Ooohhh La La!

Image via Tommy Hilfiger

The Monster and I decided to go on a little road trip...I know you know those ones..not too far but far enough to have a sleep over..Anyhoo...this is a very very important trip as we get to see our California girls...There are 3 to be exact..My beautiful Sis-in-Law, and 2 super gorgeous nieces..One of the huge bonuses...Sis-in Law is French so I know we will be eating so amazingly well..In fact, I know that there will be some fabulous stinky cheese in my future..

As for the Birthday Trio (all 3 cousins have June bdays),
They will be doing a whole lot of swimming in my parents pool..

Image by Chocolate Creative Design

And even more of this for the next 2 days..
The Monster couldn't be happier...

Image by Chocolate Creative Design

and either could I..
I foresee a lot of sparkle, retelling of funny stories about my brother and giggling till all hours!

Vive La France!!

Chocolate Therapy #31

 

Image found via imgfave

Tuesday Typeface....Animals...

 Animal Alphabet created by Lottie Pencheon

a little glitter to start your week....

 

 Beekeeper blouse by Anthropologie

Happy Weekend!!!!!

Image Chocolate Creative Design

Happy Weekend Everyone!!!

I have to say, it truly has been one of the most fantabulous weeks!!

Despite a lingering cold and some dreary weather..

I had the opportunity to watch Miss Adrienne O'Conner of Ruffles and Tweed, coordinate and design one of the most flawless weddings EVER at Island Farm. Then, witness the Monster become a third grader overnight. Finally, ending the week with his Dragon Birthday party filled with 14 kiddos, 14 swords, a treasure hunt, Rat Guts mini pies and a seriously gooey chocolate chocolate castle cake.

With that being said , I feel as though I have been on GO for the past 2 weeks. Therefore, I am thrilled to finally be able to kick off my flip flops and put my tired old feet up on some fluffy pillows this weekend.

I dare say, I am a bit jealous as the Boys get to head up to the Green Mountains this weekend. I am sure there will be canoeing, fishing and campfires with marshmallows in their future.

On the other hand...I do get to have a little R & R all by myself, work on a 2 lovely couples invites, re-do the studio and spend some quality time with the ever fabulous Housewives of Stonington.

I will miss them dearly..

 

 Image Chocolate Creative Design

But just knowing that my first born 

(with a tail and a mere 77 years old) will be doing just this..

makes me the happiest Mom ever..

Stay Safe, Get Outside and Have a Great Weekend!!!

Chocolate Therapy #30

Image found via The Big Harumph on Etsy

Tuesday Typeface....Lite Brite...

Letters in Light Alphabet created by Arthur Leonov

First Day of Summer.....

Image by Thayer Allyson Gowdy

First day of Summer!!!!

Yipeeeeee!!!!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

The post might be a bit delayed but the Monster and I were super duper deliciously lucky to be able to spend the day with our Dads...

What an absolutely gorgeous day it was here in the Northeast.

The Tall One was looking past me seeing if there were any Stripers to be found, The Monster figuring out which giant rock formation he hadn't scaled yet and Pop-Pop...well Pop-Pop was just beaming, like any proud parent, because he was able to spend the day with the people he loves most... 

Poor Pop-Pop...Looks like in a few more Father's Days that he might be looking into the eyes of the Monster... 

Sooo...Happy Day to all the Fathers out there...

Thank you for not only giving us a glorious Summer day but 

for being the sunshine that brightens up our lives!

a little glitter to start the week......

Yummy!!!!

Juicy Couture Duchess Glitter Wedges

Happy Weekend!!!!!

Image by Adrienne O'Connor

Happy Weekend Everyone!!!

This was certainly one of those weeks that not even the turkeys could get me down...

Starting with the Monster's birthday and ending with the "Sperry Boys" putting up a tent at the Island (For those of you who don't know the "Sperry Boys"...two words..Abercrombie & Fitch)

Anyhooo, I am super duper deliciously excited to pass the torch to the most loveliest of lovelies, Miss Adrienne O'Connor of Ruffles & Tweed, who might I add, will be coordinating and designing a fantastic wedding on the Island this weekend. 

Even after 11 years, whenever I see the tent go up..it still gives me goosebumps...especially on Thursday which was the most glorious of days. It will forever remind me of my wedding and the exhilaration of a brand new life with the Tall One.

This time, I get to soak it all in without all those crazy details dancing in my head as I get to assist Miss Adrienne on her amazing adventure this weekend..

Stay Safe, Dance a Little Non-Rain Dance for Us and 

Have a Great Weekend!!!

Food for thought...

Sooo...Right now, I am in the process of planning the Monster's Birthday Party, but I couldn't resist sharing a few of the super delish, overly creative food items that I have found while scouring the internet!

I am in absolute love with Diamonds for Dessert and her fabulous Monster Cookies... 

It is possible to get healthy as long as you think outside the box...

 The Garden Octopus

 An Apple Pie Pirate Ship

 A Watermelon Turtle

A Very Scary Watermelon Shark

 

 The Tentacle Pot Pie

 So many to choose from...soo little time...

Chocolate Therapy #29

Image found via Hey Amber Rae
One of THE most important lessons that I have learned thus far!!

Now We Are 8........

Image by Chocolate Creative Design

Now we are 8...

You have lost 7 teeth. We can wear the same size socks. You can read,write,add and subtract. You are too heavy to carry to bed. You are only 1 foot shorter than I. You are faster, stronger and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

But you still hold my hand, tell me that I am the best mom ever, and snuggle with me every night.

So I guess...

That is why 8 is still so great...

Happy Birthday my sweet Monster, the light of my life and the

one who will forever make me want to be a better person..

I love you..a bushel and a peck.

Now lets eat some chocolate cake!

Tuesday Typeface......Monsters..

A Monster Alphabet for the Monster on his Birthday!!

Created by Madi

a little glitter to start your week.....

Seed Beaded Hoop Earring from Forever 21
A HUGE thanks to Miss Heidi for letting me wear them Friday night. 
I definitely felt extra sparkly!

Happy Weekend!!!

 Image found via Blomsterverkstad

Happy Weekend Everyone!!!

Wow....What a week!!
All week, my dear friend Heidi and I have been busy as bees creating an imaginary world for a fabulous photo shoot at my favorite spot in the world, Island Farm.

With that being said...I have sadly neglected my own garden..

Sooo...back to reality with a bit of digging in the the dirt will certainly keep the Monster, the Tall One and I very very busy this weekend.

Luckily for me..My beautiful town is playing host to a weekend full of flowers and gardens.

Tonight, Heidi and I get to head over to the opening of a new florist in town, Verdant, which is conveniently located at the
Velvet Mill directly below my studio.

Then..as if it couldn't get any better..Saturday and Sunday is the annual Gardens by the Sea tour hosted by the Stonington Garden Club. This is certainly not an event to be missed...Beautiful homes by the sea with some the most gorgeous gardens in the State.

I can already foresee a much needed manicure/pedicure on Monday!!

Stay Safe,Get Outside and Have a Great Weekend!!!

Dueling Designers...Part Douze..

 

Image by Caroline Tran

I know it's been awhile, but the Dueling Designers are finally back!!

Over the past few weeks, I have been watching a parade of boats drive by my house ready to be put into the water for the summer season. I know the Tall One has been itching as I just so happened to have married a sailor.

So this time, I couldn't resist choosing Nautical as a theme and good ole Pantone #534C as our primary color. To mix things up a bit, I changed the rules so that we each could choose our own secondary colors.

The Lovely Miss Amy Graver choose a delicious collection of stripes (how could anyone resist James Dean?)and added a pop of cherry red which just so happens to be her signature color.

For me..it was simple...I choose the two colors that I have been completely obsessing over lately...orange and turquoise. 

So close your eyes, hear the gentle lapping of the waves against the hull, smell and taste the salt air on your lips feel a touch of sun on your back..

Elements Design

Row one: Navy and yellow fashion: Anchor brew: Striped sail ::

Row two: Anchor stationery: Poster

 White canvas chair with nautical striped throw ::

Row three: Anchor mug: Anchor tee:

 Row Four: Navy or red canvas wedge : Sailor dress : James Dean ::

Chocolate Creative Design

Top: Poster by Little Types, Rope Earrings by Michelle Lane, 

Boat Image by Kyraart

Middle: Jacket by Debenhams, Poster by Little Minch Art, 

Shoes by Tabitha Simmons

Bottom: Wallpaper by Mini Moderns, Dress by Topshop, 

Pillows by West Elm

Chocolate Therapy #28

Image Found via Catching Fireflies

Today I get to do what I love.....

Can't wait to share!!!

Tuesday Typeface....I Scream for Ice Cream.....

 Ice cream alphabet created by Toby & Pete

a little glitter to start your week.....

Super deliciously cute...

Jeffery Campbell Esmerald Glitter Sandal

Happy Weekend!!!!!

 Image by Life Through the lens

Happy Weekend Everyone!!!

Is it really that time again? Seriously??? Don't get me wrong..I am a true blue spring and summer girl...it's just the swimsuit part that I could honestly live without....Promises made to myself over the winter seem to never turn out the way that I had hoped.. Officially, I have
2 1/2 weeks till summer...there is always hope ...right?

Image found via Brabourne Farm
Maybe painting and planting some pots will get those arms in shape...

Image by Ben Scull

Or maybe it's just simply about letting go, getting over my fears and not wasting a single, solitary moment having fun with the Monster..

Stay Safe, Get the Heck Outdoors and have a Great Weekend!!

Painted Ponies....

What is it about carousels that make us feel like a kid again?

Is it the freedom to choose your own horse with the most luxurious mane? Is it the thrill of just flying through the air holding on tight and just letting go of our fears? Or maybe it's the excitement of being THE one to grab the brass ring and the joy of a wooden nickel in your pocket granting you a free ride...

Perusing through my daily dose of Anthropologie, these carousel dessert plates allowed all those wonderful memories to come flooding back....

Throughout my lifetime, I have been lucky enough to have ridden many many fabulous carousels, but by far my favorite has to be the Flying Horses in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Feet dangling, overlooking the water on your very own Peagasus with it's real horse hair mane and salt air rushing past your face....nothing can compare. Maybe it's the fact that every time I take the Monster, it makes me think that it was possible that the Tall One and I could have been riding the horses at the very same time..

Such a hopeless romantic..

But it does fill my heart with joy to watch him ride the same horses that we did as children. Thanks to the Watch Hill Library and Improvement Society, they have lovingly preserved the oldest Flying Horses Carousel in the Country. 

Top that with a lobster roll from Bay Street Deli, a homemade ice cream cone from St. Clairs, a pocketful of wooden coins and you have the makings for a perfect day.

Chocolate Therapy #27

 

Created by Lim Heng Swee

I am dreaming there will be no rain today...

Bunny Bunny..Rabbit Rabbit...