photo ThePinkClutch-NAV-Home.png photo ThePinkClutch-NAV-About.png photo ThePinkClutch-NAV-Projects.png photo ThePinkClutch-NAV-Advertise.png photo ThePinkClutch-NAV-Contact.png

11.30.2011

Grown up Santa list

When I was a child I wanted every single toy made for Christmas.  I can literally remember circling everything in the Sears or JCPenny toy section much to my parents dismay.  My kids do the same thing.  Every single catalog that arrives or sale ad they get their hands on they are marking with sharpies and post its.  They make their lists for people who ask and then they may ask for three gifts from Santa.  The lists keep changing and getting longer.  It is almost funny. 

My list is a whole other story.  I want just a few things and unfortunately none of them are cheap.  Lawyer has not asked for my list yet ... but I will be ready when he asks!    




Red Hunter Wellies ... 




An ipad ...

Lawyer's office is switching from laptops to iPad.  I am thinking it would be good for me to have one too.  Right?


Another anniversary band.  

I think my finger is unbalanced, don't you?  Or at least that is what I am telling myself!  



The Cambridge chunky turtleneck sweater from JCrew in grey and yellow ... monogrammed!



And if he is still interested in buying gifts ... there is always the leopard Paige loafers ...


Don't you love them????

He might want to ask soon before the list gets any longer!

xo,
MPM

11.29.2011

Very upset little people...

So the weather channel yesterday was reporting snow this morning.  Not the kind that sticks and cancels school ... but the pretty, makes the kids excited kind.  They were pumped.  The teachers must have discussed it at school because they came off the bus shooting the news.  They must have checked the app on my iPhone a million and one times.  

They were ready.  They slept with their pjs inside out.  They flushed ice down the toilet.  They slept with spoons under their pillows.

The weather channel app was reporting they would wake up to snow flurries that would last most of the day.

They were so excited.

Until 6:30 am when they woke up and it was raining.

They are grumpy, short tempered and all around not fun to be with.  Getting ready for school was bad, bad.

Not cool weather channel app.  Not cool!

xo,
MPM

11.28.2011

We are so thankful ...

Thanksgiving dinner made two appearances at the Lawyer house this year, Thursday for my family and Saturday for Lawyer's.  Our families do not like to mingle.  It is silly.  And quite bothersome and absolutely not a practice I will adopting once my children get married!

I made one turkey, two hams, two pans of sweet potatoes, one large pot of mashed potatoes, one large pan of roasted brussel sprouts, two pans of dressing, gravy and three different kinds of cranberry.  We ate, ate again, warmed left overs, ate again and again and again.  And yesterday afternoon after church Lawyer brought home pizza.  It was time.  

All in all it was a great weekend.  The kids went to two movies, we played games and they roller bladed outside for hours during the warm days.  Lawyer and I watched two movies, The Dilemma and The Last Song.  Of course I cried during The Last Song ... I am such a sap.  I did accomplish a little shopping but very little.  I must, must, must manage that!  The kids see Santa this week so I should be able to get a good jump on it after that!  I hope!   

We all have so much things to be thankful for.  The kids and I made a list which I will share.  It is always so funny to me to hear the things they are thankful for.  At the top of MHM's list was God ... which makes this mama incredibly proud!  

I hope your Thanksgiving was yummy!!!

xo,
MPM

We are thankful for ...

God
my family
warm pjs
dressing and gravy
my grandparents
still living in Georgia
pie for breakfast
no school
warm coffee
ABC Family
Charlie Brown
a house filled with giggles

11.23.2011

Happy Thanksgiving!!!



All the prep is done ... the table is finished and the guests are preparing for bed!  The house smells like pumpkin pies and roasted vegetables.  We went out for Chinese food and are now cuddled up in my bed watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.  I couldn't be happier!!!


I love the table.  I will say it looks so much better in person.  Wish you were here!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Hope your weekend is fabulous!

xo,
MPM 




All the prep is done ... the table is finished and the guests are preparing for bed!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!

11.22.2011

Family time

I love this time of year.  I love how connected my family is during the holidays.  We snuggle in front of the fire, we make goodies together, we stay up late and play games and we watch ridiculously sappy and silly movies on ABC Family.  It's good stuff.

Last night I pulled up the schedule for the Countdown to Christmas on ABC Family and noticed that the pre-countdown has already started.  Kind of like Black Friday that is now starting on Thanksgiving, which is in a word, stupid. But my thoughts on that are a whole 'nother post!  So I showered and jammied up those yahoos and we snuggled in last night to watch The Search for Santa Paws.  Now ... I will tell you this is probably the dumbest movie I have seen in a while but we all piled into my bed and achieved the quality time I was looking for.  Lawyer may have played Words with Friends the entire movie but that's ok.  Like I said ... dumb movie!!!

Today I am off to finish off the Thanksgiving to do list and then home late this afternoon to finish prepping the house for our guests which begin arriving tomorrow.  I will be able to finish the day with grill cheese, tomato soup and a ABC Family double header.  I have already seen Surf's Up which airs at 6:30 but I am holding out for Happy Feet at 8:30.  I will be able to fold laundry and put it away during the commercials.  Good times I tell you!!!  Good times!

If it was only cold enough here in Atlanta for a fire I might be in heaven!

Looks like I will be waiting until Sunday or Monday for that possibility!!

xo,
MPM

11.21.2011

I heart plaid!!!

The kids are out for the week of Thanksgiving and I have done a big fat nothing all day.  Well, that isn't totally true.  I have been conversing on twitter, fluffed my Thanksgiving table with flatware, glasses and some leaves, had lunch with Hair Girl and her crew and have been adding photos to my boards on Pinterest.  

All in all ... really nothing!

The Thanksgiving table is basically done, it just needs place cards.  I found a link on potterybarn.com for  vintage post cards and am now just needing ink for the color printer and some card stock to finish that little project.  The instructions say to print the cards and then add a layer of velum on top with the guest's name and tie them together.  Perfect!!!

So ... why not let my mind wander about Christmas decorations?  

I am thinking plaid ... all plaid ... mixing plaids.  I am thrilled to try it!!!

Here is what I have uncovered so far to inspire me ...


I am thinking it will be grand ... and I will be decorating for Christmas before I know it!

xo,
MPM

11.20.2011

Sunday letters ...

This is by far my new favorite thing to do.  I will confess that this week I had to struggle to compile my letters.  I am tired.  Two weeks with no Lawyer and I am pooped.  But ... after some quiet time I found plenty to be thankful for ... 

Dear Lawyer, Thank you for giving me the gift of staying home with our children.  Even a bad day with them is a thousand times better than any day I can imagine.  They are amazing and I am blessed to be able to call myself their mother.  Dear God, Thank you for always being there for me.  I do not always ask for your help but when I do you provide it to me beyond what I could ask for or even dream of.  I have found myself very weary this week and you have stood me up and given me the strength and grace that only comes from you!!!  Dear Target, Wow!  I was able to catch up with a dear friend with you today.  She and I chatted and connected.  It  was fabulous and we have three dates on the calendar when we will see each other very soon.  Many thanks!!!  Dear Fall, you have been a gorgeous sight to behold this year.  Every single day your colors inspire me.  I am amazed we still have leaves on the trees ... but we do and they are amazing colors to enjoy.  Dear HSM, I am speechless by you this week.  You completed a literary portfolio that is sure to earn you an A+.  You will be fifteen in five short days and I am the luckiest mom in the world to have you in my life.   Dear WPM, You are a rock star!!!  You have worked so hard the past couple of weeks at school and you are now the proud owner of your first three As.  I know you are as proud as I am.  You inspire me to be a better person, mother and advocate.  I adore you!!!  Dear MHM, Your laugh makes my heart sing.  You are a great friend and an amazing supporter of your older brother.  I watch you love him beyond words and encourage him to be all he can be.  I am blessed to have you as my only female accessory in the house.  Girls rule!!!    Dear Hubs, You are a welcome sight in the bed next to me.  I am so glad you are home for at least a week.  Let's try for two!! 

Hope your week was a good one!!

xo,
MPM

11.17.2011

Blog reading = smart me!

I learn so much reading blogs.  I read more design blogs than anything else ... but I do read a few very stylish blogs that I heart greatly.  You can learn so much ... its like college for mommies!  Ha ...

Yesterday I discovered MeebleMail while reading Social Climbers.  Holy fabulousness!!!!!  You can create stationery for your email.  Then ... every time you send an email it is just like sending a handwritten note.  Swoon ... now just to chose a pattern.  I am stuck between this one, this one and this one.  I truly like the Dabney Lee print but I do own a pink bicycle with a basket which I love to ride thru the neighborhood.  Hmmm ... and to boot .. the bicycle print also comes dressed for the holidays.  Are you kidding me?  Then they have plaid and menswear prints and sorority themes.  I swear, each one of them is cuter than the last one.  Where in the world do people come up with all of these amazing ideas???

I wanted to ask Lawyer last night to help me chose ... however he is currently in LA and on a totally different time zone.  Plus, his response to me would have been something like ... "you must be kidding" or "can't you call a bestie to help you with the crisis du jour?" or my favorite ... "isn't that why you love that gay bestie so?".  

Whatever ... men never realize how important the little decisions can be.

Hee hee ...

Enjoy!
xo,
MPM


11.16.2011

Rainy Wednesday!

I am almost done with the table setting for Thanksgiving.  Since the kids are out all of next week I need to make sure that all is done for the planning.  I will not be able to tote the two youngest all over town without much fuss ... so must complete today and tomorrow.  

It started with this ...


Then became this when I added the brown place mats and the white plates ...


And currently looks like this ...


No where near done ... but getting there!  I still need to gather all the flatware, glasses and fluff the table.   I am also debating monogramming my napkins.  Thoughts? I would like to add some pheasant feathers and ribbon.  And this is only one of two tables I am decorating.  The other one in the kitchen will be almost identical.  I just ordered 3 inch burlap ribbon from Amazon which arrives Friday so I am growing closer by the minute.

The weather in Atlanta today is highly undesirable.  It has been raining most of the day with tornado sirens and warnings.  My dogs hate the sirens and I dislike having to check and recheck the weather to make sure I don't need to duck and cover.  The kids came home from school talking all about spending quite a bit of time in the hall tucked "into position".  MHM keeps reminding me that her teacher told her more than once to make sure her "bottom was tucked in".  Apparently she thought as long as her head was covered she was protected.   The vision is hysterical.  And of course I would know this because she keeps demonstrating the right way and the wrong way.  Hysterical ... I promise you!

I ran errands today sporting these ...


I heart them!!!

Hope your day was grand.

xo,
MPM

11.15.2011

T-day prep ...

I have been spending all of my down time (read quiet time at the hospital with Papa post-surgery) planning our Thanksgiving festivities.  We are hosting not one but two days of yumminess.  I have both menus planned, delegated food to guests and am now working on table prep and outfit prep.  My plan is to have our Christmas card photo taken during the festivities so I do want all of us looking our best!!!

After catching up on blog reading this am I popped over to JCrew to check out their new arrivals.  And instantly fell in love with these ...


Aren't they fabulous?  I am madly in love!  They are perfect!!!

I can pair them with a white woven for Thursday's plans and then wear them again on Saturday with a blue woven and my orange jacket not that different from the one pictured above.  I can even add a scarf on Thursday from one of Alice's scarf tricks this week. 

Now to just find the perfect loafer ...

And to finish my table setting plans and we will be good to go!!!

I love the holidays.

Can you tell?

xo,
MPM

11.14.2011

My kids!

The light of my lives ... I thought I would give you some information on each!!!

MHM 


The mini me.  The fire in the house.  The life of the party.  Our 7 year old goes by so many names.  Her Daddy calls her "puddin'" ... her middle brother and best friend in the world calls her "my baby" and I have too many names to count.  She is an amazing child with an incredible level of self confidence.  She will try anything and has almost no fear.  She loves to swim and play soccer and is great at  both.  There are so many things I admire about our baby girl.  She is a great student and loves to read.  She is a great friend.   She is incredibly protective of her older brother and probably will end up in the office one day having beat some poor kid up for teasing someone.  Every single day I tell her she is smart, funny and the prettiest girl at the party.  She always giggles and responds ... "But we aren't at a party".  And every night before she goes to bed I tell her I love her more than peanut butter and she tells me she loves me more than jelly.  

I love you baby girl!!!


WPM


Our ten year is one very special kid.  He is the funniest person I know.  He loves to play four square and ride his scooter.  He is great on his roller blades and loves to ice skate.  He also loves to snuggle up on the sofa and watch movies.  Although he struggles in reading and math, he is the best writer I have ever met.  He has a photographic memory and is quite the informant.  If you want to know something ... I promise he can tell you or find it.  He can write a personal narrative that is worthy of publishing.  And he can type it for you.  When he was 7 he wrote a love letter that still makes me swoon.  He is girl crazy and told me yesterday that God gave him the ability to whistle so he could whistle at all the pretty girls. 

This sweet boy has a heart of gold.  He would do anything to help another and never leaves my side when I am sick.  His favorite food is pretzels or popcorn.  When he grows up he wants to be a geologist and I will do all I can to make sure he has ever chance to be all he can be!

You inspire me Boo!!


HSM


Our soon to be 15 year old is the best teenager I have ever met.  He is the classic first born ... very responsible and anal to the bone.  His room might be a mess but his homework is done perfectly and turned in early.  He is a great judge of character and has an amazing group of friends.  He has a very dry sense of humor and will be the first to tell you he is funny.  In his first year of high school he has blossomed.  It is his favorite grade by far.  He has an interest in community service and loves to help the elderly.   He loves to travel but also is just as happy at home hanging with his buds.  He likes to hunt and goes out each year with my dad starting in late November.  Currently he is almost two inches taller than me and is no where near done.  He will be an amazing father and husband one day ... and I will continue to be one proud mama!

I love you babe!

I hope you enjoyed the post ... I love to talk about my three favorite accessories!!


11.13.2011

Weekly letter

Last Sunday I wrote letters on the blog to sum up my week.  I really enjoyed doing it and have decided to make it a weekly thing.  I think that life goes too fast and it is easy to lose sight of all the things we have to be thankful for, all the blessings we are given.  I am truly trying to slow down and enjoy my life more.  When you live each day for that day only it is so much easier to do.  Since our move to Kansas is not off the plate I have forced myself to live one day at a time.  Not to think about next week or next month but just about today.  It has been the best gift I could have ever given myself.  If I had only thought of you so many years before ...

Dear Lawyer, I loved hanging out with you all day Saturday and again today.  Since you are gone most weeks I truly treasure our weekends together.  Dear Swallow at the Hollow, you remain one of my favorite joints.  Your salads are one of a kind and the family loooooves your ribs!   Dear Tazo Orange Blossom Tea, you are my new favorite!  I know you are so much healthier than espresso.  I think this fall you and I will be great friends.  Dear Monday, I am truly looking forward to you.  You have nothing on your list and I am thrilled to be spending the first day of the week with nothing planned.  Dear Hair Girl, thank you for my cut and color.  I think I love the new length, even though it is approximately three inches shorter.  Baby Girl says I look like Kit Kittredge.  I guess I should think about adding a bow for special occasions.  hee hee!  Dear Shug, cheers to our date night tonight.  It's been a long time since we tucked the kids in and focused on just you and me!

Hope your day is glorious!
xo,
MPM

11.11.2011

Road trip success!

I apologize for not posting yesterday ... I had a family commitment that needed my full attention.  All is well, great actually, so I am back posting today.  I almost feel naked if I don't post.  It has become such a regular part of my day.

We had a blast in Columbus!!!  Christie Leigh Mueller is more adorable in person that she is in photos!!!  She is the whole package ... incredibly driven and someone you would want to make your best friend.  I adore her!!!  The photos are coming ... I am gathering them to share with you!

I curled up in bed last night with her book Gridiron Belles and loved all I read.  It is so well written and so fun to read.  I love all the "extra points".  Of course I started with the Florida Gators pages, what else would a Gator do?  And she knows what she is talking about.  Since my Dad grew up in Gainesville and both his parents were professors at the University I grew up going to tailgates, games and the most fun for me, Gator Growl.  I loved having the tattoo on my check on Saturdays and posing with Albert and Alberta.  It was good times.  It was hard for me to not attend the University of Florida.  My mother was getting her masters when I left for college and I was not attending the same university as my mother ... so I attended the University of Central Florida.  It was a great second choice for me.  I could be at the beach after class in 32 minutes and still spend ever single Saturday during football season in Gainesville.  And yes ... I do bleed orange and blue!!!

Be back soon with pics ... 

Have a great Friday!

xo,
MPM

11.09.2011

Gridiron Belles ...

There has been a lot of talk in the blog world about the new book Gridiron Belles and its adorable author!!!  I am excited to share that I will be attending a book signing today in Columbus and will get to meet this sweet girl.  Some girls and I are making the trek today to Columbus and this is just one of the things I am excited about!  

I am sure I will have stories and photos to share ... any road trip with this crew is super fun!  It does not take much to make us laugh intensely ... just ask the patrons at the Horseradish Grill that we closed down Friday night.  I know they thought we were all drunk when we left.  

Plus The Duggars have announced they are expecting baby #20 ... that alone will keep us chatting for an hour.  

Crazy talk!!!  Three kids puts me over almost every day.  Twenty ... that is a whole neighborhood.

Be back with photos ...
Pinky swear ... 

xo,
MPM

11.07.2011

Blog Hop: My favorite recipe

I was inspired by Muffy Martini's Blog Hop to post my favorite recipe out of my favorite cookbook.  I love Ina Garten!  She is a cook who truly enjoys the whole process of the preparation.  She loves to shop, prepare, cook and eat!  She inspires me!!!

My favorite cookbook is her Family Style cookbook ...


I have chosen two recipes, two that I like to pair together for a meal!!!

Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
2 1/2 lbs. fresh asparagus (30 large)
2T olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 lemons cut in wedges, for serving

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  If the stalks of the asparagus are thick, peel the bottom half of each.  Lay them in a single layer on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender.  Sprinkle with cheese and return to the oven for another minute.  Serve with lemon wedges.

Parmesan Chicken
6 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts 
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 extra large eggs
1 1/4 cups seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving 
Unsalted butter
Olive oil
Salad green for 6, washed and spun dry
Lemon Vinaigrette
(1/4 c fresh squeezed lemon jc, 1/2 c olive oil, 1/2 t kosher salt, 1/4 t ground pepper)

Pound the chicken breasts until they are 1/4 inch thick.  Combine the flour, salt and pepper on a dinner plate.  On a second plate, beat the eggs with 1T of water.  On a third plate, combine the bread crumbs and 1/2 cup of the cheese.  Coat the chicken breasts on both sides with the flour mixture, then dip both sides into the egg mixture and dredge both sides in the bread crumb mixture, pressing lightly.

Heat 1T of the butter and 1T of the olive oil in a large saute pan and cook 2 or 3 breasts at a time on med-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until cooked through.  Add more butter and oil and cook the rest of the chicken breasts.  Toss the salad greens with lemon vinaigrette.  Place a mound of salad on each hot chicken breast.  Serve with extra grated cheese.  

I know both recipes have Parmesan cheese as a major ingredient, but trust me they pair nicely!!!

Enjoy!
xo,
MPM

p.s.  I tried and tried and failed to link the blog hop!  Clearly I am not as techy as I thought I was!!!

11.03.2011

Kate Spade love!!!

My real estate, turned friend, from Kansas City called me today while I was working at Paper Girl's home show.  I quickly answered since we never have the opportunity to catch up and told her I was working but would call her later.  She replied ... "I only have one thing to tell you ... Kate Spade is having a one day sale ... 75% off!"

What a great call to receive ... that pushes her up the friend list for sure! 

I did indulge in a little Kate love this afternoon grabbing up two necklaces and the small bow bangle. 

I am wondering if I should have grabbed up a dress too at those amazing prices ...

I have until 11:59 to decide.

Thanks again Ann for the heads up ... you are the best!!!

xo,
MPM 

11.02.2011

Thought provoking ...

Was reading Facebook on Sunday and saw this list on a friends status.  At first glance it was a good list ... at second glance it was brilliant.  It was taken from Maria Shriver's blog but isn't written by Maria herself.  Hope you enjoy ...

50 Lessons Life Taught Me

By Regina Brett


To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

 It is the most-requested column I've ever written. When my odometer rolled over to 50, I updated the list.
Here it is:
  1. 

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.


  2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
  3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.


  4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.


  5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
  6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.


  7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
  8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.


  9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.


  10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
  11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.


  12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.


  13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
  14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.


  15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.


  16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
  17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.


  18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

  19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.


  20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
  21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.


  22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.


  23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.


  24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
  25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
  26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"


  27. Always choose life.


  28. Forgive everyone everything.


  29. What other people think of you is none of your business.


  30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.


  31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

  32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
  33. Believe in miracles.
  34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
  35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.


  36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

  37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

  38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
  39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.


  40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.


  41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.


  42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.


  43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.


  44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.


  45. The best is yet to come.
  46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.


  47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.


  48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
  49. Yield.


  50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift...

xo,
MPM

11.01.2011

Another great year!

I love Halloween in our neighborhood.  It is nothing short of magical!  The entire neighborhood gathers in front of our house to parade to the clubhouse.  For about fifteen minutes you get to take photos and gather with all your friends and neighbors.  It is so much fun!!!  Then we parade to the clubhouse ... have dinner al fresco and then take off trick or treating!  

The kids had a blast ... the weather was perfect and they paraded, treated, ate dinner, showered and were tucked in by 8:30.  Nothing better!


The sweetest cowboy there is ... he tipped his hat while saying Trick or Treat.




The most beautiful cowgirl I know!


Posing with Daddy


A family shot ... minus the teenager who was already giving out candy at the house.


trying to catch a ride on the Daddy ...


... a rather short ride!

Hope your Halloween was grand!
xo,
MPM


 

design + development by kelly christine studio