At home...

My sweet grandma was not doing well last week and so I came home to Scottsdale to spend time with her and the rest of my family. She passed away on Sunday, and is now finally reunited with my Bompa up in heaven! I probably won't get back to KC or to blogging until the end of this week, and I just wanted to let you know.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend, and in enjoying the start of summer!

XOXO

Just Peeking In to Say Hello

image via ffffound

BeYOND busy today at work, but just wanted to say hello, so.... 

"HELLO!"

6 Things That Would Really Brighten My Wednesday

Tesica Cushion from John Lewis

I heart Hedgehogs from The Light Garden (via Kelly + Olive)

Colored Masking Tape from Etsy seller Nothing Elegant

Ice cold pink lemonade from a street vendor

This CLU t-dress from La Garconne (via Mrs. French)

Custom Couples Portrait by Etsy Seller Tuesday Mourning

The One Day Shred

That is what this video SHOULD be titled.

I've only done it for one day.

Muscles are so "shredded" that I can barely type.

Be back tomorrow, loves. :)

Jessie's Piperlime Pick of the Week

I had forgotten how therapeutic it is to write Jessie's Piperlime Pick of the Week! When you're funds are low (mine are), and you need some retail relaxation (I do), and you don't have time to go window shopping (not a chance) - then this will cure your I'm-Trying-Not-To-Spend-Anything-Blues in a JIF!

Today's goods all have a distinct tribal feel to them, and as per usual, it was not an intentional theme... they just happened to be the ones I threw in my cart to share with all of you! I always think it's kind of cool when that happens. :)

Nothing but Net from Unlisted by Kenneth Cole - SALE $29.99

Sahara from Sam Edelman - SALE $129.99

Gessica from Enzo Angiolini - SALE $79.99


Dalaya from Enzo Angiolini - SALE $89.99

Moon from DV by Dolce Vita - SALE $69.99

What do we think? Favorites? Least favorites? Will YOU be jumping on the tribal bandwagon this summer, or have you already taken the plunge?

Wall Doodles

I am TOTALLY tempted to try this fun project to spice up our long, boring hallway this weekend. It looks a little daunting, but I think I could do it!

The page from the Fossil catalog

I was inspired by the DIY I saw over at Design*Sponge, done by another blogger named Kellie. She used a page from a catalog for inspiration, a couple of fat paint pens, and a footstool to transform her blank walls into a complete masterpiece! I've painted some freehand lettering on one of the walls in our kitchen, and with a paint pen, it seems like it would be much easier!

Kellie's Wall

What do we think on the colors and shapes, my Luckies?? Be sure to share if you have any ideas, and I will definitely keep you posted!

Buttoned Up

Garance Dore

I love incorporating menswear inspired fashions into my wardrobe... but lately, I've been leaning towards being a bit more literal.

Whether I'm donning a mix of feminine and masculine, or stealing clothes right of of G's closet... I always like to have plenty of well-executed inspiration at hand.

Cupcakes and Cashmere

Garance Dore

Olsens Anonymous

... And these are the photos that I keep coming back to, again and again.

Baby Owen

Now THOSE are some cheeks for smushing! Can't wait!

I'm an AUNT!

My brother-in-law and his wife has this little gem in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday, and I'd say that's a mighty fine Mother's Day gift indeed.

Welcome to the family, Baby Owen! I can't wait to meet you and give lots and lots of love to my very first nephew!

Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

Image via Saipua

I had a wonderful weekend with you, and I'm so thankful we could spend it together!!!

Miss you already!

(And thanks, Dad, for surprising her with the plane ticket!!!)

Purple Potatoes!

The winner of the edible plant trivia contest is.......

ZIBABY! (a.k.a. my dear friend and neighbor, Tricia!)

I was astounded by the vast number of vegetable experts that read my blog, and five of you put the right answer in your comments, so I drew from those and Tricia's was the one that was picked!

She will be receiving a copy of this great vegetable gardening book, and I will be walking it over to her this weekend! :)

Thanks for playing, everyone!

Mr. A-Z

Leaving work a little early and heading off to see Jason Mraz tonight!

Image via The Kansas City Star

Take a listen. (Sorry, couldn't find any embeddable video.)

Jesse and Edie

When I was a wee one, I used to love leaving food out for the forest creatures up at our cabin. (Not the best idea, in retrospect, but I can't help how much I love animals!!!)

Peanuts and cantelope for the squirrels, dried fruit for the birds, and dogfood for the raccoons!

We had our regular diners, of course... Sammy Squirrel and Ricky Raccoon were two of my favorites, but if Jesse and Edie would have stumbled across my path, I might have died from a cute attack.

05.03.09 Jesse and Edie Raccoons from Amy Shutt on Vimeo.

See? You just died a little bit... didn't you?

Details about the little critters on Amy's blog Day-Lab (also be sure to see her awesome online shop!)

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Wishing we were throwing a party tonight, but instead, we will be at The Land of Paws with Miss Sadie Pants for her first day of school.

Instead of wasting time wishing, I've rounded up my favorite Mexican-inspired essentials for our next summer fiesta! (All from Etsy... natch.)

These would look grand hung on our balcony!

Macaroon Garland from lepetitpapillon

Set this saucy little lady near the chips and salsa to give your guests a good giggle.

Vintage Mexican Marionette from calloohcallay

I'd place clusters of these in clear glass jars around our flat and they'd brighten up the room in seconds!

Tissue Paper Flowers from annemusingdesigns

I love the idea of using this floor mat on the table underneath the food on the buffet (might wanna give it a good cleaning first)!

Vintage Mexican Serape Mat from luvintage

Perhaps most importantly... a darling vintage service set to spice up the food presentation in a flash!

Vintage Pottery Snack Set from sortedpast

Truly Happy: Smushing Cheeks

Smushing cheeks with my precious kitty

Written on December 15, 2004

Two faces, side by side.

Whether during a friendly hug, posing for a picture, or in a loving embrace; line up the chins and cheekbones, and the squishy part in between will do the rest.

Smush cheeks with a child and their cherub-like face will fit right in the hollow of your own. For the seasoned veteran, smush cheeks with a friend and then smile big at the same time. For lovers, you can smush while hugging and exchange special whispers.

A smush is something that will never lose it's excitement or it's meaning, and they should be spread around using nothing but generosity and love.

Smushing cheeks is a thing that makes me truly happy.

Find more Truly Happies here and here.

Edible Plant Trivia

Can you identify this fruit or vegetable?! I was slicing and dicing for dinner the other night, and couldn't believe the vibrant color and pattern that popped out from inside of these little gems.

Leave your guess in the comments and if there are multiple right answers, I will draw randomly from the correct guessers!!

***Contest will close on Sunday night, and the winner will be announced Monday.***

The winner will receive a copy of this fantastic book (recommended here), just in time for spring-time gardening!

Vegetable Gardening: Simple Steps to Success by Jo Whittingham

Here's a closer look...

Now, guess away!!!

P.S. This post was almost titled "Are You Smarter than a Vegetable?"... HA!

I decided that would be innapropriate and insensitive (both of which I sometimes am), and so I changed the title.

Posting it waaaay down here at the bottom is totally different, right?!!

Karla is Cool

I'm so glad it's Friday!!! I have a busy weekend planned, but at the top of my to-do list?

Recerating this look...

Karla and her Closet (trust me, it deserves capitalization) never fail to rock my socks off.