Kate Spade Surprise Sale {you're welcome}

All photos courtesy of Kate Spade

Click here for Fabulous!

Kate Spade Surprise Sale, up to 75% off!

Treat yourself!

5 on Friday {wish list}

In case the husband is reading this.

I also have a birthday in March and our anniversary in April...just saying.

Photo courtesy of the Rifle Paper Co.

{One} Rifle Paper Co. Recipe Tin in a gorgeous print.

{Two and Three} Calendar Jewelry by Dalla Nonna.  Sterling silver in a matte finish with a light green sapphire, April 12th.  Should the bracelet suit your fancy, faux tan suede would be much appreciated.

Calendar Jewelry photos courtesy of Dalla Nonna

{Four and Five} Home T's.  One for where we are now {NJ} and one for retirement {NC}. Size Medium.  Great gym tee and conversation piece.

Because it's nice to get totally random presents that aren't vacuum cleaners or mailboxes once in awhile.

The Home. T

Rifle Paper Co.

Dalla Nonna

Thanks for visiting!

What you should be buying at the Dollar Store {right now} and Hurricane Sandy anniversary

Glassware for your holiday gift-giving and crafts.

Case in point...XL beer mugs.  Put a holiday craft beer in a mug, tie with a festive bow and a custom label and you have the perfect gift or party favor.

Holiday tins for your homemade cookies or candies.

Cupcake transport.  If you leave them with the hostess or at school, who cares? It was a buck.

Some stores have decorative glassware that isn't too cheesy.  Go ahead and splurge on that Yankee Candle, the accessory is only $1 and looks vintage. 

Baking tins and disposable hot beverage cups.  I actually prefer these coffee cups to the Chinet brand at Costco.  They are sturdier and rinse well for even further use...

Flash cards for toddlers.  Buy a few and stick them in your car for a little surprise on a long car ride with the kids.

Not really cheaper, but this sort of stuff will get you at the register and it is runny-nose season.

Gag gifts for tweens.  Throw some of these extras into a bag with a gift card.  I also pick up "beauty products" in the HBA section to enhance a young girls gift.  Hair scrunchies and head bands, mirrors, hand lotions, etc...

Because, really, with kids it's quantity over quality.

Chips.  For the husband that complains that you don't have enough junk in the house. 

All items and some photos courtesy of the Dollar Tree stores.

On another note....

Today is a year since Hurricane Sandy affected our area so terribly.  Our family that was affected are all back home.  I still have friends who are not back home and who don't have homes to return to.  Here is my last post before the storm.  And here is my post when I returned to blogging in January.

Prayers to those who are still struggling.

Thanks for visiting

PSA {Public Shoe Announcement}

My favorite sandal of 2013 is on sale 40%.  Ann Taylor Loft: The Vaughn T-Strap (assorted colors) is now on sale for $14.99.  ALL Sale items are an additional 40% off ~ No coupon code needed.  Discounts at checkout.

I can personally vouch for this style sandal.  Very comfortable and looks like a higher-end shoe.

Click Here for FABulous!

Enjoy!

OverRUN with Candy & Swim 2013

Oh...the irony.  Hope everyone had a fantastic Easter holiday.  Of course, we still have Halloween & Christmas candy leftover, now we are inundated with Easter candy.  Right before swim season. Awesome.

We took it easy with the candy this year, opting for outdoor toys & games, cash/coin and Six Flags season passes.  My husbands Aunt put a tube of toothpaste in the boys baskets at her house...too funny!

This was our only photo from Easter.  It was rainy, cool and damp, but I was hellbent on wearing a dress and sandals.  The dress by Banana Republic is so comfortable and can be found here, for 30% off.  My favorite, most versatile sandals {on my second pair in as many years} can be found here, often with a promo code for a percentage off.

Continuing on a shopping note....

Swim 2013.  Admittedly, I still am struggling with baby weight, 3 years later.  It's my own fault, I eat well and am constantly on the go, but I need to get back in to the gym.  Last year I purchased one cute, but sturdy, bathing suit.  The sturdy suit would be worn out in public i.e. parties, swim parks, beach.  Around our pool I'd be in a hot mess of a pre-preg bikini. Here are a few I've picked for this upcoming season that will be worn home & away

J.Crew's Banded Hem Halter Top & Scalloped Swim Skirt

Also, J.Crew.  Tulle Underwire Top & Tulle Retro Hipster

LaBlanca Skirted Hipster & Coiled Bandaeu Top available at Saks

Marc Jacobs Blouson Tankini Top.  Available at Nordstrom. I didn't purchase the bottoms with this one...for $67, I can get a ton of navy bottoms anywhere else.  But I love this top....fun print, colors and trim and will hide a little tummy jiggle.

The JC banded hem bikini top is seriously amazing.  It's the most comfortable, supportive and flattering of them all (VS has a version very similar, but the girls peek out the sides, and that's never good), worth the extra $$$ and sales and promo codes can help.

As far as coverups go, I loaded up at Old Navy on tube top maxi/mini dresses and rompers.  $15 and $19.94 and right now save 15% with the code: ONSAVENOW.  SHOP EARLY >>> They tend to sell out of colors and sizes quickly.

How about you...have you started your summer shopping? Would love to hear what ya'll are planning for Summer '13...lord knows we've waited long enough for it to get here!

Thanks for visiting!

Workman Brain Quest Kits

I found a fantastic deal on these from Rue La La, so I ordered them for the boys.  The 2nd Grade and the Kinder Kit.  I would love to hear any opinions or input...

And it just goes to show (my husband) that shopping on Rue can be educational too.  It's not just clothes & shoes.  

Happy Weekend All!!

Going Coastal

My former house was completely beachy. Living by the shore it's so hard not decorate in such a fashion with all of our stores dedicated to the style. In our current home I've tried to avoid coastal decor, but sometimes its hard as deep down I'm drawn to it.

...Especially when seeing subtle gems such as these from Kirkland. My mom is moving into a new home; it's a blank slate and also double the size of her previous home. I'm hoping to incorporate some of the above-pictured products...especially the finial and glass mosiac ball. Love.

All photos courtesy of Kirklands website which can be found here: http://www.kirklands.com/

Have a lovely weekend ~ Thanks for visiting! xoxo Traci

Tuesday Morning

Have anyone else ever heard of or been to this store? It's been around my way for awhile and I'd never gone in. Last Friday after work, Bill was taking the boy for a haircut and I had a couple minutes to spare, so I thought I'd pop in. WELL....what the heck did I wait for?! I have to say that the store was a mess...they are relocating, but something tells me that it's always been a mess. You kinda had to pick through, move stuff, look up and down to find the finds.

I had a $25 visa gift card left over from my birthday, so I figured I'd just blow it on something totally random. i got a plethora of randoms that made me happy....for $24 and change.

In addition to the wrought iron cross and bird (that bobbles..so fun), the fake cattails and an initial "E" case for a gift, I found these votives. I would've paid $$$ just for them. Pics don't do them justice...they are gorgeous, and heavy, and not marked....totally look like I could've picked them up in a market in Mexico or some other exotic locale. They make me happy and have already made their home on my summer mantle (tba).

I saw some FAB folk art-ish Halloween decorations that I wanna sneak back for...just trying to figure out how to justify buying Halloween decor in May to the hubby ;-)

The Wedding Shoe

My days of stillettos are over. 1.) My feet have spread a bit since having Brennan and they just look like sausages strapped in 2.) I just don't have the energy to balance myself on them anymore...I'm a busy girl! So, you can imagine my joy when finding these shoes at Nordstrom 2 summers ago. They are the perfect wedding shoe (or banquet, ceremony, funeral...) They have beautiful detail, comfortable footbed, reasonable heel height and I LoVe patent leather. You can seriously...dance for h o u r s in these babies!


The brand is Vaneli and they are constantly stocked at Nordstrom. Yes, they are pricy $94, but they are indispensable. I have the black patent and oyster pearl patent leather. We have 4 weddings in the next 5 months, one less thing I have to worry about...

til' I saw these...Cork!! Are these not PERFECT for summer?!

Check them all out here: http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?keyword=vaneli&origin=PredictiveSearch

Thanks for letting me share one of my faves ~ Traci

unDer-rateD

Marquee Initial Light
Gigi Side Table

Madeline Chair

Palmography Wall Hanging

Tropical Garden Rug

Urban Outfitters has super-fun stuff for your home. The clearance sales rock and shipping is reasonable. Quirky, Whimsical...go there. www.urbanoutfitters.com

~All photos courtesy of Urban Outfitters~