Barefoot Contessa

If you've been to my home, you know I have a lot of cook books, but only use a few. I have a collection of The Barefoot Contessa series and can't decide on my favorite! Today, I picked up Ina Garten's latest addition - Back to Basics. Since I was number 779 on the list to get my book signed, I had plenty of time to look over the recipes. Yum, I can't wait to test them out!

We always like to take an opportunity to share La Plates with people who would appreciate their design and function. We thought Ina was the perfect candidate to test out our new oval platter. Somehow I think she'll be filling her platter with better treats than mine! See what we designed just for her:

Navy Gingham Oval Platter with Light Green Script Font

Don't worry Ina, I'm almost there...I know you've signed 778 books, but I've got a special treat for you!

She loved it!

Sports Plates

Here at La Plates, we try to give our customers exactly what they ask for and more. In an effort to help those looking for products in different designs, colors and fonts, we hope posting them on our blog will make due until we get a fancy schmancy website.

For this post, we are focusing on our Sports Plates. Customers want to see the different designs and options, so here they are below. We have designed the plates in the background color that we think looks best. However, if you want something different, feel free to request it in the "personalization" section of your order. Remember, we aren't responsible for clashing colors!

The World Series with a set of these plates would be unforgettable!
Baseball Plate (background, royal - looks good with red personalization)

These plates would be great for a Masters party on the final round Sunday!
Golf Plate (background, green - looks good with black personalization)

Which is cuter La Plates Soccer Plate or David Beckham, tough one!
Soccer Plate (background, red - looks good with black personalization)

Super Bowl party? Must have a set of La Plates!
Football Plate (background, royal - looks good with black personalization)

Game, Set, PLATES! Eat your Wimbledon breakfast on a set of La Plates.
Tennis Plate (background, green - looks good with black personalization)

Indy Race Fans, this one's for you - I'm an Indiana girl, born and raised!
Racing Plate (looks good with red personalization)

Never been much for hunting, but I figure every hunter needs to eat, right?
Camo Plate (looks great with orange personalization)

Southwest Airlines

If you know me, you know I am a proud Rapid Reward, card carrying member. My friends make fun of me, wondering if Southwest Airlines has named a plane after me yet. I literally plan business trips around Southwest direct flight destinations, family getaways using Reward tickets, the list goes on. Here's the deal, Southwest prices are great, they send you drink coupons upon earning a free flight, online check-in is easy and gets you a decent seat and here's what really gets me - they're nice!

Checkout their service from baggage check to landing, could they be any nicer to kids?!

Don't worry, this was after our landing!

Disney day dreamin'

What was originally going to be a work trip, turned into a the weekend of a lifetime for a mother & son duo...namely, me & my son. I never thought I would be able to pull it off. La Plates in full gear for the holidays, trunk shows week after week, how would a long weekend to Orlando fit in?! Somehow the stars aligned and we did it. Two jam packed days of Disney, worth every nap we skipped!

The perfect getaway was orchestrated by Tracy Murphy at Creative Travel Adventures. Her website isn't launching until January, but you can read about her services on her blog and call her at 317.919.9220 to book your next trip. (e-mail = tracy@creativetraveladventures.com)

I can't begin to describe the excitement, joy and happiness that I saw in my child this weekend. I used to think Disney was amazing as a kid - that's nothing compared to watching your child experience it. The pictures below are a little recap of the adventure...

I can't get over his smile in this one!

A breakfast with all the characters - a kid's dream come true!

I'm not going to lie, I had one tired kid on my hands.
But at Disney, even tired kids are happy!

Faux Bois

Earlier this week we had a request for a faux bois pattern on a plate. I hated to admit, but I didn't know the term! It sounded French and fancy and I was excited to see what it could be - I love a new design idea! I immediately went to Google the word, and there it was - fake wood. Now don't get me wrong, I like the concept. I have now found great pieces that use the faux bois technique. I hope admitting I didn't know the term doesn't make me sound ignorant. Hopefully I've enlightened someone else and the next time you see a wood pattern, you will refer to it in it's proper term: faux bois!

Of course this tabletop caught my eye - Room Service Home

Next up, jewelry - checkout jessicajane on etsy

Martha Stewart had a collection at Macy's last spring:

Great mirror from West Elm:

Another Martha collection, this time at Safavieh:

And for those of you wondering, this will never be a faux bois wagon...it will forever be a woody wagon!

Ode to B

Happy Birthday to our favorite graphic designer! Hope you have a fantastic day!
XO

Win It Wednesday Giveaway

Carolina Mama posted a fabulous blog about La Plates months ago. At the time, she mentioned us donating a plate for her Win It Wednesday Giveaway. Well, we finally got our act together and have a plate to send to one lucky reader! Be sure to checkout the Giveaway and let her know what you think! The winner, drawn at random, will receive a Cookies for Santa plate.

Rainy Day Books

We are so fortunate to have a bookstore in our town that is owned by residents of our community that care about our community - Rainy Day Books. "Rainy Day Books, Inc., opened its doors in The Fairway Shops in November 1975. Since then, Rainy Day Books has provided the Greater Kansas City community with a gathering place, a wellspring for creative thoughts and ideas, and an ongoing voice for awareness, involvement and literacy."

I caught myself going on and on about Rainy Day's Author Events the other day. I attended my first Author Event last Spring when Laura and Jenna Bush came to town for a book signing. It was such a great way to meet them and Rainy Day made it possible for every person to meet and greet the women.
Next week, Laura Numeroff will be doing a book signing for her new book - a favorite series in our household!
And on October 30th, a personal favorite, Ina Garten will be signing and hopefully giving tips from her newest cookbook. We've already designed a platter from La Plates for her...think she'll give me any secrets?!If you are interested in attending an Author Event, Rainy Day Books sells tickets online or in their store. With your ticket to the event, you also receive a copy of the book to be signed. Go experience a Rainy Day event first hand!

Allergy alert!

When we found out our "baby" had allergies, we went into a bit of a panic. As a 15 month old, he was still crawling and eating everything on the floor (he's our second). We were very nervous facing peanut, egg and milk allergies, but knew it was something others live with daily.

Our first stop was CVS for the Epipen, in case of a peanut reaction.

We also like to have the single dose of Benadryl on hand for non-peanut reactions. It's handy, as the dose is sealed individually.

Mabel's Labels has a fabulous product called Allergy Alerts. They are dishwasher safe, so you can put them on your kid's cups, plates, lunchbox - whatever you want to label! I like this idea when you send the non-verbal ones off to Parents Day Out.

We have so many things to learn, but have found the following sites helpful: Kids With Food Allergies, Allergy Kids and FAAN Kids. I'm sure there are many other helpful sites and tips out there. Also, be sure when you buy your Halloween candy this year, you remember all those kids with nut allergies - they want to trick or treat too!

If you want to get involved and are in the Kansas City area, FAAN is having a walk this Saturday, October 25, 2008. Check-in begins at 12:00 noon; Walk begins at 1:00 p.m. Location: Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee Mission, KS 66219, distance 2 miles. Check your local area for similar events!

Crack me up!

I can't remember exactly how I came to it...my husband's, sister's, friend's, sorority sister passed it along. If you're ever looking for a little laugh, you must checkout Whoorl. La Plates was fortunate enough to get a post on it after sending a little treat to the author's son Wito. Seriously, this woman is one of the most hysterical writers! Thanks to the 219 people that participated in our giveaway - congrats Michele!

Meet Kansas City

I was born and raised in Indiana, attended college in Ohio and spent a few years in Georgia. I now reside in the Kansas City area and friends ask me to describe the city. I always get the question, "Which side to do you live on, Kansas or Missouri?" I was recently on the Spirit Magazine site and now have a resource to send family and friends - Meet Kansas City. It's the best article about Kansas City's history, current hot spots and people making a difference in the area. Kathleen Leighton did a fabulous job summing up Our Town.

A view of the Kansas City skyline

The Country Club Plaza during the holidays

The City of Fountains really does have some great ones!

Never fail recipe

I have this idea that food is the cure for anyone in need...a baby is born, the family needs food...someone has surgery, they need food...a loved one passes away, the family needs food. This is all well and good, but I've had a few disasters that are no real excuses for an edible meal. After the dried up pork tenderloin with a side of salad-in-a-bag that I delivered to a new mother of a 4th baby boy, I decided I needed to move on to baked goods. Don't sign me up for entire meals to be delivered on a specific date, because my family doesn't often get that! Now my answer to food chains will be "surprise baked goods". This means, I don't know when I'll bake them, but when I do, it will be a surprise treat - and edible!

Here's a no fail recipe, from The Joy of Cooking - my Bible in the kitchen. It's great to whip up if you've got a few over ripened bananas on your counter.

Banana Bread
all ingredients at room temp, position rack in lower third of oven, preheat oven to 350 & grease loaf pan

Whisk together:
1 1/3 cups flour
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. baking powder

In a large bowl, beat together:
5 1/3 T unsalted butter
2/3 cup sugar

Beat in the flour mixture, then gradually beat in:
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Fold in:
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (2 bananas)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans - I leave this out, due to allergies!

Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes & let cool in the pan 10 mins. before taking it out to slice.

Enjoy!

Campbell Cate collection

If you're looking for a cute addition to your child's Fall wardrobe line up, checkout the clothing at www.campbellcate.com. Kerri has created fabulous handmade clothing at great prices. My favorite pick is the monkey onesie, I've got a few boys over here who this would fit perfectly!
Next up, the witch onesie, I've got a few little goblins to send this one off to!
Now, I don't have any little girls, but if I did, I would love this dress! Wear it with a long tee this winter, without a tee in the summer and use it as a tunic next year...now that's a great deal!

Facebook

I fought it for months. I wasn't going to do it, just because everyone else was doing it. I could keep in touch with all my friends on my own. The idea of Facebook made me a little nervous, I mean EVERYONE could find you!

I did it. I love it. I'm addicted. How did I ever live without Facebook?!

Let me count the ways I love thee...
1. Found and communicate with my 1st best friend.
2. Attended a big high school and am now back in touch with many friends that I missed over the years.
3. College roomies and sorority sisters can easily update each other with all of life's going ons.
4. The whole crew from my summer job love FB! We all came from all over the country, so it's fabulous having one place to touch base.
5. Love getting updates on local friends without having to call and chat for hours...I mean who has time with kids, work, and FB?!
6. My sis-in-law was right, it's great for business. I really did create a La Plates group. I'm not entirely sure what to post there yet, but I did it. I have a business group, so now my time on Facebook is a write off as "business", right?!

Big day to celebrate!

Today is a big day in my personal life...my husband and I are celebrating 7 years and it's Nana's birthday!! They are both a huge part of me and support every last think I do - thanks to you both and have a fabulous day!

Celebrating our 1st anniversary

Nana on a road trip to KC

Celebrity fans of La Plates

La Plates are not something that celebs carry around with them to get a PR shot. However, through friends of these Hollywood elite, La Plates have made their way to their tables. Whether as a gift for hosting a luncheon, a birthday treat or a "you're going to be a great big sis" gift, La Plates make a great gift anytime!

Breast Cancer Awareness month

My neighbor is training for a breast cancer walk in November. While I wish I had the motivation to do the entire walk with her, I know myself too well. The intentions would be good, but my training would fall short. As the next best thing, I have promised to keep her company on her long training days - 60 pounds in stroller weight/kids included.

In the spirit of giving, I've decided "pink shopping" is dedication as well. With all the sites dedicated to raising money for breast cancer awareness and research, why shop anywhere else this month? There are many items available in colors other than pink, but in the spirit of the cause, I picked my favorite pink products!

Design-her-Gals stationery, dedicated to our favorite woman!

Galoshes (because I've always wanted a pair) from DLL Rainwear

A great jacket for all my neighborly training, from The Breast Cancer Site

And because I seem to be the handy one around here, how about a pink set of tools from Tomboy Tools?

Whenever doing online shopping, try to find a site that gives back. There are a lot of companies that care, not just during breast cancer awareness month, but year round. Uptown Liz is a fabulous site - you can shop by product OR cause. In my mind, you don't have to make excuses for shopping when it's for a cause!