DELRAY DELIGHTS

Early this week I was over on the East Coast of Florida and I had a chance to swing by downtown Delray Beach while there on business. I had seen "Linda Bean's Maine Lobster" before and read that it had amazing lobster rolls, so we stopped in for lunch. My husband isn't into shellfish, but he indulged me - being the great guy and good sport that he is - and I had the best lobster roll I've ever tasted! The roll was accompanied by their "kelpislaw", pickles and salt & vinegar chips. It really hit the mark.

Another draw along Delray's main drag - Atlantic Ave. - is prep clothing headquarters "The Snappy Turtle"

This place has been a celebrated spot for finding brightly colored, tropical clime casual clothing, accessories and gifts for a long time and is right up my alley. 

Very Palm Beach-y. Lots of gauzy tunics, monograms, and prep overload. 

Loved the accessories corner where you can buy just about anything monogrammed.

Entrance to the beach - I love natural arbors.

We saw a parrot with some beautiful lemony yellow tailfeathers just hanging out in the trees.

Delray Beach also has an arts district charmingly dubbed "The Pineapple Arts District".

I didn't get a chance to visit it this time, but will return soon to see more. If you haven't been to Delray Beach, I would definitely recommend a visit. It's a charming place to stay, chock-full of cute shops and good restaurants right on the Atlantic. Have you been?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

JUST SAYING HELLO.....

I know this seems a little lame, yes, this is me at Villa Borghese in Rome, Italy a few years back. I had nothing noteworthy to post today and am out of town with my husband. I just wanted to say hello and thanks for reading this blog - you guys are the best.

I will be back with more soon, hope your week is going well!

HAWAIIAN HONEYMOON

Relaxing on the beach at Kailua

Great gifts at Sandpeople, Kailua

Got to love this pink pineapple golf ball I bought at the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki

I love the pink theme that prevails throughout the hotel

After my wedding, my husband and I flew to Hawaii for a couple of weeks and had a relaxing and memorable time. Now that we have returned home, it's back to work and settling into our new lives together, which is exciting in itself. We will cherish these memories of a very special trip forever as we move forward into the future.

HONOLULU FARMER'S MARKET EATS

On our honeymoon, my husband and I read about the Honolulu Farmer's Market. Being the food enthusiasts that we are, we decided it'd be fun to stop by and check it out. Every Wednesday from 4-7 PM you can find some terrific produce, orchids and a wide variety of food vendors who can serve up some tasty vittles to sample. We were especially fond of these sushi sliders from Otsuji Farm that were tempura fried and melted in your mouth.

Gorgeous orchids are available for a mere steal!

Another fave was the Petite Suisse Crepe booth where we picked up the "Greek" crepe that was filled with olives, spinach and feta. Amazing! The folks running this booth are as nice as can be and are offering up some delicious options made right before your eyes.

If you're ever in town, be sure to stop by the front lawn of Blaisdell Center. Bring a couple of chairs or a blanket to stretch out and dine picnic style on the lawn. That way you can sample the wares of as many vendors as you want, one course at a time. It was a lot of fun! Hope you have a great weekend.

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?

I saw this chest on OKL by Lexington and was struck by how much it resembled an Hermes box. 

I just love One King's Lane, amazing finds abound.

Check it out here

PETITE & CO. READER COUPON

I like my jewelry delicate and Portugal-based Petite & Co. designs fit the bill.

The owner, Vanessa, is an artist herself and has a charming shop on Etsy that is very popular for bohemian chic jewelry that is both affordable and hip. She has generously offered Annechovie readers free shipping.

Check out all of her beautiful pieces HERE and used this code: ANNECHOVIE 

at etsy checkout to receive free shipping on any purchase.

NEW! CHINOISERIE GINGER JARS No. 6 & 7

Blue and white Chinoiserie jars are perenially popular in my Etsy shop, so

I have now added 2 more now for a total of 9 prints to choose from. These prints are all reproduced from my original, hand painted watercolors and printed on high quality watercolor paper, so it's hard to tell they are not original watercolors. 

Two of the original ginger jar paintings are available for sale also.

Check out the latest here.

Have a wonderful 4th of July holiday and weekend!

TEA TIME!

I am kind of getting into having tea lately. Not necessarily at any set time, like having coffee every morning, but on a pretty regular basis. Maybe it's my partial British ancestry coming through.....either that or the strong genes of my 94 year old tea-crazed Grandma.....not sure. All I know is that I love this Kusmi Tea and the "Sweet Love" flavor in particular. Such terrific packaging, I have seen Kusmi repeatedly used by amazing photo stylists in design shoots, so I have wanted to get some just for the tin for a while now. Kusmi Tea is not cheap, but I scored a great deal and got 2 of these tins at Homegoods for about half price. I am also dying to try Laduree Tea and heck, any tea with fantastic packaging design. I am like that with shampoo, too. I happen to be a real sucker for packaging and gadgets. If I find something visually appealing, it somehow tastes much better and drives enthusiasm in me to get on a little kick. I suppose that it's a vocational hazard, being an artist. I have this cute little gadget here that steeps a mugful of tea at a time in case you don't want to make a whole pot as a solo tea drinker.

This is for loose tea OR a tea bag and the gray spring-loaded deal on the top will compress the water out of the tea (kind of like a hand-held french press effect) Just scoop out a little loose tea, click the lid and leave in hot water to steep. I always add some lemon and honey, too. So soothing and takes the place of dessert!

Do you like tea?

ABSTRACT PILLOWS - NEW!!

Lanikai Reef Pillow by Annechovie

Flamingo Pillow by Annechovie

New abstract art pillows featuring Flamingo and Lanikai Reef are available now. Just click the links under the pillows to check them out.
I am still in Hawaii, but you can follow my Instagram in the right sidebar if you'd care to see the latest
 and I will be home soon.
Have a wonderful weekend!

THANK YOU!

I want to thank Terry's Fabric for featuring a couple of my posts on their design blog recently!

NEW PILLOWS!

Ginger Jar No. 3 Pillow by Annechovie

Ginger Jar No. 4 Pillow by Annechovie
Browse Annechovie Pillows

Ginger Jar No. 5 by Annechovie

Here's 3 new pillows with my newest Ginger Jar designs. Just click below each to check them out!

THE HITCHING POST

I generally consider myself a pretty private person and don't want to ever be "one of those" who over-expose and publish every mundane little detail of their existence. However, I just married the love of my life at the perfect relaxed beach ceremony and figured that might warrant a mention to share with my peeps here on Annechovie. You readers have been such a part of my life these last few years and I am so grateful for your support & kindness. I'm on my honeymoon, but will continue to have fresh content posted and feel free to keep up with me here


All orders will be shipped upon my return. Take care and see you soon!!

ANNECHOVIE TURNS 6!

Wow. I can hardly believe it's been 6 years since I started this little blog!

It's been a great vehicle for growth, networking, sharing my work and getting to meet so many of you.

I am thankful for all of God's blessings in my life during the past 7 years. Even the trials, challenges and very difficult times as well as the triumphs and joys. Thanks to all of you for your support - it has meant so much.

As Annechovie turns 6 and I face an exciting new chapter in my own life, I am challenged to perk things up around here and share more as the days go on. 

Please stay tuned and thanks so much for being a part of my life and work!

SANDWICH ART

I am really into colorful food and these sandwiches (via Pinterest via Honestly Yum) look like little masterpieces to me. I always find myself drawn to small plates, tapas, tea sandwiches and sushi. If I weren't an artist, I'd be a decorator or a chef. There is such scope for creativity, not to mention that I love eating! You could make these as hors d'oeuvres or an entire meal. Find the recipes for these scrumptious ricotta crostini here.

Hope you have a scrumptious weekend!

GOING CUCKOO NEON STYLE

Design-wise, I am a dichotemy. Part of me loves tried & true traditionalism and the other part of me digs the cutting edge, offbeat and innovative. I guess enjoy stuff that manages to satisfy both. 

How's this for putting a hip spin on a classic? Just another great find on Etsy- the neon cuckoo clock. 

Find it here.

ANNECHOVIE IN THE BIG APPLE

One of my customers in NYC sent me this photo of their growing Annechovie ginger jar print collection.

This nice woman is a PR guru with a penchant for blue & white. She just bought 2 more framed ginger jars to even up her collection. Find them all here in my shop.

NEW PAINTING - MAHALO 1

I just finished this painting featuring diagonal neon pink stripes and a gilded pineapple. It's available here

Have a fantastic weekend!!