A Shoe Splurge Story

I'd like to start off by apologizing to Shannon Schreiber as she is on a shoe-fast for 2011...dang. you go girl.

I am not a "shoe fanatic" really. I own probably....30 pairs? But when I am out and about, I rarely come home with shoes. Mostly because everything I like is too uncomfortable..  (can anyone recommend a nude patten-leather pump that doesn't feel like wearing an ice-cube tray?)...or expensive.

But, last weekend I was out in Danville with my mom and grandma when I came across a pair of Toms. I'd been jonesin' for some Toms for quite a while but haven't been pushed over edge yet due to the $50 price tag. However, TOMS are pretty cool in that for every pair that is purchased, a pair is donated to a child without shoes in a 3rd world country. Pretty neat and worth the $50 when you think about it.

So on this day, after some time in the sun, my legs were slightly bronzed and after trying on a pair of Toms in "natural".... it was time to take the plunge.

Then, in the same store, I came across a darling pair of shoes. They looked like a boat-shoe/espadrille/ballet-flat. So much cuteness packed into one shoe, it could only be by one man- Michael Kors. I was shocked at the price tag. Not by how expensive, but how IN-expensive, $60!!!

I was torn. Surely I can't buy BOTH pairs. They're practically the same color (while very different styles) I don't NEED both and don't want to be a spoiled rotten American consumer..... (I've been living in San Fran for a year, can you tell?) With some encouragement from mom and grandma "just do it kels" "you deserve it" "you work hard, go for it". I went home with both pairs. The End.

Oh. and I don't feel guilty. Because I do work hard. DAMN hard! America! :)

A Pretty Little Ditty

Looking the Part

Considering how infrequently I cook, it is funny how I've managed to amass a small collection of aprons. For some reason, I just adore them. A special apron makes cooking just a little more fun. Also, it's like wearing a pretty dress, for less. There is something nostalgic about aprons that I really connect with. And even though I am far from the traditional housewife (working 60-70 hours a week, only cooking a full meal approx 2-3 times a month and on the verge of considering hiring a housekeeper for our tiny apartment) I can still tap into my inner "June Clever" whenever I throw one on, even if I'm just pouring a bowl of cereal for dinner.
Here are a few of my favorite ones :)

I picked this one up last summer in a little antique shop in Danville called "The Polka Dot Attic". This place is packed with vintage aprons and I really must exhibit restraint when in this store. I love the initials stitched onto the top "L. Marques" and the overall folky, Mexican feel of it.

You will probably recognize this apron from Anthropologie. It was a Christmas gift from my sister-in-law, Nicole. I wore this baking Christmas cookies with girlfriends over the holidays and just loved it! Thanks Nicole!

This next one was another antique store find. I picked this up with my mom up in Washington a couple years ago. I love the fork and spoon design at the bottom and the colors are just so sweet and vintage.

This apron is from Crate and Barrel and was part of my wedding registry. I fell in love with the "kitchy" print and bright colors. I also have matching tea-towels in this same pattern. (pardon the wrinkles!)

 

This one is my newest addition! I picked it up yesterday at a flower shop of all places where I was looking for a wreath (see next week's post). When I saw this beauty hanging up, I just HAD to have it. It is SO pretty and girly and perfect for spring!!

I finally decided it was time to bring all these out of the linen drawer and hang them up!!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Is it Spring Yet?

...please let it be so.

image courtesy of www.designsponge.com

The Traveling Quilt of Many Colors

In January of 2009 I found a quilt top in an antique store in Washington with my mom. This quilt top was from the 1920's. All the patches were sown together, but it was never completed and turned into a blanket. I purchased this amazing quilt top for $50. Kind of an unusual purchase, but I loved the bright yet antiqued colors, the vintage patterns and the "oldness" of it. Also, I felt like I could relate to this woman. I also had sewn patches of a quilt together (fall 2006) and have yet to complete the quilt by adding a back to it. So, I wanted to help this woman complete the beautiful project she started almost 90 years ago.
I brought it back to Philadelphia with me and decided to send it to my Auntie Kate who lives in Tennessee. I had ZERO idea how to go about completing this thing and I also had a wedding to plan, a full time job and grad school. So, I sent it to my aunt with 4 children between the ages of 10 and 2, you know, since she had so much free time (I'm super considerate). Auntie Kate really is a great quilter (she made Mike and I a beautiful quilt for our wedding)and awesome at all things domestic (crochet, cooking, motherhood, etc) she said she'd be happy to take care of finishing the quilt for me.
When she saw the quilt top, I think she realized how truly old and delicate this thing was and decided it should be taken to a professional. She took it to a few different places but she wasn't quite satisfied with their "work". She knew her mother-in-law, Gail took her quilt projects to a really great quilter up in Washington state. So, the quilt was sent back to Washington. By the time the quilt was completed and sent back to Kate, she and her family had moved to Kansas (good ol' military life!).
I received the quilt in the mail last week here in Danville, California and I was completely and utterly THRILLED at the results. After 2 years, 5 states and sevearl hands, my quilt is back and better than ever! I am sure the lovely woman who sewed the original patches together would be incredibly pleased. Thank you Kate and Gail and the lady who started this quilt. I will love and cherish it forever!!

If Mike and I are ever blessed with a sweet baby girl of our own, I think this quilt will serve the perfect inspiration for her first bedroom :)

"I Want That"

In order for you all to fully understand/interpret my "I Want That" phrase correctly, please watch the following video clip from Napoleon Dynaminte. This is a scene from Uncle Rico's tupperware sales.



While I don't actually want a model pirate ship. I do seriously pine for these items.

Number 1: A white Le Pliage Longchamp purse. I've been wanting this for quite a long while. I mean, if this isn't the perfect spring/summer purse, I dont know what is. You could easily tie a little ribbon/bow to the handles for a splash of color.

Number 2: Michael Kors, Horn Jet-Set Watch. I've never really wanted a watch before. The only thing I wear around my wrists are hair-ties,(even accidentally left one around my wrist for half my wedding day, whoops!) I think bracelets look great, but I find them cold, clanky and bothersome. Plus, I have crazy tiny wrists and forearms and most bracelets bounce around between by elbow and hand, annoying! But this watch is quite stunning. I mean truly, just look at it. And if I could get it small enough to stay-put on my wrist, well that'd be just heavenly.

Number 3: J Crew, Rainy Day Ballet Flats. Yes, I'll have one in ever color please, thanks.

Kitchen-Capades with Kelsey

Hey guys! I decided to make cookies today. I've become pretty adept at chocolate chip cookies (if I do say so myself) and Mike is always asking for oatmeal cookies. So, I searched the web for a great oatmeal cookie recipe without raisins (since neither Mike nor I care for raisins much). I stumbled across this Maple Oatmeal Cookies recipe and decided to give it a shot. Note: I added a few ingredients/steps of my own.
Enjoy!

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Step 2: Put on super cute apron


Step 3: Gather ingredients for charming photo-op



Step 4: Start actually baking


Step 5: Turn on some fun music (ex: Michael Jackson's Number Ones)

Step 6: Continue actually baking


Step 7: Finish actually baking


Step 8: EAT!!!!!!!! (and dance to sweet MJ beats)






Disclaimer: No cookies were burned during dance sequence photo shoot. Please don't try this at home. Or do, and beware of the consequences. Either way, have fun!