I just wanted to feel Springy

This winter has felt like an eternity. I'm sure it has been fairly average, but it's that time of year when I just can't take it anymore.

My morning begins every day at 6:30 with breakfast for three, lunches, signed notebooks, checks for the book fair and donuts for the grandparent's brunch.

And then the highlight of my day.

Carpool.

Carpool should be a four letter word.

LOVE the kids. Love them. HATE the drive (30 minutes each way). And the school parking lot.

Five kids. All to school by 8 am, most days.

You can thank Blackberry for the picture quality.

I have to make the most of my mornings since I open the store at 11 (ish) and I am there all day, so any errands, needless or otherwise, have to be finished by 10:30 am. 

This morning, I wanted to do something that made me feel good and Springy. 

Did I mention I was tired of being cold?

First things first. Breakfast. 

Hall's.

The place my grandfather, Herb, and his cronies have eaten a 6:30 am breakfast every single day for the past who knows how many years. They talk politics and sports, man-gossip, and flirt with the waitresses. 

So even when you happen to be eating alone, you're not actually alone. Not even if you wanted to be. 

Now, off to what I drove to Camden for - Fifers! 

Fifer Orchards is my favorite farm. Love the country store. Love the Farm to Table dinners. Love the U-pick program. And who doesn't love the Peach Festival? 

Today, I just really wanted something local. I didn't care what it was.  I wanted to feel the breeze blow through the porch  of the store while I rummage through the bins of produce. 

Parking lot empty. Lights off. NO! 

But the sign says April. And it's April! 

(I know I lose track of time, but I usually know what month we're in) 

Long after the disappointment, I check Facebook. Monday April 11 is opening day! Okay. Okay. 

Next Monday, after five kids are safely off to school, to Fifers I will go. Just for the porch. And maybe some asparagus. 

Happy Spring-ish!

Extra Virgin Olive Oyl

So I have this friend. 

Her name is Kristin. 

She's fun and smart and involved in her community. But, the thing I love most about her is how she always ends up getting me involved in something fantastically crazy. Like private, late night tours of prohibition-era underground dining vaults in Greenwich Village. 

The adventure I am holding her responsible for this time is my entry in the Dogfish Dash. Dogfish Head, our very own local brewery, and star of Brew Masters, is the sponsor of a 5K run in the next town over.

No, you're not confused. Yes, I signed up for a 5K. 

It's Dogfish Head, what did you expect? Water?

You need to know I am not an athlete. I am a dancer (ballet, not pole). I ran cross country in high school because my boyfriend did. He was the star of the team. I won the award for best team spirit. Which was a nice way of saying "we really like you but...."

 I CANNOT RUN. 

And when I say that I can't run, I don't mean that I don't know how, I just mean that I look absolutely ridiculous. My arms and legs go in all directions, like a pony on Xanax. 

MHS Cross Country Team, circa 1996

BUT WAIT. The best part of the Dogfish Dash is that you have to run in costume! 

Now you know exactly why I said yes to my dear friend Kristin. I am always game for a costume! Even if it requires me to embarrass myself completely and totally. And since it's sponsored by a brewery, I'm pretty sure the post-race celebration will be entertaining, to say the least. 

So what kind of costume do you wear when you run like a giraffe? 

Olive Oyl!

 Now, I am a mother of three, so obviously I am not the Extra Virgin version. But run and have fun and make fun? Yes. Yes, I can do that. Thank you Kristin. I will keep you updated on the summer of training, and the costume of course! 

If you want to join us, this year's race is on September 25 in Milton, Delaware and all proceeds go to the Delaware Chapter of the Nature Conservancy.

Stuffed by any other name...

Might still be creepy.

It's no secret. I have three kids. And when you have three kids, or one for that matter, you undoubtedly have acquired hundreds of stuffed animals. And given some away. And received more.

So when I was planning to open the store, I avoided them altogether. Yes, I sell baby furniture. Yes, I sell baby gifts. NO I was not going to sell the bane of my existence as a mother - stuffed animals.

Just to illustrate where my mind goes when the topic comes up, or when I'm prepping for a Goodwill donation, or when my kids beg for them at every store we go to....Childhood Disclosure: My dad had a fairly extensive collection of stuffed creatures on the walls and this may have had a permanent impact on my feelings about stuffed toys.

You got it. E.T. in the closet, hiding among a thousand what? Stuffed animals. 

And then there's always a good street booth display. Sneezing yet?

So knowing how I feel about stuffed animals, imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon a great new company who's primary product is just that. Apple Park! 

Super mushy, super sweet, and not weird at all. The collection of little friends includes a Bunny, Lamby, Ducky, Monkey, and Cubby. The friends take on a few different forms - from rattle and blankie to finger puppets, Little Friends, and the creme de la creme The Picnic Pal. 

I think the part that really convinced me that they might be okay and not even the least bit creepy (other than sheer cuteness) was the packaging. Hats off to Apple Park for creating extraordinary boxes.  

A hat box! It comes in a hat box. With a pretty little park scene on the inside. Genius. 

Not that I am the authority on what is a good gift and what isn't, but I have to congratulate this California based company for convincing me that not all things stuffed are creepy. 

Welcome to Minorbird Apple Park. 

Stretch Marks and Growing Pains

I often talk about the things I find that I fall in love with. I tell you what it is I love about the item, or company, or whatever, and then I tell you where I found it so you can go find it too. 

It just so happens that I also have three little people who I love very much and would like to share with you today. They changed my body. They changed my life. They permanently altered my perspective. They also permanently altered my living room.  If you are considering 3 kids within 4 years, call me first. 

Opening the store was a BIG change for them. I went from working when I "felt" like it, designing rooms and nurseries, to working more than full time. They went from having a mom who kept their home spotless and meals warm and blankies sewn, to a mom working around the clock to fulfill a dream that had been brewing for years and years. Shockingly, they were not concerned about my dream, and I heard about it. A lot. 

But now, a year and some later, they are settled in, and actually get excited about what I do!  Even the little guy has taken to carrying around a "golden key" that he says is for mommy's store. They are an integral part of what I do - from giving advice on what you do or don't actually need to buy for your nursery, to assuring customers it's okay to design a home that is meant to be lived in.

And if you wander in, you're likely to meet them. Or at least one of them. Or at the very least, evidence. The lesson I have had to learn is that growing pains means you're growing. Isn't that why my mom made me eat my vegetables?

Special thank you to Julie Weaver for the photographs of the boys - just beautiful!

Sucker for a Love Story

Who doesn't love a good whirlwind, crazy love story? I think we would all like to think that soulmates really do exist, romance isn't just for movies, and anyone at anytime could meet, get married in like a week, and run off to Mexico to start a bajillion dollar design company.

Did I lose you in Mexico?

Let me explain. Although I personally don't fancy super-cheesy romance, there is something about Billy and Jane Pritchard, founders and owners of Stray Dog Designs, that just warms my heart. Their romance has been described in longer versions of the one-liner that I gave above, but what got me hooked initially was their design sensibility. More importantly, what has kept me slightly stalker-ish is how unbelievably NICE and approachable they are. I am always in their showroom, no matter if I'm in New York or Atlanta, and Billy is always there, talking to everyone. But this last time, he remembered me! I am aware that he quite possibly "remembers" a lot of people, but I am prepared to continue feeling "special" in my mind. I would like to think it helped that I ordered a replica of their very own living room light fixture for the store - you know, the big one!

To read the full romantic version of how the company started, you will have to hear it straight from the horse's mouth here. And not to be left out, Country Living Magazine featured their designs on the cover this month and their story on the inside.

 I love that I get to hang out under a giant version of that shade on the right.

Atlanta Showroom! Who wouldn't want to place an order?

I plan to have one of these in my turquoise dining room. 

Has my daughter's name all over it. 

Did I mention how nice they are? 

All Stray Dog products are handmade by artisans and workers in sustainable jobs. 

Romance turned design company? I think we should all aspire to have a life so rich. 

Have a great day!

From Lord and Taylor to Oh My Lord

Let me start off by saying that I am writing this morning's post from my chair at Bad Hair Day in Rehoboth where my favorite lady Arlene is fixing the madness that overtakes my roots about every four weeks. A grey strand here and there? Oh no, full on silver. Thank you genetics.

Apparently there is a correlation between my roots and my decision making skills. On Friday, Rena, owner of our cute little Downtown Barber Shop, was hosting a psychic for the day. I know. That's a discussion all by itself. Rena is a touch crazy but absolutely hilarious and I very much enjoy having her across the street. Especially when she hosts a psychic at a discount. Who doesn't love a sale?

Rena! In her defense, this photo was taken on Halloween. 

The psychic is amazing! And scary. And must read minds. I won't go into detail other than to say she advised me that I absolutely must take some time for myself and right away. Coincidentally, my favorite college student and Minorbird intern, Alex announces she'll be in town for the week. Perfect! She learns Retail 101 while I take a day for me.

Shopping!

You can't stay on top of what is going on in the universe if you never leave your own store, right? My thoughts exactly.

I very much enjoyed wandering the mall, but I did not find myself needing to purchase anything. Occupational hazard maybe? Doubt it.

I think it may have had something to do with the selection. 

Since the personal shopping isn't go so well, I decide to check out the displays.

 Are they selling the bag or the fireworks? 

So far, not a single shoe has called my name, but all is not lost. Years ago I used to stop at this place called The Sale Barn on Rt. 50 whenever I was headed to DC or Baltimore. It had great vintage finds, especially furniture. I bail on over-commercialism and go for my fail-safe. Vintage!

Seriously? I have ALWAYS wanted smiling chili pepper yard ornaments. 

I am really starting to question the sale on psychics from Friday. What you didn't see because you weren't there and also because shock caused me to forget that I had a camera, was the 8 foot tall metal sculpture of Shrek. Yes, that's the way to round out a day to yourself. With Shrek. 

Today's lesson:  Beware of psychics on sale. Unless you like metal Shrek statues. 

Window Shopping

It's that time again. Time to figure out the next window display.

I LOVE doing it, even if it takes me and an army of forced volunteers to pull it off!

I never know what will inspire the next window. It might be an outfit, or a fabric, or even a painting. Sometimes I am inspired by my budget, or lack of budget.

So, here's a sneak peak of what is inspiring the next window. I will keep you updated on the progress!

Pink Peonies, my favorite flower. 

Pretty yellow velvet. Springy AND Soft? Yes please.

A pretty white cake stand can make anything look special!

Spring Jewelry. Coming to a store near you. 

I'm thinking there will be ribbon in the window. 

I am ready to see some of this outside. Or in the window. 

Now that I know where I am going, it's time to figure out how to do it. Hm.