Thanksgiving Favorites

November 27, 2013
Celebration


The smell of pies baking, and the laughter of my grandsons playing in the great room mimosas and cozy leggings.  Just a few of my favorites things this Thanksgiving.  I am thankful this year for a healthy family.  My mother's cancer in remission, and all my boys home celebrating together. I am also so very thankful to have so many friends thru my blog.  That's you guys!!!   I am grateful for the wisdom as I have matured to be happy with the simple things in life.  It's not about what you have, but who you are.  I try to pay it forward in my everyday life, and even in my blog by sharing with you when I find something wonderful.  Thank you for being out there in internet land, and all the emails and tweets.  I truly appreciate you. 

I am thankful for a man that loves me for just me, (sometimes I think I can be difficult, so he says), and my girls at the office, you know who you are chickas.....  you really are the best co workers I could ever ask for!  Love you guys too! 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

What I have been up to

November 26, 2013
Celebration
So things are starting to get busy here!  With the kick off of the holiday season for me beginning last week, I have a pretty full calendar. All of these pics are from my iPhone, so sorry they aren't very clear, but I did get the new white and gold 5S this weekend and the pics are going to be amazing on it!  I gathered with a few local bloggers last Thursday evening to learn a few tips and tricks from a professional photographer  for taking better photos.  We all brought our cameras and took notes, now lets see if I learned anything!


Straight from that event on to the next, Erin and I hurried to downtown KC to the lovely new space of Ampersand Design Studio for the #nodevents.  Several bloggers all across the country collaborated with Land Of Nod for a little party and display of a few super cool toys!  We were lucky to have a collaboration local!
There was a crepe paper craft table to make flowers to take home, a fun photo booth with pink and gold confetti!!  The studio was decorated so cute, and toys set out all around to admire!  Check out Ampersand Design Studio's blog to see the full recap with all the party pics from the night. 

So remember where I said toys set out all around?  Well all the toys were given away in a drawing and I won this Intergalactic set!! Isn't it super cute?  My grandsons will have a blast playing with this.  Thanks Land of Nod and Ampersand Design Studio.  


Moving on thru the weekend and the festivities, I had a minute to spare as I passed thru the Plaza and had to do a little girly shopping at Kate Spade.  Picked up a few pretties!! See those polka dots peeking out of the bag?


These are darling, and I always loved a pair of Keds.  Not a glitter girl, but these are super cute, but polka dots always!!


Saturday evening I attended a fundraiser gala with these girls.  We had a great time laughing, fun party booth pics, and even people watching a few shall we say, awkward party goers!!!! Can't wait for the next party! Whew, that was a party, event, filled weekend!  Anyone else's party season began yet?


And this little fella turned into an elf in Target on Sunday!!

Bambina

November 22, 2013
bags
Browsing around Etsy on evening I came across the most colorful store.  Bambina caught my eye with all the bright leathers and the many different styles to chose.  I knew immediately I wanted the share her shop with you.  Cheryl sent me a business card case to review and enjoy and I am so glad she did.   So let me start by saying this is the softest leather ever.  No really.  Soft, and supple.  And look at all the colors to choose from! Her designs and attention to detail are spot on.  The stitching is perfect, and the seams are straight.  Loving the metallics, and these darling little live love laugh pouches. Hello? Can you say stocking stuffers?

 Oh, and did I mention affordable?  Yup!   I shared a few of my favorites from her store, and asked if she would share a little bit about her, and her design process below.  I think you're going to love her!!!!





1. Where do you draw inspiration from for your designs? 
Inspiration for me comes from anywhere and everywhere. From traveling to travel photography to interior design magazines and everything in between. I'm always attracted to and inspired by colour so anything I design will have a splash of colour in it. No matter what I make, it has to be practical, whimsical and colourful.

2. What made you take the plunge and start your own business? 
I think if you're passionate about what you do you should pursue it. I wanted to design my own line of accessories so for me there was no hesitation about starting my own business. It was a very natural next step to take after I got a degree in design.


3. Share a little bit about your own personal style and what we might find in your closet.
For me Miss Marple is a style icon. My own personal style is relaxed but put together. I'm not mad about trends that will last a season but prefer to buy pieces that I'll know I can continue to wear over the years and will coordinate easily with existing pieces in my wardrobe. I don't like spending time thinking about what to wear so I can usually pull something together very quickly from my wardrobe (since I have mostly separates that work together). I love my riding boots (which I've had since 2008) and wear them practically daily in winter - unless it's raining or snowing then I'll throw on my turquoise Hunter boots. Both go well with skinny jeans from Top Shop and a Boden top or sweater. For summer and warmer weather I toss on ballet flats or my sandal standby - a pair of classic leather sandals from Greece that go with everything. If I'm wearing a dress it's a wrap with Sigerson Morrison boots or a tunic with wedge espedrilles or flat sandals. 

4. If you had to choose, which piece is your favorite?
I have several pieces that are faves and that might be considered go to pieces. This season I've been wearing my Boden Rainy Day Mac everyday. It's lightly lined and perfect for autumn and spring. If I could wear it year round I would!

5. What are some of your favorite trends right now?
I'm not mad about trends - unless they are something timeless that are back in fashion. For me that would be a Breton striped top. They never go out of style. 

6. Which piece would you say is your best seller?
Hands down the Personalized Mia Leather Passport Cover has been my bestseller. It embodies the collection's philosophy of being practical, functional, whimsical and affordable. And of course it comes in loads of colour combinations so customers love the options they have to personalize them.
Thanks Cheryl!

Now for the great part, Bambina is offering a 10% discount for the next week on any purchase from her shop with the code SKYS10.  Seriously think about all the gifts.......stocking stuffers, co workers, neighbors, and even a little something for yourself you can order!  Hop over to her shop and look around, I think you will love it!

Hosting a stress Free party

November 21, 2013
Baking
With party season approaching you really want to stay as calm and stress free as possible.  What's the point of hosting a party if your so stressed out about it that it is not even enjoyable?   I came up with a few ideas and hints to helping you plan, and enjoy your party.  

I know, I know, it seems early to be discussing the holiday season, but I want to share a few things that I find help tremendously helpful thru this time of the year!  Stress free Party Strategies! That’s right!  Getting your party started before the party starts!
If you are the hostess, then you will want to be prepared with an emergency entertainment kit.  The best hostess always keeps these essentials on hand:
  •  Carpet and fabric stain removers, because let’s face it, someone is going to spill something
  •   Pain relievers for pre and post party headaches
  •  Make sure to stock up on toilet paper, and a plunger in the bathroom
  •  Stock up on extra candles and tea lights to keep the mood lighting flickering all thru the party
  •  Matches (duh)
  •   Clear nail polish for snags in tights or stockings
  • An extra bottle opener handy
  • Folding chairs in the garage are always handy to bring in for last minute seating


 Before the party you will want to prepare as much as possible. 
Buy bags of ice, or start bagging what your fridge makes in resalable Ziploc baggies and storing them.
Dig out of the back of your cabinet or buffet your serving dishes and decide what dish will go in what serving piece.  Label the dishes with a sticky note so any helpers will know the plan.   Also, now is a good time to find the serving ware as well.  Nothing like scrambling to find a large slotted spoon with hungry peeps lined up!
Go ahead and get to baking cookies.  They freeze great, and the day of the party just pull them out to thaw and serve!  
If mixed drinks are your gig, then simple syrup can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for a few weeks prior to the party.  To make: Add one cup sugar to one cup water in a saucepan, let boil until the sugar dissolves; cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
The day before the party, make one appetizer that can be heated and served warm. Prep your hor d’oeuvres in advance and make extra plates ready to serve in the fridge so you are available to great your guest as they arrive.
During the Party
Swap out any empty platters with full ones in the fridge. (See above for hor d’oeuver prep)
Recruit your kids (given they are old enough) to help with mid party cleanup. Ie: stray cups, plates, and occasional checking the bathroom! They can also keep the chip bowls full!
Choose side dishes that don’t require constant tending. They may be made ahead and served closer to room temperature. Roasted vegetables are great! Also, anything in a crockpot!
So the party is over, and everyone had a great time, but you’re exhausted from being the hostess with the mostess!
Any pots needing to be cleaned fill with water and a squirt of soap and simmer on the stove to loosen stuck on food or sauces.  If you can handle waking in the morning to the mess, let them soak overnight. Not on the hot stove of course!
Fill your washer with cold water and place your linens in the cold water to soak.  Pretreat any stains, and in the morning you can give attention to the stains before finishing the cycle.
Oh, and one last thing...... don't forget to invite me!  I love a good party! 

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