Sissy's Southern Kitchen & simply splendid vintage

mom in '74  & me at Sissy's Southern Kitchen

Thank goodness my mom held onto this most cherished little dress of mine. Or hers, I should say. And is it weird that I've named her Ruby? Yes. Regardless, Ruby made her debut in the photo above at my dad's 10 year high school reunion. Fast forward 30 years to me...in her closet...hunting for treasure. Blammo! What a treasure, indeed! I love this dress. I look for excuses to wear it. But on Friday night, no excuse was necessary - it was the perfect dress for dressing "in my southern best" for Sissy's Southern Kitchen's Grand Opening Party. (And by the way, I think my mom wore it best!!)

On a side note, Dallas locals…I can't say enough about the mouth watering food served that night. I couldn't stop eating the crab cakes, deviled eggs, spare ribs…and perhaps the best fried chicken I've ever had. You must stop in at Sissy's…it's simply splendid.

acrylic & water & spray paint, oh my!

I realize I made the statement in Parlour Art that it was time for me to purchase some grown up art for our home. But I can't help it. It's such a fun creative outlet to try to come up with something somewhat interesting myself! 

I'm having a ball experimenting with different textures, techniques and paints. Who knew that spraying paint on top of water could create a really neat-o effect?? Probably you. But this knowledge was new to me! It's a very simple and budget friendly way to create a cool, visual effect.

simple, modern DIY artwork
soon available on Etsy!!

Seeing Red

Are you well red? With Valentine's Day smack dab in the middle, February hails as the month for love. (And with so many birthdays falling at years' end, I think our parents felt this way too.) (Eww.) (Sorry.) The fabulous and oh-so-splendid blog, chartreuse & a twist, is celebrating the love this week with a color post on...wait for it...RED. I decided to link up and share my favorite red, red finds. Hop on over, link up and showcase your well red selves!

in a different light

I love good conversation. Especially with loved ones. And I'm rarely the one with nothing to say. I always have something to say, which I'm sure is annoying to the Mister. But the other night at my parents house, I was the weird, quiet one in the corner...the whole evening. It had been forever since I'd looked at old photo albums and I seriously think I spent hours on the couch, head down and knee deep in pictures. It was fascinating.


1. My mom was beautiful. She is beautiful. But I'm used to seeing the 65 year old mom each week. Seeing her at 20, 25, 35...she was so pretty. And stunning. And I don't think she has any idea.

2. She had great taste and wore her style well. I'm devastated she didn't hold onto more of it for my sister and I to fight over.

3. Why didn't she keep their furniture & decor, either?

Which brings me to my next point. Yes, that's me in the picture...but more importantly, how cool is that headboard??? This is a good reminder for me to hold onto things so one day, my grown children can have them. (I sound like a candidate for Hoarders.)

Anyway, I wanted to share how cool it was to see my parents in a different light. I found myself wanting to go back to the 70's and be friends with them. The looked to me like they lived life to the fullest and had a ball doing it.

golden years

Remember this post about the must try DIY gold fish scale artwork from crafty and cool two thirty-five designs?

Well, I tried it. And it was a success! Sort of.

More details to follow with photos of the finished project! Just gotta patch up Little Mister's handiwork and figure out a place to put this huge thing!! Special thanks to two thirty-five designs for the inspiration and tips!

chalk it up

The last time I saw my china was right before Mister and I got married. Almost 5 years ago. Poor china. Oh how I loved you, all simple and sweet with your delicate silver, paisley detailing and promises of grand dinner soirees. Me in heels, a stunning dress, no wrinkles on my face, no splattered tomato puree on my satin hostess apron. Oh and polished nails. My guests? In awe over the centerpiece, the delectable food, the gorgeous table settings...and the hostess. "How does she do it?" they all wonder.

Wait, hold on. I'm about to get to the point. 

Let's be honest... a. I don't prepare meals in heels  b. I need botox  c. I don't own a satin hostess apron  d. my nails look like they got attacked by a blender.  e. dinner soirees at our home look more like kabobs on the grill/beer in the fridge/and football on the tv. Oh and f. no one wonders how I do it...they wonder what that plastic Elmo magnet is doing in their coleslaw.

But hey...I'm okay with that. Fortunately for me, there's Chalkboard China. I was introduced to this Dallas based (and functionally fabulous) line of chalk-friendly tableware earlier this week. And I'm hooked. It meets me halfway in between exquisite china and chinet. My favorite is the carafe. How clever. And chic! I'd love to have a few of these out on display for my next get together at the house, each filled with a different wine and creatively labeled with the help of a little white chalk. And the wine glasses to go with them, of course. Forget putting a little charm around the stem...chalk is much cooler.

Whether you're like me (and have all your china in storage) or you're the hostess with the most-est, Chalkboard China works for occasions (and hostesses) of all sorts. Fancy-schmancy or board games and burgers. Which is my fancy-schmancy.

*available online and at select retailers nationwide