Valentine's Day Roses - and Fast!

I love roses and what girl doesn't, right? My favorite source of Fresh Roses is CaliforniaBlooms.com, and they have just launched a FREE iPhone App and just in time for Valentine's Day.

I just ordered for my Mom and it only took a couple of minutes....and this was while waiting in line at the grocery store!

A Good Cause

Buy local! Save the environment! Do your part in helping the sick and the needy!

Do I sound like a politician going after your vote? Sorry about that! Let me fill you in on a website that can accomplish these things for you - all with one (or maybe a few) clicks! Is there anyone alive who doesn't love a beautiful bouquet of roses, pitching in to help the economy by buying local, and perhaps most importantly, helping with breast cancer awareness? You can accomplish all three by purchasing fresh roses from www.californiablooms.com. I have mentioned this website before in a previous blog post, but this deserves another mention because of the charity angle.

Right now, you can get a special 18-rose bouquet in pink in honor of breast cancer awareness month, and they will donate money to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The roses from this site are grown in a "boutique-like” setting in Central Cali - they are hand-selected, cut and then shipped. The mass producers of roses can take up to a week to ship and they are imported, mostly from South America. Another plus is California Blooms uses eco-friendly growing practices, which saves water and energy. What better way to help to save lives AND the economy AND the environment!!!! California Blooms has my vote.

Kat's Meow

My friend Sue has good judgement - she picked me for her BFF afterall! And with three adorable, smart and fashion-forward little girls, I trust her instincts when it comes to kids clothes. When I needed something special for my 4 year old, I called her old pal Jill, owner of The Kat's Meow in Chico, CA. You'd think being near "the big City" I could find a go-to store for kids. Not! The Kat's Meow carries a number of brands I'd never heard of - Flowers By Zoe, Mimi & Maggie (we have both items pictured and LOVE them), and yummy soft Cotton Caboodle leggings. I'll pick up the phone every chance I get to place an order from this cute store - they'll even put together baby shower gifts and wrap them for me in the best toile wrapping paper. We're purring all the way through summer with some awesome finds, and I can't wait for school to start again so I have an excuse for more.
Kat's Meow
530-899-8811

Love Matt Bernson

Some fairly cool celebs are wearing Matt Bernson sandals. I decided to try them out - two pairs later and I am feeling like courting the paparrazzi myself. Ivy anyone? I am wearing one of my two pairs virtually every day. Try the Love sandals (Courteney Cox, Demi Moore and Naomi Watts have been seen in these) or the Tab Glad (one of Kate Hudson's favorites). They are sold out pretty often but be patient and regularly peruse www.mattbernson.com or www.blueheavenboutique.com for restocking. Tip - I'm a 7 1/2 - in the Love sandal a size 8 was a perfect fit; in the Tab Glad I had to go a size down for a good, but slightly short fit.

Can These Jammies Help You Sleep Better?

My 4-year old is sleeping better of late....could it be these pajamas? Ok, maybe not, but that's what I am telling myself, so I can rationalize buying every color. Both my little one and I love them!

Boden Jersey Pajamas

Boutique Grown Fresh Roses

I don't know about you, but everywhere I turn, I see ads for all the well-known internet flower sellers like Proflowers and 1800flowers...blah, blah, blah. What most people don't know is that the vast majority of their roses are grown in South America, shipped to the states and then to the consumer. By the time the roses get to you (3-5 days, from what I hear), they may have seen better days.

Enter CaliforniaBlooms.com. This little company, only sells roses that are grown here in California. Their roses are carefully cultivated in an eco-friendly environment by a 7th generation dutch flower grower and they are consistently recognized as some of the most beautiful and highest quality roses available.

Why do I love these roses? Because they arrive at my doorstep within 24 hours of being hand selected and cut. They are so fresh, last longer and are just plain beautiful.

I promise, you won't be disappointed.

Fresh Roses From California Blooms

Tulips Everywhere

This year my husband & I agreed to go low-key for Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts. So on my day, my hubby went with a theme and it was Tulips!

He picked up a little something from one of my favorite local stores here in the Bay Area - Tulip, and also a Tulip Charm from Helen Ficalora that helps support Ovarian Cancer Research, which took his mother when she was much too young.

And to top it off he gave me 25 beautiful Pink Tulips. It was a wonderful day and these were very thoughtful gifts.

Rock On Rock Star of a Husband!

She Bible - Pray for dresses!

She-Bible - sounds like a bad B-Movie. It's really an cute assembly of dresses and reasonably-priced other unique pieces. I first spotted the label at a local boutique and a quick search online gave me a direct link. I don't know the designers personally, but I felt like I was emailing directly with them because their customer service team is really good. I bought the "classic" dress in a great rust color - and I plan on wearing this winter plus on vaca in Hawaii. Check it out - www.she-bible.com. Runs slightly small - I wear an 8 and ordered a "M-L" in the classic dress. Also check out the Pop Doyle shirt - very cool in striped but you should be slightly small on top to pull it off.

She-bible.com

More Boots

I'm in boot heaven - or is it the other much hotter place - since I seem to be spending much of my budget on these winter beauties. Now that I found the perfect pair in black, I needed brown. I headed to J. Crew to see what they had and bought a nice one for a decent price. They don't have the fit or comfort of my Tory Burch's (see previous blog entry), but I'm loving these just the same. They're called the "long" Brewster and they're snazzy enough for pants and dresses. These fit large so get one size smaller. I went a half size and they're a little big.

J. Crew Brewster Boots

Riding Boots

I'm afraid I am a bit behind the times when it comes to boots-I love the look of skinny jeans tucked into boots, or tights and tunic bottomed-off with a great pair. My friend is an upscale cowgirl and looks great in her Western-store-bought boots. But I never thought I could get away with this look - until recently. Throwing caution to the wind, I splurged on a pair of Tory Burch Jackson riding boots and I love them. I plan on wearing them all Winter and I'm now shopping for clothes to go with the boots! Very country, so city - I think I'll write a song about 'em.

Tory Burch Jackson Riding Boots

We All Scream For Ice Cream

OK, so summer is all but over, but is it so wrong to want to eat the most delicious ice cream on the planet any time of year? I didn't think so, I knew you were on my side.

Let me tell you, of all the ice cream I have had, and I consider myself a well-traveled ice cream expert, nothing compares to Graeter's Ice Cream. Once you dive into the heavenly Black Raspberry Chip or the Double Chocolate Chip, you will be a true believer.

Graeter's is located in Cincinnati, but they ship overnight and it is worth the 24 hour wait. It costs a little more than store bought ice cream, but let me tell you, it is worth every penny!

Graeter's is my "go to" mail-order gift for friends, family and business associates.

Graeter's Ice Cream

Toys From Yesteryear

With all the super-advanced electronic toys out there, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my daughter prefers mostly the old classics. She loves to play with my "old" Barbies and all the classic 60's garb I still have for them (wow, did I just date myself?). She also loves good old fashioned Legos and Playdoh.

I have come across a wonderful company that stocks many of the old standbys. Toys such as Creepy Crawlers, Slinkys, Lincoln Logs, Rock'em Sock'em Robots, and many others. The challenge now is to stop my husband from dog-earing pages for the toys he wants. Heck, who am I to judge if he wants re-live his youth?

Back To Basic Toys

Lash Out

I have a maximum of 10 minutes a day for putting on my makeup - and one item that helps me stay within this time-frame is my mainstay Lancome Definicils Mascara. I have tried many-a-mascara over the years, from over the counter brands to trendy (and expensive) types from high-end boutiques. All of these imposters run down my face, are difficult to take off at night and the wands - don't even get me started. Any of Lancome's mascaras overcome these problems, and Definicils is definitely the one that kicks lash.

I love Lucy

Lucy Activewear rocks for everyday clothes or workout gear. Check out their website or any of their stores for great stuff. Burlingame (home of one of the first Lucy stores) has a great staff who are friendly, helpful and not in your face. I'll get this black tunic soon and try the Balance Knee Pant. I haven't taken them off in a week and I get lots of compliments on them. Also try the Splendid striped tees in bright colors. Love them and I Love Lucy!

Look, Warm Slippers!

After years of wearing my Ugg boots as slippers, this Fall I plan on buying some comfy, soft sheepskin padders from Padraig Cottage. Their website has a decent selection of different color slippers for men, women and kids - hand-crafted with all natural materials. And they seem Irish (Padraig is Gaelic for Patrick!) I'll start by getting a pair for our daughter and see how she likes them. I first read about them in the recent Domino Magazine, and because I'm a sucker for anything the writers of that pub recommend, I thought I would pass it along. The website has other gift items like a newborn hat made from the same fine wool from New Zealand. Thinking about stocking stuffers - check out the Padraig Slipper and go green for Ireland this Christmas.

Freedom of Choice

I'm not a political person (even though I majored in Poli Sci in college). So when it comes to talking about the election or for that matter, any hot-button issues facing our country, I'll let everyone else weigh in. Jeans? Bring it on! (How shallow and materialistic do I sound right now??!!!). I found some great-fitting white jeans at Tulip boutique in Burlingame, CA. Made by "Freedom of Choice" (a favorite of numerous celebs apparently), they fit great - not too low, not too tight, slightly trouser-like. Am I too old to pull these off? Apparently not - they even took me back a few years to the 7th grade with the sailor buttons in front. Plus Tulip's about-my-age-sales-lady said she has four kids and she was the reason I noticed them. God Bless our right to choose!

Come, Play, Summer!!

Come, play, summer! I thought I had found the easiest and chicest summer playclothes for a 3 year old at Baby Style with the store's signature cotton dresses, tops and pants in mix and match colors. The other day, I discovered a line that just may beat Baby Style. "Entertaining Elephants" is a store in Studio City, CA. I have never been inside, but their website has a great selection of organic cotton play clothes, toys and other goodies for kids and babies. I called and ordered a few items. Friendly service, quick shipping and voila, my girl was wearing adorable, soft, uniquely-colored dresses, leggings and t's. I am planning ordering more soon in a size or two up as items ran fairly small.

Cute Little Sundress

What are most husbands good at when it comes to making purchases? Golf balls...check, charcoal for the BBQ...check, a round of beers for his buddies...check.

So when daddy came home with this cute little sundress from Boden for our little one, I was shocked, flabbergasted and just plain in awe. Daddy did good!

Boden Sundress

Italy Anyone?

When you think of a perfect Italian honeymoon, do you think of strolling the maze of walkways in Venice, the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, the bucolic Tuscan wine region, the Spanish Steps in Rome, or the amazing coastline of the Amalfi coast? Ok, I am bragging a little - my husband and I did all that and more on our honeymoon in Italy. Although the entire trip and every stop was memorable, one hotel made a lasting impression.

The Hotel San Pietro, in the beautiful small town of Positano on the Amalfi coast, was simply stunning. The hidden location, built into the rocky cliffs above the Mediterranean, and the airy, relaxing vibe make it a must-stay for anyone looking for the quintessential Italian vacation experience. You know you've arrived when you see the tiny San Pietro Chapel, which sits atop of the cliff and after which the Hotel is named.

When you enter the elevator at the top off the cliffs for the first time, you cannot imagine what will open up before your eyes as the door opens in the lobby. The light filled space with views of the ocean and the floral covered walls is all it will take to make you a believer. It's as if you have arrived at a private villa. You will half expect to see Sophia Loren sipping a Campari and soda on the terrace - and you just might, since the San Pietro is a favorite in celebrity circles.



Hotel San Pietro

Fun Shoes For The Little One

We've had these Naturino shoes in red, navy, green, pink and orange over the past few years. Our three year old loves them and so do I for easy on and off, and just downright cuteness. They are easily washable too. European fit and style paired with down to earth prices at our favorite local show store Gumshoe - naturally!