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Monthly Archives: June 2018

A Garden Walk

Today was a first for me..I went on the Rye Garden Club’s Garden Walk.  It was amazing!!!  I have always been into interiors so naturally House Tours are right up my alley.  I love flowers and filling my ceramic pots but the adornment for my outdoors ends there.  I plant a few things each year but I have no talent in the horticultural arena!!!!  Well, I cannot begin to tell you the splendor we witnessed today.  Every home that was showcased had an owner whose passion was landscape design and gardening.  And boy it showed……I am making this event a must do every year…….You have to see for yourself!!!!!

There was a definite uniform for this special day, think cute flats, adorable dresses & tops and fashionable straw hats…

This double arch side garden was breathtaking!!!


Most of the homes had gorgeous stone patios.  Notice the marble dolphin console, dark wicker love seat and the Asian garden stools…perfection!

The Koi ponds sighhhhhh….the most incredible I have ever seen…with fountains too!

How cute are my friends waiting for me to get my photos but this arch really was amazing!!!  Perfect for a photo op.

This was a contained Blueberry Garden!!
 This was the most magnificently impressive vegetable garden, I have ever seen, I swear there were about 5 types of lettuces growing!!!

 There are just no words to how regal this looked in person!

We all loved these garden statues!!

I just fell in love with this look…in person, it was just incredible…

The view was one of the best I have seen in this area..someone commented that from certain angles and with the majestic garden decor she felt like she was in Lake Cuomo!!!

I am in awe of the Purple Balls of Allium.  Everyone could not stop oohhhing and ahhhing!!!!
This porch had the most amazing, largest ferns all around…and you cannot see, but on the console inside were the most gorgeous Wooden asian looking trees flanking each side….Divine!!!!!

This weathered iron chair is just the BEST!!!!

There was just something so perfect about this pool house!!
This sprawling lawn was incredible..I have never seen such a majestic line up of trees!!!  You REALLY needed to see this in person……

And, still, with a lot to be desired, I was able to bring home some beauty of the garden walk with me….a gorgeous ceramic cobalt container garden designed by the “Garden Guru”, Kent Russell himself!!!..A least it’s a start….

The Band’s Visit

Did you watch the Tony’s last night…well then you might have seen that The Band’s Visit won 10 AWARDS, including Best Musical, Best Actress and Best Actor in a Musical!!!!!  I have to tell you that after the Tony Awards were over last night I was frantically testing (at 12:30 am) to try to get us tickets…And HURRAH!!!!   I just received word from the box office that we have orchestra tickets for Wednesday, September 5th for $130.  Please email to reserve your spot!!

Spend an evening in the company of unforgettable strangers at the award-winning musical, The Band’s Visit — “the best reviewed new musical of the season” (The New York Times). It rejoices in the way music brings us to life, brings us to laughter, brings us to tears, and ultimately, brings us together.

In The Band’s Visit, Dina, a café owner in an Israeli desert town, had long resigned her desires for romance to daydreaming about exotic films and music from her youth. When a band of Egyptian musicians show up lost at her café, she and her fellow locals take them in for the night. As their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, this once sleepy town begins to wake up.







Fathers Day Gift Guide

OK..I cannot believe it is actually going to be Father’s Day next weekend….geezzzeeee this year is flying…I have a great selection of gifts for all of your hubbies, dads, uncles, brothers, friends, whomever you want to celebrate on this special day!!!

Hands Down the Best gift for dad. I have bought it so many times over the years for gifts!

An amazing and interesting book Dad will not put down…everyone is getting this from us this year!!! My own dad cannot wait to read it!!

I bought this brilliant item for my husband for Christmas and it is too good not to include as a great father’s day gift!!

Honestly if you told me in college that a power cord would be one of the best gifts to receive , I would never have believed it. However, I saw someone with this in an airport and I HAD to get one…I know dad would LOVE it too!!!!

This is just brilliant…enough said….overall perfection!!!!

Another thing that is coming into our home this father’s day!

No words necessary!!!!!

I saw a version of this on a local house tour and though it was the coolest thing!!!! Dad would love this on his desk or bar.

White Bean Party Dip With Pita

I recently found this White Bean Party Dip recipe on Pinterest.  It is perfect to serve at BBQ’s, picnic nights, boat outings, everything on your calendar this summer.  I love that it is an out of the box alternative to hummus, and guac.  You should def try it next time rather than reaching for chips and salsa!!!

image food network

1 can (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil, plus 4 tablespoons
1/4 cup (loosely packed) fresh Italian parsley leaves
salt
freshly ground black pepper
6 pitas
1 teaspoon dried oregano

Preheat over to 450 degrees
Place the beans, garlic, lemon juice, 1/3 olive oil, and parsley in the work bowl of the food processor.  Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Transfer the bean puree to a small bowl.  

Cut each pita in half and then into 8 wedges. Arrange the pita wedges on a large baking sheet.  Pour the remaining oil over the pitas. Toss and spread out the wedges evenly. Sprinkle with oregano, salt and pepper. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until toasted.

Serve the pita wedges warm or room temperature next to the bean dip.
adapted from food network

Outdoor Entertaining

For the past couple of weeks, I have been working with Patdo Light Studio and designer Debra Konner on a patio redesign.  After visiting the Patdo showroom, recently, and seeing all they have to offer, and knowing that I had this project on the books, I decided to bring Mari Lou of Patdo on board. She works with Debbie, a local interior designer, whose projects include impressive properties all along the east and west coast, AND VOILA, our dream team was born.  I love the color turquoise and knew I wanted to use it as one of the focal points for the decor.  I really enjoyed working with Mari Lou and Debbie.  Their expertise really transformed and pulled the space together.  Here are the end results.  I will try to source as many of the pieces below.


On a separate note, I really have to thank the incredible Debbie for all of the vignettes below.  Her vision is fabulous.  She was able to take so many of the things I already own and incorporate a few things she bought and the finished product was simply breathtaking.  I cannot tell you how happy I am that I met Debbie.  We are working on my dining room next…OMG!!!  Stay tuned.  If you are thinking of starting any home decor products, I would consider, EMAILING Debbie right away!!!!!!!


Sooooooo here we gooooooooo……


The black iron lanterns were from HB Home a few years ago. The Foo Dogs and Buddha are Vintage.  The oval chairs were a great find!!!!!!!!  The turquoise pillows are from Home Goods. I bought the garden stools last year but HERE are a similar style.  The soda can holder came from Roberta Roller Rabbit.  I am running there tomrorow to get another!!!


This adorable conversation table and chair set are available here!!!!  The glasses are vintage.  I made the straw CC bag.  The adorable sun hat is from Whole Foods!!  The best bug repellent is from Nantucket Spider!!!!  And, who can not live without all the latest fashion magazines????!?!?!?!?!?



The metal garden stools are from Joss and Main.  The Veuve Cliquot glasses and ice bucket are from ebay and are channeling Aspen’s Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro!!!  The Mongolian Fur pillows were from Dovecote in Westport and I use my Le Creuset, on my outdoor burner to cook corn and other sides along my grill.


Oh..the pomegranate tree is from Whole Foods!!! And the turquoise milk glass candy dish is vintage.



The Foo Dogs are from Dovecote in Westport.  My friend Alicia used her lined revere bowls at our book club lunch and she inspired me.  I ordered THESE from Amazon and put clementines in one for the centerpiece.  Here are the dinnerware and bowls.  The turquoise silverware, glasses and all placemats are from Homegoods.  The incredible LED table lights are from Patdo.  I am in LOVE and all the info is in the next few photos!!!!!!




This orange LED battery operated lamp is adorable.   I love this one next to the grill and I also got a pink one for my daughter’s nightstand.  It makes a great reading lamp and perfect for a dorm room too.   These lamps come in a bunch of colors….EMAIL Mari Lou for more information and special pricing for NS Lifestyles Readers!!!





Here are my favorite items on the entire Patio.  Everyone needs these cordless battery operated LED lights.  They come in white and stainless.  They are so affordable and are perfect by your grill, on your outdoor dining table, steps, front walk, boat, anywhere where you need a little chic lighting!!!!  EMAIL Mari Lou for more information and your special pricing.  I use 4 on my dining table, 3 here on my grill and a few more scattered throughout my seating area.  They are that FABULOUS!!!!!



I am in LOVE with this European dome light..it is the chicest thing ever!!!!!   I like to move it around my patio all night long because it looks incredible EVERYWHERE!!! Mari Lou can also help with this special item.




Here is another favorite, these LED cordless pendants that I have hung in my trees.  I am so in love that 2 is def not enough.  I have a few more on my wish list.  They come on a long rubber loop that you can just loop around so many places and they stay perfectly in place all day and night long.  Mari Lou just got another shipment of these but HURRY they go fast!!!


Here is a better view of the lights at night!!!


How amazing do the table lights look..I told you they were a must!!!!



Sorry…I love them all so much I had to show you again!!!


And again……..


Now time to roast the marshmallows and enjoy with my talented ladies!!!! One last thing, the outdoor poufs are available HERE


The Station House

I have been sooo busy this month with restaurant reviews and here is yet another WINNER!!!  I had been hearing about the Station House at the Port Chester train station.  The word on the street is that I had to try the amazing pizzas.  So when I was invited to a press dinner…I knew I HAD to go.  The Station House is owned by the same restaurant group of the Rye House in Manhattan and Port Chester and the uber popular outdoor Beer Garden in Port Chester.   The menu is awesome. The pizzas crust contains less than 1% yeast and undergo a 24 hour fermentation process which provides a more natural and complex flavor…It is AWESOME…the meatballs, roasted oysters and whipped ricotta are also incredible.  Now YOU have to GO!!  Trust me, you will not be disappointed!!!!