Good with Style

Memorial Day: Things to Do In & Around New York City

Still looking for things to do this Memorial Day Weekend (like me)? Let me share some of my last-minute-ideas as I try to plan our weekend...

You can go to an eletro-disco party or a take a trip to Coney Island---Papermag.com shares a few cool ways to spend a staycation in the Big Apple.

Have you ever been to Mystic, CT? The annual Lobster Days events which kick-off today might just be the perfect reason to go.

Or maybe head south to Cape May, NJ for the whale cruises, marching bands, sun, sand and surf.

Meet Ukrainian-born Artem Rapin, a Native American-Flute Maker, in New Paltz, New York at the weekend-long Woodstock-New Paltz Arts & Crafts Fair.

We always go to the Devon Horse Show, in PA, which has rides, food, and horses (obv.) Maybe we'll see you there?

Whatever you do--have fun, and wear sunscreen!

xo emily

 

 

 

Birthday Ideas: Costumes, Capes, Crowns & Cake Recipes

Birthday wishes come true for the princess in our house...

*We used Martha Stewart Fine Glitter silver glitter on our homemade invitations because everybody loves to see their name sparkle.

 

*This was a "pretend slumber party." Before the party started, Sydney and I practiced being a hostess...I was a guest, and she was a very gracious birthday girl.

*Guests arrived in their PJs, we had pillows and blankets laid on the floor to set the stage. Pink lemonade, tea sandwiches, fruit cups, and crudites were served on a low table with china and silverware. Sydney set the table, carefully placing the colorful cotton napkis she helped me make.

*Each girl got a pink tutu and a crown. We played freeze dance, and Zingo--which is a lot like Bingo. Pink frosted cupcakes were served on diy cake stands--plates glued to candlestick bases.

*I was so happy when Sydney said she wanted her little brother Sammy to be at the party too. I let him have a couple of extra cupcakes--it's still hard to understand why you aren't getting any presents when you're only three. But it makes it so much better when you have such a sweet older sister.

Resources:

Birthday Cake Recipes from HGTV

Capes and Crowns via Sew Plain Jane

Twinkling string of LED lights via PartyLights.com

Paper Balloons (not necessarily eco-friendly, but you can keep them vs. throwing away) via Omiyage.ca

Eco-friendly balloons via Party Fiesta Decor 

 

Pink Frosted Valentine's Day with Betty

We made these heart mobiles this weekend from some old maps, twine, and glue. Delicious pink frosted cupcakes were sent to school with Sydney for her class (after each of us had one for breakfast, naturally.) Did you know that Valentine's Day is named for a Catholic priest who would perform marriages in secret? At least, that's one version of the story. Here's to people everywhere having the freedom to love...without exception. XOEA

P.S. I made the cupcakes from a mix--Betty Crocker--just in case you're getting any crazy ideas. In general, I'm not into making things harder than they have to be. In fact, for me, making it easy also means I'm more likely to actually make it happen. And that's what counts, don't you think?

Christmas at My House

Just a few simple things to bring the holiday spirit to our home. I try to keep it simple. The tree is faux, many of the decorations are from my mom and grandmother.        

My grandfather was Swedish, and many of the the ornaments I have are from Sweden.  Christmas is celebrated for almost two months in Sweden, with December 13th being St. Lucia's Day. Traditionally, the eldest daughter in a family dons a headwreath with candles and serves the family St. Lucia buns (Lussekatter) and coffee in bed. Many of the tree ornaments are made of straw and wood. Typical for the simple life of the Swedish countryside. The Candle Carousel is an old European tradition stemming from the invention of the windmill. When you light candles, the heat makes the carousel spin. Natural energy! I hope you have a lovely Christmas. God Jul!

Find out more:

Plaited Straw Decorations

Christmas Candle Carousel

An All Hallow's Eve Poem by Edgar Allan Poe

Source: cfabbridesigns.com via Toni on Pinterest

 

Things are starting to get a little spooky around here.

Alone

Edgar Allan Poe

From childhood’s hour I have not been
As others were — I have not seen
As others saw — I could not bring
My passions from a common spring —
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow — I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone —
And all I lov’d — I lov’d alone —
Then — in my childhood — in the dawn
Of a most stormy life — was drawn
From ev’ry depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still —
From the torrent, or the fountain —
From the red cliff of the mountain —
From the sun that ’round me roll’d
In its autumn tint of gold —
From the lightning in the sky
As it pass’d me flying by —
From the thunder, and the storm —
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view —

Mindful Living: Celebrate Memorial Day

Source: pinkpreppylillylover.blogspot.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

 

 

 

Holidays like Memorial Day are a perfect opportunity to think about how much waste we create. Picnics and barbecues are times to kick back and chill out, but these are both examples of where we could be producing a lot less waste...non-recyclable waste. Here are a few ideas:

1. Stainless Steel Watter Bottles

We have a dozen or so in various sizes and we take them with us everywhere we go. I'm not going to lie and say I don't buy the occasional Snapple or even stop in at Starbucks for a cup of coffee, but probably a lot less than if I did not have my own beverage.

2. Plastic Cutlery and Paper Plates

Stop! Please, just stop with these two things. I know how hard it is with kids. Listen, I don't have a dishwasher (NOT by choice, believe me), and if I can wash what we use, so can you. Plus, there are a lot of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic and paper--take a cue from the big corporations who have made the switch to products made from renewable resources.

3. Soda

I quit my Coca-Cola habit a few months ago, I have also lost ten pounds in the past two months--coincidence? I don't think so. Make the switch to Ice Tea, or Lemonade, or anything else. Just think of the adorable little beverages you can create, like the one above.

4. Single Use Flags, Banners, Whatever!

Yes, you do make a difference. How about trying not to buy anything you are going to throw away next week on trash day. At this point, I just think it's total selfishness, or ignorance, when people buy junk for holidays that is going to be thrown out the very next day. What a waste--of resources, time, and your money!

I hope I am not coming off as too preachy, because I really want you to have a wonderful weekend. I also think that we should spend a decent amount of time thinking about the brave men and women who wear the uniform on our behalf every single day. Thank you to all of you who are or who have served in the military--I am truly grateful for your dedication to freedom.

XO

Emily

happy easter

Love, Emily

celebrate spring: eco-friendly living in style

Have a wonderful weekend everybody... XO Emily

eco-friendly flowers for mother's day

Lilacs, Roses, Peonies in a simple, natural arrangement. Just as easy to do this yourself, and so much healthier than floral foam, and easier to compost when there's no floral wire to deal with.

xo Emily

(photo: Emily Anderson)

Clever Easter Craft Ideas: Blue Peeps

 

I am in love with this site...Two Penny Blue...so original and adorable without being too sugary sweet, don't you agree? Are you planning anything for your Easter celebration? Even if you aren't religious, who doesn't love a fluffy bunny, right? 

XO

Emily

Hello 2010

Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. John Lennon said that, and I'm going to try to remember it this year.

The Christmas Lowdown: So, What Did You Get?

I remember when I was a kid, after the flurry of unwrapping Christmas gifts was over, I would promptly call my best friend to tell her what I had received, and to hear about her gifts. I can remember feeling incredibly disappointed when Santa had gotten the order wrong. Case in point: The Orange Bike.

(GreenLine bike)

I'll set the stage: It was 1978, I was 8 years old. I wanted a new bike, with a banana seat, U-shaped handle bars, streamers. It was a totally reasonable request. I was certain I would get it. But instead, what I got was an orange bike.  Sitting there in the living room, with a bow no less. It was hate at first sight. I think my dad got a good deal on it.

How can I explain why I loathed that bike? The gentleman in this photo seems to like his orange bike well enough. That poor bike never made it out of the house. I was embarassed to ride that bike, so it just sat in the garage, ignored, until some kind soul saved it at one of our yard sales. I'll never really understand why, but I remember it like it was yesterday.

What was the gift you most remember from childhood? Tell me about it.

Dee Puddy For The (Belated) Holiday Gift Guide

Still looking for the perfect holiday gift? Well at this point, you might want to consider an IOU...

These porcelain snow drops make such a welcome wintery gift, I think you would be forgiven. From Dee Puddy.

Christmas Fatigue: I'm Already Exhausted

And Christmas isn't even here yet. Before you start getting the wrong idea, this is not a downer-debbie post about how crazy the holidays are, yadda yadda yadda. Not only is next week Christmas, it's also my birthday.

I suppose if I had Marilyn singing me happy birthday it would give me a little something to look forward to.

As it is, my b'day is the day after Christmas. It's a little anti-climactic, no one is particularly thrilled to continue the celebration the day after the big day.But then again, there are lots of decorations up for my birthday :)

How do you usually celebrate your birthday?

I Don't Like Petals In My Paper

There, I said it. But I am a sucker for silly but clever copy--being a former copywriter myself.

Cute right? Go here to get it.

Create.Love: Handmade Eco-Chic Wedding Invitations

Chances are you will send something through the mail in the near future. Wedding invitations, perhaps save the date cards (though I think you can skip this), holiday cards, even thank you notes are about to flutter, fly, and flood the system...but I urge you to use the wonderful handmade options on Etsy. Just feast your eyes on the selection below...