here in New York. We’ve gotten well over 7 inches of rain since Sunday, and we are checking the front lawn daily for ducks. So I thought I’d share a few more happy signs that yes, Annie, the sun will come out tomorrow, and yes, spring is coming. Hope your days are sunny.
Best,
Stephanie
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying I love you.
I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.
Lyrics to “What a Wonderful World” by Lou Adler, Herb Alpert and Sam Cooke.
Some of my favorite spring flowers to tide us over until the daffodils make their first appearance … have a wonderful weekend!
Best,
Stephanie
Another reason I am lucky to live where I do is Old Westbury Gardens. Located just a few minutes from my house, this is a gorgeous old home. It was the home of the Phipps family. Let’s take a ride over …
The gates are open and ready to welcome you … 
Welcome to Old Westbury House. The home is open to the public for tours part of the year. It is furnished, and many of the family’s extraordinary paintings are still here.
This is the view of the back of the house. The house and it’s back lawn were used for the wedding scene at the end of the movie “Hitch”. It also was featured in an episode of the television show, Royal Pains. 
The gardens are beautiful – there are walled gardens, ponds, gazebos and more … gorgeous.
In the garden, you come across this little thatched cottage.
That is Katie and my grandmother peeking in to see … (this photo was taken about 2 years ago. She hates it when I take photos of her tush!)
The entire space was a little play cottage for the daughter of the house. Just out of the frame was a little tea table set up for a little girl and her toys. When she grew up, they built her another home for herself and her husband on the grounds, where she lived until she passed a few years ago. It was a designer’s show house last year.
What little girl wouldn’t love this?
These photos were taken at different times of the year, with different cameras, so you will see those differences in some of them. The top photo isn’t mine – my sister sent it to me, so I don’t know where it came from. You’ll find some more photographs directly at their website, here.
Hoped you enjoyed this visit. Have a great weekend!
Best,
Stephanie
… that I love Traci Thorson (the photography and the girl) then I really want to know whose blog you’ve been reading. As many times as I’ve mentioned her, I’m sure you’ve all headed over there by now. But in case you haven’t, she is an amazing photographer. She is very talented, and does the sweetest photo shoots with families. Love them. She also takes some great photographs she has given me permission to repost here. Take a look at her website here, and her shop here. The sunflower is at the shop with the texture added, but I love the simplicity of the original too. Very well priced for original art for your home. Go on and take a peek below, and then head on over to see.
Gorgeous, aren’t they?
Best,
Stephanie
*All photos are owned and copyrighted by Traci Thorson. Do not copy or reproduce same without her express permission.
By now, you all know I love my Kindle. But I am also loving my Kindle accessories. You can get anything from a simple black zip around case, to a beautiful leather one. There are dozens of choices. The two I chose are below. The first one is actually a deep cherry color, not quite as maroon as the photo. The second, and the one I use most often, is the green bamboo print by the well known Halsea. They have luggage that matches it, but I don’t really like that much matching! The little book light completes the Kindle for travel. I mostly read it without a cover, but if I want to take my Kindle with me, I tuck it into the case to protect it. After 6 months of wear, they still look like new.
That little inside pocket is perfect for a hotel room key or credit card.
Another great thing about the Kindle is that the books are less expensive than buying them at the bookstore. Most hard covers are $10, and most paperbacks are about $5. But I sat down and looked at my purchases the other night, and I realized that not only has the Kindle paid for itself with the money I saved on buying books, but I also saved an additional $500 off bookstore prices. And I’ve only had it about ten months. Not too bad, I think.
Amazon didn’t pay me for this post. But I think they should have!
Best,
Stephanie
On Friday, the lovely Dash over at French Sampler gave me an award. It is her own Sassy Blog Award, given to “great, inspiring blogs” and to ladies who are “incredibly sassy”. Well, that did put a little spring in my step! How sweet you are Dash! Thank you so much!
I’ve recently given some awards, and it is hard to pick so soon – because I love you all, I really do. You’ve added so much to my life. There were no rules, other than to pass them on to worthy individuals. I’ve got to say – you’re all pretty sassy. But to keep it simple, I have picked just three today. (Though I would completely send this right back to Dash too – her French adventures keep me coming back for more!)
Jeanne at Collage of Life, In One Place and Finding my Way has to make the list. (For being an absolute doll, and for her adventures in globe-trotting). Slim Paley, for being chic and sharing lovely things, but still being (if you’ll forgive my 7th grade flashback) “totally cool”. Traci Thorton – because she’s a great girl, and I love her style. And now I better go, because I just thought of 3 others I would have to include. I’ll keep you guessing as to which three, because I’m sassy that way…
Have a wonderful week!
Best,
Stephanie
Other than “The Post Mistress”, it’s been quite a while since I’ve mentioned what I’ve been reading here. So I thought I would mention one I really enjoyed – The Girl Who Chased the Moon. I read this book the other day, and I am sorry it’s over. It is different that what I usually read, but I think I may pull it out again on a hot summer’s day, to read again in the shade of a tree, or in the hammock.
It’s a quick and light read, but still conveys the languor of a small southern town in the summertime. A sweet indulgence, one reviewer called it, and it is. To sum it up, a teenage girl moves down south to live with her grandfather after her mother dies in an accident, and discovers that her mother’s past is not what she thought. But this is not your typical ‘coming of age story’ - her grandfather is a giant of a man, cakes perfume the air with sprinkles of color and flavor, wallpaper changes according to mood, and magic lights blink through the trees at night. You’ll have to accept the fairy tale elements, but I think you’ll be glad you did. It’s a very sweet read.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Best,
Stephanie
One of the days that I was in the city, I had an eye doctor’s appointment. My eye doctor is on 71st Street, right up the street from the Frick Collection. I had planned to go, but my eyes were so dilated, I could barely see for the rest of the day. But the Frick is a lovely place, and if you ever come to New York, do try to spend a morning here.
I first came to the Frick as a college student. One of our professors had gotten permission for a private tour, and for them to display their extraordinary collection of illuminated manuscripts. I can tell you, the works these monks had created were gorgeous, and still so very vivid despite the passage of hundreds of years. Simply beautiful.
The Frick is also a beautiful home, and I can just imagine living here back in its day. The curators have maintained the beauty and atmosphere of the Frick home. Below is the view from 5th Avenue. Yes, it takes up the whole street from 70th to 71st Streets. I would love to have been able to see Fifth Avenue at the turn of the century when it was home to more of these lovely mansions. Many of them are now gone, or converted to retail space.
The atrium is one of my favorite places there.
Magnificent works of art in a gorgeous setting. Heaven. Pure heaven. Just another one of New Yorks little known treasures, waiting for you to discover it.
You can see what exhibitions and concerts are currently available at their website.
Best,
Stephanie
First things first – A very Happy St Patrick’s Day to you all. This is not a St Patrick’s Day post – it’s been a bit hectic here, and I am a little behind schedule. The real post follows:
Anyone who has been around here a bit has heard me rave about Traci Thorson's amazing photos. Visit her page for a treat, and her Etsy shop here where you can pick up some of her beautiful photographs. You’ll be glad you did.
A new love of mine is the photography of Mary Swenson, who graciously gave me permission to post some of her photos here. Her website is Pretty Good, but trust me, it’s a whole lot better than pretty good. Pretty amazing is more like it.
Beautiful scenery, small objects, whatever her subject, she captures it in a fresh and beautiful way, then adds a few sweet words. I really hope you will all visit her site.
She has a number of prints available in her shop, here. Like Traci’s, these are very reasonably priced. They’re a whole lot of pretty for not a lot of money. And they make my world a happier place.
I can’t resist a few more (there were so many more I would have picked too) … hope you love them as much as I do.
Best,
Stephanie
All images are the property of Mary Swenson, and are protected by copyright. Please do not use or copy them without her express permission. Thank you.
People dressed for dinner, for the theater, for nights out. Those days are sadly gone. But there is something about them I miss. I was reading a post today on The Blushing Hostess about how people no longer dress for dinner. I wish I had a collection of glamorous black and whites of myself and my husband and our friends, well dressed and looking fabulous. My parents have books of them. So while I am all for comfort, I think we can dress well and still be comfortable. A happy medium. I am lucky to live a very short trip in to New York City. And one of my favorite things is to catch a Broadway show. But can I tell you, if the people all around you are wearing sweats and sneakers, and snacking through a show, it does take away from the experience. The most dressed down I will do for the theater is dress pants and a nice top. And I’m not an old fuddy duddy – I am 41.
Well, anyway, vent over. But it reminded me of a photo I had scanned some time ago. It’s of my mom, before I was born, and I think she looks beautiful! She had already had 4 children by the time this photo was taken. One day, I have to scan in a photo she had taken for her passport in the late 50’s. She had her hair and make-up immaculate as always, and long earrings. And the travel photos they had are amazing – even on the tarmac at airports in Morocco, Casablanca, Greece, Italy … they were dressed and styled and ready to go. That was glamour, girls. And that was my mom.
Best,
Stephanie
It was such a busy weekend! And we are still living with pouring rain and much of our town (though not us) is without power. So these pretty flowers I have, and two special people are really brightening my day!
Two of the sweetest bloggers around – Jeanne at Collage of Life and Emily at Smile Emily gave me awards this weekend. You really are the best, girls!
Jeanne gave me the:
The idea behind this one is to pass the Five Diamonds onto five exceptional blogs – OK, I don’t think I can pick just 5 of you, and I would definitely send it back to Jeanne. I think you all make my world a better place. Other than that, my five choices are:
4. Paper Turtle
5. Smile, Emily
Emily gave me:
There are a few things to do when you receive the award.
1 Thank the person that awarded you this in a new post.
2 Name 10 things that make you happy.
3 Pass this award on to 10 other bloggers and inform the winners!
This is so sweet – thanks, Emily! For those of you who have not visited Smile, Emily, take a look at her page. I just found her when she left a comment here last week, and I am back every day. She always has something interesting going on there. I loved the color quiz she posted and her photos are terrific.
OK, back to the award, ten things that make me happy are …
1. My family
2. My doggy – Sugar Magnolia Clark
3. A great book
4. Photography
5. Painting
6. Sunshine
7. The beach
8. Vacations
9. Entertaining
10. Each and every one of you. I especially love it when you leave comments – they really make my day.
I am passing this award onto …
Jeanne at Collage of Life; French Larkspur; The Hampton Hostess; Meadowbrook Farm; Slim Paley; The Neo Traditionalist; Vintage Rose Studio; Back Porch Musings; Brabourne Farm; and Bella Dellas Farm. You all make me very happy! (apparently, there is a farm theme going on here! Maybe it was too many visits to NYC last week!)
Thanks again to Jeanne and Emily. Share the love and go visit one of these pages today…
Hope it’s a great week!
Best,
Stephanie
Ralph Lauren’s new home collection, which I first saw at Hampton Hostess, is calling my name. Think south of France, the Mediterranean, St Barts. (OK, maybe it is the travel bug I’ve been bitten with, but I really like this line.) He calls it La Plage, and some of it is available on line already. Feast your eyes on these – some of my favorites from the collection.
I love this fabric
And this carafe.
Especially in the caddy. (carafe and glasses are not included) But how sweet would that be for outdoor entertaining?
No matter how much I love it, I don’t think I can justify the $900 for the picnic tote. But maybe the ironstone plates?
Can you tell I am really looking forward to spring?
In the meantime, some work to finish up, then Jamie comes home, and Katie has a sleepover at the museum … then … WEEKEND! Hope you all have a great one!
Best,
Stephanie
All photos are courtesy of Ralph Lauren Home.
