It's Trunk Show Time

One great thing about owning a business as a mom is meeting others in the same boat. I love being able to support other businesses and have fallen in love with the clothes from Kate and Libby. I mean what's not to love about the monogrammed girls swimsuits, or dresses, or bubbles or tunics or nightgowns...but then we found out baby #2 was going to be our little prince Baby C and the boys clothes were suddenly in my arena!

So here are some of my favorites from the fall line..obviously Mini K won't be wearing a ruffle romper, but I still think it is adorable! If you are in the D.C. or Alexandria area just email me or leave a comment and I will send you the address.

Show hours are:

This weekend by appointment

Tuesday, August 3rd: 11am-4pm

Wednesday, August 4th: 11am-4pm

Thursday, August 5th: 11am-4pm and 6-9pm

Friday, August 6th: 11am-4pm

We have the trunk at Casa Grove all week so if these times don't work for you just let me know and you can come by for your own shopping date!

Water, Water Everywhere

Look what is coming to the Grove....we are in love with our new water bottle designs! They will be on the site tomorrow and under $30...the perfect way to make your morning workout a little more or to make sure your kids know which bottle is MINE. Mini K can introduce you to the word MINE...the problem is when she says MINE it usually involves my shoes.

We are so excited to introduce you to our new products and will be kicking off the fall shopping season with a giveaway next week.

For those of you in the Washington, D.C. area or for your friends that live in the area we are having a Kate and Libby trunk show August 3-5th. The clothes are adorable for fall and as always their monogrammed seersucker swimsuits are a must have for your little prepster! Just email us and we will give you the show details or to set up an appointment...come shop and join us for a cocktail!

Just Around The Corner

We are heading to Nemacolin on Friday...Mr. Grove, myself, Mini K, Baby C and thank God Miss J is coming with us! I had everything laid out tonight so packing tomorrow would be easy and Mr. Grove's comment was the spare bedroom looks like the cutting room floor of a Lilly manufacturing plant. Only a man would compare clothing to a manufacturing plant!

This might sound strange, but my favorite time of year to waer Lilly Pulitzer is fall. I know I should say spring, or summer and I wear it then too, but there has always been something about the fall collection that I must have...okay who are we kidding and this year is no different.

I have heard rumors there will be some pieces designed for yoga and I promise you they will be in my closet. Mini K has one request for pre-K and that is she wear Lilly her first day of school. She did last year...and come to think of it wore it on the last day as well!

The Grove will be carrying the new Lilly Pulitzer Fall 2010 stationery and gift line. We are so excited to debut the umbrellas, iphone covers, water bottles and desk calendars for (gulp!) 2011. Grove Gal E and I are planning a Holiday preview party complete with pink cocktails so drop us your email if you live in the D.C. area and want an invite.

The photos from the fall home line are out and I am purchasing this set...if only I could snap my fingers and have a room painted with these perfect stripes without the hassle of well having a painter paint said stripes. For those of you that know me, you are wondering what room I plan on putting this set in. My answer is simple...at the moment none, but I have been collecting Lilly P bedding since it was sold in Lilly stores for the vacation house that we are on track to purchase in the next 2 years.

Image courtesy of Lilly Pulitzer

I think for me the best part of fall is anticipating it. I might be alone, but I swear just thinking about fall temps, the leaves changing colors cools me off on a hot August day and August will be here tomorrow it seems.

I hate that retailers are rushing things...I like that Lilly Pulitzer doesn't have tons of photos of the fallc ollection plastered everywhere right now...I want to enjoy the summer.

I went into CVS today to purchase sunscreen and you know what I saw...CANDY CORN...not joking! Seriously...why not just bring out the Christmas trees tomorrow!

The Secret's Out...Happy Birthday Grove Gal E

I don't always do a good job of keeping secrets so rather than letting something slip I just took a few days off from blogging (yes I know I have been doing that a lot lately!).

Today is Grove Gal E's birthday! I have to wish the best business partner ever a very happy birthday...I even arranged for a must see night of tv...because I know you are all watching RHONJ Season Finale.

In order to catch Grove Gal E off guard, her husband planned a surprise party for her yesterday and left the invites, cakes and details to me. We of course went with a Lilly P pink and green theme and I even managed to take some photos! My favorite part was seeing Grove Gal E's reaction to the cake.

I've Been Tagged!

My good friend KP tagged me...awhile ago and the Catholic guilt of not doing my post has caught up to me! So here goes...

Favorite Color

GREEN ...celadon. lime, moss, hunter, I love them all.

Favorite Brands

For me: Goyard, Lilly P., Leslie Evers, Tory Burch, Gucci, Vince

For The Minis: mini Boden, Pink Chicken, Lilly Pulitzer(although they need to make more for little boys), Saltwater Sandals, Kate and Libby, Orient Expressed, Bella Bliss, too many etsy designers to name

Favorite Restaurants

I have to do these by city...

ANYWHERE: hands down Capital Grille

Austin: Maudies, which is also the best restaurant between a Goodwill and a liquor store you will ever find

Boston: It might not be the best, but I have so many college memories of catching up with friends at T. Anthony's Pizza

Dallas: Mi Cocina, the cafe at Neimans Northpark, Central Market cafe, Zoe's and I could go on and on

Washington, D.C.: I will confess some of these are in Alexandria: The Tombs, 1789, Evening Star, Thomas Sweet (it's ice crema, but sometimes that is my meal), Georgetown Cupcake...I don't eat cake, but I will never forget the look on Mini K's face when she ordered her very own cupcake after her first day of school

Hobbies

Reading..books and my gossip magazines, a trip to the spa, needlepoint, but my absolute favorite if gift giving. I realize this sounds strange, but I love the whole process, making it personal, discovering the gift, wrapping it. I love watching people unwrap something they have always wanted..it never gets old.

Favorite Thing About Myself

My favorite thing about myself is actually something I am thankful for...that I was able to have 2 healthy children.

What Does Your Room Look Like Right Now

It is a work in progress:

I have 3 paint samples on the wall that I am trying to decide on.

A stack of Mini K and Baby C's clean folded clothes that I haven't put away.

A drawer full of Christmas presents that I am already hiding from Mini K.

Our new monogrammed bedding that I refuse to put on the bed until we decide on the paint color and get it on the wall.

A blessing from Pope John Paul II that we received on our wedding day.

Reading this I realize...I officially sound OLD.

If You Could Have Dinner With 2 People Alive or Dead Who Would They Be?

I would need to make this a reservation for 3. I would love for Mini K and Baby C to meet my Grandfather who passed away before they were born. I aspire to be like him everyday. I will never forget his funeral...I expected maybe 100 people...the Cathedral was PACKED, standing room only, and as we stood in a receiving line that went on for hours total strangers told us stories of how my grandfather has helped them with things big and little....and while my grandmother knew of a few of these deeds, most of them were news to us.

What Will Your Next Big Splurge Be

I have my eye on a new Goyard or Bottega bag, but in reality I know I will still be trying to decide on which one in a year so probably back to school clothes for Mini K.

Anything Else You Would Like To Share That We Don't Know

Mr. Grove says I live to make lists and binders and he is probably right. I like to have ALL of my Christmas shopping done by the end of September...NOT KIDDING

I also have a binder of magazine clippings or photos I have printed off the internet that I am saving for when Mini K gets married. I just started one for Baby C's rehearsal dinner too.

I also write Mini K and now Baby C a letter on each of their birthdays that I place in an envelope and store them in a safe deposit box. Someday, I hope many many decades from now, they can open them when I am gone and read for themselves how blessed they each make me feel and how much I love them.

Now if anyone is still awake after reading this I tag:

DC GOP Girl

Miss B

Miss Mermaid

Miss Trish

Too Hot To Think

As a Texan living in Virginia I never thought I would say this, but it has been too hot to think! It's either that or the sweet award KP gave me, is making me realize I am quite boring! I promise to post my answers tomorrow, but for now here is what has been going on:

1. Trying to keep up with Baby C's formula needs...we are going to the doctor tomorrow because all this kid does is EAT. Mini K has named him chuggles...ecause he likes to snuggle and has chubby cheeks

2. I met DCGOP Girl and she is fabulous

3. I am still plotting a big surprise...no details

4. Organizing our pre-holiday trunk show and placing sample orders

5. Watching Mini K at her first week of tennis camp

6. On my second Shellac manicure and I am officially addicted

7. On week #2 of no soda and have given up white flour 5 days a week

8. Survived another one of Mini K's growth spurts, her pants did not unless she aspires to be a plumber, and have listed another round on ebay that you can see HERE

No need to comment as I realize this post is BORING

If You Can't Make The Show, Buy The T-Shirt

I cannot remember where I first it, but I am sure we all have heard it by now...Margaritaville...it's a lifestyle. I had every intention of a fun post that you would catch you up on our holiday, yes holiday, because despite the 2 kids, business and hot weather, I know the heat will be gone and I will be longing it for it to return sooner rather than later, but when I logged online all I could read were updates on the Gulf Coast. You turn on the tv and there are the empty, BEAUTIFUL beaches, the faces of restaurant owners who always have patience for the children that empty their salt shakers, the self-overserved college students and the occaisional meltdown from visitors of all ages, the empty charter fishing boats at the dock rather than in deep water and I had to change my post plans.

It is no secret by now that Jimmy Buffet will be performing a FREE concert on July 1st. While the Gulf Coast would certainly welcome everyone to attend, tickets are limited...but.....you can buy the t-shirt! So keep checking the website and when they are up buy one. For those of you that say I already have enough t-shirts, think of how many people might stop you at the gym or when you are out for a walk to ask where they can buy one...it is a little gesture that hopefully will help.

I saw the following letter posted on Mrs. MMM's blog and I had to share it and hope you will put it on your blog, email it to your friends. There is a statement at the end of the letter that we all should remember...it comes from a child and these days I have to say that Mini K has said the same thing: there is ONE ocean, they all touch so that makes ONE. so this spill might not be on your coast, but it is still YOUR OCEAN!

The following is sent from Lucy Buffet (Jimmy's sister and owner of LuLu's in Gulf Shores) She grew up on Mobile Bay and along our Gulf Coast. Dear coastal inhabitants everywhere and all who know the joy of putting their toes in the ocean: I can’t remember when we have had a lovelier spring along the Gulf Coast . In recent years, we have gone from crisp, clear mornings in February to tropical 90s temps by mid-March. But this year, it finally seemed that we were getting back to normal — back to the easy, Southern rhythms of my childhood, with the winter season moving gently into a luscious spring. Spring was taking its own sweet time unfolding before diving head-on into the desperate heat of summer. Everyone could feel it. You couldn’t help but notice the majesty and color of the coastal foliage bursting with brilliant pinks and purples, sounding the calls that we wait for all year long: "Let’s go to the beach!" "The fish are biting at the Big Mouth!" "Let’s take a boat ride!" "Tadpoles are out in the creek.

That is how we live here on the Gulf Coast . Our love of the water — the Gulf, the bays, the rivers, the estuaries — and the way we enjoy it is absolutely holistic. It transcends race, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender and political affiliation. The Gulf Coast is where the everyday person can play. We love where we live and are proud of it. We get amused sharing it and seeing the surprise on folks’ faces when they realize that a little piece of unlikely paradise exists smack at the bottom of this magnificent country of ours. So imagine our dismay, anger, grief and absolute heartbreak over the ongoing catastrophe of crude oil continuously and arrogantly flowing into our beautiful Gulf of Mexico. This is indeed a major challenge for us physically, emotionally, environmentally and economically. Personally, I prefer to remain positive about the oil spill’s impact, because I know mountains can be moved with a positive attitude. Why wouldn’t that work with a runaway well? I do, however, live in a very real world, and I know that our corner of this world stands to be affected by the oil spill. As we are called to action, we will respond with the dauntless spirit of coastal people, especially those born in the hurricane corridor. We will weather this storm as we have weathered the other monsters that have roared upon our shores in the past: by working hard, side by side, with dedication, compassion and a sense of community, and earning some fun in the process. I am hoping that there will be little damage or interruption of beach recreation. Perhaps the oil spill will be just an inconvenience, much like too many jellyfish in the water or the occasional riptides. If not, we are going to need everyone’s love, support and help. So I have a very special invitation for people to join us here in Gulf Shores - Orange Beach - Perdido Key and Pensacola . Don’t cancel your plans or reservations. This could be one of the most memorable vacations you will ever have. Most of you travel with children. What a great opportunity to teach our kids so many valuable life lessons — from the beauty of volunteering to the importance of helping your neighbor during a crisis, learning about the fragile ecosystem that created the remarkable Gulf of Mexico, and meeting new friends from all over the country with the same purpose of keeping our beautiful shores safe for our children and wildlife. Recently, I asked a friend of mine’s 6-year-old if she knew how many oceans there were. "One, Miss Lucy," she promptly responded. Then with a little hesitation, she added, "Don’t they all touch?" Out of the mouths of babes. What is happening in our back yard could just as easily be happening in yours. But does it matter? We are all one. We all touch. Am I outraged? Damn right! Is there a need for accountability? Damn right! But that is not my job. There are others who are trained and better equipped to master that task. I’m a fry cook. I’m open for business. And so is the Gulf Coast . We will take each day as it comes and make the best of it. I am asking all of you who love this area as much as I do and love your own coastal areas to please not abandon us. I promise you we will welcome you with open arms, some ice-cold sweet tea, an ocean of belly laughs, a plate full of scrumptious food and a humble, grateful heart. Lucy