Beautiful Beacon Hill - Take 2

Good morning, dear friends.  Long time no chat.  I hope you all are having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  The Mister and I have had a busy few days filled with a bittersweet graduation of my #2 and Susie's gorgeous wedding in Connecticut.

A couple of weeks ago, my BFF, Anne, and I made our annual pilgrimage to the Beacon Hill Garden Tour.  We lucked out with an sunny, cool day.  The lines were long but flowed quickly and there was always someone entertaining to strike up a conversation with during the wait.      

Beacon Hill is a historic neighborhood centering around federal style row houses showcasing beautiful doors.

The neighborhood is famous for gas lit streets and brick sidewalks. This picture depicts the reason why I opted to don sneaks this year.

This shop looks like it should be on a movie set.

Each patio and garden area held its own unique style.

I've always wanted to invest in a live wreath.  The Mister usually talks me out of it.  Evidently, he doesn't have as much confidence in my gardenting skills as I do.

I could not take enough photos of the winsome window boxes.

Some of the homes included an inside tour as well.  I fell in love with this charming powder room. 

Some famous residents of Beacon Hill past and present include:  John Cheever, John Hancock, Teddy Kennedy, John Kerry, Carly Simon, and Jack Welch.

We topped off the delightful day with a lovely lunch at Beacon Hill Bistro.

Enjoy your weekend!

Until next time...

Callie, the dog star of Beacon Hill

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Metamorphisis Monday

Hello Again, Dallas

Hello, dear friends.  I hope that you are enjoying your Sunday.  We are expecting some rain today which is fine with me.  I get a day off from watering my flowers.

We had some neighbors over for dinner last night and this is the cheese board that the Mister prepared.

This post covers Part 2 detailing my trip to Texas.  If you missed Part 1 you can find it here.

On Saturday, my #1 and I drove back to Dallas after celebrating my Dad's 98th.  We enjoyed a scrumptious lunch at East Hampton Sandwich Shop.bsolutely delicious.  Adorable Jonathon told me that it was founded by a couple of SMU graduates.

My #1 was very excited to bring me to a shop that she knew I would adore.  My girl knows her Mama well... I fell in love!

Blue Print is owned by five interior designers who also happen to be great friends.   They renovated an antique house which is the  perfect backdrop to showcase their fabulous furniture and unique accessories.  The furniture is their own private label.

Blue Print had me at hello!

I met a lovely young lady by the name of Kate, who filled me in on the house, as well as the furnishings.  

I wanted to move into this gorgeous store!

This pair of chairs stole my heart!  Not only is the fabric a stunner, these chairs are smaller than most chairs.  I could sit in them, and my feet would actually touch the floor!  I could be a fancy lady like everyone else!

The wood work was positively breathtaking.

Blue Print's inventory is constantly being replenished because items are sold quickly.

If you live in or visit the Dallas area, stop by and feast your eyes on Blue Print's gorgeous decor. 

That evening, we went to St. Ann's Restaurant.  It was built as a school in 1927.  I wonder if I could have gotten a discount if I wore my CSH uniform?  

Now St. Ann's is the grooviest place in Big D and consistently wins "Best Patio in Dallas."  

The weather that evening was typical of Dallas in the Spring - magnificent!

We noshed on a meat and cheese board first.  I said it was too pretty to eat, but that only lasted about seven seconds. 

Before I left on Sunday, we celebrated Mothers Day at The Joule.  My coolness factor went up about 10 points by just walking into the hotel! 

I enjoyed every minute of being back in Texas and can't wait to go back for a visit again.  

Until next time...

Barney & Miss Beazley Bush

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Holy Magnolia!

Good morning, dear friends.  Yesterday, I spent the day with my BFF, Anne, touring beautiful gardens in Beacon Hill.  I took lots of photos that I will share at a later date.

I woke up today to a gorgeous sunny morning.  It's almost nice enough for me to take up jogging.  But then I poured myself a cup of joe and decided to sit down and finish up this overdue post on the Shangri-la of home accessories - the almighty Magnolia.  I can take up jogging next year.

My #1 and I arrived in the early afternoon on a Thursday.  It was busy - but not too bad and we didn't have to wait in line to get in.

Magnolia employs plenty of salespeople who are eager to help and encourage patrons to buy something when they see it because they run out of things.  My #1 and I doubted this.  We saw plenty of shelves being replenished as soon as stock was getting low.

I found a great way to get the scoop from the salespeople.  I would approach a lady about my age - in her 40's, give or take a decade or two.  I would then ask her if she was Joanna.  She was like putty in my hands.  One of the ladies told me that there is a line every morning to get in the store and weekends are brutal.  The best time to shop is mid-afternoon during the week.  

Another Joanna look-alike told me that she has met Chip and Jojo a couple of times and they are very nice.  I thanked her for not bursting my bubble and went on with my shopping.

These sheets of paper are wrapping paper.  They were cute enough to frame, though. 

Why do I adore the looks of food scales and abhor the ones that weigh people?

The store has plenty artificial flowers.

Love these napkins!

They have plenty of food trucks on the premises and lots of picnic tables in shaded areas.

Unfortunately, Chip and Joanna were not around.  Rumor has it that they were at the bank counting their money.

Enjoy your weekend.


Until next time...

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