Who are you?

I Am Naked......

My new perfume! I love it. This year is off to a wonderful start, and I have a new product that I could hardly wait to tell everyone about. I returned my from quick road trip on yesterday, and I shared on Monday that Vogue Pilates in Ridgeland, Mississippi, carries the "I Am" perfume line by Danica Aromatics. The eleven fragrances have fun names such as: "I Am Wild", "I Am Rich", "I Am Hot", "I Am Real". In addition, there is a diverse variation of scents. There is a fragrance for just about everyone. Of course, I had a difficult time deciding which ones to buy, as I liked just about all of them! So I bought a few. This week, I am wearing, "I am Naked", the description on the box says, "Floral Oriental. I am a natural woman. Aglow in moonlight, radiant as the sun. Removing my veil, I am perfect just as I am. Clothed in my true colors. I am naked." The ingredients are described as: Clean bergamot, sheer melon, gardenia, rose and earthy vetivert. I would describe the price point of the "I Am" fragrances as low-moderate. A great value for the price. There are very handy purse size roll-ons available for sale - these make great little gifts. Check out Danica Aromatics, Inc. website here: www.iamdanica.com or under "Lovelee Things".

Proposals, Pilates and Products (What a combo!)

I mentioned a few days ago that my cousin, Dewain and her fiance, Irvin Williams were selected by Essence Magazine as finalists in the Essence Magazine "Will You Marry Me" contest. Voting has begun and I would appreciate if you guys would support them by casting your vote. Dewain and Irvin will be on the Today Show on Valentines Day of this year, along with the other finalists, when the winning couple will be announced.

I have been hired to design the wedding, which will take place in New Orleans on December 18, 2010. They are going to have a 'winter wonderland' theme, and everything will be SUPER luxurious and ultra glam!!! I will keep you guys posted on the details and give a peak into the wedding design details soon. I have enjoyed all of the couples that have had the honor and pleasure of working with, but this wedding will be extra special for me, not only because Dewain is one of my favorite cousins, but also because both Dewain and Irvin are very creative. Irvin gave Dewain a fabulous Tiffany & Co. themed, 40th birthday party last September, where no stone was left unturned. (There are photos from the birthday party on the Essence magazine website under their profile.) Irvin has worked in the fine catering and service industries for many years, Dewain has an impeccable sense of style and I adore the details - this one is gonna be good kids...hold on to your hats! I'm really looking forward to working with them both. Remember to click on the following site and vote! http://www1.essence.com/packages/willyoumarryme. Thanks in advance.

Also, today I am leaving for a bit of a road trip. My first one of the year! I'm looking forward to the opportunity to sit back and ride, take in the scenery and draw design inspiration from all that I see. I will be going to Jackson, Mississippi via the Natchez Trace Parkway (rather than the interstate). I'm going to have lunch with my dear friend, Reesheda Carter, owner of Vogue Pilates Studio in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Reesheda is not only very knowledgeable and experienced in several Pilates methods, but her studio has great products, some of which are sold exclusively at her studio, including the 'I Am Danica' perfume line, fun wrap tops and Pilates and Yoga apparel, and yummy smelling custom candles. I LOVE products! I'm sure I will return with a much lighter wallet. Check out the Vogue Pilates website as well, they take phone orders for products. I will post pictures as soon as I arrive.

Have a great first Monday of the New Year!

Nikki

Thou Shall Not Covet....

It's so hard not to covet these absolutely gorgeous keys from Tiffany & Co. I am loving these! And, evidently so does everyone else because right now, they are sold out. The Tiffany & Co. key collection is all that is fabulous! They have such a detail and sort of vintage look and feel to them. I would love to design a wedding with or a party with a cool "key to my heart" theme. Oh, and the tenth commandment actually says something about coveting your neighbors "wife, house, male servant, female servant, ox or donkey".....nothing about their Tiffany keys!

Resolutions? Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)

Happy New Year and Happy New Decade! I am very excited about the new year, and all of the new possibilities that come with it. I want to share a few things with everyone that I am currently going absolutely lady Gaga over!

First Lovelee thing of the New Year: "The Encyclopedia of Cajun & Creole Cuisine" by Chef John D. Folse. One of my very best and dear friends purchased this book sometimes last year. Every time that I am in her kitchen, I find myself thumbing through what is truly a huge encyclopedia of Cajun and Creole culinary mastery. The book is so much more than a cookbook, it is filled with history, stories, entire menu selections for large gatherings and intimate dinners. The photography is stunning, and the recipes are easy to follow. Much to my surprise and delight, Lawren purchased me my very own copy of the book! I'm thrilled. And today, for New Years Day dinner, I made my very first recipe from the book, it is Leah Chase's "Gumbo Des Herbes", which translated means "Gumbo of Herbs". An absolutely delicious twist on any other gumbo like seafood or chicken and sausage, but with many wonderful and fresh greens, such as turnips, mustards, collards, cabbage, spinach, beet tops, carrot tops. As per the recipe, I also added salt and pork meats along with a few shrimp. Can I tell you the pot is empty!! Again, a wonderful addition and twist on traditional New Years Day Cabbage. The book also makes a creative and thoughtful gift for any historian, cook or photography fan that you may know.

"Sippin' on Syrup"

As a few of you know, I am currently working on a coffee table/lifestyle reference book on my own. Since I have been working on the book, I have had the pleasure of visiting some really cool places in and around South Louisiana with my photographer, Sean Griffin. At the beginning of December we went down River Road almost exactly between Baton Rouge and New Orleans to Oak Alley Plantation for Mint Juleps. I am a sucker for a great cocktail, and I had been told that Oak Alley has some of the best Mint Juleps. Mint Juleps are a cocktail that are typically associated with the Southern United States. I would imagine that their association with the South stems from the fact that sugar is a primary ingredient of the mixture. The traditional Mint Julep consists of only four ingredients: Mint, Sugar, Water and Bourbon. A fresh mint spring is typically used as a garnish for the drink. Debra Mahey and her husband own the Plantation and live there too, (which I thought was really cool). Debra was a delight to work with, Sean and I, were practically given the run of the place and were able to get lots of great pics, which of course will be posted in the book. And the Mint Juleps did not disappoint! :) If you are ever looking for a cool little ride, and an even cooler drink at the other end - Oak Alley is the place to find it. The setting is gorgeous and serene, the scenery is so incredible that Beyonce filmed a video for a song from her last album there, and did the cd sleeve pictures from her "B Day" album, on the grounds. Many movies are regularly filmed there too. Tours are available daily, and there is even a neat gift shop and restaurant. Their website is http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/. I've decided to post a very simple and easy recipe for Mint Juleps, if you don't have a chance to visit Oak Alley, perhaps you can make your own.

Mint Julep Recipe

What you need:

About 20 Fresh Mint Leaves

2 tsp. Sugar or Simple Syrup or Simple Mint Syrup

2 to 3 oz. good Bourbon

Lots of crushed ice

How you do it:

1. Put mint leaves and sugar in Mint Julep cup or similar old fashioned glass.

2. Mix by stirring together the leaves and the sugar until the sugar dissolves. (Don't get discouraged, even though this is not an easy task the sugar and mint do come together in a wonderful and fragrant mixture.

3. Add Bourbon, and stir. Fill the glass with the crushed ice.

4. Garnish with the additional mint. Serve immediately and enjoy.

"Even More That's Lovelee"

Also last month, Sean and I had a chance to go to the Grapevine restaurant in Donaldsonville, LA. I love this place! Again, totally lady Gaga over it! Grapevine is a cafe and an art gallery! Superb food and stunning art work in one place. What more can one ask for. Cynthia Schneider is one of the owners and the chef. She is a total gem! Again, if you are ever in the area - you won't be disappointed. Turtle soup is on the menu everyday! And my most favorite dish that they make is the Crabmeat Stuffed Eggplant Wheels (it is topped with crawfish or crabmeat au gratin!!!) Warning: don't try and adhere to your New Years diet when you go there! I've included some of the pictures of the gallery and dining room. It's a great place to host a dinner party or shower.

As I close on this, the end of the first day of the new year I have to mention some great family news: I am so excited for my cousin, Dewain Lee and her fiance, Irvin Williams. They have been selected out of thousands of couples as finalists in the Essence Magazine, "Will You Marry Me" contest! This is very special news for them. And I want to wish them many congratulations. The winners will be announced on the Today Show on NBC, where they will be appearing with the other three finalist couples! Congratulations Dewain and Irwin, I love you both! I will post more info next week on how everyone can vote online for them. And, there is no limit to how many times you can vote for them! (hint, hint)

Finally, if you are wondering about the title of this post, I started off thinking I would be rather wordy and philosphical about the new year and keeping resolutions and promises to ourselves, and I listened to words of the song, "Que Sera" by Doris Day. I realize that on this, the first day of a new year - truer words have not been spoken!

Until next time, stay Lovelee and inspired!

Super Louis IV Chairs for under $100

One of my very best bff's, Lawren Taylor, and I are in the process of decorating she and her hubbys first new home. Moving into your first house as a couple can be exciting and challenging. How do you combine your things with his things, and incorporate new pieces that reflect the both of you without having your place look like Sandford and Son? Lawren and I have been working to pull together her new home to reflect both she and her husbands tastes and style. We don't have long because there is a new baby on the way in a few short months. In less than a week, we have traveled to Lafayette and New Orleans, while searching Baton Rouge area furniture and accessory stores too. There is so much to be done - fabrics and curtains, dining room, living room, tables, sofas, rugs...I digress - it will all get done. I wanted to share with you all what I believe to be our "steal of the month". Right outside New Orleans, in Metairie, off of Veterans Road, is one of my favorite LOVELEE places, Rennaisance Interiors. It is an upscale furniture consignment store, where I have yet to go in and not find the perfect little something (whether I personally need it or not). Last week, Lawren and I went to Renaissance looking for a dining room table and parsons chairs, which we did not find. But what we did find are these fabulous chairs, and they were only $95 each! Can you believe? She is going to have the chairs re-uphostered to coordinate with the Bernhardt sofas that she ordered, and the drapes that she is having made. I will post pictures as soon as the chairs are recovered. I was so excited about this find, I wanted to share it with you.

If you are in need of any furniture, even if you aren't, Renaissance is a great store to visit. The staff is friendly and very helpful, and there are delightful treats around every corner. If you are looking for something specific be sure and check back regularly as they get new inventory every day! You can find their website under LOVELEE Places.

Smells like.....

My new favorite perfume line. Bond No. 9. I discovered the Bond No. 9 fragrances a few years ago during a stroll through Saks Fifth Avenue in New Orleans. The Bond No. 9 collection is 34 men's, women's and unisex eaux de parfums. The 34 scents represent various uptown, downtown and midtown upscale New York locations. The artistry behind the concept is cool, the scents are simply delicious! The specific fragrance that I've been wearing this summer is called Astor Place. I was happy to learn that KiKi in Perkins Rowe carries Bond No. 9 in Baton Rouge, and Lafayette, at the River Ranch Store. At a retail price of $145 for 50 ml, and $220 for 100 ml, to smell like a Bond No. 9 girl isn't cheap...but is anything really good ever really cheap? The great thing is that it doesn't take much more than a spray per wrist to make an impact. Bond No. 9 fragrances are sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue and possibly at small boutiques and specialty shops in your area (see KiKi in Perkins Rowe, Baton Rouge; or KiKi in River Ranch, Lafayette, LA). There are also four Bond No. 9 stores in New York City. I can't wait to have a fall visit to Manhattan. Bond No. 9 is at the top of my tourist list! Check out the Bond No. 9 website under LOVELEE Things.

Coastal Chic Wedding for under $5,000

Exactly one year ago this month, I had the honor of designing and planning the wedding of Kim Porter and Derrick Wilson, a couple from Baton Rouge, LA. When Kim and Derrick contacted me, we had exactly 4 months to plan the wedding. The couple wanted to have a beachfront wedding and a reception that would accommodate 40 guests. Given the short time frame, a five thousand dollar budget and a location where I had no contacts - I had my work cut out for me. Close proximity to water was high on Kim and Derrick's priority list, as far as location. With time constraints, and budget guidelines, I quickly decided that the best location was the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In less than a 2 hour drive, we found the most serene setting on a stretch of white sand in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, with a rustic and chic setting that was perfect for the ceremony. There wasn't time to order formal bridesmaids gowns, so I started searching for off-the-rack white linen dresses, and I found the most perfect and dainty white ones from Old Navy (for $20 each). The town of Ocean Springs, quickly became of one my favorite among a string of coastal cities that had been battered by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Ocean Springs is very artsy but still very "Mayberry", Main Street is adorned with cute shops, galleries, and restaurants. After only 3 visits to Ocean Springs, and lunch at 3 restaurants - we decided on Al Fresco Italian Bistro for the reception. Again, with very little time for planning and going over the menu details repeatedly - the management and staff at Al Fresco was extremely accommodating and more than a delight to work with. The food was fabulous, atmosphere absolutely "Saturday Afternoon Sophisticated". This wedding was one of my favorites because it exemplified the best in entertaining on a budget. If you are in the Ocean Springs area, be sure and check out Al Fresco for lunch or dinner. Their website address can be found under "LOVELEE Places".