Looking for inspiration...

I get a plethora of magazines and catalogs in the mail.... some I throw away without opening the cover, others I leaf through and toss, a few I look through immediately and save to wonder through again and some are just dreams... today I received Williams Sonoma Home. Usually they are a little to fussy and formal for me, but they are GREAT for inspiration. Out of the entire catalog one page stood out the most. I think it's the color that did it for me.


That lime green/chartreuse color is one of my favorites. I think there is something about it that's so alive and fresh....and its a lot of fun. I also love the way they hung the pictures behind the chair. Two large pieces of art hung one on top of the other. It's so dramatic! The details (you may not be able to see) on the pillows are also amazing. The only change I would make is to add a sense of comfort...or a 'lived in' look. A place where you CAN put your feet on the coffee and relax.... a home. Every room of the house should be lived in.

Hope you enjoy the photo as much as I do. Another idea to be filed away for future use.

New from Bridgewater!

Earlier this January Bridgewater Candle Company announced their new scents for 2009. Orange Vanilla (Orange perfected by roasted vanilla bean extract), Solitude (Bergamot, Lotus Petals, White Roses and Orange Flowers) and Grapefruit Splash (Sparkling citrus accords of Grapefruit and Kumquats). About half way through the month they sent samples, small votives, of each scent with their catalog. Wow!

Ever since I began to carry the Bridgewater line I've been nothing but impressed. The new smells are wonderful!! Also, new to me, is Bouquet of Roses. Typically I can't stand the smell of flower candles, especially rose. I spent 6 months working in a flower shop and no candle could ever compare to the true smell of roses, which I happen to love. Especially the yellow-orangish roses with the pink tip. They seem to have the best fragrance, almost sweet. Anyway, although I don't think anyone will be able to mimic the true smell of the rose, Bridgewater is pretty close.

Stop in soon to smell and see these beautiful new candles! I think Vanilla Orange may be my favorite, but I'm still deciding. Other scents coming this spring and summer included Lavender Lane, Sea Grass, Fresh Apple, Strawberry Market, Honey Almond, Plumeria, Lilac Mist and more!

Liz, Thank you.

So, as I move through this 'journey' called life I have learned a lot of lessons. Lessons that, if the rest of the world would learn, this planet would be a much happier place. A couple years ago, while working at the Four Seasons there was a server named Tia. She was, and I'm sure still is, an amazing person. Yes, there were days she would drive me crazy - but I suppose we all do that to each other sometimes - but those days were outnumbered by the days she would make me happy to be alive. Her joyful spirit, poetic stories and her happy-go-lucky attitude were contagious. She always knew exactly how to make me laugh and what to say when I needed that little pick me up. Anyway, one day Tia said to me, "Michael, I truly believe that certain people are brought into our lives for a reason, and you are one of those people. Your spirit has made an impact on my life." (or something to that effect) A couple months after Tia told me this she quit the Four Seasons and I've only seen her once or twice since. The lesson that Tia taught me is that there are people that have come (and gone) in my life for some particular reason. They have touched my life or my heart and have helped to create the person that I am. No matter how much time I spent with them, an hour, a day, a year or a lifetime they have made me who I am today. And, since I live my life to music, listen to 'For Good - Wicked Soundtrack', it sums this up in a lovely, inspriational musical number. Tia if you ever read this, which I doubt you will - Thank you.

That was a rather long introduction to the point of my story, but yesterday I received and email from my friend Liz. I don't think I talked to Liz in 4-5 years, but she read on facebook that I had purchased a bed and breakfast, started a blog, etc. I wanted to share part of her email (Liz, I hope you don't mind)

"...I am so in awe of you! Your Inn and website(s) are creative, charming and absolutely beautiful. You sound so happy and it sounds like you're extremely successful as well. I know one day, you'll expand to the south where you'll open a second bed and breakfast on a creek -- Dawson's Creek-style...."

This email made my day, my week... maybe even my month! Liz is one of those people that I was supposed to meet and has made such a wonderful impact on my life. So, Liz, Thank you.

This is a picture of Liz and I (again I hope you don't mind). As our friend Dana (aka Kimmy) says this is from our JCrew photo shoot.

They're here!

At the beginning of the year I began the process of creating a brochure or rack card for Old Charm. I am quite particular and would much rather do things myself, so putting the design of this card in the hands of someone else was quite a risk. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised. After about 4-5 slight modifications the rack card was complete! It took less than 3 weeks for the whole process. This morning the dirty, salty UPS truck dropped 10,000 colorful, shiny rack cards on my door step. Now begins the adventure of distribution. Oh, what fun!

MY home away from home

When I purchased my Bed & Breakfast, my favorite spot in the house was 'the attic wonderland'. When I saw the space, even though clutter with kitschy country items, overstuffed snowmen and other gifts, I only saw potential. I decided that this would be the place that I would make my home.

After spending a lot of time in other areas of the home and landscaping during the summer and fall, the gloomy and cold winter has opened the door to the creation of my 'wonderland'. Right now the space is blank, bagging for style, glamour and comfort... and that I shall give it. It will be my greatest, most exciting challenge.

With estimates from contractors for window replacements and window additions the work has begun. Several online and physical trips to Lowes and Home Depot have inspired many ideas and has created a stir of excitement. With plans to do most of the work myslef (with help from my dad and other family members - thank god for two older brothers), I look forward to learning and will do my best to forget the frustration and manual labor. I anticipate its completion and will share the progress right here. Check back often!

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22)

My horoscopes have been wrong for the past month...but today... dead on.

"At this stage in your life, you're thinking about how you earn money, but in the bigger picture, you're tyring to figure out what really matters in life."

Love these!

I placed an order last fall from a company called Fringe Studios. Unfortunately these magnets were on back order. This company makes the most beautiful glass plates, mirrors, trays, etc. To my surprise, I received a package today with these beautiful glass magnets. I had completely forgotten that they were coming. A wonderful treat for a chilly day.




A set of 6 magnets retails for $15.95

A tisket a tasket...check out these baskets!

Today certainly seems like a day of baskets. Over the past week I created four baskets that are going to be picked up today. Most of the baskets are pretty unique in there design and contents. I was really happy with the way they turned out! Check them out!

This basket is for the wine lover at heart... it includes wine, beautiful appetizer plates, a basket for carrying wine, glasses, wine crackers, a delicious blend of spices for mulling wines, cocktail napkins, etc. Yum!

Yes, there is a tree in this basket... our should I say silver bucket. This includes a 3-foot lit tree with beautiful fruit and star ornaments, a snowman plate, candles, etc. Instant holiday decor!

A rooster lovers dream! This basket includes a bird house on a pedestal, an assortment of linens, placements with a rooster theme and a couple old fashioned glass jars. This basket is for the birds!

The final basket is a donation. It's a set of three baskets to showcase some of the items offered at Old Charm. One baskets is a collection of Dippy Chick mixes, homemade salsa, and MexAmerica chips. The next features some of the stationary available for sale from Night Owl Paper Goods and Curly Girl Design. The last basket if full of beautifully scented candles.

Better than brownies

With a full house I decided to make a Delicious treat which will serve two purposes. One, it will make the house smell delicious and two, it will be a nice afternoon treat when my guests return from work. Mother nature decided to treat us with freezing rain, sleet, snow, etc. It is pretty 'yucky' outside.
Anyway. I decided to make cheesecake brownies... or as I like to call them, 'Marianne's Cheesecake Brownies'. When I was a Resident Assistant in the dorms at Penn State, our coordinator (basically the person that oversees the RAs and the residents) would make these for us often. Marianne was always wonderful to us and not just because of her baking. She was the best.

The recipe is quite simple. Prepare the brownies per the manufactures instructions (I prefer cake-like). Oh! and a special trick... instead of using plain water, as the recipe calls for, use coffee or instant coffee mix. Coffee has a delightful way of bringing out the flavor of chocolate.

Once you have the brownie mix made pour it into a bottom-greased 9X13 pan. (Don't forget to preheat your oven to 350 degrees.)

In a medium size mixing bowl, mix or whisk together the following:
~ 8oz package room temp cream cheese (cold cream cheese will create lumps)
~ 1/3 cup sugar
~ 1 egg
~ 1/2 tsp good vanilla


When mixed (make sure it's nice and smooth) pour over top your brownie batter and swirl in with a knife. Again bake brownies according to the manufactures directions.

Cool, cut and enjoy!

A New Year...A New Blog

After a restless night I have decided to join the blogging community. Please be patient while I manage my way through this process. So, to begin, a little history (the short version)...


In May of 2008, I moved back home from working and living in Philadelphia to pursue my dream...owning and operating a bed and breakfast. With a handful of excitement and a pinch of nerves I hit the ground running. Old Charm Bed and Breakfast has become my new home and things have been going wonderful!

In October of 2008, I achieved another dream. After tearing down a bedroom and a bathroom (which the previous B&B owner installed), removing countless pipes, rerouting wires, and spending countless hours painting I opened an intimate, traditional, unique, amazing, fabulous and eclectic gift shoppe.

So why a blog? Well, first, I felt I needed a positive and exciting way to document my journey. I also wanted to be able to share exciting news and wonderful events happening at Old Charm. Finally, I needed an outlet to share my passion for beautiful things, great design, delicious foods and thoughts for a better, happy life.


I hope you enjoy this blog, the message and joy that it provides. Here's to 2009 and beyond.