Holiday Homes Tour

Laura Thomson designed vignette for the

Holiday Homes Tour in Boxford, MA

Around the same time that I was planning my New England Finery decorated space for the Boston Antiques & Design Show, I was asked if I would like to participate in the Boxford Holiday Homes Tour. I thought about it for awhile, but with a magazine to produce, a show to prepare for and a new full-time job (I will share more about that in a later post), I just didn’t think I could pull it off without cutting corners somewhere. I am just one person (my favorite new line : ) and so far have not learned how to clone myself in order to be in two places at once! But I knew someone who could really rock this type of event.

Flower arrangements in vintage red goblets

Designer: Laura Thomson

My friend, Laura Thomson, who I have watched do amazing work year after year at our garden club Art in Bloom shows, and whose home is to-die-for gorgeous (get a glimpse of it in this holiday post), was willing to step up and be one of the featured designers. And she did an amazing job!




She had an entire porch (and a large bit of front yard) to decorate. The porch itself had gorgeous stained floors and rustic looking white-washed walls. To see what Laura did to transform this veranda to an autumn cider-pressing party, visit her new blog Designing44 to read about it in her own words. And be sure to follow her – she is super talented and I can’t wait to see what she posts in the future!




Want to see more from the tour? Here are some photos that I took while enjoying this “holiday stroll” on a warm, early November day.



I never tire of a classic black urn with fall flowers, grasses, peppers and gourds. So colorful and welcoming!



This dining room was striking with fresh green walls, cobalt blue glassware and pumpkin spice damask chairs.





The designer of this space, Arlene Jaffe or AJ as she likes to be called, came right up to me and introduced herself, “Do I know you from somewhere?” Well my memory is not as good as it used to be, but after a few minutes of “were you here, were you there” we figured out we sat together at a luncheon that featured a panel of designers from the Old York Decorator Showhouse back in 2009.

I loved seeing AJ’s work in person. She has an elegant sense of style paired with a super-bubbly personality. Note to my designer friends: when showing off your work at a designer showhouse, don’t be shy! Introduce yourself to visitors and get their feedback like AJ does. You will never know what you have in common unless you start a conversation!




AJ not only decorated this home for the holiday tour, she also decorated the home for every day living. This sitting room was quite inviting. Love the artwork over the fireplace, ottoman focal point and textured floor covering.




Another friend of mine was on the tour – Liz White from Mason & Madison. She set up shop in one of the homes and had on display numerous gift items including delectables and adorables ...








One of the designers on the tour, Linda Holt, wrote a great blog post on being a part of the event. Reading it, I discovered she studied with a color consultant/designer who I follow on twitter, Maria Killam. It is a small world!


If you’d like to take in a holiday tour for yourself (I suggest you grab some girlfriends, your mom, or a design enthusiast to join you) there are a couple coming up that I know of:

Concord Museum Holiday House Tour
December 3rd

Holly Days in Sandwich:
Holiday Homes Tour on Dec. 11th


Maybe I will see you at one of them?


P.S. Click here to view more photos from Laura’s space and see some other homes on the tour that I posted about in my decorating column for Lynnfield Patch.

Celebrating life North of Boston

There is a lot of stylish shopping to be found in the suburbs North of Boston. Last Thursday, the fab marketing pros at In Full Force showcased a large group of North Shore shopping venues – including New England Fine Living – under a festively-lit white party tent at the Newburyport Harbor Marina.





Despite a pre-show fast moving thunder and lightning storm (which felt something like a mini-tornado and even lifted part of the tent right off the ground) North Shore women still arrived in record numbers to sample some of the best shopping, summer fashion, food and beauty products offered on the North Shore.

New England Fine Living
Linda Smith set up several vignettes

showcasing her design aesthetic

Stationery by Nicole Mitsakis of BeeCustom Design

Sparkly gift items from Mason & Madison

Skinny Dip and fashion presented by
lifestyle designer Amy McLaughlin

Runway fashion show hosted by Amy McLaughlin (in green)

with 2010 Miss Massachusetts Lacey Wilson (in pink)

The next In Full Force event will be at Burtons Grill at the North Shore Mall on Thursday, June 16th from 6pm to 9pm. There will be a sampling of wine and steak provided along with a presentation of gift ideas for Father’s Day and complimentary spa treatments for guests. I have been to these events before, and they are a great evening for networking with local businesses and checking out new shopping resources.

To attend: RSVP to events@infullforce.com

Like In Full Force on facebook for more information on this and other fabulous events of theirs in and around the Boston area.

Northshore Magazine Cup at Myopia Polo

Have you ever attended a polo match? Right here in New England, we have the rare distinction of being home to the oldest active polo club in America. Since 1887, Myopia Polo Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, has been hosting polo tournaments on Gibney Field, including the first formal intercollegiate game between Harvard and Yale back in 1907.

Liz White of Mason & Madison with
Linda Smith of New England Fine Living

Last Sunday, the inaugural Northshore Magazine Cup took place on a cool and sunny late spring afternoon. For just $10 per person – with children under 12 admitted for free – spectators could put down a picnic blanket, or sit and tailgate with friends, surrounded by towering evergreens, crisp blue skies and a well-dressed crowd. Both Linda Smith and I happened to have a free afternoon, so we parked along the field with a picnic basket filled with refreshing beverages and light snacks, then later socialized under the tent with some of our Northshore friends.








Some of the Northshore’s best players and “ponies” charged up and down the field at a lively pace in an attempt to knock a small white ball through the opposing teams end posts. Each match lasts about one and one-half hours and is divided into periods called “chukkers.” The game is officiated by two umpires who ride alongside the four players from each team, with one referee positioned at midfield. Watching these amazingly graceful competitors maneuver the 300 yard long field is a site to behold. Just the sound of them galloping, turning, stopping and starting is equally moving. These horses are bred to love the game and they want to win!

Families, pets and all age groups are welcome spectators at this friendly “game of kings.” Half-time offers an opportunity for the crowd to get out on the field and mingle with one another while assisting in a bit of field maintenance by searching for, and stomping back into place, clumps of grass or “divots” kicked up by the horses hooves.

Closing remarks were delivered by Richard Sedler of Northshore Magazine and the winner’s cup was awarded to the Blue Team. I was happy to see that this is an equal opportunity game, with a number of women skillfully competing for each side.





Matches are held at Myopia Polo Club on Sundays throughout the summer and conclude with the “Last Chukkers Cup” on October 2nd. Click here for more information and to view the current schedule. I just may have found my new favorite sport!

Shopping, sipping and networking

Liz White, owner of Mason & Madison with friends Janeen,
Michelle, Shannon, and Nicole Mitsakis of Bee Custom


Last Thursday night I attended a fun event at the new Burton’s Grill in Peabody. We were invited to enjoy complimentary cocktails, sample dishes off the Burton’s menu and do some shopping while mingling with a number of North Shore businesses. A couple of Middleton business owners that I know were there, so I was happy to have an evening to chat with them about work, business and life!

New England Fine Living representatives enjoying our Harvest martinis (joining me is Heidi Bond, owner of The Dazzling Dot which specializes in gourmet gifts).

On display: A table full of unique gift items
available at Mason & Madison ...

along with just a sample of the custom stationery and
gift items designed by Nicole Mitsakis of Bee Custom.

This fun event was coordinated by Julie Fairweather
of In Full Force pictured here with Nicole and Liz.

Get on the list: follow
IFF on Facebook!

Northshore Magazine was the media sponsor and had representatives at the event. I happily noticed an ad for New England Fine Living is in the December issue (page 86). After looking at the two issues I left with, I still think they could use more content featuring North Shore home design (I may have even offered to help with that ...) and I also put in a request for a digital version to be made available online. Wouldn’t that be nice? I was happy to see some familiar faces in the Oct./Nov. issue (Liz is on page 44 and the home of furniture designer and architect Sebastian Carpenter was featured on pages 118-121). To read my posts on Sebastian’s work and to see photos that I took while visiting his home click here and here. To see my post on Liz at Mason & Madison click here.



Check out the Lifestyle Blitz Facebook page
for future events by clicking here.

Perhaps I will see you at the next one ; )



FYI: Save now on holiday treats ...

The Dazzling Dot (my friend Heidi’s business) is offering $5.00 off all Thanksgiving cookie and brownie gift boxes. Act quick, offers ends November 24th!
Click here for online ordering info.


If you would like to network on the Northshore,
mark your calendar and plan to combine business
with pleasure on Thursday, December 2nd for a
Women in Business Holiday Networking Event
that will take place at New England Fine Living at
106 South Main St. in Middleton from 5pm to 7pm.
Click here for RSVP details.

Shopping in style ...

Liz White, owner and creative force
behind Mason & Madison

Every now and then I discover a well-decorated store that inspires a post. Mason & Madison is one of those visual-eye candy kind of places. Crystal chandeliers, powder blue walls, and a series of glamorous black and white vintage photography are the stylish backdrop, while lots of windows on all three sides make it a pleasure to shop in this warm and sunny boutique.

2 Central Street, Middleton, MA • phone 978.777.8883
(within the Middleton Green Shopping Village)


But don’t let its good looks fool you, it is also run by creative and smart business owner, Liz White, who recently received the 2009 Rookie of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Retailers Association. Personally, I love this store because it is a great example of the power in supporting local talent ... her shelves are lined with products and gift items many of which are made by local moms inspired out of necessity or the desire to create.


Binkie blankets and baby hats
from Meryl Apparel.


Here is a virtual tour of this charming boutique. If you live close by, stop in and say you saw my post. For everyone else, online ordering is available (designing gifts with style is their specialty, ask if you need ideas).


Hot new item: wine pours (cork your bottle
and then pour without letting air in).
Monogramming is available.


Photo charms by Pink Bird Designs
(read more about them here).

Blinged out belt buckles and baubles
by Beadorable Designs.

Is this bottle not gorgeous?
Bubble bath by Lollia

Gifts for new moms like this chic bag
from Petunia Pickle Bottoms.

Cute items for baby boys ...

and toddler girls.

For the doll collector ...

a wardrobe of fashionable choices.
(Iris would approve ; )

A “why didn’t I think of that?” gift item ...
personalized buckets decorated with fun fabrics.

Gift items and baskets for the foodie.

Plus plenty of candy to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Even perfect gifts for pet lovers.

Cute tees and so much more!

Q. Do you know anyone in need of a
gift-giving fairy godmother?

A. Because Liz White is a firm believer in giving back.
www.reason2give.org

A special present for you last minute shoppers ...
stylish gift wrapping is available at no charge!