Mixed media mermaids by Laurie Beth Giacumbo

Who wouldn't want one of these sparkly, sassy mermaids hanging on their wall? Upbeat and whimsical, each features a saucily boozy element, whether it's a glistening martini in "Dinner is Poured" or a festive bottle of chardonnay in "Wedding Day".

The mermaids are the brainchild of artist Laurie Beth Giacumbo (just "Beth" to her friends). Born and raised at the Jersey Shore, Laurie was taking art lessons at an early age. A course in Collage for Fashion Merchandising led to a career as a bartender (go figure), but her love for art endured even while she was busy slinging drinks. After moving in to a townhouse on the beach with her wonderfully encouraging husband, she started painting everything - floors, walls, and furniture - and mermaids turned out to be a recurring theme. As Laurie puts it, "They're happy, silly, and lots of fun."

Laurie's sea sirens are crafted from paper, paint, pastels, die cuts, and glitter (ALWAYS lots of glitter). As Beth says: "they're made with love and laughter, and frequently a glass of merlot!"

Pick your favorite and give her a home in your bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom. Click the links below to see them all:
- "Cheers"

- "Dinner is Poured"

- "Wedding Day"

- "Cindy"

- "Sunny"

- "Got Wine"

Stellarocco T-shirts: your prettiest summer fashion essential

A great tee can be hard to find, but these ones by Stellarocco (newly arrived at The Pink Pig) are just right! We love the girly-zen feel of their designs and their body-conscious shapes. They’re 100% cotton, so they’re totally breathable, too. Perfect for layering on those summer nights when you’re off to watch the fireworks or to grab dinner on a patio with friends.

We’ve got ‘em in four organically-inspired prints (left to right as shown above):
- “Chinois Flower” tee
- “Poppies” cap-sleeve tee
- “Island Flowers” short-sleeve tee
- “Palm Berries” scoop-neck tee

These tees are one of those ideas that’s super simple, but flawlessly executed. The silk-screened prints look amazing peeking out from underneath a blazer or cardigan.

Click here to pick up a pretty Stellarocca tee from The Pink Pig.

Birds Of A Feather Flock Together

Nature inspired decor is always in style at the Pink Pig. Our collection at the shop features some old and some new items which have arrived just in time for summer.

Our vintage grain sack pillow called Snow Bird is by Barbara Smith of Buttons Buttons. Original grain sackpillow features a pretty bird in center and this beautiful pillow is finished with a vintage ticking fabric in blue and white stripe.

A pretty Vintage Inspired postcard print ...

or Shadowbox... 

or how about this fantastic oil on canvas.

Collectible plates are always a perfect way to decorate our walls and I love this Westmoreland hand-painted plate with beaded
milk glass trim.

I also love cake stands and I was so excited when this one arrived at the shop. What a great decorative piece for your table!

Tiny trinket boxes with Love Birds in their cage always bring back memories and this pair is just darling. 

A beautiful porcelain vase with embossed birds...

Vintage paper under glass with this fantastic heart charm by Cathy Penton is a classic piece that will always make a statement.

And last but not least there is always the Vintage Birdcage.

My collection goes on and on ....so fly over to my shop and view more of my way of bringing these feathered friends into your home decor.

Get eco-minded with Beau Soleil

The new Beau bag has landed at The Pink Pig! It's a wear-anywhere, grey cotton canvas beauty that's a perfect example of sought-after yet accessible fashion. (Case in point: I take mine grocery shopping, but Christie Brinkley carries hers to divorce court!)

The Beau bag is the resusable bag that's thought of everything. It's 100% organic, with lots of pockets (with snap closures) and comfy recycled rope handles. Gotta love the message, too - reduce, recycle, renew!

Want to make it yours? Click here to buy it at The Pink Pig ($55).

Image credit: Beau Soleil site.

Flax and Spindle June Giveaways

Over at the beautiful blog Flax and Spindle, they are doing a June giveaway. There will be three winners! one for each item. Here are the fantastic goodies up for grabs...

A chic vintage style woven cotton apron, this is thick and durable with adjustable straps and oh so French! Couldn't you see yourself in this?

Lori from White Flower Farmhouse has donated one of her beautiful 8oz. hand made soy candles for the giveaway. The scent is Salty Sea Air and it is so true to it's name! Check out her web site, she has some new images up of her shop and new goodies come in all the time.

And last but not least, a set of two vintage style handwoven blue striped grain sack place mats. Perfectly rustic. These measure 19x13".

So visit Flax and Spindle to enter. Giveaway ends Sunday 10pm est.

A Sunday Drive In The Country

Waterfront Dining in the historic town of Essex, NY

My husband Fred and I decided, after he spent a long day in the garden, to close my shop the Pink Pig and take a country drive to the town of Essex, New York (www.essexnewyork.com) for dinner at a new restaurant which has recently opened for the season.

Nestled in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, along the shore of Lake Champlain, the historic Town of Essex is one of the most unspoiled ensembles of Federal and Greek Revival village architecture in rural America. The hamlet of Essex, founded in the 18th century, was listed in its entirety on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Essex is a postcard town and a photographers dream as it is impossible to take a bad picture.

Main Street is a quaint drive with shops, lodging and wonderful historic homes with beautiful gardens.

Also the home of former Governor George Pataki, with whom we had the pleasure of meeting as I stopped to take a few photos of their wonderful home. We caught them walking their dogs down to the lake for a swim.

Off to dinner, we arrived at the Essex Marina for a wonderful meal at the Rudder Club which is operated this year by Steve McKenna, Jonathan Pribble and Randy Sherman.

The Essex Marina (www.essexmarinany.com) is located on Lake Champlain and has a boating history dating before the Revolutionary War. In the summer months, life here centers on the water - and how could it not? Surpassed in size only by the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain stretches 120 miles north to south with almost 600 miles of pristine shoreline.

We were greeted by April our waitress and wisked off to our now favorite table in this charming place with a fabulous menu! The chef, Andy MacDougal will not disappoint you and I must mention the wonderful fresh desserts prepared by Erin Hall of Fancy Noche. What can I say.... a fabulous evening filled with wonderful food, service and atmosphere that will have you leaving knowing that you will be back for more real soon. The Rudder Club serves lunch and dinner with boat slips available to dock at the Marina.

Venture out and take your favorite country drive and if your travel plans have you visiting the Adirondacks this summer I hope you will make this historic town of Essex, New York a destination.

Come Visit Us!