real simple = real love

Real Simple magazine is my bread and butter.  The home decor, organizing tips, recipes, etc. speak volumes to the Modern Martha in me.  The latest issue graced my mailbox today and I was reminded to share my love of it with you!

This month’s cover:

Don’t have the magazine subscription? You can check out the goods online too at realsimple.com.

Something I truly adore about Real Simple is the “New Uses for Old Things” topic.  Check out this adorable idea for using a doily for cake decoration that I saw online:

Ladies, if you have a little girl, PLEASE do this little diddy with a tutu & nightstand.  So adorable!

Real Simple even has some tutorials like this one on how to paint a wall and other DIY type help. Great tips for homeowners!

Need to see what the magazine is all about before you subscribe (am I not convincing you enough?) then check out a rundown of the magazine content here.

There are TONS more, so I encourage you to check it out. Otherwise this post will be miles long.

Love, my Real Simple Magazine obsessed self 🙂

an old fashioned mothers day

First, a little background.  

My Mom and I have grown to love Victorian tea parlors over the years.  I love the atmosphere and it’s always a special time for us.  My bridal shower was at this one and I hope to maybe have a baby shower in the same sense someday (such a sentimental mush I am).

4/11/09

This Mother’s Day I decided to treat my Mom to one of these special times BUT at home!  My vision: a lace tablecloth, floral patterns, tea, scones,and a tiered pastry display. Simple and meaningful.

Two retailers were really instrumental in my quest to have the perfect afternoon tea party: British Depot where I picked up some scones, clotted cream and lemon curd (yes, there really is a store called British Depot… and it’s right near where I live in College Park) and Teapots and Treasures where I got some fabulous loose leaf tea.  I highly recommend the Rooibos Chai tea from Teapots and Treasures.  It tastes like Christmas 🙂

My favorite part of the prep was throwing some  jewelry and a scarf up on our mason jar chandelier.  Yes, I really threw my accessories on a light fixture as a decoration.  Don’t knock it till you try it!  I loved how it gave the room a shabby chic feel. 

I used the hubbs’ Grandmother’s authentic vintage lace tablecloth.  It was made by hand.  So. Gorgeous.  We have some really beautiful heirlooms from her, most notable being our amazing dining room set!

It was so fun putting this all together.

As fun as this was to plan, the best part was spending it with this special lady:

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there.  You are appreciated more than you know.

I love you, Mommy!

BBB

Baked brie on a budget.

I’m taking a break from my delicious feast to post this.

Short and sweet, I am telling you, MAKE THIS tomorrow. So easy and oh so good.

BBB:

• Brie cheese (get the imported kind, this one splurge, you’ll thank me)
• Chopped apples & pears
• Maple syrup
• Cinnamon
• Lemon juice
• Red wine vinegar

Set the cheese aside in a baking dish and cook the fruit in a saucepan with the rest of the ingredients until the pieces are tender. Pour the mixture over the cheese and bake at 250 degrees for about 15 min. (or until melted).

Done-zo!

Serve with crackers and more fruit if desired… and wine of course.