Start Summer Off Right

First delicioso BBQ of the season. Perfectly prepared and complemented by uniquely western Apple Beer.

And this delightful (homemade!) dessert made it oh so sweet.

Few things compare to garden fare cuisine paired with the company of old friends and lovely weather. Summer has officially arrived!

Found

One of my favorite NY afternoon treat spots has a small library of great picture books. My sister and I always pick out the same one and slowly peruse, discussing it's contents again and again. On our most recent trip, we were delighted to find this sweet note leafed within its pages. I love this kind of stuff. It's like peeking in on something you weren't meant to see. Happy accidents are sometimes the best kind.

There's No Place Like

I'm heading home for a few wedding celebrations, girlie chats, and oh...those su-uummer ni--hights.

Strike A Pose, There's Nothing To It...

Yesterday, as luck would have it, I was pulled aside by two Japanese girls and asked to do a quick photo shoot for their fashion glossy that publishes in Japan. Wa-wa-wa-what? This is amazing! Me? Really? You mean out of all the hipsters and beautiful people here in Soho, you want me? They took several shots in different poses for about 5 minutes and then asked me all sorts of questions about myself...name (Jamie Anne), age (28), occupation, what brand is that dress? (Proenza Schouler), where did you get that 'vintage belt'? (Banana Republic), and these sunglasses? (Nordstrom), what about that bag? (Laundry).

Is this gloating? I certainly hope not. It was pure bliss. I la-la-la-loved every second of it. I'm pretty sure it was the sunglasses that sold 'em.

Roadtrip!

Probably the best excuse for loading up on heaps of sugary sweet treats.

Stops along the way:

• Delaware Water Gap
• Poconos, PA -- a stop Billy's Pocono Diner for lunch
• Lancaster, PA Amish Country -- Home baked Amish sweets and breads, delish!
• Philadelphia, PA -- Motown Philly's back again, yo yo!

Twinkle Toes

This is me lately...kickin' up my silver-toed dogs in Central Park for a picnic. I la-la-la-love playing hostess. Having guests in town is a little slice of heaven.

Flaxen Flair

This is probably the most versatile, comfortable (yes, I did a trial run just to be sure), beautiful (I just know those golden threads are gonna glimmer and shimmer in natural light) dress I've seen from good old Anthropologie in a while. While I think most of their dresses are quite lovely, not all of them are practical. This one is a jack of all trades...lunch with friends, shopping in the city, dinner and a movie, opera or symphony, church, cocktails, weddings, weekend getaways, and on and on and on. I la-la-la-love it. I'll probably buy it ( I probably already did).

Christmas in May

As soon as I leave NY and have a place I can call my own, I can only hope that I am as successful as the folks at Cafe Lalo when it comes to tree lighting adornment. Theirs are borderline maniacal (I sometimes wonder how the leaves on the trees even breathe through that chokehold of string lights) and I lalalalove it. Every day I walk by, they make me smile a bit.

Washington D.C.

I lalalalove our nation's capital. It inspires and forces me to think and mesmerizes me all at once. Here's a sneak peek inside what I am quite certain was the loveliest of all lovely girls trips. Truly a delight.

...Detailed itinerary, suitcases suffering from a sore case of bustion (so so full), ripped off car ride to the airport...
...Political receptions, Congressional Club brunches, and Luncheons with the First Lady...
...Eastern Market wandering, Max time, late night treat 'n' chats...
...Marine parades, Mt. Vernon colonial dining, patriotic renditions of 'Stars and Stripes Forever' , tear jerking tales of fallen soldiers...

...2 party dresses daily, once in a lifetime opportunities, exhilarated exhaustion after 5 charm-filled days...

Special Thanks to Jackie, Pam, and Jjana, without whom none of this might have been possible.

Simple Pleasures

Yesterday at Pearl River Mart (one of my NY faves for poking around), I spotted these little babies. 144 cocktail parasols for the bargain price of $3.50!!! I get the flutterbyes just thinking of all the fun I'm going to have with them.

Phew!

After a late night (followed by an early morning), and a plane ride home, made it back to the big apple just in time for fresh squeezed orange juice and brunch. Of course, with my mah-velous mum. Mmmm...

Political Agenda

I'm off to our nations capital for a splendidly sweet lil' girls trip.

See you soon. xoxo.

Mellow + Yellow = Relaxing Blue-Green

The Mellow + Yellow Swap was such a delight. I picked up the package from my valet. During the elevator ride back to my place, I found myself grasping and feeling around, trying to decipher its contents, and impatiently tapping my toes. A scenario made more embarassing by the fact that I was not alone in the elevator.

What glee! I opened it to find a fabric-wrapped parcel, just for me! Dainty fabric and a handwritten note letting me know I was being treated to a 'little sussy' -- Nicole's catchy term for things that she loves/are inspired by -- can only mean that great things are yet to come.

Yes yes yes. Wondrous and splendid goodies indeed!

First, a concentrated fragrance spray. Cucumber Melon -- a pleasant and subtle scent that effortlessly evokes and perfectly complements the color scheme. An excellent aroma for my little palace in the sky, which gets no breezy floral aroma from the sidewalks below.

Next I discovered an enchanting vintage dish. Hurrah! It is perfect for housing the goodies I pick up round the city daily. Everyone who comes to my house immediately heads for the candy bowls. What a charming addition.

As if that wasn't enough, the last gift was the best of all the game. A hand-made apron, specially for me {why can't I posess such talents?}. Apparently, Nicole is ka-ka-ka-crazy about making them {why, oh why can't I be like her?}. There's just something more meaningful and incredibly special about a home-spun gift. I'm not the crafty type {but am the baking and cooking type} and have incredible appreciation for all things made with a bit of love.

It's just too much for words. I dote on it and find myself going back and admiring the craftsmanship.

Extreme close-up, detailing pocket and lace-trimmed egdes.

Nicole is a talented photographer, and could probably do the contents of this parcel far more justice than I.

Thanks, Nicole. I knew we were meant to be as soon you told me your package may be a bit late. And I confessed the same. Fashionably late, but oh so worth the wait. Check out her blog to get a little sussy of your own!

Happy Happy Day!

Head over here to wish my dear, sweet, petite Ali the hap-hap-happiest of days. She is a treasure that I hold dear to my heart.

I am certain she will celebrate in style, with her beloved Curtis by her side.

Ali, you are more to me than simple words can express. I admire you. I cherish you. I lalalalove you so.

Here's to the hap-hap-happiest day of all!

Cheers to you!

xoxo.

Derby Days

I always look forward to the Kentucky Derby. My grandparents have owned race horses on and off throughout the years, and some of their love for the sport inevitably rubbed off on me. As a young girl, I remember visiting the horses and jockeys before their chance on the field and then the exhilaration of the race. There's something so beautiful and mesmerizing about an animal doing what it was meant to do -- run run run. I'm anxiously awaiting tomorrows race...now if only I could get down to Kentucky to enjoy a mint julep in my derby hat. Ah well, maybe next year.

Shot Through The Heart

Last night after American Idol {which Grant is obsessed with, and if you know how dippy and serious he is, this is hysterical in and of itself}, on which Bon Jovi was the guest star, Grant informed me that lead singer, Jon Bon Jovi, is his new favorite badass. He also vowed that as soon as his Wall Street days are over, and he no longer has to be prim and proper, he's going Jon Bon Jovi on me. Not that he's going to be a rock star, so much as he's gonna grow out and style his hair exactly like him. Swoon! Haha. I'll let you know how that goes just as soon it happens.

Newport, RI

"He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it." -- from The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

Newport, RI is filled to the gills with Gatsby-esque mansions from the Gilded Age, which the Preservation Society let's you oooh and ahhh -- for a price. There's something enchanting about the grandeur of it all, which may explain why I keep going back.

Anti-Wrinkle

I am an expert traveler. It's what I do best {besides eat treats, throw parties, and buy clothes}. These days, it seems I can barely get the suitcase unpacked and clothes laundered before it's time to go again. Believe you me, I'm not complaining. But, as I gear up for an oh so on the go summer, I think I've found the solution for one of my arch enemies -- wrinkles. This Crease Release spray from The Laundress may be just what the frequent flyer ordered. I've got loads of soirees and parties (fancy term for weddings) to get to this summer, and a rumpled party dress simply will not do.

Puddle Jumpers

Nothing quite like a rain-soaked road trip. Just a quick stop on our way to Rhode Island, putting our wellies and 'brellies to good use.

Take The Taste Test Challenge

The 7Up powers that be have recently re-invented Diet 7Up, proclaiming it to be more refreshing, have more natural lime flavor {yum!} and less diet-y tasting. Now, the rest is up to you. They've put together Taste Challenge Kits containing the revamped Diet 7UP, plus 2 other competing diet lemon lime soft drinks. Sign up now to get yours, totally freakin' free. I've always wanted to be a food critic...baby steps, I guess. Up for the challenge? Click here.

May Day

"It's spring fever...you don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" -- Mark Twain

P.S. I'm pretty sure that this is what I want!