Troop Misty Moss: The importance of a little fun...

Last year, I invited a bunch of girlfriends up to our Vermont hideaway for a weekend in the wilderness. The November air was crisp and we spent the weekend hiking a misty trail, cooking Autumn-inspired meals and conversing around a campfire. It was that type of good-for-the-soul quality time with friends that, turns out, all needed a little getaway of their own, too. In a silly state as we summited Pico Mountain, we decided to name ourselves "Troop Misty Moss". In part, this was a play off of the iconic 1989 film Troop Beverly Hills, which still remains one of my favorite movies. It could also have been the cold, raw, rainy weather that had us in a slight delirious daze.... From that moment, I embraced the establishment of our troop name and ran with it.... 

This year, we turned things up a notch. Our second annual weekend was another one for the books. We took turns cooking up fabulous cabin concoctions, hiked up to The Long Trail, carved mushrooms, built fires and enjoyed Cheese By Carol. It was a weekend that served as a reminder of how important it is to sometimes take pause from "real life" whilst enjoying the natural landscape with people you cherish. Being silly is also "OK" in adult life... Here's to the the 3rd Annual Weekend next year!

Troops were greeted Friday evening with bandanas for the weekend's hike, local Vermont jam and branded matchboxes. 

My sister meanders through the forest with my vintage Adirondack pack - perfect for holding all the mushrooms and ferns we foraged... 

Our kooky A-frame, ready to greet the troops! 

Cheese By Carol makes a debut by the firepit.... this cheese board didn't last long. 

At Home with Jane Scott Hodges

I've always enjoyed watching the home tours Quintessence conducts with designers and tastemakers. Just yesterday, Quintessence published a video tour with Jane Scott Hodges, the founder & owner of Leontine Linens. The home is a 19th century greek revival Jane Scott and her husband have outfitted in delicious hues, modern art - all with Jane's signature entertaining panache. Have a look at the video piece here. 

Jane's lacquered living room, a space Jane and her husband made larger by removing a wall after they purchased the home. 

An Ode to Fall

One of my favorite editorials....and one that I had forgotten about until I unearthed my Pinterest page looking for some fall inspiration. I wish I could recall the the exact publication - it's killing me that I have no recollection or documentation. The luscious old hollywood locks, fall knits and feminine seduction make for the perfect invitation to a season full of temptations. 

Table for 1

The art of eating alone. Or shall I say, the importance of eating alone. I once went to my favorite restaurant in Mill Valley routinely after my trail runs on Mt. Tam to perch at the bar, have a glass of vino and the special of the day. It was an opportunity to seduce myself with good food and a clear mind. A friend expressed how she thought that was plain odd - indicating that she could never do such a thing. I must say, I think it's incredibly necessary for every male and female to be able to dine alone in public. I was reminded of this the other evening when I went for dinner by myself. Just as yoga feeds the soul, a proper glass of cabernet, white tablecloth and a little solo romance can go a long way. Ponder your life away, or simply stop to smell the (table) rose(s). It's certainly an independent, rather bold act, but one I consider nourishing and necessary... Bon Appétit !