February Q & A –

Answering 10 more questions I couldn't get to on Instagram last week! 

Why did you decide to live in New Hampshire? What is your favorite part so far? 

While growing up in Massachusetts and I would spend summers at our friends' lake house or at camp in New Hampshire so it has always been equated with fun, adventure, and the outdoors in my mind. The state has a wonderful mix of the coast and the mountains, and I love the independent, can-do attitude of its residents - enabled by a low-tax, pro-business state government. We're only an hour from Boston for when we need our city fix or a major airport, and we're a stones throw from hundreds of wonderful New England destinations. Our favorite part of living here has definitely been our walks around our little island observing the changing leaves, snow-covered rooflines, tidal waters, and spectacular sunsets. 

Where did you grow up? 

California (Bay Area and Orange County) and Massachusetts!

Favorite dish for hosting? 

I love serving Ina Garten's roast chicken (perfect every time but double the veggies) or this cheese fondue for small winter dinner parties.  I'll usually start with a board of locally made cheeses, then serve a salad (current favorite The Lost Kitchen's winter kale salad from this cookbook), and finish with shortbread cookies or olive oil cake. 

Favorite place to visit in the UK - anywhere? 

Everywhere! We have so many favorite places around the UK. I always seek out historic properties to stay in when traveling and the UK is a fabulous destination for historic homes and hotels - a few favorites include Babington House in Somerset, Cliveden in Berkshire, The Lygon Arms (needs a blog post!) and The Painswick in the Cotswolds, Summer Lodge and the Acorn Inn in Dorset, Belmond Le Manoir in Oxfordshire and Euston Hall in Suffolk. We also love visiting friends in London, Oxford, Leeds, and Northern Ireland.   

Lobster roll - cold or hot? I HAVE OPINIONS! 

Ideally hot and we've got the BEST spot within walking distance of our house at Sanders Fish Market. Come visit us and we'll treat you to one Bethany.  :) 

Favorite investment pieces for your wardrobe?

I'll answer this for a cold-weather wardrobe and would say a camel wrap coat (mine is sold out but love this and this), cashmere cable knit sweaters, these perfect riding boots, everyday fine jewelry, a Barbour jacket, and a Mark Cross bag in caviar leather which does not scratch!

What year is your Jeep? Is it reliable still? 2001. We knew we wanted a Jeep Cherokee and looked for ~4 months before finding this one. The body is in really great shape but since it lived most of it's life on the Cape, the bottom was rusted out. We bought it for a song and have put a lot of money into it but we love love love it. :) 

Daily Reads? ?

The Telegraph often, The Dispatch always. Also love and highly recommend both The Valley of Vision and My Utmost for His Highest. (Have read both countless times.) 

What ski pants do you recommend? 

I've had the same pair of "bond ski pants" from Obermeyer for 8 years and love how they fit (recently seen here , here and here).  They just got a hole in them by the hem and I'll probably be repurchasing the same pair for next season - so affordable, comfortable and warm enough for any weather when paired with these under armour leggings. 

How do you choose your destinations to travel? 

We got a taste of 70 different countries during our around-the-world trip and now go for a mix of revisiting old favorites and tackling the remaining destinations on our bucket list. Trips are often organized around other travel plans such as work or seeing family and we'll tack on a few days for just the two of us on either end. If the travel is for pure pleasure there's usually an anchor concept for a trip: a friend extends and invitation to go pheasant hunting in England or play polo in Argentina. Those are always the best trips.  If we have a bit of free time and plan something from scratch it's a mix of outlining good places to visit at that time year (we like traveling during the shoulder season for any given destination - fewer tourists and better rates!) and whether we're feeling worn out and want a comfortable and familiar getaway, or are ready to have an adventure.  I've lived in India, and spent many months in other developing countries through my college days and non-profit work and really love feeling far away from home, where we don't know the local language and are unsure of how our plans will unfold. But that kind of wild travel isn't accessible right now so we're spending some time with family on Sanibel Island this month.  :) 

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Brooks Brothers Camel Wrap Coat c/o (old, similar here, and here) // Ralph Lauren Mini RL50 Bag // Polo Ralph Lauren Wool Plaid Scarf (sold out, love this one) // Ralph Lauren Cashmere Cable Sweater (less expensive option) // Leather Gloves  // Pearl Earrings // Sarah Flint Heels c/o (similar and on sale)