Mardi Gras, Carolina Style!

A fat time was had by all at the very grand Mardi Gras party we attended last night at the home of a Louisina native!  Our hosts made us feel like we were in New Orleans as soon as we walked through their door!  The decor was festive and the cajun food was as authentic as if in the French Quarter! 

They served numerous King cakes of course! It was fun to see who is hosting the next party as guest found the cakes trinket.  

They even had a "Carolina Style" Fat Tuesday Float!  The creative costumes were fantastic!  The attire suggested by the hosts was "OTT" for Over the Top!  This party as one of my favorite friends would say had "Swish"!

The legendary Pat O'Brien Hurricane made us all feel like we were in New Orleans on Bourbon Street! If you do not have the official mix like our hosts, you can make your own Traditional Hurricane! Start with 2 oz light rum, dark rum and passion fruit juice, 1oz of orange juice and lime juice, 1 tablespoon of simple syrup and grenadine!  Garnish with oranges and cherries!

We had a blast with WONDERFUL friends!

Joie de vivre!

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Towne and Reese at Mears!

We are so excited to share some of the favorite Towne and Reese jewels at Mears Jewelry Etc Etc!  We LOVE it all!  This weather is giving us spring fever!  Although we have not had a normal winter in eastern NC, I understand Mother Nature is sending winter on its way now!  We love the color in everything arriving daily!  If you cannot visit Mears in person, check out our FB page and the Mears website!   A gift wrapped at Mears will make everyone smile!

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone felt loved today and had an opportunity to show someone you care!  I often think VDay gets a bad wrap.  It is a great opportunity to take time to do something special!  A fun day that can be all about the details or a favorite tradition that could be as simple as a heart shaped pizza!  I found this special valentine cocktail on Pinterest!

If you do not need a love potion then Champagne is always a great start to a celebration!  I cannot think of anything better than being loved!  A gift worth celebrating! 

Fresh floweres are always a treat as is a gift from Mears! 

A huge shipment of Towne and Reese arrived just in time for Vday and we are in LOVE with every T&R piece!  I will share next!

 Sweethearts are a must and we love the cakes at Jennie's Beans and Buns!

PS...I am in love with this Tory Burch shoe!!

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Mears has Cinda B on the way!

We are so excited about all the new arrivals at Mears Jewelry Etc Etc!  I am going to post them all starting with luggage!  We are so in LOVE with the American made line cinda b!  We are your cinda b headquarters!  Time for new luggage and a North Carolina weekend trip!  So many places to visit in NC!

This bag is awesome for carrying our favorite Goo standing up so it will not spill!

Beach bags are beautiful too!  Really a great bag for anything!  I love the rope handle!

We LOVE every pattern!

Press Release from Working Mother!  Yoga Magnolia fans will love the yoga mat carrier!

The weekender is perfect!

Love the garment bag for all our hanging things!  It was featured in a 360 West press release!  It expands to carry plenty of options which we all know is always necessary!

This is my favorite make up bag EVER!  The way the bag closes on top is so stylish!  You will love it too!

gifts press release!

Another Weekender pattern we love!

Southern Living Weddings press release!  They love the beach bag too! 

This is a great bag you can see on the cinda b facebook page!

I am sure the flat iron and curling iron bag will be a big hit!  It is the perfect gift too!

Time to start shopping, planning and packing!

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Southern Shower!

A group of friends gathering to celebrate both Mom and the anxiously awaited arrival of a new blessing makes for a special afternoon!  Details for this shower were beautiful!  A fabulous display of hospitality and graciousness!  A favorite aspect of southern showers you can always count on is everything will be monogrammed! 

Love. Love. Love

The Champagne bow tie pasta with yellow pepper, tomato, cucumber, carrots, red onion, and goat cheese is always a hit!

One of the Mom's dear friends created a true labor of love by baking cupcakes and cookies! Not only were they the icing on the cake for a perfect shower, but also the time that went into creating the sweet masterpieces was appreciated by all!!  I am not a baker and so wish I had this talent!  Very precious!

Of course you know we LOVE a monogram at Mears Etc Etc!! My favorite gift is the silver pacifier clip!

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen

Super Sunday!

The Super Bowl is a fun party even if you do not like football!  It is great time for us to try new recipes we will surely recreate in the fall for Wolfpack football!  Starting with roasted oysters, our hosts have it all planned out!  I want to share a few new recipes I think you will enjoy!

BBQ cups are a recipe we forgot about!  My Mom pulled it out of her recipe card archives, which are much like a library index! 

Unfortunatly they will not make our party! Our whole family agreed they are as yummy as we remember as children and were eaten last night!  I also love the football Pinterest finds!

 Football Sammy's

 Crab Football Spread

Who doesn't love a Cupcake!!

Enjoy your Day, Carolina Style!

Jen Jen