Beth Daigle

April 25, 2017

Heartwood Kitchens … Redesigned the Heart of My Home

There’s nothing I love more than a good kitchen remodel. Whether it’s my own, a friend’s or one I’ve seen in a magazine, a good kitchen remodel is as exciting to me as that first warm day of spring when all that’s dingy and dull turns new again.

Heartwood Kitchens

When I redid my kitchen in 2011, my excitement was through the roof. Truthfully, I still get giddy about my kitchen today. This is thanks in great part to Heartwood Kitchens and owner Nancy Hanson, who enlightened me to a world of possibilities.

Since my own remodel, I’ve recommended Nancy and Heartwoods Kitchens to more people than I can count. Just a few weeks ago, I got a call from a friend with kitchen questions and I was more than happy to sing Nancy’s praises once again.

What I love about Heartwood Kitchens is that they not only carry a great line of custom and semi-custom cabinetry, but Nancy knows exactly how to help you choose the style, finish and options that suit your taste and budget. More importantly, Nancy knew how to help me see past the confines of my typical, colonial home, kitchen. She opened my world and my home to a floorplan that encourages free flowing movement, ease of entertainment and a general sense of spaciousness that I never thought my kitchen could have.

I can now work in the kitchen and easily converse with guests in the dining room. Photo by Harkins Photography.

My kitchen is adjacent to my dining room on one side and my sunroom on the other. I wanted each of those spaces to remain intact and serve their original purpose, without changing the footprint of my home. I simply wanted to update the small kitchen I already had. Nancy listened and respected my every wish while offering suggestions to gain space without having to add on. By breaking down walls, that I never considered could come down, she transformed my three spaces into one unified space that I love.

The open space above the sink was once a wall. Now my sunroom, kitchen and dining room feel wonderfully connected. Photo by Harkins Photography.

The end result is a wide open and inviting space that continues to make me happy with every meal I cook, party I host and cup of coffee I sip. Even smaller details, like my in-island microwave, make me smile.

At the time of my kitchen remodel, I didn't even know a microwave could exist in an island. Now it is one of my favorite things! — At the time of my kitchen remodel, I didn’t even know a microwave could exist in an island. Now it is one of my favorite things! Photo by Harkins Photography.

I was so pleased with the transformation, I wrote a magazine article about the experience aptly titled, Open Wide.

If you are considering a kitchen remodel, allow me to highly recommend Heartwood Kitchens of Danvers. Call (978) 762-7472 or stop into their showroom at 75 Newbury Street, Danvers, MA.

Cabinets by Quality Custom Cabinetry, Inc. Appliances by Sub-Zero and Wolf.

A Heartwood Kitchens Contest

Do you already have a Heartwood Kitchen? I would love to hear about your great experience in the comments section below. Also, check out their Show Us Your Heartwood Kitchen contest on Facebook. Send photos of your Heartwood Kitchen to Heartwood@HeartwoodKitchens.net to be posted on Facebook. The kitchen with the most “Likes” will win a $500 Columbus Hospitality Group gift certificate.

Restaurants include Mistral Restaurant, L’Andana Grill, Mooo Restaurant, Sorellina Boston, Teatro Boston, and Ostra Boston. Voting ends on Mother’s Day. #likemyheartwoodkitchen

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April 13, 2017

Writing, The Blog, The Book

Print is Dead? If so, Barnes and Noble Didn’t Get the Memo!

magazines at barnes and noble challenging the print is dead philosophy — I didn’t pick it up, but I’m curious what Purple Fashion (top right) is all about.

The other day, I stopped in to Barnes and Noble in Salem, NH to peruse their magazine section. To be honest, I wondered if they still had a decent selection. It had been quite a while since I was last inside a book store. Much to my surprise, and total satisfaction, they had racks and racks of magazines. Just look at the featured photo and here is another partial section.

magazines at barnes and Noble challenging that print is dead — Look closely – Entire magazines dedicated to log homes and brunch. And I think the very bottom right is all about beer!

These were just two out of maybe a dozen racks. I was thrilled to be standing amid so many options and felt a weird giddiness as my eyes darted from one publication to the next. I found magazines on the most obscure subjects. For example, Bead & Jewellry Magazine (yes, Jewellry is spelled correctly!) and Cardmaking & Papercraft Magazine. These and many others got me thinking, they print magazines for that? Clearly I’m not a crafty type. And I wondered, how in the heck do these publications stay afloat?

However they do it, I’m glad they do. I absolutely love flipping through a good magazine. Having so many choices all around me affirmed my longstanding belief that no matter how many reports say print is dead, I say it isn’t. Yes, the audience for these fabulous paper products may have substantially diminished in size, but an audience still exists – of that I am sure.

We all know the folks who talk about the joy of holding a book in their hands and feeling the texture of the paper as they flip the pages. I’m one of those people and I know many more just like me. I also know many people, both young and old, who read exclusively online. Some may be reading this right now. While they may be contributing to the print is dead belief system, I do understand their choice. Kindles, Nooks, iPads or whatever digital device tickles their fancy are convenient, less bulky and likely offer more choices. But my tired eyes need a break now and then. A good old printed magazine, book or catalog is just the thing I enjoy when my screen time has reached its max.

After my latest stop in to Barnes and Noble, the old brick and mortar book store may have found themselves a new regular customer. I truly enjoyed taking my time sifting through the magazine racks looking for what I needed and more of what I didn’t.

What’s your opinion? Do you think print is dead?

Thanks for reading and, yes, I’m aware that by blogging I’m contributing to the demise of print media. Sorry beloved books and magazines, but I do still love you.

The blog will be on break next week. See you back on Tuesday, April 25^th when I start a new post schedule of every Tuesday & Thursday.

For those of you doing something fun during April break, Enjoy! And Happy Easter, Passover and Christos Anesti to all of those celebrating.

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April 10, 2017

Fashion, Health & Beauty

Stitch Fix Second Chances – My New Online Wardrobe Stylist

Thank you to my good friend, Lysa Pelletier-Gibbs, for styling this shot for me.

I’ve known about Stitch Fix for a while. My friend Maureen (Hi Mo!) has been using the service for a long time. The idea intrigued me, but I didn’t give it a try until last year when my sister, Karla, and I decided to try it together. I was pretty excited and liked the idea of having an online wardrobe stylist because 1) I needed clothes and 2) It allowed me to make choices without a salesperson hovering over me. I do like to shop, but I tend to go for specific items and rarely deviate from my basic style. My wardrobe was/is unbearably boring.

My First Fix

Enter Stitch Fix – my new online wardrobe stylist. If I’m being totally honest, my first Fix was a disaster. The note from my stylist was addressed to the wrong name and the clothing didn’t suit me at all.

To be fair, the style profile I set up may have been a little confusing and I didn’t set up a Pinterest board like they strongly suggest. My initial reaction was to give up, which I did for about a year. Meanwhile, Karla was getting Fix after Fix full of great clothes. Her online wardrobe stylist, ErikaK, had her look down and I was jealous.

My Second Fix

After much encouragement, really relentless pushing, Karla convinced me to give it another try. I requested her stylist and got a really good Fix.

The thing about having an online wardrobe stylist is that you have to be a little flexible. While there were items in this fix that I didn’t need, or weren’t what I would have selected for myself, I kept all five items because if you do that you get 25 percent off the total cost. This is in addition to the $20 service fee deducted from whatever purchase you make.

The cute handbag, shown, is very close to one I have, so I gave that to Karla. The navy striped sweater is also similar to one I have, but I kept it because it’s longer, softer and has a great zipper detail in the back which opens to a cool, sheer panel.

The army green jacket was a keeper by my standards and my girls and even though the pink pants and print button down shirt are not things I would typically buy, I’m glad I kept them. I desperately need to mix up my look and try styles, colors and patterns that I normally wouldn’t. Having someone else make choices for me is fun and prevents me from coming home from the mall with all of the same old styles.

When I finalized my order for this Fix, I was able to send a note for each piece detailing what I liked and didn’t about each one. According to Karla, this is a great way to provide your stylist with more information about your specific likes and dislikes.

So, as I wait for my next Fix, I’m again excited about having an online wardrobe stylist.

Good to know…

You can specify the price range you are willing to spend in all categories – pants, tops, accessories, etc . You can let them know what you don’t want (i.e. jewelry and handbags) and you can request outfits for special occasions. They send you picture cards for each item in your fix with outfit suggestions – I love this! If you decide to return everything from a Fix you still pay the $20 service fee.

outfit cards from my Stitch Fix online wardrobe stylist — Outfit suggestions

Check out Stitch Fix to learn more.

Outtake – Thank you Lysa!

Check her out this Friday at the WOW, Winning Opportunities for Women, 21st Annual Conference at the Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury, MA. She’ll be talking fashion and style.

Here's my girl, Lysa, laying down this look! Thank you my friend. Yes, I stood on a ladder to get this shot. — Here’s my girl, Lysa, laying down this look! Thank you my friend. Yes, I stood on a ladder to get this shot.

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April 6, 2017

Life & Family

Troublemaker by Leah Remini – Book Club

Book club met again last week to review Troublemaker by Leah Remini. In all of my years of celebrity stalking, I’ve never read a celebrity tell-all. Although I’m not a big fan of Leah Remini, I was open to reading this selection.

The Book

Remini’s tough talking, Brooklyn voice most definitely came through in the narrative. All I could think about was her annoying accent. The book had a conversational tone, however there were times the ghost writer’s voice spoke more loudly than Remini’s. Words and phrases were used that were simply too formal to be believable coming from Remini. This struck me as disjointed, but overall it was a quick and easy read.

Scientology

I was most intrigued with the story of Scientology. Of course, I’d heard about it countless times on E! News or Entertainment Tonight in reference to Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley and John Travolta, but I had never looked into it well enough to understand how completely crazy a “religion” it actually is. Remini’s telling of her experience from the time she was a young girl certainly put the faith on full blast and confirmed my suspicion that anything that Tom Cruise is involved in is probably not something worth a dime. I’m also not a Tom Cruise fan.

The cult-like behavior of the leaders and members of Scientology, as reported by Remini, was nothing short of criminal. The price Scientologists pay to be a member was outrageous, both literally and figuratively.

Although it is clear that Scientology is a scam, I couldn’t help but think that Remini’s harsh and bratty ways contributed to the problems she experienced and detailed in the book.

While Troublemaker by Leah Remini wasn’t a favorite, it was an interesting look at a belief system that I’d heard much about, but did not fully understand.

Having read this, my stage is set to learn more about Scientology in E! TV’s new drama, “The Arrangement,” which draws close parallels to the Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes Scientology experience.

A & E TV also has a show called Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath that I think would be an interesting follow-up to the book.

The Review

At the end of the day and the end of this book, I think Troublemaker by Leah Remini was an interesting read. I would recommend it only if you are curious about the celebrity world of Scientology.

Next up…

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. I just finished watching the HBO, seven episode mini-series starring Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley. It was so good, I can’t wait for the book.

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April 3, 2017

Fashion, Health & Beauty

Spring Makeup and Beauty Tips – Guest Post by Grace Marie Moschetto

I am thrilled to introduce you to Grace Marie Moschetto, Stylist and Owner of GraceMarie Beauty. Grace is guest blogging today with some fabulous spring makeup and beauty tips. Enjoy!

SPRING ON THE CLASSICS!

By Grace Marie Moschetto

Each year as March and April emerge something exciting happens. Mother Nature opens her closet to bring her spring wardrobe into sight. She admires her varietal color palette made up of pastels, neutrals and glimmers of vibrant hues. She creates an amazement of textures as she hands winter to spring. “New” is always spring’s theme.

Along with spring’s newness comes a balanced, reliable consistency known as “classic.”

The fashion, salon/beauty, and event industries may view spring as their greatest ally in promoting their wares.

When it comes to fashion, hair, nails, and makeup, as sure as spring has sprung, presentations of the classics will be made. And they will be dressed up with little twists of time known as “trends.”

The fashion industry will always rely on Mother Nature’s closet as its primary source of inspiration. This spring is no exception. Have you noticed the use of animal prints, denim, floral patterns, stripes, and a worldly stamp of a global hot spot?

It’s a brilliant formula to blend with spring pastels and vibrant “teaser” summer colors. Add in light, airy, bouncy, blousy, and breezy clothing and you have the perfect “mood package” known as a spring wardrobe.

With the abundant clothing delights available to you, hair, nail, and spring makeup looks to match are yours for the choosing! Every day is a day to play.

Hair

The ponytail is THE hair style that will go with everything! Yes, everything. From the super casual to the fanciest of fancy, from teased and edgy to straight and smooth to curly. In the alphabet of hair language, the ponytail is the letter “A.”

Face

Like the pony tail, flawless skin and red lips will always be in style. With the infinite shades of color and pigment dimension technology available today, any skin tone and skin type can be accommodated. The skeptical and frightened no longer need be afraid of red lip color!