I Spy Nantucket!

I have had a love affair with this tiny island since visiting when I was young. I introduced my new husband to it on our honeymoon 25 years ago and to our sons a couple years back. As I sit over 3,000 miles away from the cobblestone street and quaint gray shingled cottages, I like to spy in on one of my Happiest Places On Earth and wish I was there.

The Hub on Main Street has a webcam that updates itself every 20 seconds.

It looks like it's rainy today.

From early April to mid-May 3,000,000 daffodils bloom on the island. The island celebrates this breath of spring with an Annual Daffodil Festival. This year it will be held on April 24 - 26. The crowning event is an antique car parade with over 100 cars participating all decorated with daffodils, of course, as are all the shop windows. After the parade winds through town the cars head across the island to Siasconset where there is an annual daffodil tailgate picnic.

Here is a link to a short video clip
of the Daffodil Festival 2008.

I will be spying on the parade from The Hub's webcam.
The next best thing to being there. :)

A Bridal Bone To Pick

Having 2 sons I am never going to be the mother-of-the-bride and the best I can hope for is being involved on the girlie fringes with my lovely nieces. My first niece to be married this summer, "Hammie Pie", (aka "Hammie" because her initials are HAM) has given me the dubious honor of throwing a bridal bone my way. That's right! I get to do a bridal task or at least give my ideas and opinion!

I am thrilled but could use some help...

I need ideas for attendant's gift for the maid-of-honor and the groomsmen.

I have thought of these:
Tiffany.com - Plaid beer mug for the groomsmen & Tiffany Blue Travel Jewelry Case

Some other ideas for the Mof H are pearl earrings, a 'tin cup' necklace or a crystal one.

What else could you recommend?
All ideas are gratefully appreciated.

Hump Day Hijinx. Why Not?

I needed some levity today so I started to think about what I enjoy doing and that is ...entertaining. I think we give fun parties.
This weekend a mom came up to me at a high school jazz festival and asked me if I wasn't the mom who had all the parties. She was referring to an outdoor movie night we hosted in August for the marching band complete with a popcorn cart, hotdogs, nachos and a concessions stand. About 80 musicians parked their chairs and blankets under the stars for the evening. I guess it made an impression. It was a great night.

For our adult parties we play games and pit the girls against the guys in a Battle of The Sexes. It's no contest. Girls are way better at party games. Pictionary, Trival Pursuit, bocce ball. We reign supreme.

Parties certainly fall under the classification of entertaining, but just the word alone evokes laughter, fun and where silliness is quite acceptable. Nothing is taken serious at a party and at my home these gatherings are casual enough to have silly toys or do-dads around that my friends find fun and unexpected. I am always on the look out for party props to get the festivities started and the laughter rolling.

Would I be so tacky to serve martinis out of these glowing glasses to my guests?
Of course not!
I much rather prefer my glowing highball and wine glasses!
Now my trashy secret is out!
(I'll be ordering the martini glasses as soon as I finish this post!)

"Beverage Light Cubes"
Because we light up the night!

"Pick Your Nose Party Cups"
Disclaimer:
I am almost embarrassed to post these because they are so odd and the name is awful! Last summer we had two different groups over for fairly large get-togethers and these silly, slightly disturbing cups were the hit of the party. Grown adults were going crazy over these and even taking them home. We were all grabbing the noses of our choice and showing them off. You never know what will hit someone's funny bone, that, or all our friends have a strange sense of humor.

"Gem Party Picks"
A little class thrown in for whimsy.
Another good pick, don't you think?
(Oooo, sorry to keep the joke going.)

I love Anne Taintor.
She speaks for us all at one time or another.
"When life gives you lemons, just add vodka".
"I child proofed my house but they still get in".
"High maintenance doesn't even begin to cover it".

The napkins make a fun hostess gift too.
Something different for good friends.
Party On!

Is there anything special you do?

All photos link to the item's webpage.

The Rite of Spring

In 1913 the Russian composer, Igor Stravinsky, premiered The Rite of Spring (English translation). Saying it caused quite a stir, would be putting it mildly. It caused an all out riot. The rhythms were primitive and asymmetrical. There was discord and dissonance in the melodies. The dance was violent depicting wild pagan rituals. Fistfights broke out among the audience. The Paris police were summoned and the composer who fled the theater mid-scene was reported to be inconsolable.

I feel Igor's pain. My personal rite of spring also brings a riot of panic. All winter I have given little thought to the assumed pastoral symphony that surely would await me in the spring. Then it happens. It is a beautiful day full of sunshine and warmer temperatures. Without thinking I shed a protective layer of clothing. Uh-oh. I should not have done that. Instantly I receive the annual invitation. It reads:

"You have been cordially invited to attend summer.
You have 3 months to pull yourself together.
Please check your calendar to see if you will be able to attend."

RSVP ASAP!

My RSVP is made by looking in the mirror. No, really looking in the mirror. Full length in the harsh natural light of day. My primitive and pagan rituals of winter culinary sustenance has lead me here. Something is not right. I am too symmetrical. My inner size 8 is fistfighting the perceived heavyweight champion of the world's reflection. I am wishing the Paris police could be summoned to restore order but instead I feel the fashion police in hot pursuit and quickly closing in. I am tempted to leave the scene, despondent and disheartened as Igor did. I am a more fortunate composer though, as I only have one patron to please. I plan on stepping up more rehearsals comprised of walking and Pilates. I am hopeful this will bring me to the crescendo of summer with a standing ovation.

Stuck On You...

As I was clicking around on Etsy I found these lovely stickers, etc. They are all by LittleBeanBoutique. I found some clever ideas that I thought I would share and since they were new to me perhaps they will be to you too. :)
The pictures link to the item's webpage.

No question about this one. It's in the shopping cart.
Perfect for the non-decorated chocolate chip cookies in the cello bag.
Just fold the bag over and place the label.
With my monicker it will look even sweeter!

What? Did you hear that?
I distinctly heard it call my name.

I think this one is my favorite:

Did I mention these designs can be made into labels, tags or seals?How cute would these bunny labels look on a bag of orange jellybeans with a kelly green grosgrain ribbon tied around the bag like the picture below.

For a simple wrap presentation on a solid colored package, pop on a sticker and you're out the door and headed to the par-tay!
Some fun bookplates:I'm ordering these for a friend of mine who is always wondering who borrowed her books.
Hers will be black and white.

I could go on and on....

Merci! Grazie! Arigato! Thanks! :)

This IS my lucky day!
Thank you to Preppy 101, author extraordinaire,
of All Things Southern & Preppy
for the tag on this unique award.

I love Preppy 101's blog and along with hundreds of her 'BF's', we certainly know a good thing when we read it!
She is delightful, positive, informative and her comments are always a reflection of her graciousness.

Thank you, dear fellow "Fab & Fifty & Nifty"
for thinking of me and tagging me with a fun award and activity.

I am to list 10 not-so-cute things about me.
Hmmm.... let's see now....

1.
Arachnophobia - eek!
2.
I am a life long ice chewer although I prefer the term 'connoisseur'.
3.
My night shirt - a souvenir of Mono Cone on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas. It has a picture of the biggest soft serve ice cream cone, burger, fries and seagulls on the back. Not a 'cute' sight when the burger and fries are wiggling as I'm walking away. Of that I am certain!
4.
I tend to drive a little too fast or so I've been told. Someone once gave me a plaque that said, "Do not drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly". Subtle.
5.
Since I take my jewelry off as soon as I come in the house and don't go upstairs right away and put it away, I have pieces scattered all over the house but in my usual places.
6.
My 'tude ain't cute the night before the cleaning ladies are to come the next day and I'm the 11th hour housekeeper.
7.
What I want to say to people who push their way in front of me in line after I have been waiting patiently.
8.
The 'ugly cry' that I cannot control when I see an animal shelter commercial and those big, teary eyes are begging me to rescue them on late night TV. Thank goodness I am usually the last one up watching!
9.
I still have my Christmas mugs box sitting out because there are a couple that keep getting used. It's on my mental list of "I've got to take care of that" whenever I see one floating around.
10.
I have more totes than anyone should ever have, but isn't that cute, really? It depends if you ask me or my husband. :)

Baby Boomers Unite!

If you can read the bottom line of this award without your 'cheaters' then it could mean you are not at this majestic demographic yet! Yes, you are fabulous, but "fab AND fifty"?
Maybe in a few more years, dearies. ;)

Thank you to SJN who has bestowed this honor upon me and let me tell you about her...not only does she have one fab blog, but TWO! See what can be accomplished at 'our age' ladies? We are just hitting our stride so watch out! Talk about multi-tasking! SJN blogs are all about wedding planning Bridal Buzz - wedeventdesign and golfing Tales of a Golf Gal.

This award is a lovely reminder that life is sweet as ever on the back 9 and we can still make it under par with the putters of our choice!

SJN, consider me part of your
"Fearless -Fabulous- Fifty-Foursome" anytime!

Decisions...decisions...

Vera Bradley Spring 2009Perfectly pink?

or...

Freshly picked green?

(S., show me yours, come on girlfriend... :) )

What's In Your Easter Basket?

How cute is this?

There is also an apron for mother and daughter.
Mommy's could have a different meaning to Daddy.
;) Oh my!

And speaking of Peeps... love 'em?

Now you can craft with your Peeps and eat them too.
A 96-page book on everything Peeps.
There are instructions how to make a wreath for your door!
"Welcome and grab a Peep on your way in".

If you go around humming -
"Pansies and pine tree and pearls - oh my!",
then these are a must have for your spring table!
Sisters unite. :)

How pretty these pansies would be on a cupcake or top of a cookie for Easter? I have crystallized my own using egg whites and superfine sugar but you basically have to grow the flowers to make certain they are organic so plan ahead or take the quick way out.

Toile Tablecloths
"Green or red"?


I can't even imagine how this works but you've got to love the design and form.

Copper Egg Steamer
"Will that be one egg or two, Madame"?

All photos link to the item's webpage at Sur la Table.

The 180 Billion Dollar K Run

This is how I felt after listening to the AIG Congressional hearings today.
I happened to turn them on before heading out. At first I could not tear myself away but there came a point I decided I could not make it to the finish line.
I am frustrated.
I am angry.
I am exhausted.
If I wasn't feeling all these things I would actually be encouraged by the non-partisan collective of those on the committee.

Recently a friend shared with me her mixed feelings about blogging of handbags when people were losing their jobs and homes with the feeling so tenuous across the country. I understood what she was saying and I had to agree somewhat. I also mentioned to her that the happiest music and the golden era of Hollywood in the 30's were born out the darkest period.

According to my parents who lived through this, people appreciated the little they that were able to have. There was more effort to dress a little nicer and when they could go out on the town it was truly special and something to celebrate. Nothing was taken for granted, not eating together as a family, not what we would consider a menial job to help out and take some of the burden off of others. Nothing. I hope we can find the strength of our parents and grandparents and be happy with less than we are used to having. Although it is easy to be discouraged with everything that is thrown at us, I hope it renews faith in both our own capabilities and resourcefulness and can awaken us at profound levels.

Along this jouney, it helps me to see pretty 'things' whether or not I can pursue or purchase them at this time. I encouraged my friend to keep blogging about colorful, bright handbags, shiny baubles and playful trinkets because it is what I intend to do.
It is hopeful.
It is happy.
It is the golden era of yet another age.

Perfect Consistency Royal Icing Recipe!

Base Royal Icing:
1 lb. Powdered Sugar (does not need to be sifted)
3 Tbl. Meringue Powder
6 Tbl. Hot Water (from tap is fine)

Adding 1/2 teaspoon of light corn syrup per batch is optional. It does give your dried icing a nice sheen but it will also yield a slight softer icing which sometimes I prefer when I'm not needing a really stiff icing for making additional decorations such as flowers. The corn syrup also gives any string work or outline string a little more elasticity which means your icing won't be as prone to breaking when making straight lines.

Make sure your bowl and whisk attachment is grease free.
Why grease free? Grease and egg whites don't mix and the whites will not rise. Give both a pre-wash if they've been sitting unused in your kitchen for awhile.

With a whisk attachment beat all the ingredients on high until fluffy.
Do not under beat. I mix for at least 8 minutes.
Put the icing immediately in a container with a tight lid to prevent it from drying out.

If I know what colors I am mixing I will divide the icing into small containers with lids or fold a wrung out paper towel to cover. The very small Glad disposables are good so you can have a lot of them ready to go and they are inexpensive. The best part is if you get tired of seeing icing and don't feel like washing at the end of your creativity, you can throw them away but I always wash mine out to reuse them.

Consistency is key!
And so easy to get it right.

Outlining Consistency ~
The above recipe is a perfect consistency for piping outlines and making icing flowers and decorations.

"Count to 10 For The Perfect Flooding Consistency"

To get the nice smooth icing you see on the cookies it needs to be thinned. Too thin and it runs down the sides of the cookies and will not coat it well. Too thick and it will just sit there and not be smooth.

Here's how to get the perfect consistency -
Count To "10".

Add water a quarter teaspoon at a time for small amounts of icing. Mix it well into the icing. Now pull up a blob of icing on your spoon or spatula and let it drop back down into the bowl. Count to 10. If the blob seems to melt and disappears back into the icing by the count of 10 it will be the perfect consistency. If you can still see remnants of the blob add a touch more water. If if melts back in too quickly then you need to add more regular icing to give it more body.

Colors:
I only use gel colors.
Powders never mix in well and pastes take time to work in. I think every company has gone over to gels now anyway. If you use colors in a jar that need you to scoop them out instead of say, squeezing a bottle, use a tooth pick to dip into the color. Do not re-use the tooth pick once it touches the icing. The color jars will last indefinitely if they are not contaminated with the icing. The color intensity will be higher for royal icing compared to adding color for cake icing. This is due to the absence of a grease base.
* It is also easier to mix the colors if you have thinned out the icing first.

YUM!

Pick your flavor...

...strawberry...


...chocolate...


... or vanilla.

Made in Spain. (Where else?)
2 1/4" in back and 3/4" up front.
Perfect proportions.

My friend and I were wistfully talking about our collection of Pappagallo espadrilles and how we missed them. We missed everything about these classic and quintessential preppy unpadded shoes - how eventually our big toe would wear through the upper canvas forcing us to buy a new pair. We even missed the Jacques Cohen's where the jute insole would make the balls of our feet raw by the end of the day and where the jute would begin to soon unravel on the stacked heal after the purchase. Good times.

Where, oh where have they gone?
Being the googling kind of gal I am, I found a fascinating article written on Andre Assous who put the Pappagallo espadrille on the map and partnered with Jacque Cohen.


Andre is still making espadrilles and wedges and is a major player in the private-label business. He sells them under other names like J. Crew and Gap and to major department stores but he prefers the independents. Jildor Shoes and Dolly Duz sell them and I found them. Click on the photos and you can find them too!

With sun-kissed summer legs and natural linen shorts paired with a simple white tee or a crisp white shirt with the cuffs turned up and accessorized with gold cuff bracelets on each wrist?
As classy and cool as is gets.

"It's A Wrap!"

Once upon a time, cupcakes were something your mother made for the PTA meeting or for the class holiday party because they were fast, easy and nothing fancy.

Cupcakes have gone upscale but even if we want them fast and easy they can be dressed up and made very pretty with just an added touch of the wrappers. I picked these up the other day.
(The colors are very vibrant but do not show this well in the light I shot them in.)

Thanks Preppy Player & "7 Things You've Ever (never) Wanted To Know About..."

Thank you Preppy Player, for the thoughtful blog acknowledgment and shout out. Since I listed my seven favorite things in a recent post, and Preppy mentioned getting to know me better, I am going to shake up the rules a bit and list seven things that only a few people might know about me. Did you know.....

1.
Why "Pink Martinis and Pearls?" Although I rarely imbibe (really), I might have a cocktail if we go out for dinner with friends. Because I am usually in the 'margarita rut' of not knowing what else to order, my mantra is...
'if it's pink, it has got to be good'.
Therefore, I will see what is on the cocktail menu that is pink and go from there. A prior post gives insight as to why I love cocktail umbrellas. Pearls are classic. They can be worn with the little black dress or tucked behind the neckline of a white tee-shirt paired with jeans. They are also my birthstone and were a wedding gift from my husband. So when I wear them they remind me of my birthday, my wedding and my marriage.

2.
I have a passion for wrapping gifts with lavish over-the-top distinction. For example, years ago before it might have been considered acceptable, I wrapped a wedding gift in black moire paper with wide magenta metallic ribbon. Daring at the time, yet a conversation piece.

3.
I rode on a Rose Parade float with a tiara and a sash, a very, very long time ago and my name was read on national TV. Family and friends in other parts of the country thought this was pretty neat stuff.

4.
I cannot listen to my boys' high school musical concerts without tearing up every single time.

5.
Every night I ask the Archangel Michael for protection while we sleep. I ask that angels be posted at every door, window and chimney. I also pray for this protection for any children should they be away from home. This is not an original idea, but I have adopted it and pass it along to you. :)

6.
Although I tend to entertain on a Martha Scale of "10" because I enjoy it, I wish I knew simple things to make for nightly dinners.
Any ideas?

7.
My all-time fantasy that I've had since the 8th grade is singing back up with James Taylor.
The mic doesn't even have to be on.

Spring Has Sprung!

All of the sudden it seemed to POP! "Mary, Mary quite contrary,
how does your garden grow?"

This is how my weekend project turned out.
My cupcake pops seemed to bloom in my garden in the early morning sun.
I added a styrofoam base placed inside this enameled flower arrangement container and topped it off with sizzle pack.

I made a gift package for my sister-in-law.
She has everything she needs to make her own cupcake pop garden.
It all fit in a 12 x 12 cake box. Pink, of course.

This ribbon made me feel the freshness and exuberance of spring.
While I was taking this picture I noticed a hummingbird's nest right above me in the tree. Two little chicks popped their heads out.
A sure sign spring has sprung!

Make it a beautiful day.
A blessed day to remember and honor you , sweet Jo.

Spreading A Little Creativity Around...

These delightful delicacies are my weekend project.
I love to bake and I look for websites that are inspiring. I have recently found one which is definitely worthy of mentioning. Angie Dudley is "Bakerella" and her blog features all her wonderful creative endeavors. The photo above is what she calls, 'cupcake pops'. Aren't they the cutest and most original? I was quickly hooked on Angie's blog and read every single one of her posts. I came to find out she has even been featured on Martha Stewart.

Here is a link to her blog site and to the video segment on the show. Angie is also a very talented photographer. As you look at her photos, it's hard to believe she is not a pro in his field too!

Bakerella - the pops are featured on her April 14, 2008 post.
Martha Stewart and Angie

"Thanks Suzi, I needed this..."

How many of us have a friend who keeps us in mind when they shop and will say, "I have found something for you that has your name all written all over it"?

Dear friend,
You are the wind beneath my Discover card.

The Month of the Other Shoe

This may be the Year of the Ox but this is the Month of the Other Shoe and from now until the beginning of April, we and countless other high school families across the nation are waiting for it to drop. Thus begins March Madness when seniors for the first time in their lives suddenly show interest in the US Postal Service.

College acceptance letters will be mailed out beginning this week and the pressure is on. It's not like they can do anything about it at this point. Application deadlines were met during the December holidays or as I called them around our house, "hostage days" since we couldn't spare any time away from the computer as deadlines approached. Novellas and resumes had to be constantly worked on and honed. The recap on this process itself could fill its own blog and empty a bottle of scotch.

The kids are nervous. Friend so-'n-so found out today. Another friend the next day. "Why haven't I heard anything yet"? "Why is there an interview for an alumni scholarship when the letter hasn't come yet"? "What does this mean"? "What does this mean?"
And this is just me asking.

The urban legend is true about the fat letter vs. the thin letter and when I grabbed the mail today, there was neither. Still nothing. I would have to deliver the news when son2 arrived home but at this point there is hope because perhaps, no news is good news. Now a days, many colleges list acceptance results on line with a disclaimer to do so in privacy. I know exactly what this means and it's brutal. When 38,000 apply for 2800 spaces, it's best to be alone when opening that webpage. So we wait. I watch the clock and listen for the familiar sound of the mail man's jeep turning the corner. I walk to the mail box with my heart in my throat. "Please let there be a fat letter......."!

I Love My Desk!

It is from the late 50's to early 60's when an executive desk made a statement in the room and dove tailing on deep drawers was the way they were made. Unfortunately, they also made them with dark wood-grained formica tops with large brass handles. A few years ago I found someone to help me take it from Mad Men (sadly, sans Don Drapper) to Rachel Ashwell. I was very pleased. The flat drawer fronts and sides were built up with moldings, the Danish Modern feet were replaced with something fun as vintage glass handles and knobs became the focal point. I wanted a work horse top so I chose a plain matching laminate.
My next step was to find a lining for the drawers. I found a lightly scented, ever-so-slightly-padded, leopard print liner that was probably for a lingerie drawer but I liked the plastic coating which would be easy to clean. I thumb tacked the corners in place in all the drawers and was ready to decorate!

My Italian tole desk lamp with an alabaster base was a find on eBay. I accompanied it with a zebra print lamp shade from Lowe's.
The frog is actually a flower frog with some holes on top but I use it as a pen holder.
You can see a corner of a desk organizer from Pottery Barn but it was loaded with junky stuff and didn't make the editor's cut!

If you've got to file the bills - better make it fun!

Polka Dot Kate Spade File Folders

Crane's Vintage Plaid File Folders
I just love sass. Don't you?

"She was comforted by the knowledge that they were helpless without her".
"I dreamed my whole desk was clear".
"More paperwork, please".

Kate Spade 1-2-3-4 Posit-It Pads
So fresh.

Crane's Zebra Silk Sticky Pad Case
Totally fun. Totally unnecessary. Yet it calls to me.
Stick it in your bag so you can leave love notes around town.

Crane's White Enamel Desk Organizer
This would be perfect for my Shabby Chic desk.
How about yours?

All photos (except desk) link to the item's webpage.