IMG_0726, originally uploaded by Boston Flounder.
I’m off to Nantucket Stroll this weekend! Can’t wait to see old friends and celebrate the holidays!
December 2, 2009
Cheese Clock
My friend Charles over at The Taste of Oregon found this amazing “Cheese Clock” by Artisanal and I had to share. It’s so fun! Basically, you start at 6 o’clock and work your way around tasting different cheeses paired with beer or wine. The “clock” guides you as to which kinds of cheeses, wine and beer you should select to make the perfect tasting plate.
To make it even more user-friendly, the Artisanal website allows you to scroll over the clock and find cheeses that match each of the categories. You can then purchase a pre-selected flight, or you can pick your own. Brilliant!
December 2, 2009
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!
Love this idea from West Elm (via you are my fave)!
December 1, 2009
Happy Holidays!
I just spent the last week totally off the grid – no computer, email, phone, TV, etc., and it was totally fabulous! A much needed break from reality! Now I’m back and totally inundated by Christmas all around me (how on earth can it possibly be December already?!). Guess it’s time to embrace and enjoy it!
In the coming weeks I’ll share my favorite gift ideas, but today I’d like to share my favorite gift wrapping ideas this season. They’re both from a great article in Country Living. It totally makes you stop and think about what an impact some thoughtful gift wrap can make!
November 19, 2009
Another Fabulous, Teeny-Tiny Apartment
As you all know by now I love small, beautifully decorated spaces. I think this apartment is Goteborg is particularly special because of the white floors and the beautiful windows – it makes the space looks enormous. Makes living in a 500 square foot apartment look easy!
November 18, 2009
Elderflower Love
I’m suddenly obsessed with Elderflower after trying St. Germain at the food festival last month. I was SO excited when I came across a post about this bubbly Edlerflower beverage from Belvoir Fruit Farms. If only I could find a distributor in the US! Isn’t the label fabulous?! I LOVE the calligraphy!
November 17, 2009
Virtual Vacation: Wellness Retreat
Sunday was my first day off in three weeks – I’m in desperate need of a real break! All weekend I researched wellness retreats with yoga classes, spa facilities and sunshine, and right now I have two favorites on my list: Maya Tulum and The Standard in Miami. I’m on a budget and both of these resorts offer very reasonable rates with great facilities and amenities.
Maya Tulum was recommended by a friend a few years back. It’s situated on the beach in Mexico just south of Cancun. Their Mind-Body-Spirit package offers a seven-night stay in a beach front room with all meals, two spa days, two half-day adventure tours, two yoga sessions a day and airport transfers for $1578 (based on double occupancy during the high season. $2226 for single occupancy).
The Standard in Miami is probably not the first place you’d think to run away for a spa retreat, but I’m totally impressed after my research. You can book massages, acupuncture, Chinese herbal baths and restorative mind-body therapies, or enjoy their steam room, Cedar sauna, Roman waterfall hot tub or mud lounge at your leisure. Depending on when you travel rooms start about $239 a night, a 75 minute massage is $150 and a yoga class will set you back $17.
Maya Tulum is definitely a better deal for the money, but for a quick three-day getaway, The Standard looks pretty fabulous! Here are a bunch of other great ideas from Whole Living.
November 16, 2009
Russell & MacKenna
This year I’ve had the great pleasure of getting to know the crew over at Russell & MacKenna furniture. Not only do they make absolutely beautiful, hand-made furniture (here in the US!), they’re also wonderful people! This week they’ve profiled me on their website and I feel truly honored. Some of my favorites from their collection are below – be sure to check out their site!
November 15, 2009
$20 Chalkboard Paint Project
A few weeks ago my roommate asked, “Do you really want a chalkboard wall? We have the perfect wall – it would be easy.” And so we motivated. We bought some spackle and a can of Benjamin Moore chalkboard paint for $20. Here is the before, during and after:
Before
During
After
We had a lot of paint left over in the end, so we decided to paint stripes on some of our kitchen jars. I think they turned out really well!
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