All in Belle of the Ball

Style Inspiration: Mad about Tartan Plaid - Fashion and Home Decor

Style Inspiration: Mad about Tartan Plaid - Fashion and Home Decor

Holley Durham
Belle of the Ball, Home & Garden

12 Tartan Plaid Ideas for You and Your Home

There is something about tartan plaid that just speaks to me.  It reminds me of my heritage and has a way of imparting a timeless feel to everything it touches, from cozy flannel bedding to Christmas stockings hanging gently from the mantle.  

Cozy tartan plaid accents have a way of saying "Welcome":  to winter, to the joys of the holiday season and it adds that special touch to festive times spent with family and friends.

For the fashionista, tartan plaid is a beautiful way to add that extra special punch to any winter outfit and it makes for a gorgeous holiday evening gown!  You can't go wrong by choosing these special pieces to add to your winter wardrobe!

Weekending: The Artisan Goods Shopping Paradise on Small Shop Saturday!

Weekending: The Artisan Goods Shopping Paradise on Small Shop Saturday!

Holley Durham
Belle of the Ball, Home & Garden, Celebrate

I set out on a quest this weekend to honor Small Shop Saturday and ended up at Hunt and Burrow Mercantile, a local Artisan Shopping Mall.  It is a truly splendid place, filled with all things handmade, antique and fantastically original. 

A quote from their Facebook page is a great summation of their quest:  "We are committed to promoting our region's artisan ethos by providing workshop and studio space.  Makers find the ideal showcase for their finely crafted goods here with us.  Creators of rustic modern furniture, vendors of one-of-a-kind home goods, and hunters of antiques all find a place here.  Our large building boasts room enough for a diverse collection of local craftsmanship."   

Roundup: Sweet Tea Goblets for Entertaining and The Best Ever Sweet Tea Recipe

Roundup: Sweet Tea Goblets for Entertaining and The Best Ever Sweet Tea Recipe

Holley Durham
Belle of the Ball, Home & Garden, Celebrate

Any meal in the South is not complete unless there is a pitcher of sweet tea at the table. And if the table is very big, there are usually several pitchers set about for easy reach.  Generally, sweet tea can be served in just about any type of glass, from the humble Mason jar, to the finest footed crystal goblet.

For the holidays or any special occasion, it always makes for a stunning table to pull out the finest goblets that you have and set the table in all the festive finery you can find. Not only does it show your guests how happy you are to have them in your home, it denotes the importance of the celebration.

Southern Traditions: The Art of the Thank You Note

Southern Traditions: The Art of the Thank You Note

Holley Durham
Traditions, Belle of the Ball

Personalized stationery and the handwritten Thank You note are practically a lost art form in the world of digital nomads in which we live today.  But a Southern Lady always has a steady supply at hand.  We send a handwritten note for everything; from a bowl of soup dropped off to your home when you are sick to that perfect gift great Aunt Elizabeth sent you for your birthday. Each gift or thoughtful gesture is deserving of a few moments of your time to write and send a personalized thank you note.