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thou shall not covet...but oh I just can't help it

Just short and sweet today....I am dying for these girls....

Look out Vogue

I know it has been months since we have blogged about our online store, but trust me, LOTS of work has being going on behind the scenes (thanks to Hillman Ball).  We are getting closer and closer to our launch date. A few days ago, we had a super duper photo shoot in Rosemary Beach by one of our favorite photographers, Tommy Crow. 

Here is a little taste of attempt at being models!!! 

our on set security guard..he slept through most of it!

lots of loot on set to choose from...and wine and a little tequila for the nerves!!

By the way, if you haven't been by Tommy's studio in Rosemary, it's amazing. We are two lucky girls to have Tommy shoot us for our site.  I got to see the proofs today and he must have some kind of camera...they look fabulous. Can't wait to show all of you!!!! 

We also have to give a big thanks to Mindy and Shannon at Rolland's Salon in Seaside for our big hair and make-up!

 

 

 

my new boyfriend/husband shirt

While shopping for Kav's Christmas (probably on Christmas Eve) I grabbed a new shirt for myself (opps). I don't know about you other boutique store owners, but I LOATHE shopping. So it is rare for me to shop, outside of willow, and even more rare if it is for myself.

So here is my new shirt:

and I am OBSESSED with it. It came from good ole J.Crew. Think they also had a dark version like this:

but I went with the first option. It's soft and kinda worn and I got it a couple of sizes too big. I have almost worn the buttons off of it adready.  Obviously easy to just throw on with jeans and shorts, but here are a few different ways I have worn it:

under this with these jeans:

under a stripe sweater with a black blazer and some leather leggings and heels

with my wide-leg Hudson's tucked in and big brown leather belt. Yep all denim, but since they were very different shades (super light + super dark) and I broke them up with a big chunky belt and lots of gold bracelets, it looked cool.

(does that model on right look like a young kelly wearstler???)

and I can't wait to wear it with my Kenny shorts or these Ikat skinnies coming out this Spring. It is so simple chic with shorts, so go grab one, you won't regret it!

please excuse my misspelling...spell-check isn't workin

 

cozy toes obsession/ mukluks

Been waiting for this special delivery for months! Just in time for the cold front on the way,I just can't wait to get my toes in a new pair of these moccasins!!!!!!

muk·luk   (mklk) n. 1. A soft boot made and worn by Eskimos. 2. A slipper with a soft sole resembling this boot. (Antarctica or the beach, right?)

Come check them out this week while you're Thanksgiving shopping...they won't be around long.

(apparantly I'm not alone..these things are sold out everywhere)

Remember when UGGS where everywhere??? Maybe you wanted some but couldn't find them or thought they would be too trendy and you bought the knock-offs?? Well you quickly found out, there is nothing like the real thing. You may find some copycats of these, but they will just not be the same. 

Come slip your toes in these at Willow.....see you soon!! xx -celia.

Turkey Day menu block???...here ya go!!!!

 

Only a few days left until that one day of the year when we (maybe) don't count calories and allow ourselves to have a nap in the middle of the day and not keep it a secret!!!  Kav and I traveled south (yep south of our beach), to another beach, Naples, to spend an early Thanksgiving with his family. I love Thanksgiving and have always been a HUGE volunteer in the kitchen.....to clean only!! Never have I been much of a fixture at the ole stove for cooking. So Kav thought I had a fever when I volunteered to cook Thanksgiving ALL BY MYSELF for his family. 

Well if you know me, once I've said I'm going to do something...I'm gonna do it. So I was in deep trouble. I turned to the trusty Southern Living in the airport on the way down and picked out the menu below. Not to give myself a pat on the back, but OH MY GOSH, it was delicious. My favorite was the Creole Dressing and Crannberry Salsa and Kav's fav was the Collard Greens, Squash Casserole and turkey (he said it was a 3-way tie). 

Everyone had a fav, but I "think" they loved it all. We had a tiny bit of dressing left over and that was it. And no one got food posioning today. The Tucker's have decided to keep me around. 

So IF I CAN COOK AN ENTIRE THANKSGIVING DINNER ALL BY MYSELF....ANYONE CAN!!!!!!!! (print out these recipes...promise you won't regret it) 

Good Luck and Happy Eating. xoxox -celia

APPLE-BOURBON TURKEY & GRAVY

• 4 cups apple juice
• 1 cup bourbon
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 (12- to 15-lb.) whole fresh turkey*
• Cheesecloth
• Kitchen string
• 4 celery ribs
• 4 large carrots
• 3 small apples, quartered or halved
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional)

Preparation

• 1. Stir together apple juice and next 2 ingredients, stirring until sugar dissolves.
• 2. Remove giblets and neck from turkey, and rinse turkey with cold water. Drain cavity well; pat dry. Place turkey in a large roasting pan. Dip cheesecloth in apple juice mixture. Wring dry. Cover turkey with cheesecloth; pour apple juice mixture over cheesecloth, coating completely. Cover and chill 12 to 24 hours, basting occasionally with marinade.
• 3. Preheat oven to 325°. Remove turkey from pan, discarding cheesecloth and reserving 3 cups marinade. Sprinkle cavity with desired amount of salt; rub into cavity. Sprinkle desired amount of salt and freshly ground pepper on skin; rub into skin. Tie ends of legs together with string; tuck wingtips under.
• 4. Arrange celery and next 3 ingredients in a single layer in bottom of roasting pan. Place turkey, breast side up, on celery mixture; pour reserved marinade over turkey in pan.
• 5. Bake at 325° for 3 hours and 15 minutes to 4 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion of thigh registers 165°, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices and shielding with aluminum foil after 2 hours and 30 minutes to prevent excessive browning, if necessary. Remove from oven, and let stand 30 minutes.
• 6. Transfer turkey to a serving platter, reserving 2 1/2 cups pan drippings. Pour reserved drippings through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a large measuring cup, discarding solids.
• 7. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Gradually add drippings, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring mixture occasionally, 5 minutes or until gravy thickens. Add up to 1/2 cup chicken broth for desired consistency, if desired. Stir in salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve turkey with warm gravy.
• *Frozen whole turkey, thawed, may be substituted. 

CREOLE CORNBREAD DRESSING

Ingredients

• 1 (12-oz.) package andouille sausage, chopped
• 8 green onions, thinly sliced
• 3 large celery ribs, diced
• 1 large sweet onion, diced
• 1 medium-size green bell pepper, diced
• Cornbread Crumbles
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 (8-oz.) package fresh mushrooms, diced
• 1 cup dry sherry
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cups chopped toasted pecans
• 2 tablespoons Creole seasoning
• 2 (14-oz.) cans low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 large eggs

Preparation

• 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Sauté andouille sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Add green onions and next 3 ingredients, and sauté 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; stir in Cornbread Crumbles.
• 2. Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat; add mushrooms, and sauté 3 minutes. Add sherry, and cook, stirring often, 5 to 6 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half; stir in parsley. Stir mushroom mixture, toasted pecans, and Creole seasoning into cornbread mixture.
• 3. Whisk together chicken broth and eggs; add to cornbread mixture, stirring gently just until moistened. Divide mixture between 1 lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish and 1 lightly greased 8-inch square baking dish.
• 4. Bake dressing at 350° for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown.

GREEN BEANS WITH CARAMELIZED SHALLOTS

Ingredients

• 2 pounds haricots verts (tiny green beans), trimmed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound shallots, halved lengthwise and peeled
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Preparation

• 1. Cook green beans in boiling salted water to cover 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge beans into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain.
• 2. Melt butter and brown sugar with olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add shallots, and sauté 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, add vinegar, and sauté 10 minutes or until shallots are golden brown and tender.
• 3. Increase heat to medium-high; add green beans, and sauté 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

WILD RICE WITH MUSHROOMS

Ingredients

• 2 (6-oz.) packages long-grain and wild rice mix
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 large sweet onion, diced
• 12 ounces assorted fresh mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup Marsala
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

• 1. Prepare rice mix according to package directions.
• 2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add onion, and sauté 7 minutes or until golden. Add mushrooms and salt; sauté 4 to 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Add Marsala, and sauté 3 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Stir mushroom mixture and parsley into prepared rice.

CRANBERRY SALSA

Ingredients

• 1 (12-oz.) package fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 navel orange, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and coarsely chopped
• 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped crystallized ginger
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

• 1. Pulse cranberries in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a bowl.
• 2. Pulse orange zest and next 5 ingredients in food processor 3 to 5 times or until orange, ginger, and pepper are finely chopped. Stir into cranberries; cover and chill 2 to 24 hours.

SQUASH CASSEROLE

COLLARD GREENS

For the squash casserole and collard greens, I used  secret family recipes, so you're on you own here!

And wash it all down with this yummy twist on a regular-ole mimosa:

CLEMENTINE SPARKLER

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups cava or other sparkling wine, chilled
• 3/4 cup fresh clementine juice, chilled
• Clementine slices (optional)

Preparation

• 1. Combine cava and juice. Garnish with clementine slices, if desired.

and even Annabelle made a new bestie...

(thanks SL...my first Turkey Day menu...for brand new family..off without a hitch)

 

kickin it old school Panama Jack

While I am taking a little trip away from my beach to spend some actual time relaxing on another beach, I started to think about all the "beach ware" you had to "wear" way back when.  Even before you HAD to have a Bud and Alleys tee, your first pair of Ray Bans, sex wax (for your surf board that you didn't have), Hog's Breath Tee, Sun-In in your hair, Hard Rock Tee, eat at Fudpuckers and The Back Porch, Body Glove swimsuits and all the other must have 80's fashion don'ts, you had to have a Panama Jack tee. 

Whoever even knew why? I didn't, but I wore one with pride. I'm sure if was 3 sizes too big and the short sleeves came down past my elbows, but I rocked, probably with my velcro Pony's! haha 

Well I've gone back to old PJ...not a tee, but what they are really known for..hats! 

Here is the one I bought:

I mean how cool does he look in one of the orginal PJ hats...Mine is perfect, not too much like a fedora and yet can be rolled up for flying.

I found an article below...just to solidify how cool the PJ Hat can be, but if you find yourself spending over $150 for one....shame on you! Mine was around $60 and does the job just perfectly!

 

Consider the Panama Hat.

It’s the perfect tropical accomplice, a mesh of finely woven straw designed to protect you from the sun without interfering with any nearby breezes. Obsessives have been known to drop up to 35 grand for the perfect one, but just finding it takes a good deal of legwork. Luckily, we’re here to help.

The most important thing is where your hat was made. The best ones come from Ecuador (the “Panama” thing is a misnomer from the canal-building days), either Cuenca or Monticristi. By definition, Panama Hats are woven by hand from toquilla straw, which only grows in the coastal mountains of Ecuador—so most of the weaving happens in Cuenca, the most accessible city in the mountain region. If you find a Panama in a European millinery house likeBorsalino or Lock & Co., it was most likely woven in Cuenca.

Monticristi, on the other hand, is where the artisanal magic happens…and where you’ll find yourself paying enough money to buy a car. It’s home to a dozen or so master weavers, each of whom can spend weeks or even months on perfecting a single hat. Our pick from the high end is Simon Espinal (you can find him through Brent Black), who wove together that $35,000 model we mentioned earlier.

One more perk of a top-shelf hat: If you get one in the Optimo shape, you’ll be able to roll it up. That means you can stow the hat in a slim box for your flight to the tropics and pop it seamlessly back into shape the moment you leave the airport. Granted, it will have a less-than-crisp look the next time you wear it (and after 20 years, the wear can add up), but we’ve never shied away from a little wear and tear.

And if you wanted to tuck a few feathers into the ribbon, we wouldn’t complain.

—N.B.

 

Red Hot Lips

Just like all of us girls (if you say not you, you are telling a fib), I have always wanted to rock some seriously red lips...like Miss Anne H does so well.

So I decided to be daring...really daring, and try to give it a go on my wedding day!!! Ekkkkk! I went to Saks and told the girls I was a challenge; not only am I extrmemly critical (esp of myself), but every single lipstick shade turns pink on me. And I hate pink!

Sure enough ... pink, pink, pink! Now I have the girl from Laura Mercier, Trish, Dior, Channel, Guerlin and Mac in the running. Finally a sweet and talented girl from Bobbi brown made her best attempt. I loved it! Not so sure that Kav did, but I rocked it anyway. Not quite like Anne, but I gave it my best.

Ok girls, if I can do it, you can do it...try this shade, Bobbi Brown Burnt Red #9. Looks great on all my friends. Go belly up to the makeup counter, maybe after a glass of wine at lunch, and get your red on. Perfect for fall and when your skin gets a little, well, pale!

Oh, and I put Dior Lip Maximizer in Dior color 001 over the Bobbi Brown.  Perfect combo. Expensive little pair, but it's the price we pay for beauty.

I know what you are thinking...it's pink, but it is just clear-ish. Now I am off to find some Hot Tamales..can't get them off my mind. yummmmmmmmmmmm

 

Feelin the love.....

A couple of Saturdays ago, our dear beach friends threw us a party. It was perfect; from the gorgeous invitations designed by Morgan's sis-in-law to the beautiful setting on the 18th hole at Shark's Tooth Clubhouse, to the acoustic music, the yummy food, beautiful flowers and ALL of the many friends who came to celebrate with us.

Kav and I feel truly blessed and so loved. Thanks to all the wonderful hosts:

Cindy & Bryan Krutz, Morgan & Will Palmer, Michele & Dale Armstrong, Paige Daugherty, Anna & Jason Comer, Krissi & John Finch, Memori & Brian Spence, Stacey & Reynolds Henderson, Candace & Jamey Price, Shelly & Jim Rode, Katie & Cary Humber, Amy & John Giles

( I mean...that list above is a pretty good party alone!!!!!)

More pics later. 

Thanks to all that came, all who hosted and a special thanks to you who gave toasts...very touched by your words.  We love and cherish all of your friendships.

-Celia & Kav

oh, lots of you asked about my dress..it was on loan from 12th Street/Cynthia Vincent, but we just got some in at Willow in Rosemary yesterday. To die for!! (gotta throw something fashion in there, right?)

 

 

 

{Tres TULUM}

I recently got to go on a much needed vacation.

Now that all of 30a is gearing up for all you spring breakers 2011, all I can think about is how much I want to be back on my very own beach get-away.

This is where I went:

Here is TULUM, MEXICO...and it is fabulous!!!!

Here on 30a (Rosemary, Dune Allen, Blue Mtn, Seaside, Watercolor, etc), many people think we have one of the prettiest white sandy beaches in the world. I happen to be one of those believers, but Tulum gives us a pretty good run for our money.

Having never been to Tulum, I packed for a typical Carribean-ish vacation. Sundresses, silk tops, cover-ups and bathing suits. As we turned onto the beach front road of Tulum, I quickly realized all the silk stuff was just taking up room in my suitcase when I should have put more tees and shorts. 

Tulum is an eco-friendly very raw bohemian beach town. Super cool yet casual, and the most amazing food and drinks I have ever had. 

Most of the restaurants were open air like this one, Hartwood. Wood burning stoves and everything freshly picked from the garden that day. Here I had a watermelon jalapeno margarita. Yummmm

Sunrise...I caught it every morning. It was breath taking.

One of the Mayan Ruins. We climbed to the top...over 13 stories. Coming down was even scarier. 

Little Taco!!

Came home with some hammocks..not sure why, but they are everywhere.

This was the most scared I have been in a LONG time. I had to jump into that water above, after walking through the jungle, passing a Mayan with a machete and no telling what other creatures I stepped on in my Rainbows...eekkkkk!

But once you are in and swim a little ways....it is magical

Great book....Keith Richards "Life"

My fav restaurant. 

If you are thinking chips and salsa..it's Mexico..Nope, this is what they brought even before we ordered.

So what did I wear:

Love Sam tops with shorts were perfect for day or night.

Tibi Swim 2011 is so cute.

Patterson J Kincaid dresses were ideal

Vince denim shorts

James Perse tees & tanks

House of Harlow wedges..only 1 night

Cocobelle sandals

Such a wonderful trip. If you have the chance..go to Tulum. Pack light; lots of bathing suits. And beware, most people aren't wearing anything on the beach. 




 

A little A.L.C. on this TGIF...

Not sure where are you readers are, but I am betting it is cold there too! Just thought I would share some pretties for spring when the warm weather decides to get here.

How gorgeous is this outfit? If this isn't effortlessly chic, I don't know what is. Must have for spring...long skirts.

Celia wish list = A.L.C. long skirt, LOVE!!

Now that I have all of you daydreaming about St. Barths or just good ole Rosemary Beach FLA, remember to check out A.L.C's spring and summer collection. It really is that line you can throw on and walk out the door and look so chic and cool. Don't forget to get some long skirts for spring 11'; yep they are back!!

Have a great weekend all bundled up in your fleece and ca$hmere.

SILKS--SPRING--SOON