#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Food and Drink Christmas Tree {2012}

December 19, 2012 · Narrative

top half-001
We have a handful of Christmas traditions, and our kitchen food-and-drink-themed Christmas tree is surely one of my favorites. We have added enough ornaments to it over the last few years, that last year I set off to find a new and bigger tree. All throughout the season, and even after, I looked and couldn’t find anything that would work. Too big. Too small. Too fat. Or too expensive. Just not right.

So this season, the hunt started again. In earnest. K-Mart. Target. The Christmas Tree Shop. Michael’s. I thought I had actually scored when Michael’s four foot $50 tree went on sale for half-price. Until I carted it home and Nick put it together (thank goodness for him!) and then I realized … it actually wasn’t that much bigger than what we already had. Maybe a foot? And so it went back.

I had all but given up…

Until on a visit to Wal-Mart last week, I spied one that would work. And that they were, of course, sold out of. Luckily they agreed to sell me the floor model (fyi, those stinkers at Target wouldn’t when I found a sold-out one there), so a 6 foot tall skinny tree now sits in our kitchen.

And again, Nick put it together. Obviously with only a few pieces, this is not a hard endeavor. My problem is that I spend so much time trying to track it down, and then lugging it home, my energy and motivation for such things is depleted. And as luck would have it, that’s exactly when his kicks in.

We’re a good team for sure.

So … new additions this year!

Beyond the tree, of course.

There have been some pretty awesome finds.

sushi roll
*my friend Beth found this one for me at Lord & Taylor – love it!

oreo
*this Oreo with one bite missing we found last week at a local garden center

mustard
*this one is from Target – and it’s huge! I wish they had a matching ketchup bottle – maybe that’s next year!

mini gingerbread man
*this sweet little mini gingerbread man was also at the local garden center and a steal at $1.49

ice cream
*also from Beth and Lord & Taylor – it’s a beaut!

cupcake
*this one Nick found last weekend while out with friends

…

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Project: Reading Room Map Wall

April 26, 2012 · Narrative

map wall
It really all started with that map painting right in the center of the wall.

I bought it from Target years ago, when we were in our old house, and Madeline had just been born.

When we moved back into this house, Jamie, our old babysitter, hung it in the center of this wall.  I’ve stared at it every day for nearly three years since.

It was plain on that wall all by itself.

And lonely.

And needed more.

I knew that.

It just took me a long time to get ‘er done.

I wanted to create an entire wall around that map.

The kids love going on adventures.  That’s a given.  Love seeing where things are on the map.  Where people we love, live.  How far away xyz is.

Why not play that up?

Big time.

And so the idea of a whole map wall was born.

Over the last few months, I went about collecting more maps to fill up the space.

Two were from Amazon.

One was from Target for $5.00.

My parents dug out two super old ones.

And the rest (the top quarter of the wall to the ceiling) were from AAA.

One of the perks to AAA membership is free maps.

Oh yes, please.

…

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Food and Drink Christmas Tree {2011}

December 4, 2011 · Narrative

This is the third year of my food and drink decorate Christmas tree in the kitchen. I would say it might be one of my favorite traditions of the holiday season, but who am I kidding? I am pretty fond of them all.

Espresso maker ornament

So instead of a traditional Weekend Photos in Review post tonight, it’s all about the tree.

Some of my favorite ornaments from the past two years have been:
Diet Coke ornament

Starbucks ornament

This one I grabbed at the after-Christmas clearance sale last year. Mostly because I couldn’t bear to pay $9.00 full price.
Cupcake tower ornament

Hershey ornament

French fries ornament

Second french fries ornament
…

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Wordless Wednesday: Hoboken House Tour

October 27, 2010 · Narrative

Hoboken House Tour

On Sunday, I went on a house tour with my sister, mom and brother-in-law in Hoboken. I love getting a peek into people’s houses to see how they decorate their homes (as in interior decorating), and it was perfect weather for a self-guided walking tour. Here are some of my favorites (including some pictures of Halloween decorations in the neighborhood as well):

Kitchen Inspired by Martha

We saw two kitchens that definitely took inspiration from Martha Stewart’s Decorating issue last year. If you missed that issue, it’s worth hunting down … wonderful ideas from cover to cover.

Love the Heart

Butterfly Dreams

Dining Room View

My Favorite Space

This was my favorite home on the tour, a renovated old marzipan factory. It was so warm and inviting from the moment we walked through the threshold.

Enlarged View of My Favorite Space

Where Can I Find This

Has anyone see this type of print available anywhere? The Mona Lisa is made up of tons of little tiny pictures. I couldn’t make out the signature, and neither could the homeowner. Anyone familiar with seeing something like this? He also said he has seen online programs where you can make something like this with your own pictures, but couldn’t remember the site. Anyone?

Man Cave

Boys Room

Buffet Display

My Sister's Doors

Decorated Stairway

Decorated Windowbox

Cats Eyes

Crow in Windowbox

Giant Web

The homeowners were working on this web when we passed by. If you look closely to the left of the spider, you’ll see a trick-or-treater caught in the web, a new addition they added this year.

Three Story Web Affair

Howdy Neighbor

Project 365
October 27, 2010, Photo #198

Funny Business

Recognize us?  Speaking of decorating, I have this idea for something silly in our house, and this is the first part of it. If you come over, be expected to contribute. That’s all I’m saying.

Decorating Class with Pottery Barn

March 15, 2009 · Narrative

Pottery Barn Decorating ClassI’ve been taking Pottery Barn‘s monthly decorating classes lately, and had another one today.  The price is right (free!) and I always come away with useful information that I can put into practice right away.  Today’s topic was table settings for brunch and ideas for celebrating the upcoming Easter/Passover holiday with family and friends.

I love entertaining, whether it be casual or formal, but when it comes to the actual table setting, I am terrible at it.  I have been a child of Pottery Barn for many, many years, and saved their catalogs just to get a feel for how they set their tables so beautifully.  In recent years, they have published decorating books, which are a great way to learn how they do it all.  Once I found out today’s topic was going to cover my Achilles heel, I was in.

Here are a few of the notes that I took:

  • They suggested using table runners instead of tablecloths when setting your table.  They said that it’s a great way to show off the beauty of your table, be it an antique, something handed down through your family or a new purchase, and it’s an inexpensive way to completely change the look of the table settings for the holidays, the different seasons or just because.
  • Speaking of table runners, they also suggested using them across the width of your table, instead of just thinking of them in the traditional way down the center length. By using them across the width of the table, they also become placemat-like as well, because if you put them along the width, going from chair to chair, they’ll be right under the placesettings.
  • They love chargers and said it’s an easy way to build up your theme from a solid foundation.  For a casual luncheon or brunch, they suggested wicker chargers.  I loved them, and was sorely tempted but at $16 a pop, I restrained myself.  For a more formal dinner, they opted for these silver ones with a Mother of Pearl rim.  (They’re way shinier in person, by the way)
  • They suggested using a core white dinner plate for the base of everything.  (They used this set in today’s class) It’s simple and classic.  Then, to personalize the table for the particular event, they said to use a patterned plate (a layering plate as they called it) for the smaller one set on top of your white plate (see above photo).  I loved this idea, and to me, this was worth the class attendance alone.  I must have four different sets of plates, but two years ago, I switched to using a bright white dinner plate instead.  I found it easier to match with all my table linens and accessories, and I love the idea of using a smaller, patterned layering plate on top of it to change up the white quickly, easily and inexpensively.   Genius.

…

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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