Saved By the Card

If you know me, I love a good greeting card.  I have a stockpile for the perfect occasion, and I often hoard my favorites (or buy multiples so that I can make sure to keep one!).  There's something about a card stating exactly what you feel or what you wish you could say outloud.  Love. Love. Love the greeting card.

I have friends that share my affection, and they are often my best card givers :)  When I visit a new town or go on vacation, I will always stop at the local card shop to add to my collection.  One of my favorites is from Compendium Inc. (can't get enough of their Positively Green line) which often quote many of literature's best.  I must have dozens that capture the perfect sentiment.

"I felt it shelter to speak to you" ~ Dickinson

One of my recent favorite boxed sets is from Bob's Your Uncle.  It covers all "emergency" card situations for a wedding, birthday, illness, thanks, etc.  It's perfection in its simplicity and bold orange envelopes to accompany each card.  Such fun to have these handy!

The set of 8 reads: Get Well Sooner...Thanks a 1,000,000...And Many More...Happy Everything...Coochy Coochy Coo!...Missing You Already...Bon Voyage...You May Now Kiss the Bride...

Do yourself a favor and get this emergency kit- you will love to have them in a pinch.

Green Thumb

Remember in elementary school, you would get asked how you spent your summer vacation? I feel like I should prepare myself to answer that question in about a month when I return to work (woohoo summers off!).  So, how have I been spending my summer vacation?

Making my yard beautiful! (or at least trying)

Thanks to the help of very dear friends and family for the last two years, I have somehow managed to pull together some semblance of a yard.  I wish I had before pictures to show you- it was one big mess of weeds and tall grass.  And I mean a BIG mess.  Flash forward two years later:  a hand-placed stone patio, lots of planting, creating a veggie garden and purchasing a picnic table and benches, and I am finally ready to host people back there :) 

Just need to buy a birdbath and finish the second half of the yard, but I'm well on my way!

Let me be clear, I do not have a green thumb.  The gene skipped me...mom entirely dominates in this world, but I have been lucky enough to learn a few tricks and stumble upon some terrific resources for ideas. 

Terrain. Oh. My. Goodness.  It's the home and garden wonderland owned by Anthropologie, and I was lucky enough a couple weeks ago to SEE the Terrain garden store in Glenn Mills, PA. (thanks to my dear friend, K)  Here's a few snapshots of this AMAZING place:

I could have bought one of everything...and shopped so much, K has to mail me one of my fun garden accessories because it wouldn't fit in my luggage.  That's true friendship.  If you ever have a chance to go there, you won't regret it.

I also have been inspired by my evening (and morning) runs along the Charles River, and this recent experience made me remember that nature really does provide the most powerful motivator.  Here's to getting my thumb a little greener.

NOLA Love

I may have been a fool to venture south in July, but a recent trip to New Orleans reminded me why I do love The Big Easy....family, friends, food, and let's not forget the 4th "f"- FASHION!

It's hard to turn a corner in NOLA and not see the iconic fleur de lis everywhere...and I must say, it grew on me.  The french/creole influences remind me of my college days there, and I soaked up time with my blood sister and sorority sisters too :)  A few favorites from my shopping travels:

L bought these for her "rainy" (aka messy) days of Mardi Gras!  Love the pattern. 

As a "token" of my appreciation for L's hospitality, she received one of these.

This was a fun addition to my kitchen towel collection.

My house smells amazing as I burn "garden district."

I so enjoyed my time with my family, seeing old friends (miss you K and S!), eating fabulous food (you really should check out The Broken Egg Cafe in Mandeville- yum-o! My sister knows the couple who owns it)  and reacquainting myself with heat and humidity!  Until next time, N'awlins :)