Mother's day ideas: part 2

I completed my Mother's day shopping yesterday. I took the easy route and picked up 2 of each item- one for my mom and one for my mother-in-law.

initial pocket mirror from anthro

(Karen and Kathy)

Kate Spade candle

school boy blazer

I really like the school boy blazer look with jeans. It looks like a Jcrew catalog.
Speaking of Jcrew, here is their version. I think I am going to hold out until the fall.
(pic from cupcakes and cashmere)

Shop Local

Two of my favorite local artists are having an opening house:

April 30th from 7-10pm

Feather Loft

355 N Laflin

Chicago, IL

Bead Designs by Dana

and

Up in the air somewhere

I also want to visit:

Post 27

George Lowell

Target's Pop-up store that is coming in May

sandal booties

Call me crazy, but I really like these Maison Martin Margiela shoes worn by Rachel Bilson.

Pureed Zucchini Soup

I am going to make this soup tonight: (after I purchase a hand immersion blender at BBB)

1 medium red onion, evenly chopped

6 cups chicken stock or broth

6 medium sized zucchini, evenly chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

12 oz. frozen butternut squash, defrosted

1 cup plain soy milk

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Sauté the onions in a large pot using nonstick pray, until lightly soft. Add the chicken stock, zucchini, salt, and pepper. Cook until zucchini are soft.

Using a hand immersion blender, puree the mixture until smooth. Add the defrosted butternut squash. Turn off the heat and add the soy milk and lemon juice. Season with more salt and pepper, to taste.

(from "Naturally Thin" by Bethenny Frankel)

Kentucky Derby

If the weather cooperates on Saturday, my husband and I will be going to the derby. And I already found a hat (or hats) to wear.

Here are the options:

#1

Jcrew hat

#2

hideaway hat

I actually found this hat in black at TJMaxx for $12.99

Charleston, SC

Finally, I have posted my pics from South Carolina.

Charleston is a beautiful town and full of history.

a model of a submarine (the H. L. Hunley) used in the Civil war

(I never knew they used submarines back then)

Boone Hall Plantation

Avenue of the Oaks

an alligator

"The Notebook" was filmed here

my first time at Five Guys in Mt. Pleasant

Rainbow Row in downtown Charleston

the Four Corners

the entrance to the market

my mom and grandma

Magnolia Plantation

the romantic garden

our hotel served rootbeer floats everyday from 4-5pm

Muji

I want to get a couple of these Muji reusable pump bottles for my shampoo and conditioner. (Muji (with 3 locations in NYC) is like the Japanese version of Ikea/container store.) In effort to reduce my waste and save money, I purchase my shampoo and conditioner in gallon sizes. And it is convenient...a gallon of each will last me for almost 2 years.

Now that our condo has been on the market for 8 months,

I have become an expert at seeing furniture/decorations

that I have to imagine in my future house.

***

Here are a few things I was looking at today:

(from 3potato4)

(from cb2)

(from sundance)

Ideas for Mother's Day

(all from Anthropologie)

stork scissors

This necklace reminds me of my Grandma.

(found here)

denim dress

Last summer, I cleaned out my closet and got rid of a gap denim dress that was over 7 years old. My husband called me Becky, as in Becky from "Full House," whenever I wore the dress. Since this purge, I miss the denim dress and have been looking for a replacement. I originally ordered the 1st dress below from Anthropologie, but it didn't fit my body type. The top was too big in the M and the S was a little tight in the bottom. I am thinking that the 2nd dress might be the one. It is from Isaac Mizrahi's new line as creative director for Liz Claiborne.

#1

#2

Liz Claiborne

denim trench dress

Grey Gardens

is on my netflix queue.

As seen on....

30 Rock

(episode Jackie Jormp- Jomp)

both from Anthropologie

three potato four

I stumbled on this great online store a few months ago.

They sell a mix of vintage and modern items that tend to sell out quickly.

Here are some of my current favorites:

wire shopping basket

Shinzi Katoh apple tray

burlap bucket

vintage medical safety chest

(my favorite item)

4/18/09

My quest to find a perfect trench coat was reached on Saturday. It all started when my brother-in-law's wife went into labor and I needed to stay busy in order to stop worrying. I decided to walk to Jcrew. I entered 900 N Michigan Ave through the Bloomingdale's shoe department and headed straight for the sale section. I tried on a pair of nude heels for 40% off. The clerk asked me if I wanted to save an additional 20% if I picked them up on Wednesday. I, of course, said yes. (they were doing a pre-sale - which means you pick it out and then they set is aside for you to come and pick up on the day of the sale)

***

And I need to mention that Luke Michael and his mom are doing excellent.

He was born on 4/18/09 at 4:36 pm.

8 pounds 3 ounces and 21.5 inches

***

After visiting Luke, my husband and I celebrated the birth by having nachos and beer at Rock Bottom.

***

We then walked home in the first warm night of the spring.

The perfect day.