Alfie Sings the Blues

Alfie and I went out yesterday for our third show of the season and we're betting a thousand. After a rocky start in the warm-up, my black boy came through for his adult amateur and beat the youngsters.  He's three for three this season and we're loving it. This must be payback for being so off our game the past two years.  Thank you black boy!

Summer Staple - The Lilly Skort

Some items never go out of style; I feel that way about the Lilly Skort.  These little numbers are comfortable, chic and reasonably priced.  I love them for summer.  Skorts are good for any age too. I remember when I was growing up the older ladies would wear Lilly skirts to play golf in; they looked stylish way back then.  These also look great on the college girls. Here are my favorites. 

This yellow one is just too cute. See it here.

 

I love the colors of this one.  See it here.

I like this one too.  See it here.

I like this one too.  See it here.

Which one do you like best?  

Summer Tablescape

Summer is my favorite time of the year and I love to entertain with dinners on the patio or on the deck of the cabin.  I rarely ever eat indoors this time of year.  We are fortunate to have a large patio that faces east so by the cocktail hour, the setting is perfect.  So let's set a table for this time of year.

I'd love to own these dishes from Juliska.  These are versatile to use every month of the year. I'd start with the dinner plates as I like to mix the plates.

I'd mix the white dinner plate with these for a bolder look:

I'd use these placemats both from Pottery Barn.  I'm not sure which ones I like the best....

I'd use the Bamboo flatware or the darker brown set from Ballard (from Bunny Williams)...

I'd pick these napkins from Horchow:

This glassware, also from Horchow, would add a nice touch.

These bud vases would add a nice summer touch with fresh flowers....

You have to use candles in summer, at dusk...

I hope this is inspiration, entertain your family your friends or just yourself.  Enjoy the coming dog days of summer in grand style.

The Monticello Gift Shop

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is literally in my back yard but do I ever go over there? Nope. Sounds familiar doesn't it?  No excuses really but I will get there this summer.  But if you don't live near enough for a visit, please go to their web site.  They have an incredible gift shop. It's more like a shopping mall and some of the things are very unique.  This bench is lovely and very reasonably priced.

This lamp is also very tasteful.

 There are many dishes too.

 Isn't this stunning?

And there are many books....

 Here is the URL and please visit if you are in Virginia.  It is well worth the effort!

Make Mine Blue

Blue is not my favorite color but I do love it. Maybe it's because we all know what a real blue ribbon means .....

Tory Burch included blue and white in her summer styles, love them!

Leron Linens in blue and white are divine!

Bunny Williams' blue and white lamp is timeless...

 This garden bench in an unexpected navy blue is something...

This Sara Campbell blue and white coat could come and live in my closet...

 

 And Alfie brought home a few of these this weekend....love these the most!

 Hope your weekend was full of blue ribbons!

Loving Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren just never seems to age. I'm referring to the great designer, himself, and of course, the brand.  I love his stuff.  And the good news is he's have a big Memorial Day sale you can stock up and save.  This china would go so well in a country house. See it here.

This equestrian braid hostess set and the flatware is also on sale.

See these here.

This equestrian-themed scarf in orange will be great for spring and summer. It also comes in blue.  See it here.

And of course, the polo shirt is an old stand-by. You can create your own on the website. Also on sale. See this one here.

Pony Past Perfect - Toy Story

Some famous horses and ponies had humble beginnings.  Toy Story's history is worth remembering. 


Toy Story, or "Bug" as he was known outside the show ring, has an interesting story. On a summer day, looking for something to do, a woman named Cynthia took a trip to the New Holland sale (in Pa) with no intentions of buying anything. Then, she spotted "Bug" tied to a fence. Feeling sorry for the pony, Cynthia arranged to purchase the pony and give him a chance at life. Legend has it she paid less than $1000 for the small dark bay pony.  Several years later, he stormed on the pony hunter scene with rider/owner Maggie McAlary. His career includes many wins, including:

Champion Small Pony Hunter and Best Child Rider at Devon 2000
Winner 2000 Pony Equitation Finals
Champion Harrisburg 2000
Champion Washington 2000
Grand Pony Hunter Champion - Old Salem 1998
USEF Zone I - 5th Green Pony Hunter 1998
Numerous other Championships

 Toy Story is now in his 20's and he's still showing little girls how to ride.  I was lucky to see him last weekend at a show in Washington, DC.  He looks pretty good out there.....

The Devon Horse Show

Memorial Day weekend is synonomous in the horse world for Devon. If you show hunters you'll be at Devon.

The show started yesterday and runs until May 31st just outside of Philly on the Main Line. The show grounds are tiny but its prestige factor is not dictated by its small acrage. It's the best of the very best, you must qualify to get to show here.

I only had one horse to go to Devon and that's the only time I visited the horse show.  I must admit it was fun to attend and to watch your own horse compete and yes, we did come home with ribbons! That's my boy, Dandy, with Mary Lisa Leffler on board.  He was such a sweet guy.  He came over from Germany and he loved junk food!  It was a sunny day but I remember the mud well.

Devon has it's own traditions like tea sandwiches:

 There is also a country fair:

And the shopping there is endless.  If you live nearby you should make the trip. 

Belmont Bash

Saturday's test of speed at the Preakness, in the mud and slop no less, is proof that American Pharoah may indeed beat the odds and win the Belmont. There's been so much buzz about this horse even before he won his last three races in style.  So, it is on the Belmont and why not have a Belmont Bash and celebrate in style?

Start with these invitations which can be found on Etsy:

The perfect background music, pre-race, is New York, New York.  You'd need Frank singing it in the background.  I love it when the horses parade on the track while someone famous sings.....

This would look great on your table. See it here.

Cookies anyone?  See these here.

A great wreath for the door to great your guests:

See it here.

Or this one...

See it here.

And I would use these glasses.  These were made by Old Morgantown Glass in the 1940's for Gulfstream Park in Florida.  You can find them often on Ebay.

I like these from Horse and Hound too.  See them here.

These linens are perfect! See them here.

 And this would be a great addition to your table!  See it here.

Looking forward to the Belmont in three long weeks!