Renny and I had a fantastic day styling for a photo shoot, yesterday, and while we spent hours on location at the Chicago Botanic Gardens with some favorite vendors/industry friends – this gorgeous arrangement is all I have to show for it at this time!
This bold arrangement {composed of coral charm and coral sunset peonies, apricot roses, salmon ilex berries, concord grapes and gold-dusted foliage} acted as the perfect partner for our refined rustic setting and looked smashing as support to our color palette of Coral, Camel and Navy.
Upon arrival in Nantucket, the rain continued to pound. J and I were still buzzing with excitement {or was it terror from our stormy flight in an airplane the size of a minivan?!} and we insisted on exploring town. Our first stop was for a late lunch and we found the perfect cozy respite for burgers and beer…
Brotherhood of Thieves was originally opened in the 1840s as a whaling bar and much of the original setting still exists today.
I decided on the Veggie Burger and loved every bite. J chose the Bayou Burger and thought it was delicious – especially with the spicy red pepper remoulade. A couple of beers from the local Cisco Brewery were the perfect partner for our burgers and provided the energy needed to continue meandering down the cobblestone streets.
We had selected our first dinner in Nantucket to be at Lola 41. This chic global bistro had a menu that we couldn’t resist {paired with countless first hand raving recos!}, with seemingly something for everyone. We selected a couple of random dishes, not meant to be complimentary paired, but meant to explore the menu. We started with the Tatara, a basic starter sushi roll {J is new to sushi…we were easing into it}. It was delicious and sizable. We then moved on to the handmade Gnocchi Bolognese. The buttery little pillows of potato were as light as clouds…absolutely delectable and quite possibly one of our favorite dishes of our trip! We also shared the Pressed Sandwich – featuring thick crusty bread hugging a combination of proscuitto, arugula, asparagus, bufala mozzarella and thick, gooey aged balsamic. We waddled home, navigating ankle-deep puddles, in a blurry haze of delicious wine and indulgent dishes.
Day two started with a delicious breakfast prepared by our innkeepers. We had a day of exploring the island ahead of us and, therefore, I felt in necessary to have even more fuel than our abundant breakfast offered…
A strong latte from The Bean was a good start…
But the sure way to keep me going is to have a sack full of sugar-candy! The sweet lady at the Nantucket Candy Company viewed me as a regular by the end our our trip!
After hours of sightseeing we were ready for a snack to sustain us until dinner and decided to pop into the Easy Street Cantina for a bite. The location is great, on the corner of Easy and Broad Streets, right by the water and I can imagine that it is packed in the summer months. The fish taco and chicken salad wrap were average, but did the trick.
We were seated at a cozy window table for dinner, our second night. Black Eyed Susan’s is a teeny little BYO {cash only!} restaurant that offers breakfast and dinner. People rave about their breakfast…but I’m only able to rave about their dinner. I had the Salmon Tikka Masala that had a deliciously Indian flare, while J chose a safer chicken dish that the waiter offered as a special for the evening. We so enjoyed our meal, romantic and casual…and quite bustling for off season!
The next day we embarked on an island bicycle trip and stopped at The Green, after breakfast, to pick up lunch on the go…something that would fit in the woven basket on the front of my bike {J would not hear of putting a basket on his bike!}
Once we hit Siaconset beach {10+ miles later} and found the perfect overturned rowboat to act as our picnic respite, it was time to sample the natural/organic creations the early shift at The Green put together for us. My multigrain wrap was stuffed with tuna, veggies, spinach and brown rice. To say it was fresh would be a massive understatement…it was the perfect fuel I needed. J’s chicken salad wrap must have also been noteworthy because before I could ask how it was…it was gone!
Once we got back into town, nearly 25 miles in nutty wind-gusts later, we both agreed we were owed a treat {as if the backpack full of sugar-candy wasn’t treat enough…}
Petticoat Row is a darling bakery bursting with even more darling treats. In the 1800s, many of the island men were away on whaling voyages for months, if not years, on end. The wives at home were forced to step up and fill in with the labor shortage and started running businesses and shops. The lady-run shops on Centre Street started being referred to as Petticoat Row.
The macarons were massive, the cookies were trouble with their gooey centers and crispy edges and the misc goodies left us wanting more {while also feeling sickly full}…
After a bit of relaxation, it was time to gear up for yet another meal! After a menu change at our originally planned restaurant, Toppers, we selected Dune for our final dinner.
The almost urban setting was bustling with an interesting mix of chic, glossy patrons and with a few casual hoodie-clad locals, all simply awaiting a delish dinner with drinks.
I convinced The Man to start with Oysters on the half shell. We shared the pepper pappardelle with black truffle and risotto. The dinner was delicious and we were so glad to have shared our last dinner there.
The morning of our departure, we realized we had yet to make a visit to a local favorite…Downyflake Donuts.
We decided to walk, even though it’s location was described as middle island. The donuts were surprisingly small…allowing us the further indulgence of a sampling of a few of their flavors: regular, chocolate, and pumpkin spice. The walk was way more manageable than expected, therefore not easing my conscious…perhaps I worked off the free sample bite left on the counter?
Before the weekend came to an end, we needed snacks for the flight and treats for friends at home and made a final stop at Sweet Inspirations, where chocolate covered gummy bears {surprisingly delicious} and chocolate covered cranberries {local and seasonal} came home with us by the boatload.
I haven’t yet stopped my two-a-day workouts and am pretty sure I shouldn’t for months to make up for the few fabulous days of dining we experienced on Nantucket.
There was a significant chance that I was setting myself up for a massive disappointment. I have heard nothing but rave reviews for the charmed island, therefore I had built Nantucket up in my mind as a magical place where locals and visitors were casually beautiful, carefree and discreetly preppily posh. Where the setting provided a backdrop of lapping waves, lighthouses and weathered shingles. A place where there were tunnels of trees edging the streets, where roads consisted of brick and cobblestone instead of smooth concrete, where shops had both the character and vision to be unassumingly fabulous.
A place like that was surly mythical. Was surly a big fat farce, for a part of me wouldn’t have been surprised to find grimy, littered streets just beyond the heart of downtown; pretty buildings whoes interiors were outdated and grandmotherly, posers that couldn’t tell the difference between Nantucket Reds and Old Navy chinos.
Oh – but on the contrary! Nantucket is core-shakingly authentic. Every inch of the intimate island is cared for and tended to – determined to keep the integrity and charm that has attracted visitors for generations.
In short: I’m obsessed.
Here are some of the dreamy sights we took in…
The harbor…
View of town from the beach…
Downtown Nantucket. {As much as I didn’t want to believe – one truly does need to forego their pumps, favoring flats as the streets of ‘Tucket promote utter klutziness!}
Darling residential streets with houses dating back to the 1800s…
Weathered shingled homes and cottages…
My favorite home on the island {no surprise there…}
Window boxes still boasting blooms so late in the season.
A quiet spot to catch up on Coastal Livings’ latest issue…
Seals frolicking in the surf….
Cranberries waiting to be harvested…
And I have still much more to share – so put on your Sperry’s and check back soon for more reports on accommodations, dining and details!
If you’re like me, I am just finally starting to embrace the transition to autumn – so I hesitate to remind you that it’s not too early {in fact…hurry up!} to order your holiday stationary.
I am currently loving these absolutely fantastic watercolor notecards from Inslee By Design – making it MUCH more exciting to think about the transition from fall…to…gulp…the holidays.
We had an lovely time in Nantucket – I’m excited to share so much, so stay tuned…but first, I’ve got heaps of make-up work and upcoming wedding preparations calling my name. Hope everyone had a great weekend!
{Loved the fluffy autumn colored hydrangeas that accented nearly each and every charming house on the island. Clip them now – or pick some up at the farmers market – and they will simply dry in place for a lasting arrangement…}
We are officially heading to Nantucket next week! A HUGE thank-you to favorite clients The Wolfs for providing the inspiration, guidance and the encouragement needed to make this fall getaway happen!
We presently have some fun things planned but are always appreciative of any insider advice…
We are staying are the darling Union Street Inn, a former whaling captain’s home that was voted “one of the 10 most romantic hotels in the US” by fodors. Who doesn’t need some added romance?!
The inn is in the heart of Nantucket Town where we will be able to walk to shops and restaurants. While we have a few dinner reservations made…
Any MUSTS you seasoned travelers recommend?
We will be exploring the island via bicycle, foot and moped.
Any favorite sites and stops?
I am hopeful that I can convince J to get a pair of Nantucket Reds…and if he doesn’t succumb – perhaps this well-dressed chap will come home with me, instead:
Any other shopping recos?
I’ve been warned about the cobblestone streets and the hazards of foregoing flats. I will also have to give my packing some serious thought as our flight schedule doesn’t allow for checked bags – ahh! My pack-job will include the likes of worn polos, riding boots and sperry’s, striped tees, cable-knit sweaters, pearls and plaids.
Will this suffice for autumn in nantucket?
Counting down the days…Can’t wait to report back!
{Want more Nantucket visual inspiration? Visit Here.}
As a wife – to say that I am thrilled with the most fabulous piece of jewelry I’ll ever own…my engagement ring would be a massive understatement {ok, well, to be fair let’s also include the 4 dreamy diamond and sapphire wedding bands that Sucker Husband has added to my ring finger over the last couple of years}. I’ve told The Man that {for now?} fancy jewelry does not need to be in the gift giving rotation. And why not, you ask!? Because there are perfectly fantastic cheap options out there around every corner, allowing me load up on ridiculous accessories each season. While you may frequent Topshop, J.Crew or Forever 21 for flashy faux jewelry – one can never have too many resources when a bargain is involved.
Recently I’ve stumbled across Swell Caroline for darling pieces for myself and for stylish gifts.
These stud earrings would add the perfect pop to a simple turtleneck sweater this fall. Very Lily van der Woodsen…
These darling enamel studs would be a charming hostess gift {pineapples are the symbol of hospitality, of course}. And at $25, you can’t beat it with a bottle of champers in tow!
Or load up on all sorts of varied bracelets for an arm-full of action!
I always appreciate a bridesmaid gift that is thoughtful – a gesture of gratitude and appreciation rather than a gifted sash that everyone has to wear on her wedding day. With a variety of options and styles, you can choose a gift that really is reflective of each of your girls’ style and personality. And with such bargain price-tags…you can afford to still cover the cost of the mandatory up-do or lame flower-pin they all are required to don.
PS: I also thought these totes would be a simple way to allow the girls to collect all of their belongings {flip flops for later, pashmina, make-up, yoga clothes they wore to the hotel etc.} and stash under the head table or in the bridal suite. {I always look like a bag lady on wedding days carrying dozens of purses, shopping bags etc. and would absolutely die if a bridal party came prepared with cutie manageable totes of personal belongings like these!}
{image credits} all images from swell caroline with the exception of stylish bracelet girl taken from classy in the city