inspiration — pleasure in simple things

Tag: inspiration

january book giveaway!

January

Happy New Year, my friends! Not only is it the end of 2015, but it is also the end of the month and time for a new giveaway. Since it is the start of a new year, I have something different planned for this month. Instead of a book title, I am gifting a set of journals and some pretty new pencils!

The idea is to start 2016 with plenty of new ideas and documented dreams right from the start! I am hoping to inspire your creative spirit and to encourage you to write about your dreams and goals instead of deciding to give up something or to come up with a resolution from the typical list of 10 or 12 everyone you know seems to also come up with.

Leave me a comment and you will be entered to win the journals and pencils. Good luck!

The winner of last month’s giveaway, Birds of a Feather coloring book by Vicki Sawyer, is Mari. Mari’s name was chosen randomly from the comments I received. Congratulations and thank you to everyone that left a comment to enter the giveaway! Send me an email Mari and let me know where to send the coloring book and coloring pencils! Enjoy!

For those with Instagram, this month’s challenge is to share a photo that gives a glimpse of your goals and dreams for 2016…use your imagination to share your dreams using hashtag #pleasuregram! Can’t wait to see what you share!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you many new dreams for 2016!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

4 comments » | inspiration, monthly book giveaway, swag

christmas magic

December

The best time to visit a favorite store as the holidays approach is when Christmas gift buying has been completed. Sound crazy? Well, once the pressure is off to find the perfect gifts, the whole shopping experience changes. The perspective shifts from one that has been focused on gift buying to one that is enjoying the shopping experience in an entirely different way.

For me, I can genuinely appreciate my surroundings and soak in the effort that has been made to create a beautiful holiday aesthetic. If I should find a little something special to add to a stocking – fine. But, there is no real urgency to the gift buying.

You probably know by now that one of my favorite stores is Grace. Today, for Friday field trip, I am sharing some of the wonderful holiday aesthetic created by this marvelous shop in Niantic. Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

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

2 comments » | field trips, holiday, inspiration

showhouse on the green

October

A show house is a super way to spark creative spirit. So today, for Friday field trip, I am sharing some of my favorite ‘sparks’ from the Designer Showhouse on the Green in Fairfield, Connecticut. Presented by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church as a benefit for Operation Hope, the show house includes 18 different spaces transformed by designers and decorative artists.

The great thing about this event is that every guest has a different take away – making it a wonderfully unique experience for each and every attendee.

My favorite space in the show house was the laundry room! I just loved every detail, including the light fixture…

The sink’s tile backsplash…

Right down to the towel choice…

And, themed art work on the wall…

I saw plenty of inspirational window coverings. This airy covering was really unique…

And the color, clean lines, and classic design of this covering especially appealed to me…

With breast cancer awareness month on my mind, I couldn’t help but notice this little vignette using the signature color…

I would love to curl up with a book in this corner space!

There were interesting tabletops to admire…

And, plenty of beautiful art work for sale. I love the use of light in this piece…

And, the playfulness in this piece offered for sale in the boutique pop-up designed by No. 299 of Fairfield.

The pop-up offered plenty of giftware for sale…a nice addition to the show house and a great way to get a jump on holiday shopping!

I hope (pun intended) you enjoyed a little glimpse of the show house. If you live in NY or CT, please consider attending this event to benefit Operation Hope because there is so much more to see! It continues through this weekend (October 25th). Check the website, by clicking here, for more information.

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

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take a breath

October

I recently joined some friends for some afternoon tea. Friends I don’t see often enough. As busy as I was, I stopped for a short while to take a breather. A change of scenery…a change in conversation…a change in perspective. How refreshing!

So, I guess today’s post is just a reminder to take a break once in a while. Have dinner with a couple special friends, spend time with your mom and her friends, or steal a little time to have afternoon tea.

Even if it is only an hour or two, and even if it means staying up till 2 am to make up for it! Because maybe when life is the busiest is the time to take a breath. Because, in the words of a very wise man (aka Ferris Bueller), “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

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

Comments Off on take a breath | food & festivities, inspiration

dusk in the garden

July

At the beach or in the garden, the light at dusk is my favorite light of the day.

I am enjoying the opportunity to explore a yard I haven’t seen before at this glorious time of day.

And, today for Friday field trip, I am sharing my visit with you.

Many would have found the challenge of creating a pleasing landscape in a sloping yard with plenty of trees and ledge as too much to handle.

That is not the case with the owners of this yard! If the abundance of shade presented a challenge, it is not evident to anyone who visits this beautiful and imaginative space.

The details are lovely and there are plenty of unique features.

I think one of my favorite aspects of the garden spaces is that where many may have used white, (on a pair of Adirondack chairs, planters, garden shelves, fence) this couple chose to use black as a ‘go-to’ color. The use of the darker color brings a sense of richness to the design.

I hope you have enjoyed a few glimpses of this lovely space today on Friday field trip. Thanks for stopping by.

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

Sharing with Nancherrow, The Shabby Nest, French Country Cottage, and Craftberry Bush.

Comments Off on dusk in the garden | field trips, garden, inspiration

country living magazine fair 2015

June

I am so lucky. I get the chance to attend the best fair ever! The Country Living Magazine Fair is held in four spots across the U.S. each year and one of the locations is the Northeast!

The Dutchess County Fairgrounds are located in Rhinebeck, New York and each year, for three days in the beginning of June, it is host to the Country Living Magazine Fair.

The Rhinebeck countryside pleasure in simple things blog

Driving through the Rhinebeck, NY countryside.

This venue is amazing. Think lush, green grass and beautiful landscaping – with views of rolling hills. Think real, (not portable) nicely maintained restrooms. Think great food. (maybe a delicious chicken lemongrass salad for lunch?) Think free parking. Yes, it is amazing.

The Fair provides tons of great inspiration and shopping, seminars and demonstrations, and a chance to meet the magazine’s editors as well as some fun celebrities.

So, as I attempt to settle down from my busy weekend exploring the Country Living Fair and the community of Rhinebeck with friends, I am sharing some of my weekend inspiration with you.

I hope you enjoy these few photos from my weekend. You can also find some additional photos on Facebook by clicking here or on Instagram by clicking here.

vintage bride and groom pleasure in simple things blog

A vintage collection of wedding toppers caught my eye in a little shop in the center of Rhinebeck.

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

Sharing with Thoughts From Alice, and Finding Silver Pennies.

1 comment » | food & festivities, garden, inspiration, travel

a wordless year

May

I didn’t choose a ‘word of the year’ for 2015. I was thinking about that on my walk by the water today. I wondered why I wasn’t inspired to come up with one this year.

I thought if I had, it would have been something that expressed a need to keep things fresh…to constantly learn new things…to go on new adventures.

I don’t have the ability to travel to foreign lands or visit exotic cultures. But, I am still able to find new adventures every day.

Not a day goes by when I don’t learn something new that creates a special interest or the need to explore.

But, I certainly wouldn’t want to confine that need to discover to a single year…maybe that is why no word for the year?

I hope you enjoy joining me on my walk today for Friday field trip…

Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on a wordless year | field trips, inspiration, sand & sea

restoration hardware gallery in ct

January

Don’t you love walking through Restoration Hardware? Their use of a neutral color palette, thoughtful mix of textures, and minimal use of accessories is definitely right in line with my taste. And, the light fixtures? O.M.G.

All the stores are worth a visit, but if you happen to live near Boston, Greenwich, Atlanta, or West Hollywood; you have access to a very special store – the Restoration Hardware Gallery Store. If you don’t happen to live near these places, you can catch a little glimpse of what you are missing on today’s Friday field trip to the Connecticut store.

Formerly on Greenwich Avenue, the store moved a short distance up the street to occupy the old historic Greenwich Post Office and become one of the four RH gallery stores. But, this did not happen until after the space was completely gutted and renovated. Click here to see more about the project.

The grand scale and dramatic lighting of this magnificent store make for a museum-like experience…

The store displays a luxury lifestyle with dramatic interior and exterior installations of home furnishings in a gallery setting.

Some pieces are a little too masculine for my taste and some a little too heavy on the industrial vibe, but for the most part, I would love to own any one of Restoration Hardware’s furniture pieces (if I had a large enough space to accommodate it, of course!).

I love examining paint finishes and have had fun trying my hand at recreating (in look anyway) them in some of my refinishing projects using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

The Greenwich RH Gallery provides some amazing inspiration and I urge you to visit one of the four gallery locations if you should be provided the opportunity.

I hope you enjoyed today’s field trip.

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

Sharing at The Shabby Nest, Kim Klassen’s Friday Finds, French Country Cottage, and House of Hipsters.

3 comments » | field trips, inspiration, style

shop hop 2014

December

Planning a shopping day filled with holiday inspiration with friends – what could be better? Today’s Friday field trip is a special seasonal road trip to visit shops across Connecticut.

I made a holiday music CD for the car (actually my son made it, but hey –it was my idea!), decided on a box lunch menu (don’t want a restaurant lunch to slow us down!), and planned an itinerary for Shop Hop 2014! The destinations? Well, these are a surprise…but, I will share them with you in this post!

Shop Hop invitations are sent out in advance – promising a day of friendship and inspiration touring favorite shops in Connecticut. My 2014 ‘south central’ edition is spanning four counties in Connecticut – all easily accessible by highway I95. (I am including my hop locations in this post in the event you live in Connecticut and would like to replicate my hop.) Be sure to like my Facebook page by clicking here, so you can see a gallery of photos from each of the hop locations and share some of the inspiration – even if you don’t live in Connecticut!

This is how our day goes… I pick up the gals at a designated location in the morning. They are not informed of our predetermined shop locations. ..makes it so much more fun this way! (For the most part, Shop Hop locations are best as isolated areas…save your clusters of stores in a town or a favorite local spot, for a day all on its own.)

A Christmas CD sets the holiday mood…this year, it was definitely a very eclectic mix! Click the three links below to hear three of this year’s selections:

This is my very favorite Christmas song by my very favorite entertainer.
Do you remember which recent fun holiday movie featured a version of this song?
Got to love my son’s sense of humor on this one!

A box lunch is the best way to avoid schedule interruptions. Believe me, this is for the best! A restaurant lunch wastes far too much precious time better devoted to inspirational adventures! Just be sure to use a cooler if you pack anything perishable! I packed mine in take out containers and added a label on the outside that I cut from chalkboard contact paper. A selection of flavored waters and ice tea rounded out the refreshments. We can always pick up a hot tea or coffee on the road to go with our rosemary shortbread cookies. :)

For 2014, these are the five locations I chose for our hop:

Grace, 46 Pennsylvania Avenue, Niantic
Maynard Gardens Holiday Shop, 87 Ingham Hill Road, Old Saybrook
Taken for Granite, 409 Leetes Island Road, Branford
No. 299 Fairfield, 318 Villa Avenue, Fairfield
Terrain, 561 Post Road East, Westport

Lastly, I like to leave my friends with favors – what fun is a special event without favors!

We visited some beautiful shops, but spending the day with my friends was the special part of the day! :)

I hope you are inspired to plan your own Shop Hop! Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions or need suggestions. Have fun with it!

Have a fabulous weekend filled with holiday inspiration, Jackie

P.S. The movie was Elf.

Sharing with City Farmhouse, Coastal Charm, Crafts a la Mode, The Shabby Nest, and Craftberry Bush.

Comments Off on shop hop 2014 | field trips, holiday, inspiration

expressing gratitude

November

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks..for me, also a time of reflection. And, here in the U.S., Thanksgiving is the official kickoff to the holiday season.

What better time to count blessings…and, to express gratitude.

For Friday field trip today, I am sharing some words that inspire me at this special time of year.

Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you so much for stopping by – you are certainly one of my many blessings! :)

Love & thanks, Jackie

Comments Off on expressing gratitude | holiday, inspiration

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