Antiquing In Hudson, NY

This chair was a show stopper for me.  So happy to be in this special place called Hudson, N.Y.  There are over 65 antique shops on five historic blocks.  About 3 hours from Boston and only 2 hours from New York.  We were invited to attend a very special celebration in the Catskills and had a chance to take the day and go shopping.  The weather was perfect and the setting was lovely along the Hudson river.  In and out of shops we went all day....I could have taken home everything!

For map of antique dealers in Hudson click here.

I really am convinced, after seeing the many items offered at these shops, that you really don't need to buy "new" furniture when there is so many interesting pieces that you could use to make a home comfy and inviting.

There was such a variety every where you looked.  Are you into collecting colored glass?

One of my favorite stores along Warren Street was Hudson Home.

Hudson Home store front.

Hudson Home has a wonderful eclectic mix of furniture and decorative items.  See the wood stacked in the fireplace?  I really want to try that in my fireplace!

The culinary choices were abundant.  I highly recommend eating at Swoon.  We, however, could not dine indoors because we had our dog with us!  Next time....

This town really has an "artsy" vibe to it.

Paint a whole building orange?  Why not.  Reminds me of San Francisco!

Lovely shops set up in old building along Warren Street.

Here is a little sneak peak at the event we went to.  It was on an estate in the Catskill mountains.  It was lovely dining under the stars and listening to live music in the night.

It was cold though!  Can't complain with the hot summer that we have had!  If you haven't been to Hudson, I highly recommend a trip there.  You won't be disappointed!

Have fun!

xojamilyn

{Photo's taken via me}

What I Am Watching

This weekend, I am catching up on one of my favorite things to do.  That is to watch period piece (check out post) drama!  Currently it is all about Lark Rise To Candleford.  It is a BBC series that is now playing in England.  Here you can only see it on DVD.  I absolutely adore this series!  I highly recommend it.  I am up to season two now and looking forward already to season 3.  I have found them at Amazon.com.  Maybe this looks a little corny but trust me it is not.  You will get "happily" lost in these rich characters and the drama that ensues for each one of them.  I am truly enjoying it.  Nice to take a break at the end of a long day and get taken to another time period with great stories and talented acting. 

I hope you check it out.

Synopsis from Amazon (if you are interested).

The BBC's costume drama juggernaut struck gold once more when it decided to tackle the work of Flora Thompson. And in adapting her books in the form of the television production Lark Rise to Candleford, it has brought another compelling piece of drama to the screen.

Lark Rise to Candleford is set at the end of the 19th century, and it follows the story of two communities in the midst of a developing Oxfordshire. One is a fast-growing market town, the other a sleepier, quieter place that's holding more onto the past. Centered on Laura, the eldest daughter in the Timmins house, as she leaves the quieter life for work in the market town, the stage is then set for a quality drama series.

There's a lot to enjoy in the 10 episodes. The cast, for instance, is simply terrific, with Julia Sawalha, Dawn French, and Olivia Hallinan rightly taking plaudits. And the journey of their characters, along with those of the strong supporting cast, is simply wonderful television. Mixing in humor, drama and the production values we seem to take for granted from the BBC, Lark Rise to Candleford is really quite a treat. And what's more, it's proof positive that when it comes to television period drama, there really isn't anyone doing it better. Super stuff. --Jon Foster

Happy weekend and hope it is a restful one!

xoxojamilyn

*Images and info from amazon.com*

Bursting Out

Are we actually thawing out?  It is going to be in the 50's this weekend here in MA!  Sun is so bright and I can hear all the beautiful song birds outside.  I am so excited for Spring!  After a long winter {probably not over for us New Englander's} I can't contain myself...I want to burst outside and do something.  Plant, clean up my yard (downed branches everywhere).  I just want to be outside.  I think my dog will get a nice long walk today!  

I cannot wait for flowers!  All of these photo's were taken by my daughter...she is a budding photographer!  We were on Martha's Vineyard when she spotted this pretty rose.  

The flower up top was taken in Maine.

I never thought these dandelion "wishes" could look so pretty in a photo.  Gotta run...I have to get outside and get some Vitamin D from that gorgeous warm sunshine!

Have a wonderful "sunny" weekend!

xoxojamilyn

*photo's taken by Olivia and property of Living It At Home*

Weekend Look-Nesting On Main

Our weekend trip to a delightful antique store, Nesting On Maine, in Concord, MA.  On the "hunt" again for my home.  This shop is one of my most absolute fav's to visit!  My daughter tagged along reluctantly and fell in love.  We had a nice little chat with the store owner about her upcoming trip to France for a buying spree for her store.  Is she living the "dream" or what?  I asked her if she thought she was, and she replied "yes". 

 I would love to do what she does...travel, have a cute little shop in a historic town.  One day...

I snapped a bunch of pictures, worth scrolling through~ for all you scanners out there~ I know you don't have the time...very busy.  Just take a look, and if you live in MA, it is worth a visit!

Firstly~ Her store sign is adorable!

Nesting On Maine is chuck full of the most wonderful treasures.  It takes awhile to truly see everything.

I am crazy over mushrooms.  I really have to resist every time I go in here.  

She always has cute ones for sale!

I fell in love with this bird fountain {is that the name for it? Suddenly can't remember}

There are many vignettes that are done so beautifully.  She is so talented in how she arranges everything.

I love the owl painting.  

Can you believe this place?  So much fun!

Adorable gifts scattered here and there...

Tags for a present...

Love this twig table, but worry about how would you dust all those branches?

This map of Paris was tempting me.  Can't justify buying it because I have never been there.  I do have my eye on the little hotel silver sugar bowl (on dresser/didn't get a close up).  

I feel a collection coming on!

So cute! BYE!

P.S.  I now have a crazed antiquing/daughter on my hands!  She purchased some vintage quill pens and the shop owner graciously gave her a "gift".  It was an antique slide that she had fallen in love with.  How nice!  She is smitten now~

xoxojamilyn

My Valentine's Surprise

Woke up today to a delivery of this absolutely gorgeous arrangement of flowers from my hubby!  I wish you could experience them in person...they smell heavenly.  I think there are lilacs mixed in with the roses.  Ahh...Spring has come early for me!  He was so sweet in getting these for me.  Since I "nixed" the whole flowers on Valentine's Day thing.  I told him not to get me flowers because they are so expensive.  

Well, I have to admit that I am happy he didn't pay any mind to me!

We did miss the Cupcake Valentine's Day Tea at the Ritz Carlton, Boston, this weekend.  My daughter came down with a pretty bad cold.  She was so sad not to go.  The picture above is the offerings of cupcakes with the tea.  Aren't these mini cakes cute?  I think there is a red velvet one in there with cream cheese frosting!  Oh my!  I think this tea may run through February.  We may try and go again.

I hope everyone is having a sweet Valentine's!

~jamilyn

*First image taken by Living It At Home. Cupcakes photo by Stacie Joy via Cupcakes Take The Cake*

Pretty In Pink

Maggie is going pink for Valentine's Day!

So Pretty in pink!

***

We will be enjoying Valentine's Day High Tea at the Ritz this weekend.  I will hopefully take pictures and post them on Sunday.  Should be fun!  Do I have to wear white gloves?  Hope not! ha-ha!

What are your special Valentine's plans?

xoxoJamilyn

Want To Be Here Right Now

Signing off for the weekend with thoughts of warmer places.  We had such a lovely little backyard when we lived in Piedmont, CA.  It was packed with apple trees, lavender, rosemary, thyme, climbing roses and a water fountain.  It was beautiful year round.  I would walk right out my back door and "pluck" a Meyer Lemon right off the tree and use it to cook with.  It was heavenly!  It is minus-something-degrees right now and would love the ability to just transport or beam myself right there!  This winter will just go on and on...I am  starting to whine.  Good news is, when spring finally arrives, it will be wonderful here.  I just have to hang on.  I am looking around my office as I sit here and I have to get organized...

The Camellia bush would be in full bloom in the winter...Ahh!  Have a great weekend!

xoxoJamilyn

*Images property of Living It At Home*

Happy Productive Weekend To You All!

Weekend is here already!  I am still playing around with my camera.  I am trying to find different subject matter to take pictures of other than birds...still my favorite though and they are always there at the feeder!  There are so many "house" projects I have to do and cannot seem to get started!  I need some more furniture in my living room and lamps, bathrooms (2.5 baths) all have to be done over, I need all new appliances, and would love to rip the whole kitchen out and remodel, my daughter needs a headboard-shades-and rug,  and my office needs to be organized with a bigger desk!  These are just some of the projects.  I can't seem to stick to one.  Jumping around to much!  On top of that, I need to get my whole house organized...get rid of things that I don't use anymore.  It seems that is what everyone is after in this new year... clean and simple....like this photo I took above.  

Nature has a way of showing us the beauty of simplicity.

Happy Productive Weekend To You All!

~jamilyn

*Photo property of Living It At Home*

Have A Nice Weekend

Maggie, our dog, peeking out the back door as I putter around in the freezing snow.  She will not come out because it is too cold.  She is smart.  I think she would be better off in a climate like Florida or California.  She is part Havanese and that breed originated in Cuba (i think).  Glad the weekend is finally here.  Just picked up a new book to read from B&N, "The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo".  Heard it was really good.  That is on my list of things to do this weekend!  That and work on some blog posts!  I also have been playing around with my blog and probably will continue that this weekend.  I changed the picture in my header to suit this time of year....snow and freezing!  It is a picture of my backyard during a snow storm.  I need it to be spring...seriously!  Sorry if it gives you the chills!  It is a nice picture though of the back of our house.  Looks pretty impressive from that view!  Anyway, hope you enjoy any changes I will be making (and probably many mistakes).

Have a restful weekend.  Stay warm!

~jamilyn~

*Photo taken by Living It At Home*