idea three for mother's day... a mother's day brunch

Hey loves!

The third idea for mother's day is to create A Mother's Day Brunch. Brunch is one of my favorite meals. And I think A Mother's Day Brunch might just be my favorite idea so far for mother's day. It's simple and elegant. Plus, to be totally honest, sometimes doing a dinner is just more trouble than it's worth. If you do a brunch, you get to spend time with family when everyone's energized and fresh.

So... to create this fabulous Mother's Day Brunch, just do the following....

  1. Set up and iced coffee tray. Everyone needs a little caffeine in the morning!
  2. Create a Cereal Breakfast Bar where guests can serve themselves.
  3. Serve something warm and sweet... like this heart shaped french toast.
  4. Serve something light and fresh.... like these gorgeous papaya boats.
  5. Just throw some burlap linens on the table and call it a day!

Don't worry! If you need help decorating and planning, just stop by the shop and we'll be happy to lend a hand.

We have tons of burlap runners, burlap dishtowels, galvanized metal trays, etc. We even have hand-stamped burlap dish towels...

Or just stop by because we'd love to say hi!

I'm going to go eat a Papaya Boat now.... (just kidding, but don't these look delicious?)

xoxo,
Mersene

idea two for mother's day... a tropical chic dinner

Hey there!

So it's been pouring, pouring, pouring for the past two days. Fingers crossed that Mother's Day is sunshiney and gorgeous (like we anticipated) so plans of beautiful brunches, lunches, and dinners on the patio aren't ruined. 

Idea Two for Mother's Day is to do a Tropical Chic Dinner.  Think BBQ on the patio but with a twist.  Menu ideas include, but are not limited to... peach sangria, hawaaian shrimp. and watermelon popsicles. Really, you can do anything BBQ themed with an Asian flare. Honey teriyaki salmon would work great as well. The easiest way to do this is to just grab some fresh shrimp or salmon from the grocery store along with some pre-made sauces (sweet and sour or teriyaki) and fire up the grill. Simple as that. And don't forget plenty of fresh fruit for the popsicles and sangria. 

For a great Peach Blood-Orange Sangria Recipe, try this:

2 cups sliced peaches
2 cups apple juice
2/3 cup triple sec
1/2 cup sugar
4 whole cloves
3 seedless blood oranges, each cut into 16 wedges
2 (750 ml) bottles red wine, fruity
2 cinnamon sticks, 3 inches each
1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges
1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir until sugar dissolves. Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight. Discard cloves and cinnamon sticks. Pour sangria into individual glasses, including the fruit. And if you want that beautifully sparkly rim (as shown in the picture) just wet the rim of the glasses and dip in sugar before pouring the sangria. 

In terms of decor... think about using natural elements. Round wood place mats, simple potted plants, and little tea lights. You can also just scatter candles across the center. If you need help planning this, just come into the shop and we'd be more than happy to guide you through it! We also have tons of place mats, simple potted plants, and candles in the shop! Lucky for you! 

I also absolutely love the idea of putting the peach sangria into mason jars. These can be found at pretty much any hardware store. If you're into ordering things off the internet and having them shipped, just click here for mason jars. These are great to have all summer long....

Hope this was helpful and that everyone is staying dry on this very rainy day!

xoxo
Mersene

idea one for mother's day... a mother's day clambake

 

Hey, hey!

So as promised, this week is Countdown to Mother's Day. Every day we'll feature a new creative way to celebrate this very special day.

Today's idea is to create a Mother's Day Clambake!

We live in New England after all. And a Clambake can be such a fun, festive way to celebrate.

It's also super easy to put together. All you need is some burlap (my favorite), some crab / lobster themed accessories (like the wine satchels on the right). And don't forget the food of course!

Check out the menu below if you're stuck on ideas.... Think anything seafood related. Really anything. And you can even buy it all pre-made if you don't feel like preparing and just dump everything in big serving bowls and people can serve themselves. Big bowls of steamers, mussels, lobster....Yum!

This is also a really fun idea if there are tons of kids present as they love looking at all the sea themed decorations!

Sooooo..... if you need any help putting this together or just love the whole New England, nautical, beachy look....we have tons of items in the shop (including burlap runners, crab and lobster dish towels, crab and lobster bottle openers, gorgeous nautical serving platters, just tons of cool items) and we'd love to help you put this together. So please, please, please  don't hesitate to stop by or gives us a call if you need help with any planning or tablescaping. 

Hope everyone is having a great start to the week!

xoxo
Mersene

P.S. If you're feeling really ambitious, you can have the kids create these "hand and footprint lobsters". How cute are these y'all? (You can even show this post to your husband and have him figure it out with the little ones.... Such a cute memorable gift to display in a picture frame.... Especially with summer coming up.... Could even be cute for Father's Day). 


 

countdown to mother's day

Hey there!

Hope everyone's week has been fabulous so far! As you know, Mother's Day is fast approaching. It's May 12th to be exact, which is in approximately 8 days from now. So we are going to be spending the next week devoted to helping y'all prepare for this happy holiday!

First off, I wanted to share with everyone that we will be offering fresh flowers in the shop, available for pre-order, for this specific holiday. So... If you already know you want to gift a beautiful flower arrangement to your sister or mother.... please feel free to call the shop or stop by! You tell us your price point, we'll make sure the flowers are available for pickup when you want! (Alternatively, if you want your husband to buy you fresh flowers... feel free to email him this post and hopefully he should get the hint). 

Mother's Day is always such a fun day. It's finally warm outside. We get to spend time with our loved ones. And just take a day to really enjoy being a mom (or a daughter, or cherishing the mothers in our lives). It's my goal to make it as fun and seamless as possible...

So this week we'll be sharing recipes, tablescapes, and gift ideas. Hope y'all check in and please let us know if there's an area you'd like to know about that we're not touching upon...

Hope everyone has the most wonderful weekend!
Mersene

whites for spring ... before Memorial Day

Blue patterned scarf: $40
Long totem necklace: $238
(Both available in the shop!)

Hey darlings!

Now that the weather is warmer and it's finally spring, I've started incorporating more and more white into my wardrobe. 

So technically, you're not "supposed" to wear white between Labor Day and Memorial Day... but I don't really follow this rule. And let's face it, I don't really follow most rules. But especially not this one.

White is such a great color for spring. It really exudes that light, airy, fresh feeling we're all craving after being stuck inside all winter. So I say go ahead -- wear white! Wear lots of white! White jeans, white t-shirts, white sweaters.... très chic! 

And if you haven't already crossed over, try combining whites and blues. Very nautical. Very New England. And also very Grecian. Any time I see this color combo I always think of the white-washed houses and bright blue roofs of Mykonos and Santorini. 

Hope to see y'all soon.... wearing white of course!

xoxo,
Mersene

P.S. If you don't believe me on this one.... perhaps you'll believe Emily Maynard (last year's gorgeous bachelorette!) Check out this post on her blog.... No Whites Before Memorial Day My @$*. Happy Tuesday everyone!


we're expanding... and rearranging!

Hey loves!

We're so excited to announce that we are expanding our shop (located right across from the Westport Train Station) into the shop next door. This means double the Indulge, double the fun!

And we're actually going to use this new space in a really unique way.... we are going to place a large dining table in the very center of the room and on various nights throughout the year,  host Tablescaping Parties. 

This means we will literally walk you through how to decorate the perfect table and create the most fabulous centerpiece for whatever event your heart desires.... A summer clambake, a festive fall dinner, a holiday bash.... You name it, we'll show you how to do it!

Hope everyone is enjoying this fantastic weather!

xoxo,
Mersene

P.S. If you love the freshwater pearls I'm wearing in the photo above, we actually sell these. Price is available upon request!

we love.... green (in honor of earth week)

Hey loves!

In honor of earth week... I am doing a post on everything green. 

I personally think that green is underused in decorating, as both an accent color and as a main color. With it being spring (the time of year where everything is budding and blooming) and with it being earth week, I thought it would be perfect to do a post on green...

As you all know, I like to think of my look as a little bit rustic, a little bit french farmhouse, a little bit New England.... all with a dash of fun.

And there are a ton of ways you can achieve this look with the color green.

Check out the gorgeous tablescape above. I just love the layered look of the different sized plants, in different sized pots, haphazardly scattered about. Don't they look great on that distressed wood table? This is a perfect example of how a look doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. 

And if you're looking for a way to incorporate green inside... Just look at this fabulous emerald dresser. 

We all know emerald is a big color this season. And, actually, it was voted "color of the year". By who? Well, who really knows who votes on these things. But point is, emerald is super in right now.

And it's perfect for spring. Lively. Radiant. And lush.

So pick up an emerald statement piece (even if it's just a pillow or a vase for a side table). And try incorporating it into your home.

And last but not least.

If you're looking for a green DIY project. Try out this cool moss graffitti that is popping up everywhere. 

Put in blender: one can of cheap beer or 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, a few handfuls of moss, one teaspoon of sugar. Paint on wall and mist daily until it grows.

I haven't personally tried this out myself, but it seems like a fun weekend project and you can even give it a go with your kids.

Plus, it's double the green... Good for the environment and the color!

So moral of the story is.... if you haven't incorporated green as part of your home... this is the week to give it a try!

xoxoxo
Mersene

happy earth day

Hey y'all!

Today is a day to celebrate the most famous mother of all — Mother Earth. This Monday (April 22) marks the 43rd Earth Day, with more than 1 billion people in 192 countries expected to participate in activities this year. 

So do something adventurous and environment friendly! Plant a tree! Go for a hike! Take a walk along the beach!

What are you doing today to celebrate Mother Earth?

xoxo,
Mersene

for boston

Sometimes, words can't really express the sadness of a moment. My heart goes out to the families that were affected by this horrific event. To the 8 year old boy and his sister and mother... To the runners who have lost limbs and the bystanders who have lost lives. Today is a day to cherish your loved ones and hold them close. And pray for those who are no longer able to do so. 

-M

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Inspiration Monday

Hey darlings!

After the monsoon of rain this past Friday, it's time to celebrate! How gorgeous was the weather over the weekend? Still a bit cold but I'll take it! Today's Inspiration Monday is all about celebrating life, in rain or shine! Hope you enjoy!

xo,
Mersene

nautical on the mind

Blue Striped Linen Scarf ($30)
Sail Bag by Ella ($120)
Bangles by Elyse's Pieces ($48-$65)

{all available in the shop}

Hey Darlings!

As you can tell by yesterday and today's posts, I have a nautical theme on my mind. I just can't help it with this beautiful weather.

And how cool is this bag? It's actually made from a recycled sail (from an actual sailboat). And if you have a favorite number, it can be customized for an extra charge! This bag is just too cool. And the fact that it's handcrafted in the USA using sailcloth from around the world (saving 20 thousand yards of sailcloth from the landfill each year) makes it even cooler.

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a great Tuesday and making plans to get out on the water some time this summer!

xoxo
Mersene

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vintage milk jugs (fabulous finds)

These vintage milk jugs would be cozy and cute on your kitchen table. Used as beverages or as a vase filled with beautiful blue hydrangeas. Perfect way to start the morning. I've seen them in a lot of interior design blogs (especially those of the French Farmhouse variety) and was inspired to carry some in the shop. (They're just $13 a piece if you're interested!) So inexpensive and really makes the room look special. 

Hope everyone's having a wonderful Thursday!

xo
Mersene

hello spring

Sunglasses by Peepers ($25)
Bag by Vance Kitira ($162)
Bangles by Elyse's Pieces ($20-$60)

{all available in the shop}

Hey y'all!

It finally feels like Spring outside... It's sunny! It's warm-ish! And there's not a snowflake in site! (I guess the weatherman was wrong when he predicted that storm)

And this nice weather is so refreshing...

Had a bit of a bumpy week last week... Things don't always go as we plan or hope they will; that's part of life.

I always told that to my children.... Sometimes, we don't understand why we are going through trials and tribulations while we are going through them, but everything will work out just the way it's supposed to and there is a reason not always clear to us......

Luckily, after my tough week, my daughter came home from school this past weekend to have some one-on-one mom time ....That meant the world to me just seeing her smiling face and sharing ....I was thinking back to those words of wisdom from my precious mom,

"If I am not here to remind you... remember this... lay the most solid foundation down for your children. Be there every opportunity you can. And love love love...... You only have a short time with them before they fly......"  

So thankful for who they are and the mom that I had....

Happy Spring everyone!

xo,
Mersene

so ready for spring (goodbye winter)

Reading Glasses by Peepers ($25)
Scarf by Vance Kitira ($18)

{both available in the shop}

Hey y'all!

So I ended up taking these pictures mid-week, during what I thought was going to be the last snow storm of the season. Unfortunately, I was wrong. I was just listening to the weather and  there's another batch of snow heading our way this coming Monday. Fingers crossed that it skips Westport... 

Is anyone else sick of this snow?

Wasn't Spring officially supposed to start yesterday?

I guess Mister Groundhog was wrong...

Nevertheless, I'm hoping these are the absolute final pictures of me in scarves and puffy coats with snow as a backdrop. I'm ready for sunshine and daffodils.... Aren't you? (You can let me know in the comments section)

Have a great Friday everyone! Stay warm!

xoxo
Mersene

fabulous finds (vintage bird cage)

 

In continuation of yesterday's post....

I just picked up the most beautiful vintage birdcage for under $100 at "Furniture on consignment" off of the post road in Westport. This is one of my absolute favorite places to find anything and everything under the sun....

I've now turned this particular piece into a fabulous focal point for the entry way of my shop. Perhaps it will later be used as a centerpiece on a buffet at an intimate get-together... The sky is the limit.

I just love finding a fabulous piece at a moderate price and adding personal touches to make it my own.... Adorning it with fresh flowers, gourmet delicacies, or lavender to signify that spring is on the way...

Hope everyone is having a great week so far.

xoxo
Mersene