May I Have Some Ice Cream?

One of my fondest childhood memories is of our church's ice cream socials in the summertime. All the families brought their big old fashioned ice cream makers - you remember the kind - rock salt, loud churning noise. But, ohhhhh, such delicious results. It meant that I got ice cream for dinner AND dessert!

Well, those days came flooding back to me when I saw this adorable story in the latest issue of RUE. I was especially struck by this old fashioned ice cream cart from Sweet Lucie's. 

They cater parties and can feed up to 500 guests from the cart. Only one problem. They are in Southern California and I live in New York. 

Any budding entrepreneurs out there? I think this would be a sweet idea for a summer business!

What's your favorite ice cream flavor? 

Flowers - Reader Favorites and a Winner

Happy Memorial Day, to all my readers!!

My peonies are blooming - above are a few pictures I took yesterday of the ones in my backyard.

I so enjoyed reading your comments and learning what flowers YOU love. Peonies were high on the list, but hydrangeas ran a close second. Lily of the Valley, roses, daisies, poppies, calla lillies, lilac and orchids. Let's just say...we love them all!

And, now to a winner.

I truly wish I could send you all one of these fabulous Nest candles, but this one will be going across the pond to Christel of Captivated by Image. Christel, lives in Holland, is a fantastic photographer and does the most amazing mood boards on her blog. I encourage all of you to hop over for a visit. Coincidentally, her favorite flower is the peony. Congratulations, Christel!


Wishing you bouquets of good times today with those you love!

Friday Flowers - Peonies

Are you thinking all red, white & blue? I am, too. 

Yet, I'm also focused on my light pink peonies that are about to burst into bloom! 

If you don't have a fresh bouquet, the next best thing is this aromatic candle from Nest. I swear! So much so, that I want one of you to have one, too.

Tell me your favorite flower, by Sunday night, for a chance to win. That's it! Winner announced on Monday!

Here's to a fun, splash filled, fragrant weekend!

images: pinterest, pinterest

Dunes & Duchess Light Things Up

Stacy Kunstel (aka Duchess), stylist and editor extraordinaire & Michael Partenio (aka Dunes), a phenomenal photographer, have combined their artistic talents to create a beautiful line of candlebras and lamps, Dunes & Duchess. 

When I saw Stacy & Michael at the New York International Gift Fair in Janurary, they were premiering their new hurricane design.

Well, I flipped! 

How fantastic would these look by the pool? Lining a path to a beach party? As a centerpiece for your backyard barbeque?

I think they are endlessly useful for lighting up any event, whether it's a romatic dinner for 2 or a soiree for seventy! Speaking of soirees, Tara Guerard the founder of Charleston based wedding/event planning company, Soiree recently used Dunes & Duchess lamps for a Southern wedding.

Available in black, orange, white, navy and this light blue....there is a fit for any decor.

Tomorrow kicks off the "unofficial" start to Summer, white jeans, flip flops.....and outdoor entertaining.

Let the parties begin...with Dunes & Duchess!!!

Conversation Pieces - Curio

Curio, the 19th century abbreviation for "curiosity" is the brain child of interior designer, artist, photograher, former teacher & arbiter of style....Kellie Cashon. 

I had "connected" with Kellie online, the way many of us do each day. Yet, had the priviledge of meeting her in person earlier this year. After a morning coffee where Kellie, Susie and I chatted as if we had known each other for years, we followed Kellie back to her office for a quick tour.

Jaws dropped. Looks were exchanged. Let's just say.....it is NOT your average office. 

We learned that in addition to redoing her already amazing office, keeping up with client projects, 2 young children and a dog....she was opening an online shop, Curio and had developed a line of bath products, Cleo, named after the reknown beauty...Cleopatra. (That's a whole separate post).

Today, however,  is all about the beautiful items that Kellie has collected and made available to us - an ongoing Tastemaker's Tag Sale if you will. 

 Not only are the linens below the perfect hostess gift....Kellie and her team have gently handled, cleaned and pressed them by hand.

All of the items curated at Curio have been lovingly handled and prepared for you.

What are you waiting for? Let your curiousity lead the way.

Coming Clean

You may know The Laundress as the creator of those amazing smelling, beautifully packaged laundry soaps. 

They do offer those. 

But, founders Lindsey Weiber Boyd and Gwen Whiting have taken their knowledge of keeping clothes looking their best to even whiter heights!

Take their new partnership with Beckel Canvas, a 4th generation family owned business based in Portland, Oregon. Together, they have created these fantastic storage units and hampers, which make a perfect high school graduation gift. 

All of these can be monogrammed so there's no mix up in the dorm...see below for options.

And be sure to bookmark the link below. Whether its your favorite sweater that was visited by moths or a the perfectly worn in pair of jeans that needs some restitching....The Laundress has the sources for you!

Do you like to do the laundry or do you prefer to send it out?

Margaret Russell & Architectural Digest

There were few moments during Blogfest 2011, when our gregarious group of bloggers went silent. When Margaret Russell, Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest, walked into the room was one of them.

Her slideshow and speech were an absolute highlight for me. 

Margaret has left an indelible mark in the world of interior design by guiding Elle Decor from 2000-2010 and now helping Architectural Digest become more accessible to the reader and relevant to how people live and aspire to live today.

She held us captivated with the "behind the scenes" during various photo shoots, including those in this month's issue and of the upcoming July issue, which will honor Elizabeth Taylor.

Just prior to Margaret's presentation, the team at Architectural Digest treated us to a lovely breakfast, where we were able to connect with other bloggers.

 me and Stacy (Quintessence)

Charlotte based designer, Traci Zeller, and me

 Pretty Pink Peonies - the "official" flower of Blogfest 2011

 Anne Maxwell Foster & Suysel dePedro Cunningham, the talented ladies of Tilton Fenwick, recently named as one of TradHome's Top 20 Designers with Rebecca Soskin (Material Girls blog) named in 2010 by House Beautiful as one the 20 Designers to Watch.

Loved meeting these talented young designers! And, then spending a short time in the presence of print media greatness.

Back to reality!

It's a Beautiful Day!

 On the first day of Blogfest 2011, I looked up to see Newell Turner, Editor-in-Chief of House Beautiful being interviewed by Jennifer Powell of Kravet. I knew he would be at the event but had assumed I wouldn't get a chance to meet him.

I was wrong!

Charming beyond measure and receptive to my teenage-like enthusiasm, we chatted about House Beautiful and how I wish I had brought my copy of the Pink Issue for him to sign. Remember it from March? Pink splashed across the cover and throughout the editorial. I felt they had created it with me in mind.

He graciously signed a copy of the current issue of the magazine and I was delighted with that. 

 So, imagine my surprise when he found me in the auditorium before the lecture and handed me this! An autographed copy of the Pink Issue! Thank you, Newell.....it will be framed on my desk this week.

Moments like this are what made Blogfest such an incredible experience. And, I am grateful I was there.

Whose autograph do you have or would you want to have?

Wishing you a beautiful day and a fun-filled weekend, doing whatever you love.