love your local.

a good friend of mine from my nyc graphic design days stopped by the other day with an endless bag of hand picked lettuce. a perfect gift that inspired my trip to the farmer's market a day later in chester!

if you haven't been to the farmer's market in chester it is a fabulous way to spend your sunday. there's live music and the downtown is brimming with fresh foods, produce and hand-made items from all over the region. every week through october there is a different theme to add to the fabulous vibe. plus you can take a break and people watch while sipping a fresh cocktail at the river tavern or poke into dina varano, then discover a new artist at eo art lab or maybe get a glimpse of scandinavian photography's portfolio. chester is truly a mecca in my mind.

so while at this marvelous market, i was introduced to a new promotion/idea/game by bruce of cato corner farm. 52 connecticut farms and restaurants are represented on a deck of cards that offer not only information about their individual commitments to connecticut agriculture, but also unique discounts toward purchases. the talents over at cummings & good designed the deck, and we think it is just pure genius. you can read more at freshondeck.com then head over to our favorite bookstore [and client] rj julia to get your set.

what's new | contest {no. 1}

we've been busy collaborating on an identity program for a fabulous client, and just had to share the new logo with you. . .

what do you think?

any guesses on what this company is about?

well, comment below with your best guess and the person with the closest answer will win a gift certificate to this exciting new business. you have until next thursday to submit and we'll announce the winner on our first post in september.

bonne chance.

Update on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 08:00AM by stonington design+paperie

okay, have a bunch of emails. . .a couple guesses for yoga studio and one for a nutrition center, but no one has figured it out yet. so keep submitting your comments with a chance to win a gift certificate to
y-wellness.

Update on Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 08:00AM by stonington design+paperie

we have a winner!! details to follow in the sept 3rd post!

ode to domino [no. 8]

feeling so fortunate that we've connected online with talented event planner evonne wong even though we are a million miles away. we have admired evonne's work from afar as she calls the beautiful valley isle of maui home. of course, this finds us all dreaming of collaborating on a hawaiian wedding . . .

enjoy reading these favs from such a well-seasoned world traveler who will plan your wedding in maui, on the mainland, or wherever your heart desires. many thanks for sharing your fabulous 10 things evonne! [remember to click below to enlarge/print the pdf.]

a bit of belgium at the beach

while on holiday this week i just had to share this gem of a breakfast we had at van ghent sandwich shop. in this unassuming little spot in downtown westerly you'll find the most authentic belgian waffles and crepes. so much so that the european travelers next to us were raving in french to the owner—now that is authenticity!

sadly, my camera lost it's charge so i did not capture the ambiance nor the plates of the tastiest waffles we've ever had, but i did snap the outside as i charged the camera from the car.

 

van ghent's been voted best of rhode island so don't hesitate to make a run for it. it's small and charming, just like you'd find in europe—so they don't take credit cards, reservations or have good air conditioning. 7 commerce street • westerly, rhode island • 401 348 6026. they are open till 2pm wednesday-sunday.

yes virginia there is a santa claus.

i just had to share some fabulous news. . .yesterday, roger williams university was awarded a $1 million federal grant to continue its mission of raising oysters and working with the shellfishing industry to reestablish oystering in the state of rhode island.

so why do i find this important?

well for one, how great is it to hear of some positive and responsible spending going on in our country? the Commerce Department said the grant will create jobs and strengthen the state’s economy. hooray!

and two, my brother-in-law is one of the primary people responsible for this effort. hip hip hooray!

his program’s goals are both economic development and environmental. by expanding and strengthening the oyster gardening industry that has been non-existent since the 1900's, a viable rhode island industry will be reborn. and through the oysters’ ability to filter water as they feed, improves the water quality in the narragansett bay. you can read more in the providence journal. and also see a short film clip about the environment efforts of this oyster gardener.

i also made reference to his efforts in my cultivator post awhile back. it is one of my favorite posts that i always find inspirational.

so bravo to you pats! your efforts will—as my friend josh chalmers coined—change the world before bedtime™.

[photo credit: ashley wilkerson|newport daily news]