the breakers palm beach

May 16, 2017

We can’t talk about Palm Beach without including the most luxurious and iconic place to stay!

Industry tycoons and elegant socialites started visiting the then new destination of Palm Beach in the late 1890’s. Soon, the Breakers hotel became the place to stay!

Founded by Henry M. Flagler and opening in 1926 (after two reconstructions – required after fires in both 1903 and 1925), the hotel was built by New York City-based designers Chultze and Weaver (they later created Park Avenue’s Waldorf Astoria).

The Breakers Lobby. Every week the large flower arrangement in the lobby is replaced with a new, fresh arrangement.

Modeled after Villa Medici in Rome, Flagler brought in 75 artisans from Italy to complete his vision for the opulent hotel.

In the early 20^th-century, guests that frequented the hotel included Rockefellers and Vanderbilts, as well as US presidents, and European nobility.

Today, I am sharing a few of my favorite photos from the interior of the hotel during my stay at The Breakers. And, though I can’t say my taste is in line with this ornate and lavish decor, it was something definitely worth seeing at least once in my lifetime!

Since I am from New England, I can’t help but think about the Vanderbilt Mansion in Newport, RI when I walk through The Breakers hotel. Also called The Breakers, and also built during the ‘gilded age,’ the Newport mansion is a museum, not a hotel, but there are many similarities in style between the two.

The entrance to my favorite room in the hotel – The Circle Room.

Detail inside The Circle Room.

The incredible attention to detail The Breakers in Palm Beach provides is not lost on me! One example, I wish I had photographed, were the staff uniforms. The over 2,000 employees at The Breakers are all beautifully dressed – the women in Lilly Pulitzer – not a bad uniform, right?

If you want to experience incredible luxury and seaside glamour, consider a stay at The Breakers. The rates go down dramatically during the summer, so maybe plan a summer weekend for a very special occasion?

Thanks for stopping by as we continue our Palm Beach inspired month of May!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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cocktails with a view

May 12, 2017

The Seafood Bar, located in the historic Breakers hotel, was completely reimagined around its stunning Atlantic backdrop in late December 2016 and we are visiting it today on Friday field trip.

This place lets you experience the allure of the yachting lifestyle with great nautical details, beautiful new aquariums, and a front-row seat to ocean views.

Of the two large aquariums housed in the Seafood Bar, the most spectacular is the one that creates the bar itself.

It makes sitting at the bar an amazing sensory experience – looking ahead is a view of the ocean and looking down is a view of fish swimming under the spot you placed your drink!

The Seafood Bar serves lunch and dinner. Cocktails are offered at the bar until 1 am.

The beverage menu is wonderful. For something tropical and a little different to try, there is a watermelon jalapeno or a smoked coconut margarita. Local drafts are offered, as well as a great selection of alcohol free elixirs. My favorite is a coconut lavender lemonade made with lemon juice, coconut water and lavender simple syrup! Craft sodas are another great alcohol free option – like an organic summer pear!

The Seafood Bar is definitely Palm Beach life at its best!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. If you are wondering about the maintenance involved with this unique bar – hours are spent each morning cleaning both the inside (delicately) and outside of the tank!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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plants of palm beach

May 9, 2017

As I start to clean up my garden and plant some annuals here in Connecticut, I can’t help but think of some of the inspiring plantings I saw on my first trip to Palm Beach, Florida.

Like all things in Palm Beach, the green spaces are magnificent. So today, as part of my Palm Beach homage, I am sharing some of my favorites from the great plantings I spotted!

Some of my favorite container plantings were located around the pool at The Breakers hotel…

This colorful orchid was one of many located in an interior courtyard at The Breakers. This beautiful variety of flower can easily grow on the trees in Palm Beach.

The Living Wall (located on the west wall of Saks Fifth Avenue) on Worth Avenue, has to be the most high-profile garden in a Palm Beach public space! It was assembled in 2010 as part of the nearly $16 million beautification of Worth Avenue. A computerized system provides water and nutrients to the more than 10,000 plants in the 24-foot high, 36-foot wide grid. Amazingly beautiful!

These topiaries were also spotted on the famous high-end shopping street, Worth Avenue.

I found this cool looking flower in some shrubbery on the grounds of The Breakers hotel…not too sure what it is, but I thought it was uniquely beautiful.

This simple but majestic container planting was spotted outside Henry Flagler’s 1902 Palm Beach estate. Flagler was the gentlemen that established Palm Beach as a resort.

And, of course, you can’t help but notice the beautiful palms when in Palm Beach! They are everywhere! The coconut palm is not native to Florida. It’s presence in Palm Beach is due to a shipwreck back in 1878. The ship, traveling to Spain from Havana, was carrying a cargo of coconut palms and many of the coconuts were salvaged; many planted.

I hope you enjoyed sharing a few of the many plants that caught my eye while in Palm Beach. While inspiring, they certainly make my humble garden seem a lot less exciting! I have to remind myself that Connecticut is lacking the tropical rain forest climate of Palm Beach!

A dish garden I admired on a table inside The Breakers hotel.

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

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a little bit of lilly

May 5, 2017

I promised some Palm Beach flavor in the month of May!

Palm Beach is the birthplace of the Lilly Pulitzer style and no visit to Palm Beach would be complete without a visit to a Lilly Pulitzer store!

The way the historic story goes is that Lillian McKim eloped with Peter Pulitzer and moved to the fabulous resort destination, Palm Beach, when Lilly was just in her 20’s.

She opened a juice stand off Worth Avenue, squeezing the juice for all her famous friends.

Needing to camouflage the colorful juice stains (occupational hazard when you are a juice squeezer!) on her clothing, Lilly created a brightly printed, easy shift dress to work in…the start of all things Lilly!

The bright, fun details pictured here were taken in the Lilly store located at the iconic Breakers hotel in Palm Beach.

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

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palm beach style

May 2, 2017

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.

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!

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

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

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!

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

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may book giveaway!

April 28, 2017

Since I have immersed myself in the Palm Beach culture of late, my book giveaway this month is a little different. Instead of a book, I am giving away a Palm Beach inspired prize package!

The winner of this month’s giveaway will receive this Palm Beach inspired collection of gifts! The basket includes a scarf, a drink hugger, a cosmetic bag, a key chain, and a jewel box. As usual, the winner will be chosen at random from comments I receive in response to this post. Good luck!

Congratulations to Amber, the winner chosen at random, of the April giveaway book, Fire Pit Cooking by Vanessa Bante. This book is sure to inspire some fireside meals! Thanks to everyone who entered. To read more about the book, click here.

Instagram users, read on!

The May Instagram challenge will follow the Palm Beach theme! Let’s share photos inspired by the Palm Beach lifestyle! Channel your inner Lilly Pulitzer and post a Palm Beach inspired photo using the hashtag #pleasuregram! And, be sure to check out May’s posts for some Palm Beach fun!

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

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an alligator encounter

March 17, 2017

A recent work trip to Florida gave me the opportunity to see an alligator close up! I have been to Florida before, but never really got the chance to check one out.

The first one I saw in the wild looked like this:

Creepy looking, isn’t it? Then, I got the chance to hear a little about alligators and their habits at a sanctuary from someone that actually handles the alligators…and, this was one of the monsters he handles!

I found this guy really fascinating! He looked so prehistoric! Look at the surface of his body up close!

Now, look how ‘up close’ the handler got!

Yikes! I would never get close to that one! But, I did touch one of the smaller ones…of course it wasn’t possible for the one I touched to open his jaw the way the big one did!

I hope you enjoyed sharing my first alligator encounter on today’s Friday field trip!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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tommy bahama’s

March 10, 2017

You know I love posting warm weather photos on snowy days! Well, today we have snow here in Connecticut, so for Friday field trip I am posting photos from a recent business trip to Florida!

These photos are from a lunch at the original Tommy Bahamas! Where is the original Tommy Bahamas? In Naples, Florida.

Located on charming, historic Third Street South and a short walk from the Naples Pier, the original Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar has been a part of the Naples scene of over 20 years.

A meal at Tommy Bahama’s was a nice way to spend some of an afternoon in Naples.

The best part of lunch? (No, not the key lime pie!) Spending time with the people I shared it with. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a marvelous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things…like sharing a lunch with friends!

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a stop at amelia island

February 10, 2017

This is a great Friday field trip! Why? Well, we are experiencing a blizzard here in Connecticut. And, with 12 inches of snow on the ground, I am transporting you on today’s field trip to a little resort town called Amelia Island in Florida. I thought these beach photos might inspire some daydreaming about warmer places on a day like today!

It was unfortunate that this first visit to Amelia Island was for a work trip since so little time was spent admiring the beautiful surroundings.

Seventeen hour work days don’t leave much time for leisure, but I did take a few moments each morning to stop and admire the sunrise.

And, as you can see by the photos, they were glorious.

The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island provided many beautiful views.

I hope today’s field trip has you thinking of some warmer weather or a favorite beach. :)

“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink in the wild air…” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank you for stopping by.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things…like a beautiful sunrise, Jackie xo

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take a breath

August 16, 2016

Did you know yesterday was National Relaxation Day?

It seems odd to me to assign a relaxation day on a day when so many people are starting a busy work week. Am I the only one that needs to hit the ground running on a Monday morning? I think this day should be renamed ‘National Take 5 Minutes of Relaxation Time’ for the average person to realistically participate! If you have a whole day free to relax, you probably don’t need to!

With that being said, I am sharing my most recent relaxation time – not an entire day, mind you – but, a couple of hours on the water with some friends.

I hope these photos will inspire you to take your ‘5 minutes’ of relaxation time. Take a deep breath and truly relax – even if only for the few minutes it takes you to look through these photos.