10 under $20

I've been killing a little time browsing sales and thought I'd share some of the cutest/best deals.

:: New York & Company Belted Long Coat with Faux Fur Scarf (size: XL)
$149 marked down to $19.99

:: Urban Outfitters Silence & Noise Silky Secretary Blouse Dress (size: L)
$68 marked down to $19.99

:: Urban Outfitters Circle Line Flower Shower Curtain
$32 marked down to $19.99 (I have this and love it!)

:: Urban Outfitters African Medallions Shower Curtain
$32 marked down to $9.99

:: Gap V-neck Cardigan (size: various)
$44.50 marked down to $14.99+

:: Gap Striped Boat Neck (size: L, XL, XXL)
$22.50 marked down to $17.50

:: Anthropologie Conundrum Necklace
$38 marked down to $19.95

:: L.L. Bean Personal Organizer (size: medium)
$24.95 marked down to $18.99

:: Banana Republic Timeless printed tank (size: XS, S)
$20 marked down to $12.99

:: Urban Outfitters Kitten Placemat
$4 marked down to $2.99

Blizzard with a Capital Snow

Last week we had two big snow storms in Beacon. Earlier in the week we got about a foot of snow, and then from Thursday to Saturday we had a major blizzard - we're talking 3 feet of snow, no power, and fallen trees & branches.

It was pretty magical, but also a pretty dangerous. Our area was declared a State of Emergency. I'm lucky because my house got power back after 24 hours, but some people are still without and might not be getting it back until mid-week.

It was a fun weekend despite the lack of heat & hot water. On Friday Dennis came up for a visit and we were still able to visit the Walkway Over the Hudson. Then we hit up the Poughkeepsie Galleria and Friendly's just cause that's what you do to comfort yourself when you think you won't have heat & hot water for a week.

Riesling over freshly fallen snow - luxury at its finest.

And of course no weekend would be complete without Cosmic Bowling (still not sick of it and I bowling my all time high of 118).

On Sunday, Lauren came up for the day and we rounded out the weekend with a big ol' brunch at the Yankee Clipper.

Beacon Parents Weekend

A busy weekend here in Beacon, NY. Abe's dad is visiting so we're doing a combination of touristy/home repair things.

On Saturday we got up at the crack of dawn and hit up Home Depot where I bought my first power saw and plywood for the attic floor. Yay!

Then we went to Dia: Beacon. The sun was shining and the light in the galleries was amazing. Probably the best part was when I looked outside and saw deer frolicking behind the building.

Later in the evening hit up Southern Dutchess Bowl for Cosmic Bowling night. In the lane next to us was a dad wearing a Seeger t-shirt with his teenager son who was pacing around with a handmade rain stick. It doesn't get more cosmic than that.

The other super exciting thing that happened this weekend is that my parents, the dogs, and Abe's dad all met for the first time!

Brunch was prepared by moi for the parental meet-n-greet.

My mom brought me gorgeous flowers and a candle that smells like cake.

Abe's dad taught him to use a power saw and work began on the attic floor.

One of my life-long dreams is to live in an old house and find a treasure map hidden behind an old framed painting, or a diary from a previous resident, or lean up against a bookcase and discover a false wall with a secret hide-out for the Underground Railroad. Well, it's no velvet pouch of jewels, but I was digging around in the attic today and found some "treasures" buried in the insulation.

A baby photo from 1986, scraps of an old magazine (I can't figure out the year, but the images show women in Victorian clothing and advertisements for 10 cent hosiery), and an old framed print.

Introducing....Wonton!

Piper got a new baby named Wonton!

Brooke, Abe and I hung out last night and consumed several pounds of cheese, olives, crackers and kitten.

Abe's dad is visiting and our parents are going to meet for the first time this weekend. I'm very excited and can't wait to do some home & Beacon stuff.

BTW - did you happen to catch Real Housewives of the OC? If so, you may be interested in a link to Alexis and Jim Bellino's pastor Jentezen Franklin.

The Bold & The Beautiful

I was a child under 10 in the 1980's and my taste in fashion & home decor comes from that brief period in time: Gitano brand clothes, Guatemalan worry dolls, friendship bracelets, puffy paint, glow in the dark stars...

Heck, if my gym offered Get in Shape Girl ribbon stick classes I would definitely be more motivated to workout.

So I couldn't be happier that bright colors and patterned weave are popping up all over the fashion & craft world.

Animal Bandito cardigan $64.99, Shooting Star necklace $23.99, wool tweed booties $110.00, 3'x5' cotton rag rug $54.00, Unique Freestyle necklace €195.00, Guatemalan worry dolls $2.95, knapsacks from Swank Dollar (not for sale), ICE Hex Bib Statement Necklace $85.00