Caroline's Ideas for a Perfect Night In: Light a Candle and Forget About It... (um... not literally though. I'd hate for your house to catch fire.)

      Ever have one of those days where you just come home and want to punch your pillow till the down feathers fly out?  Yep, I have those days too!  There's not much more that can cure my mood than lighting a candle, fixing a cocktail and flipping open the latest issue of Southern Living or Garden and Gun. On one especially stressful occasion, I guess I had one cocktail too many.  And that is precisely when DISASTER OCCURED.  It went a little something like this.

      I had been in my room with a Waterford glass filled to the brim.  I was reading my latest issue of Southern Living and I was inspired to concoct some variation of fettuccine alfredo for dinner.  It was already 6 o'clock, so I'd have to hurry.  I scurried off to the kitchen, drink in hand, and spent the next hour fixing dinner.  It was a dash of this and a pinch of that... It turned out fabulously, but just like every other accidental recipe I come up with, I never write the method to my madness down, so recreating it is nearly impossible.  You'd think  I would learn!!!  Anyway... I was halfway through my third drink and my dinner when I smelled something burning.   My first instinct was to look at the stove.  Nope, stove looked fine.  But good Lord, where was that smell coming from!? I looked around the dining and living room. Nope, nothing there either.  THE BEDROOM.  ---- OH.MY.GOD. ----

    Somehow, I had forgotten about the candle I had left burning on my bedside table.  I sprint down the hall to find that my candle had apparently sparked and caught the floral arrangement on my bedside table on fire.  Not just a little fire, the flowers were in FLAMES.  A BIG ball of red and orange FLAMES.   What in the hell am I going to do?!?   I picked up a book from my bedside table and started beating the flames out of the flowers.  While extinguishing the flames, black ashes are literally snowing all over my room as I am beating the tar out of the flowers.  Just when you think it can't get much worse, the book catches fire, right there IN MY HANDS.   SHIT.

     What's my next plan you ask?  I smothered the flames out with a towel, and wept as I realized that  I had burned the tips of my index and middle finger on my right hand, but far worse, the book I had just beat the flames to death with was my hardback copy of The Help. I spent the next half hour cleaning ashes from every surface on that side of my bedroom, and wiping tears away as I mourned the loss of a good book.   My night was further ruined when I realized that a multitude of black ashes were now embedded in the ivory white candle wax and I was about to have to throw away a brand new candle that I paid $20 for.  ---SIGH---    I have since recovered, and my addiction to candles has not changed much, except that I am a little more cautious now. 

I know most girls love a good candle, so here are some that I am currently obsessed with. 

 Shelley Kyle---   This woman knows how to do scents!  Be warned however, these aren't for those with milder tastes.  My personal favorites are McClendon and Tiramani.  According to the Shelley Kyle website, McClendon contains notes of grapefruit, bergamot, key lime, black currant absolute, cut grass, mandarin leaf, and dew fresh basil, while Tiramani contains notes of blood orange, Madonna lilly, white nectarine, cashmere musk, and night blooming jasmine. Purchase Here

Tyler Candles---  These have been a longtime favorite.  I absolutely adore Diva and High Maintenance.  According to the Tyler Candle Company, High Maintenance is their #1 seller. (I knew I had good taste!)  Learn More About Tyler Candles Here

Rewined---  Okay, so admittedly I am not a huge wine drinker, but these wine scented candles, hand poured in repurposed wine bottles hit the spot for me!  My absolute favorite is the Riesling, and I am DYING to find the seasonal Sangria.  I can only imagine that it is amazing as well.  Another awesome scent is the Mimosa, but it is incredibly sweet!  Shop Rewined Candles Here

I hope you found this post amusing and informative! Learn from my mistakes! :)

- Caroline

(Note to reader: Caroline Grace Mckenlie is hereby not responsible for any fire that occurs from any candle she recommends.  I am also not paid by any company to recommend their products.  These are just my honest to goodness opinions!)

Ada Grey's Essentials for a Night In

Whether you are have a girls night or you're just taking some me time after a long day, here is my idea of a perfect night in.

1. Downton Abbey
If you can't be a Southern lady, the next best thing is British nobility. When I grow up, I want to be Lady Mary. She's so sassy, but there is something about her that is sincere. I think she and I are kindred spirits. And an added bonus is that the Dowager Countess is Caro from Ya-Ya! Is there anything better?

2. An Essie manicure
In the film version of Gone With the Wind Scarlett's younger sister said "you can always tell a lady by her hands." Well it just so happens that Caroline's and my great-grandmother, a true lady if there ever was one, said the same thing. I personally like delicate, subtle colors like this one- "Ballet Slippers" by Essie. (Also it lasts about 5 days without chipping).

 3. A good facial
You know in those hokey brat pack 80's movies where girls always had sleep overs? Well they all at some point in the movie put on a green mud facial. So to keep up tradition, I've been known to do the same. I personally love this one.

4. CHOCOLATE, dark chocolate
KitKats are my favorite candy bar of all time and now that they have made them in dark chocolate, I'm in hog heaven.

4. A little jolt
As y'all know, I'm a self proclaimed coffee addict. And dark chocolate is the best chocolate. I can eat these bad boys like peanuts. Soooo yummy.
*Disclaimer: At any given moment, I'm as buzzed on caffeine as the Energizer bunny so these don't bother me, even at midnight. But, if you are sensitive to caffeine, these may not be the best idea late at night.

5. A good cup of tea
Next to coffee, hot tea is my second addiction. Twining's Lady Grey (GREAT NAME!!) is my favorite, but all of these favors are delicious! There is something so timeless about a good cup of tea. Brew up a hot cup and sip along with the characters of Downton.

I hope this inspires you darlings to sit back, relax and enjoy an evening to yourself after a long day.

-Ada Grey

The best TV episode of all time

Fair warning, I'm obsessed with the show Designing Women. Nothing would make me happier than if it can back on the air. But, sadly, that won't be happening. However, I can share with all of you darling my favorite episode of all time. I love everything about this episode, especially the last part where Julia is reading the letter Dash has left. Can I get one of those dresses pleaseeee?? In all honesty, if I had one, I'd never take it off. I'd probably wear it to the grocery store and to weed my zinnias in. What happened to fashion? But that's a post for another day. In the mean time, go fix yourself a big glass of sweet tea, grab a snack and settle in for some TV magic. Enjoy!

 "Dash Goff, the Writer"- Designing Women

- Ada Grey