Summer is winding down, and I've finally gotten my hands on a copy of Emma Staub's The Vacationers. It's been on my reading list since May, and I thought it was the perfect book to end the summer. I've just started it, but so far, so good! Have you read it? What did you think?
Greenwood Gardens
View from the center of the garden
This weekend, we finally made it out to Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills. A private home set on over 20 idyllic acres, Greenwood Gardens is now open to the public for private tours and the informal stroll. Complete with European-inspired formal gardens, and dotted with modern art, Greenwood was the perfect way to spend a relaxing Sunday. I'm not sure if they host private events yet, but it really was a spectacular location, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the highway and nearby town. My favorite part? The freshly brewed iced tea that greeted guests upon arrival.
Here are a few shots of property:
The original reflecting pool
A pond at the lower end of the property
Channeling Seven Oaks
Fountain Relic
Sculptures with dramatic backdrops
Stone Steps
Friday Finds
This past week I was sitting on a boat with two scientists (yes, this is a true story). One did research on diabetes and one worked with satellites, as in space. They were both calm, enjoying the calm winds, the beautiful water, the sunset. And then there was me, totally wound up and crazy. It dawned on me the next morning just how ridiculous that was. If those women, who are literally saving lives and doing these major things, could mellow out, I definitely needed to. I went to yoga in the park, took some time to catch up on some reading (Vogue September issue!), and did some little things around the apartment that I've been meaning to do. (Side note, Let it Go is currently on repeat in my head!)
So this week's Friday Finds are all about taking a deep breathe and literally letting it go:
- This couldn't have come a more perfect time. Just a few little reminders to on how to disconnect.
- After a busy work day, the idea of cooking can be a bit daunting, Enter the modern marvel of a crock pot. We dusted ours off the other night and it was so worth it. Being greeted by the scent of a ready, delicious meal as soon as you walk in the door is such a treat (and helps ward off those in munchies that can set in as your setting up). This board features super yummy-looking ideas for easy weeknight dinners.
- Embrace what you love. I love vintage cookbooks and etiquette guides. (I can get lost in Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks.) While this one is newer, it appears to have that vintage inspired feel.
-Is there anything better than a Friday Night? One that includes wine and cheese. Check out how to build the perfect cheese platter.
Happy Friday!
Friday Finds
Here are a few things about excited about this week:
- Girl Power - Here are some inspirational words from the Fashion Industry's most brilliant ladies.
- This week, we lost a great beauty. This is a beautiful tribute to her.
- We've been hot on the idea of traveling to Scotland, and I've been dreaming of Celtic fisherman sweaters. This one is gorgeous!
- Feeling tired of the endless reel of "what-ifs"? This breaks down why we can be our own worst enemy.
- Stumbled on these beauties recently. Could they be more gorgeous?! I'm dreaming in pineapple.
Happy Weekend!
Summer Reading
This week, I've picked up one of my favorites, The Firm, by John Grisham. I've read it before, a few years ago, but I'm OK with reading things you love a more than once. Case in point, I've read Gone with the Wind more times than I care to admit (and to geek out further, they are coming up with a next installment this Fall - who else is excited about this?!). To me, The Firm is in the same vein as Ira Levin's The Stepford Wives, another fave. Young, eager couple who encounters an omnipresent, evil-doing force and adventure ensues. Not scary per say, but gripping - page-turners. Even if you've seen the movie, I'd recommend reading The Firm; as always, the book is so much better. It's light and easy reading, even if you're not fluent in legal jargon, and is a perfect beach read!
Lazy Mornings
Weekends can have a tendency to be just as busy as weekdays. Whether it's getting together with friends and family, running errands or taking time for personal pleasures, it seems that more and more we're trying to micro-organize our time to fit it all in. OK, fun starts now! We are completely guilty of this, but every once and a while, even if it's just for a few hours, we embrace the lazy. We sleep late (8:30am is such an indulgence!), lounge about drinking coffee and stop and actually read a few sections of the newspaper instead of skimming headlines. Although it can seem wasteful, sometimes all you need is an hour or two to recharge. Consider it a worthwhile investment!
Heres to a happy, lazy weekend!
Traveling
This month has been jam-packed with travel - the annual trip to the lake, a West coast adventure exploring Monterey, Big Sur and Carmel, and a wedding in the hills of New Hampshire. I'm still vetting photos, but more details soon!
Friday Finds
Here are a few things catching my eye this week:
- I have unabashed girl crush on Jessica Alba. I love the transformation she recently shared of her bedroom.
- Summers is synonymous with pie. This one is total eye candy.
- Ever get overwhelmed by Farmer's Markets.? Consider this your cheat sheet.
- Think you know how many hours of sleep you should be getting? Think again!
- Vintage cookbooks? Sign me up!
Scent of Style
A while back the New York Times featured an incredible story about the next wave in scent. Similar to how hotels have been piping in scent through their air systems to delivery a specific atmosphere, companies are now offering a chic at-home option. Consider this scent 2.0. Designed to go way beyond a simple candle or room diffuser, companies are creating fully customized scents - taking into account one's lifestyle (do they want a cozy relaxing environment or something clean and energized? How much do they entertain?) plus other distinguishing factors such as the typical temperature and preferred shaped (yes, seriously).
This got me thinking - what scent would I want? I looked to existing home fragrances (clean, light, fresh) and perfumes (light, some floral). I was certainly seeing a pattern and decided to do some digging to see what exactly elements I was drawn to. Turns out I'm all about white florals with greenery, yuzu, peonies, bergamot, geranium, bamboo and jasmine. Be it perfume or for the home, which really is an extension of yourself, I like fragrances to be subtle and fresh. I like scent to add another layer of intrigue, not steal the show. I'm still trying to determine what shape I am.
Here are a few fragrances I have scattered about:
Friday Finds
Photo Credit - Photography By William Waldron/ Styled By JC Garcia-Lavin
I'm still playing catch-up from our long weekend on the West Coast, but here are a few things I'm excited about this week:
- I love Dill Pickles, but the idea of making them has been a bit intimidating and time consuming. This recipe seems super easy, and is on my list for this weekend!
- I'm loving the humid days of summer, but these have me looking forward to fall. (And these are pretty swoon-worthy too.)
- I (obviously) adore a well curated list. This one bullets out all the items you should toss by the time your 30.
- This dreamy apartment makes a historic home feel entirely fresh and airy.
Happy Friday!