I Like It

Posted on March 25, 2014 by adaymay

I am always inspired by women who have a dream and follow it. Emerson Bethany Fry is one such inspiration. An artist by training, she left the hustle and bustle of New York City, purchased an old farm with her husband in New Hampshire (how cute – they have known each other since childhood) and set-out to build her lifestyle brand, Emerson Fry. Initially, her product line was simple. Beautiful flower pins and clutches (I still have mine that I purchased in 2010). Her business has grown gradually as she introduced beautiful silk tops and skirts in 2011 and today her line includes stunning leather goods, killer shoes and accessories and the kaftan, featured above, that I am lusting for. With a focus on simple lines, luxurious fabrics and the modern woman, there isn’t a single look that I wouldn’t want to add to my closet. Just take a look.

And if you need just a little more to love this woman for, take a look at her home. Her pantry is an inspiration!

Movie Monday

Posted on March 24, 2014 by adaymay

I did a very Hollywood thing when I was out in L.A. I saw my very first theatre movie in 3D. Gravity. The story line quite simple but the craft of creating this film simply mind-blowing. I see why the team won the Academy Award for best visual effects, sound editing, sound mixing, cinematography, film editing and the big one, best director.

And although the story line was simple its one that I think is relevant for many of us. I’ve been feeling a bit lost. A bit beat up. And Sandra Bullock’s character struggled with the same emotions. A single mom who lost her daughter, she got lost in her work. Her work and long drives. I won’t admit how many miles I’ve put on my car since moving home but promise you, its been quite a few. But faced with adversity, she finds the courage and strength to hold on and not let go. And you know what, choosing life and to actually live it, a very good thing.

George Clooney does provide a bit of comedic relief and while I don’t swoon over him as many girls do, I did enjoy his performance.

What do you think… did you enjoy this movie? Only one left on the Academy list to watch… Nebraska.

Transformation

Posted on March 20, 2014 by adaymay

It’s here. It’s finally here. Enjoy this beautiful first day of spring, dear friends!

As we all know, the spring season signifies renewal, rebirth and growth. This spring, instead of doing a bucket list (see past lists here, here and here), I want to focus on one simple but very important task: transformation. I have come to some rather big life decisions as of late and have begun the process of thinking where to go next. It’s exciting but also daunting at the same time. My transformation continues and I want to thank you all for being here to support me through it. May this new season bring you all that you hope for!

A Day in LA

Posted on March 19, 2014 by adaymay

L.A. Oh how I miss you! You have quickly become one of my all-time favorites (next to Chicago, New York and my beloved Boston). What do I love so much about you? I love all your little neighborhoods that feel like some of my favorites (South End, Kendall, Lincoln Park, West Village) all by the water. Life doesn’t get much better than that!

For all of you who haven’t been or are planning a trip out there soon (I highly recommend that you do), I thought I would put together my favorite day in L.A.

My Morning Juice

I always try to start the day with a fresh juice and it is quite easy to do so in this city. My god. There seems to be a juice bar on every corner. My favorite by far is Kreation. With six locations and a juice kar (correct spelling, I promise) and bike around the city, they are easy to find. I frequent the one in Beverly Hills because it is right next to my all-time favorite cupcake place, Sprinkles. I figure if I’m juicing in the am, I can pick up a treat to splurge on in the afternoon.

Hike it Out

One thing I never realized is how many amazing hiking trails there around L.A. Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon, Tree People Inc. The list goes on and on. Since my parents are in the valley in Sherman Oaks, Tree People is just a short drive, although you have to go down Mulholland Drive, which is just about the scariest road I’ve ever been on. But the hike is well worth it. Just beautiful.

Lunch by the Beach

I stayed in Santa Monica on my very first trip to L.A. back in 2006 so it has always held a special place in my heart. And then when I discovered Huckleberry Cafe, it sealed the deal for being one of my favorite neighborhoods. Huckleberry Café is what I dream of one day opening. A beautiful café with delicious sandwiches, salads, savory goods, sweet treats and a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy. This visit, I tried their arugula salad with grapefruit, pine nuts and fresh parmigiano reggiano and my mom had the butternut squash terrine. Perfection!

Bike Ride

Being an island girl, I have always loved to ride my bike. And a bike ride from Santa Monica down to Venice Beach, nothing compares in my humble opinion.

Afternoon Pick-Me-Up

I really developed a love for Venice Beach last winter when I headed west to visit my parents after they made their big move. Abbot Kinney Street has it all. Urbanic Paper Boutique, Steven Allen, Gjelina and Intelligentsia, the best coffee shop I have been to by far. This place knows how to do coffee right. The idea is for the barista to create an individualized experience for every customer, regardless of how many are being served. Awesome!

Cocktail Hour

I think I’ve shared this little fact with you before, but I have a thing for boutique hotels. One of my favorite hotel groups The Viceroy Hotel Group and their spot in Santa Monica is sheer perfection. Cocktails by the pool are a must.

Dinner Time

If I had to choose one neighborhood to live in, I think it would have to be Brentwood. Not only am I obsessed with Brentwood Country Mart but Brentwood is also home to Tavern Bar & Larder. You may have heard of this space if you are addicted to Million Dollar Decorators like I am. Jeffrey Alan Marks designed the space and it’s breathtaking and the talented Suzanne Coin is the head chef and owner. Never have I been some place where the décor and food are so on par. A definite treat!

Stargazing

Griffith Observatory. You literally feel like you are top of the world. The views of L.A. are breathtaking and you know me, I have a thing for stars. I suggest going at sunset, packing a light picnic and spending a least a few hours up here. Well worth the time. And the really cool thing… amateurs bring out their telescopes too so you can meet, mingle and check out a bunch of different views.

Oh and the adorable L.A. poster above is from the one and only, Rifle Paper. Click on the image and you will be directed right to their site.

Collaborate

Posted on March 13, 2014 by adaymay

I’m back! I certainly did miss you all but had a wonderful time on my California vacation. I promise to provide a full report next week with all my must-do’s in the Golden State.

While lounging on the beaches of Malibu (don’t mean to rub it in), I was able to catch up on some much-needed reading (and sleep). And I must say, I was excited to read about several exciting collaborations that have just launched. Let’s begin with one of my favorites… Rifle Paper and Garance Dore. If you don’t read Garance’s blog, you should. She lives a life I dream of… in Paris no less. A lover of the finer things, she has an incredible eye for all things street fashion. She, like me, is also a lover of all things paper and always dreamt of launching a paper line but knew she needed to find the right partner. Enter my all-time favorite paper designer Anna Bond and Rifle Paper. The two hit it off instantly and created a breathtaking line that launched in Paris last week and will be stateside soon enough. Can’t wait to add a few of these pieces to my ever-growing stationary collection.

Not only am I a lover of paper but beautiful shoes make me weak in the knees. Sarah Jessica Parker, a/k/a Carrie Bradshaw, partnered with Manolo Blahnik to create a beautiful shoe line fondly named SJP. Available at Nordstroms, her first collection is breathtaking. In honor of her mom, several pairs of shoes in the collection feature grosgrain ribbon the heel. What a special touch. I have my eyes on these and these.

And last but certainly not least, Gwyneth Paltrow has teamed up with Peter Dunham to offer an exclusive line of pillows on her site. And as I have said before, I have a thing for throw pillows. Aren’t they just beautiful?

My takeaway from all of these is that collaboration really does make everything better. An important lesson on this snowy Thursday. Stay warm!

I’m Off

Posted on February 28, 2014 by adaymay

At this time tomorrow, I will be in (not so sunny) California. As seems to be my luck with all trips west, rain is in the forecast. Fingers crossed that the weather channel is off on this one. I will try to check-in a next week but gonna try and take a little break to. Need to recharge those creative juices. Will be thinking of you all and will see you back here on Tuesday, March 11. Until then, be well and know spring is almost here!

My Picks

Posted on February 27, 2014 by adaymay

Drum roll, please! Truth be told, I still need to see Captain Phillips, Gravity and Nebraska. I have 3 days left. I can do this. But based on my personal viewings and just a little bit of research, I am quite confident with my 2014 Oscar picks.

And the award goes to…

Best Picture – 12 Years a Slave

Beset Actor – Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

Best Actress – Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)

Best Supporting Actor – Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

Best Supporting Actress – Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave)

Best Director – Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave)

Best Adapted Screenplay – Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope (Philomena)

Best Original Screenplay – Spike Jonze (her)

Best Foreign Film – Italy, The Great Beauty

Best Documentary Feature – 20 Feet from Stardom
*A feature at one of my favorite island events… Nantucket Film Festival.

Best Animated Feature – Frozen

And there you have it. What do you think. Agree with my picks? If I wasn’t traveling Sunday night, I would most certainly be hosting an Oscar party and you’d all be invited. Check out what Emily over at Cupcakes and Cashmere is doing for her Oscar party. Love it!

Blah

Posted on February 26, 2014 by adaymay

Friends, I am having one of those days. Wish I could just stay curled up in bed with a cup of tea, my book and see you all tomorrow. But since I leave for vacation in three days, I thought it best that I get myself to work. While getting ready, I caught a glimpse of a this little postcard my sweet friend Emily gave me from her adorable shop. And you know what… I instantly felt better. Funny how reading a few little words can pick you up. I’ll be back tomorrow with my Oscar picks. Get excited!

Home

Posted on February 25, 2014 by adaymay

Have you all heard of Jane Lilly Warren? She is the co-founder and creative director of Matchbook Magazine, a monthly favorite, and has one of the best eyes out there. While “stalking” her on Instagram this weekend, I came across this photo of a home she visited in York, Maine and instantly fell in-love. Isn’t it delightful? It got me thinking a lot about my future home.

Let’s take a tour, shall we?

Here is my entry way (courtesy of Amanda Peet’s home feature in Vogue).

On the left, will be a door to a small powder room. I love using a bold wallpaper in a small space and this chocolate one with the green mirror is perfection. I might do different sconces but overall, this is one of the best powder rooms I’ve seen.

As you continue through the entry way, you will enter the family/tv room (again courtesy of Amanda Peet’s home feature in Vogue).

And then into the formal living room.

I believe one of the most important rooms in any home is the kitchen. This one from Lonny’s March/April 2011 issue is near perfection. I would only add a small english pine table in the corner with the banquet to serve as a little breakfast nook and perhaps have two overhead lighting fixtures instead of one.

And since I’m one who loves to entertain, I like the feel of this not-so-formal dining room. The fire place just makes it for me.

Now, let’s head on up to the second floor. I love little spaces that you can get lost in for hours. This second floor window seat might just be my favorite part of the house.

I love the feeling of a home with lots of love and thus I will need a few guests room to have all my nearest and dearest down whenever possible. Guest room #1.

Tom Scheerer is one of my favorite interior designers. Look at this guest bedroom in one of his project’s in the Bahamas featured in Elle Decor. Wouldn’t change a single thing.

The master bedroom is the second most important room in the house. I was drawn to this room as it’s a bit more masculine and I know I will have to compromise with my future mate on all my boho picks. Hopefully he will think this room is just as much his as mine.

And lastly, a place of relaxation. The master bath. I could easily end everyday here.

So there you have it. My future home. Can’t wait to have you all over!

Movie Monday

Posted on February 24, 2014 by adaymay

Six days till the Oscars… can’t wait! her has certainly been my front-runner this awards season. That was until Dallas Buyers Club. Based on the true story of Ron Woodroof, who was diagnosed with AIDS in 1985 and given 30 days to live, this movie just blew me away. What a performance by Matthew McConaughey. Not only his physical transformation (he lost nearly 40 pounds) but the depth of his performance. A far cry from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

In reading a few reviews this morning, I was shocked to learn that this film has not only been making its way around Hollywood since the 90’s but almost didn’t happen. Craig Borten, the screenwriter who came up with the idea for the film, said “Everyone was afraid of it.” But Mr. Borten didn’t give up. He interviewed Ron for several hours and wrote and rewrote the script close to 50 times. The film was originally set to be filmed in Canada, but when financing fell through, production began in Louisiana.

This is a story about survival. As Ron says “At any given moment you have the power to say this is not how the story is going to end.” In his quest to find the best medicine he can, he uncovers the hypocrisy that exists between the drug companies and the Food and Drug Administration and sets out to import the right drugs from around the globe, first starting in Mexico. Not only does he want to improve his own life, but the lives of everyone affected by this tragic disease. His friendship with Rayon, played by Jared Leto, is one of the most touching. Overall, superb acting by all in this film, including Jennifer Garner.

2557. Watch this must see film and you’ll know what this number is!

A Day with May

Author Archives: adaymay

I Like It

Movie Monday

Transformation

A Day in LA

Collaborate

I’m Off

My Picks

Blah

Home

Movie Monday