School shoes

Love these for Alexandra..



Classic shoes that scream little girl, not hoochy!

Available at Piperlime

Pottery Barn

I just received the latest Pottery Barn catalog in the mail and it is filled with things I must have.

Number one on my list is this




I love it so much. Please send one or two my way please!

from here

Chicken Parmesan

I have made this recipe many times and it never fails. Simple, yummy and always garners compliments. I am making it again tonight for guests. Fish was on the menu but it turns out one of the guests has allergies so fish is not going to work. Enter the easy, simple and readily thrown together Chicken Parmesan. try it, you will like it! It is an Ina Garten recipe so that may explain why it always works - she never fails me!

Recipe and image from here

L L Bean Kids

I have had a lot of luck with clothes for my kids from LL Bean. They have very well made things that have taken whatever my kids will throw at them. I love these outfits for fall.

All from LL Bean Kids

Love this room

There are so many things in this image that I love. Simple things and things I believe I could duplicate myself. I look the embroidery hoop with the fabric flower. I love the ribbon board. The canvas bag holding the wrapping papers. I love the colors and the feel of the room and the pink desk chair would be perfect in my daughters room!

Image from Pottery Barn Kids

Sarah's Cottage

I am so in love with this cottage. Sarah Richardson actually renovates her own cottage and it is beyond exceptional. In a fair and just world, she would just come and give me the keys and say 'It's Yours'! Everything about the house is perfect. I have yet to see the show as we are still getting Sarah's House 1 here in the US, but I saw lots of photos in the July issue of Style at Home magazine. Just Gorgeous!!

Company Kids

Love some of the items in the fall catalog of Company Kids. This outfit, in particular, makes me swoon. Pretty sure my daughter will be styling this in the Fall!

From Company Kids

Dream Table

I think I love this table. It is just right for me. 70 inches as is, or 120 with the two leaves. Just perfect! I picture lots of people happily enjoying the wonderful food I have amassed on it. I heart you Sumner Dining Table from Pottery Barn. You will be mine, oh yes, you will be mine!

Available from Pottery Barn

Fishs Eddy

I have never visited this store but it is on the list if I ever get to New York City again. These glasses make me happy. Love the graphic and they are a good size. Being married to a sailor may cloud me a little but I think I may need these!

Available from Fishs Eddy

Brownie Cups

Not sure, but I think I need this. I see it filled with ice cream! I see a brownie bowl, on a plate, filled with vanilla ice cream and it is sitting in front of me. But not for long!

Available from Sur La Table

Bedding from PBK

Loving these comforters from Pottery Barn Kids. I think I love the green dots the most but then I think I love the Liberty print the most. Both are beautiful and would look great in my daughters room.

Both available from Pottery Barn Kids.

a speck of hope

I was at pottery barn kids today and noticed Halloween merchandise. Normally I would mutter under my breath about how it is far too early for that kind of stuff, but something about the 110 degree weather made me welcome the sight of Autumn! Cooler days must come soon. Oh, and fall is my fave season! I start to crave it usually in August but I am getting the fever a little early this year!!

This caught my eye at the store and I am pretty sure I could recreate it using a few embroidery hoops and some paper! Or, I could just spring for this beauty!


Available from Pottery Barn Kids

It is hot..

No really, it is scorching here in the Pacific Northwest. Records dropping all over the place with triple digits everywhere. It would not be so bad if any of the homes had AC? The house I live in was built just over three years ago and it has no ac. Apparently there is no need as it doesn't get that hot here! Uhh yeah right! So I have been sticking to my couch and catching up on some magazine reading! Sunset magazine has been my choice of late as well as some of my old Cottage Living magazines (I still miss that magazine). So since I find myself unable to exert much in the way of effort, I could at least blog a little!!

Donna Hay magazine

Speaking of magazines, this magazine also has a permanent spot on my Top Ten list. The photography alone makes you want to reside within the pages. I have yet to use a recipe of hers and be disappointed. As it is an Australian magazine, you are going to be getting the magazine for a different season but it is well worth it. These are magazines that you keep and cherish so the season matter not! I purchase mine at my local Barnes and Noble and they are usually an issue or two behind. I just purchased issue 44 and the cover alone made me hungry! I actually made the pancakes the next day - the power of a great photograph! . I love them and they make me happy! There is also an annual kids issue which I usually find in American stores in late August to early September. It is always filled with great ideas for kids parties and, again, the photography and styling is outstanding. I cannot recommend these magazines highly enough. You can also order all the back issues via the Donna Hay website here

Martha Stewart Wedding

The Summer 2009 issue hit my mailbox last week and it is a standout issue for me. So many lovely ideas from start to finish. I love the DIY section and all the easy projects it includes. I want to make fabric flowers and lemon cheesecake cupcakes and then have a little party outside using some of the wonderful ideas included. I have been married almost 13 years but I still subscribe because I love to be inspired by pretty things. This magazine never fails to deliver with the pretty. It is always going to be on my top 10 list. Oh and almost every idea, with the exception of the gowns, is adaptable to any kind of party. The standard to which all other magazines should aspire.