#tsg6

Even though the weather is quite the contrary, we’re already starting to think about all things spring — from a fantastic oyster fest to shopping finds and spring break prep beauty treatments. 

Early Mountain is hosting their annual Spring Oyster Festival on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15 from 12 - 5pm. It’s sure to be a lovely and lively weekend of Virginia wines, The Jacob Paul Allen Bandfrom Nashville, and fresh oysters sourced from the Eastern Shore. Early Mountain's Culinary Crew will provide a seasonal menu of crab cakes, fried oysters, lobster rolls, and of course, freshly shucked oysters on the half shell. This family-friendly event usually sells out, so snap up your tickets pronto. – Sarah Dawson

“It’s time to prep for spring break! Head over to Charlottesville Skin & Laser to book laser hair removal. Then book a consultation session at Nua Medical Spa to hit up those trouble spots with CoolTone. With zero downtime, it  tones, firms, and strengthens the muscles of the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Go ahead and add a healthy glow to the list with an airbrush tan from Glo-Out.” – Susie Matheson

“On Monday Monticello hosted a special tree planting with the Garden Club of Virginia. Garden Club of Virginia is commemorating their 100th anniversary this year, and to commemorate the date they, along with other local garden clubs (Rivanna Garden Club and Albemarle Garden Club) have donated three Sugar Maple trees to plant on the mountaintop. Monticello and the Garden Club of Virginia share a long history, as they played a critical role in restoring the gardens at Monticello way back in the 1920s and 1930s. This one is planted near the fishpond on the mountaintop and I can’t wait to go check out these new babies.” – S.D.

“I love this dress from Tilla. Audrey at Eloise shared, ‘Their clothing is unique and so pretty, plus it has a great price point.’ Pop into Eloise to check out more pretty, femme things from their line.” – S.M.

“Acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Anne Patchette, of Commonwealth, Bel Canto, and State of Wonder,  is heading to The New Dominion Bookshop on the downtown mall on Tuesday, March 3 from 4 - 5:30pm for a Meet & Greet. Her latest book, The Dutch House, is a deeply moving exploration of the bond between two siblings, their childhood home, and past that won’t stay where it belongs. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to hear from and meet one of my favorite authors.”  – Christy Ford

This week we’re celebrating a new wine release, all things natural, and a guy’s essential for spring that’s back in stock. If the groundhog saw his shadow, we think that gives us license to start stocking up for warmer weather. 

“Early Mountain just released their 2018 Petit Manseng and I’m excited to try it. Though a white wine, it is especially suited for the winter months because it had more richness and density than your average white wine. I’m looking forward to sipping it fireside on a cold night.” – Sarah Dawson  

“I got my mom Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Serum from Scarpa for her birthday. Her skin can’t tolerate Retin A, so this has been a great, more  gentle alternative. It’s derived from the Bachi plant that helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles naturally.”  – C.F. 

“We’re ramping up our photo shoots for The Scout Guide Volume 12 and during cold and flu season I feel like I need extra support. I checked in with Martha Stockhausen, of The Frequency of Fragrance, for recommendations on how to naturally boost my immune system. She uses Young Living Thieves essential oil on her feet daily and diffuses it throughout her house October through March. Additionally, she turns to Thieves Household Cleaner in an effort to reduce her toxic exposure to chemicals, freeing up her family's bodies to focus on fighting more important battles. Martha reports that detoxifying the home of chemicals may be the one most important thing you can do for your body’s health during cold and flu season!” – Susie Matheson

“I’m loving the Thule Boarding Bag that I got at Peace Frogs Travel / Outfitters. It’s perfect for overnight trips and would be especially great for men. It’s truly designed as an ideal, underseat carry on with a padded compartment for your laptop and a lot of pockets to organize and stow all your stuff. Plus, it has a pass through strap to slide it onto your rolling luggage.” – C.F.

“The Rhoback People’s Polo is back in stock and I love this green Spring. I know it’s the end of January, but I am already dreaming of warmer days.” – Susie Matheson

Love is in the salty air here on island and we couldn’t be happier. While it has been chilly outside, the warmth is pouring out inside. We noticed quite a few businesses have shut their door for the season, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t celebrate your loved ones this Valentine’s Day. 

A few of our favorite restaurants are still open for this loving holiday! 

We suggest digging in at Or’ the Whale, the new Main Street hang out! Their food is delicious and their staff makes you feel at home! They have everything from brunch to dinner and something for every taste bud! 

The Nautilus is another favorite that is still open this Valentine’s Day! Enjoy some Asian cuisine with a signature cocktail! What better way to say I love you than with a shared meal like the Whole Roast Peking Duck or the Cast Iron Roasted 30 oz. Grass-Fed Rib Eye. 

In need of some seafood this holiday? The Sea Grille is one of the top spots that you can enjoy a lobster dinner, broiled fish, Nantucket bay scallops, and MORE. They even have a killer steak for our carnivore’s out there. 

Not looking to dine out? How about a cooking class! Nantucket Culinary Center is hosting the Celebration of Love – Cooking Demo and Dinner on Valentine’s Day. Join Chef Greg as he explores the food of love with a cooking demonstration and dinner. Participants will enjoy a multi-course meal while learning some of Chef Greg's kitchen tips, tricks, and techniques while he cooks. See the menu and sign up here! 

Pick up a bouquet to show your gratitude for your loved one from Flowers on Chestnut. They have a bouquet that fits every mood and you can create your own with their favorite flowers. 

There might be a chance for some sunshine this Valentine’s Day. That means you can take a walk on one of the conservation trails. Enjoy time with your loved ones and maybe enjoy a beautiful sunset while you’re at It.  

This week we’re doing some vacation daydreaming, a little binge watching, and taking in all the art Charlottesville has to offer. 

This time of year we start thinking about and planning our vacations for the year. To that end, we asked travel expert Julie Arbelaez, owner of Peace Frogs Travel / Outfitters, what she has planned so far. “In late January, my husband and I are headed for a three-night getaway to celebrate our anniversary at the luxe resort Chablé Maroma in Mexico,” Julie reports. “Then in late February, I’m planning a weekend trip to NYC to catch To Kill a Mockingbird and hopefully see the newly reopened MoMA. I’m still debating a family vacation. Last year we spent two weeks in Colombia, including Nuqui, Guatape and Medellin.” 📷: Chablé Maroma 

“I have been coveting the Veja sneakers I’ve been spying on friends Instagram posts. They’ve the perfect weekend wear, but also hip enough for every day. I finally headed over to Quattro Tizi to buy myself a pair. Right now they have womens styles on sale. They will for sure get broken in on my upcoming trip to Costa Rica.” – Sarah Dawson

The IX Art Park just opened a wonderful immersive art space, The Looking Glass. It’s a 3,000-square-foot whimsical wonderful, designed to spark visitors’ imaginations and childlike sense of wonder. Fourteen artists work is displayed across various diverse mediums and styles. Visitors can relax in a hammock under a jungle canopy, travel through a 50-foot caterpillar, propelled by a resounding heartbeat, influence large digital projections with their presence, play music on golden goddesses, and get to know a friendly family of gnomes. When we visited we truly left all our cares at the door and entered an interactive alternate universe. The exhibit is perfect for all ages. Visit HERE to learn more and to purchase your advance tickets.”  

Have you watched The Morning Show on Apple TV+ yet? We were a little late to the party, but it’s well worth the time spent. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon give award-worthy, timely performances, as well as star turns by Billy Crudup and Steve Carell. As a matter of fact, Aniston just won a SAG Award for best performance by an actress in a drama series. And can we talk about her stunning John Galliano designed Christian Dior dress? We dare you not to hole away and watch all 10 episodes in one fell swoop. Thankfully, season two has been announced. Already we can’t wait. 

“On Megan Kingdon’s advice, my whole family has started taking Gaia Herbs Adrenal Health Daily Support. It’s a great adaptogen combo that is especially targeted for those that are stressed or overworked (who of us can’t attest to that?) to help sustain healthy energy and stress levels. Megan advised that instead of swallowing whole you bite into the capsule and let it release into your saliva for better absorption.” – Christy Ford 

We can’t believe it’s already 2020, but we also couldn’t more excited! We’re prepping for Volume 2 and the warmer days ahead of us! Meanwhile, on Nantucket, there are a few things you should keep in mind, no matter where you are in the world. 

Visit: Visiting is made all that more special when you can have a place to your own. You can rent for a week or you can buy for a lifetime of good memories. This home at 11 Lily Street is a stunning renovated home with a sophisticated Nantucket Style. It is a 6 bedroom, had 7 and 2 half bathrooms with 5,662 sq. ft. You can learn more about this home here!

Or you can contact Centre Street Realty at 508.825.5741 

Love: The tent is up and the drinks are pouring! Cisco Brewers is one of our favorite places during January. There is live music, friendly people, games for the table, and the cutest puppies in town. One of our favorite drinks in the winter is their hot cider with vanilla vodka and spiced rum!

Want: The holidays might be over but that doesn’t mean we can’t treat ourselves. We are loving these quarterboard bracelets by Susan Lister Locke. The Nantucket Basket Quarterboard Bracelet is a handwoven Nantucket Basket Quarterboard Bracelet in 18kt gold or sterling silver with Whale Ivory end caps. The Scallop Shell Nantucket Basket Quarterboard Bracelet is a handwoven Ebony Nantucket Basket Bracelet with Sterling Silver Scallop Shell Quarterboard and end caps. This bracelet can be engraved with Nantucket coordinates or a special order of your choosing. Not on island? Not a problem! Shop them (and more) online here!

Learn: The Nantucket Chamber and We Can: Women Engaged in Civic Action on Nantucket has started a Leadership Book Club open to anyone who is interested. The first book is Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. It has already started but you can still join in, they have only met one out of the four times. Head here to learn more and stay up to date!

Tell them The Scout Guide sent you!

The new year is in full swing and while we don’t especially love New Year’s resolutions — what with their proclivity to set us up for failure — we are embracing more wellness and the simple act of enjoying our lives and community to the fullest. Here you’ll find six things we’re especially jazzed about right now. 

“In the Ford household we are trying to incorporate more fermented foods into our diets. One way is making kefir for smoothies in the mornings. I’m personally doing a candida cleanse, trying to rid myself of all the sugar from the holidays. Megan Kingdon, a friend who is opening @wellroomcville, an IV drip / infrared sauna space in February, has been advising me and she recommended The Body Ecology Book by Donna Gates. I just finished it and it was so informative!” – Christy Ford

“Rivanna Cryotherapy Recovery Center has just added Joovv Light Therapy to their services, as co-owner Francis Vicente demonstrates.They are hosting a special, free event with Dr. Robert Abbott, Medical Director of Resilient Roots, on Thursday, January 16 at 6:30pm. Dr. Abbott will discuss the benefits of Red Light and Near Infrared Light therapy using their new Joovv unit. We’re excited to learn all about this new wellness tool.”  – Susie Matheson  Register for the event on HERE. 

“Martha Stockhausen of The Frequency of Fragrance turned my mom (Jan Roden of And George) and me onto NingXia Red last year and we haven’t looked back. We go in together on our order and both use it every day. My mom swears that it helped recover from a recent cold faster. I’m especially mindful of enjoying it this time of year and I mix a shot every day mid-morning with Young Living lemon essential oil or freshly-squeezed lemon juice, kefir water, and water. A daily shot is a powerful whole-body supplement with amazing antioxidant properties.” – CF

“This past weekend I finally made it to the movies to see Little Women. Even if you know Little Women, you don’t know it told this way. Taking a non-traditional format of playing with flashbacks, director Greta Gerwig’s directing is impeccable and the acting is beyond par. But Saoirse Ronan’s Jo March is truly awe-inspiring. If she wasn’t already your favorite, she will be now. I’m looking forward to another viewing before it leaves theaters.” – Sarah Dawson

“I’m super excited about the new shop Louise that’s open on Main Street. They have a variety of well-vetted CBD products to help with everything from anxiety to sleep issues (but they also have so much more!). Co-owner Heather Sieg shared that Yuyo Botanics 900mg PM helped a customer drop the sleeping pills, with nasty side effects, he’d been taking for several years. Pop into Louise and Heather and co-owner Ashley Florence can help you find the formula that’s right for you.”  – CF

We’re really loving the way this month has started here at TSG Nantucket with these blue skies, product releases, and knowing the holidays are coming! Here are a few of our top finds, from the new way to cook at home to the perfect way to start your holiday shopping

Lemon@Home is the NEW meal kit service on island. Lemon Press Nantucket does the hard work of the planning & prepping, shopping & chopping so that all you have to do is cook it and eat it! They provide delicious, health-conscious meals & recipes that take no longer than 20 mins to prepare. They are helping to save your money, food, and time so nothing goes to waste! All ingredients are sourced as locally & organic as possible and packaged in compostable containers, never packed in plastic. We love how they are convenient and perfect for when you’re having a busy week. It helps the wallet, the clock, and it can be just for busy you or for the whole family! Check out what meals they are serving next! 

Fall is in the air and the holidays are coming up. We think one of the best ways to impress your guests during the holidays is to up your tablescape game! Centre Pointe has you covered with their new pumpkin plates and table setting accessories. P.S. they will be having a ton of Christmas home decor too, not just fall!

Take the work out of the holidays with Current Vintage. They can create the cheese platter of your dreams for 4 or 40 (we suggest adding the truffle honey) and can help you to pair it with the perfect wines! Don’t believe us, head to one of their complimentary wine tastings!  Looking to treat your friend, sibling, mother, caretaker, or coworker this holiday season? Try a thoughtfully prepared gift basket of wine, cheese, and gourmet accouterments. It’s the perfect way to say thank you for being you! I mean, who doesn’t love a bottle of wine & cheese showing up to their doorsteps? We know we do! 

It’s never a bad idea to shop local! We’re loving the Nantucket Red Ticket Program where you get a red ticket for every $25 we spend at a participating store! On Christmas Eve, you gather all your tickets you’ve collected since November 1st and head to town to see if you won up to $11,000! View all participants here!

Get in the festive spirit with a few floral classes! Hafsa & Co is hosting a Holiday Wreath Workshop at Cisco Brewers on December 2 to help you deck out your home for the season! We love how each of these workshops focus on the education of local product and the application of the product! Alyssa Crocker, Cisco Brewer’s grower will harvest materials straight from the property and go over handling care, growing tips etc. Hafsa Lewis, owner of Hafsa and Co. will instruct you how to use them in beautiful floral designs. This workshop includes all materials and Cisco Brewers swag and you don’t need any experience! If you’re in Boston on December 3 or 4, you can join Hafsa & Co for two more of their workshops! Learn more or save your seat here!

“The Susan McAlister: Field Days is leaving Les Yeux du Monde on November 2 and it’s just a gorgeous show. Be sure to head out to Lyn’s gallery before it closes.” – Susie Matheson 📷: Susan McAlister, Cold AM Sunrise, 2018. Oil and mixed media on canvas, 40" x 40"

“I love following GardenVarietyDesign on Instagram and get so much inspiration from the designer Jeannette Whitson. I especially love the lamp shades she features and I went into The Shade Shop this week and spied the beauties pictured above they are in line with Whitson’s aesthetic. They’re stunning — and local!” –Christy Ford 

“I can’t get enough of these wool tees from Eloise. It’s the best base layer, but perfectly fashionable on its own.” – S.M.

 “After reading the book in college, I became re-obsessed with Handmaid’s Tale when it came out on Hulu. I have been eagerly awaiting Margaret Atwood’s follow up, The Testaments. The novel takes place 15 years after the first book and it does not disappoint. As a matter of fact, it just won the coveted Booker Prize, a literary prize awarded each year for the best original novel written in the English language and published in the United Kingdom. I could not put it down and it’s perfect for a cozy night in spent by the fireside.” – Sarah Dawson

“Everyone who knows Susie and me is aware of our serious knitting habit and Magpie Knits fuels our addiction. We recently held an event for our Scout Guide Charlottesville members and our friends at Natalie Dressed are equally obsessed, as evidenced by the photo of Cheryl above. But in all seriousness, this is such a wonderful activity during these colder months and I personally love the meditative aspect of it. I spend so much less time scrolling on my phone since I’ve taken up knitting.” – Christy Ford