Golden West Cafe

Golden West Cafe is an eclectic restaurant and bar filled with edgy artwork. The menu consists of local ingredients with a southwestern flare and offers a large variety of vegetarian and vegan options.

The menus were created by laminating childhood story time favorites.

We started out with a Fritto Pie.

I had an apple, brie, and pesto sandwich with a side of tater tots.

The walls of the ladies room was covered with record album covers.

York Peppermint Patties (one of my personal favorites) came with our check. Why don't more restaurants serve Yorks with the check?

Anchored Style Promo

Anchored Style is offering a one day promotion of 30% off in honor of the owner's golden birthday, "turning 30 on the 30th" use promo code: Golden30.

J.Crew Liquor Store

The Liquor Store is J.Crew's menswear only boutique located at the 1825 Tribeca Tavern in NYC. The tavern's original mahogany bar functions as a counter and display area. J.Crew enlisted Partners & Spade when it came to designing the store.

The oriental rugs, dark paneling, leather chairs, and antiques create a warm and inviting space.

The store carries lots of accessories like these John Derian paper weights.

You can find everything from steamer trunks to vintage Rolex watches and alligator belts.

My favorite item at the Liquor Store is the canvas tote by ACL. A big selling point for me is that the bags are made in Ellicott City, Maryland and that's proudly stamped inside. You gotta love supporting a local manufacturer.

The Liquor Store is on my must see in NYC list...have you been?

The Barnes Foundation

I visited The Barnes Foundation in Merion, Pennsylvania. The Barnes Foundation was founded in 1922 by Albert C. Barnes and houses one of the largest Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modern collections of paintings.

EAS on the stairs of The Barnes Foundation.

T0 see the masterpieces I studied in Art History class was truly an unbelievable experience.

The collection consists of 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes and 59 Matisses, along with works by Manet, Degas, Seurat, Prendergrast, Titian and Picasso. One of the most fascinating aspects of the collection is that Dr. Barnes arranged it by aesthetic value. He grouped works together the way he wanted them to be viewed.

After viewing the galleries we toured the property.

There were so many interesting trees and scrubs and most of them were labeled.

I spotted a sign of spring.

The collection is being relocated to Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Center City, Philadelphia in 2012. The move has created an enormous amount of controversy. "The Art of the Steal" is a documentary about the struggle for control of the collection.

There where signs on people's lawns in Merion that read "Join the fight to save The Barnes".

One neighbor had this image displayed on their fence.

You can sign a petition to keep the Barnes Collection in Merion at the Friends of The Barnes Foundation website.

"The Barnes Foundation is the only sane place to see art in America" -Henri Matisse

Monogram Magic

These Lace Monogram Necklaces by Ginette NY are available at Charm & Chain. They are sure to add some elegance to any look. You can pick from Yellow, Rose, or White Gold. I have recenlty been fixated on yellow gold...which one would you select?

Making Whoopies

I won Red Velvet Whoopie Pie Mix from Stonewall Kitchen in a giveaway and could hardly wait to try it out.

JCW has been in Asia for the past three weeks...so what better then to make whoopie pies in celebration of his return home. I added marshmallow fluff as a secret ingredient to the filling.

Special thanks to Living Well for giving me just the thing to celebrate getting my baby back! I may need to monitor his whoopie pie intake when I see what kind of condition he's in after not playing squash for 3 weeks! xx

KJP Aesthetic

I am very much inspired by these Kiel James Patrick images...
Hunting Print

Shotgun Shells

Hint of Barbour

Blazing Fire

L.L. Bean Mocs

Sailboats

Open Water

The Kennedys

Whale of a Chardonnay

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards partnered with Vineyard Vines to create a limited edition Whale of a Chardonnay. This wine is made from 100% hand-picked Sonoma County fruit. Each bottle comes with a canvas 2-bottle Vineyard Vines wine tote. A percentage of all sales goes to Waterkeeper Alliance. What's your favorite wine?

Hunt Valley Antiques Show

Last month I went to The Hunt Valley Antiques Show's New Collectors Soiree which benefited Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland.

BLS & EAS

Wine tasting

Scotch tasting

We toured the antique show with designer Stiles Colwill who also owns Halcyon House Antiques. He was a wealth of knowledge. One of the most valuable lessons he taught us was don't take a dealer's word for it.

He was wearing needlepoint Stubbs and Woottons...which made me value his opinion that much more.

Were they excited about new purchases...or was it the scotch?

The two lovely chairs of the event.

After the show we headed to Tark's for dinner and drinks.

JCW decided to make an appearance at the end of the evening.

Happy Travels

I spent the weekend in beantown and finally had a little time to work on my never ending needlepoint project. I am confident that one day it will be wearable...one pig down seven to go. Are you working on any needlepoint projects?

Sockless in Sperrys

This weekend marks the start of Spring. It's officially time to burn your socks! Do you go sockless in your Topsiders regardless of the temperature?

Lucky Charms

Smathers & Branson

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! xx

Nordstrom Run

When it comes to different classes of Nordstroms my local store isn't top of the list but I happy to have it just the same. One can only dream about the Nordstrom in Seattle with the Chanel Boutique...I hope that isn't some sort of urban legend?

I recently headed to Nordstrom to pick up a new bottle of my favorite perfume Prada Amber.

I couldn't resist checking out the latest Tom Ford sunglasses...I need another pair of sunglasses like I need a hole in the head.

The Nordstrom Cafe is a great place to grab a bite...so that's just where my mom and I headed.

She ordered a cup of soup and half a sandwich. It came with a side salad and the to die for Champagne Vinaigrette.

I went with one of my standards...a goat cheese salad. It had apple chips which added the most delightful crunch.

Do you have a Nordstrom nearby?