May 31, 2011

Summer ready!

Even though summer doesn't officially start until June 21st, after a great day at the beach yesterday, it feels like summer and I'm ready!  I've got my summer essentials set to go... 

where: photo by Jennifer for from me to you xo
I'm loving my new sun hat by Roberta Roller Rabbit!

where: photo by Jennifer for from me to you xo
Always need to have a fun mexican inspired top to wear with shorts, white jeans or even thrown over your swimsuit. This one is from Roberta Freyman.

where: photo by Jennifer for from me to you xo
And my navy blue Dr Scholl's. They go with everything and remind me of when I was a kid and couldn't wait until my foot was big enough to be able to wear them.  Do you remember being able to buy them at the grocery store or local pharmacy? Oh and my new favorite toenail color for summer - Nice is Nice by Essie.

What are your favorites for summer?





May 27, 2011

time to play

It's Memorial Day Weekend my friends...
Summer is here and it's time to cocktail.  
What's better than watermelon mojitos to kick off the season?
Jen, have you tried them?
Cheers!
where:  barefoot contessa's how easy is that?

And how about some music to go with that drink?
TURN IT UP, raise your glasses and shake your groove thing for
Miss Britney Spears.
 Check out "till the world ends"on itunes.





where: fuckyeahpeoplewelove

Happy Weekend!


May 26, 2011

something about a book

where: Cover of the 1950 1st edition

where: what my copy looked like.

where:  what jack's copy looks like.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was my favorite book when I was nine.   I loved it.  I  remember the details, the beauty and the magic I felt around me while reading it and for long after I had finished.  To this day, I'd like to believe that there is some magical place you may find in the back of a closet.  I've tried to introduce this concept to my children...they're not buying it.   My son is now nine and loves to read comics, Calvin and Hobbes and Tin Tin being two of his favorites.  But given the choice, he would not read a chapter book on his own.  He has to in school, but before bedtime, never. 

Last night I decided to change the course and that was not easy.  I had stopped reading to him before bedtime about a year ago...he told me he was old enough to read on his own. Understood.  But now, he wanted me to read.  A privilege I felt, as well as an opportunity...and I chose the story.  I had bought The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe back when Jack was in pre-school because I loved it so much as a child, and now here was my chance.  Boy did he fight me on it.  His claim- I don't like fantasy books.  Ok, I said, allow me one chapter and then you can choose another book.  

By the end of that first chapter I had him hooked...not that he'd ever let me know it.  It was getting late, I closed the book and he begged for another chapter, just as I had hoped.  I continued reading.  The book is as brilliant and magical as I remember...and my nine year old is so excited for the next chapter he can barely breathe...not that he'd ever let me know it. 

May 25, 2011

a present for me

I LOVE my girlfriends...they are loyal and fun and hilarious and great advisors... and I'd be lost without them.  But I have to admit, one of the true reasons I love them so much is that they are incredible gift givers.  Lucky me.  

On my wedding weekend (14 years ago this coming July Jen!) my girlfriend Melissa made me a cookbook, taking her own incredible, delicious recipes and hand writing each one of them for me.   I hold this gift so close to my heart because every time I open it, memories of her come flooding in.  I've used it over and over again, and the recipes never fail.  One of my favorites is her carrot cake recipe.  It gets made every birthday for my kids, a tradition that started almost 9 years ago.  Everyone loves it and I thought I'd share it with you.
Thanks Lulu.

where:  melissa's wedding cookbook

May 24, 2011

the buzz

Have you seen Bee?  She's the model, stylist and creator of Atlantic-Pacific, a chic and fun blog full of fabulous clothes and great style...and she includes where to buy everything.   
Here are a few of her looks...








where:  all photos found on atlantic-pacific

May 23, 2011

Lemonade

Yesterday we went to a very "old fashioned" fair at my son's school.  No crazy rides, just good old fashioned games - ring toss, cake walk, pony rides.  Take a look at how the lemonade was served at the fair.
where: photo by Jennifer for from me to you xo
The lemonade came straight from the lemon, literally.  Here's how it works - alongside a small white straw inserted into a hole cut in the lemon, was a candy lemon stick. The idea is that you sip the straw and the lemon stick together so you get the sweetness of the sugar to balance out the tartness of the lemon juice.  You do need to squeeze the lemon as you drink to get the juice going, but my kids loved it!  I have a feeling my friend Tiffany from Holiday, is going to like this idea, as she is always coming up with clever things to do at her daughter Stella's parties.

May 20, 2011

Weekend adventure...let's go!

where:  Brooklyn Flea Market blog

My dear friend Whitney, fellow foodie and amazing cook, hostess, and adventurer, just sent me an article introducing the new Brooklyn Flea Food Market, cleverly named Smorgasburg.  I have yet to even make it to the Brooklyn Flea Market, which I have been dying to get to.  What great fun it would be to check out both this weekend.  
Happy weekend everyone!
where:  The New York Times dining and wine section


Maison Ladurée

where: paris breakfasts


where: paris breakfasts
In keeping with the French theme from Lindsay's post, I just read that the famed Parisian macaroon shop Maison LadurĂ©e is opening a shop in New York City on the Upper East Side, this summer.  A favorite stop of mine, back in the day, when I used to travel to Paris for business and on occasion for fun.... ah those were the days.  We will have to take an afternoon and head into the city once they are open to treat ourselves.  Not only are the macaroons delicious but the way they package them up is a treat in itself!
Bon Weekend!


where: via Eater NY

May 17, 2011

let it rain

When was the last time you went for a walk in the pouring rain?  For me, it had been a very long time, but I did it this morning.  I love my walks.  They are so helpful in calming me down and pulling me away for a short period of time from the demands of life.  They help me to think and slow down and clear my head.  But this morning it was pouring out and so easy to use the rain as an excuse to stay in...but I put on my bright yellow raincoat, my bean boots I've had since I was 16 (and love by the way), grabbed the dog and left the house.  I needed to.

I heard the sound of my own breath, and felt the wet of the rain and saw the new green of spring and smelled the earth.  My senses woke up for that short period of time, in the rain, in the woods and I was just able to be.  It's a great thing.  After the walk,  I got in the car, soaked and feeling amazing.

Here's the view from under my hood.  

The beautiful and so special Chapel in the Woods.







where: photos by Lindsay for from me to you xo

How do they know?

How do kids know the difference between healthy food and junk food? It's crazy, it's almost like it's wired into them. For example, my youngest had never had a cheese doodle, so I thought I'd carry out a little experiment.  I put the choice between a healthy carrot and an unhealthy cheese doodle in front of him and he immediately went for the one on the left! Why not the carrot? I mean they are practically the same color.

where: photo by Jennifer for from me to you xo
I'm always telling my kids "eat your veggies so you can grow big and strong."  The other day my youngest (the one who chose the cheese doodle) told me "Mommy, I'm not going to eat vegetables anymore because I don't want to grow big, I just want to stay 3."
I don't want him to grow up either.

May 16, 2011

bubble and tweet

If you ever find yourself in Bedford, NY definitely try and stop
by the adorable and chic Bubble and Tweet.  One of my closest friends,
the brilliant and ever stylish Julie owns this great little shop, hosting terrific
finds for your baby, kids, girlfriends...and maybe (definitely) a little
something for yourself.  The layout of the shop itself is so clever, with
one side dedicated to kids and the other, for women.  And with it's bright
colors and fabulous inventory, it's just so fun to go in and see what
great finds Julie has waiting for you...it's one of
my most favorite places to go.





where: photos by Lindsay for from me to you xo

May 13, 2011

Late to the game...


I have a feeling I'm really late to catching on to how amazing Adele is. I am loving her album 21. I have yet to explore her others. But plan to. Linds if you have not yet purchased the entire album on iTunes you must. She has such a powerful voice and such soul.

You've probably heard the song from this video, Rolling In The Deep, on the radio.


Although right now my favorite song of hers is Take It All - it will give you goose bumps.

Take a listen.
I know you'll love her too.

May 12, 2011

SIX!

where: bee chalmers
How is it possible that you are six? It feels like just a minute ago I was holding you in my arms for the first time, my heart bursting with love that I never knew could be possible.  My first born, my adorable little Nuggie Bear.  

where: photo by Jennifer for from me to you xo

Wasn't it just your 1st birthday?  

where: photo by Jennifer for from me to you xo

And now you are six!  My little boy, is now a big boy, who is six.  
May this be the happiest of years for you.  I love you so much.
Happy Birthday Nuggie Bear! xo