What summer looks like...

It's almost time for summer...and I don't quite feel ready! Perhaps it's that most days in NY have been half rainy lately, or perhaps it's been because Jake has been sick for many days (poor little guy), so we've been hunkered down inside for awhile. But, as it's my favorite time of year, I'm attempting to kick start the feeling, and (probably too late in the season), planted about a gajillion flowers in the past week in between Jake's bouts of lying on the couch.

The above photo is of ME on the left...looking grumpy (and much like Jake when HE'S grumpy), and my (identical) twin sister Martha on the right. I really love some old photos I have of Martha because they show such attitude. She rocks. We were about the same age that Jake is now (4) when the photos were taken. About a million years ago.

So, where will I be hanging out this summer? Some of my favorite haunts on Cape Cod...

There's Arnolds, on Rt. 6 in Eastham. Really the best fried clams, and clam chowder ever. But, the sprinkles on the soft chocolate cones are lacking, so I suggest you head up to...

Mac's on the Pier. You'll probably want to have 2 ice cream cones, because they're just that good. Jake chose hard chocolate but that's because he's little and doesn't know any better. He'll learn.

Mac's Shack is really good too...

The idea of all these great treats is definitely helping the summer mood! Now, I'll have to sign off and have some sugary juice...

InstaCharleston

Last weekend, to celebrate my husband's (big) birthday, we jetted off to Charleston for the weekend. We had grand plans while planning this trip, which involved Turkey or Prague. As if! On the way to the airport (and our flight which had already been cancelled) and sadly leaving Jake behind, all we could think was, "Thank goodness we're not going to Turkey!" As much as I would love to go, it would just be waayyy too stressful at this point in our lives, and I'm glad we kept it simple.

Charleston is great. I decided to be super-hip and use my husband's iPhone to take Instagram photos. Probably admitting how difficult it was for me to get them off his phone makes me a little less hip, but anyway, here are a few shots of our fun-filled weekend.

One cool filter Instagram has is to make the photo look like it was taken in 1977. I had Rich take a photo of me, and added this filter to see if I looked like my mom in 1977. I don't.

And, I love making this weird face in coffee shops. So wistful, like I'm thinking deep thoughts, right? I'm really drinking tea, and trying not to laugh. I don't think anyone else thinks it's as funny as I do. You can see what two different filters do...

We had lunch at Jestine's Kitchen, took a Civil War history tour, and a historic home tour, went for a sail, ate a lot, ate pralines, bought a Bozo the Clown blow-up punching bag thing for Jake, and went to a fancy brunch with my pretty cousin and her two beautiful daughters, who are absolutely great. I'd like my cousin and one of my best friends, Melinda to write a book together about how to raise lovely, smart, interesting children. The world needs this book. Their children are a breath of fresh air.

Of course, I was smitten with the houses in Charleston, and we immediately started envisioning what our lives would be like if we lived there. How cool would it be to actually live in your own house in a city, with a garden, and walk to yummy restaurants, and cool shops? Pretty nice, right? Here are some charmers I took photos of.

Actually, this one's mine...(don't I look good in front of it?)

I owe a HUGE thanks to my sister, and her daughter Avery for playing with Jake while we were away all weekend. He had a great time, and keeps telling me stories about all the things they did. So, now we're back. It's been a busy week, and up until this point at home, I can't say I've managed to do anything more than recharge my phone, and play with Jake. I have my priorities...the suitcase can wait!

Turkey on my Mind

No, I'm not thinking about Thanksgiving, I'm thinking about Turkey, the country. In my mind, I've planned a lovely trip for my husband and I for his upcoming big birthday. I discovered this great looking hotel called Argos in the heart of the Cappadocia region of Turkey. I keep going back to their website to look at all the intriguing photos of the hotel and surrounding area. I thought it would be great to visit Istanbul for a couple days, see the sites, shop in the markets (or are they bazaars?), and then scoot over to Cappadocia. Great, right?

The fact is, we're really not set up for a trip of this magnitude at the moment, because there are few (ok, zero) volunteers to watch and play with Jake while we would be gone. I think he's a little young (3) and needy to bring him and think we would relax for more than 2 minutes. The fairy towers for which this region is known will have to wait a bit for us. Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right? Happy birthday darling!

Got Friends?

Hi folks, and Happy New Year! Life has been a little busy/post-holiday crazy lately, and I'm trying to get back into the swing of things...which will hopefully include a little more blogging! I find, when I don't blog, I draw an absolute blank when it comes to posting new things. I'll have to get on a roll! (Resolution #217...)

So...what do the following lovely rooms/gorgeous views have in common??? Scroll through, enjoy, and see for yourself!

(Mougins, France)

(Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Italy)

(Riviera Maya, Mexico)

(Mykonos, Greece)...I really just included this one because I love the painting in the back!)

OK...the wonderful thing that all these lovely photos have in common is that they can all be rented! We've been talking about going on a vacation, and of course in all my internet searchings, I came across the Luxury Retreats website, and it's just a feast for your wanderlust eyes! We keep saying...well, if we could just get a few people together...we might just be able to...

Anyone want to join us? Somewhere? Anywhere? Before the next major snowfall preferably?

Bye Bye Summer

We've spent the last couple weeks with my family on Cape Cod, and it's been great. I love having had such a large chunk of time to spend with my family and giving in to the day-to-day activities 100% without other concerns. Jake loves spending time with his two cousins, and has developed quite a following among their friends. He was treated like royalty whenever we arrived at the beach and his cousins were ever so sweet with him. Needless to say, it was difficult to come home, and a very tearful good-bye when we left. Tomorrow, we're back to our busy lives, but I hope that we can maintain some of the summer filled peace with us all year long. One of my fall resolutions is to get in better shape, which I was able to jump start a bit while we were away.

So, happy fall to you all! Any resolutions on your mind?

I must go to Needham NOW!

I came across a mention of the new Treat Cupcake Bar in Needham Center, MA on Daily Candy. What a great idea! With the cupcake trend here to stay, I think this is a fabulous idea...they've taken the "mix-in" concept of ice cream parlors, and combined it with cupcakes. They have at least four cupcake "flavors" everyday. You choose your frosting, and your toppings, and design your own!

Does anyone want to go to Needham with me?

Shutter Shock!

Last weekend, we had a rather interesting...and upsetting experience. While Christmas shopping in a local, upscale mall, last December, my husband passed by the Venture Portraits photo kiosk featuring fun, cool photos of families. Lured in, he decided it would be great to get some family shots done, and paid $50.00 for their promotion...a one hour photo shoot which came w/ a "free" 8 x 10 framed photo. Great! Right?

We had our photoshoot last weekend. The photographer was great, Jake was adorable, and loved it. They shoot against a white, seamless background, and they play music, and generally have fun. We switched Jake's outfits, brought his guitar, and books and he was beyond a terrific sport about it all.

After an hour, Jake was done..."my go home". So, we packed up, I took him to the car and my husband stayed inside to schedule our "viewing". Then they handed him the PRICE LIST!!! WHAT!!!???

Keep in mind, I am an ART DIRECTOR and have HIRED photographers for shoots! I've gotten MARRIED and hired a WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER!!! I've reviewed countless portfolios in my day, so I can speak from some experience that I have never encountered such ridiculous prices in my entire life.

First of all...you can only buy their framed prints. No chance of making your own album, or wallpapering your guest room with photos (not that I was going to, but I should be able to do whatever I want w/ the photos, right?).

If you wanted one large photo of their "JAZZ" series...a 30"x40" photo is $3,800.00. OR, perhaps a more modest 10"x10" print? A mere $800.00. Or, maybe you'd like to do a little series, a larger 20" x 30" framed photo flanked by 4, 8"x10" photos? $4,800.00. And, if you can't quite decide which photos you like best, for $1500, they'll make you an album with 10 photos. Can you believe this?

Now, if I WAS going to spend $4,800.00 for FIVE photos (no matter how well framed they are), I think I might not be looking for the photographer in a MALL...no matter how high end the mall was. I think I'd do my research and find someone who offered a number of tailored packages to work with me to decide what would be best for us. Afterall, I am the customer. Or not. Since, there was no way that I would show up at that viewing and see all the adorable photos of my family. I'm weak. I'd buy something, but I wouldn't feel good about it. And, that's the thing, if you don't show up for your "viewing" you forfeit the "free" 8"x10" photo (just read the fine print!)

So, no thanks for all that. And please, if you happen to come near one of these stupid Venture Portrait  kiosks in the mall, make sure you ask exactly what the prices are first, and what you get. They're evasive at best.

Warm weather please!

Around this time of year, I start getting antsy w/ the cold weather keeping me (us) indoors and my thoughts keep straying south. If you google "perfect beach house" (because sometimes you just have to google things like that), you might just stumble across some of these lovely homes I found on this neat blog: Trendir Modern House Designs. What a find! This will keep me busy for awhile!

(Above house in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Here we are in Mexico:

Encinal Bluff, Pacific Coast, Malibu:

Coromandel, New Zealand:

Tatapouri Point, New Zealand.