#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Introducing: Sweetnicks’ Sundries

December 2, 2011 · Narrative

Sweetnicks Sundries
I have always been a creative sort.  Whether it’s writing, cooking, rubber stamping, photography, or making a Thanksgiving banner for our mantle, I like to exercise that part of my brain.  Of course, with kids, it means I don’t always have the time to pursue such endeavors, but it doesn’t stop me from trying.

I have bought many hair clips over the years for Madeline, my nieces, and friends’ daughters.  Of course, until only recently, the hair clips I’d buy for Madeline would sit largely unused in a jar.  It turns out that if her Mom makes them, she wears them though.  Who knew?  While that wasn’t the only inspiration behind starting Sweetnicks’ Sundries, it’s certainly fun to create with my daughter in mind.

I have been making countless clippies over the last few weeks, in preparation for a vendor show tomorrow.  After that, I’ll be putting them online in a new Etsy shop.  (I’ve put one of my favorite clips in there now, just to start you out).  I’ve got to say, it’s been an adventure sourcing the supplies, the ribbons, mixing and matching flowers and sequins and jewels, and this might be just the beginning.  I have all sorts of plans in mind.

Need a stocking stuffer or small gift for a little one on your list this holiday?  I’ve got you covered.

Clippies

Before I leave you …

  • Sarah is having a fantabulous giveaway RIGHT NOW that you’ll want to check out.  And if you don’t already read her other blog, Sassy Closet, you can get a mini peek into our living room right here (totally blushing on the kind words she bestowed on me!).
  • I have two more articles up on Parent Society’s website on divorce – Divorce Don’ts – How to Divorce and Keep Your Dignity Intact, and Taking the Bah Humbug Out of Divorce.

Alright folks, all for tonight. xoxo Cate

Fashion: Thinking Outside the Box

February 2, 2011 · Narrative

Almost BoughtWhen it comes to looking for a particular piece of clothing (or even an accessory) for my wardrobe, I’ve learned that it’s good to think outside the box a bit.

My favorite work-out t-shirts are from the men’s section of Old Navy.  It’s a simple v-neck shirt, but the nearly-identical t-shirt on the women’s side is twice the price.  Go figure.  And this weekend?  The shirt on the women’s side was $12 and the shirt on the men’s side was $3.99.

Accessories meant for kids’ hair work just as well for grown-ups hair.  You know, excluding the bright pops of day-glo pink and Hello Kitty emblems.  Some of my favorite hair accessories have been Etsy buys that I bought with Madeline in mind.  She hasn’t jumped on the hair accessory bandwagon yet, and in the meantime, they work perfectly well for my hair.  And as Beth and I found out awhile back, hair accessories at J. Crew’s Crewcuts (their kid store) were cheaper than the adult counterparts across the hallway.  For the same basic thing.

That’s two easy ways to think outside the box when you’re trying to hunt something down … check the men’s department and the kid’s department as well.

I have one more for you.  Check sleepwear.

…

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Bribery and Etsy

October 27, 2009 · Narrative

so pretty

I never noticed her cheekbones until these pictures.  Now they just melt me every time I look at them.  I’ve been trying to grow out Madeline‘s bangs lately, to see if that helps tame her wild locks just a bit.  All that is fine and good, but she hates barrettes.  Well, she actually doesn’t hate them, she just refuses to wear them.

When I put them in, I usually try and distract her so she forgets that they’re there.

Sometimes a bribe works.

mmm cookie

Cookie Bribery

Once she realizes she has something in her hair (even a handband or a ponytail holder yields the same results), she pulls it out and hands it to me. Uh oh, the jig is up.

See the pretty barrette?

My Dad always asks, “Can’t you put a barrette or something in her hair?”  Um, yeah, tried that.  Hair Accessory: FAIL.  She looks so cute with them in, banishing the street urchin look completely, that I’m hoping this is just a phase that she outgrows.  A couple people have told me that their daughters did the same thing, but eventually turned the corner.  Here’s hoping….

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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