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.

Summer Blessings

The summer held so many blessings.

Time with family and friends while enjoying: The Swim Club, Westport CT, Celebrating my Mother in Laws life, Shopping at the Mall and purchasing my first Diptyque Candle, Celebrating my Birthday, Estate Sale-ing, A Baltimore Ballgame, The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Sargent & Paris, Visiting family in a wonderful new home, Our son spending time with a hockey goalie legend, The Frick Collection, The Beach, Philadelphia PA, Gettysburg PA, and also so many books filled with inspiration and fabulous stories.

I hope you found blessings this season. Time for joy, inspiration and love.

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

Feeling French / Se sentir français

Je suis - I AM finding inspiration through the French way of life; their interiors, the way they entertain and through art. This week I thought I’d share some french things from around the Chalet.

Santé - Sancerre - is a crisp lovely white and perfect anytime.

The Paris Apartment is a locked room mystery, set in an apartment building in which every resident has something to hide.

I finally bought A Year In The French Style the images are stunning.

This wonderful book was found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I’m planning to visit France next year and was thrilled when I came across this phrasebook and dictionary at the local library’s on the sale shelf.

This book is filled with humor and it uncovers some of the secrets of the celebrated French art of living well.

Kate and Frida’s friendship sustains and encourages them through their letters from Seattle and Paris to one another. This is on my summer reading list for Book Club and I’m excited to meet these ladies and explore their friendship.

I’ve owned Mr. Harte’s Holiday since I found it at an Encore Books Store in April 1994. I was drawn to the dust jacket, the story and the wonderful art within it’s pages. It’s the tale of a British artist sharing his travels in Normandy and Brittany, accompanied by the watercolors he painted.

Bringing France Home has been in my collection for almost 30 years and I love it as much today as I did when I purchased it.

Friends I own books about Chatsworth House in England, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, The White House and Williamsburg, VA and Design books - many many design books. I do find it quite enjoyable to dive into places and subjects.

Do you have books focused on a particular place or subject?

Til next time I hope your summer is going well and I’ll see you on Instagram.