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houndstooth

I've always been a fan of black and white patterns, especially the classics . . . like houndstooth.  Unfortunately, we don't see enough of this classic black and white pattern in design anymore. 

Also called four-in-four check, guncheck or sometimes dogstooth, houndstooth originated in Scotland at an unrecorded date. Looking back on fashion and design history, houndstooth seems to reinvent itself every 20 to 30 years.

Its traditional colors are black and white, though modern versions use more colorful substitutions like brown & white, pink & white, blue & white, and green & white. I've seen these brighter colors incorporated in

~ charming nursery room designs

~ small details of bridal and baby showers

~ home decor . . . throw blankets and accent pillows, curtains, 

    and rugs

~ beautiful petit coats and stylish shoes, even bracelets and          

    earrings

~ invitations and beautiful silk ribbons

In time, the current slew of bright, bold designs will pass and be replaced by "the next big thing;" and then in a decade or so, a designer will bring it back, and repeat the cycle of houndstooth in the fashion & design industry as a whole.  

As for me . . . I can't wait to see it reinvented again!

a tribute to classic houndstooth .  .  .

 

~ apron ~

jessie steele

~ houndstooth ottoman & accent pillows ~

osbourne and little

~ prescott houndstooth chair ~

 prescott

~ Valentino houndstooth fleur bag ~

 Valentino

~ houndstooth decanter ~

Eddie Ross

~ houndstooth pillow and curtain ~

 southern livng

~ houndstooth accent ~

 stylin home

~ houndstooth neck pillow ~

SimplySuzannes etsy shoppe

~ houndstooth checked rug ~

William Sonoma Home 

~ cupcake liners ~

all things cupcake

~ over-sized houndstooth print chairs ~

~ houndstooth invitation ~

meri meri

~houndstooth chair ~

whetstone

~ houndstooth themed monogrammed cookies ~

the celebration shoppe

~ houndstooth storage ~

style bakery

~ Moschino houndstooth heels with corsage ~

 
Moschino

orange glazed cake

orange and chocolate . . . a perfect pair

One of my favorite treats growing up was chocolate dipped orange candy sticks. Although the featured recipe isn't quite the same as this past-time treat . . . it's sure reminiscent of sweet days.

I present you with two versions of this lovely orange cake . . . a traditional orange glazed cake and a rich chocolate ganache glazed orange cake.

Indulge your senses with this aromatic and moist dessert. Infused with orange zest . . . and then dressed up with a delicious glaze ~ this golden cake is simply . . . divine.

Bon Appetit!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature

4 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream

2 teaspoons pure orange extract

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

orange glaze

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 Tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9x2-inch pan.

Stir together flour, granulated sugar, and salt in bowl; add butter, eggs, extract, and zest.

Using a hand-held electric mixer, beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until golden blond and set.

Remove from oven and pierce entire cake with fork or a toothpick.
 

~ ~ ~

preparation of  orange glaze

Mix confectioners' sugar, orange juice, and orange zest together until smooth. Pour glaze over cake. Cool and cut into squares. For an extra special treat, save a small amount of orange glaze to drizzle on top of individually cut pieces.

~ ~ ~

preparation of  satiny chocolate ganache glaze

3/4 cup (6 ounces), high quality semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 Tablespoon light corn syrup

Place the chocolate in a bowl. Pour light corn syrup over chocolate. Set aside. Scald the cream. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and gently stir to melt all the chocolate.

~ ~ ~

  ____________________________________

summer whites

Welcome Summer!

When I think of summer ~ I think of white . . . crisp, clean white. 
Enjoy this charming tribute to Summer whites!

Summer White Inspirations

~ outdoor space ~

 

photo by Country Living

~ crisp white bed linens ~

Light and airy, white opens the smallest spaces and brings cohesion to large rooms filled with furnishings. 
~ Country Living

~ heaven ~

 ~ simple white dress ~

courtesy of Marie Claire

White textiles are as basic as they are special.

~white linen on clothes line ~

photo by Country Living

  White isn't just the absence of color, it's the backdrop against which color is free to play and reflect, soothing our hearts and calming our minds ~ Sarah Van Arsdale
 

~simple, understated appetizer ~

photo by Jolly Cooking

White dishes, like the plates and pedestal below , don't detract from the beauty of the food you're serving.

~ white linen napkin ~

~ elegant white platter stand ~

photo by Country Cream

 ~ summer entertaining ~

photo by fete and feast

When an object is cast in white, its unique character comes to the fore and is rendered at its most pure, simple - and beguiling. ~ Country Living

~ white footed bowl ~

photo by Party Dress

White can brighten up a garden and is a good choice for dark areas of landscape.

 ~ white peony ~

~ summer dreams ~

White is considered a neutral color in landscape design.  Its appearance can be used as a background for other colors.

~ catalina white linen ~

~ elegant white cake ~

The rich, sweet scent of French vanilla is a strong and creamy fragrance that is great year round. 

It is a scent that is calming, consoling, soothing, purifying, and centering. ~ Scent It

~ homemade vanilla ice cream ~

~ vintage cake stands ~

~ fresh whipped cream ~

~ vanilla cookies ~

~ classic summer meringue pie ~

photo by McCormick

~ Roasted Potato & Leek Soup ~

photo by FineCooking

~ summer evening dining ~

photo by the Innovation Companies

In the presence of white, you can feel the presence of light itself.

~ sparklers ~ a summer pastime ~

photo by Country Living

  The first of all single colors is white . . .  

We shall set down white for the representative of light, without which no color can be seen; yellow for the earth; green for water; blue for air; red for fire;
and black for total darkness.

~Leonardo da Vinci 


 

Granite Steps Country Blueberry Coffee Cake

photo by Pixel Pop

 Granite Steps 
Country Blueberry Coffee Cake 

This enchanting recipe was inspired by the owners and Innkeepers of the famous Granite Steps. Constructed in 1881, The Granite Steps was named for its magnificent granite double curved entry steps. This Savannah Inn bed and breakfast lies in the heart of the downtown Savannah, Georgia's National Historic District. Although this stately Inn has closed its door to guests, this dish continues to grace the tables of those who desire a rich, delectable coffee cake.

Simply . . .  enchanting ~ Granite Steps Blueberry Coffee Cake will surely be enjoyed at your next breakfast or brunch gathering.

 Bon Appetit! 

Ingredients
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (12-ounce) can buttermilk biscuits
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks ) butter, melted
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 - 2cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoon lemon zest

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Generously great a 9-inch square baking dish. In a small bowl,combine brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well with a fork. Separate biscuit dough into 10 biscuits. Cut each biscuit into 6 - 9 squares.  

Dip each piece in melted butter and coat with brown sugar mixture.  Arrange in a single layer in baking dish. You may have to double stack. If this is the case, then stagger the pieces on top of the first layer. See photo. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup oats. 

In another small both, Combine sugar and lemon zest in a bowl and gently fold in blueberries to coat. Spoon blueberry mixture over oats and biscuits, and then sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup oats. 

 

Drizzle remaining melted butter on top. Bake for 20 minutes or until cake is golden brown and center is done. Cool for 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Simply . . .  decadent

Treat your family, friends, and guests to an extra special treat and prepare a warm Cream Cheese Glaze that can be drizzled over the top of this decadent coffee cake. Serve in a beautiful glass vessel to be shared, or pour in petite carafes . . . and place one on each plate.

Don't have time to prepare a Cream Cheese Glaze? Serve a rich French Vanilla cream in charming petite carafes for your guests to drizzle over their warm decadent cake.  It's heavenly!

petite carafes

  

 Cream Cheese Glaze

3 ounces of cream cheese, room temperature

3 Tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

3 Tablespoon milk, more may be needed for thinning glaze 

  Combine ingredient and stir until smooth