A Victorian-Era Chocolate Box—Don’t Worry, Chocolate Not Included!

Phyllis Lifestyle 6 Comments

Chocolate on Valentine’s Day is a tradition that we all enjoy, but where does it come from? I did a little digging, and it turns out, this fabulous tradition originated in my favorite place on earth—England! By the 1840s, Valentine’s Day as a time to celebrate romantic love was widely adopted by most of the English-speaking world. Prim Victorians embraced …

History of Sewing Machines

The History of Sewing Machines

Phyllis Lifestyle 9 Comments

Happy December! I’ve been out of the office for a little bit so, here’s a guest post on the history of sewing machines from Emma Reeves. Sewing is an art and pastime I’m very passionate about. We’re always drumming up the most darling outfits and sewing projects for Classic Sewing magazine. Find a comfy seat, and discover the history of …

Pickles

The History of Pickle Forks

Phyllis Lifestyle 23 Comments

We all know the dainty fork perched on the side of relish trays during holiday meals or family get-togethers. But where did this pickle fork come from? In the South, it doesn’t matter if there’s a holiday or not, we love our home-cooked meals. Anytime company comes, you should just go ahead and expect a kitchen full of dishes and …

The History Of Purses

Phyllis Lifestyle 35 Comments

I promised myself when I was growing up, that I would never “dig in my purse” as I had watched my grandmother do repeatedly when looking for the house key after a day out with me. I have never seen a purse so deep and cavernous as the ones she would carry, except perhaps in Mary Poppins. It had everything …

The Glamor of Gloves on Easter

The Glamour of Gloves on Easter

Phyllis Lifestyle 33 Comments

As we start moving toward Easter, I reminisce about those special days from my childhood. The Easter season and Easter Sunday has always been important to me and my family. Some of my favorite childhood memories were at Eastertime. Mom always made my dress and my sister’s dress. Careful planning went into the entire outfit, not just the dress. Now, …

Traditional Galette Des Rois - Bake from Scratch

Traditional Galette Des Rois

Phyllis Lifestyle 9 Comments

I must confess that I had never heard of a galette des rois until Daniel Schumacher, editor of Louisiana Cooking, arrived with one at my office. When I opened that bakery box and saw the puff pastry, I knew this was going to be good. And it wasn’t just good, it was amazing. The cream cheese filing just put the …