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spring at taken for granite

April 2, 2022

nautical decor

Here in Connecticut, it is still pretty chilly!

As we start to prepare for all things spring, I enjoy checking out the new spring goodies at all my favorite Connecticut gift shops!  My most recent excursion was to Taken for Granite in Branford.  I am sharing a little bit of my trip with you today!

Of course, I found a cute bunny or two!

bunny scene

And, there is always an amazing selection of jewelry:

bracelets

collection of bracelets

beaded necklace

As well as home decor:

pitchers

dried decor

pretty vases

blue vases

sun dish

Don’t these photos just make you want to check out all the spring selections out there?!

face pot

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you are inspired to check out this shop or one of your favorites!

star sculpture
Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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decoupaged oyster shell magnets

May 26, 2020

flower oyster shell

A great use for smaller decoupaged oyster shells is as refrigerator magnets.  All that is required is to use a glue gun to add a strong magnet to the back of the completed shell!  For complete instructions on making the decoupaged oyster shells, click here.

decoupage oyster shell fridge magnet

While they were offering a site-wide discount during the quarantine, I ordered some super strong small, round magnets (as well as some ribbon for a future project) online from Joann Stores.  You should be able to find small magnets at this or any craft store.

oyster shell magnets

Decoupage the shells in a pattern/color that coordinates with your décor!  Even if you decide to use shells that are all decoupaged in the same pattern – each is unique in shape, providing plenty of visual interest on the fridge!

fridge magnets oyster shells

I hope you are inspired to DIY some decoupaged oyster shell fridge magnets!

shell magnets from oyster shells

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Using decoupaged shells to make a pendant necklace, click here.

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new read by terrain

October 26, 2018

book bag on bench

Who knows us better than our good friends?  It always amazes me when my friends think of me in a special way…like shipping me my favorite ice-cream from Ohio when I’m bedridden!

New Terrain book

The latest act of kindness from a friend was a gift in a nonedible variety.  If you follow this blog, you know one of my very favorite stores is Terrain.  Well, Terrain came out with a much anticipated book titled Terrain:  Ideas and Inspiration for Decorating the Home and Garden.  Of course, any Terrain lover should own a copy – don’t you think?  But, I hadn’t preordered one because my budget has been very tight lately.

I stopped at a friend’s house to find she had pre-ordered me a copy (which means a free Terrain tote bag was included!) of the book!  OMG!

fall page in book on table

The book contains 400 pages of Terrain inspiration – spanning every season.  Greg Lehmkuhl, Terrain’s creative director, and all the wonderful gardeners of Terrain edited this beautiful book.

I am SO happy to add it to my collection!  I think I need to display it in a special spot in my home the way my friend Phyllis did in her home.  (The photos today on Friday field trip were all taken at her house.)

terrain book open on table

If you want to bring a really fabulous hostess gift this Thanksgiving, consider ordering a copy!  And, for all my followers who don’t live near a Terrain, you may enjoy this book even more than those of us who do!

Love quote

Thanks for stopping by!

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

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mother’s day lavender almonds

April 10, 2018

lavender almonds in a teacup

On my last trip to Boston, I was at the market near the waterfront.  One of the vendors was selling many different flavors of a variety of nuts.  I tried quite a few flavors and picked out some to bring home.

After I got back home and sampled my purchases, I found my favorite of the nuts were the ones flavored Limoncello lavender.  I thought the aroma and subtle taste of the lavender on the nuts was fabulous!

measuring lavender for flavored almonds

The nuts I brought home didn’t last very long and I found myself wishing I had more!  It wasn’t long before I decided to make my own lavender flavored almonds…substituting vanilla for the Limoncello.  After several attempts at creating vanilla lavender almonds, I found the recipe here to be the winning combination of ingredients.

making lavendar almonds

I wish someone had invented a scratch and sniff computer screen so you could smell the heavenly aroma of the lavender!  Give the recipe a try – maybe you will be inspired to adjust the flavors/amounts to your own taste and come up with your own flavor combination!

pleasureinsimplethings recipe for lavender almonds

I think this treat is great to gift for Mother’s Day!  Try packaging the almonds in a pretty jar or a vintage teacup!

lavender almonds in a Weck jar

Maybe for the next holiday I will try to recreate my second favorite flavor –  the bananas foster flavored nuts!

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

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valentine, read my lips

January 23, 2018

gummy mouth pops

Doesn’t everything taste better on a stick?  Think about cake pops – a bunch of cake crumbs instantly become chic when placed on a stick!  Why not do the same thing for Valentine’s Day…elevating candy or cookies to a new level by simply adding a stick!

making candy hearts on a stick

Using Reese’s peanut butter hearts to make these pretty skewers.

It is easy to transform treats into chic Valentine’s Day candy skewers to gift to loved ones.

heart on a skewer

One skewer can be a perfectly elegant gift (and very affordable!)

Valentine Cookie pop

Or, create a whole bouquet of skewers!

lip pops for Valentines

I hope you are inspired to create your own Valentine’s Day skewers!  If you want, package your creation in cellophane and add a Valentine’s Day note with a witty pun.  For my lip bouquet, I added a note that said “Valentine, read my lips.”  Leftover pieces of ribbons from holiday packages are perfect to tie to your finished skewers.

Reeses candy heart on a stick

Thanks for stopping by!

heart shaped cookies

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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january book giveaway!

December 29, 2017

giveaway planner

Today, for the January giveaway, I decided to continue one more month with an organization theme!  Since we all think about getting organized at this time of year, I am giving away a planner and some cute notes!  I am hoping to inspire some organization with style!

Just leave a comment to earn a chance to win!  I will pick the winner at random from the comments at the end of the month.

organizing with a snack

Congrats to Berna, the winner of the December giveaway.  (Click here to see last month’s giveaway).  I know you will put the cute planner and Lilly Pulitzer notebook to good use.  Enjoy!  Thanks to everyone who entered to win!

If you are an Instagram user, please read on!  This month we are sharing our organization photos!  Are you revamping your closet?  Organizing the spice rack?  Whatever your project may be, please share with hashtag #pleasuregram.

organization

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

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holiday 2017 at grace

December 15, 2017

holiday wrap by Grace in Niantic

For Friday field trip today, a visit to one more of my favorite stores for holiday shopping!

feather ornaments

holiday bird

throw selection at Grace in NianticHave a little virtual shopping trip with a few photos from this holiday season at Grace in Niantic, Connecticut.

holiday at Grace

holiday packages at Grace

holiday cutting board at Grace

Enjoy!

happy place mugs

buddah head at Grace

throws at Grace

Hope your holiday preparations are coming along!  Thanks for stopping by!

Have a fabulous weekend, Jackie

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green tea holiday bark

December 8, 2017

close up candy bark

I mentioned in a previous post that I found a great recipe book for trying some new food gifts this year.  Today, on Friday field trip, I am taking you into my kitchen to check out the first one I chose to make.  The recipe I tried is candy bark from the new recipe book Holiday Cookies:  Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season by Elisabet der Nederlanden.  (For more on this book, click here.)

I couldn’t wait to make this!  I have friends that love green tea and I was sure the bark would look festive with green from the tea and red from freeze dried berries.

piece of candy bark

As it turned out, the recipe did not disappoint!  It looks super festive and tastes great.  I do have a few tips if you decide to make this for giving.

First, green tea powder can be super expensive – shop wisely!  I found some at HomeGoods in the food section for a great price!  You can also probably find it as a teabag.  Just be sure to check the label on whatever you purchase and be sure green tea is the only ingredient.  I found the freeze dried berries at a great price at Target in the section where trail mix and nuts are sold.

collage making candy bark

As far as preparation – do not let the dark chocolate layer get too cold before layering the green tea mixture on top!  What I found out is that the green tea layer does not adhere to the chocolate if it is too cold – as soon as the chocolate is firm, spread the green tea layer on top.  Also, work quickly to add the ingredients to the green tea layer because it sets up quickly!

christmas candy bark

This candy was so easy to put together and so quick to make!  Now, it just needs a cute package for gifting!

gift package of candy bark

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you are inspired to make a food gift of your own.  I have a couple more new recipes I want to try before Christmas!

last of candy bark

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

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repurposed calendar diy

July 18, 2017

pleasure in simple things calendar repurpose

Do you have a calendar that is just too pretty to throw away?  This is the perfect DIY to repurpose it and to create something beautiful in the process!

Let me share how I repurposed pages from a calendar to create some special mementos!

The calendar I am using in this example is my Anna Rifle calendar.  This beautiful calendar was actually one of my previous giveaways – if you were the one to win it, you already have the start to create some wonderful gifts!

Calendar diy Anna Rifle calendar

All you need to do is to use the page of the month from the date you have chosen, circle the date, and frame to your liking!  So pretty and so easy!

My calendar choice has metallic gold accents, so I circled my chosen date with a gold metallic marker.   Use any permanent marker that coordinates with the page you have chosen.  Gold leaf, calligraphy ink, or watercolor paint can also be used, based on your taste and the style of the calendar you are using.

calendar diy repurpose Anna Rifle

Here, rather than using a frame, I have clipped the calendar page to a clipboard I covered with a metallic dot wrapping paper.

repurposed calendar diy with clipboard

What special date do you want to remember?  A baby’s birth date, a special anniversary, the arrival of a new pet – many possibilities – any date you may want to commemorate is fair game!

If you plan on framing the page, remember to think about the frame size when you purchase the calendar since the cost of your project will be much less if the calendar fits a stock mat/frame.   Of course, you have the option to have the piece professionally framed, if you prefer.  You may also come up with other ideas –using a clipboard as a frame or slipping the page under a piece of glass on a serving tray.

calendar repurpose diy

Think about gifts for showers, anniversaries, or wedding dates – if you don’t have a calendar to reuse, buy a beautiful calendar after the year begins, when they are drastically marked down in price!

I hope I have inspired you to create a special gift for yourself or for someone special!

Thanks for stopping by and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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palm beach style

May 2, 2017

sand dollar key chain pleasure in simple things blog

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.

sail key chain pleasure in simple things blog

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!

anchor key chain pleasure in simple things

For this specific project, I chose some fabrics and ribbons to create some key chain gifts.  So fun!

flamingo key chain pleasure in simple things

The construction part was all Ralph & Martha and they are such professionals (and perfectionists), I knew my end result would be fabulous!

sand dollar key chain pleasure in simple things

Aren’t they great!  I think we nailed the Palm Beach vibe!  ;)  Think about what great wedding favors these could make for a summer celebration!

sail boat key chain pleasure in simple things

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

 

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