0 My Latest Crush: Privet House At Target

Target recently introduced the "Shops at Target," five shops they fell in love with from San Francisco, Boston, Miami, Aspen and my favorite, Privet House from Connecticut.

Privet House is an "emporium of antiques and curiosities," located in both Greenwich and Warren, Connecticut.   I'll have to put it on my bucket list of stores to visit.  

But in the meantime, luckily for us, Target is featuring their wares!

Last week, I went to Target to check out Privet House and was not disappointed!  Here are some of my picks:

Love this galvanized ice bucket--right up my alley!

Drink dispenser with chalkboard label, sits on a wire stand.

Perfect for summer entertaining.

You can never have too many lanterns!

Wooden storage box with the Privet House label.

Love this galvanized watering can too!

There are an assortment of fragrant candles.

My favorite is the Herbs and Spice scent.

While snooping around with my iPhone, I found some great treasures like these burlap wrapped candles.

Not Privet House, but still, Target surprises me all the time!

Another surprise at Target...

Their buyers are right on "target," don't you think?

So what did I end up with?

This cheese platter!  I love it!

  

It fits right in with the rest of my white ironstone and enamelware, don't you think?

For more information about the Shops at Target, visit here.

Visit Privet House in Connecticut, here.

0 Plein Air Shower Palmilla Style

It took me a while to find one, but I did.  An outside shower at Palmilla.

Located at the bottom of the stairs, right on the beach.

Add this to the collection of plein air showers from yesterday's post!

It is with great sadness that we are leaving today.  

It has been the most relaxing vacation ever!

0 Showering En Plein Air

Coastal Living

My BFF Maureen informed me that they want an outside shower next to their spa and that her husband, was bound and determined to build one.  They use their spa more than anyone I know, so it makes sense to be able to shower before and after taking a soak.

Pottery Barn

An outdoor shower may seem like a frivolous idea, but trust me, if you have a spa, pool or live near the beach, it's a must.  They're perfect for washing the sand off the feet before going into the house...

...or, after a day in the garden.  Even for washing the dog outside!

Sunset

This one seems fairly simple to make.  Just extend a pipe from your outside spigot. 

So what if the water is ice cold!

When it's 100 degrees  outside, you will be thankful!

Sunset

This shower is equipped to wash your whole body, or just your feet.

Martha Stewart Living

I wish we had an outside shower growing up.  I remember going barefoot all summer long and at the end of the day, we hosed our feet off before coming inside.

Actually, the hose was rather nice since the first minute or so, the water was hot from being in the sun all day!  Remember?

0 Buenos Dias!

Buenos Dias from Mexico.

Another day in paradise with mi amor!

0 Our 30 Year Anniversary at The One & Only Palmilla

Thirty years ago, on Memorial Day weekend, we got married!
At the time, we had Monday off and could take a little honeymoon to the Oregon Coast.  

It wasn't much of a honeymoon--we were back to work on Tuesday!

Funny thing, we thought we were being smart by getting married on a three day weekend, but in reality we never were able to get away for our anniversary.  

There was always something.  School year ending, graduations, not to mention a baby born the same time.  So we just treated ourselves to nice dinners out on our anniversary.

Well, not this year!  We are going to Cabo!

29 years of anniversary dinners equals 4 nights at the One and Only Palmilla with my "one and only!"

Located at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, Palmilla is paradise on earth!  

This resort was originally built in 1956 by the son of the President of Mexico.  It was only accessible for many years by either boat or private plane, and celebrities like John Wayne, Lucille Ball and Bing Crosby used to come here.  Palmilla later became popular in 1970 when the Transpeninsular Highway was completed.  

A major remodel in 2004 preserved the flavor of the original resort and became the One and Only Palmilla.

It is where we will be celebrating 30 years of marriage with a second honeymoon!

 This is actually our second time at Palmilla.  We were here five years ago with another couple for a few days.  I remember how special it was and how we cried when we left!


It isn't easy to leave this place!  It's funny, I remember how they sent us off with a packed lunch and an elaborate farewell!  I imagine I'll cry again when it's time to leave....

...In the meantime, this is where you'll find me for the next few days!

Somebody pinch me please!

Adios!

0 Climbing New Dawn Rose In All Its Glory

The climbing New Dawn rose is in all its glory right now.

I planted one on each side of the arbor about 8 years ago, replacing a trumpet vine that could never compare to the beauty of this wonderful rose.

 This rose is a prolific bloomer and repeat performer with a sweet scent that permeates the air in the evening.  

 Add disease resistant to the list, and you pretty much have a perfect climbing rose.

 Except for the thorns--as you can see, they're brutal!  

You have to be very careful when cutting bouquets or pruning them back in the winter.

 This year, the roses have grown so heavy that they're threatening to collapse the arbor, which is starting to rot at the base.  

 I don't know what I'll do if it falls over!

If you are wondering what climbing rose to plant, I highly recommend New Dawn.

I know there are others too that compare, but seriously, how can you resist the beauty of this perfect rose!

Just make sure if you plant one, that there is plenty of support!

0 A Succulent Bridal Shower

 It seems like it's wedding season around here!

So many of my friends have grown children getting married this summer and there are lots of engagement parties, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners to attend. 

Yesterday, I had the honor to co-host a bridal shower for my friend's lovely daughter-in-law to be, and my contribution was the centerpieces.  

I initially experimented with roses and succulents, but the bride's colors are purple and green...

...so I ended up putting purple Campanula plants in the center of the succulent wreaths that I've kept alive since December from Ashley's wedding.  

Putting them on log slices gave them more presence.  

 Meanwhile, my friend and mother of the groom made the party favors that doubled as place settings, thanks to the little chalkboards on a stick that we found at Michaels.  

 I mean, how cute are these?  

They coordinated with my centerpieces beautifully.

The shower was a huge success and it turned out to be a perfect day for everyone.

Oh, and everyone was happy to take home a succulent with their name on it!

Including me!

0 Getting Organized in the Kitchen

Pottery Barn

I've never been a particularly organized person, but I aspire to be.

Since the kitchen remodel, I've been more motivated to finally organize our kitchen in a way that is functional and stylish.

  

So when I saw these condiment crocks at Pottery Barn yesterday, I didn't hesitate!  I knew they would look great in the new refrigerator and provide stylish storage too.  Plus, they can go from refrigerator to picnic table for a summer barbecue! 

There's nothing like having a refrigerator where half of our food is visible to motivate me even more to keep a larder that is pleasing to the eye.

Kathysue from Good Life of Design calls in "Fridgescaping!"

I already had this porcelain egg holder...

And I found this vintage vegetable container in February and bought it for the new refrigerator.

The drawer below the glass door holds the produce though.  It has its own temperature control and keeps everything fresh because of the humidity.

Still, I like the vegetable pan for holding random items.

 Lately, I've been spending too much time on Ebay looking for vintage refrigerator containers.

I'm currently stalking this one...

...and I won this butter dish recently with the embossed cow on the lid.

I'm looking for a vintage two quart juice carafe with a lid for orange juice or lemonade.

I know, this could be borderline obsessive, but I'll stop myself before it gets too out of hand!

Promise!

Pottery Barn

I found these two ceramic holders at Pottery Barn to hold the most used utensils on top of the stove.

 I love the crackle finish on these! 

The galvanized tray holds a selection of salt, vinegar, herbs and our own olive oil.

Across the room, I corralled like minded white ironstone and enamelware in a basket tray.

This has become the morning coffee and breakfast prep area.  The coffee is in the "flour" canister though, so am looking for one that says "coffee."  

Getting organized for the first time in my life is easier now that we are empty nesters.

That was the problem before, things got misplaced and were never put back where they should be.

It's a good feeling to have everything in its place and a place for everything.

And, it's pleasing to the eye.

Let's just see how long it lasts!

That recent college graduate of ours is coming home soon....