Lily Charleston

My Pink Issue

2012-02-26T11:48:00.000-08:00

It's been a year since the House Beautiful Pink Issue arrived in my mailbox. This year they've chosen to go with green. Tangerine Tango is Panatone's color of the year, and Valentines day is now behind us. So what's with my fixation with pink? I'm on the verge of redecorating my bedroom so I decided to take the House Beautiful Color Personality Test on the House Beautiful’s 500+ Favorite Paint Colors App. The test uses the letters in your name and some sort of numeric formula to match your personality with four colors and...voilà!

I'm very pleased with my designated color, and of course they added a few positive character qualities to make me feel good about myself. This has got to be worth the $4.99 I spent on the app.

I loved this Hibiscus Pink from Ralph Lauren Paints and the suggested coordinating colors.

Carol Prisant and Hibiscus GH133 from Ralph Lauren Paint.

My chosen color palette will also make me look younger:

And if I chicken out of painting the entire bedroom perhaps just a fix of pink in a silvery bathroom will do it.

Either way, I plan I having my pink cake and eating it too!

Ruffle Tower Cake

Lily Loves

2012-01-31T12:53:00.000-08:00

Barr Co

Barr Co Eau de Parfume at Lily

Scented with milk, oatmeal, verbena, and vanilla, if your Sweetie thinks wholesome is sexy, this is the scent for you.

Ingrid Bergman

Natural ingredients have been known to do wonders for the skin.

Or is it the Hay?

Barr Co small batch candles made with pure soy and vegetable waxes grown in the Heartland by American farmers.

Farm fresh style with lotions and potions packaged in reusable milk bottles, parfait glassware, and muslin bags tied with baker's twine.

Available at Lily

Happy New Year

2012-01-05T09:51:00.000-08:00

"PREDICTION IS VERY DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S ABOUT THE FUTURE"

- Niels Bohr (Danish Physicist, awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1922)

Sweet Treats

2011-12-23T13:01:00.000-08:00

Exercise?

It's no wonder the sale of gym memberships soar in January. It would be bad manners not to sample the thoughtful gourmet gifts that grace the holiday season. Toffees, chocolates, jams, and cakes. And by sample, I mean... eat it all.

Accessorize?

Fortunately, maybe not coincedently, draping oneself with distracting bits and baubles is encouraged during the festive season. So while I wrestle with the virtues of exercise vs accessorize (guess the winner) I'ld like to pass along a calorie free sweet treat.

"We Had Faces Then"

700 plus posts of vintage Eye Candy.
Fabulous photos along with charming video snippets make this blog a true guilty pleasure.

Excellent served with a gift of Christophe Artisin Truffles or your Aunt Fannie's Bourbon Balls.

We Love Tart Love

2011-12-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

Charleston's award winning author, Holly Herrick, will be at Lily on Sunday, December 18th to share her culinary thoughts, discuss her new projects (Food Lovers' Guide to Charleston and Savannah) answer your questions (yes, tarts are sexier than pie) and sign our favorite new cookbook Tart Love.

Panna Cotta Tart with Roasted Fresh Figs in Balsamic Honey Sauce

We love every recipe Holly created for this very special book and the beautiful photography by Helen Dujardin. Tart Love will make a sweet (and savory) holiday gift or a delicious addition to your cookbook collection.

Vidalia Onion Tart with Bacon, Honey and Fresh Thyme

Can't make it? So sad. Don't despair, a limited number of Signed Editions of Tart Love will be available at Lily's online shop.

Bellocq Tea

2011-11-24T10:09:00.000-08:00

In pursuit of a different kind of luxury for the new shop, we happened upon Bellocq Tea.

Attracted to the stylish yellow canisters and boxes, like moths to a flame,

the fragrant leaves, twigs, and buds were a bonus.

It turns out, the true luxury is inside those canisters and boxes.

Bellocq Teas are the Holiday Gift Guide darling of all our favorite mags, including House Beautiful,

In Style, and Veranda and described as the the chicest, most elegant teas on the planet, by

The Style Saloniste Blog.

Old Road Mercantile currently has eight Bellocq Tea blends in stock as well as a gift box assortment.

We are also stocking the paper filters for simplifying your tea making ritual.

OLD ROAD MERCANTILE

194 KING STREET

CHARLESTON

843 805 9500

Blogcation

2011-10-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

We will be on Blogcation till the end of November.

We are taking time off to work on our new shop
OLD ROAD MERCANTILE
(old road, modern goods)

There's inventory to price.

Windows to dress...

...and employees to train.

We hope you'll stop back for more details.

Falling for

2011-10-11T18:44:00.000-07:00

Kari Herer

PHOTOGRAPHER

Smitten by a still life in Cinnamon, Pumpkin, and Peony Pink.

Purchase one of these limited edition lovelies on Kari's Etsy Shop.

Inspiration

2011-09-11T17:01:00.000-07:00

Heather Bullard
Stylist, Photographer, Senior Editor of Flea Market Style, Country Living contributor, and Chicken Coup Designer.

Heather's photos inspire us to look at our old chipped china with a new eye, create a romantic room, or dine under chandelier draped oaks. And if you're ready for something a little more ambitious than just dreaming of living in Heather's world, you can purchase the plans for Chez Poulet. You'll wish it was your playhouse. Me? I'll be in the Conservatory arranging balls of twine in bowls of silver!

Visit Heather's website and be inspired.

Nelle Handbags at Lily

2011-08-19T09:06:00.000-07:00

Nelle Flutter Clutch in Silk Charmeuse. Love at first sight.

Nelle's chic, impeccably crafted, couture inspired confections arrived in the shop today.

Inspired by cake design &

construction, Designer Laura Nelli's feminine creations are layered in ribbon and lined with black and white cotton ticking for an unexpected but perfectly preppy touch.

Nelle Petersham Ribbon Clutch.

Layers and layers of pleated ribbon. But not too sweet for cocktails at The Cocktail Club

Nelle Midnight Cherub Clutch in silk charmeuse and hand dyed French Roast ribbon. Silk stocking worthy.

Lily Loves

2011-08-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Anna Buckley by Alfred Cheney Johnston

Alfred Cheney Johnston

In the early 1900's Johnston's photographs of the Ziegfeld Follies Showgirls girls created a sensation in the issues of Vanity Fair. His glamourous portraits made him the photographer of choice for Movie Stars and Society Women.

Most of his scantily clad portraits are fabulous illustrations of the importance of a few well placed accessories, including what seems to be a Johnston favorite, the Piano Shawl. A piano in your parlor was the height of sophistication in the Victorian era. The heavily embroidered silk shawls were often edged in long fringe to help the the shawl drape over the piano.

Peggy Shannon by Alfred Cheney Johnston

My guess is, those shawls never went back on their pianos. Johnston also did a series of nudes which were considered too daring for their time and kept under wraps till his death in 1971. A little googling and you might find one suitable for your bath or Boudoir. Antique Piano Shawls can still be found, although the real beauties go fast, snapped up by Boho Fashionistas, Brides, and Decorators. Try Etsy or Ebay.

Food for Thought

2011-07-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

Double Chocolate Raspberry Pavalova

The shop has been quite busy filling orders for Lubin's Black Jade. Which by the way, is fabulous. Intoxicating really. After finishing the last of the Champagne from our launch party and indulging in Raspberry Macaroons from Charleston's Macaroon Boutique, we began an unintentional and lengthy tour of cooking blogs.

I bookmarked a few and thought I would share my favorite find.
Katie Quinn Davies

I must warn you, you might need a Celery Detox to snap you out of this. If so, you will need to find that recipe on your own.

Savor Katie's Award winning blog

What Katie Ate

featuring Katie's photos and recipes.

Watermelon, Salt and Chili Granata

Refresh your palate and head to Fast and French for Cold Cucumber Soup or Mr. Lily's favorite La Fourchette for Veloute De Tomate Au Romarin, a cold tomato and rosemary soup with cucumbers...and who are we kidding... an order of Pommes Frites A La Graisse De Canard (double fried in duck fat)!

Black Jade by Lubin

2011-07-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

Kirsten Dunst in Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette

Bastille Day meant the end of the reign of Marie Antoinette and her King.

The beautiful Queen hated by the French Citizens for her opulent style and extravagant taste,

was to spend her final days at La Conciergerie.

Despite her imprisonment, the French Queen continued

to receive regular supplies of her favorite fragrance from her loyal perfumer, Jean-Louis Fargeon.

Inspired by the Queen's secret gardens, he created a scent with lush roses, jasmine, and exotic spices from distant lands. A black jade bottle held the last remaining scent to be copied by Fargeon's indiscreet apprentice, Pierre Francois Lubin.

Marie Antoinette Rose

Lubin went on to become one of the most famous perfumers in history.

On Bastille Day, July 14th, 2011

Lily will premier the once lost fragrance beloved by the Queen.

BLACK JADE BY LUBIN
Join us for Champagne & Macaroons
5:00 to 7:00

Working Title

2011-06-20T09:43:00.000-07:00

Dinner at Eight

You're playing my favorite dinner party game, casting the movie of your life. You've got your friends realistically portrayed, and as for yourself, well, reality might not be on the top of the list.

But have you thought about set design? Do you want your life portrayed in the black & white world of Coco Chanel or the sumptuous style of Cappola's Marie Antoinette?

Dave Coote Design

Perhaps you lean more to idyllic cottages bathed in white, a quaint country cabin or an artists loft in the the country. If that sounds like your set, Enter Beach Studios. Created by Dave Coot & stylist Atlanta Bartlett. Beach Studios provides shoot spaces for the film and photographic industries. Explore your options, including, yes, even a Yurt. Be sure to follow links for Dave's site as well as the always inspiring Atlanta Bartlett

Beach Studios

Now... about the title...

Lily Loves

2011-05-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

Edward Steichen - Conde Nast

Karen Lindner Designs at Lily

2011-05-21T08:30:00.001-07:00

Karen Lindner, creates stunning pieces out of timeless treasures, vintage brooches, antique chandelier crystals and fresh water pearls. These beribboned beauties are coveted by Brides everywhere and Lily is ready to indulge in a frothy white fantasy. But not today.

Today our thoughts are on Spoleto, on Charleston Cocktail Parties, and, on our second favorite color... Black. Lily's new, and oh so fabulous, collection from Karen Lindner Designs is happy to oblige.

Karen Lindner One of a Kind Mosaic

Our idea of Black Tie. Leave the Tux to the boys

Karen Lindner Vintage Cuff

Karen Lindner Pearl & Antique Crystal Lariat

Perfect with a Little Black Dress and a glass of Bubbly

Out to Lunch

2011-04-30T14:49:00.001-07:00

Lily is taking a break after the exhausting wedding weekend of

You Know Who.

Somewhere without feathered fascinators.

We are thinking a simple picnic.

An English wicker basket recently procured on our latest antique outing,

filled with the simplest of things...

Lobster Salad & Cucumber Sandwiches...

Art Deco Silver Cocktail Shaker

... Bombay Sapphire Martinis

Emsheart.com

... freshly pressed monogrammed linens

Sallie's Greatest Herbal Jams at LILY

... and for dessert...

Strawberry Basil Jam

straight from the jar with a silver spoon!

How to Look Good in the Kitchen

2011-03-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

Susan Dossetter's Kitchen in House Beautiful

Copy This:

Add a vintage French towel rack to your antique Baker's table and hang with vintage towels.

French antiques not in your budget? Get your fix with towel bars from your local home improvement big box and add to your kitchen island.

Make This

Goat Butter Biscuits

from "New Southern Biscuits" by Charleston's Nathalie Dupree & Cynthia Graubart. Arriving at Lily in May.

Don't forget the White Lily flour.

or...

Callie's Black Pepper Bacon Biscuits

Buy this

Callie's Charleston Biscuits

Available in Charleston at Caviar & Bananas and Ted's Butcherblock.

Out of towners can get their fix at Callies website.

IceMilk Heirloom Apron at LILY

Wear This

Full apron in cream linen with oatmeal wrap.

Each apron comes paired with a set of recipe cards preserved within a jam jar.

Lily Loves

2011-03-05T16:11:00.001-08:00

Tim Walker, Lily Cole and Spiral Staircase

India, 2005

Linnea's Lights

2011-02-18T16:50:00.000-08:00

Linnea's Lights Triple Scented Hand poured Natural Soy Candles with double wick.

Hand stamped labels and a match box hiding inside the lid make these eco chic lovelies ready for gifting. Now available in Charleston, exclusively at LILY.

Linnea's name references the national flower of Sweden, and a reflection of the founders Swedish heritage.

Photographs by Mari Erikkson

Plan a cozy evening at home with the scent of Linnea's Cashmere and an inspiring browse through the photographs of Mari Erikkson.

Prepare for a beautiful white maze if you take time out to meander the Blogroll of Angel at my Table (don't miss Hvítur Lakkrís if you love shabby chic). There's a translator tool if you haven't kept up on your Swedish lessons.

Lily says "I Do".

2011-01-30T14:23:00.000-08:00

Something old, something new...

A blending of paper sculpture, vintage millinery & carefully chosen vintage embellishments create this sparkling Wedding Cake topper handmade for Lily by Goldbug Studio.

A Vintage necklace in Lily's King Street window beckons The Charleston Bride

Vintage hankies for the Fairy Tale Bride at Lily

Something Borrowed...

Inspiration Boards from Snippet & Ink

...Something Blue.

Lily on Love

2011-01-22T06:58:00.000-08:00

Joanne Woodward & Paul Newman

Anyone can be passionate,

but it takes real lovers to be silly.

Rose Franken

Champagne and Toast

2010-12-07T17:26:00.001-08:00

My only regret in life is that I did not drink more Champagne.

John Maynard Keynes

Ingrid Bergman

'Tis the season for a fabulous frock, a bit of bubbly and a charming Toast.

Vintage Givenchy

Or leave the Toast to the Host and offer these cocktail tidbits...

The History of toasting began with a piece of Toast added to the wine for flavor or possibly give your guest a small treat.

Toast can be traced back 5000 years to Egypt.

There are about 50 million bubbles in a 750ml bottle of champagne.

At one time the foil wrapped around the cage of the Champagne bottle

was lined with lead to prevent mice from eating the cork.

The Titanic was not christened with Champagne.

Toast Rack at Lily

Perfect for holding Toast

Invites, & Thank You notes

The Charleston Beret Project

2010-11-09T15:46:00.000-08:00

Sure we had fun trying to find the perfect Beret for Charleston. We had samples from one of the best Beret makers flown in from Tolusa spain. We had our friends & neighbors modeling for us. And something wonderful happened. Something that comes with putting on a beret... that certain something. Suddenly we were femme fatales and sexy french actors who knew how to tie our scarves just so. And we had an idea for the perfect Charleston Beret. It had to be a very wearable beret. It had to be packable. And black. And elegant.

And of course it had to have plenty of attitude.

Lauren Becall

Sometimes you need more than a good whistle

Faye Dunaway

Best Dressed Bank Robber

The beret worn to the side became fashionable in the 1930's

Carmen Kass on the Versace Runway

wearing the Beret as it was worn in the 1920's

The Beret has been making a fashion statement since the Bronze age. If you'ld like to know more about Berets visit The Beret Project or stop by Lily Charleston and make your own fashion history.

The Real Trick Is More Treats

2010-10-15T11:03:00.000-07:00

Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette

"Qu'ils mangent de la brioche"

EAT YOUR CAKE

Flatware from Cake Vintage at LILY

SCENT YOUR BOUDOIR

MOR hand poured candles at LILY

Scented with sparkling sweet lychee flower, ripe berries,

powdery florals & just a hint of green forest in a decorative 24k gold stamped glass.

TREAT YOURSELF

Bangles & baubles from Seasonal Whispers at LILY

The "Marie-Antoinette"at Laduree

Rose flavoured soft macaroon biscuit, rose petal cream, fresh raspberries & lychees.

If Paris isn't in your plans, visit Charleston's Macaroon Boutique for Marie worthy Macaroons.

Calorie Free Confections

Lily Loves Shabulous

2010-08-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

Determined to find an inspirations for our Shabulous post

quickly became an overwhelming task.

We've settled on two of our favorites.

The tiny 9X10 cottage owned by Sandra Foster

More about Sandra's Cottage: THE NEW YORK TIMES

and... the ultimate in shabulous, the VINTAGE blog

by designer & stylist Johanna Marie and her fabulous photog friends.

It's all in the details.

Vintage lace at LILY.

Repurposed Vintage goods at LILY

Reproduction Birdcage Chandeliers

available in October.

Gin Fizz

2010-07-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

GIN FIZZ

Eau de Toilette Vintage Collection

GIN FIZZ PREMIERS TODAY AT LILY

In 1955, Henri Giboulet created Gin Fizz

for the legendary Perfume House

LUBIN

Inspired by Grace Kelley's extraordinary beauty

and evoking the fashionable cocktail found

in the 'American bars’ of Paris that year

GIN FIZZ

is elegant, sparkling, & fresh.

Available at

LILY

CHARLESTON

Top notes: Bergamot, Sicilian lemon, Messina mandarin and Juniper berry

Heart notes: Iris, galbanum, Orange blossom, Rose Absolute and Turkish jasmine

Base notes: Swamp lily, benzoin, iris from Florence, vetiver grass, oak moss and white musk

Keep it Cool

2010-06-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

Grace Kelly: The Queen of Cool

The Charleston Heat wave continues.

Need inspiration for keeping cool?

Summer Linen and Vintage Pearl Collar for a Kelly Cool

at Lily Charleston

Hollywood Cool. George in a photo shoot for Vanity Fair

by the Very Cool Norman Jean Roy.

Icy Cool Vintage Bling at Lily Charleston

Hitchcock's Rear Window

Draw the curtains and watch a a Cool Classic

Feeling Social? Grab a lawn chair for

Eye Level Art's Neighborhood Movie Night

July 14th

Lily Loves Bosom Buddy Bags

2010-06-04T11:11:00.001-07:00

LILY'S Summer Collection

Summer Gold

THE LILY CHARLESTON BAG

Give me Mor!

2010-04-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

Lychee Flower Soapette

Little Luxuries from Mor Cosmetics are now available at LILY

Soaps, Creams & Glosses scented

with Gardenias, Lychee Flower & Marshmallow.

Irresistible.

Mor means "Peacock" in Hindi

Lip Nectar in Lychee Flower & Marshmallow

Parlez vous francais?

2010-04-06T06:40:00.000-07:00

Photo by Eliott Erwitt

In pursuit of life's little luxuries we often find ourselves feeling quite "French" and it shows. Charleston stylist Rachael Amrein stopped by Lily recently and snapped a few pics for her blog Style By Rachael. The Post is titled French Country Meets Classic Charleston.

The Charleston Farmer's Market opened this weekend and LILY sold out of our French Market Bags. No worries...c'est la vie... a fresh shipment arrived on Monday. The bags, made in Morocco are stylish and affordable ($39).

Holly Herrick's Southern Farmers Market Cookbook

Holly stopped by and signed her new book The Charleston Chef's Table (already a best seller at LILY) as well as our summer favorite "Southern Farmers Market Cookbook". Lots of fabulous recipes for the market's just picked produce.

Photo by Lin Isler

FYI:

The Charleston Farmers Market

Saturdays from 8am to 2pm

Marion Square

Lily Loves Peter Beaton Hats

2010-03-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

These fabulous (& famous) hats have just arrived at LILY.

We're stocking up on several styles in pursuit of the perfect Charleston Hat... good for a bike ride to the Farmer's Market, and great with a little black dress. Then we were smitten by a large brimmed hat for all out beach chic. In between stacking up the signature black & white stripe hat boxes, we're getting a tutorial from the folks at Peter Beaton on perfecting the fit.

Audrey Chic

Lily Loves Vintage Tea Cups

2010-02-02T09:52:00.000-08:00

Photograph by Sandra Lane

No tea required. Recycle & repurpose. Set on your sink for soap.

On your vanity for earrings & hair pins.

Photograph by Polly Wreford

Vintage Pins

Decorate yourself and your home with these timeless treasures.

LILY loves them attached to a ribbon encircling a bud vase or napkin.

Lily Celebrates

2010-01-30T13:50:00.000-08:00

February brings us two reasons to celebrate.

LILY, our shop on King Street, will celebrate our first year.

It has been a labor of love and we thank all our friends and customers for supporting us.

For our first birthday, taking baby steps, we will create our first blog. We hope to share with you some of things that inspire us, and in turn, inspire our shop.