CANDLE SALE BY SLATKIN: A GREAT DEAL!

A big THANK YOU to my friend Joanna Madine, from Dallas, Texas, for 'tipping me off' about this WONDERFUL bi-annual candle sale at Bath & Body Works.


You can NEVER have too many YUMMY smelling candles around!  A great smelling candle SHOUTS "WELCOME" to any guest who enters.  A burning candle in my kitchen helps motivate me for washing dishes or starting dinner. 


Slatkin candles are nice and strong! The Slatkin brand is sold at Neiman Marcus and, thus, I have full confidence in this brand.  


STOCK UP TODAY!  Joanna suggested keeping them stored for: hostess gifts, a friend's birthday or any time you need a last minute "happy" for someone. 


I keep a different scented candle in each room of our home. During a gathering at our house, I LOVE how the different scents smell, all burning at one time.  DELISH!   *FLAIR TIP:  After your guests leave, and after the candle is cool: don't forget to trim the wick to half the size. Trimming the wick prevents black smoke from coming off of the candle and helps it to burn longer.  Storing a candle in the freezer, causes it to burn more evenly.

PINK SANGRIA- perfect for spring! 

FRESH BAMBOO-  a nice, clean scent

The BEST part?  You can easily order these online!  For you busy moms out there, how EASY!  The candles are 2 for $20.  Each candle looks like a $20 candle!  Nice, three-wick candles.  


Thank you Joanna!  

A WEEKEND MEAL- COMFORT FOOD

I have been making these enchiladas for years.  They are very easy to prepare for a crowd or, you may prepare one half of the recipe for your family.

CREAM CHEESE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS       

1 T. butter

1 medium onion, chopped

1 small can chopped green chilis

1 package cream cheese, cut up and softened

1/2 cup sour cream 

4 chicken breasts, chopped and cooked

1 t. salt

1 t. garlic powder

8 flour tortillas

2 packages Monterey Jack cheese, grated

2 cups whipping cream 

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onion, and saute' 5 minutes. Add green chiles and saute' one minute.  Stir in cream cheese, sour cream, chicken, salt and garlic powder.  Spoon 3 tablespoons chicken mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up tortillas, and place, seam side down, in a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with Monterey Jack Cheese and pour the whipping cream over the top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. 

*FLAIR TIP:  I often serve these cut in half because a whole one is a very large serving.  These can be made the night before and, add whipping cream right before baking. 

I am blessed to be in a family with FANTASTIC cooks!  This salad recipe was shared with me by my sister, Patti Weaver, in 2002. Truly wonderful!  

MILLION DOLLAR SALAD

1 bunch red tip lettuce

1 bunch mixed greens

1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

1/2 bag of Craisins

1 container feta cheese, crumbled

TOP WITH:

 2 handfuls toasted chopped pecans

1 large Granny Smith apple, chopped

DRESSING:
Brianna's Blush Wine Dressing 
Toss and serve. 

QUICK PEACH COBBLER
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
2 cups sliced fresh peaches  * You may also use sliced/canned peaches

• Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Melt butter in a 9 x 9 inch baking dish.  Blend together flour, baking powder, sugar, and milk.

• Pour batter in baking dish over the butter. Sprinkle fruit on top of the batter, do not stir. Bake for 1 hour or until golden brown.

FLAIR TIP: Serve warm with Buttered Pecan ice cream and, drizzle warm caramel syrup (in a jar) over the top, with a dollop of whipping cream and toffee pieces (found on the baking aisle, near chocolate chips).  This could be served for a casual dinner or an elegant dinner party.  DELICIOUS! 

BEAUTIFUL ROOMS

The pictures of the rooms featured in this entry are amazing!  I LOVE a calm and well organized room.

Wall Paint:  Pratt & Lambert- COOS BAY; Elle Decor

The aqua glass lamps are such a great focal point!  The large scale wallpaper is AMAZING! Check House Beautiful 

Wall paint ("Smokey Taupe" #983): Benjamin Moore; Traditional Home

This aqua blue light fixture adds an AMAZING 'WOW' factor!  Notice: the very chic geometric pattern fabric on the chairs;  the white painted legs of the chairs and table AND, the pale blue/white painted floor.  ELLE DECOR

May you feel inspired to create organized and clean spaces in your home, with a pop of a warm paint color and, unique accessories.  * FLAIR TIP:  I saw some GREAT home accessories today at Target.  Great looking accent pillows and modern vases- GREAT price points and, truly designer-look items.

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A FAVORITE & EXCEPTIONAL STORE

Today was cloudy and rainy in Memphis, TN and, in order to brighten up my day, I visited one of my favorite "Happy Places".   Garden District  is one of my top picks in order to 'feed' my creative side and soak up the FABULOUS floral designs in this GORGEOUS store.  Thank you, Joseph, for allowing me to photograph in the store today.  Your talents AMAZE me!


Their VERY friendly staff are always ready to assist with a warm smile. I often will take my own containers in to their store and, they will fill them with awesome creative floral arrangements, elaborate or simple, depending on the style I request.

Their store is very SEASONAL and, I often 'kick off' a new season in my home AFTER I walk in to this store and, get an 'injection' of spring, summer, fall or my MOST favorite....CHRISTMAS!

Garden District of Memphis, TN.  Truly one of the MOST amazing floral and home stores I have ever visited!    

A LIFE CHANGING BOOKLET

Keeping the home is a big task and, I truly believe praying over your home and your family, FIRST thing in the morning CHANGES the atmosphere of the entire day.  


A dear friend recently gave me this little booklet and, I wish I could send each of you one!  Truly, this prayer booklet has been ROCKING my world and, I am urging you to order yourself a copy TODAY!  Thank you Sylvia Gunter for writing this amazing book!  I read a page of it each morning and, when I am to the end, I start over. AWESOME!! 


For the Family    To Order:  www.thefathersbusiness.com   (click on 'Store') 
                                                  *LIFE CHANGER!  

ONE MORE FLAIR TIP: SAVE TIME AND KEEP THE HOME

MAGAZINES!!

Magazines are inspiring and I DELIGHT in getting inspiration from these publications, each month! One problem, they can STACK UP in a hurry and, this turns into clutter.  FLAIR SOLUTION:  The FIRST time you sit down to look at it, (yes, to a NEW magazine!)- tear or cut out that great looking recipe, decorating idea, etc. File the page right then. Place a check mark in the top right corner cover. When the next issue arrives, throw out the one from the previous month- you can EASILY 'toss it' because you know that you already extracted your favorite ideas AND filed them.

I LOVE keeping pretty magazines in a stack beside a cozy chair in our family room. In the event  that a guest would like to browse through one, I know they are always current.