Summer in Bloom

It sure does feel like summer has officially commenced on the east coast. The harbor filled up considerably this weekend, neighborhood children are playing in their yards until sundown, and the Sky Bar in Newport was in full force Saturday evening. I'm loving these blue delphiniums in my Mother's kitchen bouquet. Nothing makes me happier than fresh flowers and I just love a fresh summer bloom!

Dear Slim,

Those close to me know that there is one man that will forever make my heart pitter patter. The man of course, is none other than photographer and King of the jet-set era, Slim Aarons. I suppose it's his photography that captures me, rather than Slim himself...Given that it's a Friday and I'm on vacation, I thought I'd share a few of my favorites. Bon Weekend!

A Flora Flop

Behold, the catalpa tree. Very few gardeners have planted one since the financial crisis (the one in the 1930s), perhaps due to its messy nature. The seedpods it drops are abundant and pesky and its blooms are shortlived. The catalpa has company though. According to Wednesday's article in the NYTimes, American homeowners have stopped spending money on all types of trees and shrubs. In the four years after 2008's financial crisis, landscaping purchases dropped by 46 percent. Among other floral flops? The Poppy, the Firethorn, the Fig tree and Crinum. I highly suggest reading the article and skip to your nearest garden shop.

Get On The (Green) Wagon!

As "millennials", we're at a stage in life where we begin to see our friends and peers do some pretty cool things in life. Living in San Francisco, we're especially privy to some unique innovators, dreamers and doers. However, let's face it, that pool of innovators is getting larger and so, when we discover a good thing, it can be transcending. On the subject of transcending, it gives me great joy and an immense amount of pride to introduce you to Green Wagon, the brainchild of my dear friend Brittany. Green Wagon is a delivery service of organic and gluten free snacks to businesses and homes. Each delivery, (weekly, every other week or monthly- you chose) is a curated box of delightful eats, all 100% organic, gluten free, vegan and non-GMO. Genius. When I discovered how well my package of dried persimmons complemented my afternoon cappuccino at work yesterday, I started plotting my healthy afternoon snacks for the rest of the week. (Think: coconut chips! chocolate covered goji berries! rosemary garlic pistachios!)

The concept truly does re-define snacking as the brand preaches and better yet, you can snack yourself to your heart's content with the satisfaction of knowing Green Wagon donates 1% of annual revenue to a hunger cause. Get on the Green Wagon!