Phoebe Howard - You are my Idol!

I have found a new design crush, more like idol actually. Phoebe Howard is so accomplished and has such an extensive portfolio, I could spend hours browsing her website. She has covered so many different styles with her most recent projects titled, 'Surf's Up', 'The Power of Pink', 'East Hampton', 'Richmond Traditional', and the list goes on. Phoebe and her husband Jim began their empire when they opened 'Mrs. Howard', a home decor shop in Jacksonville, FL fourteen years ago. The have since opened Mrs. Howards and Max & Company's all over the Southeast and mastered a modern traditional interior design style that has been recognized time and time again by the leading publications in design.

I look forward to following Phoebe and Jim and learning for their incredible talent!  

Her work is so incredible and I just love how she masters so many different styles!

A Long Weekend in Florida...

This post was written during my vacation, but for some reason I couldn't get the pictures up! I think it was a little sign from above to give-up with the computer for a couple days, and enjoy the precious time I had been given with mi madre :)

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I'm so happy to be here in Jupiter, Florida with my mom for the weekend! We took the 1:00 p.m. flight out of NY and by 5:00 we were totally at peace, calm and tranquil looking out at the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, heaven!

I am so proud of my mom and dad, every time I come down to the house there are these fresh little updates I just adore. I thought I'd snap a few photos and share a glimpse of our Florida abode: 

 

This piece was made from driftwood, fishing line, and lots of beautiful shells, clever isn't it??

 

my little office for the time...pleasurably worked at each morning!

 

love this centerpiece - these are handpicked shells that have been bleached over the years on our porch piled high in a clear glass vase.

 

A collection of vintage Florida state plates on display with shells and coral. Every time I see them at  thrift stores or tag sales, I pick them up for the house. I like the history they bring to a new place...

 

I painted this for my dad for a father's day gift back when I was in high school, it's the Jupiter Lighthouse. Am I a little proud? Yes. And I wish I still painted...

 

I love this picture I took of an orchid on our porch, so bright and beautiful against the beautiful backdrop of palms and sky...

 

yes, this was really a car parked, and I obviously had to take a photo

 

the perfect setting for a wedding at the Jupiter Beach Resort - will definitely be getting married there!

 

a delicious cocktail of rum, pineapple, cranberry, and perrier!

Thanks for dropping by today :)

Finally Welcoming Fall

Well, it's hard for me because I really do hate to see summer go, however the crisp fall air and apple-picking, apple-crisp, pumpkin pie is hard to turn a cheek to, and especially in picturesque New England.

I've accepted it and am welcoming it into my home with open arms. Away with (some) of the shells, and in with the pumpkins and acorns!!

In looking for some inspiration, I found these amazing fall decor photos which could totally fit into a beach house:

do you love candycorn like me?

I like the white here, nice contrast

I have so many of these currently filled with shells, I like the natural acorns - and, they're free!

I love the white colors

an apple crisp martini by Lauren

and the rest of her delicious dinner party! For details and menu, visit http://www.chownchat.com/

Instant Chic - Bamboo Shades

I just adore bamboo shades and really have a hard time using anything but these days. To me, they are the perfect look for windows to get that au natural, beach casual, chic look. The best part is that they are a heck of a lot cheaper than your standard window treatments, which most of the time I loathe anyway, unless they are light and airy...

They are so versatile and let the light in which is what you need to create a refreshing space:

do you favor bamboo shades? 

What I Love about Rain!

I really dislike rainy days, BUT since one is upon us today here in NYC/CT and has been all week, I'll stay positive and remind myself what is actually good about it!

You get to lay in these during the daytime hours and not feel guilty:

yummy aren't they - that is where I'd like to be right now!

And you get to accessorize with these cuties:

I like sportier rain coats - these two from patagonia are my faves.

Need to get a pair of hunter boots, although right now I'm digging my plaid sperry's

and that umbrella - well it's aqua, my favorite color.

What do you love about the rain?!