A knock-out knock off!

There's something about buying my clothing in the place as my cucumbers that kind of never sat quite right with me...until today! 

There I was at Loblaws, doing my groceries, minding my own business when what do I catch out of the corner of my eye in the Joe Fresh section,  but a James Perse shirt knock-off. And not just any James Perse shirt knock off...it was good one!  And it a really great shade of blue to boot!  So I examined it, and to my utter disbelief...it looked almost EXACTLY the same, right down to the jersey side panels.  But as Ivana Trump would say "fair waring" there was one glaring difference...and it amounted to about one hundred and eighty dollars. Yes, the Joe Fresh knock-off was twenty bucks. Twenty teeny tiny dollars.  Four lattes at Starbucks. It would have been fiscally irresponsible (to quote my gf C) to walk away from it. So I didn't. Now I am the very proud owner of a two hundred dollar James Perse original and twenty dollar Joe Fresh knock off.

So this is my public service announcement to you...run to your local Loblaws and buy one...or two. It would be fiscally irresponsible not to!!!

 Here is the James Perse original.

My Joe Fresh knock off...and actually, it was only $19!!!

Be mine?

I don't like my memories of Valentines Day from childhood. Even as an almost 40 year old woman, who has been married for 11 years, I get a little queasy thinking about Valentines Day. I remember in public school making up a little paper lunch bag card holder and taping it to the back of my chair. Then I would wait...wait for the elusive Valentines to trickle in.  A few did. High school was even worse because you could order roses or carnations to be delivered to your sweetheart. I was never a recipient of one of those...boo hoo for me right? Yes, I'm totally asking you to feel sorry for me and my sad childhood and adolescence.

These days in public school it's requested that children bring valentines for every child in the class, so nobody feels left out. Why couldn't they have done that thirty years ago? Would have saved me a ton in therapy. My boys come home with a bag overflowing with Valentines, cinnamon hearts, pink Smarties, pencil, erasers and stickers. All full of love! Still doesn't make me feel any better.

Anyway, I was out and about yesterday when I saw the very best children's Valentines ever!  They weren't your garden variety perforated edge cards with fold over envelopes. They were luxe little cards with real envelopes from a adorable company called Peaceable Kingdom Press.  I bought Z the "Cootie Catcher" cards. I think they're different and adorable. Any you know I'm always on the hunt for different and adorable.

Peaceable Kingdom was started in 1983 by Olivia and Thatcher Hurd. If Hurd is a familiar last name to you, it's because he is the son of children's book illustrator Clement Hurd. You know that name from the beloved book Goodnight Moon. I've read that book a million times to my babies.  Olivia and Thatcher are no longer involved in the day to day operations of the business, but it was their love of of gorgeous illustrations that brought Peaceable Kingdom to life.

Peaceable Kingdom cards are available at Write Impressions. Here are a few of the gorgeous cards that caught my eye:

And of course, the vintage cards that I used to give out!

Feeling spoiled!

This was me at about noon today! I know...totally indulgent for a Tuesday, I'll admit it!!! Let's just call it my princess moment for the year!

The Grammys

Did you watch the Grammy Awards last night? The Daddy and I happen to be big fans of award shows and pageants (don't tell him I told you that). Personally I thought most of last night's show was a bit of a yawner...even dirty Lady Gaga with Elton John didn't quite do it for me. But what really did it for me was Green Day performing 21 Guns with the cast from the new Broadway musical American Idiot! I LOVED IT! I'm heading to NYC with my bff to celebrate my 40th, and I wasn't on planning catching any shows, BUT (I know she's rolling her eyes right now) this one is hot and I may have to go! The song is also available for download at iTunes. You know what's going to be playing loud in my house today!

Here's what went down last night that still has me buzzin'!

Mommy power!

Neighbour K sent me this incredibly beautiful video essay yesterday and just had to post it. If you happen to be PMS-ing, or just a general basketcase like I am...you will weep. Grab a Kleenex!