7.10.2009

Overdue Reviews!

The perfectly royal Preppy Princess sent over the cutest monogrammed towels. Do you think W will mind sharing with the rest of us? They match the upstairs bath perfectly and I adore the ribbon trim.


As if that weren't enough, she also sent along an adorable Lilly Pulitzer photo album that has become my official brag book...I always keep it filled with new pictures of the tiny TCP boys. Thank you so much, Princess!!


Next up is a onesie from the always fabulous Monogram Momma's SWAG shop. W got this as a gift from my now-former (sniff) coworker and I love, love, love it. The design is printed in the fabric, not on top, if that makes sense, so it won't crack or peel off. I will say that the onesie seems to run a little big, but then my kids tend to be on the taller but thinner ends of the charts.



As always, the design is adorable. I don't know how she comes up with them, but I just love each one more than the last.

7.09.2009

Remember the completely adorable madras hoodie that I showed you not too long ago? Well, Andrew from Nantucket Brand has very generously offered to ship one out to me and I will have a review for you very soon.

In the meantime, Nantucket Brand has created a coupon code for 25% off for TCP readers. The code is thirdcoast and is good through August 15th. In case you wanted to pick up this:





or this








or this.





Cable Sweater

Because, you know, someone has a birthday next month. Ahem.

Back in the Saddle Again

(and no, I am not referring to Shea on Southern Belles Louisville, although that might be my current favorite show. Shut up. I know.)


So we've been back from Michigan for four days. In that time, I have done eight loads of laundry, made a list of twelve things I want to blog about, studiously procrastinated on a freelance assignment, watched the aforementioned SBL program--one of the finest hours of television you will find anywhere, and made some fan-freaking-tastic cookies (regular Tollhouse chocolate chip recipe, plus three tablespoons of cocoa powder).



Michigan was lovely. The weather? Notsomuch. Picture five days of rain and 60 degree temps, in a tinier with every day (not so child-proofed) cottage. Gin was needed, I can't lie. Of course, by the time we left, the weather was gorgeous. Isn't that always the way? I actually went to the same towns as Preppy Little Dress...check out her pics, because my camera is on the fritz and she did a fantastic job of recapping the shops. A few shout outs, though, are needed:



First, the Great Lakes Children's Museum. A LIFESAVER. That is all I can say. By Wednesday, we desperately needed this.



Perennial TCP fave Anchor Cottage. I found the cutest wall hanging for W's room. Pics to come if I can figure out what exactly the "lens error" is on my camera.



New find Bad Pony. We drove by this shop on the way to the cottage (it's on M-204 between Sutton's Bay and Leland) and I was intrigued. Then I saw a bag hanging on the arm of another mom at the children's museum and knew I needed to stop in. Because my parents never bought me that pony for my birthday, I was strictly shopping for myself, although they do carry really cute accessories for horses. I ended up with an oilcloth tote that I love. I think that with two boys in the house, I should probably just cover everything I own in oilcloth, quite frankly.



Is it not darling? And nearly indestructible!

Finally, I have a shameful admission to make. Because of the aforementioned rain, I picked up a new novel. Because I had finished The Mating Rituals of the North American WASP--loved it, btw--I needed something new. TCP Mom is a middle school teacher and tries to keep up with what her kids are reading. She had just finished a couple of books and passed them on to me. (You know where this is going, right?) Yes, I have succumb to the ridiculous teenage vampire books. I cannot understand why, as they are not very well written, I find the protagonist to be completely loathsome, and cannot understand the appeal of her vampire boyfriend. And yet? I still read the first two books cover to cover. And have no doubt that I will read the rest.

But fear not, I have finished them and can return to the blogging world with some exciting information that is unrelated to mopey teenagers and the fictional creatures they love.

6.28.2009

Tagged!

Mes Petit Choux tagged me about eight years ago to list my summer faves...It's only seemed like summer here for the last couple of days, so that's my excuse for taking so long to get around to it. Here's my list"



bright red pedicures



the smell of sunscreen



lemonade



eating outside



ice cream cones (ice cream is all year long...cones are strictly summer only in my book)



my birthday :)



Michigan



Yes, that's my transition..we're heading up north for a week, so this will likely be my last post until after we return on the 5th. Have a very happy Independence Day!!

6.26.2009

I want this, even if it does glow in the dark* or whatever.

Bowen Dress in Happiest Hour Patch








That is all.


*Seriously, what is that about? I do not believe I am a fan of this "feature." If they introduce hypercolor** prints next, Lilly and I will need to be On A Break.

**If you remember hypercolor clothing, congrats on being ancient like me. If you have no idea what this is, read about it here.

6.24.2009

Summer in Chicago

This morning, when I started this post, it was sunny, not a cloud in the sky, and 90 degrees. Now, a few hours later, it's major thunderstorms. sigh. At least we got in a little time in the (wading) pool this morning!


Nantucket Brand has a Fresh Catch Sale today on all madras items - including some brand new styles (madras dresses, madras lined zip-up hoodies, madras bermuda shorts and more). The madras hoodie is completely drool-worthy:

Lands' End has a two day sale: 40% off Beach Living Swimwear + Free Shipping. Enter the Promotion Code SALE and the PIN 00006179 in the space provided.

6.23.2009

A Few Goodies

Coyne and Pinckney Stationery is having their first stationery giveaway. Leave a comment on the blog by 3:00 pm on Tuesday, June 30th 2009 and they will enter each comment in a Free Drawing!(yes, if you comment more than once, you will be entered more than once!) Look how cute:






Initial Request is having a sale thourgh the end of June on nap mats, lunch boxes, backpacks and sling bags by mint...20% off!




A.Tierney has free shipping for orders of more than $50 with the code SUMMER09. And check out the cute summer special totes:



I also just heard about a new Etsy shop that has some super cute stuff. The Trendy Tot has a preppy pink whale jumper, but my favorite is this navy Nantucket starfish jumper:



If only there was a lobster design!!