travel guide - Rhode Island

I have received many emails lately about people wanting to come to our tiny state for a visit, how exciting! I am so happy that everyone is curious. There are many terrific things to do here, but I thought that I would give you some of our personal favorites, and just because we spend a lot of time at home and we are kind of picky on what is going to take us out, this will give you a few ideas and then I would suggest Edible Rhody for good tips (I do just about everything they tell me to do! and I love it all!) or if you are on your way up to New England in general, check out Yankee Magazine.

As you know we live in Matunuck, which has some of the best beaches in Rhode Island. I have a friend who once rented a house in Quonnie (I can't even spell the long version of this name), and I have to say that it is probably the most beautiful beach anywhere, it's completely private, so if you are not a homeowner there you are out of luck (except in the off season! :)). Right near Quonnie is the best coffee in Rhode Island (read: don't even try anywhere else!) at Daves Coffee  but don't shop there, shop at MY store! East Beach is the closest you are going to get to Quonnie, and it's great, white soft sand beaches and really small so you have a family feeling. Next is our beach South Kingstown beach, waves are pretty treacherous there, but it's a nice little beach (with a small park, playground and showers) and right next door is the best ice cream in the state, The Vanilla Bean (lot's of people will tell you otherwrise). The waves at East Matunuck Beach are nice so we go there for good boogie boarding.

oysters from Matunuck Oyster Bar

Just down the same stretch of road as East Matunuck Beach is the Matunuck Oyster Bar, AMAZING oysters (I was in NYC at Balthazar and they were serving them!) it's a simple place, great food but very busy! If you are planning on cooking Lobsters yourself you can get them at Skips Dock almost at the end of this road. Our little town of Wakefield, is sweet and charming, and if you are like me when you get to a new place you always seek out the local heath food store, that would be Alternative Foods Co-op they have all your needs and delicious soup is home made every day. If you need a spot of yoga visit All That Matters, also on Main Street for almost any type of yoga class and the like, our town would be nothing if it didn't have All That Matters, it keeps us together.

The best beach for kids is Narragansett Beach, it is flat and shallow and there are lots of surfers to watch! The problem is that everyone knows this and it's almost impossible to park there! We go after 5pm and the parking lot opens to anyone! It's the perfect time for kids, no sunscreen necessary, and not crowded.

Windmist Farm, Jamestown RI

On Saturdays the Farmers Market at Casey Farm is wonderful! (from 9 - noon) and then many times we go onto Jamestown for brunch or lunch. We love the Village Hearth Bakery, great for sandwiches or bread and you can take it out to Beaver Tail, our favorite spot for looking at Beautiful Rhode Island from the rocky cliffs (in ANY season). We are also big supporters of Slice of Heaven and you will find us there just about every Sunday for Brunch. If you stay all day on Sunday, the Village Hearth makes amazing brick oven pizzas on Sunday night only from 4 - 8pm (?) THE BEST! Also in Jamestown is Windmist Farm, which has homegrown beef, lamb, chicken, pork (even home made hot dogs!), and eggs, these guys are wonderful people and a real Rhode Island treasure. Open to the public Friday and Saturdays.

41 North in Newport

In the past we have always shied away from Newport, it's very busy and lot's of tourists. But if you want to see the Mansions it's worth a visit. If you do go to the Mansions it's nice to take the Cliff Walk around the back side of them. Recently opened is 41 North, which is a beautiful place to stay, but if you don't way to lay down the big bucks just go for a drink, it's a beautiful deck restaurant, the kids will have a blast and because of the prices it's not too busy (love that... sorry ;). Worth a mention and if you have an extra day it's completely worth it to go out to Block Island, just take the ferry boat (45 mins.) and then you can rent bikes out there or just walk to the beach. The Block Island beach is the clearest most beautiful beach.. you will love it! If you rent bikes take a long hike and adventure on the small but beautiful island.

I happen to like this one in Jamestown! (sleeps 2 families!!)

Which brings us to places to stay... yikes... I would suggest to rent a house, try HomeAway but always have a great time and easy going in Rhode Island!

Don't miss in Rhode Island: Lobster Roll, Clam Cake, surfing, Quahogs, and clam chowder!

Have Fun!

Edible Rhody online

surprise: SUMMER SALE!

kit+lili - karin dress

layla

matta dress and tina silver leather handbag

matta top

littl by lilit - unisex top (fathers day? and then you get a shirt too!)

We decided to hoist an impromptu SUMMER SALE on all womens collections... use code: 'summer' at checkout and take a 20% off your order of womens clothing and accessories, bags, pillows, all of it! (except: jewelry and the new two collection of kaftans). If it's already on sale take an additional 20% off the sale price (yahoo!)... This sale lasts until June 15th and then it's over (sorry this does not include any previously purchased items) -- happy summer!

erica tanov - rothko tapestry jacket

erica tanov - leather pouch

layla dress

layla dress

maison de vacanses fur pillows (love these...!!)

maison de vacanses love pillows

matta gold trim summer dress

SHOP NOW! SALE ON NOW UNTIL JUNE 15th :: USE CODE: 'summer' AT CHECKOUT!
AT NONCHALANTMOM

two :: spotted on Sartorialist... isn't she beautiful!

via The Sartorialist

Isn't this an amazing shot on the street in NYC, aparently she purchased the 'two' kaftan and walked out of the store with it on... right into the lens of Scott Schuman, The Sartorialist, just beautiful! At the moment we happen to have them in the store... can you believe it!? We had many but they sold so very fast (in just days...) and we only have these three beautiful kaftans left!

It's the perfect look for a long hot summer! I love them and can't stop wearing mine, for every day and perfectly chic for the evening... lovely!

visit Nonchalant Mom and get yourself into a Two Kaftan!
visit The Sartorialist here

sunscreens

I think it's a good idea that each year you toss out the old stuff and bring in the new stuff, I'm talking sunscreens that is (my husband would like me to think of EVERYTHING in this way, but if I did I would toss him out! ha, just kidding!) maybe two years, tops! Depending on where you live, sunscreen might be a year round thing for you in which case this is no problem. But check dates on the package and see when they expire, and if it's in questions, toss it!

This year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) updated it's top sunscreens as they do each year and for me, I think that the list of okay products is growing, which is such good news! In this house we like to use Vivesana, I think it's a great product, and much like the old Dr. Hauschka sunscreens (no longer sold here in the USA) you can put it on in the morning and it does a pretty good job of sticking around most of the day unless you are at the beach from morning until night, in which case I would apply twice.

I think that the best option for kids is hats and cotton clothing to block the harmful sun rays instead of using sunscreen each and every day but you need to be the judge of that, and it varies where you live. Take a look at the EWG list of top sunscreens and make sure yours is a good one! (otherwise toss it!)


click here to see the EWG sunscreen list
click here to look up your sunscreen and see how it rates
see previous posts on sunscreens here

aleishall girard-maxon :: studio deseo

As you know we just received new necklaces from Aleishall, aren't they so lovely! I think that being pregnant has put her creativity into hyper drive -- but really, I always love her pieces. If you are not already familiar with them do not miss taking a look! Her pieces are all one of a kind, I give her a few words and she just goes with it in her way! She has the most amazing eye for color and mixing patterns I think it's a true and raw talent (it also runs in her family I think!). This time the it was: "how about smaller size beads longer strands (or long-ish), I still like fluorescent although mixed, whites and nudes... Is it totally crazy to say that I am inspired by minimalism, celine and Ethiopia..." I have no idea how she will take this I just say whatever inspires me and she just runs with it with her inspiration at the moment! I have to say, it's a delightful way to work, isn't it!?

I thought it was time we get to know Aleishall so I asked her to write a blog for me. She is pregnant at the moment and I can almost feel the waves rushing through her as I read through her story. She took this chance to let some deep things go, and I am sure that you will completely relate as I did, with tears of love in my eyes as my mind was almost there with her. This is what Aleishall wrote:

::

I am 32 weeks pregnant with my second child and this has not been an easy pregnancy thus far. While I have to give thanks that there have been no serious complications I have been uncomfortable pretty much from day one. Varicose veins, headaches, nausea, back aches and lack of sleep have all contributed to making this a challenging 8 months.  Already having a toddler ( my daughter will be three in June) also intensifies the experience, as there is far less time to dedicate to your changing body. My patience has been thin and my emotions have been all over the map making for some interesting conversations/arguments/fits about what my almost three year old picks out to wear, or what we're going to have for dinner. And then there is the process of getting ready to welcome another little person into our family. The grieving that inevitably happens of the way things are now and the overwhelming anticipation of having another baby and a sibling for my daughter. One would imagine that having done this once already I might be more prepared but it feels just as new (albeit in a different way for different reasons) this time around. What will it be like to have two children? How will my daughter react to her new sibling? How will this change my relationship with my husband? What will a family of four feel like?

All this being said, I am incredibly excited for the arrival of this person that I already love deeply. I have been doing a great deal of complaining lately so upon Carina's brilliant suggestion I would like to honor this baby and all that we've been through so far and share my ten favorite things about being pregnant.

1. The movement of the growing baby in my belly.
2. The thicker, more lustrous hair
3. The cravings (for me it's been: root beet, cereal, kraut, little gems salad greens and vinegar)
4. The changing shape of my profile.
5. Listening to my daughter talk to the baby
6. Extra pedicures
7. Thinking about and discussing names with my husband
8. Spending time with my amazing midwife
9. The nesting urge
10. Daydreaming about who this little person is inside of me

::

Thank you Aleishall for sharing your delicate and sweet story!

(I suggested she make some Apple Tea... wonderful during pregnancy! ..  recipe here)

see her necklaces here at Nonchalant Mom

ladies night!

Thank you all for coming to Ladies Night at the store! It was so much fun to see everyone and have a drink and chat... and shop... and thank you so very much Nancy for making all of the completely delightful goodies and a really yummy iced tea that was delicious!

TEA (spiked!)

brewed iced tea (Earl Grey)
fresh lemonade (squeezed lemons/water/simple syrup)
Absolute Wild Tea Vodka (it's the new 2011 flavor!)
garnish with lemon wedges and lots of ice!

Thank you again for a great night!

friends and inspirations: Gunn

gunn and one of their 5 dogs I believe this is "valentino"

Yes, I talk about her often, that's because she inspires me often. Out of left field, I say that because she lives in tucked into the mountains of Italy, she inspires me with daily life... and obviously she inspired someone else, Eclat magazine, out of Japan, has featured her in this months issue!

her studio, where I promise you she rarely sits to read a magazine! ha!

top left their rustic home in the mountains of Italy, right: interior of their piles and piles of books of inspiration

more photos of gunn, her home and the town center in Biella + a very small product shot of 'Nara' products

Did I mention that since their collection hLam hit Japan in the late 90's Gunn and her husband Pierangelo have been rock stars there... so it's only fitting that after she created her signature collection of all natural/organic body products "Nara" they would debut it in Japan! This feature is about Gunn, thier life in Italy and the products they have created (well as far as I can tell that's what it's about.. I don't exactly read Japanese, although I would like to).

gunn and her amazing cooking!

here is maybe the recipes... sorry! it's in Japanese

Gunn can inspire you too if you check out her blog Un Momento Nordico or visit her shop in Biella, Italy! It's so sad that we cannot get her products here because they are delicious and the absolute best in quality (yes, I have a few samples myself and hoping we can bring them here to America!! -say yes!) for now we can be inspired by her life and love of good food on the pages of Eclat magazine.

click here to visit Un Momento Nordico blog

something unique for your husband?

Try Salvor... sorry it's only a free standing store and not online for now... but next time you are in NYC don't miss your chance to stop by and get yourself something truly unique!

172 Forsythe Street
mon - sat - noon to 8pm, sun noon to 6pm

webshop coming soon!?

Ladies Night @ Nonchalant Mom

Yes it's that time of year again!! 

Time for LADIES NIGHT!

THURSDAY, MAY 26th :: 6-9pm

365 Main Street (Upstairs!) - Wakefield RI

We are holding a very special Ladies Night with lots of goodies to eat and shop!

So come and join us for some fun

and a bit of shopping too!

(it's not just nonchalant mom... it's MORE!)

it's freaking FREEZING....

I don't know if you noticed but it's still winter here in New England... it's freaking freezing! I keep thinking it's going to warm up, they even have the flowers tricked and then I look at my phone and the weather says 60 degrees for another week! cloudy/rainy/foggy - you name it we got it! Somehow it's put the kabosh on any blogging that I would have liked to do... kind of like, I'm sorry it's too cold to sit at my computer and type a blog, my fingers are freezing!

So today, while trying to warm up in a very long hot shower (no shortage of water HERE), I thought  would be very apropos and suggest some tips for warming up when it's supposed to be warm outside but it's not and it's freezing you to the bones. And on top of that all that I really want to do is start to wear Spring clothes, NO SOCKS, bare sleeves, open toe shoes, skirts, dresses... instead I am still in socks, boots, cashmere sweaters, scarves (even the wool ones!) and yes... I am still wearing BLACK, although you have NO idea how much I would like to move on from that into bright, fun SPRING colors! I have to hand it to my friends and neighbors, we are all trying, maybe that bright colored dupatta can keep us warm, yet still say Spring with a bright color... on some days maybe... but it's still a bit cool... many of us have taken to Spring with jewelry instead, moved on from clothing and given up! But soon... maybe in JULY... we will be able to don our new Spring-y gear.. let's hope!

In the meantime here are some ways to stay warm this Spring:
-running - I have taken to running each day (unless it's raining.. which is many, so I really shouldn't say EVERY day) I take a mile run every day, yes, it's short so don't laugh. But it truly warms you up from the inside and the day is much easier to grin-and-bear-it.

-tea - it takes only about 5-8 cups of tea to keep you warm all day long, this is of course if you keep it in a thermal mug, if not you will have iced tea very quickly... that will make you colder so don't drink it. I make a pot of Kukicha tea and put it in a thermal container and drink it all day... it sure helps!

-skin brushing - I thought about this this morning, and it IS true, I stayed warm twice as long after a nice skin brushing (brittbeautifulskin.com for more information or buy here at nonchalantmom). It's a little chilly to start unless you have one of those warm bathrooms... but once you get going you can feel yourself warm from the inside out.

- fires - when it comes to the end of the season and you think "we can finish the fire wood in April" remember that you live in NEW ENGLAND and you will need at the very least TWO MORE MONTHS WORTH! So stock up!

- make Kichadi! - This has been my saving grace and keeping me warm each day! I love it and all of you guys in warm places all over the world (everywhere else but HERE and the north pole!) you can try it next winter... but you, my friends in New England with me... eat Kichadi and it will keep you warm! -see recipe here on my blog

- and my last suggestion... go to Miami!

Good Luck... Stay WArm and you will know when it warms up here... I will start to write blogs again... until then.. short and sweet... because my fingers are freezing!

love - carina

lucky wang blog!

lucky wang spring 2011

Recently Emily of Lucky Wang started a blog, she doesn't say much (a little like she is in person, she is a quiet, funny and inventive woman, which in my book makes for a very good friend!) but boy can she put out some amazing photography! I believe she is architect trained, and her photography reflects it. Her photos of places and things tell an amazing story.

Of a person who travels,

eats well!

and finds interesting things to do in NYC!


Visit her blog and see where she gets her inspiration for her collection: Lucky Wang!

visit her blog here
shop here - shopluckywang

npr today - walt bogdanich - reporting on the hidden dangers of medical radiation

I don't know if you caught this today but I thought there was a pretty interesting show on Fresh Air with Terry Gross, she was talking with Walt Bogdanich who has written in the NY Times about the hidden dangers of medical radiation. It's just very eye opening and I don't know about you but when I take my kids to the dentist and they ask if they can take x-rays it always freaks me out a bit. Now, after listening to this interview I think I will be able to answer in a more knowledgeable way.

Mr. Bogdanich even goes on to suggest "[You can ask your dentist] 'Is this imaging exam necessary? Is it necessary for me, every six months when I come in to have my teeth cleaned?" he says. "I think everyone should ask what speed film the dentist is using, and every patient should ask, 'Why are you not using digital?' And particularly for young adults who are about to have braces on, [ask] 'Is it really necessary to have this cone beam CT scan, or is there a way for you to get the images you need ... without using as much radiation?".

He does not want people not to have an x-ray, but to be able to ask the right questions when it is suggested and help you to know what the issues are at this time and the possibilities that the future holds. The procedures that don't involve radiation are ultrasound, MRI and sonogram. But pretty much everything else involves radiation and CT scans are the most common. It is made clear that these procedures are amazing and when necessary they are essential but it's good to ask questions and have this simple conversation on your head so that you are able to make a qualified decision or at the very least have some good questions. The interview is only 35 minutes but I am sure that you will like to hear this information. 

click here to listen to the conversation and I am sure you will be happy that you did.

etsy shop: koukku's shop

koukku teething ring

I think this etsy shop: koukku has the most delightful little things for babies, in wood combined with colorful cotton. What could be better? And of course she is from Helsinki Finland. I don't know much else, except that she makes them by herself of course, but if you are having a baby or in need of a gift for a baby... here it is!

koukku necklace or teething necklace

click here to shop: koukku

kase-faz shop

I just had to write about these lovely dolls made by Maria Madeira, her online shop is called kase-faz. These little handmade guys are amazing! Maria lives in Portugal and makes all dolls, clothing and accessories by hand with all natural materials. What a DELIGHT!

Visit her shop and get some for yourself, honestly even the photos are so beautiful I want to frame them!

Thank you Maria for making wonderful things for all of us to enjoy! what a talent!

visit kase-faz shop by clicking here