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spring walk in essex

April 23, 2021

window box pansies

Even though I live in a shoreline town, there are plenty more in Connecticut to explore!  Some towns I may not visit very often, yet others I wouldn’t miss checking out on a regular basis.

essex tree

essex blooming tree

close up blooming

Essex is one of these ‘regular basis’ towns.  It has a quiet elegance about it and is very historic – It is home to one of the oldest (since 1776) continuously operated inns in the country.  I usually visit this seaport village in July, but a friend and I recently made a spring visit.

garden ornament

historic home in essex

As in any visit, we took plenty of time to notice outdoor home décor and gardens.  Having done a formal home tour in Essex in the past, I know there are many magnificent interiors as well!

pretty shrub in essex

shrubs in essex

I hope you are inspired to enjoy some walks outside of your regular neighborhood during this pretty time of year!

tree in essex

pretty door essex

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to enjoy pleasure in simple things,  Jackie

 

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terrain holiday 2020

November 13, 2020

outdoor at Terrain holiday

The holiday decor is out early this year and I think it is a great idea!  I would hope the early start would help eliminate crowds that could contribute to unhealthy shopping experiences.  In the interest of safety, I am sure many people are limiting their shopping to online.  I need to see things up close – I want to use all my senses when I experience holiday shopping!

white holiday at terrain

white bottle brush at Terrain

I have friends in different parts of the country who can not experience one of my favorite stores to visit at the holidays – Terrain.  And, Terrain really needs to be experienced in person to fully appreciate it!  So whether you would rather not visit a store right now, or you just don’t live near a Terrain to visit in person – enjoy today’s photos.  These are some favorite glimpses of holiday from my last Terrain visit.

terrain holiday entrance

wreath towel at Terrain

star spheres Terrain

terrain trees holiday

12 days towels Terrain

bubbly at Terrain Westport

green trees in pots at Terrain

holiday xmas terrain

tree trimming at Terrain

metal trees at Terrain Westport

I hope you are inspired to start on some of your holiday decorating!

Thanks for stopping by!

icy trees at Terrain Westport

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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prayers for big basin

August 21, 2020

redwood tribute

Today I am posting a little tribute to California’s oldest state park.

A raging wildfire has inflicted serious damage to Big Basin Redwoods State Park.  Sending prayers for the well-being of this magnificent park and to all in California suffering from the devastation of the fires.

Click here to see more of the park.

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a fabulous weekend.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things,  Jackie

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the garden barn

June 19, 2020

plants at Flower Barn

When you have close friends that have fabulous gardens, you have the benefit of finding out about all their fabulous gardening resources!

Today, I am taking a field trip to one of these resources.  Two of my friends frequent a place called the Garden Barn and I have never been – until now!

moon and star topiary

I could plan a whole outdoor constellation themed party with these two topiaries and plenty of little white lights! So fun!

I could never go wrong taking a recommendation from either of the two friends I mentioned with the fab gardens.  I knew the Garden Barn would be great, but it was even better than my expectations.  (The fact that I have been isolated for so long may have contributed to my excitement!)

topiary deer

topiary deer close up

From the moment of arrival, the variety and quantity of beautiful, healthy plants is overwhelming.  And, the knowledgeable staff at the Garden Barn makes visiting a learning experience.

porpoise topiary

For today’s post, I decided to pick one unique item to showcase from my visit – topiaries.  I haven’t seen these at any other garden store I have visited so I thought they would be fun to share!

full horse topiary

horse topiary closeup

Have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks for stopping by.

Flower Barn

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S.  If ever in the vicinity of Vernon, Connecticut, make a stop at The Garden Barn.

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beach walk

April 24, 2020

clouds at beach

With the virus causing so many places to be shut down here in Fairfield County, I feel lucky that our town beaches have remained open for residents.  A walk on the beach can sure make a bad day seem a whole lot better!

My beach walk today is to do a little scavenging for my next craft project.  Can you guess what it is?

2 shells on beach

Did you guess what it was I was collecting?  If you guessed shells, you were correct!  The type of shell, specifically?  Oyster!   Although I did find some small ones, I didn’t find any of the really large ones I had hoped for!

Luckily, one of my friends is very close with a family in Connecticut who have been oystermen since the 1940s (fourth generation) and operate one of the last standing traditional oyster farms in the United States.  Because of this, I was able to score some really choice, large oyster shells that are perfect for my project!

Maybe you didn’t realize Connecticut was a big oyster state?  The Connecticut shoreline actually has more tributary rivers per linear mile of coastline than any other region in the country and this unique geographical characteristic creates the most ideal environment for oysters to thrive.

shells and sky

I haven’t made anything from oyster shells for a while.  You may remember the oyster shell place cards I posted a while back?  Click here to see.

There is a current craze to decoupage oyster shells in blue and white chinoiserie.  Everything I’ve seen has been blue and white.  So, I am totally motivated to create some decoupaged oyster shells in some different color palettes.  So, since I have had enough of making Christmas ornaments in April, I am moving on to decoupaged oyster shells!  Of course, I could easily convert these oyster shell pieces into Christmas ornaments! ;)

many shells

Stop back next week to see my creations and get full instructions to make your own!

I hope these photos may have inspired you to take a walk somewhere picturesque near you!

Thanks for stopping by!

Take pleasure in simple things and stay healthy, Jackie

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coquina

March 20, 2020

ocean side

Coquina is a new oceanfront restaurant set to a backdrop of the ocean breezes of Amelia Island, Florida.  While staying at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Coquina is a great place to order up local seafood and coastal dishes inspired by the island’s Spanish heritage.

private seating

This al fresco restaurant serves dinner under some beautiful coastal lighting (click here to see more) overlooking the resort’s dune-lined beaches. Coquina’s menu includes ceviche made from freshly caught fish and shareable tapas.  A full-bar overlooking the ocean is a great spot to order a signature cocktail.  (See some signature drinks by clicking here.)

indoor tables

cool seating poolside

One of the first to sit in this beautiful new spot with friends, I happened to be staying at the Ritz at the time Coquina opened, just this March.

firepit action

firepit

I hope you enjoyed these few photos of the new restaurant Coquina on today’s Friday field trip!

new seating

ritz bar

Thanks for stopping by!

seating inside pool

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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return to the giraffes!

March 13, 2020

long neck with branches

I was very fortunate to be able to revisit White Oak Conservation in Northwest Florida.  If you remember my post, the giraffes were my favorite animals at White Oak and I was so excited to have the opportunity to visit them once again!

giraffe drinking

close up giraffe skin

White Oak is one of the world’s premiere wildlife breeding, education, and training facilities.  This wildlife conservation facility spans 13,000 acres of pine and hardwood forest and wetlands.  Its mission is to save endangered wildlife and habitats through sustainable conservation breeding, education, and responsible land stewardship.

giraffee with more branches

Meet Jigsaw and some of the other giraffes I was able to meet!

i'm looking at you

deadly bird

Did I scare you?  I threw a photo of this cassowary in here since you may have never seen one.  This one at White Oak is the first one I’ve ever seen!  Scary looking, isn’t it?  Considered one of the most dangerous birds in the world!  The cassowary can sprint as fast as 31 miles per hour and can kill a human being with slashing blows of its feet!  Huge contrast to the sweet, gentle giraffes!

Click here for ‘giraffe love’ – more on White Oak from my first trip!

tail end giraffe

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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half-pound cookies!

February 28, 2020

citycake cookie closeup

Trips to New York City always include some great eating stops – there are so many to choose from!

One great dessert place to visit is Citycakes.   The unassuming storefront of this bakery is easy to miss – it is located on the basement level of 251 West 18th Street in Manhattan.

citycakes storefront

Because it is only a few blocks from the High Line, Citycakes is a fun stop after an invigorating High Line walk!  The menu here includes cakes and cupcakes, but for my daughter and I, the true hero of the shop is the signature line of cookies – weighing in at half a pound each!

Here is my pick this trip:

citycakes nyc cookie closeup

citycakes cookie flavor

Though this shop may not have the finesse of a New York City bakery like a Dominique Ansel Bakery, there is definitely something to be said for a huge, delicious cookie!

As a Food Network junkie, I have seen Chef Benny Rivera from Citycakes compete on many different programs – making the shop all that much more attractive to me!

citycakes cookies

If in the neighborhood while in Manhattan, it is worth a stop to pick up some cookies!  They are definitely a fun gift to bring home to someone!

(For comparison – one cookie is half a pound or 8 oz. – an entire box of Girl Scout Toffee-tastic cookies is under 7 oz. and cost $6.  I used a Girl Scout cookie to compare because everyone knows it!  Of course, a boxed cookie is not freshly baked!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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the vessel nyc

February 21, 2020

the vessel sky

It has been almost a year since the official opening of the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project in Manhattan, New York City.

What fascinates me most about the area is the soaring new landmark built as part of the project that is the extraordinary centerpiece of Hudson Yards.  I am talking about the Vessel.

The Vessel NYC

An interactive artwork that is meant to be climbed, the work was designed by architect Thomas Heatherwick.  Comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs made up of almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings, it is a spiral staircase that offers climbers a way to see some remarkable views of the city, the river, and beyond by witnessing perspectives of the city from different heights, angles, and vantage points.

looking up at the vessel

Anyone willing to climb can do so for free by obtaining a same-day ticket.  All time-specific tickets are offered without charge on a first-come, first served basis.

side view of the vessel

Last time in New York City, I was hoping to climb the Vessel, but no tickets were available!  As time goes on, I am sure the free tickets will only get harder and harder to achieve with milder weather arriving to the city soon!

cool view of The Vessel

Here I am offering some views of the Vessel from the ground level.  I will continue to try to score a ticket on any visit I make into Manhattan – hoping I can soon make the climb!

the vessel 3

Thanks for stopping by!

The Vessel 2

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S.  I think this coming Thursday’s episode of Project Runway was filmed at the Vessel – check it out!

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cruisin’ ocean drive

February 7, 2020

the orb

My favorite hotel along Miami’s famed Ocean Drive is The Betsy – a chic hotel with a rooftop pool…if I were to plan a future trip to Miami, this would definitely be my hotel of choice.

Walking along ‘the drive,’ there are a couple of super cool features outdoors at The Betsy to check out.

The Orb 6

My favorite is an orb-shaped sky bridge, considered a groundbreaking piece of Miami public art.  I was so fascinated with this structure!

The Orb 5

The other unique feature is a sculptural Poetry Rail honoring local wordsmiths – from Langston Hughes to Muhammad Ali.

Poetry Rail 1

Poetry Rail 3

Cool, right?  And you haven’t even seen the inside of the hotel!

Poetry Rail sign

Poetry Rail 5

I hope you enjoyed sharing a couple of the interesting features of The Betsy Hotel on Ocean Drive in Miami!  Can’t wait to share my favorite restaurant!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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