2 Clever Blog

Poppy!

Dear Think::

Well we are enjoying our trip and have had a great weekend in Marvelous Missouri.  I discovered one of my favorite downtown centers.  As a Midwest gal maybe you have been there.  It is is Columbia Missouri just blocks from the University of Missouri.  The streets are full of character, great food, vintage shops and one little shop that had me lured in by the just the name on the door. 

Poppy

Here is the awesome story of this great place.  The owner Barb grew up in California watching her mom volunteer at a museum help fill the gift shop with wonderful California artisans. When Barb moved to Columbia Missouri, 30 years ago  she enjoyed getting samplings of her Mom's finds in the mail.  She decided to open a shop downtown to bring the California artisans to the wonderful people of Missouri.  After time she decided to open it to artisans from all over the country  - she was a woman ahead of her time building a store that was like a Etsy live.  (seriously it was like walking through the pages of Etsy)

I so enjoyed walking through every corner of her large downtown space. When I felt like I had seen everything I would turn around to find another corner full of treasures. 
While I was in there I saw three types of customers:

1.  a Mom bringing her 5 year old in to pick out a birthday party gift for her friend
2.  a mom of a college student who was in town for graduation that asked specifically for a artist from Oregon to buy some more of her work
3.  a young man buying a Graduation gift for his girlfriend

I thought it was so telling of how this community loves her shop.  I asked Barb if she just loves coming into work.  She told me two different times "There is not a day that I don't LOVE coming in here" 
On the counter was the above hot pad from one of her Poppy Artists that had just come in and was getting tagged to go on the floor.  This hot pad was just "2 Clever!"

I brought home with me this sweet locket from Clara Beau'.


Even though I bought it for myself she gift wrapped it for me to show me how darling the gift wrap is.
Every detail was put the tissue, box and poppy that went on top.

Since I know that you and I know a lot of talented artists out there (many of them are our Eavesdroppers) I asked her how she finds and picks new artists.  She said she is open to any new artist and just needs an email with a photo.

So if anyone reading is looking for a wonderful place to sell their creations or has a friend that needs an avenue to start her business send Barb an email with a photo of what you make and tell her 2clever sent you. 
 barb@poppyarts.com

If you are ever in Columbia stop by and say hello to the staff at Poppy.  If you never make it to Columbia you visit Poppy in your pj's in your own home 24 hours a day.  Poppy Website Here

Pink::

This was my favorite piece in the shop.  Click here you will love it!!

love 2 love

Aloha Think::

Can you believe that today is the last day of February?  I can - this has been a long month.
So today is the last day of our Love 2 Love project.  ( I do think we should do this again later this year because it has been fun to see what you love)

Since I only have one day left I am going to cram a bunch in this.

The Tervis Tumbler.  My very cool southern friend turned me on to these and I finally bought some for me - can you believe I found Pineapple ones.  
Tervis Tumbler site 

 
I love click n ship. I have not been to the post office in 6 months.  I do all my stamp buying and shipping online and love it!!
 

I love Stumble Upon.  I am not sure if I have totally figured it out but can tell it is amazing.  I have their tool bar on the top of my web browser and just know it is so easy to send you sites now that I love by the click of one button.  I look forward to find out how this works, but it is worth looking at their site.

I am sure I will think of a million  more things by the end of the day, so lets do this again sometime.

don't forget the sunscreen!
Pink::

one step ahead

Photo taken on the plane with my iphone

Dear Pink::

I am on the plane flying to Hawaii and I open People magazine to find their favorite lyp balm is yours too!  You are 1 step ahead, now I really must get a tube and try it out.
Off to get a tan and relax

Aloha
Think::

Lyps!

 

Think::

Are your lips as dry as mine?  I feel I can't leave the house without a balm in my pocket.  While I was in Denver (I dried up fast just being there for 3 days) I picked up a tube of Lypsyl at Walgreens and I fell in love. (and it fit into Mr. Pink's budget plan)

 

This is my new favorite lip moisturizer and it dispenses really cool too.  Next time you are at the drug store pick one up you will love it!

mmmm, (rubbing lips together)
Pink::
 

I love The Week

Pink ::

Somehow this love 2 love thing is bringing out my inner geek.
Map shower curtains and now this.

Before becoming a Mom I read the newspaper everyday. Usually it was at my desk at work, but I read it everyday. After Little Think arrived I tried to keep it up but the papers started stacking up in the corner and I felt like we were wasting money and filling our recycle bin for nothing. (Well, not nothing...I was getting my 40% off coupon) Anyway, we stopped the paper.

I felt like I didn't know what was going on in the world.

I take that back, Little Think was my world and I was thrilled. I just couldn't carry on a conversation with anyone who wasn't interested in Little Think's amazing perfection.

Then we found The Week magazine.

 

The best way to describe it is Cliff Notes of all the major newspapers and magazines. All that you need to know is condensed down and arrives once a week at my door with very few ads getting in the way. (Blasphemy, I know, from someone who worked at an ad agency) But I love that I can read it quickly and feel knowledgeable. I love that they present many sides of issues from various journalists. I love the book, theater, movie and art reviews and the recipes. I love the entire page of editorial cartoons. I love the fabulous quotes they share. But my favorite part is the spread in each issue where they compare homes from around the country and tell you how much they cost. Oooooo!

It is kind of a pricey subscription but I think it is worth 100 times that. We have given many gift subscriptions to friends and family. (Actually, did we give you guys one? I honestly can't remember if we did. Oops!) Their website really does not do it justice. Click here to go to it. Find a copy at your library, newsstand or Barnes & Noble. See if you like it. I promise you will feel very clever, indeed.

I'll try to post something non-nerdy tomorrow :: Think

unwrapped

Think::

Today I went to the awesome Marine Corps Exchange (exchange is where they have clothes and electronics)  near  Pentagon side of Arlington Cemetery.  It has some incredible deals along with all of their imported European Chocolate Easter treats - which are both yummy and beautiful.  I discovered from making a wrong turn that it is also connected to the Iwo Jima Memorial side of Arlington Cemetery, which is next to the Army Commissary (grocery store).  This was  huge discovery!

I ran into the Commissary to show my friend what the inside looked like and we found this!

How long have these been out?  Have I been missing the boat or what?  Small bits of caramel that are unwrapped.  Please tell me that you have not been using these for years and kept this to yourself.
These are making my love 2 love list for today!  I am making Caramel brownies 2night!

Pink::

ps::  I am going to miss that military discount like crazy in about 17 months!

I love my Grammy Music

Pink :: I know you love music.

I used to feel like I was pretty hip when it came to music.
I knew what was going on and what I liked to listen to.

Then when Little Think arrived, my musical life shifted to music for her.
Not that I minded....I love Philadelphia Chickens with deep devotion.
(It's just one of the many Sandra Boynton's music/book collections. So great. Click here if you don't know about it.)

But I really am out of the "big person" music loop, so to speak.

We have a friend who is a DJ. And pretty good one at that. We were admiring his music collection at one of his events and asking him a million music questions. We asked him if we were to buy one CD what would it be? He told us to, "Always, always, ALWAYS buy the Grammy Nomination Compilation!"

So we have.

It is a great way to get a wide variety of music. I laugh because I can be somewhat of a music snob and feel like some of it is not going to be stuff I want to listen to. (Rap?!) But once we have it. I'm usually hooked.

It is also a pretty good deal (at least on iTunes) because you get 20 songs for $10.99.

Listening to it as I type this :: Think

Pink gets 2 Smart!

Think::

Ok I am just loving this list of things we love.  Every morning I wake and hope you have listed something new.  That shower thing yesterday was awesome!

Here is mine for today.  I love Smart Wool socks.  Living in the north east my feet have gotten quite cold in the winter and I wear socks all the time.  This is painful for my native New Mexican feet who grew up in flip flops.

I have run in smart wool socks and love them, but these striped beauties are an answer to my fashion dilemmas.  I never know what color of socks to wear with the right color of pants.  So wearing socks that have every color under the sun means at least I get one right. 

These socks are thin in weight but strong in warmth.  I have 3 pairs and am constantly washing them.

If you ever leave that wonderful, warm winter of yours and need some warm socks - get Smart and and get smart wool!

You can buy me here

toasty toes
Pink::

I love my shower curtain

Pink :: I love to shower in front of the whole world.

Let me explain.

In one of our bathrooms I have a beautiful chocolate brown silk shower curtain. 
To protect it from moisture I needed a plastic curtain behind it.
I was at Target wandering and thought I would pick up a cheap-o plain clear plastic shower curtain.

But I saw this one instead.

A map of the world shower curtain. Oh yeah! Totally geeky, right?

I put it up behind my stylish brown silk curtain facing inside the shower. You have no idea it is there until you hop in to shower.  Then you are shocked to find a huge map of the world before you. Ta Da!

I love hearing the reactions of our house guests who use that shower. They always think it's hilarious. And then we have a long discussion about how we didn't know where Azerbaijan was exactly. Or Togo. Or Kerguelen Island. My geography skills are huge now. I'm trying to find a geography game of some sort so we can whip some unsuspecting souls with our new knowledge.

I find myself using this shower instead of the one in my master bathroom just for the intellectual jolt.

The only downside...my hot water usage is way up as I find myself and others taking longer showers as we ponder all things geographical. But what else can you do while waiting for your deep conditioner to do its job?

Increase your world knowledge here.

Letting my inner geek flag fly discreetly behind chocolate silk :: Think

PS: In the reviews of the curtain on Target's website some complained about it smelling plastic-y and being dirty. Like any plastic shower curtain I get I aired mine out in the garage for awhile and then washed it in my washing machine before I hung it. The "dirt" on it is the powder to keep the plastic from sticking to itself while it's in hot warehouses. Just FYI.

I love 2 faced

Think::

I love this  idea of sharing things we love. And I love, love the 2 heart logo, we have got to use that all year. 

So here is my first one.  I know it is is animal print - don't judge too soon.  It is the best makeup item I own.  It is a bronzer and blush all in one.  It is made by a company call Too Faced, I bought my at Sephora.  It may seem a bit pricey for $28.00 but it has now lasted me 6 months with no sign of going anywhere and it comes with a brush and mirror.  (i personally don't like the brush but always have it if I need it)

Here is what Sephora has to say about it:

Our world famous, lovely leopard bronzing and blushing powder combines gorgeous shades of golden bronzes, gilded pinks and neutral fawns to create a glorious skin brightening and all over glow.  Available in an all new, perfect and portable purse-sized compact, this wild little accessory lets you get your bronze on anywhere you are.  The perfect bronzer to create a healthy-looking flush to your cheeks and face anytime of the year.  You'll look like you just got back from an African Safari.

• All Skins:  Looks gorgeous on every skin tone.
• Color Combination:  Bronze, fawn and pink - warms, neutralizes and brightens all in one.
• Brightener:  Banish the doldrums all year round.
• Shimmer:  Just enough - great for work and on-the-go girls.
• Bronzing Brush:  Cut to "hit" and "highlight" just where you want safari appeal.

Buy me at Sephora

Anyway - I am not a makeup girl and I love 2 love this stuff!

Can't wait to find more things I love 2 love
Pink::

I love not stinky shoes

Pink :: Here is my first love 2 love for you.

I have stinky feet.

There. I said it for all to read. I'll say it again.

I have stinky feet.

The problem is, as you have mentioned in posts before, I like Mary Jane style shoes. So cute. So comfortable. But the problem is that sometimes socks just don't look right with them. Or with the entire outfit for that matter. And I have to go sockless in my shoes. Now in slides or other summer shoes that is not a problem but in Mary Janes, ballet shoes or any other type of shoe, a problem soon develops. Especially here in Texas.

The Sweaty Feet.

It's not too bad at first. But after awhile the serious stinky-ness arrives. I would never remove my shoes away from home for fear of subjecting others to the horrid feet smell. But at home...my poor Mr. Think who has to share a closet with me and my many stinky shoes, was not silent in his displeasure of walking into a stinky stink of stinkiness every night.

All that changed with my Fresh'ins Disposable Shoe Inserts. Made by Kiwi. Found them in Target one day hanging in the shoe section.  Decided to try them. Changed my life. Saved my marriage. Saved all my cute shoes!!!

They are really thin shoe inserts that are lightly scented that you wear for awhile and then throw away. You buy the size you need so you just pull them out and slide them in. You can't tell they are in your shoes. It says "wear for 5 days" on the package but I go for as long as my nose tells me I can. I use them in all my "enclosed" shoes. Loafers, heels, flats, boots, sneakers, etc. I figure the cost of the Fresh'ins is saving me a ton in the cost of replacement shoes. I could kiss the clever person who invented these.

Click here for their website.

I love 2 love my Fresh'ins :: Think

What do you love 2 love?

Pink :: I got an idea

Did you have  a nice Valentine's Day?
I'm sure you did with Mr. Pink coming home after being gone.

So I was thinking now that we are back in the "post holiday blues" after V day that I needed something to look forward 2. I want to know some things that you really love. I mean really love. Products, places, etc. Things that you might feel silly singing the praises of in a normal conversation but that you really, really like and can't get enough of. Stuff that if someone actually asked you about it – you could go on for days and days about it. Basically I want to know about the stuff you love 2 love for the rest of February, the "Month of Love".  Are you in?

I'll go first :: Think

PS: I love the little logo I made up there created out of our beloved number 2 flopped. hee-hee!