The Sound of Crickets...

In a few months, AJ and I will be moving to Charlotte, NC. I am so excited to be moving back South. It's in my blood, doll. I have a soft spot in my heart for sweet tea, Magnolia trees, Plantation shutters, saying hello to strangers as you pass them on the sidewalks, and the sound of crickets at night. So, as we pack up our Chicago high rise apartment and move into our new home, I've started collecting ideas on how to decorate. I'm leaning towards light, crisp neutrals with punches of bold colors. Here are some photos I've collected in my research.

Refurbished apartments on Monomonee St.

Purple is my new favorite accent color!

I love the textures in this photo.

Breaking Bread

Hi everyone! Bet you thought I fell into a hole somewhere. Nah, I've just been traveling and job hunting. Anyone want to hire me? :)

Anyway, my mom came to Chicago for the week and I have had my own personal cooking classes with her. Today we made Italian Easter Bread, a family tradition for at least 6 generations. There is a family recipe, but the tradition rests in mixing the ingredients on how they look, feel, and respond. The smell of childhood is all through my home right now. I love love love it!

Easter Bread Dough
The braiding represents the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The rising of the bread also represents the rising of Christ from the dead.

Italian Easter Bread (Baked)

Easter Loafs

Bueller.......Bueller.......Bueller

My husband and I had our own Ferris Bueller Day Off and toured the Windy City. It was amazing to see all that the city has to offer. Like this...

The Sears Tower (now Willis Tower). We went to the Skydeck. You can see the 4 glass enclosed decks on the 107th floor!

It was a typical chilly day in Chicago!

The John Handcock Building and Trump Tower... and the frozen Lake!

Views from the Sky Deck. It's not for the faint at heart. I was shakin' in my boots, but I managed to snap some shots.

Our next destination was to Union Station (designed by famed architect David Burnham, completed in 1925). It is amazing how grand terminals were. When I lived in NYC, Grand Central Terminal was my stop and central hub. I never got passed the awe of such a building. Union Station rekindled my imagination of what and who has passed through this great space.

Baby, Baby!

Babies, Babies All Around! It seems that everywhere I look recently I see mommy-to-bes. It's so exciting and joyous to be a part of my friends' growing families. Currently, I have FIVE friends who are expecting...for one of whom I am in the throws of co-hostessing a shower. I'm in charge of decorations (polka dot theme), so during my brainstorming, I've been researching. I'm loving the ideas that are out there (makes me want to start my own party planning/invitation creation/fashion line company...I could handle all of that, right?!?). Here are some ideas that inspire me:

For the Candy Table

Stay tuned for the final product. I'll be sure to post once we have her shower!!

A GRITS Guide To Life

As a true blue Southern girl I have often thought...if preppies can have their own guide book, then why not us? So, what makes a Southern girl so extraordinary? Why, it's the very essence of who we are! Our style, our heritage, and our upbringing. There are other things that contribute to our culture that I am happy to share with you.

Say Darlin' Like You Mean It:
If you can't say Darlin' like you mean it, sugah, just don't say anything at all!

Drawl - to speak slower than average while prolonging a word's vowels;
not to be confused with the drunken slurring of cowboys,
a drawl is a beautiful thing to hear.


Southern Grammar Lesson
1. Y'all is singluar
2. "All y'all" is plural
3. "All Y'all's" is plural possessive


Fried Green Tomatoes
(from the Original Whistlestop Cafe)

To keep the cooked tomatoes from getting soggy before serving, stand them up like wheels in the serving dish instead of stacking them.
Yield: 3-4 servings
3/4 cups self-rising flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup milk
3 - 4 green tomatoes, cut into 1/4 inch slices
Vegetable oil

Combine first 5 ingredients; mix until smooth. Add additional milk to thin, if necessary; batter should resemble pancake batter. Working in batches, dip tomato slices into batter, allowing excess batter to drip back into bowls. Fry 2 inches hot oil (375 degrees) in a largely heavy skillet until browned, turning once carefully with tongs. Transfer to colander to drain. Serve with a "y'all" and a "shug".

Y'all Come Back.

Hey Y'all!

Hey Y'all! I've been bitten by the blog ladybug so that I can share with you the corner of my world. I'm brand new to blogging, but not new to telling stories. I am so inspired by what so many families, designers, photographers, etc. have been sharing and now I'd like to actively participate. I'll plan on giving you a glimpse into my life - in no time you'll be familiar with my husband and my child (Cotton), my parents, my work, my projects, and my inspirations. Ya'll make yourselves at home.


I am married to the most amazing man, Aron, who definitely is my best friend. Although we have many things in common (like the love for college football - y'all I don't know how an Auburn Tiger and a Michigan Wolverine found each other, but we did!), he is the calm and thoughtful balance to my energetic and spontaneous manner. He is my sounding board and he always supports my decisions. And, girl, he makes the best dishes (his chili should be available for all to enjoy!).



We have a four legged furry child named Cotton, that brings joy into my life each day (sometimes he brings a grr to my tone - but how can you be mad at that face?). Cotton could certainly use a little Cesar Millan, Dog Whisperer in his life. He's got a personality all to his own. He's a sweetheart, but he knows how to play up the puppydawg eyes. I'm sure I'll have entertaining news to share with you as this year unfolds.




I recently made a career change into being a full-time Stylist for Stella and Dot. Normally not a fan of home-based business, I fell in LOVE with Stella & Dot the first time I saw it at a Junior League event. It was my husband who suggested I look into it more. How can you resist the adorable, on trend pieces! Currently I am dieing over the Collette Necklace - I wear it everywhere (pic 1), the Colorburst Enamel Cuff (pic 2), and the Riviera Coin Necklace (pic 3) - I've got cabin fever and these pieces are helping me access my inner Spring style.




Stella and Dot has created my true dream job and brought along with it so many wonderful opportunities. I finally have a business that is completely mine and my responsibility. The company is growing and we just added the Sr. Designer from Kate Spade to join the design team - LOVE IT Y'ALL! You can contact me directly and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have!

I look forward to this journey as I share with you - KiKi's Corner!