Hello, Friends! One of the things I love most is hearing from you! This edition of Lydia Loves starts with a useful and fun find sent to me from my friend Lee Ann who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Feel free to share ideas with me when you find something that you think we would all enjoy knowing about- just like Lee Ann did! And, as always, let me know what you find on these lists that are new to you and that you have found useful for yourself or for others! It is fun to swap ideas and help us all live our best creative lives! 🙂

1. Paper Placemats from Hester and Cook

These placemats are perfect for indoor and outdoor entertaining! They dress up a table with beautiful patterns and colors, and they come in a large variety of themes! From sophisticated looks to whimsical children’s patterns, you will find one suited to your tablescape.

I really like that I can accent a particular look without investing in 12 placemats that I may only need a few times- and I can get the look I want without having to find a way to store them. You can use them and then recycle!

Both of these patterns would be great for summer. You can get colorful with the pattern shown above, or use a more conservative placemat like the one shown below and dress it up with tableware and patriotic decorations. I like the red, Swiss dot for many occasions- from Independence Day to Christmas to Valentine’s Day to family birthdays!

2. Reinvented Shower Cap by SHHHOWERCAP

Ah, a shower cap makes me think of images of olden days and perfectly coiffed hair stiff with hairspray. But, it is time for me to think again. Have you seen these newly-designed shower caps that pretty much negate everything you ever thought a shower cap was? Meet SHHHOWERCAP! First of all, they have tons more style, but even better they have such better functionality!

In a nutshell, this new design keeps humidity from completely ruining your hairstyle. It dries right away because water is repelled rather than soaked into the cap. The elastic band is redesigned so that it keeps water out, and it doesn’t leave an indention around your head when you remove it. And so, to recap (lol), there is now a shower cap made modern with cool fabrics and function like no other! As a bonus, Shhhowercap will replace your cap if you have a problem- I love that!

3. Earrings by Mae Wearable Art

Mae Wearable Art is a collection of jewelry handmade by Margaret Mewborn. I had the pleasure of meeting Margaret and having dinner with her at The Southern C Summit in February. I was immediately drawn to her happy disposition, enthusiasm for creating, and appreciation for life. Mae Wearable Art has a big variety of styles and collections to suit many tastes- and I was especially touched by her collection that was created in memory of her best friend. Here I am highlighting the blue cross earrings in medium, but be sure to see all of the colors and sizes… I love these for gift giving, and I also love the price range!

Margaret lets her spunk shine through in so many of her designs. Each one is extra-special because of its handmade nature. Supporting an art is one of my favorites because you truly receive a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind item that is created just for you. I am loving one of her newest designs. These earrings would be perfect for all summer …

4. Beach Towels and Beach Bags by Taylor Beach Design

Vivid, spirited, and fun is how Taylor Beach Design is best described- which also happens to be her tagline! I couldn’t agree more- and I couldn’t love her entire newly-designed online store more, either! You should definitely take a look at all of the fresh designs waiting on all of us to enjoy! I first discovered Taylor’s talent when she hand-painted Christmas ornaments for our Christmas trees. I love seeing what is new each time she expands her line, and now there is so much to see all at once. It was hard to choose what to share, but I decided on beach towels and totes…

Many of the beach towels can be personalized…and there are many beautiful and fun designs!

I love all of the beach bags/totes- they make us look pulled together and ready for the day when we pack our towels, sunscreens, and snacks. You can coordinate the tote and towel if you like- but I wanted to show you some of the variety that you will find!

5. Superfood Super Color Fruit Powder from Suncore Foods, Inc.

One of my favorite food discoveries- Super color powders from Suncore are naturally beautiful fruit powders that are healthy, organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO. My favorite way to use the fruit powders is with Greek yogurt and fruit- but there are so many creative ways to add a dose of pretty (and healthy) to your food! The fruit powder is also great to add to juice, smoothies, dips, and so much more. The natural colors will wow you! My very favorite is the Pitaya Powder, but I love ordering a set of 4 flavors at a time to try the different tastes…

I literally use pitaya powder each day with yogurt and fruit- and here is another way I have used the powders for my family…a fruit platter with a variety of fruit dip flavors. I will share a few more of my favorite ways to enjoy the fruit powders soon!

6. Blue and White Striped Tray with Ginger Jar Pattern from Parker Kennedy Living- The Cellar

Having a tray handy for serving appetizers or snacks is always a nice touch- and this blue and white tray is an exceptional find from Parker Kennedy Living- The Cellar. It makes your presentation feel and look pulled together and polished- even if it only took a few minutes to assemble! I love it on a kitchen countertop or a bar cart. I also think it is a beautiful addition to a bathroom vanity to boost your design. The tray is a perfect accessory- and I love the combination of the stripes and the ginger jar patterns!

7. Southern Lady Magazine

My mom began subscribing to Southern Lady magazine when the magazine first was published. I would tease her about it because my mom was (and still is) the epitome of a Southern Lady herself. It was as though they had created a magazine about her! When I would get the magazine out of the mailbox and bring it to her, I would use my best Southern drawl to let her know that her “Suthin Laydee” had arrived. Fast forward a few years and I was asking to “borrow” her Southern Lady magazines so much that mom decided it was time she sent my own to be delivered to my door. She gave me a subscription as a gift, I have loved it ever since!

Imagine how surprised and excited I was (and still am) when I opened the latest edition and found a photo that I had taken featured as part of a summer inspiration page. The photo is one that I took on Nantucket and it sums up this Southern girl’s summer fun in a quick click. I am grateful for the feature and so excited to be included in a fabulous publication like Southern Lady. The magazine is always an inspiration to me – I read it for the entertaining ideas, recipes, and business features that are always useful and gorgeous. Thank you, Southern Lady for the feature! I appreciate it so much!

And so, those are my loves for this week! I hope you have found something that you love, too. I would really enjoy hearing what you find helpful and useful- or if you have something you think I would love to know about, please share! We can help each other discover all of the fabulousness that is out there for us to enjoy! Have a great week!

XO,

Lydia