Booty Boot Camp

Potty Training ...starts next week...

wish us luck!

Summer

Smores, hotdogs, tree climbing and

backyard campout = SUMMER FUN!

Garden Bench

Loving my new garden bench with cushions...it would be great in a quaint garden but for now it sits on the screen porch...

This was from a barn sale I went to with friends a few weeks ago...we had a ball and I made some other great buys...

Hope you are staying cool wherever you are!

Camp Care Package

I look forward all day to camp's photo updates each evening!

Here is a picture of Campbell's cabin

He looks happy which makes me happy too!

I had so much fun yesterday putting together a "care package"...

I themed it all "green" and included some fun things like silly string, water balloons, funny teeth, a puzzle. a white tee w/ green Sharpie for all his friends to autograph, I also included glow bracelets for their nighttime activities! And although we are not supposed to send food or candy I may or may not of included some of both!

My package was inspired my my new blog friend...

http://jacolynmurphy.blogspot.com/


 

Campbell at Camp

Here is how we left our Campbell yesterday!  I know he and his buddies will have a great week!

Top Bunk and fake ( "stop taking my picture Mom" ) smile...

Every Summer I take his pic here...he has grown so much!

Off we go...

Dropping this guy off at Summer camp for a week today...still my baby but growing so fast!  Teddy is staying behind though...we love you Campbell, have a great week at camp! xoxoox

Country Living House

Good morning friends!  Since I seem to be on a NYC kick, I wanted to show some of the pics from the new "Green Living Country Living House".  As you might recall Bryan and I attended the premiere party near Ground Zero in NYC earlier this Summer.  His company was one of the Sponsors for the project.  Both the house and the cocktail party were stunning!  Everything was perfect from the jazz trio playing, to the sunset on the Harbour, to the delicious food and signature Country Living Cocktail.  We had a fabulous time touring the house and meeting and mingling...I met Tom Ford, a designer that I have loved whose work is often in Traditional Home and Country Living.  We also got to meet the Editor In Chief of CL Magazine and hear her speak.  So without further ado let me share some pictures!  I should tell you too that after I had taken my pics I was politely told that I was supposed to be taking pics - oops!

Look at that Coastal Blue James Hardie siding...

(shout out for JH...pays our bills!)

The kitchen was fabulous - lots of bead board and cottage accents I love all the cabinets and white dishes inside!

The marble was gorgeous..I LOVE marble counters!

The island was wrapped in old pine boards - and the "lab stools" were a fun touch!

 This is the family room - it was a gorgeous color  and I love the tone on tone with the silk panels matching the wall color

This little table scape was a favorite!  I have this same exact gate leg table - mine is black and I love it in the distressed white with the greens on top

The dining room had a wall of built-ins...the house is small so they were showcasing rooms built with multiple purposes/storage

The porch above right was gorgeous!

Love the fixtures - they offered the most beautiful light after the sun had set...

An outdoor bar/extra storage...Bamboo floors!

This was another awesome use of space...a Butler's Pantry/Mmudroom

I dream of a Butler's pantry!

This was at the end of the same wall - a nook for the dog's bed and hooks all around for additional storage solutions...and the leash of course!

Upstairs bath in lavender...love the built-in wall cabinet, filled with gorgeous french milled soaps...not sure how practical it is for your Vaselines, sleeping pills and other curious goodies!

IN LOVE the fixture in this bathroom!

I must own this vanity...it was/is dreamy...we are trying to start our master bath reno and this is on my list...wonder if I can afford it?

Master  "Hers" closet...didn't care  for the wallpaper but love the idea of a dressing room! Swoon!

The only pic I got of the bar...all the appetizers were hand passed!

Cheers!...Hope you enjoyed the tour!

PS- Did you know CL is now carrying a line of furniture at Kmart?/??  I have seen it and it is great and soooo affordable too!  Take a look...

http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/search_10151_10104?keyword=country+living+hampton+collection&vName=For+the+Home

Time with my Man

More NYC...Bryan and I stopped in Serendipity for a frozen Hot Chocolate - the drink Oprah made famous, right? -

It was small and very eccentric!  The windows were so cute, lots of fun goodies at their "General Store" (which is really just a long counter!  )

After our drink we headed to the Flower Market...another "famous" spot but for the life of me, cannot remember the name of it..._________________Street Farmer's Market - anyone?

I'm not gonna lie and say "I love Summer with my kids home"...I love Summer and I do love my kids but sometimes the two together are more than I can stand...so, I am remembering Bryan and I's trip tonight.!..

Alone time with your man is so important I think - vital in my case!  I am selfish and love when I don't have to share him with 3 little ones, a very needy dog and a company on the West Coast (7pm Friday conference calls!)

So...I implore you...plan a hot date for your man, or better yet a weekend away and if all else fails...a "post baby- down date night at home"...(anyone watch Friday Night Lights?! ha, ha, ha...)

Happy weekend almost!

We are having friends to dinner tomorrow night and then

Campbell is off to camp Sunday!

Eloise at The Plaza

Amanda at the Plaza!

These are a few pics from our NYC trip...one of the stops we made was into The Plaza Hotel

If you have never been it is simply stunning!  I wanted to see the Eloise shop (Charlotte loves the Eloise books) and let me just tell you it did not disappoint!

But first we decided to sit and enjoy drinks in the Champagne Lounge - I had the signature Plaza Champagne Cocktail and Bryan had the Mojito Gin & Tonic

Yum! 

I think they were the best drinks we have ever had

(they better of been ...lets just say they were upwards of $20 (each!)

This is the famous Eloise oil painting in the lobby...we watched as lots of little girls had their picture taken with her!

High Tea Menu

     

You can book your daughter's birthday party here in Eloise's Tea Room!

There is also the cutest shop with all things Eloise and all things girly!

This was "The Closet"...all tutus, fancy dresses, and Plaza goodies...robes, pjs and nighties all for little girls!

(A little birthday girl may or may not of gotten a pretty pink "fancy" dress from here!)

The "stage" is filled with trunks of dress-ups  and a big mirror so little shoppers are kept happy!

This was the lobby piano player - loved her hat, hate the screen!

And if the shop isn't enough you might want to check-out the Eloise Slumber party overnight package at the hotel...if you have an extra $3,700 - PER NIGHT to stay!

http://www.fairmont.com/theplaza/HotelPackages/Family/Live+Like+Eloise+Slumber+Party+Package.htm

Sleep tight!