happy weekend

Check this video out and GO if you can!

a great beat is a happy treat.

j.crew gone good

J. Crew has definitely found a sweet spot with their evening and wedding wear. I like these simple short dresses so much. Sparkles, yes please. Detail, perfect. An occasion to dress up, found one. Monies to purchase, hmmm… will work on that.

The One & Only

On a day like today a girl could get confused. Staring outside my window this morning the sun was so bright and because of the heater running, I felt all toasty inside. For a brief moment, my brain told me it was summer. It made me long for a killer patio, a soundtrack of waves and friends conversing with no where to be but right where they are. If you need a little break from your computer or diaper duty soak these images up.




The One and Only Palmilla resort is a swanky celeb hot-spot in Los Cabos, Mexico. After all, it is only a short hop from LAX. The last time I was in Cabo, I was treated to some yummy drinks and appetizers at this posh oasis. Indulgent…yes. Amazing…absolutely. Humbled because of the ocean’s beauty…speechless.

Okay, that was fun. . . back to reality.

sleeping bag babes

Why are things that are typically big so much more adorable shrunk down to size…TINY? Oh my stars, this little sleeping bag for babes, made by Kids Love Design, kind of melted my heart. It makes me want to take up camping and baby making as my permanent job.

Now here’s the question, would a baby actually sleep in this little nook? Precious none the less…

Help Haiti

I have been thinking about what if this earthquake had happened in L.A.? It made the discomfort personal and real. My heart is breaking for these people. Romans 8:22 says, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." This feels so literal when I look at these images from the UK daily mail . The poorest country in the western hemisphere has become more poverty stricken and destitute. I pray that this would sober us, that we would be woken up from the selfish unconciousness that we drift into day after day. I pray that God would heal, comfort and bring restoration to this land and these precious people.





American Airlines is offering 250 miles for a $50 donation towards relief efforts and 500 miles for a $100.00 plus donation. Samaritan's Purse is another trustworthy organization that already was doing work in Haiti; they, too, are taking donations.

nyc treat

I am craving hot espresso and cold gelato from a quaint character-drenched eatery in the empire state. Sant Ambroeus Restaurant was a fortunate accident for me and my beloved. Nothing like a New York downpour to send you running indoors. We tucked away in this Italian shop to wait out the storm in style. We had espresso, coffee and gelato. Need I say more? Okay, I will. Whenever you are in any kind of restaurant that represents a region, in this case Italy and more specifically Milan, it is always good to see lots of people frequenting the establishment that are in fact native to the region being represented.
The manager knew over half of the people by name. We not only stumbled into a delicious hot spot but entered a sub-culture of Italian transplants living in the big apple. I left feeling warm, dry and grateful that they welcomed me, the girl from Texas, with such swanky hospitality. They have three locations in NYC. I have only been to the one on Madison.



1000 Madison Avenue, New York - (212) 570-2211

mille grazie

white christmas

a small obsession I have with the color white...

It's just so fresh and so clean. Another favorite thing of mine is Coastal Living magazine. The imgaes of the rooms below are from the December issue of Coastal Living. Since Domino left us, I have been pleased to fill some sweet stolen mornings with a cup of joe and this treasure. And... for the first time in my life, I celebrated a true white Christmas. It snowed all day on Christmas eve and was still beautiful and fluffy for Christmas morning.

enjoy...

hoping for this evening soon

Christmas Flicks

These movies bring so much Christmas cheer! If you haven't seen one; just go buy it. You will love them all... that's a promise.



Throw a log on the fire. Make some hot cocoa. Snuggle up and settle in...

just grateful

Thanksgiving, I love what this holiday does… makes us reflect and be grateful. The virtue of gratefulness is something I desperately want to continue to grow in. I feel certain that humility and gratefulness must go hand in hand. Here is a beginners list of things I am grateful for:
Yes… I believe I am going to continue this list with a cup of coffee and my journal later today. In honor of Thanksgiving I wanted to share a recipe with you that I got from my friend, Mary (which she got from her friend Cynthia). Good things get passed on.


Wishing so much love for you and yours this Thanksgiving,
kp

"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."
Colossians 3:15

Tonight

The Spazmatics play tonight in Dallas at the Loft.

it's gonna be a late night! Happy weekend to all...kp

The Grocery Game

What is The Grocery Game?
The Grocery Game is a website that can save you hundreds of dollars on your grocery bill each month. Log in, spend a few minutes with a pair of scissors, and you're off to win The Grocery Game!

When you play, you'll get a weekly list (called Teri's List) of the lowest-priced products at your supermarket matched with manufacturers' coupons and weekly specials -- advertised and unadvertised. The Grocery Game does all the hard work and research, and presents it to you in a straightforward format.

I just joined about a week ago and will keep you posted about my copious savings (crossed fingers)!

The new tunes that are filling my head

Her name is Kat Edmonson

go ahead...give a listen...

Noka

Who doesn’t love a good piece of chocolate? We drink it, smell it, gift it and eat it. For Noah and Katrina Merrem, chocolate is a craft. These Chocolatiers created the brand, Noka, from both of their first names. They have several different retailers, but locally Neiman Marcus is a good spot to go in search for this coveted cocoa. Only in chocolate do I feel the more bitter the better, and I am partial to these dark chocolates. They also create customized orders.

Wine and chocolate is the new wine and cheese. Let’s have a party.

King of the Jungle

The real highlight of Halloween has to be babies getting their picture taken in the pumpkin patch.

Hope your Halloween was happy. Mine was delightful. My night was spent at home in the company of a good friend...who could ask for anything more?

Craving Cachao

Maybe it is this dreary weather or the crisp air, but something today has me craving a Panini and take away cappuccino from a fine little eatery that my beau introduced me to about three and a half years ago in London town. The owner’s name is Jennie and her family’s shop is located in Primrose Hill, which might be might be my favorite hill of all the hills. This is partially because on the few coveted days that London’s skies are clear, the sights are breathtaking, complete with views of the Eye (giant Ferris wheel) and the city skyline. The other reason is because I finished reading the last Harry Potter on that hill. Chris recorded at a hidden studio that Coldplay recorded in and that is how he originally stumbled onto this delightful nook. A nook it is. . . it is tiny and spills out onto the sidewalk, which is great for people watching and reading the paper. It couples as a very fun gift shop full of silly treasures. This place, accompanied with Jennie’s sweet hospitality, makes Cachao an absolute must every time we bop across the pond. If you go, tell her we said, "Howdy, from her fans in Texas!"



Cachao
140 Regent's Park Road
NW1 8XL
020 7483 4411
Mon - Sat 11:30 - 20:00
Sun 11:30 - 19:00
Known for: light Sandwiches, Strong espresso, Chocolate for sure, plus wonderful pancakes, great bagels, ice cream & gifts

*Take the Chalk Farm Underground, the Northern Line and be prepared to do some walking. Cachao is on Regents Park which leads you to Primrose Hill. Primrose Hill is nestled between Camden Town and Regents Park.

I suppose I will have to settle for a cup of London tea, kp

Icing and Aprons

Greetings from a girl who is nothing less than pumped about the holiday season that is quickly approaching! A friend from high school, Ashley del Rio, has opened her doors officially as Icing and Aprons.


She makes delicious cupcakes, cakes and cake balls. Basically any form of cake for any occasion. You might be looking at her work thinking, "There is no way it taste that good if it looks that cute." But I am here to tell you that it DOES and it IS! We have used her for a few different occasions and have always been so pleased by her tasty delicacies! Here are some of the cupcakes she made for a rehearsal dinner we had at my mom's house a couple of weeks ago.



Ashley is a sweet hearted gal that I only knew as an acquaintance in high school but have had the pleasure of getting to know more in our new adult life. Mostly, I admire the courage she possesses. It is easy to day dream all the live long day. You might even take the next step and realize your dream, but it is with sacrifice and faith that we push through all the reasons we are doomed to fail and actually turn the realized dream into actuality. She has done just that... with sweet success I would say. I pray that Lord would continue to grow her mission and business as she is spreading love, joy and icing to all who would receive it.




Remember Ashley's treats for your next event... because you want an excuse to eat something she has whipped up; I promise!

xo,
kp

Little Feet

This is our nephew and lil’ buddy, Luke. I can’t get over him these days. He is growing and changing right before our eyes. Hope he brings the same joy to you as he does to me, just by looking at him. He is the MAN!

So grateful for this most excellent addition to the Hooper family.



"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37

Haven in Paris

Haven: a safe and secure place
Paris: where a piece of my heart lives

Put it together: “A safe and secure place where a piece of my heart lives.”

Need I say more? Paris means so much to me, largely attributed to the season of life that brought me there and the much needed respite, play and beauty that it gifted me. I will never get over the glimpses of God’s handiwork there: the Seine, the art, the lingering lunches and breathtaking gardens. Paris feels like a best friend. The kind of friend that even if you haven’t talked to them in a really long time, you know that you are going to effortlessly pick back up, right where you left off. I have strong affections for Paris and the little French life I got to have. I know I will go back… I just know it.

This little rental service is what sparked my nostalgia for crepes, coca light and a language that isn’t my own. It is called Haven in Paris.


Wednesday is a great day for a macation (make believe vacation).

Casa de Reyes

Texas summers go hand in hand with the lake! Last weekend we had a blast hanging out with some of my old college buddies at the Reyes' lake house. The boys wake boarded. The girls lounged by the pool catching up. We played a heated game of Cranium. Scott continued to whip up delicacies from the grill. We ate. We ate again. And then we ate some more. I think I am still full.

It was really sweet time. The tender thing about picking up friends from different seasons of life is that when you reunite, it kind of takes you back. I felt instantly youthful and ready to play the second we got out of the car. Not to say these friendships don’t become integrated parts of what all of our today’s hold, but they just make one appreciative of days past.


A big gracias to the Reyes/Wilmoth’s for being such thoughtful and generous hosts, as always. Love and adore those people.