A Birthday Brunch!

Last week was my oldest son, A's, 10th birthday and this weekend was my grandmother's 89th birthday. We celebrated on Sunday with a brunch at my house. I love to host parties. I admit I do not cook. My husband does. He is in the food business. He's a chef as well as. I can cook, he's just better at it. Anyway, he made a wonderful ham, my mother brought rolls and wine and my sister brought a fruit salad and of course there was cake.


This is my old A with his youngest cousin E. She is 2 and just adores him. He's really sweet with her.

This is the children's table. The three big ones are mine, the two smaller ones as my sisters.

The table setting. I love my china which is a Wedgewood pattern called Chipendale. It's only avialable now in England but I love it as much as I did when I picked it more than 15 years ago. I also love the hotel napkins from William Sonoma. They are monogramed of course!

The birthday boy and girl! A is 10 and my grandmother is celebrating her 89th! Happy Birthday to both!

The Morning Routine

Mornings are crazy in our house. I have three kids who have to be fed and get to school. A starts at 8:10 the other 2 at 8:30. I live about a 15 minute drive from the school. I get up and exercise (well I try to) and then shower and get dressed before I wake up the kids. Now I go from drop off to my office so when I say get dressed I mean the whole 9 yards inlcuding makeup and often a suit.

Anyway, the one thing I have found that makes things go as smoothly as possible is the night before preparations. I make lunches, set up the coffee pot and assemble what I call the station. That's this wall hook by my front door. Each childs backpack has a hook and their sweater/sweatshirt hangs under it. All homework and lunches and library books are in the backpack before they go to bed. At least this way some of the chaos is minimalized. Do you have a routine or a great tip? I'm always looking for ideas to improve!

Matchbook Magazine

While aimlessly trolling around on the internet I stumbled across Matchbook Magazine. It's a new online magazine launched Just this year. To visit yourself click the link here http://http://matchbookmag.com/may-we-present.php


The copy says they are a "Field Guide to a Charmed life". I love that. It sounds right up my alley.
Are you a "Matchbook Girl"? The web site describes one as follows:

The matchbook girl...
views the world through rose colored glasses • loves to throw dinner parties, but has been known to burn the roast • values eccentricity over convention • is the first to laugh at her own bad jokes • knows the cha-cha, the charleston, and the tango • paints her nails bright coral when she's feeling blue • is infinitely curious • could happily live off of red velvet cake • pens hand written notes to her grandmother • has a signature shade of lipstick • secretly thinks she may be babe paley reincarnated • received an iPAD for her birthday, but will never give up her library card • has a bucket list a mile long and dreams a dime a dozen • is smart, but never a show-off • listens to the day's forecast, but trusts her own intuition • never says no to a sunday matinee at the theater • is quick to blush, but never short of a witty reply • has a skip in her step and a twinkle in her eye • always shares her last piece of gum

This is totally me! Yes, I am a "Matchboox Girl" If you are one too, hop on over and check them out!

Think Spring! New Arrivals at Talbots

My eye was caught by this great image in an email from Talbots announcing new arrivals for Feburary. I have to say I love this skirt. It's a wonderful shape and length. I'ts called the Champ-Elyees skirt and retails for $89. It is a cotton linen blend. I think this piece is destined for my closet. I am small on top (usually a size 6) but larger on the bottom (usually size 10) with narrow shoulders and a small waist so this type of skirt is perfect for me. I would wear it both ways they show it here. With a crisp white button down and belt and also with the cashmere sweater tee and statement necklace. This could go to work with pumps and to a weekend causual event with espedrilles or flats. Considering that I was not thrilled with anything I saw in the new rollout at J Crew, I may be casting a closer eye at Talbots.

Great Giveaway at Nautical by Nature!

The great blogger behind Nautical by Nature is hosting a terrific give away for Francesca Joy Palm Beach. The hand painted bags are totally to die for! I love this one with the pink anchor. You can visit Nautical by Nature and see for your self by following this link: http://www.nauticalbynatureblog.com/

Good Luck!

Happy Birthday!

10 years ago today my beautiful baby boy AGB was born. After 3 years of ertility treatments and procedures it was an amazing day in my my. I can't believe it's been 10 years. I am amazed at the sweet, wonderful young person he is becoming. Happy birthday baby!

Kiel James Patrick

The very lovely EAS from "Let the Tide Pull you Dreams Ashore" did a post last week on Kiel James Patrick. T read her original post please follow the link. http://letthetidepullyourdreamsashore.blogspot.com/

Anyway I had never seen these put recall wearing the off white rope bracelets during the summer when I was growin up. So I went to the web site and swoon! Loved it! You can reach the web site by clicking the link here. http://https://www.kieljamespatrick.com/index.cfm

The web site describes the bracelets as follows:

"A re-creation of the timeless beachside accessory. Our Turk's Head Knot Rope nautical bracelets are braided by hand from high-quality twisted cotton cord in various weathered summer color combinations. The cotton rope used in the bracelets is made in Rhode Island, and each rope bracelet is dyed and braided at Kiel James Patrick by the designer.As kids growing up in the Cape, Kiel and his brother Tom would pick out their sailor bracelets every June. Shrinking them to their wrists under hot water, the rope bracelets would endure an entire summer of havoc and adventures. It was always a terrible moment when at the end of the summer their favorite bracelet would have to be cut off. The KJP Turk's Head Knot Rope bracelet is fastened with our signature button so that you can wear your bracelet when you want to -- and take it off when you need to. "

They have really cute things in all sorts of patterns and even in headbands!

I ordered this cool red one called Narragansett Lifeguard Chairs for my son A who is turning 10 this week. Red is his favorite color. I totally wanted to order a ton of other stuff and likely will order a hearband or two for my daughter and maybe a bracelet for her and my other son after I see how A likes his.

What do you think? I thought these were really cool and they would make a really unique gift.