gift giving children

I love finding something that I adore to give as a gift. When I found these bears I new I had to have them for our store. I find myself grabbing them all the time to give as gifts. I love adding them to a day gown or blanket for a new born gift. They are perfect gifts for my little girls to give at a birthday party. Even my teen age girls have stolen them from the office (they did ask first).
They come in two sizes and are soft and cuddly. How cute would the little one be poking his head out of a stocking this Christmas?

Another favorite children's gift are these crayons from Melissa and Doug. (also now available in Kayce's shop) The are nice and hard so they don't break and they are triangular so they won't roll off the table. My girls love them and I am crazy about the red case they come in.

How about you...do you have a little stash of children's gifts in your closet or do you head to the toy store when a party comes up?

Christmas

I am in love with these stocking from Holly Mathis Interiors they are made by Michelle. I am not really a decorate for every holiday kind of girl but Christmas is my absolute favorite. I am so excited this year to have a store window to decorate too. I have already been dreaming and hope to share some of the process. I am hunting for images of vintage stamps and labels so if anyone has a great source please let me know.

How about you...what is your favorite holiday?

inspiration

One of the things that I love about my job is hunting for inspiration. I love finding vintage clothing a patterns and turning them into something that works for today.
I don't know if these women ever had children.
I have so I like it when things are fitted just above my tummy and then use a little gathering to hide.
I love the seam down the center and the tie at the neck.
The little bow if this neckline will find its way into the spring line.
I am in awe of all I can do on line. I still remember when I worked for Ralph Lauren we would have to go to the library to hunt for inspiration images.

peanut butter cookies

I have a few favorite cookie recipes that I make over and over. This is one of them. It is from Cookin' with Home Storage by Vicki Tate. They are fairly healthy and not too sweet.

1 C softened butter
1 C freshly ground peanut butter
1 1/4 C honey
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
4 C whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda

Blend butter until smooth. Add peanut butter and blend again. Add honey and blend again. Add eggs 1 at a time and beat until mixed. Add vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Roll into balls and put onto ungreased cookie sheet. Use a fork dipped in cold water and flatten with a criss-crossed design. Bake at 350 F for 10 minutes on the top rack of the oven. Remove immediately. Cool and enjoy.

(I added some chocolate on the top before cooking)

Bauer 2000

A big thanks to Julia for letting me know about Bauer 2000 pottery. I have a soft spot for pitchers.

Dont' you think that Jack and Lilly would appreciate the upgrade from their current stainless steel?
They have all of my favorite colors.
Lilly would probably be so appreciative that she would stop eating the furniture.

the farm chicks

How adorable are these goodies from the farm chicks store.

I don't have any fun tape but I can see how it could get addicting. Do you love vintage inspired things? If so I would love to know your favorite websites.

happy birthday to me

Forty five is the new 30 ....or at least that's the way I like to look at it. We had a fun party in the office this morning. Caroline decorated with some of the wedding present goodies.

Do you still love the wedding china that you picked out?

I am off to have dinner in the retirement home with my mother in law. We have the same birthday. Is that a little weird or what?

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

xokc

potty talk

I read my fair share of decorating blogs. Everyone seems to get their turn in the spot light everyone that is except the top of the toilet. My favorite thing to put on top of our commodes are vintage wicket baskets.

Full of treasures.

Every bathroom has its very own.

similar but different

basket.

The ribbons, of course, matching the decor.

How about you, what do you have on top of your toilet?

evy

I posted about my talented friend Evy a few months ago. I just received an email that she has joined Taigan. Please take a peek at her beautiful finds. They are sure to inspire.

a winner

Fran said...

Love the bamboo pens!! One little thing I enjoy is a nice hot cup of tea with a little piece of dark chocolate! Perfect for a fall October day!

Fran is the winner of our bamboo pens!

fun friday giveaway

Most of the time our home doesn't look the way I want it to look. Shoes and backpacks littering the floor, dishes in the sink, and some sharpie on the upholstery that the dog has eaten a chunk of. I don't long for it to be different because that will mean that my seven children have grown and are gone.

I do crave order and beauty where I can find it...usually in the little things.

I love having a fun container full of matching pencils or pens on a desk or by the phone. Years ago I ordered about 1000 red pencils for my red and green kitchen. This week we got in a shipment of these bamboo pens for Kayce's Store and I am in love. I will confess that I can never get enough bamboo. (I found the white and green container at salvation army.)

It was so fun to hear from so many of you last week that I decided to do another fun Friday giveaway. I will be giving away two sets of pens. Just leave a comment and I will pick a winner on Tuesday. I would love to hear about you and what "little things" you enjoy.

Happy Friday!

xokc

spring

I know that everyone is so excited that Fall is here. But in my business we are finishing up next Spring and working on next Fall.

Today one of my favorite models tried on some of next springs goodies that will end up on our web site.
I have been so spoiled, having models at my finger tips. It won't be quite this easy when the models aren't mine.

But for now I am enjoying it.
And lucky for me she does too.

tin can treats

This past Sunday my friend Melodie asked the girls to be part of a photo shoot for her fabulous party in a camper Tin Can Treats.

They had a blast eating lots of her goodies.

I had a blast being inspired by Melodies beautiful styling and seeing one of my favorite photographers in action.

These are a few of our photos as we tried to stay out of Tec's way but I can't wait to see the real photos!

the winner!

Thank you to everyone who left a comment! The winner of our wooden necklace is sarah k. Sarah please let me know your address and we will get your necklace shipped right out.

fun friday giveaway

One of the things that I love about blogging is all of the fun creative people I have "met" along the way. One of my favorites is Lauren from Pure Style Home. If you don't already read her blog please head on over. She has a great sense of style, can create on a budget and I love her honesty that comes through her blog.

When I saw her new picture on her blog I was so excited because she is wearing our necklace.

Now one of my lucky readers can have one too.

Just head over to my web site and let me know your favorite women's dress. Leave a comment for a chance to win. If you put this on your blog just let me know and that will give you 10 chances to win.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful and restful week end.

I will announce the winner on Wednesday!

xokc

Happy Birthday Charlotte

Yesterday was a very special day.

My oldest girl turned....

It seams just like yesterday that she was modeling my tiny new line of clothing for little girls.

Now she is a beautiful young lady who I love to hang out with. She is smart and creative and it has been a joy to watch her grow up.