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monday must haves : laura larue

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I have to admit, I was out & about looking for cute pet items to feature in the August issue and came across this super cute dog bed duvet cover. I had to purchase it for my sweet yellow lab Gabby. It comes in three different sizes: small, medium/large, and huge. I didn’t tell Gabby that I bought the huge one. That might hurt her feelings. :) It gave her old bed a fun new look!

I didn’t know I could love a candle as much as I love these! I just switched out my keylime and raspberry candles on my mantle to the black and ivory striped ones. It adds such a fun graphic element to my living room.

These have been a staple in the LaRue household for a while now and I never get tired of them. I love how each guest has a different color napkin. It adds so much color to a dinner party!

We have a very small hallway at one end of our home and this was the perfect pattern and size for the space. It took my hallway from boring to you can’t miss me!

I love these stemless wine glasses for red or white wine. It’s always five o’clock somewhere right? Cheers!

friday faves : tangerine & pink, farm-to-table, budgetware, tile love

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From editor in chief Diane Carroll: “Summer seems to be in full swing, heat and all. How about beating the heat with a fun, colorful summer party? Love this energizing color combo for inspiration.” {“Monochromatic Monday: Tangerine Popsicles” from Camille Styles}

 

From associate/online editor Rosemary Hallmark: “I love the beautiful simplicity of this farm-to-table engagement dinner, especially the menu printed on tea towel napkins! So clever!” {“Farm to Table Engagement Dinner” from Snippet & Ink}

From assistant art director/special projects editor Laura LaRue: “I love the floor to ceiling subway tile. It’s the perfect backdrop for those modern kitchen prints!” {From  Pink Wallpaper – Shannon Darby Design}

From marketing coordinator Tara Johnson: “Is it chevron? Is it tribal? Who cares! I’m seriously in love with this dinnerware. Want to know the best part? These plates are on sale from Anthropologie for $7.95.” {“Budget Find: Anthropologie Sacaton Dinner Plate” from The Every Girl}

 

the great war memorial balloon race

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At Home in Arkansas is proud to sponsor the inaugural “Great War Memorial Balloon Race” this Friday, June 22 – Sunday, June 24! This 3-day hot air balloon festival will showcase the improvements made at War Memorial Park this summer with music, food, and of course, balloons! Twenty-five hot air balloons will show off their illuminated colors in a “Balloon Glow” Friday evening, then take flight over the city on Saturday and Sunday. The weekend will also include events for families and kids, such as a tricycle race, Zumba workout, and fundraising walk! Admission is free, so don’t miss this great community event! For more information and a schedule of events, visit their website or call 501-993-4504.

 

{Images via GreatWarMemorialBalloonRace.com}

 

monday must haves : rosemary hallmark

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Ever wonder which items your favorite designers, tastemakers and folks about town just can’t live without? We definitely do! To sate our curiosity, we’re asking a different person to share a few of their favorite things each week. This week, associate/online editor Rosemary Hallmark tells us what she can’t live without.

1. Books

I read books constantly, and when I’m not wearing out my library card, I’m judging them by their covers. Because I have books piled precariously on every surface in my house, I prefer to purchase prettier copies, including the Domino Book of Decorating, anything from the Penguin Clothbound Classics series, and a current favorite, “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green.

2. J.R. Watkins Natural Products hand soaps and cleansers

The same rule applies for hand soaps and cleansers – if it sits on the counter, it should be nice to look at. J.R. Watkins products not only come in lovely packaging, they smell amazing and use only natural, environmentally friendly ingredients. The grapefruit scent is my favorite.

3. Robert Allen’s Khanjali Peacock fabric

Besides using this fabric to make curtains and pillows, I’m also using it as the color palette inspiration for my entire house. I love the soft teals mixed with accents of brown, green and yellow. I purchase it in large quantities from Cynthia East Fabrics.

4. Vintage collectibles and curiosities from Clement.

Clement is my go-to for one-of-a-kind vintage items. I could spend hours looking at all the carefully curated items in this Hillcrest shop. Over the years, I’ve amassed quite a collection of art, vases, mirrors and knick knacks that are always great conversation pieces. Even when I’m not there to purchase, I love stopping in to look around and marvel at the perfectly styled vignettes.

5. My Canon camera

As a blogger, my camera is never out of arm’s reach. I’m constantly snapping photos of my DIY and home improvement projects, my dog, and just about anything else that will sit still long enough. I use a Canon EOS Rebel T3 Digital SLR, which is great for beginners and photography newbies like myself.

 

 

friday favorites : mojito melon salsa, a south end home, power pink & more

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From assistant art director Laura LaRue: “I might have to make one of these each week for the rest of the summer! That mojito melon salsa might be first. It’s definitely going with me to the lake.” {“Salsa!” from Design Crush}

From associate/online editor Rosemary Hallmark: “I’m a huge fan of Erin Gates’ blog Elements of Style, so it was fun getting a sneak peek of her great South End home.” {“Erin Gates’ SouthEnd Home” from The Every Girl}

From marketing coordinator Tara Johnson: “I love a pop of pink. My first laptop was pink and I thought I was the coolest while toting that thing around. I want all of these things, especially the pink flamingo pillow. Everyone needs a pink flamingo pillow, right? ” {“Outside/Inside Modern Pink Pop” from Oh Joy!}

From art director Mandy Keener: “Discovered these super fun printable card for Father’s Day…for all those rad dads!” {“Printable Father’s Day Card” from The Sweetest Occasion}

From editor in chief Diane Carroll: “Our art director, Mandy Keener, came up with this great post for The Foundary, and I’m loving the mix of products she pulled together.” {“Summer Stylebook by At Home Arkansas” from The Foundary House Press}

a summer kitchen + a favorite summer-time recipe

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For today’s Room of the Week, the summery kitchen in Mara and Max Simmonses home on the Little Red River. We made the couple-hour trek out to their home in the early morning hours, so we could begin our photo shoot while the light was soft. I brought bunches of blooming viburnum, thinking the bright green leaves would look great in the white kitchen, and when we walked in, Mara had strawberries and zucchini bread waiting. The three elements worked together to make a pretty picture–and then, we enjoyed the zucchini bread!

And now…you can too!

Zucchini Bread:

yields 2 loaves

 Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 3 eggs

  • 1 cup vegetable oil

  • 2 1/4 cups white sugar

  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 2 cups grated zucchini

  • 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

  1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

  2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.

  3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.

  4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

  5. ENJOY!

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At Home in Arkansas offers you a look inside the state's most inspiring homes. The magazine features monthly advice from the experts to help you plan your next remodel or redesign, entertain at home, or find Arkansas's best kept secrets. It is your definitive guide to the state's finest homes and gardens, design professionals, fashion and entertaining essentials, and premier shops and showrooms.

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