Allsaints Spitalfields

I think I found a new favorite clothing store while visiting Vegas--the British fashion brand Allsaints Spitalfields.  Their window display of vintage Singer sewing machines caught my eye and the clothing was quite impressive with beaded dresses and tops and beautiful leather boots and jackets.  I did a lot of drooling.  Wish I took more pictures of the British rocker meets bohemian hippie clothes.

Wooden Signs

lovely handpainted and custom designed wooden wedding & baby signs from Chocolate Butterbean...

English Wedding

Have you seen pictures of Kate Moss's romantic wedding?  Very old English and traditional.  And I love little group of flower girls.  So cute!

House Tour: Katie's Stylish Abode Part 2

Hello my dears...I've been traveling with my brood and have been away from the computer. I was brave enough to take them on a six-hour flight across the country.  Just me alone with four children.  Surprisingly everything went well, except when Chloe whacked hot tea on the nice gentlemen's lap who was sitting next to us and then spit orange baby food on his white dress shoes.  Talk about being so embarassed and profusely apologizing!  But he said he completely understood and not to worry about it.  Such a gentlemen!

Before I left I wanted to post the second part of Katie's home.  Here are pictures of her upstairs where her taste of style continues to flow through.  The nursery is modern and boyish with colors of charcoal gray and dusty blue.  The crib, dresser and shelf are from Bloom and the light-up letter "C" is from Design Solutions. 

Her daughter's room is the perfect combinations of the color pink and ready for the transition from toddler to big girl.

Master Bedroom--upholstered nailhead bed is from Restoration Hardware.  Wood grain dresser from ABC carpet.

Thanks Katie for letting us get a peek into your home!

Click to see more house tours .

Kale Chips

I have four large bushes of kale growing in my garden.  It took a while to my liking but I love kale.  I put it in shakes, salads, sauces...or just eat it raw.  And now I make kale chips!  So yummy.  Easy to make and they really taste like potato chips...we'll kind of.  But they are so good and of course healthy.  Below is the recipe I use, but check out Smitten Kitchen for more details. 

Kale Chips
6 stocks of kale--rinsed, dried with stem and center stem removed
Olive Oil in a spray--I use Pam olive oil
Sea Salt
Italian Seasoning or fresh herbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cut kale in large pieces.  Spread out on a baking sheet.  Spray olive oil on it.  Sprinkle with salt and herbs.  Cook for 10 mins or until crispy.  Serve with grilled food.

Garden

If you stop by my house in the later afternoon, don't bother knocking on the door.  Come around back.  You'll find me in my vegetable garden--picking food for dinner.  I've learned quite a few things about the garden this summer.  It's still a science project to me.  A project that I am learning but also screwing up on.  This year I was more aware of my seeds. I tried to find organic, non-GMO's or heirloom seeds.  It was quite hard.  My lettuce came out really bitter this year so I learned my soil was too acidic and needed to be more alkaline.  And tomatoes actually need a lot of babying.  Who knew.  But somehow vegetables are growing and it's been quite gratifying.

Got any gardening secrets?

Shop Update: Summer Break

I'm closing my shop end of today for summer break and will reopen September 6th after Labor Day weekend.  If you want to order something, get it in today!  All orders will be filled by the end of the week. My website will still be open to order, but orders will not be filled until after September 6th.  I have a lot of fun new pieces and new stones that will be added in September.  This summer has been really busy with wedding orders.  Many brides have been buying the Personalized necklace and Single Initial necklace for bridesmaid's gifts.  And I do offer custom orders.

House Tour: Katie's Stylish Abode

Everytime I go to my friend Katie's house I always peek into each room and take mental notes of the placement of each furniture piece, artwork on the wall and personal treasure that make it a home.  The stylish elements are right up my alley and I love everything she did to the house.  I was so happy when she agreed to let me photograph her home.  It's too cute not to share!  

How great is this funky navy blue/grey sofa?  It's the main accent piece in the living room.  But she keeps the room calm and peaceful with neutral arm chairs and chaise lounge.  Some of the other things I like are her Madeline Weinrib rugs.  And if you notice in the pictures many of her rooms have Madeline Weinrib rugs.  I also like how she added a little part of her kids to the living space. 

The dining room is tucked behind a window-pane door.  How great is that chandelier and pink rug!



The Bloom highchair goes perfect with the white kitchen.

One of my favorite rooms--the playroom!  The wallpaper is the best!

Next week I'll post pictures of her upstairs.

To see more house tours click here.





8 Months!

CHLOE...
is crawling
is pulling herself up
still points her toes like a ballerina
is stubborn
has two dimples
loves avocado, banana, cantalope, cheerios
got two teeth and two more coming in
says "dada"
can be crying then laughing then crying then back to laughing (drama queen)
cries when her mom leaves the room
gets beat up once a day by her 2.5-year-old brother
loves her siblings and tries to keep up with them
sleeps in a port-a crib (poor baby)
knows how to sign "more" in sign language
loves to play in the water
is a happy baby