Sunday Guides, Valentine's Day

Enjoy our short video, “How to make a decorative Rose Petal Ice Bucket.”

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Valentine’s Day is the prettiest holiday with long stem red roses, white lace handmade cards, pinks & reds, hearts, sexy lingerie, Champagne, velvet boxes of chocolates tied with satin ribbon & of course love!

Valentines can be enjoyed many different ways. Whether curling up with a glass of champagne & a movie at home, dancing the night away with your besties in the prettiest party dresses,  a fun dinner with your children, candlelit dinners at a romantic restaurant-crystal coupes filled with rosé Champagne or having a quiet dinner at home with your lover!

This luxury edition includes some of our favorite romantic NYC, NJ & Denmark Copenhagen restaurants! From gorgeous dresses & sumptuous velvets to intoxicating rose scents, Paris House has it all in this Sunday Guides issue! We would like to thank our wonderful sponsors!

We are offering $10 off flower orders through February 14th!

Coming up in our March issue is Edinburgh Scotland.

Sunday Guides, Beginners Guide to Planting a Rose Garden

Enjoy our short video “Gardens Around the World”, which features gardens in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Canada, and England.

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Article Here :

Garden photographed at Pillar and Post, Niagara On The Lake, Canada

Winter is a wonderful time to begin dreaming up and planning a new garden. It is also a wonderful time to plan any updates to an existing garden. We recommend keeping a garden journal to docoument all of your ideas, dreams, plans and sketches. In this article we will share our decades long experience creating beautiful rose gardens. We would also like to thank our sponsors for being a part of this Sunday Guides issue!

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

We are often asked for tips on caring for, planting, and designing a rose garden. We have been growing roses for 30 years at our historic home in zone 6a Northeast New Jersey.

The Paris House Garden

There truly isn’t anything like a beautiful rose. Their sharp thorns are perhaps indicative of what’s to come. Like their thorns, they can torture you a bit with how much care goes into them. Don’t let that discourage you!  Gardeners are all too aware these beauties are high maintenance. Yet with all things we love & find fulfilling it is enjoyable & worth the effort. Once you successfully grow roses in your home garden you will be rewarded with their beauty & scent.

Some roses have the most enchanting scent, perfumed fragrance floating through the garden. Others bloom repeatedly if pruned regularly.

Then there are the ones that show up for a short time leaving us speechless with their beauty and then, just like that they are gone until next year. Gardeners can feel “both mortal and immortal in their garden” I can understand that sentiment, as the garden needs us as much as we need the garden.

The Paris House Garden

Some favorites Rose are:

Constance Spry by David Austin Roses, Eden, New Dawn, Gertrude Jekyll, Zephrine Drouhin

I could live a million Springs & that would still not be enough time in my Beloved Garden. We grow hundreds of roses in our New Jersey Garden. Follow our tips and you too can successfully have a rose garden.

I don’t take this responsibility lightly, I have a team helping me & we work hard keeping them healthy. We use our gardens for our companies photoshoots etc, so it needs to be “picture perfect” year round!

In this article we will focus on the “Beginners Guide To Planting A Rose Garden”

Our garden is situated on 5 acres and requires several people to maintain. So let’s start small here as to not overwhelm.

Before you get started chose a sunny spot and prepare your soil. Clear out grass, debris and weeds.

-Planting - dig hole twice as big as pot, plant at same level - usually those instructions are on every label.

-Dirt - 3 parts good garden soil, 1 part peat, maybe some rose tone,  fill hole to top of plant, water in and add more soil after first water cause original soil will settle. *** before planting gently loosen up the root ball so roots can thrive and add a layer of mulch to keep moisture in and weeds away.

-Some plants will be shipped bare root. Typically these are soaked in water before planting. Follow the directions in the box carefully or on the label very carefully

-make sure to water.

Ten Tips

1. Choose a sunny location & read the care instructions on your roses

2. Amend your soil with a rich compost - your garden center can help you with this.

3. Plant according to the instructions. Give your roses plenty of space.

4. Feed and water regularly

5. Spray to prevent black spots, do this in early spring before spots appear!!!

6. Remove Japanese beetles

7. Prune all dead canes each spring to prevent disease

8. Deadhead regularly to encourage healthy roses and encourage more flowers

9. Visit gardens for inspiration

10. Educate yourself on the different varieties of roses and their care

Rose Sources we love

The Paris House Garden, Constance Spry

David Austin Roses

Antique Rose Emporium

Heirloom Roses

Jackson & Perkins

Home Depot

Lowe’s

Local specialty gardens in our area Supplies

Country Mile Gardens, Morristown NJ, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart for pruners, shovels, organic sprays, miracle grow, garden gloves (get gloves that come up to your elbows to prevent thorns from cutting you)

The Paris House Garden, Zephrine Drouhin

Various types of roses (there are many we highly recommend reading garden & rose books to learn more)

Floribunda

Hybrid Tea

Climbers

Ramblers

Knockouts

Noisettes

The Paris House, Rose Allee

Garden Books & Magazines We love

The English Roses David Austin

Flower Magazine

Martha Stewart Gardening

Carolyne Roem

The Surprising Life Of Constance Spry

Niagara Park Botanical Gardens Niagara On The Lake Canada

Pillar and Post garden Niagara On The Lake Canada

Travel & Visit Gardens

Niagara On The Lakes Botanical Gardens

Gardens in The Cotswolds and throughout England

Giverny

New York Botanical Gardens

The Mount Lenox MA

And many more

Garnish a mocktail or cocktail with rose petals from your garden. Be sure to only use pesticide free!  We make a fresh raspberry/ strawberry purée from our gardens as the starting point!

BLUEBERRY SMASH RECIPE HERE

Thank you for visiting Paris House

xo

Michele

Deck The Halls

This weeks Sunday Guides is exclusively for our Newsletter Subscribers! And as always it is Complimentary!!

Happy Holidays

Sunday Guides, Istanbul Edition

Click to watch our Istanbul travel video.

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Sunday Guides, Saratoga Springs Edition

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Sunday Guide: Saratoga Springs, with Kids! By Jennifer Taber VanDerwerken

Beautiful Saratoga Springs, New York is often called “The Summer Place to Be”, when major tourist attractions like the Saratoga Race Course, the New York City Ballet summer residency, and Saratoga Performing Arts Center are in full swing, and beckoning to tourists from across the globe.

But Saratoga is just as vibrant and gorgeous in the fall, with bright bursts of foliage, temperate weather, and the always bustling downtown attractions ready to be enjoyed. Saratoga is also a wonderful place to call home for locals, and as such, offers plenty of recreation for families. 

Here’s a family-friendly guide to one of the prettiest little cities you’ll ever see, for the special time of year when New York puts on her golden colors, and shines in all her autumnal glory.

Where to Stay:

The Adelphi Hotel (365 Broadway)

This historic, boutique hotel isn't short on swank, but their welcoming attitude to kids (and pets!) and their premium location right on Broadway makes it a great place to stay for families. There are multiple suites available to accommodate families, and two great eateries located right inside the hotel.

The Gideon Putnam (24 Gideon Putnam Road)

Another historic gem, this hotel is located right inside Saratoga Spa State Park, which makes it perfect for the family who wants to walk out of the hotel and stroll right to geysers, creeks, natural spring water fountains, or The Automobile Museum.

Where to Eat:

For breakfast, you have a plethora of options at your disposal. You can sit down for scrumptious cinnamon roll pancakes at local favorite, Sweet Mimis (47 Phila Street), or grab a delicious bagel and coffee at Uncommon Grounds (402 Broadway) and take it to go. Triangle Diner (400 Maple Avenue) is also a perennial favorite, offering inventive, elevated takes on classic dishes, like eggs benedict, and BLTs. All of these spots are also open for lunch, and make great options for even the pickiest eater.

Any parent traveling with young kids knows that when the energy starts flagging, a little sweet treat can save the day. Saratoga has got you covered with Mrs. London’s (464 Broadway), a charming bakery offering patisseries, breads, cookies, and delicious coffees. Kilwin’s (420 Broadway) candy shop, which you can scout just by the delicious smell of their caramel apples, has gleaming cases filled with every kind of chocolate treat you can imagine, and wonderful ice cream too.

For dinner, Druther’s (381 Broadway) is always fun, with an accessible menu, outdoor seating, and a fun, casual vibe. Their macaroni and cheese is perhaps their signature dish, and what kid doesn’t love that? Forno (541 Broadway) is a great spot for delicious Italian food, and if the weather is with you, their porch is a perfect spot to people-watch while you dine.

The Brook Tavern is a warm and charming restaurant, just a quick stroll from the bustle of downtown and located in a picturesque neighborhood of sprawling Victorian homes.

The Wishing Well, open since 1936, is a favorite of locals and a great spot to make special family memories on your visit.

Where to Shop:

Because Saratoga is such a family-friendly community, there is no shortage of children’s stores to browse or pick up that special souvenir. Lex and Cleo (454 Broadway, unit 2) is a charming shop with a high-end selection of beautiful clothes, stuffed animals, and toys. G. Wiliker’s (461 Broadway) is a consummate old-fashioned toy store, with incredible year-round window displays and everything from the most classic games to trendy toys. And Northshire Bookstore (424 Broadway), one of the most popular independent bookstores in the northeast, has an entire second floor dedicated to the wonderful world of children’s books. The staff is knowledgeable and kind, and they often host children’s reading events and activities.

Things to Do:

Upstate New York is apple country, and if you’d like to head to an orchard to pick your own while visiting, you’ll find plenty of options in Saratoga County and beyond. Saratoga Apple (1174 Route 29, Schuylerville) is a favorite among locals. 

The Children’s Museum at Saratoga (65 South Broadway) is a lovely little museum design for children aged 7 and younger, and houses excellent hands-on exhibits to delight your child’s imagination.

Beautiful Congress Park (320 Broadway), located right on Broadway with all of the shops and restaurants, is home to a historic wooden carousel, which you can ride for just $1.00. Go for a spin on weekends in the fall, from 11 AM to 6 PM. And don’t miss the Congress Park ducks who’ll likely approach you looking for a treat! Yaddo (312 Union Avenue) is a world-famous artist’s retreat, and their gorgeous manicured gardens are open to the public. This past summer, they installed the Yaddo Reads Lending Library for young readers where you can take or leave a book. Take a stroll through the garden and a peek at the koi fish in the multiple fountains. It’s also the perfect place for a picnic.

Saratoga is famed for its mineral springs, which the Victorians believed could cure almost any ailment. There are active springs and drinking fountains throughout the city, some flowing with crystal clear water, others with slightly fizzy, highly mineralized waters. Children will love getting to taste test the assorted fountains for those that are fresh and appetizing, and those that you can smell from a few feet away. Here’s a great guide to finding them: https://www.saratoga.com/things-to-do/springs/

Jennifer Taber VanDerwerken is a freelance writer based in Upstate New York. Her work has appeared in the The Beekman 1802 Almanac, Scary Mommy, Motherly, Design Mom, Grown and Flown, and Mini City Magazine. Jennifer loves writing about parenting, food, travel, books, and the people and places that make upstate home. You can reach her on Instagram @wecangohomeagain or at her website: jennifertabervanderwerken.com.

Sunday Guides, Fall Foliage Edition

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Thank you to our wonderful sponsors!

We have a fabulous 20 minute Fall Foliage episode. It features hotels in the Adirondacks, Montreal Canada, Fun Fall things to do with the family ( best cider donuts ever! Candy witches, & cozy hayrides too & more) And to watch our fall foliage show in its entirety please visit via link & use code MICHELE10

to advertise in Sunday Guides please email michele@theparishouse.com

Sunday Guides comes out 1-4 times a month

Upcoming Editions: Saratoga Springs & Istanbul Turkey

Article by, Michele Rosenthal Editor

We have a gorgeous 20 minute exclusive Fall Foliage Show on Joie de Vivre Network

We love every season of the year. However, there is something poetic about Fall Foliage in the Adirondacks, New England and Canada. There is a reason people travel from around the World to visit during the Autumn months. Having grown up in Upstate New York, close to the Vermont border, was the most idyllic childhood. The scent of Cider Donuts, Apple orchards, Hot Cider and more perfumed the air. I still can’t believe how lucky I was to be surrounded by this beauty my entire life, and it never ever gets old.  The mild sunny days enhance the brilliant colors of the Foliage, shimmering onto lakes, rivers and ocean. Evenings are cozy, bundled up in chunky sweaters, wrapped in plaid Pendleton blankets and Fall Fashions on moonlit hay rides.  Sitting by the outdoor fireplace, sipping hot mulled cider spiked with a little Bourbon remains one of my favorite things to do.

To watch our Fall Foliage Video please link here & use coupon michele10

Fashion

If you are Looking for some pretty dresses on sale, you have come to the right place! We have them linked here and on our LTK page. Perhaps you are interested in Fall fashion, we linked some of our favorites from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. A perfect time to add to & update your Fall wardrobe with some fun pieces, classic pieces & chic pieces. Tap onto the photos to view & shop. We also do both in-person-fashion-styling & shopping and virtual to help you build the perfect wardrobe, shop for a special event, and all of your fashion needs.