How Does Your Garden Grow?

My front yard garden is finally starting to fill out after we completed redesign it this past Fall.  It was lovely before but very old and completely overgrown so we decided to remove and try to salvage whatever we could and plant them elsewhere. The new front yard is predominantly different species of boxwood as my little deer friends don't find them tasty!  I cant was to see it in a few years as it comes into its own. I do think I may change the door color  to a deep green/gray, thoughts? 
A special thank you to  Paul Cernuto and Neil Le Blond of High Tech Landscaping for making my vision come true! 
We also have started many plants this year in our greenhouse. It's chock full of tomatoes, brussel sprouts and peppers.  My raised garden bed kits are arriving any day and I cant wait to transplant these goodies outside where they belong. 
What's you favorite part of your garden? Is  there anything you would change if you could? Anyone want tomatoes? Have a great week!

My old front yard a bit over grown I must say!

 

The new yard ! Less cluttered and full of green and white and pop of lilac!

Celebrate Negroni Week!

Summer is time for classic cocktails! The week of June 1st to the 7th is Negroni week.  It's a classic Italian cocktail that has Campari as an ingredient.  I even love the name Campari it is reminiscent of a classic era and you can picture Cary Grant sitting along the Amalfi coast with a Campari and soda for sure!  What's even better is bartenders nation wide who participate get money toward their favorite charity next week and as Martha Stewart always says."It's A Good Thing"!
Bartenders, bakers, chefs and Negroni fans alike are getting ready to drink (or eat) for a cause from June 1 – June 7. Negroni Week is a weeklong celebration that takes place across the country where $1 of every Negroni – or Negroni item – sold gets donated to that participating bar’s charity of choice. They had over 1,300 bars participate last year and hope to exceed that number this year! 
Also DryWellArt has created a great piece of art in honor of the week and it would be so much fun to have in any bar area.  Check out their site for more fun art ideas!

Here is a lovely way to set up Summer bar and some great recipes too! Have a lovely weekend.

DryWell Art

Maybe set up bar on one of these beauties from my favorite go to- ETSY!

ETSY

ETSY

ETSY

ETSY

Negroni

Created in 1919 in Florence, per the request of Count Camilo Negroni

1 oz Campari

1 oz Cinzano Rosso Vermouth

1 oz Gin

Pour ingredients over ice into a shaker. Stir and strain in a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Be A Peach

Created by Mia Mastroianni, Soho House Los Angeles

1.5 oz Campari

.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 oz Orgeat

1/2 oz Amaro Nonino

1/2 oz Peach Liqueur

Soda Water

Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass. Add 1 ice cube and whip. Pour contents over fresh ice into a Collins glass and top with soda water.

Ciao!!

Style Under The Sun!

It is so nice to finally have wonderful warm weather in the Northeast! My heart goes out to those in Texas and Oklahoma as they have had horrific weather. I wish them drier times very soon.  At this time of year we cannot get enough of the great outdoors. It's time to add some style under the sun. We spend so much time adding style to the indoors that sometimes we forget about the outdoors. It truly becomes our living space for several months out of the year, so I have found a few goodies that could add personality and style to any outdoor space!  

Check the beauties above from Bonny Neiman-Great House!

All outdoor rated!

The 3 fun pieces above are from Opiary! Each have pockets built into the 

forms for greenery to grow!

How much fun is this bench/boxwood planter! Found on Freshome.com.

The 6 above are great pieces available on One Kings Lane, each have a personality all their own and who doesn't love a swing or hammock?

The above 4 are a mix of chinoiserie chic and moroccan flair all found on Horchow!

Good ole Etsy!

Faux Bois always eye catching- Etsy!

Reviving The Butler's Pantry

We are in the midst of construction chaos here! Tile and counters are installed in kitchen, and I am on the list for the painter! Supposedly this place will actually get painted in June, fingers crossed. Counter has been installed in butlers pantry now it's time to move on to tile and floor. Our house came with the butler's pantry and I actually think there was a servant here 200 years ago that used it. Today it's only me, the "butler of the house"!  It was very dated as we totally neglected this little  of a space. Neglected no more we will bring this little gem back to life.  I have my game plan ready but I do love to see what others have done in their pantries. I personally love the mix of closed and open shelving, and since our pantry doubles as a bar area we installed pearl quartzite  so it would be more durable.  Do you have a pantry and what's your favorite style?

GOOD BYE old pantry, your face lift is in progress!

Sneak peak of progress, new counters, sink , faucet and cabinet door  removed and space increased and for new fridge, old small space turned into a wine bottle holder!

Next are some of my favorite pantries!

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All Souls Mercantile

I thought it fitting to share this company founded in 2014 by Tova Celine  in LA.  She visited a warehouse filled with army surplus dating from the 50's to the 70's and decided there had to be some way to honor the stories of these materials. This Los- Angeles based company offers one- of -a kind handcrafted vintage army surplus materials "reinvented"! Check out some of the great ways these pieces have been brought back to life. To see more go HERE! Have a safe and peaceful Memorial Day weekend everyone!