For some Southerners, a mint julep cup is an entertaining essential at events like graduations, weddings and hot-to-trot races, like the Kentucky Derby. Traditionally, the cups are made of pewter, silver plate or silver – when the price is right.
For more than 30 years, the family-owned Salisbury Inc. has been producing hand-crafted pewter and sterling products, including the elegant julep cup.
Based in Salisbury, Md, the company employs two silversmiths, six pewter spinners and several craftsmen in training.
The company’s state julep cup collections are popular.
The Georgia Julep Cup, with its modified pear-shape design, is patterned after the work of E. J. Johnson of Macon (circa 1851). Made from no-lead pewter, the 12-ounce Georgia cup is $47. The nine-ounce cup is $38.50.
Other states, including Tennessee, Virginia, Louisiana and Texas, have their own unique cup styles.
But the best seller is the Kentucky Julep Cup — not just on Derby Day but year-round. With its straight sides, the classic cup is a keepsake. The 12-ounce pewter cup is $63. The nine-ounce is $52. A sterling silver Kentucky cup is also available for $780, based on current silver prices.
For information, visit www.salisburyinc.net.
In the Atlanta area, find Salisbury’s mint julep cups at Charles Willis, 465 E. Paces Ferry Road NE (www.charleswillis.com and L.J. Lewis Silver Co., 164 W. Wieuca Road, (www.ljlewissilver.com)
Amy Shippy and Laura Hale are best friends and busy moms. They are also foodies and founders of Maison de Macarons in Savannah, where they bake endless varieties of the traditional French confection.
Often confused with macaroons, macarons are small, hamburger-shaped cookies consisting of two delicate, slightly crunchy meringue shells – in a variety of colors. They are held together with a flavorful filing, like butter cream icing or ganache.
At Maison de Macarons, salted caramel is the top seller. Vanilla bean, pistachio and chocolate are other popular flavors.
But there are also one-of-a-kind creations, including carrot ginger, green tea, bourbon pecan and chocolate strawberry.
Perfect for weddings, showers and parties at home or work, the bite-size, gluten-free desserts can now be shipped nationwide.
Prices range from $22 for one dozen to $44 for a two-dozen box. To order, visit www.maisondemacarons.com.
In Savannah, stop by Maison de Macarons’ shop and café at 1100 Eisenhower Drive, Suite 28.
P.S. As Charlotte Wilen reminded me, if you are in the Atlanta area, you can find fantastic macarons at Maison Robert, 5256 Peachtree Road. The macarons sell for $1.80 each or $21.60 per dozen.
The shop also sells handmade chocolates and pastries. It is open Tuesdays-Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The shop also offers classes. Learn more at www.maisonrobertchocolates.com
After a difficult recovery from cancer, Atlanta’s Sally Larsen began making her own good-for-you beauty products in her kitchen.
Encouraged by friends and fans, Larsen started Sally B’s Skin Yummies in 2005 with the mission to create effective, non-toxic alternatives to everyday personal care products. “Sally B” is Larsen’s childhood nickname.
The self-confessed “product girl” started with two products. Now her skin-care company offers more than 30 non-toxic creams, lotions and makeup.
Best sellers include: Healing Hand Butter ($22, shown above), antioxidant serums for day or night ($44), Get Even Finishing Powder ($24) and B Glossy Lip Gloss ($18).
This summer, the company will offer unscented versions of its most popular products.
Shop online at www.sallybskinyummies.com. Or visit Sally B’s new flagship store at 280 Elizabeth St., Suite B-102, in Atlanta’s Inman Park.
Gilded, glittering, and glamorous, these metallic-looking medallions from Atlanta-based Hj Designs conceal an element of eco-allure.
The pieces are made from hand cut, sanded, and heat formed acrylic signage, rescued from its dumpster doom by designer Hazel J. Studstill.
The sparkling, recessed surface of the gold leaf-painted pendant (above) gives it the look of a cracked geode.
Hung from a gold-plate brass chain, the pendant is the picture of earthly elegance. It is on sale for $38 (regularly $48) for a short time at fab.com. The earrings, shown below, are on sale too for $38.
What about one of Studstill’s distinctive cuffs (shown below) ? The surface of the glowing band is hand-painted in delicate gold leaf. The wide, Plexi cuff is also on sale for $34 (regularly $42) at www.fab.com
For more information about the jewelry and her other work, visit, www.hjdesigns.com
Punch up your summer table with some new napkins. Or take them along to your beach-side host this summer.
Patch Design in Chattanooga, TN, creates hand block-printed textiles from sustainable organic fabrics and water-based inks.
The small company’s clever designs (see more below) are original, taking inspiration from southern traditions and worldly textiles.
Get them while they are on sale,which ends May 10. Four napkins are $49 (regularly $60). They measure 20 inches by 20 inches and are made of 55 percent hemp and 45 percent organic cotton.
Find them at www.onekingslane.com
To learn more about the company, visit www.patchdesignstudio.com
Susan McDuffie has always loved fabric and fashion. As a child, she taught herself to sew. First, she made doll clothes. Then her own.
Years later, after leaving an arts management job in Atlanta, McDuffie returned to her first love. She began making home accessories and apparel from vintage fabrics and antique lace for a local antique store. A chef’s coat was followed by a line of modern aprons.
Her best-selling “Mrs. Miniver” apron ($46) is made of soft, oatmeal-colored linen. There is also a child-size version ($24) for girls, aged three to five.
The slip-on design features three roomy pockets and a flirty ruffle. Machine washable, the aprons are one size fits most.
Many of McDuffie’s hip customers wear the shabby-chic-style apron as a topper, over t-shirts and jeans, or a beach cover-up. Others wear it for gardening and cooking. Even if you do neither, you can dress the part.
To find aprons and other McDuffie’s other vintage-inspired creations, visit McDuffie’s garden-themed store (opens May 10) at The BoneYard, 195 Raymond Hill Road, in Newnan. Check facebook.com/TheBoneYardOnRaymondHill).
Or order, contact her at 770-719-2900 or at www.facebook.com/SusanMcDuffieJustBecause
Savannah chef and chocolatier Adam Turoni found his passion early on — in his grandmother’s kitchen.
After graduation from the Culinary Institute of America in New York, he interned at Alice Water’s restaurant Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA, and with a chocolate guru in New York. Then Turoni headed South.
Last year, the Pennsylvania native opened Chocolat by Adam Turoni in downtownSavannah.
His artisanal chocolates include bars, truffles and caramels that are almost too lovely to eat.
Roasted fig and cognac and raspberry truffles are favorites. But so are Southern treats, like Bacon Butter Pecan Toffee (made with Georgia pecans) and caramels filled with local honey.
Some chocolates, like the chocolate “bee” bars ( pictured above), get the Midas touch, with a dusting of 24-karat gold. Prices range from $2.50 to 4.25 per piece.
To satisfy your sweet tooth, visit www.chocolatat.com.
If you are in Savannah, visit the shop at 323 W. Broughton St.
Red velvet (above. A Southern favorite.
Roasted fig.
