Happy Weekend: Girls Night Out

I'm visiting with family on the east coast.  BUT if you are in southeast Michigan on Friday, be sure to checkout Girls Night Out in Northville, MI.  And if you do, stop by Starring The Gallery, a great place to by handcrafted art from local artists, including moi ! (me)

Have a wonderful, refreshing weekend.  See you on Monday.

Monday Musings

Happy Monday dear readers.  I hope you are rested and relaxed from the weekend.  I enjoyed a slower pace and some quality time with hubby that started with a nice dinner out at one of our favorite spots.

A delicious pomegranate cosmo

I booked several vacations for guests at our Bahamas house.  I wish I was there myself but in the meantime, I'm glad others can enjoy this idyllic spot.  I did spend some time planning vacations for hubby and me later in the year.  

Oscar and Lucinda

Do you love shopping on Amazon.com?  I do, and I did.  I had this book downloaded to my Kindle.  It is a prize winner and was made into a movie starring Ralph Fiennes and Cate Blanchett.  I'll let you know how I like it when I finish reading.

Sunday night we had a dinner party to welcome some new neighbors.  A great way to end the weekend.

Have a pleasant Monday.

Denim Crush

I decided to shop for new jeans on Sunday.  Second only to bathing suit shopping for my least favorite activity I expected to try on scores of jeans and come home empty handed or with something I just settled for.  

Dark wash skinny jeans

The unexpected happened,  with the first pair of jeans at the first store, I was in love!  That has  NEVER occurred before.  They had me at "everything in the store is 40% off!  That was Banana Republic.  I haven't made a purchase there for quite a while but I thought, why not, give it a try.  I've never had truly skinny jeans because of my "athletic thighs"  but these are an amazing fit with just enough stretch.  They look great with heels, flats and tucked into boots.  For me, the rise is high enough without looking like "mom jeans" but not so low as to be uncomfortable and produce a "muffin top".  I bought a pair in gray too. 

Indigo denim trouser

At 40% off, I didn't stop there.  I fell in love with these trouser jeans.  Very cool and sophisticated.  The fit is fantastic and they look perfect with heels, the higher the better and a blazer if you wish.  They would be perfect for casual office dressing.  

Black denim trousers

I got a pair in black too that I'm wearing with a long sweater coat tomorrow.  Even without the sale price, these jeans are very reasonably priced between $79 and $89.  Give them a try.  

Laduree: Sweet Treats

Laduree, the famed sweet shop in Paris, is always on my "to do " list when I get a chance to visit the city of lights.  

Soon, it won't require a "trip across the pond" to taste those delicate macarons.  Laduree will be opening in New York City on August 26, 20.

                                                        Source: laduree.fr via Deborah on Pinterest

If you have a craving for Chocolate and Passion Fruit macarons, you can place an order and have them shipped.  

Candle collection 

Wouldn't a Laduree scented candle make a wonderful gift?  (no calories either!)

Have a sweet weekend dear readers.  See you on Monday.  

Monday Musings: Is It Fall Already?

If you have been shopping in departments stores, you've noticed summer is over and it is all about fall.  I usually am bothered by this and refuse to shop for fall so early but I did "participate" in the anniversary sale at Nordstrom this past week.

Vera Wang Lavender "Kipp" boot

I went to the store with the full intention of purchasing the Cole Haan Leora boot but the calf was too wide and the toe too round.  While the Vera boot is more $$, I love the fit and style and I think I'll be living in this boot during the cold, slushy weather of Michigan this winter.  The boot is not as clunky or military looking as you may think by looking at the photo.  Tuck your jeans in or give them a cuff, these boots would work well with a skirt and tights too.  What do you think??

To justify my fall purchase...

Caryl sandals

...I picked up a pair of these Lucky Brand sandals on sale.  

They have zippers up the heels.  I really find them comfortable and just a bit more coverage than flip flops.

Four Seasons Philadlephia, courtyard

A verdant respite in Center City Philadelphia.  This was a very pleasant place to relax over the weekend.

Welcome back from what I hope was a restful weekend.  Make it a wonderful day.

Earth Week: Antiques are "Green"

Happy Monday everybody

I wasn't even thinking about Earth Week when I attended the Antique Market this past weekend.  Reuse and repurposing are exactly what antiques are about.  The fun is the hunt!

Artistic displays

Lots of great inspiration

Chic bar cart (I want, I want)

Ah, some retro, Bakelite bangles.

Yes, Please!

A perfect start to Earth Week is Meatless Monday.

Tonight:  Asparagus risotto

Calypso St. Barths for Target

Calypso St. Barth, the luxury resort wear brand is partnering with Target to bring an affordable collection of fashion and home accessories to the national retail giant.  Ranging in price from $1.99 to $79.99, the collection is available May 1 through June 11 at all Target stores and Target.com.  I can't wait to check out this collection.  Here are some examples of what will be available.   

Dip-Dye Tiered Maxi Skirt in Green $34.99 (worn as dress) Linen Espadrille Wedges in Turquoise Print $29.99 Three-Layer Wood and Shell Necklace $29.99 Canvas Elephant-Print Tote in Brown $19.99

Calypso St. Barth 

Calypso St. Barth 

Calypso St. Barth

Olive & Cocoa

Recently I received a catalog from Olive & Cocoa and then perused their website.

Lovely floral arrangements I'd feel good about sending to someone.
Cognac and Cream   SicilianRose  Giselle Succulent Trough

I would love to receive any of these items as gifts.

TASTES FOR EVERYONE

TASTES FOR EVERYONE

ETCHED VINO WINE GOBLETS

ELEMENTAL VOTIVE BOXES

MANZANITA GLAÇON TREE

RePurpose Shopping

More snow here in Michigan today.  The only sign that spring may really happen is that we have more hours of daylight.  I can walk Sydney at 6 pm without a flashlight.  

Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend?

I going to check out the sale at RePurpose in Northville.  Have you ever seen the TV show, Cash & Cari?  RePurpose is Cari Cucksey's store.  Cari is a "treasure hunter" or professional estate liquidator.    

RePurpose

This weekend is the Winter Bazaar Sale at RePurpose.  I'm going to check it out and see if I can find any great deals or things I can't live without.  

I'd love to find a table like this to use as a bar cart in the dining room.

I'll let you know what I find.

Shark Steam Pocket Mop

Last night hubby dropped a full bottle of beer in the kitchen.  The bottle broke and spewed foaming beer all over the floor, cabinets and walls.  This happened just as I was about to serve dinner. We ate dinner and then attacked the mess.  I was actually contemplating just moving instead of cleaning but I got out my Shark Steam Mop.  No, this is not a paid info-mercial, but the Shark did make short work of the sticky mess.  I've been using the Shark for a month now on my hardwood floors to remove the footprints from salty, melted snow.  Check out the Shark here.

Have a great weekend.  See you on Monday.

Happy Weekend

I found this great glass bowl at Marshalls for $10!

I think it makes a great vessel for bright colored Christmas balls.

I don't know about you but I've got lots of shopping, baking, planning and decorating to do this weekend.  I'll have the holiday music playing, an aromatic candle burning, and a (gas) fire in the fireplace while I work and I'll take pleasure in every minute of it.  

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy!

Cyber Sale

In "honor" of Cyber Monday, I am offering a 10% discount in my Etsy shop from now until Tuesday morning.  Use the code CYBERSALE when checking out for a 10% discount.

Here are some examples of what is in the shop.

bangles

linked necklace

earrings

heart charm bangle

TARGET for Holiday Shopping Ease

There's even more to love about TARGET

The thought of shopping from my sofa, in a bathrobe, sipping coffee, in front of a fire, is very appealing.  No crowds.  No full parking lots.  No juggling packages.  TARGET makes can make it a reality.

• Daily Deals - exclusive one-day savings of up to 50% off Target's regular prices.  Sign up at Target.com/dailydeals
• Free shipping event -Spend $50 or more online between Nov. 21 to Dec. 11 and receive free shipping directly to your home.
• Christmas trees - Order your Christmas tree from Target.com and delivery is free.  WHAT?
• Thanksgiving Day online specials for a shopping head start.  Up to 50% off some electronics.
• Target store doors open at 4 am Back Friday
• Download a Target app for your mobile device to enable easy shopping, promotional material, scanable coupons etc.      
• Target.com/Christmas will give you all the information in one spot

Make your list and check it twice.

Have a very special weekend.

Girls' Night Out: Northville, MI

Ready... set...shop!

If you live in the Detroit Metro area, visit Northville on Friday, Nov 12 for Girls' Night Out

 Starring, The Gallery, is bedecked for the holidays and ready for shoppers. 

  Take 15% off total purchase at Starring during Girls' Night Out.

 I was in the gallery on Wednesday to deliver my holiday jewelry and was very impressed with all the wonderful gifts.  Great price points and there is something, actually, lots of somethings, for everyone on your list.

This happy, stuffed bear is sitting with some great holiday napkins, place mats, and candles.


Girls' Night Out is a city-wide event from 6-9 pm.  There is a raffle and an After Glo at the Northville Sports Den at 9;30 pm.  

Vintage Tabletop Shopping

I had a great time in New Jersey over the weekend visiting family.  The weather cooperated with beautiful blue skies and crisp fall temperatures.  Foliage color was at peak so I got an extra week of color since most leaves have fallen here in Michigan.  We spent time walking around Princeton, poking into shops and having coffee at Small World Coffee Cafe.  

One of my favorite things however, was a visit to The Tomato Factory in Hopewell, NJ.  This antique center is home to 38 dealers of antiques ranging from tabletop to large pieces of furniture.  

I never got past the tabletop antiques.  As Spiral Style readers know, I love tabletop design.  I am alway on the lookout for silver flatware and decorative china salad plates or small serving bowls.  I love to give a beautiful silver cake server as an engagement gift to be used to cut the wedding cake.  As you can see in the photo, there were bins of silver flatware on the floor.

Fiestaware was stacked from floor to ceiling.  I had my eye on lots of cute salt and pepper shakers and decorative things I certainly didn't need and I managed to get away with only 6 silverplate demitasse spoons.  My husband is lucky I was limited by carry-on luggage!

Pet Accessories at Crate & Barrel

1 Houndstooth dog bed small $39.95, large $69.95 2 Red Dog Bowl small $9.95 large $14.95  3 Grey Strip Dog Blanket $39.95 4 Dog Treat Jar $19.95 

The motif is more sophisticated than cute and won't be too offensive mingling with your home decor, unless you purposely decorate in a Scooby Do or Hello Kitty manner!

Set of 3 Mice Catnip Toy $9.95

Bowls and Treat Jar also come in feline motif.

 "Placemats" for pets with sloppy eating habits. $2.95 each