The Prince has arrived

There's been a buzz in the air since Monday.

It's far reaching, spanning across 'the pond'.

The buzz ..... it's a boy!

Mother is radiant,

Father ever so proud,

Grandmothers have visited, 

and the Castle is prepared to accept the new Prince!

Welcome 

John 'Jack' Matthew Papallo 

OK.... so maybe that wasn't fair.... 

He may not be third in line for the crown of England, but Jack is certainly the new Prince in my family!  My beautiful sister Christen gave birth to her second child, first son, Jack on Monday.  

Today's blog is dedicated to our newest family member. 

To commemorate this blessed occasion let's check out some of the industry's best designs for new royalty ... or just new common folk like ... Jack! 

Jane Churchill Paddington Bear

  

Jonathan Alder Royal Baby Gold Piggy Bank

Duc Duc Regency Crib 

Cunill Dumbell Rattle Barneys New York 

I really do wish Kate & William the best with their new Prince. 

There is nothing more beautiful than the beginning of a new life chapter with a new baby. 

Here's to Christen & Matt ... and ... Kate & William too! 

May you continued to be blessed, 

cherish these precious early days, and sleep when your Prince sleeps. 

In a blink of an eye these little packages are grown....

Here's to Fairy Tale Endings & Happily Ever After!

A Great Day in American History..

44 years ago ......

Neil Armstrong 

USA 

Moon 

Great Day in American History 

"That's one small step for man

One giant leap for mankind"~Neil Armstrong

The moon has been a source for inspiration 

long before Neil took those steps, 

and continues to be so today!

Mini Moon Chair by HStudio
what child wouldn't want to be the man in the moon?

Moon Craters by Great Wall Online

Glow in the Dark Moon cabinet
designed by Sotirios Papadopoulos

Croissants de lune wallpaper 

When the Moon shines over you tonight ..... I hope you find inspiration too!
Until Next Week.....

A sweet escape...

It's the fourth heat wave of the summer ... 

16 days total to date of over 90 degree temps. 

As I picked blueberries yesterday,

I thought, how did people back in the day survive these heat waves?

The days before 

 central air

fans 

 ice cream cones

ice cold iced tea 

 crystal clear swimming pools

Before we could escape to..... 

the movies

the mall 

or surprise the kids with a water park

Back then .... life slowed to a snails pace 

and it was truly 

The Lazy Days of Summer 

Let's take a trip back in time... 

and appreciate what we have available to us today! 

Sunbathers cool their feet in Central Park 1961
Courtesy of Time Life Pictures Leonard McCombe 

A man rolls up the legs of his suit, paddles into the water to turn his back on the world and stare out to sea.
 (Photo by Vagn Hansen/BIPs/Getty Images). 1955Courtesy of Vintage Everyday 

New York City Children cooling off with Fire Hydrant
Courtesy of Time Life Pictures Vernon Meritt III

Central Parks Bethesda Fountain 1961
Courtesy of Time Life Pictures Leonard McCombe 

Central Park Summer of 1894
Courtesy of Vintage Everyday 

An ice cream vendor wearing waders sells Bailey's ice cream to two women bathing in the sea at Brighton.
(Photo by George W. Hales/Fox Photos/Getty Images). 7th August 1939Courtesy of Vintage Everyday 

I'm hoping the heat wave breaks soon... and stays at bay for a while.  

I fear if we don't get a break soon, we'll all be taking a trip back in time ... after all how long can our power companies maintain this demand?!

Excuse me while I skip across the street for a refreshing treat ..... 

Durham Dairy Serve ....
Photo Courtesy Jason Neely 

New, New York New York ...

Really ...

 New York it's not so new to my beautiful daughter Ashley...

Three years ago, 

My country bumpkin easily stepped into the big city life without missing a beat. 

I kissed her goodbye on the corner of E23rd and 3rd

and barked off my life instructions

...always be aware of you surroundings...

...remember the earlobe is weak & painful...

....keep a $10.00 bill hidden in your wallet 

...Mommy's only a train ride away...

...and ...please don't talk to strangers...

I kissed her again and fought back the tears

As I watched her walk away

she walked up to the first stranger she could find 

and said 

"Hi Stranger!" 

Then turned a smiled back at me 

Yes I cried...

I love that kid...

Saturday she moves back to NYC 

...but not just for a semester 

she's moving...

As her Mom, I'm heartbroken 

yet so proud... 

Secretly...I'm also thrilled,

...After all who wouldn't want to just skip into the city 

just because my baby girl needs a little Mama time!

Whiskey Girl

Blogging this week in my absence is my beautiful, creative and witty daughter Ashely ... I hope you find the apple didn't fall far from the tree!  Enjoy the post, and I'll be back next week when I return from my annual missions trip!

I love my whiskey, and I love up cycling whiskey barrels almost as much. 

This is wood floors made from re purposed whiskey barrels, you can find it at McKay Flooring

Whiskey barrel Mason jar light fixture, WhiskeyLights

Barrel stool with a leather top from Halo Styles

I love that these items are so unconventional! 

Lastly, can't drink your Whiskey this weekend without these awesome newly popular item! 

The Whiskey Stone! 

Just freeze them and pop them in your glass to keep your drink cold without watering them down!

I hope that everyone has a fun and safe weekend!

Red, White, and Blue all over

Blogging this week in my absence is my beautiful, creative and whitty daughter Ashely ... I hope you find the apple didn't fall far from the tree!  Enjoy the post, and I'll be back next week when I return from my annual missions trip!

Happy Fourth of July!!

In addition to wide open spaces, freedom, hamburgers, and Budweiser, America is..

Red

White

& 

Blue

This adorable bow is from Etsy seller themanebowtique!

Sweet little Needlepoint Stool from Jonathan Adler

Chair No. One Eighty from my favorite company, The New Traditionalists. 

George Washington serving tongs, also from Jonathan Adler.

I hope you all enjoy your Fourth of July celebrations! 

Swing Life Away

Blogging this week in my absence is my beautiful, creative and whitty daughter Ashely ... I hope you find the apple didn't fall far from the tree!  Enjoy the post, and I'll be back next week when I return from my annual missions trip!

The front porch is my sanctuary. It's where I catch my breath, catch up with friends, and catch some Z's on my porch swing.  I truly believe that your outdoor seating spaces should be treated as an extension of your home. 

Outdoor fabric and furniture has come an incredibly long way since the plastic furniture and vinyl cushions of our childhoods.... You can be so creative with colors, textures, and even different finishes.

Fabrics are now not only durable, but also pleasing to the eye and touch. 

Check out these wild patterns!!! 

What's even better, is what you can put the fabrics on!

Cute Swivel Rocking chair from Pavilion Furniture's Eos Collection. 

An adorable rustic Bar stool from Pavilion's Portico Safari Collection

This overstuffed Lounge Chair is to die for. From Pavilion's Horizon's Collection.

And last but not least, this breathtaking lounger with a traversing canopy!!