Pink & Green Thursday: I {Heart} Summer!

Hello darlings, and Happy Pink & Green Thursday!

Hugs and thanks to my sweet friend Mrs. Pink Champagne for guest hosting last week as I was away.  Doesn't she have exquisite taste?   I know we are still in the final days of April, but I can't help having summer completely on my mind.  I even picked up a new swimsuit last weekend (love all the ruffles) and spent a little time in the pool.  Besides, if Lilly says Summer 2011 is officially here, I believe it!

As always, please feel free to play along with us for Pink & Green Thursday by grabbing the button off of my sidebar, posting your favorite pictures of the week, and add your link to the blog hop below!

Here are some summery things making me smile this week:

Lilly Pulitzer Summer 2011 Dresses

Lilly Pulitzer Shelly Jellies

A different way to serve watermelon - fresh Watermelon 'Cake'!  I can't wait to serve this over the summer.

Perfectly pretty and refreshing for a hot day by the pool!

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These sweet, summery, simple leather clutches by Clare Vivier make me giddy.

"La Pochette" in green, pink and blue

Madras, madras everywhere!  The madras bow belt is a summer must-have, and who could say no to a fun game of madras checkers?  Check out Just Madras on their website, on twitter, or on tumblr for more great summer essentials.

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Summer traveling means packing light.  A couple of Lilly's, a pair of white jeans and sandals, a week's worth of bikinis and you're set.  A travel duffel from Ame and Lulu in either of these darling prints would be a perfect way to travel in style this summer!  Visit their website for more colorful fun or say hello on twitter.

Happy summer "prepping" all, and Happy Pink & Green Thursday!

xoxo

P.S. Special thanks to all again for your sweet messages over the last week.  Our beautiful Grandma Josie went to Heaven on Easter Sunday morning.  Can you imagine a more perfect day to join all the angels, and to be reunited with her sweetheart?  Her funeral service on Tuesday was a joyous yet tear-filled celebration as we remembered all she shared with us over 96 years.  She will be in our hearts forever. xx

Grandma and Paw Paw on their honeymoon

Smathers & Branson Giveaway Winner!

Special thanks to everyone who entered the Smathers & Branson giveaway that I was thrilled to host last week.  After tallying the results, via random.org, I am very happy to announce that the winner of the needlepoint belt giveaway is:

T from Desperately Seeking Seersucker

Congratulations! 

Please email me with your mailing address/contact information so Smathers & Branson can get your belt shipped to you soon.  Can't wait to see which one you choose!

 

Many thanks again to Smathers & Branson for providing such a lovely gift and generous giveaway.  Please remember them for your upcoming gift-giving occasions, you can't go wrong!

Ninety Six

Today my sweet and beautiful Grandmother turned ninety six.  It has been a very emotional week as she was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital after a heart attack, and has been fighting congestive heart failure as well as kidney failure.  My parents, brothers and sister came into town, and we have been able to spend some precious time with her while she was in the CCU all week.  She is now resting peacefully in a private room with only oxygen and morphine, and unfortunately we know the end of her life here on this Earth is very near. 

We visited again this afternoon and surrounded by family, including her adorable great-grandchildren, sang "Happy Birthday" and ate delicious petit fours from her favorite bakery in celebration of her extraordinary life.   What a miracle that she was able to make it to this special day on such a Holy weekend!  We know the angels in Heaven are preparing to welcome her with arms wide open.

Thank you with all my heart for the kind tweets, texts and emails this week.  Wishing you and your families the most wonderful Easter weekend full of peace and love.

xoxo

P.S.  Last chance to enter my Smathers & Branson giveaway - winner will be announced on Monday. 

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Pink & Green Thursday: Easter Edition

    It's Thursday my loves, so you know what that means: time to celebrate beautiful pinks and greens! Pink Champagne here today filling in for my dear friend Trishy... I'm just so honored she asked me to guest hostess today, and I promise to do my best to fill her sparkly shoes. Please join in the fun and link up with us - I know Trish just adores seeing each pink & green post and so do I!

With Easter only a few days away, I thought it was only fitting that I grace this post with beautiful pastels. Easter means lots of eggs (the chocolate kind is my personal favorite)...

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bunnies...

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sweet treats...

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lillies...

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and of course the Lilly of the other kind! (I KNOW you ladies know what I am referring to... tee hee.) Our shared love of Lilly is one of the things that brought Trish and I together initially, and the more I have gotten to know her I only adore her more! Wouldn't she look just darling in any one of these sundresses?!

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Wishing you all the happiest of Easters with your families and loved ones. Big hugs and kisses to our beautiful hostess for welcoming me into her pink, preppy, Lilly-filled world! XOXO

Smathers and Branson Needlepoint Giveaway!

Hello sweet friends!  I have a real treat for you today - are you familiar with Smathers & Branson needlepoint designs?


Conceived in 2004 by roommates at Bowdoin College, Smathers & Branson offers a variety of original and custom needlepoint products, all individually hand-stitched and 100% one-of-a-kind. The company began with its main focus on manufacturing traditional needlepoint belts and making them more available, attractive and affordable for the average person. As their venture grew, more needlepoint products have become available as well as services which allow the customer to develop their own personalized needlepoint design.

 

 Known for their needlepoint belts which can be crafted into multiple designs and colors for men, women and children, Smathers & Branson also offers products such as needlepoint key fobs, wallets, coin purses, coasters, headbands, dog collars, flasks and cummerbunds.

 

All of the needlepoint products are 100% hand-stitched and therefore easy to customize. The company can create custom products with unique patterns for schools, clubs and organizations, and will even create custom items for weddings as well as monogrammed products. Smathers and Branson uses only the best materials from around the world and thoroughly checks each item to ensure that it is not only beautiful, but also durable enough to survive the test of time.

Lots of upcoming weddings and parties?  Smathers and Branson items make unique gifts for Mother's and Father's Day, excellent High school or College Graduation gifts, and ideal personalized presents for your entire Bridal party.  Of course there are plenty of stylish items for you too!  Here are some of my favorites below.

Needlepoint Key Fobs

Needlepoint Flasks

Needlepoint Headbands

Needlepoint Wallets and Credit Card Wallets

The wonderful team at Smathers and Branson recently contacted me, and has generously offered to giveaway one Women's Needlepoint belt to a lucky reader!   Just in time for Spring and Summer warm weather fun!  Made specifically for women, these S&B needlepoint belts are backed with full-grain leather and finished with a 100% hand carved horn buckle.  The winner will have their choice one of the following belts below (a $165 value!):

Pink Bamboo

Black Bamboo

Rainbow Fleet

Blue Rope

Black Rope

***Giveaway Details***

1 entry:  "Like" Smathers & Branson on Facebook and leave a comment on this post.

1 additional entry:  Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect or let me know you're already following. :)

1 additional entry:  Visit Smathers & Branson's website and let me know your favorite item in the comments section.

2 additional entries:  Follow me @trishyrose on Twitter and Smathers and Branson @SandBBelts and retweet this giveaway.

5 total entries!  Please kindly leave a separate comment for each entry. This giveaway will run from April 18 through Sunday, April 24 at midnight CST, and the winner will be selected via random.org, announced on Monday, April 25. 

Wishing everyone lots of luck!

xoxo

Very special thanks to the team at Smathers & Branson for the generous and thoughtful giveaway offer.  Looking forward to visiting on my next trip to Maryland!

(All images via Smathers & Branson's website)