Lavender Mosquito Spray

April showers bring May... bugs!

Summer is soon upon us and we all know what that means - mosquitos... But not to fear my friends, here is one of my favorite bug repellents. Brought to you by Lavande Farms, specializing in Lavender fields, the spray not only smells lovely, but it actually works.

Philosophy's Birthday Cake

For my husband's birthday I kept nagging him about what kind of cake he wanted. He, unlike me, does not have a sweet tooth, so finally one day he said, "Just make me that cake that's on your soap in the shower. The recipe actually sounds pretty good."

Of course, I shot him back a dubious look. Cake recipe from the shower? On soap, no less. What was he talking about? Was my dashier husband loosing his marbles already?

Well, turns out, once again for not the first time and what won't be the last time, my husband was more observant than me. While I hastily lathered clean each day with a soap that I thought was meant to smell like birthday cake, here he had noticed the product itself was only half the story. On the label was a recipe - kitchen lovers rejoice!

So, make the cake I did and it turns out that Philosophy not only provides lovely bath products, but fabulous recipes, too! Next up, Cinnamon buns....

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup margarine

1/4 cup cooking oil

3 cups sugar

5 eggs

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1/3 cup of water

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp butter flavoring

DIRECTIONS:

Combine flour and salt. Beat margarine, butter and oil for 30 sec. Add sugar; beat until fluffy. Add one egg at a time; beat for 1 minute after each. Combine milk, water and flavorings. Bake at 325 for 1 1/2 hours. Cool 15 mins. Remove from pan. Cool on wire rack.

The Green Jacket

It’s that time of year again: “A tradition unlike any other,” The Masters.

From Pimento Cheese sandwiches to the classic Caddie jumpsuits, there are many traditions at The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA.

Most notably of the traditions may be the 1st place grand prize, a Green Jacket awarded to the tournament winner. It's a classic three-button blazer not unlike the one men in my family have worn for generations to Sunday service and brunches. However, this one is the uniquely iconic Masters Green; well, the shade is called Pantone 342 to be exact.

Since 1967 Hamilton Tailoring Company of Ohio has produced the famously recognizable green blazer. But, the fabric is produced from a mill in Georgia, of course. In 1990 the head of Hamilton Tailoring bought a roll of 500 yards of fabric, enough to make 200 jackets. A smart investment if you ask me.

Fish out of Water

I got this cute oil and vinegar glass container at an adorable French boutique in Middleburg, VA.

Every time I use it, it just makes me smile.