Enchanted In Georgetown. My Trip

My travels landed me in a charming place, Georgetown in Washington DC.  This area is rich in history and culture.  Not to mention great shopping on M Street!  One store that caught my eye was Bobby Medlin's.  She apparently turns treasures like an antique Tibetan flint case, into one of a kind neckpieces.  These pieces she has created are very rare and from far away places.  It is a magical shop with amazing jewelry.

Her necklaces are so unique and would make a statement with any simple outfit.

I wondered around and shopped for hours but found myself drawn to the streets above to explore the neighborhood.  The homes in Georgetown are so beautiful and well kept.  I love quaint streets with old homes and had to take a peek.  I really can't resist looking at homes!

It was a beautiful day to take some photo's with my little Cannon Power Shot.

As I walked around, I was wondering who lived in these magnificent homes.  How does one come to live here?  What kind of success affords a life here?  I know these homes must be in the millions for sure. When I think of DC, I think of politicians and diplomats.  I think of old money and status. There are so many different ways to experience life and so many different places to do it in.  

This little courtyard entrance got me.  I would love to come home everyday and walk through that Iron gate and open my cute door.  Love the topiary!

Black doors galore.  Such a great color to paint your front door.  So chic!  Very popular here.

I really love old homes.  However, how does one maintain something so old?  My house was built in the 40's and it needs constant attention.  Can't imagine a home that is over 100 years old and what that involves.  These home are well cared for preserving their history.  Thank goodness for me because I love looking at them!

Some of the homes are so grand and elegant.  I could see a little into the high arched windows and it was very spectacular indeed.  Even the furnishings were special.  

I like to study the architecture and the details.

This front door caught my eye.  Especially the unique light.

The homes are so cozy together!

This little red gem with its slate roof was a show stopper for me.  It is so adorable and I would love to live in it!

So cute!

This is M Street and all the wonderful shops.  

After all the walking I was starved and needed some refreshments.  I stumbled upon this charming french cafe and found a shady spot outside.  It was heavenly.  The quiche and spring salad was delish!  I truly enjoyed my day in Georgetown.  I cannot wait to go back again.

This is how my dog Maggie spent most of her time in Maryland.  She knows how to vacation!  So happy to be back.  My daughter and I drove over 900 miles this week visiting family in NY and Maryland.  It was a fun trip and I am sure we will be doing it again!

xoxojamilyn

{All photo's property of and taken by Living It At Home}

Maine Cottage Highlight

If I had a cottage...it would look like this one!  After you see these pictures, you are going to want one too!  Sorry!  I start to get this very strong feeling inside that I must go to a place like this.  It is almost like someone turns on a switch as the weather start to improve here.  There is a strong need to pack up and head to Maine!  We stayed at this beautiful cottage on a lake a few summers back.  The reason why we haven't returned is, I feel we need to vacation in other places so we get to experience more.  My husband  and I want to own a small place to get away too.  This was our ideal place. Because of that, and because we want to own a cottage, I took tons of pictures so as to remember what to do when we (if ever) get the chance to build one.  For anyone who is frustratingly stuck somewhere with still cold weather...enjoy this little slice of heaven via me!

Can you just gobble this place up?  Cottage quaint is emanating from this kitchen.  We really enjoyed eating and cooking here. I literally had a big smile on my face every time I was in here.  A girl can dream can't she?  I could sooo picture myself living here...

It is all in the details!  Every corner was pleasing to look at.  You just feel good looking at all of these little aspects.  I am getting all worked up again!  

Many days spent reading and napping here.  Can you stand it?  Just crazy lovely.  

Extremely comfy living room overlooking wrap around porch and lake...right at your footsteps.  You could hear the loons everyday.  So soothing....ahhh!

Superb fireplace was built from stones and rocks from the surrounding lake!  Great idea!  Never would have thought of it myself.  However, you learn something everyday and I will store that away for future building of my "dream" cottage!  Please!  Please!

Cute Lanai (I think that is what it is called) off of dinning room and living room.  Perfect summery spot to sit at night when good ol' bugs come out.

My mom fell in love with these arched windows.  They cranked all the way open so you felt like the inside was outside.  Get it?

Back side of house.  Great dock to dive off of and swim out to floating dock.  On my list!

Lots of kayaking in this amazing scenic lake.

Has anyone every heard of Christmas Cove?  Not Christmasy at all...look at this!  Gorgeous.  I have to have a home here one day.

Camden, Maine.  Little short trip to visit this quaint place.  This is top of Mount Beatie.  Look at these views.  Maine really is an amazing place.

I have more photo's but have to wrap up this rather large post.  My dog Maggie really enjoyed her vacation!  So, now you can see what I love about cottages and why I am getting that itch to go back.

Enjoy!

~jamilyn

*Images property of Living It At Home*

Bermuda Trip ReCap

Swimming with the dolphin's actually happened!  Trip was a success after all.  Bermuda was beautiful.  I love visiting places that are right out of a postcard or magazine.  This was one of those vacations.  This is now one of my favorite places to get away too.  The flight was under 2 hours from Boston.  How can you go wrong!  Just hop on the plane and there you are...paradise.  I mean, look at the color of that water!  The sand is actually pink-ish...and felt like baby powder to walk on.

The weather was a bit on the chilly side.  Realistically for us, 65 degrees is better than 20 degrees.  They said that it is unusual for this time of year, usually warmer.  It is their off season right now, so not many tourists.  Not having the crowds was nice.  We had the Island to ourselves.

I am just going to give a quick run down of our trip...just in case you haven't been to Bermuda before {our first time}.  This info might be helpful if you ever plan to go.

*Flight to Bermuda from Boston is under 2 hours and from the East Coast mostly.  

We went for four nights, so do-able.

*We stayed at the Fairmont Southhampton/ a large hotel with golfing, spa/gym, pools, many restaurants on the premises, and private beach.  They also have complimentary ferry to Hamilton, for shopping and dinning.  It is also next to Horseshoe Beach which is famous for its beauty.

*Visited Crystal Caves, which is a must.  It is over 1 million years old.  Tour was great.

*Opted to take public transportation via local buses, which I recommend due to the fact that you cannot rent cars on this small island.  You are either going to pay for the expense of taxi's -which is pricey-or rent a scooter-which could be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing!  Bought a 3 day pass for the 3 of us.  Worked out great hanging out with the locals, everyone greets you in a friendly manner and everyone seems to know each other.  My daughter loved the "thrilling" bus rides.

*Visited St. George's, a historic town with cobblestone streets and an interesting old "unfinished church" 

*And of course we did the "Ultimate Dolphin Encounter" at Dolphin Quest in Dockyard.  

Highly recommend.

*Hung out at Horseshoe Beach and mostly ate and relaxed...the thing to do apparently!

Both sad and happy to be home...back to freezing!

xoxo jamilyn

*All images property of Living It At Home*

Sun Here I Come!

and we are off to bermuda....i will bring back some sunshine for you!  see you on monday {that is if i can tear myself away from this beach}

ta-ta for now!

~jamilyn

Maine dream vacation home

I feel the need to talk about our summer vacation in Maine.  The reason is because I fell in love, again, with that state!  It is so very beautiful there.  Rugged and breathtaking at the same time.  Quaint and adorable homes are everywhere.  Sometimes I feel I can't "take it all in" when I am visiting.  There are so many different ways to experience Maine, on the coast or near a lake.  It is hard to pick where you want to go.  Each is unique in its own way.  This summer, we decided to rent a home on the coast.  The absolutely lovely house you see in my header is how I would like my dream vacation home to be.  We came across this house and thought it was adorable. I took many pictures so I can always be inspired by it.  It makes me happy just to look at it.

This was at low tide.  Homes like these dot the cove.  Built in the early 1800's.

 

Don't you just love the green door?

View from back of this house.

Across the cove was John Travolta's house.  When we drove around we came across his driveway.  We drove up it and then decided we didn't want to stalk!  Don't worry John, I won't "kiss and tell"!

Jamilyn

*Images property of Living It At Home*