{J Crew 2010 planner giveaway}

For those of you who have not purchased a planner for 2010 yet.....I am giving away this cute poppy-colored J Crew full-size planner/datebook. It is the perfect size and so pretty!

All you have to do is be a follower of my blog and leave a comment!

I have decided to give away my J Crew planner because Little Petunia was so excited for weeks before Christmas about the present that she bought for me at the school bazaar. She carefully wrapped it up and placed it under the tree, and I got to open it on Christmas morning. Her present to me was......a planner!!! Yep, she paid one whole dollar for it at the bazaar!

So, after Christmas when I received my J Crew planner she looked at me with those big wistful eyes and asked ...... "Mommy, which calendar are you going to use???"

"Of course I am going to use the one YOU gave me, honey!"

Hence, my giveaway. I hope I don't put the wrong planner in the mailer when I mail it out to you...hee hee......

the planner that my sweet pea bought for me:

{SATC quotes always make me smile}

Carrie: Honey, if it hurts so much, why are we going shopping?
Samantha: I have a broken toe, not a broken spirit.

Mr. Big: You girls are the loves of her life, a guy is lucky to come in fourth.

Carrie: I'm not home, but my shoes are. Leave them a message.

Samantha: Well, let's just say it: you won.
Carrie: Was there a contest?
Samantha: Oh please! There's always a contest with an ex. It's called "who will die miserable."

Samantha (upon seeing a firefighter): Hello, 911. I'm on fire.

{you've got a friend}

One of my favorite artists:

{Petunia's Blog Yardsale part TWO}

Please e-mail me at PetuniasParadise@aol.com if you would like to purchase an item and I will send an invoice via Paypal. Please add $4 for shipping (unless otherwise noted) which includes tracking and delivery confirmation.

• SOLD! Kate Spade "Geoma" hot pink patent slingbacks/size 8.5/BRAND NEW in box with shoebag, purchased from Saks. Retail price: $298 [BIN $150] Reduced to $95

• SOLD! 100% authentic Coach leather and straw oversized Hobo handbag. This handbag was purchased at Bloomingdale's and carried only a couple of times. The gorgeous leather is stamped with the Coach signature Cs. Inside features one zippered pocket and a cell phone pouch. This bag is in like new condition/no marks or scratches with only one minor flaw as seen in 3rd photo below. The coating on the end of a tiny part of the leather has come loose and may be glued back on or trimmed. Retail Price $450 -- [BIN $125] shipping is $10 Reduced to $95

• SOLD! Lilly Pulitzer girl's dress size 8. This dress was worn 2 times and is in excellent/like new condition. Colors are still vibrant, there is no wash wear, fabric is crisp. There are no stains or flaws. Adorable style! [BIN $35]

{Petunia's Blog Yardsale}

I am cleaning out my closet and have gathered some items that are in excellent condition to place for sale here on my blog, and to give all of you first dibs! Please add $4 for shipping with tracking & delivery confirmation except as noted.

Please e-mail me at PetuniasParadise@aol.com if you would like to purchase any items and I will send a Paypal invoice (please do not leave a comment to purchase).

• SOLD! First up is my gorgeous 100% authentic PINK Gucci handbag purchased at the Gucci boutique on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. This bag is in pristine/excellent condition inside and out--looks brand new and was only carried a few times. No flaws, no marks, no wear! Signature interlocking GG canvas and black leather exterior. Classic bamboo detail on the black leather handles. Inside of bag features two large separate compartments and two zippered pockets. It will come with the original Gucci dustbag. [BIN price $275] --add $10 for shipping including insurance

• SOLD! Next we have a like-new pair of Rock and Republic low rise bootcut jeans in a dark rinse, size 26. See a similar pair at Neiman Marcus here. I have worn these once and they are in perfect condition. These jeans have not been altered/hemmed in any way, so they have the original long length and may be worn with heels or hemmed to the perfect length for you! Retail $202. [BIN $40]

• SOLD! Here is a Lilly Pulitzer "Shrunken Cashmere Crew". It is a more fitted sweater for a cute flattering look. 100% cashmere long-sleeved cable crew-neck sweater in a size Small--fits a size 0 to 2. Excellent condition--no flaws, no pulls, no stains. This beautiful cream color cashmere is extremely soft and thick. Retail $315. [BIN $40]

• SOLD! Another Lilly Pulitzer "Shrunken Cashmere Crew" same as above but in a turquoise blue. It is a more fitted sweater for a cute, flattering look. 100% cashmere long-sleeved cable knit crew-neck. Size Small which would fit a size 0-2. Excellent condition, no flaws. Retail $315. [BIN $40]

• SOLD! Nanette Lepore black sweater/tunic with amazing embellishments. Size Small--fits a size 0 to 2. 100% merino wool. Excellent condition--no flaws. Worn twice & dry cleaned. Retail $348. [BIN $45]

• SOLD! Lacoste v-neck cabled pullover sweater in Vanilla. Labeled a size 36, but fits a size 0-2. 100% cotton, comfy, very good condition. One flaw noted--barely noticeable stain on cuff of left arm as seen in 2nd photo below. [BIN $25]

• SOLD! Juicy Couture Gray cardigan sweater. 75% silk and 25% cotton and may be hand washed. Size Small fits a size 0 to 2. This sweater was only worn once and has no flaws. It is hard to tell from this photo, but this is a longer cardigan--length from shoulder to hem is 25 inches. Puff sleeves, gold buttons and pockets. [BIN $25]

More to come......!!!

{Christmas in New Orleans}

We had a wonderful visit to New Orleans, and spent the entire week visiting with family and friends. We were freezing cold the entire time we were there, but then again anything below 70 degrees is freezing to us!

Lil Petunia had her first taste of Beignets!

Aaaaand she LOVED them!

I don't know if New Orleans is the only city where people are slightly obsessed with cemeteries. We made our usual visit, this time visiting the cemetery where my Dad's Mother & Father are buried along with many of their relatives. Then we visited Hope Mausoleum where my Mom's Mother & Father are. Then, and this is where it might sound a little creepy, we visited the Mausoleum where my Mom and Dad have reserved their spot. Then...we went to lunch. ;)

We visited "Miracle on Fulton Street"...

...where Little Petunia was less than impressed with the "snowfall".

There was a lot of beautiful mulitcolored foliage which we don't get to see much in Florida.

I had to take this shot of the old Dixie Beer brewery which was severely damaged in Hurricane Katrina and left in ruins. It's hard to believe that at one time we used to go to parties here.

{J Crew New Arrivals}

Happy New Year to all of my bloggy friends! May all of your dreams come true in 2010!

Until I have time to write up a vacation recap blog post, I'll try to entertain you with a few pics that I snapped of the J. Crew new arrivals. I came home from vacation empty-handed--yes, I bought nothing. This is a good thing because I am not looking forward to receiving my credit card bill for the month of December!

At the J Crew in Metairie, Louisiana they had a couple of cute looks on the mannequins:

As usual I fall for the cardigans every time...(don't see this one online yet).

Another cute ensemble (close-up to show detail on the tee):

to show detail on the sweater--which really looks warm and snuggly:

tried on the tee from above to see how it fit:

They brought back the ruffle vee neck top which I kinda liked. This was an ice blue color which I don't see online:

This dress is cute, and it looks like we'll be seeing more grey again this year:

The Ruthie ruffle shell in bright coral--I love this color (but don't need another ruffled sleeveless top):

{Merry Christmas!}

I would like to wish all of my blog and Twitter friends a Merry Christmas!

I hope that all of you have a joyous holiday surrounded by those you love. We are quite excited because for the first time in several years we'll have almost the entire family together on Christmas day--there will be 26 of us including Mom, Dad, my sisters, brother, their spouses, and all 14 grandchildren! It will be such a fun day for the kids.

May peace, love, and happiness be with all of you this holiday season!

{a few of our favorite things}

Sparkly shoes (here are Lil P's which she is loving--yay, a pair of shoes that is actually getting worn out before she outgrows them!):

The Snuggie. Yep, I have one--no comments from the peanut gallery! It's lighter than a blanket, but comfy and just warm enough. We also have a Snuggie thief--I think I might never get mine back...:

J Crew Pixie pants. So stretchy and comfy--anyone can wear them under a tunic or sweater.:

{Tory Burch flats}

I love all of my TB flats, and my newest pair are no exception! Introducing the TB Lissie in Anthracite crackled leather--I like them because they are somewhat neutral but have that extra oomph of sparkle. I will wear them throughout the holidays and beyond! They are different from TB Revas in that the sole is made of leather instead of rubber, the upper is a very pretty crackled leather, and the logo medallion on the toe is encrusted with crystals.

Before I found the Reva I had the hardest time finding comfortable flats that were stylish as well. Thank goodness for them. The gathered elastic banding behind the heel may seem like it would be uncomfortable but it is quite the opposite. Flats look especially cute with the cropped pants and skinny jeans that are everywhere these days, so do give them a try if you don't already have a pair (or ten).

And if you haven't been following me on Twitter, then [you're missing a lot!] and you probably missed seeing the cutest pair of new Revas below which were a surprise birthday gift to me from my wonderful Atlanta meet-up blogger/twitter friends that I blogged about in THIS post! I LOVE them (my shoes and my friends)!