Artistic Kansas City.

So this marks the beginning of saying goodbye to one of my dear KC friends...with just two weeks left until moving day, she has been trying to pack in all the fun she can, including a pretty posh cocktail party last weekend.

I wanted to bring a parting present so she and her family could look back at their time in KC with fondness and thought a print from local artist Mike Savage was the perfect gift. 

Mike is a life-long Kansas City resident and while he paints lots (and lots!) of other things, it's his images of his hometown that resonate with me.  This image captures all of Kansas City's Icons - the J.C. Nichols Fountain, Shuttlecocks at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the Bartle Hall Pylons and more.  I love how colorful it is and how it captures all of the amazing things about Kansas City in one beautiful print. 

Some of my other favorite images...

Bending Towards Kansas City

Crossing Brush Creek

Brush Creeking By

MU - The Columns

Couldn't resist that MU print...lifelong Mizzou fan!  Great graduation present, right?

Mike's art can be purchased online or in person at his Gallery.  Do you think this makes a good "going-away" gift?

Spring Sandal.

With Triple Points at Nordstrom coming up this week, I made a trip to the mall yesterday to pick out a few things for The Texan and see if I could find myself a cute pair of sandals.  Something that I can wear out when I want to feel cute, but also running around the park with my little guy.

I came home with the Sam Edelman "Gigi" thong sandal in brown.

I think it's a great classic thong sandal in a perfect shade of brown.  But what really sealed the deal for me - it's super comfortable!  It actually has an arch and a cushioned foot bed - unlike a lot of flat sandals. 

These come in all your basic neutrals:  white, black, light tan, gold, black patent and in lots of color combinations too.  At $65, it's a surprise I didn't come home with more colors!

Have you found your spring sandals yet?

For the Love of Grapefruit.

We've discussed my love affair with candy before.  I thought I was cured for a while (the downward spiral between Halloween and Christmas usually does it to me) but then I discovered a new little gem just down the street from me. 

Sigh. 

It's mostly specialty nuts, trail mix and chocolate covered confections, but they have a small section dedicated to all things gummy - butterflies, frogs, letters and of course, bears.  But they also have a tasty treat I had never tried before...Pink Grapefruit Slices!

Slightly sour (like a grapefruit), mostly sweet, these are a little slice of summer in your mouth.  I bought sparingly (1/4 pound) and have only eaten a wee handful today.  But my mouth literally waters when I think of them. 

They also come in White Grapefruit, but I find these to be not quite sweet enough.  (Obviously, I've done a taste test!)

Anyone else love my new favorite treat?

Native Shoes.

With Spring Break next week, Spring Fever has definitely hit our household.  And with that comes a new pair of shoes for The Bug.  It seems he outgrows his current pair right about the time that the seasons change. 

I'm not a shoe person with him.  He wears the one pair I buy him until they have holes...literally.

While it's probably too early to break out the Crocs (Frankly, I hate them and am trying to NOT buy a pair this year.), I came across these Croc-like shoes a few weeks back and think they might be a better option. 

Native "Miller" Shoe.  Look like tennis shoes, made from EVA - which is a really fancy plastic.  They are "naturally waterproof, antibacterial, shock absorbent and best of all, incredibly light and comfortable."   All great things for little, sweaty feet.  I think they are pretty cool looking and these might actually stay on your child's foot (unlike those Crocs...)

There are several other styles of shoe, including "Howard" which looks like a boat shoe - too cute!

They come in lots of amazing, trendy colors, but of course I like the navy best - it goes with everything!  They are very reasonable too - $29.99 and can be purchased at Native Shoes or in person at select Nordstrom.

Have you seen these?  What are your favorite shoes for your child?

Perfect Wedge.

A co-worker and fellow mom (of 4!) friend of mine always looks so adorable when she comes in to work - denim shirts over dresses, colorful pants, over sized boyfriend sweaters - the list goes on and on.  But the piece de resistance for me are her shoes.

The perfect black wedge in my opinion.  Super chic, manageable height and quite comfortable (ask me after I've stood in them for 5 hours!)  And the best part of all?  They are from Target. 

The Merona Milena Suede Wedge is $29.99 right now and runs true to size.  I wore mine yesterday with a leopard skirt and light blue button down.  I had several customers ask me about them - always the sign of a good purchase.

Go get yourself a pair!

Library, Part 2.

Remember this room?  Well, she's finally getting hardwood floors and I couldn't be more excited about it!  The installers arrive tomorrow and my floors should be complete by Friday. 

Then comes the challenge of finding a rug.  Do I go with a solid to balance out all the pattern in the room?  Or do I layer another pattern on?  Funny how I am ripping up carpet to lay down hard wood only to cover it up again with a rug...

Here are a few leading contenders.

Simple, subtle blue.  Oddly enough the chairs on this catalog are the same material as the chairs in my Study, so I know this rug would fit in perfectly. 

Patterned options from Ballard Designs and Shades of Light.  I've always liked this kind of pattern and don't have anything like it currently in my home. 

What do you think?

Oh, in case you missed it, I was styled in "Leap Year" fashions on our local morning news.  Head over to my Facebook page for the link...and great timeless pieces worth investing in.

OP in Tibi.

By now, I'm sure we've all seen these pictures of Olivia Palermo at Fashion Week.  I am in love with her Tibi Horatio Striped Jacket.  This whole ensemble is something I can see myself wearing (minus the high heels - just not practical at the park, you know?!)

The funny thing is that I have similar pieces in my closet that would allow me to recreate this cute look.  If you don't already own a striped blazer or jacket, I highly suggest one.  I have this one and it was in heavy rotation in my Spring wardrobe last year, so I imagine I will be reaching for it again.

J. Crew Factory Stripe Knit Blazer, $98

They are very easy to top off jeans and a white t-shirt, but even more fun for evening with a blouse in a fun color. 

What do you think?  Do you love Olivia's style?