love letters!

How gorgeous is this bedding from anthropologie?

I want it!

Fond remembrances and glimpses of emotion layer romantically on Mise en Scene by Ruffian's soft sateen set. Actual missives collected from a vintage shop in Brooklyn create this swoon-worthy print, as silk trim ties them all together like a stack of notes from a loved one.

I wonder what Steve would think if he came home one day and found it on the bed???

Would he kill me?

on correspondence, in the written form

Here's a fun fact about me- I love getting mail. Who doesn't really, love coming home and finding a handwritten letter in the mailbox, nestled in between the cable bill and the supermarket ads? I know I love it. I love seeing my name and address written lovingly by someone else, who wanted me to know that they were thinking of me.



When I was younger, I had a number of penpals. I don't recall how I acquired them all, as this was well before the days of the internet. I know that I went to summer camp, so throughout the winter, camp friends and I would exchange letters. I remember writing my name in things called "friendship books," when I was interested in more penpals. I'm sure I drove my father nuts, constantly asking for stamps, so sometimes I would take a dollar bill and put it in an envelope with a note for the mailman, asking him to take the dollar and buy four stamps (don't you remember when stamps were only 25 cents each?!) and mail the letters for me, and he would! It was great.



Now, I don't really have penpals, though there are a few friends that I exchange letters with from time to time. I also am a big believer in random notes, so I send cards to friends, just for the heck of it sometimes. I recently discovered that Taylor Swift has a line of greeting cards, so I sent one to one of my favorite girls. I also keep track of birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, new babies, etc, and send cards for those occasions. I think it is important.



I will admit though, that I have slacked a bit in the last couple of months. I don't know why, but my heart just hasn't been in it. I haven't sent birthday/anniversary cards the way I used to. I've missed several, and feel awful about about not noting their day, but honestly? I also feel that they didn't even notice. Is that sad? Horrible of me to feel that way? Not many people send cards these days for such occasions. Birthdays, maybe, but wedding anniversaries? Far less likely. Granted I don't have a wedding anniversary or a baby to celebrate, but I do have a birthday and I know that many of the people whom I send cards to, don't send them back to me. Now, I know that I don't do things because I expect something in return, but when I send a birthday card to you, your children, your husband and an anniversary card and a happy new house card, it might be nice to receive a Christmas card in the mail.



I hope I am not sounding bitter, because I am not, at all, really! I think we all know how I feel about not sending thank you notes, and yes, their second anniversary came and went last month without so much as a card from me! Yes, I am still feeling guilty about not sending them a card, even though I know I shouldn't.


Do you send cards to mark special occasions? Should I feel guilty/bad about missing the last several occasions that I normally would send a card for? Should I send them now, and have them be late? Do you want a love note in the mail from me, if I ever get my act together? :)

would you try this???

I know it sounds strange, but it is good! I found it at one of my favorite DC bars last night, the Brickskeller, which has hundreds of beers on their menu! Lots of imported beers, including this one, from England, I believe.

What do you think? Would you try it?

grand essentials of happiness

I'm really loving this-

(I don't recall where I found this, so if you know its source, please let me know so that I can give it proper credit!)

CSN again!

I need some new lights for my apartment, how about you? I have a small lamp next to my bed, but I'd like a new one. CSN asked me to do a product review, so look out for it in the coming weeks! I don't know yet what I will be reviewing, as there are soooo many products to choose from!



Have you been to look at the CSN stores? Go have a look!

shoes and blues

If you had this dress from Old Navy, what shoes would you wear with it?

Something fun, I think, but I want to wear it to work, so they can't be too fun ;)

yet another giveaway!

Remember a few months ago when I hosted a giveaway to benefit Scarlett Threads?

Reminder-

Scarlett Threads, a compassionate boutique, specializing in unique products designed and produced by talented seamstresses in rural Asia. Scarlet Threads products are fairly traded and created in compliance with our core vision and values. When you purchase one of our beautiful hand-crafted products, you become part of our story by providing a woman with safe and rewarding work. (from their site)

Well, I am doing another one, and here is why!

Scarlett Threads often has new products come out, and when they do, they have naming contests where they ask their readers to suggest names.

I won!

Thanks to yours truely, this lovely lady is called Penelope!

With summer's end right around the corner, our new reversible apron is also perfect for fall! One side is a bold floral print in shades of pink, brown, and orange. The other side features a leaf motif with shades of teal and gold. The neck and waist straps are both made of green polka-dot and are fully adjustable.

Isn't she cute?! Wouldn't you love to have her in your kitchen?

If you would, here's how you could-
(same rules as last time)

You'll receive one entry for each of the following-

1- leave a comment, first of all, and tell me which of their aprons is your favorite design

2- become a follower of my blog (if you already do, just let me know)

3- become a follower of the Scarlett Threads blog

4- tweet about this giveaway (if you do, add the @lexilooo and @ScarletThreadFT so I see it) (feel free to retweet a few times a week, too!)

5- while you are tweeting, follow both @lexilooo and @ScarletThreadFT

6- blog about this giveaway on your own blog (leave the link here for me)

7- if you are really loving this idea, buy an apron from their shop for either yourself or a giveaway of your own, and you'll receive an extra ten entries!


Also, Scarlett Threads is working to introduce something new- they will be working with readers to host apron parties! It is a very new concept and still in the early stages, but I think I may be hosting one sometime this fall. It would be along the lines of a Tupperware party or the like, but way more fun! Interested in attending mine, either in person or virtually? Let me know! Interested in hosting one of your own? Let me know, and I will put you in contact with the Scarlett Threads girls and they will help make it happen!

I will keep this giveaway open through the remainder of August, so you have some time to enter and tell all of your friends :)

teach this

If you are a long-time reader, you'll know that I've struggled with the idea of teaching for quite some time now (there are several posts about it, but I won't link each one!) That post was more than a year ago, and it still feels like completely fresh thoughts that I could have had yesterday.

Today I came across a posting for a teacher's aide position at a nearby Catholic school and was intrigued. For the most part, you don't need to be certified at private schools, though they like experience. Clearly I don't have that, but perhaps, if I were an aide for a year, I'd find out if I like teaching enough to pursue it and could then get certified and go from there.

I'm now wondering though, because I am not sure if aide positions are hourly/no benefits or if they are salaried. It likely depends on the school. I'm sure many realize that Catholic schools aren't exactly the most high-paying places out there, which isn't a major issue, but still a concern. I'm far from wealthy and have a Bachelor and two Master's worth of loans to pay off!

Anyone who is a teacher and/or works in a school, please share your experiences...maybe someday I will make up my mind about this....

my sewing partner

I was working on a baby quilt for a friend last night and Sheepette wanted to help!






What a darling she is!

{come back tomorrow for a giveaway post!}



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a green thumb?

If you had this big leafy plant on your front porch, what would you call it?








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from your secret crush

Isn't this just the sweetest????

Love it!

But, as you know, I love anything to do with libraries...

Source

PS. Keep an eye out for a giveaway later this week!

an everyday rule

Source

Sunday, funday

Bottomless mimosas at brunch...





Nothing better than that!


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gap attack

I was just looking at Gap's website when I came across these---

Stirrup leggings.

Ov vey!

I do remember when these were cool, and yes, I wore them...in sixth grade! That was what, 1992? Somewhere around there? I had this fabulous pair (so I thought!) from Limited Too. They were bright pinks, blues, oranges, purples, PAISLEY! With them, I wore an oversized silk button-down mens-style shirt. I thought I was SO cool.

I'm pretty sure I wasn't.

(I wonder if there is a photo of me somewhere, in this outfit...I should look for one!)

Anyway, I am not sure how I feel about stirrups making a comeback.

What do you think? Would you wear these?

PS. Speaking of the Gap, one of my favorite girls, Heidi, is giving away a pair of Gap jeans, and no, not these leggings :) Head over and check it out, and tell her that I sent you! Also, stick around and read her blog. She's fabulous, and I wish she'd move back to DC ;)

on wedding gifts

A few weeks ago, Steve and I went home to NH for the wedding of an old friend. She and I have been friends since we were little girls, and her parents and mine are also friends. I suppose you could call them family friends, as there are a few other families that fall into this "group," if you will; all of us being mutual family friends.

Anyway.

She and her husband are preparing to move to Alaska, as he will begin a Ph.D. program in Fairbanks this fall. They are driving from NH, with all of their belongings in a truck behind them (what an amazing adventure that will be, eh?!). They registered at Macys, but asked for gift cards, rather than actual gifts, as they wouldn't be able to transport them easily, due to limited space in the already full truck. I didn't go home for the bridal shower, but she did have one, and I suppose everyone just gave her gift cards.

Like me, my mother isn't big on registries (maybe I get it from her?), so she decided to make them a quilt (I get the quilting from my mum for sure!). She told the bride's mother of this, to be sure that the bride would like it, and the MOB assured my mother that the bride would love it. So, my mother picked out some fabrics in her favorite colors (red, orange and yellow! it is bright!) and made a big, gorgeous quilt for the bride and groom.

She finished it and called the bride (the bride knew about the quilt anyway- when my mother brought a card to the wedding, she put a few scraps of each fabric into the envelope, so the bride could see!). My mother wanted to bring the quilt by, so that the bride and groom could take it with them to Alaska.

The bride told my mother that there was no room in the truck and could she please mail it to them once they arrive in Alaska next month. My mother was a bit hurt by this. She understands that they don't have much room to deal with, of course, but really? Asking to mail it?

My mother actually folded up the quilt and put it into one of those special bags and sucked the air out! The entire quilt is now one inch thick! This could easily be slid under a car seat, right?

If you were driving from New Hampshire to Alaska, wouldn't you want a big, cozy quilt with you in the car?! When Steve and I drive to/from NH or Iowa, I love having a cozy quilt with me, to curl up in, especially at night!

Would you really want a handmade quilt mailed across and over an entire country? I do love the USPS, but I wouldn't want to take my chances with such an heirloom!

What do you think?