Mmm, Yall {Southern Caramels}

Lately I've been in a salty-sweet mood. My friend Laura introduced me to sea salt caramel ice cream and pretzels and I will never be the same. I saw these Annie B's caramels, loved the typography on them, (did I mention that I'm a graphic designer?) and bought a whole handful. The square caramels have marshmallow inside of them and are to die for. They are made in Kentucky and are named after a famous Polish actress who stared in the American premiere of A Doll's House in 1883. I'm craving some Talenti with pretzels even as I write!

1. Bauer's Candies, Inc., Caramel Modjeskas Bauerscandy.com 2. Talenti® Gelato, Talentigelato.com 3. Annie B's Caramels, Anniebscandy.com 

Styling, Yall {Charleston, South Carolina}

I'll admit my mother was right. I do appreciate the collection of Towle tableware she has collected for me all these years…a serving spoon for my birthday. A salad fork in my Christmas stocking. A long withstanding Southern tradition, passed down from her mother to her, and from her to my sister and I. Mother knows best!

These earrings by Charleston jewelry designer Gabrielle (Gabe) remind me of the romantic styling of traditional silverware design. The gilded framing tape has the potential to add stateliness instantly, while the gold leaf styling from Charleston fashion designer Carol Hannah's runway show makes me wish I had somewhere to go to try this look! Maybe I can get a dose of gold leaf in a more practical way by employing this nail tutorial by the Beauty Department.

1. Towle®, Celtic Weave Gold Accent, Grand Duchess Gold Accent Towle.com 2. Gabrielle Handmade Jewelry, 5785 Earrings ($120) 3. Carol Hannah Bridal, 2012 Runway Show Carolhannah.com ($29-119) 4. Ann Sacks, Davlin Bathroom Glass ($168) annsacks.com 5. Droog, Frame Tape and Centraal Museum Chandelier

Culture, Yall {Gee's Bend, Alabama}

I can remember the first time I saw a Gee's Bend quilt. In an Alabama schoolroom, I was asked to consider this soulful medium.

The attention to color scheme and the asymmetry was intriguing, and the stories behind them where supremely romantic and alluring. The beauty of the quilts came from the fabric choice or lack of fabric choice, I should say. Lutisha Pettway's "Bars" c. 1950 is particularly divine. She pieced her deceased husband's work clothes together to create this covering. In a time when money was tight and opportunity tighter…can you image? A woman wrapped up in her husband's memory: a monotone robe of beauty and memory.

I am currently collecting scraps of white, cream, and light blue cashmere to piece a blanket together in ode to this style. All of the scraps are from sweaters with holes, and I can't bear to throw any scrap of cashmere away! I'm thinking of using a matte gold or silver thread to stitch them together, I haven't decided yet. Or maybe something cotton denim? I think West Elm's frayed edge cotton sheet set would be the perfect compliment.

1. Loretta Pettway, c. 1960 94x76 in. Smithsonian.com 2. Shlomitofir, Formica Half-Moon Necklace ($53) 3. West Elm, Frayed-edge sheet set in steel blue ($29-119) 4. Rachel Carey George c. 1938 82x72 in. Smithsonian.com 5. Pearlie Kennedy Pettway, c. 1950 84x81 in. Auburn University on Gee's Bend