Fall at New England Fine Living ...

Last week, New England Fine Living celebrated one year of being open for business. Owner Linda Smith hosted a wine tasting event with some local blends from Mill River Winery of Newburyport. I have to say, the Chardonnay was exceptional!

Read more about Mill River Winery here.





The Write Expression, which shares retail space with NEFL, had a lot of gorgeous fall invitations on their shelves like the one above.

photo courtesy Lorna Bird Hood


One year ago at the New England Fine Living grand opening

It’s hard to believe that the store has been open for an entire year already! One of the best experiences I have had over the past few seasons was creating New England Finery Magazine to promote the vendors inside this charming historic property.

While the format of the store has changed slightly over the course of the year, it still stands as a home base to New England-inspired design. If you are looking to host a fall or winter gathering, stop by the store for seasonal home decor items or to have an invitation made up specifically for your list of guests. And if you need help styling your home for the event, Linda can help you with lots of great ideas. She has some neat autumn vignettes set up in the store so go check them out for yourself : )



This week I will be busy wrapping up the autumn issue of New England Finery Magazine. Look for it online by Monday, October 10th. Sign up here to subscribe and you will be notified by email when it is released. I can’t wait to share it with you!

The gift of wine

“I have something for you!” my younger sister exclaimed with a twinkle in her eye one Friday night when I was over her place for a visit. “What? It isn’t even my birthday?” I replied. We were sitting in her kitchen enjoying drinks and snacks. She got up quickly and disappeared into her pantry. When she returned, she handed me a tall green bottle (ooh, my favorite type of gift!) and she said with a grin, “I saw this and thought of you.” Here is what the label on the back said ...



How often do people tell you what they really think of you or how they see you, and then hand you a bottle of wine? Usually a few drinks come first before the compliments ; ) While I wouldn’t consider myself a drama queen, I do like her outfit the best of all the other Middle Sisters in the wine’s lineup of characters (check them out here) and I do like social events, and fashion shows, and fundraisers ... hmmm. Just to be sure, I took a test on the website to determine which Middle Sister I really am (I actually discovered I am a Smarty Pants, so there, although I might have some Goodie Two Shoes in me, too : ) The Middle Sisters, whose motto is “there’s a bit of middle sister in all of us,” even have a cute blog with random – and funny – posts from each of the wine girls, like the time Drama Queen was caught out in public wearing Crocs (she wasn’t happy about it!)






While on the site, I discovered that the Middle Sisters donate to organizations that support and promote sisterhood like Dress for Success and Wine, Women & Shoes, which produces socially engaging events that combines – you guessed it – shoes, wine and girlfriends to raise funds for women and children’s causes. Well, I’ll drink to that!





And while I don’t have a large supply of either shoes (I’m too practical for that) or wine in my house (if I buy it, I drink it ; ) I do think this t-shirt that Linda Smith picked out to sell at New England Fine Living is kinda cute. It is available in-store or online and will be seen in the next issue of New England Finery Magazine which, BTW, I am working on as we speak! Look for it hopefully by the end of June along with a new website devoted just to New England Finery. Obviously I have a lot of work to do over the next five days, so unfortunately I will have to keep my wine drinking to a minimum ; )

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!

Designfest 2011

Seen in New England Home Magazine May/June 2011:

With Linda Smith and Rosanne Palazola at
First Oriental Rugs Spring Floral Splash
photo credit: John LeJeune

So today I went back to the Wenham Museum to meet friends who were coming to visit. Can I just tell you how nice it was to entertain knowing that my space was going to look exactly the way it did when I left it? Besides watering the topiary rose trees, I did not have to pick up or straighten out or hide the stuff of life which is typically what happens before guests arrive in my house! While I was there, I did pick up a copy of New England Home Magazine in the entry way of the museum. NE Home is the media sponsor of the North Shore Design Show, so each visitor gets a free copy with admission. I had heard rumors that the New England Fine Living girls were somewhere in the party pictures, and I found us on page 124. Fine carpets make the best photographic backdrops, don’t you agree?

The Roman Folly Garden designed by Gallery Della Piana


Happy to see: Dorothy, Marianne, Christine, Shirley and Susan

I had lots of great visitors today! It was so fun to walk through the show with them and share a little background on each of the participating designers. Afterward we went for a hearty lunch at the Wenham Tea House. You would think portions at a tea house would be dainty, but bring your appetite if you go! I brought home half of my meal of chicken kabob over orzo with feta and grilled veggies. Next time, however, I will be going straight for the dessert ... the warm bread pudding was served in a big bowl and was piled high with fresh whipped cream! Yum!





Spending the day with my good friends took away a bit of the sting of not being able to attend Blogfest 2011 in New York. Back in January I had signed up for this design-and-lifestyle blogger behind-the-scenes tour of the New York design world. Even though my usual travel companions weren’t able to attend the event, I still put my name on the list and was able to secure a spot just before admission to the event was closed. At the time, I had not received confirmation of participation in the design show at Wenham, so I figured I would sign up and see what happened. Then when my submission was accepted at Wenham I figured maybe I could still squeeze in a few days in New York during the middle of the show.

A room for an aspiring drama queen by Timeless Interiors

But the truth is, I love every minute of the Wenham show and couldn’t leave it even for the incredible opportunity of meeting some of the best magazine editors in the industry (Veranda, House Beautiful, Town & Country, Architectural Digest) and many incredible design professionals and bloggers who I follow online.

Afternoon Tea: Mary O’Neill Interior Design

So this year I will be enjoying Blogfest vicariously through the posts and tweets of my online friends who are there right now, while I am entertaining IRL friends back home : ) I hope whoever got my relinquished (and coveted) spot is having the best possible time being inspired (and going to some really great industry parties) in New York!

Camille Garro Interiors & Couture
Pretty in Poppy Studio Suite

Maybe when my Boston friends return home from this whirlwind trip, we can sit down and brainstorm some type of Boston Blogfest? There is a lot of great design happening right in our area (especially on the North Shore this week only : )

New England Finery: Issue Two

Click here to view Issue 2 of
New England Finery Magazine

In honor of this week’s on-going celebration of Earth Day (it is officially on Friday, April 22nd) we are devoting our second issue of New England Finery Magazine to green living! Going green has become a huge part of the collective consciousness. Take a peek inside and be inspired by some New Englanders who have come up with eco-friendly ways of doing business.

Making green choices isn’t all business though ... also included are some fun fashions, earth-friendly design tips, and great garden ideas that can easily be incorporated into our every day lives.

And don’t miss the section on what’s new at New England Fine Living the retail store.

If you are in our Middleton, Massachusetts neighborhood, please stop by! Shopping local is
another great way of “being green.”

Secret tip for my readers ...

I am still working away on the second issue of New England Finery Magazine. There was so much good content to include that it is turning out to be bigger than we had originally thought it would be!

This boho-chic Big Buddha hobo bag (the JCourtny) is one of the items you will see on the pages of the soon to be released issue. As you are one of my dear readers, I will let you in on a secret ... the price at New England Fine Living is well below the major department stores that carry this line! Our resident fashion stylist Jenny Scala has brought in a bunch of new spring-to-summer pieces that are all pretty cute (and well priced). Stop in soon to get the best selection of bags, sundressses, tunics and more.

And remember to subscribe to New England Finery! The subscription is free and it will put you on the email list to be notified when the next issue is released. I can promise that it is chock full of great New England finds and talents!

A warm welcome to The Write Expression!

Formerly located in Topsfield, MA, The Write Expression has now joined the New England Fine Living family! Stop by and get to know Linda and Michelle, a mother-daughter team who create beautiful custom invitations for any occasion. They will be in the store during regular business hours. I dropped in today to take a look at their inventory and it is gorgeous! Not only do they have a great selection of designs to choose from, but they can also take care of most orders in just a few days time (extensive print requests like wedding suites take a bit longer). Keep them in mind for your next big event or intimate party.

Open Wednesday – Friday, 10am to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 2pm

106 South Main Street, Middleton, MA

Vote today!

Vote now for Jennifer!

My friend Jennifer Scala, who you may have seen recently in New England Finery magazine, is in the top three today on the Bloomingdale facebook page style contest! Click here to vote for her (but do it before 6pm today!)

Good luck, Jenny!

Fabric event this weekend

50% off these pillows at New England Fine Living!

I have been collecting fabric for a long time. If I see something that I like, I usually pick it up and save it for future design projects. The collection above was created by combining a water-resistant seashell print with a couple of remnants from what used to be one of my favorite places to go to get my “fabric fix,” the now long-gone Fabric Place.




This weekend at the retail location for New England Fine Living, I will be having a 50% off sale on all the pillows from the design collections that have resulted from my fabric addiction! Prices have already been reduced on each tagged item. Just look for the price tag with a key on it.

If you are a fellow fabric collector, I have also brought in a selection of fabrics that you can take home for your own home decor projects for just $10 per piece. Some of the designer fabrics are well over a yard, and many are in even more generous amounts. Below is a sample of what you will find (lots more colors and patterns are now available in the store). Come early for best selection!

New England Fine Living
106 South Main Street, Middleton, MA
Phone 978-539-8270

Open Wed. – Fri. 11am to 5pm
Saturday 11am to 4pm

Weekend list of stylish blogs

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This week I received a Stylish Blogger Award from Tricia Mitchell of the Avolli blog Swedish Antiques. I was honored to be on her list of 10 stylish blogs that she follows, as I am a fan of her blog and the gorgeous Scandinavian pieces that she sells on her site, Avolli. After receiving the award, each recipient of this online honor must then select 10 favorites of their own and share these links with their readers. Tricia and I actually share a number of favorites. She chose four that I would have put on the top of my list:

Completely Coastal
Create Girl
for the love of a house
Surroundings


All of these women design bloggers (including Tricia) were featured in New England Finery issue 1 (see pages 64-66).





Meet our Stylish Bloggers ...

For my list, I would like to include the other design bloggers who grace the pages of New England Finery. I visit these blogs for on-trend inspiration whether it be about fashion, decorating, gardening, art or living a stylish life. Pop by and say hello to ...


Fine Living Muse (starting with editors letter, page 2)
Elizabeth Wertz Photography (cover and pages 22-35)
Seams Couture Blog (cover and pages 22-45)
Gallery Della-Piana (page 45)
Dress Your Best (pages 52-53)
Kim Smith Designs (page 55)
Irwin Feld Design (page 56-57)
Dunes & Duchess (page 59)
Vermont Designer (page 66)
Focus on Design (see pages 70-71)






Bonus link ...

For my final link, this blogger was not actually in the magazine, but her sister-in-law was. Jenny Scala (page 12) provides the New England Fine Living retail shop with her favorite seasonal “Style Pics” (clothing, jewelry, bags and accessories). While Jenny loves fashion, she also appreciates delicious food and healthy recipes like the kind you will find on the blog of her sister-in-law Lucinda Scala Quinn who happens to be the executive food editor of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and the host of Hallmark Channel’s foodie favorite Mad Hungry.

For recipes and highlights from her show visit Mad Hungry Blog (but don’t go there on an empty stomach!) I like reading her blog since I can relate to the fact that Lucinda also has a home full of boys to feed (she has three – older than my four – but with the same huge appetites!)





Along with spreading some “blog love” as a chosen stylish design blogger, I have to provide a list of 7 things you might not know about me. If you are one of my chosen ten, you are invited to do the same on your blog (including choosing 10 blogs that you find stylish and letting them know that they are on your list). I will put together my 7 things list and post it next week. In the meantime, have a great weekend and I hope you enjoy this list of stylish blogs worth following. Thanks again to Tricia for including me in this fun “pay it forward” exercise!

xo Yvonne