A SUMMER MUST TO CHILL AFTER YOU GRILL

Photo courtesy of Terrain

Check out this genius post-BBQ accessory, the Twig Marshmallow Roaster. With room to fit upwards of 8 marshmallows at one time, this clever roasting tool one-ups the basic snapped off tree branch. Take your backyard BBQ's and campfires to the next level with this gourmet goody found at Terrain. Roast marshmallows to the perfect burnt hue, all while avoiding scalded and sticky fingertips.

Photo courtesy of Little Flower Candy Co

If you really want to take it to the next level, scoop up some tasty artisanal gourmet marshmallows like these from The Little Flower Candy Company. They come in flavors like coffee and cinnamon sugar.

SUNNY DISPOSITION: SETTING THE TABLE WITH A TOUCH OF CORAL

A touch of bright color on a summer table can raise the style quotient as the temperature does the same. A robust orangey coral color has been on the radar for some time, and it is showing up in wonderfully patterned tabletop designs. I love the color so much that I decided to upholster my chairs in it. The color's sunny disposition will go to your head, and these plates will encourage festive all fresco dinners all year long.

Photos courtesy of Roberta Roller Rabbit

My favorite classic Roberta Roller Rabbit print has made its way onto china. Crafted from Limoges porcelain, the Amanda printed scalloped plate in an all-over orange and fuchsia floral print comes in a set of 4, in either dinner or dessert size.

Have some fun an mix in the solid orange plate with fuchsia border to add dimension to the printed plate. Available through Roberta Roller Rabbit.

Photos courtesy of Barneys 

The French know how to design beautiful china, natch, so Site Corot's geometric glazed porcelain plates from Barneys provide a playful spin on the medium.  The Florida patterned dessert or salad plate will make any sweet the star.

A zig zag hand-created border on the Florida Dinner Plate from Site Corot at Barneys  has a white center as to not compete with the main event.

A low soup or cereal bowl completes the  "touch of whimsy" look. From Barneys.

Photos courtesy of Terrain

Like a glowing sun, these South African- made, hand-crafted ceramic plates from Terrain are punchy and strong.

A circle pattern and linear rays echo the rays of the sun, the Petals Plate, also from the same collective at Terrain.

15 MEMORIAL DAY MUST-HAVES

It seems as though the weather on the East Coast will not be cooperating this weekend, so kicking off summer may mean less beach, more movie-going. You can still be prepared for the sun's arrival with beachy basics that have you covered all season long.
From picnics in the park to sunsets in the sand, here are some summery designs you will want close at hand.

Serena and Lily just launched the most amazing Shop at the Beach in Wainscott, LI where I spotted this heavenly perch. Spend lazy days swinging away in their woven Double Hanging Rattan Chair. Throw some of their festive printed pillows into the mix, a cool lemonade and a good book, and you are all set.

Photo courtesy of Crate and Barrel
A summer classic, the Adirondack Chair gets a modern spin with Crate and Barrel's Vista Chair. Strong lines give their teak version an entirely new look.

Photo courtesy of C. Wonder

Carry meals to and fro the garden or set up bar on this Melamine Cane Tray from C. Wonder in a classic navy and white color combo.

Photo courtesy of West Elm

Inventive and festive patterns can transform melamine plates into another realm. Fun plastic plates should never be boring, as with West Elm's cheery Mexican-inspired Bright Shapes design, available in pink, yellow and orange salad and dinner sized versions.

Iced tea and lemonade quench thirst better when consumed from a chic glass, in this case, C. Wonder's Cane Tumbler Plastic Glass.

Photo courtesy of World Market

Could this flatware be any chicer? Dipped-handle enamel and stainless steel flatware from World Market is picnic ready and a major steal. The great color adds punch to a summer table.

Photo courtesy of Pomegranate
The new coral and shell Lyford print in aqua from Pomegranate is one of my favorites. The two color hand-blocked pattern is casual and breezy.

Photo courtesy of Terrain

Have a bottle opener handy at all times, you never know when the party will start. Terrain Just Hooked Fish bottle opener will ensure the ginger beer is flowing.

Photo courtesy of Target

Named after my favorite beach, Surfside, Nate Berkus's Target Collection Towel with an interlocking woven pattern in navy and white is chic and crisp.

 Photo courtesy of Jonathan Adler

Pillows that look nice both outdoors and in are tricky to find. Jonathan Adler's Aegean Wave Pillow in cobalt with turquoise trim is a good summer find.

Photo courtesy of Matouk

Amazing graphic abstract patterns on plush beach towels from Matouk, now available through their website.

 

Photo courtesy of C. Wonder

Perfect your swing with C. Wonder's Paddle Set in lively stripes. 

Photo courtesy of Turkish T

Stock up on soft cotton Turkish-T Fouta towels in the skinny Candy Stripe, they double as a beach towel, sarong and scarf.

Photo courtesy of Iomoi
Stash jewelry, shoes and small stuff in Iomoi's monogrammed canvas set of 3 Travel Bags. You will feel SO organized. Choose from a darling assortment of custom designs and motifs Irene has designed.

Photo courtesy of J. Crew

Pack beach balls and towels in a roomy tote, like this one designed by the talented graphic artist Virginia Johnson for J. Crew with friendly sharks swimming in a blue sea.

THE PERFECT SUMMER DRINK

 Photo courtesy of Belvoir

When I heard that Belvoir, England's all-natural, small - batch  fizzy cockail - enhancing elixers were available stateside, I ran out and bought some. I headed to my local Williams-Sonoma and grabbed what enticed me. Their charming hand-written script label with bright background and tall bottle create a beautiful and alluring presentation. I have found I am totally smitten with the Belvoir Fruit Farm's Ginger Cordial, and have needed to restock my bar. 

So what is a cordial, anyway? The process of making the drink syrup involves pressing, cooking and extracting the essences from fresh flowers, fruits and spices. Those are then mixed with local spring water to make the yummy bottled cocktail ingredient. Their Ginger Cordial, my favorite, includes a mixture of fresh and spicy ginger root syrup along with lemon. It makes the perfect Moscow Mule. Or try another popular version the Elderflower, which is available through Terrain. Add sparkling water, vodka, and the cordial over the rocks and you are on your way to an amazing evening. Yum.

NEW TERRAIN: A GARDEN EMPORIUM FOR WESTPORT

Sometimes you hear about a store that changes the retail landscape. By raising the bar with surprise and delight at every turn, this kind of store provides an inspiring escape, elevating the every day.  This is the case with Terrain, the rural Pennsylvania garden mecca created by the folks from Anthropologie.  The mix of artfully aged furniture and accessories, gardening objects and plants with a rustic yet residential vibe was innovative and exciting. It made the farm to table crowd as well as gardeners heart's skip a beat.  After hearing how fabulous Terrain at Styers was, imagine my delight when I heard that Westport, Connecticut was the location for the next Terrain garden emporium. While visiting my Mom on Mother's Day, I  encouraged her to take a little detour up the Post Road to number 561 so I could check it out. Gorgeous weather on opening day made for a packed parking lot, where there was even valet (how LA) as an option for those that wanted to get inside in a hurry. Here is a sampling what we enjoyed that beautiful spring day. This is not your average garden center or nursery, this is a destination. From the reclaimed rustic garden pieces and beautifully merchandised gifts to the rows and rows of growing greenery all around, I would say Terrain is going to draw garden enthusiasts from miles around.  Get out your wheelbarrow and get your summer gardening going!

The location was a Cadillac dealership. Talk about trading spaces.

A wall of pocket planters at the entrance has a wall garden effect and I like the way it is hung on the concrete wall.

Everywhere you look there are great rustic zinc topped tables with tree bases filled with a plethora of potted plants and terrariums.

Succulents and trees displayed in every type of container imaginable.

The spaces are staged as separate environments to use the space effectively. Here, a dining set up.

This place is HUGE.

Bright hydrangeas in a variety of hues.

Not so subliminal messaging on a linen napkin.

Their tabletop selection has just the right amount of rustic to real living. Aged wood, porcelain and glass do the perfect farmhouse table setting make.

I was totally taken with there large paper flowers in glass vases. They looked adorable.

The collection of aged furniture pieces will go right away since they are special one of a kind finds.

Giant arched windows from a 1920's greenhouse tie display areas together.

In case you hadn't noticed, we are going through a big terrarium moment.

The notion of abundance makes the tea towels, pots and framed art look great together.

 The fern wall.

A natural apothecary area towards the bag has all the hot beauty brands and accoutrements.

 Every gardener needs a little shade from time to time. Here, some quirky toppers.

Steel girders enhance the industrial chic vibe.

And how smart is this? Put a coffee bar in it and they will come. And stay awhile. And shop.

Books range from gardening, to keeping house. I have a feeling this will become a book singing venue extroardinaire.

Ah! A gorgeous arrangement.

 A kitchen table and chairs can be yours.

Rolling baskets dipped in white paint are so chic. I will be surprised if these are still there.

Garden ornaments and antique statuary allow your garden can reflect your individual style.

The cafe combines garden elements in an airy setting with the view of the nursery beyond.

What a day it was- people were preparing their landscaping plans.

From concrete to composite, there are planters for most any style.

A garden shed with flowering potted plants beside it.

A well-stocked greenhouse.