Sometimes it feels like I always have to take the long way around to get anywhere in my life.  After a weekend of realizations and a few freak-outs and melt downs, I needed a pick me up. 

Lilly Pulitzer animal crackers?  Yes please.
My favorite "new" maxi dress I bought at Avalon Exchange on this trip to The Loop.
I love, love, love my Ember wrap cuff bracelet from the same shopping trip.  I wear it almost every day.  It also reminds me that women in other parts of the world aren't even half as lucky as I am. 

{Photo by ABCFamily}

Tonight is the Spring premiere of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager."  This is absolutely my favorite guilty pleasure.  It's from the creator of "7th Heaven," so the cheesey dialog and dorky story lines don't disappoint.  Monday nights just got a little bit better.
Last week my parents came up for a short visit.  We all went to see Todd Rundgren at The Pageant. It was quite the experience.  It has been 30 years since my mom last saw him in concert. 
While my parents were up, they finally brought us our patio furniture.  Yesterday I spent the entire day on the deck reading.   

I've been looking for a buffet style cabinet for our living room.  I needed a space to store my Christmas dishes; something that looks chic, but is also practical.  I found this buffet at Potentials.  It was the perfect size and style.

{Buffet before.}

After some paint and new drawer knobs, its absolutely perfect.  I think it turned out great.

{Buffet after.}

That's one more home decor project done!  On to the next.

On Saturday, my mom drove up to accompany me to the Green with Indie Craft Show.  I've been looking forward to this craft show for months and I literally couldn't wait to go.  It was absolutely worth it!  I love shopping local artists and designers and this was like my oasis.  I bought several things almost going over my budget for the entire day!










After the craft show, my mom, brother, and brother's girlfriend headed to the Delmar Loop for lunch.  I often forget that this awesome little gem even exists in my own backyard.  After lunch at Blueberry Hill, we did a little more shopping.   I, of course, had to visit Avalon Exchange.  This resale shop is a little different in the fact that they carry everything down to authentic vintage apparel.  I bought an awesome maxi dress, and I can't wait for it to get warm enough to wear it.

{Shopping the dress racks.} {Shoes with bling.}

On the final leg of our day, we visited Plowsharing Crafts.  This shop carries Fair Trade items from developing countries.  All items are fair trade and the store is staffed by volunteers.  If you're in the St. Louis area, I would definitely recommend stopping in this store.  There are two locations in the St. Louis area (on Delmar and in downtown Kirkwood).  I bought (technically my mom bought it for me) a gorgeous Ember wrap cuff bracelet.  This line of jewelry is handmade from recycled materials by women in Uganda.  I found so many cute things, I wanted them all.

{These bowls are made from recycled materials.} {Cuff bracelets.....LOVE.}

If you live in or visit St. Louis, I would recommend any or all of this places!

As I previously mentioned here, I bought a rocking chair for our living room.  After re-staining the wood and re-covering the cushion, I'm ready to reveal the finished product.

{Chair before} {Staining the wood} {Finished chair}