Love It :: Union

If you're free today go check out Union. A super hip place at The Biltmore Fashion Park filled with lots of little storefronts filled with some of Phoenix's best local boutiques and shops.  Here is a little sneak peek of what I got to see at the soiree last night. They have oodles of stuff going on all weekend so go and check it out. 

Here are a few snaps from the evening. They have a few of my perennial favorites such as The Willows Home & Garden, Paris Envy and Frances not to mention a few very cool new places like The British Bicycle Company and Bonafide Goods. With the holidays headed our way it's a great place to pick up gifts. In fact that little pumpkin might just make an appearance on Thanksgiving.

Operation Gratitude Candy Buyback

I haven't mentioned it here but I'm the sister of a deployed soldier. My brother who is deployed is 14 years younger than me, so unfortunately for him I've often thought of myself as second -in-command #2 Mom Figure rather than a sister to him. So when he decided to enlist it was very bittersweet for me. Be happy for the man who makes his own decisions while I still think of him as the sweet, crazy toddler with the kissing spot cowlick on the back of his head. 

Can't you tell, this kid wants CANDY!!

Halloween will be here before you know it and our kids will have oodles of candy to spare. Since I know first hand that my brother and his fellow soldiers LOVE sweet treats mailed to them please think about donating some of your extra candy to Operation Gratitude Candy Buyback. Here's a link to find a participating dentist near you. 

Fab Friday :: Nothing exciting, just me

Just a few things I'm thinking about:

• Sometimes when I think about the word Friday my brain can't help but sing that putrid song Friday, the annoying viral video. They did good with that one because it was like 1000 years ago and I'm still singing it. Sheesh Sarah, stop it already. So Friday sometimes it's good, sometimes a little crazy no? On the weekends when I have a lot going on I need to make sure I eat my Wheaties because it could be a long one.
• Little just rolled into my room at 5:40 am because he "just can't stop thinking about cookie goldfish," and he "can't handle it". M'kay kid...Mom needs coffee.
• Do fish get depressed? Because every time I go out of town our Betta fish Karl freaks out and doesn't seem the same. I get home and he seems to perk right up.
• Leigh's Blankies. We're doing a little fundraising Sunday at the studio for my friend Andra's great kids' charity. If you're local come by!
• The weather in Phoenix is pretty awesome right now so you should think about a trip to come  and play at the Phoenix Open. (I know it's really the Waste Management Open but I still can't bring myself to say that. Ick.)
• The layering tutorial at Made By Girl is bomb and don't be surprised if you see me sporting the sequined tank paired with the chambray. I have both and why haven't I worn them together?
• I went to Alt and really do you care? It's hard to explain to people that don't blog. In fact I kind of feel weird saying that I went to a blog conference. I think I need to go again so I can get over the weird feeling and have some more fun. Here is my most favorite sum up of all that I've read, it's perfection. I'll just say DITTO. Oh and if you're not able to attend Alt, they have new online classes that will be launching February 1.

{image via This is Glamorous}

Goodness :: Leigh's Blankies

Sometimes you just can't help but be proud and amazed at the goodness of some people and I feel this way about my friend Andra. A little over a year ago she lost her life-long best friend in a car accident and in a tribute to her friend who was a nurse at Phoenix Children's Hospital she created Leigh's Blankies. You can read her inspirational story here about the hows and whys it all came about. She wanted to give children without much hope the secure feeling that a blanket provides so Andra began making these blankies. It's been so fun watching how these cozy flannel blankies have travelled locally and all over the world to China and Haiti making a difference.

{Leigh's Blankies}

{Andra with her crew}

{The blankets in Haiti}

Follow Andra and Leigh's Blankies good work HERE, I hope you're as inspired as I am!

Drink it :: Primarita

Saturday night we went to dinner at The Mission, I had never been there before and had the best time. The food and service were wonderful but the best part was that I came away with my new favorite marg, their Primarita. I'm totally going to be trying out their ingredients to get their perfect ratio for my 2010 summer cocktail.

{no this isn't me but it could be, I would be drinking this somewhere beachy too.}

Primarita

Partida Tequila

Organic Agave Necter

Juice of 3 Pressed Limes

{image via vi.sualize}

Peach picking anyone?

You know what I really want to do this week? Go pick some peaches at Schnepf Farms. I've never gone and the peaches are really, really good. Maybe I can pack up Little and we can go pick a few on Thursday.

Mmm, think of it now, peach cobbler, peach pie, grilled peaches and peach margaritas!

{Image from Examiner}

Love it :: Found.

Tonight is the opening of a new local store called Found, it's the new baby of Dan and Kristin Alber of Domestic Bliss fame. Domestic Bliss is one of my favorite local stores so I can't wait to see what they offer at Found.

Found.

BLOG

Opening Night Thursday, April 29th 6-9pm

166 West Main Street

Mesa, AZ 85201

I don't think I'll be able to make the festivities tonight because the husband is working late and I don't really think it's a kid party. Boo! So you should go, and if you do have fun and tell me all about it!

{Found photography by Allison Tyler Jones}

Blog Crush : Full House

My latest blog crush is on Full House. She has lots of style and she lives in town. I want to be her friend. Check out her paper sunburst mirror tutorial, I think a Christmas tree covered with these babies would be oh so pretty.

{via Jaimee Rose}

Art-O-Mat

I just read about the first local Art-O-Mat, it's the coolest thing ever! I was surprised that I haven't heard about it before (at least in my corner of blogland). Artists sell their work in vintage repurposed cigarette vending machines. Ones that look like this.

Isn't it beyond? You have no idea how much I love it. If you're local go check it out at Vision Gallery in Chandler, I may just be heading in the tomorrow. I don' t want the supply to run out!

Blissfest

Kristen from Domestic Bliss was nice enough to send a poster for Blissfest 09 my way so if you're a Phoenix area local you must go! If you've ever been to a Domestic Bliss event they are always super cool {and very pretty}. This years event has a western theme so make sure to rock some boots when you go!

Nie will be there, so will Heather Bailey not to mention lots of rad vendors that you can see here.

Check her out, Adrienne Hedger

Just a heads up for all of you local moms out there, there will be a book signing for the hilarious author and illustrator Adrienne Hedger at (one of my favorite places to hang) Changing Hands.

Changing Hands

Wednesday, October 7th at 7:00 pm

I was sent the heads up by Pittsy's Place and I've since been laughing daily at her blog. If you can please go, I'm sure it's bound to be funny.

Thanks Jaimee!

Today is a fun one (and not just because both kids will be in school, yippee!) one of my favorite bloggers featured me on her blog today. The very first blog I ever read was the blog of Jaimee Rose. Jaimee is a reporter for the Arizona Republic and she has a style blog on AZCentral. It was there that I stumbled upon Oh Happy Day and Design Crush's blogs and their bloglists then more clicking and the rest is history.

{image via Southern Accents}

She asked me to do a post with some interiors so I decided to build Sarah's Dream House. Many of the pictures you have seen here already but it sure is fun to put them all together. If you're local you should check her out because she's so in the know of what's happening in town and if not she's adorable and a fun read, go there. Thank you Jaimee for the localove!

I want a tea party

I think I have tea on the brain, big time.

{photo courtesy of Rodney Smith}

Anyone else out there love to go have tea besides moi? Where are your favorite places? It's always fun to know the inside skinny on what's cool in other cities. Locally I love to have tea at the Phoenician Resort, you?

Please pray for Kate

There is a local little girl named Kate McRae who is suffering from a brain tumor. This hits so close to home not only because she is the age of my children but the church that the family attends is around the corner from me and one of my girlfriends is a close friend of the McRae family. The McRae's are spending as much time as they can with their daughter while praying for a miraculous recovery. You can read their story here. Little Kate has a long road ahead of her and their entire family could use some of your prayers.

{Kate}

In the meantime two of my girlfriends have generously offered their goods and services in an auction with proceeds directly going to the McRae family.

Kim from TomKat Studio has an invitation package to bid on.

Tina from Live.Love Photography has a photo session to bid on.

There could be other auctions going on right now but I'm going to start with these. I thought I would share this with you because the McRae family could use your support and Kim and Tina are great people with huge hearts and wonderful products. Please keep this family and all sick children in your prayers today, I would really appreciate it.

I found them!

I never updated you all on my light hunt, after much searching I ended up going with the original one that I liked. (Of course right? Isn't it always like that).

I received the lights as birthday gifts, they are from a local store called The Willows. Every time I go in there I want to just move in.

It's one of those stores where I pretty much adore everything and I love how they style their vignettes.

It was decorated in with some festive summer holiday merchandise so lots of blue and red accents. They have gorgeous linens, lots of slipcovered furniture and they carry my favorite Christoper Jagmin glasses and dinnerware.

The best little surprise is the burlap upholstered walls in their powder room complete with a galvanized industrial fixture. I wish I had snapped a better photo but I felt weird taking pictures in the WC, so I thought I should be quick.

They have a website and a blog too so if you get a minute check it out, or better yet stop by in person.

Weekend plans

Whew! It's HOT outside here. We just got back from the end of the year picnic for the boys' preschool. A little bittersweet for me because my Big is off to kindy next year. I can't believe just how fast time flies. Later tonight I'm headed to a Bohemian Bliss Soiree hosted by one of my favorite local shops Domestic Bliss.

If you're from the Phoenix area you should go, I will be there with my madre. Incidentally the event is at the owner's home which is my favorite color and there is a home tour. I've been dying to see the inside up close and personally.

Other than that we have a Backyard Beach Party to attend and hopefully some time for my husband and I to hang out. What's going on with you this weekend?

Get in here

This Christopher David Ryan print expresses exactly what I'm feeling right now for all of you that commented on my Cans for Comments. Any of you that shared what you thought I should buy, you'll be happy to know that those items are included in the food that is being donated.

I'm hoping to make this a yearly tradition here on this blog and hopefully next year I will get oodles more comments. My 4 year old, my 5 year old nephew and I are on our way to drop off the donation. I'm hoping to make this a learning experience for them too. Love to all of you!!

Cans for Comments

I just saw this idea on Blue Orchid and decided that it will be the perfect holiday helper-outter. I always donate to a local food bank during the holidays but this year I think this will be a little more fun because you will be helping me out.

Please leave lots of comments and I promise not to pick out anything gross! Happy Holidays!

[I guess I should specify I will buy one can of food for every comment, so all you lurkers out there please say hi or what you think I should buy.]

Art Show

Earlier this week I posted about the Art Show that we put together for my sons' preschool well today I have some shots to share. The parents at the school are a cool and diverse group; this year we were lucky enough to have a photographer parent Srilu take all of the school pictures and she took a few shots of the Art Show.

The halls are covered in a collage of art and then there are tables with sculptures and other 3D art. This year we even got a little press for our event which is always fun.

I can't be happier with the school that my sons attend I'm just sad that it's only a preschool and they can't stay there for life.

{images courtesy of Srilu Viene Photography}

Hearts and Rainbows

Finally right? Something new to read. I've had a super busy weekend preparing my children's Art Show fundraiser for their preschool. The preschool they attend is non-profit so I do my best to make it as awesome as possible. The past month and a half we have been framing art and getting donations from local vendors for raffle baskets and silent auctions. The whole school is a collage of kids art and it looks beautiful. With that in mind I have hearts and rainbows in my head and these goodies from Fred Flare would be perfect little stocking stuffers.

Get it all here and today it's 25% off.