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Another Maine Weekend…

Monday, November 12th, 2012

This past weekend Andrew I went up to Kennebunkport, Maine again, which is now feeling like our second home (minus the whole actually having a second home there thing). I was part of a holiday workshop at the lovely White Barn Inn and got to craft, bake and drink (a lot) with some lovely ladies all while in the comfort of this historic and cozy place. Take a peek…

Our lovely room complete with Pretty Woman sized tub and a two sided fireplace. A gorgeous little welcome from the innkeeper.

We got to go into the famed kitchen of the inn to learn to bake stollen with the sous chef and pastry chef. Every time we looked up our champagne glasses were refilled- as if there was a sneaky champagne ninja quietly operating. The day continued with me giving some holiday decorating tips and helping everyone craft preserved moss wreaths… glue guns + 4 glasses of champagne= FUN!

We had an awesome cocktail class to top off the day and learned to make the MOST incredible chocolate martini ever (and I don’t even like chocolate martinis!) It was seriously delicious and would be the perfect thing to serve as a dessert drink at a party! The recipe is at the bottom of this post so keep scrolling baby. And one of the most wonderful parts of the restaurant at the White Barn (besides the impeccable service and food) is the display they always have done outside the large windows. This season it was particularly awesome.

Back in the room we found MORE CHAMPAGNE. Oh boy. So I thought bubbles and bubbles would be a perfect pre-dinner activity…. and then our four course meal. I don’t think I’ve ever been so full. My DVF dress was straining to keep itself together.

We stopped in town for some coffee and enough time to snap a pic of the cool decor outside a shop and then went to my favorite place in Kennebunk, Snug Harbor Farm to peruse the plants, wares and animals…

The best thing I picked up there for myself was this little fox portrait (wearing a striped tee!!!) done by Juan Estrella framed oh-so-perfectly. I found he has an Etsy shop with all varieties of animals. ALL WEARING STRIPED SHIRTS!!!

MINI HORSES!!!!!! Oh, and this dog bed I really wanted for the boys.

How pretty are these chickens (roosters?)

OK, now for that drink. Bottoms up!

Posted in my life, trips | 17 Comments »

L.A. Shopping

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

There’s a lot to share about my week in LA (I met Oprah, oh yes I did) but first here’s some decor based pics from my trip- specifically a fantastic day I spent with a LA based reader, Dee who e-mailed me and offered to show me some great places for decor shopping in the area! Not only is it so fun to meet interesting people from all over the country that read this little labor of love, but getting to see where THEY love to shop is the best way to find some gems.

We started with brunch at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood- I am OBSESSED with the decor in this place. It’s insane. From the striped marble floor, to the bar to the vintage brass faucet’s in the bathrooms (I forgot to take a pic). It is such a fabulous place!

We popped into Kishani Perera’s little boutique Rummage with great refurbished vintage pieces.

Gibson was SUCH a cool shop chock full of really interesting vintage accessories (the PERFECT place to shop for a bachelor pad!)

Nicky Kehoe was a super elegant yet rustic shop full of amazing tables, chairs, tabletop goods and especially RUGS. That runner made me weep- as did that gold framed navy settee.

One of the MOST magical places we went was called Rolling Greens- a nursery/floral shop/home decor store/ gift shop…. simply AMAZING. I absolutely loved it!

I walked into this room and wondered what was on the back wall- turns out it was ombre dyed tea bags strung up like a curtain! Dee actually hosted a bridal shower here which was a genius idea as you need absolutely NO decor! Check out images of it on her blog!

Our last stop was 45 Three Modern Vintage- a really well priced place to find amazing vintage stuff- some redone, some waiting for the right fabric! LOVED the navy and coral striped wall!

Thanks so much to Dee for a fun day and more to come tomorrow!

Posted in antiques, trips | 17 Comments »

The Greenbrier!

Monday, July 16th, 2012

It’s my last day here at The Greenbrier and I wanted to show you some images of the place that was made so famous by decorator Dorothy Draper (and now Carleton Varney).

Floral prints EVERYWHERE! Floral on floral on floral! And how about those chair backs? So many pieces here that I can see influenced so much of whats popular with the “Hollywood Regency” style today!

Awesome staircase in the main entry- scenic wallpaper, greek key detail, black and white and bold colors.

INSANELY AWESOME.

Dorothy Draper wallpaper pajamas are even MORE awesome. And guess what, you can order them HERE!

Such amazing architectural detail and lighting as well as color combinations (turquoise and red!)

And the history is incredible- from all the famous people who have come to stay (Grace Kelley pictured) to the small details like the china pattern!

Do you just die? Because I did. Especially that hunter green/ coral pink combo below.

Where we have been having cocktails at the end of each day. Not too shabby, huh?

Another stunning color combo= coral and light blue and gold (and a gorgeous herringbone wood floor).

The window treatment details are mind-blowing- Draper even draped above the indoor pool!

Such a distinguished place for cocktails.

We went shooting at the gun club and could not resist blurting out some Ace Ventura when we entered the lodge…

“This is a lovely room of death!”

Andrew was disturbingly good with a 12 gauge shotgun. Guess it’s the North Carolina blood. I hit like 8 clays, but felt like someone had taken a 2 x 4 to my shoulder.

The casino featuring tiger stripe wallcovering (hell yes) and even the detaisl in the public restrooms are killer!

A pretty view, but the best view is my little niece’s smile.

Y’all should come visit- there is something so wonderful about the South. The manners, the way men are still gentlemen and the women are ladies and overall outlook on life. The bright happy colors of dressing and decorating are so uplifting and things just feel more proper. I think I would have made a good Southern girl (but marrying a Southern boy who has not let me open a car or any other type of door in 11 years will have to suffice). :)

Posted in i want to go to there, trips | 26 Comments »