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WARMER DAYS ARE MEANT TO BE A LITTLE ADVENTUROUS, AND THERE’S NO BETTER WAY TO RENEW YOUR ENERGY THAN BY TRYING
something new.”
Laura Johnson, Founding Artist & CEO
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Happy Everything!™ – a Coton Colors Collection, founded in 2003.
from Laura
Laura Johnson, an entrepreneurial artisan inspired by the celebrations of her own life, founded Coton Colors in 1989. Influenced by a childhood immersed in the colorful culture of Old Miami and engrained with the Southern charm of her current home in Tallahassee, Florida, Laura has created a leading lifestyle brand in the giftware, dining and décor industries.
@COTONCOLORS | @HAPPYEVERYTHINGCC | @SHOPCOTONCOLORS COTON-COLORS.COM | HAPPY-EVERYTHING.COM PRODUCED BY COTON COLORS, INC. PUBLISHED BY P2P PUBLISHING 2718 CENTERVILLE RD. | TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308 EDITORIAL INQUIRIES CALL (877) 801-1292 SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES CALL (877) 801-1292 OR VISIT WWW.COTON-COLORS.COM FOR MORE ON COTON COLORS AND THE JOHNSON FAMILY, VISIT TOAST, OUR BLOG BLOG.COTON-COLORS.COM TALLAHASSEE FLAGSHIP STORE 1355 MARKET ST | TALLAHASSEE, FL 32312 TAMPA FLAGSHIP STORE 1716 S DALE MABRY HWY | TAMPA, FL 33629 ATLANTA FLAGSHIP STORE 3872 ROSWELL ROAD NORTHEAST SUITE A8 | ATLANTA, GA 30342 PRINTED IN THE USA THE NEXT ISSUE OF TOAST WILL BE AVAILABLE FALL 2019
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The Coton Colors home office is filled with excitement as I write this. My crew and I have been busily working on this edition of Toast for weeks. As the final pages go to print, I’ll be sailing away on a Transatlantic cruise, joined only by my mother, Dee, and my sister, Marcie, for our annual bonding trip. As hard as it is for me to turn off my brain from business needs, I’m looking forward to this “forced vacation” - as my daughter Kyle calls it. Not only is this trip an occasion to create new memories, but it is also an energizing reset button. I come back from trips like this one with reinvigorated ideas and a determination to tackle goals. It’s no wonder we dedicated much of this issue to themes of refreshing and restoration. You can see this quite literally in our Refresh and Restore article on page 8, where my daughter Sara Kate gives her expert advice on how to upkeep all sorts of materials {I’m so impressed with her! And, of course, would like to take credit for her genius, but the student has become the master}. Yet, underlying almost every article is the idea of viewing issues or loved ones with some perspective, to try something different, to simplify our priorities in order to conquer the day. I encourage you to keep these themes in mind as you flip through the pages of this edition that we have so lovingly created for you, but also throughout your days. After all, there is no better time to renew spirits than the warmer seasons.
We’re Coton Colors.
We are a lifestyle brand and designer of products created to inspire a celebration. Our Founding Artist and CEO, Laura Johnson’s motto “never miss an opportunity to celebrate every day” has inspired her to create pieces that elevate everyday moments with ease. Coton Colors consists of three collections for all of your celebrating needs: Kitchen + Home, Ornaments, and Happy Everything!™.
The Toast Crew FOUNDING ARTIST/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Laura Johnson CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND DESIGNER Kyle Johnson Smith PHOTOGRAPHER Sara Kate Johnson COPY EDITORS Maki Segovia Blair Davis Alison Saucier Alison Leavitt Becca Keller Niki McKinnell COLLECTIONS EDITORS Brittany Perkins Courtney Munroe DESIGN TEAM Whitney Borkowski Abbie Hutchins Emily Hudson VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS Ashley Trafton VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING Cindy Sullivan
Never miss an opportunity to celebrate… HOME 06 You’re Invited 08 Refresh & Restore 10 What Are Your Big Three? 13 The Beauty of the Orchid 18 In With the Old, In With the New
TR AVEL 24 Going Global 22 #atypicalCCday: Product Line
EN T ER TA ININ G 26 Al Fresco All Ways
FA M I LY & F R I E N D S 04 Pet Spotlight 12 Dive In 30 Make Dad Proud 14 Wedding Traditions with a Twist
FA L L /H O L IDAY 2 0 18
Catch up on all our past editions of Toast Magazine on ISSUU at issuu.com/cotoncolors
DESIGN 17 Color Crush: Blush
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Her name is Elsie Jean, but we call her “El J”. She is a sweet-natured bulldog mix we adopted through SouthBAR K in December 2017. Her mama had been found on the streets and the pups were born into a foster home. The night I went to “pick” out a puppy, they were all in a basket. As soon as I walked through the door and spoke, El J popped her head up from the basket. I tell people that she really picked me! She is goofy and full of personality. She loves with all her 55 pounds and still thinks she is the size of her self at 8 weeks. E L S I E puppy She a l so h a s a JE poodle brother my hu sb a nd br ought home in September 2018. Size does not matter to them. They have become best pals!
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We have never met a pet parent who wasn’t equipped w ith a stor y and picture ready to be shared - and we love it! If you follow us on social media, you know we tend to gush about our pets, too. This time, we’re turning the spotlight on our followers {Ehmm... the pets of our followers} and we’re sharing submissions of your own fourlegged family members that make life even sweeter.
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Pet Spotlight
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EHU TCHINS T his brother/sister duo is Charlotte and Troop. Charlotte is a 4-year-old miniature long hair black dapple Dachshund, and Troop is a 2-year-old liver roan German Shorthaired Pointer! Troop’s dad, Zach, met Charlotte’s mom, Katherine, two years ago in Athens, Georgia, and now they are getting married!
Troop has SO MUCH energy. He loves to run and play with his ball. He loves his food and playing with Charlotte on the bed - even though mom tells him not to! Troop is very vocal and “talks” when he gets excited. His favorite thing of all is snuggling with mom and dad and getting under the bed covers at night. He HATES taking a bath and getting his ears cleaned. Troop is the kindest most gentle soul and never meets a stranger. Charlotte is all parts sassy. She used to boss her sister litter mate around as a puppy and nothing has changed since. Charlotte may be little, but she can hang with the big dogs! She goes by the nickname “Char,” and loves treats and playing in the backyard with Troop. Her other favorite pastimes are barking at the UPS man, licking the last bit of coffee out of the cup, and snuggling with dad when mom isn’t looking! The attitude is all in the eyes... she loves to cut her eyes just to get her point across. These dogs bring so much joy and happiness to our lives and I have enjoyed sharing them with you!
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We love Duke. H e ’s a rescue through a G olden Retriever @P AIG rescue group in EKNUDSEN Atlanta and he’s from Turkey. T h e r e a r e hu n d r e d s of abandoned Goldens there (if you can even imagine). They were once a sign of wealth there. Duke was found in shock in the forest and they assume he’d also been physically abused as well. When they bring the rescues over, they’re given temporary theme names. He was in the Americana group and named Cowboy. We stayed on theme and switched it to Duke after the legendary cowboy, John Wayne. He’s a sweet boy who loves to sneak up on my white furniture, occasionally eats my fiddle leaf and always carries a lovey around. When it’s cold, we wrap a little blanket around him, and while he sleeps, he occasionally snores. I joke that his prescription dog food (hello, major allergies) qualifies him as a private school pup.
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We love this fella, quirks and all. #cowboyduketherescuedog
Shortly after Hurricane Michael made landfall on the Florida panhandle, my sister went down to the coast to bring supplies to the devastated area where we had family and friends dealing with the aftermath of the storm. During the cleanup, she noticed a sma ll Boyk in Spaniel had been hanging around their home for a few days. After inquiring, she was told that the dog had returned day after day with no family in si ght . O u r l a st fa m i ly dog w a s a B oy k i n, s o my si s te r instantly thought of me and called to ask if we would be interested in adopting the little dog. My sister nudged me a little {ok, a lot} and gave him his freedom ride home one Sunday while I was golfing, and before I got home, my daughter, Kyle, had already bathed and brushed him. We agreed to give it a “test drive” since we already had other pets to consider, but from that very first day, we knew that he was a keeper. We pondered over a name for a few days, but it seemed as though “Cane” was the only logical choice. We would have never have been connected to him if it hadn’t been for Hurricane Michael.
This is Goose! He is a 5-year-old GOOS Black Lab who was named for E the character, Goose, from the movie “Top Gun.” Goose goes to work ever y day with his dad (his favorite person in the world, even though it’s his mom who lets him get in the bed sometimes!!) and is one of the sweetest dogs you will @ T SA ever meet! Goose’s favorite RA ON M H E PROC TORD ac t iv it ie s include hunt ing, laying in the sun, and going for walks around our neighborhood. He’s an old soul who also loves fetching his bumper and going swimming. Goose never shies away from a belly rub, and everyone who meets him says how calm, docile, and obedient he is!
- Milton Johnson, Laura’s husband
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YOU’RE INVITED
E XPERIENCE SOME THING NE W AND SHARPEN YOUR HOS TING SKILL S WITH OUR E XCLU SIVE IN-S TORE E VENT S
HOW W E S TA R T ED HO S T ING E V EN T S Our Atlanta Flagship choose the activity for the Why stop at selling Store events were month. With a little Johnson sparked by a clever idea family brainstorm, the first products? We want to from Laura’s youngest Flower Arranging Class was niece, L ogan, and her inspire you and help you use born. You see, while our life’s friends. Bored of getting them while sharing a little work ranges from business to together at restaurants or product design, at the root is fun along the way. happy hour, the group of our passion for entertaining 12 girls decided to get and celebrating life’s everyday adventurous and started their own “Activity Club.” moments. That notion is in everything we do... so Once a month, one girl would pick a fun and unique why stop at selling products? We want to inspire outing or class for the whole group to participate you and help you use them while sharing a little in. The Atlanta Flagship Store had been open for fun along the way. only a short while when it was Logan’s turn to 6
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W H AT TO E X PEC T When you attend one of our in-store events you are welcomed with lively music, happy people, and a prepped station waiting for you which includes your name card, a carrier to take your final product home, and a discount for the next time you shop with us. You can join your friends or co-workers and relax while you sip wine and snack on a beautiful charcuterie board. Throughout all of our events, the ultimate goal is that you have fun while learning something new. We hope to empower you with skills to take away the intimidation from hosting or decorating, so you, too, can feel like effortless entertaining is achievable. T Y PES OF E V EN T S We create new event s ever y sea son, each thoughtfully curated to help you experience something different and grow your skill set. Our events are great for team bonding experiences, book clubs, girls’ night out, moms’ night out, birthday parties, bridal parties, you name it! In addition to our popular Flower Arranging Class, we are in the works of creating new events like a Charcuterie Board 101, seasonal tablescape design classes, and cocktail crafting demonstrations. With every new event, we want to help you think outside of the box to achieve effortless entertaining and celebrating. What are some skills you would like to learn? Your feedback helps us ex pa nd our event offerings with unique and fun classes. Join our email list and follow @ShopCotonColors to be the first to hear about our new upcoming events, or send us your suggestions for future classes.
WA N T TO HO S T A PRIVAT E E V EN T ? Call your local Flagship Store so we can get the conversation started!
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REFRESH & Restore IT’S HAPPENING AGAIN. Around this time of year, we get a bad case of Spring Fever. You know, the kind that brings on an irresistible urge to take out ever y thing in our closets and give them a good, yearly cleaning. If you’re also feeling this contagious impulse, we have the best tips and tricks on refreshing and restoring almost every material under the sun from our very own expert, Sara Kate Johnson, who also happens to be Laura’s middle daughter and our in-house photographer. HERE’S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY: Let’s start with the Golden Rule: Always, always, always do a spot test before using any of these methods on priceless items.
BRASS & COPPER æ Let me say, I love the look of tarnished, aged brass. I think it adds character! But maybe that’s just me. However, I have some silver goblets with a brass f inish on the inside of the coupe that I like to keep gleaming.
æ My go-to for getting that bright gleam is Brasso®. It comes in a powder and in a cream, but I prefer the cream.
æ Fair warning, be very careful with this product - read and follow the directions carefully.
GLASS æ Soak your glasses in some good old-fashioned white vinegar. Ten minutes should be plenty. If you still have some stubborn spots, try scrubbing with a little baking soda. Then rinse well and dry.
æ This also works if you want to reuse an antique perfume bottle that still has remnants of that strong Eau de Parfum ladies used to wear.
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S I LV E R æ Plain old silver polish does the trick every time. Wright’s® is my favorite. The polish will stain everything it comes into contact with, so lay down paper and put on an old t-shirt. And don’t forget to wear gloves! Polish away.
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N EV ER ever use an abrasive sponge on any silver piece as it will leave scratches in the delicate silver.
æ NEVER put your silver in the dishwasher. The chemicals and high temperatures can buff away the beautiful f inish and leave your silver looking dull.
æ After using your silver, wash with hot water and dry immediately to keep water spots from forming. Try your best not to leave food in contact with your silver for too long since many common ingredients can become corrosive - especially acidic foods.
æ Don’t use newspaper to pack or store your silver, the ink is corrosive as well. Flannel fabric is best, but acid-free paper works, too.
æ Personally, I like to use my silver as much as possible. Regular use prevents my silver from building up too much tarnish and allows me to keep an eye on everything and see if something needs a little care.
WOOD æ Fix any scratches and chips with a little wood stain and an old rag. Old English® Scratch Cover generally does a good job.
æ If you have a very unique color wood, go to your local hardware store, they usually have a wide selection of wood stain colors. You can get a pretty small can of the stuff for a couple of bucks.
FABRIC S æ Always be very careful when purchasing any fabric items secondhand. From furniture to linen napkins, there are some stains and smells you just can’t get out. That being said, here is how I care for fabric pieces I have purchased:
æ Inevitably, after every dinner party, I need to soak something for stain removal. Napkins, a tablecloth or a couch cushion slipcover… it happens every time. If I can, I try to spot treat as soon as possible with a spot treatment stick and then let it sit. My two secret weapons when it comes to linens are vinegar and OxiClean™.
æ Before I go to bed, I’ll pour a measure of OxiClean™ in the sink, f ill it up with hot water, and throw in the stained items to let them soak overnight. The stain should be gone by the morning.
æ Always iron before storing. Do yourself a favor with this one.
æ I know sometimes space is an issue, but if you can avoid it, try to keep your folds to a minimum. Over time, it will cause creases that can be really, really diff icult to get out.
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WHAT’S YOUR
big three?
Ever wonder how CEOs stay on top of their neverending to-do lists? Our very own Laura Johnson shares her method.
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hile I love reading and listening to podcasts on how to better myself, my abilities and my skills, both personally and professionally, I have never been one to lean toward gadgets or products (other than books) or the latest craze on selfimprovement to help guide me. Yet, I have to confess that I have recently discovered one product that has changed this, The Full Focus Planner®. Created by leadership expert bestselling author, Michael Hyatt,
and
“The Full Focus Planner® was built to fuel your high-achieving lifestyle, so you can accomplish your biggest priorities without overwhelm and distraction.” Well, this caught my attention! The basic principles are built around a 90-day cycle, which allows me not to get overwhelmed by working 12 - 18 months at a time. It does capture my need for longer term planning, but also allows for a smaller, quarterly view for better productivity daily. I was curious as to why this particular format seemed to work so well for me and my lifestyle. I found that I identified not only with the focused approach to setting and achieving my goals, but also with how well it seemed to align with my goals by focusing on smaller achievable action-based plans for every day, week, and quarter. The best part? It is SO simple to use. As a matter of fact, I found this planner so beneficial that I have rolled it out to every member of my crew and implemented it throughout my companies. So, let’s take a peek:
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To accomplish our goals we must distill our dreams into daily actions -MICHAEL HYAT T
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ANNUAL GOAL S
DAILY BIG 3
Annual goals are placed in the very front of the book, which allows them to stay in full view every day. This allows me to review my goals every 90 days, rewrite them and edit them to be in real time tracking my progress. I have always heard it is best to set a goal and not change it until it is achieved. This has always been difficult for me because, let’s face it, things change. This format has provided me the freedom to capture my ever-evolving life and actually work long term goals that become less intimidating and more achievable.
This is probably one of the most powerful and empowering ideas. I work with a group of high achievers and have been astonished at how often I have heard the statement, “I am not getting anything done!” This is because many people work with large to-do lists without a clear definition of what to prioritize. So, inevitably, they finish the day defeated because they didn’t achieve it all. Here’s where setting your top three priorities of the day come in: your Daily Big 3. These are the three most important tasks you must take care of in order to make progress with your project, your home improvement, your event - you name it. Just listing and accomplishing my Big 3 allows me to feel successful on a daily basis. Life goes by so quickly and we are all running in so many directions. How powerful it is to see achievement happening daily, rather than feeling overwhelmed by what’s next on the list, because there is always more on the list. This simple format provides a small way to “celebrate every day.”
WEEKLY PRE VIE W Weekly Preview is one of my favorite features as it forces me to set my weekly goals - allowing me to take control of my week rather than it controlling me. It begins with pages that allow me to capture my biggest accomplishments, note what worked and what didn’t and what I need to keep doing, stop doing or change from this review.
90-DAY FORMAT This format allows me to refresh and regroup and frankly, we all need that. Just when energy seems to wane, the quarter ends and just like a new pair of shoes, I have a brand new book to begin again with all of the fun possibilities that come with it {yay!}.
Whether you are running a company, a committee or a family, life goes by so quickly and it’s important that we don’t just let it run away with us. Whether you use this tool or one or two of the formats from this planner, find what works best for you that helps you feel satisfied with your days.
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DIVE IN M U S T- R E A D B O O K S A N D B I N G E-W O R T H Y P O D C A S T R E C O M M E N DAT I O N S F R O M T H E C O T O N C O L O R S C R E W.
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1. The Dropout A mind-blowing true crime podcast series on the infamous Elizabeth Holmes, a Stanford University dropout who became the youngest self-made billionaire in Silicon Valley with her life-saving medical invention – that, surprise, was actually a scam. The CC crew is BIG on true crime! Other favorites include: Serial, S Town, Dirty John, Over My Dead Body, Up and Vanished, and, of course, My Favorite Murder. 2. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens Grab your tissues! This #1 New York Times Bestseller is a heartbreaking coming-of-age drama about a girl named Kya who is growing up alone in the marshes of North Carolina.
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3. “A Sky Painted Gold” by Laura Wood A coming-of-age romance adorned with swoon-worthy details and a Gatsby-like backdrop. Need we say more?
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4. Jen Gotch is Okay… Sometimes The founder of Ban.do, Jen Gotch, takes a lighthearted approach on life, mental health, and business on this podcast. 5. Pop Rocket This round table style podcast updates listeners on the latest in pop culture entertainment every week. 6. “The Last Time I Lied” by Riley Sager A mystery/thriller about a teenage girl who goes to a camp where a murder takes place. Years later, she returns as an adult after the camp reopens to solve what happened on that night.
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7. “Matchmaking for Beginners” by Maddie Dawson A witty and eccentric fiction novel that follows Marnie MacGraw, her seemingly perfect fiancé, and his crazy aunt Blix who is believed to have magical powers in matchmaking {and insists Marnie does too!}.
P L ACE ORCHID IN B RIG HT F ILT ERED OR M ODERAT E L IG HT AWAY F ROM DRAF TS.
O U R FAVO R ITE O RC H ID IS TH E WH ITE WATER FALL PH AL AENO P SIS, P O P U L AR B EC AUSE IT FLO U R ISH ES I N TH E H O ME E NVIRO NME NT.
G E T C R E AT I VE W IT H M OS S, B ARK , O R RO CKS TO “ F IN IS H” YOUR O RCH I D. H E R E , W E US ED M OS S TO C OV E R T H E T IES ON T HE STAKE .
YOU C A N P L AC E AS MAN Y O RC H I D S I N A CO NTA I NE R AS THE W I DT H ALLOWS, J UST B E SURE NOT TO CROW D T HE D RAI NAG E U ND E R NE AT H. FO R P OT T I NG MAT E R I AL , WE R EC O M M E ND US I NG MI R AC L E G RO ® O RC H I D B A RK .
The Beauty
Orchid of the
WH EN C H O O SING AN O RC H ID TO P U RC H ASE , LO O K FO R H E ALTH Y GR EE N LE AVE S WITH LIT TLE B R E AKAGE AND A STRO NG AND ACTIVE RO OT SYSTE M { TR ANSL ATIO N: NOT DR IED U P RO OTS} U NDE R TH E O RC H ID PL A NT.
TH E TR IC KIE ST PART O F C AR ING FO R AN O RC H ID? MINDING TH E WATER ING! WATER WITH RO O M TEMPE R ATU R E WATE R O NLY O NC E A WE E K TO O NC E E VE RY 10 DAYS. O NLY USE 3OZ O F WATE R .
Nothing gives a home an instant update like fresh flowers do, and although we admire many types of floral arrangements, a simple potted orchid wins us over every time. But, boy do orchids look intimidating to the novice eye! Although they seem high maintenance due to their delicate beauty, they ’re actually very simple to care for. Follow this foolproof guide to tend to your orchids like a professional.
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ANNIVERSARY GIFTS with a Twist
We love the tradition behind the time-honored anniversary presents that are {supposed to be} given each year. But who says gift giving has to play by the rules? We’ve shared some of our favorite {and unique} gifts that are sure to make any upcoming anniversaries unforgettable.
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PAPER Remember the good, silly, and romantic times with a book that will help you celebrate for years to come. coton-colors.com
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Now that you have a new monogram, put it on new plush towels that will stand the test of time {we love Weezie Towels!}. weezietowels.com
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FRUIT & FLOWERS, OR LINEN & SILK
Using our Round Cylinders in sizes that range from small to large, prepare each with their own bouquet of flowers. coton-colors.com
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Revamp the table with a set of classic linen napkins to add a touch of effortless elegance.
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Few things are quite as cozy as the sight of a polished copper pot on a stovetop. williams-sonoma.com
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POTTERY
{Alright, so we have to shamelessly plug ourselves for this one!} Every Coton Colors piece comes to life through the work of our design team in Tallahassee, Florida. We artfully design our products from start to finish to inspire you to never miss an opportunity to celebrate every day. coton-colors.com
TIN / ALUMINUM
Welcome them home to the smell of a yummy dinner cooking away in an aluminum Dutch Oven. When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a new pair of hammered aluminum cufflinks or jewelry.
Surprise them with a sophisticated monogrammed cutting board with a sentimental recipe. shopwaitingonmartha.com
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WOOL / COPPER
IRON / CANDY
Gift them with a monthly candy subscription {we like theCLUB from Shotwell Candy Co.} shotwellcandy.com
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COTTON
L E AT H E R
Prepare for your next trip with a vegan leather luggage tag so you never lose or mix up your bags. Pair it with a matching Passport Cover so you are jet-set ready. happy-everything.com
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STEEL
Pop the bubbly! A stainless-steel champagne bucket is a timeless gift.
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LACE OR TEXTILES
To keep with the trend of sleep, fresh new bed sheets make an excellent gift.
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COFFEE OR TEA
Celebrate each morning together with a cup of joe. {It’s no secret that we’re partial to Tallahassee-based Lucky Goat Coffee Company.} coton-colors.com luckygoatcoffee.com
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IVORY
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FIRE
Enjoy a candlelit lit dinner to celebrate 21 years of marriage. Cheers!
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STONE
Enjoy some rest and relaxation with a couple’s hot stone massage.
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Elevate your cutlery with Faux Ivory Steak Knives. {Like with this stunning set from Laguiole.} williams-sonoma.com
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WINE OR SPIRITS
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Choose a bottle of wine to save and open when your next celebration occurs {bonus points for creative labels that incorporate the number 17}.
APPLIANCES
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CHINA
Add to your original wedding China with an item you never received from your registry or an updated piece from a new collection.
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Personalize crystal wine glasses with a monogram or wedding date so you can toast in style to your 15th year.
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Nothing pulls a dinner party together quite like a sophisticated bronze bar cart to serve up appetizers or cocktails!
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SILK
There’s nothing like the gift of a good night’s sleep, making silk pillowcases just the thing! Available in a variety of colors, these are not only beautiful, but also claim to have many benefits. Anti-aging, anti-sleep crease, and anti-bed head – what could be better? {We prefer Slip’s silk pillowcases. Did we mention they also have robes and eye masks?} slip.com
When you’re the perfect mix, then you simply must have an automatic stand mixer {like this KitchenAid® Artisan Stand Mixer} to celebrate 18 sweet years! kitchenaid.com
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Fly somewhere new! Whether by plane or hot air balloon, this will be an anniversary to remember.
WAT E R
There’s no better way to celebrate an anniversary than with a relaxing trip to the beach!
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Remember this significant milestone in life with a silver happy anniversary ornament. Personalize it with your 25th year or both of your names to signify the love between the two of you. coton-colors.com
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THE HISTORY OF
SOM ETHIN G Old, SOM ETHIN G New, SOM ETHI N G Borrowed, SOM ETHIN G Blue THE CL A S SIC WEDDING TR ADITION THAT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE MODERN T WIS T S. Ever y bride has heard of the old wives’ tale and fidelity. Although the typical “something warning that a wedding without “something old, blue” is usually a garter, modern brides have something new, something borrowed, something been incorporating blue into their special day in blue” means the marriage is bound to be jinxed. creative ways - like manicures, shoes or in their But just how did the superstition start? groom’s bow tie. Originating in Victorian England when good The most unknown – and confusing – part of luck charms were used to ward off evil spirits, the tradition is the SIXPENCE , a silver British coin the rhyme “Something Olde, Something New, that’s roughly the size of a penny. Traditionally, a Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence father would place a sixpence in his daughter’s shoe, in your Shoe” was offered to protect the bride from wishing the couple good fortune and a prosperous the Evil Eye: a terrible glare that cursed brides and marriage. After the rings were exchanged, the doomed them with infertility. By incorporating bride and groom often gifted each other gold and a n item from each silver coins, or the groom Of course, the items have would give his bride silver as “somet hing” {plu s a sixpence}, the newlyweds wedding gift, represented changed over time, but the awith w e r e s u r e to h a v e a a sixpence. Eventually, prosperou s a nd happy sentiment behind the rhyme this tradition extended marriage. Of course, the to the bride’s family, who remains to this day. items have changed over would include a sixpence in time, but the sentiment behind the rhyme remains the dowry for the groom. Now, the sixpence is to this day. Let’s take a closer look at the origins of typically replaced with a penny - whether it be this time-honored bridal tradition. a penny that has been passed down from another Representing continuity of love and optimism family member, a penny from the year of the for the future, respectively, something OLD and marriage, or even a penny containing the birthsomething NEW are arguably the most sentimental year of the bride. Some brides even hunt for a true items on the list. By including things both old and British sixpence, so the rhyme is honored to the new, it was believed that the the couple {and any fullest degree! future children they had} would be protected from Fun fact! Seek ing inspiration from timeless harm and hardships. A beautiful nod to the couple bridal traditions, we incorporated a smoky blue and their future family, if you ask us! into our new wedding line as a subtle nod to the In years past, the preferred BORROWED item Old English rhyme. Want to see more? View our was the undergarment of a woman who already wedding line at coton-colors.com. had children to trick evil spirits into thinking the bride was fertile – thus preventing the curse. Over time {thankfully}, the borrowed item has changed to honor a loved one with something of sentimental value, such as grandma’s pearl necklace or mom’s wedding veil. Historically, BLUE represented the three key qualities for an oh-so-happy marriage: love, purity, 16
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blush COLOR CRUSH Blush is having a moment in the world of fashion and interior design, and we can’t get enough of this feminine neutral. It’s fun, yet sophisticated. On-trend, yet timeless. It adds a sweet pop of color to any neutral palette and it can easily fit into any style. It’s no wonder our designers have fallen in love with this refreshing hue and created a new line of Coton Colors products with blush as the inspiration! With purposeful layering of tonal colors and a blend of complementary patterns, our new Blush line is perfect for anyone who loves a traditional look with a playful twist. Coming soon.
Blush has easily become my new favorite color palette, and I can’t wait to reveal our newest line to you soon. - K Y L E J O H N S O N S M I T H , Creative Director
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IN WITH THE
IN WITH THE 18
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Old
New
“
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It’s a thrill to score great deals, to buy something beautiful that you’ve never seen before -SARA KATE JOHNSON
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Once upon a time, setting the table for a dinner party meant decking out a perfectly matching set of contemporary dinnerware while Grandmother’s china sat neatly displayed behind the glass door of a cabinet. A lovely tablescape, sure, but to express more creativity on the table, the best way to do so is by mixing the old with new. We do this in our home décor and we do this in the way we dress, so why not extend that design philosophy to the table?
Start with your heirloom set or the dishes from your wedding registry. This is your base. Then refresh your tablescape by mixing in coordinating patterns in a complementary color palette. Despite mismatched patterns, color can be the unifying theme {that extends to glassware as well}. Tip: Keep an eye out for green pieces. You can use green glassware for Christmas, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, springtime, a fun fiesta, anything you like! Green is very versatile. Whether you’re trying to begin or extend your china collection, you probably will not find a complete set of china or glassware to perfectly match what you have. But that’s exactly where you can let your creativity begin. Work with what you have, mix and match, and always be on the lookout for new pieces to try. Salad plates are a great piece to stock up on. You can change them out often to create new looks. Whichever way you mix it up, have fun with it! Your dinnerware is meant to be enjoyed and shared with loved ones. It’s your prerogative if you want to keep your pieces safe and precious; however, items used frequently gain sentimental value and become that much more precious.
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Many of our own photoshoots abide by the high and low, mixing new with old philosophy. Most of those rare vintage pieces were the finds of our very own photographer and estate sale guru, Sara Kate Johnson. We asked her to give us an introduction on how to shop estate sales like a pro, and she was happy to oblige! Read on to get tips from the master herself.
I ’ M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR S I LV E R P L AT E S – I L O V E T O U S E S I LV E R P I EC E S A S D ÉC O R A N D F O R SERVING. A R T – B R I G H T E N U P YO U R H O M E W I T H A U N I Q U E P I EC E . F R A M E S – YO U C A N F I N D S O M E G R E AT A R T O N I T S O W N AT T H E S E S A L E S , B U T D O N ’ T F O R G E T T O C H EC K O U T T H E FR AMES. IF A FR AME IS STRIKING AND A P R E T T Y S TA N DA R D S I Z E , YO U C O U L D A LWAY S R E M O V E T H E A R T W O R K I N S I D E A N D R E P L AC E I T W I T H S O M E T H I N G T O YO U R O W N TA S T E . G L A S S WA R E – C O L O R E D G L A S S WA R E I S A LWAY S A G R E AT F I N D. CHINA – SEARCH FOR C O M P L E M E N TA RY PAT T E R N S T O YO U R H E I R L O O M S E T O R S TA R T YO U R C O L L EC T I O N . VA S E S – B EC A U S E YO U C A N N E V E R H AV E T O O M A N Y. 20
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B O O K S – I F YO U G E T V E RY L U C K Y, YO U M AY C O M E AC R O S S A R A R E A N D VA L U A B L E B O O K . E V E N I F YO U A R E N ’ T L O O K I N G F O R T H AT, YO U C O U L D G E T SOME INTERESTING READS FOR A LOW PRICE. CHILDREN’S BOOKS AND CL ASSICS ARE GOOD PICKS. W O O D E N F U R N I T U R E – C O F F E E TA B L E S , S I D E TA B L E S , C H I N A C A B I N E T S , B U F F E T S , A N D N I G H T S TA N D S . A S O L I D P I EC E O F F U R N I T U R E AT A C H E A P P R I C E I S A LWAY S A WINNER. H O L I DAY D E C O R AT I O N S – T H E S E A R E O F T E N O V E R L O O K E D, B U T T RY T O TA K E A S EC O N D T O L O O K O V E R T H E H O L I DAY I T E M S , E V E N I N T H E M I D D L E O F J U N E . C H A N C E S A R E YO U M AY F I N D A B E AU T I F U L H E I R L O O M O R T R E A S U R E F R O M D EC A D E S AG O T H AT YO U W O N ’ T B E A B L E T O F I N D N O WA DAY S .
H O T T I P : E A S I LY G E T R I D O F P R I C E S T I C K E R S BY B L A S T I N G T H E TAG W I T H A H A I R D RY E R F O R A F E W S EC O N D S . T H I S W I L L M E LT T H E G L U E A N D T H E S T I C K E R S H O U L D P E E L R I G H T O F F.
A N E S TAT E S A L E
Field Guide
BY SARA K ATE JOHNSON
FIRS T THINGS FIRS T Always bring cash or check as a backup, leave the kids at home {most sales abide by the old rule: you break it, you buy it}, and clear out your car - you never know what you are going to find at a sale. Don’t make a rookie mistake by being unprepared to take home your finds. Oh, and of course - it’s always first-come, first-served. Try to get there early to ensure you have first pick.
LOOK IN THE HORSE’S MO U TH Carefully inspect any item you are thinking about buying. Pull out drawers, flip over dishes and look for any cracks or chips, turn over the chairs and check the seats. Check to make sure lamps are working. Make sure all the parts and pieces are there. Check the labels and stamps. Try to learn all you can about the item you are about to buy. You don’t want to get home and realize you just bought a broken chair (like I have done).
DON’ T BE AFR AID TO GE T YO UR HANDS DIRT Y Some of my favorite pieces looked very rough when I found them - silver that was black with tarnish, dirty glassware, chipped sideboards, etc. Don’t be put off by something that needs a little bit of elbow grease. {Turn to page 8 for tips to restore these items!}
BE RE ALIS TIC Recovering chairs and sofas is usually a bigger project than you think. If you have experience with this, then you are well aware. For newbies, remember this: You usually cannot recover a chair by yourself. Fabric is expensive, and the actual labor is hard. The same goes for repurposing furniture. A fresh coat of paint sounds easy enough. I’m here to tell you, it’s not. It’s reeeallllly not. I’m going to leave it at that.
BRING A REU S ABLE BAG I tend to keep a medium size canvas tote in my car for sales, but I recommend keeping your big purse at home. Be on the safe side and bring another set of muscles with you. There is no guarantee that the company running the sale will have someone to help you load your haul.
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BE T WEEN WHAT IS VALUAB LE AND WHAT IS DESIR AB LE Yes. That crystal punchbowl with (almost) all the matching cups is lovely. Do you need it for your tiny studio apartment? Really? Tell me when was the last time you made punch. Mm-hm.
GE T NOTIFIED Ask the cashiers if there is an email list. Some companies will notify you when there are sales in your area so you won’t have to depend on scanning for signs.
S TOP BY ON THE L A S T DAY On the last day of an estate sale everything is usually heavily discounted. The company running the sale usually just wants to be rid of the stuff at that point. Most of the time everything is 50% off, but if you make a reasonable offer, the seller will probably accept. But understand major discount prices are rare on truly valuable pieces. Sterling silver, gemstone jewelry, fine art, etc. No matter how many times you ask, you aren’t going to get that sterling silver tea set for anything under a number with at least three zeros behind it.
BE A GO OD SP ORT
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Don’t be a sore loser. And absolutely NO cheating. Never, ever, ever steal anything from a pile that someone obviously set aside.
HAVE FUN! It’s a thrill to score great deals, to buy something beautiful that you’ve never seen before, or to find the perfect addition to your home.
KNOW YOUR S T UFF Do your research. Read labels. Check names. Heck, check prices. See if what you are looking at is a great deal, but know that this is {and will never} be a guarantee. But, it can be smart to check anyways. And the more you shop, the better idea you will have of what is common in your area and what is a truly unique treasure.
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A look inside the life cycle of Coton Colors products. In the Spring/Summer 2018 edition of Toast Magazine, we shared an inside look at our design process from start to finish. In case you didn’t know, the very first Coton Colors ceramic products were hand-molded, kiln-fired, and lovingly painted by Laura Johnson herself {along with a small army of artists} in her hometown studio in Tallahassee, Florida. Clearly, we’ve seen a lot of growth since those days! Between our expansions and ever-changing product line, you may find yourself wondering just how we take that design process and produce our Coton Colors products. That’s where our Product Department takes over. Simply put, our product team analyzes, plans, and manages the life cycle of our products from birth to... well... retirement. Take a look into the life cycle of our products to see for yourself.
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PRODUC T ANALYSIS AND NE W IDE A S We joke that our Product Line process resembles a bit of a chicken-or-egg scenario. To create new products, we first have to study our current line. The process starts with a parade of questions: What are our customers loving? What are our customers requesting? What’s at the end of its life cycle and ready for retirement? Are there holes in our assortment for new products to be introduced? The list could go on and on. It’s up to the Product Department to answer these inquiries as best they can by using their secret weapon - numbers. By comparing data from sales reports and market trends {as best we can - we design and develop our products so far in advance, we don’t really go off of trend}, we are ready to begin our new product development. The product team is known as “numbers junkies” - and digging into the data helps guide our decision-making to create the right products that we know you’ll love.
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PRODUCT LINE
A TYPICAL CC DAY: PRODUC T DE VELOPMENT
Believe us, there is never a dull moment in our design center! Our designers are constantly creating new products, pulling from inspiration and guided by product analysis. Being an opinionated and creative bunch {one of our core values is “discerning” after all!}, we critique each design until everything is just right, ensuring we’re bringing only the best products to market. But product development goes further than just the design of the products. Each product needs specified carton packaging, packaging quantities, minimum order quantities, product ID, barcode information... are you still awake? It’s a tedious list, we know, but necessary in order for the manufacturers to quote prices as accurately as possible to match how we envisioned the final product. Once these details are decided, then the product is officially “born.”
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SOURCING MANUFAC T URERS
As we pass our product details to our manufacturers, we do a little happy dance because this is the step where our ideas become reality. We travel the world in search of artists who are as passionate about hand-crafted ceramics as we are, and they become our manufacturing partners who help us create the best product at the right price. Our Product Department maintains a strong relationship with our partners, which is key to having a successful business. We travel for factory visits several times a year to meet face-to-face. A fun bonus of these trips is that it allows us to explore new materials and techniques that may be available, which get our wheels turning for new product ideas!
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RE TIREMENT As you can see, we are passionate and thoughtful about designing new products to offer each year but with the excitement of new products comes the need to say goodbye to and retire others. Although we’d like to picture our retired products sitting on a sandy beach, soaking up the sunshine, and drinking piña coladas, the reality is that we begin selling through any remaining inventory {which often involves fun events like our annual warehouse sale!} for the products to ultimately exit the line. These styles then go into the “design vault,” perhaps to be revisited years down the road and modernized or refreshed in some way. In some cases, we strategically decide to retire a piece simply because we’ve been inspired by a new idea or want to redesign for a slightly different aesthetic. Whatever the reason, our retirement process allows us to keep a current inventory of fresh designs - and it allows you to build your collection to suit your style. Ta-da! There you have it, the life cycle of a Coton Colors product - although we must admit this is a very shortened version. Nevertheless, it is an important aspect of our design and manufacturing-based company and we hope it gave you a better glimpse inside #atypicalCCday.
PRODUC T L AUNCH
This is everyone’s favorite step. The first people who get to see the new product are, of course, the Coton Colors Crew {work perks!}. We huddle in a room together and get to “ooh” and “aah” over the physical samples of the new products. We also get to hear the design inspiration from the designers themselves, and they get to hear immediate feedback from the crew in return. However, the best part, by far, is premiering our new designs to YOU! Finally seeing all the hard work of many hands revealed through beautifully merchandised store displays and in lifestyle photography is always a highlight. Plus, that’s when we’re able to get to hear what you’re most excited about, how you are using the pieces, and what you want to add to your collection next - which ultimately allows us to tailor our plan of action for the next cycle of development {see what we mean by chicken-or-egg?}. Brittany Perkins, Product Line Manager
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A l Fre s c o
ALL WAYS Warmer days call for easy, breezy outdoor gatherings, soaking up the sun while enjoying good company. No need wait for an invite. Throw you own outdoor celebration! Gather the guests, we’ll help you with the rest. For easy summer gatherings, simply follow this guide to three ways of al fresco entertaining.
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AEST HET IC : • Playful and easy with touch of fun C O LO R PALE T T E : • Turquoise • Red • Marigold • Persimmon • Black • White
AT T H E Pool
T EX T U R ES: • Bouncy pool float • Cool water • Warm sunshine C O C K TAIL : • Spiked IZZE® MUSIC : • Here Comes the Sun The Beatles • Mix of 90’s/00’s hits to sing along to O N T HE MEN U : • Fresh cut watermelon slices • Cruditès platter D ÉC O R : • Sunshine • Turkish Towels • Tropical fruits • Stylish bowls for drink coolers PRO D U C T S YO U N EE D FO R T HIS: • Brushed Dot Melamine Swap Tabletop Dinner Plates and Salad Plates coton-colors.com
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A E S T HET IC: • Sophisticated summer with a nod to nature
MUS I C: • Mango Tree - Zac Brown Band & Sara Bareilles
C OLOR PA L ET T E : • White • Cobble • Green • A punch of pink
O N THE MEN U : • Pimento Cheese and Peach Toasts
T E X TURES: • Spiny palm fronds • Rustic waxed pine • Linen • Smooth ceramic
CO CKTAI L : • Paloma DÉCO R: • Fresh cut palm fronds • Whole citrus • Rattan accessories
U N DER T HE Pa lms
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PRO D U C T S YO U N EE D FO R T HIS: • Signature White Dinner Plate • Palm Salad Plate • Signature White Bowl • Signature White Oval Platter coton-colors.com
AT A
Picnic AES TH E T IC: • Elevated casual and celebratory of the season C OLOR PA L ET T E : • Navy • Indigo • White • Citron • Chartreuse TE X TU R ES: • Woven fibrous blanket • Lush grass
CO CKTAI L : • Tart Sauvignon Blanc MUS I C: • Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You - Huey Lewis & The News O N THE MEN U : • Charcuterie Board with an assortment of cheeses, meats, olives, and crackers • Freshly sliced fruit
• Pound Cake with Lime Glaze D É C O R: • A festive picnic blanket • A grassy spot - the greener, the better PRO D U C T S YO U N EE D FO R T HIS: • Azurite Melamine Swap Tabletop Dinner Plates and Salad Plates coton-colors.com
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MAKE DAD GLE AM WITH PRIDE THIS FATHER’S DAY BY PREPPING A MULTI- COURSE ME AL ALL ON THE GRILL {WITHO U T SCORCHING YOUR E YEBROW S !}
GRILLED SE A SONED ARTICHOKES WITH LEMON S AU CE IN GRED IEN T S
SAU C E
4 -medium medium-sized sized artichokes, artichokes,stems stemstrimmed 3/4 - cup mayonnaise and hard trimmed outerand leaves hardremoved outer leaves - juice of 2 lemons Italian removed dressing {our favorite is Good - freshly ground pepper Seasons} - Italian dressing {our favorite is - kosher salt Salt and Good pepper Seasons} to taste - salt and pepper to taste
IN S T RU C T ION S In a large pot, heat three quarts of water on the stove. Add artichokes and bring to a boil, then cook for 20-40 minutes until just tender. Remove artichokes from water and, once cool, cut in half lengthwise, scooping out the center (the fuzzy part) with a spoon. Heat grill and evenly coat artichoke halves in Italian dressing, adding salt and pepper to taste. Place artichokes face down on grill, turn to medium and cover, cooking for 5-6 minutes - just enough to char them. For sauce, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Remove artichokes from grill and serve warm with lemon sauce for dipping.
GRILLED LEMONADE Recipe c/o SouthernLiving.com I N GR E DIENT S 16 - medium lemons, halved 2 cups - simple syrup {combine 1 cup hot water with 1 cup sugar} - rosemary sprigs {basil or mint would work as well} 2 cups - honey
IN S T RU C T ION S Dip cut sides of lemon into sugar and place over hot grill grates for roughly 10 minutes or until golden and caramelized. In a disposable aluminum foil pan, combine simple syrup, honey, and a few fresh rosemary sprigs and place on grill until thoroughly heated. Allow the grilled lemons to cool slightly, then use a wire-mesh strainer to juice lemons into a pitcher, adding water and rosemary simple syrup to taste. Serve over ice and garnish with excess lemon slices. Hot Tip: add a splash of bourbon for a mellow finish.
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GRILLED C AESAR SAL AD ING REDI EN TS 4 ½ lb 42 cups 1 cup -
heads of romaine lettuce, cut in half lengthwise diced pancetta large eggs toasted bread crumbs freshly grated Parmesan cheese olive oil
D R ESSIN G 2 ½ tablespoons 2 teaspoons 1 teaspoon 2
- mayonnaise - dijon mustard - Worcestershire sauce - large cloves minced garlic - juice of 3 lemons 1 ½ cups - olive oil - salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
IN S T RU C T ION S Cook pancetta in a skillet over medium heat until browned and crisp - about 10 minutes. Remove and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Combine all dressing ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until smooth. Heat a skillet on medium to low heat and drizzle olive oil to lightly coat bottom of pan. Cook eggs until whites are done, keeping the yolk intact and runny. Heat up your grill. Drizzle olive oil over lettuce. Cook both sides on grill until charred and remove from grill. Drizzle dressing, pancetta, parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs over the hot lettuce. Top with eggs sunny side up. Enjoy!
GRILLED FL ANK S TE AK , CHARRED CORN AND AVOC ADO WITH SIMPLE HERB S AU CE I N GREDI EN T S 2 lb - flank steak 8 - ears ofyellow corn, shucked 3 - medium avocados, cut in half and sliced thin 1 cup - scallions, sliced thin 1 cup - feta cheese, crumbled
MARI N ADE ⅓ cup 2 2 tablespoons ⅓ cup ⅓ cup
- extra virgin olive oil - cloves garlic, minced - red wine vinegar - low sodium soy sauce - honey - freshly ground black pepper
S IMPLE HERB SAU CE To make, combine ingredients in food processor. 1 cup - plain greek yogurt 2 - cloves of garlic - juice of 1 lemon 1 ½ cups - basil and dill leaves - freshly ground salt and pepper to taste
IN S T RU C T ION S Combine all marinade ingredients. Pour over flank steak and marinate for about two hours. When ready, heat grill on medium to high heat and sear steak for about eight minutes on each side. Remove from grill and set aside to rest for 10 minutes. Place fresh corn on hot grill and char on all sides. Remove and cool. Once cooled, use a sharp knife to cut corn off cob and place in a large bowl. Add crumbled feta, scallions, and a drizzle of olive oil. Toss gently to combine. Lay corn mixture on platter and place sliced avocado on top. Slice flank steak against the grain thinly and layer over corn and avocados. Drizzle with simple herb sauce and dig in!
GRILLED P OUND C AKE WITH WHIPPED CRE AM AND BERRIES ING RED IEN TS 3 cups 1 teaspoon ¼ teaspoon ½ teaspoon 1 ½ cups 1
2 3/4 cups 2 teaspoons 6
- all-purpose flour - baking powder - baking soda - salt - unsalted butter, room temperature - 8 ounce package of cream cheese, room temperature - granulated white sugar - pure vanilla extract - large eggs, room temperature - whipped cream - preferred berries {we used strawberries}
IN S T RU C T ION S Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 10 inch bundt pan generously. In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar gradually and beat on mediumhigh until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. Add each egg, one at a time, and mix well after each addition. Gently fold in flour mixture until combined. Do not overmix. Pour batter evenly into pan, baking for 75 - 90 minutes. If the cake looks too brown towards the end, tent the pan with aluminum foil for the rest of the baking time. Once a toothpick comes out completely clean, your cake is done.
Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely before removing it from the pan. Slice cake into even pieces. To grill, place cut side on hot grill grates for about four minutes - just enough to create grill marks and add flavor. Top with homemade whipped cream and freshly cut berries.
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NE V ER M I S S A N O PP O R T U NI T Y T O C EL EB R AT E E V ERY DAY.