A Big Day

As a former teacher, the first day of school has always been a big deal for me. This week was a whole new ballgame...We got him all ready with school supplies + backpack + lunch bag...
But then he got the "hot lunch" menu. Nachos Grande won out over carrying his new lunch bag with my healthy, organic ingredients. Maybe next week he'll take me up on a packed lunch & he'll be rolling in style!

What I did for Summer "Vacation"...

This summer has brought a lot of travel for work + pleasure. It's always nice to mix in a little of both, then you're not feeling guilty for leaving family OR work - I loved it all!

MEMORIAL DAY - Sea Island, GA:

If you haven't been to the Golden Isles, you deserve a trip down! We love staying at Sea Island or St. Simons Island. Jekyll Island has great camping too...if only I could talk my husband into my dream RV!

FATHER'S DAY - Chicago, IL:

We stayed at my brother's girlfriend's...hopefully he'll get hitched to her one day! Highlights of the weekend were: hanging with family in Lincolnshire & friends from Hinsdale, Gino's East Pizza, Lincoln Park Zoo, Children's Museum @ Navy Pier, shopping, grown up's night out and Father's Day Brunch @ Feast - delish!

WEDDING WEEKEND - Bar Harbor, ME:

The bride and groom had every perfect detail planned for our weekend stay in Bar Harbor. We stayed at the Harborside Resort - perfect location & great accommodations! You really can't go wrong with meals or activities in Bar Harbor - be sure to grab a lobster roll!

HOMETOWN WEEKEND - Indianapolis, IN:

We love going to Indiana whenever we get the time. I grew up there & love visiting family and friends. This summer I took my boys for a long weekend while their daddy played in a golf tournament. Highlights of this trip were: hanging with Nana & Uncle Dave in Rush County, meeting the newest addition to our family, Children's Museum, Hinkle Field House and Traders Point Creamery.

FAMILY VACATION - Carbondale & Aspen, CO:

Escaping the August heat of Kansas City is especially delightful if you get to go to the Rocky Mountains! We spent our family vacation in Carbondale, CO. We love to fish, hike, golf - basically anything outside in the cool mountain air! Favorite restaurants include Taqueria El Nopal (great Mexican) and my temporary "office": Dos Gringos - Burritos & Coffeehouse. We finished off our week with a night in Aspen, CO. It was the perfect end to a fabulous adventure. We stayed at Hotel Aspen, rode the gondola up the mountain, played in the fountain and had dinner at Brunelleschi's Dome Pizza.

August Giveaway - SEERSUCKER COLLECTION!

We're so excited about our Seersucker Collection this Fall! We've added it for all our friends that love to see their name or monogram on preppy bags & totes. It's perfect for your toddler starting Mother's Day Out or the preppy bridesmaids to carry all their "stuff" the day of the wedding - the occasions are endless!

Be sure to head over to our Facebook Fan Page and sign up for our August Giveaway. Leave a comment on the FB Giveaway Post & we'll pick a winner from all comments entered before 8.31.10, midnight CST.

comments left on this blog post will not enter you in the GIVEAWAY,
please enter them on our Facebook Fan Page!

Back-to-School Stickers!

For years, I've gotten excited about Back-to-School. As a kid, I loved going to Target to pick out all my supplies. As a teacher, I loved getting my room ready for my students. This year brings a whole new spin, as I get my son ready for his first day of kindergarten!

We've just added waterproof stickers to our La Plates line-up. Hopefully this will make it fun & easier to get your kiddo ready for school - we've stuck them on just about everything! We'll be doing our July GIVEAWAY on our Facebook Fan Page, leave a comment there for the chance to win a set of stickers. FREE SHIPPING on all La Plates stickers until Labor Day - celebrate the student in your life!

We offer our stickers in a variety of fonts...we just think the Elementary Print is great for the season!

Southern Living - July 2010

Southern Living shared La Plates with their readers last summer. Their editor even featured our MODERN plates with Harry Smith on CBS This Morning! This summer, they chose our 7.5" Salad/Dessert La Plates for their Ladies Luncheon article - such a compliment, and a great occasion to use La Plates!

Food Network Magazine - July/August 2010

Our friends over at Food Network Magazine were feeling the La Plates Fourth of July theme when they requested samples of our GINGHAM plates in NAVY. They highlighted reusable outdoor dining gear - we think it's a fabulous GREEN idea!

BBQ + fireworks

Over the last few years, our pre-Fourth BBQ has become a tradition. It's a simple recipe for success: good families + good friends + good food = a fabulous time!

Our RED, WHITE & BLUE La Plates collection has grown!

Got to keep the bevies cold at a BBQ!
La Plates koozies coming soon.

Our fearless BBQ leader, Uncle Burgs - the best!

Meat menu of brisket, pulled pork, sausage & hot dogs.

A Kansas City sampling of BBQ sauces...

Each guest is asked to bring a side - fun to try different delish recipes!

The kids can't help but have fun!

Even the youngest guests!

We love a woman with the taste for a good monogram!

And we would never forget our four-legged friends on the 4th!