Bathing Beauties

Beach season doesn't usually hit Cape Cod until late June...sometimes even July 4th weekend. Although, we have been known to grin and bear a little wind for the glimpse of a tan. But goosebumps really don't look good on anybody. Until then, I like to hang my bathing suit in plain sight - a reminder that summer days are a coming. Whether that brings solace or dread, finding that perfect swim suit is motivation to a) get through deceivingly sunny yet chilly spring and/or b) revamp our eating and exercise routines. Besides, picking out that new summer suit is half the fun - and you don't have to wear it quite yet!

Here are a few of my favorites this season:

A classic Cape Cod stripped number:

Jcrew

For something a little more modest, this shapely one piece comes in a variety of colors. I personally love the vivid poppy, but red bathing suits are easily admired and not so easily worn. The side ruching, underwire cups and thick halter of this navy number is pretty and flattering.













How pretty these nautical one piece's? I love the rope detailing and vintage feel of the first one. The second one is swim-wears equivalent of a wrap dress...the key word here being flattering. I'm also obsessed with the third bikini -I can't resist a little ruffle! (However, heels on the beach? Not here on Cape Cod...) If you like these suits, check out Kushcush's website. They have some really unique styles.


I came across this lobster detailed bikini on Anthropologie - an obvious choice.


I realize spending 100+ on a bathing suit seems a tad frivolous. However, I have to say, quality makes a huge difference - nothing's more uncomplimentary than a bathing suit falling apart and scattered with pills and balls. Plus, finding a winning bathing suit guarantees an extra boost of beach-side confidence. That being said, I've had some great luck at TJ Maxx. Just recently, I discovered an array of Marc Jacob's and Trina Turk swimwear at the TJ's in Hyannis. I nabbed a great MJ bikini for 30 bucks! Granted, this took a bit of digging and suffering through TJ's dressing rooms (distorted mirrors, florescent lightening, dust bunnies trolling the floor...). Well worth it!

Let the search begin! Summer is fast approaching!

Remedy to a White Wall

Take a look at these great nautical inspired artworks. The artist, Jean Cody of Etsy, places prints upon salvaged dictionary pages. You're sure to receive an original piece of art as no two vintage book pages are alike. Priced at $10 dollars each, these prints are a beautiful way to spruce up a bare wall.

The artists suggests clustering prints together in mis-matched frames. I love the contrast between this modern headboard and the eclectic artwork that hangs above.

Looking for frames? Check out West Elm (picture below) or why not spend a Saturday morning scouring some of the Capes yard sales - check out CapeCodTimes for listings. Either way - I'd recommend something simple - these unique pieces of art speak for themselves.

Lands End

Land's End exudes "classic Americana" - having a certain New England-y appeal. It's practical. Simple. Cotton. However, I've always found their clothing a bit lackluster...dare I say dowdy? (No offense.)But the new Heritage collection combines practicality into effortless "Cape Cod" style-cue the nautical stripes, crisp button downs, and rope inspired shoes (espadrilles included).



Another added bonus - this line is very moderately priced. Everything pictured above is $20-50 dollars. So shop on!

Succulants

It's a darn shame that this cold rainy weather won't let up. For a little cheer me up, I planted my spring garden right inside my living room today. I am sucker for succulants. I love the way these babies look in shallow ceramic pots or tall stone containers. You need absolutely no apparatus, but your own bare hands. Put them in a sunny window and water every 7 to 10 days. How easy is that?

1) Fill a shallow garden container with cactus soil leaving a 1" lip to the top.

2) Collect a bunch of your favorite succulents. Hyannis Country Garden at 380 West Main Street has a great selection and abundant coaching on pampering your new little youngsters-- like which plants adore hair frizzing humidity and which ones thrive on complete deprivation. I chose the later. For me, gold fish and plants come under the same category, "Great to look at, but don't make me lift a finger to take care of you."

3) Dig a little hole with your fingers and pop 'em in. Cover the hole with soil. If you don't like your first attempt, try your artistic talents again. These little guys are toughies and can handle even the most uncoordinated-like me.

4) My next suggestion would be to collect some Monomoy river rocks and layer the entire surface. But, given the frigid climes, I'll take a walk out to my driveway and see what I can find.

Procrastination and Coffee

Procrastination. I think this video by Johnny Kelly pretty much sums it up.

" Procrastination is making a cup of tea...it's checking your emails, writing your emails, procrastination is thesaurusizing words in your email. Procrastination is staring out the window." Yep, that's pretty much describes the last hour.

One method of procrastination I've chosen to optimize this morning is mastering the art of a French Press. In theory, this relatively simple mechanism is easy to use. Ground beans. Put in press. Pour hot water. Wait. Press. Pour. It's the ratio's that gets me every time. I always end up with black sludge so strong it could raise the dead or murky water that barely tastes of coffee. I must find that middle ground. One of our favorite foodie blogs (one that will be referenced time and time again), The Sprouted Kitchen, has the answer. A clear set of step-by-step instructions that guarantees a perfect pot of java.

But for those of you who have little patience, "time," lack a french press, recently ran out of coffee beans, etc etc, the Lower Cape has some unique coffee shops that will suffice.


The Hot Chocolate Sparrow of Orleans is a great spot to grab a cup of coffee (or one of those super fancy drinks like a frozen double mocha coconut latte) . I often see people staked out at a table, laptop armed and in ready position. I always wonder what they're doing. I like to think someone's sitting there writing the world's next "it" novel...but from experience, whenever I bring my laptop to a coffee shop, I procrastinate. I check my emails every 2 minutes, just in case my blackberry fails to update instantaneously.

Monomoy Coffee, a tiny shop on Main Street in Chatham, is the perfect place to grab a quick cup to go. Or not-t0-go, they have outdoor seating that's perfect for people watching. Their muffins always look really good too.

Unless you live in Ptown, this may be a bit of a trek. But it's also the perfect excuse to take a fun day trip. In the name of coffee- of course! Whenever we venture to P-town, especially in the spring when the weathers still nippy, we always grab a cup of joe (or a cup of tea) at The Wired Puppy . They are winners of Cape Cod Life Magazine's Best of Cape Cod, 'Best Coffee Shop' for 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Honestly, I don't know who chooses these "Best Of" winners, but I have to agree, this shop is really that good.



For a more expansive list, check out urbanspoon . I wish I could review every coffee shop on Cape Cod. But it's time to end this bout of procrastination.

Ten Tables

This summer we hope to inspire you with healthy foods, local chefs with a twist, and recipes that sure to please. As we tap our fingers in anticipation of fresh produce from our local farmer’s markets, we plan to visit some of our favorite feasting joints to wet our appetite for summer.

We are dying to try Ten Tables Restaurant & Bar in Provincetown, owned by Krista Kranyak, best known for her restaurants in Jamaica Plain and Cambridge who comes with tons of accolades from the likes of Best of Boston, and even the Rachel Ray Show(here comes another celebrity to Cape Cod!) Her new Provincetown restaurant, at 133 Bradford Street is focused on a farm to table fare. Clean organic food. We love it!

If you are planning a trip to Provincetown soon you might also want to hold the dates May 20 – May 26 to indulge in Provincetown’s Annual Restaurant Week and Gallery Stroll. Check out more info at http://www.provincetowntourismoffice.org.

pictures courtesy of http://www.tentables.net/provincetown.html and the Boston Globe