Deals and inspiration!

Target Alert! When I was in there today they were having one of their wonderful "clearing it out" sales and all kinds of pretties could be had for a song! If you have heard my singing you understand the great value of such a sale! Anyway, I picked up these absolutely adorable, gorgeous napkins. I think I am in love and am now contemplating the perfect use of such perfect napkins. What I wouldn't give to find a fabric like these paper napkings...oh, what a cute skirt they would make!!!! They were less that $1 a pack so I picked them all up (sorry, I am not big on sharing). I will definately use one pack as napkins for DD's lunches when school starts to lively up her lunchtime and I am thinking a brunch for the girlfriends would be the other perfect use...hmmm. I think they may become my inspiration pattern...pinks and greens AND paisley.....just gives me the shivers!

Speaking of inspiration, I picked up this really fantastic book last week: Nesting, It's a Chick Thing by Ame Mahler Beanland & Emily Miles Terry. These are the same gals who have that cute site http://www.chickstyle.com. It isn't a new book and has been out for a couple of years but it is just a great little book and would make a perfect wedding or graduation gift. Even though I have been "nesting" practically in an obsessive way for almost 19 years (wow...that is a long time when said like that) I still found it inspiring and motivational and really got some great tips from it.

I love the blurg on the front cover: "100 Tales, 1,000 Tips, and Endless Inspiration for women who seriously play house and garden (and hold pink poker nights)". Here is a great list of things "every chick should have..." in our kitchen according to the authors (Mahler 183):

• "Luxurious hand lotion next to her kitchen sink"


• "A stereo in the kitchen to play tunes that inspire, calm, and cheer"


• "At least one delicious frozen entree' in the freezer--for afternoons or evenings too fun to stand in front of the stove"


• "A well-worn recipe card with a favorite family dish from a grandmother or other cherished relative"


• "Pictures of family and friends on the refrigerator door"


• "Someone to call if you get into a culinary fix"


• "A hidden box or bag of some wonderful junk food"


• "A signature specialty that you can whip up with one arm tied behind your back"


• "Something distinctly 'you' in your kitchen--a frilly apron, an oven mit, or a trivet from a memorable trip"


• "A beautiful bottle or tin of something deliciously refined and gourmet--like a limited-run estate-bottled olive oil or balsamic vinegar, or English tea biscuits in a vintage tin"


• "A neighbor who will lend you an emergency cup of sugar or an egg."