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So Haute!

October 25, 2012 By Talya Tate Boerner 22 Comments

Elizabeth Crigger Scokin and I couldn’t be more different. Although both the daughters of cotton farmers raised in the same bend of the Mississippi River, we chose different paths. Or maybe those paths chose us. Elizabeth traveled the road to high fashion; my pathway led to not-so-high finance with a recent detour to writing.

Elizabeth Crigger Scokin

While her closet is full of couture and 4-inch designer heels, shopping for me involves browsing my favorite bookstore wearing shoelace-less Chuck Taylor’s.

It takes all kinds, right? Some are destined for the runway. Some dream to write about it.

Elizabeth  grew up in Blytheville, Arkansas, a few miles north of my hometown. The streets are lined with old southern homes and evenly spaced shade trees, planted by forward thinking city planners decades ago. Overlapping branches form a natural arbor leading to the charming storefronts along Main Street. In the 1970s, downtown Blytheville offered a variety of retail and restaurants options. It’s where we did our back-to-school shopping. Plus, there was a new Sonic near the Interstate.

A trip to Blytheville often meant a quick visit with the Criggers, family friends who farmed land near ours. Their home was always warm and inviting, with a fabulous dish simmering on the stove or baking in the oven. Mrs. Crigger was a quintessential southern lady who effortlessly cooked a standing rib roast wearing a string of pearls. Mr. Crigger was a fixture in our den each night, stopping for a cocktail on the way home from work.
Elizabeth, their youngest daughter, was tall, thin, timeless, as if the best attributes from each parent were hand-selected for her.  A natural beauty.I was generic and indistinguishable.

She was haute. I was most definitely not.
While I was more at home at That Bookstore in Blytheville, Elizabeth was apparently more influenced by Westbrook’s Fashion. Influenced enough to take fashion to another level… On second thought, she likely skipped Blytheville retail altogether, driving straight to Memphis for her shopping needs or pulling together some fabulous look from her mother’s closet.
Since those days in Northeast Arkansas, Elizabeth Crigger Scokin’s dreams lead her to modeling in Dallas, and later to Nashville where she founded Haute Hostess Aprons, a luxury apron line inspired by her Grandmother Crigger’s vintage apron.

 

These aren’t your everyday ho-hum, chicken frying, run-of-the-mill aprons. These elegant designs caught the eye of Oprah… The fabrics, silky or sheer netting, are embellished with ribbons, flowing satin sashes and flouncy hems. Looking more cocktail dress than cooking apron, they pair perfectly with Manolo’s and a tray of martinis.Haute Hostess Aprons can be found at Stanley Korshak and Duo in Dallas and Bauman’s in Little Rock along with other high-end boutiques throughout the South. And as a bonus, each apron comes with an enchanting name such as the cheetah printed Georgette from the Glam It Up Collection or the Cornelia from the Give Me Sugar Christmas Collection adorned with jewel-toned bells. For this Fall’s diva tail-gate party or sorority tea, there is a Collegiate Collection in game day colors.

Elizabeth brings glamour into the kitchen.

A few weeks ago one of my friends was stumped on what to wear to a business conference, the appropriate attire noted on the invitation as Delta Casual. Who better to ask than Elizabeth, the Delta’s own fashionista? Her answer included “for night, a great gold or silver belt for twinkle…” I don’t own a gold or silver belt. I was thinking more boyfriend jeans… Oh my.

As I considered our differences, I began to recognize our commonality beyond farm and geography.  We share a love of cooking, drawing on yesterday’s family gatherings for inspiration. And we both love aprons.

My fun collection of aprons includes mostly vintage ones picked up at flea markets. A bit kitschy, they feel and smell of another time. I imagine the ladies who wore them fifty years ago, and the large family meals they prepared.

Two years ago, my mother added to my collection giving me the most amazing apron, perfect for my annual Halloween party. Bright orange netting with a billowy black satin sash, the apron is trimmed in rows of black and purple rickrack. It’s an original Haute Hostess design – Samantha from the Give Me Sugar Collection. It is the only designer item hanging in my closet. And I wear it with my pearls, of course. And jeans and boots…

Me and Samantha:)

Elizabeth and I share the same mantra – if you follow your passion, great things will happen. Even for two farmer’s daughters.

Spicy Cheese Wafers (Pat Crigger)

2 c extra sharp cheddar cheese 
2 sticks butter – melted 
2 c plain flour – sifted (I NEVER sift flour, but Pat Crigger probably did…) 
1 3/4 T tabasco 
dash of red pepper 
2 c rice crispies 

Mix together cheese and butter. In another bowl, mix flour, tabasco and red pepper. All the flour mixture to the cheese mixture and mix in the rice crispies. Refrigerate until slightly firm – firm enough to roll into balls. 

Roll into marble size balls. Arrange on an ungreased cookie sheet and mash with a fork. Cook for 13-15 minutes at 350 degrees. Perfect fall appetizer!

Spicy Cheese Wafers

 

talya

Musical Pairing:

Theme Song to Bewitched

“You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” 
― Oscar Wilde

 

Filed Under: Arkansas Tagged With: Elizabeth Crigger Scokin, Halloween, Northeast Arkansas

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Comments

  1. Elizabeth Scokin says

    October 25, 2012 at 5:20 am

    Thank you for such a charming lovely story about our families and my Haute Hostess Aprons.What a fantastic treat! Love, Elizabeth

    Reply
    • GraceGritsGarden says

      October 25, 2012 at 7:03 am

      My pleasure!

      Reply
  2. Colene says

    October 25, 2012 at 7:07 am

    Your blog has become part of my continuing education. You never cease to amaze me!

    Reply
    • GraceGritsGarden says

      October 25, 2012 at 7:12 am

      You need an apron:)

      Reply
  3. Kaa says

    October 25, 2012 at 7:45 am

    You just HAD to go and put a cheese straw/wafer recipe on your blog where I could see it. Just HAD to.

    Do I even OWN a flour sifter?

    Reply
  4. GraceGritsGarden says

    October 25, 2012 at 8:12 am

    I own one that I’m thinking of growing basil in…

    Reply
  5. Sherry says

    October 25, 2012 at 8:32 am

    Beautiful post! I need more aprons! I must try those yummy looking wafers too. 😉

    Nice to “meet” you. I’m following and wanted to say THANKS for visiting Inspiration Cafe!

    Reply
    • GraceGritsGarden says

      October 25, 2012 at 9:43 am

      Thank you Sherry! Yes, we all need more aprons!

      Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    October 25, 2012 at 9:45 am

    Elizabeth, has been a BFF throughout our lives. She is the kind, energetic, personable, caring person that is described in the blog today.
    I guess you can say, “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree” because her Mother, and her sister, Ann, were just the same.
    Her success is not a surprise to any of her friends, because she always had high-hopes, expectations and dreams. Her modeling career was a plan throughout life, and I remember sleepovers, when all we talked about was when she would become a successful model, not if.
    That smile she portrays is her attribute and very genuine. I am truly honored to say that I was a part of the “Crigger” family, and got to see the wonderful lady, and Mother she has become.
    I love my dear friend, and I am so very proud of her!
    Cindy Conley Anderson
    Jonesboro, AR.

    Reply
    • GraceGritsGarden says

      October 25, 2012 at 9:58 am

      Thank you for the sweet comment! I was part of the Crigger family too. Guess that makes us sisters:)))

      Reply
  7. Kelsey Erickson says

    October 25, 2012 at 10:36 am

    Great story, Mom. I think you both do farmers’ daughters proud.

    Reply
    • GraceGritsGarden says

      October 25, 2012 at 10:48 am

      Thanks Kels:)

      Reply
  8. Robin Loyd says

    October 25, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    I would never ever use the term generic to describe you. When we were growing up, I was always facinated by you. You were so funny and smart and pretty(not that you aren’t now). I enjoy each of your blogs. You’ve got me kind of thinking about the whole blog thing too. I want to share some of the stories that have happened to me in 27 years of teaching. Great story! I didn’t know you collected aprons.

    Reply
    • GraceGritsGarden says

      October 25, 2012 at 12:37 pm

      write a guest blog for Grace Grits Garden?

      Reply
    • Robin Loyd says

      October 25, 2012 at 2:26 pm

      Something to think about. I’ll get back to you. Thanks for the offer.

      Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    October 25, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    Brought back lots of memories – great story. I thought of Charles just yesterday when I played basketball with Taylor. :). I’m about to get my “holiday” Haute apron out soon!

    Staci

    Reply
  10. Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm says

    October 25, 2012 at 12:49 pm

    Thanks again for visiting my blog…You are still a no-reply blogger…this is so easy to fix and you can find how to do it here:

    http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/2012/09/no-reply-bloggers-tutorial.html

    Your cheese wafers look awesome and I would like some at this moment!

    Reply
    • GraceGritsGarden says

      October 25, 2012 at 1:08 pm

      I think I fixed it! Thanks:))) And thanks for reading/commenting…

      Reply
    • Mark says

      October 25, 2012 at 1:40 pm

      Generic and indistinguishable-NOT. Great story!

      Reply
  11. Steve Finnell says

    October 25, 2012 at 2:08 pm

    you are invited to follow my blog

    Reply
  12. pittypatter says

    October 26, 2012 at 4:36 am

    Be sure to bring your Halloween apron to E. S. I have a Snoopy/candy corn shirt. We may do our own trick or treating this year!!!

    Reply
  13. Staci Sandquist says

    November 18, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    OK, I made these wafers and obviously did something wrong. The recipe above (when I pull it up anyway) is kinda jumbled. Maybe I left something out….?

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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