Day Trip to Middleburg

Middleburg, Virginia is one of my favorite spots on earth.  It's streets are filled with stables, vineyards, charming shops and smiling people - you can't help but take a deep breath of that fresh country air and unwind a little.  

I recently spent the day in Middleburg by myself eating and shopping the day away.  It was heavenly.  It could have only been more perfect if I could have spent the weekend!

Check out my pictures and plan your visit here.

Have you ever been?  What are your favorite spots?  

Lake House Love

Thought I'd share a little taste of our summer lake house to pass these cold winter days.  

At the lake our days are full but lazy.  Lots of fresh cool air hikes in the woods, slow cooking on the grill, coffee talk on the porch, and so many laughs all in the home that my mom decorated with love.

The porch cushions are made from the former owners 1950's pink and green floral window treatments.  The bedrooms are simple - white bedspreads with needlepoint pillow cases and fresh flowers from the garden.  You get the picture - enjoy!

A Stylish Work Space

I'm just sitting here at my desk paying bills and writing letters dreaming of a more beautiful work space.

Here are a couple of desks on my radar that can double as console tables and a stunning photograph of Jackie looking studios in her work space.  Don't you think her little office is beyond elegant?  

Which desk is your favorite?  I love them both!

 1 / 2

Happy Monday!

xo,

Kelly

A Cozy Night in the West Village

New York City has a habit of feeling big and busy to outsiders.  Lucky for me, my brother Matt is a local and gave us a cozy little evening in the West Village that has me longing to head back this fall.

First stop, Tartine.  A sweet little French Cafe that always has a small crowd of people hugged around the block waiting for their table - it's that good.  What's this pic of gooey puffed pastry you ask?  I don't remember the name, ha!  But it was life changing.  And pick up a bottle of wine because it's BYOB.  You'll want to linger for hours but there is still more to do!

After dinner, pop around the corner to pick up some pretty pastel cupcakes for yourself and to bring home for the kids at the famous Magnolia Bakery.  Note: There was no line near closing time, and they gave me a free muffin!

For a night cap, head a few blocks over to the Beatrice Inn.  According to my brother this used to be the it spot.  With celebrity regulars such as the Olson Twins and the cast of Modern Family.  The candle light glow, David Brubeck and the like playing in the background and the tastiest handmade cocktails will have you forgetting all about celebrity sitings and feeling like you're in someone's really cool West Village apartment.

Fast forward to me back at home getting my hair highlighted reading People magazine and coming across this article about Gwyneth Paltrow's husband hanging at none other than The Beatrice Inn.  

What are your favorite spots in the West Village?  

xo

Kelly

Southern Doors Dripping with Charm

While vacationing in Charleston, South Carolina I took a stroll down the famous Rainbow Row and found the most charming front doors.  Take a look at this stunning door knocker and ornate door handle I found...

Don't you just want to knock on these doors and ask to take a peek inside?  

More to come on Charleston in my next blog post.  I'm in love with this city!

xo

Kelly

Key Lime Pie with a Twist

After a fabulous dinner and dessert at The Grocery in Charleston, SC  I left dreaming about their key lime pie.  

It was served like an upside down cake.  The buttery graham cracker crust was on top, followed by the tart lime custard and creme all in a perfect little circle.  Genius!

I was completely inspired to think out of the pie box.  So I went home and dug up the richest key lime pie recipe I could find and made some of the pie in a springform pan and the rest in individual ramikens.  

Here are the results and the recipe I used.  My kids loved eating the pie this way! 

What twists on pies have you tried that were a success?  Please share!

Wyebrook Farm Adventure

My husband and I took a country drive out to Wyebrook Farm last weekend with the kids.  We'd heard good things and thought the adventure was worth missing nap time, ya know the type.

Wyebrook Farm provides meats and produce to many of your favorite farm to table restaurants in Philly.  Getting a peek at the farm is a foodie's dream come true!

We pulled into the farm to find rolling green hills, rustic but chic barns, tiny pink piglets wagging their corkscrew tails and giant cows munching on grass.  You could hear the guitar and fiddle in the distance...My kids squealed with excitement and my husband gave me his look of approval.  Even a few meltdowns couldn't mess this up!

We spent the day hanging with the animals, browsing the market, watching the kids dance to the blue grass music and chowing down on the freshest country food.  Which included homemade whoopie pies for dessert!  We topped the day off by climbing up the treehouse overlooking the farm and taking turns on the tire swing.  Sigh.

Take a look at our pics and be sure to go and see what all the magic is about at Wyebrook Farm.  It's worth the trip!

Directions and Farm details here.

xo

Kelly

Creme Brûlée French Toast

Looking for a super simple make ahead brunch idea?  You've got to try my friend Ashley's Creme Brûlée French Toast!

It's like bread pudding and creme brûlée got married.  The sweet gooey topping perfectly compliments the cakey French toast.  

Your guests will think you were up all morning preparing brunch, but really it couldn't be simpler.  My favorite kind of dish - all the love but little work!

Ashley's Creme Brûlée French Toast

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons honey (you could also use corn syrup)

1/2 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1 loaf Challah (any bread will do)

5 eggs

1 1/2 cups half and half

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon Grand Marnier

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

In a small saucepan combine honey, butter and sugar.  Simmer until syrupy.  Pour into a 9x13 baking pan that has been sprayed with oil.  Pour the syrup into the baking pan.  Arrange thick bread slices on top of syrup.  Whisk remaining ingredients until blended.  Pour evenly over bread.  Let sit overnight covered in the refrigerator.  It will still work if you prepare it the day you bake it.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Let cool and cut into slices.  Serve syrup side up and top with fruit.

Happy Sunday!

xo

Kelly

Decorating with Heirlooms

I absolutely cherish my family's history and any little charms that have been passed down to me through the generations.

My dear friend, Kate, picked up this book for me about decorating with keepsakes and collectibles.  

The picture posted at the top of this post is a pair of hand knitted booties sent to my mother-in-law from her grandfather in Monroe, Louisiana when she was born.  

Living with What You Love inspired me to pull the delicate booties out of storage and display this tiny slice of my children's southern heritage in our home.  

Do you feel the same way about your family's heirlooms?  What are some ways you are decorating with them?

Pick up the glass box from Nicole Miller Home at TJ Maxx and Living with What You Love at Amazon.

Enjoy your weekend!

xo

Kelly 

Steeplechase Tailgate Guide with Recipes!

My husband took me to my first steeplechase when we were newly married, and I fell in love.  If you've never been think preppy tradition mixed with tailgating, horses, a little mud and a lot of fun!

Here are a few ideas to make for your next steeplechase perfect!

1.  What to wear?

This dress!  It's always a little chilly in the spring, so I like to wear quarter length sleeves.  The ruffle collar adds the element of fancy but the stretchy cotton is comfortable enough to wear all day.

2.  You'll need boots...

Wellies are great, but I long for the waterproof Dubarry boots.  There will be mud!

3.  Prepare the perfect Bloody Mary. 

This is my husband's recipe - it's a family favorite.  These mixers would be fun too!

Andy's Bloody Mary

4.  Sustenance!  

Now you'll see some people with a whole ham and their grandmother's fine china - that can be you, or not.  I prefer to keep my tailgating simple.  These Spicy Pimento Cheese finger sandwiches are perfect for the occasion.  You will eat 100 of them - it's okay!

Bob's Pimento Cheese

5.  Make it a tradition.  

Give yourself something to look forward to each spring!  And remember all those great tailgating ideas you noted for next time!

 

The Perfect Easter

This Easter I nearly forgot to put out my kids' Easter baskets, and I think it's pretty great.

Easter preparations for years up until now meant perfect planning of Easter basket goodies, coordinating sweet Sunday outfits for my kids and endless time spent on my brunch menu.

A few weeks ago at church our pastor talked about how the week before Jesus died he washed his disciples' feet.  His message to them was that we need to take care of one another.  I've heard this message a hundred times but somehow this time it made an impression.

Now I have a billion kids, a dog and a husband, so I'm kind of stretched thin on doing for others.  But I made a big effort this week in little ways. 

Tonight I hosted a dinner for my siblings and parents.  I picked up a few toys, made meatballs and spaghetti from ingredients I thought would taste good together and called them to come over early.  I wanted to spend more time with my family and less time making things just so before they walked in the door.  Remember I'm totally Type A so I've never asked someone to come over early in my life.  I'm normally fluffing pillows and rearranging flowers up until the last minute.

We had so much fun together that I completely forgot about my kids' Easter baskets!  For the first time in ages the famous Easter basket was not the highlight of the holiday.

These past few weeks I've focused on taking care of the people in my life instead of wowing them with perfection, and it has made me heart feel full.  Finally, I think I found the secret to the perfect Easter.  Hope you can find it too!

xo,

Kelly

Spring Cleaning Isn't What it Used to Be

No one loves spring cleaning more than me.  For years like since I was five it was crystal clear to me the items I did and did not need.  

Consign.  Donate.  Trash.  Organize the rest.  It's simple.

Well at least it used to be simple.  That was all before I had children.  Recently we moved our kids rooms around, and I had to go through yet another round of baby clothes and gear.  And shockingly - more and more things are landing in the keep pile.

Do I need 15 swaddle blankets?  No.  Do I need 8 gingham crib sheets?  Double No.  My kids don't even sleep in cribs anymore, yet here I am contemplating keeping crib sheets, sigh.

The years when my kids were infants were such a blur.  I didn't really believe they would ever sleep through the night or become independent so quickly.   If only I would have listened to my mother and the little old ladies in the grocery store that told me babies grow up in the blink of an eye.      

I miss the days of opening my son's closet to find soft blue smocked outfits and knit sweaters with hoodies.  Baskets of tiny socks and sun hats instead of shin guards and soccer socks.  

So what does this all mean?  It means this year's spring cleaning is going to require a new pile - the not quite ready to let go of pile. 

How about you...

What do you know you don't need but can't seem to let go of?

New Spring Herschel Supply Totes

Last weekend I went away for an overnight trip and threw all I needed for a night's stay in my Herschel Supply book bag.  When I travel alone, I keep my packing simple. It felt great to throw my bag on my back and go!

Check out Hershel Supply's fresh collection of spring totes and their new lookbook here.  They'll have you booking your spring break trip in no time!  

Happy 1st day of spring!

xo

Kelly