over the weekend: fall into fall

just a few snapshots from the weekend celebrating our most favorite time of year...

bloom-bastic.

oh my gosh you guys.  yesterday i had the most grin-inducing privilege of going to a place i have only ever dreamt about: the floral wholesaler.  and i know what you're thinking:  huh?  but it's true.  i had no idea there was such a place so close to me and so within the realm of reality. 

hundreds and hundreds of fresh flowers, all at my fingertips, all lined up and just waiting for me to take them home and love them.  all of them at wholesale prices.

now this isn't the type of place just any 'ole floral lover can wander into.  i was the guest of my friend emily - a legit floral designing goddess & local business owner - who you'll be meeting very soon.
and i don't think emily quite knew what she was getting herself into because i was pretty hyper about the entire ordeal, entirely too enthusiastic for an 8am adventure.

but this was beyond exciting.  i didn't even care how cold the cooler was.  i could have stayed in there all day just smelling flowers and trying to decide who to take home.

here's who made the cut:

see that wrap on the left?  that one is mine; the others belong to the pro...

looks like a christmas miracle -- doesn't it???!!!

i told the gentleman who wrapped them up and handed them to me, that i felt just like miss america.  and i pretty much did.

now i am certainly no floral designer, but as you probably know by now, having fresh flowers in our home is one of my most favorite things.  so although we reserve the title of floral designer for the true profesh - i think it's safe to call me a floral dabbler.

so i took my new loot and whipped up a few little arrangements for around the house.

and i am still pretty geeked out about it.  i'm loving the gorgeous fall colors and loving these little pumpkins that i'll probably hollow out to put the arrangements in for an upcoming dinner party.

thanks to emily for taking me along with her to "just another day at the office."  i seriously can't stop smiling.  maybe i need to revisit my career path in life...work should make you this happy.

try me: dry shampoo

i have a confession: i'm obsessed with dry shampoo.  in fact, i love it so much, i sometimes use it right after i've washed my hair with regular shampoo and water...totally defeating the very purpose for which it was created.  crazy, but i can't help it.  aside from being able to have a good hair day on limited notice, i just really love the texture it gives my hair - whether it's dirty or squeaky clean.

i started using it several years ago and i didn't get the memo right away; i was paying over $25 for the salon quality brands.  but then i discovered the discount brands that i love like:  batiste and pssssst!

the best part, all of these are available at your local pharmacy for about $3-$10.  i am really loving the scent of the new suave formula, it's my current fave.

if you've never tried dry shampoo, you don't know what you're missing!  just a quick spray to the roots then comb through.  even curls hold better after a day or so...ish.  don't judge me.

seriously - stop washing your hair every day.  it's not good for it!

do you use dry shampoo?  what is your favorite brand?

dream with us: the reading reptile

have you ever wanted to be a kid again?  sometimes i think about what age i would be if i had the chance to stay in one place for the rest of my life.  twenty-nine was pretty good, but then again, six had its perks too.

there are certain places and memories that come to mind when i think about my childhood.  places i visited, friends i knew, books i remember reading.  if you think back, you can easily be reminded of the simple joys and wonders of being a kid.  for me, the reading reptile in brookside is the kind of place that always takes me back to simpler and more carefree times.

meet deb pettid.  deb, along with husband pete, owns and operates the reading reptile - the kind of place dreams are made of...no matter what age you are or wish to be.

one step inside this whimsical world of wonder and you are immediately transported back to your youth.  gazing in awe at the familiar faces and memories of your childhood, you may feel a capricious desire to twirl around and dance.

every nook, every corner, every inch of ceiling real estate and all surfaces in between, lease space to tenants of curiosity and creatures of creativity.  all the characters of children's books and friends you've never even met before, join forces to watch over you as you take a look around. 

tiny and often forgotten objects become some of the most coveted treasures imaginable, piquing the interest of even the tallest of guests... 

and aside from the vast collection of children's books, you'll get lost in the small wonders that envelop you.  come to grips with the realization that almost every piece of art in the shop - which essentially is the entire shop - was created by deb, and your appreciation for this literary gem shines even brighter.

and with the incorporation of la petite rougue, guests can enjoy a favorite read and a favorite treat.
delicious cupcakes greet you as you enter the shop and can be wrapped up to enjoy later at home.
bon appétit!

for the tiniest guests, pick up something new to pacify their interest while leaving something else behind.  deb's giving tree is the perfect spot for the binky-clad cliental to transition into a more sophisticated (and binki-less) existence.  brilliant.

and because the entire locality is centered upon the celebration of youth, i can't think of a better place for birthdays.  deb's incredible attention to detail and exceptional imagination knows no bounds.  she custom creates each celebration so it is unique to every birthday king and queen.

with endless supplies of treasures at the birthday guests disposal, you can't help but be engulfed in the wonder this entire experience creates.  not a single resource goes un-recycled.  not an ounce of originality overlooked.

when you are in the reading reptile, you are truly in the presence of greatness.  watching deb interact with the kids and put her creative mark on every inch of space, is the stuff that childhood dreams are made of.  just stepping inside has the ability to take you back to that place you once resided; that moment in time when anything you thought of was possible and your wildest dreams could absolutely come true.

and of course as a parent, finding a place where your kids can marvel at eclectic art and celebrate their love of literature, is more in line with the dreams i have these days.

and because you know we like to support local businesses as much as possible, it's now time to get to know your local biz owner with three questions starring deb pettid of the reading reptile.  

1.  How did you end up here? What was the career path that lead you to this moment in time?

I read, read, read.  I also started making toys for my kids when they were young, which led to more opportunities for creativity.  I just like what I do. 

2.  What do you really love about your job? 

Being able to combine family, art, reading, work, art and family.  Being inspired by kids and families to create an exciting, creative environment revolving around books.  

3.  You would tell anyone living in Kansas City, that they absolutely must _____? 

Go to a KCBread Dinner.  (For more info:  http://breadkc.wordpress.com/) 

thanks to deb & pete for letting us peek inside your wonderful, whimsical world for a day!

visit the reading reptile:

328 W. 63rd Street

Kansas City, MO 64113

phone: (816) 753-0441

www.readingreptile.com

interested in having your business featured on 26 east?  contact us for details.