The children are back at school ...

... and I have been busy deep cleaning my house! I donated 10 bags of stuff to goodwill yesterday.

My house looks amazing, and I am getting excited for the holiday season. How about you?

A new necklace

I don't know about you, but I am a little fed up with the hot weather and am looking forward to autumn.

We will still spend our weekends at the lake, but instead of swimming and boating we will spend our time walking, kayaking and bicycling ... And lots of lazy time, watching movies, reading books, playing games, and just hanging out!!!!!!

One of the exciting aspects of the change in seasons is that I get a chance to change up my decorating, and my closet. I shall soon be taking down the moss balls and nests that have been part of my summer decor, and start having some fun with sparkly pumpkins and the rich colors of autumn.

As for my closet I am focusing on beautiful neutrals for the week, and of course some fun new Lilly for the weekend!

I love this necklace, it is from Etsy.

I can't wait to see what you've bought for fall - I love to be inspired by the blogs that I read.

Gloves

I just love gloves.

When I worked in London, I always wore gloves in the winter, and remember that the first thing I did every day when I got on the train was to sit down, take off my gloves and place them in my lap.

I don't want to admit how often I forgot to put them back on! But because I lost so many pairs it means that I was always looking out for a new cute pair, and I guess I have never lost the habit.

I just spotted these 3/4 length gloves at Talbots.

A fab find don't you think?

Tasting Party

One of our favorite desert choices in restaurants is a sampler of tasting sizes for the family to share.

Offering mini deserts is a great idea because at the end of a meal we want something sweet, but are content with just a bite or two. Naturally I have been searching for mini dishes so that I can replicate the idea at my own dinner parties.

I bought a variety of dishes from Pier 1. These images from their website are just so inspiring, hosting a tasting party looks like a lot of fun.

Once you have you beautiful new dishes then you will need to find some recipes. This board on Pinterest has some great suggestions.
Do you have any recipes that you care to share?

Shere Sweater Coat

Last winter I purchased this cashmere coat in both navy and black, and since the weather is so mild in both Georgia and Alabama it saw me through most of the winter.

I had really wanted one in coral, but they had sold out, so I was so happy to see that it is available again this fall.

I bought it here ...

I was also really hoping to get some more Elsa tops, as I love the ones I have, but it looks like I'll have to wait for the resort collection.

Oh my gosh ... you have no idea how much I want this...

New Cook Books

When it comes to cooking, my loyalty is pretty much split two ways between Ina Garten and the British cookbook author Delia Smith. Imagine my delight in finding out that they each have a new cookbook.

First lets talk about Happy Christmas which I have already bought because I am a firm believer that it's never too early to start thinking about Christmas menus!

I have her original Christmas book from the early 1990's, because I'm so old, and have used it faithfully for many, many years.

This updated version includes all the old favorites, plus many new recipes that I can't wait to try.

One of the best is for a Chocolate Truffle Torte that uses liquid glucose. When the last book was released so many of us Brits watched her show, bought the book and made that dessert that England sold out of Liquid Glucose!

Ina's new book will be released in October and I'm sure will be as much loved as her others.

Both books are available on amazon.

Sunshine Award

I was so touched to receive the Sunshine award from Falling off a High-Heeled Life.

If you haven't discovered her blog then I urge you to do so, her story is inspiring.

The rule of receiving this award states that the receiver is to pass it along to 12 other blogs whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world.

I read so many blogs and felt that there were many that met this criteria but these are the 12 that I chose...

The Monogrammed Nest Puttin' On the Grits Preppy Pink Crocodile

Monograms and Manicures Queen Bee Swain Shopaholic in Alabama

If I can't wear heels ... Social Climbers Belgium Pearls

Glitterista The Existential Expatriate Mrs Blandings

Hopefully you will enjoy the musings of these fun ladies.

A Treat from Hermès

I treated myself to this little baby last weekend...

It went so well with my outfit for the party ... how could I say no?

Fun in New York

Oh what a fun weekend.

It was the first time that we have taken one of the children with us to New York, so it was different to our usual trips.

We stayed at the Ritz in Battery Park because we thought our son would enjoy seeing the Statue of Liberty and all of the boats. What a beautiful hotel and we had so much space in our suite. There was a large bedroom and bathroom, and also a separate sitting room with its own closet and bathroom, and a sofa bed.

Needless to say he loved the telescope. We actually had a corner room so had two walls of windows, but of course I didn't take any pictures!

On Friday, my DH and DS had lunch at the diner made famous by the movie When Harry met Sally and then went to the zoo.

I went to Lilly Pulitzer on Madison and bought this....

I love the anchor print - its perfect for the lake, and best of all they gave me a free pair of shoes.

Do any of you watch the Real Housewives of New York City? I have to admit it is a guilty pleasure of mine, and I was so jealous of the scene where LuAnn purchased two fake necklaces from a street vendor ... lets just say I need be jealous no more ... wink ... wink! Plus I paid a lot less than she did. I don't wear fakes myself, but my daughter is going to be very happy.

That night we went to see the Blue Man Group - we laughed so hard.

Then off for dinner at Les Halles, and my 10 year old tried snails for the first time.

We spent Saturday at the Natural History Museum, and then enjoyed our party that night. For me the highlight of the cruise was waving at our son in the hotel window as we passed by. We were so close to shore that I could actually see him. The party was fun, but I guess I'm a Mum at heart.

We came home on Sunday and saw Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo in the Delta Sky Lounge, and then when we were on the plane, a lady came to sit down next to me and I realized that her husband was sitting behind, so offered him my seat so that they could be together. Guess who he was? Martin Luther King Jr's son!

I had a great weekend in town, but am looking forward to spending the next weekend in the country.

New York

As you may remember my last trip to New York was cancelled because I did not fancy wearing an evening dress in 19" of snow!

We have been invited to a party on Saturday night, and I think I can trust the weather, so hopefully we will make it this time.

The event is a nighttime cruise around Manhattan and the attire is black or white.

I am planning on wearing a new Lilly dress, with Vintage Alhambra necklace and earrings, platinum nail polish on my fingers and toes and some sparkly sandals with a silver snakeskin bag.

Casual, summery but hopefully sophisticated enough for the event.

Our daughter is at summer camp for two weeks with her friends, but our 10 year old son is very excited about the trip. We are staying in a room that overlooks the Statue of Liberty and it has a telescope, and we plan on visiting the Natural History Museum and the Planetarium. Lots of fun!

Of course I will be visiting Lilly on Madison!

70% sale at Charles Tyrwhitt

There is nothing like a Jermyn Street shirt, and one of my husband's favorite London stores is Charles Tyrwhitt.

And even better ... they have a US website which makes shopping from America tres easy!

UK stores do not have constant sales like they do over here in the US, but it's sale time right now, so its a fantastic time to stock up.

Here are some of their pieces ....

Happy Shopping, and don't get mad at me for introducing you to such a wonderful website, because once the man in your life discovers it, there is just no going back...

Cutest puppy in the world...

Milly is now 6 months old, and is such a sweet tempered puppy.

She is a little timid but very sweet and eager to please.

So far the only things she has destroyed are her chew toys.

For anyone out in blog land who is looking for a dog then I can highly recommend getting a Cavapoo. They are very loving, don't shed and are tres cute!

Great finds at TJ Maxx

I am always on the lookout for cute flat shoes and just found two adorable pairs at TJ Maxx.

The first pair is the metalic Camellia by Kelsi Dagger

and the second pair were I felt very Sex and the City inspired. They are also by Kelsi Dagger and the style is Monaco.

Both pairs are so comfortable and I am really enjoying them.

I was in Nordstrom yesterday and they have them there, but you'll save 50% if you go to TJ Maxx!!!!

High Maintenance or Low Maintenance?

Which one are you?

I consider myself low maintenance. I color my own hair, take care of my own nails, clean my own homes, although I do have help with my gardens (or yards as they are called over here).

My wardrobe is probably fairly high maintenance, I am constantly at the dry cleaners, although I do have the LG steam washing machine which can handle a lot of delicates. Probably pays for itself in the amount saved at the dry-cleaners!!!

So which one are you?

I chose to do a lot of things for myself as it makes me feel better about the shocking amount I spend on clothes. Would you rather spend your money on feeling pampered or on material things??? Let me know girls.

What to wear on July 4th

Do you have your outfit picked out yet?

We are flying to Kansas City for the weekend to pick our daughter up from a Duke TIP summer camp, and will be getting together with some old friends.

Wherever you spend your holiday, I hope you have fun and enjoy some spectacular fireworks.

I will be wearing this.....

It's the Bidi dress by Lilly Pulitzer.

But I have other ideas for anyone who is still looking for the perfect red/white/blue outfit.

I saw these ribbon flip-flops in my Talbots store and they had a red/white/blue ribbon...so cute

Or, for a more casual look, how about this T-shirt from Tory Burch with a pair of dark blue jeans and some white converse.

Landscaping at the Lake House

I have been busy for the past few months trying to finish up the lake house landscaping.

I'm not done yet but here are some pics of the progress so far.

All of the flowering trees and plants have white flowers. I have always wanted to try this but never had the right property. It was such a great decision, it makes everything so calm and peaceful.

Lilly Tunics

I will allow that Hopsy may have more Lilly shifts than I do, but I think I may have her beat on the tunic. I am a bit of an addict.

I have maybe 15 more that I could not find an image of.

What do you think? Do I win the tunic crown girls!!!!!

Bar Stools

I am really excited about the new bar stools at my lake house. I ordered them 5 months ago and they arrived this week!

They are from Restoration Hardware, and look tres amazing with my dining chairs!

Charming Charlie

We just had a new store called Charming Charlie come to the Atlanta area recently.

It has some clothes but it is mainly the most amazing accessory store. Think "Claire's" for grown-ups!

The store is arranged by color, so it is really easy to find exactly what you're looking for, although the selection is so good, and the prices so low, you're sure to find one or two things that you didn't even know that you wanted!

Here are some examples of their wares...

I have a 13 year old daughter, with very sophisticated tastes, and she loved it. I tend to prefer real jewels to faux, but I am very happy with my finds. There were so many pieces that would look great with all of my Lilly.

Check here to see if they have a store near you.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day.

We have a tradition of spending the day at Serenbe. For those of you who live in Georgia, Serenbe is a 1,000 acre community that is about 30 minutes from the Atlanta airport. There are homes and businesses there, but it feels like an old-fashioned farming community.

We have lunch at the Farmhouse, and then spend the afternoon walking the trails, sitting by a river, or napping in a meadow depending on our mood!

Derby Hats 2010

Talbots

As you know I love a tunic. What could be better for summer than this preppy white eyelet tunic....

I also love this straw clutch

And my favorite item - this belted sheath dress.

To view more of the latest looks from Talbots, check out Red Chair Confessions.

My Drawing Room

Here are a few photos of the drawing room of my Georgia home. As you can see it is much more formal than my country abode in Alabama.

The walls are a pale green, the drapery is pale gold, the sofas are red and the rug includes all of these colors. (A grown-up pink and green color scheme!)

I adore the built-ins and the coffered ceiling.

Most of the furniture is from Ethan Allan, I think that their seating is just so comfortable and I love that I can customize the fabrics.

As you can see I am obsessed with mercury/antiqued glass and moss balls. (Thanks to my spring swop partner who added to my moss collection).

The family room opens onto my breakfast room and kitchen - the perfect layout for a family.

Hope you like it!