Erin Condren Life Planner

A few weeks ago, I took advantage of the group deal on Plum District. It was for Erin Condren. Erin has a ton of fantastic stationary and paper goods. Even with my Google calendars, the iPhone and all the latest in technology, I still like to write down my schedule and see everything in written form. I ordered the new Life Planner and am completely in love! I chose the Favorite Things planner. It has so many features I love; the ability to personalize it with my name, list all of my favorite things on it and pretty, pretty colors.
Here is a pic of my new planner.

Here is a better list of what I included; bouquets of colored pencils, grosgrain ribbon, elephants, npr, tea shoppes, patent leather, monograms, pearls, barefoot contessa, manicures, farmer's markets, stationary, botanical gardens, kate spade, flip flops, theatre, magazines, rowing, nyc, volunteering, books, fresh cut flowers, headbands, champagne, macaroons, tennis, polka dots, france, summer camp, shag: the movie, etiquette, cocktail hour, outdoor showers, sex and the city, hot air balloons, culinary arts.

I have been using it for two weeks and just love it!

Cruisin'

This year for my birthday, all the besties pitched in and presented me with a wonderful Trek Cruiser in Pink! Here is a picture of my lovely bike. I love the attention to detail. The pink handlebars have dark pink stitching as does the seat. Everything on the bike is perfect. And pink!

They even put an adorable pink bell on my bike! Now all I need is a little basket for the front. I have been scouring the internet for the perfect basket (at the perfect price). I can't wait to spend the summer riding my cruiser.

Posh Pockets

I have to carry a large purse, because I like to have lots of things with me. My iPod, my camera, my phone, a book, lots of lip gloss, an umbrella, my sunglasses, pretty tissues, and now Posh Pocket games. During my trips to Target, I noticed these cute little books of games and tonight added a few to my purse. They are so pretty and I love to sit a work a puzzle while waiting. Little puzzles are great for short waits. If I know I am going to have a long wait, I pull out my book. But, when I know I only have a little time, this is the perfect solution. I picked up two Sudoku and two Word Searches.

Of course, something pink and green:


I love the little bird:


For the polka dots:


The inside is orange paper:

Veuve Clicquot Champagne

I adore champagne and of course one of my favorites is Veuve. Seeing the orange-yellow label always brings a smile to my face. One of my all time favorite books is The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It.



From Amazon: The Widow Clicquot, a fascinating story of the cunning bravery and good fortune that helped build the Veuve Clicquot brand. Widowed at age twenty-seven by the death of her husband François Clicquot, Barbe-Nicole assumed control of her family’s wine business amid the chaos of The Napoleonic Wars. That she became a prominent female leader in a male-dominated industry was one thing; building an empire amid savage political unrest was quite another. With passionate research and true admiration for her subject, Mazzeo pays homage to the beloved Widow from Reims and the remarkable weight her name still carries today.

I also love all the accessories on their site. Why shouldn't your champagne have a Clicquot Traveller? Or a Cruiser Bag?

Today while doing a little grocery shopping, I stumbled upon a wonderful display of Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne. It is perfect timing for Valentine's Day.

It is the perfect pink for Valentine's Day, actually all year round.

Let the cork pop and the bubbles flow.

Can't Stop Watching

I simply cannot stop watching the Sex and the City 2 trailer. I heart it so much. I adore the theme song by Alicia Keys. So perf! I am so excited to see SATC 2 in the theater. I saw SATC 1, three times in the theater. I just can't get enough.

A Glint in My Eye

Yesterday during my trip out, I popped into Nordstrom and spotted this cutie. Of course, I had to have them! They are made of fuchsia satin and the 'bow' is so pretty. They are also very comfy, because the heel is a little over 2". I think they will look great peeking out of dark jeans. Or paired with a black dress.

Welcome to My Closet, Skyla

When I realized my friends and family pass for Coach expired on Sunday, I knew a little present was in order. I hopped on over to Coach on Michigan Ave. and spotted these cuties. They were already on sale for 50% off and I used my coupon for another 20% off. I love them so much.
Coach Skyle Pink Patent with Bow:

Pink & Green Treats

Last week, I was in F.U.N. in Glenview. I heart this little store. They are primarily a personalized stationary and invitation store. However, they do have little sections full of fun products. Cute books, totes, wrapping paper, notepads, etc. I didn't really have a purpose to be there, but I was close and mostly was looking for a pick-me-up present. How delighted was I when I discovered the cutest kitchen products. I ended up with a clear recipe box with pink and green trimmed recipe cards, a p&g measuring converter (this is on a cute ring, tied with grosgrain), extra p&g recipe cards and a small p&g argyle notepad with pen. I just love what I picked out and can't wait to start using it.

Hinsdale: Part Two

While visiting the Lilly store in Hinsdale, I popped across the street to The Yankee Peddler. TYP is a super cute boutique with lots and lots of fun treats. They have tea towels, candles, lotion, wall art, cake stands, books, aprons, tableware, vases, purses, paper goods, baby gifts, etc. I wondered around looking at every single thing for about 40 minutes. The owner was so nice and we had a wonderful time chatting. I also wanted to own everything in there. This is the storefront. (I could not get the sign due to a weird angle.)

Finally, after much looking and chatting, I decided on the following items:
A lovely light aqua vase/glass. I love the feel of it in my hand and the color. I would put three little hydrangeas in there, tightly wrapped. Or perhaps with some fresh juice on a Sunday morning. The second treat was a book on where to buy Vintage Paris Couture. Each section is divided by arrondissement. The book only fuels my re-discovered obsession with Paris & France. Julie & Julia also contributed to its' resurrection.

Lilly Pulitzer: The Hinsdale Store

Here in Illinois, the only true Lilly store is in a very nice suburb, Hinsdale. Last week, Thursday on my way out of town, I decided to pop in. This is the first time I have been in the Hinsdale store. I know that seems a little crazy, but Hinsdale is a bit of a drive (on the worst interstate) from where I live on the Northside. The LP store is in this little 'downtown' district on First Street. There were several adorable shops and restaurants that I would like to go back too. Like all Lilly stores, it was immaculate and brightly colored. My favorite part was how spacious the store was and that the racks and shelves were not crazy crowded. It was all beautiful. And they had so. much. stuff. Here are a few pictures of the outside. So adorable, right?




While I was there, I picked up my Twenty Ten Agenda and a cute little coin purse. The coin purse is a piece of citrus and on the flip side says, 'it all started with a juice stand.' I absolutely cannot wait for 2010 so I can use the agenda.

Calling Cards

In addition to the cocktail hour, I would love for calling cards to make a huge comeback. I am almost out of my current calling cards, so I am shopping around for something new. I have found so many that are adorable and fun, that I am having a hard time deciding. I would like for the cards to list my name, phone and email. My current cards are from Crane's. They are a light white with an old-fashioned phone logo on them. They list my name and phone number. I think adding my email address is key.
The choices from Boatman Geller:



I have always loved toile, especially black and white. I have the most adorable set of handmade boxes in b&w toile. I picked them up during a trip to Nashville and we were at a Fall Festival on one of the plantation homes. They make me smile whenever I look at them.

The other three options are from Red Stamp. They have a more modern touch to them. Again, I really like them all.




This last one is for the Nautical Preppy:


What to choose???

The Cupcake Invite

As I have mentioned before, I tend to pick up little treats as I see them. During one of my trips to NYC, I was in Kate's Paperie and found the cutest invitations.

I know the picture is a little hard to see, but it says 'A Tea & Cupcake Party'. They are from Mr. Boddington's Studio: Couture Correspondence. There are just so many things I love about these invites. Tea, Cupcakes, Pink and Green color on the front, the bunny. Each box contains six envelopes; three pink and three green. One day, when I have a little girl, we will throw a lovely tea and cupcakes party. Just for fun.

Woo - Hoo!

I am so excited. I woke up this morning, rolled over, checked the Pre and discovered an email from CJM of Murphy's (New) Law blog that I had won the 'Paris Presents' Giveaway. How fun! This is the first giveaway I have won and it could not be better. The giveaway included Mariages Freres tea, Fauchon chocolate biscuits and Longchamp key fob. Please check out CJM's blog for all the great pics of her trip to Paris. It is delightful reading. THANK YOU SO MUCH CJM! This totally made my day.

Murphy's (New) Law Giveaway

C.J.M. over at Murphy's (New) Law has a great giveaway going on. Check it out here. Lovely treats from her recent trip to Paris. Delightful. Here is a picture from her website of the great gifts.

Kate Spade

Just a quick note this morning, Kate Spade redesigned her website. I love it. It looks great and all ready for Fall. Please check out the Bon Vivant collection. Bon Vivant means a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment. Patent leather galore. Pink and Black. Bows. Amazing! I adore patent leather. I always always have at least one pair of patent leather heels and patent leather loafers in my closet at all times. I have worn patent leather loafers since I was three. I will definitely need one (or more) of these bags for Fall.
Perhaps this one first:

The Bon Vivant Mini Simone in Pink.

Dylan's Candy Bar

DCB is one of my favorite places in NYC. Everytime I visit NYC, this is usually one of my first stops. My candy jar from DCB has been empty for a little while. When shopping yesterday, I decided to fill it up. I like that the candies match the logo. I also heart Dylan Lauren. When the store was first opening, they did a complete spread in Town & Country magazine. I still remember the aqua polo and dark jeans she was wearing.
My little jar:

I Smell Pretty

Oh, so pretty. Now that the warm weather has arrived in the Windy City, I am am excited to use my new summer fragrance. Drum roll please - - - Lilly Pulitzer Squeeze. Squeeze comes in a lovely yellow bottle with a coordinating Lilly print ribbon. Squeeze is an exotic fragrance which opens with aromas of litchi, pink grapefruit and red currant. The heart includes lotus and wild rose petals, while the base notes introduce sunny accords of wood and musk. Lilly has two other fragrances, Beachy and Wink. Both are lovely. My mother and I both chose Squeeze because of the grapefruit fragrance. When I was in 8th or 9th grade and Bath & Body Works opened in the mall near my house. It was a girl's dream come true - so much to play with. Mother and I both loved the Fresh Grapefruit scent. Ever since then, we have always loved anything with a fresh grapefruit note. If you are looking to shake up your fragrance, Lilly's scents are perfect for the summertime preppy.