I Heart You

Laptop Love

2009-12-11T14:30:00.003-06:00

My Macbook Pro would look pretty slick tucked in this *ADORBS* Orla Kiely carrying case. How cute is it? Anyone looking for the perfect last minute gift for the blog loving girl on the go - here you go. Just call me Santa's Little Helper.

Pot Lucky

2009-12-11T12:19:00.004-06:00

Wouldn't this set of vintage snowflake Pyrex have been the perfect home for your contribution to the company/church/neighborhood holiday pot luck? It's not too late. Green been casserole anyone?

Pom Poms

2009-12-04T13:17:00.001-06:00

What is better than a candle that smells like Winter? A candle that smells like Winter that has pom poms!!! Too cute!!

ps- It's snowing in Houston!!!!

Get On The Bus Gus

2009-12-03T14:21:00.001-06:00

Most girls I know gag at the thought of one day toting rug rats around in a car that has the word "van" or "wagon" in the title. Volkswagen might change their minds, as this ain't your momma's minivan. The VW Microbus marries the two concepts of retro cool with modern and futuristic. Hitting the open road in this van seems cool - not cringe worthy.

Gobble Gobble

2009-11-30T15:17:00.001-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Peter stunned in his turkey bib. I missed my chance to say what I was thankful for at the dinner table because P was a little teary and not too happy missing out on all the food - kind of ironic since what I am most thankful for is him and his little happy-tongue-ever-present smile. Here he is again, smiling away at ladybug.

Holiday Glee

2009-11-27T09:00:00.000-06:00

If you are an overachiever and queuing up your iPod with holiday music already - the cast of Glee has an awesome rendition of Last Christmas available on iTunes.

Gifts: For Moms, Sisters, Best Friends

2009-11-25T07:00:00.001-06:00

1. A tiny sterling silver personalized initial ring is a sweet little token every girl would love. And they are stackable - so you can build on the look each holiday! $17.00 per ring.

2. A minute on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. Except when that Grapefruit Cupcake is a non edible bath bomb designed to make you smell good enough to eat. Orange Creamsicle looks amazing too! $6.25.

3. Winter can be killer on the kisser - this set of a half dozen lip balms will do the trick. You can choose your favorites from over 45 yummy flavors including margarita, dulce de leche and champagne! $11.25.

4. Go ahead and schedule all your lunch dates and girl's weekends in this fabulous letterpress calendar. Each month is a different color and design - no doubt this gift is as useful as it is beautiful. $24.00.

5. For the woman who has everything but a fabulous mustard yellow neck cozy. Think of how fabulous this would be poking out of her warm winter coat. Her neck and ears will thank you when the temps drop! $22.00.

6. It's always happy hour somewhere. How about a pretty pink wine stopper for the gal that loves a good glass of Pinot but wants to saver the bottle. A lovely feminine touch for only $28.00

7. For the eco buff or the foodie in your life - there is no better bag than one that boasts a french shopping list hand screened on the front. She'll be the envy of everyone at the Farmer's Market. $15.00

Fake It

2009-11-24T14:32:00.000-06:00

I often wish I had an accent. Weird fact about me - whenever I talk to someone with an accent - I automatically talk back to them in their accent! I have to stop myself and make a conscious effort to speak normally. I have no idea why. Maybe I was a Brit or Aussie in a former life. This is the perfect poster for a poseur like me!

Gifts: For Dads, Husbands, Boyfriends, Brothers

2009-11-23T16:30:00.002-06:00

1. Made with vanilla, Cedarwood essential oil and Dos Equis Special Lager, a bar of Mexican Hops beer soap will give the guy in your life a day long buzz well within legal limits and might just turn him into the World's Most Interesting Man. Only $5.00 a bar.

2. Forget Tiffany's. There isn't a more bad ass set of cuff links out there than these limited edition Indiana Jones Head Lego cufflinks. It takes a man with a sense of humor to match his sense of style to pull these little dudes off. But man, what a conversation piece at his next client meeting. $18.99 a pair.

3. Turn the guy in your life from grizzly to a smooth operator with a Shave Kit from Flying Bird Botanicals. The organic kit includes a fresh mountain scent shaving soap and sweet and spicy rum aftershave. Totally luxe for only $21.75.

4. For the cookie monster in your life, a Chocolate Lover's Cookie Package is the way to go. A mix of all different chocolate cookie recipes will please the sweetie with a sweet tooth. And bonus - he might just share! $20.00 for 18 cookies.

5. Is he always fumbling for change? Worse yet - does his wallet still velcro? Time for an upgrade! Surprise him with one of these necktie wallets. Awesomely fun patterns, tons of storage and each one is as unique as the next. Only $17.00.

6. Is he the life of the party? Not happy until everyone has a beverage in hand? For the host with the most - a manly man steel spiral bottle opener. Cracking open a cold one never looked so cool. $16.00.

7. Ah-choo! H1N1 be damned with this set of nautical vintage inspired handkerchiefs. For the gentleman who still has a nostalgic flair for the hankies his grandfather carried. Two for $10.00.

Wake Up. Time To Shop.

2009-11-23T13:02:00.001-06:00

Remember that line in Pretty Woman? Richard Gere wakes Julia Roberts up with those five awesome little words. Of course, she doesn't want to go because people were mean to her the day before because of hookerness and all. Hope that never happens to you. Anyway, the gift guides are well under way. I have taken my finds from one stop shop - Etsy - and everything on my lists come in under $30. No crowds, no parking lot jams, no mountain of credit card debt awaiting you in 2010. So stay tuned for the first guide later today. Missing it would a big mistake. Big. Huge.

Earthy Glitz

2009-11-20T14:45:00.000-06:00

These druzy agate rings are something special.

Itty Bitty Gift Guide

2009-11-20T10:48:00.002-06:00

In years past, I *Heart* You has done a little gift guide for the holidays. This year I am going to put together a little list of awesome finds for gals, guys and tiny ones. All my picks will be wallet friendly - because after all - breaking the bank isn't chic. Stay tuned next week. (I'm busy today - it's my 5 year wedding anniversary.)

Bossy

2009-11-18T16:56:00.000-06:00

This faux fur coat is super boss.

Baby Trends

2009-11-18T09:00:00.002-06:00

Nirav, a former Houstonian who now calls California's Huntington Beach home, contacted me about shopbabytrends.com, an awesome children's shop where he serves as creative director. I only had to click through the site for 2.5 seconds to be in love with all the adorable gear for baby boys and girls. And with all the fab brands, it is like Shopbop - for kids!!! Things that caught my eye:

Little shoes from See Kai Run

Little dresses from Spendid

and last but certainly not least - a baby Bon Jovi hoodie.

If you are in the market for cute kid stuff for your small one or a fun shower gift for a friend - check out shopbabytrends.com. You will surely find something you love just like I did!

Must Read

2009-11-17T11:52:00.001-06:00

Just about every girl I know is a Sex and the City addict. I recall getting the season one DVDs in college and packing my girlfriends in a room while we watched the whole season in one sitting (while consuming a few jugs - yes jugs). Carrie and the girls have come a long way since then - it is hard to believe we are waiting for the second movie to come out. And now an even more awesome addition to the SATC collection. Candace Bushnell is finally giving the fans what we have wanted all along - a look back as to how Carrie Bradshaw became Carrie Bradshaw. The Carrie Diaries will be out in April and will be a teen prequel to the series and chronicle some of Carrie's high school years, some insight to her mother, some of her early relationships and how she came to be a writer. I can't wait. As someone who already holds her tickets to see New Moon this weekend - you know I love a good teeny bopper book!

Written & Illustrated

2009-11-11T13:01:00.002-06:00

I am *loving* Caitlin McGauley's illutration style - her blog is adorable too!

Forgiveness & Something New

2009-11-11T10:32:00.003-06:00

Can I even apologize again for the lack of posts - again? Would you accept - again? Please say yes - because I have been working on something. Given my new found role as a mama, I decided to start a baby blog. Introducing Starbucks & Sippy Cups - a blog about cute kid stuff and my adventures with P. Please add it to your blog roll and readers so you can keep up with us!!

P at 2 months

Hey Pumpkin

2009-10-31T07:00:00.003-05:00

Happy Halloween!!

I'm With The Band

2009-10-28T07:30:00.003-05:00

In order to escape what was becoming mom hairdom, I recently had my hair chopped with some kicky little layers. When the hair is styled (not super often these days) it looks awesome. If I'm ponytailing it on mom duty - the layers all fall out and it looks a mess. Lululemon to my rescue. I picked up a few of their headbands over the weekend to keep my hair out of my face while pushing my new jogging stroller around Memorial Park. They are awesomely comfy and better yet - don't leave "headband dent" in your hair afterwards. Lots of colors and styles to choose from too!

Magnifique

2009-10-25T14:55:00.002-05:00

Wouldn't this macaroon chart from Laduree in Paris make the most beautiful poster? I would hang it in a cluster of art in my dining room.

Wild Rumpus Romping

2009-10-23T10:56:00.003-05:00

No clue what to wear to a wild rumpus? Thanks to Ugg you no longer need to worry about that. Ugg has designed boots featuring Max's gold crown from the new #1 movie, Where the Wild Things Are. They are limited edition and go on pre-sale tomorrow. And the best part - besides the tie in to one of the most beloved children's books of all time? Proceeds from the sales go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. As Max would say, let the wild rumpus begin.

Giddy For Glee

2009-10-21T13:23:00.002-05:00

Glee might be my favorite guilty pleasure. The show is a lot of campy, nerdy fun. Tonight's episode looks especially good since this little number is to be performed:

ps- did you see the Single Ladies number?

Happy Heart

2009-10-19T18:15:00.004-05:00

My whole heart's happiness is wrapped up in this photo.

Peter at 6 weeks

Delightful

2009-10-19T12:20:00.003-05:00

As seen on Sex and the City, NYC sensation Tasti D Lite has finally migrated South and popped up in Houston. We went Saturday night and I tried the cake batter yogurt with pecans - it was nothing short of delicious. Yogurt shops are cropping up all over the place lately - Swirll, Blueberry Hill and now Tasti - reaffirming my suspicion that fro yo might be the new cupcake.

Baby Essentials

2009-10-14T10:22:00.008-05:00

Hi! Remember me? I used to blog here and then had a baby and my blog went promptly to the back burner so I could soak up all the magical goodness of a newborn baby. Speaking of baby, check mine out.

Peter loves his bath! Sorry the picture is a little blurry - I was managing a slippery baby with my other hand.

I am all wrapped up in the everyday delights of being a new mom. Some of my favorite baby/mommy products have helped me these last two months and made P very happy.

1. Maclaren Rocker - He LOVES this thing and the little dangling toys are what solicited his first smile. The vibrations lull him to sleep and buy me time to pump, clean bottles and even grab a quick shower. Plus, it's stylish and isn't a blight in my living room.

2. Serena and Lily Market Sling - It must mimic the womb to a tee because he falls asleep in a little ball within minutes of being in the sling. It is super comfortable and oh so pretty. P sits in it every week for his newborn music class (yes - we have been in a Mommy & Me music class since he was 2 weeks old) and I wear it to the grocery store - it freaks me out beyond control when people balance the car seat on the shopping cart!!

3. Rockabye Baby CD's - I love music and want nothing more for P to love it too. When I was a kid my mom had the radio on all the time. I knew all the words to most Beach Boys songs and a pretty good selection from Motown before I was four years old and to this day I love all that music. Rockabye Baby is CD's of all your favorite music in lullaby form. P's Aunt Lo gave him The Beatles CD and since then we have picked up The Eagles and Led Zepplin. I'm itching to add Aerosmith to our collection. They are just as fun for me to listen to as him.

4. Aden & Anais Muslin Wraps - Something seems cruel about wrapping a baby up in a giant fleecey blanket in Houston in August. It seems our little slice of Texas feels like the sun that time of year. Thank goodness for these lightweight and totally breathable muslin blankets. They are wonderful and the patterns are so sweet. And the best part is - they get softer and softer every time you wash them. Is there anything better than a little baby wrapped up in a super soft Dreft-ified baby blanket? And, I just discovered that Aden & Anais have done a line for Target! Check it out!!

5. Pamper Swaddlers - I know everyone has their allegiance to their particular brand of diaper, but we used Pampers Swaddlers in the hospital and were sent home with a slew of them and I think they are just awesome. They have a little yellow line on the front that turns green when the diaper is wet. Genius!!! P just outgrew the newborn size - he's getting so big!

There you have it! Five of my baby essentials that help make this mom gig a little easier. Any of them would make great gifts at a shower for a mom to be! Yes, even the diapers!

Ok - off to feed my little man. xoxo