Tea & Tivo

Summer Goals via Elissa's pinterest

Whoa! Is it Friday? For reals? I'm ready to veg out, drink tea, hit the famer's market and go for long walks...(okay, what I really want is an evening of quiet with my husband & tivo...too many episodes of Rachel Zoe, Gossip Girl, Parenthood and Project Runway are begging me to turn off the computer and zone out...yes, sad I know...).  But, if perchance I get out of the house after dark I'm dying to see Drive and get a drink at the Marvel Bar...anyone want to join me?

xoxo, M

ps - so much new goodness at the shop - New, AMAZING Dream Collective - yay!!, super groovy Lizzie Fortunato, and yummy, yummy MCMC perfume oils...more on that next week...

Scarf Shop!

Hello ladies! How was your weekend? (Okay, I know it's Tuesday but I'm running a few days behind...) We have had some spectacular fall days here in Minneapolis so we spent the weekend hanging outside, basking in the sun and soaking in the autumn landscape...PLUS, I made it (yay!) to a yoga class thanks to Emily and we squeezed in a date night (and I mean squeezed - an hour and a half and then we were back in time to let my sis & bro in law have a little date of their own).  Yesterday we sat outside at The Birchwood cafe and noshed on what has to be the absolute best BLT I've ever had...heirloom tomatoes, bacon and this smoky sweet corn relish...mmmm... I have to give it to Minnesota - as bad is winter is, it sure puts on a gorgeous pre-show...  

and I happen to LOVE transitional dressing...a little cardi, a soft moccasin, and my never do without scarves...and boy, do we have some gorgeous ones in the shop - Fringed, tassled, printed, shibori, tie-dye...new arrivals from Matta, Virginia Johnson, Upstate, & Scout & Catalogue...check em all out here...  Which one is your favorite?

xoxo, M

ps - New Markdowns in sale: Erin Considine, Two, and more...

pps - and more Marais USA booties in stock - going fast!

Setting An Intention

photos via Modern Bliss & Montmarte

Hello friends! Can I offer up some truthiness and tell you that it's been a doozy of a week?  Pretty humbling moments both parental and professional...each a little stomach ache inducing...so when I was doing some late night blog browsing last night and came across Leanne's lovely yoga studio in Georgetown on Montmarte I had the sudden revelation that I needed to hit a yoga mat NOW...sometimes when life is out of balance the best thing to do is hang upside down for a bit, no? So I'm setting an intention to get myself to a class asap...down dog, hot tea, and some fall coziness with the fam are my only must dos...any intentions on your agenda?

xoxo, M

ps - speaking of Montmarte, Renee's shop Anaise is full of so many lovelies right now...and I'm pretty sure this pink bra by Araks would be pretty mood enhancing as well!

pps - and speaking of a shop full of lovelies, PM is bursting at the seams with new fall gorgeousness...I'll be putting up new Dream Collective this weekend that is BEYOND and the new Matta just arrived...LOVE!

Sisii Dreams...

As much as I love fashion I don't spend a lot of time obsessing over things beyond my economic reach...in fact, I would say most of my favorite designers fall in that category between I feel guilty buying this, sweatshop labor cheap and oh my gawd I can't believe I spent that much on that___...and even if I were to say, win the lottery I'm not so sure I would immediately dive into a designer wardrobe of high heeled Louboutins & silk Chloe dresses...I'm more into lusting over comfy, everyday luxuries that I want to wear to pieces...which brings me to this jacket by Sisii at Totokaelo...that at $1765 is definitely not happening for me...but oh, how I would wear it until it wore out - because as you know, I live in the land of the windchill factor (hey husband - note subtle John Prine reference) and spend at least 4 if not 5 months in an unflattering black puffy parka...(as much as I'd like to, you just can't do knee high snow drifts & negative temps in a ladylike wool coat)...so the idea of a WASHABLE, flannel lined, soft leather number has my name written all over it...le sigh...

Anything you are dreaming of this fall? Let's commiserate!

xoxo, M

D.S. & Durga

 We hand craft perfume & cologne in small batches using premium—sourced ingredients. Taking inspiration from such diverse sources as antiquated herbal wisdom, native ritual medicine, old perfume manuals, geography, history, & gastronomy, D.S. & Durga strive to create palatable scents for gentlemen & ladies of discerning taste. Each unique scent is presented with the story of its inspiration—whether it be Early American beaver trappers or Edwardian England’s fascination with the exoticism of the East. Our processes are time—consuming & low in yield—both factors that place quality of product far above quantity — something rare today in the world of fine fragrance. - D.S & Durga

Continuing in the vein of handmade in the US, I'm so excited to introduce D.S. & Durga to the shop...(a little birdie told me about them...)...hand crafted, small batches, gorgeous packaging and the scents are AMAZING! I'm partial to the crisp but soft Coriander and My Indian Childhood would be a perfect  cozy fall fragrance...oh, then there's the grapefruit....mmm...I love how complex the scents are yet none are the least bit overpowering...

xoxo, M

ps - Doesn't Kristen Stewart look unbelievable here? I hardly recognized her!

Happy Apple

My big girl turned four this past Tuesday so we spent the week doing all things Lila...oh, how I love that sweet, firecracker, smarty pants of a girl...I think our diet has consisted of almost nothing but pizza and cake since then and I'm desperately in need of some detox...oh, and I almost forgot about the ridiculous amount of apple cinnamon donuts I consumed at her party yesterday...in the rain...at the apple orchard...but a good time was had by all (and hopefully none of them have colds!)...and only one llama escaped...(true story!) Hope you all had a wonderful start to fall...

xoxo, M

PS - I'm kind of newly obsessed with evite site Paperless Post - the designs are super cute, there aren't any ads like Evite, and it simulates a card opening in the email...I've also sent thank you's through them (seriously if I have to mail something it sits around unaddressed for months - see Baby announcements & thank yous that are still only half sent) - how do you feel about emailed Thanks? Eco friendly and easy - seems like a win-win to me?

One Degree of Sofia...

 I cross my heart promise that as soon as Lila is back in school next week I will have more time* to blog about the important things...like fall wardrobes...and comfort food...and some amazing everyday obsessions (I have an extra good one to post!)...and I know you might be sick of store news...but I couldn't resist sharing this photo of Gia Coppola wearing the Wren Leith dress with her Auntie Sofia at the premiere of her short film...

 This dress is freakin adorable on...paired with tights and some No 6 clogs and you are set! A really easy, special fall piece...

and here's another cool girl who loves Wren...Alexa Chung in the Kiera coat...

okay...that's my interweb time for the day...

xoxo,  M

*or when I decide to work at night instead of watching Rachel Zoe in my pjs, eating cereal...

ps - Take 20% off any order at the shop!! Enter "apple" at checkout...yay!

HandMade Girl Power...

Some goodies from my trip - presents for the girls from Little Bean, getting to read a whole Vogue cover to cover for me, and awesome necklaces made by Joslyn & her lovely girlies...

Things (wo)men have made with wakened hands, and put soft life into are awake through years with transferred touch, and go on glowing for long years. And for this reason, some old things are lovely warm still with the life of forgotten (wo)men who made them. ~D.H. Lawrence - via Re-nest

I'm still coming off a bit of a buzz after spending Friday around some amazing women...and I have to say seeing my little shop come to life was a huge thrill (and did I take pictures? no, not a one - too busy gabbing)...of course I see all the pretty things as they come in and go out but having them all out together in such a lovely space made my heart sing a bit...and reading this quote on the way home really brought it home how lucky I feel to be able to curate a collection of things that I love made almost entirely by women designers and many made by hand...knowing that Julianne of Object + Totem was up dyeing necklaces to send me during Hurricane Irene, that the reason there is a wait on Clare Vivier bags is because she chooses to have them manufactured in LA instead of outsourcing to China, that when I place an Upstate Order Kalen & Astrid whip up a batch of indigo to dye the shawls, that Kathryn strings the record beads on my favorite Dream Collective necklaces, and on and on...somehow that lends the objects a value beyond how yummy they are to look at...

Little Bean

but truly the best part of my trip was the chance to meet and hang with some of the coolest girls on the planet...I've long admired Christine so getting to chat all day Friday, hear how she balances the shop, and Small magazine, and designing Little Bean was totally inspiring! meeting Sarah who works with Christine and makes the most amazing banners and art, getting the chance to reconnect with one of my favorite girls from Austin - Marisa of Bosquez & Beatrice Jewelry was a blast...she's in Dallas now and her jewelry was definitely the hit of the party...and of course, if you've read this blog for any length of time you know that I have a wee bit of a girl crush on Joslyn of Simple Lovely (okay...a HUGE crush) so that was reason enough to make the trip - if I hadn't had a baby to get home to I would have camped out at her house and talked all day with her and her family - those girlies are gems! (ummm, and yes her home is AMAZING in person - it just has this fantastic glow...I couldn't quite pinpoint why, but all the textures, wood, and ceramics, the stunning table her husband Bryan made...just completely thoughtful and to use one of her favorite words - soulful)

and on top of that I got to meet the gorgeous Sara of The Reluctant Dallasite, the beautiful Molly of My Favorite Things, lovely cousin Erin, Tracy Hayes the super cool editor of FDLuxe, the supermodel sisters Molly & Sally Ann behind a Piece of Toast...and so many more...Thank you Dallas!!

okay enough gushing...Lila's birthday is tomorrow and I have a million things to plan...

xoxo, M

Pretty Mommy Goes to Dallas & Lucky Deal of the Day...

Pretty Mommy is in the Big D today to set up shop at the fantastic Little Bean. Come join me and my excellent hosts - Simple Lovely's Joslyn Taylor and Little Bean's Christine Visneau from 6:30-9 PM to take a look at the fall collections in person and have a glass of bubbly. I'll be bringing all of your online favorites plus a few exclusives like dullDiamond bracelets. You won't want to miss this!

Little Bean
5308 Junius Street
Dallas, TX 75214
214.370.9111

And...we've teamed up again with Lucky Magazine and Ace & Jig to bring you the Lucky Deal of the Day! Head over to www.luckymag.com today to get the 50% off discount code for the campfire chic Quilted Vest in super cozy signature cotton linen blend. Originally $234 - yours for $117 one day only! Starts Friday, September 9th at 11 AM EST and ends Saturday, September 10th at 11 AM EST...while supplies last!

Tres Charmant - Heidi Merrick Fall 2011...

It's a little crazy here at the casa today and I've been rushing to tag and upload all the new fall collections...but I keep coming back to this Heidi Merrick video...completely charming (and a little soothing)...so excited to have it in the shop!  (more of it to come soon...)
Here's a bit about her:

Los Angeles designer Heidi Merrick’s collection reflects her California lifestyle. "I believe in a living, working style that reflects the beauty of the coastline.” Her collections are tactile and luxe and favor a natural fabrication and tailored cut. Having been raised in a family of craftsman (her father is the famed surfboard shaper, Al Merrick), Heidi’s line is a tribute to artistry. She is one of the rare designers who began her collection by personally making each pattern and sewing each sample and continues to insure the highest quality by keeping all production within walking distance of her downtown studio. In 2006, she founded a line of women’s wear that reflects her hands on approach to beautiful living and has since been featured everywhere from Vogue and WWD to Lucky and C Magazine. Merrick resides in Silverlake with her husband and baby Hiver.

“It’s much easier to be kind when you feel beautiful."

True that! Here's to a beautiful and kind day...

xoxo, M

Marais is Here!

Well, it may be too early to get out the sweaters but you can work a little fall into your wardrobe by putting away the sandals and pairing those summer dresses and skirts with some new boots and flats...to that end Marais USA just showed up at the shop...

a pretty flat ($150), a sexy wedge ($120) , a basic boot ($145), and a classic loafer ($98)...complete autumn shoe wardrobe without breaking the bank! Which one is your favorite?

xoxo, M 

ps - if anyone has any tricks on getting a baby to take a bottle please tell! I may have to show up in Dallas with Louisa in tow...yikes!

A Good Start

  

Good Morning! How was your Labor Day weekend?  We ended it with a gorgeous night at Minnehaha falls enjoying some Bluegrass and fish tacos at Sea Salt...the weather has been amazing, as if someone flipped a switch and suddenly fall arrived overnight...(if only I could transport it to Texas, those fires around my beloved Austin are just heartbreaking)...I know many of you have littles off to school this week so here is our favorite way to start a crisp morning...a few years ago I discovered Oat Bran and was forever converted...I much prefer the texture to traditional oatmeal, it cooks up super fast, and I think is a little more palatable to kiddos as well...we mix in a healthy scoop of applesauce, a dash of cinnamon & ginger, a generous swirl of agave plus any fresh fruit hanging around...you can easily hide some healthy additions like flax or probiotics as well!  Bon Appetit!  

Okay, I'm off...crazy, busy week ahead..lots of new to add to the shop - Marais shoes, Heidi Merrick, Object & Totem - and Dallas for the pop up shop at Little Bean on Friday...

xoxo, M

Shop Talk: Rachel Rose

Now in the shop...Rachel Rose's gorgeous easy hand painted silk tee's...perfect in these last summer days with your cutoffs...chic later under a tux jacket...a jack of all trades if you will...

I'm kind of partial to this one with a splash of chartreuse...what's your favorite?

xoxo, M