Are you Team Jacob or Team Edward?

My daughters are definitely team Jacob. I guess werewolves are more appealing than vampires. I actually prefer humans myself. Nordstrom bet that the New Moon phenomena would be a hit and hence, the entire teen department was covered with Twilight shirts, jewelery, etc. My oldest daughter wanted a shirt and make-up for Christmas.

I thought I was too old or too normal to like this series, but it all came home to me when there was an older woman (70's) at the make-up counter testing the Twilight make-up and said she loves the books, reads them and goes to the movies with her daughters. She obvious likes them enough to want to purchase high-priced make-up that says Twilight. I guess I am not too old, but maybe too normal. Let me know what team you are on! Jacob or Edward.

Make-up line only at Nordstrom

Team Jacob Shirt-Family Crest (yes, even werewolves can have crests)

RESOLUTION #1: Take More Videos

This is the camera my daughters received from Santa. You can actually customize it through Cafe Press to include your photos or any dream you may have. I tried to get a Lilly Pulitzer print on one for you but did not have any luck. Over 1000 varieties available including New Moon-Team Jacob which is big at my house. I selected the middle one for my daughter (which proceeds go to purchasing these cameras for non profits).

The Cameras did not arrive until after the big day since I purchased them off of the Flip Camera website vs. Cafe Press.

These cameras are great and hold 60 minutes (120 minute available) and have a USB connector that plugs right into your computer. No cords!

PPPG

Happy 2010!

May 2010 be the best ever! Cheers to you fellow bloggers and readers.

Love,

PPPG

Preppy Christmas Decoration-SALE!!

RSH

On sale now: $19 at RSH (Formerly Room Service Home)

Lady Gaga, You Are No Lady to Me!

Trying to achieve that "Cool Mother" award, I purchased Lady Gaga tickets for my teenage daughters for Christmas. Lady Gaga was going to perform at the Fox Theater, and I envisioned my daughters and me watching a somewhat entertaining singer perform while I sipped champagne in my velvet theater chair, with my antique opera glasses, at the beautifully restored Fox Theater in Detroit. I figured that I could handle screaming teenagers from the comfort of my front row balcony seat (and this was of course after my car was valet parked right outside the door). Surely, a civilized way to view any artist I thought!

An alarming email was received this evening around 8pm. Lady Gaga has moved venues to Joe Louis Arena. Joe Louis is where the Detroit Red Wings Hockey team play. My Fox theater tickets were cancelled and I have to repurchase (with a secret code) new tickets to sit hard chairs in a cold ice arena. I have to do this at precisely 5pm tomorrow evening and I was not planning on being home!! Ms. Gaga, it seems rude to change your venue or for a better word, "greed" may be driving your decision to ruin my perfect evening.

I will reluctantly take my daughters and have to park on the 18th floor of the structure, walk in the freezing cold up 70 stairs and go into the mob to see Lady Gaga. My civilized dream is over!!

So, sorry Lady Gaga, you are no lady to me because I am going from

THIS:

TO THIS:

And I assure you that they do not sell champagne by the glass here!!!

MAC & Lilly-A dream come true!

Maybe my teenage daughter will finally think Lilly Pulitzer is ok and "cool". Cannot wait until January.

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Inspiration (And I need it)

From

Brenda's Wedding Blog

Christmas French Macaroons

I am a little on a french macaroon kick. After decorating for the St. Joe Ball (Paris, City of Lights theme), I discovered a woman at our Farmer's Market who makes french mmacaroons for our French Bistro--"Eve" (the owner was on Top Chef and was eliminated second round----but who cares--it is a great restaurant). Our french macaroon chef (who is from Paris) makes very unusual flavors for Eve: hazelnut, ppomegranate, blood orange, etc. My dream would be to make these as gift for my friends for the holidays. Maybe someday....

What would you pay for the Game Clue? Juicy Couture Clue!

Clue cost:$15, Juicy Couture Clue cost:$58 The pieces had better be made of gold!

Monogrammed Gifts Under $20

Etsy ($14.00)

Etsy ($18.00)

I Love Etsy!!!!

Vera Bradley's Boyfriend---Baekgaard

Baekgaard

These past few months, there has been lots of Baekgaard at Homegoods, TJ Maxs, Marshalls, etc. I believe this company was started by Vera Bradley owner's husband (now deceased). I love the leather and featured the darling plaid passport covers before. I love this purse and it comes in black, blue, aqua and purple. $140! Have not seen it yet at the discount stores, but I will keep looking.

St. Joe Ball--Lounges again!

Main Ballroom

Theme: Paris City of Lights

Upper Women's Lounge -Couture Theme

Custom Dress Designed for the Lounges

Lower Women's Lounge

Men's Upper Lounge

Men's Lower Lounge-Wine Theme 150 French Wine Labels Surrounded the Mirrors

Corks were on the skirts around the sinks

Just finished up another year of the St. Joseph Ball Lounges-I guess I have a reputation! Think we have raised about $850,000 for the new Mother & Baby Unit. This year, the theme was Paris, City of Lights. The lounges are stadium bathrooms which we transformed into a boutique and a boudoir. We even had a woman design a couture gown for us--yes, she designed it for the bathrooms. We actually moved it into the hall outside of the bathroom and it is being auctioned off.

Lot of fun!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Christmas Card--Finally!

(this is not my family--just what I selected)

I ordered the above Stacy Claire Boyd card from Shutterfly. After the 30%, another 10% to finish my order, free shipping and 8% Upromise money, it was hard to say no. I send out about 225 cards, so it was very appealing this year. Of course, after I pushed the button, I saw a darling card on Etsy--

PurpleLemonDesigns

Christmas Card--I need help!

This was my 2008 Christmas Card. I am looking for something unique and I just loved this idea.

The second picture was framed for my Christmas card framing project I display every year.

If you have seen any cleaver ideas, please send them my way. I do have a nice photograph of my kids too that I can use, but the Tiny Prints card that I fell in love with in Sept. is no longer on their website.

Bummer for me.

Silhouettes

I just love them. Survived the Wizard of Oz--talented kids, great parents and a wonderful program. More later

WIZARD OF OZ--70th Anniversary

In honor of the Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary, famous shoe designers designed new, updated ruby slippers. My son happens to be in the Wizard of Oz this next weekend. I will post a few pictures as soon as I get them. People in Ann Arbor are very serious about their theater and have very high standards. The costumes, sets, talent, production, etc. are amazing.

WHAT HAVE I BEEN UP TO?

Well, sorry I have not posted in a while. I do miss all my blogging friends. Here is the scoop on me.

1. Back to school was fun. My son finally received his trombone today!

2. Great Grandma Apley died. What a friendly, spunky person. She will be missed by all.

3. Daughter B lettered in golf!

4. My son is in the Wizard of Oz--he is a Monkey, Winkie and Munchkin. Huge commitment for everyone. Ann Arbor people are serious about their theater so it is really something.

5. Great field hockey season for my daughter C. They won a big tournament.

6.. Weekends include soccer, tennis, golf, U of M football games, etc.

7. I am dabbling a little in politics--try not to get involved because people just hate you if you oppose school millages.

8. Decorating the lounges again for the St. Joe Ball. The pictures above are part of my plans. The theme is Paris and we are having a french design -black & white bathroom.

Communist Band Instrument Selection

I am curious how band instruments are assigned in your town. My son had to select his top three instruments. My son is in 5th grade and when asked to select instrument choices for 5th grade, He selected the:

1. Trombone

2. Trumpet

3. Clarinet

We happily signed the form confirming his choices. We were foolish to assume that he would get a choice on his list-This is the public schools you know and it frankly, it always seems to be about the teachers and what is best and award winning bands. He tried the instruments at school and said the he could buzz the mouthpiece of trombone, but had trouble reaching the full range of slide, he could not buzz the trumpet mouth piece and had trouble playing the clarinet. Needless to day, he came home with the:

BARITONE!!!

What I said? I do not remember approving that instrument (as lovely as it may be). One, they are extremely expensive to purchase, rent, etc. and secondly, can he even lift it? Thirdly, it is base clef and means a life of harmony and quarter notes-rest-quarter note-rest (just kidding) Why is my child not getting a instrument on his list while others are getting their first choice? I think this is a pretty good question to ask.

I contacted the music teacher questioning this decision and she said...Trip had trouble reaching the full range on the trombone and the baritone and trombone are virtually interchangeable--no they are not!! He can easily go from the baritone to the trombone and we will give you a baritone for home and one for school. Do you see an agenda here!! Excuse me, why did you not give my child a choice on the list. There is a shortage of baritones in the high school and they think they can trick my son and us into this choice.

I pressed this teacher a little and uncovered that my son had some of the shortest arms in the class and that made him the best candidate for this instrument. He was actually measured!

Secondly, she said that they are trying to encourage the kids to play these instruments (lots of cellos too) because they have too many flutes and trumpets in the high school, the bands would be unbalanced and the kids are disappointed if they could not be in the best band.

In other words, you are measuring my child's arm to determine his musical instrument future based on his size today. I talked to my brother (a trombonist) and he said that no one can reach the low notes when they start out and there are trigger trombones to help for the 5th and 6th position anyway. Going from the baritone to the trombone is like going from the flute to the violin--not easy at all.

DO NOT MESS WITH THE BAND GEEKS.

So, in my lovely manner, I sent a really angry note comparing music selection to selecting young gymnast for the Chinese team based on physical size, etc. My son has a late birthday and is smaller today.

This is totally COMMUNISM. MEASURING KIDS AND PICKING THE SHORTEST ARMS FOR THE BARITONE IS UNBELIEVABLE. HEAVEN FORBID WE DO NOT PROPER REPRESENTATION OF THE BRASS INSTRUMENTS AND CANNOT WIN A GRAMMY AWARD.

When did the arts stop being about the kids and started being about the teachers and their awards?

Our music teachers are trying to talk the kids into instruments the high school band needs. Many kids were pushed toward the cello (too many violins too I guess--too bad if you are poor and cannot afford violin lessons on your own, those spots are taken by those who can).

I did say, shame on you. 1) give the kids a choice on his list 2) do not try to manipulate the kids into picking an instrument they do not like or are interested remotely in playing--it is about them not what you need in the future. A 4 minute interview should not determine the instrument a child should play and they should not be discouraged in anyway. You are telling kids they can not something to make your job easier.

Finally, after my angry, rude email, the music teacher called me and said she would have an instrument ready on Monday. She said " I disagree with all your arguments and hope he is not frustrated when he cannot reach the low notes'. I said, the good news his, he will probably grow.