What is the plan?!

 

I've come to realize that I am UNABLE to pass up any cute journals or notebooks I see. Apparently, I've got a mini-collection started without quite knowing it. This one in particular was irresistible- the bright orange leather feels so soft, and the side zipper casing is the most perfect blush pink (which is another thing I am obsessed with -all things blush)  And for fun I had to lay this Tiffany & Co. pen on top because the color combination is another one of my ALL time favorite color combos!!!

 

 

And Master Plan?? ....as soon as I saw this my very first thought was "wouldn't it be GREAT if I opened this and it had MY PLAN IN IT"????  Funny right? That would be way too easy. But really...there have countless times throughout this year that I have wondered what MY plan is...and in a fantasy world I could open this journal and it would tell me what was going to happen each day of every month, and then I'd know- okay, everything is going to be just fine! (and of course then your local Anthropologie store would see a rapid increase in sales of this Anglophile Journal)

 

Hate to burst your bubble, but inside this beauty you'll find the softest blank pages for you to write your own plan in. I have used this one as more of a personal journal, rather than note-taking journal, and use it to write thoughts, goals and even favorite quotes that have inspired me in it.

 

There are four color options in this journal and each one has a different title, such as Winks & Whims, or Details & Dates. This would make a great gift too!

 

 

Happy journaling!

 

 

 

Adele's 25 ....perfection.

When her last cd, 21 was released I remember putting it on an endless "repeat" in my car, could literally listen to her over and over for hours.  So upon hearing she was releasing a new album this November I have to admit I thought- how will she top the last album? ...enter the release of her first single "Hello" a few weeks ago.. No words needed. First time I listened-it was like she was saying "that's how girl"! 

What is it about Adele's voice that takes our breath away from the first minute of listening? And you know it's got to be worthy as well when your spouse can listen to it just the same!

I pre-ordered 25 on iTunes the day her "Hello" single came out and it was the first message I woke to today on my phone ( that the whole album was now available and downloaded). 

GO BUY THIS TODAY. If you've loved her past albums, you will fall in love all over today. 

You can download 25 from iTunes and you can also buy a special edition CD with 3 extra songs exclusively at Target.

My favorites : Sweetest Devotion, Send My Love ( to your new lover), Water Under the Bridge

Tell me yours!

The Golden Gate City...

Over my son's fall break we decided to pack up and visit my family outside San Francisco area..we had not been there since 2011, when my son Ford was 2. I was pretty excited to have a full 4 days to explore. My brother and his girlfriend live up the road from the quaint little town of Fairfax. Fairfax had eclectic shops to peruse, fantastic restaurants, and tons of BIKES to be seen all around! Fairfax is known for being the birthplace of the mountain bike, in fact one of the bars in Fairfax has actual hooks lining the walls for bikers to hang up their ride while they grab a drink!

We could smell the coffee from the Fairfax Coffee Roastery from across the street...heavenly.

And no town visit is complete without a visit to the local ice cream shop! According to locals we chatted with, a line out the door is "normal"...and after tasting the ice cream we know why! I chose Mexican Hot Chocolate ice cream in a homemade waffle cone and it just may have been the best scoop I've ever had. The girl working was literally making fresh waffle cones while helping people at the counter at the same time--exceptional customer service :) (even with a line of people behind us patiently waiting) This is a MUST if you go to Fairfax.

We spent one day in Sausalito...gorgeous town on the bay home to hundreds of sailboats. Loved this picture...my son loved all the boats! We walked the shop lined streets and took in the views of the city which you can see from just about any direction you walk.

Our last day was spent taking the Larkspur Ferry into San Francisco...every day we had was clear and sunny.. we were thrilled! We hit Fisherman's Wharf for lunch and walked from there toward Ghiradelli Square.  I realize this picture below isn't very "glam" but I love the moment it catches of my son playing football on the grass at the square- the boys chose Ghiradelli Square for a football break. This was a beautiful spot to hang out, shop and grab a Ghiradelli milkshake!

And of course we were surrounded by the famous cable cars! My son's three favorites of our trip: the ferry ride, the cable cars, and the Golden Gate bridge. We were about speechless when we drove through the rainbow tunnel and came out to be right in front of the Golden Gate bridge...we had seen it from afar the previous days however to actually be on it, and see the fog rolling through it was breathtaking. I won't forget it.

Great trip, already looking forward to going back for next visit!

The swaddles that started it all...

I've known since very early brainstorm sessions for my blog that these swaddles would be the first "documented" baby item I shared. Don't get me wrong, I know that by now Aden and Anais is a common household brand in any home with a baby or toddler, but just a few years ago so many were just discovering these amazingly soft and breathable muslin blankets. The swaddles are sold in packs of 3 or 4 depending on whether you're buying the organic or regular ones. However when I had my shop we sold them individually which my customers loved because they could always give a swaddle along with another item as a gift.

There were a few other brands back when Aden and Anais came into the market, but none attracted me like theirs...it was love at first swaddle :) You're seeing two of the very first original prints they put out in the picture above (the giraffe and monkey) and they've grown leaps & bounds ever since. 

However..I must say the "exploding" moment for Aden and Anais most definitely came after

the royal baby of Prince William & Kate was photographed swaddled in Aden and Anais' very own bird swaddle on his farewell ride from the hospital! Once this photograph made the magazines..the swaddles at our store started flying out the door even MORE than before :) And this bird swaddle also became affectionately known as "the royal swaddle" in our shop. 

The brand continues to expand it products..just recently launching clothing for newborns & toddlers. Bottom line- this is one of THE best all around baby lines out there, there isn't anything you can give as a gift from Aden and Anais that won't be cherished by the mama that receives it!

Two known facts I'd like to share with you:

1. Yes.. you can find Aden and Anais swaddles and products at Target, however..they are NOT the same quality as the ones you purchase in small boutiques, or the same prints!! You will only find the classic original prints like the giraffe, bird, and monkey in swaddle sets in the boutiques. (thank goodness they saved something for the small businesses!) I have felt the burpy bibs offered at Target and compared them to the ones in my shop and they really do feel different. They are not as soft!

  2. Aden and Anais really started this swaddle movement. Since they've entered the baby gift market several other brands have crawled into their market offering swaddles, a few examples: Mud Pie, Little Giraffe, SkipHop...have all hopped on the band wagon offering their own muslin swaddles!

Home Sweet Home...

I found this little dish in a gift shop the other day and immediately loved it! I also knew it had to be from the pottery artist, Erich Emmenegger. Erich is the brother of the friend who owned the flower and gift shop I found when we moved to Alabama 7 years ago. (read more about that here)

This is such a perfect gift for almost any occasion, and with the price being $20 it's hard to pass up. Whether you use it as a ring dish, key dish..or even just on top of a great stack of coffee table books, it's sure to be asked about.  I bought this particular dish at The Flower Exchange in Arab, AL. You can also find Erich's pottery at Bella Vita in Collierville, TN.

All things rosy...

 

 

 

 

Those of you that know me, are already quite fond of my rose gold obsession..it began with a ring bought in New York last February and at the time I considered it a step"outside the box" (to purchase rose gold). Who knew shortly after that purchase that rose gold would EXPLODE in the retail world!?

That ring was followed by a watch, then a necklace..and it goes on and on. So of course when I spotted this rosy cosmetic bag at my favorite Anthropologie store I grabbed it.

 

 

I also have a lip gloss obsession, and have at least 5-6 different ones in my bag at any given time. So there is always a need for a cute cosmetic bag to hold my stash!

 

 



Fall baking...

Since October arrived I've been in a pumpkin-loving mood....I've tried a few different types of muffins as well as a cookie recipe, but this chocolate chip pumpkin bread is by far the best thing I've made! A fellow blogger shared this cute graphic recipe card and I printed it out and mounted it onto some orange cardstock- get some twine and attach the recipe to your bread! The recipe makes two loaves, I made one for my son's teacher last week and it was a hit.... Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. ( I hand wrote the baking info on back of her card)

Click here for recipe card printable!