Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

I just read somewhere that Thanskgiving isn't about feeding your belly, but feeding your soul. This Thanksgiving, I envision spending quality time with my sister ;) and her family, my parents,and, of course, my crew. Pictures of turkey trots (run anyone?), the Macy's parade, fun-family-games, and holiday movies (elf?) are dancing around in this t's head. Here's the skinny -->

1. just the other day, my shopping cart was HEAVING with good things to eat ~ I could barely push it (hope my trainer isn't reading this ;) Thanks to t for bringing dessert & Tess for some sides.

2. yikes..what to wear? An expandable waistline is a given. Going with a black, shirt dress with an emerald green necklace (did you spy T Swift's earrings the other night??) Tory flats so I run around setting, serving, and clearing.

3. my game plan involves Ed cooking and me assisting in his kitchen - I will chop, plate, clean up, etc. Maybe the kids can set the table. There is something fun in store for our place cards. And, of course, candles, music, and a roaring fire. Can you picture it?

One more day. Remember..feed the soul.

tb

GIFTS

Great gift ideas sister --- I especially love the spirit of being green.  I feel so many people are ordering gifts on-line.  Most certainly convenient but think about the impact of shipping items all over the world.  Yikes! 

That said, most of the items on my list are from cataloges or the internet (I'm a failure at being green).  I do love the quaint, independent owned stores in our area but I simply don't have time to visit them all.  That said, the likes of Target and the internet will have to do on some level.

Here it goes:

1.  iPad cover --- a good cover is like an accessory.  Some of my faves that I came across can be found on-line at JCrew and Tory Burch.  The one hiccucp is most of the covers are for the iPad 2 and I have the first edition.  I came across a great iPad pouch at West Elm.  They also have an iPhone pouch.  Economical, monogrammed and great style.

2.  Kitchen/Bath Items --- a nice monogrammed hand towel that could be paired with a hand soap / hand lotion combo possibly from Williams-Sonoma.  They have such great scents and I normally don't splurge on $10 hand soap.

3.  Tree Ornament --- I still love the photo ornaments from Exposures.  You bought me one years ago and every time I take it out it makes me smile.

4.  Stationery --- a good notecard or notebook is definitely something I don't normally buy for myself.  One of my favorite things to check out on Etsy.  There are so many creative people out there designing fabulous papergoods at reasonable prices.

5. Jewels --- I just made my first purchase from Stella & Dot.  My items arrived in the mail today.  I loved their packaging and was really impressed with the two items I bought (I couldn't attend the actual party so I wasn't sure of the quality).  I think you can buy from them directly on-line.  In general, any jewels are good --- vintage, a bobble from Tiffany's (always a favorite) or some J.Crew bling.

6.  Sunglasses --- (sound familiar sister)  Especially high end sunglasses which definitely feel different than cheap sunglasses.  But who can justify buying expensive sunglasses all the time (not me).  This is a great gift for men and women. 

To summarize, I love when I get a gift knowing I could not justify buying the item for myself.  Or knowing that it fits me to a t.  So while this may be my gift guide, think about what the person you are buying for would truly like.  That is what makes for a great gift!  Happy shopping and don't let your shopping buggies get away from you!

Tracy

Canvas Electronic Cases @ westelm.com

This T's Gift Guide

This holiday season, I am trying to think local and to be green as much as possible when stocking up on gifts. What does this mean? Since I cherish the experience of shopping in a "downtown", I always give the local merchants my business whenever possible, all year long. Additionally, something handmade by an artist has more soul than something with the sticker "made in China." Obviously, there are sweaters and pjs from JCrew somewhere in the mix. Let the shopping begin..

* think etsy: truly anything from etsy is a cherished gift. I have my eye on jewelry, mini calendars, stationery, and artwork -- sometimes the items even arrived wrapped. Another bonus.

* think local: in my downtown, I adore The Farmhouse, which is a big stop during the holiday season. I already scooped up beautiful soy candles, lemon soaps, snowman gourds, books, and more! It is an emporium of the thoughtful, handmade, and inspirational.

* think about your piles of artwork: take a stack of your children's artwork to your local frame shop or purchase frames and do it yourself. What a special gift for a husband, grandparents or even the child himself.

* think flea/vintage/antique: covet a one-of-a-kind gift for anyone on your list. I'm thinking jewelry, cocktail glasses, paperweights or inkwells, books and tiny paintings. It will be hard not buying something for myself. ;)

* think 20x200: for just $20 you can buy a "real" piece of artwork -- West Elm has great frames. Viola! A grand gift. Be warned..it will be hard to choose from the hundreds of spectacular picks.

* think books: I adore books and I adore giving books to others. This season for children, Brian Selznick's Wonderstruck is his much anticipated book following Hugo Cabret. {the movie Hugo opens over the holidays & is directed by Martin Scorcesse!) Of course, I go crazy over design books. Black and White (and a bit in between) by Celerie Kemble is on my list. And, thanks to my dear friend SW for this gem --> The Millennium Trilogy Deluxe Boxed Set by Stieg Larsson. Each book is done in beautiful cloth with graphic details. I want them because I know they will look smart on my bookcase and I need to read all of his books again before the movie opens in December.

Good luck.

Tricia

Journal from Madeline Moss

Photo Friday No. 40

Yup ~ Broken Arm in

New Jersey

On Saturday ~ 147th meeting of Lehigh Lafayette in

Pennsylvania

UNIFORM

I do indeed have a uniform.  I bet most people do without even knowing it.  My work uniform goes something like this. 

Summer usually includes a skirt, a short sleeve blouse which is always layered underneath with a tank top (bottom of the tank usually peaking out).  Flat comfortable shoes is always a must.  Outfit is finished off with some sort of jewels --- almost always includes something vintage --- either a necklace or a bracelet.

Winter usually includes pants and my favorite pants have a wider, flowing leg.  The tops switch to light knit sweaters (either a crewneck or a turtleneck) again layered underneath with a tank top (you guessed it, the bottom of the tank usually peaking out).  Still wearing the flat comfortable shoes and finishing the outfit off with a touch of vintage jewels.

Casual outfit is pretty basic.  Like you, jeans or sometimes a newer pair of army green pants from JCrew.  I tend to stick with a basic top with of course a tank top layered underneath with the bottom of the tank peaking out.  Shoes tend to be my sanuks, flat loafers or flip flops.  Jewelry might include a meaningful necklace and some stacked bracelets made up of a set of three: leather, bangle and cloth. 

Can you picture it sister?

Tracy

sample bracelet combination

My Uniform

I call it my "mom uniform" ~ basically, it is my daily outfit, seven days a week, as a stay-at-home mom. No suits, hosiery, high heels or briefcase for me. Although, sometimes I imagine what THAT wardrobe would look like. The grass is always greener.. Honestly, I wear the SAME thing, pretty much every day, with just a few variations.

This is how it breaks down -->

I start with jeans as my base. All styles and brands - skinny legs and wide cuff, wide bottoms dragging, dark and stiff, washed and broken in. You get the picture. Occasionally, the jeans can be substituted for army green pants or even a skirt. {But, this rarely happens!}

Moving up, I add a cotton tank top in either white, gray or navy to create a foundation for layering. Sometimes, if it is long, it may peek out under my top. I have a stack of these and usually they are from JCrew.

Next, the top ~ can be a shirt, sweater, tshirt or combination. Usually, gray, navy or black with a color thrown in once and awhile. Sometimes, I layer a blazer, sweater coat or poncho depending on the weather.

Last -- always save the best for last -- the fun stuff! I find a shoe, necklace, bracelet, scarf to give my "mom uniform" the dash of style it needs. That's it and I'm out the door! {Usually looking like a librarian}

Do you have a uniform sister?

Tricia

BUGGA

Embarrassed to admit that it happened - lice!  Where to begin.  The nurse in the kindergarten building found it by chance and thankfully early.  It has been "us versus the bugs" for over 2 weeks now.  I thought we were making progress until I found three lice in Matthew's hair.  Double yikes.

Kate has your hair sister ~ it is a sea of hair.  Matthew has very fine hair.  The approach has been very different.

I thought I had this under control but I was finding one or two nits in Kate's hair a day.  Not making sense.  Then on Saturday, poking around in natural sunlight there is was - a bug!  We ran upstairs, applied the bad for you chemical shampoo, combed and rinsed until I found what I think was a smooshed bug floating in the water.

Success?  Fingers crossed.

Tracy

Lice remediation kit