J Crew "Extra 20" Order

So here's what I have on the way from J Crew's latest extra-20-off-sale promo (runs through 11:59 tonight). I'll hopefully get some reviews up on these sale goodies soon after they arrive. If you've shopped/are shopping the markdowns, let me know what you've found!

Extra 20 Buys - 4/10 by sweetteainseattle featuring J Crew

Items in this set:
Cotton-gauze petal cardigan #24596 - dusty shale
Waterfloral pastiche cardigan - cotton candy
sale - AllProducts - Tissue garland tank - J.Crew
Small crystal colletto bracelet - pale buff
Girls' pattycake top - J.Crew

xoxo

there may be sweet tea in Seattle {but there isn't Chick-Fil-A}

So. In my "about me" on the right, you can see that I am a displaced Southerner. The Pacific Northwest is a gorgeous, green, interesting, adventure-filled region, but for a girl raised in The South there are of course many, many things that I miss. One of those things is Chick-Fil-A.

I didn't mention on my post about our latest trip to Vancouver, BC that I was beyond thrilled to learn that there was a Chick-fil-A (CHICK-FIL-A!!!) in Bellingham, Washington, which we happened to be driving through on our way to Canada. I seriously could not believe my good fortune that there was Chick-fil-A in my state, albeit rather far away. I had no idea!

So we navigated our way through the streets of Bellingham, figuring out that the CFA was actually on the campus of the college there. It was a little tricky finding our way around, but we finally made it to a student center, where we realized the small CFA counter was. We parked and walked around till we figured out where to enter. But the door was locked. Hmmm. Around the building, down lots of stairs (it is on a hill) we went, up the stairs again, searching for a way to get in that building.

I saw people in there and I could have sworn I smelled fried chicken. Eventually, some people are coming out, and we scoot on in... only to find everything is shut down.

Now, this was not a Sunday... I believe it was a Saturday... but everything was closed for the MLK holiday. Isn't that a Monday? Did you really have to be closed all weekend CFA?

Exhausted and hungry, we piled back in the SUV and headed up to Canada to find some lunch. I've not really talked about Chick-Fil-A since. But then my mom posted a video on Facebook, and I had to share this song.

For all of you lucky enough to live near a Chick-Fil-A, count your blessings and enjoy some waffle fries and carrot-raisin salad for me. For those who don't, I hope you get to try it one day!

xoxo

OOTD 4.27.10: Tiffany Blue + Brown

OOTD 4.27.10: Tiffany Blue + Brown by sweetteainseattle featuring Louis Vuitton bags

ATL cardi (last year), J Crew cami (last year), Vigoss jeans, J Crew outlet necklace (last year), Brown suede La Scarpa Paris ballet flats (I know it's April 27th... but it's 54 degrees out and I'm wearing suede.)

...and I had to add in a Springy pic of some beautiful tulips. We didn't make it to the big Skagit Valley festival this year, but thankfully, the grocery store has a good supply! I love to have white flowers in my home even though I tend to decorate in really warm, cozy colors. They just add such a pop of freshness to an entry or hallway.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Dressing the Minnies

I have always loved shopping for my little ones... all those sweet details, fun fabrics and colors... girly-girl matching sets and precious little boy outfits too. Now that they are 8, 6, and 5, my three are definitely developing their own opinions and senses of style. I won't go into all their preferences and stages, but wanted to share my favorite brands and stores -- where I have found I can put together wardrobes one, two, or all of them like -- that are still presentable and age-appropriate (and cute!).

CWD Kids - great source for themed clothing (4th of July, animals -- I found outfits for my daughter's Panda Party here), as well as some boutique brands, lots of fun, mod prints for girls and cute tees for little boys.

Gymboree - regularly comes out with themed collections with mix and match options for boys and girls; always lots of matching accessories - jewelry, purses, shoes, socks -- and lately scarves. Join the free rewards program for reward certificates and other perks. Frequent sales and Gymbucks.

Hanna Andersson - organic jammies and oko-tex certified pieces, fun prints and stripes, matching brother/sister holiday outfits; love their Hanna-Me-Downs program; great deals can be found at their outlets.

Indygo Artwear - an incredible South African brand; absolutely gorgeous clothing made from fabric hand-painted in Cape Town... we have many sets and dresses from Indygo - just beautiful and unique; carried at boutiques, some online shops like A Child's Closet and can also be found from sellers on ebay.

Janie and Jack - Gymboree's pricier brand, aimed at grandparents and gift-givers... known for nostalgic prints and attention to detail.

Lilly Pulitzer - fun & bright! love the printed shift dresses; have been known to buy matching dresses for my girls and myself.

Mini Boden - excellent quality, fun prints, cute tees for boys and girls; frequent %-off deals and free shipping.

Naartjie - 100% pre-washed cottons - easy to mix and match color collections, good prices and sales; 11 new collections are released each year from this super-fun South African brand.

Petit Bateau - great cotton basics for boys and girls, nice jammies and unders; post on my Parisian shopping sprees here; I've since also ordered from them online... I like their tees for myself too and they recently started carrying men's.

Strasburg - lovely smocked dresses and special occasion-wear.

Target - of course!

Wheat - amazing Danish brand I found in Charlottenlund last summer. Sold at many shops in Denmark and also available in a few other countries and the UK. This website will ship throughout Europe and to many Asian countries, as well as some places in the Middle East. I've not been able to find in the US.

Wooden Soldier - another great source for special occasion dressing -- my children's Easter and Christmas outfits are usually from here or Strasburg.

I have also found great pieces at crewcuts, Gap, Nordstrom, and Old Navy but I don't check them very often. Nordstrom carries boutique brands and has also most recently added some Hanna and Mini Boden. Some other boutique brands I really liked and bought when my little ones were smaller are Baby Lulu, Baby Nay, Icky Baby, Pineapple Kiss, Soup and Zaza Couture.

Emma Saxton makes beautiful hair bows - loads of colors, styles, and sizes, plus "made to match" styles that will coordinate with collections from stores like Gymboree, Naartjie, and Hanna Andersson.

Happy Shopping!

xoxo

OOTD 4.22.10 {featuring the Tegan Tunic}

I know I mentioned doing a post on dressing the minnies by this week and it is already Friday! It's been crazy busy so I haven't had much time to sit down and think and put together links but things are looking a little more relaxed for the next few days so I'll get that together soon! In the meantime, I know there has been a lot of interest in this voile tunic from Target and I wanted to put up my OOTD from yesterday.

I love this tunic with silver shoes. I just ordered two of my favorite Tory Burch styles - Reva and Miller - in silver which I plan to wear with this and many other outfits. (Saks Friends and Family code FRIEND3 gets you 20% off + code SFASHIP gives you free shipping on orders over $200. Saks lets you stack two codes - love that!) I really like the SE slingbacks shown below, but they are about 1/2 size too small and I don't feel comfortable running around in them all day like I do my Revas.

White capris or white denim will be great with this - but I was already kind of pushing it with the rainy weather yesterday - had to wear my trench coat over in the morning.

Merona Collection Tegan Tunic (size Med), ON denim, Sam Edelman slingback flats in silver (couple years ago)

The voile tunic is a little sheer and I have a nude colored cami on underneath.

had to post the one where Winston makes a cameo

Happy Friday!

xoxo

salsa verde turkey burger {my favorite}

We're getting into grilling season so I thought I'd share my very favorite burger recipe. It's from Rachael Ray's magazine a couple years back and was the winner of a burger contest they held at that time. I've made variations of it many, many times and have even done little slider versions on mini-buns. Original recipe here.

The original recipe has you cooking them on a skillet on the stove but I can never get burgers to come out right that way so I just get everything ready and hand them to my husband to cook outside.

So, for four servings, you need 1 lb of ground turkey, buns, and the following:

1/2 c salsa verde

4 buns or split kaiser rolls

aioli:

1 avocado

1/2 c mayonnaise

1 clove garlic - finely chopped

(I double this because we love the avocado aioli so much. You can use less mayonnaise to make it a little healthier.)

4 slices pepper jack cheese

2 tomatoes

1 c fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped

(again, I use more cilantro... love cilantro!)

First combine the turkey and salsa verde well in a bowl and portion out into 4 patties. Get those going on the grill.

Next, mash up the avocado with mayo and garlic (I love my garlic press - much easier than chopping).

That was the hardest part! Now get your grilled burgers with the pepper jack cheese melted on them from outside... spread the aioli on the bottom bun and cover with a generous bunch of chopped cilantro, the burger, and top with a tomato slice or two and the top bun. Done!

Happy Thursday!

xoxo

OOTD 4.18.10

Back to (sunny) last weekend for an OOTD... it was raining so hard at 4:30 this morning that it woke me up and it sounded like it could break right through the skylights. Where are those rainboots...

Lands' End Canvas khaki shift dress, ATL black cotton cardigan with floral detail #86583046, Miss Trish for Target white seahorse sandals, faux gold hoops, Michele deco diamond watch, OPI Mod-ern Girl nail polish

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo

My Current Coral {OPI Mod-ern Girl}

Mod-ern Girl

OPI's polish, amazon.com's pic

I've been all about the strappy shoes lately and it may just be because I recently got my first Spring-y color pedicure for the season. (That and the recent Target collaborations with Miss Trish and Cynthia Vincent, of course).

I usually wear pinks, but last year I went on a search for a perfect coral for a change and I like it every bit as much this year. It is from the Mod About Brights collection, which I believe is from 2008, and is on the pinky side of a bright melon... straight, slightly sheer color with classic, un-sparkly shine.

here it is with Tory Burch's Arabian Pink (and Winston)

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Cynthia Vincent for Target: The Gladiator Wedges in Cognac

Running out the door but wanted to post a few quick snaps. I saw your comment on Gigi's blog, Peggy! :)

These are super comfy, especially for the height. The strap at the ankle snaps and the other three do not but look the same. The strap that goes back around your heel and the next two down have a little elastic sewn onto the straps where they meet the insole.

I took an 8 1/2 which is what I wear in Tory Burch. These are a little adventurous for me -- since I am usually wearing ballet flats, classic flat sandals, or Tretorns -- so I am looking forward to figuring out what to wear with them.

xoxo

Miss Trish of Capri for Target 2010

Sometime back in March I noticed these uber cute Miss Trish of Capri sandals for girls, so I took my two in to choose a pair. My six year old chose the white with seahorse, and my eight year old chose the brown with turtle. I was really, really hoping some mommy versions would appear - and when I heard they were I zipped over to Target to hopefully score a pair or two.

I came home with the white and black yesterday, so here are some pics. (I tried on 8.5 and 9 and went with the 9s... either would have been ok and I typically wear one of those sizes.) I went with the larger because I can't stand even a hint of toe or heel overhang on the front or back of my sandals.

Mommy and Minnie - I love it - thanks, Target!

Girls' are $19.99, Womens' are $24.99

the same jeweled seahorse detailing on both

you can slide the side straps up to get a snugger fit

detail of the black coral branch flat sandal

the decoration is a little hard on the top of my foot - I may need to stick a little cushioned Band-Aid on the underside... same as the Tory Burch Kelseys

check before you buy! the strap on the right sandal (on the left above) is considerably shorter than on the left one -- I have to buckle the right on the very last hole and the left around the first hole to get the same fit

(update: I was able to exchange this morning for a pair with same-length straps on each shoe... and Bonus: I happened upon an endcap with a few pairs of Cynthia Vincent shoes out already, and bought the Gladiator Wedges in cognac... Fabulous Florida Mommy has some IRL pics up today and I'll have them in an OOTD before too long, hopefully!)

and aren't these cute?! (I didn't see a mommy version)... love the boxes too with the swimming-pool-reflection interior... Barbie might like these!

the turtle detail

I won't be blogging for a few days... Spring soccer, birthday party season, different events... but I'll be back soon! Happy Weekend!

xoxo

Today's Target Find: Scroll Print Tunic {Tegan Tunic Top}

update 5/21: IRL pics here

update 4/20: thanks so much to Natalie, who let me know in the comment section that this is the "Tegan Tunic Top" and is now available online here.

Fabulous find at Target today! This scroll print tunic is light and airy 100% cotton, nicely detailed, and in a beautiful cool blue, Greek-Isle-y kind of print. From the Merona Collection. I can't wait to wear it with white capris and strappy silver sandals or ballet flats. I don't see it online yet.

Top Scroll Print 254675 $26.99

I did run in to Target this morning for dishwasher detergent and Band-Aids, I promise - but I couldn't leave this tunic hanging on the rack. I may have also gone to check out the Miss Trish of Capri sandals... reviews on two pairs of those will be coming up!

Happy Friday!

xoxo

OOTD 4.14.10

J Crew merino Alice sweater, ON tee, Vigoss jeans, Stuart Weitzman Big Buck loafers, Lilly Pulitzer Latte Da! "Mumsie" mug from The Preppy Princess ( + Dunkin Donuts Cinnamon Spice Coffee)

Isn't Winston getting big?! Our sweet boy!!

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo

OOTD 4.12.10: Desert Brown + Turquoise

I found these fun summery earrings - under $10 - at Nordstrom Rack this weekend so had to wear them today of course! They had two or three different styles along with matching bracelets and necklaces in three different colorways: this turquoise, pretty corals, and white/moonstone-y.

OOTD 4.12.10 by sweetteainseattle featuring Louis Vuitton bags

Happy Monday!

xoxo

Boden New Summer 2010 Arrivals Picks

I'm loving lots of Boden for the upcoming season! I didn't realize new arrivals were out and was reminded by drbabymamadrama it was time to check up on one of my favorite shops. Here are my favs - what are yours?

Boden New Summer Arrivals Picks by sweetteainseattle on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:
Fizzy Spot Top-WL535-Sleeveless Tops at Boden, $38
Calypso Top-WA261-3/4 Sleeved Tops at Boden, $68
Rosette Top-WL533-Sleeveless Tops at Boden, $38

Al Fresco Espadrilles-AR431-Wedges at Boden, $98

Sequinned Tunic-WL547-Tunics & Kaftans at Boden, $78

Silk Tunic-WA257-Tunics & Kaftans at Boden, $130

Pebble Spot Sundress-WH181-Knee Length Dresses at Boden, $98

**update: The gorgeous summer catalog arrived in my mailbox this afternoon and I just ordered three of these -- reviews soon after they arrive!**

xoxo

Jo Cupcake Ladybug Cupcakes

I found these pretty tins of cupcake mix/deco at World Market a couple weeks ago and decided it would be just the thing for an easy, fun Girl Scout meeting snack. The cake actually tasted really good - I think I detected a little almond flavoring (?). At any rate, the kids really enjoyed them. I didn't use the frosting mix - I went with a whipped vanilla of the tubbed variety. The white paper liners are not included in the kit.

And -- did anyone else make that Kraft Foods bunny cake? So easy and fun for the little ones!

xoxo