Before you throw those baby clothes away....

A few weeks ago, as we were heading to a restful weekend getaway in Michigan, I was reading the Fall 2010 Real Simple "Family" special edition.

I literally burst into tears after reading this excerpt from the Editors Note:

" A few years ago, I went to the high school graduation party of a girl who lived up the street.  The weather was cooperative, the food terrific, the parents proud and the teenagers appropriately polite.  It was a wonderful night.  But what I remember most was a sentimental gesture from the graduate's mom.  She had saved a selection of outfits from her daughter's childhood and hung them on a clothesline, in chronological order, along the deck.  Looking at the clothes, you could imagine her daughter growing: from the infant just home from the hospital to the college-bound almost-woman she had become.  I stared at the line of clothes and thought, Wow, how organized! And then, How beautiful."

My husband was looking at me like I was crazy.  I could barely even read it to him.  It just struck a nerve.  Maybe because my oldest started kindergarten this week and I know how quickly the years will pass.  Or maybe I was just overly emotional that day.

Whatever the reason, I know I will be taking careful consideration before getting rid of any of the boys' clothes.  :-)  I love the idea of keeping a special outfit from each stage of their life.  And what a beautiful way to use and display them.

Just thought I'd share!

Staycationing

We are "staycationing" this week.  Ticking things off our summer list, getting stuff done around the house and preparing for the first day of school tomorrow.  Who knows, maybe I'll even get a chance to catch up on some posts.

Hope you are enjoying these last lovely days of summer!

{photo: me}

Favorite Things: Part 5

You know how much I love lavender, and I fell in love with this scent at Bath & Body several years ago.  I know it says "Sleep," but I use the lotion any time of day, and I use the pillow mist as an air freshener in the house and on my furniture as well.  Seriously never get tired of it - it's such a soothing and pretty scent!

So glad...

...that I decided to plant those gladiolus bulbs this spring.  They are in full bloom and there are so many different colors and varieties.  They are the perfect flower for cutting and bringing inside - long lasting and so pretty!


Linking to: Pure Style Home "Pure Project #12"!

Favorite Things: Part 4

This spring I was on a huge green tea and honey kick.  Not as much lately with the warm weather, but I really love the iced green tea from Panera, so maybe I should just put it over ice?  I think I'll try that. 
So far this is my favorite variety, but I am no tea connoisseur by any means.  There's just something relaxing to me about tea (and coffee).  Really more of a state-of-mind thing most of the time - love curling up (or waking up....or working with...or running errands with...) a nice cup of something.  And if it's tea, it's good for you, right?  Gotta get those antioxidants!

Favorite Things: Part 3

I haven't bought (or received....hint, hint) a nice perfume in quite a few years.  I was looking for something inexpensive and light, and I came across this solid perfume while perusing L'Occitane a few months ago (translation: looking to spend a gift card that was burning a hole in my pocket!).

I've always had a thing for rose scents.  I think it dates back to a rose-y Victoria's Secret lotion my Grandma Mickie used to wear ("Her Magesty's Rose" I think?), and then my mom and I found Evelyn Rose at Crabtree and Evelyn which was very similar.

This is also very similar and was only $9.  Plus, it's easy to carry and comes in that sweet little tin!

I'm still in the market for an eau de toilette, though.....any suggestions?

Favorite Things: Part 2

This fave was actually a suggestion from the "what's your favorite beauty product" giveaway a while back. Camilla from High Heeled Foot in the Door recommended these minty lip glosses from C.O. Bigleow (via Bath & Body Works).

WARNING: they are a little bit addicting. Not only minty and fresh, but delicious. Ok, that's weird, but they do taste good! Ha! You won't be able to resist licking your lips. :-)

Time to head back to good ol' B&B, these three tubes are now empty and it's time for a refill. I love them all, but I must say that the Cinnamint (in the middle) was my most favorite.

Favorite Things: Part 1

A while back I had a notion to post about a bunch of my favorite things. I even took all the pics and uploaded them, but never quite got aroun to the posts. So, here goes! The first was a gift from a friend who was visiting, and I fell in love immediately. This Tocca candle (Grace scent) smells AMAZING and I love everything about it, including the beautiful box. I keep it on the piano in our foyer and light it whenever we have company. It's not too perfume-y; just a nice light scent. And the best part? The tiny little matchbook that comes with the candle and fits perfectly in the box. How cute is that?! Do you have any favorite candles? What a perfect hostess gift. Thank you, Allison!

Always makes me happy

Having fresh-cut flowers in the house always makes me happy. I thought I'd share these pictures from a couple of weeks ago when all my peonies were in bloom. They smelled soooo good, and I was so sad to see them go. I also love this idea from Pure Syle Home - anything green brings a little bit of the oudoors in and feels so refreshing and pretty. (Also LOVE her shed / playhouse idea.) And I was trying to get every last bit out of my annviersary roses. And seeing them in this jar reminds me I need to post about my big flea market adventure with my good friend Jamie. More to come!

The List

I made some progress on my list last....er...two weekends ago (holy cow, what did I do last weekend?).  And we finally made our summer list.  Drumroll, please......



It was assembled with input from all four family members, and we actually had a good time putting it together.  And you'll see I had to add at least one item toward the bottom, just so I could check it off (please tell me you do that, too!)

And did I ever mention that I finally did the chalkboard door?  In like January.  And it still needs touch ups around the trim.  Add it to the list! (looking at this picture reminds me I also should have put potty training on the list....and hanging those pictures properly!).

{Inspriation for this list: here.}