friday focus

It's friday.  Take time to focus today.  How was your week?  Our new sofa's arrived and we love them.

Our living room was paneled and this past summer, we had all the dark and dated 1950's paneling removed, re-insulated and new walls went up, floors re-finished and marble replaced the brick fireplace.  As most renovations go, things took a little longer but in the end, it is always worth it.  We still have blinds to install and a rug to be delivered.  We now have a room to gather, to share and to find focus in a busy world.

This evening we will light our first fire and focus on all the goodness around us.  Have a wonderful weekend.  Happy friday.

sea change

 What a treat to share a delicious tray of oysters from CRU, Nantucket's Premier Oyster Bar.

I love artfully created spaces.

Especially one's near water.

They are treasures.

Even powdering one's nose is a delight, nautical navy tile, sail cloth receptacles for hand towels.

Shells artfully hung.  Elements of the sea are refreshed and purified.

There seems to be a profound sea of change going on in some posh sea side spots. 

 Having had the pleasure of dining on oysters and one the best fish sandwiches ever, certainly made for a notable meal as well as the artfully designed Cru in Nantucket by the firm of Gauthier Stacy.  Nautical sails hung from the ceiling, canvas chairs, brass accents, wood, white and clusters of glass pod fixtures all gathered to create a positively chic spot.  Long are the days of seaside shanteys and only fried fisherman's platters served in plastic baskets.

I am always inspired by change which is refreshing, artful and simple.  What sort of change has inspired you this summer?

artful lunch

 The only stipulation was that my artfully prepared lunch be vegetarian.  No meat, however cheese would be welcomed so with that in mind, a roasted napoleon of beets, sweet potatoes, goat cheese was on the menu.

The anticipation of their arrival brought me right on time to the train station to fetch these fine women.
Our plans had been arranged months in advance to let me know that they would be traveling to New York from their respective homes, Carol from Toronto and Michelle from Vancouver.  It is always nice to have special treats to look forward to.  Special visitors deserve special cuisine.  They came bearing the most lovely flowers, bubbly and house gifts which deserve an entire post.

 I believe in letting your guests work for their lunch so they assembled these sweet stacks and then I topped with sauteed beet greens and roasted pine nuts,  drizzled with truffle oil.  Accompanied with a flute of bubbly and enjoyed with my wedding sterling.  This was followed by a fresh green salad and then some fresh berries with kefir.  I do believe in living and enjoying an artful life.  Dining at home is so much more relaxing and intimate.

Go here if you would like to see Carol's post.  I am so delighted they took the time to make the trip and sharing The Historic Home, "Sunnyside" of Washington Irving was a treat.  Thank-you to Carol and to Michelle for coming to visit and for your down-to-earth friendship.  I think I need to visit Canada next.

pinterest and design

Are you pinning?  Do you know about pinterest.

Read these five things about pinterest here.

 Pinterest allows one so much creative license to express ones self by pinning images onto a category of visual boards.

They no longer need to be filed away in a drawer taking up space.

Trust me, everyone has images that they collect, perhaps for planting a seed or for sprouting an idea.
It could be a recipe or something motivational.

Gardening happens to be a huge category these days.

Decor, lifestyle, art, creating and inspiring others is all part of what fuels my passion for life.

I am not alone.

I had the pleasure of attending a small intimate setting at Crush in Larchmont, NY to hear Jennifer Mehditash speak about the benefits of pinterest and design.

Jennifer has a passion for life, design and interiors and blogging too.

Thank-you Jennifer for sharing your expertise and your enthusiasm for life and design and the ways that social media can be a such a great support for one's image.

Do you pin?

What are you pinning now?

Care to follow my pinterest boards, click over here.