At Home with Kristy Seibert

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day from Starfish Cottage!

Do not forget to take a break today to pay tribute to our fallen soldiers..."freedom is not free"!

Easy Key Lime Pound Cake- (for Southern Hospitality Recipie Party)

 

I LOVE anything with Key Limes (maybe it's the Florida-Girl in me!)  Anyways, here is the easiest recipie you will ever find and one your friends and family will LOVE this summer...

 

Disclaimer: This is one of those totally annoying recipies with NO exact measurements...

Bake a regular pound cake (or- I promise not to tell- if you are in a hurry...BUY a pound cake from your local bakery!) 

Mix together sifted confectioners sugar with Key Lime Juice (again, I promise not to tell, if your market does not carry "Key Lime" juice, feel free to use regular lime juice). 

Just keep adding and mixing until the frosting reaches a thick, creamy white consistency- you won't need a lot of juice.

Pour frosting on top of the pound cake until it drips and oozes all over the platter (my favorite part).

Garnish with a twisted slice of lime and some fresh strawberries for color on the platter...enjoy!

 

make everyday special- kristy

I (heart) Key West...

I LOVE to take little "field trips" and visit quaint coastal shops, towns, restaurants, etc... (and living here on the West coast of Florida- there are an ABUNDANCE of great places to visit) but every April, my husband and I take one of my FAVORITE field trips of the year to sunny Key West, Florida.  Here are a few things I love about Key West...

1. Packing is a piece of cake- bathing suits, sundresses, flip flops, espidrilles and a big straw hat- that's about all you need to pack for Key West! (oh, don't forget the sunscreen and sunglasses, too).

2. Bicycles- preferred mode of transportation!

3. The Casa Marina Resort- our favorite place to stay!  (One of the few properties on Key West with a private beach).

4. Dinner at Louie's Backyard- stunning backporch dining ON the water.

5. Breakfast at Blue Heaven- the lobster eggs benedict are a MUST!

6. The Truman Annex- beautiful historic district PACKED with restored cottages.

7. Sunset at Mallory Square- street performers and vendors everynight!

8. A drink at Latitudes on Sunset Key- the most beautiful place I can imagine to see a sunset!

9. Kino's Sandal factory- pick up a pair of custom made-to-order flip flops!

10. Roosters and chickens that roam the streets. 

 

(more photos to come!)

...make EVERYDAY special...kristy

 

Lilly Pulitzer Inspired Tea Party!

Reposted for Tablescape Thursday for Between Naps on the Porch...

I know this post is a little late, but we had a really special time with my mom the day AFTER Mothers Day (she was in town).  The girls and I set up an afterschool Lilly-themed tea party!

 I used my new Lilly Pullitzer pink and green print runner (which my mom made for me!) and my pink and green teacups/teapot.  The centerpiece of the tea was a delicious Easy Key Lime Pound Cake- very Lilly- (recipie to follow later this week.)

We also added a simple platter of cheese, crackers and fruit, and we all enjoyed lemonade and tea!

 
 

We suprised my mom with a gift bag filled with little goodies, a "vase" of pink roses, and had a terrific time!

Make every day special- Kristy

Tin Can Arrangements

OK, so I LOVE to repurpose everyday, ordinary items and create something special and beautiful.  (You can find beauty in the most unusual places sometimes!)  Case in point...ordinary tin cans- thought I doubt they are made from tin anymore...you know, the cans you buy at the market with diced tomatoes or beans or canned vegetables.  Well I save them and use them as "vases" for small arrangements...

 

Here is a simple can tied with a beautiful ribbon and a bunch of white roses.

 

Another can tied with raffia and filled with parsley- perfect for a small centerpiece or gift!

 

This can I covered with decorative paper and a ribbon, filled with bright pink roses and gave to my mom for Mothers Day.

 

This last can I made for my daughter's 2nd Grade teacher- she can fill it with pens/pencils when no longer holding flowers!

The possibilites for these "tin cans" are endless- have fun and be creative!

make everyday special- kristy

Shared on French Country Cottage's Feathered Nest Friday

Thrift Store China Cabinet- for Southern Hospitality's "Thrifty Treasures"

 

By now you must know how I feel about French Provencal furniture, and all things vintage, and white dinnerware and serving pieces, and how I feel about getting a GREAT deal... so when I happened upon this beauty at my local thrift store- it was FATE!  For just $150 she was mine...as soon as I got her home, I went to work filling her shelves with white plates, platters and pitchers...as well as seashells and what else?  Starfish!  She looks right at home in my "French Country Coastal Cottage". 

 

...make every day special... kristy 

Front Door Basket- Late Spring/Early Summer 2011

In keeping with my Lilly Pulitzer-inspired decor, I recently updated my front door basket with a few bright orchid stems, palm fronds, tropical foilage and a welcoming starfish tied up with raffia.  I just love changing out my door basket with the seasons...although my neighbors must think I am a complete nut!  Oh well...

 

...make every day special...kristy 

Coastal Shutters...

 


I am always on the lookout for Coastal-inspired decor and just found these awesome shutters online.  Don't you love the custom "cut-out" design?  They come in a variety of designs, a rainbow of delicious colors and can be custom-made to your specifications!  I think they would be perfect for our future Starfish Cottage!  Jane Coslick is one of my favorite coastal designers/preservationists.  I am DYING to stay in one of her adorable Tybee Island, SC rental cottages. 

Here is the link to her website... Jane Coslick Coastal Shutters ...enjoy looking around!

...make every day special...kristy

Why I Love Lilly...

Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer, that is.  Ever since moving back to Florida several years ago, I have been mysteriously drawn to Lilly Pulitzer designs.  (This coming from a mostly "neutrals" gal- my wardrobe is primarily black, white, khaki and denim). Lilly's designs are the ANTITHESIS of my everyday look, and I think that is why they are so darn FUN to wear.  You can't help but feel lighter, brighter, happier and more care-free when wearing "A Lilly".  It feels like you are wearing a VACATION, if that is possible!?  "Lilly's" are bright, preppy, pretty, bohemian, artsy, tropical, fun, and ALWAYS recognizable.

Lilly has taught all of us not to take ourselves too seriously, DO what you love, WEAR what you love- don't be afraid to be bold and most of all have FUN!

With a new line of furniture and home furnishings debuting this summer HFI Brands, I have been inspired by Lilly this spring in my own home.  Not long ago, I purchased a few yards of a Lilly fabric online and had some pillows and a table linens made.  (I love changing my home seasonally and late spring/early summer is the BEST time to "break out the Lilly".)  Lilly's prints mixed with bright colors, white slipcovers, vintage accessories and tropical foilage have totally transformed and brightened Starfish Cottage!  Have a look...

 

 

 

 
 

...make every day special, kristy

One Thing Leads to Another...

Tell me if this has ever happened to you...you make one small purchase and it leads to another small purchase, and another and another...you get the idea?

So, recently I was inspired by the colorful designs of Flordia fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer...so I bought her colorful and oh-so-yummy cookbook, which led to some FABULOUS recipies and a MARGARITA or two...

Next, I purchased a couple of yards of a Lilly-print fabric on-line (blame it on those margaritas!) and had a pillow made...which led to a few other boldly colored pillows...

Which led to some hot pink orchid stems and a bowl of citrus fruit...

And my breakfast table looked so sad and plain, I had a small runner made from my leftover Lilly fabric to dress it up a little...

Which led to the fabulous lime green and white SEERSUCKER napkins- how cute AND preppy!

All of this is to say, that once you change one thing...EVERYTHING has to change it seems (so just be prepared!)

What "small" changes does YOUR home need right now?

 

...make every day special... kristy 

posted on Between Naps on the Porch's Metamorpheses Monday