come spy with me

spies like us

2013-11-05T14:48:00.000-05:00

It occurred to me just the other day that this blog, Come Spy With Me, has lingered here without an update or proper wrap up in well over a year. What a shame. We sure do get a ton of daily traffic and lots of reposting on pinterest. I suppose I am not really one to leave things hanging so today I thought I would put up a proper last post since the truth of the matter is that it is highly unlikely that anymore of our fun and fabulous updates will be taking place here. Though you should never say never! After closing up our shop it has taken us grasshopper girls a good couple of years to recover and re-find ourselves and yes, we have moved on to better things.

This past year has found me happily traveling quite a bit starting with a visit to San Francisco in February, a jaunt to Estonia in June, two weeks in Italy in July, a long summer weekend in Long Beach Island, NJ and a recent journey to New York City to visit my dear gal, Miss Tracy. Amidst the to and fro I have been penning The Peregrine Papers and stocking a handmade and vintage shop Forged and Found.

Spring 2013 found Tracy leaving Philadelphia behind for a second time in her life. This time landing in Brooklyn with her two tiny dogs and boyfriend in tow and carving out a new life with many new adventures. She is feathering her stellar new nest, finding new friends and busy with work. October was an opportunity for the two of us to get get together and finally reconnect. Having NYC and Brooklyn as our backdrop was so much fun. I can't wait to get back there.

Signing off for now friends!

Thanks for following and enjoying all of our curating.

It's been a blast...

adventures in thrifting

2012-03-13T11:19:00.003-04:00

Yesterday Miss Tracy & I crossed the old Delaware in search of vintage goods and a decent lunch. Our mission lead us to the New Jersey superstore Village Thrift conveniently located across the road from the infamous Pub restaurant. Sadly the store was crammed with mostly finds from the 90's up to more recently and the prices weren't exactly dirt cheap. But Monday appeared to be deal day and not only were most of the goods we purchased half off, but lunch was too! Turns out, Mondays at the Pub you can dine for 1/2 the price when you sit at the bar. So that we did and in the end we had ourselves a cheap and successful shopping day.

recapping february

2012-03-01T11:37:00.003-05:00

dear friends and followers! i just finished my recap of my month long adventure in dressing like each day was my last! you can read all about it here... ENJOY!

happy birthday

2012-02-14T15:45:00.000-05:00

to miss tracy!

last night we celebrated with a group of wonderful ladies, good food and fine spirits. cheers to a terrific year ahead!

all in or nothing

2012-02-06T09:17:00.000-05:00

This month I am in the midst of a challenge! Inspired by my friend and fellow blogger, Gillian, I have taken on the task of photo-documenting my outfit each day in February. For most bloggers out there this is a normal everyday occurrence but for me it honestly feels a bit strangely self indulgent and time consuming. Gillian's reason for doing the challenge was to force herself to utilize her wardrobe and stay creative even when feeling cold & lazy during the dregs of winter. Those are reasons I can get behind! And since starting this I have also noticed my dressing room is way more tidy and organized. Bonus! I plan on posting my entire challenge here on Come Spy With Me at some point by the end of this month. For now I will give you my first five days. If you would like to follow the both of us on this fashion journey you can do that here, at ALL IN. I am also working on a simultaneous photography challenge to this month that you can peek at on my other blog, The Peregrine Papers. Wish me luck!

ringing in the season

2011-12-06T13:48:00.001-05:00

Yes folks, it's that time of year again... the annual 700 Club awards! Also known as the first holiday party of the year. Miss Tracy even snagged herself an statue for the "Bright Eyes Award", acknowledging her capability of always brightening up a room.

cocktail hop

2011-11-29T12:57:00.001-05:00

Last night's wild adventure of 12 ladies, 5 bars and plenty of booze. Read all about The Fancy Ladies cocktail hop here.

tuesday night's soiree

2011-10-23T12:32:00.000-04:00

This past Tuesday night a dozen or so ladies came over to my home for a pleasant night out in the garden. What a lovely evening full of fun for all! I slow-cooked a pork shoulder and marinated a steak during the day while chopping loads of veggies for homemade salsa and toppings for the tacos that would be coming later. The shoulder was pulled apart and placed back in it's juices which were well spiced and fortified with some dry vermouth. I arranged fresh flowers, lit all the lanterns outback, set out black grapes, boursin cheese & a liver pate' and fired up the grill while waiting for the girls to arrive. I made a welcome cocktail for each guest served in a crystal teacup and named it The Painted Lady (see recipe below). Many bottles of wine were consumed and the soiree turned quite merry and even bawdy. The last of the lasses finished the night with a strong pot of English Breakfast tea spiked with Pimms. The food was delicious and enjoyed by all and I even have had leftovers for days. I have had so many texts of thanks from my good friends and just as many requests for another party soon. I hope we can have another before the season turns to cold!

The Painted Lady Cocktail

one ice cube

a crushed wedge of orange topped with

equal splash of ginger brandy and pomegranate soda

finish by topping off with Lillet Blanc

garden party

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

Tonight I will be hosting a garden party for the ladies in my gypsy den hideaway. Stay tuned later in the week for a recap of the evening. It will be a good one. For now here is a selection of inspiring photos for al fresco good times...

photos taken from

outdoor sanctuaries

gypsy purple home

nestdreaming

raise a glass

2011-10-07T11:23:00.000-04:00

it is the weekend after all...

i've got a bike you can ride it if you like

2011-09-08T14:45:00.004-04:00

Independent Woman

2011-07-04T12:11:00.008-04:00

Take Me Away

2011-06-02T16:13:00.004-04:00

Triple Threat

2011-04-18T13:38:00.009-04:00

Hello Spring

2011-04-11T10:45:00.005-04:00

portrait of a lady

2011-04-05T08:12:00.002-04:00

The shine of a crimson lip, the flick of liquid eyeliner, a perfectly placed chapeau, a nipped waist, a gleaming coiffed 'do, kitten heels dangling off delicate ankles. The softness of spring pairs magically with pastel palettes, hourglass silhouettes, and the flash of pale skin after a long chilly winter.

sparkle and shine

2011-04-01T08:08:00.001-04:00

rabbit rabbit and happy friday dear readers! and yay for the first day of april, which in my mind means spring! here's a bit of glitz to get you off on the good foot for the weekend! i myself will be attending one or more of the various first friday art gallery events that happen monthly in different locales throughout the city. i hope to include a review in an upcoming post!

Too Cool for School

2011-03-28T02:24:00.012-04:00

reflections on a gem

2011-03-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

I have always had a fascination with Elizabeth Taylor and have been a fan of her work. There is something about her that can be both mysterious and approachable, queenly yet down to earth. Throughout her life and career she seems to have been both a real professional and also known how to truly live life and have fun. I am especially fond of her during the 60's & 70's, aka The Burton Years. It was during that time she seemed most happy and did some of her most daring and interesting film work. Liz was a nurturer, great beauty, fashion icon, romantic, entrepreneur, and a woman of intelligence and strength. She is an all around inspiration. She may be missed but her memory and image will always live on.

bits & pieces

2011-03-23T14:24:00.006-04:00

Just a few shots of various collections we have been creating in my new house. Grouping things and collaging is fast becoming a favorite new thing of mine. I look forward to extending this into the garden!

Dark and Moody

2011-03-21T13:56:00.011-04:00

showgirls

2011-03-20T11:00:00.006-04:00

Last Sunday Tracy & I were lucky enough to score free tickets to the 2011 Philadelphia Flower Show for the second year in a row. So like last year we donned our prettiest floral dresses and started the day with a delicious brunch at Farmicia in Old City. You can't beat a brunch happy hour (1/2 price bubbly!) and local organic eats. When we had our fill we headed over to the Convention Center for the show. This year's theme was Springtime in Paris. While the displays were lovely and had me longing to be back in the City of Light, I think I preferred the more elaborate and conceptual pieces that were in the show the year before. Attending on the last day always has the benefit of getting the retail goods at super cheap prices and of course I could not pass up two bunches of fresh cut flowers and two giant hanging Boston Ferns. They are already looking super happy and healthy in my back patio. All that plant and flower arranging got me totally inspired to get my container garden cleaned up and ready for seeding & planting. Some of last year's plants & herbs are already coming back! Stay tuned for more garden updates...

feelin' it

2011-03-17T12:03:00.000-04:00

In the spirit of celebrating three years working on this blog I decided to reach back and bust out one of our regular features on CSWM, "feelin' it". It seems only appropriate to give a nod to the past when talking about Irina Werning. This woman is not only a fellow blogger but also an amazingly creative photographer. She just started a tumblr last year called Back To The Future as an ongoing project where she takes childhood (vintage) photographs and then proceeds to re-create the exact scene with the same person 10-20 years later. Since I am also fascinated by anything with a retro look, I feel a serious appreciation & kinship to this detail oriented lady. I hope she keeps it up. It would make an awesome coffee table book!

happy blogday!

2011-03-15T15:39:00.004-04:00

Today Come Spry With Me celebrates 3 years!
Thank you to all our followers old & new and all the other bloggers out there that continue to inspire us all the time. Here's to more posts, more good times, fun with style, getting lost in the world wide web and creating a special place for us to express ourselves!!!

bang up job

2011-02-23T17:46:00.011-05:00

I cut my bangs two months ago and right on time, I am starting to lament my chin-length sweep that stayed perfectly tucked back behind my ear. It's the story of my life. I can't make it through an entire year without cropping the front of my hair and it is usually a seasonal ritual happening anytime between September & January. And then I painfully grow them out. Then do it all over again. I can't help it. Bangs are just so full of attitude, so different, personalized, retro, modern, feminine, flattering & simultaneously girlish & sexy. It doesn't matter if they are sleek, short, covering your eyes, choppy, messy, paired with long or short hair--they frame a face and make the woman.