On the Hunt...

I have a confession...

I adore tote bags. I love them and find them to be remarkably practical and functional and always wonderful. Yet, I only own one true tote (a wonderful pink striped tote featured as part of the Gap (Red) collection the spring of 2007 - this tote was a cheer-me-up-during-dreary-NY-winter purchase and I have adored it since the moment I saw it).

I am considering rewards for achieving the first of my New Year's Resolutions - perhaps I'll post these when I hit that first milestone... one wouldn't want to jinx oneself while on a pattern towards good behavior.

Thus, I am presently on the hunt for a wonderful Tote Bag. I think it's just the type of reward I deserve (the other option is a wonderful bottle of 2004 Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Grenache, Syrah).

These are the ones that have caught my eye thus far:

The ever preppy J.Crew is represented with this pink and navy bag. I love the handle height and the length of the bag (I'm not one for tall rectangular tote bags).


Horchow had a wonderful chartreuse Fleur-De-Lis tote last spring, this spring they are offering the patterned monogram tote. I do love the giraffe and chartreuse, with perhaps a Navy monogram?


Then of course Lacoste makes a wonderful (if overpriced) demonstration in Pink and White.



The final and ever classic LL Bean Tote.



I do wish that Calista Cove weren't on break because I would love to browse wonderfully preppy specimens displayed on the web site.

Drum Roll Please....

Readers it is here! The new blog design courtesy of Cutest Blog on the Block, and with the assistance of a my co-worker!

Today is super busy at work, but I promise I will do a real post before too long!

Never a moment too late....

Good afternoon readers,

As you can see there are changes here at "Plenary Palace." The current blog design is only temporary, but I really wanted to try it out while working towards completion of my new banner.

Here is a sneak peak at what you'll hopefully find here a week from today! I just can't wait!!

Lightning Does Strike Twice...

Readers I swear it's true, lightning does strike in the same place twice...

I posted here about my inexplicable urge to run. Well last night after work I had a million things to do, but I got home and my feisty, sweet, little muffin (demon) dog was so spunky (naughty), that I really wanted to get her some exercise and the more I looked at her sweet face (covered in crumbs from the loaf of challah she ate off the counter)






I knew I had to take her for a run.


Can you believe it? Twice in a seven day period... before you know it I'll be slvelty as Kate Moss (one can always dream...).




Of course it would be treason to post a picture of Torri-Anne, while not posting a picture of Bailey




or Peno and Cheffie (he's really wearing clothing, I didn't realize how risque this looked... however I'm too lacodasical to find a new picture...)

Valentine's Day with a Chef

Readers it is once again Valentine's Day a holiday full of mixed skepticism, romanticism, and marketing...

Cheffie of course hates Valentine's Day, as he does most holidays where gift giving is required. He's not cheap he just doesn't like being forced to give a gift, and it shows. His most wonderful, and thoughtful gifts are the ones he gives spontaneously, like the watch he gave me for the ballet, or the charm bracelet he's putting together for me with charms from each place he travels, or the ipod he bought in July when we finished our series of 5 K runs when we first started dating.

I however, adore every holiday that gives me an excuse to give presents! This year I think we have a fantastic plan that will suit each of our gift giving styles.

After working in the restaurant business for years Cheffie and I both know that the holidays when EVERYONE goes out to eat are the days you should avoid going out. Examples of such days are New Years Eve, Valentine's Day, and Mother's Day commonly known as the three busiest days in the restaurant year.

So this year we have put together a fun plan.

Our gift to each other is a wine club membership.

We are not sure which one to join, but here is one we are considering. I've often given a wine club as a gift, and have always thought I'd like to receive one myself. Each month we'll have something fun and new to look forward to and it will serve as a reminder to stop, have a romantic dinner and enjoy each other. Inevitably some months he'll be traveling when the wine arrives, which means that it will give us something to share together when he returns.

The second part of our Valentine's Day plans is food, rather than going somewhere and being served we are going to serve food at a local soup kitchen. This is something that Cheffie and I have always wanted to do together but we haven't ever made the time. So this is what I asked Cheffie to do with me this year for Valentine's Day. I am so excited to work alongside Cheffie to meet the needs of someone else.... and lets be honest I'm always excited for good wine!

What is everyone else doing for the pseudo-holiday?

Australian Fire Victims

I'm sure each of us is aware of the wildfires sweeping through Australia. I grew up in Wyoming and I know how devastating wildfires can be, as the west burns every summer.

Please don't feel obligated or pressured, but I saw this picture (taken from aol.com) and it just broke my heart...
Therefor I am posting about how to help the wildfire victims. The best resource to help I've found so far is the Red Cross. They currently have a call out for donations. They are not taking any percentage of your donation for administration costs all of it will go to helping Australians re-build their lives, homes, and towns.

Today as you drive around your community imagine the total sense of loss, hopelessness and devastation you would feel if everything was burned to the ground. Entire towns in Australia have been lost due to these fires, and well over 200 lives have been claimed. If you feel led to give you can do so here at the Australian Red Cross website. Even if it's only a few dollars every bit helps!

A Blog Respite for Domino Withdrawal...

As I've already posted here Domino magazine has met it's untimely end, so imagine my delight and surprise when i stumbled across Nick Olsen's blog! Nick used to blog for Domino under the name "Deal Hunter."



I am delighted that in this post Domino world Nick is still going to enlighten us with his wonderful design style! Trot on over and become a follower of this great blog immediately!