Merry and Bright
December 26th, 2011 § 2 Comments
Modcloth dress, Gap cardigan, Hue tights, Robert Clergerie heels, Modcloth headband
This is just a quick entry to wish all a very festive and lovely season, whatever holiday you may or may not be celebrating. I hope that in this week leading up to the new year you will take some time to rest, reflect, regroup and spend time with the people who matter most do you and remembering what makes your life good. I am home in Maine for a few days to do exactly that, as well as be completely spoiled by my family and enjoy their incredible cooking. 2011 has been a banner year for me and I feel it has set things in motion for an even more rewarding 2012. We never know what the future will bring, but may it be merry and bright!
Cozy by the fire in my Built by Wendy sweater dress
Bright against the snow
The Way Life Should Be in Summer
October 11th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
It’s early October, but summer is still hanging on by a desperate thread. Every day that I put on my open toed shoes I wonder if it will be the last until next season. But this little bit of summer in fall got me thinking about to the height of summer and the time I spent in Maine then. It already seems so far away, but I wanted to share some summertime memories with all of you.
My home state of Maine has had some pretty silly slogans over the past few years. I think there was a collective eye roll when “Vactionland” was the phrase that was placed on Mainers license plates. Our other catch phrase is the slightly less insulting “The Way Life Should Be.” Well, the way life should be if you like six months of winter, a sluggish economy, and being cut off from the rest of the United States (but being significantly closer to Canada, which is a benefit in my opinion).
Downeast fashion: Preloved t-shirt, Gap skirt (my "on the road" work uniform)
Relaxing on the farm: Built by Wendy t-shirt, J Crew shorts, Espadrilles from Les Toiles du Soleil
Esther Williams bathing suit. Best bathing suit ever. On Bates and Ministerial islands, Casco Bay, Maine. My favorite islands ever.
For a few short weeks in summer Maine lives up to its slogan. Days are sunny, long and not too hot. The ocean is refreshing, but swimmable. There is ample fresh lobster and seafood to eat. Farm fresh produce is abundant. The bugs of late spring have retreated a little bit. There are opportunities for hikes, beautiful drives along the craggy coastline, and boat rides to islands that can be privately yours for the afternoon.
Sunflower. Hiking in the background by SMH.
Day Lilies. Late summer Maine special.
Causeway. Deer Isle, Maine.
Because I was in Maine for work, as well as hosting a getaway weekend for my friends, I got to drive all through the state. I took highways and byways I hadn’t driven on since I was a small child. I was able to revel in the beauty of the state and see it through the eyes of an outsider. With a place this beautiful it’s no wonder someone thought it was a good idea to call it “Vactionland.”
Eggemongen Reach, Maine
Girl from the North Country
May 30th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
The other weekend I went “home” to Maine for the wedding of one of my best friends from childhood and to celebrate my birthday with my parents. Like most people I have a complicated relationship with home. My current home is in Brooklyn, New York and probably will be for the foreseeable future (unless someone wants to offer me a job in Paris or London, hint hint). But usually when I refer to “home,” I mean Maine, where I grew up and where my parents still live. When I was a teenager I couldn’t wait to get out of Maine and transform myself into a bohemian urbanite. I am the first to admit I had romantic ideas about what life in the city would be like, and not a lot of idea about the heartache and hard work it would actually entail. As the years that I have lived in New York City go by I become more comfortable with where I am from, but I also don’t feel like I need to flaunt it. Accepting my home is also about accepting who I am and how it has shaped me.
Dressed up for the wedding at Hawk Ridge Farm. Brooklyn Industries dress and sweater, American Apparel tights, Robert Clergerie shoes
After the ceremony the bride and groom lead us through the pasture to the reception.Of course, being Maine the weather was something to contend with, but we're used to it.
Nola Springtime bag by Les Compasantes (a birthday present to myself), American Apparel marine sweater, Ben Simon sneakers
Hanging out with Sonny. I borrowed my Dad's jacket.
On top of Bradbury Mountain, my favorite place to walk when I'm home.
Maine springtime "color block."
Wishing You the Best for the Season
December 25th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Ben and I wish you a wonderful holiday season and all the best for the New Year! Thanks for reading, lovlies. More pictures and stories coming soon.
Maine in Fall (An Orchard Photo Shoot)
October 18th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
I try to get back to New England at least once in the fall and soak in the golden light, crisp air, carpet of leaves, trees all done up in color, and of course, fresh apples. My mom captured me in pursuit of the perfect Cortland.
The bounty high in the tree
Handy tool for reaching high up apples
Apple Scouting
Coat by Brooklyn Industries, Shirt by Petite Bateau, Apples by Maine
The bounty from just 15 minutes in the orchard
Orchard Idyll
After spending time in a sun drenched apple orchard after living 9 years in New York City it’s not hard to start seeing Maine as some kind of enchanted landscape.
Rainy Beach Day
July 28th, 2007 § Leave a Comment
The weather managed to thwart my friend Lil and my Maine summer beach plans, so instead we explored Fort Popham, a fort that has been on the Kennebeck river since the time of the Civil War. I am modeling my Brooklyn hoodie and king of the mountains Tour de France hat in the fort’s window. Much to Lil’s friend Ben’s disapointment, the fort did not feature any moveable walls or secret passageways.
Bastille Day Sparklers
July 28th, 2007 § Leave a Comment
A little different from Bastille Day last year where I watched fireworks from the banks of the Seine, this one was spent in Maine, chilling in the backyard of the house I grew up in, where my sister now lives. Here I rediscovered sparklers, which were actually more fun when I was younger, but here is Guillome, a young visitor from France, helping me desk the time delay function on my camera.
Fresh Local Maine Greens
July 28th, 2007 § Leave a Comment
A few weeks ago I went home to Maine to visit my family, including my sister who was home from France. I had just finished reading “Aninal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver and while I was home I read “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan. The benefits of eating locally and organically were fresh on my mind and this was certainly helped by my Mom’s garden. In Maine it was still cool enough to have fresh lettuce. I also made up a cocktail with fresh mint and lime concentrate- ‘mohito style’ you might call it. But certainly reading both of those books (though I recomend Pollan’s over Kingsolvers) has made me much more aware of where my food comes from even if I can’t just walk out to the garden and pick it myself.
Maybe So
December 5th, 2006 § Leave a Comment
It might as well be said that this is my best friend of 11 years. He’s dumped me on the ground from a full gallop more times than I want to count, but also listened to my angst and shared my growing up process in his own horsey way. His “show name” is Maybe So, but he goes by Ben. He’s feisty and stubbon as hell and always wants his way to be right (which is a lot like his owner). He’s a 25 year old Morgan Quarterhorse cross and you get double points if you know what that means. But suffice it to say I love animals and this one will always be in my heart. If you come to Maine with me you can feed him a treat.
