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?  

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

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

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!

 

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?

The Perfect Day in NYC

My husband and I just had the most heavenly day in New York City!  Follow our adventure in the pics below...

Fun Temporary Tattoos

I've just about had it with the snow and the predictions of more snow.  So I'm distracting myself with the idea of getting a temporary tattoo.  Check out Tattly for some fun tat designs!

Which ones are your favorite?  I think I might start sending these to my girlfriends as Cabin Fever Gifts, ha!

Stay warm!

xo

Kelly

Shake Shack Love

I forget names, important facts and dates rather quickly.  But my memories of food seem to stick...

I recently ate at the new Shake Shack in King of Prussia, and all I've done is dream about their crispy golden fries and creamy, perfectly balanced vanilla to chocolate black and white milkshakes.

The place has fast moving lines and just enough seats to squeeze in all of its customers.  Fond memories of the Shake Shack in NYC and excellent people watching gave me the patience to wait around and squeeze my family of 5 into a table for 2.  

My 2 year old daughter dug right into the scene and took the lid off her milkshake and dipped her fries in it.  She may be a baby genius!

The place did not dissapoint.  It was a fun spot for a gourmet junk food adventure with the kids, but I think it would make for a great casual date night too.  They serve beer and wine!  

Mast Brothers even makes a chocolate bar exclusively for the Shake Shack.  Total stamp of approval.

Ever been?  Get the full scoop and find a location near you here!

One New Healthy Habit

For about 6 months I've been running steady and got into the habit of chowing down on cookies and cupcakes from the local coffee shop on my way home from my workouts.  I have a sweet tooth obviously and running makes my cravings a lot worse.

One of my resolutions is to replace my junk binge after my runs with a more nutritious snack. 

My solution...whole grain toast with organic peanut butter and whatever fruit I happen to have in the frig.  Today I picked the leftover raspberries from my kids' breakfast plates.  This snack still gives me my sweet fix and it's a lot more satisfying!

Anyone else trying to make healthier changes in your diet?  What's working?