongs and fry for another 10 mins. Rotate the pieces two or three more times for an additional 10 mins or so. 
• Drain chicken on paper towels.
• Transfer to baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. 

Ring the dinner bell...

Serve this fried chicken up with homemade potato salad and sweet tea...

Who knows, your guests may just say......

"Butter my behind and call me a Biscuit! 

I reckon' you gone and made yerselves a darn good Kentucky Style meal!"

* Don't have Buttermilk? No worries make your own!!! Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of milk and let stand for 5 minutes ... stir and there ya go ... Buttermilk!

Reconnecting ....

The countdown has begun ... 

I leave Saturday morning for my Annual Kentucky Missions Trip!

This trip to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky reconnects me with 

what is truly important in life. 

Note... Joe hanging from the rafters here.... who's the kid?!

Joe and I have dedicated our last week of June to this trip for almost a decade now.

Many have commented over the years...

"Wow, impressive but don't you want a week doing something fun?"

"Nice, but a week with teenagers? That has to be trying!"

"This is what you call a vacation?"

"Wait, Lisa you staying in something other than a 5 star hotel?"

"Ummmm, you actually pay to go on this trip?"

"I don't know ..... a church trip?"

This group of teenagers framed the floor and the walls on this house in two days ... then moved on to the roof 

The truth is Joe and I couldn't imagine not being part of this amazing week. 

It's so much more than building or rehabbing homes for those in need. 

We've built cross generational relationships...

A little fun with the kids... including my own 

It's really cool watch teenagers and adults actually enjoying each other's company!!

Many of these kids we've watch grow up right before our eyes.

We've attended graduations & weddings. 

We've been one of the first calls they make after they've landed that perfect job!

We've stood proud for photos as they shove off to serve our country

and we've welled up with tears when they call us years later 

just to say thanks .... 

Our dedication was recognized with great honor this past weekend,
 Joe and I were commissioned as Kentucky Colonels.  

An honor bestowed upon individuals to recognize their service and accomplishments 

on behalf of others. 

We are now in the company of some very well know Kentucky Colonels 

Winston Churchill 

President Lyndon B Johnson 

Ashley Judd 

and Bob Hope just to name a few....

If you would like to make a donation to LINKS (Lower Income Housing Coalition of Eastern KY)
 you can do so by clicking here

B.Y.O.D. (Bring Your Own Dog)

It's no secret that I have a reputation of being a tad Cruella DiVillaish .... 

Let's face it I'm just not a dog person. 

Yet today I'm looking to loose that distinction ..

Here at the Studio I invited the staff and contractors to stop by the Studio 

with their pooches to say hello and celebrate 

"Take Your Dog To Work Day®"

And what fun we've had......

Can you believe there is actually a

'Take Your Dog to Work' SONG!?!

Download and Sing~A~Long

Every morning when you leave home 

I say 'where has he gone?'

Leave me here to guard the couch 

And chew on a rubber bone! 

But you left the radio on today 

And I heard them play this song...... 

Tell the k9's everywhere 

to lend a helping paw.... 

Joe our favorite Electrician from APEC with Cody for a visit!

You gotta take your dog to work! 

You gotta take your dog to work! 

Every dog has its day

And bones don't grow on trees!  

Cody & Kane getting acquainted 

K9's are gonna dance. 

I'll be your clutch. 

Just take your dog to work. 

Now I know a Great Dane

Who will help fly planes. 

And a poodle who works down at the mall. 

I know a St. Bernard 

Who works real hard 

Licking envelopes and answering calls! 

Here's dog eat dog, and man's best friend 

Gets time for fetchin' sticks. 

Allyson's Wally, well he has a little Napoleon complex ... she opted for Skyping instead 

Licking envelopes and answering calls. 

Here's a dog eat dog, a man's best friend 

Gets time for fetchin' sticks. 

Taylor and Kane he couldn't believe he was coming to work with her today!

Had a bath and have shots.

And I ain't, got no fleas. 

So bring your lab to the left. 

You can hug your pup. 

Pet your Pekingese. 

You gotta take your dog to work. 

You gotta take your dog to work. 

Michael and Casey who certainly knows where to hang out!  He chose our Brazilian cow hide to curl up on 

Why am I home lying around 

With the working class pedigree?

So tell Benji, and Lassie, Snoopy, Ol' Yeller,

Don't forget your leash. 

You gotta take your dog to work. 

You gotta take your dog to work. 

Intern Julianna had to settle for a snap shot share!

Every dog, has its day

And bones don't grow on trees. 

I'll guard your desk,

I'll be your guest. 

Just take your dog to work.   

and me.... with Izzy and Belly ... (aka Isabelle & Annabelle) 

and yes.... one day is enough!!!

Home Grown Blue Jeans

Is there really anything better than a pair of Classic Blue Jeans?

The answer is simple 

NO 

My ideal outfit is blue jeans, a white t-shirt and of course comfy sneaks....

Here in Connecticut you can now purchase home grown Blue Jeans

 Welcome to HTFD Denim

The company is young... established in 2010, it started out as three great friends...
Luke, Dave & Marshall working out of their parents basements!

They quickly outgrew the basements and have moved to Arbor Street in Hartford.

These boys have big dreams!
Luke, Dave & Marshall would like to eventually grow their own cotton in Connecticut and manufacture the denim here too.....
Their vision is to move into the landmark Colt Building,
what a breath of fresh air that would be!
The classic blue dome would be kinda cool above a classic blue jean company!

HTFD Denim offers much more than just blue jeans

They have expanded in to bags ....

can I just o.m.g.? I need this leather bag ....

Love the shirts..... yes I need one of these, perfect over my white t-shirt!

Here's to Connecticut Grown....

Watch these guys ... they are going places! 

Fabulous Fans for this Summer Heat!

Regardless of the bold temperature, and large sun which seems to be the hero of today's current forecast, my eye immediately goes to how hot it feels like. THE HUMIDITY.

It's sticky,
 frizzy hair calls for a pony tail
there's a constant desire to stand in front of a fabulous fan to cool off. 

and it's not even really SUMMER YET!

Here's to blowin' the heat away! 

Great Esty Find! Vintage Mitsubishi Table Fan

Fanimation UrbanJet 

Matthews Fan .... Wowza folks I'm in LOVE!!!

Minka Aire Gyrette 

A Speaker Fan .... this is just beautiful!

Stay Cool Friends..... 

Stars and Stripes

It's Flag Day,

It's Father's Day Weekend,

...and 

today is Friday, (the day I traditionally I try to post something for the guys...)

So let's explore some plays on the patriotic theme!

Enjoy!!

French Heritage
Fontenay Betty Ross Chest 

Eastern Accents 
Stars and Stripes pillow

Andrew Martin
Rebel Sofa Stars & Stripes

Stars & Stripes Trunk
Halo Styles 

Father of our Country!
Jonathan Alder 

Enjoy the weekend folks!

Celebrate all the amazing Dad's in your lives.

Till next week....

Joe's BBQ Ribs

It's a week long celebration for Dad's! 

Earlier this week, I posted all American Grills for Dad,  

I couldn't let this special week pass without sharing one of my favorite Grill recipes.

My Prince (aka husband, Joe) loves grilling. Taking credit for this recipe would be an absolute sin! (Hence the title, of this blog AND recipe are both in bold and include my hubby's name.) 

Simple 

Delicious 

Horribly Messy 

Promises to be a Hit!

Joe's BBQ Ribs 

Ingredients

~Bone in Pork Ribs 

~Large Onion Quartered 

~BBQ Sauce (preferred choice Sweet Baby Rays Original)

Process

Place Ribs & Onion in large pot and boil for one hour

Remove ribs and slather generously with Sweet Baby Rays 

Grill turning and basting every 2-3 minutes 

Turn 6-7 times 

Serve with roll of paper towels, and a garden hose.

'cause one or two napkins just isn't going to cut it!

Enjoy!! 

And special thanks to my Prince for sharing his recipe! 

Happy Father's Day Sweetheart you're an amazing Dad!

XOXO 

The All American Dad.....

He sat through agonizingly long T-ball games,
He was the hero when the monster hid in the hall closet,
He endured truly grueling dance recitals,
He was the rock during first trip to the ER,
He smiled widely and choked down some dreadful meals,
He just always knew how to fix it,
He wore a sunhat and drank tea while his knees hit his chin in a tiny chair,
He spent hours running along side the bike when the training wheels were shed,
and he was very patient those first months driving the car.


With Father's Day this weekend Let's Celebrate Dad ...
What better way to do so than with Grills......

Yep, these beauties are all Made in the USA!

Epic Grill by Holland Grill
hollandgrill.com
Holly Springs NC

The Tailgating Smoker/Grill
gatorpit.net
Houston TX

Lazy Man Grills
Lazyman.com 
Belvidere, NJ

The King of all Grills!
The Stahlkammer Grill by Engelbrect Grills
http://www.grillsandcookers.com
Paxton, IL

To top it off ... maybe I'll just pick up this apron from Etsy for Joe....

Cool Aprons from Etsy 

Hartshorne Mansion

Tuesday I rented a Suburban packed up the staff and headed to the Jersey Shore! 

We were on the hunt .... armed with our smart phones, note pads and open minds we needed ...

Inspiration

unique ideas 

visions

outside of the box thinking 

and of course 

fun!

I loved seeing this showhouse not only for myself but through the eyes of others... 

Allyson my Studio Manager/Designer fell in love with this amazing playroom 

we found on the third floor. 

How could she not? 

After all she had to be imagining playing for hours in her with her daughter

 tea parties, dress up and so much more!! 

Designed by Gina Cannone from Kidegories 

Ashley, my beautiful daughter found the garden room full of inspiration.  Dressed with an easel in one corner, plant life on every spare space and oddities from all over, she was right at home. 
Designed by Mark Fichandler of Studio Fichandler 

Taylor one of the newest members of the LDD team, found this wild game room.

The Westminster Retreat is dedicated to our canine friends! The workmanship was simply exquisite! The yellow and black plaid pattern on the walls is upholstered fabric!!! 

Her pooch would love to hang out with her in this space!

Designed by Barbara Ostrom Associates

                                           Designed by Barbara Ostrom Associates

Michael my Jr. Designer found this amazing bedroom.... Rich Navy paired with this wild Canary Yellow and Hot Fuchsia Pink made an exciting space. 
Honest to Pete his face lit up like a Christmas tree when he walked in!

Designed by Lauren Guarcello of Porter Design Company 

 

Sam my Intern from Amity High along with everyone else found this bedroom heavenly!
Her quick discerning eye caught the detail in this wallpaper... its hand stitched! 
Designed by Kristian Bade of Kristian Bade Studio 

Me? 

My favorite space?  

It was the kitchen, with its modern twist on traditional designs, not one but two islands and the perfect mix of stone, brick, wood and stainless steel!

Unfortunately the space wasn't magnificently photographed like the other spaces, and taking my own photos .... well that would be 'stealing' the designers intellectual property and against the rules... boo!

I'll watch for any photography in the future to share with you soon .... 

Till next week ....

Celebrating Ashley with Mojitos

Monday, I was pulling up white tights and buckling patent leather Mary Janes.

Yesterday, I was toasting her 21st Birthday. 

Here's to Ashley .... 

Smart

Beautiful

Funny 

and still my Baby Girl 

.....After all I'm certain Monday night I was tucking her and her 'bitty baby' into bed....

Celebrate her this weekend if you choose with one of my favorite Summer Cocktails 

Mojitos!

10 fresh mint leaves 

1 lime cut into wedges

3 tablespoons sugar or to taste 

ice

club soda 

a shot glass of white rum 

Put the mint leaves and one a lime wedge into a hefty glass. 

Using a muddler crush mint and lime relasing the mint oils and lime juices 

Add a couple more lime wedges & sugar 

Muddle again 

Fill glass with ice

Pour rum over the ice and fill the glass with club soda

Stir well & add additional sugar to taste if needed

Garnish with a lime wedge and an extra mint spring 

Enjoy......