Welcome to my blog ~ where aesthetics are a passion, details are a priority, and pleasure in simple things is celebrated!
I invite you to share my inspirations for a creative life and a lifetime of adventures.
Thanks so much for visiting, Jackie
Hi there! I have so many projects in the works, but I have nothing documented to show you! I really had hoped to show you some ‘after’ photos of that vintage dresser I showed you some time back…but things have been hectic and I haven’t yet taken photos. Soon.
Thanks for stopping by!
Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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It is crazy how few photos I’ve taken recently. I must have set a personal record for the fewest number of photos taken in the last few months. So uncharacteristic of me!
I really noticed it when I got home from the Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck this past weekend. I had a wonderful day with fabulous friends. Normally I come home with tons of photos to put up for you to see. Not this year! In fact, I took only a few photos the entire day! I guess hanging out with the fabulous friends got in the way!
When I looked through the few photos I had, they were all related to table settings. I always say everything runs in themes with me and it certainly is true. My takeaway from the fair this year is to ‘summerize’ my tablescapes!
I love all the cool arrangements created by Cutlery Couture. They put flatware in little burlap pouches with pretty coordinated designs and ribbons…aren’t they super! The green herbs are my favorite motif!
I am also inspired to think about adding some embellishments to existing napkins. Look at these black and white napkins with an embroidered bee…it inspires me to do something similar. I would like to do some with ladybugs!
I hope the few photos I am sharing from the Country Living Fair this year are inspiring you to come up with some cute summer tablescapes like it did for me!
Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
P.S. I won’t forget to share ‘after’ photos of the dresser in an upcoming post!
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Hi friends! I know my furniture redos usually show a ‘before’ and ‘after’ in the same post. But, today I am only showing the ‘before’ of a current piece I have been working on.
Like me, the piece is starting a new beginning! I have given new life to a vintage mahogany dresser and I am taking it with me on a new journey!
As you read this, I am on my way to a new beginning…leaving a place I’ve lived for a long, long time. I am looking forward to sharing some future projects with you as I prepare to downsize everything in my life!
I am going to give you one little peek as to how I refinished the dresser my daughter used growing up – a family heirloom. It is renewed and ready to join me! Because of my moving out, I don’t think I will be posting on Friday, but I will be back next week! And, I will share, in more detail, my new dresser!
Here is a little peek of the ‘after.’ As you can see, I decided to keep the original hardware. What do you think the rest of the piece looks like?
Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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Why was a Tuscany theme extra special for the bridal shower I helped organize? Tuscany was the location of the proposal!
The bridesmaids, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, and myself got together for planning (and some good eating!) meetings months ahead of the shower date. The mother of the bride had the place and theme decided, so we ran with it!
Of course, a couple things just pop into your mind when you think of Tuscany! We decided to use lemons, and all things wine as reoccurring décor items.
The maid of honor, an artist, created a beautiful painting of the proposal as a gift to the bride. The painting was front and center on the day of the shower – we used it on the mantel above the spot where the future bride opened her gifts. The maid of honor also created a beautiful handlettered sign “Showered with Amore” that greeted guests as they arrived.
I created table signs, naming each table after an Italian wine. The guests picked up a table card strategically placed on a cork in a crate of grapes. The same type of graphic was used to tag the favors – a homemade Tuscan spice mix created by the soon-to-be bride’s mom. I used the same theme/colors in creating a ‘bridal bingo’ game. Another favor, created by the matron of honor, was a cluster of grapes styled from chocolate candies…so cute!
The mother of the future groom had saved corks from the entire time of her marriage – she had A LOT – and we used these in our decorating…and, in our games. One of the games was “Guess How Many Corks in the Jar.”
Can you believe I found a dress in a lemon print fabric? It was an Anne Klein Dress at an original price of $119. that I bought off-season at T.J. Maxx for $29.99!
The best part of the shower, of course, was getting together with old friends and meeting new friends who will be a part of the upcoming wedding day. The bride-to-be looked absolutely fabulous! If the shower day was any indication of how she will look on the wedding day – bellissima!!
I hope you enjoyed seeing a few photos from the Tuscan themed shower created by ‘our team.’ We all had a blast – the reason I didn’t take as many photos as usual! I hope you are inspired to use some of our ideas in your own party planning!
Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things. Ciao, Jackie
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For me, the rock star of any good hotel is the pastry chef!
I have a passion for baking and baking shows and I love to see every variety of dessert provided at a hotel. I always check out every dessert possible in every hotel I happen to visit!
And, of course, I need to taste every one as well!
At the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, I discovered a new dessert this trip that ended up my favorite – a baklava cookie! It tasted much like baklava but more in a cookie format. It had a shortbread crust and all the flavors of a traditional baklava. Heavenly!
I hope today’s Friday field trip inspires you to try making a new dessert…or maybe just tasting one!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Remember to take pleasure in simple things- like trying a new dessert! Jackie
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There is nothing better than a change of scenery once in a while. A recent work trip took me to the opposite coast for a change of more than just environment. Visiting California was like living a different lifestyle for a short while. It came at the perfect time. I am going through so many changes at home and the trip to California helped ‘reset’ my perspective on life.
The best part of the trip was reconnecting with a childhood friend. Though we hadn’t seen each other in many years, once we were reunited, it almost seemed like no time had gone by at all!
My brief time in the OC (Orange Country, California) was jam-packed! I came home so refreshed – satisfied from a job well done and grateful for the chance to get together with a long-time friend – as well as meeting some new ones!
Get ready for some glimpses of Cali in the posts ahead!
Hope your week is starting off great! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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For today’s Friday field trip, I am continuing the photo essay of my visit to Taliesin West, the architectural school and winter residence of famed Frank Lloyd Wright, designer of iconic buildings, including the Guggenheim Museum.
This National Historical Landmark is located in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Wright’s intent was to use the facility to train architects.
Regardless of what your personal opinion may be about Wright’s style, the way he embraced nature with his design of Taliesin West can definitely be appreciated by all who visit.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a fabulous weekend!
Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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On a recent trip to Scottsdale, Arizona, I visited the city’s only National Historical Landmark – Taliesin West. The landmark was architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter camp and desert laboratory.
Whether you are interested in design or are just fascinated by notable people in history, Taliesin West is worth visiting. Today, I am sharing some photos from Taliesin West – what Frank Lloyd Wright called “a look over the rim of the world.” The location still functions as a learning facility.
Frank Lloyd Wright, as you may or may not know, led a very colorful personal life (some of this has been documented in the historical fiction by Nancy Horan, Loving Frank.)
This week, I am sharing some photos from my visit to Taliesin.
Thanks for stopping by!
Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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This should be the last of my inspirational ramblings…I hope to be back on my normal blog routine by the end of the week!
Thanks for stopping by! Here’s to building the new!
Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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Hi friends!
I know my posts have been a little different than usual this week, but it has been an unbelievably crazy week! By the end of next week I hope to be back to a more normal routine.
I will share a little more in the future, but for today, I’d just like to leave you with this little bit of inspiration and wish you the very best of weekends!
Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie
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