Thanks for stopping by!
Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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today’s inspiration
February 26, 2019
lights beyond the holidays
February 22, 2019
Twinkle lights and candles are not just for the holidays!
Doesn’t special lighting make everyone feel special? So, why save it just for the holidays?
A great way to brighten up any décor is with a string of lights or a few well-placed, beautiful candles. And, now that there are realistic looking simulated lit versions, candles can be enjoyed without a fire risk or suffering any soot/paint damage.
For today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing some photos from a recent trip to Terrain in Westport as a way to inspire you to use special lighting at every time of year!
There is no better way to beat the winter doldrums!
Thanks for stopping by!
Have a fabulous weekend! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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6 years ago today
February 19, 2019
Today I am sharing some photos I took this time six years ago. Maybe my friends here in Connecticut will think better than to relax about this year’s snow.
Plus, everyone seems to forget that just last year, the worse month of snow was in March!!
Do not rest easy my friends! We live in New England, after all ;)
Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things – like the beauty of a newly fallen snow!
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it started with sea glass sinks
February 15, 2019
My friend Phyllis is finishing up a remodel of the bathroom off her bedroom. I am so enamored with the results!
So, even though the bathroom wasn’t yet styled and the window coverings weren’t yet complete, I snapped a few photos when I was last over her house. This bathroom just made me so happy to look at, I had to share.
The level of detail on the trim work is beautiful. A mutual friend from back in our high school days is a master craftsman and was responsible for the designing/creating of these details.
The combination of a master craftsman and my friend’s great taste made the bathroom come together in a fabulous way!
The entire project was spearheaded by the selection of two beautiful sea glass looking sinks! They were the first item chosen for the bathroom and provide a fabulous little pop of color to the finished project!
The ‘cherry on the top’ is the view from the tub! But then, this is the yard I call a park…the landscaping is fabulous and the property adjoins a golf course. In the middle of winter it may be hard to imagine the gorgeous view during the rest of the year, but you can see it by clicking here.
Thanks for joining me today on Friday field trip. I hope you enjoyed seeing some little glimpses of my friend’s new bathroom!
My buddy, Sadie!
Have a marvelous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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a valentine mug cake
February 12, 2019
Have you ever made a mug cake? They are great! Essentially, it is a cake made in a mug. Certainly, a single size serving of cake made in a mug (with no extra dishes to wash) is a great invention, don’t you think?
For Valentine’s Day, I am sharing a recipe for a mug cake using Nutella and raspberries. You can change up the recipe a little to accommodate your own tastes if you’d like. The nice thing about experimenting with mug cakes is that you aren’t using too many ingredients if you decide to scrap one and keep trying different variations.
This recipe was created from all ingredients I had on-hand. Something chocolate is a must on Valentine’s Day and, of course, I needed a little something red – hence, the raspberries!
Make one as a special Valentine treat to yourself! Or, print up the recipe for it and attach it to a pretty mug as a Valentine gift!
Valentine Mug Cake Recipe
- ½ cup minus 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 3 Tablespoons milk
- 2 ½ Tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon Nutella (plus extra for spreading on top)
- 1 Tablespoon crushed raspberries
- 5 mini marshmallows
- Extra marshmallows & raspberries for garnish
Combine the flour, cocoa powder, sugar and baking powder in a mug. Add remaining ingredients to the mug and stir well to combine. Cook in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes on 80 percent power or just until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool 1 minute. Spread the top with additional Nutella if desired and garnish with marshmallows and raspberries.
Enjoy!
Happy Valentine’s Day! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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oasis in the desert
February 8, 2019
I shared photos of the white sandy beach I visited in Arizona in my last post. For today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing some additional glimpses from my stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. This hotel is currently celebrating its 28 consecutive year as a five Diamond resort. It boasts 6 pools and 2 18-hole championship golf courses.
The most impressive part of the resort for me was the spa. Even though I did not utilize the services the spa had to offer, I did take a quick tour. From the rooftop pool with mountain views to all the thoughtfully landscaped courtyards, the way the facility is integrated with nature is truly beautiful.
The 5 restaurants on property also utilize the outdoors. My favorite outdoor seating is at the restaurant Toro. So comfy looking, don’t you think? And, some great views as well.
It was also a restaurant – La Hacienda – that housed my favorite lighting fixture. (You probably know by now that I have a thing for lighting!)
The Fairmont strives to provide harmony with nature through vast open spaces, lushly landscaped grounds, and plenty of Saguaro cacti.
A fun spot for visitors to party is in the faux Western town created on the resort property. There is plenty of ambience to add Western vibes to any gathering!
If you know me, you know I never visit a hotel without checking out the desserts! My goal is usually to do the best I can to meet the pastry chefs when I am on property – they are my rock stars! My favorites at The Fairmont were this chocolate raspberry torte and a deconstructed Boston Cream Pie. I plan on recreating the later!
I hope you enjoyed this little visit to The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess! Thanks for stopping by!
Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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white sandy beach
February 5, 2019
On a recent work trip, I was shocked to discover a white sandy beach at my hotel. Why? I was in Arizona!
The sandy beach located at the sixth and largest pool at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is Arizona’s only white sand beach. A 7,000-square-foot pool and 830 tons of white sand beach allow plenty of room for kicking up your heels (or, in my case, boots – I was in the west after all!) on the shore or enjoying a cocktail at the swim-up bar at Sunset Beach.
The resort hauled in 830 tons of white sand from Florida for the 9,000-square-foot beach surrounding the pool. It’s the same pricey sand that’s used in the bunkers at the resort’s golf course – home to the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
The Fairmont has fabulous drink menus. How about trying a Scottsdale Buck (gin, lemon, prickly pear, and ginger beer) or a Salted Cucumber Gimlet (gin, lime, cucumber and salt)? On weekends, Sunset Beach serves drinks in coconuts…so fun!
I didn’t so much regret not getting the chance to try some of the interesting cocktails served at the Fairmont – I was there on a work assignment after all! But, as a coffee drinker, I very much regretted not getting the chance to try one of the 6 varieties of flaming coffees served at the Fairmont’s restaurant La Hacienda! Has anyone ever tried one?
I guess I have to be content in knowing I drank an herbal iced tea sitting on the white sand at Sunset Beach!
I hope you enjoyed today’s post. I thought it was appropriate for today’s heat wave – it’s in the 30’s instead of single digit temperatures here in Connecticut!
Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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for the love of cactus
February 1, 2019
A recent trip to Arizona rekindled an old love for all things cactus! My succulent passion began when I was in junior high school and my grandparents invited me to join them on a trip to Phoenix.
From the moment I arrived in Arizona, I was totally intrigued by all the cacti adorning the landscape. I even tried (unsuccessfully) to smuggle some specimens back to Connecticut. (At the time, this was forbidden by the Department of Agriculture.)
I think it is pretty safe to say I was the only 8th grader in Connecticut back then who subscribed to Arizona Highways magazine! Every month I eagerly awaited the newest edition – each one filled with photos of cacti – many of the photos including gorgeous, colorful sunsets!
So, maybe you can understand why my recent trip to Arizona had to include observations ‘in the wild’ of any cacti I was able to find!
For today’s Friday field trip, I hope you have enjoyed some of my findings!
Thanks for stopping by! Have a fabulous weekend!
Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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