Terrific New Buys at Wisteria!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HqBJ-7yGqTMb6fbqfVX07J0N0i6P6AXRYl8J5YFRh-MSOWEuCXdDiM-QmOyAvdmNDsJYaPuThFpf4DPXHxr7LvYz4eVPa68b5dnmaOOiSzTmuH-kYBOU7khw6uprjFYNAugesj0jnqur/s1600-h/wisteria.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445513166146343538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HqBJ-7yGqTMb6fbqfVX07J0N0i6P6AXRYl8J5YFRh-MSOWEuCXdDiM-QmOyAvdmNDsJYaPuThFpf4DPXHxr7LvYz4eVPa68b5dnmaOOiSzTmuH-kYBOU7khw6uprjFYNAugesj0jnqur/s640/wisteria.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Wisteria has some new offerings in their spring catalog and I was really surprised by the great pricing. The first that caught me eye is their handpainted <a href="http://www.wisteria.com/Handpainted-Balustrade-Console-New/productinfo/W3937">Balustrade console table </a>- for $179 plus $75 shipping surcharge. Love the demilune shape and the fact that it's only 15 1/4" deep. At this price, you could justify spray painting it a new color if you wanted - maybe a chinese red or peacock blue?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNM23Y3dtYWOwprNzl9wnY79XwB2JK-GHWH65xutVDrdXh3R-XmV6l-8okG_oC1IqmnknZ2o64EYMewSAdmLMYk62qSrzdi34ZkNaMwG4_nQKAtOzzFh051WWWUR6zIHzgd6IBFNEmdNWU/s1600-h/wisteria2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445514906553338226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNM23Y3dtYWOwprNzl9wnY79XwB2JK-GHWH65xutVDrdXh3R-XmV6l-8okG_oC1IqmnknZ2o64EYMewSAdmLMYk62qSrzdi34ZkNaMwG4_nQKAtOzzFh051WWWUR6zIHzgd6IBFNEmdNWU/s400/wisteria2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>The next is their <a href="http://www.wisteria.com/Tiered-Metal-Garden-Stand-New/productinfo/W3941">Tiered Metal Garden Stand </a>for $149. It's 80" tall - so glad they didn't skimp on the height because it allows you to use it as a real focus point.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmyHGWQerZw0QvjmDKm_ujxFB0m3MNxnJrmebJY8ESM6D2oZDl2BME7tfcy-oETfi7IkQTvll2Fby1ARzndIdMw-eJWVLivitgSsO6HMedIkH38NaJRAWS2o8irDq_WYXv76FvkIbFAep/s1600-h/W3949a-large.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445516481913460450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmyHGWQerZw0QvjmDKm_ujxFB0m3MNxnJrmebJY8ESM6D2oZDl2BME7tfcy-oETfi7IkQTvll2Fby1ARzndIdMw-eJWVLivitgSsO6HMedIkH38NaJRAWS2o8irDq_WYXv76FvkIbFAep/s400/W3949a-large.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Finally, their new <a href="http://www.wisteria.com/German-Silver-Etched-Square-Coffee-Table-New/productinfo/W3949">German Silver Etched Square Coffee table</a> for $279 plus $25 shipping surcharge. I think this table has alot of character - more of what you'd find at an estate sale as opposed to a catalog. Wisteria never seems to disappoint!

Terrific New Buys at Wisteria!

Wisteria has some new offerings in their spring catalog and I was really surprised by the great pricing. The first that caught me eye is the...

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Chicago's Michael Del Piero

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ39Q1xgDH7xIKRHtvw7JmxMsX37iCw1Yekjb4CJer_6ZbnTrcT2nmXY8KXBH-pPgSWRG5Dhk-zChX0ex0OFYma6Q1Mobmj4qfkEf1NyFiYvogKgYvVvbDj7KiKqJCCZ92cwdMsHVhazjS/s1600-h/Buddha_desk.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444417572014710178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ39Q1xgDH7xIKRHtvw7JmxMsX37iCw1Yekjb4CJer_6ZbnTrcT2nmXY8KXBH-pPgSWRG5Dhk-zChX0ex0OFYma6Q1Mobmj4qfkEf1NyFiYvogKgYvVvbDj7KiKqJCCZ92cwdMsHVhazjS/s640/Buddha_desk.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>I was very happy to be introduced to the work of Chicago designer <a href="http://www.michaeldelpiero.com/">Michael Del Piero</a>. I find I'm often attracted to interiors that have an unexpected twist to them and love the eclectic mix of elements and the contrast of textures in her work. I think the styling of this secretary is perfection - love the bit of blue painted finish that shows off to the left side.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvOIVVCMkkkXPb9c605n3A3mUoHdzA4hxuiiN-7DG0qT9ltkjigh8cGV3ad30GAkeXe8gSIPj4fDR_Uuah2Cs2krcqhPXl3nY7sdpWWZlfHuYP36pK70TvZmdVv2cnjHrVA3Wxr8WZJIb/s1600-h/delpiero1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444417418848961042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvOIVVCMkkkXPb9c605n3A3mUoHdzA4hxuiiN-7DG0qT9ltkjigh8cGV3ad30GAkeXe8gSIPj4fDR_Uuah2Cs2krcqhPXl3nY7sdpWWZlfHuYP36pK70TvZmdVv2cnjHrVA3Wxr8WZJIb/s640/delpiero1.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyJloeVjNVo8GdtirbbFWm_uSmLNrmpHIPQ5VM7CuG-EksTdk2eO11zH-7MnLZ3btLijF_Dz_gDjMFbR1go7uBcTNCUwY3RyMwbW7Elsam2U9qU3JpzwsRUdlKY0PPutNY-d-fcwSmdjX/s1600-h/delpiero5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444417240032999122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyJloeVjNVo8GdtirbbFWm_uSmLNrmpHIPQ5VM7CuG-EksTdk2eO11zH-7MnLZ3btLijF_Dz_gDjMFbR1go7uBcTNCUwY3RyMwbW7Elsam2U9qU3JpzwsRUdlKY0PPutNY-d-fcwSmdjX/s640/delpiero5.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a> The artwork over this secretary is a perfect complement to this nook by the stairs.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAL_2kn_jCu3K9kRM3EkIwS_ajWg2lfOJHHv01sz2s4uWyg2YxDu8eZIryyzP2FomXrlyjzv_l4DjKV3TWWx2YgYSLp02ttUbzgUJcxHAzP5Grx9sSxQDgL_PkFZPzc0AvekQMGP0BxxI/s1600-h/delpiero6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444416962214322994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAL_2kn_jCu3K9kRM3EkIwS_ajWg2lfOJHHv01sz2s4uWyg2YxDu8eZIryyzP2FomXrlyjzv_l4DjKV3TWWx2YgYSLp02ttUbzgUJcxHAzP5Grx9sSxQDgL_PkFZPzc0AvekQMGP0BxxI/s640/delpiero6.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Looking more closely at this room, I noticed the different shapes in the legs of the coffee table, stools and chairs and how well they play off each other and add interest to this very calm and relaxing space.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdOSc2VsgmFjmFNSqu4nZcLCByzBD_yrot6XBUnezIAkxSVNCiH5Wnv9dYHbsU0El23lvpxDtlKKPZ8SKFojx2qBxv11bv3_-hOJxH21emf_joabYFgKc1UPy24V9np1BX_ctXUY8Blnr/s1600-h/wilmette4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444420001672535650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdOSc2VsgmFjmFNSqu4nZcLCByzBD_yrot6XBUnezIAkxSVNCiH5Wnv9dYHbsU0El23lvpxDtlKKPZ8SKFojx2qBxv11bv3_-hOJxH21emf_joabYFgKc1UPy24V9np1BX_ctXUY8Blnr/s640/wilmette4.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Vk0kZ4BkfW0fNBKeXfN4Bxh0wQh2unuA2ug90uGC5zjJX9lrAhljHwxwe-pqc-RF-pJhH1QAz21sAM5B1VtosMb6XBqY-e10NQ7o-O1R4bz0du2IsqjV3gDrHSAedWPwopexnRz9xsch/s1600-h/delpiero3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444416873397163522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Vk0kZ4BkfW0fNBKeXfN4Bxh0wQh2unuA2ug90uGC5zjJX9lrAhljHwxwe-pqc-RF-pJhH1QAz21sAM5B1VtosMb6XBqY-e10NQ7o-O1R4bz0du2IsqjV3gDrHSAedWPwopexnRz9xsch/s640/delpiero3.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPYJcd8qAs0GsD9xBLvQybSTll8gr7GQvGv1Ue8L-iGn89lgPVLppAczQ52vE4gfGLtv6e94P4AhbA3ajcHy_YPXait5VPshO7nbvyRtgdHDjQ0gqoj3SqV8n4D5Hvue5XgXUUrphu4zj/s1600-h/delpiero4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444416625319539922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPYJcd8qAs0GsD9xBLvQybSTll8gr7GQvGv1Ue8L-iGn89lgPVLppAczQ52vE4gfGLtv6e94P4AhbA3ajcHy_YPXait5VPshO7nbvyRtgdHDjQ0gqoj3SqV8n4D5Hvue5XgXUUrphu4zj/s640/delpiero4.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a> The oversized floral arrangment on the tray really stands out to me. Love all the accent pieces - they add a lot of warmth and patina to the space. Great chairs too!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xcTkFoTcgEj5g7rkuZ4Xd8zi5eRZlw4sTSJ6sTeyk4w5PY490b2pPDkp4qwVBV-g6ZPMTZz8u5EUiEApCL67wQZyRZOwkZs3oW8Wwr3OPBrvDWulu36Usm52Br0QD-1Cp0Vkob4el-FT/s1600-h/delpiero7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444416151303511618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xcTkFoTcgEj5g7rkuZ4Xd8zi5eRZlw4sTSJ6sTeyk4w5PY490b2pPDkp4qwVBV-g6ZPMTZz8u5EUiEApCL67wQZyRZOwkZs3oW8Wwr3OPBrvDWulu36Usm52Br0QD-1Cp0Vkob4el-FT/s640/delpiero7.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Isn't this kitchen fabulous! Love the choice of the narrow table and the random, but so well placed, arrangement of plates. They really make this space.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8s5Z-Ju8pq0c08gQnVlhNnH6Q_zgiobMDGFe3RZ8jmvLeb8w4ukWKCNRqWw-ILoYeWBeDD6xSv45DdCrrbYLfGRM8Lx-MunsjOAP6-gLjJl9oSJKenMGwZIEye8mxIAtJOTklJixS0Hly/s1600-h/delpiero8.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444416089633911746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8s5Z-Ju8pq0c08gQnVlhNnH6Q_zgiobMDGFe3RZ8jmvLeb8w4ukWKCNRqWw-ILoYeWBeDD6xSv45DdCrrbYLfGRM8Lx-MunsjOAP6-gLjJl9oSJKenMGwZIEye8mxIAtJOTklJixS0Hly/s400/delpiero8.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuOAxZdpzXJU-Qc1KpAzzU9IH3xdNQW2rrj63JHQpGi9HBS13vkVU2pEH7GdFRi9Y9b67v5TMz9VI1JC7EA3n8kuF5Gg9zk3XnvYnR1gWrhieEbwjkLFE5pIcYG8g_alXc6zIIH-5xVui/s1600-h/shop_6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444416012671150354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuOAxZdpzXJU-Qc1KpAzzU9IH3xdNQW2rrj63JHQpGi9HBS13vkVU2pEH7GdFRi9Y9b67v5TMz9VI1JC7EA3n8kuF5Gg9zk3XnvYnR1gWrhieEbwjkLFE5pIcYG8g_alXc6zIIH-5xVui/s400/shop_6.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Some good news -Michael also owns the <a href="http://www.michaeldelpiero.com/showroom.htm">Good Design Studio and Home Furnishings Boutique </a>located at 1914 N. Damen Avenue in Chicago where she offers accessories, lighting and furniture. My favorite piece in her collection right now is a pair of antique French polished <a href="http://www.michaeldelpiero.com/boutique/detail/furniture_AntiqueFrenchChairs.htm">iron chairs</a>. I'm going to be in Chicago in June for business and am definitely putting her store on my must-visit list.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhE1ggRmavYIpHFeU8BT47MPYvo6UMvfsFRn3VENrBr_wCrKTYeiCYj2FPw_HVe653A13sRYdPwBPtR8OzB-I9e1s4la9i02DVTyWdM0JGstwGRQ_DhNATRRi7fLhV3HfUSEpGx_Q6KOrs/s1600-h/AntiqueFrenchSeats_pair.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444424787502318930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhE1ggRmavYIpHFeU8BT47MPYvo6UMvfsFRn3VENrBr_wCrKTYeiCYj2FPw_HVe653A13sRYdPwBPtR8OzB-I9e1s4la9i02DVTyWdM0JGstwGRQ_DhNATRRi7fLhV3HfUSEpGx_Q6KOrs/s400/AntiqueFrenchSeats_pair.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 376px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <span style="color:#333333;">(photography by Janet Mesic Mackie)</span>

Chicago's Michael Del Piero

I was very happy to be introduced to the work of Chicago designer Michael Del Piero . I find I'm often attracted to interiors that have ...

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Manuel Canovas in St John USVI

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz2ffld9ajKsR7R2TF7mzdwTZv-FLOTlqNKCVmHIPsAoxr7XlnzNYEi2Gg_WtrDWmMuNCQPe3PaLNJ7h3jQo358aUxBkIt-SXAlIgqtOuxw28VLgKGwfIGayREvsRzDjwBkMz7dkApIcU/s1600-h/5stjohn.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444043964229046866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz2ffld9ajKsR7R2TF7mzdwTZv-FLOTlqNKCVmHIPsAoxr7XlnzNYEi2Gg_WtrDWmMuNCQPe3PaLNJ7h3jQo358aUxBkIt-SXAlIgqtOuxw28VLgKGwfIGayREvsRzDjwBkMz7dkApIcU/s640/5stjohn.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Back from a week in St. John USVI and I'm still on island time. We've been going there for 20 years and it's our family's all time favorite place. Here I am stalking a villa set back from the edge of Gibney Beach. Would have loved to have seen the inside of this gorgeous stone home with its arched doors and windows.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5adsLWiWqbyXlmNL8Voze5jSRIlEjsPvuq9uqXgUEV4aFtXgSJAf8UDZtfb4noVY3bRfrbopMnri7uqwprwewB6W6JomsxNK5RSpDXZU7BvLr1hou-dKFtF7Ftq-Hl52-19sGOCjwx5b/s1600-h/3stjohn.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444043199572892034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5adsLWiWqbyXlmNL8Voze5jSRIlEjsPvuq9uqXgUEV4aFtXgSJAf8UDZtfb4noVY3bRfrbopMnri7uqwprwewB6W6JomsxNK5RSpDXZU7BvLr1hou-dKFtF7Ftq-Hl52-19sGOCjwx5b/s640/3stjohn.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a> But back to this post title - there isn't a huge design scene on the island but I did come across these Manuel Canovas beach dresses. At $310 they were more than I would spend but..if they had been pillows... that would have been a different story!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EyhngFHyvEqnH8vXZRgBCnglVn7Arzvkb_3fE0YD67J4apvySJV6jssqn5kfOjvVLdCGYCMH2UozTb9GAfFOM4spA3f4NhdNazP4ujEkc7htctqqtIFliut6ZuxVeJ90GNgjC0Oc4ncO/s1600-h/2stjohn.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444043113519280498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EyhngFHyvEqnH8vXZRgBCnglVn7Arzvkb_3fE0YD67J4apvySJV6jssqn5kfOjvVLdCGYCMH2UozTb9GAfFOM4spA3f4NhdNazP4ujEkc7htctqqtIFliut6ZuxVeJ90GNgjC0Oc4ncO/s640/2stjohn.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOglvQnnjiXfT0MWsptCxU9aJcXWNBat-fSUcDTU30QQ4QIdS7bI2EdwF01-_CAZX5n9KGEmTEapdN6rBqkrNR0bo7hMBenpKU-Dw8Palc-06FFBCZJyzBIiBgBgjcwRGjggkXtxZQfeD/s1600-h/1stjohn.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444043034496451954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOglvQnnjiXfT0MWsptCxU9aJcXWNBat-fSUcDTU30QQ4QIdS7bI2EdwF01-_CAZX5n9KGEmTEapdN6rBqkrNR0bo7hMBenpKU-Dw8Palc-06FFBCZJyzBIiBgBgjcwRGjggkXtxZQfeD/s640/1stjohn.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5sqBgNBL8p0L1d3LaQaw0POnGuna5D_asMH2MF2bFau8UKvhU6mSfXMM54gcefjfKFKe45WidoAEyA8WOqJgNEY2asnGs1D-TRD0mSFKU5k7fe4Io1pOab9L7huamhPfaKdUd5ygdKE0/s1600-h/StJohn2010+002.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444042866976176786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5sqBgNBL8p0L1d3LaQaw0POnGuna5D_asMH2MF2bFau8UKvhU6mSfXMM54gcefjfKFKe45WidoAEyA8WOqJgNEY2asnGs1D-TRD0mSFKU5k7fe4Io1pOab9L7huamhPfaKdUd5ygdKE0/s400/StJohn2010+002.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Another cottage on Gibney Beach. I couldn't get a great photo of this one but did find the <a href="http://www.gibneybeachvillas.com/">cottage's website </a>and the pic below.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBm746Zt-TLVhr3AQZMVlVq3SzNmVkNuyd6rs6vdeZFKo7hT3QCp_0r2utsmMZPfeTIY7GkhaH6R78S8wisdgMRK0zpvXDhcQfAb91GCnpw7zt_eJbco2ThmH0Sobv0ZzTkxcFGTJxIsc/s1600-h/gibney.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444042700138294354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBm746Zt-TLVhr3AQZMVlVq3SzNmVkNuyd6rs6vdeZFKo7hT3QCp_0r2utsmMZPfeTIY7GkhaH6R78S8wisdgMRK0zpvXDhcQfAb91GCnpw7zt_eJbco2ThmH0Sobv0ZzTkxcFGTJxIsc/s640/gibney.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMPE5iumu2iGXKG-WmFDie-_myix_2OlaLFYcX3bl3dFzGt_qwsRlfYRS7h1Rjbyn12VH_BFepjZczQmkUcVwv6gyqZ26NuqS4ZUGhwwuIwexkDeJOer-1XGeKRbui4DsqZ28zXcYPRcD/s1600-h/StJohn2010+035.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444046368273055506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMPE5iumu2iGXKG-WmFDie-_myix_2OlaLFYcX3bl3dFzGt_qwsRlfYRS7h1Rjbyn12VH_BFepjZczQmkUcVwv6gyqZ26NuqS4ZUGhwwuIwexkDeJOer-1XGeKRbui4DsqZ28zXcYPRcD/s640/StJohn2010+035.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Here's the view from where I stayed the first 3 nights before my husband and kids could join me on the trip - a cute little eco-tent cottage in <a href="http://www.maho.org/">Maho Bay</a>. Usually we rent a house but I didn't want to be completely alone (there's 114 tents at Maho) so this was a great solution.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UsODWdVF3913NqErTlfaipaBNbsDT8uTKkQHpoVNag3uGZTZuDiJLeScilJhxBodSRZBovl3CwWnm7lErbXHSHtWY8yXCsP8-rL76bxPPXdzkMT4bRRkzWDwc6BN5DvmjutckWUUdFIR/s1600-h/StJohn2010+043.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444046504346690722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UsODWdVF3913NqErTlfaipaBNbsDT8uTKkQHpoVNag3uGZTZuDiJLeScilJhxBodSRZBovl3CwWnm7lErbXHSHtWY8yXCsP8-rL76bxPPXdzkMT4bRRkzWDwc6BN5DvmjutckWUUdFIR/s400/StJohn2010+043.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6VxWVT90D4zssnA6HtpavY5chj67EDwnswIrqBf2dPH1w6okhvLVODXgn7M-qiAC0idQACcfHJZJSAGvq_P10OyIhYO7YHZjsTiaVXUgGeLJQMKKZWGDiuizUnqMmlbBbqfZiJsP8T2Y/s1600-h/8TuffMiles-logo.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444041930449371058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6VxWVT90D4zssnA6HtpavY5chj67EDwnswIrqBf2dPH1w6okhvLVODXgn7M-qiAC0idQACcfHJZJSAGvq_P10OyIhYO7YHZjsTiaVXUgGeLJQMKKZWGDiuizUnqMmlbBbqfZiJsP8T2Y/s400/8TuffMiles-logo.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 174px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>This year my son and husband wanted to run the <a href="http://www.8tuffmiles.com/">8 Tuff Miles</a> race to celebrate Ryan's 16th birthday. <span style="color:#006600;">Congratulations to Ryan - he was 1st in his age category</span> with a time of 1:07:10, 32nd male finisher overall and he won an $800 scholarship to the college of his choice! My husband didn't do too bad either - second in the 45 - 49 age category with a 1:13:48.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444042176479870658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQnTkT5LwgWT-ijvc1JaIZWyjOew5np8AOVQ3ZiOivVS4XJIViZ9RLliGIhXOUIbWjnZWwvdSL9kfSZV1mVv0qhCKwI0514T-kgL5Pazk6eDIcbaS7qyVITb6YRQsSZete1KQyBc4mMec/s400/8tuffmiles.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 119px; CURSOR: hand" />This race is accurately named - they go up to an elevation of 999 feet.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuzmu33L8iiYVHiM0_lRFjt12lRNchm7tINmx-d936PP44lZOZ8RyS_H3L6JBljMlZCgqEvMsyydiZNPuiaMX8e9WaXpyw9btahZ6VyPM7ZbWegElQHnDvlNzwOV5HSUGMvB6S2bQYvXV/s1600-h/8tuffmilesview.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444041770521297986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuzmu33L8iiYVHiM0_lRFjt12lRNchm7tINmx-d936PP44lZOZ8RyS_H3L6JBljMlZCgqEvMsyydiZNPuiaMX8e9WaXpyw9btahZ6VyPM7ZbWegElQHnDvlNzwOV5HSUGMvB6S2bQYvXV/s400/8tuffmilesview.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Missing St John already - but I'll be back to regular blogging tomorrow.

Manuel Canovas in St John USVI

Back from a week in St. John USVI and I'm still on island time. We've been going there for 20 years and it's our family's al...

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