shades of gray…and purple

April 15, 2014

Here comes the egg lady! I joked around this week that the late night cashier at the grocery store’s ’10 items or less’ aisle must call me that! It is probably true…I have stopped in late night at the grocery store so often lately – each time for just a carton of white eggs!

I already admitted I have an egg dyeing obsession…but it looks like I am now down to my last batch for the year. It’s Easter week and, since I’m making all the desserts for Easter dinner, I have no more time to dye eggs!

Any free time I have this week will now be spent planning and making the Easter desserts!

I dyed my last batch of eggs in shades of gray. I love neutral shades for egg dyeing, but gray dyed eggs are particularly beautiful. The best way to make gray dye is to simply mix 1/2 cup of room temperature water, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and some black paste food coloring.

Because I put together a vignette with a pretty iridescent purple glass I picked up in the clearance section at Anthropologie, I decided to dye a couple of my last dozen of eggs purple before putting them into the gray dye.

I made various shades of gray eggs by varying the time in the dye. I also rubbed off some of the color on the eggs so the wouldn’t look “too perfect.”

The irregular shading gives them so much character!

So that is it…the last of this year’s egg dyeing! :( I hope you will try dyeing some gray eggs, if you haven’t already! :)

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

Sharing with StoneGable, Sand & Sisal, Coastal Charm

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visiting anthro home office

March 21, 2014

I checked one off the list! The ‘places I need to visit in Philly’ list…I visited the Anthropologie Headquarters!

Actually – the Urban Outfitters home office. Urban Outfitters is the parent company for Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain, and BHLDN. So, for today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing a few photos of the public areas I visited at the headquarters located at Philadelphia’s Naval Shipyard. The Navy Yard is a collection of historic buildings (and battleships!) on the waterfront and open daily for public visitation. It is easily accessible by shuttle just a few miles from the center of the city. Though it is now closed for any naval activities, the 1,200 acre business campus sits on what was once the country’s very first naval shipyard!

The creative and inspiring atmosphere (with great food) inside the Urban home office makes every visitor wish they were an employee! You can see in this photo, just like in the stores – dogs are welcome! In the Anthro building, I actually saw a dog watching a TV as he sat in his little dog bed next to his owner’s desk! (True story! And, he was watching a show about dogs!)

Some of the historic Navy Yard artifacts are clearly embraced in the decor:

There are two wonderful places to have lunch – both are open to the public.

Yup, it is called The Navy Yard for a reason…I don’t know of any other lunch spots with a battleship view!

One wall makes for an impromptu museum:

Like the stores, unique and inspiring surroundings are everywhere:

If you look closely at this photo, you may spot the employee exercise area on the upper floor.

And here is my prime destination…Building No. 10…

The building containing the Anthropologie headquarters…I won’t show you the inside since it is not open to the public, but I will say that I was NOT disappointed! Oh, and here is an example of one of the many daily happenings while walking by one of the company buildings…the beginnings of a photo shoot:

I hope you enjoyed sharing some photos of the areas open to the public at the Urban Outfitters home office…and, if you should find yourself in Philly sometime – check it out! Because, like the stores, the home office is unique, fun, and inspiring!

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

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spring obsessions

March 11, 2014

We are in the home stretch! Spring is almost here!

Here are some of the top things I am ‘jonesing for’ as we start the new season!

Even though I already own Kiel James Patrick, there are always plenty of beautiful nautical-inspired items to add to my collection…for spring, I really want this ‘go with anything’ bracelet! Anchors away! (photo from the KJP website)

I am totally obsessed with branches during the spring…after the long, snowy winter, I crave any nature I can bring into the house! They don’t even have to be flowering branches…any branch will do..the bigger, the better…they just look so beautiful indoors! (Of course flowering branches are always lovely too…I start forcing flowering branches in February.) I took the photo here on Yale University’s campus, so I didn’t actually pick these – but aren’t they gorgeous!

Okay, if you aren’t already obsessed with these Ray-Ban aviator flash lenses, you certainly should be! They come in plenty of yummy colors and are the coolest! (photo from the Ray-Ban website)

Does it seems strange to see eggs on my list of obsessions? It is not the actual eggs I am obsessed with…it is the decorating! I start in February and continue until Easter and beyond! It is good that eggs are on the less expensive side considering the amount I go through! It doesn’t stop there…after Easter, I use the leftover pieces of colored egg shells to make mosaics! Obsessed!

I become obsessed with a lot of the merchandise at Anthropologie – particularly the home goods. For spring, these little beauties are the obsession of the season – sooo casual chic! The beauty of the Anthro candle is that the container is always so awesome, that even when the candle is gone, the container finds a new use and lives on! The Illume land & sky candle is totally gorgeous and the scents are addicting! (photo from the Anthropologie website)

The color mint is everywhere this spring…my favorite though, is in nail polish. I think Essie’s mint candy apple is the perfect fun spring shade and is an easy way to add mint to my spring wardrobe with a very small investment! (photo from Essie’s website)

Like me, I am sure most of the country is obsessed with Ben & Jerry’s core ice creams flavors …how has this not been invented earlier? My biggest obsession is the salted caramel flavor. Other flavors include That’s My Jam, Hazed & Confused, and Peanut Butter Fudge. (photo from Ben & Jerry’s website)

Yes, I am totally obsessed with white jeans…actually, it is not just a spring time obsession…I am obsessed with them pretty much any time of year! I am currently obsessed with a pair offered by J. Crew since they offer a great tall size that accommodates my long legs nicely! :) Can’t wait to pair them with a pastel sweater or with nautical stripe flats! (photo from the J. Crew website)

Right now, anyone that knows me is reading this and thinking my obsession with Harry Connick, Jr. is definitely not limited to the spring. You are right…I am now, and always have been, obsessed with Harry. I have seen him in person more times than any other entertainer…I have been in the front row of many concerts, holiday special tapings, and even his Broadway performance – sitting closer to the stage than Jill (if you are a Harry fan, you know Jill is his wife’s name)…BUT, NEVER until now, have I ever watched American Idol! What power you have over me Harry! ;) I am so happy that so many people in America are now discovering what I have always known about Harry…he is the coolest! (photo from the American Idol website)

So there you have it…a few of my spring obsessions…what are yours?

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

Sharing at Coastal Charm, Common Ground, and The Shabby Nest.

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beauty in the details

February 18, 2014

For me, beauty is definitely in the details.

I love William Morris’s golden rule: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” But, I would take that a step further since I believe anything useful can also be beautiful.

As you know, taking pleasure in simple things makes my heart sing…and I truly believe even the smallest detail in a home can (and should) be one that brings joy.

A wonderful example of this in my home is in my kitchen. Until I found a way to replace the unsightly vitamin bottles on my kitchen table, I could not be happy. I tried keeping them in the pantry and out of view, but this only succeeded in my forgetting to take them!

My solution was to find some vintage looking jars to house my vitamins right on the kitchen table – replacing the ugly plastic vitamin containers. Now my vitamins are housed in these aesthetically appealing beauties…I love to look at them!

To make my vitamin regime even easier, I marked the inside of each jar top with the contents and description of dosage on a piece of attached masking tape. If I should purchase a different mg than usual of one of the vitamins, I am sure to include that right on the tape. Convenient, right? And, no ugly labels on the jars…beautiful and useful! (Of course after writing this post I had to redo the labels under the jar tops…now they are perfectly printed….beauty in the details!)

Since I am always on the lookout for a variety of items for my home, I ended up finding these jars in three different places during my travels. The numbered jars actually came from the Christmas Tree Shops and cost 99 cents each! I just used a little sandpaper on the painted numbers to ‘rough them up’ a bit.

Have you found any super ways to put beauty in some of the little details around your home? I would love to hear about them!

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing at City Farmhouse.

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a valentine delivery

February 14, 2014

This year is my favorite Valentine’s Day.

For Friday field trip today I am sharing the reason why.

I don’t have any big dinner plans…I didn’t receive a romantic gift…

I was given the opportunity to create and deliver fresh flower arrangements to residents of senior living facilities in my hometown.

The arrangements were created by some of the members of my garden club. With some basic flower choices from a local wholesaler and some miscellaneous containers collected by members, arrangements were lovingly put together one night this week.

The gals got together – clippers and gloves in hand – enjoying conversation and indulging in refreshments homemade by some of the members.

There is such a joy in giving Valentines to people that may not otherwise receive them, and although I did not personally know any of the residents receiving the gifts of flowers, strong connections to all the nursing facilities visited made the impact of the gesture very real to me.

If you belong to a garden club, consider adding this activity to your calendar for next year :)…if you don’t belong to a garden club, think about inviting a group of friends over next February for a special Valentine activity. Cute containers can be collected all year at yard sales or from flower arrangements you receive. (Just remember to keep the arrangements small since there is usually limited space in resident rooms. Also, call the residence in advance to find out about any special needs.)

Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful evening. Here is my Valentine gift to you…the best ‘set the mood’ songs of all time! Enjoy!

Here in the Northeast we are again getting blanketed with snow. Luckily, the Valentine’s Day arrangements have all been safely delivered. :)

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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diy dishtowel pillow

February 11, 2014

I am not much of a seamstress. My only formal training was in 8^th grade home economics class where I attempted to make a purple skirt. The school colors were purple and gold and I wanted to make something worthy I could wear on purple and gold day…Go Hawks!…Sadly, I don’t think it was ever even worn.

I do know the basics of using a sewing machine and I can sew a (pretty close to) straight line. As far as following a pattern – that is not something I picked up in 8^th grade. But, when I am determined to make something, it does get made.

So when I saw the cutest bicycle dishtowel in Anthropologie and decided it needed to be a pillow, I knew it would become a pillow…

I was determined to keep the integrity of the towel – without cutting or damaging it in any way. By simply using folds and straight sewing, I was able to create the pillow I wanted. Admittedly, the hardest part was pinning the trim into place!

1. “Pedal power” dishtowel from Anthropologie 2. I added material to the length of the towel to use as part of the back when it was folded (I used four of the bicycle photos on the front of my pillow and two on the back). 3.& 4. I positioned and pinned trim on the left and right sides of the pillow between the front and back. 5. View of the back. 6. After the sides were sewed with the trim, I turned the pillow inside out. Then, I sewed the bottom edge, leaving some room to add polyfill. (I added almost an entire 12 oz. bag.) I completed the pillow by turning it right side out and stitching the opening closed by hand.

I am enjoying it so much more as a pillow than I ever would as a dishtowel! A fun addition to a spare bedroom!

Wouldn’t this pillow make a great Valentine gift? If you don’t want to take the time to make a pillow, just wrap up the towel with a homemade card that reads: my heart races for you! :)

Thanks for stopping by.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S. If you are a bicycle lover, you may also enjoy this bicycle post. :)

Sharing at Shabby Nest, Craftberry Bush, and Coastal Charm.

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2014 word for the year

January 10, 2014

food for the soul

I hadn’t planned on assigning a word of the year for 2014. I had seen many others choose one and I wasn’t particularly motivated to choose one for myself. I toyed with the idea of using the word renewal …but, I decided against it; thinking it sounded like such a cliche…and how could I possibly use a word like that for the entire year…the idea made me think of the movie Groundhog Day.

Okay, I thought…no word for the year.

Then I met a friend for lunch that I hadn’t seen for a while. One of those friends that you can just jump right into a conversation the second you get together…start right where you left off with no hesitation.

So today’s Friday field trip ends up being the short journey I took to discover my word for the year.

It didn’t happen right when we devoured the artisan cheese plate…

Or even as I ate my local greens salad….

It wasn’t until sometime during my banana cream pie with sweet potato sorbet and pecans as I reached over to try my friend’s chocolate hazelnut budino, and spooned into the caramel at the bottom of the glass, that it really hit me…

My word for the year… Friendship.

It had to be Friendship.

Because the true nourishment that afternoon did not come from the food…the true nourishment came from a friendship…two friends connecting in a special way that only friends can.

In the words of Marcel Proust “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

Even when I think of my wonderful family relationships, it is the friendships that make them special.

So for 2014, I want to acknowledge all the friendships that make my soul blossom…reconnect with some old friends… get together with some I don’t see as often as I would like…schedule regular family get-togethers…let those that I do see know how much they mean to me…

For it is truly the people in my life that give it meaning.

In the words of Henry David Thoreau “The language of friendship is not words but meanings.”

I value and acknowledge my friendships with a special focus this year and I look forward to creating some new friendships. :)

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Have a wonderful weekend, Jackie

P.S. The photos in this post were taken at the wonderful restaurant Le Farm in Westport, Connecticut…a “must try” if you live in the area or plan on visiting.

Sharing at Craftberry Bush and Finding Silver Pennies.

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a time for renewal

January 3, 2014

It is sad when Christmas is over…it comes and goes so quickly!

Taking all the ornaments off the tree is a sign of another Christmas come and gone…

Today’s Friday field trip signals the end of Christmas with the last signs of the season leaving my home…

I pause to admire the tree one last time before I remove all the lights…

And put all the ornaments back into the storage boxes to be packed away until next year…

Clear the mantel of the last of the holiday decor…

And start contemplating the new year…

The start of 2014 signals an excitement of starting something new…possibilities…a renewal…

I love to learn new things and to be open to new experiences…I look forward to new challenges in the coming year, and

I wish you all the best of possibilities as you start 2014…

Thank you so much for stopping by. I look forward to sharing 2014 with you. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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monthly book giveaway for december!

December 1, 2013

Well, it is December and it is hard for me to believe that a month has already gone by since the last book giveaway! Things have been extremely hectic for me, but I can’t let today go by without announcing the November book giveaway winner and announcing next month’s book selection. First, I want to congratulate Nancy from New Jersey for winning a copy of Penguin and Pinecone by Salina Yoon for the November giveaway…it is a beautiful story…especially for the holiday season!

At the end of the year, we all think about fresh starts and resolutions…

So, I thought One Thousand Gifts by New York Times Bestseller Ann Voskamp would make a good book choice for December!

A beautifully practical guide to living a life of joy, One Thousand Gifts invites you to wake up to everyday blessings. As Voskamp discovered, in giving thanks for the life she already had, she found the life she’d always wanted. Just leave a comment here, or Facebook, or Twitter, or Instagram to have a chance to win this inspirational read.

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

For Instagram users, please take the pleasure in simple things December Instagram challenge…use hashtag #pleasuregram to share a favorite holiday ornament…it can be one you own or one you see in your holiday travels. I will be on the lookout for woodland themed ornaments!

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shopping frenzy?

November 29, 2013

I hate the term ‘Black Friday.’ To me, the day after Thanksgiving signals the start of all that is good about the holiday season. I would prefer the term for the day signify the start of the holiday spirit and not the start of retail frenzy. How about ‘Magical Friday,’ or ‘Enchanted Friday,’ or even ‘Family Friday.’ How would you sum up the seasonal spirit in one word?

I am not saying I don’t enjoy visiting the stores. I do. But, not the ones that have long lines at midnight or that spotlight the latest ‘must have’ toy. I prefer the stores that showcase the magic…the sparkle…the beauty of the season…the kind of store that contributes to the spirit of the season – not the spirit of commercialism.

Taken for Granite in Stony Creek, Connecticut embraces the holiday spirit by providing homemade holiday treats for visiting shoppers.

One of my favorites is Taken for Granite. So, today’s Friday field trip on ‘Black Friday’ is a trip to Taken for Granite in Stony Creek, Connecticut to a store that helps kick off this magical time of year in a way no other store can.