SPRING FRESH-CHANGE UP YOUR DINNERWARE!

Warmer weather is the perfect time to transform your table setting with a fresh crop of beautiful plates in sweet Spring inspired motifs!

Blue Fish

Spring greens

Nesting plates 

Evenings in Quito

Blue and white 

Painterly floral

Spring Fresh

How do you change up your table for Spring?

A ROUND UP OF PERFECT MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS

A jaunty racing stripe gives a Clare Vivier leather card case get up and go

Here's a collection of my favorite finds for Mother's Day--to give or get, we all deserve a little something special!

 Mother Always Said bracelet says it all!

Mother-daughter fun-Sailboat motif dresses  for you and your stylish mini-me.

Sparkle and Shine-Top a summer pony tail with a decorative Crystalline Hair Tie.

Beach chic Valentino Bow Thong Jelly Sandal

Pack A Picnic Champagne Box for stylish parties on the go.

 Bold and beautiful Suede and Gold cuff bracelet is the perfect summer accent

Kick it up with a Handbag and Heels sweet treat

Dashing Della Fonte Beach Bag for around town or hitting the beach. 

Happy Weekend!

BEHIND THE PRIVET-KATE SPADE IN SOUTHAMPTON

It seems appropriate that Andy and Kate Spade's summer home was formerly a boardinghouse for the William Merritt Chase's Shinnecock Hills Summer School of Art.  The design visionaries have owned this rambling Southampton home for years, a charming shingled abode which rests amid a collection of similar cottages known as the Art Village. The laid-back, bucolic setting is in stark contrast to the gated, privet lined mansions just blocks away. I always expected the Spade's home to be infused with her bold, whimsical designs. Imagine my surprise when I saw a softer side; a home swathed in delicate, romantic design. The sloped bead board walls are white washed a milky hue and the rooms are filled with vintage dressers and a curated collection of antique textiles. It all makes for a delightful departure; an artsy, nostalgic getaway "Spade style."

photos courtesy of Saunders 

GREAT HOSTESS GIFTS-TEN UNDER $25

Jewel like paper gem coasters are cocktail chic

With holiday parties in full swing, I thought I'd share with you all some of my favorite hostess gifts-they're chic, unique and best of all, they're under $25. Here's to a Cool Yule!

With a bright and colorful monogram, these stylish cocktail napkins set just the right note.

This Utopia bottle stopper is sure to put a smile on your host's face

Foodies will love to dust their favorite dish with a hint of exotic pink Himalayan salt

A beautifully packaged Claus Porto guest soap gift box makes the ultimate hostess gift

Personalize your gifting with this pretty monogrammed cheese board and spreader

A jar of truffle honey sounds almost too good to give away!

Dazzle your host with a Capri blue mercury glass candle

Sinfully delicious-who wouldn't love a box of Dulce caramel alfajores butter cookies?

A trio of nature inspired ceramic bowls make a gorgeous and thoughtful gift

What's your favorite hostess gift to give or get?

LET ME WRITE THAT DOWN

My everyday tote bag is packed with my tools of the trade: tape measure, paint deck, iphone and a bulging notebook.  While I tried for a few days to jot down notes or those fleeting flashes of inspiring ideas on my iphone, I found my clumsy fingers usually left me with a garbled mess of letters; more often than not, when I went back to my note page, I had no idea what I had written down!  Besides, I really missed my journal--a place for me to doodle, draw, daydream and write to my hearts content. I'm back to carrying my bulging tote with my journal safely tucked inside and couldn't be happier.  

"My Brilliant Ideas" Journal-How can you go wrong?

Safari Pocket Journals-perfect for a small bag

MoMA's Pantone Journal keeps you on track

Smythson's Inspiring  "Make It Happen" Journal

Have a great Monday and write on!

SIMPLE, STYLISH SUMMER TABLESCAPE

As the summer season begins to wind down, I find myself trying to squeeze in as many entertaining opportunities as possible.  Pool party lunches, BBQ dinners, even a morning coffee becomes a chance to enjoy the garden and gorgeous summer weather with friends.  I try to keep summer menus market fresh and as simple as possible, but like to be creative with my tablescape.  Classic and summer chic, you can't go wrong with a blue and white color scheme. Here's my "go-to" summer look-

 My handpainted shell and seahorse dinner plates are a summer staple-I love the whimsical designs!

Kate Spade's Sandpiper dinner plates are a fun summer option

Ruby Lane's cobalt blue water goblets bring the color of the ocean to your table

I shop local farm stands for fresh flowers; sunflowers and hydrangea, which are in abundance now, make an effortless and very pretty summer bouquet

What's your favorite summer tablescape?