Browsing Tag

Random Raves

Random Raves

Random Raves: Fall Edition

Fallin' for Fall

Fallin’ for Fall

How do we love fall?  Let us count the ways…  It’s not just the cooler days (sweater weather!) and the maples on our drive home turning a fiery orange that puts smiles on our faces.  We also love fall colors like persimmon and bittersweet and apricot

Comfy and Cozy

Comfy and Cozy

and gourds galore.

A Gala of Gourds

A Gala of Gourds

Not to mention fall foods like anything made of apples (cider, pie, crumble, and crisp)

Yummy Apple Butter

Yummy Apple Butter

and pumpkin (bread, lattes, ravioli, gnocchi, and pie – we really do love pie!)

Pumpkin Gnocchi from House of Brinson

Pumpkin Gnocchi from House of Brinson

And the best way to spend an autumn day – getting lost in Lyman Orchards’ 4-acre corn maze.  We’ll need that 2 1/2 mile walk to work off all the pie!

Crazy Corn Maze

Crazy Corn Maze

P.S.  If you love fall flowers, you’ll fall for our new designs on Diane James Home!

Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Random Raves

Random Raves: Sausalito Edition

Yes, yet another post about our trip out West but we promise it’s the last…  We just wanted to make sure we shared some of our favorite finds for those of you who might make it to the Bay Area this summer (or are lucky enough to live there full time!)

Cavallo Point Lodge at Fort Baker

If you have a night to kill, spend it at the historic Cavallo Point Lodge, nestled in one of America’s most popular national parks at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Fried Squash Blossom

While you’re there, take a class at the Cavallo Point Cooking School where the likes of Viola Buitoni (if her last name sounds familiar, it’s no coincidence!) will teach you all about squash blossoms and zabaglione… and the best part is you get to eat what you make.

Kirby Cove

After all the wonderful food and wine, you may want to hike the various trails around the Lodge that lead up into the hills above Fort Baker and down into secluded coves.

Pride of Madeira

You won’t miss the stately spikes of purple flowers (straight out of The Lorax!) which dot the landscape and are called Pride of Madeira.  Some plants can grow taller than seven feet and they sway in the wind as if they were dancing…

Linda Fahey - Petite Blue Flora Pitcher

With all the eating, drinking and hiking, we didn’t have much of a chance to shop but we did pop into the Lodge’s store and discovered Linda Fahey, a local artist who creates whimsical pieces that evoke her life by the sea.  We can’t say we uncovered everything that Sausalito has to offer but we certainly tried our best!  After all, we were travelling on business…

Diane James Orchid at Neiman Marcus

P.S.  Still can’t get over meeting Joanne Weir in person – don’t forget to enter our giveaway of her new book here!

Photos via Cavallo Point Lodge, Fresa y Pimienta, yours truly and Linda Fahey

Guest Post, Random Raves

Random Raves: London Edition

A Daily Read

Is it just us, or is London really in the spotlight these days?  We couldn’t let this week go by without getting in on the action so we asked the adorable London-based blogger, Meghan, from Wishful Thinking to share some of her favorite things.

“Since I’m South African, I wondered whether I should share some authentic African random raves with you, but given the Queen’s Jubilee this year and the upcoming Olympics, London is definitely the place to be!  There is so much to rave about that I had a hard time whittling it down to just 5!  So without further ado, and in no particular order, here is what I am raving about right now:

Boris Bikes

With spring nearly upon us and the rising cost of tube/train fares, everyone is talking about the mighty Boris Bike!  There are thousands of these (rather retro-looking) bikes scattered around the city, which you can hire for next to nothing!  It still amuses me to see city workers in full suit and tie or 9″ heels and pencil skirts biking to meetings or lunch dates!

Jamie Oliver Cooking Classes

A friend and I recently went to two Jamie Oliver Cooking Classes in Clapham – we did Thai Chicken Curry (delish) and Pasta Making (semi-soul destroying but fun.)  The class is really well organised and it’s a great night out with a friend.  If that doesn’t tempt you, there’s free wine, too!

Gourmet Burger Kitchen

OK, so this is nothing new to Londoners but it is rare to find a restaurant that gets it right every time!  I recently visited the city GBK and enjoyed an out-of-this-world avo and bacon burger with a massive milkshake, all under the shadow of St. Paul’s Cathedral (and all under £13!)

Free London Walks

I have lived here for 7 years and have only just discovered that you can download maps and  maps and guides for walking tours around London!  My fiancé and I recently did the Legal Walk which was fascinating and fun…  next up is the Jack the Ripper tour!

The Faberge Big Egg Hunt

This Easter, there are over 200 giant Easter eggs (each created by leading artists, designers, architects and jewellers) scattered all around London.  I have only managed to find about 20 so far but the quest continues (yes, this has brought out the big child in me!)

So if you’re in the city or planning to come to London, try these out!  Thanks so much for having me, Carolyn – it’s been fun sharing my little slice of London!”

Don’t you just love Meghan’s picks and that she went out and took all the pictures to create these great collages (making our ability to post soooo much easier?!)  Those giant eggs are amazing and we wonder if Jamie Oliver would consider cooking painting one…  Thank you, Meghan, for your terrific post and I can’t wait to come to London and enjoy a burger with you!

P.S.  Meghan should have included her own blog in her list of raves since it’s one of our favorites!  Click here to read more…

Photos via Wishful Thinking

Random Raves

Random Raves: Atlanta Edition

Southern Charm - Phoebe and James Howard

Don’t you just love “word of mouth?”  Whenever we speak with new customers and ask them how they found out about us, nine times out of ten they say “someone told me about you!”  We thought we’d join the crowd and start spreading the word…  Our new series begins with Atlanta!

The Corner Bakery‘s Swiss Oatmeal – every day for breakfast…

Worth Every Yummy Calorie

Seda France‘s Pagoda Collection – their new Viennese Blooms scent is to die for…

And Our New Winter Scent is in Production

Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden – a great airplane read…

A Real Page-Turner

Starbucks Blonde Coffee – now these tall blondes can finally order “tall blondes”…

An Afternoon Pick-Me-Up

The Rock Flower Paper collection which may just make an appearance on our site this spring!

So Fresh and Fun

So… what are you raving about these days?

Photos via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle, FauxMartha, Seda France, Barnes & Noble, Starbucks and Rock Flower Paper