A Thanksgiving Jaunt to Maine

Last week was a quiet one here on Meet Me in Philadelphia because Adam and I headed out on Tuesday to make our way to Connecticut to meet up with my parents and then on to Maine to all spend Thanksgiving together with my extended family there. During our trek up north, we stopped in Kittery, Maine to enjoy our usual before-Thanksgiving feast at Bob's Clam Hut.

Distracted

*Update*: My father's procedure on Thursday went well and he is resting at home, getting his energy back. Thank you all for your incredibly kind comments! I am so grateful.

(Dad in his Army days; if you've ever seen me, you'll recognize that we look a lot alike)

Hi friends. I don't have a "real" post for you all today because, honestly, I've been very distracted lately. My father has been experiencing a lot physical problems related to his diabetes for the better part of a month. For a man who has worked steadily every weekday and many, many weekends, he has been relegated to bed in the hospital and at home. Today my father is going back into the hospital for another procedure, and his health is occupying my thoughts today.

I reference my parents often on the blog because much--if not the majority--of who and what I am can be attributed to who they are, so I hope you can understand why I'm having a hard time focusing on projects and the like. 

Any positive thoughts, prayers and well-wishes you can spare lately would be so appreciated.

Give me some time and I'll be with you once my head is back in the right place.

How I Spent My Weekend in Maine

This past weekend my husband Adam and I, along with my mother, headed up north to Maine to spend a weekend with my extended family. We left Philadelphia on Thursday, which allowed for plenty of time to stop and enjoy the late June scenery (and seafood) in Vacationland.

En route to Gram's on Friday, we stopped in Portland, grabbed a bite at The Porthole (including a fresh lobster roll--we didn't let you down, Camille!) and spied a curious seal swimming into the wharf.

Mom and I stopped into several cute shops in Portland, which I'll share later this week. We spent Saturday morning around my mother's hometown shopping for antiques and snacking on ice cream from Gifford's, a Maine chain with a few outposts across the state. 

If you're curious--I found quite a few deals and can't wait to share my antiquing bounty with you!

But this trip was not merely about eating and shopping: we were there to celebrate the vow renewal of my cousin and his wife. The ceremony, which included their three little boys, took place aside a beautiful lake.

It had been a long time since I'd been to Maine in the summertime.

What came flooding back to me during my short two day trip was that I have a wonderful family in a great state that I can appreciate as an adult because I live in a place that is so very different. After several very long and taxing weeks at work, this little hiatus in Vacationland restored me.

Happy Monday, friends! More details of my quick trip (including a fabulous Portland boutique and my bargain finds) to come!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is a very special day--it's my wonderful mother's birthday.

I write about my mom often on this blog, mentioning how she's helped me so many times on projects, but she is so much more to me than her creative skills. Our relationship has taken many turns, as most do, and over the years I have come to recognize her unending generosity and support, her sage advice, her hardworking nature, her intelligence and her kindness.

She is the kind of mother, friend and woman I aspire everyday to be. 

Happy birthday, Mom.

I love you!

Antiquing with Mom

On Saturday, while nearly everyone obsessed with interior design was anxiously awaiting the newest issue of Lonny, I was out with my mom searching for antiques and some unique secondhand finds in Connecticut's Farmington Valley.

And, in case you thought I would have had a better time reading Lonny, I present this photography evidence to prove the contrary. Man, I spotted some absolutely fabulous items!

Let's start with the items I should have bought:

This empire-style chair was part of a pair and in absolutely perfect condition (though I'd change the upholstery). 

I like the idea of combining a classic, timeless chair like this with more modern pieces. Each chair was $55.

 Don't get angry, but I passed on this gilded chandelier, which was only $248. It was about 3.5' wide and beautiful. 

Ugh, I need a house before I start buying light fixtures...

The same goes for this moravian star fixture, which was $225.

How great would this be in a small space like a powder room?

Anyone need a set of 4 Paul McCobb dining chairs? 

Got $395? That's how cheap they were.

And, why overlook some well-priced pieces, such as this brass and bamboo-shaped bar cart,

 or this collection of eye-catching minerals from India:

 or how about this bobbin-style corner chair, which was $110:

Staffordshire dogs kept popping up in several of the dealer's booths, but if you're not a dog person you can also find yourself a pair of staffordshire cats--who knew?

I loved several more pieces, including rugs and artwork:

While I didn't walk away with any of the pieces I shared today, I did manage to take home a beautiful item that I passed up in October that hadn't yet been sold. Let's hope that some of these pieces will be around when I venture to CT for my next trip.

TGIF, 3/9/12 Edition

Good Friday morning, blog friends!

As you read this, I am enjoying a long weekend with my parents in Connecticut and you better believe Mom and I have a project or two to accomplish while we're together--look for it next week! 

But, before I could leave the week and my apartment behind, I had to snap a few pictures of red springtime accents that brightened this past week for me.

A collection of red tulips in my living room.

Long-lasting, lush carnations add a chipper touch to a bedside table.

This $5 cyclamen plant from Home Depot brings an exotic shape to my dresser top.

The timeless red-and-blue combination carries over from my bedroom to my Jack Spade tote.

I hope that you and yours have a fabulous weekend.

'Til Monday.

TGIF, 12/23/11 Edition

(via Rifle Paper Co.)

As I type this, I am falling more and more into the holiday spirit thanks to the original "Miracle on 34th Street" and excitedly awaiting time with family over the next few days.  Presents are wrapped, cards are sent, halls are decked and, now, it is time for reflection.

The year, and this month in particular, has moved so quickly that the next week will bring a welcomed pause from activity and that old familiar harried feeling. Posting 'round here might be light, so I hope in the meantime you will be enjoying some special moments with family and friends like I will be. 

I am so thankful for you all, for your daily visits and sweet comments. 

Whenever I see a new follower or new comment here, I feel like its Christmas.

Happy Holidays to you and yours, dear readers!

My Thanksgiving in Pictures

 Much of last week was spent enjoying quality time with my parents and extended family. To see my grandmother, aunts, uncle, cousins and their children, Adam and I traveled to Maine for a few days. On our way through Kittery, Maine, we stopped at Bob's Clam Hut on Route 1. The food, even in late November, was fresh and yummy.

 Adam ordered the lobstah roll and I ordered a clam strip basket, which doubled as a funny moustache in a pinch.

 On Thanksgiving, I was sure to clean my plate.

There was a lot of good eating happening during the past week.

 I mentioned on Friday that I was opting-out of the Black Friday craziness and, instead, shopping for vintage wares for (hopefully) good prices. Well, well, welly, well, well...did I find some goodies or what!?

'Member my recent obsession with Moroccan tables? 

I found one for $22 and my mom thought it would be a great early Christmas present for me!
Jealous?

I also found a fab scrollwork shelf for my bathroom (for $12!) and three vintage ornament decorations (for $28).
I love my new treasures.

Aaaaaand, last but not least, Mom made a beautiful wreath for our apartment door--isn't it pretty?

Hope you and yours had as great a Thanksgiving holiday as I did.

Now on to the Christmas season!

TGIF, 9/16/11 Edition

Fellow design-nerds, another weekend is upon...and I'm particularly psyched about all the decor-related shenanigans that will ensue, so let's just dive right into it:

First and foremost:

Say your goodbyes to these ugly ducklings.

 If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know I've been dying to have my $40 Craigslist-find living room chair and sad-sack ottoman reupholstered in a dashing Sister Parish print. Well, well, welly, well, well, the day is upon us! The fabric is in! The chair and ottoman are off to the upholsterer's this very day. I.am.overcome.with.excitement. Aren't you?

As if that wasn't enough:

 We've got big plans to attend tonight's Design*Sponge event at Terrain. Design*Sponge + Terrain? Can't wait to get my grubby little hands on my DS book! I.am.overcome.with.excitement.

But wait, there's more:

 I have today and Monday off so that I can spend some major quality time with Mom! 

She's here now, luxuriating in my newly redesigned guest bedroom and we've got several projects in the queue for the next few days (perhaps that's news to Mom...). I.am.overcome.with.excitement.

Well there you have it, my weekend in a nutshell.
I am so jazzed to share with you some completed projects as well as a recap of the D*S at Terrain event next week.
Enjoy your weekend, dearest readers!

TGIF, 7/29/11 Edition

Welcome to Friday, everyone.
Before I sign off for the weekend, allow me to direct your attention to the Hugo Guinness prints currently discounted at Jayson Home & Garden!

For the writers among us:

 For the geniuses among us:

 For the chatty-cathys among us:

(all via Jayson Home & Garden)

Guinness's artwork pops up in many of the most popular house tours that circulate across the blogosphere. Check out some of the spaces adored with Hugo Guinness artwork:

Rita Konig hung several pieces above her fireplace in her former apartment:

(via Rita Konig's Inside Out/NY Times)

Soft serenity is the effect of this image, which appeared in Domino:

(via Brown Turtleneck Sweater)

Kate and Andy Spade are avid collectors of Guinness's work:

(via The Selby)

The Guinness linocuts add to the whole laissez-faire of this room, which appeared in Matchbook Magazine:

(via Matchbook Magazine)

Back in January when I visited the John Derian store in New York, I could hardly pull myself away from the Hugo Guinness pieces that functioned like one big collage.

(via me)

Now, hurry on over to Jayson Home & Garden and score yourself a deal...and while you're at it, grab me one, too!

Happy weekend, friends. 

Adam and I are off to Connecticut for a much-overdue visit with my parents. 

Tah-tah 'til Monday.

The Day We Were Married

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, but if I must add one more it might be 'perfect'. 

May 21, 2011:

(all photography by Conrad Erb)