Friday, January 29, 2010

Modern Day Doilies


I am not a huge fan of the paper doilies that we see everywhere around valentines day. I think the only thing they are good for is to make a super-cute valentine card! I do love these new modern doilies from IKEA though! They are a steal at $1.49 and the best part about them is that they can be washed and reused! They are stylish and will add pizazz to any dessert. They are especially helpful for people like me who are not exactly artists in the icing department! Run to the IKEA in Frisco to get yours today!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Stay in the Loop!

I can not tell you how excited I am to be In the Loop with information for Moms and Kids with a fantastic website I recently discovered. A fellow mom referred me to it when I told her that I needed to find a regular baby sitter. I recently met the website's founder, Christine McKenny, a mother who started the site to share the information that she would often be looking for. It is an incredible resource and I hope you will check it out. It has information on everything from Health and Safety to Story Times and Library Events. One of the real highlights is recipes for kids from star chefs such as Kent Rathburn and Chris Ward! There is a listing of classes for kids on topics that range from pottery to Yoga. The babysitter and nanny listing is probably one of the most helpful parts of the site. Sign up for the weekly newsletter so that you can stay in the loop!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Not Your Grandmother's Quilts




I confess that I adore quilts. My Grandma Horst makes one every year and donates it to her Church auction and my Grandma Schlegel had such an amazing collection of them that her local newspaper dubbed her the "Queen Bee of Quilts." I have a few really lovely quilts that my grandmother made for me and truly treasure them. You can not imagine my excitement when I heard that the classic quilt has been given a makeover! I adore the quilts that Shari Lidji or Red Llama Studio is making. These quilts are truly one of a kind! Her quilts look like a work of contemporary art and the fabrics she uses are modern and chic. She even uses baby blankets and old tee shirts to complete her masterpieces. She recently made a beautiful prayer shawl for a special bat matzvah and posted a video about it. Check it out here! Amazing!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

I Love Popcorn



There are so many times when I am at a loss for what to send to people as a gift. Flowers are not always right. Gift cards can be impersonal. Popcorn might just be the perfect new thing! Right here in our neck of the woods we have a fantastic "Popcorn Person," Sarah Conrow. I have known Sarah since we were little girls and I can tell you that she does everything in the cutest way possible. Like all of the girls in her family, she is hard working and has great style. I am so excited about the gift items she offers at I Love Popcorn! There are tons of flavors and she has really cute options for Valentine's Day. I think I will order some for JR's teachers so that they know how much Justin, JR and I appreciate them. Gift bags start at $7 and go up to about $70 but I know Sarah well enough to know that if you call her and need something extraordinary, she will deliver!!! Sending gifts is a hard task but who doesn't love popcorn!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Art Gallery Hopping

I love taking a day to walk around and explore art galleries. It is always fun to see what vibrant, living artists are working on now! The best thing is that they are free! You can spend a day feeling like a European perusing a few art galleries and then have a long leisurely lunch and a cafe. I will admit that visiting an art gallery can be intimidating so here are a few tips to make your day a just like a European vacation:
  • Timing is everything. Many galleries are closed on Mondays so that they can stay open on the weekend. They are typically busier on the weekends than the weekdays so if you really want to avoid the crowds, go during the week.
  • Sign up for the mailing list to receive invitations to the gallery openings and events. It is a fun way to meet new people and mix and mingle in the art world.
  • Take your time to make a judgement. Walk around and just look. After you have spent some time browsing on your own, ask the gallery staff questions. I always like to ask where the artist is from, how they grew up and where they live now. I often find that it influences the way I see their work.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Paperless Postcard

I love the new iPhone app Go Postal. It is free and it is so cool! While Gene & Julie, Kelly and Sophia are on their Disney Cruise I hope they will take a minute to send all of us a snapshot! You select a recipient from your address book and for $1.29 GoPostal prints and snail mails your postcard. Isn't that clever!
I also like to take a short list of addresses pre-printed on to address labels. It makes postcard writing so easy! Instead of hauling my big address book around or sorting through my phone looking for addresses, I plan ahead. I usually pick 12 friends to write to on each trip. I love getting them in the mail so I try to remember to send them too and when I have the addresses write there at hand, there is a better chance I will do it!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Avoiding a Bald Spot on your Lash Line


I worry about a lot of stuff but the thought of having a bald spot on my lash line had not ever crossed my mind until this morning when my BeautySnob friend, Tina Craig, told me a nightmare story about a friend of hers who had a bald spot there for months after curling her lashes. Her mascara was sticky and clumpy and it stuck to the curler! The bald spot lasted for months! Great...now I have something else to worry about! Julie and I were talking lash talk last week too. We were talking about all of these crazy new mascara trends. There are round wands and vibrating wands. The options are a bit overwhelming. I decided that it was time to do some research! I have always loved two mascaras: Yves Saint Laurent's Volume Effet and Loreal's Lash Out. I try new brands every once in a while but I always go back to these two products.
  • I never buy waterproof mascara (clumps up on me) and I always use Black.
  • One trick to avoid clumping is to be sure to take all of last nights mascara off first by using an eye makeup remover.
  • If you are still not satisfied, consider eyelash extensions! Makeup artist Nikki Wynn does the best job at them! When you have them, you don't even need mascara!


Monday, January 18, 2010

RSVP

I received a "plea" from a Facebook comment after I posted my segment from last week about Thank You Notes that I discuss the issue of replying for a party. I will say that we have all lost sight of how important a reply to a party is! It helps the host or hostess know how many guests to expect and therefore, how much they should spend on their event! If they don't know how many people are attending, they can not guess at how much food and drink they need to buy.
RSVP is an acronym for the French phrase "respondez s'il vous plait." That translates to please reply.
If you receive an invitation you should reply as soon as possible. This could mean the day you get the invitation or a few days later. I always try to reply right away but sometimes it takes me a few days to co-ordinate with my husband, Justin's, schedule.
Some invitations provide a phone number or email to reply to. Others include a card that should be filled out and mailed back in. If you are sending out an invitation and you are using a reply card, you should provide a pre-addressed stamped envelope for your guests convenience.
Many evite and Paperless Post invitations can be replied to simply by clicking the appropriate box! Many of our hosts have made it as easy as possible to reply and we still don't want to commit.
When you reply to a party you must follow through. In other words, don't reply no and then show up and don't reply yes and then skip out. Justin and I accidentally did this one time for a seated dinner and I am still so embarrassed! (Sorry Kristi and Tom!!!) All of the sudden we got a flood of emails from friends asking if we were alright and where we were! It was awful! I called the hostess as soon as I realized what I had done and tried to make a dinner date with her and her hubby so that we could celebrate the occasion with them. I still owe them that dinner!
If you get a formal wedding invitation in the mail and it does not have a reply card in it then you are expected to send a note to the return address on the invitation accepting or declining the invitation.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Your Doggie Valentine can win a trip to New York!

Purina® Chef Michael’s® canine creations is conducting a national search to find the most unforgettable "Doggie Valentine" in America – the lovable dog who has captured his owner’s heart and leaves a lasting impression on anyone that meets him. The winner will get an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to accompany me to a February 10 Valentine's Day celebration devoted just to the dogs and their human partners. To make sure that all dogs feel loved this Valentine's Day, Chef Michael's will be donating $10 to Adopt-A-Pet.com for every contest entry. Visit www.doggievalentine.com before January 25, 2010 to enter your "Doggie Valentine" in the contest.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

The Paperless Post


I am often asked how I feel about email invitations, notes, etc. I wish I had a clear answer! I still have a great passion for paper and love snail mail but I also understand that, in today's world, email rules! I do insist that Thank You Notes should be written by hand on pretty stationery or cards but I often send out invitations via email.
I discovered a fantastic way to combine traditional beautiful papers and email with the Paperless Post! It is so great! You can choose your paper and envelope, lay out your invitation and even select an envelope liner. The designs are so elegant and draw their inspiration from some of my favorite stationeirs such as Smythson and Wren Press. When your guests receive the email, they click on a link that takes them to a page with an envelope on it! They click on the envelope to open their mail and an invitation comes out. It is the closest thing I can think of to that fantastic experience of opening an actual piece of mail! I love it! It is about $5 for 60 letters and you are charged in "stamps." Check it out today!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

What I learned from Hutton Wilkenson


Our first Feather Your Nest event was so much fun! Thank you to everyone who attended and to the Ritz Carlton. For one reason, our speaker, Hutton Wilkenson, was fascinating and for another reason, Steve Kembel was sitting at my table! Hutton taught us a great deal about what it was like to work with the late, great Tony Duquette, the only American to have a one man design show at the Louvre! His books about Tony are amazing and he truly demonstrated Tony's style and flair through old photographs and comical stories. Here are few of the great things that I learned:
-Use your imagination: Tony loved to scour flea markets. I love to do that too! Hutton showed us an amazing photograph of a court train that he purchased and had made into a dress for his wife! Not only was it incredibly beautiful but it also had a great story!
-Tony said "It is not luxury I live for but beauty." Isn't that great! I absolutely agree! I admit that I love beautiful china and antiques but I must admit that my favorite table settings are the ones I created out of finds from garage sales and the dime stores.
-More is More! Hutton actually titled his book More is More but joked that his next one will be called Enough is Enough! The truth is that more can be more if you do it with style. I loved the example in the book of a wall that Tony covered in abalone shells. Tony actually said that if only one abalone shell existed in the world, there would be wars fought over it. Well, lucky for us, there are kazillions of them! They are incredibly inexpensive but the effect of papering a wall in them was breathtaking beyond words!
Check out Hutton's books for more inspiration. He is so talented, amusing and charming. You will not be disappointed!


Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Yes...my iced tea was dribbeling out the sides of my mouth!

Such an embarrassing story but, yes, my iced tea was spilling out the sides of my mouth a few years ago at a very very very nice restaurant in Dallas. It did take me a few minutes to realize why but when I remembered that, during my Botox "treatment" a few weeks back, the doctor decided that he would put the "extra" in my upper lip! After he did it he explained that it would give me the look of collagen injections! Even though I had not asked for the look of collagen injections I must admit that I was pretty excited! I was feeling good...until it kicked in! Lets just say that I used a straw for a few months after that!
If you are on the look out for the perfect beauty treatment (that doesn't require a straw) you need to know about CosmeticCareConcierge. This innovative business has gathered together some of the best cosmetic professionals who will be taking appointments for a variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures. You have the option of travelling to their office or having the team come to you at your home! The can do lip augmentation and enhancement, collagen and dermal filler injections, non-surgical face lifts, wrinkle treatments and scar removal! Call 214-272-8406 to set up an appointment!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Other things you can do with Wine!

I love getting my magazines every month and I was fascinated by a little booklet sent to me by Real Simple Magazine as a Thank You for renewing my subscription. Inside the booklet was a great list of extraordinary uses or ordinary things and I loved the suggestions they had for wine bottles and corks.
  • Use a pair of empty bottles as bookends. I love this idea! We often use our wine bottle as a "guest book" of sorts at special occasion dinners. We pass around the bottle and a gold or silver marker and everyone will write a message. We always put the date and occasion at the top and then keep the bottle in a wine closet. Now we can put those mementos of special occasions out on a shelf to hold up books.
  • An empty wine bottle is a perfect rolling pin!
  • A pair of empty bottles is a great way to keep your boots up when you are not wearing them!
  • Use the cork to cap the end of a knife before you put it away. Not only will it keep the knife from getting dull but it will also keep things safe!
  • Poke your small stud earrings into a cork and throw it in your travel bag. No worries about loosing those itty bitty accessories any more!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Photo Perfect!


I love looking through old photos but I get so overwhelmed trying to keep them organized! Especially now that we have JR because he is so funny and we are constantly trying to snap "cheeses" of him! He loves it! Here are some fun ideas and ways to keep your photos organized!
  • Julie told me that she uploads all of her images to Kodak Gallery on the first of every month. I love that idea! That way they are organized chronologically and you can always find what you are looking for! She also makes a book for each month it is mailed to in an organized and memorable fashion. Shutterfly offers a similar product as does iPhoto. It is instant scrapbooking!
  • I have an addiction to printing photos out. I know it sounds a bit old fashioned but I like to send them out to friends and frame the really good ones. I store my prints in boxes like this one. I just make a tab every time I add in a new event. It works really well as long as I don't let a big pile back up! My mom uses boxes too but instead of putting them in by event or date, she devotes a box to each member of the family and has others for group shots. It is a matter of preference. I also love the organizing tools from Exposures.com
  • If you have old family photos or photographs that are very special, you might consider investing in some materials to help you keep them safe. There are so many special products designed to prevent discoloration and deterioration. Check some out here.
  • I like to leave out a basket of bowl of photographs on my coffee table for people to peek through when they are over. I typically fill it with duplicates so that they can feel free to take the image home if they like it.
  • If you are looking for a way to give your holiday snapshots a new look, upload them to Rollip. You have options for a dozen different effects that are so cool! They can give your photo beautiful textures and faded colors that old photographs used to have. You will love it!
  • Another cool website that you can give your images a new look is All Pop Art. Send them your photograph and they can turn it into a Warhol-esque masterpiece or print it on canvas.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

3-3-3 of Thank You Notes

Today, thank you notes have a place in our world more than ever. Showing gratitude is so important, especially after the holidays! If writing a note sounds daunting to you, check out this tip from etiquette expert, Colleen Richenbacker. She calls it the 3-3-3 of Thank You Notes!
1. It should only take THREE minutes to write a Thank You Note.
Always mention the gift, how it will be used and then end with the hope that you will see each other soon or work together soon, etc. Always be appropriate to the person you are writing to and the situation but make it personal.
2. A Thank You Note should only take THREE lines!
This does not include the salutation (Dear Kelly) or the closing (My best, Kimberly).
3. You should send it out in THREE days!
Your goal should always be so send a note out within three days of receipt of the gift. Of course, this often doesn't happen. A thank you note is always appropriate so even if months have passed, write a note anyway!

Here is a sample from Colleen of a wonderful Thank You Note:

Dear Kimberly,
Thank you so much for the beautiful floral arrangement. It brightens up my office and is absolutely perfect. It was such a pleasure working with you on the event and I am looking foward to many more events together.
My best,
Colleen

I love that this note "sounds" like Colleen's voice. The best notes sound personal and show your personality.

Here are a few more of Colleen's tips for addressing and stamping your Thank You Notes:
  • Always write and print clearly
  • Always hand write addresses (no labels)
  • Fill in notes are only appropriate if you are under age 6.
  • Use a stamp (not metered postage)
  • You may use a label, seal or stamp for your return address.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Put a Lid on It! New Years Organizing Tips from All In A Row!

Top 10 Organizing Tips for the New Year

1. Keep it simple – Pick one small area and decide to get it purged, sorted, and organized and then maintain that area during the year.

2. Less is more – If you want to take control of your space you have to eliminate clutter. Donate unused or excessive items (do you really need 10 different coats or 20 dish towels?) to your favorite charity and get a tax write off.

3. Find a purpose – Designate a shelf for a particular purpose “yoga accessories” or “guest bedroom sheets” and only put items pertaining to that purpose on that shelf.

4. Your labeler is your best friend – Mark what each shelf is used for with the help of a label it will take the stress off of you and other people in your house because everyone will know where to put things away.

5. Ask for help – If you’re really stuck in one project, call an organized friend and talk your concerns over with her, take your issue to the container store, their staff is very friendly and willing to brainstorm a solution with you, or call all in a row!

6. Put a lid on it – Contain your projects or like items together so they’re easy to keep up with – keep all your knitting needles, yarn, etc. in one bag and make it your knitting bag.

7. Save time – Locate an area closest to the door you use most in your home and create a space to keep your purse, keys, and sunglasses. Practice consistently putting your things in this area and you’ll always know where they are when it’s times to head out.

8. Lighten your load – Open your mail close to the trash and recycling and immediately let go of credit card offers, catalogues you don’t read, and any other items that might pile up forgotten in a corner.

9. Make a list – Before heading out to run all those errands, take a few minutes to plan your route. This will save you time and gas when you’re out on the town.

10. Practice the attitude of gratitude – Remember to take time to be grateful and have fun while you organize. This will change the work from a task to a positive experience.

 

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