Till then, looking for some fun weekend reading? Check out have a the blog A Cup of Jo...I see this on all of the blogrolls out there (and it's generally first given that they are most often alphabetical) and finally started reading it. LOVE! A little bit of everything...some amazing photos, fun product finds and great fashion. Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Happy Birthday to Me...Happy Birthday to Me...
Today is my birthday! Yipppeeee!! Just wanted to get a post in before my day of birthday shopping! I think it turned out for the best that it had to be rescheduled...because now I have a fun filled day ahead. Just finished up some breakfast and presents with my two favorite guys. Brad got me a great little organizer from Pottery Barn's Bedford collection and some fun items for my desk. He knows me so well!! Tomorrow we are off to a little weekend getaway, leaving Owen in the very capable hands of his Grandad and Grandma Barb and taking off for a little fun! I would tell you more, but I'm in the dark....Brad has done all of the planning! I will tell you all about it Monday.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Will you be my Valentine?
So are you in the Valentine's Day is just an over-hyped commercialized holiday camp....or do you love it as much as I do? Now, I do agree it's way to commercialized, buy this buy that....overpriced dinners and flowers...but what I can't get enough of is the little things. Little notes to say 'I love you' a sweet treat for a friend. Pancakes shaped like hearts for Owen, and a night of take out and movies on the couch with hubby. Now that's my kind of Valentine's Day. So if you are looking for some little ways to make the day special, check out some of our Valentine's Day options.
A few stickers...small or large, these can be put just about anywhere! Add them to lunch bags, notes and cards. Or making some sweet treats? Our larger stickers are a great way to personalize them.
A couple of note cards...just a little way to say I love you. Tell someone you are thinking about them this Valentine's Day! Or let your child sign them and they make a great alternative to the store bought Valentine's.
HAPPY THURSDAY EVERYONE!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Pretty Smitten with Plum Cushion
I've been dreaming of pillows lately...am I tired? Well, yes. But the kind I'm dreaming of are from Plum Cushion, a fantastic Etsy shop with the most gorgeous selection of fabrics. They are a fantastic way to add a pop of color and that extra special something to your house. I recently ordered these...
Sassari Ikat in Pumpkin/Natural
Schumacher's Zanzibar Linen Print
They now sit majestically in my living room...Sassari Ikat on a pair of wingback chairs, and the two Zanzibar Linen are paired with some Pottery Barn light blue striped pillows on my couch. They look fantastic! The quality of fabric is amazing, and the construction of the pillows is great too. Can't ask for much more. Actually, Melanie, the shop's owner, was a pleasure to work with too....so I guess you can! Some favorites in my shop right now?
Schumacher's Chenonceau in Charcoal
Schumacher's Zenyatta Cusion in Peacock
Kelly Wearstler's Imperial Trellis in Treillage
or in Citrine perhaps?
And what am I dying for now?? Chiang Ming Dragon in Aqua. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I know this is everywhere in the design world blog...is it out? in? maybe people are over it? maybe it's going to be a classic? who knows. BUT I know that I love it. I see two of these babies in my family room...with furniture that I don't own yet...minor problem, but that won't stop me! They are next on my list once I can justify the purchase!
Maybe these will find a way into my cart too? Fretwork Cushion in Turquoise
So many options....I feel like I could design entire rooms around these pillows! Hope you guys like them as much as I do, because I'm Pretty Smitten alright!
HAPPY TUESDAY!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
A little pity party...but then something to make me smile
Birthday shopping postponed = a little pity party for Elizabeth. So sad! Was all geared up to go and then my husband (aka Owen wrangler for the day) had to travel to Arizona on Saturday. Yes, for the day. He flew in...had a meeting at the airport...and then flew home. See, he was supposed to have the meeting on Thursday. But do you watch the weather channel? Well, if you do, then you don't need me to tell you that the weather in AZ was crazy last week! So his flight was canceled on Thursday morning. Then it was canceled on Thursday afternoon. Luckily he had called ahead! He did go to the airport Thursday evening, flight delayed...flight delayed again...and he gave up and came home. Tried to get a flight on Friday, everything booked. So
yep, that meant he had to go on Saturday. Boohooo for me. So a minor pity party was thrown by me...for me...and I was the only guest. Really it's okay though, I get to go on Friday instead, which is really perfect but it's my actual birthday. The main downside is I have nothing to post this morning, was excited to share all of my shopping finds!
I do have one thing that I just have to share though and that completely made me smile. Recently I worked on a few 'Under the Sea' themed birthday items for a customer, Jen. With starfishes, fish, sailboats and ships, they were colorful and fun. They arrived to their destination last week and Jen posted the most amazing feedback this weekend...here's what she said:
"I absolutely can not say enough about how happy I am with my purchase!! I was afraid that I had unattainably high expectations, so you can imagine how excited I was to not only have my expectations met, but BLOWN AWAY! :) Thank you so much for the beautiful work, packaging, and awesome communication! I can't wait to work with you again!"
Pity party done, over, finished...how can I not be happy when I read those incredibly kind words! MADE MY DAY. So happy she loved her items. Posted below are the invitation (details have been changed) and the small stickers, hope you like them as much as we do! And thank you Jen for your wonderful feedback, so so happy you like your 'Under the Sea' party items!!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Birthday Shopping!
A sacred event in my family....my Mom takes my sister and I shopping on our birthdays each year. My birthday isn't for another week, but my Mom and I are headed out tomorrow for my birthday shopping treat. Yipppeeee! A day of browsing, shopping, chatting and lunching....all without the stroller! Now I actually don't mind taking Owen to the mall, there's a little play area and he loves it. Pottery Barn Kids is a bit hit. The real Pottery Barn? He cries every time we go in. Seriously. And he will tolerate me trying on a few clothes, but let's face it...more fun when you don't have to wait for the large dressing room, navigate the stroller into it, and then dance around while trying on clothes to keep little man entertained.
So in preparation for my BIG DAY OUT tomorrow...I've browsed online at a few of my favorite stores to see what I might have to check out in person!
Nordstrom - always a 'go to' store. Even more necessary to hit it up tomorrow because I have a gift card from Santa (well, actually my inlaws) that's burning a hole in my handbag. First, love the shoe options and I'm forever in the market for new fun flats...
Cute little ruffle, fun way to join that trend
Basic black with fun baubles
Dreaming? Probably! But love this tote. Looks roomy and LOVE the color.
Would I look like a large escaped inmate in this? It's possible. But looks super cute on this gorgeous skinny blonde model....
And from American Eagle...oddly I like this store. Full of teeny boppers, this store can also be full of some good deals!
Really want the classic Burberry trench. Since that's NOT going to happen....
More flats, loving these bright and cheery ones!
I have been considering the super skinny skinny jeans....the ones I have tried on so far have been $150+. But these? $39.50. Done and done. A great way to test a new style out!
Just a little something...
And now for my favorite GO TO stores. Anthropologie and J Crew. I could spend days browsing Anthropologie the store...oddly though always have a harder time finding things online. JCrew on the other hand? Love everything on the website, but then things always seem a bit difference in person. Either way, love them both. Couldn't live without either.
From Anthropologie...
cute little blouse. Perfect under sweaters for now
Loving stripes. This one is just too cute for words.
And on to J Crew. Can't go wrong with a cashmere sweater. Is melon the new spring color? First the Coach bag and then this. Love.
And because you can never have too many pairs of jeans...these look comfortable and stylish. Perfect with those above flats. Or heels when I get into them!
Okay, that's as big as I'm going to let my dream list get! Wish me luck tomorrow! I'll report back on Monday. Till then, have a fantastic weekend.
HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Blogroll...nest egg
Just as promised in my resolutions...a little interior design!! I love a good blog. Who doesn't? And I LOVE a good design blog. LOVE. So what is one of my top favorites? Nest Egg!! I actually only recently found it, but I'm obsessed already. Written by Rachel Halvorson of Rachel HalvorsonDesign - she's cute, fun, spunky and most importantly has a great design sense. A fantastic blog for inspiration, she manages to find all of the best photos from great sources. Here are a few...
I love a white kitchen and dream of remodeling mine. It's already white but lacking that monster island...so if I could just knock down a wall....
Urban Grace Interiors
don't worry, I do realize this is a black island. Still love it.
two above from Designer Nathan Egan
And right next to that kitchen...I'd bump out our breakfast area window to build a banquette! Rachel posted a love it or hate it article on banquettes...well I'm in the LOVE category. Always have and always will love them. Cozy and comfortable, a great place for a family breakfast.
unknown source
martha stewart magazine
domino mag
Elements of Style
I'm into orange lately - just bought a cute orange box the other day from Home Goods, it's bright and fun and pretty much has no purpose except to sit on my shelf and make me smile. Now, do I know if orange is 'in' right now? NOPE. But she posted this in Sept '09, so I'm not too far off! Makes me smile to see that orange!
House Beautiful
Fantastic, no? Plus she tells you about some great resources. Favorite one...Premier Fabrics! These are all $9.99/yard and below. Perfect.
Okay folks, hope you enjoyed this posting! But now I'm off, little guy is waking up so 'baba' time it is :)
HAPPY WEDNESDAY!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
More designs with our favorite graphic patterns...
Gotta love a long weekend - I had the chance to add a few more items featuring my new personalized patterns! Love love these patterns. Now you can have them on small stickers and PS Kids invitations!! Hooray!
Small Stickers! Great for decorating party items, sticking on cards, notebooks...just a little personalized fun, ready to stick anywhere
Invitations featuring our patterns and PS Kids motifs. Could it get any better? Perfect for birthday parties and showers!
Coming soon...calling cards! Happy Tuesday everyone, day one of a short week!
Friday, January 15, 2010
A new year...some resolutions
Pretty Smitten hit the ground running in summer of 2009 and I'm quite pleased with my little shop so far. 264 sales and counting! My favorite parts? The creativity....I love designing new products. The more I create, the more my head spins and I think of more! I also love the 'crafting' part. When my son is napping and I get to print, cut, add my little crystals...each part is done with loving care. It's a happy time, ME time. I also love talking to my customers. I love that I get to be a part of their events, create special stationery for them, or help them give a gift to a friend. So...what's up for 2010? Well, like everyone I'm sure, I have some resolutions....for my shop, for my blog and for me:
For Pretty Smitten...
1. DESIGN DESIGN DESIGN - new products always take a lot longer then I think they will....there's the initial design, then prototypes and tweaking here and there. And then when I'm happy with it the photos and Etsy listing always take a bit too. But I think if I just try and devote a little bit of time each day then who knows what I'll be able to come up with? That's what I love, the possibilities. Now don't expect new designs every week :) But I just want to have the goal of keeping my creativity percolating.
2. Start reaching out to blogs and magazines to get my name out there! I haven't done one bit of PR or advertising yet. My sales so far have come solely from Etsy site searches. I did have a couple mentions (Spearmint Baby and Style At Home) and let me tell you I was thrilled with those! But I can't just wait for people to contact me....get out there there girl!
For My Blog...
3. BLOG MORE! Time is the biggest problem here. The days fly by and what do you know, I've neglected my little 'ol blog. Well, my goal for 2010 is 3-4 postings a week. I'd love to say a new posting every day, but I want to be realistic! I'm also hoping by blogging more and following through with resolution #2...that I'll get more readers! I would love to see some more comments this year!
4. Share my love for interior design. Now I'm not saying I'm great at it...but I LOVE to update our house and I'm constantly looking at design inspirations. My favorite blogs are dedicated to design and the home. Is that reflected here? NOPE! How did that happen? Well, for 2010 I hope to share with you some of my adventures in home design.
And for ME...
5. Walk 3-4 times a week. In the mornings I love to go on walks, it's really the main way I exercise! Owen goes in the stroller, the dogs on their leashes and we're off! The loop we do is about 3 miles. It's a great chance for Owen to have a little mellow-out time...we're down to 1 nap a day but he still needs a little break in the mornings! And the dogs love to get out too. So it's good for everyone! We do average about 3-4 times a week now...so my goal for 2010 is to keep it up!
6. BE IN THE MOMENT - I heard this just the other day, on Oprah??? Can't remember. But it's just a good reminder...when I'm working on Pretty Smitten, devote that time to Pretty Smitten. When I'm playing with Owen, just play with Owen! When I'm cuddling on the couch with my husband, just do that! My iPhone is a little to accessible sometimes. SO, just be in the moment.
Okay that's all folks. A lot of writing for a Friday. But just wanted to get it all out there...
HAPPY FRIDAY! Have a wonderful long weekend.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
West Elm Giveaway!
One of my favorite blogs, decor8, is hosting a West Elm Giveaway! $75 gift card! Nice. I could use that for sure. West Elm has become one of my go to places for accessories. I love my furniture and larger pieces to be a little more on the traditional side...but for accessories? I love the simple, clean, modern look that West Elm has to offer. So what would I get if I won a $75 gift card? Here's a little list...
A total classic, but with modern lines. I would love a bunch of these! Great in my dining room, living room, family room.....anywhere!
I'm all about cozying up on the couch with a glass of wine, my husband and a cozy blanket! This is a great one. I would have to go with the Flax/Ivory option and yes, I would have it monogrammed!
Perfect for my office! It's in need of a little facelift (more on that later) and these baskets would be perfect! Great for storing all of my Pretty Smitten items.
Okay don't get too excited, $75 cannot buy this chair! But at $229 the gift card would put a significant dent in the bill. I see this chair in my office! With the above mentioned baskets :)
And here's something I've been coveting for a while now! West Elm's zigzag rug, been around a while and I still love it. Again, for my office! Can you tell I'm in the mood for a little office makeover? And can you believe it, $229 for the 5x8. So the $75 would help!
Enter the contest HERE. Good luck and Happy Wednesday!
Monday, January 11, 2010
New Designs
I am absolutely thrilled to show you my new designs! Modern, colorful and fun these new designs allow you to pick a graphic pattern background. Choose from maze, greek key and polka dot and then personalize the colors! Note Cards, Invitations, Calling Cards, Labels and Gift Tags with these backgrounds are available in our PS Monogram, PS Kids and PS Party line. In other words, the options are endless! Hope you like them as much as I do...
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