Don't you just love a Jane Austen quote?  This is from a coffee shop window and did make me smile.

A Note or Two

I keep one of these mini-notebooks in my purse for those little notes I need to jot down such as a good book or a bakery I pass by and want to remember to visit when I have the time.  The notebooks are perfect for your purse, car, at your small desk or anywhere.  I love the array of designs and messages, and what a nice little hostess gift they make!  By Live Inspired, www.live-inspired.com

Vintage Vibe

Look at this fun spot I found in a coffee place called Coffee Commission.  I soaked in its vintage vibe as well as enjoyed the oh-so-good latte!  Don't you just love the settee?

Spring Scent

I have been on the hunt for a nice, soft scent for spring.  Lucky for me, I came across this lovely French perfume, Fleurs Blanches by Outremer.

French Style

If you are like me, you desire the effortless, natural look of the French.  They don't follow trendy fashion or fill their closets full of clothes and shoes and accessories only to claim there isn't a thing to wear.  French women exude confidence in their style, and that is where this little book, Paris Street Style, comes in to play.  This book is sure to help you find  your own je ne sais quoi!

Big Top Circus Puzzle

Circus theme parties are very popular right now for children.  As a matter of fact, I attended a little ringmaster's party this weekend.  I found this perfect puzzle from Crocodile Creek to go with the theme of the party - Circus Big Top floor puzzle.  Can't you just hear that classic circus music playing?

Spring Is Here

Take delight in this day as Spring has arrived.  Soon the flowers will bloom, the bees will buzz and leaves will be there to offer shade.  It is a season of refreshment and new beginnings, so dust off that vintage bicycle and get ready for the local farmer's market to open.   

Pinkitzel

Cupcakes and Chocolates and Candy...the 3 C's

A must-see when in Oklahoma City (above is Edmond location) is Pinkitzel.  This place is a sugar-filled wonderland that takes your senses into a colorful high.  It's not only a bakery and candy store, but they have really cute and fun gifts as well as party supplies from Meri Meri.  Make your way through the whole store to find the party room which can be reserved for your special occasion.  And, yes, this is the place you see on the sticker of the gift bag from the previous post.  Pinkitzel does a beautiful job with gift wrap, too.

Do You Gift Wrap?

Here's a tip when purchasing a gift for someone...let the retail salesperson know that you are buying the item as a gift for someone.  Most of the time s/he will ask if you would like the item gift wrapped.  If you are not asked this question, then don't just assume there's no complimentary gift wrap available.  Ask the salesperson if s/he could gift wrap the item.  I purchased a gift (above) as a boutique in OKC and was so pleased by the wonderful way it was packaged.  I'm even more excited to carry this into the party I will be attending.

Chocolate - Not Just For Women

Ever heard of the Mast brothers?  You know, the bearded brothers from Iowa who moved to NY and founded Mast Brothers Chocolate?  You can visit their uber cool, rustic store in Brooklyn, or find their chocolate at a retailer near you.  Choose from a variety of flavors or, if like me, go for your favorite packaging as each bar is wrapped in designer Italian paper.  Add a bar to a package, giftbag or wrap several in twine and give as a gift.  Anyone would love to receive chocolate from Mast Brothers.  They even have a cookbook for those of us who want to try our hand at the craft.
http://mastbrothers.com/

I'll Have A Scone With That

You will often find me in a local coffeehouse at any random time of the day.  Today had me at one of my top picks when in OKC, Evoke. Coffee in Edmond, OK.  Not only is it located in the oh-so-cute downtown, but the shop knows how to brew one heck of a cappuccino.  On this day I was lucky to try the peanut butter chocolate chip scone...hello!  Confession:  this was my lunch.  But, no worries, I had a healthy breakfast and dinner. *wink*

La Vie Est Belle

La Vie Est Belle is full of lovely pictures that will have you dreaming of a life in the French countryside in no time.  A wonderful book for someone like me, loving all things French, or for anyone who appreciates the style and simplicity found in these beautiful pages.  I tip my beret to the author, Henrietta Heald.

Cupcake Bubbly? Yes, Please!

It's such a treat to celebrate a special day with cupcakes, but it's even better when the cupcakes are made with champagne!  Simply take a basic vanilla cupcake recipe and substitute the milk for champagne and vanilla for champagne extract (yes, they make that).  To add even more bubbly flavor, you can add champagne to the frosting.  Decorate with edible pearls.  And, don't forget to toast to the one you are celebrating.  Cheers!

Gifts for the Book Lover



Pair one of Library Collection scents by Paddywax with the author's book or even a movie like Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.  Paddywax has authors Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, Jane Austen and Oscar Wilde, so they are suitable for women and men.



Wanna Know A Secret?

If ever in Dallas visit Chocolate Secrets on Oak Lawn.  It's a chocolate artisan slash wine bar!  Yes, it's hard to contain your excitement with their hand-crafted truffles and a glass of bubbly in front of you.  We visited late in the evening, so the case doesn't look as full, but it was bliss!!!  You can also order their delish chocolates online.  Visit http://www.mychocolatesecrets.com/shop/

Puzzle For Les Enfants

I adore puzzles as well as gifting puzzles to children.  So, combine my love for puzzles with my love for France and voila...Puzzles Paris by Vilac!  Inside are three wooden puzzles of Paris' most famous monuments including Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur church and The Arc du Triomphe.  Ages 3+

Fun Gift Idea!

Allow me to introduce you to my brother and sister-in-law, bobblehead-style!  Personalized bobbleheads make a fun and unique gift for any occasion.  Simply send a favorite photo to a company like Custom Bobblehead Dolls and see it come to bobblehead life.  The photo above was from their Napa Valley trip (the Wheatons had to be added because they are, of course, family).  And, the Meeker Merlot wine is my brother's favorite, so it was added.  What fun!

It's A Sunshiney Day!

Anthropologie has me dreaming of enjoying a sunny afternoon in Europe! 

Latte Any Time of Day

I take great pleaure in sipping from those jumbo coffeehouse mugs especially when the place makes the drink just as I like, one pump flavor (usually hazelnut) with great latte art or a nice layer of foam.  The latte above was enjoyed at Cuppies & Joe in Oklahoma City.  I usually have my notebook in tow or a good book to offer a temporary escape.  I wish everyone a great latte today!

Welcome to Electro Swing!

Let me introduce you to my love of Electro Swing music.  It's basically taking the great sounds of yesteryear...Big Band, Swing, Orchestra...and infusing today's house-style production.  Think Moulin Rouge.  You can get a great sampling of this fun music from White Mink (love Princess Crocodile).  Also, I enjoy Squirrel Nut Zippers and Perov Stelar.  So, what are you waiting for; get your flapper dress and pearls on, and turn up the volume!
Pandora Electro Swing Radio

Macaron Merriment

Have you seen the Martha Stewart Living Magazine for March 2014?  It simply sets my heart aflutter! The image is so brilliant that it makes me want to sink my teeth into the paper.  Macarons have been tapping the beloved cupcake on its frosting, motioning the cake to move over.  But, what exactly is a macaron, and how does it differ from the macaroon?  The macaron is a delicate, petite, crunchy pastry usually in pastel colors with a soft center made of fruit puree or chocolate ganache.  They are not meant to be mass-produced as they are finicky and meant to be indulged in their fresh state.  Very Parisian, macarons are not to be confused with macaroons which are a coconut cookie and much easier to make.

Macaron Recipe >> http://www.marthastewart.com/1054104/french-macarons-basic-recipe

World Read Aloud Day 2014

Today is a special day because it's World Read Aloud Day.  So, I am sharing one of my favorite children's book series, Madeline.  Let this inspire you to find your favorite childhood book to share with children or grandchildren today.  It will be a nice change from the electronic world.

How Do You Say...?

One thing I feel most embarrassed over is realizing I have been mispronouncing a word.  Years ago, I learned that I was pronouncing bruschetta, bru-shetta, when in fact it is, bru-sketta.  Now, this wasn't too terribly bad as a majority of Americans order bru-shetta.  Today, I was watching Ina Garten and lo and behold, I was taken aback when Ina said, who-mmus as she scraped a bowl of hummus into her dish.  What?  You mean I've been going around calling hummus, humm-us?  Gasp!  I quickly went to my new favorite website to make sure this was the accurate pronunciation.  Indeed, Ina had it right.

So, my dear friends, if you want to check yourself on certain words go to howjsay to listen to the correct pronunciation.  It comes in handy when settling a bet between you and that pesky, no-it-all coworker on the proper pronunciation of a word.

Search your words here >> www.howjsay.com