A GOOD SHOPPING DAY

I really dislike shopping in crowded stores, I actually get claustrophobia and horrific pangs of anxiety. Tired little children, through not fault of their own, that should be home napping, cranky sales people, way too long check out lines are just a few of my demons. So my plan is shop on a Monday, start really early, and hopefully I can beat the crowds. That’s what I did today, the stores were still packed though. All in all, I did pretty good, my Christmas shopping is just about done. I do a lot of online shopping, which is best for the long distance gifts that have to be shipped. Got lots of clothes for hubby and son, won’t bore you with those. Liz and David said no physical presents, just gift cards or donate to their foundation WII’S FOR WARIORS.

Every year I need small gifts for hubby to give to a few people at work, mostly ladies. This gets more difficult every year to come with something different then last year. So today I found these reed diffusers….LAVENDER and CLEAN COTTON. Light classic aromas.

The bottles are all so pretty

and unique

these bottles can be reused since they are so lovely

faux mercury glass urns

still quite nice. Hubby usually gives LIQUOR to the men at work.

Had teary eyes when I found these aqua crackly balls, only three left in this color!

I could kick myself for not going to TJ MAXX sooner! I wish I had another TJ MAXX around to find more. I googled the company but no luck there!

And this big tall baby, from Pier 1. Been searching for something large like this.

MY AMUSE BOUCHE SPOONS!!!!! Well, they are really Asian soup spoons…I have been hunting and googling these spoons for a year now. Some Amuse bouche spoons are so expensive. Check that link out….$19.95 for 6 spoons! These were 75 cents a piece and are ceramic. I bought 36 for the BIG CHRISTMAS EVE OPEN HOUSE HERE !!!! CHOWHOUND discusses using Asian Soup Spoons for Amuse Bouche, obviously there are a little more awkward for 1 bite, but I think my guests will survive the BIGGER BITE!

I broke 1 spoon by dropping it on porcelain tile floor. I am making my amazing SHRIMP REMOUADE, with the best & fresh off the boat shrimp here from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Shrimp Remoulade is so delicious. My recipe is from GALATOIRE’S and I found it in Creole Gumbo and All That Jazz! I can make it ahead of time and dollop each spoon with the lovely goodness of the cold pink shrimp,the green of the sour pickles, and the creamy homemade mayonnaise that becomes the delectable sweet, tangy, and PIQUANTE Remoulde sauce. It will look so pretty against the white spoons!

And last, my favorite walk in store….J CREW OUTLET! Be still my heart…

J CREW HAD my number today when I walked in, There were so many things I didn't get for myself. But I did get the grey leopard cardigan, the 2 flouncy chiffony cardigans in white and cream, and the pink cardigan with silver stars, and

the silk pearly grey fou fou collar shirt

So yea, for someone that hates crowded stores, I did well today. Off to wrap gifts!

Nina Shoes

For Etiquettely Correct: I found these Nina sandals at Dillards, on sale. They are actually very comfortable. They have a 2 1/2 inch heel and shimmer. They look somewhat like the J. Crew sandals. Check them out on link below:

Nina Shoes

Yves Delorme on Sale in honor of Bastille Day

The Giving Tree is having a sale on Yves Delorme starting on July 11. This is a great online. They carry Pine Cone Hill and Sferra, two of my favorites, plus many other brands.

HAPPY HOARDING HUBBY

His new Ping i10's came. He got fitted for them 2 weeks ago when the Ping rep came to our country club. I bid for them on Golf Club Exchange last week. So here is his vehicle of choice on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.... Yes, he has Fridays off...

Here are his new Pings, just back from getting whacked...

Here are a few sets of clubs from years past....

Here are the latest Pings that will added to chaos in the garage....

And here is his stash of Scotty Camerons...

Do ya think he is a "Hoarder"? Oprah warned me about this.

I must feeling better...

cuz I'm dreaming of Nanette again.

WISHING YOU A BLESSED EASTER

That Easter Bunny is so smart. Knows exactly what to bring me! Used a Terrida Everglades carry on (in so soft butterscotch leather) as a basket. (Now I've got to work on getting a trolley or two)

Tucked inside were Caspari Toile gift wrap papers in my favorite shades, Caspari file holder and notebook, and fun Cross-My-Heart note cards in pink Cheetah! Thank you, EB, especially since you didn't bring any candy! Hope everyone's Easter was joyous!

Almost 25

Daughter has a birthday coming up...here is what she is getting. They may be small but they are mighty!

Love you, Princess!

NANETTE JUST CAME

OPRAH MADE ME DO IT

SPRING THINGS

I bought these jackets and purse when I was in Shreveport last month, put them in a closet when I got home, then forgot I had them. The jackets are all the shorter length with 3/4 sleeves. The black and white is little bit dressy, from Dillards. This cotton yellow jacket is fun, from Dillards, got it on now with Capri's and sandals, Yes, I'm very lucky, the weather is warm enough.

This white jacket is linen, got it at TJ Maxx, only $24.99.

Got this pretty purse at TJ Maxx also. Love the bargains they have on purses. What fun it was to rediscover these clothes I forgot about. Well, I'm off to do some errands and shop, Wish you all a great day!

TO MY TWO SONS

To my new son: Godspeed as you set off to yet another foreign and dangerous country to make us all safe. We truly appreciate what you and your comrades, brothers and sisters, in uniform are doing for all of us on a daily basis. You are not thanked enough and I ask all my readers out there in blog land.....THANK THESE YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN .... Thank my future son-in-law for his dedicated service to us and our country. It does not matter if you support the war...just tell them that you appreciate and respect what they are doing! Son, I hope your upcoming venture is quick, safe, and not depressing! Thank you, new son, we love you, be careful, and be safe! See you in 2 weeks for golf and wedding plans... Moo

To my son of 20+ years: WHERE ARE YOU? I MISS YOU!!!!! I know you went to St. Simons Island, GA for Spring Break, but it must be so cold up there! Wouldn't you rather be here in Mommy's world @ 70 degrees during the day? Can I tempt you with these lovely Vineyard Vine clothes and Charleston Twills Madras shorts? What else do I need to do to bribe you home? I promise Dad and I won't make you do any Katrina yard work!
We really need to size you for clothes for the upcoming wedding!!! PS.... your wonderful sister is to thank for the Vineyard Vines shirt, tie, and Charleston Twill's madras shorts! I can not take credit for her great taste and spending habits. She loves you too!!! Come home!!!! Love, Moo

One of my latest DECLUTTER PROJECTS

I've been working for the past 2 weeks on CLUTTER. I hate having junk spilling out of junk drawers, cabinets, and closets. Seems no matter how ofter I declutter, new stuff reappears after a month or so. You would think that with just the 2 of us, it would be easy. HA! I found some of these Raymond Waites black and cream storage boxes at TJ Maxx in Shreveport last month. I bought all that store had and was determined to find more. Yesterday we went to the Maxx here in Gulfport and found the larger paisley black and cream boxes. I bought all I could fit in one cart. I am obsessed with these boxes now. I think I'll go back for more.
Such a pretty way to hide the stuff you just have to keep but may never use...for instance, husband's collection of "Cigar Aficionado" magazines that are his bibles.

Yes, I want more of these....I could use them in every closet for a much neater appearance. Daughter....have you checked at TJ's and Marshall's for me yet?

Burnished Yellow

My favorite new color from J Crew. I love the flats.

Help with my shoes

I think I would love these Christian Louboutin shoes. They seem to be a metallic goldish. Daughter says shoes to go with the Poppy red dress should POP and be different. I like slides and these have 2 inch heels which I could actually walk in.

I like these black Christian Louboutin....but maybe they don't have enough spark? I want something really fun but I need to be able to wear them for them ...hhhmmm...10 hour time period with out being in pain!

Anyone out there from Dallas? We are planning a shopping trip to Dallas and would like info on the best stores, malls, etc that might have the brands we are looking for. Info greatly appreciated.

Mother of the Bride Great Debate Update

After many emails and countless hours online long distance with daughter, we think we have found my dress. The wedding is very very casual in style so we will all be dressed accordingly. Men are in Navy blazers, Vineyard Vines ties, and kahkis, bridesmaids in green and white seesucker dresses from Vineyard Vines with Jack Rogers sandals. Obviously the Moms can't be in the typical Mother of the Bride/Groom georgette flowy dresses. Not that we would anyways....Ha! Here's is what we both love for me. This is a cotton eyelet Nanette Lepore " La Dolce Vita" dress in 3 color choices. Now we have to commit to the color. White is out, I love both the Navy and the Poppy Red. Daughter wants me in the Poppy Red. Red looks good on me, with dark brown hair and blue, blue eyes. Do I dare do the red?

New Furniture

Since Katrina, I have been slowly replacing our lost furniture. I posted early on about the flooded chests of drawers. Most could not be saved as they were so swollen from the wet clothing inside each drawer. I have taken my time replacing things....first , of course, the cost. But more important, I want to get it RIGHT. This will most likely be my last time to buy new furniture, so I want to absolutely love it forever.


I'm looking for a beautiful accent peice for the Master Bedroom. I want it to be in an aqua wash with an old world look. All my other furniture is cherry, walnut, and very traditional. I want a piece of furniture to really POP! and make a statement about my wild side! Ha! How wild is this! Sorry, some of these pictures are fuzzy. These are all from Horchow.com.

I love the chest .... 2 pictures below. Not to keen on picture directly below. Also, I LOVE LOVE the first picture that I posted. Think those are my 2 choices.... My favorite 2 pics below is also sold at The Well Appointed House for 3 times as much as Horchow wants for it. Mental note to myself.....don't purchase from "The Well Appointed House".

So which one should I chose? Does anyone have any great sources for beautiful furnitue? I would love any imput.