Monday, August 17, 2009

Maine...here we come!


We are off to Maine for a week staying in Camden-Rockport!

I think it is going to be a scorcher weather-wise. We plan to golf, bike ride, swim, and lot's of other fun things!
I hope to do a post or two throughout the week!

Friday, August 14, 2009

A Good Part of My Summer-Part 2!







My Miss Preppy/Sporty Tween tried a Summer Softball Travel league for the first time. She had such fun learning the game, becoming stronger, sharing laughs and silly times with friends. Competitive, yes. Did they do well? Heck no! Did they care? Well, yes, because the girls' tried and gave it their all, but in the end, it was all about putting on a uniform, getting out there with friends and just playing a summer-time game and having a good time! I am so proud she did this and kept it all in stride.
Now basketball is a different story for her. This is her passion. Practicing in the driveway with her Dad, and participating in summer camps was a highlight this summer. She loves it. Watching her dribble and do lay-ups in the driveway every day is a fav past-time for me. I marvel at her ability and determination.
I love how girl's have so many sporting opportunities today; from simple programs offered through town recreation dept.'s to organized clinics. It encourages the girls to become more confident in themselves, have better eating habits and organizational skills, better self esteem and have fun sharing a sport with their friends.
Miss Preppy/Sporty Tween also loves the piano. No, a Lilly pink piano just won't work in our home!! (hee-hee!). Begging her to practice, I never have. This is a creative outlet. She truly enjoys playing every day and expresses that to us. Neither myself or Mr. Boston are musically inclined, so when we started her with lessons, it was assumed to be short-lived. Surprise, surprise. And...well now it has reached a different level of instruction (and of course, a more costly one!). Oh well, we just can't refuse musical instruction if there is great interest, and so we just have to do without some other wants!
So there you have it, softball practice and games, basketball camp and weekly piano lessons for Miss Preppy/Sporty Tween's summer.
Part 3 to be posted shortly, but I'm getting ready for next week's vacation in Maine.
I'm also thinking about my first giveaway when I reach 100 followers...hint, hint, hint!!!!!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

A Good Part of My Summer!-Part 1

I realized I haven't posted much about my family on my blog which truly was not intentional. I have so enjoyed blogging about the fun, preppy items I have or fun items I have discovered, but I also wanted to use this blog to share some of my family's adventures. So, I decided I need to mix this blog up a bit! A little variety, flexibility.....you know!

So why not start with the activities that have consumed most of my summer (part 1)! No, not the Boston Red Sox, but my little baseball guy's Summer Travel Baseball season. Due to the rainy weather early on, games and practices had been cancelled, rescheduled, cancelled and rescheduled again. Crazy, crazy times! I soon became this Mother pulling by little baseball guy early from the beach or play only to say, "you need to rest before the game"! What?!!!
Very light meals were prepared "before the game"and "after the game" soon became sub and pizza nights! What?!!! Big wins or good games became rewarded with ice cream! What?!!! I couldn't treat my little little guy to ice cream just because the team lost?....Just kidding!

I really have to say, despite all the running around, schedule changes, carpooling, not the best of meals on game days, my little guy's passion for baseball is precious to me! I will always cherish the memories of watching him out the window while he was deep in thought of "pretending" to be a major league baseball player in our back yard. Watching him practice swinging with the bat and checking out his muscles is priceless, watching him throw balls in the air to catch or run and dive and roll in the grass throwing his arm up with the ball inside the glove and the biggest smile on his face is priceless, hearing him talk to himself calling out as if he was an umpire is priceless. Many times I joined him, batting the ball so he could run and catch, or go for grounders. Hmph! I must have been pretty good because he would ask me to play! Many days, a friend would come to play and they would practice. Mr. Boston would take him to the town field and batting cages to practice.

The games were exciting and fun as well as heartbreaking at times. These little boys tried so hard. They were very good, some better than others, but they held it together as a team, did well and had fun. My little baseball guy learned a lot; from his Dad, his coaches, his teammates.
Oh who knows, maybe he learned something from me throughout all of this too! I need just a smidgen of credit since I did all the driving!!!!!

But most important, my little baseball guy was laughing in that dugout, goofing with his buddies but "no nonsense" out in that field! My little baseball guy was helpful and responsible; making sure his uniform was always ready, making sure his bat bag was together and he had enough water! He was always ready to go to practice or a game, never complaining, never tiring of baseball. The season ended with a loss to the #1 team in the league in playoffs.
That's ok, my baseball guy's season ended as a better player, a smarter player, a happy player to have shared this with his family, a player who wants to come back to the field next summer...ready!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Beach Sand Snowflakes!


Inspired by building sandcastles with her children, this Cape Cod artist, Kellie Quinn, recognized that no grain of sand is the same, much like that of a snowflake. And so, the idea of a sand snowflake came alive as an ornament.
And indeed it is a special one. These sand snowflakes are wonderful momentos of your time on Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard or any other New England beaches. Not to worry if you have never been here. Many sand snowflakes from other beaches worldwide are also available.
A very sentimental gift and in such a cute package!
-A New England find!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Discount at Up My Sleeve Boutique!








I am very excited to tell you that Sarah over at the lovely Etsy site; Up My Sleeve Boutique is generously offering Preppyinnewengland followers a
20% discount off total purchase before shipping now until Labor Day!!!

These basket handbags are just beautiful!
Inspired by the natural settings of the Massachusetts North Shore beaches, Cape Cod and Nantucket, Sarah embellishes the basket top with handpainted shells, starfish, cute bows and baby pearls, and such pretty, pretty monograms . All so lovely!

There are also little girl's baskets that are so unbelievably adorable. One, in particular, was featured with the Nantucket Starfish dress from The Trendy Tot; a New England boutique I posted about earlier. So precious!

So, I have read many blogs that are looking for stunning and different bridesmaids, MOB or flower girl gifts, well here is your New England source...and at 20% off! (note: discount does not apply to sample sale items).

Simply let me know you are a follower!...Send your friends my way!
Then, head on over to Up My Sleeve Boutique and let Sarah know you are a Preppyinnewengland follower too!
- Do enjoy this lovely New England find!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Eliza B Promotion!


Not that am in any mood to back-to-school shop now when New England is finally getting decent hot summer weather, but I thought I would post this www.elizab.com promotion.

I'm enjoying the beach, bike riding and the last of my little guy's baseball games! Whoohoo!
It's been quite the schedule of baseball and softball this summer, let me tell you!


Back shortly with a nice discount for my followers at another lovely, little New England boutique!
Stay tuned!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Nantucket Wild Gourmet & Smokehouse


...and here is something to serve on your "Lobsterland" dinnerware! Perfect for the porch dinner party, or a dinner on the beach! This is a fabulous New England shop dedicated to the unique and traditional Irish/Scottish technique of slow, cold-smoking seafood. This is superb. You must try!
Bon Appetit from New England!