110th Running of the Grand National

We went to the 110th Running of the Grand National last weekend. It was a glorious day filled with sunshine and friendship. Is there anything more beautiful than a warm spring day in the Maryland Hunt Country?

Our dear friend  and award winning tailgate host SDM and his friend Craig had the party. Craig owns the Quinntessential Gentleman in Baltimore where their slogan is "Bmore handsome!" 

Scott was as dapper as ever putting the final touches on the tailgate. He is the preppiest man alive and came in second last year for his tailgate.

The tent was stocked full with essentials to get through the long day. 

Fried chicken and lots and lots of bourbon, naturally.

They served a specialty cocktail called "Off the Rails" and another called, "Bmore Handsome". I have no idea what was in it as I was sipping a finger of Bourbon on the rocks. I'm a purist.

Justin brought his divine handmade sourdough bread and Emily made my Pear Chutney as a perfect compliment her husband's manna of the Gods. 

Can you hear the angel choir singing? My father used to bake bread and Justin's reminds me so much of Daddy's recipe.

Everyone was dressed to the nines and ready for betting.

Preppy fist pumps (PFP) for the rebirth of the monogram necklace! Emily received this from the Easter bunny a few weeks ago. 

SDM's, dapper as ever.

JCW's blue crab belt.

TJ's oyster tie, how cute is that?

Not sure who this guy was but loved his red, white and light blue combo.

 Sandi donned gold horse accents for the perfect touch.

I wish I had a vintage Thunderbird for just such an occasion! It is the perfect accessory. 

I really couldn't keep my eyes off of My Charlie! He made sure my drink was cold all day. 

Katiecakes was in town bringing friends from Philly.

The jockeys always look so smart in their silks too.

There were babies and puppies to snuggle with all day.

Games of chase and kickball.

Daddies were chasing the kids as well.

In between races everyone just visited.

EAS, the fantastic author of Let the Tide Pull Your Dreams Ashore, even stopped by wearing her adorable J. McGlaughlin dress! We finally met last week at the pre-opening of Kettle Hill with our mutual friends John and Alyssa. It's funny how after two years of "talking" via the internet you feel like you know someone. Please check out her blog if you haven't already. It is a daily read of mine with my morning tea! Cheers to you EAS and our camera toting ways.

John and Alyssa's besties were in town too. Katie and Todd had fun news to share with us! We all ended up back at Kettle Hill for dinner.

And we also met EAS's bestie Lawyer Liz! Oh Smalltimore, how I love thee!

While the tailgate judges were making their final rounds we were all SHOCKED when the announcer said "Second Runner Up." What? They dropped down one level from last year and I can't understand it. They had china, glass and silver julep cups!

The judging didn't dampen our spirits however.

We had such a lovely time.

After the races our group relocated to the Worthington Tavern for pool and pizza. 

The skies opened up and rained buckets. We were so lucky the weather held out.

Thank you Scott and Craig for such a great afternoon with delicious food and drinks! Emily for taking such beautiful photos and Katie for coming down from Philly. EAS, it has been a joy getting to know you in person. I look forward to our next adventures! It was so great to see so many of our dear friends. Click here for more details on the Maryland Steeplechasing schedule.

Stinger

We have been so lucky to hang out with our DC besties as of late. We went to DC for a fun weekend at home with the Plumridge's a few weeks ago. Hastings is getting so big and even more adorable if that is possible. She is such a happy and precious child. I love you in this photo Marge. You both look so perfectly happy.

She is into waving and has four perfect little teeth now.

She is pulling herself up like a pro. I've nicknamed her Stinger; Hastings, Sting, Stinger. We think it will be a banner name for her stellar soccer or tennis careers. 

I really couldn't take a bad photo of this child. Isn't her Cinderella dress just divine?

We stayed in DC with Marge and Scott on the final night of Downton Abbey and of course had to watch it. Love that most of my friends got as addicted as I did over DA!

How in love are we with this baby goddaughter? Totally, head over heels in love!!!

A week later we celebrated Marge's 35th birthday party in Dupont Circle at Darlington House. I only have iPhone photos that are a wee bit fuzzy. It was a fabulous party shared with another girlfriend who also turned 35. It was a Ball Masque. 

Hastings and parents came to visit us for brunch at Woodberry Kitchen the week following. We have lucked out with lots of love from the Plumridge's in the last few months.

We had this darling dress monogrammed for little Stinger at The Monogram Shop here in Baltimore. I think it turned out so beautifully. E. is dropping it off to the little lamb today in DC.

We love you little one and feel so lucky to have one of our godchildren so close! Happy Easter! Love, Aunt Nellie and Uncle Charlie

Happy Easter

I have a bunny fetish. I bought chocolate bunnies yesterday at Whole Foods and this bunny stand off in our kitchen makes me giggle every time I pass by. I believe the yellow bunny will win the stand off since we can't eat him. Chocolate bunny, I'm sorry but you are going down!

Via

This bunny obsession is not something I share too much with people for fear of getting a house full of weird bunny figurines. I'm a bit obsessed with Herend bunnies and have a few bunny napkin rings and such but try to keep it understated. However, I can go nut bags on Pinterest and have created a Lapin Love board for all-things-Hopsy. Enjoy!

via

Via

Via Pinterest
He looks like he's praying!

Forced Apple Blossom's from our fruit tree with bunny ornaments.

Wishing everyone the blessing of the Easter promise that Christ died and rose for you. Bunnies and eggs represent new life, multiplying, and abundant just like God's love for us. Maybe that is why I'm obsessed!

Camera upload/download situation is still a bit wonky, please excuse the fuzzy iPhone photos. More to come soon. Happy, Happy Easter and hope all of my Jewish friends had a great Passover as well. I would love to attend a seder one of these days. We are looking forward to a nice day with family.

Spring

Hello, testing, testing...anyone still there? I've had a few computer issues based on the fact that I had over 20,000 photos on my/E's laptop. We are back in business and I hope to post more soon. It is most definitely spring at Stone Hill. We have enjoyed a mild, mild winter so the birds are louder, grass is greener and flowers seem more pollen-y-ier than ever! It's been wonderful. Although the Michigander in me would love one more snow storm.

The figs are just starting to peek out. Snow would not be ideal for our fruit farm.

We celebrated our friend Kevin's 40th on Friday and he asked why I haven't been blogging. Seriously, that may have been the best compliment ever! The fact that one of E's best friends reads my blog just makes my heart happy. Thanks Kev! 

We had such a great time celebrating with Kevin, Carla and their families on Friday. Carla's brother and sister-in-law own Fresh Bakery at the Owings Mills Mall and provided the cupcakes. They are to DIE for fabulous and I know my way around this cupcake craze. If you are in the market for amazing cupcakes please reach out to them.

Taken with Instagram

The celebration was at Grillfire in Arundel Mills. The restaurant was in "The Hotel at the Preserve". It was way hip. I had no idea this place existed, but it makes sense due to the casino's coming shortly. 

What up fellas?

Cute cute Carla.

Carla, me and Khadijia. It was wonderful catching up with girlfriends I hadn't seen in a while. Khadijia and I are both event planners and always have so much to talk about. Love you pretty girl! 

We went to Palm Sunday this morning at the cathedral. We were late so missed my favorite church song, "All Glory Laud an Honor", but that is okay because I weep buckets when I hear it. The cathedral used sustainable palms this year! Makes me so proud to be worshiping at a parish that truly thinks about the larger world outside of Baltimore and the people we do business with. Amen! 

We wish you all a very special Holy Week and Passover. Please visit here for a Holy Thursday reflection from last year. There are many new opportunities on the horizon for both Eric and me. Please hold us both in your prayers as we wade through a time of unknowing. Thank you all for your friendship and deep kindness. 

Cowl Neck Warmer

I can't believe it was over a month ago that I turned 40! My wonderfully creative friend Emily hand knit this cowl neck warmer for me as a gift. The yarn is hand painted and the buttons are made out of oak. I'm mean seriously? How beautiful if this bad boy?

I'm just learning to knit. Emily used an elongated seed stitch. I love it and am inspired to learn now even though the first day of spring is this week.

I just learned how to rib and am pretty proud of myself. Emily told me to go find Sue at Lovely Yarns. She is so wonderful. I took a 4 hour workshop and learned pretty quickly from Mary. If you live in Baltimore and are dying to learn to knit check out the new location of Lovely Yarns, now on Falls Road in the old Cozy Baby location. 

Emily thank you again for your generous gift. I look forward to celebrating your birthday this week. I believe some whiskey may be involved.

Orion's Objects

We are very lucky to live in such an incredibly creative and antique savvy city. We have a plethora of fabulous thrift shops, antique dealers and architectural salvage warehouses within three miles of our home. My husband E. is really into Mid-Century modern furniture. We purchased a mid-mod desk a few years ago on Craig's List and recently sold it to make room for a bowling alley (more on that later). The gentleman who bought it from us had just come from Orion's Objects moments before landing at Stone Hill. We had to go check out this place in which he spoke. They are not yet opened but the charming owner, Eddie, will meet you there in minutes upon calling. They are quite literally over the light rail at the Clipper Mill stop.

I can hear my aunt Susan swooning all the way from Brooklyn.  

Must remember to pin this to my Orange You Glad Board on Pinterest.

The whole studio reminds me of the set of Mad Men. I find that show deathly dull but do love the vintage clothing and decor. Someone get me a scotch on the rocks, stat.

When it comes to our home decor I'd love to have Emily Henderson give us a style diagnostic. I have a serious girl crush on her and DVR her Secrets from a Stylist show on HGTV. I'm stalking her on Pinterest and just love her free spirit and energetic little self. I would guess E and my taste would be something called Industrial Mid-Century Equestrian Prep...if that is even possible. Or North African Industrial Mid-Century Modern...or Mid-Century Asian Fusion Traditional. Ha! Right now the house is an eclectic mess of traditional hand me down antiques. Not complaining but we need Emily most def!

We love reclaimed objects and just found a killer remnant from a bowling alley at Housewerks a few months ago. I love that years of games and fun times happened on this bowling alley lane from Baltimore. Ben at Housewerks is the best and if you tell him what you are looking for, he may just have something tucked away in one of the "Wire'esque" shipping containers on the property. I found the blond rolling chair for $19 at Overstock Outlet. The chair comes from a W hotel and they sell hotel furniture at a steep discount. Eddie from Orion's Objects gave us the name of an upholsterer and we hope to have the chairs redone. I went back for a second one and have now dubbed our home office the Breezeway Boardroom.  

Taken with Instagram at the Starbucks in Locust Point

We will have the table completed with these sexy legs. Industrial, right Emily? I'm kind of digging the new look at Starbuck's. They are picking up on the communal table that many of our favorite coffee haunts have.

Eddie is great to locals. His business is booming and now that he has more space he can take photos and post on his website. Many of the items were already sold heading up north to...you guessed it...Brooklyn.

We are still on the hunt for two lounge chairs in the Breezeway. I loved the color of this little cutie.

Thank you for your time Eddie and wonderful tour of the studio. Look forward to seeing you again soon. Emily H if you are ever out East please come and style our boardroom. Merci!