Southern hospitality

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6U8vTJ6C1p7823yCWGk1CFDRxYWEjNiIoTjXa0TlHAN_MA1NuTPsOlDsbVFY4Olsuhw3tcj0zp0o4FWPCfFAf4pUYLUkh8XZDiEHedIKX8GY5qqjStChvaxuhBhqpXkc7sGza-Q3zw8/s1600-h/cupcakes.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317691374435184354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6U8vTJ6C1p7823yCWGk1CFDRxYWEjNiIoTjXa0TlHAN_MA1NuTPsOlDsbVFY4Olsuhw3tcj0zp0o4FWPCfFAf4pUYLUkh8XZDiEHedIKX8GY5qqjStChvaxuhBhqpXkc7sGza-Q3zw8/s400/cupcakes.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Coconut Cupcakes (</span><span style="font-style: italic;">by Brenda Cataldo) </span><span style="font-style: italic;">on<br />platter from the </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Gail Pittman Veranda Collection </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I spent last Tuesday night at a very entertaining event hosted by the regional consultants of </span><a href="https://www.southernlivingathome.com/Corp/index.aspx"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Southern Living at Home</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, a company created out of the continuous requests by readers for products found on the pages of </span><a href="http://www.southernliving.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Southern Living</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> magazine. Held at the Hilton Hotel in Dedham, this “Design Showcase” featured the beautifully versatile pieces found in the Spring 2009 Catalog set up as themed tablescapes.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Here are some of my personal favorites ...</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAzdl64NdsBchdvhDKTRQMqLFlWqhwUL5-4YJyPBs1OI-40jWA8jLMF_uGMKoj3xj7rCsY7aIjSphijfd82dLFCX_SyvP7AhCZ4MkJO0bd0XwB9L-xLbFcRWrW9Q7SXwcpT_ARtNRl9g/s1600-h/caddy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317691497344116706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAzdl64NdsBchdvhDKTRQMqLFlWqhwUL5-4YJyPBs1OI-40jWA8jLMF_uGMKoj3xj7rCsY7aIjSphijfd82dLFCX_SyvP7AhCZ4MkJO0bd0XwB9L-xLbFcRWrW9Q7SXwcpT_ARtNRl9g/s400/caddy.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJboiWYeSS6a4m_YNg8kmJOZ-yvCfa2Pa2onA2Y8QE_Q7nZLMAbKLAucpRvIZ6JY9q-f6Q4Ak1TL147ZxAd4hQZV3rEJnl07JIprjCa8L54uGzAIr5vw6d7tU1jEvIb0wea7liCyIg4E/s1600-h/PrincessTea.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317699270054744386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJboiWYeSS6a4m_YNg8kmJOZ-yvCfa2Pa2onA2Y8QE_Q7nZLMAbKLAucpRvIZ6JY9q-f6Q4Ak1TL147ZxAd4hQZV3rEJnl07JIprjCa8L54uGzAIr5vw6d7tU1jEvIb0wea7liCyIg4E/s400/PrincessTea.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 202px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Princess Party: <a href="https://www.southernlivingathome.com/wbslah/skins/s05/index.aspx?repid=568216">Brenda Cataldo</a> and Leslie Milne</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">This table set for a princess and her friends features some of my favorite items:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > Chelsea Candlesticks</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> (available in two sizes),</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > Astoria Flatware Caddy</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> (used here to hold sweet treats and birthday noisemakers –– I use mine to hold more formal silverware in one, and special serving pieces like the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Hostess Serving Set</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> in another).</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynF_yL_zmqPxppT24isgN2Za84_6dChI5_7FcL_jQEz1_Be_qspF58BEPw0c_PKJZXZhYltTK_7tpIPs3IoIuhTU-Luf1cNeZt3xMC1SSfdEpSwZASs9hMHIdtVwibRDs9OHlE_4WGUw/s1600-h/HostessSet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317702022939927714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynF_yL_zmqPxppT24isgN2Za84_6dChI5_7FcL_jQEz1_Be_qspF58BEPw0c_PKJZXZhYltTK_7tpIPs3IoIuhTU-Luf1cNeZt3xMC1SSfdEpSwZASs9hMHIdtVwibRDs9OHlE_4WGUw/s320/HostessSet.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDf63BOXxSnt2Fn2wGsabnoISnRn3SNpAR1S84r_LqSOsEnz518T96cDtfdRvSUp-0_ASSpanJWApA17o6Q_0IHabHFrgHkYxaW25pOPxJ_uB04aJNDr_QkrVgPNWaaL25JhUwuYdf6Ow/s1600-h/morse.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317692925522205490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDf63BOXxSnt2Fn2wGsabnoISnRn3SNpAR1S84r_LqSOsEnz518T96cDtfdRvSUp-0_ASSpanJWApA17o6Q_0IHabHFrgHkYxaW25pOPxJ_uB04aJNDr_QkrVgPNWaaL25JhUwuYdf6Ow/s400/morse.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Earthly Delight: Cindy Morse</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />This scape featured </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >yummmmy</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> pistachio, chocolate, cream and coffee ... in both its colors and its oh-so-tempting display. I loved the cinnamon sticks in each mug, votives surrounded with coffee beans, and the taper candles inserted in grass filled bowls.<br />Tastefully done!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAdGLY73oBVLtKqsDnhkm5LuPLhAmSIPHiWQcWQtswckHzp_AmXkzI1mHS9ErVANejHNXzXoNFm-zn7Tp_ic6fP5f9AaQCmFHxc92-6Y10cUpmdj1g-vhyfLfHNjRNsbI3VqLVLvvEz4/s1600-h/green:brown.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317691191154011490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAdGLY73oBVLtKqsDnhkm5LuPLhAmSIPHiWQcWQtswckHzp_AmXkzI1mHS9ErVANejHNXzXoNFm-zn7Tp_ic6fP5f9AaQCmFHxc92-6Y10cUpmdj1g-vhyfLfHNjRNsbI3VqLVLvvEz4/s400/green:brown.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C4G8YjAsscJtE0OaMTxz9autW-0x3R8C39BqXRUARcGz1fbLc9BTsIHA_X_bmilS43Ci4SfVH67NM1ADfZvTrpWNdUa_OgP3IGGeMYX9AXMnhMbIR1FjFVvUiwwXRmAJ24YC1hkPF-w/s1600-h/verdecollection.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317706302350413970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C4G8YjAsscJtE0OaMTxz9autW-0x3R8C39BqXRUARcGz1fbLc9BTsIHA_X_bmilS43Ci4SfVH67NM1ADfZvTrpWNdUa_OgP3IGGeMYX9AXMnhMbIR1FjFVvUiwwXRmAJ24YC1hkPF-w/s400/verdecollection.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 102px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">The </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Verde Collection</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> (shown above) was just one of the items featured by SLAH Creative Director and ceramic artist, <a href="https://www.southernlivingathome.com/corp/key_people.aspx">Gail Pittman</a> herself. She filled a number of the adorable oblong shaped bowls with small items (candles, chocolates, guest soaps, etc.), put each in a small cellophane bag, then tied it with a pretty ribbon creating a simply adorable hostess gift, teacher gift, etc. with no need to wrap ... </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >how green is that?</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> I especially like the unique shape of the bowl and can picture it on a desk to hold business cards, paper clips, etc.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevrMAAlNclntg9sfz1tpdkPUHfL-Ft3W62aXfOsRkUoZ9pG8H7kUyWoE888VimZgQ06A9DKLC31S7c-J0V6_kZof4NGuRm0DPvuTGCcke1wgZdIUVo1fPjXvn88ZDtds6MPa3S0FkBp4/s1600-h/gpittman.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317691877499249650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevrMAAlNclntg9sfz1tpdkPUHfL-Ft3W62aXfOsRkUoZ9pG8H7kUyWoE888VimZgQ06A9DKLC31S7c-J0V6_kZof4NGuRm0DPvuTGCcke1wgZdIUVo1fPjXvn88ZDtds6MPa3S0FkBp4/s400/gpittman.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Here is Gail </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >(love the unique colorway of her leopard print top!)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> signing a piece for my sister-in-law, <a href="https://www.southernlivingathome.com/wbslah/skins/s01/index.aspx?repid=110315">Susan</a>.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pA30BrsU9HwEUkGKe576Wg3AfrIEJlmQfxWOwY1h8TXnVyaw6x3KXoewalzJOaRPTexkUIDJdG1PYoN5VxF0-Xsg4eaazyKymRTUrpxPjsKc_VNCvufPQC8ZPkHKElPN14P5C9S3gsQ/s1600-h/signature.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317691693683274706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pA30BrsU9HwEUkGKe576Wg3AfrIEJlmQfxWOwY1h8TXnVyaw6x3KXoewalzJOaRPTexkUIDJdG1PYoN5VxF0-Xsg4eaazyKymRTUrpxPjsKc_VNCvufPQC8ZPkHKElPN14P5C9S3gsQ/s400/signature.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Gail was very sweet, approachable and funny. I loved the stories she told about beginning her career by “painting bowls.” When she was just starting out, her husband would approach friends and strangers alike with the question, “Do you want to buy a bowl?” I told my husband he could just insert the word “pillow...”</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqm6X70h_gRXKAsXM6lSORxmo7HFQW8Mm_27jazpzDLSvWq9XIyWPw3y0dqJoidgmPyaUKHafmkocGdhAPHMTkeSAnBSbbQyTP5brhUpd8Fhq_uqjiAhOM2FLVDeI0d5ZU0d-CkoUpOAo/s1600-h/leopard+pillow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317713296803405906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqm6X70h_gRXKAsXM6lSORxmo7HFQW8Mm_27jazpzDLSvWq9XIyWPw3y0dqJoidgmPyaUKHafmkocGdhAPHMTkeSAnBSbbQyTP5brhUpd8Fhq_uqjiAhOM2FLVDeI0d5ZU0d-CkoUpOAo/s400/leopard+pillow.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">An animal print favorite from my Spring ’07 collection</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlUaw25NEEGr9hKN0vK5aHtEBIKVAD7bSDeWDU1sERAcITbrwUMBWt8_RX72W6oiO6_gva8EIVAX6unlx_sIgldffrghdLv3jAyzlNT_6-Hj91My82yVsEYAThvDYV3I76bhqimUDmKg/s1600-h/sippers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317691793351195634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlUaw25NEEGr9hKN0vK5aHtEBIKVAD7bSDeWDU1sERAcITbrwUMBWt8_RX72W6oiO6_gva8EIVAX6unlx_sIgldffrghdLv3jAyzlNT_6-Hj91My82yVsEYAThvDYV3I76bhqimUDmKg/s400/sippers.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Gaveston Summer: Sue Mulligan</span> </span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I thought this tablescape was pretty and fresh, with loads of Southern warmth and charm. I love the citrus colors paired with hot pinks and brilliant blues. This linen/cotton fabric from <a href="http://www.calicocorners.com/category/designer+fabrics+for+the+home.do">Calico Corners</a> could work well with this summery setting ...</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBZuCEx-hNNb9VtqqerjcfqQ2gyg7N-jOVrbc1JgA16JTrGn6dK6iZt6Y_2111VV2963cPPLiOP_q3S_MmWexKWLZB7KK54MEcymRfKUgUoErwha5R4Wk5wyGdP2SVmIgPDxMXhoqDzM/s1600-h/bipin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317724833997450482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBZuCEx-hNNb9VtqqerjcfqQ2gyg7N-jOVrbc1JgA16JTrGn6dK6iZt6Y_2111VV2963cPPLiOP_q3S_MmWexKWLZB7KK54MEcymRfKUgUoErwha5R4Wk5wyGdP2SVmIgPDxMXhoqDzM/s400/bipin.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 251px;" /></a> <a href="http://www.calicocorners.com/product/designer+fabrics+for+the+home/shop+fabrics+by+color/pink/bipin+ticking+multi.do"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bipin Ticking Multi</span></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC8MePx0Pz13F42D5jLar02YMuAQucP2CV0lv58BymN02CbKwmMhrrjJIEPXhyphenhyphenR5shrDtN6QQgmy8-LO59t3_THiXsJdzEjQxnwxsbLaHKtc21Zr_27fc-mttGs6w6n0JVyg_GELBJC4/s1600-h/seaside.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317734747167399426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC8MePx0Pz13F42D5jLar02YMuAQucP2CV0lv58BymN02CbKwmMhrrjJIEPXhyphenhyphenR5shrDtN6QQgmy8-LO59t3_THiXsJdzEjQxnwxsbLaHKtc21Zr_27fc-mttGs6w6n0JVyg_GELBJC4/s400/seaside.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sun, Sea, & Serenity: Marcia Hostetter</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>Wow!</span> <span style="font-size:130%;">This seashore inspired display was full of great textures and organic beauty. Try creating this look on a smaller scale at home ... here is my version using a favorite Southern Living item – the versatile </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Hemingway Hurricane.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozphMynNlrgtNoB30nlFcgos4ZYoXsddT3QfhjfYpTEM4zmmpd67nUzu3SZNmaGDyRqTnbQ1oG_clqD9HbqQI1FA4K9g94cn3xCUed0hINnlrH2cZ88KvN3K2CuMJ8hpeJ-i2X1ywIPk/s1600-h/hurricane:starfish.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318746187702114626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozphMynNlrgtNoB30nlFcgos4ZYoXsddT3QfhjfYpTEM4zmmpd67nUzu3SZNmaGDyRqTnbQ1oG_clqD9HbqQI1FA4K9g94cn3xCUed0hINnlrH2cZ88KvN3K2CuMJ8hpeJ-i2X1ywIPk/s200/hurricane:starfish.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 200px;" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMZFGj3QWgetHxxr5nTBKAtBWky8Oh_QbbdEK84NUvNA61YrmNMEFh53CrGd1QbyGe0RInhYVQjpu0QezjnumAlAk0eG5a2FaSD1fXXreDsA2ogr0eihtH_NKDqECygkyvTeG-KXv7rs/s1600-h/Hilton.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317692308994584626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMZFGj3QWgetHxxr5nTBKAtBWky8Oh_QbbdEK84NUvNA61YrmNMEFh53CrGd1QbyGe0RInhYVQjpu0QezjnumAlAk0eG5a2FaSD1fXXreDsA2ogr0eihtH_NKDqECygkyvTeG-KXv7rs/s400/Hilton.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And I can</span><span style="font-size:130%;">’t leave out the Hilton lounge ... I am not sure who designed the space, but I loved the copper planters with tall branches, large scale chess pieces on the solid console, and the pretty bowl of moss covered spheres. Planters like these are available online from <a href="http://www.smithandhawken.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=prod260086p&categoryId=cat340058p&sku=260086p">Smith & Hawken</a>. Contact <a href="https://www.southernlivingathome.com/wbslah/skins/s05/index.aspx?repid=568216">Brenda Cataldo</a> for Southern Living at Home products.</span><br /></div>

Southern hospitality

Coconut Cupcakes ( by Brenda Cataldo) on platter from the Gail Pittman Veranda Collection I spent last Tuesday night at a very entertaining ...

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