Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day is right around the corner and I thought I would post some gift ideas....

 

I love bow ties and discovered the brand Collared Greens while visiting Newport, RI a few summers ago! I could get one of each they have so many to choose from!

 

 

 

 

Collared Greens also has fabulous neckties!

 

 

 

 

 

Smathers & Branson Needlepoint Belt...a classic.

 

 

 

Smathers & Branson key fob.

 



 

Helly Hansen Salt Jacket... this sailing jacket makes a great spring/summer jacket and comes in many color combinations.

AU Sailwax Duffle...these are indestructible and classy.

  

 

Sperry Gold Topsiders ...the "dressy" version of the classic topsider.

 

 

 A hoodie or T-shirt from his alma mater.

 

 

I hope you got some great ideas...my dear husband is actually asking for new batteries for his power tools...I think we will need to supplement that gift with something a little more "exciting"...or at least something that is a little more exciting to shop for! I think tools for my husband are like handbags and shoes are for me....LOL.

 

 

Can't Live Without...

I have noticed that there are a few things that make my week much more enjoyable...here they are:

 

 

My first stop every morning on my way to see patients...a sweet tea with two lemons please!

 

 

 

My husband literally FORCED me to get an ipad last summer after he figured out it was my heavy work bag that was causing my continued shoulder problem following my surgery. Now, I can't live without it!!! I use it for both work and play, and of course I have a cute Lilly cover on it!

purchase ipad cover here

 

 

 

It has hit 90 degrees here the last few days (which I love) but I am always FREEZING inside with the AC so I live in fleeces and sweatshirts. This is my current favorite...I just love the color.

purchase similar one here

 

 

 

These super yum out double chocolate covered peanuts are one of my "go-to" hostess gifts, but I usually pick up a tin for myself as well! I have to hide them or they would be gone in five minutes in this household of kids! I love to snack on these in the evening when I am doing my charting.

purchase here

 

 

 

 

NCIS re-runs! I rarely have time to watch television but when I do I am tuned to this show! I used to watch Law & Order, but have seen almost all of those re-runs so I started the NCIS series. One thing about this show, however, is that you really have to WATCH it because if you leave the room to switch the laundry, you will be totally lost and not know what is going on when you get back!

 

 

 

My mother!!!! We are very fortunate that my mom and step-father live in our development and she is a STAR when it comes to helping out with transporting kids and she also helps out with running errands for me each week! We have fun on the weekends shopping and decorating, and she love to go to the pool with the kids and me.

 

What makes your week more enjoyable?

 

 

 

 

 





Patriotic Jewelry

Keeping with the patriotic theme of this past Memorial Day and looking forward to the Fourth of July in about another month, I thought I would share one of my favorite jewelers with you, Ann Hand. She is well known for her patriotic jewelry and her shop is in Washington DC. She is best know for her pin "The Liberty Eagle," which has been worn by many First Ladies, cabinet Secretaries, Senators, Congresswomen, and Ambassadors. Her patriotic designs are classy and timeless, and her pieces are reasonably priced. Here are some my favorites...

The Liberty Eagle Pin

The Great Seal Compact Mirror

 

The Great Seal Cuff Links for the husband

 

 

I LOVE these! The Liberty Eagle Earrings

These are on my Christmas list!

The Glory Pin

Lady Freedom Earrings

 

The America Bracelet

 

 

The American Charm Bracelet

 

Enamel Stretch Bracelets with Eagles

 

 

The Navy Pin

The Annapolis Pin

This pin is the USNA crest (my husband is a graduate) and it is on my birthday list!

 

 

 

 

The "Pride Runs Deep" Pin

This is a very special pin, which I also LOVE and happen to have one, and it honors the US Navy Submarine Community. The proceeds from the sale of this pin go towards the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, which awards scholarships to the children of US Navy Submariners. To order this beautiful pin designed by Ann Hand, go here.

 

 

 

A great thing about many of Ann's pins is that there are "secret" clips on the back of the pin so you can wear your pin as a necklace. She sells the pearls to clip on as well. The Liberty Eagle Pin worn on this pearl necklace with The Liberty Eagle Earrings would look great with a red dress for an Election Party!

 

 

I happen to be partial to the US Navy jewelry since my husband is retired Navy, but she has designs for all branches of the military as well.

 

 



Weekend Recap

Soooo...my weekend did not turn out as I had planned for it to be, but that's OK...it was still a good one. Can you say BASEBALL???? I spent eight hours at the baseball field on Saturday in the FREEZING cold and WIND (hello...this weekend is known for being the un-official start of summer!) and then another eight hours at the baseball field on Sunday for my twins' travel baseball tournament. Fortunately, this travel ball team is extremely tight, and the parents are all good friends, so it's fun to go to the games and visit with the other moms. Mix in the twins attending a Bat Mitzvah party on Saturday night, a sleepover at our house Sunday night that included SEVEN 12 year old boys (clearly I was out of my mind when I agreed to that but it went surprisingly well) as well as two of my #1's girlfriends, and a couple of home improvement projects and POOF the weekend was gone!



#3A hamming it up with his teammates

 

 

#3B with his best buds (and teammates)

 

 

Brotherly love....BH (before hair cuts)

 

#3B when I ask him for a "nice" smile

 

WOW what a transformation (AH....after hair cuts)

It was painful for them to act like they liked each other...LOL

 

#1 with her two girlfriends

 

 

D and me...do I look tired or what????

 

So while it was not a "relaxing pool" weekend, it was fun and full of activities and adventure!

 

 

 

 

 

Freedom is Not Free

On this Memorial Day Weekend, when summer officially begins and the weekend is full of BBQ's and pool time, let us reflect on why we have this day of remembrance. There are many families who are not able to spend the holiday weekend together because their loved one paid the ultimate price for our freedom. As the wife of a retired military officer who gave 25 years of his life to our country, I am grateful every day that D returned home safe and sound from his deployments and my heart aches for the wives, children, mothers, and fathers who cannot say the same.

My husband, Captain USN (ret), former commanding officer of the USS Texas.

 

 

Here are the words of the Navy Hymn, which are so moving:

 

Eternal Father

 

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep.

Oh hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea! Amen.

Eternal Father, lend Thy grace To
those with wings who fly thro' space,
Thro wind and storm, thro' sun and rain,
Oh bring them safely home again.

Oh Father, hear an humble prayer,
For those in peril in the air! Amen.

Oh Trinity of love and pow'r,
Our brethren shield in danger's hour,
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them where so e'er they go.

Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea! Amen.

 

Bless you my dear husband.

 

 

 

Have a safe and wonderful weekend!

Claire Murray Rugs

I am in the market for a small rug for my powder room and I was just on the Claire Murray website checking our her latest rug designs. Claire Murray is based in Nantucket, but I have been in her Newport, RI store and have always loved her hooked rugs. Her designs are all inspired by gardens, cottages, and life by the sea in Nantucket and they are a perfect addition to a preppy beach house. She really has something for everyone and many of them are on SALE right now! Although I didn't find something for the powder room, I saw plenty of things for my future beach house! Here are some of my favorites...

Love the star border!

 

Perfect for in front of kitchen sink!

Love the colors!

 

 

French Country - LOVE!

So cute!

How adorable is this???

Perfect for my sailor husband!

She used to do needlepoint canvases too...am I the only one who still needlepoints? Unfortunately my needlepointing is limited to when I am sitting in the car or on an airplane, but I still love it when I can find the time. Off topic...I know.