RIP Nora Ephron

Dimacci Bracelets!

 I am loving these Hermes-like bracelets, found at Horse & Riders in the UK.  You could buy one in every color!

Finest Nappa leather bracelet with stainless steel or gilded stainless steel bridle bit appliqué and adjustable stainless steel or gilded stainless steel clasp.

Bracelet width  2.5cm

Timeless Quality and Perfect Workmanship

Complete in luxury presentation box for the perfect gift

You can find these here:

http://www.horsesandriders.co.uk

Farmhouse Wares

I discovered this cute Internet site and it just reminds me of summer in the country.  Their stuff is more rustic than I generally like, but it just fits in right now.   Don't you just love this Hydranga in a basket for your door?

 These dried boxwood wreaths can span the seasons, right up to Christmas.

 I don't have a dog but if I did............

Order this stuff now for the July 4th holiday!

Into natural stuff these days.  The muscle rub could come in handy with all the farm chores and I am not getting any younger!  Love the insect spray.  A lot better than Off, don't you think?

This would make a great hostess gift or just use it on the patio.

Here's the site and they are having a sale!

^{HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!}

Celebrate Independence Day with a 10% savings on your next purchase from Farmhouse Wares.

Just enter coupon code "july412" during checkout.

Available today through midnight June 28, 2012.

Offer available on sale and regularly priced items. While supplies last.

Not valid on previous purchases.

Phone
Toll free at 866-567-7958 Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM  to 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
email
customercare@farmhousewares.com
fax
413-387-4377
mail
Farmhouse Wares
PO Box 152
Whately, MA 01093

Happy Tuesday.  Quite a lovely day here in Virginia!

Secretariat Gets New Record - 39 Years After the Fact

Talk about delayed gratification!  The Maryland Racing Commission ruled recently that Secretariat actually ran the Preakness a lot faster than anyone thought.  A panel reviewed a videotape and decided that the great chestnut colt should own the record for the fastest Preakness.

Secretariat's original winning time was reported at 1 minute 55 seconds.  They adjusted the time (due to a clock malfunction) to 1:54 2/5.  Two clockers for the Daily Racing Form had him crossing the finish line in 1:53 2/5.  Using state-of-the-art timing mechanisms, the panel determined that he finished the race in 1:53, even faster than the old Preakness record of 1:53 1/5 shared by Tank's Prospect (1985), Louis Quatorze (1996), and Curlin (2007).  

Secretariat now officially owns the record time in all three Triple Crown races.  Way to go Big Red.  It just took 39 years to set the record straight.

Alessandro Albanese Equestrian Clothing

Initially specializing in custom made jackets and shirts, Alessandro Albanese began producing fine quality equestrian clothing twelve years ago. Now with an extensive range of prêt-a-porter items, his focus remains on the superior quality and style of the personally tailored garment. Alessandro Albanese is known throughout Europe for its superior collections, all of which are ‘Made in Italy’.

Alessandro Albanese produces all garments in the tradition of classic Italian Couture, using luxurious natural fabrics and pays particular attention to the choice of materials according to each individual request. Skilled workmanship, fine hand stitching and perfect button holes make all the creations a work of art. 

I love the Technoready coats.  No more wool riding coats.  Ever!

The Italian influence is load and clear!  Lovely!

Allesandro and Reed Kessler.  The company sponsors Reed. 

These look a little Hermes-like to me!

	He could also model if the clothes business slows down a bit.  Happy Monday!
Website	http://store.alessandroalbanese.com

Recycle Those Ribbons!

For those who have riding for a long time and have collected quite a number of ribbons, what do you do with them?  I purged many of mine a few years ago and left the tricolors and the more important ones hanging in my tack room.  But there are so many creative people out there who have come up with some interesting ideas on this topic.

One place to go is Keepsake Ribbon Quilts. 

She made the quilts immediately below. For more photos go to http://www.keepsakeribbonquilts.com.

I love this idea (not sure where it came from, on Pininterest).

This person really put a lot of ribbons to use.  

 

Would have never thought of this but it works!

Would make a great gift for someone who has a lot of ribbons to spare!

 

Another site to peruse is http://www.distinctivedesignsbydiana.com/horseshowribbonq.html.  She is very creative and has created some beautiful things!

This is from an exhibit at the US Hunter-Jumper Association headquarters in Lexington, KY.I like the ribbons placed in a nice shadow box.

Love what they did with this. So Ralph Lauren!

Christmas?

This is probably my favorite!

Enjoy your weekend!

Target Revamps - Goes Equestrian?

I used to be a big Target shopper.  But in the past year or so, they stopped offering the "fun" and "inexpensive" household items that I loved to shop for. So I just started going to Wal-Mart.  But that may end this fall as Target sets new "Threshold" for their private label, "Target Home."  The brand will be renamed and "Threshold" will launch sometime this fall.  And look at the fun equestrian-influenced stuff we can find!

Etsy Does Equestrian

Don't know if you peruse Etsy or not.   They have some great stuff at reasonable prices.  My most recent find includes these t-shirts that sell for less than $20.  What a great gift for the female equestrian.  I can't decide which one I like the most.

You can find these on Esty at the link below! Adele Michele Designs is the store.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AdeleMicheleDesigns?ref=seller_info

Super Sega One Last Time

Today was really tough.  My wonderful, once in a lifetime horse, Sega, is retiring.  I knew the time was coming but was hoping that I could get her through the rest of the year.  But that was not to be.  But as Sega has done her entire 12-year show career, she rose to the occasion, jumped a little higher and a little better (despite being very sore all over) and won one more tri-color and cooler at a AA show before calling it quits.  She always gave me 110 percent and always knew when it was a big deal.  There are too many memories - winning tricolors from Florida to Vermont.  This small Warmblood mare, purchased at age three, was indeed a gift.  I am very fortunate to have been a part of her life and I will never love a horse like I love her.  She told me today in no uncertain terms that it was time. I thank her for letting me go to the ring with her one last time.

In November 2011, when the picture above was taken, I thought to myself that this was her swan song.  I can't remember her jumping this well and this high.  She was kinda telling me that this might be it and she wanted to go out on top.  She was spot on taking home Grand Champion honors that weekend.  At the few shows we went to this year, she did not recover well, lacked the spring in her step she had last year.  I think mentally she wanted to compete but her body said no.

She will have the most wonderful life in retirement, I will make sure of that.  Lush green pastures, warm barns, lots of hay and carrots, hugs and kisses - so that I can repay her for all she has given me.  She rules the place now, think what it will be like in a few more years!  May we have as many years in retirement as we had in the show ring!

North Carolina's Westglow

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge, just outside of Blowing Rock, sits a house that looks like a painting.  Painting is in this house's DNA as it was once the summer retreat of writer and artist Elliott Daingerfield, one of America's best-known landscape painters at the turn of the 20th century.  The house sits on 20-acres that is listed on the National Historic Register right in the shadow of Grandfather Mountain near the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Built in 1917, the house features Grecian columns that were shipped from Italy.  85 percent of the current furnishings are original pieces from the era.

The good news is that you can stay here!  Westglow is what is termed an "adventure spa".  Glynda Valentine purchased the historic property in 1978 as a private home and has converted it into a day spa with an emphasis on fitness and health.  In 2005, Bonnie and Jamie Schaefer bought the property and remodeled the mansion.

Westglow also offers a luxury camping excursion which follows a 13.5 mile trail paralleling the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The campers end up at the Julian Price Park Campground where tents are set up and waiting with queen size bed frames, air matresses, 500-count sheets, cocktails and appetizers.  A gourmet chef prepares dinner.  That is my kind of camping!

 

Needless to say, the venue is popular for weddings and just a relaxing visit to the country of North Carolina which oozes sophistication.