Elements of Style Blog » food and drink

Kennebunkport Escape

Erin Gates — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:11:36 +0000

Ahhhh, our sweet room (and my first foray into Instagram!)

Thanksgiving was great- lots of food and family, but of course sometimes after a holiday vacation, you feel you need a REAL vacation. Andrew and I were lucky enough to get to leave the family homestead on Saturday and spend a night in Kennebunkport, Maine at the newly opened Inn at English Meadows. Run by the LOVELY, welcoming and funny Liz and Eric Brodar, whom after tiring of the rat race of the garment industry in Manhattan, sold their homes in the city and the Hamptons to buy this adorable (but at the time, tired) bed & breakfast and fix it up to be a modern vacation spot (see the before and after pics on their blog)! I must admit, Andrew and I talk about doing this all the time, so it was so fun to get to hear about the process and lifestyle of renovating and running a B&B! Especially when it’s over delicious wine at the next door Old Vines wine bar (so flipping charming) also owned by a former Manhattanite!

Each room is a little different, some equipped with modern fireplaces and modern furniture while other wax nostalgic with wood burning stoves and beadboard. Frette linens and robes, Malin + Goetz products (my fave) and free wi-fi sweeten the deal too.

After touring Kennebunkport (especially loving Daytrip Society, Fleurant, Scalawags and Anniebell’s) we went for a GREAT meal at 50 Local in Kennebunk where a fantastically spirited group from the tree lighting were celebrating and we got a real feel for life in this small town (plus some amazing gnocchi). I nearly DIED over the huge vintage sign above the bar. Seriously cool.

And the wooden wine box wallcovering and barn exterior of the The Old Vines Wine Bar!

And then yesterday morning after a little stroll to town we were sent off with an AMAZING breakfast courtesy of Liz and Eric that looked almost identical to this! Soooo good we skipped lunch. Keep the inn (and Kennebunkport) in mind for a weekend away!

Livingston Atlanta

Erin Gates — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:28:56 +0000

I am not much of a foodie. In fact, most days I eat like a toddler (cereal, PB&J, yogurt) but I do love going out for dinner and fabulous restaurant design. To me, ambiance is almost as important as food (drinks are important too- very important). When I saw the pictures of the new Livingston Restaurant and Bar in Atlanta I immediately wanted to go! The historic building houses a two-story dining room and the mix of modern glam furniture with the traditional architecture (designed by the Puccini Group) is my FAVESIES! I hope my brother and his wife go here and report back….

Are you seeing that trim detail people???

The private dining room….

Can you imagine having a wedding reception here? Fantastic.

Love the oversize black and white photography panels…

They also have an adorable cafe! Look at the little crown sign holders!

Wine + Design

Erin Gates — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:33:33 +0000

I leave for Napa Valley for a week on Sunday (I’ll be blogging the trip as it unfolds) and I am quite excited for many reasons- staying at the Carneros Inn, eating at Bouchon, walking Main Street in St. Helena…but mostly I’m psyched for the wine. I enjoy me some wine. Call me a wino if you will, and I’ll take the title with a smile and a click of the glass to you. But I’m no wine snob- oh no. I often select my wine based on how pretty the label is. I’m hoping my Napa trip will make me a more informed wine consumer, but I will never ever tire of well designed packaging. So when I saw the Jaqk Wine Cellars playing card inspired bottles over on Oh Joy today I did a little happy dance. How chic! How pretty to have in your wine rack! Let’s pop that cork! I’m hoping the gorgeous wine store on my block will get some of these in soon!