Mrs. Roper

If there was ever a style I've loved...it's Mrs. Roper...you know her...the caftan wearing, loving wife of Stanley.  Soooo, imagine my excitement when I got a sneak peek of The Webster of Miami's spring line for Target!  I couldn't wait for it to hit stores and just in time for summer and our family's annual jaunt to the beach. The collection hit stores yesterday and unlike the Missoni debacle, it was still there when I arrived later today to try on a few pieces. I ended up getting the "wallpaper maxi" which looks incredible on! There's something about that wallpaper look of big green leaves that transcends time.  I can remember a childhood friend's powder room growing up having nearly the same paper as a friend of mine now who ironically has it in her powder room as well.  The vintage charm of it begs for a lawn party or outdoor wedding of which I hope to oblige! Or maybe I'll just sit around sipping cocktails and flirting with Jack...either way, I'll be channeling my inner Mrs. Roper, er, minus the hair! 

image credit: (first) The Webster of Miami (second) The Webster of Miami for Target

Thursday's things

GO BABY GO!  This weekend is one of my all time favorite events...The Kentucky Derby! While the husband and I won't be able to go this year, we will be there in spirit.  While perusing our local swanky men's store this week I came across a gem of an item.  Of course I'm a huge fan of needlepoint and that being said...a huge fan of Smathers & Branson.  Nestled among the needled crab, sailboat, and trout...a hunter green hat with a little mint julep gleamed back at me!  I debated on getting it for the husband but he's super picky about the fit of hats...so, I thought maybe I'd get it for myself.  But, I have the tiniest head ever and usually have to wear youth size hats. Alas, I left it at the store but not before encouraging the sales guy that they should do a Derby window display with that hat and a seersucker suit.  He was excited at my suggestion and so now even as I'm typing this thinking I may go back and take a chance on the husband's picky-ness...I bet someone else is already sporting this number and, well...that's a little needling to say the least!  Check out Smathers & Branson for all your needlepoint needs. 

image credit: Smathers & Branson

Done

And just like that...the toddler is potty trained.  After a year of systematic begging and backing off she finally decided on a whim...on her own...that she wanted to start pottying in the potty.  It has been a long time coming and it has transformed our lives!  No longer do I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders as a Mom who, like her toddler, had no interest in the potty training battle.  I will say, one of my best friends, a mother of 3, once told me that no matter how much I push her, she will not go until she is ready.  It's a decision they have to make on their own, she told me.  After hearing stories of her putting a potty in front of the television and still having her son not go in it, I decided that she was probably right.  And so, after a year of tear-filled bathroom sessions something clicked.  Now...the toddler's teeth might possibly rot out of her head as she's consumed enough Starbursts to account for every star in the universe!  But alas, if that's what it takes...then so be it.  There also may have been mention of her getting an iPad for using the potty with no accidents...we're going on day 4 with no accidents...who's counting?  Er, uunfortunately, she is!

image credit: baby bjorn

Thursday's things

The feel of summer is in the air and for some reason I can't help thinking about summers spent with my grandparents.  Specifically I've been thinking about how during those summers my grandmother would always take me to the local department store...the only department store...in town and let me pick out something.  Leon's was the name and despite searching the internet for some shred of  evidence that it existed, I came up empty handed...though I was never empty handed when I went to Leon's.  I feel like we spent hours there each visit and oddly I can remember looking at all those round racks packed with crisp clothes and being able to fit under them.  The rounders were jammed in the little space and occasionally  I'd hide under them which I'm sure sent my grandmother into a tizzy.  Nevertheless, I can remember the smell of the new clothing, the bright fluorescent lights and the tiny dressing rooms.  I also remember those shiny pink bags bearing the black cursive writing of a store that I loved so well.  Sadly, it's no longer there but in my mind I can still go there.  I can still feel the cold refrigerated air on my warm shoulders and the rush of getting something new!  You can't beat summer smells and memories that have lasted a lifetime.


image credit: sf station

be right back

Under the weather...and if I had a wing to tuck my head under I'd do it! After a week of misery I finally forced myself to go to the doctor today.  I'll be on the mend soon...hopefully!  Until then, check out a couple of my fave blogs...
Atlantic Pacific and A Cup Of Jo
Be back soon!

Lucky 13

13 years ago today I was crouched in a tiny pre-war bathroom in a wedding dress chugging Mylanta. Luckily, I haven't needed it since those pre-wedding jitters! The husband and I will be celebrating this evening...along with his accounting firm as today is also tax day...how romantic! Wish we were leaving for Spain tomorrow but alas...when we decided upon April 17th all those years ago we had no idea that the husband would eventually end up in the accounting field or that the government would change the deadline to the 17th. Lucky indeed! Cheers babe!

Thursday's things

I am completely obsessed with the HGTV show House Hunters...and House Hunters International...and have been for a while! I don't know what it is about the show but it always lures me in. It's always interesting to see what all is out there and what people are able to spend and what awful houses they are willing to shell money out for, especially on the International version. I know an idyllic countryside home in Ireland is good and all but the fact that it's close to a million U.S. dollars and is nothing short of squalor is truly dumbfounding. I love seeing what they've done with the place on the "1 month later" shot though. I've got the husband and my mom and sister hooked as well. We like to play this little game where we guess which one they'll pick and I'm happy to say that I usually win! Maybe deep in my heart I'd love to be a realtor because I love to look at houses and would do so endlessly but the husband gets tired of schlepping me around for no reason but to look aimlessly at what's "for sale". And one more thing...how do these people afford tropical resort like homes as a second home? I'm pretty sure the only second home I'll ever have is the block version the toddler builds me from time to time, and, well...that's just fine. I'll keep watching House Hunters and keep on dreaming!

image credit: hgtv