Happy Weekend

Robert Redford. That's all.

Memorable Quotes

Things Making Me Happy Right Now

This is a "Things Making Me Happy Right Now" food edition!

Williams Sonoma Croissants - If you have never had these ... seriously treat yourself. When we're on vacation at a house or condo, we love to have these delivered ahead of time so we can bake them for breakfast. They come in a box of 15 frozen. You set out as many of the frozen croissants you want and let them rise overnight. The smell of fresh dough in the morning is mmm yummy. Place the croissants in the oven and get ready to live. No jam, no butter, not necessary. They come out of the oven buttery and flaky and fresh and warm and melt in your mouth amazing. You owe it to yourself to try these. Shop here

Kitchen Timer from Anthropologie - Had this forever and it still makes me happy. Just a fun kitchen accessory. That's all. Shop here

McClures Pickles - If you appreciate a good pickle, these are the way to go. This company cans their pickles in Detroit and Brooklyn and they use as much local produce as possible. The result is a tangy, vinegary, spicy, fresh pickle with a touch of garlic and a great crunch. I love a great crunch. Shop here

McClures Bloody Mary Mix - Using the brine from their yummy spicy pickles as the base, this mix makes for one heck of a fabulous Bloody Mary. Each batch is made by hand and contains locally-sourced ingredients—starting with cayenne and habanero peppers for the brine and topped off with tomato paste and fresh pressed cucumber juice. Add vodka, perhaps a McClures pickle or a few oilves and voilà ... happy weekend morning to you. Shop here

Sea Salt Carmels - Sea salt and buttery caramel ... salty and sweet ... really what more is there to say? What I'm loving and munching on right now.

Jadeite Mixing Bowl - I have had this forever and I love it. Classically retro and the best shade of green. I get excited to make muffins just so I can use my mixing bowl. A cute apron is optional but I highly recommend it. Shop here

White Gold Honey from Williams Sonoma - This honey is so decadent and creamy and delicious. It is such a treat on yogurt or granola or a slice of fresh bread ... or just by the spoonful! Its the bee's knees!

Sarabeth's Jams & Marmalades - Sarabeth's is one of our most favorite places to go for brunch in New York. We actually first went to Sarabeth's for breakfast one morning in Key West, not knowing it was a New York restaurant. We saw it in New York and thought ... is that the same place? Sarabeth's started as a tiny bakery-kitchen where she could sell her amazing preserves and baked goods. Its now a full blown restaurant with 3 locations in NY and the one in Key West. Her jams and preserves, which started it all, are delicious. Pictured here is Raspberry Orange Marmalade. There is also Orange Apricot, Strawberry Peach, Blueberry Cherry, Raspberry Key Lime and many more amazing delicious flavors. Shop here

Something's Gotta Give: Beach House

Speaking of beach home inspiration ... here's one of the best ... the interiors of the "Something's Gotta Give" house. Just a little eye candy for today.

Click the photos to enlarge.

Music - I Only Have Eyes for You, Flamingos
















And the quintessential beach house print, Kenton Nelson's "Swim Party", which hangs above Erica's mantle in the movie.

Martha’s Vineyard Beach House: Meg Ryan

I'm getting excited for warmer weather and the prospect of spending time with friends on the Shore. I loved this former Elle Decor article that featured Meg Ryan's Martha's Vineyard home. I love the white space, the beams, and the industrial features in the kitchen, windows, doors, and surfaces. I like to come back to these photos when I am dreaming of beach homes.

Memorable Quotes

Indoor Garden Inspiration

Although you may or may not have a yard of your own to dig around in, here's a bit of inspiration for indoor gardening. Even growing a few kitchen herbs is fun and perfect for throwing into fresh summer salads.

1. Watering Can, Ikea - here
2. Basil Herb Kit, Pottery Barn - here
3. Water Mister, Amazon - here
4. Everyday Basic Herbs, Indigo - here
5. Blackboard Garden Labels, Terrain - here
6. Herb Snips, Terrain - here
7. Boston Bread Mold, Terrain - here
8. Garden Gloves, NY Botanical Garden Shop - here

Lacey in Monet's Garden

When I was little, I used to love a book called Linnea in Monet's Garden. It is a story about a little girl who visits the home and garden of Claude Monet in Giverny, France, and learns about the artist's paintings and his life. Monet has always been one of my favorite artists and it has been a lifelong dream to visit the gardens that inspired his amazing work. While we were in France, that dream came true.

Monet lived in Giverny from 1883 until his death in 1926. He considered the garden his greatest masterpiece. The grounds are completely enchanting. It is such a special place. The colors and reflections in the pond look just like Monet's paintings. I was surprised at the sheer size of the grounds and volume vegetation in the landscape. Every square inch is covered in beautiful flowers, trees, plants, and ponds.





















"But what about the garden, how do we get there?"
"First, we'd have to get to Paris" said Mr. Bloom.
"Oh!" I said. "That's a long way away."
"It is a long way" said Mr. Bloom, "but its not impossible."

- Linnea in Monet's Garden