A Little Spring Inspiration from Annodia

If you've had a chance to peek the new arrivals in the shop lately you've probably noticed an incredibly awesome selection of books...while I'd love to take credit for the great curating job the masterminds behind it are the two lovely girls of Annodia, Meriah & Nancy...and today they are dropping in to share some of their spring inspiration - thanks ladies!

Over here at Annodia we are getting very excited about Spring!  I think Spring is the most exciting season of all because you get to start thinking about all the wonderful ways to spend time outside!  

We are currently planning an outdoor party at our Brooklyn studio on the Gowanus canal. For our inspiration we looked to the wonderful descriptions of Gabrielle Hamilton's parents parties in her delicious memoir, Blood, Bones, and Butter. They were voluptuous affairs, with loads of wonderful food, and plenty of perfectly crafted atmosphere.  The yearly bbq was a simple party for hundreds with spring lambs roasted in a pit, plenty of delicious salads made by Hamilton's French mother, and beer chilled in the creek running through their yard.  Yum.  

Though our party won't have a fire pit dug in the ground, we will definitely be making some recipes from Hamilton's sister, Melissa's incredible quarterly cookbook, Canal House.  Together with her cooking partner, Christopher Hirsheimer, these ladies gather some spectacular and approachable recipes that are accompanied by beautiful photographs. And they are written with the same spirit and love of making and entertaining that the Hamilton's must have inherited from their parents. 

Here are some inspiration images that we are pulling to help get us in the mood!

Happy Spring!

From 

Meriah and Nancy at Annodia, Brooklyn

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Doing Fine Watching Shadows on the Wall...

Quick, name one rock'n'roll song or album that's about being a stay at home parent...stumped you huh? Yeah, somehow changing diapers, making lunches, and playing legos has never really inspired great music...or so I thought, until yesterday, when I was trying to listen to Double Fantasy instead of the incessant whining that seems to happen around here from about 5-7 and it hit me that a lot of John Lennon's later songs were about family life...I mean, duh, I've heard "Watching the Wheels" a million times, but last night, it struck me that he was totally talking about dropping out, hanging with his kid and not really giving an eff about playing the cool game anymore...obviously "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)" is about his son Sean and is there a more poignant lullaby?...and "(just like) Starting Over"...who hasn't wanted to sing those lyrics to their other half after a few years into the parenting game...pretty rad, huh? you probably had that figured out already though...

Okay off to enjoy some 55 degree weather! SPRING!

xoxo, M

PS - Lots of new markdowns in the shop - including jewelry....

and so much goodness on the way...if you follow me on twitter and instagram (shopprettymommy) you know i was freaking out over the Lizzie Fortunato that just landed...watch for it!

New + Win a $300 Gift Certificate!

Happy Leap Day friends! It is wet, slushy, and gray here today so I am ready to welcome March with open arms and kick winter out the door...oh wait, I live in Minnesota which means a couple of months until I can put the coats away...oh well, a girl can dream! In the meantime a few new things in the shop to chat about...a snake bangle and painter's bow cuff from Dream Collective...pretty rad, huh?

a great Spring Anorak and some cotton/linen tees by Brochu Walker...

 and at last some better pictures of the beautiful new Tucker pieces...

Because it seems to take me forever to get things up on the blog you can always like Pretty Mommy on Facebook to stay up to the minute on new arrivals and restocks...

oh, and did I mention that if you hop over there and share our latest newsletter on your wall you can WIN a $300 gift certificate??  Yep...so like me, like me! Winner will be announced March 5th...

Okay, now that I danced the social media hustle I think I'll exit now with just a tiny sliver of dignity intact...

xoxo, M

Wonder Woman

Full disclosure, I spent much of my early youth roaming the backyard in a cape so I might be a little partial to this look...but it was truly the only dress of the night that made me sigh...classic but forward and ever so sleek...well done Gwyneth & Tom Ford...

As for the Oscars...I didn't think any could be more of a snooze fest than last year but apparently I was wrong...with the exception of Bret McKenzie's win, Meryl's charming acceptance speech, and Angie's right leg I fast forwarded my way to a speedy conclusion...

and can we agree that there needs to be a ban on pre-show Botox treatments?   Those ultra-tight faces were giving me a headache...

Better dresses and fun to be had over at the Vanity Fair party to be sure...

okay...that's all! Tell me - who had you swooning & snoozing?

xoxo, M

Champagne Friday - teeny tiny bubbles

 Earlier this week Estelle, Melissa, Danielle  and I were tweeting about our favorite bubbly drinks so decided to turn this Friday into a roving blog post dubbed Champagne Friday - Cheers!

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I know, I know....there's nothing more cliched and girlie than an unabashed love for all things bubbly (except of course naming this as your favorite color - although did you happen to catch this lady's hue of choice? and drink? well played, Sofia, well played)

and while with two girls I'm easily able to indulge my fondness for every shade of pink under the sun...quaffing a bottle of champagne is not always compatible with early wake-ups and nursing babies...thus, enter the mini...90's supermodel's drink of choice, and my personal favorite for a night in...making dish washing and post bedtime house cleaning a more glamorous affair. A quick perusal of my local wine shops for splits revealed a somewhat limited but workable selection...Sofia in a can (good for mixing & if you only have one no headaches involved), my personal fave - the classic Veuve - a bit of a splurge but really classes up the joint...and really deliciously decadent - pink AND bubbly...that's will be what I'm sipping on this Sunday for some Oscar viewing...(doh, why did I think they were last week?)

and when I have occasion to open a whole bottle? Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs is fantastic and won't break the bank...

Currently coveting: my sister-in-laws vintage, hollow stem, etched coupes...

 always have some Sofia's on hand in case of an emergency...

 washing dishes is made a lot more pleasant with a little sparkle on the side...

classic mixers - elderflower syrup (ikea), pellegrino, and lemon twist...

in my fridge...ready for Oscar night!

Okay...free time is over...I'll meet you back here on Monday for some post award show fashion dishing...now head on over and see what Estelle, Melissa, & Danielle  are drinking this Friday!
xoxo, M

Garden Party...

Is there anything more satisfying on a cold but sunny February morning than looking at lovely green spaces? Makes me want to raid my favorite flower shop stat...Spruce, I'm looking at you...

Hope you are all having a lovely Wednesday...I'll be back here Friday to do a little Champagne taste test with some of my favorite peeps...Have any bubbly favorites I should throw into the mix?

xoxo, M

m willems, skinny la minx - with a great diy macrame tutorial, m willems, studio choo - design sponge, isabel marant's apt on The Coveteur

New Arrivals & President's Day Sale!

Good Morning friends! Hope you are all having a lovely long weekend...ours has been pretty mellow...brunches, naps, trips to museums...we are still reveling in some weird parallel universe warmish Minnesota winter...which has me in full on spring gear mode...color, print...bring it on...

so here's a little sneak peek at Tucker...waiting to get it on a proper model but if you are familiar with Gaby Basora's gorgeous line you already know that her prints are amazing and the fit is sexy & easy all at the same time...and I actually ordered The Dress in black - perfect closet staple for any occasion...

speaking of closet staples - I've been in desperate need of a tee shirt update so these LnA basics arrived at the perfect time...I love a long, slouchy, boyfriend fit and these totally deliver...plus they are made in the good ole USA...

also made here in the US are Small Trades yummy knits...the new white collection is perfect for spring break getaways...or just cozy for sleeping in...

and bridging the gap between seasons are Virginia Johnson's always festive and beautiful shawls...

OKAY...have a lovely day off (if you are so lucky)...

and you can take 20% off ALL orders OVER $150 using "PRESIDENT" at checkout ....and 50% OFF all SALE items using "HALFOFF" at checkout...

xoxo, M

Hot Pants

I really love my....

coral J Crew toothpick jeans...can you tell? 

they kind of go with everything, are super bright and sunny...I'm tempted to get another color so I have one to wear while these are in the wash...green, bright blue, yellow??

Lila took that last picture this morning at the new, cool shop in town-  arrow (owned by in toto alums Sarah Dwyer & Mike Basham) and while I was trying some things on I let her loose with the iphone...here's a few from her point of view...

 I think the kids got a bit of an eye, no? Great stuff for all you Minneapolitans (like Vanessa Bruno & Jerome Dreyfuss) right across from Askov Finlayson & the Bachelor Farmer...head on over asap!

Speaking of great stuff - working on uploading new goodies - Tucker, Virginia Johnson, LnA Tees & more this weekend...check it out!!

Happy Weekend friends...I've got a hot date with my TV & the Mr - Drive to watch, the OSCARS!!!, and a double helping of Downton Abbey....xoxo, M