Boo!

Happy Halloween! I was up late last night preparing all the goodies for my girls. A few snapshots to get you in the spirit ...

The pinata we'll be bashing with the neighborhood kids ...

Treats for all the girls' classmates at pre-k/preschool today. They say "I need S'MORE friends like you" and include a small Hershey bar, pumpkin peeps and a graham cracker. Thanks for the idea Espy kindergarten teachers!

Another shot of these cute - but time-consuming - little goodie bags!

I'll post pics of the girls in costume later today. Hint: We're on our second year of movie characters. Last year was Annie. This year, Wizard of Oz.

I'm also spending a few hours today getting ready for our evening festivities. We're smoking chili for a few friends, and of course, I need to pick up some pumpkin beer. Between the beer and the mass quantities of strawberry Laffy Taffy I'm sure to consume this candy-coated holiday, my diet is sure to suffer : )

Have a great day and a safe and happy Halloween!


- Kara

Trunk Show Teaser

We are so excited for our trunk show Thursday evening and hope you are too! Need a little teaser? Here are a few of the necklaces we got in just this week!



I love all the color combos. A perfect way to brighten up any outfit ...

Then of course who can resist tortoiseshell these days?




 Another one of my bright favorites is this one - in a gorgeous green ...

For those looking for a daintier necklace, this long pendant is lovely and goes with everything.

 Here's a shorter gold necklace you could, again, wear with anything and layer with other necklaces.

 Then there's this beauty! I LOVE the rose gold with the aqua on this long pendant, so pretty. One for me please!

 

We'll have so much more, so make sure to stop by!

 

Reminder: The trunk show is from 6 to 9 p.m. THIS THURSDAY (November 1) at my house, 10017 Juniper Lane, Overland Park. We'll have drinks, appetizer and plenty of goodies to gift or keep for yourself! Hope to see you then! Email us with questions at editkc@gmail.com.

- Kara

Edit: Holiday Gift Idea

Each Tuesday, beginning now until Christmas, the ladies of Edit will be bringing you a new and unique holiday gift idea for someone on your list. Up first, one of my favorite ideas for little girls.

I came across Sophie & Lili custom dolls while following one of my favorite bloggers, Joy Cho, over at Oh Joy. Her illustrator, Jennifer, runs this business and creates these beautiful dolls, illustrations and more. The Sophie & Lili dolls are customizable, you can even have your child's name put on the back. You can choose hair color/style and skin color. The custom dolls are 12" tall and $35. A great gift idea for that special little girl in your life!


- Melina

Surprise Ending

This may be a bit heavy for Monday morning, but given that we're a little over a week away until election day, it needs to be shared.

Kara and I grew up in Nixa, Missouri - a very small town with a huge population of mega Southern Baptist churches. Like many small towns, it's heavily conservative, and I don't often have much pride for any political news or opinions that come from Christian county.

However, my husband shared this video with me last week of a Springfield pastor and I found myself so shocked and proud. Please watch this video and watch it ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I can't express that last part enough. You must watch it til the end. I hope you enjoy his message and please share this video.

Baubles, Baubles Everywhere

This week, we had the pleasure of selling some of our fun jewelry - and meeting two amazing local jewlery designers - all while getting to know some of our fellow bloggers. The little meetup was organized by Lisa of Periodot Skys and Erin of Pretty, Polished, Perfect.

Andrea of Darling Lilyblu is the creator of the gorgeous gold link necklace on the left (which came home with me) and many other treasures that have found their way to my Christmas wish list. I really want the matching bracelet and the blue and white beaded necklace pictured on the right (hint, hint in case anyone who loves me is reading!)

I also fell in love with the lovely pretties of Ngan of ENVe Designs. Also a blogger (and a mom of three), Ngan creates super cute and colorful bracelets and necklaces - very preppy, which I love. I bought Melina a necklace for Christmas, and she bought me one! Perfect trade : )

Courtney with Stella & Dot was also there with some gorgeous pieces (though out of my budget). Did I mention the local designers' prices were anywhere from $14 to $50 - amazing! Still, I do my Stella & Dot and wished I could have purchased more than a few baubles.

The only display I don't have a picture of is ours (what was I thinking?!), but I'll post some from our trunk shows this weekend in Nixa.

In the meantime, check out these local jewelry designers - you won't be disappointed. And have a great weekend!


- Kara

Making Way for Baby

We spoiled Baby Bland (and Melina) yet again last weekend with a baby shower in Brookside.

While more ambitious Kansas Citians sweated through half or full marathons, we indulged in macaroons from Natasha's Mulberry & Mott and many other decadent dishes (homemade mac and cheese and apple cake!) all while celebrating the pending arrival of Melina and Matthew's firstborn.

There were many presents for Mama and Baby ...

Including this lovely little gift from the girls and me (Where the Wild Things Are is clearly from Nora!)

All of Melina's family and friends came out for the big celebration, including co-workers from Crossroads ...

Pi Phis from St. Louis and Kansas City ...

And even all the Yiayias from church - aren't they the cutest?

Guests all took home pumpkins, while Melina took home new baby must-haves (swaddling blankets, diapers and adorable, soft, teeny-tiny baby outfits too).

Thanks to Ashley Bland and Elizabeth Glynn for hosting with me.

 

It was a perfect day to celebrate my new niece or nephew (please, let it be a nephew!!)


- Kara

Almost ready for baby!

Now that we're at 30 weeks, we're officially done with our baby showers and progress has been made on the nursery. It feels so real once you get that crib sheet put on the mattress and start folding little onesies. I can't believe our baby boy/girl will be here in 10 weeks or less. Crazy!

While we still have a few things we're waiting on, such as the light fixture, which is STILL on back order, an end table and a few other things for the walls, the nursery is nearly complete!

- Melina

Eat: You Say Tomato

Enjoyed a great lunch yesterday with my good friend Lynn at a restaurant I've never been to - or even heard of ... You Say Tomato, 2801 Holmes in Kansas City - right by Hallmark.

The place doesn't look like much from the street - I couldn't even find a good sign to photograph. But I love little hidden gems like this - and, in my experience, the food is usually amazing when all the money isn't spent on overhead and decor.

Right again! Not much to look at from the street, but my food was so good - a yummy sweet potato quiche (with other veggies I'm not sure of) and a small Greek salad. Delish!

Today's specials, just to give you a taste of what else they have to offer, include:

• Panini - Mufaletta with mortadella, salami, ham, giardiniera, parmesan
• Chicken Pot Pie
• Meatloaf Sandwich - with bacon, mushrooms and swiss
• Breakfast Flatty - scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, country gravy and cheddar

Plus the interior was warm and inviting. An eclectic mix of tables and chairs (thrift store finds I'm sure) and freshly-baked treats made for a very homey atmosphere.

I hope you're able to try You Say Tomato soon. I believe they're only open for breakfast and lunch - 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Sunday brunch.

I'm ready to go back!


- Kara

To Make You Smile

In a rush this Monday morning, but wanted to share something to bring a smile to your day - or maybe a laugh. Yes, my children have inherited my musical (in)abilities.

Have a good Monday!

- Kara

If Only ... Veronica Beard

Last night I had the opportunity to meet the two Veronicas behind Veronica Beard, an American sportswear brand that focuses on modernizing iconic pieces that are the cornerstones of a woman's wardrobe.

Besides loving their fall collection, I was absolutely wowed by the designers themselves. Both are named Veronica, and both married brothers, so their names are the same - Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard. Pus, they're gorgeous (read: tall, blonde and thin!) and, between the two of them, they have seven children. Yes, one of the Veronicas (on the left above has five kids ages 2 to 10. Wow.

Halls on the Plaza hosted the meet and greet with the Veronicas, introducing their fall 2012 collection and resort line to Kansas City bloggers and high-end shoppers. A few of my favorites ...

While the prices are too much for me - the first dress above was $895, so after that, I kind of stopped looking - but the clothes are gorgeous, and the Veronicas swear the fit is divine.

Thanks Halls for a great event - and wonderful to meet you Veronicas. What inspirations!


- Kara

Splurge vs. Steal: Tortoise Shell Necklace

We've been having a great time sharing all our pieces from our first Edit collection because all three of us are completely in love with everything we bought.

We especially love the new statement tortoise shell necklace. Tortoise is so great because you can wear it with everything and this stand-out piece will add drama to any outfit you pair it with. An added bonus is it's showing up for fall in a big way.

Michael Kors, $145

Max & Chloe, $98

But if you're like us, you aren't going to fork over $100 plus on costume jewelry. Luckily, we're selling our bold tortoise shell necklace for only $68, but there's just ONE LEFT, so email us now if you want it!

- Melina

Eat: Beer Kitchen

If you haven't been down to Westport in awhile, you've been missing out on a ton of new and very good restaurants. With the fairly recent additions of The Boot and Port Fonda, joining the always tasty Westport Cafe, Murray's Ice Cream and one of my personal favorites, Beer Kitchen.

I've been to Beer Kitchen a few times, usually for a late-night bite to eat, but this time I tried their lunch and it was fantastic.

Continuing the trend in over indulging myself, I tried the made-to-order mac n cheese with my choice of peas and shitake mushrooms.

Yum. I'm a lover of all mac n cheese. I can find the beauty in everything from Kraft to homemade and this mac n cheese was one of my favorites. It wasn't too rich that you couldn't have more than a few bites, but it had just the right amount of cheese and crunchy breadcrumbs. Oh and if you're wondering if peas were a good addition - YES.

Matthew had the fish and chips and loved his as well. The fish was buttery and the serving just right.

I also must mention that the service was great. We went right at lunchtime and had no trouble getting a table and getting in and out in under an hour. If you haven't given Beer Kitchen a try, I hope you do soon!


- Melina