A Lilly Pulitzer-esque Tablecloth

My new tablecloth is the equivalent of caffeine.  You can't walk into my kitchen and not feel energized.  I found this cotton fabric when I was in Honolulu and I knew immediately that I wanted it to be a Lilly-like tablecloth in my aqua and white kitchen.
I am a big fan of buying fabric that I love and serging the edge to make a quick and easy tablecloth.  When I realized that the fabric width didn't allow for enough drape on the sides, I tried making my first "ruffle" with the extra fabric to add some length. It worked and still looks great. 

And a casual collection of like-minded roses from the garden echos the colors in the fabric.  I love this time of year.

Lilly Pulitzer Cookie Cutters

For a limited time only, "cute" reigns in the kitchen!  Lilly Pulitzer designed a limited edition set of cookie cutters that I just had to have.

The shape of the palm tree, monkey and elephant cookies are pulled right from Lilly's famous fabric designs and I think they are a scream.  The cookie cutters are made of hot pink plastic and feature a plunger-like panel that pushes down and imprints the dough after the shape is cut.  I think the detail this creates in the palm tree (bark/leaves) and money (face/chest) are perfect. The next time I bake, I will dye the cookie dough pink and let the detail speak for itself - no frosting needed!

Come on Buffy, it's time to bake!

My Grandmother's Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
2 Tablespoons 2% milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
Cream butter in mixing bowl. Beat in sugar, egg, milk & vanilla. Add flour, salt & baking powder. Mix well. Divide dough in half and wrap in waxed paper. Chill in refrigerator at least one hour. Use plenty of flour on board, rolling pin & cookie cutters to prevent sticking. Roll out dough 1/4 inch thick and cut out shapes with cookie cutters dusted with flour.  Bake at 375 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet (or use parchment paper) for 5-8 minutes.

Lilly Pulitzer animal crackers

I consider myself to be a pretty observant shopper, but even I am impressed that I noticed this Lilly Pulitzer packaging in the cracker aisle of Target!

I certainly wasn't looking for anything "super cute" while I was stocking the pantry, but there it was. Who wouldn't want to pull this out of their straw beach bag? A perfect Summer snack - and so Lilly.

Barnum's Animal Crackers and Lilly Pulitzer have teamed up during the "Year of the Tiger" to raise awareness of the World Wildlife Fund. In honor of this collaboration, Nabisco's Barnum's Animal Crackers will donate $100,000 to support the World Wildlife Fund's tiger conservation work. Love it!

And yes, I've eaten a giraffe, rhinoceros and monkey since this post started.

Baubles

It is officially Spring and I am craving color!

I have been working on painting beads for some super cute necklaces & bracelets.

Dots and stripes in colors that will drive the girls crazy.

You've got to have something to compliment your Lilly, right?

Look for them next week in the ANA Limited Edition store in the sidebar of my blog.

Love it!

Lilly Pulitzer Perfume

When Lilly Pulitzer introduced a line of fragrances last year, I instantly thought bull's eye! I had been searching for a light fragrance that said Vacation and if any brand can master that mood, it's Lilly.

With brightly colored glass bottles (love the printed ribbon "scarf") and names like Wink, Squeeze and Beachy, they have created the perfect addition to any pink & green occasion.

I gave gift sets of Wink & Beachy for Christmas (Santa brought me Squeeze!), and although it is dark and cold now, I know that once Springtime hits everyone is going to love wearing them.

Sometimes the right thing to do is wink.

Super Cute Tote

When I was in Florida last month, the moon and stars aligned and I was able to see my brother-in-law and his family who live in Houston, Texas. I know, it was very unexpected that we were in the same place at the same time - what fun.

During the few days that our vacations overlapped, we shopped, went to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner and generally spent some much needed time together.

When my sister-in-law and nieces (11 & 6 years-old) went shopping with me, the youngest said, "I have an idea for my birthday, Aunt Anne."

She had been "looking me over" all week and enjoyed figuring out which accessories I had made. She particularly liked a tote that I had slip covered with bright Lilly-like fabric, covered buttons and a touch of ribbon. She asked if I could design one for her and voila! It is going in the mail today. A super cute tote for a super cute seven-year-old. Happy Birthday, honey!

Plan an Escape

Can you hear the quiet? I couldn't think of a nicer place to watch the sun go down than on this deserted beach. All the sunbathers have given up the sand in lieu of a Lilly Pulitzer dress, some pearls and an icy tropical drink. I was able to sneak in this moment before heading off to my own dinner reservation. Shrimp cocktail, anyone?