Paperless Perfection

Invitations abound in my life. Whether for a wedding (take a breath, I don't mean my own!) or other celebratory life moments, I have been paying attention to designs and styles of invitations as I am assisting several friends with their special invitation projects.

I love everything about an invitation: Creative presentation, tasteful paper, fabulous use of color, stylish and classic all in the same neat little package. I love that moment of receiving it, appreciating the thought and finished product that lay in my hands...all just to ask if I would attend a moment in someone's life.


In these days of electronic everything, I was happy to discover invitations that could capture that same style and class that I love. Paperlesspost.com houses a fantastic variety of invitation styles, colors, ideas without all the hassle of postage, addressing envelopes and budgeting for paper! I'm particularly fond of the recent Valentine's collection and now the Mardi Gras selection makes me want to shout, "Throw me something, mister!"

Don't get me wrong, I still love and value the tangible invitation, but this website gives me reason enough to peruse the inventory and feel confident that style can be shared via email!

Warmth in the Palm of My Hand

I must give credit up front: I did not discover this little treasure on my own. My dear friend A offered up the find!

Mittens keep my hands warmer than gloves. No debate to be had. I have extremely cold hands and feet (even in the summer- ask my mom), and I am constantly having to find warm mittens and socks. I wear them out so quickly, and then when I look to replace them, they are always discontinued or something. (why don't I learn to buy two pairs at once and keep a back up??) My quest for a new pair felt like a part time job.

So when A showed me her mittens, a gift from her mom, I squealed in delight. Of COURSE Isotoner would make terrific knit mittens that FIT (I have small hands and often have to wear youth sizes) and have a great warm microluxe lining that peeps out at the cuff. And my essential feature: the palm patch of leather for grip. They are truly warmth and comfort incarnate.

I'd love to say that I won't have to use them much anymore...but who am I kidding? I live in New England. And for that, I am delighted my quest is over. Now, if the quest for love were only that easy...Happy Valentine's Day to all. :)

Slip into Sunshine

I have been on the hunt for a stylish, slip-on, sporty shoe. (say that 3 times fast) And believe me, it has not been easy. But I knew if I waited long enough, one would surface to bring me satisfaction (now I am just trying to use "s" words!)

Then my Lands' End catalog came in the mail, and lo and behold...success!

The Slip-on Trekker Shoe really is perfect. The colors are terrific (I opted for "soft sunshine"), and right out of the box, they were EXACTLY what I have been looking for. Sizing was spot on, colors were easy to wear with jeans, and comfortable! I can wear them with socks now (since they have that breathable material), and then when it gets warmer, no socks needed.

And for $40, I couldn't have asked for a better deal. Now, if I could only get REAL sunshine to linger a bit...

Sno Brum Rules!

Ok, friends. Who's with me? Want to move to Hawaii?

We officially hit over 60" of snow in January here in Boston, and honestly, I have no idea where else to put it anymore. The snow banks are taller than me, and my "heave ho!" needed to throw the additional piles on top of these banks are starting to strain my back.

But, I wanted to give a little shout out to my mom, who last year, purchased me the most perfect snow brush I have ever owned. In fact, I used it so much, I finally had to break down and get a new one this year. It's perfection for so many reasons:

1) It does not, under any circumstances, scratch my car.
2) It has an adjustable handle that allows for me to push the entire foot of snow on the roof of my car to the other side with one simple move!
3) The span of the "brush" is wide enough to cut the "before I go to work, I must brush off my car" time in half.
4) It's $20. That's it. And I use it almost everyday here in Boston.


Harrington Catalog (which makes a host of random accessories for winter weather) sells this little beauty called the "sno brum". Honestly, folks, I wouldn't go through another winter without it. And you shouldn't either.