Pineapple Hospitality

A friend recently told me that the pineapple is a symbol of hospitality, and I loved this idea so much, I did a little research and learned that "the pineapple was the celebrity fruit of Colonial America, literally put on a pedestal at extravagant feasts. It was also the status fruit - rare and expensive, brought by ship from the Caribbean. A guest felt honored to be served the exotic pineapple. Since then it has been a symbol of hospitality and a favorite architectural and decorative motif" (HB).

I've since purchased a vintage '70s copper pineapple mold (center) from eBay to hang in my kitchen. Pineapple home accessories are hot items and great gift ideas for weddings and new home owners. I think every home deserves a little pineapple hospitality!

J xx

Clockwise: (1) Kichler, Pineapple Outdoor Hanging Light (2) Jack and Lulu, Pineapple Gold Flat Notes (3) Forest City Brand, Pineapple Crate Label Reproduction (4) Ginkgo, Pineapple Pewter Beverage Pitcher (5) CC Home Furnishings, Copper Pineapple Fruit Weathervane (6) Tommy Bahama, Pineapple Cove Napkins

Bistro Beautiful

Image: Unknown

I'm speechless for once. I will say this: perfection. To me, this is an all-around gorgeous photo showcasing patio elegance at its very best! Peonies, pastries, tea, bistro chairs, the morning paper...what could make a more relaxing morning? I hope this photo will inspire you as it has done me.

J xx

Red Velvet Birthday

Happy Birthday to me! May all my wishes come true! (Well, someone had to say it). I woke up super early this morning...I mean unnecessarily early, personal best early - 5:00am early! And I finally decided today's a perfect day to make the Dean Jacob's Red Velvet Cupcake & Cream Cheese Frosting Mix that's been sitting atop my fridge since Christmas. By 6:30am I was at the grocery store buying the ingredients, by 8:00am I finished frosting and sprinkling, and by 8:30am I ate my first birthday cupcake! And now I'm jacked up on sugar and feel GRRREAT! Tonight I'm having dinner with the girls then off to see Sex and the City 2! Today marks the beginning of my last year as a twenty-something; I hope it's a good one!

J xx

The Pie Plate

Last weekend I spent some time in Niagara-on-the-Lake antique shopping with a friend and we squeezed in a stop at Riverview Cellars Winery to pick up a few bottles of semi-sweet red wine.  My favorite stop however, had to be our late lunch at The Pie Plate in a little village called Virgil. This is the most adorable bakery and café I've had the pleasure of visiting, and I highly recommend you stop in if ever you're fortunate enough to visit Ontario's wine country.  

My friend and I swapped halves of two sandwiches: turkey avocado with cilantro lime dressing and ham and brie with honey mustard dressing. The bread is baked fresh on site and oh...it's perfection! We hydrated with fresh squeezed strawberry lemonade on ice. I honestly can't remember the last time I had a more enjoyable meal; the café was cozy, the service was friendly, and the food was exceptionally fresh and flavorful. You must go!

J xx

Photos for Flowers

I went looking for flowers today to fill my lovely tin flower pot, and I stopped in at Prince of Wales Garden on the Danforth between Woodbine and Coxwell.  It was a sunny, warm, perfect day so I decided to take pictures of the pretty flowers with my iPhone, and the shop owner (far left) asked if I could send him the pictures I was taking of his shop and he would give me a big basket of begonias in return as a thank you. Perfect trade-off! Don't the begonias look beautiful in my tin pot? This gesture made my day! You never know the kinds of people you might run into on any given day.

J xx