2009 June

Tracy Porter Video: In recognition of all magpies… a jewelry drawer reorganization

Do tell me it has happened to you too? You know, your jewelry drawer starts to look more like the junk drawer from your mudroom (now I am just praying you all have junk drawers?). I know you know I am the queen magpie, a stasher of sorts, a squirrel, a pack rat… yes… all that. If it is shiny or feathery or stringy or glittery or… quite frankly any texture at all… I keep it. Sick… but true. My jewelry drawer is made up of stuff I have had since I started shopping vintage in my teens. Then we designed our own jewelry, so that’s now layered in. I don’t own anything of much monetary value as jewelry goes, more pull at your heart strings sort of stuff. I know I have shared with you that I have always told John from day one… No jewelry gifts for me… Trees, yes… Boxwoods, indeed… More animals, surely. No fancy jewelry. Maybe at some point in my life that tune’ll change…… who knows. For now I like my mish~mash of fun stuff!

Well now that we’ve shared all that… and you know my jewelry drawer was all a-shambles and in need of some serious TLC… I’ll be on with it. I had this thought about how pretty it all is, and then it’s all tangled up in that sorry drawer, really… shame on me. I am always wanting to pull the “pretty”out of the drawers… so I did. Check out the fun twist in our video… Mine is an armoire in our bedroom, now all decked out with found objects from our home… Where will you put yours?

A few thoughts to consider…

* Small statues or sculptures are great for necklaces… Have anything from your garden that you could use?

* Bracelets are spectacular in a big silver bowl.

* Teacups or other small pantry dishes are ideal for rings, brooches and the like.

* Lamps… always try to squeeze a small lamp into your vignette.

* Be inspired by a fanciful, extraordinary woman… I keep thinking, what would Coco do?

Kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter

Dream delicious!

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Tracy Porter Video: Art Under Glass

Don’t you think… that anything at all, captured under glass… seems to take on more of a dreamy air?! A bit like a treasure, I suppose. There it is, suspended for eternity… safe and lovely. Paperweights have always been something to fancy in my book… I’ve always admired, collected, and even hand-made them. I love that sometimes the simplest image can become extraordinary when anchored under a heavy little slab of glass. A few of my favorite ideas for you to consider for your own little gems…

* Sepia-tone photos

* Artwork or photos taken from magazine pages

* The backside of a vintage postcard… stamps and all…

* Artwork from children

* A love note, a poem, a sonnet from your sweet…

* A loose page from a beautiful book

* Images from the covers of all those greeting cards you just can’t part with… I know you do this too!!

* An oversized monogram… oh, I do love it!!

* Embellish the tops if you’re feeling really inspired… baubles, tattered trimmings, vintage jewelry…

Kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter

Dream delicious!

tracy porter Lively Graphic Modern Shirt

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Tracy Porter Video: My passion for flowers

Extraordinary from ordinary… it’s just my thing, I guess… You know me… always looking for yet another outlet to mess around and be creative. Flowers. Glorious flowers… Such an indulgence… so simple… so simply divine. Allow a beautiful sprig of posies to be transformed into wonderfulness… No magic wand required…

A few tips to lusciousness…

* perfume bottles
* teacups… I do love them so…
* a box, a basket, a bowl, or urn
* secret ingredient: Spanish moss darlings, Spanish moss…
* a spot of water…
* …and a heart filled with beauty

Kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter

Dream delicious!

tracy porter Auguste Coq Salad Plates, Set of 4 Red

tracy porter Malu Seagrass Baskets Set of Two

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Labels: more Tracy Porter, nature's inspirations

Tracy Porter Video: Do You Ever serve veggies in your ramekins?

Do you ever serve vegetable side dishes in your little sturdy ceramic ramekins?! Its the only way we function in the Porter household with four busy boys. Easy, easy, easy!!! Everyone has their perfect portion and each of the kids feels like its a special treat (since its not just another scoop of something on their plate). In the morning, we serve fresh fruit salad the same way. I actually think it tastes sweeter when you get to eat out of a petite little ramekin! No fuss. Easy to serve special treat for everyone. And why not?!!!

Don’t you want to live life as beautifully as you can..(I sure do)?! Sometimes its the simple little things that make the experience more delicious!

Kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter

Dream delicious!

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Williams-Sonoma Ramekins

tracy porter Botanica Set of Four Soup Bowls

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Tracy Porter Gardening Video: Easy Container Gardening Tips!

Container gardening is one of my favorite ways to garden. Easy, fun, and allows for creativity to flourish!

I love that each season my containers can change along with the temperature. Heat-loving herbs, flowers, branches, evergreens. Such a treat to have options!

I had to share with you a marvelous tip that I’ve fully-embraced this year. You see, our beloved country property is blessed with windy conditions most days. For years, I tucked colorful annual flowers into all of my containers only to see them get snapped off and dried-up during the first warm breaths of summer. My creative challenge has now become a new passionate solution. Lavender, darlings!!! Lavender!! I love lavender. I have it tucked in and about my gardens. But never before have I nestled it into containers! Rapture! Easy and beautiful. They don’t need to be watered twice a day like petunias. And they crave the sun and heat (more time for me to be barefoot with the kids)!!

Sweet lavender kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter

Dream with your eyes open!!

Tracy Porter’s Tips on Container Gardening
- Pick a size that’s right for you…find a color and shape you adore!!
- Think about year-round durability when purchasing a container… Find one made out of a resin/cement mix
- Take the wind into factor when choosing your plant…choose something you love that won’t bend or break off…
- Lavender… lovely, small, easy to grow, delectably scented bliss
- You don’t need to keep it outside all year round… drag it in and flank your fireplace!
- Indulge in the low-maintenance beauty…. enjoy the extra time to frolic in the sun

Shop Items We Love to Buy!!

Fiskars Power-Lever Bypass Pruner

Glaze Resin Planter

Alan Titchmarsh How to Garden: Container Gardening

Ashley Antique White Finish Tall Pedestal

tracy porter Spot-on Sneakers: Red Plaid With Patent Leather

tracy porter Alice Blue Velvet Hoodie With Ribbon Trim

tracy porter Felicitous Red Patterned Tank

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Tracy Porter Inspiration Fascination Video: A fresh summer purse for you!

Girls! Isn’t it time to freshen-up that summer purse?! We find ourselves with bruised shoulders and weary souls…as we tend to lug treasures from six months ago around with us everyday…how barbaric!!! Where’s the fresh summertime fashion in that?!!

So alas, Sarah and I fish through our cluttered purses and pull out all of our essential summertime goodies with you. Everything a girl needs to look and feel smolderingly-fabulous inside and out!!

Now, get busy, dump out all the untidiness…and refine your summer repertoire (such a needed accessory with bare feet and dreamy afternoons..)

Kisses,

Tracy & Sarah

Tracy Porter

Embrace the sweetness of Life!

Tracy & Sarah’s Tips for Freshening-up Your Purse

Clear a spot & dump all the chaos from your winter purse…let’s see what’s inside!
Grab a bright summer tote & be ready to load up some fresh ideas…
Include the key essentials…
- lip gloss & chap stick…can’t live without it!!
- organizer & cute wallet for foreign travel…dream of getting away!!
- a bag full of goodies – zip lock bag, Kleenex…fresh pack, perfume….sample size works great, Advil, SPF 60 sunblock…perfect for the kids or fair skin, disinfectant wipes….a must-have for moms & travel, lotion, travel-size makeup, mints or gum….whatever you prefer, Eau du Sarah (i.e. Benadryl spray)…to zap those itchy bug bites!
- Pony tail holder
- Jewelry
- Phone & small video camera for capturing on-the-go moments!
- Shades!!
Don’t forget the odd-balls
- Clippers, nippers, or scissors…for Sarah’s weed cutting fetish on the go!!
- Clear folder with pens, pencils & paper….a pretty folder to keep the good parts of life… a magazine clipping…important papers…a must-have for Tracy!!
Keep it simple….keep it fresh…

Shop Items We Love to Buy!!

Filofax Cuban Zip Brown Personal Organizer

Tracy Porter Mediterranean Tote In Green Nylon With Buttons

Tracy Porter Fanciful Blue Stretch Silk Shirt

Tracy Porter Cultured Sleeveless Top In Brown Metallic Stretch

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Tracy Porter Fashion Video: Versatility is the spice of life!

Whether shopping or designing… I’m ever-craving versatility in everything I touch. After all, a girl needs to know that a favorite piece can become anything and everything!!! My questions are simple and truly help me decide if a splendid piece of fashion can be as versatile as I need it to be: Can I dress it up; dress it down… can I wear it alone or over jeans…. will it look darling with a snappy pair of heels; and just as fun with colorful flip-flops? Cost-per-wear darlings!!! Make sure that you’ll love it today… and have plenty of tricks up your sleeves to ensure that you can wear it again, and again!!

Happy girl…. Happy wardrobe!!!

Kisses,
T.

Tracy Porter

Embrace the Sweetness of Life

Shop Items We Love to Buy!!

High Fashion Sewing Secrets from the World’s Best Designers

Kuna White Baby Alpaca Throw

The Handbook of Style

tracy porter Ethereal White Cotton Shirtdress

tracy porter Platinum Silver Slide Sandal Metallic Leather

tracy porter Agean Bracelet In Gold With Blue Onyx

tracy porter Ginger Capri Pants In Orange With Side Pockets

tracy porter Countryside Tablecloth Red Pattern And Striped

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Labels: more Tracy Porter, smashing fashion & beauty

Tracy Porter Video: Do You Ever make a salty snack medley?

Do you ever?. Pull a nice little mix of salty snacks together to accompany your summertime cocktails? What are you waiting for! No need to wait for an evening with guests? do it for YOU! What could be better, really?. Sip, bite, sip, taste, sip, sip, bite, sip?. Oh what a splendid vicious circle!!!

Xoxox

Tracy

Tracy Porter

Embrace the Sweetness of Life!

Tracy Porter Salty Snack Medley

· Salted almonds

- Pretzels (with a pot of good mustard for dipping)

- Olives (lusciously marinated in garlic and herbs)

- Salt + vinegar kettle-cooked potato chips

– Gourmet popcorn loaded with butter, grated parmesan + seasoned salt

Shop Items We Love to Buy!!

Springtime Iris Candle Lantern

Yellow Green Ceramic Glazed Vase

Short Acrylic Tumblers Set of 4 – Blue

tracy porter Malu Seagrass Baskets Set of Two Tan Woven

tracy porter Orleans Console Table Distressed Black Wood

tracy porter Carmel 18 x 18 Pillow Brown Velvet With Embroidery

tracy porter La Marche Cocktail Ring Gold With Green Stones

tracy porter Pasha Tray Antique Hand Round Scalloped Aluminum

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Tracy Porter Summertime Spaces Video: Enhance your Outdoor Living this Season!

Oh the summers. They’re like warm golden nuggets of loveliness… (breathe it in). I’m always on the quest to take full advantage of our outdoor spaces… dragging the indoors out, adding comfort and charm wherever I can. Challenge yourself; delight yourself. Is there a perch that could be enjoyed more if you added a little table and something soft underfoot? Is there a little taste you can add that makes you smile (say, an urn full of kitchen herbs for quick snipping)…. A chandelier that is casually hung for nothing more than whimsy’s sake? What’s your summer wish….

Kisses from the back steps!

Xoxox

Tracy + Max

Tracy Porter

Embrace the Sweetness of Life!

Tracy Porter’s Tips for Personalizing Outdoor Spaces

Identify the little spots you enjoy being around. Discover new
escapes!
Take advantage of these little luxuries..make your spot beautiful.
Add charm.bring interior pieces & turn them into fabulous outdoor
beauties
Oversized urns..fill them with delectable herbs..a must-have added
deliciousness for cooking..rosemary, basil, cilantro, YUMM!
Find a coziness all your own..your little hideaway

- or -

Relax & enjoy watching the kids play!
Bring your favorite books, magazines, some sunglasses, an iPod
with..Ahh, slide into total comfort!
Refresh with lemonade..Relax with the perfect cocktail.pick your
mood.it’s all yours!

Shop Items We Love to Buy!!

Verdigris Gazebo Standing Birdfeeder

Matchstick Oak Bamboo Roman Shade

Butterfly Table Antique