Custom Ballet Flats

Every girl needs a stylish pair of ballet flats and what could be better than a pair that are custom designed by you from ELIZA B.

Sometimes you just want what you want. In your mind you imagine the perfect pair of shoes to go with a particular outfit but good luck finding them!

I loved this post by Muffy Aldridge where she talks about visiting the factory and designing her own bag. But I was really inspired by her shoes. Totally custom, right down to the monogram.

There are just so many options to choose from, and it's a lot of fun selecting different combinations until you get it juuuust right!

Not so sure about the ones in the picture, but I would love a pair in Sea Grass Denim with a navy patent trim.

What would you like?

Using A Planner

Are you making the most of your life?

How you spend your days is how you spend your life, so stop for a moment and think about the question. Are you making the most of your life?

It is so easy to get caught up with your to do list that you never have time for fun. Or conversely find time for fun but never get finished with the tough items on your list.

This is why I swear by my planner. I use this one by Erin Condren and my daughter uses this Lilly Pulitzer one.

Find one that you love. The more excited you are about it, the more likely you are to use it.

The trick to successfully using your planner is to keep all of your appointments on the monthly pages and then use the daily pages for your lists and notes.

For example monthly pages are where I keep track of:

 appointments for hair, dentist, doctor, vet, pest control, window cleaner etc

 school holidays

 games

 events

 parties

 travel plans

 guests
 lunches

It is a two page summary of who, what, when and where.  If you don't intend to carry your planner with you everywhere then it is a good idea to also keep this information on your phone.

At the beginning of each month I sit down and look at whats coming up and then start planning what I am going to do in the empty spaces. This is when I plan for fun, whether it's a night at the ballet or a weekend away. This is also where I plan for work and long term goals.

3 in 30

One tool that I use is called 3 in 30. Basically at the beginning of each month you think of three things that you want to accomplish that month. These are goals that require several steps, and usually several days and can be overwhelming if you place them on your regular to do list. But when faced with thirty days to accomplish them you will be surprised what you can achieve.

Before I started using 3 in 30 I would have things that were vaguely on my to do list but month after month went by and I just never got around to them. I have been astonished by how much I can get done if I know that I have a 30 day deadline. Try it!

Daily pages are where I keep track of the minutia of life
 meal planning
 exercise log
 to do lists
 to buy lists
 other lists
 medicine schedules
 routine house work schedules

My daughter uses her daily pages to keep track of her school work.

The Erin Condren planner has separate pages to record birthdays and anniversaries, which is fabulous because while I note a birthday party or dinner in my monthly pages, I don't want to use them to remind myself to send a card.

I also keep a notebook in my planner so that I have plenty of room to jot things down.

If you start planning your life, then you just might discover that you are actually making the most of it. It's amazing how much more you do once you start filling up of all the empty spaces on your calendar.

Which planner do you use? Do you have any great tips on how you use your planner?

Brooks Brothers Holiday 2013 - Fantasy Shopping Trip

The new Brooks Brothers catalogue was in my mail box this afternoon. I have spent a pleasant hour browsing through it and fantasizing what I would like to see under the Christmas tree this year...

For my daughter : Dress, Boots, Skirt, Shirt and Bracelet.

For my husband - Watch, Duffle Bag, Bow Tie, Sweater and Jacket

For my son - Rugby Shirt, Watch, Cufflinks, Sweater and Duffle Bag.

For myself - Earrings, Boots, Riding Jacket, Umbrella and Raccoon Scarf.

What would your fantasy shopping trip look like?

Pie Safe

Do you often have a house full of people and like the idea of being able to leave baked goods out for friends and family to help themselves to?  A pie safe is the perfect way to make sure that the food remains safe from pesky flies.

I found mine here

I bought these pie dishes, and then baked three varieties of muffins, and voilà...

How do you serve baked goods?

Ferragamo Ballet Flats

Do you find yourself buying the same thing over and over again?

My daughter is always teasing me because if I love something then I will buy it in more than one color.

For example, look at the beautiful pair of Ferragamo shoes that I just bought...

...surrounded by the four pairs that I already own.

These shoes are just so comfortable and are perfect for running around in. They also up the style quotient of anything else that you have on. You are no longer just dressed in jeans and a tunic, now you're the lady in jeans, a tunic and Ferragamo shoes.

Do I have a problem? Or, do you too have this habit?

A New Hobby

Do you have a hobby? Or do you collect something? In both cases, once you find that thing that you're passionate about, you will willingly spend your time and money pursuing that passion.

Maybe you love to play games, and every time you find yourself with 10 minutes of free time you sit down and try to beat the level that is currently frustrating you.

For me, my hobby, my passion, my collection are all one and the same. My passion is my home and family. I gladly spend time cleaning and organizing. I enjoy hunting for just the right items. I love to have house guests and host dinner parties. I don't look at time spent cleaning as a waste of time, because it makes me happy to live in a clean environment. I don't mind putting things away because it makes me happy to know where to find things when I need them. I don't mind ironing because I like to see my family looking nice. If it takes me six months to find the perfect sofa, that's OK because I know that I will love it for many years to come.

Change the way that you look at housekeeping. Instead of thinking of housework as a never ending chore, think of your home as the way that you express yourself. Buy bedding that you love and make your bed every day. Pick a china pattern and start collecting it one plate at a time. Use your lovely things, don't leave them sitting on a shelf. How you live each day, will add up to how you live your life. Make it beautiful. You won't remember the time spent playing games, what you will look back on are the times spent around the dinner table. Take the time to set the table, cook a delicious meal, make memories with your family and friends.

Think of caring for your home and family as your favorite hobby. Sometimes a change in perspective changes everything.

      

Gifts for a Young Lady

These gift suggestions are suitable for a young lady of high school age and above...

A key chain from Tiffany

A bracelet from Hermes - This is the Tourbillion in orange.



 A handbag from Brooks Brothers

An Anchor bracelet from J Crew.  A black clover bracelet from Ebay

A Kindle Fire



A leather tote bag from LL Bean

Perfect for High School or College.



A Wallet from Kate Spade



A Marrakesh necklace from Paloma Picasso

A Tote Bag from Tiffany

A fun pair of earrings from Overstock