the art of multi-tasking...

{ bath time }

lovely love...

hope you had a lovely weekend too! and your week is off to the loveliest start!

searching for oz...

So anyone who knows me well knows that I am not a fan of McD*nalds. I'm not sure why, but the grease and fake meat in kid shapes {remember long ago when rugr*ats were nuggets} seem to turn me off from the franchise. My family & friends also know {and hear about it all the time} that my most favorite fastfood is Chi*ck-fil-a and I don't step below that level in the food chain of fastfood!

Well...mom called last night on a mission. {At first I didn't hear anything past McD*nald's!} She is on the hunt for the toys in the h*ppy meals. My friends...in case you don't already know...Madame Alexander is back at McD*nald's and has created the sweetest line yet of her mini dolls...our favorite friends from Oz!!

The yorkie boys and I {they needed their nails done} set out this morning to see how many of the 12 I could collect for myself and find for mom to fill in on the ones she doesn't yet have...

As you can see...I haven't yet gotten my hands on the owner of the rubby reds! The lion who earned his courage has to be my favorite so far...I mean check out his curls!!

This isn't Madame Alexander's first time at McD*nald's...these are the few I was able to find several years ago...{love the duck!}

In case you are worried or wondering...you can buy the dolls individually and you don't have to order 12 h*ppy meals! I did not partake in any food while there...after waiting for the kind lady to dig in the back for the numbers I was searching for...I saw the french-fry-filler wipe his ungloved hands on his pants...it was then I decided even against the strawberry milk shake I was considering! So if you too are a huge fan of Oz...head on out to your local McD*nald's and snatch up these little people with moving eyes...but remember...don't eat the fries!!

please pray...

I know you may be reading this from your inbox too...as I just sent many of you an email just now, but those of you who's email addy I don't have...

I have stumbled across this family this evening and...was beyond touched and compelled to share...because they need our prayers...
http://roomforatleastonemore.blogspot.com/

They are currently in China to adopt their baby girl. They met her today...in a dirty hospital and in serious need of proper medical care in order to save her life. They have said it will take nothing short of a miracle to get her out of Chin*a alive and back to the states for care all in a short amount of time...sounds like prayers are needed to me!

Please pray for this family as they are walking through the shadows of death. May the Lord hear us all and cover this little girl and her family in the safety of His wings.

halloween style...

have you met matthew mead...well his creative touch at least? If you haven't met him yet {or maybe I'm the last to find him}...you must check him out! His new Halloween magazine hit bookshelves this month and I need to head to b&n to check it out!

this design idea is one that can hang around all year...a great little spot for inspiration...

A few things you won't find in the magazine {i assume}...FREE downloads of some precious pieces and parts to make your own spooky delights!! Check 'em out here...

I mean how orange, vintage-y, and adorable is this...

and this...this...and this...

{ all images borrowed from matthewmeadstyle.com ...top one edited by moi }

blessed with press...

What a sweet treat! We are so excited to be featured in the T*t Trends Weekly birthday bonanza issue! They loved our birthday plates and deemed them "a keeper"!
Along the lines of birthday...I am so excited about this new product...canvas personalized birthday banners!

what a special way to say "happy birthday" year after year with a birthday banner! Sure to make the littles feel so special on their big day ...or choose not to have it personalized and use it for more than one birthday darling!

old school calling...

so if you remember...I obviously spend {too much} time on the phone...cell phone that is. Until I came across this hoot I didn't even realize that I haven't used "an old fashioned" headset in quite a while since we don't have a land line and haven't for years. {red of course!...gives it that modern day edge!}
{ image borrowed from here... }

busy...

playing with spray paint again!

this last picture...what a great wrapping paper inspire for halloween..."now thats an idea!" {family joke}...but think 3 year old with a paci, strong lisp, big bass fish he named "popsicle", and a power wheels jeep! oh the possibilities...priceless!

six...

{ happy birthday little witty! }

......................................

on a side note...we are so very thankful for the safety of all our friends and family...{ and our houstonians directly in harms way... lkh so glad you are out of dodge and aunt nancy so grateful for your safety...despite your stories of "getting to know" ike! } it is such a sinking feeling being so far away and watching these images barrel toward home...

eta: we received our own little visit from ike last night...the sun set on a sky that produced colors we have never seen before. Once the sun was down the winds roared in at whopping speeds...the trees were dancing, the neighbors porch furniture tumbled across our lawn, and the lights flickered...made for an interesting evening to be hosting friends. Many are without power today...what an amazing hurricane/storm/force that somehow found a way to touch all the way to the tip top of the US and started roaring from the bottom.

{ bottom image borrowed from foxnews.com }

yorkie boys...

So I feel like a neglectful "mother"...many of you have asked about the yorkie boys. Yes they are well and swell and they do still get their picture taken...well occasionally! I didn't realize that I hadn't posted about them in a while until I was harassed I mean until it was brought to my attention. Please be assured that although I don't have hard evidence to share that they are truly being well taken care of and now have 24/7 attention. I do believe that Stanley has decided that I now work from home for him...he {well as you will see} is quite demanding at times to either play outside or simply is vocal about wanting to be held. Wilson on the other hand...is the same o'le mr. cool and collective and likes his space and time for his own thoughts!

..so for your viewing pleasure...

11 september 2001

we lived this...
we didn't learn about in history class...
even though it is now in history books...
we didn't see images and wonder what that time must have been like...
we lived this...

this day in 2001 was full of emptiness...
a day of death we lived...

every year we honor those who died...
be fallen heros, victims, families, tireless workers,
but we also remember so vividly...
the day we learned firsthand what terrorism meant...
fresh, raw, and ugliness...
honored or scared...
we will never forget.

nor will we forget what it felt like to be an american that day...
somehow the flag...
it meant much more than it ever had...
because as americans we fought together...
that day...
we lived through it.

I visited NY City 3 months later in 2001. I finished my last college final of the semester and jumped a plane that Wednesday headed for NY to spend a week with a dear friend. ...looking back...I can't believe my mom let me go and I don't remember being one bit scarred to be staying in the city. I just remember wanting to get there...to see it for myself and what had been left behind. What I imagine the terrorists didn't take in to account being left behind...was the strength of the American spirit...and I am so thankful I got to experience it firsthand in the city that year while everything was still so raw... {I scanned in a few of my pics to share...I didn't yet have a digital}

{ Saint Paul's Chapel...located across from Ground Zero }

{ the make shift memorial wall outside Saint Paul's Chapel }

{ fire fighters heading back in after a break }

{ standing guard }

{ peering in the window of a H*llmark store around the corner...still in the same state of disarray that it was left }

one talented momma...mine!

So...I am ready to move back into my old room! My mom just finished making new curtains for "the girls" room...the room my sister and I shared growing up...and I am ready to move back in!!! Aren't they gorgeous!!!

In case you have always wondered where I got my love for fabrics and the slight chance you don't know my mom...now...surely now you will understand where I get it! Aren't these gorgeous! The silks are divine and the ruffles...just precious!! I love love love the way they turned out mom!!! As always...what a fabulous job you did! I tell ya...she can do wonders with the sewing machine people.

And just a little more eye candy...this chair is also a resident in my old room...along with a powder pink ceiling and pink chandillier...{the Lord knew my mom couldn't have gone without daughters!}

she's for hire {don't know that she knows that yet, but I can hire her out...I will be {self-proclaimed} her agent!}...she JUST finished the bedskirt for our guestroom yesterday {can't wait to see it!!} so her sewing machine, talented hands, and creative fabric combinations are available again! In the chance that you don't need curtains or custom work, and like the look of the precious pillow in the above chair...she still has some listed here that she whipped up with vintage peices...lovely!

While we are talking pink and lovely I will show you my favorite one..."lovely lady".

leaves...

I ventured in to B&BW to use this little coupon and was introduced to leaves! love love love this new scent...it is my new favorite! I plugged it into my wallflower and within minutes was hooked! I give this one 2 thumbs up! You are more than welcome to stop on over and smell for yourself...or pick one {or 2 since they are buy1 get1 free} up at your local B&BW. { Remember to print the coupon making it an even better bargain! Enjoy! }

{ image borrowed from B&BW of course }

downtown shopping...

There is a "little area" of downtown that has lots to offer...it is a "strip" of street of sorts and hubby and I have come to enjoy some of the goodies you can only find there. So while hubby watched the games with buds at our friend's place downtown...

Shea and I headed to some favorite spots...

...fresh popcorn in more flavors than your taste buds could savor! This little shop is set up adorably...notice the old movie playing on the wall in the background!

We discovered this Mexican Food store while Krystal was visiting and their fresh flour tortillas are scrumptious! She whipped up some breakfasts tacos the next morning and they have been a favorite ever since...{thanks sis}!

My pictures didn't all turn out {so I borrowed some from our first visit last year}...there is always fresh produce...

...and fresh flowers for the picking too.

There are also a few coffee shops that have fresh coffee...flavored coffee!!...with too many choices to choose from! I narrowed it down to 2 this time and will try them each until I find my absolute favorite. With hubby's early schedule and long days...I might turn him into a coffee drinker yet!

And of course...always the life of the party...Miss "M.K."...as you can see she loves her accessories!...a gal after my own heart!

a shop update...

I have definitely kept the mailman on his toes this last week...new packages are coming in everyday and our neighbors are bound to wonder whats going on! If only I had more time to get them all listed quickly! Here is just a sampling of the new goodies...

A few new chic slippers have arrived...{several years later I am still in love with these silk & velvet combinations...}The super popular if-you-have-one-you-know-why binkers are back in stock!!! Now with over 20 styles to choose from...there is bound to be one for every outfit with that many choices!

Clocks...if you have ever tried to find a "cute" clock for the little's room...you know this is no easy search...I have found a few that I feel pass that test!

There are lots of new art pieces that I am in the middle of adding...so keep checking back there if you are on the search for a new inspiration piece!

{Hint.Hint}... if you aren't already signed up for the Tea Time newsletter...you can follow the link on the right to stay up.to.date on specials and sales!

big day, big news...

it is time...
hubby has been telling me this for at least 8 months...
i have finally listened...
i assume he is so glad that i have finally given in...
as he must be tired of hearing me complain about wanting one...
why the long wait?
it wasn't the right time...
with the move i didn't want it to get damaged...
and well i was so nervous about the financial commitment...

this is such a huge step for me and my little biz...
i have wanted a new computer for at least 3 years...
...i have needed one for about the last 2...
i was reminded on this last week as i typed...
then watched as the computer caught up 3 sentences...

i have researched so much...
that i am confused as to all the options...
i am so grateful to the tech for his patience...
as i came to know him by first name...
as i shaved and added features...
requested numerous quotes...
and his many emails over the last few weeks...
seeing as i don't make many decisions very quickly...

i don't yet know the delivery date...
but i will be sure to let you know when it arrives...
i am just happy to have the decision made...
now if only it would hurry up and get here...

{ image borrowed from superstock.com }

rockin weekend...

Hubby and I enjoyed our weekend to the fullest and hopefully you did too! It is always a treat to have an "extra" day. Although, our thoughts, prayers, and worries have been with the Gulf and the possibilities of what could happen and what did happen with the storms. Thank the Lord that what could have happened didn't happen and what did happen is less severe than projected.

We spent Saturday cleaning out the garage...getting rid of the last few boxes...I guess we are officially "all moved in"! We rewarded ourselves with a day full of fun on Sunday! We headed to a local flea market south of the city that we've been looking forward to trying. We arrived early hoping not to miss anything. We went with hopeful expectations and riding on a few recommendations...consensus: it was a good one! I was most excited to finally find a spot for vintage treasures seeing as the last few we tried were...h.o.r.r.i.b.l.e. I had about decided that "flea market" was a different definition here in PA than what I know it to be in TX.

We found a few favorites...silver trays and compotes that I have already put to good use and found "the" spot for them! BUT...the most treasured of all finds at any flea market we have ever shopped was found at this one...I must say I don't have a more favorite antiquing find...ever...

it has lovely legs...{with wheels!}...

...great bones and details...

it

is

a

beautiful antique wooden cradle
{ that won't be used, but just admired for a while }

and is in fabulous condition...it rocks and even locks for the "no rocking" option.

We only know a little of its story {the history is always my next question after the price}. It was found at an estate sale here in PA and was the gentleman's grandmother's...they think it dates to the late 1800s - early 1900s. I don't know much about its history...but I can tell you it will now forever be in our family.

all it needed was a little tlc from hubby!

The man who sold it to us also gave us a wonderful new tip {which I think sold hubby on the purchase all together!}. He introduced us to this and this...and gave us a bottle of each so we could clean up the cradle! What wonderful tools we will not be going without for future "furniture make-overs".

On our way back into town we stopped by the new outlet that just opened...it had some wonderful stores that will surely be nice to have close. I was excited to take hubby to the sweet spot Krystal and I found when she was here...Sarris...a cute old fashioned ice cream parlor tucked back in a little town! We split a so very tasty - hit the spot strawberry milkshake...with 2 cherries! yummm! He loved it!

We topped off the day with a little more sun...a pool party with friends! A great day with just hubby, a special find, and a sweet treat!

.....................
{ Labor Day }

good food

silly friends