Pay It Forward

I think I am going backwards...keep forgetting things, etc.. I was surfing through my favorite blogs and was fortunate to be one of three to respond to Objection Perfections Pay It Forward. The rules are simple: the exchange is a focus on doing an act of kindness-without the expectation of anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn pass the kindness along and Pay It Forward.

The first three people who respond to the question of their favorite Christmas/Holiday memory (very pc of me!!!)-the first three will receive a small token of appreciation and are asked to post Pay It Forward on their blog. You must have a blog to play.

Please include your email address with your response.

Gone to the Dogs

No posts and then two in one day. Check out this shttp://mymascot.com/ite if you love dog items. At checkout add MCTFA08 for 30% off. I'm thinking my two mutts might like to go upscale in the new year.

Nutcracker and back

The past few weeks have been stressed filled and draining. Hopefully all will improve.

This past Sunday I enjoyed the NY Ballet production of the Nutcracker. Going to the ballet in New York is always a wonderful experience. My youngest son was my "date" for the show. In a few weeks we are going to The Christmas Show at Radio City...my husband loves it-or maybe its the Rockettes.

For Me-For You

If you like to wear something a little different in the earring department, skip on over to Bhati Beads. Their silk knot earringsare inexpensive and set off a white shirt quite nicely. For the next two days there is a 30% off sale (coupon b2day). Just think these earrings can be had for less than $20.00.

Sorry the pictures aren't that crisp-I have the pink/navy-blue/white, and the bright red. With all the money you save you can spurlge on a jacket from the Old Habit. While they are meant for riding, they look quite nice with any well cut trousers.

The one above is on sale.

Suburban Sprawl

Help-forget the freshman 15, I have suburban sprawl. Any ideas for better eating exercising that won't break the bank or the back?

What can't you monogram

I actually am thinking of getting some of these-I love the idea of monograming hangars. You'll always be able to find yours. Check out www.hangars.com.

Name that house

Driving home from work I often zone out thinking about the house in my head. You know the one you would have from all those tear sheets you keep. My house is going to have a name. My husband thinks thats pretenious. My mother's childhood home had a name-it looks great on stationery and even if people don't know your name they know the house name. I haven't come up with anything, but maybe the folks at the Chatham Sign Shop will have some ideas when the time comes. Dark green would do nicely. But the name won't be Whispering Pines (my daughter's suggestion, just sounds like a run down motel in the middle of no where.

Barbour Jackets

Do the crisp fall days make you long for the equestrienne look-you know quilted barn jacket and boots. Well if so go check out Sierra Trading Post-not only are the Barbour and John Partridge jackets reduced you get an additional 20% off. Not bad.

East End Shopping

The fishing trip was a success for hubby, some bass (but no keepers-I like fish, especially when it is served in a restaurant). As reward for my patience and lack of whinning, though watching someone else fish is similar to watching moss grow, we stopped in East Hampton. I love the shop Home James, which also has a web site. Sorrow upon sorrow they were closed. These are the things I currently have my eye on. I particularly love the wine cooler-I have coffee mugs in the oriental design, which you either love or loathe.

I have my eye on these-waiting for a sale.

These would make my day start out with a smile. My in laws think I am nuts, since I only use cloth napkins. Believe or not the piece on top is a napkin ring.

Wouldn't you be happy to drink out of this mug?

My coffee mugs are in this pattern. They have great color.

And to keep my lists all together- I love this little book.

Have a great weekend!

Woe is me continued

Good news it appears as though Chase has come through. The charges are gone...

though why they didn't call me is a mystery.

I have a date for the next two days....Montauk for hold your breath fishing. I even have the outfit- what we do for love. I am firm in my desire to hit the shops in Easthampton and Southampton - though I won't be wearing this fetching outfit.

Thats not me-just some lucky model. No one looks good in these thing!!! They are worse than bike pants-but at least I will get some beachtime.

Woe is me

Being the dutiful accountant-cash manager that I am, I always check to see if my payments for credit cards have posted. Imagine my horror on Friday when I saw multiple charges for hotels in China! Never been there and certainly would not have racked up that many charges in one day.

Its scary when someone else has used your number.

Barefoot Contessa-Cooking

It arrived - my much awaited copy of the Barefoot Contessa's Back to Basics. Remember in high school when you tried to read a book in your lab under your desk? Guess who is doing that now.Sure I have my own office and if I put my door at a certain angle I can see who is coming for a visit. Ah the smell of a new book - beats new car smell anyday.

I am not a great cook, but can pull together an acceptable meal. One of the best presents I ever received was a cooking lesson through the Viking Cooking School. It lasts three hours (I know what you are thinking) but it really goes quickly. Very hands on with no more than 12 in a class. Then at the end you get to eat!

If you live anywhere near one of their locations - think about taking a class.

Lifeguard Press

Recently PVE posted about calendar preferences, which reminded me it was time to order for 2009. One of my favorite calendars and datebooks are by Susan Barnes, the designs are happy, colorful, and remind me of Cape Cod. I believe she lives on the West Coast, but captures the universal appeal of the beach. Checking out the site that sells her calendars, LifeGuard Press, I was happy to see that Lilly stationery will be available in 2009. Another great calendar site is the Animal Rescue Fund-all for a good cause.

Love this house

I am cleaning up all my magazine clippings and came across one of my favorite homes. It was featured in Traditional Home in March 2004 and I was able to tour it during the New Canaan Kitchen Tour. It is the home of Louise Brooks an extremely talented architect-principal in her own firm of Gullans and Brooks. I would adore having this dressing room (actually I am slowly getting there, since I own the same shoes).

The covered patio was also wonderful and so was the kitchen, living room, den, etc.

Library laments

I have converted an unused bedroom into a library. The walls are a rich red, the book cabinets white, white crown moulding, hay colored sofa and many books. I am stumped. I definately need a rug and was considering this one fromhttp://shadesoflight.com/-but is it too wild?

Then come the concern over the coffee table and occassional tables. Any opinions of both of these in black.

I really like the bar table in white, but would have to get it in black. The tables are from a great website-http://www.wellappointedhouse.com/

The one thing I have decided on is this Lee Jofa fabric:

For the love of animals

I am a pet lover and I hate to hear of harm coming to any animal. I was sickened when I saw this on a local news feed. I try not to wear any fur, but I do not feel I have the right to condemn those who do. After reading about these racoon dogs who died from tainted food in China I am quite saddened. The fur is used in clothing.

Fall in Fairfield

This Saturday I enjoyed a lesiurely drive to Fairfield County Connecticut. My mission-the Bridgewater Land Trust Fall House Tour. Bridgewater is tucked away from the hubbub of suburban life-a dry town loaded with charm and only one store. As I was driving home, I started thinking about being in New England. Somehow I think of this as my spiritual home-I am a New Englander at heart, if not in location. But here is the crux; why isn't New York part of New England. As you can see on the map, NY's entire eastern border is adjacent to Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. What's up with calling us a Mid Atlantic state. Hey I have nothing against those states-but New England is loaded with charm. Maybe the cartographer who drew the original maps was having a bad day and decided NY was going to the mid-Atlantic. If I am going to be a Yankee at least make me a New England one.See my argument-if we were New Englanders we could have quaint towns with village greens, steepled white churches, stone walls and great foliage.

Stationery

In order to keep tabs on my books, I have decided to purchase some bookplates. I am undecided which ones to get from Felix Doolittle.

They have the best selection. I am also considering upgrading my return labels.

Debate Frenzy

It is like a party here at work....much excitement as the debate prepares to kickoff. In our office we have had an Andrea Mitchell and Chris Matthews sighting. I went inside the CNN bus where interviews are conducted. Just wish we could attend the debate.

Paddling

It was a beautiful fall weekend here on Long Island. I have been talking about buying some fresh eggs on one of the eastern Long Island farms. My husband, being the gallant soul that he is, volunteered to drive to the North Fork. We could get eggs, pumpkins, produce, and wine. Ah but there was a catch-the canoe came along.

Every other person in the tri state area must have had the same idea-except for the canoe. Some of you may know that the Long Island Expressway is often refered to as the nation's longest parking lot, well this past weekend the back country roads-one lane each way won that title. A cornacopia of gas guzzling autos were inching their way east, carrying crying children, distraught parents-all in search of the perfect pumpkin and corn maze. I only hope they had better luck than I had.

Pictures are from farm web sites.

I opted to visit a winery-

Laurel Lake Winery

Oh and hubby did get to catch a fish. Next weekend no canoes!

Necklaces

I wanted to share these images of necklaces from DeDeCadieux. I have purchased the glass beads in rose, aquaremarine, and a few other shades. One strand of the pearls to interchange with the glass beads and the great clasp and earrings. You can mix and match-all four seasons.

They are great with any outfit. They always make me feel feminine.

For the love of books and magazines and our Canadian Neighbors

I adore and crave books and have stacks by the beside in the "library". Thanks to a post by

My Nottinghill I went to the local Barnes and Noble and found House and Home a Canadian shelter magazine that is great. The fact that has a slightly foreign edge to it makes it even more appealing. I love the phrase en suite as an explanation for a bedroom bathroom combination. Even looking at the print ads makes me feel that I am in England. If you get a chance visit their website or pick up a copy at a newsstand.

If you live anywhere near Manahattan perhaps you would like to go to the book talk at Kate's Paperie. Looks like fun.

SMILE

Thank you to Preppy 101 in Tennessee for nominating me for a Smile Award. While I don't always possess these attributes-I do try:

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SMILE AWARD

1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (Yesterday in my office (I work at a university on L.I.), I channeled my inner Audrey Hepburn!). I never get upset about the work I do (accounting) after all the numbers can be corrected.

2. Must love one another. (I love people most of the time-but there are days I prefer my dogs).

3. Must make mistakes. (See answer #1-the delete and backspace keys are my friends).

4. Must learn from others. (Hey I decided to get a Master's degree after a number of years out of college and I am learning Italian from one of my co-workers).

5. Must be a positive contributor to the blog world. (I am new - so I will try my hardest).

6. Must love life. (I look forward to everyday-even the not so good ones).

7. Must love kids. (Does that mean mine or other peoples? Because somedays I tell mine that the warranty expired when they turned 18).

THE RULES OF THE AWARD

1. Link back to the awards creator.

2. Post the rules if you receive the award.

3. Choose five people to receive the award.

4. Your must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award.

5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.

6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.

7. You must thank you giver.

DRUM ROLL MY FIVE CHOICES ARE.......

1.Mrs. Blandings

2.My Nottinghill

3. Impoverished Preppy

4. Tickled Pink Design

5.Nautical by Naturehttp://aka-kate.blogspot.com

Lets cross our fingers that these links work!

Rowing and Reading

The weekend was spent canoeing. While it is not my favorite all time activity (mainly because whenever we go my husband sneaks in a fishing pole) this Saturday it was perfect. The crispness of the air, leaves starting to turn, heron, mallards, and geese all made for a relaxing trip. We were on the Croton River not far from where I grew up. I had the best job in high school and college, working at a docent at Van Cortlandt Manor-which I always visit when I am in the neighborhood.

Then a stop at my favorite grocery store-Stew Leonards. I probably am one of the few people who get excited to visit a food store-but let me tell you I just love this place. Of course I had the opportunity to pick up some magazines, an obsession of mine.

I love regional magazines-especially ones that are give aways, which the Cottage and Garden ones are. Anyone who has a favorite let me know.