Country Mile Curation

Friends as many know I was working 2-3 days a week for an Interior Design firm from November 2024 until June 2025 and I loved it. This was in addition to my own Chaletmomma Designs clients. In June we had a family meeting looking a multiple factors most especially our son’s summer schedule for hockey goalie clinics and high school training and we knew I needed to be available to chauffeur him to these events. If you have young kiddos you may think life will be easier - and there’ll be less demanding of your time as they become independent but, actually friends the demands simply morph. Please don’t think I’m complaining I’m blessed to focus my attention on family, the Chalet and my business Chaletmomma Designs.

This is a long winded way of saying once a month I’ll be going on a excursion - a shopping trip and lunch with a bestie. Freeing our time on weekends to be family-centric.

Thursday September 18th we visited The Country Mile in Morristown’s Harding Township. Our first stop was Baby Crossing and The Depot Gift Shop located at 980 Mt. Kemble Road. Both stores have wonderful offerings!

Next was the Big Green Barn at 912 Mt. Kemble Road to see my longtime friend Susan Brierly-Bush. I always loving visiting her and seeing her latest finds. Kristin purchased a set of amazing bowls for her kitchen.

Next we visited The Candy Shop of Harding and The Ginger Jar both at 1007 Mt. Kemble Road. I came home with Dark Chocolate nonpareils from Steve and a beautiful chinoiserie dishtowel and paper napkins from Michelle.

Our last shopping stop was The Bargain Box located at 1117 Mt. Kemble Road.

Lastly we enjoyed a delicious lunch was Washington House located at 55 S. Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

If you’re anywhere close I highly recommended the Country Mile and all the wonderful retailers who make this spot such a must visit. Til next time be well and I’ll see you over on Instagram.

Dandy Dresses

Hi Friends here I am sharing a few more pieces I’ve added to my closet. What can I say. I’ve lost a total of 22lbs and I wanted some lovely new things. I’m also excited to pull out dresses I’ve had for years and see how they fit.

I had my eye on this Navy Pintuck Dress from J.Crew but resisted putting it in my shopping bag until I saw it on Hillary of Tello and Rose from Instagram. The skirt is wide and I do so wish the dress had pockets but, oh well. I know I’ll have it in my wardrobe for years to come. The dress is a stretch twill which has the nice finish of a combed cotton.

Short-sleeve pintuck midi dress in stretch twill

My son has a special event at Church in June and I wanted something fun and vibrant. A dress I won’t need to think about and I think this dress from Tuckernuck fits the bill perfectly. It’s cotton and I like the feel of the fabric. All I need to do is decide on earrings and shoes and I’m all set. I showed the dress to my son and husband and both overwhelmingly approved the choice.

Black & Airy Blue Floral Mimi Midi Dress

With my measurements I ordered a size M. When it arrived - it ran very tight through the underarm and across the chest. So I exchanged it for a Large. (the return and subsequent replacement all happened very quickly.) I may have the dress altered to take up a bit of the excess fabric on the sides. I certainly don’t wish to look larger than I am. But, I haven’t made up my mind yet.

Well there you have it friends… two new dresses that I can’t wait to wear!

Til next time be well and I’ll see you over on Instagram.

Closet Additions

Since last year when I started my health journey I’ve lost 22lbs. I also started working part-time for an Architectural Interior Design Firm in the fall and I’m going to an office a few days a week and while no one is dressy these days I wanted to get a few new things that fit and look cute!

I popped into J.Crew Factory and I’m so excited I had to share what I bought.

I came home with these 6 pieces. I ordered additional pieces which have all arrived and fit wonderfully.

I did go a bit much with pants… but, friends I am down an entire size and I haven’t been so excited to go shopping in gosh I can’t even remember when!

I purchased from left to right clockwise: The Essential Straight Jean in all-day Stretch, The High Rise Girlfriend Chino Pant, The Drapey Wide-Leg Trouser Jean, The Kallie Straight Leg Pant in Black, The Wide-Leg Crop Jean in all-day Stretch, The Kallie Straight Leg Pant in Navy - I am a true size 10 / 30 waist and all these pants fit me well. I never purchased highwaisted pants before but I have to admit they’re comfortable.

I own a few blazers in size 12 I’ll still be able to get away with wearing because I have broad shoulders - but I loved this Original Schoolboy Blazer it’s a wool mixed fabric. The camel color will be super with the rest of my wardrobe. My size 10 fits to a T.

I have never meet a stripe I didn’t like friends… I own too many striped t-shirts and Breton shirts to count. When I saw the Striped Teddie Sweater in all cotton I knew it was coming home with me. I swooned when I saw this dark Chambray Shirt - which has a good sleeve length. And of course the Striped Girlfriend Crewneck Tee was an immediate yes!

I also recently ordered a dress from Tuckernuck for an event in June. I’ll share more about the dress and it’s details in a future post! Til next time friends be well and I’ll see you over on Instagram in my stories. Take care!