two less

• Today marks the first day with two less humans in our home.  There will be lots of two less moments.
• Two less chairs at the table
• Two less un made beds
• Two less bowls at breakfast
• Two off to college
• Two less to tuck in at night.

double dutch

You just might want to think twice next time you play double dutch.

A pair of mirrors hung side by side adds such strength to any home.

A pair of lamps.

A pair of book ends.

A pair of chairs.

A pair of socks.

A pair of twin beds.

Tell me what sort of pair would cause you to jump up and do a double take?

image from pinterest

social graces

My thoughts turn to items that would enhance one's social graces.

I have already spotted a few items that are on my "must have" list.

"Draper" table (above) here

New "Classy" book here

Lovely party frocks here

"Catering" list from here

"Great Bourbon" here

Building a responsible "nest" here

(listen here) to Hosting a dinner party by Laura Fraser, the author of "All Over The Map."

Wishing this graced my life 18 years ago - a chic clutch for Modern Motherhood.

Care to share any new items or tips that have graced your social diary?

stacked

Growing up one of seven and having three brothers added to the joy of increasing my vocabulary and not all of the words involved choice words. My very own daughter is learning some interesting words from her big brothers. So, here you have it, my "stacked" stone for the new addition.

The open door is the entry to my studio. We are aiming to be complete by mid October.

Above my studio window, there will be an arbor built to trellis a climber, a rose or some sort of blossoming flower. While we are a mere stone's throw from our completion of this project, I truly cannot wait to get to work! Thanks to each of you who are waiting for work. We take the next twin to his college this Thursday. Things are stacked in my favor for some assemblance of normalcy soon with the new school year upon us and a new home addition to settle into!

hurricane Irene power

We are riding out the storm with power.

My heart goes out to many who are without power.

Loving these stylish hurricane lights.

Found these hurricanes via Martha Stewart.

A classic vintage hurrican lantern is timeless.

A collection of driftwood to make one's very own hurricane lights.

Love these modern hurricanes.

Hope each of you are riding out the storm in style and with power.

packing it up

Packing it all up to take one son off to college for his freshman year. Seriously folks, I do not remember taking so much stuff. Today, there are cell phones, lap tops, mini fridges, and all the creature comforts to keep one in the loop. Nope, I was not born in the dark ages, but it will be a busy two weeks before I see the light. Did I mention, we are still kitchenless and the renovation is progressing. Excuse my absence but I shall be back in September.

sunday shelf - collecting

Gathering and collecting and then displaying one's pretties is truly and art to admire.

Take a look at this wonderful kitchen over here designed by Alice Lane. You will be amazed at the before and after. Sunday brunch must be fun here!

beach birthday

Wishing "Summer is a verb" a beachy keen birthday!

We all know how much Allie would love a 5 mile run and then a party on the beach.

top image source

bottom vintage beach photo

ratatouille's ratatouille

My husband spent many years living in the South of France and learned to make a mean ratatouille. There are a few versions, but one really just needs, garlic, onion, olive oil, eggplants, pepper, squash and zuchini and some herbs. Eating a diet which consists of good fats and veggies is part of eating a meditteranean diet which has many positive health benefits.

Do you prepare ratatouille?

You must try smitten kitchen's ratatouille's ratatouille. rat-tat-too-ee-for-you!

Enjoy with a piece of fresh fish and a glass of French wine.

pve design illustration for sheridan road mag.

eye poppin

It's that time of year. Time for some snappy new school supplies as we are about to start a brand new school year.

No matter how old I am, I still get a charge out of eye poppin supplies.

Suddenly, a brand new tape dispenser or a new sunny notebook makes learning more fun!

A white clip board certainly looks perfect for a poppin fresh start.

floored

I knew that I wanted concrete floors for my art studio and I am so thrilled with my new floors. I shall be sharing images as we get closer to my studio being finished. The concrete flooring finishers were reluctant to take on a residential project as most of the work they do is commercial. Given the many choices, I am so pleased that I stuck with my original concept and am floored with my new polished concrete floors. If you are in the market for polished concrete floors, I am happy to share my source.

image source

invites

A bit of Fall is in the air as we prepare for back to school events and the invites begin to roll in for Autumnal parties and benefits. The above illustration for Sheridan Road Magazine shows a stack of invites and r.s.v.p's falling into place.

I have been noticing some pretty metallic golds, and richly hued envelopes. I just love pretty invites for Soirees. Next time you are preparing to host a party, think of the envelope or a custom hand illustrated invite. Happy to design one for you and your invite!

white load

"Let's go see the colors on the wall" - I exclaimed to my daughter.

To which she replied, "But, what's to see?" They are all white.

Yes, clever, cunning whites freshly painted on my walls.

Fresh buckets of white akin to an all white load of laundry.

While I have had my fair share of living with color, I am now taking a breather and welcoming all white, simply white, snow white, intense white, super white, and snow white, moonlight white.

Has this ever happened to you? Were you a color devotee and then you changed to all white environ or have you always lived in all white?

We will see how long I can live with the new white environs once we are settled in.

For now, I am off to toss in another white load.

flip-flopped

The Summer is all about flip-flops and the TKees flip flops are my go to thong. A range of cosmetic colors, from foundation, lipstick red, blush to patent leather white or earthy suede.

They feel just as feminine as a ballet slipper and as delicate too.

Do you have a favorite flip flop?

mod-craft

A client called to ask for my design assistance with tile selection for her back splash in her kitchen and I am so excited over mod-craft. I happened upon this site in my search.

They are out of Beacon, New York.

hand crafted tile

hand crafted porcelain light fixtures.

I love when I find neat things for clients and for myself too.

just in case

About a week ago, when I happened to be checking my e-mail in box - this photo of this attache case monogrammed with a PVE came to me from Janet at The Gardener's Cottage.

I love the patina of this type of leather.

It only seems to get better over time.

This case would have come in handy to carry and store my lap top yesterday.

When the back hatch of my car was opened, my lap top fell out and now has a nice dent on the corner. I wonder if lap tops will ever be designed to age with a patina over time or will we always be thinking of the next better, faster, newer model is an automatic given.

As my thoughts turn to Autumn and packing up my twins for college, I also think of carmel colored leathers and back-to-school bags that will stand the test of time.

Just in case you have a horse, this one remind's me of a vintage saddle.

Do you carry your lap top in a case?

bottom image, source

novel exchange

While walking in the villiage of Southampton late yesterday afternoon in pursuit of a needle and thread to hem my new Kayce Hughes dress which has a definite air of graciousness. I popped in to a book seller to inquire about this book which is flying off the shelves. Could it have anything to do with our respect for elevating rules of civility during trying times?

Amor Towles debut novel "Rules of Civility."

My plan is to pour a wee martini after 5 and crank up the victrola and listen to some Billie Holiday and devour this book. Interested to know if anyone has read this yet?

port winsor style

Spending a few days out in The Hamptons and wishing I had one of the latest tunics from Port Winsor Style which just launched today! I am delighted to share with you some new artwork for Port Winsor style.

Take a look and tell me what your favorite tunic is on the new Port Winsor Style web site.

Best wishes to Port Winsor and thank-you to Katie and Lindsay.

I appreciate your patience with me in getting the final artwork to you.

This summer has been a doozy with the home renovation, no kitchen and then preparing to deliver our twins to their respective Universities.

Perhaps wearing a tunic will keep me looking calm and pulled together during this time.

I am off to order one for myself now!

green and white

No secret that I do love the color green and white.

I am selecting the paint colors for our new addition.

Something lush about living with fresh green...

and lots of white.

Simply white has a quiet air of sophistication.

I am out to gather and bring home some fresh green and white paint colors and maybe some cuttings for added freshness.

images john gruen

wifestyle

My dear friend Mindy Lockard, etiquette consultant ever so graciously asked if I would mind to share with my readers about the up and coming premier event -"The Wifestyle Conference."

"The WifeStyle Conference embraces contemporary living for the modern domestic, regardless of marital status. The premier event in New York City will inspire and encourage participants to find and create their personal WifeStyle through hands on instruction from industry experts."

Take a look around and sign up for The Wifestyle Conference.

September 15, 16, 17

What event will you sign up for?

Will I see you there?

Congrats to Anya who was randomly selected, won the ramsign giveaway!

black beluga

Black Beluga lentils are just as beautiful as they are healthy for you. Today, I am off to

Trader Joes to pick up some black beluga lentils to make this delicious salad.

After sharing a plate with my sister at Longman and Eagle, leaving me inspired to incorporate more legumes into my diet

Try making this salad found here.

There is still time to leave a comment to enter the Ramsign Giveaway.

Leave a comment here to be added to the pool.

Enjoy your Sunday.

ramsign giveaway

2 be

or not 2 be

2 be on the fence or on the house

a lovely sign for your home all the way from Denmark

1,2,3,4 or 5 numbers on a sign for your home

I am pleased to offer a giveaway! I was recently contacted by Ramsign and they would like to giveaway one of their beautiful, handcrafted, porcelain, enamel house number signs to one of my blog readers. All you have to do is leave a comment (by Sunday night) and tell me what sign you would like to win. You may choose up to 5 letters and the winner shall be selected and posted on Monday. There is nothing better than finding a house number after a long journey. No matter where you live, house numbers really do add a special sign to all who enter. If you are already a follower of my blog, thank-you! If not, please follow me.