Aaaaaaand Breathe...

I was reminded of this amazing place today and just had to share. I've never officially made a bucket list, but if I had one, staying in this little cabin would be in the top 10.

Way out in Middle of Nowhere, Colorado, sits an old ghost town. A few years back, a loving family bought the place and transformed it into one of the Top 10 Luxury Hotels in the world.

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, beauty abounds. I like how they stated it on their website: surrounded by "a plethora of magical places." I love magical places.

This place has natural hot springs. What better way to ease the aches from a long hike through the Rockies than soaking neck deep for hours while watching the sun go down, or looking up at millions of stars??

Oh, and it gets better. The on-site chef cooks according to your dietary needs (or preferences!). Do you need gluten free? No problem. Prefer fish to beef? Alright. (And did I mention they use nearly all local, organic ingredients?!)

You can have a picnic packed if you want to head out to the hills for the afternoon, but be sure to make it back by dark. The wine (from their near-by vineyard!) starts flowing as all of the guests gather 'round the old antique table for a family style dinner. How fun?! I love meeting new people over a great meal.

Would you go in the summer?

Fall?

Or winter?

magical places + mountain air + wildflowers + afternoon strolls + organic food (on an antique table, no less!) + local wine + new friends + hot springs (all with my cowboy!) = a really, really, realllllly fun time.

Even their logo is perfect.

**all images via dunton hot springs

{Kitchen} Island Getaway

I don't know about for you, but the kitchen island is the singular most used item in our entire house.

It is our catch-all and our dinner-prep. We (namely, I) fold our laundry there and read our mail. It holds our wine and microwave and pots and pans and spices and trays and Kitchen-Aid and...you get the point. And when we have dinner parties, despite ample seating areas, everyone tends to hover around this thing. I'm telling you - this one piece does it all.

So what's my point? Here it goes: to all you folks out there getting ready (or in the process of) building or remodeling your kitchen, choose your island carefully. Don't get me wrong, our island gets the job done, but if I knew this item was going to host 90% of our time at home, I would have picked one with a little more soul.

But the most perfect kitchen island ever?

I'm not even sure I totally understand how those drawers work, but I loooooooveee it! And those handles?!? No lack of storage. I think it's perfect. In fact, I might just have to measure my space when I get home. A girl can dream. :)

(FYI - this piece is for sale, so if you want details, just ask!)

Until Every Child is Fed.

So remember that Grand Opening party petite surprise was hosting on November 4th? And then remember when it got moved to November 18th? Yah, it happens.

Well anyways, our official Grand Opening celebration has (much to my delight!) morphed into more of a Support-A-Great-Cause party. Don't be fooled, celebration is still in order, but it will be tastefully coupled with an opportunity to CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES. Can a party get any better than that?! We think not. :)

It is my great honor to cordially invite you (any anyone you can drag along!) to join us on the evening of November 18th at petite surprise. We will be hosing the event UNTIL EVERY CHILD IS FED. And it's just that - a chance to feed precious (but dying) children.

Here's the TRUTH:

the TRUTH is there are 147,000,000 million orphans in the world. sick. starving. dying. unloved. uncared for. the TRUTH is 70% of them will never be educated. the TRUTH is 43,836 precious children die each day because of hunger related causes. that is one child every 2 seconds. the TRUTH is starvation is PREVENTABLE. the TRUTH is we make excuses. the economy is bad. gas is expensive. so is food. we can’t afford to help. the TRUTH is if your household income is $50,000 or more per year, you are in the top 1% richest people in the world. in the WORLD. the TRUTH is we wrap our arms so tightly around what we have that we can’t extend our reach to help those who truly NEED. the TRUTH is they are orphans. abandoned. the TRUTH is that when they go to bed at night no one tucks their blankets in around them and kisses their foreheads. the TRUTH is that when they wake up in the dark scared, no one runs to comfort them. the TRUTH is that due to someone else’s carelessness, some will die of AIDS. the TRUTH is poverty and squalor and disease and desolation are REAL. they have names. and faces that stare back and hands that squeeze tight. the TRUTH is they are beautiful people in need of love. the TRUTH is you can’t take your money with you. one day you will die, so while you are here why don’t you help someone LIVE. at one child every 2 seconds, this is a matter that can not wait. it is URGENT. the TRUTH is that for children under age 5, 54% will die from preventable, treatable illnesses. they are not statistics, they are people. they are children with no one to help them, no one to love them. they are dying because we have chosen to care more about our comfort and security than for their basic needs. the TRUTH is they did not choose to be born into the situation they are in. they are just like you or me. real people with personalities and smiles. the TRUTH is they don’t need sympathy, they need help. TANGIBLE HELP. healthy meals. clean water. simple medications. the TRUTH is you have a choice. you can choose to use your freedom and this opportunity to do something about it, or you can turn your cheek and pretend 43,000 children won’t die tonight from the lack of something you have the means to provide. the TRUTH is even $.19, the cost of one meal in Uganda, can make a difference. the TRUTH is you YOU CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE.

Here's what we plan to do about it:

We hope you will make plans to be here. Check out our Facebook page for daily posts of great products and services from generous, local businesses to be raffled off!

Petite Surprise is on Facebook!

Yes, we've gone to the dark side. Petite Surprise has its own page - be sure to check it for up-to-the-minute information!

Enjoy this uh-maaaaaazing day and have a happy weekend!

Get the Look - 10.12.10

A vintage shoe rack.

Great for:

- a unique china "cabinet"

- narrow storage piece in a bathroom

- extra shelving in a kitchen

- a catch-all for the entry

- or even for it's original purpose - a shoe rack in your closet!

I have a very similar small farmhouse table for $95 (opposed to $588 at terrain!).

I found a pair of these swivel chairs. They are not in the shop, but if you are interested, let me know. I'll haul 'em over for ya!

These riddling racks are great for wine lovers! Usually outrageously expensive, I got a deal on one that I'm selling for $90. (NOTE: mine is single sided)

2 Things

1. Unmark your calendar for November 4th.

2. Mark your calendar for November 18th!

Plans have changed. Petite Surprise will be hosting an evening of food, live music and raffles on Thursday, November 18th. We will be donating three raffles you don't want to miss. More details to come. :)