August Musings
I know it sounds cliche but I really can’t believe it’s already August! The year is flying by, and thinking ahead, planning and really setting intentions is the best way to savor every moment and not just let the month roll by!
My daughter and I leave for New York for a few days on the 8th. We are going to visit her best friend in Brooklyn who is getting ready to have her first baby! I’m excited to be in the city for a few days and have some great meals (it’s always about the food) and spend time with Rebecca! We are staying in Union Square and I love the hotel we’re staying in because it’s right across from the Union Square Farmer’s Market which is one of the best ever! You can literally eat your way through and find the best things to take (or ship) home! I’m also excited for our reservation at I Sodi…it’s supposed to be fabulous and I can’t wait to try it! Let me know if you’ve eaten there!
I am also really working to get the house and the yard ready for for fall! Having the leak in the den ceiling was a set back, but it should all be repaired next week and we’ll move the furniture back in the room. I’ll be looking at fabric to recover the sofa because it was directly under where the water was dripping and got pretty wet! It’s actually time to have it recovered anyway, so I’m excited to find some fabulous fabric. I also have new window treatments coming for the living room and can’t wait to photograph them…they will really add a pop of color to the room. In addition, we’re having the chairs in the dining room recovered so the whole space will look updated. Sometimes, all it takes is a little tweak! I’m just sooo ready to feel settled and have these annoying men out of my house!
When I tell you that this house has not looked it’s best in a year, I really mean it…our yard person (who will hopefully be replaced soon), killed ALL of the grass without talking to me and we’ve had a brown front yard for several months (ugggg!!). The stress of renovating and having the outside look so bad has been real! Anyway, we should be able to reseed in a month or so and it won’t be a moment too soon. Every time I look outside I get mad so I try not to look! While we are waiting, I’m planning to plant a few more hydrangeas and get the paths cleaned up. I was actually going to get started on this today, but it’s raining so I’ll have to wait!
I’m also looking forward to some slower evenings and having time to catch up on The Guilded Age this month. Our bookclub starts back up again in September after a summer break and I’ve just started reading our book…Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson. Has anyone read this book?
I’m starting to think about packing for New York and trying to stick to a palette of black and white. I just ordered two pairs of black shoes that should be ideal for walking around. This pair from Schutz is a little dressier and this pair from Vince should be perfect during the day! I’m probably going to throw in my new Chloe wedges because they have a very street style New York look (last seen here)! I’ll pack my white jeans from AYR along with a couple of black tops and a few black dresses for dinners. A raffia bag and my white bag from Veronica Beard (most versatile bag ever) should be perfect along with jewelry (love these bracelets to jazz up an outfit) and sunglasses. I’m a notoriously bad packer, so planning ahead helps...also want to save room for a few new purchases while I’m there!
I’ve been entertaining outdoors all season long, but my favorite season to have an al fresco dinner is late summer into fall! The weather is so nice and it’s easier to linger over a candle lit table and savor one more glass of wine. I’m adding a few new things to my entertaining closet for fall including this tablecloth from Just Darviny which has gorgeous fall colors, and this raffia tray to hold anything from charcuterie to a pitcher of Sangria. I’ll also be pulling out this beautiful platter, which is perfect for a grilled fillet salad with red onions and goat cheese (recipe coming this week)! I’m cooking the fillets on our flat top griddle and they are divine! I season the fillets with a little pepper and Jane’s Mixed Up Salt. This salad is my latest obsession and so delicious!
I recently started slowly purchasing Ginori dinner plates and can’t wait to plan a fall (or holiday) table around these gorgeous plates!
Find a boutique below with inspiration from this post!
And speaking of Just Darviny…I’m loving their denim dress for a “now into fall” look, paired with sandals now and booties later. And speaking of denim…I’m still trying to find a pair of barrel jeans that fit me and just ordered these, hopefully this pair will work. Loving them styled with these sandals (these are less expensive and nearly identical)! Also just ordered this inexpensive brown tank that will go with everything…especially cute with white jeans and a denim jacket! I guess I’m on a denim kick because I also ordered this denim top from Gap…it’s so adorable and the price is right!
I received the cute top I’m wearing below from a company called Ruti (more about this brand here). It’s a lightweight sweater that is sooo great for right now styled with jeans, my Chloe Sandals (they also come in black). and an older tan bag (this one is fabulous). This is such an easy and classic look!
That’s all for today! I hope you’ve found some inspiration here today! Thanks so much for reading and have a great weekend!
~XOXO Suzanne