Confection perfection
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 filling, such as 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.
Flirty and functional
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 3 to 5. 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 as 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 vintage-inspired creations, visit McDuffie’s garden-themed store (opens May 10) at the BoneYard, 195 Raymond Hill Road, in Newnan (
). Also contact her at 770-719-2900 or at
Good-for-you beauty
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, nontoxic 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 nontoxic creams, lotions and makeup. Best-sellers include: Healing Hand Butter ($22), 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.
Best of the South
Do you have favorite finds from around the South that you give as gifts, buy for your home or rave about to friends? If so, please share them with us. Send your suggestions to: lljerkins@gmail.com. Please include your name and contact number.
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