Living
Stars & Stripes
Baby, you're a firework! That's right, July, you really know how to begin with a bang and sparkle to the end!
 
I'm sure we will all be donning our favorite red, white and blue outfits and strategizing where to watch the best fireworks show this week. 
 
There is also so much to cheer about - from Wimbledon to the Olympics! I'm cheering for Team USA with the exception of one young lady representing Team Canada for fencing. She went to high school with my youngest son!
 
It's a peak month for farmer's markets and fresh summer produce, so I'll be sure to take advantage of that, too!
 
If you are into “summer reading”, I hope you are having fun working through your stack. Here's a look at what I'm reading:
 
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
Anna Bright is Hiding Something by Susie Orman Schnall
A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams
 
 
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Wishing you a very happy Fourth of July, from my home to yours!

 
This Month in the Garden
 
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Midsummer Night's Dream
 
July may be the garden's most spectacular month. Lush and full. The hydrangeas did in fact turn out to be the best in years. I wish I knew exactly why that was, but since they are spectacular all over town, I'm pretty sure we just got lucky with the weather!
 
Similar to the year above, when I decorated for garden for the Fourth of July. You can see more about how they turned out on my instagram, as that is where I have been giving them a lot of love!
 
This morning I began adding flags to every window box and flower urn! Let Freedom Ring!
 
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Travel
The Mayflower Inn
Relaxed luxury in Litchfield County, CT
 
My husband and I recently spent a couple of nights in the Connecticut country side at the Mayflower Inn. We had stayed there a number of years ago, but that was before the  refresh by lauded interior designer, Celerie Kemble. 
 
The interiors of the main house (seen above) and our room (a short walk away) were beautifully done and updated. There are two primary spaces for meals…the Garden Room, which is light and airy and the Tap Room, which is dark and moody.
 
In addition to enjoying their highly regarded spa, there is both indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, hiking trails and lots of unique offerings.
 
Nearby is the sweet town of New Preston. There are some wonderful shops there. Favorites of mine were: J. Seitz, Pergola and Privet House.
 
If you want to get away for a few days, just relax and feel refreshed, I think it's a great place to go. Ideal for couples or a group of girlfriends.
 
The Mayflower Inn & Spa
 
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Our room in the Allerton Cottage
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The trail at The Mayflower Inn
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The Garden Room
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The Huntress pop-up in the main house
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The cozy bar in the Tap Room

Summer in Connecticut
—
Stay
The Mayflower Inn
 
Eat
 Garden Room
 Tap Room
Picnic
White Tavern Inn
 
Do
Get a spa treatment
Paddle a canoe
Play cards or backgammon
Swim in the pool
Take a hike
Wander through the neighborhing towns
__________
 
“We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.”
—William Faulkner
 
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LivE Give
Entertain
 Until next time…  xxElizabeth
 
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20 Thistle Lane
RYE, NY 10580, United States