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make the list!

March 24, 2020

pansycloseup

I sat down one night last week and began to think of all the little projects that I always have on my mind but never seem to have the time to accomplish.  I thought I really didn’t want all this extra time at home to go by and find myself regretting not getting some of these projects accomplished!

So, I made a list of the projects I plan to tackle.  I don’t know about you, but the hardest part about spending all this time at home, for me, is to slow down my pace!  My normal routine of working 3 jobs doesn’t leave much free time and normally I am constantly on the go!  Without going to these 3 jobs, I really have to slow down my pace – otherwise I would have all my projects done in a few days!  My biggest challenge has definitely been pacing myself!

outside decor

You may remember I used evergreens to put together a holiday arrangement in my hanging basket.

In these uncertain times, I can’t make plans to do anything that would have a cost attached to it.  Of course, some of the projects I were imagining had to be eliminated from the list right away because they required a big purchase.  But the organized person I am, I had already acquired and stored away supplies for some of the projects I had planned for a future time.

Here are the first projects on my list!

  1. Create a spring planting for my hanging basket.
  2. Paint the legs on the Ikea bench by the back door.
  3. Refresh a sign that needs an update for my friend Wendy.
  4. Reorganize my top dresser drawer.
pansies

Number 1. on my list – check! An easy spring update for my hanging basket!

I had to spend a little bit to buy a couple weather-resistant plants – I purchased them at a local herb farm.  (Good thing they are weather resistant – it is snowing as I write this!)   I already have paint for the bench and I had purchased some organizers some time ago from The Container Store to help with my drawer organization when I was ready.  I have plenty of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint on hand that I can use for Wendy’s sign.  The start of the list – with supplies at the ready!

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

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cheers to the weekend!

March 6, 2020

smores cocktail

Yes, it’s FriYAY!  I don’t know why I get excited, based on the fact that I am working Saturday and Sunday!  It just seems everyone is happier on a Friday afternoon – and it puts me in a better mood as well – work or no work!

For today’s Friday field trip, I am taking you to a brand-new restaurant – I just happened to be there for work on the day it opened.  I didn’t eat anything at this restaurant – I only sampled a couple beverages.

And, since it was a new restaurant, I wanted to try a new drink!  After looking over the drink menu, I had my eye on two different drinks that sounded unique and fun to try.

The first one I tried was called Violeta Magica.  The reason for the ‘Magica’ was that the drink changed color!  Yup!  After pouring in a little added test tube of yellow liquid into the glass, the blue drink turned violet.  Interesting since blue and yellow make green!  But the change in acidity seemed to be the reason it made the color change.  The drink tasted sweet and had a light rum base.  Tasty and interesting!

Click here for Violeta Magica!

The first day the restaurant was opened, the drink was served with rocks and the next day, when some friends ordered it, the same drink was served in a more elegant glass with a floral garnish…I guess being new the restaurant was still experimenting!  (The color transformation video of the drink in the rocks glass is posted on the pleasure in simple things Facebook page.)

violet magic

The second drink I tried was the S’more on the Shore: Ron Zacapa 23/Dry Sack Sherry/Graham Cracker Infused Syrup/Chocolate Bitters/Roasted Marshmallow.  Loved the chocolate bitters!

smores cocktail closeup

I hope I have inspired you to try a new drink this weekend!  Whether with alcohol or without, whether you make it yourself or order something out – try something new!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S.  The new restaurant is Coquina in Amelia Island, Florida.  I will show you more of this beach-side beauty in an upcoming post!

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valentine’s day 2020

February 14, 2020

VDay

This is the first Valentine’s Day in decades (wow…that sounds crazy!) that I have been single.  As you can probably tell by the way I started this post, I decided to focus on myself this year.  I decided to make Valentine’s Day all about falling in love with taking care of myself and to avoid all the hype of the day that is going on around me.  So far, it is working out pretty well!

hearts on the high line

As a gift to you, I would like to share some sightings that seem appropriate for the day from a recent stroll down the High Line in NYC with one of my favorite galentines.  Enjoy…

love

high line art

amor

art on the high line

Enjoy your weekend!  Be good to yourself.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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inspirational reads for january

January 17, 2020

inspirational books 2020

It is not unusual for me to log in a couple of inspirational reads at the beginning of a new year.  It is unusual for me, however, to read two that have as great an impact on me as the two I started with in 2020!

For this reason, I am sharing the titles of the books with you today.

One of these books is by James Clear, titled Atomic Habits.  There is a good reason James is a regular speaker at Fortune 500 companies.  He has created a practical guide on how to build good habits and get rid of bad ones!  Reading this book is an easy way to reshape your thought process in a way to achieve positive results.  If you are up for making some tiny changes that can have some positive results in your daily life, give it a try!

The second book I want to mention is Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, PhD.  This book is fascinating! I can only imagine it would be fascinating to everyone since everyone sleeps!  The way the book is organized, it is easy to skim through or to just read sections that are of interest.  I am always interested in improving my health and this book explains how something as basic as sleep can have a tremendous impact!

health

Even if you don’t normally enjoy reading anything medically related, I think you will find some areas of interest in this book.  Take it out of your local library and, at the very least, give it a skim!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things – like a good night’s sleep!

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word of the year 2020

January 3, 2020

Anytime I’ve decided on a word for the year, it has not been with intent…the word just sort of happened.  And, that was exactly the case this year.

I hadn’t planned on choosing a word for the year.  Then…it just kind of chose me!

I received an art print from my good friend, Phyllis, as a Christmas gift.  It was something she owned and I had really admired.  She was sweet enough to gift me the same one for Christmas!

On New Year’s Day, I found the perfect spot to hang my new piece of art.  The colors; just perfect with my neutral decor and the illustration; lovely!  As I positioned the piece in its new home, I realized the words ‘just grow’ written on the bottom were perfect for my goals for 2020.

just grow

I had made a conscious effort for my first read of the year:  Atomic Habits by James Clear.  In addition, I already had some of these ‘habits’ in my queue for 2020.  The word grow just seemed so consistent with everything I envisioned for the year ahead!  Thank you, Phyllis!  For the beautiful gift and for my word (grow) for 2020!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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best of the new year!

December 29, 2019

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday!  I did my very best to stay in the moment and enjoy every scrap of time I was able to spend with my family.  Which is why you haven’t seen a post from me until now!

I wanted to put up a quick post to wish you the very best as the new year begins!  Have a very safe and happy celebration!

See you in 2020!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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diamonds & furs christmas tree

December 3, 2019

Tiffany box

In this part of the country, snow and Christmas just go together!  As we prepare for our first significant snow storm of this winter, it is hard not to think of the holidays!

Tiffany under the tree

The short 3-week time period between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year has put everyone in a shopping frenzy!  I did most of my holiday décor and shopping extra early this year so I could give my full attention to the holiday displays I needed to prepare at work.

pearls

One thing I did fit in was to create a themed tree for a local nonprofit.  You know how much I love a good theme!  I came up with a fun one for a tree to be raffled off by a private local high school.

minkcoat on tree

My ‘luxury’ theme was inspired by Tiffany.  Tiny mink coats, strings of pearls, diamonds, and Tiffany boxes came together in a really fun way on a lighted table top Christmas tree!  I wanted to come up with a tree no one else would think to do – what better way to create some interest!

tiffany bags

I plan to make my decorated tree donation an annual tradition and I am looking forward to coming up with a new theme each year as a way to inspire others to donate to the school!

themed xmas tree

I hope I have inspired you to combine fun and giving into your holiday routine!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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the perfect white santa mug

November 26, 2019

white stockings

You take your life – or at the very least, the well-being of your car – in your hands when parking at our local Walmart.  I never go to the store for that reason!  I am way too particular about my car to chance a nick or ding in it by parking in the Walmart lot!

Well, recently I was driving through another town and happened to see a Walmart ahead – noticing the parking lot was roomy and well-marked – so very different from the one at my local store!  As I got close, I remembered hearing someone tell me I was crazy not to buy cereal at Walmart because it was a full dollar less than the grocery store.  Remembering this, as I got closer to the store, I pulled in!  I thought I would pick up some of that bargain cereal and maybe some bulk paper goods.

santa mug

Well, I was so glad I stopped!  As I walked down the main aisle headed for the cereal, I saw all-white Santa mugs!  Perfect for my neutral holiday palette!  In addition, they were less than $3. a piece!  Wow!

I had to let you know about this fabulous find!

peppermint cocoa

Because it was a cold, rainy day, as soon as I got home, I christened one of the mugs with some peppermint white hot cocoa!

I hope you are inspired to shop somewhere out of your comfort zone this holiday season – you never know what you might find!

Thanks for stopping by!

candy cane of white

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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pretty in pink at terrain

November 22, 2019

ornament with pink at Terrain

I promised to share some pink holiday accents from Terrain in Westport today…I am a gal of my word!

pink bottle brush at Terrain

Check out this ‘pretty in pink’ holiday décor inspiration!  Enjoy!

pretty in pink

shreds of pink

 

pinkpoinsettas

metallic candles

Terrain collage of pink xmas

Terrain in pink

pink candles

I hope these photos have inspired you to incorporate an unexpected color into your holiday décor!

baskets with pink

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous weekend!

tree with pink at Terrain

And, remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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terrain holiday 2019

November 19, 2019

snowy village

If you follow this blog, you know one of my favorite places to shop is Terrain.  I am super lucky to have a store location so close to me in Westport, CT.  Each year, I feel an obligation to share some photos with you because I know many of you are not able to shop at this fabulous store!

greenery at Terrain

entrance Terrain

Each holiday (actually, each season) Terrain has a really wonderful open house and it is one of the best places to visit for some real holiday inspiration.

holiday

white floral

This year, I am not able to squeeze in even a short trip to the open house next Saturday.

topiaries

hanging ornament

So I made a quick visit this past weekend to get a glimpse of the beginnings of this year’s preparations!

multi color trees

stars

Today I am sharing a few photos with you and I will share some additional photos on Friday.

white poinsetta

wreath of driftwood

I hope you enjoyed this little photo trip to the Westport Terrain.  Stop back on Friday when I share my favorite part of this year’s holiday decor at Terrain – the pink accents!  Here is a little preview:

pink section

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

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