Paella on the Patio at GG at Home, Niantic

Lunch at GG at Home is always a treat, from their tempting sandwich combos and hefty salads to those ridiculous house-made chips and chocolate chip cookies, but the day to go is Tuesday for paella on the patio! Head over at noon to watch the chef stir up the enormous vat, redolent with garlic and studded with fat clams, shrimp, mussels, chicken, sausage, and saffron-tinted rice with just the right amount of chew. This lunch feels like a mini vacay, and if it’s warm enough, sit outside and soak up the water view. Portions are enormous, so you’ll likely be taking some home. If not, stock up from their cases of fresh and frozen take-out. My favorites are the Guinness Beef Stew and Chicken Pot Pies, both lovely wintry dishes to have in your freezer for last minute dinners. Be sure to check out their Thanksgiving menus, too.

ggathome.com

Links We Love, November 2024

Between pinning ideas for the new home I’m building and trying to avoid the news, I’m spending way too much time online. Here are some interesting (and distracting) links I’ve collected:

Helpful tips for adulting: https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2024/07/19/3-monthly-ritual-days-to-get-your-life-on-track-by-a-psychologist/

Considering this for a minimal holiday: https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/illuminated-led-branch-garland?category=lighting&color=000&type=STANDARD&size=One+Size&quantity=1

My grandfather always made this apres ski: https://abeautifulmess.com/gluhwein-german-mulled-wine/

Obsessing over my future teeny library: https://cocolapinedesign.com/2024/09/04/impressive-home-library-ideas-store-books-stylish-way/

Good advice: https://ameliawilson.substack.com/p/7-rules-for-midlife-happiness

All true, except the books: https://www.thesimplicityhabit.com/want-a-clutter-free-home-dont-buy-these-things/

Just in time for the holidaze: https://food52.com/blog/28499-hosting-advice-from-food52-editors

Trying to quit my overpacking habit: https://www.afar.com/magazine/packing-tips-from-frequent-travelers

My daughter and I made this ridiculously simple and delish soup (with a rotisserie chicken from Cooked): https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/salsa-verde-chicken-rice-tortilla-soup/

A sweet Hanukkah treat: https://food52.com/shop/products/13295-sugarfina-8-nights-delight-hanukkah-advent-calendar

Turkeys and Takeout 2024

If you’re not up to making the feast, browse our in-depth guide of where to order the best Thanksgiving meal, or just the turkey, sides or desserts.

A la Carte Menus by Gourmet Galley:  Let Gourmet Galley make your holiday dinner easy and delicious.  Order a whole turkey from Gozzi’s in Guilford, or sliced turkey breast that serves four.  They have you covered with kid friendly entrees as well.  Select from a la carte accompaniments, hors d’oeuvres and an array of desserts.  Don’t want to think that hard?  They offer Thanksgiving dinner packages that serve 2 or 8. Order by Noon on 11/21.

Cooked: Warm up your holiday table this Thanksgiving with a special pre-order menu from Cooked. Entrees include turkey breast roulade or salmon, three types of delicious stuffing (including cornbread stuffing with bacon, oysters and herbs), a variety of starters, sides and traditional pies.  Check out their full menu and order here by 6pm on 11/21.

Star Gourmet by Andrea Dante: Star Fish Market recently joined forces with Andrea Dante to provide catering for all your everyday needs and special occasions.  They’re pleased to share their first Thanksgiving Menu featuring fresh turkeys from Plainville Farms, brined birds, autumn salad kits, vegan dinners and a variety of delicious sides and pies. They are happy to accommodate any dietary restriction Order here by 4pm on 11/20.

The Essex: Let The Essex team do the cooking for you this holiday season & order their Thanksgiving at Home dinner! You’ll enjoy a multi-course, ready-to-heat Thanksgiving feast. Menu highlights include roasted turkey, gravy, & pumpkin lobster bisque! Pickup at either their Branford or Old Saybrook Locations. All of their meals are easily made gluten free by omitting stuffing & bread. They have limited quantities so place your order before they sell out. $55 per person, wine and pies can be ordered a la carte. Click to place your order by 11/21.

Coffee’s Country Market: Provides a Thanksgiving dinner for 8 – 10 guests that includes a Herb Roasted Turkey with 1 Quart of homemade Turkey Gravy, a jar of Teresa’s Cranberry Walnut Chutney, your choice of an Apple Pie or Pumpkin Pie and your choice of one stuffing and three sides. Click for menu and to place your order. All orders must be submitted by 3pm on11/20.

Mystic Market: Dinners for two, just delicious sides, or decadent desserts or three options of all the fixings: 8 to 12 ($199), 12 to 16 ($275), 16 to 20 ($355) and include the basics: an oven-roasted Gozzi’s Turkey with Sage and Vegetable Stuffing, pan gravy, cranberry sauce and creamy mashed potatoes. Next, customize with your choice of sides, salads and desserts for a personalized feast that the whole family will enjoy. Oven-ready Gozzi’s turkeys are available here, too, plus plenty of pies and take-out turkey dinners for two. Order by 7pm on 11/20.

Pasta Vita: There is more than just turkey on their Thanksgiving menu! Stock up on the usual favorites (seven choices of lasagna, eggplant rollatini), be prepared for the post-holiday weekend meals, or choose from spiraled ham, roast turkey breast and traditional sides, platters, quiches, soups for the holiday. Orders due by 4pm on 11/23. Order Here.

Ani’s Table: Order a full meal from the super talented Ani’s Table. French cut roasted turkey breast and confit duck leg entrees as well as chorizo cornbread jalepeno and cranberry orange relish sides are on the menu as well as a delicious variety of unique stuffings (oyster cornbread and sausage chestnut), gravies (marsala or au poivre), potatoes (roasted garlic and dauphindoise) and more. See the menu here. Order by 11/20. Join Ani’s for a Thanksgiving Dessert Tasting with treats, bubbles and wine on November 7th from 3-7pm. Click for more information.

Walt’s Food Market:  Something is done right at this shoreline institution where over 1,000 pounds of Walt’s housemade gravy is sold each year. Yup, you read that right. Available for pre-order are Waybest turkeys between 10-22 pounds (Order by 11/21). Order Walt’s comforting sides like Mashed Potatoes, Corn Bread Stuffing, and Whole Cranberry Sauce, Butternut Squash with Marsala Wine or Butternut and Acorn Squash Medley with Maple Syrup and Brown Sugar. Call Walt’s at 860.388.3308 to place your order by 11/21.

Savour Cafe: This beautiful cafe can whip up your appetizer, soup and dessert and their menu is fabulous – French onion cheesecake, sherried wild mushroom bisque, prosciutto wrapped turkey roulade with cranberry sage stuffing, roasted butternut lasagna and more! Check out their full menu here.  Order by 11/21.  860.662.4438.

745 Osteria: Let this lively Italian eatery in Old Saybrook prepare your Thanksgiving feast for you!  Their menu feeds 10 -12 people for $325 and includes all the traditional fixings — 10-12 lb turkey, traditional stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet and mashed potatoes and choice of a pasta, vegetable and dessert. Click to view their menu. Order by 11/24.

Chef Paul Barron: Let shoreline favorite Chef Paul Barron handle your feast! Herb-Roasted Dartagan Heritage Breed Turkey (Carved), dazzling sides and Bartlett Pear & Cranberry Crisp with Almond Streusel, Bourbon Caramel, Vanilla-Sauce for dessert. $295 plus tax serves 4-5 people. See the menu and order here. Order by 11/23.

Healthy Planeat: Enjoy a local harvest full of fresh produce, organic pastured turkey, free-range meat, Jersey dairy, farmstead cheese, artisan bread, and pantry items with pickups in various places around the shoreline.

Amarante’s: Offers a full spread including oven roasted turkey and traditional sides and pumpkin pie for dessert that serves 10-12, $295. Now accepting orders through 11/22. For any questions or to place an order, call (203) 467-2531. Check out their menu here.

Bear’s Smokehouse: Enjoy an a la carte menu including a variety of meats (turkey, ham, brisket, ribs) along with apps, sides, salads, sauces, gravy and breads and desserts — or go for The Bear Feast ($205) which feeds 6 – 8 people (or one hungry bear) and includes a 12-14 lb turkey, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, garlic butter green beans, sausage and bacon stuffing, cornbread and gravy. Place your order for hot pick-up on Thanksgiving or cold pick-up the day before. 

Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market: Enjoy a fully prepared Thanksgiving meal for four or order just the turkey either fully cooked or fresh from Ekonk, D’Artgnan or Gozzi’s. You can also order online an assortment of delicious pies and sides like creamy corn chowder or butternut squash and apple soup. 

White Gate Farm: Order your organic pasture-raised turkey online. They can be picked up (frozen) on Wednesdays, Fridays or Saturdays. Price is $7.95/lb. Check out their menu of delicious Thanksgiving sides and pies!

Cooking Company: Order individual turkey dinners with stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce or go a la carte and select from an assortment of delicious apps like artichoke goat cheese tarts, first courses like mushroom marsala soup or delicious traditional sides and desserts. Click for their menu. 860.663.3111. Order by 11/23.

Flanders Fish Market: Check-out their menu for a No-Fuss-For-You fully cooked Thanksgiving dinner (just reheat & serve!) here and once you decide on your feast you can place your order here.

IT WILL BE WORTH THE WAIT! SOON THESE OTHER FAVORITE EATERIES WILL BE SHARING THEIR THANKSGIVING MENUS.

Simon’s Marketplace:  Simon’s is busy putting together their Thanksgiving menu. We can’t wait for them to post it to their website, you can check for it here. 860.526.8984 to place your order.

TURKEY

Gozzi’s Turkey Farm: Famous for their Day-Glo dyed turkeys, though some of us find the display at the farm a little disconcerting. Nevertheless, their prized broad-breasted Gozzi Whites have been a favorite on the Shoreline for generations. Call 203.453.2771 to reserve your bird.

Cliff’s Quality Meats in Essex provides an all-natural bird 10-30 lbs. Order it up oven-ready with their signature sausage and bread crumb stuffing and a quart of house gravy or surprise your family with one of Cliff’s smoked turkey breasts and house-made kielbasa to skip the cooking altogether. Call 860.767.1539 anytime to place your order, while supplies last.

Shoreline Prime: has Turduckens (deboned chicken stuffed into a deboned duck, stuffed into a deboned turkey) for your feast this year. Call 203.208.1579

Walt’s has 10-22 lb Waybest Turkeys this year, in addition to all of the yummy sides and gravy above. Call 860.388.3308.

White Gate Farm: Order your organic pasture-raised turkey online.

Stone Acres Farm: Get fresh pasture raised turkeys for your Thanksgiving celebration. Turkeys will be frozen at pick-up.  $40 deposit, click to reserve your turkey.

DESSERT

If you’ve got the cooking covered but just need a few desserts, here are our go-tos for this year.

Bishop’s Orchards: Enjoy the convenience of their Grab N’ Go Fruit, Nut, Cream and No Sugar Added Pies! Bishop’s Orchards strives to make your holidays easier with the convenience of everything already done. Pre-ordering is the only way to guarantee specific wants will be in-stock, click to order. 203.453.2338.

Nana’s, Mystic: Sourdough loaves, pies, rolls and several savory sides from the team at Nana’s. Pre-order by Sunday, November 24th at 8pm. Pick up is November 27th from 11-8 at 32 Williams Ave, Mystic.

Sift Bakery: Offers a variety of breads, croissants, pastries and holiday desserts such as Macarons, Pumpkin White Chocolate Cheesecake, their signature Carrot Cake Roulade, Pumpkin Tart, cookies and many more. All orders must be placed by 11/23.  Order online here. 860.245.0541

Savour Cafe: Enjoy a variety of baked goods, dinner sides, and season desserts such as bourbon pumpkin pie, caramel apple cheesecake, pumpkin roulade with maple cream cheese frosting and more. Call 860-662-4438 or stop in during regular business hours to place your order.

White Gate Farm: Don’t miss their delicious scratch-made pies like traditional pumpkin and apple pies along with a delicious bourbon pecan pie. Click to view their menu and pre-order.

Cooking Company: Well known for their bakery, this Thanksgiving the Cooking Company has a smattering of pies — old fashioned pumpkin, apple with double crust, cranberry blueberry lattice and even deep dish key lime or black-bottom peanut butter cup mouse pie. Click for their menu. Call either the Middletown (860.343.0008) or Killingworth (860.663.3111) locations to place your order. Order by 11/23.

Pursuit of Pastry: Serves a variety of specialty pastries, bread, pies, cakes and cookies – like their GIANT 9″ Butterscotch cookie with festive fall decorations. Checkout their Thanksgiving menu here. Order by 11/22. 860.391.8687.

Hadlyme Country Market: offering a menu of fresh-baked pies in the following flavors: Apple, Pumpkin, Apple Cranberry and Pumpkin Eggnog. Call the store to order and pre-pay at 860-526-3188 by 11/16.

Dagmar’s Desserts: Offers holiday favorite Stollen and Hazelnut Pumpkin Roll plus a wide variety of pies, cakes, and cookies for your guests. See the full online menu here. Order by 11/20.

Zest Fresh Pastry: Zest is putting together their menu of holiday pie classics as well as bread and some fabulous original creations! Order online by 11/24 or call 860.381.0771.

Hen + Heifer: You can now order online from Whang Suh’s menu of cakes, pies and cookies here featuring exquisite desserts from Pecan Bourbon pie and Pumpkin Basque Cheescake to Bake-at-Home Cornbread.  203.689.5651.

4 & Twenty Blackbirds Pop-Up Bakeshop: Check the FB page for pies and instructions for this year.

2024 Girls’ Night Out in Essex!

Join us for an E List Girls’ Night Out in Essex on Wednesday, November 20th. Meet The E List team at The Griswold Inn Wine Bar between 5 pm and 6:30 pm for 1/2 price wine and to pick up your sticker to qualify for discounts. Then head out to shop the boutiques of Essex and take 20% off almost everything (some exclusions apply) at participating boutiques.

The Wine Bar at The Griswold Inn at 36 Main Street: Meet us here between 5 and 6:30 for 1/2 price wine and to pick up your sticker to qualify for discounts. The Wine Bar will be open for dinner. Reservations are a must: 860.767.1776

Blissful Beauty, 35 Saybrook Rd: (Booth located at 41 Main St) recently expanded & relocated making their forever nest in Essex, CT. Offering all spa treatments, you can indulge afterwards in their relaxation room or sauna blanket while you sip on complimentary champagne or tea. Enjoy 20% OFF ALL PRODUCTS; and every $100 in gift cards purchased gets you $20 in Bliss Bucks.

Bluegill Home, 45 Main Street: Modern and mid-century furnishings that bring beauty and utility into perfect rapport. Furniture, lighting and decor for your home. Jewelry and housewares for you. New items such as bath products, local maple syrup, and wooden phone cases round out our design-oriented offerings. Refreshing daily.

Chequer Interiors, 19A Main Street: a full service interior design studio with projects throughout New England, New York, and Florida. Our Essex retail shop offers a beautifully curated collection of antique, vintage and new finds for the well appointed home. Home inspiration, gifts and accessories await your visit!

Cortland Park, 1 Main Street:  Visit the new location at the top of Main Street for ladies apparel, shoes and accessories for a classic, sophisticated lifestyle with a contemporary edge.  Curating quality classic and impossibly fun styles of the moment.

Drift, 37 Pratt Street: A fun, hip, and casual addition to the dining options in Essex, we’re delighted that Drift in the Safe Harbor Dauntless Marina is pulling out the stops for Girls’ Night Out!  Enjoy 1/2 price wine, 1/2 price cocktails, and 1/2 price appetizers during the evening, and grab a last bite and sip at the end of the night! Let’s make it an after-party!

Emmy’s on Main, 45 Main Street: An eclectic array of women’s clothing, artisan jewelry, locally made candles, pottery and nautical items as well as Essex attire and souvenirs.

Essex Mercantile, 11 Main Street: A modern take on an old fashioned staple – the Mercantile.  Find the best of several worlds – Women’s Fashion, Leather Goods, Culinary Goods, Gift and Home Décor.  Essex Mercantile is a curated collection of must have’s to elevate your every day. Come find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list… or to get your home ready for entertaining for the holidays!

Goods & Curiosities ~ The Griswold Inn Store, 47 Main Street: An eclectic mix of products inspired by The Inn and New England – from their Early American and maritime heritage to Connecticut lifestyle and entertaining today. Traditional, contemporary, whimsical – Goods & Curiosities.

Grace & Haven, 23 Main Street: Products with purpose that make life better! We are a full-service boutique for women with the perfect gifts for yourself, the littles, and those you love. Featuring womens, baby & kids, and gifts. Complete with a gift concierge service that makes gifting this holiday that much easier, free shipping anywhere in the US, and gift wrapping for all of your needs! Building community is our heart and we love hosting events like this. We can’t wait to see you!

Haystacks, 21 Main Street: Haystacks designs and creates original Haystacks Brand clothing and accessories in Suttons Bay, Michigan. Several times a year, fresh prints and styles emerge, offering something new and unique. Haystacks is most famous for stylish Bias Skirts and comfy Energy Pants. Comfortable, colorful, and packable, that’s what Haystacks is all about!

J. Alden Clothiers for Women & Men17 Main Street:  Style, selection, and spirit of discovery have made J. Alden a boutique not to be missed.

J.McLaughlin, 3 Main Street: Enjoy 20% off of all purchases for E-list shoppers. J.McLaughlin was founded in 1977 by brothers Jay and Kevin with a mission to create a new American sportswear brand that offers two key components: classic clothes with current relevance and a retail environment with a neighborhood feel.

JOY Chocolate Co.: 5 North Main Street: specializes in small-batch caramel and handmade chocolate creations that bring joy to every occasion. For a festive Thanksgiving table, our delightful chocolate turkeys are a charming addition, crafted with care to add a touch of whimsy and indulgence to your celebrations.

The Magnolia Agency, 5 Main Street: Located at the top of Main Street, The Magnolia Agency offers a customized commercial or personal insurance experience. We manage your risk and put your needs first. Join us on Ladies Night Out for a delicious charcuterie board, soft beverages, and a magician. We also will be raffling off an iPad for one lucky lady!

One North Main, 1 Main Street: One North Main is celebrating Fall with color, texture, and an unbelievable selection of accessories. Store owner Deb Thompson and her professional staff are experts at helping you look your very best.

Privé-Swiss Wellness Spa10 Main Street: Privé-Swiss MedSpa offers a truly immersive wellness and spa experience in the heart of Essex Village. Join their exclusive, award-winning wellness community and embark on your individualized adventure! Treat yourself to one of their innovative aesthetic services, IV and Vitamin Therapy menu, and their groundbreaking beauty bar services. Privé-Swiss provides a spirit, mind and body Wellness and MedSpa approach like no other.

Port & Willow, 10 Main Street (entrance is inside Prive Swiss): A women and children’s boutique that caters to women who want stylish, chic, and timeless pieces that embody a sustainable environment. With products like accessories, bags, and jewelry, you can find everything you need to up your fashion game without sacrificing quality or ecological conscience. Plus, everything is wallet friendly so you can stylishly carry your look with you wherever you go!

Pough Interiors, 8 Main Street:  Whether you are looking to freshen up your room with a few new accessories or starting with a blank canvas and need the assistance of our interior decorating services, we are here to help. Pough Interiors is committed to offering exceptional value while maintaining great style and superior customer service.

The RiverLane, 7 Main Street: Visit Essex’s go-to boutique for women’s fashion! At the RiverLane, enjoy a relaxing shopping experience with over 50 of your favorite brands, all in one chic destination. Our carefully curated collection offers something for every occasion—from casual get-togethers to elegant evenings out. Don’t forget to explore our newest location in downtown Mystic on your next visit. We’ll have Whimsically Tipsy serving delicious cocktails, 20% off for all elist shoppers and a chance to win a Gift Card with local purchases! See our social media for details!

We are grateful to Essex Board of Trade and Essex Savings Bank for sponsoring this event. 

A Happy Birthday at Gioia, New Haven

My sidekick Laura’s birthday was last Saturday, and here’s what she wanted to do: an IKEA outing and then Gioia in New Haven for lunch. In my opinion, the perfect day! After a fun browse and a few purchases (we’re both into organizational strategies), we headed to Gioia. Lucky for us, it was a stunning and warm fall day, and we felt a bit smug as we passed the long line at Pepe’s for the sunny roof at Gioia. This spot, owned by the movers and shakers behind the restaurant renewal in New Haven, Avi Szapiro of Roia, and Tim Cabral of Ordinary and New Haven Cocktail Week, offers a full dinner menu downstairs in the restaurant and a bar and cafe menu for lunch and dinner on the roof. 

We were tempted by all of the apps, pizza, pasta, and a selection of entrees. Three of us shared plates of fragrant and chewy homemade lemon bucatini, a square-cut margarita pizza, fried fingerlings topped with arrabbiata, and a wedge salad. Sharing many tastes is our favorite way to eat. The drinks were gorgeous and delish, especially the Rossini Spritz:
Aperol, Prosecco, Fever Tree Club Soda, and a hefty dollop of strawberry foam.

After our leisurely lunch, we headed downstairs to the Italian market, picked up some cheese and charcuterie for later (and hilarious Italian cookie wrapping paper), and browsed the beguiling assortment of specialty goods. I’ll definitely be returning here for some holiday shopping. Despite our lunch, we couldn’t resist the gelato counter for a treat. It was a birthday party, after all! 


Can’t wait to head back for dinner. 

Good to know: plenty of options for vegetarians.
gioianewhaven.com

Feathering Your Nest: Interiors Resources

Pictured Above: Artemisia, Old Lyme

Reborn House Designer Showcase, Westbrook – November 16, from 11 – 2pm

Design enthusiasts rejoice! Enjoy a day of discovering what’s new and trending in the world of interiors. ReBorn House in Westbrook has invited a slew of today’s best fabric, wallpaper, rug, and textile houses (including the softest Peruvian cotton bath towels and accessories) for a day of browsing and inspiration. When you find something you like, you can order custom upholstery, drapery, Roman shades, or monogram those gorgeous bath towels, and their expert workroom will whip them up. See brand new collections from Anna French, Brunschwig & Fils, House of Hackney, Morris & Co, Scalamandre, Schumacher, Zak and Fox, and so many more. The event is free (typically, showcases like this are for designers only!). Thinking of a nosh and a sip while you shop? Purchase a wristband for the Big Green Pizza Truck and Prosecco by the Clink Mobile Prosecco Bar. Early sign-up is encouraged for lunch. Read my previous article about ReBorn House and their offerings here (p.s. one of the few local workrooms that offer chair re-caning). 

therebornhouse.com
Westbrook Mall next to Williams Sonoma

Find Your Perfect Rug at Kaoud’s in Guilford

I’ve never had much luck picking out rugs online. My sizing is off, the colors never match the photos, and they are nearly impossible to return. Then there’s Kaoud in Guilford. This 3rd generation shop is celebrating its 70th (!) anniversary, so I stopped by to see what’s in store. 

What really surprised me most, among the vast selection of handmade new and antique rugs and carpeting to order, were the prices! There are MANY to choose from that are well under $1000. And while I tend to think of Oriental rugs in tones of red and blue, you’ll find modern lighter shades, tonals, and neutrals among the stacks. A wide choice of quality wool wall-to-wall is available, too. 

A standout is the service here. No more online mishaps because they’ll come to your house to try out your chosen rug AND bring it back to the shop if it doesn’t work out. On the hunt for an extra special antique? Visit the online gallery and make an appointment to see for yourself. Oh, and they offer repairs, restoration, and hand cleaning on the premises. With affordable luxury and excellent customer service, it’s no surprise they’ve been in business for 70 years. 

The 70th Anniversary sale runs through the end of the year. 

kaoudrug.com

Visit the gallery of antique rugs here: kaoudantiquerugs.com/

594 Boston Post Road, Guilford
203.453.2310

Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm

Artemisia, Old Lyme

Husband and wife team Rosemarie Padovano and Marcello Marvelli delight their clients with a unique and creative mix of antiques, vintage and upholstered pieces, and art of the highest quality. Their backgrounds in the arts (she’s an artist and designer; he’s an art historian and dealer) inform their design process, which results in rooms that not only stand the test of time but look as if they have been layered and collected over the years. Think silk velvets, large-scale art, Fortuny pillows mixed with antique cabinetry, and modern tables. Their new website (designed by the experts at Julia Balfour) is a vision to behold and will give you a sense of their imaginative curation. 

23 Lyme Street, Old Lyme

artemisiainc.com/pages/about-us

Photo: Horacio Marquinez
Photo by: Caryn Davis

Three Trees Interiors, Old Lyme

If you’re searching for someone with quality taste and the training to go with it, Robin Rountree is your girl. With degrees in Interior Design and Art History from Duke and architectural training, she’s a highly schooled professional, and she has been providing full house and room renovations for clients near and far for years. Kitchens? Check. Draft a built-in? Check. Revamp an exterior? Absolutely. Her style incorporates lush finishes, unexpected accessories, and fun. Nothing boring here. Plus, she’s a delight. Visit the showroom for a selection of lighting, furniture, accessories, and inspiration. 

149 Boston Post Road, Suite B, Old Lyme

860.391.8182

threetreesinteriors.com

Three Trees Interiors

Maggies of Madison

I’ve been shopping at Maggie’s of Madison for years for their luxury linens and towels (Yves de Lorme, John Robshaw,  and Sferra are favorites), but you may not be aware that they are a full-service design house. Whether you need a room makeover (and don’t know where to start) or are looking to revamp your entire home, they’ve got you covered. Beginning with a meeting about your style and a walk around your house, they’ll prepare several full boards, including everything from rugs, curtains, and lighting to furniture, art, and accessories. They have the best, high-quality American-made goods at their fingertips. (I loved a sofa that looks exactly like linen but is an outdoor performance fabric; I would never have guessed); Owner Gretchen and her sidekick Keira are a fun and enthusiastic pair. They shared a thrilled email they had just received, and it was clear that THIS is what inspires them: overjoyed clients. 

705 Boston Post Road, Madison
maggiesofmadison.com

Lille Shoppe, Guilford

While it’s hard to look past the tempting displays of tabletop, ceramics, pillows, and gift items, peer underneath because every bit of furniture in this charming shop is for sale. You’ll likely find it here if you’re looking for an antique pine armoire, dresser, chest, or table. I snagged the sweetest scrubbed pine chest, perfect for a coffee table or end-of-bed.

23 Water Street, Unit 5, Guilford
lilleshoppe.com

Saybrook Home

Saybrook Home needs no introduction. Whether you need a new lamp or a whole house makeover, you’ll find expert interior design help here. This third-generation business boasts a 42,000-square-foot showroom and new digs in Glastonbury. They’ve been furnishing the Shoreline with updated coastal style for years. From your initial design meeting and browsing the rooms for inspiration to white glove installation and all the finishing touches, they’ll provide a stressless process for your dream home.

2 Main Street, Old Saybrook
saybrookhome.com/

Nora Murphy’s Little Shop, Chester

Suffice to say, I have yet to browse Nora Murphy’s shop in Chester without a purchase. Her selections of vintage tabletop wares, overstuffed armchairs, rustic coffee tables, antique dressers, and all sorts of exciting decor items, merchandised in her inimitable style, are impossible to resist. There’s plenty of inspiration here, plus pick up an autographed copy of Nora’s new book for yourself or gifting. 

1 Main Street, Chester
noramurphycountryhouse.com/product/country-house-living-celebrating-the-beauty-of-life-at-home/
noramurphycountryhouse.com/the-little-shop/

Adrien Broom’s Mythical Murmurs, A Magical Installation at the Flo Gris, Old Lyme

Mythical Murmurs is a fantastical installation at the Florence Griswold Museum created by local photographer and artist Adrien Broom. I’ve been a fan of Adrien’s work for years and never seem to get enough. Her surrealistic, magical, and complex stagings for her photographs bend the mind, and you’re left wondering how she does it. So, of course, I rang her up and asked! 

Curious about her process to produce her elaborate sets, she explained that she dreams up a concept and then works through what she wants it to look like. After sketching and fully designing her idea, her team builds the set. Then, she shoots friends and models within and the human interaction produces the magic you see in her photographs (and she does not use AI in her work!).

This exhibit ties neatly into the Museum’s annual Wee Faerie Village. Adrien created a mammoth mushroom circle called a fairy ring. These occur naturally in the forest and, according to ancient folklore, are thought to inspire spontaneous dancing. Here, the visitor is invited to enter the ring and become the tiny fairy among the giant mushrooms. Adrien’s musician husband, Nico Chiotellis, has arranged a score that becomes louder the longer you remain in the ring, hence the inevitable dancing! 

Adrien’s work has a solemn side, as well. As she says, “It’s not all rainbows and sparkly things. Imagination is both dark and light.” The images surrounding the installation depict the forest around her home in Guilford throughout the seasons. These are quiet and contemplative. Beastie, a mythical creature born in Adrien’s busy mind, makes an appearance in another piece. 

For the past seven years, Adrien has collaborated with Martine Chaisson Gallery in New Orleans to produce Dreamscapes Portrait Studio. These extravagant installations are for commissioned work and overtake an upstairs ballroom. Local families have made it an annual rite. We’re hoping for an opportunity here (her studio is in New Haven) in the near future! 

Dreamscapes at Martine Chaisson Gallery

The Wee Faerie Village exhibit is a rare chance to get to know Adrien Broom’s work, all of which sparks the imagination. I took a deep dive on her website, and you’ll want to, too:  https://www.adrienbroom.com

If you’re thinking about a weekend in New Orleans (Avelo starts direct flights from New Haven in November), you may also like: https://the-e-list.com/a-weekend-at-the-hotel-peter-paul-in-new-orleans/

13 Things To Do In October 2024

Lots of fun events on our radar! Check out our Events Calendar for even more.

River Valley Art Tour, October 12th – 14th. Tour the galleries of local artists in Chester, Essex and Deep River.

Known for their pasture-raised Thanksgiving turkeys, Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm stages a corn maze at night on Saturdays during October. While you’re there, indulge in a Hot Gobbler Sundae: Thanksgiving in a bowl: mashed potqtoes, stuffing, turkey and gravy topped with a dollop of cranberry sauce!

Black Bear Music Fest in Goshen, October 11th – 13th features 3 days of Americana Music

Among the many events surrounding the Wee Faerie Village at The Flo Gris is Pirate Day on October 19th from 11 – 4. Meet the Free Men of the Sea, arrr-fully good re-enactors who bring the myths and history of pirates and privateers to life. Be sure to also visit the Education Center to purchase a Wee Faerie Crafting Kit (while supplies last).

This Halloween, discover “what lurks beneath” at Mystic Seaport Museum! October 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26, 2024. Explore the indoor and outdoor spaces as the mysteries of the ocean come out to play. From giant puppets to incredible Kraken tentacles climbing the rigging of the whaleship, Charles W. Morgan, this limited-time event includes creepy Halloween fun for all. Timed entries at 6:00 and 7:00 pm.

Fall Festival at the Big Red Barn at Bishop’s Orchards through November 3rd. Enjoy all the fall fun that Bishop’s Orchards has to offer: Apple Picking, Wagon Rides, Dinosaur Themed Corn Maze, Activity Area, Food Trucks (Select Days), On Site Farm Store & Gift Area, Pumpkin Patch.

Cozy Autumn Tea At Old Lyme Inn, Saturdays through October 19th. Sample a fall selection of Harney & Sons Fine Teas accompanied by Chocolate-Almond Pine Cones, Maple Cheesecake Bites, Cranberry Tea Bread and other petite sweets.

Alabama Story At Ivoryton Playhouse, through 10/20. Inspired by true events, Ivoryton Playhouse is proud to present Alabama Story based on Garth Williams’ The Rabbit’s Wedding, a smart and funny, dark and hopeful, and sadly still relevant play.

J. McLaughlin Madison Warehouse SALE, 10/10 – 10/14, at the The American Legion Post 79, 43 Bradley Road in Madison. Save up to 60% off already reduced prices on J. McLaughlin’s collections for men and women.

Autumn Arts Festival On The Madison Town Green, 10/12 – 10/13, 8 Meeting House Lane, Head to the Madison Town Green for a weekend filled with fine art, hand crafts, live music and tempting treats!

7th Annual New Haven Chalk Art Festival, 10/12 from 2 – 4pm. Watch the sidewalks come to life as over 65 artists create stunning chalk designs at two locations, and cast your vote for your favorite to win $50 gift cards to local restaurants.

We’ve heard GREAT things about Maggie, a NEW musical at Goodspeed through October 20th. A Scottish mother’s unbreakable love for her three sons is tested in an inspirational musical about family bonds and changing times. Spanning over 20 years, a hardscrabble working class life blossoms with a soul-stirring pop-folk score. A generation of courageous mothers is celebrated in this rousing U.S. premiere.

The Madison Historical Society Presents A Halloween Ghost Tour, October 26th. Lee’s Academy, 14 Meetinghouse Lane, Madison. Tour five local sites where the ghosts of five historic residents will tell the spine-tingling and heart-wrenching tales of their lives…and deaths.

Anchor, A Hidden Breakfast Gem in Chester

You don’t have to mourn the closing of our favorite summer snack shacks just yet! Anchor, a hidden gem in Hays Haven Marina in Chester, has decided to keep slinging hash into December. And what fabulous hash that is! Chunks of homemade corned beef with pillowy potatoes, as unlike the usual mush as can be. Absolutely everything in this tiny joint is homemade, from the Cherry Chocolate Scones to the Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins.

We stopped by early on a Saturday morning for a breakfast of the aforementioned hash and eggs, plus a gooey, cheesy Monte Cristo, an amalgam of sweet French toast, ham, and cheese, dusted with confectioners sugar and dipped in maple syrup. Yum! This is the dish for those who love sweet AND savory at brekkie.  Egg sandwiches, waffles, and French Toast with all the sides round out the breakfast menu. Grab some chunky black chocolate blueberry cookies on your way out. For lunch, we’ll be back for the burgers and (we hear) the best Belgian fries. You’ll find a few cozy tables inside and more outside at this family-friendly spot.

61 Railroad Ave • Chester, CT 06412

Hours: Friday, 8am – 2pm and 5 – 8pm, Saturday thru Monday 8am to 4pm.

theanchorchester.com/

A Festive Fall Brunch at Mix in Mystic

We adore brunch (mainly because you can stuff yourself and take the rest of the day to recover), and we think we’ve discovered what could be the best brunch on the Shoreline. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to end the week on a high note (no Sunday scaries here), head directly to Mix, the rooftop restaurant owned by the award-winning Sift team. 

This was our third attempt at Brunch at Mix. We were stymied once by a flat tire and another time by a private party (reservations, BTW, are a must). We finally arrived last week to feast on our favorite pecan sticky buns (the mini size served here is perfection), plus all the fantastic croissants that Sift is famous for, a raw bar, salads, yogurt parfait (with their own yummy granola), fresh fruit, and if you can stand it, a choice of delish entrees! 

When we started off with a pass at the buffet and loaded our plates with their buttery, flaky, strawberry rhubarb, ham and cheese, chocolate and plain croissants, plus jalapeño biscuits and several of those crazy pecan buns oozing with caramel and butter, our waitress kindly reminded us that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. We couldn’t help ourselves! We supplemented this massive first course with mimosas for two, which come with a trio of juices: orange, grapefruit, and cranberry to mix or not. At $22 for a liter of champagne, it’s a bargain.

As we gobbled our oysters, clams, and shrimp and eyed the entree menu, we realized we were a bit in over our heads and took a little break to peruse the scene. We love this place, not only for the excellent food but also the festive atmosphere; a gang of girls next to us was enjoying a Mimosa Tower (next time), and couples and families made repeated trips to the buffet that was magically always replenished. This is a winning idea for a celebration of any sort, with water views, a modern fire pit, and efficient and knowledgeable service. 

Laura made it through half of her Lobster Benedict, dripping in a lemony hollandaise. I took my hefty burger home to my daughter (not before taking a bite), and we promised ourselves next time, we wouldn’t fill up on the buffet. But hey, why not? The idea of brunch is to overindulge; it matters not whether it’s the delectable buffet or choices from the menu (both are included in your $65, a steal for what you get). Brittany, our fabulous waiter, without nary an “I told you so,” handed us to-go boxes to take all our excess home. 

Now that the tourists are gone and Mystic is accessible again to us locals, make reservations!

mixmystic.com

Read about our other favorite brunches here.