Pink Swap!

Last Wednesday when I was home sick, what sweet surprise arrived in the mail?  My package from my partner, Katie B of Tale of a GRITS, in Kappa Prep's Annual Pink Swap.  It was filled with lots of pretty pink goodies and definitely brightened my day:

 Here is what a I sent down south to Katie:

As usual shopping and swapping was a blast!

Many thanks to Katie B for swapping

and

many thanks to Kappa Prep for hosting!

MIA

Just a quick hello. 

No posts this week, a sinus infection and an ear infection means this week has been all work and rest and no fun.  

I'll be back next week.

Five Friday Thoughts

1. While it is only early February, I'm starting to plan my next big vacation in September. To FRANCE! I love planning trips.  For me half the fun of going is the anticipation, watching travel shows, reading guidebooks, and checking out hotel websites.

My 365-days-in-France calendar on my office wall.

2. Nearer to home, last week three of my good friends from law school treated me to dinner and drinks at Woodward at the Ames Hotel in downtown Boston for my birthday. Yes folks, my birthday was a month ago.  However, we just got around to celebrating now! The Ames Hotel opened about 2 years ago in the Ames Building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1893, it was considered Boston's first skyscraper--it's a whopping thirteen stories tall! How times have changed...

 3. I'm excited to watch the Super Bowl this weekend! Admittedly, I am not a huge football fan. I've watched all the Patriots' playoff games and bits and pieces of various games throughout the season, but I'm not an avid watcher like I am for baseball. But Boston is a big sports town and one can't help but get excited when the hometown team is playing in the biggest game of the year.

I've been having my tea in my Patriots Tervis tumbler all week in honor of the big game.

4. And on the subject of sports, recently I watched Moneyball. It was the third Oscar-nominated movie I've seen and so far they are 3 for 3--I've loved them all.  The other two I've watched are The Help and Midnight in Paris.

 

5. Finally, I've been loving my new exercise DVD: Leslie Samsone-5 Really Big Miles. I first discovered Leslie Samsone workouts on Exercise TV in Verizon-On-Demand.  I've always had issues trying to follow complicated dance and aerobic routine workouts, so Leslie Samsone's workouts are pure perfection for me.  They are basically all a mix of walking and six or so different step (plus some of the workouts use stretchy bands for stength training). I love the DVD because you can pop it in and do as much or as little as you want.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Spring Can't Come Soon Enough

I want these in my closet . . . now. 

Lucca Suede Sandals in navy at J Crew

SMASH

Given that NBC has been airing the commercials for what seems like ages, you've probably been living under a rock if you haven't yet heard of the upcoming new tv series, Smash. The series premieres February 6th and bills itself as a musical drama about making a "smash" on Broadway.  I generally love shows that are a bit different from the norm.  To say that I'm sick of all the depressing crime procedurals that seem to be overtaking the major networks is an understatement. Given that more unique shows like Once Upon a Time and Revenge have found popularity this season, I'm hoping that Smash will too.

While browsing on-demand shows on my tv last week, I was happy to find that the full first episode was available to watch. I promptly pressed play and loved it!  The musical numbers were really impressive, the story is interesting, and the fact that it's shot in NYC adds authenticity.  It's also very, very different from Glee, which I think is a good thing as I'm sure the critics will be wondering whether there is enough audience for two musical tv series.

The commercials for Smash have focused on Katharine McPhee. At least as far as I can tell from episode one, she is a star of the show but not the star; so if by chance you're not a fan from her American Idol days don't let that dissuade you from watching. The ensemble cast seems great--Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston, plus a whole bunch of actors that I know I've seen before but can't quite place!

I have Verizon Fios cable--so check out your on-demand listings too; the first episode is also available to watch on NBC's website: www.nbc.com/smash.

Shoe Spree

I went on a bit of a shoe spree this past weekend.  Take a look at my loot:

High-heeled sandals at J Crew, $41 (originally $228), purchased with a gift card. Two pairs of loafers ($30 each) in black patent leather and brown at Banana Republic.  The brown pair is still in the box in the picture. And suede booties ($35), also at Banana Republic.

I love a good sale, don't you? Have you found any great buys lately?

Five Friday Thoughts

1. I can't wait until the weather warms up so I can wear these. I want one in every color: neon persimmon, light citron, blue grotto, festival green, and bright papaya. Don't the color names just scream warm weather and sunshine!

J Crew Toothpick Jean

2. I would also like one of these in every color:

Sperry Top-Siders at J Crew in lemon zest

3. I just jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon.  Love it! Why did I wait this long?

http://pinterest.com/pinkmaple/

4. And speaking of Pinterest, this heart wreath project is just gorgeous:

From Blissful Blooms blog via Pinterest, instructions here

5. Finally, I was really looking forward to this weekend, but now I'm not.  Although my mother and I generally only do craft shows for Pink Maple Design during the Christmas shopping season (October to December), we decided to try one this month after finding out that Boston's popular South End Open Market now has a winter indoor market.  BUT, when the email detailing setup and arrival instructions for this Sunday's market arrived this morning, the market organizers shared for the first time that there are no restrooms at the market location.  There instead is a port-o-potty only for vendors in the parking lot across the street. Because, you know, who minds going to the bathroom outdoors in the middle of the winter?  Needless to say I was fuming mad that they didn't provide that information before we applied and paid for our booth space.

For non-Boston area readers, the market is on the edge of the South End area of Boston on a street with mostly high-end, loft-style condos, a few restaurants down the block, and some artsy galleries near by.  It is what you'd call an up and coming area of the city, as one block down the street there is a homeless shelter and there are still some empty buildings. In other areas of the city not having a restroom right on-site wouldn't be quite so bad as you'd be able to find a nearby public restroom or one in Starbucks, etc.

So, I wrote the organizers an email this morning (using my polite, yet most persuasive, lawyerly language!) that we would be cancelling. 

From a marketing perspective, I'm also shocked that they wouldn't want restrooms for the benefit of customers too.  The market is a combination artisan and farmers market.  If they expect people to pick up a baked goodie and shop for a while, it's logical someone might want to use a restroom (especially people with kids!).

Oh well. I'll now be turning my attention back to our Etsy shop and you can expect a giveaway here soon!

Update: I heard back from the market this evening and am happy to report they're issuing us a refund. I still think the lack of restrooms is cuckoo, but at least the market responded professionally and quickly.