Clockwise from top left: Stars and Stripes Swag/ Jcrew Bikini / Frilloon / M. Carter Canvas Pouch / Faribault Woolen Mill Throw / Kate Spade Sandals / Stripe Beverage Caddy / Gap Stripe Strappy Dress / Men’s Fedora

The Fourth of July is upon us! Festive flags, patriotic outfits and fireworks abound. Our new home is in one of the most Fourth of July focused spots of all time so this year you’ll find me draped head to toe in nothing but red white and blue. From flirty dresses for the day to a cozy throw for fireworks at night, to a fabulous Frilloon to get you in the spirit- I’ve got you covered for Fourth of July fun finds.

Wherever you’re celebrating, Happy Independence Day, be safe and have fun!!

Summer is a fabulous time of year. The sun is shining, the bikes are out, the kids are covered in sand and popsicle drippings and parents all over the world are wishing they could kick back with a cocktail and call it a day. While summer symbolizes freedom for our youth, it often leads to exhaustion for parents who are balancing their own life with the new craziness of summer schedules.

Have trips to the beach, mid-week sleepovers, tennis camp and evening BBQ’s left you with a never ending to-do list? Simplify your life by outsourcing the less desirable tasks on your list. Brass Tacks offers comprehensive assistance services- from running errands to full time lifestyle management. So get out, enjoy that summer cocktail and live what you love. Summer is just too short not to.

Contact me today for a quote!

*Virtual personal assistant services are available worldwide.

Clockwise from top left: Anchor Dog Toy / Stripe Boatneck Tee / Hello Throw Pillow / The Ropes Bracelet / Petit Bateau Newborn Bodysuit / Ahoy Bath Mat / Sperry Metallic Boat Shoe / Stripe Gent Tie / Gold Anchor Monogrammed Stationary / Sea Bags Tote

If you follow me on Instagram, you’re already familiar with my love for stripes and my recent move lakeside. Lucky for me the two go together quite nicely, giving me the perfect excuse to embrace my inner sailor this summer. I’m clearly not the only one adding nautical flair to my life. Jcrew currently has a few nice collaborations with fabulous Maine-based companies crafting pretty goods out of nautical ropes and reclaimed sails. These are great additions to classics like the Sperry Topsider which is now available in just about every color and pattern combination you could dream of. I surprised my hubby with these for his birthday and let’s just say anything from the Gold Cup line is THE most comfortable shoe ever. I’m counting the days until their Women’s version of the line comes out this Fall. Nothing goes better with a pair of Sperry’s than a classic striped top. For the real deal, opt for this Saint James version. This company has been turning out nautical inspired wear in Normandy since the 1800’s. More budget friendly options can be found nearly everywhere including here and here. You of course must include your little ones in the stripes frenzy as well. Leave it to another fab french company to turn out this cute getup. Once you’ve finally hit your stripes quota, turn to home decor and personal stationary as mechanisms to add a little seaside love into your life. (and don’t forget Fido in all the fun!).

Wherever you spend your summer I hope you’re able to enjoy the water somewhere!

Clockwise from top left: Cedar & Moss Alto Sconce / Emily Ley Memory Box / Rifle Paper Peonies Yellow Wallpaper / Amber Interiors Fiona Pillow / Anchor Marquee Light / Bouvardia Crewelwork Rug / Schoolhouse Electric Jack Chair / Gray Malin Summertime Swimmers

With redecorating on the brain, I’m all about fun bright accents this summer (and always). How fab is Gray Malin’s new Aqua Glam series? I love just about every piece but can’t stop thinking about this, this and this. I’ve begun my hunt for the perfect fun powder room wall paper and am smitten with Rifle Paper’s new line. This beauty is sure to bring happiness to a home throughout the year. Bright florals will also be likely found in a rug or pillow in my house in the near future. Since I’m clearly going pattern crazy why not add a touch of gingham?This chair is so fab and only rivaled by the image of myself reading the paper and sipping a latte on this bench…heaven! While I’ve yet to dive into the wonderful word of lighting (I’m already frightened by the number of lighting decisions I’m going to need to make) I’m leaning towards gold and brass accents and this beauty may need to make an appearance. Of course I’ll also need some serious organization tools to keep things looking tidy. How preppy and fun are Emily Ley’s memory boxes? Lastly, what is a lake home without an anchor…to mix things up I’ll gladly opt for this funky marquee version.

What decor is catching your attention this summer? Do tell!

My husband and I are deep into remodel planning mode which means version upon version of architectural drawings paired with plenty of pretty mood boards. My mind is constantly spinning with ideas (thank you Pinterest)  resulting in numerous design changes as we go. For any of you who’ve gone through an extensive remodel, you understand that the endless options are sometimes hard to sort through. Creating mood boards not only makes me happy but it helps keep us on track with what we really want out of each room of our house. This is a sneak peek of our current kitchen inspiration. Wood ceiling detail, pretty colors and fabulous tile….bring it on!

1 Sugar Paper Card 2 Excelsior Brewing Beer 3 Rifle Paper Card 4 Soul Socks 5 Harry’s Father and Son Shave Set 6 Cuyana Canvas Weekender Bag 7 Leather Catchall

I sometimes feel like dads get the short end of the stick. Unable to experience the feeling of carrying a child to birth, often secondary to mom when a child is seeking comfort, and occasionally less celebrated for their role in nurturing children into beautiful, smart and confident adults (despite the often blurred gender roles in todays modern world). So often it’s mom’s that get the credit, leaving dads very deserving of a day that is all about them! Summer is already flying by which means that Father’s Day has crept up rather quickly. While it’s only three days away, there is still time to get something special for your dad that shows him just how much you love him. If your dad is anything like mine, he already has most everything he wants and needs, leaving a thoughtful card as a simple and great gift. I love this Rifle Paper option sold locally at Brown Ink. Perhaps you’re wanting to treat your hubby to a very special father’s day as a new dad. These canvas Cuyana weekenders are perfect for a weekend getaway and will surely get a ton of use over the years (plus you can easily borrow it for yourself!). I’m so charmed by the Harry’s Father and Son Shave Set, allowing dad to teach their kiddos the art of good grooming. If you’re opting for a more “adult” treat, why not pick up a growler of fabulous local beer to be enjoyed under the summer sun. Or help your dad stock up on awesome socks to brighten his work day by giving him a sock subscription from Soul Socks (a cool company started by a friend of mine!). No matter what fun treats you shower your dad with I hope you have a wonderful summer weekend filled with plenty of quality family time!

From Top Left: Room No. 3 / Sugar Paper / Catbird / Veuve Clicquot / Goyard

The men in our lives are our rocks, our best friends, and a shoulder to cry on. They are confidants, travel buddies and the fathers of our children. They make us laugh  (and sometimes cry!) and we love spending quality time with them. While they fill a special need in our lives, our men don’t always shine with their gift giving and planning skills.

To bridge the gap Brass Tacks offers “For Men Only”, an exclusive service just for guys. The possibilities are endless –  planning a romantic getaway, special occasion surprises, lingerie, jewelry and specialty shopping,  gift wrapping and personal delivery. Give your man the confidence of knowing he’s scored the perfect gift while you delight in the fabulous end result!

Is your hubby tasked with organizing the perfect anniversary trip? Brass Tacks will make all the arrangements to ensure a memorable stress-free vacation for both of you! Big birthday coming up? A sparkling custom-made bauble will do the trick!

Drop a hint to your man today and Brass Tacks  will simplify HIS life.

The hubby and I are just back from an amazing long weekend in Napa. After marrying at The Carneros Inn last May, they gave us a free stay as an anniversary gift so we jumped at the chance to soak up an extra long weekend at our favorite little slice of paradise. While each of our trips to Napa have been different, we always stick to the following guidelines: visit small production wineries (with some exceptions), eat a lot of amazing food (not very hard) and try to relax at the hotel as much as possible (sometimes a challenge with everything else we like to fit in). I’m often asked by clients for tips on what to do and see while visiting Napa Valley. There really is so much to explore,  but without further adieu, here is a very brief overview of just a few personal favorites.

Wine

There are so many hidden gems to explore in wine country which means a little upfront research and planning can go a long way. For an amazingly peaceful setting, fabulous modern farmhouse architecture, rich and wonderful wines (and fabulous branding to boot) I adore Larkmead Vineyards. A similar ambiance in a less private setting can be found at the laid back Frog’s Leap (you can find me drinking their Rosé all summer long). For a secluded setting with delicious reds (and if you’re lucky a tasting of their aged Balsamic), make a reservation at The Terraces. Get your fix of bubbly at the beautiful Domaine Carneros and take a tour of a a wonderful vineyard at Gundlach Bundschu for a taste of the Sonoma side of things.

Food

Just like tasty wine, delicious food is not hard to find in Napa Valley. My list of favorite restaurants is long but there are a few we visit on repeat. While I enjoy Redd, their sister restaurant, Redd Wood dishes up fabulous pizzas and pasta in a laid back setting that is perfect after a long day of tasting. Head across the street to Ciccio, a no-reservations local hang that serves some mean rustic italian. I could eat their whole grilled fish ten times over. For fabulous Italian in Napa proper, stop by Oenotri (or Bottega in Yountville)- you won’t be disappointed with either. Once you’re tired of Italian and really craving some pomme frites, Bistro Jeanty is an old favorite. Perfect for a rich lunch particularly during the colder months of the year. When you’re feeling like checking something off the bucket list there’s always French Laundry. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience (tip: come rested (both yourself and your wallet) as you will be there for hours). On the opposite end of the spectrum are my favorite lunch spots- Fremont Diner for casual diner grub, La Luna Tacqueria for authentic Mexican to-go, Addendum for Ad Hoc’s famous fried chicken and Oxbow Public Market for a variety of tasty treats. Lastly, I can’t leave Boon Fly Cafe off the list as their mini-donuts are a Napa staple for us.

Relaxation

If you ask me, there are few places in the world more serene and relaxing than the Hilltop pool at The Carneros Inn. Equally splurge worthy is Bardessono in Yountville, Solage in Calistoga or the classic Auberge du Soleil. If looking for something a little more reasonable, there are  many great options centrally located in Yountville like Villagio and the newer modern boutique, North Block.

Wine Country, you never cease to rejuvenate me. Cheers to another year with the wine cellar stocked!

*For further tips or itinerary planning, contact Brass Tacks today*