photograph by Melissa Placzek I’m in the process of refining all of my pictures and developing my photography style. My husband is teaching me the mysteries of photo shop and I am smitten with the effects and embellishments this program offers. It’s exciting to get closer to some final photos I can include in my…
Thank You BOYE Knitting Needle and Crochet Hook Company for featuring my beach house bath mat on your facebook page! Here’s what they said… “We love this bath mat Melissa knitted with our needles. Doesn’t it look like it belongs on the pages of a shelter magazine or pricey catalog? Well done!” BOYE NEEDLE COMPANY…
I’ve had the same Braun electric juicer for the last 20 years and there have been times when I’ve only used it once or twice a month…other times when I was juicing a few times a day. This juicer just keeps going! I’m sure there are other fancier, more expensive models out there but for…
Before I start talking about my favorite way to make a single serving of tea, without using a tea ball or tea ball infuser, I have to say that the very best way to make tea is in a glass, china or porcelain tea pot. This method has not been improved upon in the last…
One of my favorite ways to sweeten cups of tea and coffee is to serve them with lollipops as “stirrers.” See’s Candy makes awesome “gourmet” lollipops that are perfect for this purpose, but any unfilled lollipop will work. I like to pair the flavors of lollipop to the tea I’m serving… orange and lemon are…
“A wise man once said, ‘To be still sometimes requires great effort.’ For a path of less resistance, unwind with a well-steeped cup of TAZO REST. Fragrant rose petals and lavender mingle with calming lemon balm, lemon myrtle, and soothing valerian in a delicate, aromatic blend to which eyelids willingly succumb.” ~The quote on the…
“What is elegance? Soap and water!” ~Cecil Beaton When it comes to relaxing rituals, there are few that I enjoy more than the simple pleasure of using a bar of handmade soap while taking a long, luxurious soak in my clawfoot tub. I like the earthy scents: patchouli, lavender, tea tree, orange-clove, fig, and oatmeal-almond…
“Care for the Earth as you care for yourself: our blend is 100% certified organic, and its soothing herbal infusion-naturally sweet, with licorice root and peppermint-steeps you in calm.” ~From the Aveda website One of my favorite teas to enjoy in the evenings while sitting in front of the fireplace with a good book or…
Well…it’s 86 degrees outside! Time to make more iced tea! I love icing tisanes (herbal ‘tea’ infusions) for sipping in the evenings when the temperature gets above 80. One of my favorites…Iced Sleepytime Vanilla by Celestial Seasonings. mmmmmmm….. ice some and see for yourself. It’s all at once relaxing, refreshing and healthy. Enjoy! ~Melissa
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” ~William Wordsworth The sun was shining bright through the canopy of oak trees when I took my notebook and a pile of magazines out to the deck yesterday afternoon. I also brought my sparkle pen which was a gift from my friend Tracy…it ‘bedazzles’ my hand…