Click here to view our Archipelago Botanicals naturally scented soy candle collection.
Featured Posts
Archipelago Botanicals Soy Candles Click here to view our Archipelago Botanicals naturally scented soy candle collection.
Dessert Tostadas with Ice Cream, Strawberries, and... Kick off your boots and get down to business with cowboy cooking and traditional Texas ranch cuisines from A Cowboy in the Kitchen. With over 200 pages of fresh recipes filled with strong flavors, like...
Juliet Roger's Jewelry Trunk Show Join us for this Friday & Saturday for our Juliet Roger Trunk Show, showcasing her finely crafted jewelry collection of unique designs and color combination, including semi-precious gemstones and...
Beyond Thread Count - A Guide to Bed Linens! Thread count is only one factor to consider when purchasing your new sheets... And that's not all, it can be very misleading! Since so many companies market their sheets exclusively by this number, today...
Watermelon Martini - Recipe Day! Ladies, it's time to kick back, relax, and enjoy what’s left of summer... So take out your martini glasses, set up your lounge chairs, and enjoy these sweet, sophisticated, refreshing watermelon martinis...
Save 20% with our Summer Sun Sale! Click here to view our skincare products.
Bongenre Decorative Tableware If you're looking for the perfect set of dishes for summer parties or picnics, we have just the thing for you! Bongenre's elegant melamine tableware! They come in a gorgeous array of colorful patterns,...
Boozy Sour Cherry Truffles - Recipe Day! Truffles are the perfect treat to share with your sweetie... But keep an eye out, or they will eat these all up while you are distracted by pouring the champagne! Especially with the little something extra...
Rona Pfeiffer Jewelry Trunk Show! Join us for this Friday & Saturday for our Rona Pfeiffer Jewelry Trunk Show, showcasing luxurious eye catching pieces designed with the elegance of diamonds, emeralds, pearls, and sapphires.
Favorite Room Contest! Send your entries to: blog@thepicketfence.com Winner will be announced August 31st!
SuperGoop! Sun Protection There's a lot of talk these days about the extremely harmful, cancer-causing chemicals that get absorbed right through the skin from sunscreen products. :( The Environmental Working Group has recently...
Chicken in Vine Leaves With Lemon-Scented Broth - Recipe... Love fondues? Here's a perfect stock fondue dish to share with a group of friends from the book Fondue by Fiona Smith. Wrapping chicken in vine leaves not only infuses the chicken with flavor, it also...
Monica Rich Kosann Trunk Show! Join us at our store Friday, August 5th - Saturday, August 6th for our Monica Rich Kosan Trunk Show. Designer and photographer, Monica Rich Kosan's stirling silver and 18K gold jewelry, lockets, cases,...
Knight Moves Blog Mentions The Picket Fence Thank you Knight Moves for displaying our Dransfield & Ross Greek Key Guest Towel in your Friday Finds blog! We love your constant desire to refine and perfect your space. Thanks for sharing your passion...
Peaches Under Meringue - Recipe Day! Okay, I’m officially calling it — this is my favorite new recipe of the summer!! :) Warm crown broiled peaches with pillows of meringue and a bit of honeyed crunch! I’ve long been a fan of anything...
Tools of the Trade As an interior designer, easy to use tools are a must. Some of the earliest tools for designers included t-squares, a variety of compasses, scales, pencils, charcoal, templates, and a host of other items!...
Middle Eastern-Style Meatballs with Spiced Yogurt-Mint... Everyone loves the simple appeal of bite-size appetizers. The experts at Stonewall Kitchen love them too and in their book, Stonewall Kitchen Appetizers - Finger Food and Small Plates, they share 50...
Dransfield & Ross Featured in Elle Decor Magazine Introduce Dransfield & Ross' professional look into your home with our Grotto Table and Abydos Bench, along with our large assortment of their tabletop decor, decorative pillows, furniture, and home...
Summer Bedroom Sale! Click here to enter our store.
Juliet Roger Trunk Show The Picket Fence is pleased to present Juliet Roger's finely crafted jewelry collection. Juliet recently visited our store for a trunk show with her latest pieces. Everyone who walked into our store...
Chilled Emmett Cherry Soup New West Cuisine: Fresh Recipes from the Rocky Mountains introduces 15 great kitchens in the northern Rockies, including one of our valley's favorite restaurants, CK's Real Food. CK's is a relaxed eatery...
Baekgaard Ltd. Looking to punctuate your style this summer with a bright, colorful, and practical fashion statement? Look no further, gals and gents! We are happy to introduce our new line of Baekgaard Ltd. products. The...
Coconut Milk Ice Cream - Recipe Day! Satisfy your hankering for a cool and refreshing dessert with this heavenly and very easy to make Coconut Milk Ice Cream Recipe! Best of all, you can use any of your desired fruit... I especially love...
elizabethW San Francisco I am partial to scents. Invigorating smells can awaken our senses and emotions, at times even bringing with them potent reminders of some place distant in our past... And so, I can't help but fall in...
Cassi's Strawberry Kiwi Paleo Pie - Recipe Day! Strawberry Kiwi Paleo Pie is not only delicious and raw, it’s super easy! And healthy! Not to mention you can use just about any berry to make it. I have used cherries and blueberries, and imagine...
Amanda Pearl Trunk Show! If you can’t make it to our store for the Amanda Pearl Trunk Show you can still enjoy the savings we are offering the attendees. During the event, on July 2nd and 3rd, use coupon code “pearl10”...
Ways to Transform your Morning.... :) Taking care of your body, mind, and soul. Take a deep breath. - This is a simple meditation to begin the day with a healthy mindset. Clear your mind and focus on your breath, cultivating a steady, relaxed...
Pizza in a Bite - Recipe Day! If you're looking for the perfect party food, or getting together to watch "the game," this pizza bites recipe from Chaos in the Kitchen will be the most popular appetizer dish amongst your friends!...
Wallpaper Comes Full Circle! Written by Interior Designer, Barbara Palazuelos, of Jo Lee Designs. When one hears ‘wallpaper’, they cringe. I know I used to! Wallcoverings, which is the correct term these days, are considered...
Sun Valley Resort's Bald Mountain Lifts are Opening! Summer has finally arrived here in our picturesque town of Sun Valley, Idaho. And while we are best known for our skiing, it has been said that people come here for the winters, but they stay for the...
Sferra Participates in Town & Country's Cause & Affect Sferra is quite excited to bring awareness to Challenged Youth Sports in Town&Country's Philanthropy issue. Look for this issue on newsstands June 15th! CYS is a non-profit sports program for children...
Save 20% on all Bath Products! Visit our bath product selection here.
Turkey Burger - Recipe Day! Wow, delicious! Home-made Thai style turkey burgers! Your entire family will love this absolutely brilliant recipe I found via Olive Magazine. The Asian flavors are fantastic, light, juicy, and delicious.......
Wild Things Photography - Moment of Inspiration #81 Wild Things Photography was born from John Hyde's appreciation of all things wild and by his inherent quest to explore the natural world. Students often ask him what the "perfect picture" is and he replies.... "The...
Voluspa Candles Lately I've been in the mood to ease my mind by burning candles in the evening when I'm home relaxing. I love sitting in their light and breathing in their scents while writing, reading, dining, or soaking...
Banana and Chocolate Mascarpone Crepes - Recipe Day! Chocolate lovers rejoice! The very site of these pictures made my jaw drop the first time I came across this recipe. Thank you Evil Shenanigans for this unbelievable dessert and all of the other food...
Color Trend of the Month - Tangerine! According to color specialists all over the world, color psychology affects trends. Color affects us not only with how it causes us to "feel," but also in so many facets of life and industry, from fashion...
Slim Paley Blog Mentions The Picket Fence Thank you Slim Paley for displaying our Dransfield & Ross Pom Pom Cocktail Napkins in your gorgeous Chelsea Flower Show blog! The Chelsea Flower Show is perhaps the most famous gardening event in...
Sferra Contest - Take a Guess and Win! View our intricate and elegant Sferra French Knot Tablecloth. Click "Continue Reading" below, then scroll down to post your guess in our comments section! Lucky winner will receive a deliciously fragrant...
June is Wedding Month! Why is June such a popular month for weddings? Is it because after a long winter, the trees' bright green leaves are dancing in the sunlight once again... The birds have returned with their sweet chirps...
Avocado & Cilantro Dressing - Recipe Day! Lately I've been exploring the art of making my own dressings... This one is simply fantastic! I found it via Elisabeth's blog, "Guilty Kitchen," a vibrant mix of healthy dinners, baked goods, tasty...
History of Bathing I love taking showers! And baths; the hotter the better! My tub is lined with shampoos and conditioners, body washes, salts, scrubs, scented candles, even a terry bath pillow... Fragrances, moisturizers,...
Double Rainbow at Elam Bend - Moment of Inspiration... "My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky." - William Wordsworth Nature is such a beautiful artist! With all the falling rains this spring, why not enjoy the rainbows? :) These magnificent...
Yellow Tomato Gazpacho - Recipe Day! While our beautiful valley has been showered with plenty of rain thus far this spring, last Saturday some close friends and I embraced the cool temperatures and enjoyed our first outdoor dining experience!...
In Celebrating Memorial Day Give thanks for Memorial Day weekend! How do you plan to commemorate the brave men and women who served in the military? Home truly is where the heart is. Here's a lovely and original handmade print...
Simon Pearce Serve up summer with Simon Pearce! Simon carries on the tradition of craftsmanship through his beautifully handmade, one of a kind artisan glass and pottery pieces produced using time-honored techniques...
How to Make Your Own Natural Cleaners! Green cleaning is all the rage these days and for good reason; it doesn't endanger you or the environment! And while it may seem daunting to make 'the switch' when you already have a cabinet full of commercial...
Picnic Time! Summer is almost here... And thanks to all these spring rains, our beautiful environment is delightfully in bloom. Let's get outside and enjoy some fresh air, the wind in our hair, green grasses between...
Stuffed Artichoke - Recipe Day! Yuuum! Stuffed artichokes. Ready for something new, rather than just the usual steamed artichoke and buttery dipping sauce combo? Try this great recipe I discovered on Gimme Some Oven! This very easy...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration #79 - Cherry Blossoms Cherry Blossoms Adrift Pink petals passing Scents above so high Painted porcelain perfection Blossoms caress the sky Swaying silent shroud Suitors strolling by Pink petals passing Lover's gentle...
Soaking in Healing Bath Salts - Beauty Blog by Kay... When was the last time you took a hot, relaxing bath? After a strenuous day, a nice, long soak in a hot bath is just what I need. Adding bath salts will enhance your bathing experience greatly. ...
Walsworth Furnishings The Picket Fence is pleased to introduce our gorgeous new line from Walsworth Furnishings. Born and raised locally in Sun Valley, Idaho, Wes Walsworth grew up working for his father's construction company....
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #78 - Gold Hill Cottages Gold Hill is a steep cobbled street in rural Shaftesbury, England. This charming cottage laden landmark is one of the oldest and highest unspoiled towns in England.
Monday is Recipe Day - Plum Crunch Plum Crunch serves 8 Yuuummm, what a deliciously gooey dessert! I love fruit filled dishes for summer potlucks and evening sunset dinners on the porch... This is one of my favorite recipes from...
Interior Design Feature: Barbara Palazuelos - Jo Lee... Project Location: San Diego, CA Designer: Barbara Palazuelos Project Type: Kitchen Remodel About three years ago I was approached by a former employer to help his wife pick out some paint colors...
Fabric Trend of the Month - Ikat Ethnic-inspired ikat brings a vibrant designer look to any fabric. This ancient way of creating patterns in fabric through resist-dying and weaving is one of the oldest forms of textile decoration. Ikat...
Product Snob Blog Features The Picket Fence Ashley Nelly is a blogger well worth adding to your bookmark list! Her Product Snob blog is an "incredible finds and honest reviews" hub to answer all your questions about home trends, fashion, beauty,...
I Love Shea Butter! - Beauty Blog by Kay Mara No! Shea Butter Is Not A Recent Discovery! In fact, shea butter has been used in parts of Africa for centuries. This cream colored substance is actually made from the nuts of Shea-Karite trees - also...
Monday is Recipe Day - Zucchini Fritters Enjoy these delectable zucchini fritters from Renee Behnke's Memorable Recipes to Share With Family and Friends. This is a wonderful cook book with more than 140 recipes inspired by traditions stretching...
Frenchman's Gulch - Local Sun Valley Winery Located in the mountains of our beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho ski resort is Frenchman's Gulch Winery. Taste their rich, velvety smooth wines made with grapes picked from the perfect climate and fertile...
Mother's Day Contest!!! Enter our Mother's Day contest and WIN a gift! Winner will be announced this coming Monday.
Create Your Own Gift Registry Click here to create your own gift registry.
Square Foot Gardening! Planting seeds in rich garden soil is one of my favorite spring-time activities. Spring brings the beginning of a new season, more sunshine, and the sowing of so many delicious fruits and vegetables! Farmers...
Monday is Recipe Day - Banana Ice Cream Here's a great recipe for how to make creamy ice cream with only one simple ingredient! Thank you to The Kitchn for inspiring cooks, nourishing homes, and providing us with this wonderful desert idea! And...
Amanda Pearl Click here to view our Amanda Pearl collection.
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #77 - Andries Botha South African, Andries Both's breath-taking sculptures of elephants trudging into the sea are composed of thousands of recycled small wooden pieces. They serve as a creative symbolic reference of...
Pamper Your Skin! Ladies, summer is just around the corner and that means it’s almost time to pull your flip-flops out of your closet and set your feet free again! Thank goodness… Luckily for you, we have an entire...
Monday is Recipe Day - Stuffed Baguette Baking Obsession's blog is a collection of savory recipes and deserts. I love this gorgeous stuffed baguette appetizer I found on their site! Stuffed Baguette This particular one is filled with all...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration #76 - Constance Bachmann As a true artist, the essence of Constance Bachmann's work is continually evolving. Once a brush painter, she discovered a style of her own with knife and palette, giving rich color and bold texture...
Happy Earth Day! Happy Earth Day! Lets celebrate the 40th anniversary of this modern environmental holiday with a contribution to our planet... How can we take action? Save energy! This one is so simple... Just...
Aquiesse Candles I absolutely love Aquisse's candles. Their fragrance is unmatched, burning the most wonderful scents of essential oils and extracts through out your room. And with 100+ hours of burn time, and stunning...
Grow your Own Fresh Air! Ready to grow your own fresh air? With only three varieties of plants, we can “grow our own fresh air” indoors, keeping us healthy. By growing fresh air indoors we can reduce our need for fresh...
Monday is Recipe Day - German Pancake Today we're sharing a "deliziosa" breakfast pancake recipe from Cristina Ceccatelli Cook, a local Sun Valley restaurant owner. Cristina brings rich aromas and tastes into the valley with her delightful...
Color Trend of the Month - Verdigris According to color specialists all over the world, color psychology affects trends. Color affects us not only with how it causes us to "feel," but also in so many facets of life and industry, from home...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration #75 - Marc Loret French photographer, painter, and nature lover, Marc Loret demonstrates how to beautifully express many of your passions at the same time.
How to Make Your Own... Leaf Imprinted Coasters Materials Self-hardening clay Knife or clay cutter Leaves Acrylic varnish Paintbrush Wax paper Steps 1. First, cover your work space with wax paper. Make sure there...
Monday is Recipe Day - Raspberry Yogurt Pie This is a very simple and quite delicious desert you can whip up in practically no time at all! You will be surprised at the great taste of the graham cracker when combined with the tangy berries... Yummy! Raspberry...
Jan Barboglio's Signature Line Click on image to view Jan Barboglio
How to Make Your Own... Peppermint Foot Slather with... Peppermint Foot Slather with Neem Oil Here's a fun little recipe for how to make your own peppermint foot slather with neem oil from Little House in the Suburbs. Who doesn't love homely crafts like this...
Recipe Day - Sticky Rice with Mango-Khao Neaw Ma Muang One of my best girlfriends recently returned from her adventurous trip to Thailand and invited me over for a night of pictures and a delicious Thai meal. She made sticky rice with mango-khao neaw ma...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration #74 - Cal Lane When I first discovered the metal and lace works of Cal Lane, I fell completely in love with the contrast in her beautiful and one of a kind art. She represents metaphors of unrelated balance through creating...
Dyeing Easter Eggs - The Natural Way! Easter Sunday is just around the corner, and nothing makes it feel more like Easter than spending time decorating eggs with your family. This year a dear friend of mine has me thinking about ways to dye...
Slim Paley Blog Mentions The Picket Fence The Picket Fence store was recently mentioned in Slim Paley's design blog! Here's a peak at her "Sun Valley Shopping Serenade" post... Scroll through it to find us!
Pottery by American Indian Women Pottery by American Indian Women: The Legacy of Generations by Susan Peterson Primarily a women's art, American Indian pottery reflects a heritage of powerful social, religious, and aesthetic values....
Monday is Recipe Day - Apple, Brie, and Prosciutto... Today's recipe is another absolutely unbeatable & delicious meal from Tyler Florence's Real Kitchen book... Quite possibly one of our favorite in-store cook books! Try this out, and let us know what...
Over the Years at The Picket Fence Enjoy a walk down memory lane with us.... 1920 - A historic photo of the home that today has become The Picket Fence. 1983 - Founded in 1978, The Picket Fence was originally opened after DJ, a...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration #73 - Spring is in... Spring is in the air! And here in our rustic little Sun Valley ski resort, the snow is melting as the Earth turns to face the sun... Purple crocus bulbs are beginning to open beneath the sunny skies,...
The Picket Fence Recycled Map a hit in Habitat Magazine! Find new uses for old things! This year's issue of Sun Valley Guide's Habitat magazine shares our Aaron Foster United States map made from recycled license plates, available on our website. To most,...
Monday is Recipe Day - Drop-Dead Lasagna Drop-Dead Lasagna - a recipe from Tyler Florence's Real Kitchen cook book This is the old-school lasagna that you find in the Italian restaurants in Brooklyn. Fuggedaboudit! You can assemble the lasagna...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration #72 - Peace of Mind Mmmm..... It's Friday. Time to relax, grab a good book, light some scented candles, and slip into a warm bubbly bathtub.... Because there's nothing nicer than a deep breath of timelessness and pampered...
Thursday, Moment of Inspiration #71 - Pinecone Fire... This is a great blog post by Design Sponge - We are thrilled to share it with you today! We first spotted these pinecone fire starters at the cool UK site Hen and Hammock, and thought we would try...
Happy St. Patrick's Day Sale! To celebrate St. Patrick's Day here at The Picket Fence, we are hosting a 24 hour web sale. Use this coupon code to receive 17% off our entire store. It must be your lucky day!
Blabla Kids Collection click image above for Blabla
Monday is Recipe Day – Avocado Pound Cake Avocado Pound Cake - from Joy the Baker's blog. I’d really like to conjure up some useful information for you. That would be nice, right? I could tell you all about avocados. Where they came...
The Picket Fence has New Spring Colors With spring just around the corner, we decided to freshen our website's look to reflect the beautiful season that lies ahead.... Take a peek. Let us know what you think!
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration #71 – Leonid Afremov Welcome to the colorful and vibrant world of oil and pallette-knife painter, Leonid Afremov. "I enjoy creating inspired and beautiful paintings from the bottom of my soul."
Schleeh Design Morph Notepads click on image above for Schleeh products available through The Picket Fence
Monday is Recipe Day - Pumpkin-Ginger Waffles Pumpkin-Ginger Waffles - from Country Living. Serves: 5 Yields: Five 5-inch round waffles Total Time: 30 min Ingredients 1 1/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) ...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration #70 – Wire Works Art Do you enjoy creative crafts made with your own two hands? Then you will love this original wire artwork by entrepreneur Jennifer Yarbrough! Visit her at The Funky Shack Art Studio.
How to Make Your Own Cupcake Liners Today I'd like to share a wonderful blog post from BlueberryMoon about how to make your own cupcake liners... Thank you Keithena Kibbe for allowing us to pass on your cute and clever idea! Hey Cupcake........ Have...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration #69 – Sawtooth Mountains There really is no place like home. The Sawtooth Mountain range, renowned for its amazing and unique summits, is right outside our front doors here in Sun Valley, Idaho. These beautiful peaks provide...
My Blankee - Luxurious Robes & Precious Baby Blankets The Picket Fence is pleased to announce our new line of luxurious robes and precious baby blankets made by My Blankee. Utilizing only the highest quality fabrics and outstanding craftsmanship, their...
Monday is Recipe Day – Herb-Crusted Pork Roast HERB-CRUSTED PORK BREAST Cook's Illustrated provides wonderful recipes, taste test results & kitchen tips. I highly recommend signing up for their online membership. Today's recipe is a delicious...
Quick Guide to Every Herb and Spice in the Cupboard Quick Guide to Every Herb and Spice in the Cupboard Brought to you by The Kitchn "inspiring cooks. nourishing homes." Ever get coriander confused with cumin? Or wonder if saffron is really essential...
Linen Manufacturer Matouk & Co. Invests in Solar Power John Matouk & Co. has been told their 100,000-watt alternative energy project is the largest solar panel display in southeastern Massachusetts. President and CEO George Matouk Jr. said...
Jack Black - Men's Skin Care Products The Picket Fence now has Jack Black men's skin care products available on our online store! Jack Black creates superior, advanced skin care for men including shaving creams, moisturizers, grooming...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #68 – Will Caldwell Sego Lilies painting by local artist and musician, Will Caldwell. His thirty years of painting professionally have revealed a richly faceted experience of worldly travel, Rocky Mountain living, forest...
Monday is Recipe Day – Macadamia Nut Chicken with... Looking for a light and tasty dinner? Try this delicious, crunchy, fruity chicken! Courtesy noblepig.com. Macadamia Nut Chicken with Mango-Pineapple Relish Adapted from Coastal Living I have finally...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration #67 – Kal Gajoum Oil painting by Kal Gajoum.
SHOMPOLE COLLECTION - Trunk Show Visit the Shompole Collection. Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20 trunk show at The Picket Fence store. This weekend we will be showing a beautiful line of African jewelry made by artists...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #66 - How to Make Recycled... Today I'd like to share a fun and creative craft with you... How to make recycled paper! I've been experimenting with this art myself and the paper has been turning out beautifully, especially when decorative...
Monday is Recipe Day – Sesame Shrimp I was looking for something simple, healthy, and delicious to make for appetizers when I came across these mouth watering sesame seared shrimp on Martha Stewart's Whole Living website.... Enjoy the recipe! Sesame...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration #65 - Chelsea Victoria Sometimes the details of the little things in life allow us to slip away into a peaceful dreamy "wonderland..." Chelsea Victoria Photography
Thursday, Moment of Inspiration #64 - Andy Goldsworthy Have you ever heard of nature artist, Andy Goldsworthy? He creates some of the most breathtaking works of art and sculptures using a seemingly infinite array of purely natural materials, from brightly...
Skyros Designs - Fine European Products for the Table,... We'd love to introduce a new irresistible tableware line we're bringing into The Picket Fence store! Skyros Designs is owned and operated by women who share a passion for life, laughter,...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #63 - Indonesian Monkey Indonesian monkey at the Uluwatu Temple along the ocean in Bali. This photograph was taken by Tom McElroy.
Monday is Recipe Day – Chocolate Covered Strawberries Valentine's day is just around the corner! Plump, juicy strawberries coated in sweet chocolate will be simply impossible for your loved one to resist... Ingredients - 1 package 12 ounces semi-sweet...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration #62 - Recycled Homes The New York Times ran a slide show of homes built with salvaged construction material by Dan Phillips. In the picture above, bases of wine bottles function like stained glass on the top of a Dutch door....
The Laundress Signature Detergent We are very excited about a new product line we have coming in! Our bath and body expert, Kay, visited the Los Angeles Market earlier this month and she FELL IN LOVE with The Laundress. We can't wait to...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration #61 - Piper Lloyd Today I thought I'd share a light and beautiful interior design photograph by Piper Lloyd. I love the simplicity and colors of the dwelling in this shot. This image is a remodel in San Francisco's...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #60 - Mary Roberson "Black Bear Returns" painting by local artist, Mary Roberson. Mary's intimate connection with nature truly shows in the way her brush captures the instincts and essence of wildlife. Look through her...
Monday is Recipe Day – Lamb Meatballs with Yogurt... I was inspired by these appetizing lamb meatballs by Cooking with Michele while looking for a recipe to cook our local sustainably raised organic Lava Lake Lamb. Enjoy! "When you buy meat directly from...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration #59 – Tree Houses When you were a child, did you ever dream of living in a treehouse? I sure did! I thought I'd share this beautifully designed home with you to help stir your imagination.
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #58 – Nick Brandt... I found this breathtaking photograph of an African elephant drinking out of a waterhole by wildlife photographer Nick Brandt. His shots capture such a dramatic presence of wildlife, you won't be able...
Monday is Recipe Day – Baked Eggs in Bread Bowls Good morning! I found this wonderful looking breakfast on noblepig.com. I just love a creative twist on a simple and delicious meal! This was our breakfast Sunday morning. Aren't they cute? They...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration #57 - Lori McNee Today we wanted to feature a beautiful artist. Please visit Lori McNee's webpage here.
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration #56 - FresHome Today's moment of inspiration comes from an article I found on Twitter. Check out the article here. Enjoy.
10 Tips For Bringing Life To An Older Room Do you have a room in your house that needs work? One that is just older and feels out-of-touch? Creating comfort at home is very important so if there is a room in your house that you just aren't...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #55 - Decor Hanging I was randomly browsing the net today and I came across this room. I really enjoy this room a lot, what do you think of it?
Monday, Moment of Inspiration #54 - The Art of War This image is actually off a T-Shirt from Threadless.com. I really like the message and I think the art style is pretty cool. What do you think?
Monday is Recipe Day. - Super Bowl French Dip Hello! Happy Monday. With the football season coming to a close and the Super Bowl just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share a Super Bowl recipe with you. So, what is one thing that...
New YouTube Video! Hey every one. Recently here in The Picket Fence store we had a photo shoot of our store. We decided to compile it into a YouTube video for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy it. This is the...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration #53 - Steampunk Ring Today's moment of inspiration is an artist that I found on Twitter today. I really loved her creative work when it came to this Steampunk jewelry. Please have a look at her store. I really enjoyed...
Have You Heard of SodaStream? Today I wanted to take a moment to talk about a great product we just began carrying in our store called SodaStream. Many of us in the store bought these as soon as they came into the store (and we...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #52 - Polar Bear Enjoy today's inspiration.
Monday is Recipe Day. - Peanut Butter Vegetable Chicken... Do not let the name scare you off! This soup is simply delicious. I had some the other night, and I just had to share it with you. This is the prefect soup for a cold winter night dinner or a hot...
Monday - SEAL: The Unspoken Sacrifice Interview with... I posted the first part of my story on "SEAL: The Unspoken Sacrifice" on Friday and as promised here is the final part of the story, I hope you enjoy... This project clearly had a huge impact on Stephanie,...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration #50 - Elephant Have a great weekend.
Friday - SEAL: The Unspoken Sacrifice Interview with... SEAL: The Unspoken Sacrifice As I mentioned in a post before the holidays, I recently had the opportunity to sit down and interview Stephanie Freid-Perenchio, one of the authors of the book SEAL: The...
Thursday, Moment of Inspiration #49 - Dreamland Above... This wonderful image is by artist Anuk. You can see his work here. This little bit of work was entered into a contest by Wacom and deviantArt (both very big art communities) and this won first place. ...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration #48 - Drawing I simply love this drawing. Artist unknown.
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #47 - Paper Castle Enjoy today's moment of inspiration.
Virtual Design Today I wanted to try something a little different. I was thinking about interior design and blog ideas when I thought of a really interesting concept. Maybe it has been done before and if so, I would...
Monday, Moment of Inspiration #46 - Tiny Dishwasher I really thought this was an interesting little bit of technology! What do you think? See more images here.
Monday is Recipe Day. - Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi... One of our very lucky staff members here at The Picket Fence was in Hawaii recently. And as we all know, when a person goes on a great vacation they have to share it with the rest of us left behind! ...
Christmas Eve, Moment of Inspiration #45 - Happy Holidays!... Readers: Happy Holidays all! The Picket Fence Blog will not be posting for the next week. I plan to take a nice relaxing holiday with my family. I will return on Monday January 4th. Until then,...
About the Artist: Monica Rich Kosann Monica Rich Kosann is an artist whose talents spread across multiple artistic genres. She is a museum and gallery-exhibited fine art photographer specializing in black and white portraiture. Monica...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration #44 - Polar Bear Snow Have a happy holiday!!! Christmas is almost here! :D And here is your moment of inspiration.
Holiday Party, Host Gift Ideas With Christmas is just around the corner and New Years coming up quickly, I am sure many of you have big parties for which to prepare. The host and hostess of these parties will no doubt go to...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #43 - Pink Room Would you like this room in your house? I would.
Holiday Cookie Recipe I know that I publish the weekly recipes on Monday, but every now and then it is ok to break the rules, especially during the holidays! So with that said, I found a delicious cookie recipe that I just...
Monday, Moment of Inspiration #42 - Chair This chair was created from the letters "chair." I think this is very neat and original.
SEAL: The Unspoken Sacrifice Book Signing with Author... While we focus on home décor here at The Picket Fence Blog, every once in a while a story comes along that falls outside of this focus, but is so meaningful that we are compelled to bring it to you. Local...
Monday is Recipe Day! - Holiday Coffee Cake Today's recipe is a very special one! We have an amazing homemade and delicious coffee cake for you. This recipe comes from a Twitter friend, @ABCDDesigns. Please have a look at the ABCD Design...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration #41 - Rainbow Happy Friday. Enjoy the moment of inspiration.
Thursday, Moment of Inspiration #40 - Infrared Photos Check out these amazing photographs taken with an infrared camera! See more of these here.
Christmas Sugar Cookie Decorating Tips The enticing aromas, beautiful decorations, and mouthwatering flavors of holiday cookies are one of my favorite winter traditions, and like many of you bakers out there, I love trying new recipes and...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration #39 - Christmas Cheer Merry Christmas. It is just around the corner.
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #38 - Creative Trees Today I would like to bring you some images of some very creative Christmas trees! I found these images over at Houzz, a great site that I recommend. If you enjoy these, click here for a few more at...
Monday, Moment of Inspiration #37 - Christmas Ornament I really thought this Christmas Ornament was darling! What do you think? This is actually a specialty item we are selling right now. To inquire about it for Christmas please call: 1-866-944-5511
Monday is Recipe Day. - Moroccan Style Stuffed Acorn... Serves 4 What you will need: Medium acorn squashes (about 2 pounds), halved and seeded. 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil. 3/4 pound ground beef (95 percent lean). Ground cinnamon. Ground...
10 Tips to Decorating a Christmas Tree [caption id="attachment_753" aligh="center" width="312" caption="Need decorating tips? Read on..."][/caption] Christmas is one of the happiest times of the year and decorating a Christmas tree really...
Thursday, Moment of Inspiration #35 - Abstract Today I wanted to feature a few really talented Twitter artists who have a focus in abstraction. Abstract artist Laura Carter. Follow on Twitter @LauraCarterArt and see her site/store here. Abstract...
Wednesday Moment of Inspiration #34 - Watercolor Today's moment is of some beautiful watercolor paintings. If you would like to see the post I found these at and the other artists who's work is just as amazing, please click here.
A Few Decor Trends of 2009 Some decor trends are easy to spot while others are more subtle and thus sometimes harder to identify. On Twitter I was recently asked which patterns, colors, and items I see trending right now in the...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration #33 - Vintage Right now I am feeling very inspired by vintage design. Here is a magazine cover from the 1920s. Vogue, November 1927 Artist: George Lepape After studying at the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs in Paris,...
Monday, Moment of Inspiration #32 - Paris Enjoy. Link to the photographer.
Monday is Recipe Day. - Rustic Spinach Salad Prep time: 15 minutes Total time: 15 minutes Makes: 4 servings, 2 1/4 cups each What is needed: 8 cups baby spinach leaves. 2 small Fuji apples, thinly sliced, cut in half. 2 cups chopped...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration - Video Game Art The art behind video games these days is just truly amazing. This is from a brand new video game: Assassins Creed II.
Table Manners: Different Culture, Different Manners? The other day I began to write a post on table manners, when I thought: "I wonder what manners are universal across cultures and which ones are different." For example, I always heard in certain Asian...
Thursday, Moment of Inspiration - Fresh Home Would you live here? Click to see more images, here.
How to Make a Bed Like a 5 Star Hotel In our travels we have all been to hotels at one time or another and most of us have seen the difference between really nice hotels and those that are just ok. There are many reasons that hotels fail...
Thursday, Moment of Inspiration - Pavement Art 2 We enjoyed our first pavement art blog post much, we just had to do another one! Check this out. See more on this artist here. This is from artist Edgar Mueller.
Table Manners: The Proper Way to Set a Table Here is the formal way to set the dinner table. A - Napkin B - Dinner Plate C - Soup Bowl on Plate D - Bread and Butter Plate with Butter Knife E - Water Glass F - White Wine G - Red Wine H -...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration - Pavement Art This was done with chalk on an entire street! Can you believe it? I found this image here.
About the Artist: Mustardseed & Moonshine The Picket Fence is well known for our collection of fine bedding and bath items. The store was established as a place that sold bedding and towels to member of the local community when there was no...
Monday, Moment of Inspiration - Star Wars Pop Art Some really cool Pop Art, obviously inspired by Andy Warhol. You can see the post here. Artist name: Eelus.
Monday is Recipe Day. - Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Too much turkey? Try this great dish... It's a great way to use your leftover turkey and stuffing! Serves 8. What you need: 2 1/2 cups prepared mashed potatoes 2 cups cooked, shredded turkey 1...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration - Japanese Autumn Autumn in Japan. I found this image here.
Table Manners: What You CAN Eat with Your Fingers Despite the chiding from our parents when we were children, and while etiquette dictates the proper and acceptable ways to eat certain foods, sometimes the proper utensil is nothing more than your fingers. ...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration - Black and White Sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful... Enjoy.
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration - da Vinci From the master himself, here is your moment of inspiration today. Please visit this web page to see many more of his sketches.
About the Artist: Diane James Throughout the past few weeks we have talked about several artists whose work we carry in our store, and today I want to introduce you to one more: Diane James. Diane James is a big name in the home...
Monday, Moment of Inspiration - Light Graffiti Not many people know about this strange and beautiful art style. It actually is very difficult to do from what I understand. So I present to you "Light Graffiti." Artists will use a light source...
Monday is Recipe Day! - Cranberry Apple Crumble This is a very simple and quick dessert that you can serve on Thanksgiving day! Everyone can use a nice, simple recipe like this during the holiday season while your family and friends will be asking...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration - Interior Design by... This is a image from a house designed by Jason Martin in LA. The original post is from the Desire to Inspire blog. Please check out this link to read more.
Turkey Day Tips! I don't know what your house is like, but mine gets absolutely nuts when Thanksgiving comes around. We have upwards of 20+ family members over for dinner and enough turkey and side dishes to feed...
Thursday, Moment of Inspiration - Street Scene Here is a really cool image I found from this other post here. The photography behind these is just awesome, what do you think?
Four Quick and Easy Tips to Maximize a Small Garden We like to cover a wide variety of topics here on The Picket Fence Blog and we have yet to talk about gardening so today I wanted to branch out a little and write a post for you gardeners out there! ...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration - Lion This beautiful image is from photographer Nick Brandt. His PhotoShop work in these images is quite stunning. Very dramatic. We sell a book in our store with his work, On This Earth: Photographs from...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration - Beach Decor This is an image I found in an online article long ago. The article escapes me, but I still have one of the images. I really like the simplicity and lack of color in this design. This is a design...
A Special Recipe Day! - Spicy Fruited Coleslaw I know we do our recipes here at The Picket Fence on Monday, but today is a special exception. Today on Twitter I had a very nice exchange with Ellen Leigh. Ellen is an artist who specializes in wall...
Monday, Moment of Inspiration - The World is Just Beautiful Today I just wanted to take a moment and look at our beautiful Earth. What do you think?
Monday is Recipe Day. - Lamb Chops with Minted Spaghetti... Hands on time: 15 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Serves 4 1 small spaghetti squash (about 3 pounds) 3 tablespoons olive oil 4 small lamb shoulder chops (about 2 1/2 pounds; 1 inch thick) 1/2...
10 Ways to Be More Organized for the Holiday Season! Well Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years etc. are coming up fast. So this weekend we would like to give you a few tips to read over and think about as you plan for the busy holiday season! Schedule...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration - Rainbow This image comes from this post. Pretty cool eh?
Thursday, Moment of Inspiration - Paper Craft Today's moment is really really cool. I was browsing for something to post and I came across these gems. These works below are ENTIRELY made from paper. (I just had to show you more than one) The...
How to Hang Artwork Like a Pro I have been given permission to copy an paste an article for you today by artist Lori McNee. Lori is currently ranked as the 2nd most influential artist on Twitter. (Technically she is #1, the first...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration - A Graffiti Touch Today I wanted to go a little outside of my normal box. I really enjoy this image for several reasons, what do you think? The color, the flow, the motion, intensity.. etc etc.
Reminder: Book Signing at The Picket Fence! On November 27th, 2009, The Picket Fence will be hosting author Rene Behnke as she signs her new book! Rene Behnke is the founder of Sur La Table. [caption id="attachment_273" align="aligncenter" width="270"...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration - Auto Art This is an image that displays some 1936 Olympic Athletes with some of the most iconic automobiles of that era. To see more images, see the source here.
Le Blanc Linen Wash We have many wonderful products at The Picket Fence, and in the last few weeks we have shared some of our favorite designers with you, with pieces that talked about products from Ogallala, Peacock...
Monday, Moment of Inspiration - Beach I found this picture at Smashing Buzz in a collection of surreal art. Check it out here. Warning, some of the images are quite weird and shocking.
Monday is Recipe Day. - Quick Beef Tacos Hands on time: 20 minutes Total time: 20 minutes serves 4 What you will need: 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 1/2 cps jarred salsa Kosher salt 8 taco shells 1...
Back Online! The Picket Fence's Blog is officially 100% back online!! Yay!
Sorting Out Issues Last week our Blog went offline. We are not quite sure how it happened, but we have been able to restore it. You will be seeing some changes over the next several hours. Please be patient as we work...
About the Artist: Simon Pearce If you read my first "about the artist" post you will know we talked about an amazing designer, Jan Barboligo. If you did not, please go read it! Here at The Picket Fence, we decided it is really...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration - Cool Interior Really cool picture and interior design. Check the post with 75 other images, here.
What You Need to Know About Thread Count When I first started working for The Picket Fence, I had an idea about what thread count was, but I was much less familiar with concepts such as staple, finish, weave, or hand; though they all are...
Monday, Moment of Inspiration - Halloween Pumpkin This is the last Halloween post for the year, but I really wanted to WOW you with this one. This is true mastery of pumpkin carving.
Monday is Recipe Day. - Spicy Orange Glazed Drumsticks... Hands on time: 15 minutes Total time: 45 minutes serves 4 What you will need: 1/4 cup orange marmalade 1/2 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce (found in the Asian section of the supermarket) 8...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration - Halloween Night Porch This is really cool. In the spirit of Halloween, see how they did it here.
About the Artist: Jan Barboglio It seems that when customers walk into a typical retail store, it's not often that they ask themselves the question: "Where did this product come from?" But here at The Picket Fence we have a different...
Thursday, Moment of Inspiration - iPhone Wedding Cake That's right! See the story here. How cool! What do you think?
A Short History of Tableware - The Spoon The final installment of my "History of Tableware" series will delve into the history of the ultra-versatile utensil, the spoon. Out of the three main utensils of the table (knife, fork, spoon),...
NEW at The Picket: A New Homepage! We are very excited right now. Today at The Picket we changed up some navigation on our site. You can see it at http://www.thepicketfence.com. Now when you see our web page you have a few more navigation...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration - Telephone Pole Bench Amazing, a bench made from a reclaimed telephone pole! Check it out here.
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration - Funky Little Darlings Today's moment is actually a website I found that I think is really cool! Check out the wall paintings in some of these images. Funky Little Darlings. Below are some examples of their work, but you...
Monday, Moment of Inspiration - Stained Glass Stained Glass Ceiling at the Clock Tower, Tallaght, Dublin by Jonesborough Stained Glass See more here. Amazing!
Monday is Recipe Day. - Halloween Treats! Check out these amazing and fun treats for your Halloween party!! Click here.
Monday is Recipe Day. - Pasta and Bean Soup Serves 6 Active: 20 mins Total: 1.5 hour (plus overnight soaking) This would look tasty served in these bowls. 1 1/4 cups dried Great Northern or cannellini beans Pinch of baking soda 1/4...
Friday, Moment of Inspiration - Native American Today's moment of inspiration comes from the book "Pottery by American Indian Women." The book can be seen in greater detail here.
Thursday, Moment of Inspiration - Plum Pretty Sugar RT @plumprettysugar A room for afternoon work. http://tinyurl.com/ygx43r5 Really great!
NEW at The Picket: Candle Votives New from The Picket Fence are these amazing candle votives. Make these the votives the center piece on a table or mantle. Go great with any holiday and occasion. They are fun, lively, and bring...
CONTEST: Halloween Pumpkins! Here is the deal: Are you a pumpkin carving master? Do you scare the pants off little trick or treaters with your creations? Is pumpkin carving an art for you? If the answer is "YES" to any...
Book Signing at The Picket Fence Store! On November 27th, 2009, The Picket Fence will be hosting author Rene Behnke as she signs her new book! Rene Behnke is the founder of Sur La Table. [caption id="attachment_273" align="aligncenter" width="270"...
Wednesday, Moment of Inspiration - Shadows Truly amazing! From photographer Tom Evangelidis.
A Short History of Tableware - The Fork As promised last week, today I am continuing my series on the History of Tableware with my second installment dealing with the History of the Fork. As with my article on the History of the Knife,...
Mariposa Discontinues Baubles Line Mariposa, a line The Picket Fence carries, has told us they will be discontinuing their Bauble line. This series of dishes and plates can be seen here on our online store. These items will still...
Tuesday, Moment of Inspiration - Dog House? These moments of inspiration come from Desire to Inspire.
Monday is Recipe Day. - Pear Tart Tatin Dessert To accompany your trout salad, create this beautiful dessert. The following YouTube video will show you pictures of both the salad and the dessert. Please make these and give us feedback. We would...
Monday is Recipe Day! - Smoked Trout Salad with Shaved... Today we are bringing you something extra special for recipe day! The following recipe is by our very own local chef Sante Salvoni. But not only that, we have incorporated a new YouTube video to accompany...
Uncovering the Facts about Down, Part Two Welcome back. Today we are finishing up the second part of our two part blog post. If you missed the post yesterday, you can simply scroll down, or click here. We really suggest you read the first...
Thursday, Moment of Inspiration - Pumpkin Thursday's moment of inspiration comes from Seriously Fun.
Uncovering the Facts about Down, Part One Another busy week here at The Picket Fence, but amidst the work we have had some very interesting meetings. Ever heard of the Syriaca plant? I sure hadn't, but earlier this week at The Picket Fence...
Monday is Recipe Day! - Halloween Pumpkin Pasties These delicious treats were originally created for Hogwarts School, from the famous Harry Potter series of books and movies. But now we bring this recipe to your home, so you too can enjoy this treat. Make...
How to Fold a Towel I am sure that most adults know how to fold towels. Even so, there are a myriad of ways to fold towels with each having its own advantages and today I wanted show you a couple of these different methods...
A Short History of Tableware - The Knife Have you ever taken the time to just stop and wonder about how certain tools came to be? Such as a butter knife? Have you ever wondered when it was decided to blunt a blade to spread butter? Or were...
Monday is Recipe Day. (alternate recipe) - Butternut... Do you need a dish to entertain this week? Or maybe just something for the family? Something quick but delicious? Check this out: Serves 6 Active: 30 mins Total: 50 mins 6 cups chicken...
Monday is Recipe Day. - Spaghetti with Mussels, Tomatoes,... Are you looking for a quick and simple dish for a dinner party this week? Or maybe just something for a nice dinner date at home? Allow us to help you prepare with this recipe: Need something new...
The Mood of Color It is Fall of 2009 and you have had the same bland white walls in your kitchen for over 14 years. You decide it is time to redecorate. Now, in this situation most people would just choose a color that...
Kick off your boots and get down to business with cowboy cooking and traditional Texas ranch cuisines from A Cowboy in the Kitchen. With over 200 pages of fresh recipes filled with strong flavors, like this delicious Southern tostada ice cream dessert, you’ll want to throw your hat and holler!
Yield: 5 servings
For Tostada Shells:
- 1/3 c. packed brown sugar
- 1/4 c. unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. light corn syrup
- 1/8 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 c. flour
To Finish Tostadas:
- 1 pint vanilla ice cream
- 1 1/4 c. diced fresh strawberries
- 1 1/4 c. Caramelized Bananas (see below)
- 1/4 c. julienned mint leaves
- 1/3 c. grated white chocolate (about 1 1/2 oz.)
To prepare the tostada shells, heat the sugar, butter, corn syrup, and vanilla in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir the mixture over medium heat until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Remove mixture from the heat and whisk in the flour until batter is very thick and creamy, caramel color. There should be no flour showing.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare two 17″ x 12″ pans by lining with parchment paper. Secure paper to the pan with dabs of butter around the edges. (This keeps the paper in place during the spreading and cooking process.)
Divide the batter between the two pans and spread each portion in an even, solid, thin layer using a plastic pastry scraper or a spatula. The batter will not reach the edges and it will be almost transparent.
Place the pans into the oven and bake about 5 minutes, or until the mixture is golden brown and begins to look bubbly. The thickness of the batter will determine the exact cooking time.
Remove pans from the oven and immediately cut 3-inch rounds with a biscuit cutter, cutting as close as possible to each other. You should get about 10 rounds. Leave them in a place to cool and become brittle. Remove when hard and set aside until serving in an airtight container.
Place 2 tostadas on each plate. Center a small scoop of ice cream on each tostada, and top each serving with 1/4 cup each of the strawberries and Caramelized Bananas. Sprinkle with a bit of mint and 1 Tbsp. white chocolate per serving.
Serve at once.
Caramelized Bananas
Yield: About 3 cups
- 3/4 c. packed brown sugar
- 3/4 c. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 4 bananas, diced
Heat the brown sugar in a skillet over medium heat. When the sugar starts to melt, add the butter and stir to blend with a whisk or wooden spoon. When the mixture becomes liquid and very hot, add the bananas all at once. Stir to coat the bananas with the syrup. Remove from heat and let cool. Serve the bananas at once or store them the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Stir again before serving.
Posted on : 27-08-2010 | By : The Picket Fence | In : News, Trunk Show
Posted on : 25-08-2010 | By : The Picket Fence | In : How To, Informational
Thread count is only one factor to consider when purchasing your new sheets… And that’s not all, it can be very misleading!
Since so many companies market their sheets exclusively by this number, today we’d like to tell you about some other aspects to consider when shopping for fine linens… 
Thread Count:
First of all, lets clarify what thread count is! It is the number of threads woven lengthwise and crosswise into one square inch of fabric. Higher thread counts result in stronger, smoother and more comfortable bed linens and generally correlate to better sets of sheets, and thus thread count a good place to start. However, when shopping for the best value in sheeting, you must look beyond simple thread count! There is little regulation of the bedding industry and lower quality producers will often inflate the thread count of their sheets or use very thin, weak yarns to obtain a high thread count. In shopping for linens it is incredibly important to look at the staple length and the type of cotton used in their construction.
The Cotton:
The quality of the sheet set really begins with the type of cotton that is used to weave the yarn. Egyptian cotton is the preferred choice for fine bedding as these plants have longer fibers (staples) than other types of cotton resulting in fewer ‘joins’ in the woven yarns. When spun into yarn, these long staple fibers are aligned to impart a thin, strong strand that is incredibly soft to the touch. Producing linens from long staple cotton results in sheeting that is resistant to ‘piling,’ or unraveling, which creates weak areas in the fabric. Pima cottons from the North America are generally of good quality as well, though their staple length is shorter than Egyptian cottons. Because of the superior quality of Egyptian cotton, it’s a very good place to start… But read carefully, linens only need to have 2% Egyptian cotton to put Egyptian cotton on the label! To ensure the best quality, look for sheets that are made from 100% Egyptian cotton. However important, the origin of the cotton is far from the be-all-end-all of fine linens. There are some cottons that come from Egypt that have shorter staples and some companies will have 100% Egyptian cotton sheets that have an inferior feel. This is when factors such as the weave and hand of the fabric need to be taken into account.
The Weave:
While bed linens come in a variety of weaves, the two most popular are percale and sateen weaves. Percale is a traditional weave achieved by weaving one thread over and one thread under. This weave results in a crisp, fresh feel to the linen. Percale sheets stay cooler in the summer and they absorb moisture easily. Sateen (not to be confused with satin, which is a weave using either silk or synthetic fabrics) is a weave with 4 threads over and one under which gives it more ‘surface.’ These linens have a ‘satin’ side and a dull side, and are silky smooth to the touch with a fantastic lustre. Your choice of weave is largely based on personal preference. Feeling the fabric is a great way to compare the two weaves and thus help you decide which one is right for you. Like I mentioned above, these are not the only two weaves, but they are by far the most popular!
The Hand:
The hand of a fabric is a really good way to judge the overall quality of a bedding collection. The hand of a sheet simply refers to the way that a sheet feels when touched, and this is where you can really tell the difference between the finest sheets in the world and some of their competitors. When you touch a sheet from a luxury linen collection, you can feel how smooth the fabric is and how clean the weave and finish are. Some companies will try to fool you with chemical washes before they ship their products to enhance the hand while in the package, but not only are these washes unhealthy for the consumer, they are also quickly washed out revealing the true quality of the product. To feel past these washes, really test the fabric by rubbing it between your fingers to make sure the threads are smooth, tightly woven and of uniform thickness. This will really help you see the difference between sheets of varying price ranges.
~ ~ ~
Still have sheeting questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact us, we would be more than happy to share our knowledge with you!
Ladies, it’s time to kick back, relax, and enjoy what’s left of summer… So take out your martini glasses, set up your lounge chairs, and enjoy these sweet, sophisticated, refreshing watermelon martinis with your gals!
Makes 6 large martinis.
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon (with the rinds and seeds removed)
- 1 cup lemon vodka
- 1/2 cup Cointreau or Triple Sec
- 2 limes, squeezed
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 Tbsp. sugar (or sugar substitute)
- Garnish; pieces of watermelon, lime, sugar cane
Directions
In a blender, combine the watermelon chunks and puree. Remove pureed fruit and pour into a pitcher and keep very cold, even a little frozen to make it icy.
For two generous martinis, add one cup of watermelon puree, 1/4 cup of lemon vodka, and one tablespoon of Cointreau or Triple Sec to the blender with three ice cubes and blend.
Pour into a nice festive glass, and don’t forget the party garnish! Garnish with watermelon chunks, limes or a stick of sugar cane.
It’s that simple!
For those of you who not wish to enjoy this delicious drink without alcohol, just omit it, and add ice cubes, a splash of cranberry juice, and a splash of lime juice…
Posted on : 20-08-2010 | By : The Picket Fence | In : News, Trunk Show
Posted on : 18-08-2010 | By : The Picket Fence | In : Informational, News
If you’re looking for the perfect set of dishes for summer parties or picnics, we have just the thing for you! Bongenre‘s elegant melamine tableware! They come in a gorgeous array of colorful patterns, and are both fashionable and easy to use. Recently their patternware has even been spotted in Elle Decor’s What’s Hot! and Better Homes and Gardens’ 40 Fun Ideas for Great Summer Get-Togethers.
Click here to view our Bongenre collection!
Truffles are the perfect treat to share with your sweetie… But keep an eye out, or they will eat these all up while you are distracted by pouring the champagne! Especially with the little something extra hidden in the centers… Sour cherries! They are just about indescribable in their delicious, sensuous, silky richness. Thank you dlyn Blog for your wonderful recipe!
Makes about 30 truffles.
Ingredients
- Brandy
- Dried sour cherries
- 10 oz. bittersweet chocolate
- 3 Tbsp. butter
- 1/2 c. heavy cream
- Toasted chopped nuts, cocoa powder, or coconut if desired
Directions
Ahead of time: Soak sour dried cherries in 1/4 cup of brandy for 48 hours, and then dry them on plate for 48 hours. (Save the brandy!) You want to make sure the ganache will stick to them, so their outer surfaces need to be dry.
~ ~ ~
Measure 10 ounces of bittersweet chocolate and 3 tablespoons of butter in a glass bowl.
Microwave the chocolate and butter for 30 seconds on high, stir well, and repeat.
Heat 1/2 cup of heavy cream just to a simmer, and pour over the the chocolate/butter mixture. Allow to sit for 2 minutes, and then gently stir, until smooth and creamy.
Add 1/4 cup of brandy, using what you saved from draining the cherries (and then adding enough to make 1/4 cup). Stir in well. Go ahead and give it a try! 
Spread the ganache in a flat baking dish, approximately 8″×8,” and refrigerate for an hour.
Using a small cookie scoop or the like, portion out the truffles, laying each one on a parchment or wax paper lined plate. Return to the refrigerator for 30 minutes
With the ganache sandwiched between parchment or wax paper, use the heel of your hand to flatten out each ball. Then put the cherry in the center and bend the edges of the ganache over the fruit, sort of munging it into a rough circle. It isn’t a pretty process, and you may find a method that works better for you! You may choose to pop them back in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, and donning plastic gloves, roll them into something resembling spheres. Then place them back in the fridge for 15 minutes.
Melt your coating chocolate using a double boiler. You may need to return the pan to the heat a few times to maintain the proper texture for dipping.
Coat each truffle completely, picking each one up by sliding a fork underneath, then allowing to drain briefly before laying on parchment or wax paper. If you plan to add any decoration or further flavor, like toasted nuts, cocoa powder, or coconut, do so immediately or the chocolate will harden and nothing will stick to it!
You can use little cupcake liners for presentation, or place the truffles inside of a sealed container where they will keep for a couple weeks – even longer if you refrigerate them!
Posted on : 13-08-2010 | By : The Picket Fence | In : News, Trunk Show
Join us for this Friday & Saturday for our Rona Pfeiffer Jewelry Trunk Show, showcasing luxurious eye catching pieces designed with the elegance of diamonds, emeralds, pearls, and sapphires.
0