pleasure in simple things

nests and eggs for spring

March 15, 2016

My last work assignment had me thinking about all things Western. Now that I am back from my trip to Texas, the only thing I can think about is spring in New England!

Spring really has a jump on me this year! Easter is only 2 weeks away and I have not dyed one egg! I usually have tons done by now! Not only that, last Sunday I was an hour late to work because I had forgotten about the clock change!

Today, I am grabbing all my found nests and eggs and plan to arrange them on my mantle as my tribute to the coming season. I love to decorate with natural materials and nests and eggs are definitely favorites of mine; right behind sea glass, shells, and driftwood!

A mantle full of nests and eggs is a great way to welcome spring into the house! If you don’t have a found collection, garden stores and craft stores have some great ones that look realistic that work just as well. Dyeing eggs (after removing the insides) in natural shades also look great in a natural looking arrangement. Remember to add some branches from the yard – unusual shapes look especially interesting!

I hope I have inspired you to create a tribute to spring in your home. Enjoy this special time of year!

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

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first visit to texas

March 11, 2016

It has been a crazy week for me – a very busy time for two of my jobs! One was in Texas and gave me the opportunity to travel to the Lone Star state for the very first time. The Texas weather could have been better – the area I visited experienced some of the rain that has been so severe in parts of Texas as well as some other areas of the South.

In spite of the weather, I experienced many bright spots in my life over the past few days. It wasn’t the weather providing these bright spots…the sunshine was provided by the people I met! My job gave me the opportunity to meet many fabulous people and the experience made my heart sing!

I had to hit the ground running when I got back from my few days away – very busy with another job and trying to control the wave of sadness over the loss of a friend’s brother that really breaks my heart.

So, Friday field trip today is just a few quick glimpses of the location I visited in Texas. I thank those I worked with in addition to all the new people I met for making me smile during a week that ends with heartbreak – particularly for my dear, sweet, friend that lost her brother. xo

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things and to appreciate those close to you, Jackie

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diy journal

March 8, 2016

You can make a great journal with a basic computer and some office supplies. Professional binding is not needed for great DIY journal results!

I made this hiking journal using regular copy paper. To add a little style, I printed the cover page on a slightly heavier stock I found in brown at a craft store.

To make empty journal pages, I just decided how many pages I wanted my final product to be. My journal was made by using standard 8 1/2” x 11” copy paper, used horizontally. When the journal is stapled and folded, it is a convenient size to carry on a hike!

The beauty of making a journal yourself is that you can use any design or color you may want. I chose a compass design printed on the cover of mine to coordinate with a hiking theme. Set up the cover you’d like on your home computer, selecting landscape or your page orientation. If you set the layout into two columns, it is pretty easy to figure out how the page will look when it is folded. Once you have created and printed out a cover page the way you like it, you can use a copy machine to copy the page onto the colored stock.

If you decide to include some print on your inside pages, it can get a little trickier – you will probably want to make up a sample book to be sure the pages are laid out properly and you may need double-sided copy on some or all of the pages. Once the pages are stacked the way you like, use a long-arm stapler to add two staples (the good side facing the outside of your journal). Then, just fold.

This same method is great for creating a DIY wedding program. For this, you can add a cord or ribbon to the binding.

I hope I have inspired you to create a DIY journal!

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

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time to plant easter grass!

March 4, 2016

It is that time of year when I plant grass in every pretty container I can find in preparation for Easter! So, for today’s Friday field trip – a quick peek at a couple past containers to give you some inspiration for grass plantings this year!

You can click on this link to get instructions on planting grass in your favorite containers…

Or, click here for the link on planting grass in eggshells!

Such fun!

I have started my grass planting for the year and will be sharing my creations soon! I hope today’s post will serve as a reminder for you to start your Easter grass!

Happy planting! (Tip: Be sure to use potting soil, not outdoor soil – you don’t want to bring any unwanted insects, etc. in from outdoors!)

Thanks for stopping by!

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

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march book giveaway!

March 1, 2016

Now that everyone, including me, is wishing and hoping for spring to arrive, it may seem odd to have a book about rich and indulgent winter drinks as the March giveaway.

But, you know what? A cold March day is when I most appreciate a good hot chocolate! Last year, here in the Northeast, one of the biggest snow and ice storms of the year occurred in March. It’s that shock of cold weather that really makes one appreciate a good cup of hot, rich chocolate!

The giveaway selection is Hot Chocolate by Hannah Miles. This book should be a standard in all cookbook collections. There are so many great recipes to use on cold days, including some seasonal recipes for the winter holidays. Whether you’re after a quick pick-me-up, a milky bedtime drink or a comforting cupful to warm you up from inside out, there is a recipe here to satisfy your sweet tooth.

For a chance to make this book a permanent part of your cookbook collection, just leave a comment on this post. The winner will be chosen at random from those who leave comments. Good luck!

Congratulations to Tracy, winner of the February giveaway! I know you will enjoy this wonderful first novel by Celeste Ng. (Click here to read more about it.)

Instagram users, read on! For this month’s Instagram challenge let’s share egg and/or nest photos. Since Easter is in March this year, it seems an appropriate month to share photos of these items! (Plus, I have a thing for them!) Use hashtag #pleasuregram on your photos of egg and/or nests during the month of March to share!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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baita pop-up in nyc

February 26, 2016

If you happen to spend any time in New York City, you know about Eataly; particularly if you are a foodie. For those of you that may not be familiar with Eataly – it is the largest Italian marketplace in the world! A collection of restaurants, food and beverage counters, bakery, retail items, and a cooking school, Eataly occupies over 50,000 square feet near Madison Square Park.

For Friday field trip, I am taking you to Eataly, but not to the popular main floor. Today, we are traveling above the market to the 14th floor. Why the trip up the elevator? Because, from December to March, Baita, a pop-up restaurant reminiscent of the Italian Alps, has taken residence on the 14th floor and we are making a visit!

Enclosed by a retractable roof, the restaurant offers wintry views of New York City, including those of the neighboring Flatiron Building.

With cozy plaid blankets hung over chairs and smells of mulled cider, a snowfall would have been the perfect way to complete the Northern Italian atmosphere!

Seared Arctic Char with Beer Braised Brussels Sprouts & Roasted Hazelnuts at Baita in NYC.

It is a fun spot to visit. If you don’t have time for lunch or dinner, have a drink with a friend while sitting on an Adirondack chair facing the evergreen trees – still up and decorated with antlers from the holidays.

If you are lucky, your trip will take place during a good snow. ;)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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tequila shot favors

February 23, 2016

Today, I am sharing some super easy favors for a Western party. Although I am much more Coastal than I am Country Western, I have recently been involved with a Western themed event and I came up with these super cute themed favors.

I was inspired by these teeny ‘nip’ bottles of tequila. How cool are these! The small versions look exactly like the full size bottles. My idea was simply to put a small bottle of tequila with a themed shot glass. I found some mini boot shot glasses and ‘barbed wire’ cording at a party store to complete my idea!

I packaged the tequila with the shot glass in a clear bag and tied with the cording…easy!

I kept it simple and used a clear bag so the contents were visible, but there are so many variations that can be used with this packaging idea. A brown lunch bag or red bandana would also work really well in place of the clear bag. If you prefer, raffia can replace the cording I used. A wooden tag is a great item to tie onto the package if you need to add a message or a name to the gift. Or, cut a cardboard tag to resemble a lime slice. Let out your inner cowboy go wild!

For a children’s party, this idea can work just as well using a mini bottle of juice. A sheriff’s badge or mini horseshoe can be tied onto the package as a cute add-on.

I hope I have inspired you for your next Western themed party!

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

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seaglass carousel

February 19, 2016

I have been eager to see the new SeaGlass Carousel at The Battery in New York City. For today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing my first visit with you!

I hadn’t been able to fit in a Carousel visit on any trip I’ve made into New York since the Carousel opened last August. When I found out it would be open for visitors during Presidents’ Day week, I scheduled a special trip to make my first trip!

Winter may not seem the ideal time to plan a trip to a park, but it turned out to be the perfect time! There were no lines or crowds to deal with – the cold weather kept everyone away! And, the fact that it was a gray day totally worked in my favor – better for viewing the glow of the lights!

From the moment I caught a glimpse of the ride, I was impressed. But then, I guess the result of 10 years work and $16 million dollars should be impressive!

Although actually made of fiberglass and steel, the structure looks like sea glass! It is made up of 30 sea creatures – some as tall as 13 ½ feet – that glow from within to create a marine life looking bioluminescence.

Passengers sit inside the creatures as they rotate and rise up and down. Each creature has 3 stereo speakers and a base speaker to best project the classical music selections that play during the ride (and include sounds of gurgling water).

The Carousel is truly a unique experience and definitely worth the $5. fee to take a ride. (I am guessing the same as the price of a beer in NYC?)

Hours/days of operation are limited during the winter, dependent on the weather, so check the SeaGlass Carousel Facebook page for up-to-date schedule information if you plan on visiting.

I am looking forward to going back – next time at night; to get the full effect of the glowing!

I hope I have inspired you to visit the SeaGlass Carousel at The Battery next time you are in New York City!

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

P.S. I posted a short video of the SeaGlass Carousel on my Instagram. :)

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jonesing for spring

February 16, 2016

The below zero temperatures here in Connecticut have caused me to have many day dreams about spring!

I thought things might start looking a little like spring at Terrain (one of my fave stores) and, on a recent visit, I was not disappointed. The winter displays are starting to be replaced with some touches of the next season. Taking a little time to visit the store with a friend is not only inspiring, but a great way to forget about the winter blahs – if only for a short time!

Here are some favorite things from my visit! Enjoy!

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

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pencil love

February 12, 2016

I have a love for pencils. I can’t help it. I prefer old school notebook and pencil over a keyboard any day. And, I certainly wouldn’t give up my beautiful Kate Spade organizer for the electronic phone version! I love the aesthetics and the feel of a good organizer and I would never reduce all my painstakingly made plans to lifeless little boxes on the calendar of my android!

Pencil inspiration for the next generation! The wonderful children’s book by Allan Ahlberg.

For today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing a little pencil love!

cool erasers from CW Pencil Enterprise in NYC

Some really cool erasers from CW Pencil Enterprise in New York City. A ‘must visit’ for any pencil lover!

I enjoy both using pencils and giving pencils! Some of my past pencil gifts have included some DIY fringed pencils that are perfect for Valentine’s Day (click here for the link),

customized ‘beachy’ pencils (click here for diy),

and personalized pencils for book lovers (click here for diy).

I love giving pencils with customized printing. They are so fun to create and it is a fun challenge to contain a message to a limited number of letters!

I hope I have inspired a little pencil love today! :)

Check out my Facebook page today to read more about these amazing carved pencil tip sculptures by artist Dalton Ghetti!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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nests and eggs for spring

first visit to texas

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time to plant easter grass!

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baita pop-up in nyc

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jonesing for spring

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