a petite surprise among other things...

happy friday!

I have some big news and the best petite surprise EVER!

There's a little bun in our oven. :)

Patrick and I are thrilled and can't wait for our little one to arrive in September.

I'm going to go ahead and blame this on the pregnancy, but I have total creative block. It seems like sleep or food is all I think about these days, and those aren't topics I'm very good at writing about. I contemplated posting on the sheer goodness of an english muffin, or perhaps a recount of the Thanksgiving meal I prepared on Monday night - yes complete with ALL the fixings. (dang cravings!) Anyways, I didn't want to bore you to tears. Here's the problem: I've got nothin.

Except for this, which technically probably falls into the food category, but I'm sure all you non-preggers out there will enjoy it just as much as I!

Drum roll please....orangelimeade!

With no coffee or red wine in my diet anymore, I've been getting a little sick of water. This is a delicious (and nutritious!) treat.

1. Gather your oranges and limes. I used honeybells and temples which are super juicy right now. Barbour's Produce has them for 10/$1. Can't beat that.

2. Juice until you have 1 cup of orange juice, and then add 1/4 cup of lime. Depending on your sweet to tart preferences, adjust as needed. (If you don't have one of these, you need one!) I used 3 oranges and 2 limes.

3. Make a simple sugar concoction. Combine 1 cup water and 1/2 cup of sugar in a saucepan. Boil until the sugar dissolves.

4. Combine juices, 1 cup water, and 1 cup simple sugar in a blender. Pulse until pulp is pulverized.

5. Serve over a full glass of ice and garnish with orange and lime slices. Add a straw and enjoy!

Hope you have a {refreshing} weekend!

You're Invited!

Please join us on Thursday, March 17th for a Petite Surprise 1st Birthday celebration, paired with St. Patty's Day festivities!

Stop in and say "Happy Birthday" to receive 20% off any item!

We'll be celebrating from 5pm - 8pm, and would love for you to join us for some delicious treats!

courtesy of layla grace

I'm in love.

That color, the clawfoot, the fireplace, the ceiling....love it.

via nuevo estilo

Happy {Almost} Birthday!

Somebody has a 1st birthday coming up...That's right - Petite Surprise is turning ONE! I can't believe it has nearly been a year already. A celebration is in order. Stay tuned for details.

Calypso Palms

For all you local folk - be sure to get over to the 2011 Designers Showcase home -- Calypso Palms.

I had the privilege of viewing the home and interviewing the 16 local designers. Don't miss the chance to tour the home (Feb 26-Mar 18) and support a great cause!

Look for my room-by-room tour in this Sunday's Home Edition of The Stuart News!

Bedroom Inspiration

Here's a little bedroom inspiration I've been pondering lately...

Happy Wednesday!

My birthday's coming up in a week. I'll nearly be half way to 50. Wow.

If I were going to make a birthday wish list - IF -, here's a few things that would have to be on there... :)

1. This pretty little number.

2. Or this.

3. The WonderBar.

4. Amos Lee's new CD.

5. Sam's loafers.

6. Or maybe these shiny little guys.

7. This huge gold mirror to finish off our master bedroom.

8. Perhaps a new pair of jeans.

9. Although I'm not much of a watch person, this one could possibly change that.

10. What's a birthday without a cupcake? Especially from Magnolia.

Dreaming of Nevis...

This morning I had the windows open in the kitchen.

Something about the temperature and strength of the breeze, the balmy-ness of it, the way the palm trees were swaying and the colors of the sky, or maybe all of that combined, I was instantly dreaming of memories of our honeymoon in Nevis.

I wouldn't mind being teleported here for today to soak up the sun on the deck, go for a swim in the ocean, and then catch the most gorgeous sunset at Oualie Beach. Oh, and definitely followed by dinner at Banana's.

Memories are so much fun. Happy day to you. :)

(P.S. If anyone is planning a honeymoon or just a fun get-a-way, Nevis should be a contender. I would love to tell you why!)

We've Moved. Kinda.

Petite Surprise has a new look.

Come check us out. :)

And some cool new pieces - like this awesome green European chest.

As if the color weren't enough, note the secret drawer. I'm sold.

Save as Draft

Would love to see your smilin' face at the shop! Hope to see you soon. :)

My New Goal

Although not technically my "New Year's Resolution", since it's still January I guess you could dub it that. For the next few weeks, I'm kickin' it into high gear and (attempting to!) accomplish a project a weekend.

Last weekend....our closets!

Here's what I was going for:

We don't have too much space, but I knew anything had to be better than its current state:

This picture was taken a few short days before we tackled this space. I was pretty much fed up at this point, as you can see.

BUT, with a little design, paint and elbow grease, we are THOROUGHLY enjoying our new closets!

His:

Hers:

Super duper cool shoe racks that work surprisingly well.

And my most favoritest part:

1 project down, 38 to go.

can we go?

I'm such a horrible blogger. It's true - I have in fact all but neglected you, and I'm sorry. I hope these pictures cheer you up.

If Petite Surprise was a hotel, it would be The Ocean View Club because it is a little vintage, a little eclectic and a lot of fun.

(P.S. You should visit their funky website. I like the song playing in the background.)

Together We Are a Force For Good

Ok, I’m back (and better than ever!). And I’m so excited to share this with you.

Jan 1-4 my husband and I went to Atlanta with 30 people from our church to attend an event for 20ish-aged people called Passion.

Rocked. Our. Worlds.

For many reasons, but I’ll share this one with you.

At this event, there was a “Do Something Now” center that invited that students to do just that. There were 10 carefully selected organizations that wanted to partner with students to help the poor, enslaved, impoverished and sick of our world.

As many of you know who attended Until Every Child is Fed, there is a very soft spot in my heart for the children who go to bed hungry each night. Who survive on cardboard until eventually their little bodies can’t fight any more and they literally die from starvation. So as you can imagine, my heart was already drawn to this center.

So as if that wasn’t cool enough, let me tell you about their displays. Think Anthropologie on steroids, for a purpose (as in one more significant than getting you to buy ridiculously priced items just because they have it set up so fun and creatively). I was blown away by the (God-given!) creativity of the team that pulled this off. Not that photos do it justice, but take a look.

Jesus softened hearts.

$1.1 million was raised.

In 4 days.

By broke college students.

“The least of these” will be fed.

Cared for.

Loved on.

Set free.

Redeemed.

Restored.

All in the name of Jesus.

And that same Jesus freed me.

Fulfills me.

Loves me.

Redeems me.

Rejoices over me.

Satisfies me.

It blows my mind.

Do you know this Jesus?

I would love to buy you a cup of coffee and tell you about the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. Just tell me when.