Organized and Ready To Go

I hate starting the New Year with anything up in the air, I might be alone in this thought process, but it is the way I am. Over the last week I have attempted to get everything organized so I have no (okay make that fewer!) reasons not to stay on track with my resolutions. And to further hold me accountable here they are:

1. I will cook more (this one may change if Mr. G and Mini K refuse to eat what cook!)

2. Go to Crossfit at least 3 times a week.

3. Pick a half marathon to sign up for in 2011 and train. I used to do this on a regular basis and I miss it.

I must admit it feels so good to have all of the dates in our family calendar, our winter break vacation planned including dinner reservations, spring shopping lists done, our Christmas card list updated, Mini K's 4th birthday party planned (Marie...I couldn't have done it without you!) and I promise a separate post on that one and Henley on the Horn I hope your listing....all of my items photographed for ebay so all I have to do is list them, which will start a week from tomorrow. The grand finale to this list is Grove Gal E and I are dropping off PGG's 2009 taxes with the accountant on Wendesday...YES business taxes are done, or at least our part...I always feel a HUGE sense of relief when I drop the taxes off, the feeling is NOT the same when I write the IRS a check, but I am enjoying the positive!

I must say we are THRILLED with the way our litle business did in 2009 and we cannot thank all of our amazing clients enough! We look forward to working with all of you in 2010 and have so many surprises in store.

In honor of kicking off the new year in organized, preppy style we are going to start it with a giveaway. Just leave a comment with your best tool to get or stay organized and we will pick a winner next Sunday for a 2010 Lilly Pulitzer 2010 large agenda.

And I keep meaning to ask this, for our D.C. area readers, where can Grove Gal E and I get an OPI Axxium Manicure? I think I have to try one to believe that I can actually go 2 weeks without a chip!

Welcome 2010 or Twenty-Ten...Which Is It?

I hope all of you had a fabulous holiday and 2010 is off to a great start. Groveland has been a bit hectic, but I have enjoyed every minute.

We survived the snow storm....I think our city's definition of snow removal is ...snow melts. Yes that is right 4 days for a plow to grace our street. If I didn't think it before, this is why we own not 1 but 2 4 wheel drive SUV's, and in case any of you are environmentalists, 1 of them is a hybrid.

Grove Gal E and her husband joined us for Christmas dinner and Mini K declared it the best Christmas E-V-E-R! It was followed 2 days later by Mr. Grove's birthday and 2 days after that Mini K turned 4. I must say, Lulu stole the show on Mini K's birthday by sending her flowers. Flowers I should say that Mini K has shown to the mailman, our neighbors and pretty much told anyone she came into contact with about. She has even tasked with me with keeping them alive until school starts on Monday so she can show her friends.

Our New Year's was actually so much fun. Our plans? NOTHING! We dined on bar-b-que and homemade mac 'n' cheese, watched some college football and went to bed early. What can I say sometimes low key is the best.

I want to thak all of you for a great 2009...PGG had the best year yet and we have so many fun things in store for 2010.

I should start by saying the Grove will be growing in April, but more on that later this week.

The week of Christmas is always a busy one with Mr. G and Mini K's birthday as well so I am now focusing on planning Mini K's 4 th birthday party. My new year is also starting out with 4 bins of Mini K's spring clothes that no longer fit that will soon be available on ebay. We are NOT telling Mr. Grove that most of them were only worn two or three times...okay?

And with that confession I am off to watch the ever educational (NOT) Hangover with Mr. G.

Bring On The Snow

This is what we woke up to yesterday morning. I will confess we left it right there and drove my husband's tank instead. According to our highly scientific study of sticking a yardstick into the snow, we were hit with 22" of snow. I would love to tell you the People's Republic of Alexandria, Virginia had a plowing plan, but I cannot. So our motto for the weekend was get to a neighboring city as fast as you can!

We spent yesterday getting coffee and today at the grocery store (it was actually peaceful!) and picking up our final Christmas presents at Tiffany's (it was PACKED!!) Mini K had ZERO interest in making snow angels or a snowman, all she wanted to do was shovel. It was truly a sight to be seen.

She is already fast asleep and school has been cancelled for tomorrow. I will be at Fed Ex bright and early to make sure a few last minute boxes get where they need to be and will spend the rest of the day planning Mini K's 4th birthday party! She has so many surprises in store for her over the next week she doesn't have a clue!

The Buzz About The Snow

The shelves are empty...or at least that is what I am guessing after watching people walk out of the grocery store tonight. I was in the car waiting on Mr. Grove to pick up the impending snow storm survival supplies: Baileys, bourbon and Sweet Tea Vodka. I joke that in the South, the house you want to be stuck in in times of bad weather is the one with a fully stocked bar and a wine cellar...who needs milk?They are predicting 14-20+" of snow in D.C. If that doesn't stop the Senate I am not sure anything will. It also makes me think of all of the fabulous Old Town Boutiques that were counting on this weekend to boost their holiday sales. I will confess i gave them a little boost last night...or at least my two favorite stores: The Shoe Hive and Stanton Gallery. For those of you that follow me on twitter, you saw me post a few of my favorites from the store. I picked up some Aquatelia boots last night...the warmth of Uggs with the fur, but they have a stylish wedge heel which I think means I can wear them more places, a couple pairs of heavy leggings, and some Hunter wellie socks for Mini K. I then popped over to Stanton Gallery, and it didn't take me long to select a stunning pair of black pearl earrings for my mom and a gold and gemstone necklace for, well, um, me.

I am a big believer in supporting businesses that give back and are owned by women and these 2 boutiques are no different. The fabulous Elizabeth owns The Shoe Hive and her manager, the uber chic Abigail, can ALWAYS help you find the perfect pair of shoes, a handbag or diaper bag, or a gift for most everyone on your list. Christine owns Stanton Gallery and is the most amazingly talented jewelry designer in addition to a great selection of unique designer pieces.

Both of these boutiques will be open tomorrow, in this crazy snowstorm, trying to boost their sales in this rough economic year. So if you are in the D.C. area, or just want to shop by phone, please support them! I even hear that the Hive might be offering specials on twitter so follow them. Their twitter id is theshoehive! You have to justify getting 4 wheel drive somehow and what better way than a new pair of boots or a bauble, or two?

Here are some of my favorites from the Hive...

How cute are these Kate Spade slippers? And at $60 such a great price for that friend, sister-in-law or assistant on your list.

The Hive also has a great selection of jewelry. Elizabeth has some great pieces that looks like they should cost much more than they do...the pearl drop bracelet is only $55 and the gold leaf triple strand bracelet is only $60.

One of my favorite gifts to give the mom-to-be is a chic diaper bag. I love this one. The perfect black, brown and cream combo. The best part, the lining comes out so you can wash it.

So stay warm and shop from home or bundle up and use that 4 wheel drive!!

We Are Back!

Last week is still a blur...I got the 3 of us packed, or I should say overpacked for New York City and off we went on the train. Mini K LOVED the train...or maybe it was the fact that we were in a private car for the event that came complete with snack mix and M & M's.

As soon as we got to our hotel we were met with smores and peppermint cupcakes from Crumbs. After a little frosting high we bundled up and headed to FAO Schwartz. I wish I would have gotten a photo of the look on Mini K's little face when we walked in the door and she saw all fo the stuffed animals. It was PRICELESS. I should also say we literally ran into Ramona and her daughter on our walk to the store.

A shopping bag full of toys later we went back to the hotel to meet the now beloved Miss Lulu who watched Mini K both nights. If you haven't checked out her blog you must. You should also know that Mini K is now in love with her...she literally cried on the train home when she realized Miss Lulu wasn't coming home with us. Her exact quote was, "but she was more fun than tea at the American Girl Doll Store and the bicycle roller coaster (aka Mini K's name for a rickshaw ride!).

Saturday we spent the day exlporing museums, Bendels, 5th Avenue and the American Girl Doll Store and ended the day with dinner at Bar American. Those of you that follow me on twitter know that Bobby Flay was actually in the kitchen at Bar American and he couldn't have been nicer. The food was amazing!

Sunday brought us some lovely rainy weather, but off we went to Bryant Park. Mini K couldn't wait to go ice skating outside. It seems we weren't the only parents braving the nasty weather for our kiddos...Brooke Shields, her husband and their 2 daughters were also at Bryant Park. I have to tell you...Brooke Shields could not be nicer. So down to earth, beautiful, but you knew that and such a hands on mom.

We arrived home to a DEAD Christmas tree, so tonight Mr. Grove is out buying a second tree. We are NOT talking about it!

Tie It With A Pretty Bow

I will confess I haven't been a fan of Kate Spade bags for awhile...and I wasn't sure what direction the company would take after Kate herself took a step back, but there are some truly fabulous items in their holiday line this year that I plan to purchase for the gift closet.

Other than a few last minute items, and birthday presents for Mr. G and Mini, K my Christmas shopping is finished and wrapped, but I always find that I can stock my gift closet with items from designer's holiday gift lines.

I have 3 nieces. One is already a tween and the other 2 will soon follow. I think this ring would be a great gift for a tween. A lot of sparkle, but yet not too grown up. That being said, I must confess, there is something about it that I love!

A little candy cane for your head! This headband caught my eye. I am not sure how Kate Spade headbands run, but I might even try it on Mini K's head. It would add a little splash of color to an all black outfit, or even pair it with jeans and a t-shirt.

This Gumdrop necklace is the perfect statement piece to pair with a white shirt and a pair of Lilly P capris, pants or a skirt. Several of my friends might find this in a box on their birthday!

And 2 random extras:

1. I have NO CLUE why part of this post is underlined...see my previous post on lack of technical skills

2. To the sweet Stacy who left a comment about the tray I am trying to send to a good home, I can't see your blogger profile so I cannot contact you. Please email me her name and mailing address and I will send her a holiday happy in the form of a personalized tray!

Now I must go make my packing list for NYC this weekend.

Sidetracked....

I have to confess, after a wonderful Thanksgiving I have been buried in PGG orders. Don't get me wrong, we are so thankful to have the problem of being busy this holiday season when so many retailers are hurting.

I am hoping I can help one of you out with your Christmas or holiday shopping. We have 2 acrylic trays that our supplier engraved incorrectly...I would rather pay it forward in blogworld. So if you have a special someone on your list (it can be you!) with the following initials, please leave a comment with who you would give the tray to and what you think they would use it for. I will then email you to get your address and ship it off to you to make your shopping list a little lighter.

The monograms are:

cBk

First: C

Last: B

Middle: K

nRk

First: N

Last: R

Middle: K

And now I must get back to the Texas game. Here's hoping the Horns get their act together!!!!!!

And yes, I promise to be back to posting tomorrow.