Stalking "My" Seaside House

More accurately, STILL stalking this story book seaside house in Watch Hill, RI. The reference to "my" is strictly aspirational. I can't visit Watch Hill without gazing at this house and taking as many pictures as possible - even with husband and kids reminding me I already have all these same pictures!
The quality of the detailing is incredible and just amps up the charm of this home.
Here I am peering through the gate meant to keep people like me at bay.


The view out to the ocean. Could it be more perfect? By chance has anybody ever been inside this home?

Do you have a home you covet and re-visit as often as possible?

Do You Have a Fly Swatter?

Am I crazy to ask this question? Will I lose readers just at the thought of a squished fly on a swatter? (expecially since my friend Lisa reminded me a rolled up newspaper works great and can be thrown out.)

Well, I do have a fly swatter courtesy of attending a really fun wedding at a farm in central New York. As you can see, the handle notes the wedding date.

It came with a cute and creative poem -

Mike and Adrienne wanted to get married on a farm because of the memories and all the country charm. They were worried the flies would annoy their guests so use this fly swatter to put a few to rest!

(p.s. the marks on the poem sticker are not from flies!)

In the D.C. area, flies really aren't a problem and we rarely have them. My fly swatter is tucked away in a hidden area - typically used only when a wasp or bee somehow finds its way in.

As a kid we had a fly swatter hanging up in discrete area off our kitchen. We had no air conditioning and alot of flies that were quite crafty at flying in when we were going in or out the door. Although instead of the swatter we much preferred the entertainment of watching my Dad catch flies in mid-air with his hands!

Here's a Daisy fly swatter from etsy - here.
This etsy Flip-flop fly swatter is fun. The fly is fake. ( here)

So, was this question too crazy or is there a fly swatter somewhere in your house, on your porch or cabin in the woods? Note: no actual flies were harmed in the making of this post.

Round Hill

If you read my blog back in the summer of 2008, you may recognize part of this post. I will be gone for a few days, but in the meantime I hope you enjoy the new pics added to this old post. The first is still one of my all time favorites. (All images are from the hotel Round Hill in Jamaica)

Gourmet Tonic Water - Yes or No?

A well made Gin & Tonic can really hit the spot on a muggy summer evening. Recently Dan brought home some gourmet tonic water to try. First up was Q Tonic...
next up Fever Tree...they were fine but I missed the way my Gin & Tonic tasted when made with the old stand-by Canada Dry. So for me it was a no.

Considering how pricey each bottle was, I decided to put them to use as a home accessory -
Plus, I've changed my mind. My drink of choice for Summer 2010 is a Bourbon & Ginger Ale. Canada Dry of course.

TGIF: Summer Cottage Eye Candy

Woke up this morning to find the humidity had broken and there was a summer breeze blowing; I thought these images captured the mood. Just realized that since June 21st was the official start of summer, this is the first summer weekend of 2010. Hope you have a great one!

(first two images - interior design by Michelle Lloyd Bermann, photography by Stacey Brandford, Canadian House and Home July 07)

(designer not known, photography by Stacey Brandford, Canadian House and Home July 09)

Ibiza Eye Candy

My to-do list is too long. I am trying to accomplish 1 - 2 years worth of procrastinated to-do's in 1 month. It kind of reminds me of cramming for an exam late at night...but I was younger then. These pics are from a vacation home in Ibiza. Really stunning, although I worry about the leg on that one bed. Although I guess if I was in Ibiza, I wouldn't spend any time worrying.


Isn't the styling in this photo supreme? Source: British Home & Garden, Sep. 2007, photography by Simon Upton.

Arrivederci to Summer

I have trouble with goodbyes. When they come, I tend to linger...to pine for what was... and so it is with my goodbye to Summer.

I know, Fall brings crispness and energy, sharpened pencils and apple orchards, Halloween and a chance to wear sweaters and corduroys. But if had to choose between cute leather clogs and a pair of flip flops, the latter one please...

Considering that I have trouble with goodbyes, it is fitting that I am just now ordering outdoor fabric for my patio furniture. One must keep hope alive for an Indian summer.

Arrivederci to summer - until we meet again in 2009.

I chose the french blue floral from Lewis & Sharon - LS Fabrics

Goodbye to summer breezes.

Image taken of pg. 66 Aug. 2008 issue Country Homes & Interiors, August 2008, Designers Carol Wortley-Bishop and Louise Rastall, photography by Spike Powell

Time to put away the straw bag and pull out the leather purse.

Bags from Queen Bea Studios - love them!

Thanks Summer '08 - it was great!

This image and first image via Ideal Home

Breezy Bedrooms

Coastal Living, designer/owner Amanda Lindroth, photography by Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

House to Home via All Things Blue

And, even a Swingy bedroom

Coastal Living, photography by Jean Allsopp

Room Envy

Coastal Living, designer/owner Amanda Lindroth, photography by Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

Recently I was visiting Harmony and Home and saw one of my favorite rooms ever featured in Coastal Living. Love the blue/gray bookshelves and mirror, the slipcovered furniture, the oversized lamps and of course, the parasol!

How did the parasol come to be?:
"In this house, the decor depends partly on serendipity. A zany Balinese parasol resides above the living area's inviting down sofa. Says Amanda, "I bought a dozen of them to use at my sister's 40th birthday party, and on the night of the event someone stuck it over the sofa." (excerpt from original article written by Marion Laffey Fox)

A Friend's Sunny Deck & Peaceful Guest Room

Serendipity - a chance meeting with a friend turns into a fun invite to her house to see her new deck and guest room!

Summers in the D.C. area can be a bit oppressive, especially in August. If you don't want to be trapped inside with the A/C, you need a space that will lure you outdoors. Janice's upper and lower deck is an inviting space that is both restful and colorful at the same time.

Love these cache pots with the spanish moss from Smith & Hawken.

Dining area on the lower deck - Janice had initials embroidered onto these outdoor pillows. The second green pillow (not pictured) was from a different store but you'd never notice because the embroidery pulls it all together.
Loving this strong pink paired with the black! Janice made these pillows from left-over fabric and they look fab.

Lounging space on the lower deck, adjacent to the dining area. These pillows pair up well with the green initial pillows and pick-up on the pink accents on the upper deck.
This is a favorite spot for their cat, Spooky. These gorgeous flower arrangements are by Connie MacMurray of Happy Pots in McLean, VA (703.282.6393) I'm impressed with the height that was achieved with these plant selections.

Janice found this table at a great price at Target but she wasn't happy with the original color of the tiles. So, she popped out the old ones and inserted these lighter tiles!

This guest room has a lovely, peaceful feel to it. Behind the chaise is a 100 year old antique chinese rug.

Love the texture this bench from HomeGoods brings to the room. A fun part of the tour was hearing how much of the room had come from great purchases at HomeGoods, Target and Walmart. The photo below of the bird prints from HomeGoods doesn't do them justice - they look significantly more expensive than their cost.

Love all the blue books arranged together and that irridescent pot!

A sushi set from HomeGoods split-up and displayed on the Walmart bureau and the built-in shelves and...

a cute dog to top it all off!