Turning Over a New Leaf

Happy New Year!


In honor of the hangover we likely all have from the holiday madness, we thought we'd kick off the New Year with a site that is adding a refreshing new twist to it all.


It's called Clover by Clover:  and it finally answers how to walk that fine line of giving, giving back, and receiving.  Children's birthdays are a real case in point: you feel as though your family is (fortunately) overflowing in the toy department and you'd rather give to charity, but you still have a small child with a big birthday who is tugging at your sleeve.  Enter Clover by Clover who have set up a tasteful and lovely site that allows the Birthday Boy (or Girl) to choose one special gift and a charity of his or her choice, and it acts as the facilitator between the two.  They offer a fabulous range of charities from Operation Smile and Heifer International, to Doctors without Borders and Water for People.  Share the page you have created with the party attendees, as well as Grandma in Iowa and Auntie in Maine, and they can all give an amount that feels good to them.  Funds donated to the child's CloverPage will first cover the amount for one special gift (rather than 20 smaller ones) and the rest will go to the charity of your choice.  Everyone feels good, no one has a trip to Toys R Us, and Clover by Clover couldn't make it easier.


It's started by two moms who are just like us all - and they were inspired to help us "Give a Gift That Goes Further".  We couldn't agree more!


So start a CloverPage (I'm going to for my son's upcoming 6th birthday) and let's all help pay it forward while still gifting something special.  Celebrate Thoughtfully as Clover by Clover puts it.  Amen to that.

Clover by Clover

Rub A Dub Dub

Rub a dub sweet baby’s in the tub.  Wrapping up your wet bundle of love has never been so much fun.  Checkout these fabulous hooded towels that will leave you wishing they came in grown-up sizes too.  They also make the best baby gifts!

Because one monkey deserves another, here’s a towel from Serena and Lily that will make you giggle.

Calling all prepsters, this gingham-trimmed towel from Tiny Sunshine guarantees a whale of a good time!   It’s also available in pink.  If whales aren’t your thing, checkout their many other motifs.  Even better, Tiny Sunshine is home-brewed and mom-owned, so you know she gets it.

From Tourance comes this vibrant safari animal print.  The inside is lined with yummy terrycloth and the outside just makes us feel happy.

And to design your own hoodie, look no further than Towel Hoodies, a website that lets you pick from over a dozen trims ranging from surfboards to daisies.

Cocktail Ring Bling

The holidays put me in the mood to go bold or go home.  I don't know what it is about those four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I find myself digging for the glitziest things I own.  This year I was on a mission to find a stunning cocktail ring.  Something that could rival the bright lights of the big city.  Here are a few that make me drool.  Santa, I've been awfully good this year (wink)!


The Chartres Ring from the Julie collection instantly stole my heart with its smattering of blue topaz and iolite colored glass all wrapped up in gold trim.  As a bonus, I can easily see it paired with a caftan and white pants for a summer cocktail party, making it too versatile not to buy!

Kate Spade knows how to bring the bling to the party.  I had trouble picking just one delicious bauble but landed on this stunning vision of verdure.

For something truly unique, feast your eyes on this elegant statement piece by KEP Designs.  It artfully combines a mother of pearl flower with accents of sapphires and diamond points.  If red isn't your color, fear not because it also comes in equally stunning sapphire and emerald versions.

The closest I'll likely get to owning a Canary diamond may just be this Citrine ring from Periwinkle.  I love its bold rectangular shape which screams "shrinking violets need not apply".  Raise your right hands ladies.

Toting Around

These days schlepping is my middle name.  I would be lost without the over-sized tote that I lug everywhere.  Luckily for me and all you fellow overburdened ladies, there are some gorgeous totes that make being a bag lady downright fashionable. 

What’s not to love about this classic one from Hunter.  Pair it with your Wellies and you can romanticize about frolicking around the English countryside with Colin Firth while sloshing through the pick-up line at school.

This tote from Tory Burch will bring some dazzle to your daily jaunts around town.  Available in metallic navy, silver and gold, it begs for life not to be taken too seriously.

Toss Designs does it again with this black patent and caning tote. It's as functional as it is fabulous with numerous exterior and interior pockets.

Last but certainly not least, the trusty L.L. Bean Tote will get you through anything. Sturdy doesn't begin to describe this tough and tumble bag. It's a catchall for everything life throws at you. Available in over a dozen vibrant trim colors to choose from, personalize one for every family member, including the dog.

A Card to Call One's Own

After years in the professional world, it feels odd not to have a business card.  Then again what title could possibly describe a day in the life?  Enter the modern calling card. 

Take one part tradition, add two dashes of whimsy and you get some seriously cheeky calling cards that make a Victorian concept refreshingly new again.  

Feeling Fun & Flirty?  Try Lobird

Luckily Charmed!  Iomoi

For all you queen bees out there, this one’s for you.

And for a slightly more geometric look, get mod with these circular cards spotted on Etsy.

Finally, a quick shout out for Dabney Lee — and by the way we couldn’t agree more that “snappy is a lifestyle.”  She offers a bountiful and festive selection of cards with customized colors, borders and images.  It’s a happy place to land!

Snowbound

We’re snow bunnies at heart. Any invitation to a wintery retreat and our bags are packed. 

Puffy down jacket √, Uggs √, Cashmere scarf √, something for the hosts…

Hot Cocoa with a Napa Valley twist.  Marshmallows sold separately.

Pass the Gruyère.

Who can resist a touch of stag? 

And a warm welcome for the friend who has it all. 

What's For Lunch?

There's certainly a laudable trend in reusable lunch box containers for kids. But where do you find the good ones? Here are a few of our faves:

Soup to Nuts Kit from CitizenPip.  Great new company from a mom of 3 who promises to help you pack a waste-free lunch that’s also ‘muck-free’ - no BPA, no phthalates, no yuck.

Cool non-toxic metal lunch boxes from PlanetBox with mini compartments for your sandwich, fruit, you name it.  Decorate the outside with fun magnets like Retro Kitty.

There are also a variety of colorful containers for lunch and snack from Pottery Barn Kids.  Our kids argue over who gets blue or green.....

And don't forget to pack some Lunchbox Love for your small people.  Such a treat for them and fun to sneak in there - even if they're not sure they still want to hold your hand.  A note on one side reminds them of concepts like "Be Kind" while giving them a fun fact for the lunch table on the other such as "Did you know that a snail can sleep for three years?"


TTFN!