Valentine’s Day

Whoever said you can’t treat yourself on Mother’s Day? Go ahead, I did!

I just returned from a long weekend in Atlantis with my boys (Quinn & Hayne), my good friend from Colorado, Andrea, and her two boys (Ben & Ryan). While Atlantis may not have been mine or Andrea’s top pick, the vacation criteria was somewhere warm with lots of convenient activities for our boys – and it hit on all the metrics.

Here are a few of our favorite things:

• Snorkeling with Capt. Basil of the Blue Hole
• Conch salad and grouper fingers at Bro B's
• Sunsets on the beach
• Caribbean beverages for all ages
• Mayan temple slides

These things were all great, but truly my everlasting memories will be of all the smiles, laughter and idle chit chat with good friends and family. While great memories can be created anywhere, it certainly does not hurt having blue skies, warm air, green seas and laid back island attitude to put you in the right frame of mind.

I admit my early Mother’s Day treat was a bit extravagant, but I blame that on Andrea’s persuasive ways. If you can’t pop down to the islands for the weekend, let me offer you some of my favorite “island tested” Black Squirrel goods. My Island Company board skirt was a perfect complement to my bathing suit and worked well with running shoes when the boys and I walked across the bridge to the food “shacks.” My Island Company Niki shirt was super comfy and just the right length. Lastly, as I have said before my Native sunglasses were a huge hit.








































If you do treat yourself at BSQO or anywhere please share your purchases or experiences with me. Happy Mother’s Day!

Groundhog Day

Try these chic new pink shirts, as they are my favorite pick for Valentine’s Day! I will sell 100 blue shirts to every pink so. So you wonder why I picked pink shirts to share with you on Valentine’s Day.

Island Company’s striped linen shirt is really more of a washed out or faded red and white stripe. It has a great patina and looks washed up, which I love. Roll up the sleeves, relax and enjoy.




















The women’s polo is such a great silhouette and flattering to all body types. Most importantly, I love the soft pink, just the perfect touch of femininity with rugged jeans or canvas shorts. This juxtaposition of fabrics is completely outdoor chic.

Pink is not just for girls, it works for men, boys and tomboys too. So this year for Valentine’s Day help your loved one (or treat yourself) be part of the special ones and not the 100.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

As I sit inside on yet another “snow day” I have never been happier to read (http://www.chiff.com/a/groundhog-day.htm) that, “at 7:25 AM ET on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 Punxsutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow - predicting an early spring!” I will admit that I am a bit superstitious and especially when the subject plays in my favor. Last Friday in my mind marked the end of winter as I placed my fall-winter orders and quickly transitioned to spring, at least in my mind, on paper, and with merchandise. Island Company is so strategic with their late January visits. On Sunday, Jenna and Linda, my Island Company contacts, show up at BSQO with their Palm Beach color, outdoor chic shirts, board shorts, and skirts, making my choices easy. I am excited for you all to see them. Be sure to watch for our upcoming Valentine’s Day email.

After their visit I headed to the New York Gift Show. To complement my picks from Island Company I found some fun beach toys and accessories from a new company called Nauti & Co. So even though it is not springy outside here in NY, or in Colorado where my friend, Andrea, tells me it is negative 17, Black Squirrel is gearing up for what should be an early spring. I CAN’T wait.