may book giveaway!

April 28, 2017

Since I have immersed myself in the Palm Beach culture of late, my book giveaway this month is a little different. Instead of a book, I am giving away a Palm Beach inspired prize package!

The winner of this month’s giveaway will receive this Palm Beach inspired collection of gifts! The basket includes a scarf, a drink hugger, a cosmetic bag, a key chain, and a jewel box. As usual, the winner will be chosen at random from comments I receive in response to this post. Good luck!

Congratulations to Amber, the winner chosen at random, of the April giveaway book, Fire Pit Cooking by Vanessa Bante. This book is sure to inspire some fireside meals! Thanks to everyone who entered. To read more about the book, click here.

Instagram users, read on!

The May Instagram challenge will follow the Palm Beach theme! Let’s share photos inspired by the Palm Beach lifestyle! Channel your inner Lilly Pulitzer and post a Palm Beach inspired photo using the hashtag #pleasuregram! And, be sure to check out May’s posts for some Palm Beach fun!

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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making old school ice cream sandwiches

April 25, 2017

Not since Alton Brown made his candy corn recipe public, have I been so excited about trying out an old school recipe! And, even more important than the recipe, I found a pan that bakes the cookie layers with the appropriate design of imprinted holes! (It is just not the same without the holes!)

The recipe and the baking pan (a genius 3 piece creation) come together in a set. The set makes baking the cookie pieces, as well as assembling the sandwiches, super easy.

Since I wanted to make some special ice-cream sandwiches for my daughter’s birthday as my first use of the set, I chose to use her favorite ice-cream – Halo Top. My plan was to use birthday cake ice-cream and garnish the sides of the sandwiches with multi-colored sprinkles! Adorable, right?

When I got to the grocery store, I couldn’t find Halo Top in birthday cake flavor, so I purchased two alternate flavors, and decided to make two ice-cream sandwiches in each flavor. The ice cream sandwiches might look old school, but I have replaced the standard vanilla ice cream with mint chip and peanut butter cup – I don’t ever remember these flavors as options back in the day. ;)

The instructions provided with the pan were very easy to follow. The only part of the process that took a little time was smoothing out the batter for the cookies in the pan, but even that was pretty painless. Measuring out an exact 1 tablespoon of batter for each mold created a perfect result!

I was happy with the ice cream sandwiches I made on my first attempt! I can’t wait to try making some using home churned ice-cream this summer!

If you are interested in making your own, I found the ice cream sandwich making set at Sur La Table. You can purchase one through their website. Currently, the set to make 4 sandwiches is on sale for under $10!

A word of advice: The set makes 4 ice cream sandwiches. If you choose to make only four, do not make the entire recipe of cookie batter. You will only use 8 tablespoons of batter to create the cookies for 4 sandwiches and the batter from the recipe provided probably makes enough for 50! Cut the recipe way down if you only plan to make four! Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things – like enjoying an old school ice-cream sandwich on a warm afternoon!
xo Jackie

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redecorating

April 21, 2017

I was reminded today of my word for the year- treasure.

I walked by my daughter’s old room and was flooded with emotion. Right now the room is in the process of being redecorated and I can’t help but think of the last time I decorated that room. I had emulated the vibe of the Polynesian hotel at Universal Studios in Florida that my daughter loved so well. Mahogany furniture, golds, elephants parading around the ceiling on the wallpaper border… all the little details I used to try and capture my daughter’s imagination by bringing back memories from a family trip to Florida.

I usually never post ‘before’ photos until I have the ‘after’ photos that go along with them. But, for Friday field trip today, I am treasuring the ‘before’ of the room of a little girl…my favorite little girl.

Now that girl is moving out…what will become of the room? You will have to wait for the ‘after’ photos to find out!

Have a wonderful weekend! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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jewelry display diy

April 18, 2017

Today I was styling some jewelry. I was being resourceful and using anything I could find that was readily available – household items, found items from outdoors, etc.

It occurred to me what a great item a clipboard can be to showcase jewelry. For such a ridiculously inexpensive, utilitarian object – it can really show a whole lot of style!

If you are putting together a display of your jewelry on your dresser or in a walk-in closet, consider using one or more clipboards. One clipboard can be displayed on a stand on it’s own or several can be displayed this way in a group. Or, several clipboards can be hung on a wall for a display of multiple pieces.

I created this super easy display piece in about 3 minutes. I grabbed some paint and sprayed the metal of the clipboard. There was only one can of spray paint handy and it happened to be off-white…if I had my choice, I would have used something more reminiscent of rust, but I used what I had. I rubbed a little metallic paint I found hanging around onto the cream paint – just so it wouldn’t look too perfect. Then, I used a page from an old book as the background for the display of the jewelry piece – first ripping the edges of the paper to give it a little character.

Super easy – right? A series of statement necklaces on clipboards would make cool wall decor. And, there are so many different ways to provide a background. Think about fabrics, book pages, wrapping paper, old photos, etc.

I hope I have inspired you to use a clipboard as a display piece. Have fun experimenting!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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happy spring friends!

April 14, 2017

Hello all! Please have the very happiest of weekends! It is a hectic one for me since I am working this weekend and also trying to get ready for a family meal on Sunday – I’m on desserts! I am taking inspiration from Chef Adam at Sift Bakery :)

For Friday field trip today, please enjoy my favorite homage to Earth Day, coming up on April 22^nd.

Click here to see Repurposed Brown Bags. Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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congrats sift bakery!

April 11, 2017

Sunday night was the finale of Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship and today’s post is dedicated to finalist Chef Adam from Connecticut’s own Sift Bakery in Mystic!

Finalist Adam Young from Sift Bakery and his answer to the whoopie pie ‘creature’ challenge on Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship competition.

It was so exciting to cheer on a contestant from my home state – particularly from a bakery I so admire. Creating everything about Sift – not just the baked products he sells, but the bakery space as well, Adam is a true artisan.

A pastry case at Sift Bakery in Mystic, Connecticut.

His unbelievable attention to detail is a turn-on for me! This detail extends from the bakery products to the thoughtfully arranged display cases, beautiful packaging & display cards, and the shop’s impeccable cleanliness.

Trying to limit an order to one French pastry is a challenge – there are so many seductive choices!

A custom cake created at Sift Bakery in Mystic, Connecticut.

If sweets are not your thing, don’t despair! Sift creates breads, quiches, and sandwiches as well. In fact, you need not even eat a thing to enjoy Sift…you can enjoy a specialty latte that is sure to rival anything offered at your local coffee shop!

Rosemary ginger latte served at Sift Bakery in Mystic, Connecticut.

My favorite latte at Sift was the rosemary ginger…until, I tried the spring special! Unbelievable!

If you find yourself in or around Mystic, be sure to stop and visit Chef Adam Young’s labor of love called Sift Bakery. It is worth the trip!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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anthropologie westport

April 7, 2017

Today, on Friday field trip, these photos from the reopened Anthropologie in Westport, Connecticut are sure to inspire!

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A homage to the former occupant of the building…the Westport YMCA.

The new store, located in the middle of town, is larger than the former location on the Post Road with plenty of room for some exciting surprises – like a section of wedding merchandise from sister store BHLDN (one of the 15 nationwide)!

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things – like window shopping at the new Anthropologie in Westport! xo Jackie

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anthro’s reopening

April 4, 2017

The much anticipated (for me anyway) grand opening of the relocated Anthropologie in Westport, Connecticut has happened! I am excited to share some photos of the store on opening day – now located in the center of town in the old YMCA building.

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The view while making your purchases at the newly reopened Anthropologie store in Westport, Connecticut.

I planned on sharing some photos on Friday field trip this week to give you a sense of the gorgeous new space, but when I started going through my photos, I realized I needed more than one post to give you some sense of the aethestics.

So, today I will share a few photos as well as sharing a few more photos on Friday! Believe me, it deserves two posts! :)

The visual team did an amazing job at this store! More display people should take note of their use of negative space…my biggest pet peeve in styling is lack of restraint. Anthro are masters at using negative space in displaying their aesthetic in an artistic way.