Our Trip to Vienna

A few pics from our trip to Vienna.

Things Making Me Happy Right Now

Starbucks NYC Gift Card - Through the winter, I'm not a Starbucks person. Every now and then I'll treat myself to a Dunkin' Donuts decaf with cream, but that's about it. But come summer, one of my most favorite things is an Iced Green Tea from Starbucks ... one Splenda please. This is so yummy and refreshing when it is hot outside. Plus I'm pretty sure there is a Starbucks every 3 blocks in New York. I compiled all of the Starbucks gift cards I've accumulated on this fun NYC card. Makes me happy every time I use it. Hooray summer.

Anthropologie Bowls - I feel like every meal I eat, I'm eating it out of one of these bowls. Fruit, cereal, tuna salad, heirloom tomatoes, berries, yogurt ... everything in these bowls. They are cute, colorful, just the right size and they make me happy.

Essie Fifth Avenue Nail Laquer - What I'm wearing and loving right now. Plus, love the name.

Farmer's Egg Crate - I have been wanting one of these forever and finally got this one from Anthropologie. Makes me happy when I open the fridge and see our cute brown eggs on display. Also very functional as you can easily see how many eggs you have left. We seem go through a lot around here.

Farmer's Tote - I feel I have been searching for just the right, plain, cute, utilitarian farmers tote for a long while. Its an essential especially in NYC. The straw totes at J. Crew are a 42.50, which seemed, to me, a bit much. However, I found this near replica at Target for 19.99. I love you farmer's tote and I love you Target.

J Crew Espadrilles - I have been wearing these Espadrilles from J. Crew a ton. They are surprisingly comfortable and cute with rolled up chinos.

Garden Redesign

My mom's garden is a very special place. Some of my best memories with my mom take place no more than 100 feet out my parents' back door. Walking through the garden cutting roses for a bouquet, potting herbs for the kitchen, having breakfast in the garden in the mornings and swinging on the deck in the evenings. My parents' beautiful garden is a reflection of countless hours of hard work and a passion for flowers.

When my parents purchased their home 25 years ago, there was barely a blade of grass. Two tall trees defined the empty lot and they built their home around them. Over the years their garden has been designed and defined by the shade these two massive trees provided. Over the course of the last year, my parents lost both trees to storms leaving a large hole in the design and shape of their yard.

After shedding a few tears, my mom got to work dreaming and scheming up a brand new design. Above and below are photos of the new stone patio they built in place of their shade trees. 8,000 pounds of flagstone, plus 10,000 pounds of dirt and 8,000 pounds of mulch were moved by my parents this spring to make the new design a reality. Not to mention the 53 stepping stones that were individually moved, stacked and adjusted by my mother nearly 8 times to get just the right paths through the space. In addition, 14 new roses, 3 buckthorns, 2 spruces, 15 day lillies, 5 lilacs, 4 weigelas, 2 boxwoods, various flowers and ground covers were all added to the garden this spring.

Their hard work is quite an impressive undertaking and the results are absolutely beautiful.

Good job momma and daddy. You are amazing ... absolutely amazing.

Read my mom's blog "A Garden Diary" here

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