The Art of Slowing Down

Since my last post, we welcomed a baby into the world, who is sweet as ever. Our hearts are so happy. We’re sleeping through the night already at 7 weeks and I’m C&C’ing in almost-full-force. Yes, it may be a lot for some, but I thrive on chaos. Needless to say, this summer has been busy. I feel like I blinked and August appeared. But doesn’t it always happen that way?

It’s a strange time we’re living in. There are so many moments where I feel like I am lacking the words in daily exchanges given all that is happening in our country. It often feels surreal. And so, I came back to this platform, which was intended to share, muse & inspire. While blogs may be a thing of the past, I will continue to use it as an escape, even if I don’t have any visitors. The mental escape is needed, more than ever.

Last Friday I took a little time to step away from work and went on a drive with a friend to the “country” in Little Compton, Rhode Island. We bopped around, both thrilled to be out of the office having a little sliver of a summer morning, and visited my favorite farm stand for provisions (tomatoes! corn!), and lobster rolls for lunch.

The morning was a nice reminder that there are still so many things to enjoy and celebrate right now. Friendships, fresh produce, sunny days, salty air and the luxury to slow down. Despite proclaiming that I thrive on chaos, it showed me that I need slower moments in my life. We all do. And that is perhaps one of the biggest lessons we have all uncovered with this Pandemic.

Walker’s Farm Stand, Little Compton, Rhode Island.

Where the Country Road Leads

A quick country drive reaffirmed one of my favorite summer luxuries - visiting farm stands. Walker's Roadside Stand in Little Compton, Rhode Island always brings me a particular sense of nostalgia. I have memories of visiting Walker's as a young child with my Mother and Sister Caroline after a beach day. I can still hear our beach chairs clinking in the back of our station wagon as we pulled into the gravel drive, and our small sandy hands devouring juicy peaches. We'd select dinner provisions for the evening and snack on snap peas on our way home. We were of course too young to appreciate these moments like I do now... 

Riva Romance

My love affair with Riva Yachts began years back when I saw an image of Brigitte Bardot clad in a striped bikini behind the wheel of her Florida. The image (above - second down), evoked an untouchable coolness - indicative of a Bond girl bombshell in control and flirting with adventure. The boat was a beauty to say the least - clean lines, wooden architecture and interiors that were blue like the sky and made me melt. There is arguably a "je ne sais quoi" quality to the Riva Yachts - their beauty, utility and seduction is unrivaled elsewhere. Riva Yachts date back to 1842 when the first Riva Boatyard was constructed on Lake Iseo, Italy. Through the years of family ownership, the boats became symbols of the finest craftsmanship, elegance and desire, though in 1996, the production of wooden runabout Rivas ended with the introduction of fiberglass. This change in material is perhaps what has made the old wooden boats even more celebrated.

The discovery of Sierra Boat Company on Lake Tahoe might be the closest I'll get to my own Riva or Lake Iseo, Italy for a short while, but is worth the journey. Sierra Boat services and restores a variety of Rivas, also including Chris Craft, Century, Gar Wood and Hacker. In the winter, their 60,000 sq. ft. facility is littered with these beauties just begging for a little attention. In the summer, their marina plays host to many lake boats, including my beloved Rivas. Above are a few captures from a special trip to Sierra Boat Company. The trip was such a highlight and now, I am the proud owner of a vintage Riva burgee (just above) I can't wait to frame. See their collection of Rivas currently for sale, here.