Posts tagged: travel

It's So Beautiful 7/6/26

It's So Beautiful 7/6/26

Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesty, above the fruited P*L*A*I*NNNN ...

America America God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea


How was your fourth?   It's unlike me to not lean heavily into any holiday, let alone our wonderful nation's 250th.  I can barely type the words to America the Beautiful* without shedding a tear.  Those words have always turned on the faucet for me, even before we sung it at my father's memorial service.   And I've already decided that we'll be singing it at mine some day too.

Yet over the last few weeks, I've been so busy running from place to place, I've barely had time to noodle over how to wear the stars and stripes and favorite ways to serve hot dogs and watermelon - which are secretly two of my favorite foods.  (If you're craving a deeper dive into what the Fourth of July means to me, you'll find it here).

My fourth was actually a different kind of red white & blue -  I returned in the wee hours of July 3rd from Brittany.  READ MORE

Read more

Too Much of a Good Thing 4/28/25

Too Much of a Good Thing 4/28/25

Is there such a thing?!   Usually, I'd say no.

You know how I say that writing this note is one of my favorite parts of the week?  And oh it is oh so true.   But today, I’m coming to you from beneath a glorious, slightly teetering tower of too-muchness.

Between a flurry of bespoke design projects (really dreamy ones - new scarves and so much more - I can't wait to share!), along with prepping armfuls of flowers for the grand Historic Garden Week house tour this past Saturday, my days have been brimming. Truly brimming. With lilacs. With lovely dressmaker details. With logistics. With laughter. With lists I’ve lost track of.

It’s all been an absolute joy — and also, a gentle reminder that even beautiful things can be a lot.  READ MORE

Read more

Coming Home 4/21/25

Coming Home 4/21/25

This week, my thoughts have turned to travel.   Yet ... I find that one of the greatest joys of travel is in coming home.   Today's note has a few bits and bobs on travel, as well as some special little joys of home.

Last week, I was asked by my friend Tricia Heaton of Island Hopper Travel to be interviewed for her Suitcase Stories blog. 

Tricia plans creative retreats (usually for women only), to Tuscany, Gstaad, Vermont and most recently - a coed African Safari.  She has several other locations in the works, and I'm hoping to join her on one of these soon (I've been lobbying for the south of France - feel free to join me in that effort!)   For her Suitcase Story, I was interviewed by Abby Daley, the newest addition to Tricia's team.   READ MORE

Read more

Slip Inn to Fall 9/9/24

Slip Inn to Fall 9/9/24
If you're a longstanding Love Note reader, you'll know plenty about my end of summer blues + lackluster enthusiasm for falling into fall (if not, or if you're just looking for a kindred spirit on this topic, then have a read here).  Fall, after all, is the season that brings us brown.   It's also the season when you realize the pants that you haven't worn for three months might not fit so well.    Need I say more?  READ MORE

Read more

Classically Lovely: CHS edition 4/15/24

Classically Lovely: CHS edition 4/15/24
I spent last weekend in Charleston combining a myriad of favorite pastimes ... a visit to see my younger son, a visit to fabulous gardens, a girls trip with a dear friend, time spent with a wonderful new friend, all amidst rich American history and exquisite architecture.  And of course, no trip for me is truly fabulous without really good food.   And we had plenty of that.   And I gained four pounds.

Charleston, I'm in love.   READ MORE

Read more