New Matchbook is Here

I'm already planning my Sunday morning around this one. Starbucks trip and then a cozy hour with my favorite new online magazine. Ahh... Matchbook. How do I love thee?

Image from Matchbook.

Shops at Legacy Sidewalk Sale This Weekend

Yes, you read that title correctly. The Shops at Legacy is having a sidewalk sale. Gameday Cloth sent out an e-mail alert. Hello! I am heading there immediately after work tomorrow and hoping the good stuff isn't already gone. Hands off my Razorback gear, people.

It also looks like Ella Bleu and Melanie Gayle are in on the action. Both of those stores have great clothes and decent prices.

Now you can support your local small business owners and get a great deal tomorrow through Sunday.

Good Book: At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream

On Jen Lancaster's suggestion, I downloaded Wade Rouse to my Nook. I like her writing style so I picked a few of her favorites and, so far, these are becoming my new favorite reads for 2011. The NYT Book Review has nothing on Miss Jen. I hope she posts more reading suggestions over in Jennsylvania but until then I to dish about my current favorite.

So, here we go...

 At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream

Here's the scoop. Wade, who is a bit of a priss, and his partner (why don't we just start saying husband already!!) Gary, escaped the fabulosity of city life for a experiment in country living. Wade based his lifestyle change on the writings of Thoreau's Walden and his grammie's wisdom learned while summering in her cabin as a boy. Each chapter is a life lesson Wade is trying to learn while he sheds his Sauvage swimsuit in favor of a more honest and authentic life.

Now, this is not one of those yuppie apologies for conspicuous consumption sprinkled with a bunch of New Age drivel. Wade reminds me of myself. He shops at the same stores, has the same fears, has the same sense of humor, is allergic to snow, etc. I can relate to him way more than I can relate to Deepak Chopra. Wade's discoveries and subsequent writing remind me more of Nora Ephron with a little Chelsea Handler thrown in.

He sets the scene when he takes on Burt the Racoon in a showdown over a trash can that can only happen with a former fashion plate with nothing but pocket full of Lip Shimmer to protect him. Burt wins that round and the hilarity ensues. Just wait until you get to the part where Wade decided to organize all of the sticks in the woods surrounding his cabin.

I was sitting next to my husband when I read this and burst out laughing. I've heard of "laugh out loud" funny but hadn't experienced it until this book.

Wade and Gary are people I want to invite to dinner.

Image from Wade's web site.

Crate & Barrel - Come Closer to Mama

Crate & Barrel is moving to Willow Bend mall in Plano. The old Galleria and SouthLake locations are being closed and consolidated. Woo!! Now my favorite place to buy glassware, nab home accessories and ogle sleek furniture will only be a ten minute drive from our house in Frisco.

I just found this out from the ever resourceful Dallas Morning News Shopping blog. Do you subscribe to their RSS feed? You should!




 

Restoration Hardware is also moving to Willow Bend. While I like the designs at RH, it was always out of my price range. Even the cool paint colors were a bit much.

I guess if people can't get out from under their home mortgages, they might was well redecorate. ;)

Images from Crate and Barrel.

Stonebriar Mall Evolves: Old Stores Gone Plus A New One Coming

After a week of being cooped up inside we went to Stonebriar mall on Saturday. While wading through the dizzying amount of people also stretching their legs after a long winter's nap, we noticed blank white walls in the place of former tenants. Gone are Rollerz, Up In Smoke, Harry and David - plus various eateries I never bothered to remember in the food court.

These places must have held on through the holiday season before closing up shop.

But never fear, Michael Kors is coming to town.

It's nice to see change in my own backyard. We're going to have a new shop and it's an American designer to boot. You can't beat that.

Welcome home, Michael.

School Spirit at Gameday Cloth

Last summer I stopped into Gameday Cloth over at the Shops at Legacy in Plano, TX and I have been hooked ever since. I didn't know what to expect but, as someone who has pledged to spend as much of her money at locally owned businesses, I had to check out any new clothing store opening right in front of my place of work. Right?

So, I popped in and expected to see the type of sports gear you'd find in the fan section of Dick's Sporting Goods. Bleh.

But, I was mistaken. Gameday has the cutest and most sophisticated college sports clothing I have ever come across. The women's clothes are tailored to our bodies, cut with a modern edge and have just the right amount of chicness to pair with any fashionista's wardrobe. The only drawback is their clothes are cut a wee on the small side. So, if you are blessed with a great rack you need to go up a size.

Their customer service is excellent, too. I signed up for their e-mail list and drool over their electronic missives regularly.

So, if you are looking for a Valentine's Day gift, check them out. They are right down the street.

A Razorback t-shirt in red and white would be quite in the spirit, no?

Images from Gameday Cloth

Accessory Alert - Preppiest Necklace Ever

If this necklace were any preppier it would come with pink and green ribbons. I have to say it hits all of my style points - classic, monogrammed, not too gaudy and I found it on my beloved Etsy.com.

And the price isn't half bad. I just wish it came in gold...

Image from: Cupcake Flair 

Exceptional Recitation of The Declaration of Independence

This is excellent. Thank you, NFL.

If One Photo Could Sum Up This Weather...

It would have to be the photo my friend Nancy took of her Newfie. Even with all of the inconvenience of icy roads, closed schools, and being shut in, it is nice to remember the joy of a change in weather. This dog sees the opportunity even in the annoying.

She's saying... "Can we go for a walk? Puh-leeese??"

Snow Crazy

The great ice storm of February 2011 has had me stuck indoors for most of the week. Here is what I have learned from this experience.

1. It's nice that I can VPN in to work and get my job done at home. But I still miss the true snow day of yesteryear. That's not because I am a slacker. I just missed that moment in time when people had to stop their lives for a day or two and wait for Mother Nature to finish her business. It put things in perspective.

2. I hate a silent house. NPR doesn't help, either. 

3. QVC with the volume turned down makes for perfect background noise. I have zero interest in buying anything, the presenters are not screaming about politics and the chatter is steady and soothing.

4. My cat has a whole life I didn't know about.

5. I eat less when I work from home. Hmm... am I nervously munching at work and I don't know it?

6. I really can go for long stretches without bathing.

7. My home office chair is terrible. I now have screaming lower back pain.

8. I miss the gym more than I miss my daily run to Starbucks. Who knew?

9. My neighborhood dressed in white is quite chic.

10. While we do not have any NHL draft picks on our block, I get great pleasure out of watching the neighborhood boys play hocky on the streets outside.

But I really need to get the heck out of this house.