Ina Garten in Houston November 12th

Finally the day I have been waiting for!  Hurry and call Sur La Table River Oaks at 713-533-0400 to purchase a copy of Ina's new book.  Doing so will get you a ticket for the line to meet her in person on Monday, November 12th at noon.  The day of, the line will be first come first serve.  D from NCNG and I will be there bright and early! Beyond excited!!

Pretty Little Things

Rachel Zoe Collection jewelry has arrived at Neiman Marcus!! One word. BANANAS!!!!

Sugar Cookie Throwdown

I made sugar cookies tonight for a coworker's baby shower Friday. I was on a mission to find the best sugar cookie recipe and I think we have a winner! I also wanted to try my hand at the professional-looking "flooded" (more on this terminology later) style and it was a humbling experience!! I learned a lot tonight. I have neon royal icing all over myself and my kitchen and it's almost midnight. I must be delirious because I find this wildly amusing! I doubt I will be laughing tomorrow at work, but these lovelies are worth it. I'll be sharing all 3 recipes and tons of tips and tricks! xoxo

Gossip Girl Inspiration

I have loads of recipe posts, a "new" coffee table, and a Neiman Marcus fashion show to blog about, but SPL has a big project and is logging tons of hours on the pc :( My MacBook is out of commission, but I did find out a new hard drive should only cost about $75!! Which I thought was great news! I promise I'll get back to longer posts soon, but short and sweet is all I can manage for now. I hope I am not overloading my dear readers with Pic Jointer, but this little preppy inspiration is a favorite!

I just adore Brittany Snow and loved her role as Lily in GG's flashback 80's episode from season 2. Yes, I did re-watch the episode tonight to share a favorite GG moment with you!!  Love this outfit! Enjoy!! xoxo

Bow Obsession!

Saw these bracelets on Pinterest and I just can't get enough of all the bow jewelry kate spade has been doing. I have the gold and cream enameled small bow bangles from last season, but I need to add these lovelies to my jewelry box stat!!!

Saturday Snapshot

Cooking up a storm in the kitchen, trying a new wine and listening to Texas country :) Perfect Saturday afternoon! Lots of recipes to share!!

eBay Tips + Graphic Image Discount!!

Commence happy dance!  Even though children are years away, God willing, I think about our future wee ones all the time!  I adore Lilly Pulitzer and their matching Mommy and Minnie outfits.  I did purchase one little girls dress to match a style I already own and I hope I am blessed with a little girl one day to wear it!!  I did not want to leave a future son out of the planning, so when I saw this Lilly jumper on eBay I knew I had to make it mine!  Particularly because as far as I know Lilly no longer manufactures boys clothing :(

If you'll notice the auction ended at 12:51:03 PDT and I swooped in at 12:50:58 PDT and struck with the winning bid.  This is the secret to eBay, don't bid early and just drive up the price.  Bid in the last 4-6 seconds with your max bid and catch the competition by surprise.  Clearly eBay shopping is competitive sport!  Now the secret to last minute victory is to sign up for a service like Gixen and let software bid for you. The web-based software actually logs into your eBay account and bids in the last 4-6 seconds up to a predetermined maximum.  Brilliant!!  

In other news on the interwebs, leather goods mecca, Graphic Image, is having a site-wide 50% off sale!  That is my kind of sale!!  Order by 3AM Tuesday July 17th and the 50% discount will be automatically applied to your cart!  Seeing as how I signed up for their emails July 8th, because I wanted an iPad case, further cements I am in good favor with the shopping gods :)

I am hoping my new case arrives in the perfect shade of equestrian orange.  I added my initials in gold.  Swoon.

Sunday Inspiration

The Lord Appears to Elijah: 1 Kings 19 9:13

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

As our Pastor shared a message about rest this Sunday it began to rain.  There are few things more powerful than scripture being read as thunder rolls outside.  It was a beautiful reminder of what a mighty God I serve and that nothing in this world can give our spirit rest.  True rest is only found in Jesus.  I am so thankful for the gentle whisper in my life!

Lilly Love

TGIF!!! Work has been so busy for me lately I have had trouble finding energy to post. I have lots of fun recipes, products and events to share though!!

Being summertime I have the Lilly Pulitzer Endless Summer Sale on the brain! I can't wait for the late August sale. I'll be sure to post details as the sale approaches. I did snag two lovelies last week to tide me over!! Since they are past season styles, I got great deals!! Hooray!!

Also downloaded the app Pic Jointer and love how easy it is to use :)

Happy Independence Day!!

John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.
Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

Personally I think it's important not only to remember and celebrate those who fought and died for our freedom from England, but also to remember the great leaders who came before us. I am not only proud of my country but I am extremely proud of those who laid its foundations. We are truly blessed to call ourselves Americans!!!

Also, John Adams sounds like he really knew how to party ;) Hope you were able to celebrate with those you hold dear :) God bless America!!

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