Early Morning Commute @ Grand Central

Posted on | February 26, 2010 | 17 Comments

Hands down my favorite building in New York is Grand Central Station. The last few years I worked in New York I lived in Connecticut and had to commute through Grand Central everyday. I know that seems crazy that I lived in another state and commuted back and forth but it’s actually a quick 45 minute express train ride. I honestly miss my train rides. I loved reading, knitting, and just having some quiet time to chill out after work.

Last week, when I was in New York I commuted in with my sister. The morning light was gorgeous trickling down on the station floor. The green ceiling above was probably my first inspiration for my den. It’s gorgeous in so many different types of light. If I close my eyes I can hear the quiet rumble of voices and high heels bouncing off the stone walls.

Grand Central Station
15 Vanderbilt Avenue
New York, NY
grandcentralterminal.com

Category: New York, on the streets

Huguenot Street: New Paltz, NY

Posted on | October 7, 2009 | 8 Comments

Historic Huguenot Street features seven unique stone houses dating to the early 1700s built by French Huguenot settlers. Huguenots from Northern France and modern day Belgium purchased 40,000 acres of land in the Mid-Hudson Valley from the Esopus Indians in the late 17th century. Small communities developed and thrived in the valley including New Paltz.

I went to college in New Paltz and would walk by these houses just about everyday. I was fascinated by the history and architecture of the buildings. The windows and shutters feel Dutch and different from anything I had ever seen in New England. Check out the green painted window frames in the room above. I wonder the real history of painting wood green? I’ll have to investigate…

Historic Huguenot Street
18 Broadhead Avenue
New Paltz, NY
huguenotstreet.org

Category: New York, architecture, on the streets

Dressel Farms: New Paltz, NY

Posted on | October 5, 2009 | 4 Comments

Over the weekend we were down in the NY area for a wedding and a family visit. On Saturday it rained all day. Greg got a little stir crazy being stuck in the house (I have two nieces under six) on such a gloomy day. We decided to go out for drive and somehow ended up an hour and 1/2 north in New Paltz—my college town and where I met Greg. A totally random and short visit turned into a nostalgic fall afternoon.

I have more photos and stories to share from New Paltz but first a few snapshots from Dressel Farms. On our way back to Westchester we made a quick stop for a bag of apples and cider. I jumped out of the car and snapped a few photos while Greg waited in the long line to pay. How cute is their apple cider sign above? The apples were crisp and delicious. I love Fall on the east coast.

Dressel Farms
State Route 208
New Paltz, NY
dresselfarms.com

Category: New York, on the streets

Pumpkins Above The Front Door

Posted on | October 1, 2009 | 9 Comments

I can’t believe that it’s the first of October. Fall outdoor decorations are popping up all over Marblehead. Pumpkins and mums are begin to fill empty flower pots and boxes. My favorite fall decorating idea is placing small pumpkins above the front door. So cute, right? A few of my favorites from my neighborhood above and below.

Category: garden, holiday, marblehead, on the streets

York, Maine: Withington Antiques

Posted on | August 20, 2009 | 2 Comments

On our drive up to Portland, Maine we stopped at Withington Antiques in York. I found the store via Martha Stewart’s blog. The store carries a range of European antiques and garden ornaments. I’ve been on a marble kick the last few months so I was pretty excited about the store’s large collection of marble accented pieces. The prices were reasonable but where geared toward a higher end buyer. I would have bought the marble topped console below if it had been a few inches longer. Greg loved the marble faux bois garden stands found in front of the store. A fun place to stop and explore interesting and unusual pieces. The shops is right off the highway at exit 7 just north of Kittery, Maine.

Withington Antiques
611 Us Route 1
York, Maine
(207) 363-1155

A set of lamps at Withington Antiques in York, Maine

Category: furniture, maine, maine shops, on the streets, vintage finds

Portland, Maine: Folly 101 & Blanche and Mimi Home

Posted on | August 18, 2009 | 5 Comments

Two of my favorite home stores were both in the Old Port section of Portland. At Folly 101 items are grouped by color. Soaps, linens, and small accessories fill the open air space. I couldn’t leave without buying a set of cotton/linen blend pillowcases for $32. A simple floral eyelet along the edge is totally adorable. How cute are the polka dots pillowcases too? Call the store for ordering info.

Folly 101
101 Exchange St
Portland, ME
(207) 773-5227‎

Down the street from Folly 101 is Blanche and Mimi Home. Beautiful textiles drape over well curated antiques. A nice selection of bedding from Plover Organic gives the store a modern twist. I bought a few dishtowels by Libeco for styling my veggie boxes.

Blanche and Mimi Home
184 Middle St
Portland, Maine
(207) 774-3900‎
blancheandmimi.com

Blanche and Mimi Home in Portland, Maine

Category: accessories, maine, maine shops, on the streets

Portland, Maine: Angela Adams, Ferdinand, Two Fat Cats Bakery

Posted on | August 18, 2009 | 5 Comments

Pins from Ferdinand in Portland, Maine.

Continuing on my Maine coverage I have two posts from Portland, Maine. It must have been 90 degrees the day I was scouting stores. I could have missed some goodies because of the heat exhaustion so feel free to add your favorites below. I started my day in the East End. Cute crafting supply stores, thrift stores, and hip restaurants dot the street. My first stop was Angela Adams. Colorful rugs, pillows, bags, and shirts fill the space in a color explosion. My pick? New linen pillows with beautiful emerald green and turquoise accents.

Angela Adams
273 Congress Street
Portland, Maine
(207) 774-3523
angelaadams.com

Just up the street from Angela Adams is fun vintage clothing shop, Ferdinand. I scored a great denim wrap skirt $10, vintage scarf $4, feather headband $10, and a fabric hair tie $4. This is definitely the cool kids shop filled with great curated vintage finds.

Ferdinand
243 Congress Street
Portland, Maine
(207) 761-2151
ferdinandhomestore.com.

I was in charge of making dinner that night. I stopped by Two Fats Cats Bakery for the world’s best blueberry pie. The crust was incredibly beautiful. The pie was filled with yummy wild Maine blueberries. Super delicious and great for breakfast the next day too!

Two Fat Cats Bakery
47 India Street
Portland, Maine
(207) 347-5144
twofatcatsbakery.com