Golden Age of Ocean Travel

I love black and white photography and images that have the antique, sepia-tone effect. I also love cruising, so the combination has inspired me to create this blog. The timeless elegance of transatlantic cruising reminds of the romantic (and unfortunately tragic) movie Titanic. An era when cruising was a privilege and when travel was an event. When luxury ocean liners had sweeping staircases, grand ballrooms and expansive promenade decks for lounging days on end.

There is a boutique agency in Coral Gables, Florida that designed and created a stunning invitation and brochure for Cunard for their inaugural of Queen Mary II (see images above).  For more information on this talented agency, please contact PIL Creative Group by visiting www.pilcreativegroup.com, or call 305-442-1990.

Community Organic Garden

This is a great story that will warm your heart.

   There is a church in Delray Beach that recently faced adversity and was facing some serious issues at hand. An unbalanced budget, a lack of attendance and a decline in neighborhood programs. They determined that what was of great value was the four acres of land behind the church . . . and that is when the Community Garden was born.

   The organic garden grows everything from tomatoes, to strawberries, carrots, okra and cabbage, just to name a few. The church gives back to the community by donating the fresh veggies and fruit to the local soup kitchen to feed the hungry.

   There are two incredible women that took on this considerable challenge and manage it day-to-day, Candy Evans (my sister is on the left) and Lori Robbins. I give great kudos to these ladies that have dedicated their own time, efforts and passion into this garden. They built back a sense of community into this small town . . . now you see volunteers pitching in, families planting seeds and attending to their own garden every weekend.

And to plant a garden is to believe in the future.

For more information, please visit the Cason Church on Swinton Avenue in Delray Beach, or go to www.casonumc.org

Baubles, Glam & Fashion

What girl doesn't like baubles, fashion and style? For generations, the fashion and design worlds have always worked together hand-in-hand . . . like peanut butter and jelly, or bread and butter, or even dark chocolate and red wine;). Everybody knows that whenever there is a fashion show, there will be trends to follow immediately - from the cut, to the fabric to the color and length. 
   I recently read an article that specifically spoke about "fashion & home design" - something that I honestly never thought of. I guess in my mind, it just stayed within the fashion world, but with the Oscars that just finished, the fashion trends have flowed over into the interior design world. I suppose this has been going on for a long time and I just never realized it - so this is why I've chosen to present this blog with "fashion" plus "interior design".

   Over the past several years, I've worked with an incredible stylist (complements of the two talent photos above) and this blog is dedicated to her. Her sense of style and elegance makes her a superior talent herself. Bravo to Melanie!

*For more information, please contact stylist, Melanie Whittle at 305-773-3296, melaniewhittle@mac.com, or visit www.spindriftrentals.com for wardrobe and accessory rentals.

The village of Port Clyde, Maine

Maine. If anyone knows me, then they know that Maine is my ultimate inspiration. Could it be the fresh salt air, or the smell of wildflowers as you drive Route 1 towards Port Clyde, or maybe the incredible food - sweet lobster with hot melted butter, fresh codfish just caught hours before, or the homemade blueberries muffins my Mummy makes every morning.
   Port Clyde is a small picturesque fishing village, located on the tip of the St. George Peninsula, approximately 2 hours from Portland. My Mom and Uncle own and manage the Ocean House Hotel (center photo) - an 11 room Inn that is full of rustic charm. Within walking distance, you have an art gallery, the Dip Net restaurant, the Marshall Point Lighthouse and Museum (Tom Hank's Forrest Gump movie was filmed there), and the Monhegan Boat landing that takes you to the artistic island of Monhegan.

   The atmosphere is charming and quiet, as there are no stoplights in Port Clyde - there is one General Store, one post office and two churches. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy Maine as a home-down place, then this is your destination.

*Ocean House Hotel, 870 Port Clyde Road, Port Clyde, Maine. Please call 800-269-6691 or 207-372-6691 and ask for Bud (my uncle).