Now that I’ve made it through a week of playing catch-up (ok, perhaps I’m still playing catch-up), I thought I’d share a few photos from our annual trip with the in-laws.
The Southern Caribbean water and weather was seriously divine – perfect for sunning and catching up on some reading…
As someone who rarely can even make time to scan my beloved design and wedding magazines, I happily flew through these two delightful reads…”Rules of Civility” (a glamorous yet down-to-earth glimpse of NYC society the late 1930’s) and “Silver Girl” (a beachy read taking place on new favorite…wait for it……..no surprise here…………Nantucket!)
A few favorite photos, clockwise from top left: Sunrise skyline as we prepare for departure. Husband and the sea. NYE (post wardrobe change…). Les macarons shipped seaside from Rollet Pradier in Paris. Sailboats in St. John. Dinner in San Juan.
Beautiful botanicals in St. John.
Athleticism doesn’t really count when playing bocce…right??? (Phew.)
Is it too soon to start planning our next getaway?
(Photo credits) All images other than book photos taken by me and my fancy new zoooooom lens and iphone.
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been surprised to find grimy, littered streets just beyond the heart of downtown; pretty buildings whoes interiors were outdated and grandmotherly, posers that couldn’t tell the difference between Nantucket Reds and Old Navy chinos.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!
Many of you know of my serious obsession with The Elysian. The glamorous boutique hotel has truly nailed every detail.
The hotel’s decor has a classic, refined sophistication while still feeling utterly current and on trend.
The ballroom, albeit frustratingly quaint {read: too small for most of my clients’ weddings}, is elegantly appointed with graphite grey walls, antiqued mirrors and bright white molding.
When it comes to service for overnight guests {countless clients have decided to make The Elysian their wedding weekend home} the attention to detail continues to surpass most any other high end hotel.
The restaurant, Ria, was named best new restaurant, shortly after its opening {and is perfect for an unforgettable post-wedding brunch}. Balsan is a chic place to grab a quick brunch, light supper or late night bites – whether seated at the white marble-topped raw bar or tucked away in an intimate booth.
The staff – from the head valet to the catering managers – is not only pleasant and helpful but genuinely available to assist in relaxed and subtle manner. It seriously feels as though they take pleasure in our every request!
I thought I was intimately familiar with all that the hotel had to offer…that is until the spa and health club director invited me to experience the Elysian Spa. With my schedule packed with appointments, weddings, and paperwork, I can barely find the time to grocery shop, let alone carve out time for indulgent spa time…
But, when the opportunity was presented…I cleared my schedule…immediately.
I like to think that I’ve had exposure to many lovely spas and treatments over the years and would be able to provide constructive feedback, as requested. However, I’m quite certain that my experience at the Elysian Spa could not be beat.
The Spa lobby is glitzy, in a bright and peaceful way. The lounges are fully stocked with items that go well beyond necessity.
The soaking tub is perfect for relaxing before or after your services. The sauna or steam room really do encourage the art of decompressing.
And the services…My massage was quite simply put, The Best I’ve Had.
The Spa staff was approachable, expertly knowledgeable, kind and welcoming.
A visit to the Elysian Spa is perfect for pre-wedding beauty services {treat your girls to mani’s and pedi’s after a light lunch buffet arranged on the private pool deck}, a treat to yourself after a hard week {a major project is finally complete, hooray!}, or a relaxing respite for your over-shopped tootsies {Oak Street is just around the corner…troubs!}.
Just make sure to schedule enough time to take full advantage of all that the serene spa setting has to offer {including darling gifts and beauty products to take home with you!}…then make your way downstairs for a cocktail or the profiteroles!
Melissa and the Elysian Gang – thank you from the bottom of my {wonderfully pampered} heart.
Although I shall never utter a word of criticism for the absolute dreamy warm and sunny Chicago weather we’ve had so far this October, the air has seemed to shift just a bit more seasonally brisk the last couple of days. I’m officially ready to embrace autumn {a season I truly adore}!
The air smells of freshly fallen leaves, pumpkins and gourds are readily available at nearly all markets and fall-inspired treats are showing up at favorite eateries. Here are just a few images I’ve taken capturing my whole-hearted acceptance of the season:
This charming streetlamp is just out our back door and I found myself popping back inside, after walking Illie one evening, to grab my camera in order to capture the amber glow of the colored leaves.
I absolutely love the unexpected beauty of odd pumpkins and gourds. I picked up these lookers from my local Trader Joe’s!
Don’t listen to them…personality does count for something!
These little guys are framed perfectly in the shadowy nook of our bookshelf.
And my latest seasonal craving: a latte and a pair of pumpkin macarons from the charming bakery, Sarah’s Pastries and Candies on picturesquely perfect Oak Street.
Autumn, the year’s last and loveliest smile. -William Cullen Bryant
While I’m barely able to keep my head above water as I catch up from being away, I gaze longingly at the petite take-away card from one of my favorite pastry shops in San Francisco. Am I tormenting myself? Perhaps. But I must do this little shop justice and spend just a minute gushing…
We initially stumbled upon Miette in Hayes Valley – quite simply because we couldn’t miss it! Caroline’s apartment sits happily atop the charming storefront! {The other location is housed in the historic Ferry Building.} I know I use the word charm as an adjective quite a bit, but I must profess, this cutie little shop simply oozes charm and must have been part of the words origin!
Miette’s owner, Megan Ray, originally started the company at a farmers market. She notes influences from candy stores in Vienna to the wild blackberries growing around her home. Her ingredients {oh the joy of living in Northern California} come from local, family owned farms and mills and are most often organic and sustainably produced.
Miette is known for many things – among them their gorgeous house-made desserts: cakes, cupcakes, tarts, cookies to name a few. In fact, unbeknownst to my love-at-first-sight {and bite}, Conde Nast named Miette one of the Top Ten Pastry Shops in the World! Sweet Goodness – what an accolade!!!
Here is some more eye candy…
I am a sugar-candy lover! {Said loud and proud!} Beautiful jars of candy are displayed in an orderly fashion, waiting for the taking.
Oooh…the macarons. Even though famed Paulette Macaron is less than two blocks away, I have to say Miette’s macarons were absolutely noteworthy!
A childhood favorite: Cotton Candy! The adorable boutique also creates the crave-worthy airy confection made-to-order! My favorite was the vanilla bean.
These crispy house-made graham crackers were to die for with a chilled glass of milk!
{Sigh.} Well, lucky for me {and not my thighs}, their cookies, macarons and confections are all available for mail order. Perhaps we should make it a weekly delivery?
Sweet Dreaming…
{image credits} images taken from miette website. cotton candy image from martha stewart
This image was so inspiring to me…so encompassing of my vision of the essence of summer.
{Sigh…} But who in the wedding world has summers like these?! I am nutty busy with a great client wedding this weekend – with an immense amount of details and scheduled events for their intimate guest list of 350 of their closest friends!
Happy Summer.
{image credit} image found on flickr – lily of the valley
