Category Archives: Shop

Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage

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The annual Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage, a tradition for the H&G set, returns this spring over five weekends from Saturday, April 20, through Saturday, May 18. For 76 years, the Pilgrimage has offered visitors the opportunity to explore some of Maryland’s most fascinating and noteworthy properties.

The 2013 tour includes about 50 private homes, gardens, farms, churches and historic sites, including a docked Skipjack, across six areas in Maryland. They are Anne Arundel County-Annapolis: Wardour (Saturday, April 20); Queen Anne’s County (Sunday, April 27); Baltimore City: Guilford (Sunday, April 28); Somerset and Worcester Counties (Saturday, May 4) and Charles County (Saturday, May 18).

bcity-201-east-highfiel-resize-site-7-fODx.jpg-resampled-250The annual spring tours showcase MHGP’s efforts to cultivate awareness of Maryland’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. Each year, proceeds  support preservation projects in each host community. To date, the Pilgrimage has raised more than $1 million for the preservation and restoration of architecturally significant properties throughout Maryland while evoking oohs and ahs from tour-goers.

This year, visitors will see Ogden Nash’s home and Sherwood Garden’s, where 80,000 tulips bloom, in the Guilford neighborhood of Baltimore, rarely seem homes in the Wardour community of Annapolis, 300-year-old homes in Queen Anne’s County, as well as homes that have never been publicly toured in Somerset and Worcester Counties.

Guests can buy lunch along the route. In Guilford, home to the stone Tudor house shown above, lunch will be served at the Second Presbyterian Church, where the first 700 visitors  will receive a free Sherwood Gardens poster and can see the restored sanctuary and its  light-filled Georgian Revival interior.

5B.The Manour of Truman' MD med resOther tour highlights include:

Anne Arundel:

The Wardour community in West Annapolis offers a walking tour of nine breathtaking properties, including the waterfront home of the president of St. John’s College with its superb art collection. Other stops include the grand Kent Road home built in 1911 by the architect of the Naval Academy’s Bancroft Hall, the largest college dorm in the world. Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. designed the neighborhood in the early 20th century.

Queen Anne’s County:

Queenstown and Centreville are the focus of this tour, with many of the homes built in the 1700s.  Reed Creek Farm, built in 1775, has a view of the Chester River and an 18th century ballroom regarded as the loveliest room in the county. The original ceiling was discovered during a recent renovation. The South Liberty Street home has an extensive collection of Delft Pottery and samplers dating from the 1730s.

Baltimore:

Guilford is celebrating its centennial, with the garden tour featured as the first of many events during the year (www.guilfordassociation.org). Sherwood Gardens is the most famous tulip garden in North America. The Chancery Road Turnbull House is the former home of famous Baltimore artist Grace Hill Turnbull and features a mix of Spanish Mission and Arts and Crafts styles.  Turnbull’s church-like studio has stained glass windows and a bell tower. The Rugby Road home, formerly owned by famed poet Nash, is a Tudor Revival structure built in 1927. More info at www.facebook.com/GuilfordCentennial.

Somerset and Worcester Counties:

One of the highlights of the tour is the Anderson Road property known as Hollyhurst, with its Flemish-bond brick work. The Federal-style house was lovingly revived in the early 1980s with the introduction of raised-panel woodwork.  Crisfield on Phoenix Church Road,  also known as Watkins Point Farm, has never been on the tour before. The Greek Revival estate is furnished with 18th century period furniture. Beverly of Worchester, built in 1774, is one of the most elaborate and best preserved Revolutionary War period homes.

Charles County:

The Caleb W. Jones Skipjack will be docked in Benedict, one of only a handful of operating Skipjacks in the world. The Manor of Truman’s Place in Waldorf, shown above,  played a role in the War of 1812. Its more recent history includes a rear sunken garden with koi pond and gazebo.

Tickets of each tour are $30,  purchased in advance. For tickets and information, go to mhgp.org or call 410-821-6933.

Reviving Red, serious color care

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Many folks are under the impression that red hair simply grows out of your head.

images-1That’s true for a fortunate few. But most of us need help in attaining chestnut, auburn or copper tresses — and in keeping the color from fading soon after we stroll, head held high, out of the salon. Take it from me, a redhead who can attest that those stubborn whitish hairs at the temple can resurface as soon as 10 days after coloring.

That’s because red hair color, alas, doesn’t last as long as blond and brunette colorants.

Now, there’s a super salon line formulated to restore and refresh all shades of red and copper color-treated hair. Think of yourself as an eternal Rita Hayworth. Flawless. Glorious. And seemingly effortless.

imagesNaturally, the idea comes from a creative brain located just under a mane of red hair.  Ruth Roche is artistic ambassador of Pureology, whose products include such ingredients as lycopene extract, the powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes and other red fruits and veggies.

The line includes a full range of products, from shampoo and conditioner to treatments that infuse hair with red tones between visits to your favorite hairdresser. Expect color that is still going strong after 30 shampoos.

Reviving Red Sham’pOil gives hair a super boost, replenishing hair and sealing the cuticle. MSRP: $29 for 8.5 oz. Red Reflect Enhancer and Copper Reflect Enhancer ($40 each) come in individual tubes, ready for weekly use to refresh hair. Reviving Red Illuminating Caring Oil makes hair shiny. Just put a little in your palm and smooth through damp or dry hair. MSRP: $32 for 5.2 oz.

Pureology is sold at salons. Ask your hairdresser about the line.

 

Speck’s CandyShell in emerald. Sweet

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image004Most folks put their iPhones through a lot of paces. Calls. Texting. Music. Words With Friends.

Speck’s CandyShell cases keep smartphones looking stylish while protecting your mobile from the rigors of constant use. The cases are rugged, yet soft to the touch — and now you can order one in emerald, this year’s hotter-than-sizzling fashion color.

The CandyShell design features two layers of protection, a hard outer shell in a glossy satin finish and an inner rubberized shell that is shock absorbent. Think of it as an M&M, except this CandyShell isn’t edible. Rather, it’s a mean, green mobile machine.

Not into emerald? Not to worry. Speck has a rainbow of cheerful, saturated shades to choose from. Expect to pay $34.95 to buy your phone a new wardrobe. An upgraded offering, priced at $39.95, includes a slot for a credit card and a few bucks.

You can dress all your mobile devices in matching outfits. Speck also makes colorful coverings for tablets and MacBooks.

 

Brilliant! The Philadelphia Flower Show

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I always leave the Philadelphia Flower Show with a bouquet of ideas for my home and garden. And, of course, I buy a few of the plants, tools and other garden gadgets that will help turn my musings into my own piece of paradise.

2266_lThis year’s show is, well, Brilliant! That’s also the name of the extravaganza that celebrates English gardens. If riotous color, glorious ponds and lush greenery are your cuppa, go straight to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and savor a banquet of miniatures, arrangements and large-scale exhibits. (These sumptuous shots were taken by R. Kennedy for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp.)

Then start shopping — although it’s hard to know where to begin with 125 merchants in house.

1085_lLook for lily bulbs at De Waterlelie, a purveyor from the Netherlands. Check out the cobra head, a tool sold by a company in Wisconsin that goes after weeds like a badger. Have a chat with the folks at EP Henry, a wonderful South Jersey company that can help you to create a Brit-inspired hardscape at your castle. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is selling themed mementoes of the event, as well as topiaries, herbs and other green goodies.

The show runs through Sunday, March 10. Tickets are $27 for adults, $20 for students, and $15 for children age 2-16. Tots under 2 are admitted free.

 

Lady Alice, the apple of our mouth

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The apple of our eye — red, round and shiny — is seldom the apple of our mouth.

243ee2ff6d13393e0d90aedda93b8cb0It looks lovely. But it tastes bland.

Enter Lady Alice, a beautiful apple from Rainier Fruit Co. in eastern Washington, named for Alice Zirkie, a founder of the grower.

Lady Alice is comely, round with glowing skin tinged with pink and gold stripes. And the apple tastes just as appealing as it looks, crunchy and dense, with a balance of tartness and sweetness.

It’s firm, not mealy, and holds up nicely in a pie. Lady Alice also resists browning when the apple is sliced, making it a natural for fruit trays and salads.

You might be reminded of heirloom apples that never make it to the supermarket. But this year, Lady Alice is widely available in grocery stores. Like cherries, the growing season is short so enjoy them while you can. To find out where, visit Rainier Fruit.

Say oui to the Frenchie Revolution

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0At times, it’s hard to tell which is man’s best friend. A dog? Or wine?

Visitors can indulge in fine wines while their pets are pampered at Frenchie Winery, located at Raymond Vineyards in Napa Valley’s Rutherford district.

Frenchie, so named for proprietor Jean-Claude Boisset’s beloved French Bulldog, is a tasting room for dogs. While pet parents visit the Raymond tasting room, their pooches can   relax in a kennel furnished with dog beds crafted from wine barrels. A bar dispenses fresh water.

0-1In the tasting room for people, pet-lovers can keep an eye on their four-footed friends via doggie cam. They also can savor the first two Frenchie reds produced at the winery.

Even before you taste Frenchie, the bottle gets your attention. In fact, after you enjoy the wine, you will be tempted not to recycle its charming container.

The labels depict portraits of  Frenchie at great moments in history. On the 2009 Red Blend, Frenchie poses as Napoleon at his coronation. The emperor would have no doubt enjoyed the wine, with flavors of blackberries, raspberries and cassis and notes of oak.

On the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Frenchie is perched on a rearing stallion, a la Louis XIV, the Sun King who reigned for 72 years. The cab is well structured and a long finish. Expect blackberries, cocoa and a hint of vanilla.

The suggested retail price for each wine is $30. (A Chardonnay with Frenchie dolled up like Marie Antoinette is currently sold out. Frenchie’s reply to the masses: Let them drink cake!)

The winery will donate $1 from each sale to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. If you take your dog to Frenchie’s winery, expect Fido to be treated like royalty.

A Sunbeam mixer for your honey

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image037The way to a woman’s heart is through the appliance garage. Especially if you indulge her yearning for a coveted stand mixer, the must-have gadget in any stylish kitchen.

This Valentine’s Day, consider a Sunbeam Heritage Series Stand Mixer, a pretty powerhouse constructed of die-cast metal in a sleek retro design in bold, trendy colors. I like the cobalt blue best.  It looks like something that might have been on grandmother’s counter, at the ready to whip the cream for the rice pudding.

Sunbeam also serves up an appetizing price point, with an MSRP of $129.99, easily $100 less than Kitchen Aid.

Features include a 350-watt motor for effortless mixing at any of 12 variable-speed settings. Heavy-duty accessories are color-coded to make it easy to figure out which attachment goes where when you set up to make bread or cookie dough or whatever else is on the menu.

The mixer has a free-spinning bowl aligned slightly off-center to allow the cook to add ingredients while the mixer is working with minimal scrapping. A slow start feature prevents unfortunate splatter.  The mixer includes stainless steel beaters, dough hooks, and 4.6-quart bowl. In addition to cobalt, new colors include pink frosting, sea foam green, and tangerine tango.

You can buy Sunbeam at Target, Walmart, Sears and other retailers. And if you really want to wow your sweetheart, start a new tradition and volunteer to use the Heritage to mix her favorite dessert.

A Prévu to romance

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As  Valentine’s Day approaches, we are coming up with novel ways to say I really, really love you.


imagesEnter Prévu,  a new and engaging blend of wheat-based vodka and cognac,  distilled in Cognac. In France, of course.

First, let’s talk about the bubbles, the harbinger of celebration. This  sparkling liqueur is an effervescent blend of 70% vodka and 30% cognac. Expect black currant, raspberry, blackberry and a bouquet of violets,  a combination that offers natural sophistication.

The color is so gorgeous you will be tempted to dash to the paint store and ask the clerk to match it. Plus, Prévu’s ingredients are all certified organic and natural. The proof? It’s 17%.

That’s less than other liqueurs. That means you can actually taste the blend of vodka and cognac. It also presents the option of mixing a cocktail or simply enjoying a pour on the rocks, chilled, with lemon or lime.

Prévu was created by 27-year-old entrepreneur Simon Tikhman, who was raised in an organic household and then studied business. After immersing himself in San Francisco, he developed Prévu, which is now served in the hippest lounges in the city by the bay.

If you want to impress your date or mate, consider The First Kiss, a simple but potent cocktail. Here’s the recipe:

– 3 oz. Prévu

-1 oz. champagne

-Add a raspberry for garnish — and enjoy a big smooch

Grooming on the go with ShaveTech

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dt.common.streams.StreamServer.clsHere’s the buzz about a novel way to keep from looking like a grizzly bear on the road.

ShaveTech, a travel shaver the size of a smartphone, is powered by plugging it directly into a USB port. No bulky electric razor. No blades you can’t carry on the plane. No electrical adapter for whatever current is available at your destination.

Even better, there’s no excuse for neglecting grooming at home or the office when you own  a shaver that charges in the USB port on your computer. ShaveTech is sleek, slim and comes in black or white.

An electric razor will never be a substitute for the barber shop close shave achieved with a blade, lather and hot water. But it’s a handy convenience, ready when you need it. MSRP: $39.99. Available online or at select retailers.

Free pancakes at IHOP

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0Feb. 5 is Shrove Tuesday, also known as Free Pancake Day at IHOP.

For the eighth consecutive year — and the 30th anniversary of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, IHOPs  nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes.

You can eat and run, if you wish. But the folks at IHOP encourage patrons to make a voluntary donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to kick off                                   the 2013 fundraising year.

Contributions in the greater Philadelphia market will  benefit the program at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. IHOP hopes to raise $3 million this year, to bring the total amount of funds raised to more than $13 million.  To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.

Don’t worry if you miss breakfast. IHOP will be flipping flapjacks all day, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.