Car Accessories and My Hunt for Great-Looking Seat Covers

When it starts getting hot in Oklahoma, my black car with black leather interior starts looking very unappealing. I had high hopes of finding some accessories like car seat covers, windshield screens and maybe some organizing essentials to turn it into a better place this summer.

Have you ever searched for decent seat covers? Well, let’s just say that the cute yet sophisticated ones I picture in my mind do not exist out in the world! I thought with the new era of bringing design to the masses (Target anyone?) that it would be a piece of cake and even planned on settling for a trendy chevron one if that was all I could find.

Boy, was I wrong. Things are pretty rough out there. So much so, that when I found one of those wooden beaded massage covers I thought, “Well, that’s not bad.”

Needless to say, I switched gears. What are my needs and what can I live with?

First of all, I need to cool down the seats enough so that if I am in a skirt or shorts I will still be able to jump in the car and go as opposed to looking at the car with the doors open wondering how much heat I can stand and how late I can arrive at my destination. I need to be able to easily wash the covers since inevitably the dogs will jump on them, or if they take a beating after a muddy soccer game.

Maybe these simple, taupe-y gray car seat covers can work just fine until I work up the nerve to make my own.

Plain Gray Car Seat Covers

Then I hope this solar powered ventilator works some sort of magic. Anyone have any experience with these?

Solar Powered Car VentilatorAnd I already know that the best way to keep the car temp down is to prevent it from climbing too high in the first place. So I need to invest in a new windshield sunscreen. This insulated Heatshield sunscreen has gotten lots of good reviews and doesn’t have any weird cartoons or designs on it. See a trend here?

Second, I would like to have a little organization. I think one of those car organizers that hangs on the back of a seat will work. It just needs to have a small trash receptacle and space for the atlas, car duster and lint roller.

I like this individual trash receptacle in an Amy Butler pattern from The Mod Mobile on Etsy and the simple two-pocket organizer from Violet Giraffe also on Etsy. Having two separate pieces perform these functions will make it easier to clean out the waste bin.

Automobile Trash Bin

Automobile Seat Organizer

Third, having a small emergency car kit would be quite nice. Although, for me that is more of a winter season essential. The most important item in the summer is a charged cell phone so I can call for a ride if it comes to that.

Well, what I had hoped to be an inspirational post for making your car a little more home away from home, ended up being a quest for the impossible. Please tell me that somewhere out there is a fantastic source for great seat covers that don’t snag all the attention, but quietly do a good job and look great.

Oh and before I forget, here’s an actual recommendation. These car dusters are great for keeping pollen, dust and dog hair at bay. It’s so simple to grab it while in line at the bank and swish over all the surfaces, then just shake it out and it’s ready to go again. I wash mine maybe once a month, so it’s a pretty low maintenance way to keep the car looking nice between detailed cleanings.

car duster  detail

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Wildflowers

About a month ago I was down in Poteau, which is located in southeastern Oklahoma (and where my whole family on my mom’s side lives).  I was there checking on some homes that are under construction that I have been working on.  Any time I head down that way I always try and arrange it to where I can stay the night with my grandparents.

During this trip I decided that the most beautiful time of the year, in this part of Oklahoma, is spring.  All of the pastures are a brilliant green and they are plastered with beautiful wildflowers.

The little house you can see on the right side is my parents 100 year old farmhouse and to the left you can see Calvanal Hill….the tallest hill in the world!

farmhouse

The road that leads to both my grandparents & parents was lined with different colorful flowers.  I had to snap some photos to show (I did a little research and found out what most of the flowers are, hopefully my research proves correct!)…

Oklahoma Wildflowers, gravel road

 

Oklahoma Wildflowers, Gravel Road

Beardtongue (Penstemon-Barbatus)

Beardtongue-(Penstemon-barbatus), oklahoma wildflowers

Coreopis Sunshine Superman

Coreopsis-Sunshine-Superman, Oklahoma Wildflowers

Red Clover

Red-Clover, Oklahoma Wildflowers

Downy Phlox

Downy-Phlox, Oklahoma Wildflowers

Yarrow

Yarrow, Oklahoma Wildflower

Not sure….the only one I couldn’t find.  But they are so dainty and cute!

Oklahoma Wildflowers

One of the great things about wildflowers is that you don’t have to worry about being a florist to get a beautiful bouquet.  They just always seem to fall into place and work no matter how you display them.  Here are some great ideas I found to showcase your local beauties…

Why stop at the florist when you can just pick them yourself, for free?  Wrap them in brown paper and you have great simple bouquet to give to your sweety.

wildflower boquet

image via flicker, Elena Kovyrzina

An old milk jar, pitcher, mason jar, or watering can makes the perfect vase for wildflowers.  No need to dig out the crystal for these.  They shine all by themselves.

image via tumbler, cataclysmia

 

Rustic-Barn-Wildflower-Centerpiece

image via Elizabeth Ann Designs

image via Elizabeth Ann Designs

And since it is the beginning of wedding season, how about this bride’s bouquet?  The colors are absolutely stunning against the beautiful white gown.

wildflower_boquet

image via The Wedding Chicks

So, the next time you need some fresh flowers, take a drive down a country road and see if you can find some on your own.  I guarantee you will enjoy them so much more!

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Going Gluten Free: Serving Suggestions

Image via Treehugger, gluten-free lemon cake recipe via Epicurious

I’ve already testified to my love for all things lemon — lemonade, lemon curd, and especially lemon cake.

So, when some recent health issues caused me to switch to a gluten-free diet*, this cake-loving, carb-craving, white-flour kind of girl, was really bummed.

Really, really, really, really, really bummed.

I’ve always loved baked goods, and my love for cooking came from my trials and errors with baking.

A baked goods mourning period was inevitable — and truthfully, I’m still in it.

But  gluten-free living is not as hard as it might seem. Because the diet is become more and more prevalent — thanks to celebrities trying it as a fad diet, or parents choosing to go gluten-free for their kids’ diets — those GF aisles at the grocery store are getting fuller and fuller.

So, I’m going to share with you from time to time, some of my best bets for my new GF lifestyle.

It’s far from easy, and I’ve certainly cheated. But overall, my health is much better since I started the diet a couple of months ago. I’ve had more energy, and I’m getting more rest. Plus, some of my symptoms have all but disappeared.

First up, convenience foods.

Before I dive into the world of bread-making and GF baking, I had to do some day-to-day GF shopping. The grocery store aisles are full of items that substitute white flour, grains and all those delicious stomach-cramp inducing ingredients, for white rice flour, brown rice flour, tapioca flour, corn starch, potato starch, xanthum gum, and many, many other ingredients that make GF bread bouncy and cake fluffy.

But I needed snacks! Stuff I could eat right away. So I went straight for the rice cracker section of Whole Foods. Love these light, crunchy snacks and so do most people I’ve forced them onto. In fact, I started eating them before I went gluten free.

Best bets: Blue Diamond NutThins – they come in many flavors, including pecan, hazelnut, almond and more. These are great with that cheese board you thought you had to give up. And Lundberg brown rice chips and crackers are also delicious alternatives to regular salty snacks.

 

Cheese: I was elated to learn that I did not have to give up dairy — even though many people suffering from gluten intolerance are also lactose intolerant. But small portions of cheese are a great snack. My issue is stopping at one. I love Sargento cheese sticks – they are real cheese, come in different flavors (such as Colby Jack and Sharp Cheddar), are about 80 calories per stick.

Fruit:  There is a school of thought in the GF community that rather than look for substitutes, just eat foods that are naturally gluten free. Of course! Fresh fruit is delicious, easily available pre-cut and washed at stores, and always in my refrigerator. Health bonus!

 Breakfast: My favorite meal of the day is breakfast. So when I went GF, I was miserable thinking of all the pancakes, French toast, biscuits and doughnuts I would miss. But luckily there are plenty of GF substitutes easily available, including my favorite GF Bisquick.

I’m also lucky that my husband can whip up some GF pancakes for me on a Sunday morning.

I might be cake and doughnut free, but I still feel pretty special.

*I’m certainly no expert, so if you want to try the diet, please consult your physician first.

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Table Settings- Dinner on the Patio

We celebrated a special birthday this past weekend.  It was a great opportunity for the Prairie Hive girls – and a few others- to get together and have a wonderful dinner outside in this beautiful Oklahoma weather!  We couldn’t have asked for a better evening to sit outside, relax and enjoy being together.

The plan was to cook out and have a low-key, kid-friendly birthday celebration.  This is what we did, but since it was a birthday and since an actual chef was the one doing the cooking, it seemed like some sort of table setting was in order.  Plates on the lap weren’t going to cut it, but it didn’t need to over-the-top either.

To start, I used some great fabric I found at Interior Fabrics here in Tulsa.  It was hand-made in India – and I found it back in the corner on clearance!  You never know what you’ll find it you look hard enough.  I love the color and I’m thinking it might make another appearance around Memorial Day weekend for a little twist on the traditional Memorial Day decor.

I filled my collection of glass bottles with Baby’s Breath (that I actually still had from an event the week before).  I love Baby’s Breath by itself – it’s so fresh and natural – and it lasts forever!  Even when it’s dry it looks good.  And I filled some other bottles with orange Ranunculus – it was such a great contrast against the blue.  To add interest and a little candlelight, I set out some white glass votives.

I used my white plates (because that’s what I have) and plain white napkins (also what I happen to have).  I thought about adding something interesting to the napkins, but it was a simple cook-out after all, so I let it go.  The result was simple and casual, but at the same time purposeful and colorful.

Here are a few things to recreate a similar feel…

Clockwise from top left:

Recycled-Glass Jugs, West Elm

Luminous Porcelain Dinnerware, Pier 1;

Ikat Table Runner, Williams-Sonoma

Serpentine Bottles Vase, Anthropologie

Viva Terra Flatware, Viva Terra

White Raffia Belted Rice Paper Votive, Luna Bazaar

Hops Tablecloth, John Robshaw

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A Work Tote…the Saga.

work tote

 

Image via Thank God I’m a Girl

I’ve been on a search for a new work tote.  For about 3 months.  After hours spent searching local shops, department stores and online – and 3 returns later – I’m beginning to feel a bit like Goldilocks.  Too big, too small, too structured, not structured enough.  Too many pockets, not enough pockets, handles too short, handles too long.  Does this bag exist?  I’ve also been on the fence about whether to get an investment bag that will last a while, or just settle for something that will work for this season…oh, the agony.  I’ve even looked into having one custom made.  In a perfect world, I would just trot over to Saks and pick up the ultimate fantasy bag, but alas, I think it’s a tad out of my budget.

Since I feel like a bit of an expert in the area at the moment, I thought I’d share a few of my favorites from my search.  While all won’t quite work for me and just what I need, these would all make excellent choices for someone with a bit less… particular needs.

best work tote roundup

1. Vinyl Shopper, $99, Zara  2. Melbu Tote, $248, Anthropologie  3. Chelsea Leather Shopper, $298, Coach  4. Kimichi Blue Envelope Tote, $59, Urban Outfitters  5. Alto Large Tassel Bag, Dooney & Bourke  6.  RED Valentino Bow Tote Bag, $315 Saks Fifth Avenue  7. Built Essential Work Tote $89, Built NY

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Justin Timberlake, Pretzel Cones, Teething Necklaces, and more…Happy Weekend!

            Happy Weekend!  I hope in your part of the country, you are enjoying some of the same wonderful weather that we have here in Oklahoma…we’ve had perfect spring temps and lots of sunshine all week.  This weekend is my first ever Mother’s Day as a mom myself, so I’m…

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Clean Air Tips for your Home

I spend plenty of time thinking about home and making a home. Since clean air and easy breathing seem to be high on my list for providing comfort I think it is one of those hidden things that makes anyplace feel more like home. Growing up in Oklahoma you’d think that would mean I’d love…

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Mother’s Day – A Step-by-Step Guide

image by Ruby Jewel Studio, PLLC As most of you all know, this Sunday is Mother’s Day.  If you didn’t know then please take a minute and put it on your calendar! While I’m not a mother (yet) I have always enjoyed celebrating the special women in my life.  So, I decided to put together a…

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Grilling is for girls, too — Barbecue Season is Here

grillinvitreetsy

Image via Etsy, from MissHollyLu shop I’m a proud barbecue wife — I’ve written plenty in the past about my hubby’s  passion for smokin’ meat. In Oklahoma, barbecue is a religion. And to my husband, barbecue means only one  thing — smoking meat in a proper smoker, using wood to fuel the fire. But for…

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Brights + Black: Outfit to Room

Image via Running on Happiness A black blazer over a patterned dress is one of my all time favorite outfit standbys, so when I saw this look I thought it would make a perfect room inspiration!  Some people shy away from lots of pattern, both in clothes and interiors, but many are really just as…

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Prairie Hive is a collaboration of designers, photographers, writers, and crafty creative types based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We want to share with you interesting people, places and things in our part of the world - and hope you find some inspiration along the way! Each of us has a unique perspective on design, lifestyle, travel and entertaining and want to collectively give you something to buzz about! Read More About Us »