Mommy Pastrami

Welcome Back to Me!!

2011-04-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in over a year. How does time just fly by like that? Between work and family there is just such limited time. I have continued to read everyone's blogs, though. I am going to start blogging once or twice a week. It's a good creative outlet for me.

See you soon...

I am broken hearted today...

2010-02-14T13:51:00.000-08:00

My husband and I did have a great time celebrating Valentine's Day in Tyson's Corner. However, while we were away my son attended a birthday party for a boy who lives near us and is in the same classroom at school. Apparently the two boys got into a fight at the party and the birthday boy told my son that he didn't want to invite my son to his party, and his mom made him. I am sure it is the truth. I feel so sad for my son and just wish that he didn't have to experience these things. They say kids can be mean, but does it really change as you get older? It seems to me that it is the same old mean stuff just in a less obvious way.

Ritz-Carlton, Tyson's Corner

2010-02-12T16:27:00.001-08:00

Hubby and I are celebrating Valentine's Day at the Ritz-Carlton in Tyson's Corner. It is located in Northern Virginia, very close to D.C., and it is less than two hours from our house. The hotel is connected to a mall which is FABULOUS-Neiman Marcus, Saks, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier, and so on...Across the street is another mall which has Nordstrom's, Pottery Barn, etc. I have to work in the office first thing tomorrow (no way could I cancel since we got several feet of snow this week!) and then we are off!

I wish everyone a very special Valentine's Day!!

xoxoxx

Bad, Bad Blogger...

2010-02-08T16:16:00.000-08:00

I have been a terrible blogger recently. As you might know, I am a CPA, and this is my busy time of the year. I actually start getting pretty busy in October and it continues to get busier until January hits when it is just WORK WORK WORK all the time!!! I love reading everyone's blogs and you give me so much inspiration on shopping, decorating, and being a good person.

I love you all!!!

Guess where we are going this week...

2009-11-29T17:35:00.000-08:00

The happiest place on earth! We are going to Disney World for a week. My husband has a conference in Disney World, so we are turning it into a family vacation. I am going a little nuts right now with getting the house decorated for Christmas and getting ready for our trip!! It will all work out, and I am sure we will have a great time! What is your favorite thing to do in Disney World?

Votivo Winter Solstice

2009-11-29T17:25:00.001-08:00

I always have candles burning in my house. Votivo is one of my favorite brands. I purchased a Votivo Winter Solstice triple-wick candle at Tuesday Morning for only $12.99. It probably retails for $50.00. I lit it today for the first time, and it smells amazing. I drove back to Tuesday Morning and bought two more plus a reed diffuser. If you live near a Tuesday Morning I encourage you to swing by and see if they have this candle. It is the perfect winter scent.

Amelia Island Plantation

2009-11-16T17:16:00.001-08:00

I have been MIA again. This time I was at the Amelia Island Plantation for a board meeting and a conference. The weather was on the chilly side, and it rained a bit. I was inside at meetings, so it did not bother me. It is good that my family did not join me because they would have been bored. I returned on Saturday, and my husband is leaving for Palm Beach on Wednesday and returns the following Wednesday. Thursday is Thankgiving and Friday is a Philadelpia Flyers hockey game and shopping at King of Prussia. Then, we are leaving for Disney! I think we should just move to Florida! I have 446 posts to read, but I promise to read each one! Hope everyone has been keeping well...

Gregg Ruth Jewelry

2009-10-28T03:53:00.000-07:00

Gregg Ruth is my favorite jewelry designer. The top picture is a canary diamond ring in platinum which is my engagement ring. Gregg Ruth's collection is fine jewelry-precious stones in platinum and gold. So much of the trendy jewelry is sterling silver and semi-precious stones or a few diamond chips. I do love my David Yurman and John Hardy, but it is totally different to wear fine jewelry. I love getting a beautiful piece of Gregg Ruth jewelry on Christmas morning!

Halloween Candy Overload

2009-10-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

My dining room table is overflowing with Halloween candy. I made treat bags for my son's class. I am in the process of making treat bags for his teachers-nine when you include homeroom, art, gym, computer, etc..... They will have popcorn, candy, and Starbucks gift cards. For my trick or treaters I give out large size candy, and each child can take three.

Good thing I joined a gym...

Enough with the turquoise...

2009-10-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

Today was a beautiful fall day, and it was very productive for me. While switching the contents from my Balenciaga Maldives Aqua Work Bag to my Chanel Light Beige Grand Shopper I realized that my computer bag is turquoise and so is another tote bag that I have. They really remind me of Tiffany Blue. I love the color, but enough is enough. Time to mix things up a bit!

Mignon Faget Jewelry

2009-10-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

Mignon Faget is a jewelry designer from New Orleans. It is said that every lady from New Orleans owns at least one piece of Mignon Faget jewelry. My friend lived near New Orleans for a few years and starting acquiring some M.F. pieces, and she introduced me to M.F. I love crowns, fleur de lis, and New Orleans, so of course I love M.F. I have a few pieces and always love to see her new designs so that I can add a piece to my collection. My first piece was a sterling silver crown pendant. The pendant and chain only cost $100.00, but I have received more compliments on that piece of jewelry than any other piece of (expensive) jewelry that I own! Do you have any Mignon Faget?

Vampire Cabernet Sauvignon

2009-10-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

I purchased this wine because I liked the label (I know that is not a good reason to buy wine) and thought it would be fun for Halloween. It was only $9.99 a bottle. It is not very good, and I am not recommending it. I don't know how it would be if it breathed more or if it would be purchased now and kept until next Halloween. At the same time I purchased this, I bought some Sterling and Rodney Strong cabernet sauvignons, and for a few dollars more they were much, much better.

Caribbean Blue Le Creuset

2009-10-20T01:38:00.001-07:00

I love Le Creuset, and I use the Enameled Steel Stock Pot or the Soup Pot everytime I cook. I have both in Caribbean Blue. Their names are a bit misleading because both pots are on the small side-you couldn't really cook much stock or soup in either pot. They are perfect, though, for your normal family cooking.

Chicken Piccata

2009-10-20T00:52:00.001-07:00

Because I work I have to have my menus planned in advance and have the groceries purchased during the weekend. If not, we are running to a restaurant and spending too much money on not so great food. Usually I am pretty good about planning menus and grocery shopping, but life has been busy, and I have been in a food slump. I am so uninspired and don't know what to cook anymore.

I made Ina Garten's Chicken Piccata recipe tonight, and it was very good. It was easy and delicious, and more importantly, everyone ate it!

2 split (1 whole) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 extra-large egg
1/2 tablespoon water
3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
Good olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons), lemon halves reserved
1/2 cup dry white wine
Sliced lemon, for serving
Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
Mix the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a shallow plate. In a second plate, beat the egg and 1/2 tablespoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs on a third plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, shake off the excess, and then dip in the egg and bread crumb mixtures.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium to medium-low heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Place them on the sheet pan and allow them to bake for 5 to 10 minutes while you make the sauce.

For the sauce, wipe out the saute pan with a dry paper towel. Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and then add the lemon juice, wine, the reserved lemon halves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced in half, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl to combine. Discard the lemon halves and serve 1 chicken breast on each plate. Spoon on the sauce and serve with a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

MIA for a reason-Fall Festival

2009-10-11T07:34:00.001-07:00

Last weekend was the Fall Festival at my son's elementary school. I chaired the crafts. We had three crafts-tie-dye t-shirts, pumpkin painting, and sand bottles. In addition to the crafts, we also had face painting, hair painting, 15 games, a moon bounce, a bake sale, a cake walk, pumpkins and mums for sale, lots of food, and the fire department. It was a pretty typical fall festival for a school, but a lot of work for the few of us who chaired committees. Between working full time, having a family, and the fall festival, I have fallen a little bit behind at home, and therefore no blogging!

I was incredibly apprehensive about the tie-dye shirts because I have never made a tie-dye shirt before. A friend suggested using a kit by Dharma Trading Company. You mix the dye and pour it into squeeze bottles. The kids wear gloves and squirt the shirts with the dye. Five moms met at my house one evening and rubber banded all of the shirts in advance. After the child is finished dying their shirt, you place it in a grocery bag, and they take the shirt home, leave it in the bag for 24 hours, and then rinse it, remove the rubber bands, and launder. The shirts look amazing, and the colors are so bright and vivid-not the pastel look that you normally see. I highly recommend their kit.

I don't need to hear another word about...

2009-09-30T21:40:00.000-07:00

the Kardashian sisters' wedding, pregnancy, or reconciliation. EVER.

One of those days...

2009-09-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

I consider myself a pretty upbeat person...you know-the glass is always half full. Today is just one of those days when I feel a little down. I feel a little underappreciated, Facebook is getting on my nerves, I met a friend at Starbucks and it was just a little strained (probably my fault), I am struggling to keep the house in order and feel like I am two steps away from it turning into a crack den, the economy is incredibly scary (and no I do not think it has turned the corner), and I don't know what else.

It is really hard to be a working mom and to do a good job at home and work, be active at your child's school, maintain friendships, be a good wife, etc.

Today I am struggling. Tomorrow will be better.

Does anyone else ever feel this way?

IPhone and Ifrogz Case

2009-09-21T16:50:00.001-07:00

I am digging my new Iphone and pink Ifrogz case. Too much fun!!!

Balenciaga Work Bag

2009-09-20T08:10:00.001-07:00

This is the bag I am carrying right now-a Balenciaga work bag. I think a blue color is nice in the spring and early fall. I love Balenciaga bags, but they do tend to get scuffed around the edges if you are not super careful.

Oreo Truffles

2009-09-17T01:50:00.001-07:00

Oreo truffles are amazing-delicious and easy to make.
You will need:
One package of Oreos
One block of cream cheese
Chocolate bark or chips

Pulverize oreos in your food processor. You want them very fine. Add an entire block of cream cheese. Pulverize again until it forms a dough. Roll dough into walnut sized balls. Place in fridge for 1 hour or until firm. Melt chocolate in double boiler or microwave. Dip balls into the chocolate and lay on wax paper to harden.
I like them dipped in white chocolate with some dark chocolate drizzled on top.

Halloween Decorations

2009-09-17T00:53:00.000-07:00

Grandin Road has a great and affordable selection of Halloween decorations. I always enjoy looking through their catalog. I get a lot of inspiration for my decorating from looking at catalogs.

Back to School

2009-09-10T04:30:00.000-07:00

My son is back at school-2nd grade. It seems like the days fly by once school is in session. Basketball sign-up is tonight, and Lacrosse practice starts on Monday. He loves his teacher, so I am thrilled.

Halloween glasses

2009-09-06T05:42:00.000-07:00

I have always enjoyed Halloween, but once you have children it moves up to a whole different level. It's a fun holiday without all of the pressure. Wine Enthusiast has these etched wine glasses on their website. They are so fun. You can purchase sets of two of each design or buy a box of six that has two of each design for a slightly discounted price. Wouldn't they make a great hostess gift for a Halloween party?

Kappa Prep's Fall Swap

2009-09-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

I had such a great time participating in Kappa Prep's Fall Swap. The rules were pretty simple: Think Fall, Send at least Four items, and Spend $30 excluding shipping. My swap partner was Marla from Kinda...Sorta...Something. She sent me a Lilly Pulitzer note pad, a luggage tag, a package of Ultra Fine Sharpies, OPI's I'm Fondue of You nail polish, and Altoids dark chocolate covered mints. I love EVERYTHING she sent me and thoroughly enjoyed participating in the swap! I am definitely in the mood for fall!!

Mackenzie Childs Trio

2009-08-30T07:48:00.001-07:00

I love this trio of jars from Mackenzie Childs. I put them in my online shopping chart, and my finger is just itching to push the "complete order" button. I am going to think about it, though, because although I love them, do I really need them and have a perfect spot for them? I will let you know what I do!

A Good Night

2009-08-28T19:40:00.000-07:00

No pictures with this post...gasp!!! Tonight we had friends over for dinner. They have been our friends for a long time. My husband was friends with them before he and I met, and then the four of us became friends. The wife and I have never been BEST friends. I have tried. I don't know if it is the age difference or that she and I are just different people. The husband was my husband's best man. Another girlfriend of mine was my maid of honor. The wife hosted my baby shower with my maid of honor (five years after the wedding for those curious minds!). The husband and wife are my son's god parents. We actually have not seen a lot of them in the last two or three years and they live in the same neighborhood. They have two children who both became engaged this summer, so I sent them both gifts. I also offered to host engagement parties or anything else that they would like us to do. We were with them and two other couples two weekends ago at a function at our country club. Tonight they came over for dinner. I always get my hopes up that the closeness will continue. I am keeping my fingers crossed...

Have you had this experience?

Anna Wintour

2009-08-27T00:31:00.000-07:00

CocoPerez: Anna Wintour Shows Symptoms Of Being Human!

Tough economic times for Anna? I doubt it!

SPCA exec's dog dies after being left in the car

2009-08-26T16:06:00.000-07:00

What? Read story here.

Dior Lemon Balm Polish

2009-08-24T04:21:00.001-07:00

Dior Lemon Balm Nail Polish is a new color that is sold exclusively at Nordstrom's. I purchased it last week, and I would anticipate it being sold out very soon. I finally had the chance to paint my nails with it yesterday, and I love the color! It is hard to describe the shade, but it is a smokey shimmery brown with a tiny hint of plum. It has put me in the mood for Fall!

Hostess Blog-Feather Tree Centerpieces

2009-08-22T06:47:00.001-07:00

Do you read the Hostess Blog? You should!!! She has the most amazing ideas for parties, and she tells you how to duplicate what she has done. Her pictures are so bright and colorful. She makes me want to throw a party everyday!!!

Guest Bath

2009-08-22T06:35:00.001-07:00

This is the guest bath. I used a beach theme with turquoise and sea blue walls. The colors are them combined for the ceiling. Crabtree and Evelyn’s La Source and India Hicks are the bath products use in this bath. Beach Cottage Studio sells the bottle on the windowsill and the covered electrical plate.

Guest Room

2009-08-22T06:11:00.001-07:00

This is one of the guest rooms in our house. I wanted the room to be bright and welcoming to our guests. The prints above the bed and the framed print on the nightstand are from Annechovie. The paintings above the chest are from Karen Fields. The queen bee and fleur de lis paintings are from L. Young Studio. Beach Cottage Studio made the martini glass that holds Gliteratti candy.

Photoshop

2009-08-19T04:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know that EVERY picture of every celebrity that is taken profesionally (with their permission) and appears in a publication is photoshopped. Does there come a point when enough is enough? Kelly Clarkson looks fine before the photoshopping. Is she a size 0? No. Is that okay? Yes. She is certainly not obese. What is the message that we send our youth when this much photoshopping is done?

Pesto

2009-08-16T07:19:00.001-07:00

I plant basil every spring, and I have tons of basil all summer. My husband loves mozzarella caprese salad, and I make that often. I grow tomatoes in pots, and I get enough for salads but not enough for canning. This morning I decided to make some pesto. I will use some of it tonight or tomorrow on grilled chicken or pasta, and I will freeze the rest. The other thing I do with basil is to grind just basil and olive oil in the food processor. I freeze it in ice cube trays. Then in the winter, I add a cube to spaghetti sauce, soup, or a dish that I am making that could use some basil.

This is the pesto recipe that I use:

2 cups of fresh basil
1/2 cup grated parmesan or romano cheese
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts
1 clove garlic
salt and pepper

Blend all ingredients in a food processor. It's delicious!

The winners of my giveaway are........

2009-08-15T11:54:00.001-07:00

1. Sweet Tea in Seattle
2. Beach Cottage Studio
3. Southern Living Preppy Style

Ladies, please leave a comment (which I will not publish) with your address. Thanks to everyone who entered!

A little nip here, a little tuck there...

2009-08-13T00:10:00.001-07:00

I want to send a BIG thank you to Danielle from Girls Night Out Custom Blog Designs for my face lift!!! She was AWESOME to work with! She really understood what I wanted and asked the right questions. Plus, she is the sweetest thing ever. Period. Oh, and her prices are great, and her turnaround time is fast, fast, fast!

Just love her!!!!!

Kate Spade for Lenox

2009-08-12T23:29:00.001-07:00

I was raised in a Lenox household. My parents had Lenox china, and I remember that my dad would buy my mom a decorative piece of Lenox-a vase, candy dish, bowl-for every holiday. When I bought my first house I started to purchase Lenox, and my dad started to give me a piece of Lenox every Christmas. My mom still has A LOT of Lenox, and my dad passed away last year, so neither of us is getting anymore special pieces from Dad. I remember him driving over to the gift shop near my parents' house to choose gifts. It is such a special memory. My china is Lenox, and unfortunately I don't use it often. It's not that I am afraid it will break. I am a firm believer that you should use all of your good china and crystal and truly enjoy it. It's just that I don't prepare a lot of formal meals where we sit in the dining room-maybe twice a year. I am glad, though, that I have a beautiful set of Lenox china. I saw these advertisements for Kate Spade's collection, and I think her pieces are beautiful. I want to visit a store soon and see the collection.

Land of Lulu

2009-08-10T17:37:00.000-07:00

Anne Keenan Higgins makes a line of stationary called Land of Lulu. I have used a variety of her cards over the years. I normally have at least three sets of different Lulu cards at any time. I always get my envelopes printed with my return address so that the cards look more personalized. I used the cards with the lady and the baby carriage for my thank you notes when my son was born. That alone gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling, but I really do like these cards.
Oh, I nearly forgot...my checks are Land of Lulu also!

Cupcake liners

2009-08-09T23:23:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love cupcakes? This website has a huge selection of liners that make the cupcakes more fun!

Is sagging a problem...with your LV Neverfull?

2009-08-09T21:39:00.000-07:00

I have the LV Neverfull GM. I highly recommend purchasing a base for the bag from Ebay. The base prevents the bag from sagging, and the bag looks better with it. The base is made for the MM also.

Magenta Nails for Fall

2009-08-09T02:29:00.001-07:00

I love everything about the summer, but right about now I am ready for the fall. When I see nail polish colors like these, it puts me in the mood to buy fall clothing and make-up.

Why would you take a $1,400 bag to the pool?

2009-08-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

I was looking at some bags tonight on line, and I saw this Louis Vuitton Galliera GM. I started to laugh because it brought back a funny memory. We were staying at the Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach recently, and THREE women took this bag to the pool and used it as their handbag/pool tote. Kids were splashing, there was sunscreen and margaritas, and these $1,400 bags were just thrown on the ground and treated no better than a burlap bag. I love my handbags, and I am proud to carry them, but when I am on vacation at a beach resort I always pack a tote bag to take to the beach and pool.

The Macbeth Collection-SALE!

2009-08-06T16:32:00.000-07:00

The Macbeth Collection has the coolest metal bins, tubs, and vases that are covered in beautiful designs. You can monogram them also. They can look casual or formal depending on their use. They are having a summer sale. Use code SUMMER at checkout. You can purchase their items here.

Now I've seen everything...

2009-08-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

I was getting my hair done this afternoon and was flipping through some magazines. I saw this new sandwich bag featured. It looks like it has mold, so no one will steal your lunch! You can buy it here.

Tory Burch Scroll Tote

2009-08-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

I am loving my Tory Burch Scroll Tote. It is huge, has two enormous zippered pockets on the inside and two pockets on the outside. It is sold out in stores, but you can buy one here.

Baltimore

2009-08-01T08:22:00.001-07:00

I spent Friday in Baltimore with my friend Cris. We went to Harbor East which is part of the Inner Harbor. There are great shops and restaurants. When I take my son to Baltimore we visit the Baltimore Aquarium and the Maryland Science Center. There is so much to do with children in Baltimore. We live close to Baltimore, so it is a quick trip. My son was not with me, so I did not go to our usual spots.

We stopped at Williams-Sonoma, and I bought lots of things there…as usual! I love their dish towels, and they had the pink and green towels on sale, so I bought many sets of those. I will probably pair a set of towels with something Lilly for a hostess gift. I also bought the pocket pie molds in the star and the heart. I think that is something fun for my son and I to make together. Don’t they look delicious in the picture?!

After Williams-Sonoma, Cris and I went to Belvedere Square. It is another shopping and restaurant area. They have an awesome Italian Market called Ceriello Fine Foods. They sell fresh meats, cheeses, and prepared dishes along with frozen pastas and sauces, and dry goods. I purchased a lot of items to take home. There is a wine bar attached to the market called Grand Cru. You can purchase food in the market and take it with you to Grand Cru where you can sit at a table and order glasses of wine off of the menu or purchase bottles from the cases. We shared a bottle of Conundrum. Our friend Robert visited us at Grand Cru, and it was so much fun to eat a delicious sandwich and enjoy some wine. The best part, though, was taking home some delicious prepared food that I did not have to make from scratch!

GIVEAWAY!!!

2009-07-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to host my first Giveaway! I have purchased a few prizes to give to some lucky readers. The grand prize is a Lilly Pulitzer Beachy Gift Set which includes a spray perfume and a wristlet. I have some other cute prizes for second and third places.

The rules for entry:

One entry for commenting.

Two entries for commenting and following.

Three entries for commenting, following, and listing my blog as a daily read.

Four entries for commenting, following, listing my blog as a daily read, and for posting with a link back to this post on your own blog.

This giveaway is closed for entries on Friday, August 14.

Let the games begin!!!

For Yourself or Someone Else

2009-07-28T03:53:00.000-07:00

I was invited to a birthday party for a friend, and my gift to her was Bobbi Brown Beach Body Lotion and Bobbi Brown Beach Body Scrub. I use these products during the summer and thought that she might like them also. She LOVES them!! I usually gave gift certificates for spa pedicures, manicures, facials, and massages for birthday gifts, but I have started to give actual presents instead. A few of the salons have closed or the manicurist that I liked has quit the profession. You never know if the recipient will ever be able to use the gift certificate. If you like the beach you should try these products. They are yummy!!

Peach Bellini

2009-07-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

Whenever I host a party I have a signature drink. It does not have to be anything unique, just a drink that fits in with the theme of the party or the time of year. For a Christmas party, I served Pomegranate Martinis. For my husband's Jimmy Buffet themed birthday party, I served Margaritas. For my son's baptism, I served Peach Bellinis because peaches were in season. I always have a full bar and wine also, but I feel that a signature drink makes a party of any size seem extra special.

Peach Bellinis

Makes about 6 servings

2 large peaches , cut into chunks
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 bottle Champagne or sparkling wine

Garnish with 1 large peach , cut into 6 slices and 6 sprigs mint

Combine peach chunks, sugar and lemon juice in a bowl. Allow to rest 30 minutes. Place mixture in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Pour through a strainer, pressing solids to extract flavor and juices. Chill. Discard any solids.Place about 1 tablespoon peach syrup in each flute and fill with Champagne. Garnish with a peach slice and mint sprig.

The Last Time I Was Me

2009-07-25T14:28:00.001-07:00

During the middle of the night I finished reading The Last Time I Was Me by Cathy Lamb. I love chick lit and read constantly. This book gripped me. It had an edge, and the story continued to develop until the end. I hated finishing the book! I highly recommend it.

Mango Breeze Hibiscus

2009-07-24T16:30:00.001-07:00

This is the front of my house. I normally plant several types of annuals in these pots, but I just wanted to do something easy this year. I love this Mango Breeze Hibiscus. It blooms constantly and looks so pretty. I will definitely plant these again next year.

Happily Ever After

2009-07-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

Very close friends of ours have a son and a daughter who just got engaged within weeks of each other. I wanted to give an engagement gift to the son and the daughter prior to any parties that may be held. The sparkling wine that we served at our wedding was Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee. My husband is a big wine connoisseuer and feels that in some cases the popular names that you hear for sparkling wine/champagne are just trendy and not necessarily as good as other vintages that may cost the same. Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee is excellent sparkling wine, and I think it is a perfect gift to celebrate an engagement or wedding! I wrapped the bottles and am looking forward to delivering them this weekend.

Confetti!

2009-07-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

I love this Confetti Ring by David Yuman. I have one in all diamonds, but I love the pop you get when some colored stones are included. I think that all the shapes are fun and do remind you of confetti. And for all you preppy girls-this would match your pink and green outfits!!

Essie Watermelon

2009-07-22T01:53:00.000-07:00

This is the polish that I have been wearing this summer. Essie Watermelon. It is the color of a piece of delicious, juicy watermelon. Essie is my favorite polish.

Let's give this a try!

2009-07-20T16:37:00.001-07:00

I have no idea what I am doing, but I am going to start a blog! I am so impressed with the blogs that I read on a daily basis, and I hope that mine will be a fraction as good.