The best place to shop for home accessories in Denver...

So, a couple of posts ago I mentioned that I would be a vendor at the Sweet William Market June 27th. Well, on the eve of market day, I was sooooo pleased to discover that the Sweet William Market was listed as one of the many "reasons to love Denver" by 5280 Magazine. The category specifically: Editor's Choice for Home Accessories Shopping. That gave me an extra thrill, considering I'm all about home accessories.

Congrats to Kim and Lizzie of the Sweet William Market. And for all of you who haven't experienced this fabulous open-air market yet.... we'll see you in July!

http://www.sweetwilliammarket.com/

http://www.5280.com/index.php

Gorgeous Giveaway!

One of the cool things I've really enjoyed about blogging is reading other blogs, getting to know other "creative" people, and getting inspiration from their posts.

I read on one of my new favorite blogs "Lucky Girl Gifts" by Cari (see my blog list on right) that another amazing blog was having a giveaway. So take a look and enter! There's no reason not to add a little "pretty" to your life. With a name like Vintage Bella Studio, how can you go wrong? :) And while you're at it, visit Cari's too. She has some of the sweetest jewelry.

http://vintagebellastudio.blogspot.com/

Sweet William Market this Saturday

They call it "Sweet" for a reason.

I love this show and I'll be back again this Saturday. Kim and Lizzie (the organizers) do an awesome job of creating the perfect outdoor market atmosphere.

Live music, sprawling green, quaint and clever marketing, and oh, us lucky vendors! They take such good care of us.

Look for me in my usual spot, with some new and not so "usual" things.

Here's the link to the website for more info. It's this Saturday, June 27th from 9-2 on the green at Stapleton.

http://www.sweetwilliammarket.com/

Domestic Goddess: Beauty Basics

Denver is mile above sea level. As a result, our air is arid. Arid extra dry. We Colorado girls really have to take care of our skin. And while humidity can be uncomfortable at times, there's something to be said about "dewy" skin. "Dewy" only happens in a bottle here...

Above are some of my favorite "beauty in a bottle" (or tube) products. You can find all of these at your local Target, drug store, or health food store.

I can't live without:

1. Chapstick Overnight: I'm still looking for an "ultimate" daytime lip balm. Must have SPF, a slight tint, yet not be sticky. Any suggestions??? Please let me know!


2. Organics Desert Essence hand and body lotion in Vanilla Chai: smells so yummy you want to drink it up.


3. Aquaphor: so much better than Vaseline. Slap this stuff on with a pair of socks before bed and you'll wake up with the smoothest, softest feet.


4. Dove Energy Glow: we all know by now the dangers of too much sun. But ya gotta love a tan. Even just a glow. I love this product because it doesn't smell "self-tannerish" -- actually has a hint of citrus to it, and it creates a very subtle glow.


5. St Ives Apricot Facial Scrub: It's inexpensive but totally does the trick. I realize now how important exfoliation is. Comes only second to sunscreen in my book.


6. Olay Beauty Lotion: my mom has used this stuff for years, and she looks great. Enough convincing for me. And of course mine includes an SPF.


7. Finally, not pictured, my own personal "sugar scrub". I ran out of my "name brand" body sugar scrub one day, and decided to make my own. I use the organic sugar from the grocery store, canola oil and lavender essential oil for a slight scent. Exfoliates, softens and smells great. And it's cheap!
   

But sometimes you need a little more help than "home care". Or maybe just a little pampering. My dear friend Kelly Olmsted is the owner of Face Logic Spa (http://www.facelogicspa.com/). This place is your one-stop spa for all the "don't try this at home" things: facials, microdermabrasion, masks, peels, waxing... And they are so reasonable. Under $50 for an awesome facial. Give them a try! I have been known to doze off during the massage part -- so relaxing and such a treat!

On that note I must say that they call it "beauty sleep" for a reason. Too many nights of burning the midnight oil, and no magic potion is going to fix that... Good night! :)

Kits of Caboodle

There's something comforting about a "kit". Everything you need, all in one place. For a mere five dollars, you can have a caroline joy kit, for practically any occasion:

Happy Birthday! Bag:

Essentially it's a birthday party in a bag: candy, party horn, balloons, candles... Just add the cake!

Here Comes the Bride! Bag

All the necessities for those last minute bridal emergencies: dental floss, mints, nail file, bobbie pins, safety pins, confetti, tissues -- even a "something blue" ribbon to tie on.

Bon Voyage Bag

A few treats for your favorite traveller -- or you: packing lists, journal and pen, postcards stamps, compass ring. Don't say "goodbye" without it!

Beauty Queen Bag

We all know a special beauty queen who would love this goodie bag: rollers, necklace, bracelet, rings, ribbons and bows -- even a little tiara crown. Great for a girls' night too!

Life's A Beach! Bag

Pool party? Backyard BBQ? Or just because it's summer: beach ball, water gun, Swedish fish candy, drink umbrellas, and a few shells for authenticity.

Boredom Buster Bag

Combat the "I'm bored!" whines this summer with this handy little kit: bubbles, balls, horn, stickers, spinning top -- and Pixie Stix for that extra little "sugar high."

I will have all my caroline joy kits, as well a bunch of other fun items, this Saturday at the Sweet William Market. Stop on by, and stock on up!

Group Project: The $5 Question

As I mentioned in an earlier post, sometimes I'll shine the spotlight on one goddess. Other times I'll need to summon the masses...

For this Group Project, I asked my friends the question:
"If you had a $5 bill, how would you spend it?"

The results are in! The thing I love about us girls is that we can covet the most exquisite, luxurious items in life, but when it gets down to it, we are pretty easy to please.

One thing is for sure: we ladies love our Starbucks. All different kinds and sizes. Too many to mention, but here's a few orders:

"Venti decaf peppermint mocha"

"Grande decaf mocha, non-fat, no whip, with two pumps"

"Venti mocha frappucino, while I sit and read a book"

For others, sustenance was the little treat that got us through the day:

"Lunch at Qdoba"

"Breakfast at Einsteins"

"Del Taco tacos"

"A huge sundae at Cold Stone"

Some just needed a little break from life:

"A half hour of babysitting time"

"A huge beer... it's been a tough week"

"Five lottery tickets"

"A bottle of ginkgo biloba!"

And others just wanted to add a little "pretty" in their life:

"Stickers from Archivers"

"Fresh flowers for the kitchen table"

"A candle or little trinket"

"A little ring from Etsy"

"Five dollars in quarters for my son to drop in donation buckets -- he would love that"

My thank you's to all of you who responded with such great answers: Wendy B, Wendy K, Amy, Lizzie, Sue, Mary, Linda, Sandi B, Kelly L, Kelly O, Shannon, Ashley, Lisa P, Stacy and Teri...

How would I spend my five bucks?

1. Buy the $1 hot fudge sundaes from McD's for me and the kids -- such a bargain!
2. Hit a bucket of golf balls at the range -- haven't swung the club in a while
3. A vintage pin on ebay
4. A half (or whole) yard of fabric that catches my eye
5. A big fat fashion magazine -- like Vogue's fall "phonebook"

Next post I'll give you some ideas of how you could spend $5 with caroline joy next Saturday at the June Sweet William Market...

Domestic Goddess: Garden Girl

I wish I had a green thumb. I have a knack for fabric, but when it comes to growing things, I leave it to the produce department at Sprouts Market.

My sweet friend Lisa Payne is not only a successful business woman(http://www.guntherdouglas.com/), and a mom to adorable 2 year old Brady, but she is also a great gardener and cook. While hanging out in her beautiful backyard the other night (check out the view!) I was green with envy over her garden.

The variety is vast and the pickins are good:

• Red, yellow and orange bell peppers


• Ancho peppers


• Jalapeno peppers


• Acorn and butternut squash


• Yellow squash


• Zucchini squash


• All kinds of tomatoes: big red, cherry, tomatillo


• Cucumber


• Strawberries


• Herbs: tarragon, rosemary, sage, basil, oregano, mint
  

While I'm definitely inviting myself back at the end of the summer for the "cornucopia harvest feast", I did enjoy a fresh, simple and delicious asparagus dish Lisa had prepared that night. It's perfect as a summer side:

Jumbo Asparagus with Meyer Lemon Dressing
20 spears jumbo asparagus (about 1 lb) peeled
Coarse sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
Meyer lemon dressing (recipe below)

In a pot of boiling, heavily salted water, cook the asparagus about 4 minutes. Drain well. Shock in a bowl of ice water until cool, then drain well. If serving warm, toss with about 1/3 cup of the dressing. season with salt and pepper.

Meyer Lemon Dressing
Juice and zest of 3 Meyer lemons
1 teaspoon mustard
1 tablespoon egg yolk (discard the rest)
1 small shallot, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 cups canola oil

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the juice and zest, mustard, egg yolk, shallot, and salt and pepper. Whisk in the canola oil in a slow stream to emulsify. Note: this recipe will make a little extra dressing.

Not only will Lisa be featured in future posts with more fabulous recipes, I have many girlfriends who know their way around the kitchen. More recipes to come...

I'll bring the wine!