Desprookjeskamer - The Fairytale and Polka Dot Shop

Amsterdam is shopping heaven. Yes, yes it is culturally and historically rich and the canals are fascinating and beautiful. Van Gogh, Anne Frank, and bicycles in every possible fashion. But oh I have found so many shops that are uniquely Dutch with style and dripping with sweet. Just one example is this sweet little shop I stumbled upon...little girl and mama heaven. And a few more to drool about...Didi, Hema (I got loads of party supplies here), and hoping to stop here tomorrow before we hop another flight. Oh how I wish the dollar were stronger and the bags had no weight limits. I'd bring back some more for myself and of course some more for you. Cheers.

Hello Yellow

I love a great punch of color in any room. In my living room it's orange...in my bedroom its hot pink. I've been wanting a yellow bookcase for my family room for just such a punch. And I'm kinda digging these mobile steel bookcases actually meant for a classroom and available only (at least from what I've found) from school suppliers. The price is right too. Whaddya think?

What, no Esprit bag?

I'm not much of a back to school shopper for two reasons.

1. It's still SO hot here in the end of August...the kids wear their summer clothes to school easily through September.
2. Admittedly, I'm a "year-round" shopper...so its not as if our closets are empty when the school year begins ;)

But I can tell the older these darling girls of mine get, the more specific their wants are becoming. Instead of "new jeans" its "new skinny jeans". Instead of a new tee or two - its a new Beatles tee. I decided to limit Kalli's requests to 3-5 new items to start the school year with and here is what she came up with. Yes, that's right. This is what my SIXTH grader came up with. It seems so much more sophisticated than the Esprit bag I had to have to start my sixth grade year.

City Life

Bryce just got back from NYC. He spent his free morning taking in the city on a road bike. If it had been me, I might have surpassed the biking and gone straight for the shopping. (Gasp!) I'm in love with this perfect NYC - inspired take home gift for the kids. Maybe next time...

Sun AND Fun

If you're anything like me, sometimes the success of a vacation can be increased exponentially when an unexpected bargain appears. Am I right ladies?? Check out these darling shoes for Josie here at Zappos. I didn't pay $50.90 for them. Not even $20.90. Nope, not $10.90 either. These little sweet feet treats are adorning my baby's tootsies for $8.99. Oh yeah! Now we're talking sun AND fun!

Easter Ensemble

Each year I enjoy putting together our own little collection of "looks" for the kids' Easter outfits. (Dont' you remember loving Easter dresses as a little girl ?) It's always one of my favorite pictures of the year. For my own kids last year, I went bold and bright with Hanna Anderson dresses. (Bryce likes to call my usually predictable choice of bold and bright clothing, "shoutfits.":) However, this year I decided to go for a more subtle and monochromatic look. In the spirit of financial wisdom, I've decided to do a little "re-using". The dress on the top right is Ella's baptism dress from last fall and is hands down one of my favorite articles of clothing ever. It is just beautiful! She hasn't worn it nearly enough since it quickly got cold after her fall baptism date. This white Jottum beauty was an easy enough starting point so I opted for an all white ensemble. I found a beautiful Biscotti dress for a great price at Nordstrom Rack for Kalli and a sweet eyelet dress for Josie (also on sale ;) at the Children's Place. Max was easy enough - I didn't even have to buy something new. He has the perfect white linen dress shirt. I'm excited to see how it all comes together. Do you do Easter ensembles for your kids - or better yet, for you?

Spicy

I have been obsessed with this spice assortment from Dean and Deluca for longer than I can remember. Truly, it's a shame I don't own it yet. Don't you think?

Spotted: Old Navy

My sister in law Chris reminded me that spring must be somewhere out there (despite near zero temps and loads of snow in our yard) because stores are starting to stock some warmer weather gear. Check out these Old Navy umbrellas. Boden look, Old Navy price, no? Too good to pass up.

Too Good Not to Share

via Apartment Therapy New York

What could be more perfect than a marriage between two favorites? One that we can all benefit from. Orla Kiely has designed a line of housewares for Target. This is so good, I almost kept it to myself dear friends. But I love you too much, so instead - I'll be seeing you at that irresistible bulls-eye soon!

Have you heard?

I found a fabulous skirt for the holidays for all my girls here. I love the "live" marketing...It's so fun to see the clothes move. There's a lot of items I can live without...but the site is definitely worth bookmarking to check in on every once in a while. And an added bonus? I found an online coupon for 20 percent off and free shipping and returns. Now go shopping!

Eye Candy

I found this store in London (Or Paris; its all such a blur now).  It was a total feast for the eyes -Mens, Womens, Childrens, and Accessories.  I didn't buy anything :(  but I am adding it to the long list of stores I'd like to revisit when the dollar isn't as weak.  Go ahead and feast for yourself at their website.

-amr

Tip of the Day

Oneity, a local children's store, is closing their doors. They've just announced that they are clearing out their inventory, even their fall line, for 50-75% off starting today. Find directions here. You can bet I'll be swinging by today.

-amr

ABC

After our dinner date last night at Tin Angel, Bryce and I buzzed over to Urban Outfitters at the Gateway. I have to say I am loving what they are doing with their home line. It is fun and fresh and funky - AND at a price point that allows you to play around with the accessories in your home and not have to feel committed. I was loving these painted letters in all sorts of colors. Spell out anything you want! They are also available online here. If only I had more walls...

-amr

Summer beauty

The heat has me going au natural on my face this summer. What's the point of even applying makeup if its going to be runny by noon? I've heard quite a lot about this Tarte Mascara, which is supposed to be more like a stain than a mascara. It boasts 4 days of wear, which is highly doubtful and more importantly quite unnecessary. But I'm willing to give it a try - seems to be the perfect product for 100 degree days.

-amr

Four and Twenty

This dainty little Oilily top is just one of my finds at the Four and Twenty Sailor sale this week. It is the first year they have thrown a full blown sidewalk sale and I got much of my school shopping accomplished, along with some things for next summer. Make sure you work a stop into your schedule this week while the sale is still going on.

-amr

Gapalicious

Everyone in khakis? Not this season! Although the Gap can tend to get a little stiff at times, the designers have killed it this July (for baby girls anyway). How can I not want this lovely ensemble for little miss J? That color palette is delicious. Perhaps those darling little flats can be the shoes she wears for her first steps in the coming months...

-amr

Get it Together

Aren't these beautiful? For those of us with more prints than patience, the Together Book will bind photos into a hardcover album. Prices start at just $30. How stunning would these look on your bookshelf, or mine?

-amr

Funky Sponges

I know I know, a post about sponges? Seriously, can you tell I've been scrubbing this house since I've been home? I just thought I would share these funky little "designer" sponges I found at Target. No, they don't magically make kitchen duty sexy or exciting - but they're worth the $2.99 pop of color they add to my kitchen sink.

-amr

Hip and Humble

*Image via Sunset Magazine

A couple of days ago I was on my way to Trolley Square and had a couple of extra minutes so I stopped in Hip and Humble, a local shop in the 9th and 9th district of Salt Lake. Wow! What a great stop. If you haven't been in lately, take the time to do so. They have really transformed their inventory from "shabby chic" to bright, eclectic, and very unique home and gift items. One of my favorite new items were the new in-house bath and body products. There were six different varieties and they all smelled so fresh yet subtle, I had a hard time choosing which one to buy (and I am picky about my fragrances). This is one of those stores I can tell Bryce to go in and he could come out with anything and I'd be happy. I came out with a few items in my bag but loved many more. I'll definitely be stopping in more frequently.

-amr

p.s. I found a great article on the 9th and 9th Distict from Sunset Magazine here. We used to live on 9th about ten streets up from this great little corner of SLC, so I have big love for little neighborhood nooks like this one.

And on the Tenth Day, She Rests.

Ohh it feels so good to sleep in my own bed. The only good thing about sleeping in hotel beds across Northern California is the yummy bedding - comforters, throws, duvets...that good hotels pile on their mattresses. My sister Kim custom made my last set of bedding nearly ten years ago and it has held up wonderfully, but the time has come to invest in some new. I can't get this Eileen Fisher bedding I first spotted in Garnet Hill out of my mind. I love the neutral palette paired with loads of texture that can interchange to match the season. I'm not sure this is the exact set. If you know me well, you know I like to take my time on decisions, weigh every possible option, and then purchase with no hesitation or regret. It might help if only I could test drive one sleepy night in each bed of my choice, especially this one on a gorgeous porch looking out at the ocean.

-amr