Jacques Levine

I was instantly drawn to Jacques Levine's Laura Raffia Loafer after spotting them on the NM website...talk about a fabulous shoe for spring/summer.

#easbachy II

The next morning we did a little shopping at The Greenbrier...

...and took in all of the beautiful decor.

The Fried Green Tomato Sandwich and Dorothy's Chicken Salad were the items of choice for lunch at Draper's.

After lunch we hung out and waited for the bunker tour to begin.

 

They were setting up for a wedding that evening.

Before heading back to start getting ready for dinner, we stopped at the Spring House.

Gluten Free

For the most part I have been gluten free since last summer. I thought I would give it a try and ended up loving the way I felt. The Talented Gallery Director surprised me with a (monogrammed) Gluten Free, Smith Island Cake after dinner at The Greenbrier.  

 

It was the best cake I have ever eaten. Not only did it taste unbelievable but it meant so much that she had been so thoughtful...Smith Island Cake is no easy feat in the kitchen.

The dinner included all of my favorite foods, like tomato mozzarella. Lawyer Liz made some delicious GF Maryland Crab Cakes.  

 

Special thanks to all the girls for planning such a wonderful meal...my mouth is still watering! xx

 

J.Crew 25%

J.Crew is offering 25% off all purchases through April 28th with the code SPRINGBEST.  I have had my eye on the linen schoolboy blazer and the Ferndown Jacket. Happy shopping!

#easbachy I

The upper lobby of The Greenbrier was buzzing with spring...

so we decided to hangout on the patio and have a few more cocktails. 

 

We munched on Truffle Popcorn and homemade Potato Chips.

Just before dark we headed back to the cottage, were Lawyer Liz and Rudder's mom had already started preparing dinner.

Sam Robinson Fine Art

I had the pleasure of meeting artist, Sam Robinson at a horse race. He paints portraits & commissions and has a passion for Equestrian Sporting Art.

 

My credo as an artist is, “Expression without Description”. I work directly from life as often as is practical. I prize the vivid suggestion of appearances through brushwork and color tones. My artistic concerns can be understood as a pursuit of a “New American Impressionism”. It is the effect or impression I am after, stated directly from observation. I aim for painterly warmth and pursue my taste for subjects and effects that have charm and beauty.

 All of these images are from his impressive Facebook gallery.

  

The winner of the Toggle Home monogrammed button-down giveaway is Kathleen, entry #3!

 

Oughton Limited

 Course Tote

Paddock iPad Envelope

Course Toiletry

 

Oughton Limited carries a line of equestrian inspired luggage, handbags and accessories. They also offer the option to have your initials gold foil stamped on select accessories. The Oughton Limited blog shared a post called The 10 Commandments of Champions that came from Edwina Alexander who is one of the world's top jumpers...

 

1/ Love your horse.

2/ Talk to your horse: even if you're not sure he understands you, he will understand the tone of your voice.

3/ Always turn a negative into a positive.

4/ Never give up.

5/ Horses need affection, like everyone else.

6/ Always double-check your tack before riding.

7/ Treat your horse with respect and he will do the same for you.

8/ Be gentle with the reins.

9/ Nothing is more important than your horse.

10/ Believe in your dreams.

 

Greenbrier Mint Julep

Ingredients
12-15 Fresh, Large Mint Leaves
1 oz. Simple Syrup
2 oz. Maker’s Mark Bourbon

• Muddle Mint & Simple Syrup Gently
• Fill with Crushed Ice
• Add Bourbon
• Spin with Bar Spoon 1-2 times

Garnish
Large, Fill Sprigs of Mint, Dusted with Powdered Sugar

We spent my bachelorette at The Greenbrier and started the weekend festivities with Greenbrier Mint Juleps from the lobby bar.

 

Special thanks to all the ladies for making the weekend so very special, between fixing all of my favorite foods, the monogrammed shower and leaving your little ones for the very first weekend. I feel so loved and very lucky to have you all in my life! xx 

Cruise

I can't believe it's finally time to hit the highway for my bachelorette weekend. How perfect is this song for cruising? Happy Friday!
 

Wedding Invitations

 I was very excited when our wedding invitations arrived in the mail.

We are having a small intimate ceremony before a larger reception so we paired some invitations with ceremony inserts.

My Grammy can't celebrate all of the wedding festivities because she is no longer with us so I have been using her letter opener to open all of the RSVPs.

Special thanks to Nico and Lala for all of your help with the invitations. xx

TH Button Down Giveaway

Toggle Home sent me this beautiful Monogrammed Button Down Shirt. I am planning on wearing it while getting ready on my wedding day! They have also offered one lucky reader a monogrammed button down of their own.

Toggle Home has some fabulous monogram styles that are truly unique. I had my soon-to-be married initials done in the Toggle Home style. The navy blue looks great against the crisp white shirt. It probably isn't a shocker that my wedding colors are blue & white.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Special thanks to Kate and the Toggle Home team for making my big day even more special. xx

Avenue Lou Sunglass Cases

With temperatures finally rising I am looking forward to lots of sunshine. These sunglass cases from Avenue Lou are such a fun spring/summer accessory.

Yellow Chevron

Coral Trellis

Navy Maze

  

A Colorful Life

Lilly Pulitzer (1931-2013) inspired so many people and filled their closets with colorful prints & patterns. Thank you for everything!

The Brixton

We visited The Brixton in DC shortly after it opened.

They serve British pub food like Scotch Eggs, Beef Wellington and Fish & Chips...not to mention a very tasty Pimm's Cup.

 

The decor is what really impressed me. The interior is very masculine with plaid bar stools, tufted sofas and antler chandeliers. Check out more photos of The Brixton on Eater.  

 

Barbour #DressTartan

Barbour just launched their Dress Tartan Collection for Spring/Summer 2013. You can vote on their website for a chance to win your own  Dress Tartan outfit.

Tartan Summer Liddesdale Quilt Jacket

 Felldune Shirt Dress

Cedar Trench

GSV Point to Point

We had a great time at The Greenspring Valley Point to Point Races over Easter weekend.

 A bar cart being put to good use.

EAS & Lawyer Liz

What a  lovely day for a tailgate.

Nice work JAB²

 

A win great for the owner and rider...

 

and if winning weren't enough, JAB²'s new race ride.

 

It's a 1963 Land Rover Series IIA that they found on Nantucket and had restored here in Maryland.