Let Me Fill You In....

Yes, I know I have been an absent blogger, but I must confess I don't regret it for one second. I have spent the last 5 days with Mini K, going to the pool, the playground, walking preppy pup and getting ready for PRESCHOOL to start TOMORROW. Don't ask me why this seems like a bigger deal to me than kindergarten or first grade, but it does. Mr. Grove said something out of the blue and it struck a chord. After tomorrow, the only real first day of school change will be when she has her first day of college and is not in our house anymore. And before the catty remarks come rolling into the comments, let me just say this: I have learned something from my 3 year old minnie this summer that I am trying to take with me each and every day: THE BEST PART IS RIGHT NOW.

Today right now meant receiving several amazing surprises. One being my Prep For Fall Swap Package's arrival. I was lucky enough to have been partnered with the fabulous Miss Janice for this swap (thanks again for hosting Hopsy).

Miss Janice, thank you so much for everything. Don't you just love it when you open a package and your would have purchased every single item in it for yourself. Well that was me as I opened each and every pink and green wrapped package.

Here are a few pictures of my fabulous swap package:

Several of you have emailed and asked about my monogrammed sandals. I don't know that I am brave enough to post the exact count of the number I own on the blog. A girl must have some secrets, but SB Sandals, is having their annual sale and you can save $20 on your own monogrammed pair. I am telling you the hardest part will be selecting your colors.

Monday Madness Turned Into Where Has The Week Gone Wednesday?

I owe all of you an apology, so I thought I would do one better: a cocktail. Or at least something pink and green to put your cocktail on....and since I am late this deal will be good through Labor Day.

We have a great new line of paper reinforced coasters. They are a classic chic square shape with rounded corners and come in sets of 25. The best part, from my personal test bar, they last through more than one using. And yes sometimes in Grove Land I reuse my coasters...not for company.

The sets retail for $48, but for you my lovelies, they are 25% off until Labor Day. yep, that's right only $36. You can buy them right HERE. I hope you don't mind, but I selected my favorite design ...did you really think I could put my pink champagne or Seersucker Cocktail on anything other than pink and green?

Tomorrow I have school orientation...not for me, but for Mini K. I am actually nervous and excited, but mainly in denial that we survived the D.C. private school admissions process and she is old enough to start school.

So while I have been wondering where the week has gone, what have you been up to?

Only 2 Hours Left!

I felt like sharing, so through midnight tonight take 20% OFF your total purchase from the fabulously talented KEP Designs.

Coupon code: SUMMER

I currently have the following in my shopping cart and am trying to decide. I love my green and pink necklace and the tulip clasps can't be outdone.

Image Courtesy of KEP Designs

Image Courtesy of KEP Designs

Don't judge...I am also tracking 4, yes 4, missing packages. And don't be like Mr. Grove and point out, if what you have already ordered hasn't been delivered, why are you ordering more.

My response: I am optimist of course.

We Are Back

After a busy but fun 4 days in Williamsburg, a few trips to the pool, a super long day at Busch Gardens, to see Elmo and Zoe of course, we are home!

I just checked on a very tired Mini K, asleep in her bed and am working on a grocery list for tomorrow, but I didn't want anyone to think I had forgotten about the blog. You are probably wishing I would have abstained from posting, or at least had something interesting to say.

Here are a few highlights:

1. The J.Crew outlet had current items so I picked up a new yellow blazer and some ruffle shirts.

2. Ocean Palm, the Williamsburg Lilly Pulitzer store, had all of the Jubilee Collection on sale for 40-60% off. Mini K and I both now have some new additions.

3. I also found some black patent wedge McKims for 40% off.

4. Mini K was able to get her photo taken with Elmo and Zoe at the SAME TIME.

5. I return to Crossfit tomorrow...yes I am excited about this.

6. We found out a good friend is having a baby BOY.

7. The chair I had recovered for Mini K's room is finished and will be here Wednesday.

And with that, I am off to dreamland. I promise to catch up on all of your blogs tomorrow.

And Monday Madness will be Tardy Tuesday, but I will give you a hint, pink and green cocktails...can you guess the item?

Saying Goodbye Makes Me Sad

No not to blogging, but today was Mini K's last day at her day school. She has been there since she was 16 months old and the teachers and staff are like family. They have been with us through 2 operations, countless doctor's appointments, several false alarms and we will miss them all. Mini K is starting her "big girl" preschool on September 1st. Mr. Grove joked, the school might be changing, but the bow will ALWAYS be in her hair. Today was no exception.

I didn't want today to be sad, so I do what I do best: I threw a party! And doesn't cake make everything better? So the always talented Christina at Simply Sweet Bakery came up with one amazing crayon cake.

So many hugs, and yes a few tears later, we are home. Mini K is sound asleep and our bags are packed. She is starting her "big girl" life by coming on a business trip with Mr. Grove and I to Williamsburg. My mother is coming along with us and they have their own suite at the hotel. The magi room fairies will visit (room service), she will float in the pool and they are going to meet Elmo. Double thanks to my mom for saving me the Elmo experience.

And what always makes me smile...no matter what we are doing if you ask Mini K what her favorite part of the day was she says RIGHT NOW in a loud booming voice and smile on her face. I will confess I used to take this for granted, but have come to realize it is a lesson. She lives in the present, and even getting in trouble passes and the fun returns. So since we are starting many new adventures in the Grove House these days, mine will be to live for the right now, because even the bad stuff passes quickly.

And with that, my super sore muscles from Crossfit, I am off to dreamland.

It's Project Time

Maybe it is just me, but when it comes to home decorating projects I do them one at a time. So after 2 1/2 years, I am finally tackling my master bedroom. Now don't get me wrong, I have my running list of items I am looking for...(a unique large white bowl or urn for the dining room table, matching green and white urns, the perfect shade of lavender for the front guest bedroom).

When we added on to the house, the only thing we touched in the master bedroom was one wall. We turned a blank wall into a wall of built-in high glass white shelves and drawers. It provides us with some storage in our old house, and has inspired me to do a somewhat nautical theme for the room

I have been debating between Leontine Linens and Matouk, monogrammed of course, and have finally settled on Matouk.

The Mirisol pattern for the pique blanket cover and european shams..both will be in Ocean blue and monogrammed of course.

The Ocean Blue Bamboo pattern for one set of sheets.

I fell in love with their ocean blue color and am going to mix traditional monogrammed pique with the Lulu DK for Matouk River patten.

The River Duvet and I will also do River for boudoir pillow shams.

I still cannot decide between these 2 monograms.

I will be doing a separate post on my dear friend Elizabeth, who has a fabulous home design company later, but Miss Elizabeth is making from natural linen panels with double trim: a cream tassle and what else, but a striped blue wide grosgrain ribbon. I am still shopping for some high glass white rods, brackets and rings, but you can get the picture.

And last but not least is the paint color. I have narrowed it down to two choices: Northern Air and Glass Slipper. The Glass Slipper is more blue than gray in person. Both are from Benjamin Moore and I found both at one of my favorite sites: My Perfect Color. I ordered the samples and they should arrive on my doorstep next week. Mr. Grove laughs but I literally paint a 3ft by 3ft section on opposing walls of my choices and make myself live with them for a month, then I decide.

Northern Air

Glass Slipper...

I Have Crawled Out From My Pile....

This has been quite a weekend. I have been so focused on crossing things off of my to do list, that I have neglected my blog. I would love to give you some fabulous excuse, but between sticking to my new workout of Crossfit, enjoying those last summer days at the pool with a 3 year old who can FINALLY swim and errands, well at the end of the day I just really wanted to sleep.

I am going to post this week's Monday Madness tomorrow, so we can call it Tardy Tuesday.

As many of you know, I hate tardiness. Especially, when said tardiness occurs without so much as a phone call, text or email. I also know I can't expect everyone else to be on time and be late myself. You all also know that I am a sucker for SWAPS. I confess, I love them. Maybe they make me feel young again, or that it is fun to shop for someone else that I feel like I have more than a few things in common with, or really maybe it is because it's guilt free shopping. Is that ever a bad thing? Hopsy over at Kappa Prep organized one of the biggest fall swaps I have seen and I was paired with the fabulous Miss Janice.

If you haven't checked out her blog, you must CLICK on over and have a read. Her tablescapes are simply stunning and I find myself wishing I owned ALL of them, but that would probably require another kitchen renovation, and well I am just not there yet. Tonight I got her package all wrapped up in pink and green Lilly P style and am mailing it off tomorrow. I am simply thrilled that I will be early for the August 28th deadline. It's the small things my friends, as I feel like I am racing the clock on so many things in my life these days. I hope Miss Janice likes her package, because I had so much fun shopping for her.

Grove Gal E and I have been busy planning al kinds of fun events and specials for the holidays, so get ready. And yes, I will admit it, I have started my must purchase list for Partner's Card weekend in Dallas.