instagr.am

have you met?
for those of you who have a love of taking photos no matter where you go...
for those of you who see the beauty and the artistic in the everyday...
it is a new means of communication...
because we all know a picture is worth a thousand words...
for those of you who have an iphone...
if you do not know instagr.am it will revolutionize the way you see the world...
it is a free app and these guys are geniuses!
to learn more about instagram click here.

below are some simple, basic images taken with my iphone that i have enhanced w instagram.


From my beach chair I looked up and shot the umbrellas last weekend at the beach in Newport

under sunny skies

At my physiatrist's office waiting to hear how we will treat my neck (and now my back) symptoms.

doctor, doctor give me the news...

instagram turned this muffin into a visual mouth watering delight.

cinnamon doughnut muffin
(recipe at The Entertaining Kitchen)

instagram captured my kids' kitchen creation.

guacamole de los ninos
(recipe at The Entertaining Kitchen)

instagram made these McDonald's fries seem Saveur Magazine worthy!

Lovin' it!

I took this just after I cut some hydrangea from the front of the house

Summer in a basket

silly self portrait on the tennis court

at the pool

Ain't Life Grand!

neglected overgrown tomato plant filled with weeds

no fruits of labor

Isn't Instagram sublime?
Go download yours now!

Happy a wonderful photo-filled weekend!

xoxo

Popsicle molds... for realz?

So my personal, touching, inspiring post is taking longer to write... distractions galore, injuries and other obligations interfere with my blogging. It shouldn't be the case. The blog should come first but alas it cannot... so I leave you with this image. An image for a hot summer day. Unless you are somewhere where the sun is not shining. And I pose this question to you. Does this really look like a popsicle mold? Does anyone see what I see? Anyone? I am quite sure that the editors of New York Magazine didn't!

Happy Friday Folks!
Keep Cool Man!
XOXO

it's been days since i've had a drink...

it's been days since i've posted... i've been unable to do either and am writing to tell you all now... meanwhile tonight I plan to pour myself a much needed drink. There's nothing like the sound of ice cubes clinking along the side of a glass...

i think, therefore i'll pour and i'll fill you all in on my dry days.

chin-chin!

Glass Dharma Straw Winner...

Suz Stevenson! I chose the winner in an oh so professional way. This morning I tweeted out that I needed a number and the first number tweeted back to me was 8. Suz was the 8th comment. She was the winner! I will need your email. Thanks!

Lilly Pulitzer would so not have approved of this...

Recently I came across this dress. I thought it was some terrible Lilly knock off. After all, the real Lilly Pulitzer would never have created this. And she certainly would never have approved. I get that the company is taking off, trying new things, edgier and trendier, and some of their new styles and designs are pretty fabulous. But this one completely missed the mark. The dress is confused. I am confused. Is this an evening dress or a daytime dress? The faux diamonds seem to suggest evening wear yet the simple shift style and pastel colors paired with the playful print seem to suggest daytime wear... a dress to wear to lunch or shopping or late afternoon cocktails at the beach club. I can't imagine this dress in Newport, the Hamptons, Lake Forest or Palm Beach. I really can't imagine this dress anywhere!

Take a closer look...

Look closely. It's just wrong. It's all wrong... The top does not go with the rest of the dress. I'm reminded of a skating dress. A bad one at that. Seriously, do any of you remember the skater Tanya Harding? She was the Bad Girl on the ice who was always trying to keep up with the beautiful Nancy Kerrigan. Nancy brought Vera Wang on to the ice. Nancy would have been a Lilly girl. Tanya would have been this monstrosity. Sorry Lilly. This dress is more trashy than classy.

What do you think?
XOXO

Ps. Lilly P is not dead. Several have asked me. But I don't believe she sees all that transpires at the Co w her name on it.

Summer Solitude Bucket List

via Pinterest

In my Year of Firsts I recently found myself alone for a week. No one around. No one at all. The children had taken off with their father to Maine to spend a week in the sun and the surf. I agonized about this for a month. I agonized about not being near my children. Sure, I want to kick them out of the house to get them out of my hair hourly, but even then, I know they are nearby to steal a kiss or a hug. But an empty house is something different. An empty house is quiet. It is lonely. A house without children in a house; it is not a home.

My children left with their father early on a Saturday morning. I stood at my bedroom window and watched as they drove down the long drive way. I watched as the car turned down the street and out of sight. The children were off to create some wonderful summer memories. For the first time in my twelve and a half years as a mother I would not be a part of them. I wiped the tears from my eyes, put on my workout clothes and headed to a Zumba class to escape my thoughts, have fun and work up a terrific sweat.

That afternoon I would start to create my own summer memories that would not include my children, but would help to define who I am... would force me to push the envelope a little... would force me to step outside the box... would force me out of the house to live life and not watch it pass on by. 

via Tumblr

That afternoon I would drive alone to New Jersey to spend the night at a friend's house and attend her 40th Birthday. I have never driven through uncharted territory before all alone - In the past I had traveled with friends, room mates, boyfriends, husband, and family. Suddenly I was in the car all by myself. In control of my own music. In control of my own destiny, really. It was also the first time I have ever driven any distance to attend a party where I knew no one. (I knew the host and one other.) A year ago I am not so sure I would have attended such a party even locally.) I ended up having a nice time and I am glad and proud of myself for doing something that took me out of my comfort zone.

I returned on a glorious Sunday and decided to really take advantage of the week. I went to the gym every morning to attend my Zumba classes. I am addicted. Completely hooked. I returned home late morning, showered, at a healthy lunch and decided that instead of cleaning the house all in one sitting I would clean it just a little bit every day. I wrote a little every day. I got my hair cut. I got my hair highlighted. I went out every night. Every night! I caught up with old friends over dinner and drinks. I took naps. I rested. By the end of the week there were still a few things on my list that I had not done. I made sure I got that pedicure I had wanted. I made sure that I got to see Midnight in Paris as I had been wanting to see it. That was something else I had never done before. I had never before been to the movies alone. It was fabulous. I even brought my sandwich with me and a bottle of Stella Artois! I wrapped the beer in an ice back that was then wrapped with a kitchen towel. I tossed a bottle opener into my bag. I had a fabulous date with myself that night! 

via Martha Stewart

My week of projected loneliness turned out to be anything but. It was the first time as a parent I felt that I had truly been on a vacation. I love my children dearly. I missed my children dearly, but this was truly necessary, truly therapeutic. Truly relaxing, I am already working on next summer's Solitude Bucket List!

via Lou, Boos and shoes

Have a great Sunday and try something different today!

XOXO

Environmentally Friendly Straws: I'll Drink (a Gimlet) to That!

image courtesy Glass Dharma

image courtesy Glass Dharma

Until just recently I had never heard of a glass straw. I was initially skeptical, but the idea grew on me. I liked the idea of drinking through something that was more sophisticated than a plastic bendy straw, and of course, I immediately thought these would be fun to sip cocktails through! Why not toss a few glass straws in to your freezer to keep chilled next to your bottle of vodka?

We know that plastic is terrible for our environment. These straws are environmentally friendly. We know that plastics can lead to cancer, and yet we continue to give our kids beverages and plastic straws. These straws are free of toxins. The Glass Dharma straws are safe for children and are available in an array of widths for various beverages from smoothies to bubble teas. The straws can be used with both hot or cold beverages and are dishwasher safe.

Glass Dharma is giving one reader of The Entertaining House a voucher for $25. This voucher is good for a set of straws. Drawing will be done by Random Generator. The giveaway deadline is Monday, July 25th.

Please visit Glass Dharma's Website to learn more about this fabulous product and the company behind it.

To be eligible please leave a comment telling us how you will use your Glass Darma Straws!
For more information please visit Glass Dharma's Website.

I think a Gimlet would make a perfect cocktail to enjoy with a Glass Dharma straw!

image via The Kitchn.com

Gimlet
5 oz gin
4 oz Rose's lime juice
4 twists of lime
slice or wedge of lime for garnish
(serves 4)

Pour the gin and lime juice into a large mixing glass (or shaker!) half-filled with ice cubes.
Stir well. (Or Shake well!)
Strain.
Pour into 4 cocktail glasses and garnish each with lime.
Sip responsibly and elegantly through your chilled Glass Dharma straw!

Glass Dharma is a proud promoter of the WifeStyle Conference 

Angela Moore Fashion Show Recap and a Jack Rogers Giveaway!

Cynthia Bogart, Jessica Gordon Ryan, Gretchen Aubuchon at The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI

I just knew it was going to be a good day the moment I saw these upon entering the tent. Pink champagne for breakfast. I'll drink to that! Cheers!

image via Angela Moore

Gretchen, Cynthia and I are enjoying our front row (!!) seats and a fabulous breakfast and event put on by Angela Moore to benefit the International Tennis Hall of Fame

Dee Gordon in Lilly Pulitzer
Photo via Angela Moore

Lilly Pulitzer was many of the prolifically fun and preppy brands to grace the catwalk. Isn't this model lovely? I'm proud to say she's my aunt and she totally rocked that cat walk!

Dee Gordon

Here she is... rocking jeggings, white jeggings no less!

Karen and Grace Megdley
via John Corbett/Angela Moore

I met Karen at the Angela Moore booth at the Newport Flower Show. I fell madly in love with the pink Angela Moore dress she was wearing. She was helpful and lovely and a total sweetheart and she stopped and smiled at me in recognition when she saw me seated at my table by the stage... in the same pink dress! Our hearys simply melted when we saw adorable daughter modeling the Angela Moore Tammi tunic (with white Jack Rogers.) Karen's beauty is undeniable... but that adorable daughter of hers stole my heart!

Angela Moore and two tennis pros wearing shirts by Three Islands
via John Corbett

all the Angela Moore models via John Corbett

Angela Moore was founded in 1997. She has stores in Palm Beach, FL and Newport, RI. In 1998 she introduced her hand painted jewelry, resort wear and accent pieces for the home.

Angela Moore's philosophy is to "celebrate your own individual style with colors and themes that make you happy"

Please visit their website here.

image via Angela Moore

image via Angela Moore

Above, the now widely popular hand painted beads can be found on their hair ties in a wide array of colors and patterns.

What I liked best about the show was getting introduced to new brands and products. The Entertaining House is not a shopping blog. It never was and it never will be, but as a lifestyle blog it is my pleasure to share with you the wonderful new things that I have stumbled upon. The following fashions and accessories are fun and fresh and won't break the bank!

Note: The items below were not necessarily in the fashion show, but they represent the brands highlighted.

Big Buddha Bag
www.bigbuddha.com

The bags by Bosom Buddies were spectacular. To die for. I wanted each and every one of them.

Bosom Buddies Handbags

Bosom Buddies Handbags

Starfish Sandal by Hot in Hollywood

If you are a regular reader of my blog you know that my go to summer shoes are my Jack Rogers. There simply is no other (in my book). While my heart will always belong to Jack, my heart couldn't help but pitter-patter a little a lot a little when I saw these starfish sandals by Hot in Hollywood. (I feel really guilty... as though I have betrayed Jack... but Jack, I want you to know that I only looked, I never cheated! xoxo)

  

I was mad about this dress by Tracy Negotian. The colors and patterns (below) are fun and vibrant.

The dress is available in other fun and whimsical prints and patterns.

patterns by Tracy Negoshian

Men's shirts by Three Islands

The Three Island men's shirts were bright and fun and offered a nice preppy alternative to the Vineyard Vines and Brooks Brothers staples. Be sure to check out their sight as they have a wonderful selection of tunics and dresses for women as well. (And the price points are right on!)


Many of the models carried small bags and clutches by Moyna. They were fun and whimsical and unique. The accessory girl that I am, I wanted every bag I saw. (The two below were not featured in the fashion show but aren't they divine?

Evening clutches by Moyna, New York

Seeing as Newport is a beachy, resort community many of the men models wore bathing suits. These Strong Boalt suits were handsome and fun and certainly caused a splash!

Men's Swim trunks by Palm Beach based Strong Bolt

Many of the models, women and children, wore lovely straw hats by Toucan. Elegant and stately these beautiful hats easily make the transition from beach to polo to cocktails on the back lawn.

Toucan Hat

I would like to thank Nicole Hawkins of Angela Moore for our fabulous table and for answering my many, many questions!

and, finally, what you've all been waiting for a Weekend Wanderlust Contest sponsored by Jack Rogers and Assouline! Visit the Jack Rogers Facebook Page for more information!

Be sure to visit The Daily Basics, Gretchen Aubuchon Design and Newport Stylephile (from whom I borrowed a few of these pictures) for more on the Angela Moore Fashion Show to benefit The International Tennis Hall of Fame

CHILL OUT! It's National Ice Cream Day!

(all images via Pinterest)

I love ice cream. I simply adore it. I could live on ice cream and ice cream alone. I really could. Cocktails don't count sillies. They're liquid!

Cheers, Happy Sunday and Stay Cool!

XOXO

(and don't forget to visit me daily at Tumblr too for more fun treats!)