Festive Faux Treats

With the wedding less than two months away we decided to spend the July fourth weekend in Fairfield County for the first time in as long as I can remember and I'm surprisingly excited! Friday we have to get wedding invites stuffed and stamped but after that I'm looking forward to doing all the things I've been blogging about - going to the Rowayton Farmers Market, paddle boarding, boating, hitting up 101 for breakfast, seeing lots of fireworks and maybe even doing a little baking. As I opened box after box of baking related goodies at my bridal shower all my friends gave me inquisitive looks, "but you don't even bake!" they said. Well this weekend I'm going to prove them wrong. Below are some of the fun and 4th of July festive items I'm thinking about making. Do you have any great holiday recipes?

'Watermelon' Cake Pops

'Corn on the Cob' Cupcakes 

American Flag Cake

How fabulous are all these?! Happy 4th!!

Cool as a Polar Bear

As we think towards the holiday weekend, whatever we're doing we're certain to have our favorite Polar Bear cooler in tow! The best cooler we've ever owned, it's leak proof/sweat proof design keeps ice for 24 hours at 100 degrees! How great is that? And it comes in sizes from 6 pack all the way to 48 pack. Whether you're just bringing a few beers on the boat or need to bring a weekends worth of groceries on a long drive, these coolers are a must have. Monogrammable, they also make a great gift for newlyweds, summer hosts or the dad who has everything. Through the July 4th weekend Geoff is offering 10% off orders with the coupon code 5150 at checkout or over the phone at 888.438.7924. Visit their site at www.polarbearcoolers.com

12 Pack 

24 Pack

Red, white and blue no less!

Baby You're A Firework

If you're a regular reader of this blog you know some of the many things that have a big place in my heart - books, weddings, doughnuts - but something I love almost as much as all those combined are fireworks! It started as a kid when we used to go to a friends house in Stamford and watch fireworks sitting on the rocks in the harbor. Then it grew when we used to go over to LI by boat to watch amazing fireworks set to music. By highschool you could say I was a little bit of an addict, often seeing 4 or 5 nights of fireworks in a row over the 4th. At 28 they still make my heart smile with toddler-like glee. I'm already planning my red white and blue outfits...

Greenwich - Saturday July 2nd, Binney Park and Greenwich Point Park. Rain date July 3rd.
Rowayton - Saturday July 2nd, Bayley Beach. Rain date July 4th.
Darien - Sunday July 3rd, Darien High School.
Norwalk - Sunday July 3rd, Calf Pasture Beach. Rain date July 5th.
New Canaan - Monday July 4th, Waveny Park. Rain date July 5th.
Westport - Friday July 1st, Compo Beach. Rain date July 5th.
Fairfield - Monday July 4th, Jennings and Penfield Beaches. Rain date July 5th.

Be sure to have your beach stickers, regular beach regulations apply.

SpectACKular Weddings

We're heading back to Nantucket today for my cousin and his wonderful fiancee's wedding! They have so many great activities planned over the weekend - welcome BBQ, golf tournament, rehearsal dinner, 'bubbly' brunch, and of course the main event! I can't wait to celebrate with them.

Just two weeks ago I also had the pleasure of spending the long weekend in Nantucket for my very best friend and MOH's wedding. She and her now husband are two of the most special people I know and I was so honored to be a part of their big day. Here are just a few of the many details that made her day so amazing...

The beautiful flowers from Soiree Floral

Something Blue

The SSS Katherine - Spanky's Raw Bar

Favorite restaurant table names

Delicious cake from American Seasons

Homemade cookie bar - kudos to Mrs. N!

K&J to-go bags

A sparkly send off

Now with our wedding only two months away I know I'm going to need lots of advice from these lovely new brides!

VV Friends and Family

Sorry for a little self promotion (lots of discounts this week!). VV Friends and Family sale is going on this week. 25% off with code FAMILY at checkout. Happy Shopping!

It's Here, It's Finally Here!

Today is the day, just in time for my long weekend in Nantucket! Can't wait to grab a Henry's sandwich and dive into this surf-side!

Silver Girl

And, if one isn't enough, another great Nantucket novel is being released today as well. Be sure to pick up both! 

Heat Wave

I might have to call in sick! 

Summer Gift Guide - 20% off Small Field Papers

I had my bridal shower a few weeks ago and my MOH (and newly Mrs. G!) couldn't make it from Cali but she sent me the most fab gift! It got me SO excited for the upcoming wedding! 

Could you think of a better treat for a newly engaged or married couple, new baby or a summer hostess gift?? I was telling my friend Hadley from Small Field Papers about the gift and lucky for all my readers she carries these trays and is offering 20% off this style along with all other Boatman Geller and Dabney Lee products until July 1st. Just mention FFC411 when you place your order! Here are some of the styles I LOVE...

Wouldn't these make great matching notecards?

Dabney Lee Cocktail Tray

What a great summer hostess gift!

 

 

How can you pick just one?

Contact Hadley at hadley@smallfieldpapers.com to place an order or to set up an appointment to see more of her wonderful goodies - don't forget to mention FFC411 for your 20% discount!  

SUP?

No, no, I'm not trying to bring the 90's back - I'm talking about stand-up paddle boarding! It's supposed to be a warm and sunny weekend so what better time to hit the water and get some exercise at the same time. My new favorite find of last summer was stand-up paddle boarding at Downunder Kayaking in Rowayton.  It is so much fun, a great way to see all the beautiful houses on the river, good exercise and a really fun outing with friends. We even went there as a team building activity for work!

And this summer Downunder has opened a wonderful new location in Westport. I just got to see it this week and it's huge! Great building, year round surf shop, tons of dock space and the perfect launch for a beautiful tour of the Saugatuck River. Grab some friends, sign up for a tour or a lesson, or just get a quick tutorial at the dock. We even brought a cooler of beers to rest on the front of our board to enjoy down the river, and if you have a dog who loves the water (and standing still) bring them along, they can perch right up front as well! They do offer kayaking and other water sports but SUP is so much fun, if you haven't tried it you have to get out there!

And if you're lucky enough to have summer hours this friday then head to the Rowayton location, you can go paddle boarding, grab some lunch at Rowayton Market above Downunder, hit the Farmers Market and stay on for Shakespere on the Sound! Otherwise shoot up to Westport this weekend and check out their newest location and cruise over to Viva Zapata after for a frosty margarita outside!

Westport - 575 Riverside Ave (203)956-6217
Rowayton - 157 Rowayton Ave (203)642-3660

SUP Board $25 for 1 hr, $15 for an additional hour, $60 for 1/2 day, $90 for the day
Lessons $45 for 1 hr beginner, $100 for 1 hr private. Also available for parties and group outings. Reservations for boards recommended - especially on the weekends. Call for availability.

Need a lift?

Much Ado About Nothing

Kicking off it's 16th summer, Shakespeare on the Sound will be presenting Much Ado About Nothing starting tomorrow! Below is the schedule of events.

June 16-26, Pinkney Park, Rowayton 

July 5-10, Baldwin Park, Greenwich 

No show on Mondays 

Shows begin at 7:30 and run until roughly 10:15, parks open at 4:00 for blankets

Donations gratefully accepted, suggested donation $20 adults, $10 students & seniors 

Seating is tiered by blankets in the front, low chairs and the middle and higher folding chairs in the rear. A limited number of reserved seats are available for $50 with advance reservation at 203.299.1300 (open from 9-3). 

Be sure to bring a picnic and wine or beer! Ice cream, snacks, drinks and coffee can be purchase in Pinkney Park - you can also pre-order items from Brendan's 101 for delivery right to your blanket, be sure to order one of their delicious lobster rolls! This year in Baldwin Park you will be able to purchase picnic food and beverages from Aux Delices, including wine and beer. You can view the Aux Delices park menu here. 

If you feel like grabbing a bite to eat before the show here is a list of local restaurants, and many offer Shakespere on the Sound dinners to go! Also be sure to stop by Rowayton Wine Shop across the street from Pinkney Park to stock up on vino. 

Learn more at www.shakespeareonthesound.org. See you there!

SoNo Restaurant Week

Head to South Norwalk this week, through June 17th, to celebrate summer Restaurant Week! Participating restaurants include: Strada18, Match, Black Bear, Donovan's, Gingerman, Sono Baking Company, Red Lulu, Bacchus, Coromandel, Chocopologie, Barcelona, O'Neill's, Wasabi Chi and Sono Brewhouse. Most don't have their restaurant week menus online so be sure to call to inquire about details. But what great restaurants participating! My favorites include the mac and cheese from Strada18, pizza from Match, burger from Gingerman, chocolate croissant from Sono Baking Co. and the lobster enchilada from Red Lulu!

Find all the details online at http://www.connecticutrestaurantweek.com/restaurant-weeks-ct/sono-restaurant-week/

Wedding Bible

I've had four friends get engaged in the last few weeks (so exciting!) and the first thing I've said to them, after telling them how incredibly happy I am for them, is to run out and buy Mindy Weiss's The Wedding Book: The Big Book for Your Big Day. It was the best thing I picked up when I first got engaged and I still refer back to it constantly. This week it assisted me in the proper way to address inner and outer wedding envelopes. It's like having a free wedding planner on speed dial! So as this seems to be the season for engagements I wanted to share this wedding staple with all of you. The next time someone in your life gets engaged snatch this book up for them and they'll be thanking you for months to come!

This also seemed like a fitting post as my very best friend is getting married this weekend! Can't wait!!

Give it a little Oomph!

This time of year I'm always on the lookout for a little something to add some 'newness' to my apartment for the summer. While we pack up our winter goodies and do some spring cleaning, it seems like the perfect time to introduce new throw pillows or a little end table to add some oomph to a room! Just in time for that summer spruce up is the Oomph sale on One Kings Lane. Oomph is a local New Canaan based company founded on the simple premise that custom tables, chic chairs and beautiful pillows can add 'oomph' to any space. Today only their items will be available on One Kings Lane starting at 11am. Be sure to check it out!  https://www.onekingslane.com/sales/11066

If you don't find quite what you're looking for on the sale, visit their website at www.oomphonline.com to view some of these beauties! Be sure to 'like' them on Facebook as well.

Doughnut Delightful

I love doughnuts, love, so I'm constantly on the hunt for delicious munchkins. My most favorite doughnuts are 'whales eyes' from Nantucket Bake Shop on Orange Street. My mom was always a gem and went to pick these up for me before they sold out while I was sleeping in on summer vacation (if I haven't mentioned it before, she's the best!). So I can't tell you how excited I was to come in to work last week and find some of the most delicious doughnut holes I've ever had. From Darien Doughnut at 370 Heights Rd, these were little bit-sized pieces of heaven. Located across from the Noroton Heights train station this is the perfect spot for commuters, or any FFC doughnut lovers. Open Monday-Friday, 5-5, and Saturday and Sunday 5-3, the next time you need to hop the train into NYC (or are just running errands around town) be sure to stop here for a glazed taste treat. I know I'll be back ASAP.

www.dariendoughnut.com

Flea Market

A new shop has opened up in Rowayton - meet Flea. Located behind Sails Restaurant, in Coren Moore's previous location, they throw open their garage doors and offer great, unique finds. Jewelry, beach treats, home goods, furniture, shell gifts and dough*girl bake goods. And now they also offer coffee, fresh squeezed juices and handmade ice cream. Open from 10-5("ish") Tuesday thru Saturday and some Sundays. You're sure to love the laid back vibe of this garage turned boutique.

158B Rowayton Ave

Contact them at 203.984.5804 or "like" them on Facebook 

**Don't forget, today is also the first day of the Rowayton Farmer's Market! Now you have no excuse but to make a trip. Every Friday this summer, 2-6, Pinkney Park. Be sure to try Horman's, my favorite pickles!** 

"Like" them on facebook too!

Marco, Polo

It's sunny, it's hot and it finally feels like summer! When we're not away on weekends I'll be on the hunt for fun things to do outdoors around FFC. One thing that's definitely on my list is Greenwich Polo Club. Kicking things off this weekend, Greenwich Polo will have matches on June 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th, July 10th and September 4th, 11th and 18th. Gates open at 1:00pm for picnicking and tailgating and matches begin at 3:00pm. Gate fee is $40.00 per car, families and dogs welcome. There is also a new gourmet concession stand available if you don't feel like packing your own picnic. What a great way to spend a Sunday - enjoying some sunshine, cocktails, beautiful horses and an excuse to wear your derby hats!

Conyers Farm, Greenwich
Off North Street
http://greenwichpoloclub.com