june book giveaway!

May 30, 2017

Wow! This week June begins! That means for today’s post I will announce the giveaway for June.

What I love about June and the beautiful weather days it brings with it, is the ability to spend more time outdoors. Eating a meal, reading or book, or just plain sitting, is so much more enjoyable when enjoyed outdoors on a beautiful day!

So, for the June giveaway I am giving away a great read that would be perfect to read outdoors. It is the new Wendy Walker book Emma In The Night. Wendy’s first thriller, All Is Not Forgotten, has become an international bestseller with movie rights sold to Reese Witherspoon and Warner Brothers. Another smart, psychological thriller, Emma in The Night delves into the mind of a true pathological narcissist through the eyes other daughter, who has just returned after a three-year disappearance. The older sister, Emma, is still missing and the search to find her uncovers a dark family history that only forensic psychologist, Dr. Abby Winter, is able to see. Of course – there is a huge twist at the end!

Be one of the first to read this new novel by an author from my home state of Connecticut. This book is an advance readers edition – the book will not be released until August. Just leave a comment and you will be entered to win. I will pick a name randomly at the end of the month from the comments received and send the book right out to the winner! This is a great read to share with your book group!

Congratulations to Marsha, the winner of the May giveaway – a Palm Beach inspired prize basket. Marsha – even though you asked me not to share your comments, I did include your name in the random drawing and it came out the winner! Enjoy!

Instagram users, read on! In the spirit of spending time outdoors, let’s share flowers for this month’s Instagram challenge. It can be a photo of flowers from your garden, flowers from an event you are attending, or something great you found at a nursery…all flowers are fair game! Just use hashtag #pleasuregram to share your flower photo with others!

Thank you so much for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things…like admiring some flowers on a beautiful day! xo Jackie

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living the cabana life

May 26, 2017

Today, for Friday field trip, let’s imagine what it is like to have a private cabana on Palm Beach!

A great idea on a gray and rainy day! If you were to stay at The Breakers Palm Beach and lounge in a private cabana, it would look like this:

Cold drinks, and sunscreen would be provided….but, most importantly, so would this view!

And, these ‘beachy’ details!

I hope you have been enjoying the Palm Beach inspiration this month. I can’t believe how fast the month is coming to a close! Have a wonderful weekend!

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

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pink & gold nautical bridal shower

May 23, 2017

Pink and gold may not seem the typical color choice for a nautical themed party, but who said anything about typical? And, I certainly have no problem arranging a nautical party in any color scheme! :)

Since no décor can beat a coastal view, this bridal shower needed to take place at a yacht club!

The gals in the bridal party, serving as hostesses for the event, dressed in the theme colors and all looked beautiful! Of course, it helps when all the gals are gorgeous! ;)

Soft pink and gold appeared in all the details of the day.

The tables were set with gold chargers and cream linens. Table names were displayed in a brushed gold finish pedestal frame and displayed the names of bodies of water that held significance for the bride-to-be. Examples include the name of a lake from a campground she frequented as a child and the name of a river from college crew. Working with a florist, subtle and romantic blush and white free-form arrangements were created in gold compotes. (A smaller version for the powder room!)

A small (personalized) brushed gold compass and gold dipped feather adorned each place setting.

Individually wrapped sea glass candy on the tables also added to the nautical vibe. (Oddly enough, I make sea glass candy every Christmas, but rarely at any other time of year!) The bride’s favorite flavors were represented in the white (pear), pink (cotton candy), and brown (root beer) pieces of candy wrapped with raffia and adorned with a mini sand dollar.

Standard cocktail napkins and water glasses were replaced with some on-theme choices and festive gold straws were added to the water station.

Wedding photos of the bride-to-be’s mother, future mother-in-law, grandmother, and grandmother-to-be were displayed in the entry way in glass and gold frames to add a personal touch.

Themed prize baskets were given to winners of the games organized by the maid-of-honor, as well as the guest with the closest birthday, the guest that drove the farthest to attend the shower, etc.

The golden bracelets for the ‘bracelet bonanza’ game had everyone wearing a shiny gold bangle (right on theme) and provided some added interaction between guests. The ‘he said, she said’ game was fun and added a glimpse into the personalities of the soon-to-be wed couple.

For the refreshments – a selection of assorted breads, coffee and mimosas were available when the guests arrived. A fruit course, served in martini glasses, was followed by a plated brunch and later with cake and sorbet.

Adding to the theme of the day, the cake (vanilla with salted caramel filling) was created with an outside of soft pink ‘waves’ and garnished with fondant starfish dipped in gold. The sorbet was provided by a friend of the bride’s mom, created specifically for the shower in coconut lemongrass from a local gourmet food store and served in take-home stemless wine glasses. (The bridal party gals were each gifted a set of four.)

Now, who said pink and gold wasn’t nautical?

I hope you are inspired to host a pink and gold coastal party of your own!

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

Sources are available upon request – I’m happy to share!

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the breakers palm beach ocean views

May 19, 2017

The best part of Palm Beach? THE BEACH!

Start with the Palm Beach sunrise…each day unique!

Here in Connecticut the weather has been more like Palm Beach than typical New England – in the 90’s and humid! So, it is the perfect day to imagine relaxing by the ocean in Florida! Sit back and enjoy Friday field trip today – Palm Beach – Breakers style! Enjoy!

Hanging out at Palm Beach at The Breakers is the best, isn’t it? Thanks so much for stopping by!

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

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the breakers palm beach

May 16, 2017

We can’t talk about Palm Beach without including the most luxurious and iconic place to stay!

Industry tycoons and elegant socialites started visiting the then new destination of Palm Beach in the late 1890’s. Soon, the Breakers hotel became the place to stay!

Founded by Henry M. Flagler and opening in 1926 (after two reconstructions – required after fires in both 1903 and 1925), the hotel was built by New York City-based designers Chultze and Weaver (they later created Park Avenue’s Waldorf Astoria).

The Breakers Lobby. Every week the large flower arrangement in the lobby is replaced with a new, fresh arrangement.

Modeled after Villa Medici in Rome, Flagler brought in 75 artisans from Italy to complete his vision for the opulent hotel.

In the early 20^th-century, guests that frequented the hotel included Rockefellers and Vanderbilts, as well as US presidents, and European nobility.

Today, I am sharing a few of my favorite photos from the interior of the hotel during my stay at The Breakers. And, though I can’t say my taste is in line with this ornate and lavish decor, it was something definitely worth seeing at least once in my lifetime!

Since I am from New England, I can’t help but think about the Vanderbilt Mansion in Newport, RI when I walk through The Breakers hotel. Also called The Breakers, and also built during the ‘gilded age,’ the Newport mansion is a museum, not a hotel, but there are many similarities in style between the two.

The entrance to my favorite room in the hotel – The Circle Room.

Detail inside The Circle Room.

The incredible attention to detail The Breakers in Palm Beach provides is not lost on me! One example, I wish I had photographed, were the staff uniforms. The over 2,000 employees at The Breakers are all beautifully dressed – the women in Lilly Pulitzer – not a bad uniform, right?

If you want to experience incredible luxury and seaside glamour, consider a stay at The Breakers. The rates go down dramatically during the summer, so maybe plan a summer weekend for a very special occasion?

Thanks for stopping by as we continue our Palm Beach inspired month of May!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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cocktails with a view

May 12, 2017

The Seafood Bar, located in the historic Breakers hotel, was completely reimagined around its stunning Atlantic backdrop in late December 2016 and we are visiting it today on Friday field trip.

This place lets you experience the allure of the yachting lifestyle with great nautical details, beautiful new aquariums, and a front-row seat to ocean views.

Of the two large aquariums housed in the Seafood Bar, the most spectacular is the one that creates the bar itself.

It makes sitting at the bar an amazing sensory experience – looking ahead is a view of the ocean and looking down is a view of fish swimming under the spot you placed your drink!

The Seafood Bar serves lunch and dinner. Cocktails are offered at the bar until 1 am.

The beverage menu is wonderful. For something tropical and a little different to try, there is a watermelon jalapeno or a smoked coconut margarita. Local drafts are offered, as well as a great selection of alcohol free elixirs. My favorite is a coconut lavender lemonade made with lemon juice, coconut water and lavender simple syrup! Craft sodas are another great alcohol free option – like an organic summer pear!

The Seafood Bar is definitely Palm Beach life at its best!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. If you are wondering about the maintenance involved with this unique bar – hours are spent each morning cleaning both the inside (delicately) and outside of the tank!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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plants of palm beach

May 9, 2017

As I start to clean up my garden and plant some annuals here in Connecticut, I can’t help but think of some of the inspiring plantings I saw on my first trip to Palm Beach, Florida.

Like all things in Palm Beach, the green spaces are magnificent. So today, as part of my Palm Beach homage, I am sharing some of my favorites from the great plantings I spotted!

Some of my favorite container plantings were located around the pool at The Breakers hotel…

This colorful orchid was one of many located in an interior courtyard at The Breakers. This beautiful variety of flower can easily grow on the trees in Palm Beach.

The Living Wall (located on the west wall of Saks Fifth Avenue) on Worth Avenue, has to be the most high-profile garden in a Palm Beach public space! It was assembled in 2010 as part of the nearly $16 million beautification of Worth Avenue. A computerized system provides water and nutrients to the more than 10,000 plants in the 24-foot high, 36-foot wide grid. Amazingly beautiful!

These topiaries were also spotted on the famous high-end shopping street, Worth Avenue.

I found this cool looking flower in some shrubbery on the grounds of The Breakers hotel…not too sure what it is, but I thought it was uniquely beautiful.

This simple but majestic container planting was spotted outside Henry Flagler’s 1902 Palm Beach estate. Flagler was the gentlemen that established Palm Beach as a resort.

And, of course, you can’t help but notice the beautiful palms when in Palm Beach! They are everywhere! The coconut palm is not native to Florida. It’s presence in Palm Beach is due to a shipwreck back in 1878. The ship, traveling to Spain from Havana, was carrying a cargo of coconut palms and many of the coconuts were salvaged; many planted.

I hope you enjoyed sharing a few of the many plants that caught my eye while in Palm Beach. While inspiring, they certainly make my humble garden seem a lot less exciting! I have to remind myself that Connecticut is lacking the tropical rain forest climate of Palm Beach!

A dish garden I admired on a table inside The Breakers hotel.

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

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a little bit of lilly

May 5, 2017

I promised some Palm Beach flavor in the month of May!

Palm Beach is the birthplace of the Lilly Pulitzer style and no visit to Palm Beach would be complete without a visit to a Lilly Pulitzer store!

The way the historic story goes is that Lillian McKim eloped with Peter Pulitzer and moved to the fabulous resort destination, Palm Beach, when Lilly was just in her 20’s.

She opened a juice stand off Worth Avenue, squeezing the juice for all her famous friends.

Needing to camouflage the colorful juice stains (occupational hazard when you are a juice squeezer!) on her clothing, Lilly created a brightly printed, easy shift dress to work in…the start of all things Lilly!

The bright, fun details pictured here were taken in the Lilly store located at the iconic Breakers hotel in Palm Beach.

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

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palm beach style

May 2, 2017

You know how I love a good theme! Currently, it is all about Palm Beach! Today, I am sharing a glimpse of a super cool project I created with Ralph & Martha.

For a gal that is all about neutrals, embracing Palm Beach – in all its pink and green glory – has been a big departure from my usual color palette! But, what a fun time I have had immersing myself in all things Palm Beach!