Hello! Welcome to my Five Faves with Annie and Cindy. It includes some cool new home accessories with texture at Pottery Barn, a flavorful white bean soup, a good book and more!
I’m writing this in the Jacksonville, FL airport. I was here to inspect another second home and this time it went well. Expect some updates next month. Our friends, Mercedes and Mark let me stay with them and Mercedes always has great ideas…some of which are in this post!!
1. Creamy White Bean Weeknight Dinner
Mercedes lives in the friendly neighborhood of Atlantic Beach, Florida. She and her friends have a new tradition of taking turns making a simple dinner on Tuesday nights and sharing it with each other. The key is to make it simple as in no stress.
Mercedes made this Creamy White Bean Dish With Herb Oil from The New York Times. It was a hit! She served it with a simple green salad and crusty bread.
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2. Home Accessories With Texture – New From Pottery Barn
When I take Chief on a long walk down Chestnut Street here in San Francisco, I like to occasionally pop into Pottery Barn to see what’s new. And I’m loving the new accessories that they are showing like these cool wooden candlesticks…
And the earthenware jugs and vases like the terracotta and basket ones.
These are realistic succulents…
3. Smart Clock and Light Bulb ($36)
I’ve mentioned before that I wanted the smart clock that my son has…and it arrived. Tommy set it up for me so that when I say “Hey, Google, good night” it tells me the next day’s weather and says “Good night, Mary Ann. Your family loves you.” (His idea). And then plays the sound of ocean waves for an hour while I drift off. So I like that!
But what I wasn’t expecting to like so much is the smart bulb that came with the clock! You can set it on a timer and adjust the warmth/coolness…even change the color if you want!
Here is the warmth I selected and it turns off at bedtime.
4. What To Read/Listen To: Vanderbilt The Rise And Fall Of An American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper
This is interesting to listen to (read by Anderson Cooper) especially after visiting their mansions in Newport, RI.
5. No Excuse To Have Dirty Eyeglasses!
Mercedes gave me one of these great Zeiss Lens wipes…and I ordered a box for myself. Convenient to have in your purse, car, on your desk, etc.
They really work! Those are my Five Faves this week! On Thursday, I am showing some fun “Galentine’s Day” ideas with creative bloggers. Please come back!
If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Cindy Hattersley Design
Most Lovely Things
Mary Ann! House news … this is so exciting and I cannot wait to hear more. Your clock is awesome and must make you smile each night to receive such a beautiful message. That’s a good son you’ve got. I’m going to show the clock to Jim who never met a new gadget he didn’t want and need. Great looking things at Pottery Barn, good reminder to swing by there. Looking forward to your Galentine’s Day inspiration! xo
Hi Mary Ann,
Fun things here! That clock sounds great! I don’t have my phone or any Wi-Fi devices in the bedroom, and right now my clock is an ancient electric analog one from the 70’s (still works!) But I think something a little more modern and less bulky is a better way to go!
The soup sounds delicious, also can’t wait to hear about your second home! Super fun for you guys!
Xo Heidi
Mary
How exciting it is to have a second home. It will be fun to make discoveries, restaurants, unique shops, not to mention cultural places to visit. I want to read the Vanderbilt book. I just finished The Maid by Nita Prose, so I’m ready to start a new book. Thanks to you three talented ladies. I always find some great ideas.
Karen B.
We have a few things in common. I live in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl and just finished reading Anderson Cooper’s book. Now I’m watching The Gilded Age on HBO. I was born in Newport,RI so I’ve always been fascinated by that time in history … and my son and DIL both graduated from Vanderbilt Univ! I’m new to your blog so I’m wondering how you came to Atlantic Beach? Need any information from a”local?”
So interesting, Karen. My husband went to UF and we have friends there. I want to watch the Gilded Age tonight!
All of these Five Favs are great. The bean dish sounds delicious and pottery barn does have really wonderful accessory pieces for the home. Love Anderson Cooper and have added his book to my list. But that smart light bulb has me excited. I have a thing about the color of bulbs and this is the perfect solution. Thanks for always sharing the best products.
That clock sounds amazing! So much better than trying to find your phone to find out what time it is. I love Anderson Cooper must check that out. Your Sunday faves are always so on point!
Yes, Cindy and the clock is dim at night but you can still see it.
Lovely reading thank you! I am going to make the soup and read the book joy:) Happy week Mary Ann 🙂
I want to make the soup too, Francesca!
I just bought the alarm clock for my husband for Valentine’s Day. (I’m such a romantic!) 😂 Thanks for the idea – he will love it!
Ha! Well, you should program it to say “You are the best husband in the world.”
So much new technology! Love the ocean sound idea! And the eyeglass wipes! It would be nice not to carry a little bottle of cleaner in my purse. I hate smudgy glasses! Pottery Barn is one of favorites places on earth. Their pillows are the best. Unfortunately,my dog likes them too! Ha! I look forward to your posts every week! Have a wonderful week!
You will like the wipes, Marcia!
I just started reading Anderson Cooper’s book. Interesting you mentioned it. We visited the Biltmore Estate some years ago. Can’t wait to read the inside story.
There is A LOT of excess spending, Susan.
Crossing my fingers for the FL house!!!
Thank you!
Love your lamps and lamp shades. Is it possible to share the source or similar?
I look forward to your Sunday posts with Cindy and Annie😊
The striped one is from Cruel Mountain Designs on Instagram. Thanks! Check out Restoration Hardware for drum shades too.
Mary Ann! Excited to hear more about the Atlantic Beach House. What a fun idea to have Tuesday night dinners with friends. It must make the week fly by after having something social midweek!
I love that clock and light bulb from Tommy! How sweet to set it up with a message.
I just ordered a box of those eyeglass wipes…thanks!!
You always find the good stuff!
Thanks, Annie. You will like those wipes!