I Triple HEART Ryan Seacrest!

Yeah!  American Idol is back!  I have to tell you, last summer I was writing the show off because Paula wasn't coming back but now after watching the last two days I am taking it back.

First and foremost Ryan I have missed you.  I think he is one of  the funniest, wittiest, best dressed people in Hollywood, not to mention he isn't bad to look at either!!!   My parents are addicted to AI also (there are time restrictions now on when we can call) and my Mom loves RS.  Since they both share the same birth place (Atlanta) she thinks she knows him and has even told me he is a distant cousin.  Ummm...Yea, I think I will have to get the family tree out to verify that one {wink wink.}

Tuesday
Anyways, Posh was interesting wasn't she?  She was really sweet and I loved it when she gave Simon a little attitude and he didn't say anything back but seriously what was she wearing in her hair the first day?!?   and HOLY SMOKES is that girl skinny, WOW!!!  I mean I am all for skinny but she's about to float away.

A few of my favs from Boston are...

Amedeo DiRocco:  Man that  guy loves some Italian food...
Bosa Mora:  The guy from Nigeria.  I loved it that his dad cried and they said God is great.  How sweet.
Ashley Rodreiguez:  Thought she had a good voice and reminded me a little of Rhianna.
Leah Laurenti: Sweet girl.  Great Voice.

Wednesday
Mary J.  Blige was guest host.  Dang she has some awesome arms.  Loved the yellow but was it just me or did she have a little attitude?   Wasn't that impressed with the talent.

But here are couple of my favs...
Vanessa Wolfe:  This girl had me at "I am a bridge jumper."  Interesting and cool.  I would freak (but still probably try it) not a huge heights person.
Guitar Girl:  Loved her personality.  Darling when she said "Come on Simon your gorgeous" BINGO! Her ticket awaited.
Mallory: Great voice even better hair.

I am now going to use this line (per Simon) to Lily when she asks for something..."It is a resounding NO!"

Till Next week...



xoxo, Lily's Laundry
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.com
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.Blogspot.com

Haiti Relief...

My day continued today the same as usual.  Got up this am went to boot camp, grocery store, Lowes, our rental house,  checked status of Lane Kiffin moving back to USC {yikes}, met a girlfriend at Coffee Bean... not really paying much attention to the news.  When I got home I  turned  on the news and had to turn it off because it bought such heartache.

While I was lying in my daughters bed tonight trying to get her to go to sleep, all I could think about was, how grateful I was the roof was not caving in on top of us...what a desperate feeling that must be, not being able to protect your own child.

After they were down I went directly to my computer and made a donation to Compassion International. My children, husband, family and friends are the only things that mean anything to me.  I could not imagine them being taken away in a few seconds.  I am always so grateful for my blessed life but tragedy like this reminds me even more.

I usually do not write post on current events but everyone who can, should try and donate something to the people in Haiti, who are suffering such despair and sadness tonight.

I always donate through Compassion International at www.compassion.com because I know that they are a wonderful organization but here are a couple of other places.


www.SalvationArmy.org


www.WorldVision.org


www.RedCross.org


20% of sales at www.LilysLaundryBoutique.com now through Sunday will be donated to Haiti Relief!


Text Haiti to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross..saying they have already raised $ 4 Million this way...AWESOME!

Blessing to all your families.

xoxo, Lily's Laundry
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.com
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.Blogspot.com

Look What's New....

Pink Gator Dress $50

Turquoise Bird Dress $65

Boys Initial Tee and Shorts $48

University of Wyoming Dress $60

xoxo, Lily's Laundry
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.com
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.Blogspot.com

Cleaning Claire's Closet

Do you want to make some extra money while cleaning out your child's closet?  Well then contact LLB.  We are selling high end, unique pre-used children clothing.  Here are all the details....

If you would like to sell your items on LLB you will be required to sign this contract.
 
We will take up to 10 pieces of designer/unique kids clothing/accessories that is in mint condition at a time. Clothing cannot have any stains or rips cannot be overly worn or damaged. We prefer brand names or custom pieces. You must email us photos before hand to get items cleared.
 
Items cleared will be posted to website within 14 days of receiving them.
 
Items that are not sold within 30 days will be marked down 20%, after 60 days they will be marked down 50% and after 90 days, they will be either donated to charity or shipped back to you at your expense.
 
You will be paid 45% of asking price and are responsible for shipping to and from us. Price of items can be suggested but will be determined by LLB.
 
You will be paid either via Pay Pal or given a store credit to LLB (which ever you prefer) within 30 days of your items selling.
 
If you have photos that will show up well on the internet I will gladly use them. If not I will shoot the photos.
 
All items are subject to LLB's approval and can be removed at anytime if need be.
 
Sincerely, Laura Neil
President, Lily’s Laundry
 
Email us if you are interested at Info@LilysLaundryBoutique.com to get started TODAY!!!


xoxo, Lily's Laundry
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.com
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.Blogspot.com

The Holidays. Part Tres. 5 Degrees and Counting.

Chi-Town!  W. and I went to Chicago for New Years and my Bday.  We had a blast.  My sister and her husband  were the best hosts.  We are so blessed to have them in our lives...plus they are both really funny.  Another one of our favorite couples Megan and Aaron came with us too. I think the highest the temp reached was about 18 degrees.  Today we were out and it was 5 **FREAKING** degrees...I almost died.  My sister and I live in totally opposite places.  Our summers can reach 120 degrees plus and her winters can be in the single digits!  Northface and Ugg rock.  I don't know how people up here could live without them....




















We did all the touristy things Michigan Ave, The Bean, Oprah's Studio, original Marshall Fields...  We rode the bus and train everywhere. 
























 We dined at couple of places off the beaten path that we loved.  The first is called Hot Chocolate {isn't that the coolest name?} It's located in Wicker Park. They had the BEST coffee I have ever tasted.  My hubby went with the "Medium" hot chocolate and it was a hit too!  Breakfast was divine...The restaurant's decor reminded me of Napa, very modern Americano...if you are ever in Chicago and looking for a great breakfast spot go there!!!

 
"As God is my witness I'll never be hungry again. Scarlett a man hath no better thing than to eat, drink and be merry...." This the quote that is painted on my other favorite place we went called Home Bistro Chicago (located in Lakeview.)  This place is BYOB, so we brought our own vino and vodka.  My sister says a lot of the restaurants in Chicago are like this, because the liquor licenses are so expensive.  We sat in the window and watched the snow fall.  It was a perfect end to our trip.  It is very small and quaint and we were very loud and full of ourselves...they didn't seem to mind ;) They even let my sister and hubby back into the kitchen. 

Hope everyone has a blessed and prosperous 2010!

xoxo, Lily's Laundry
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.com
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.Blogspot.com

The Holidays. Part Dos.

The day after Christmas is always my favorite day of the Holidays.  You just get to chill out with your family...So that's what we did.  My parents live about 1 mile from The Black Hammock at Lake Jesup.  The lake is rich in Floridan history and has more gators then any other lake in Florida.  Years ago people use to dump all the gators in the county in this lake.  There are 1000's of them in the lake!  We love to The Black Hammock  because of this old, old gator called Hammy.  Plus the people watching is out of this world!  You can go on airboat rides and eat lunch at The Lazy Gator.  If you have never tried fried gator, you should, its really good.    My husband bought a 11 foot gator head to put in his office.  What a great conversion piece for a business man in SoCal ;)  

(thought this was a cool looking pic)

(W with his prized Gator Head.  He is telling people he killed it)

(My sister and bro. in law with Lily)

My family has been in the citrus business for 100 plus years in Central Florida and has groves on Lake Jesup.  After we left The Black Hammock we went to cruise the groves and pick some oranges.  It has been such a long time since we have done this as a family.  The day reminded me of my childhood. We even drove past a place deep in the groves where we use to party in high school. My Dad loved that! 

(My fam. in grove.  My dad was showing us where the state is pulling phosphate out of lake. Guess its a money maker. Who knew?!)

We are off to Chicago to visit my sister in a bit.  Say a prayer for safe travels.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  PEACE AND BLESSING FOR 2010!

xoxo, Lily's Laundry

www.LilysLaundryBoutique.Blogspot.com

www.LilysLaundryBoutique.com

The Holidays. Part Uno.

We are just back from a short but busy trip to Florida.  It was a whirlwind and W. and I are off to Chicago tomorrow  for News Years, so life is busy.  We traveled the state in a Toyota minivan.  My husband was trying to persuade me it was a cool car...I mean don't get me wrong, it is very functional but I am not a functional type of person   I told him look "you married a high heel wearing girl and a minivan to me is more like a  good pair of flats."

We started off by going to South Florida where my husband's family lives.  First stop was his mothers house.  She and her husband are one of the largest orchid growers in the country.  Their property is amazing.  It is  like an orchid wonderland!  Lily loves it too because there is so much stuff to do outside.  We cruised through the greenhouses, rode on the "Gator," fed all the birds...

The next day we got up and went down to Jupiter to W's sisters house for Christmas Eve Day where the girls played with their cousins and ate dinner....

We then get back in the "functional"  minivan and drove 3 hours north to my parents house for Christmas Eve Night so the girls could have Santa on Christmas Morning.

Time frame here is about 24 hours...We are all SO TIRED!

Christmas morning we always go to my Grandmother Claire's house and exchange gifts with my Dad's side of the family.












Then everyone comes over to our house for Christmas dinner.  We then finished the night off with some sparklers left over from our wedding (8 YEARS AGO.) They still worked and Lily LOVED them.

To Be Continued...

oxoxo, Lily's Laundry
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.com

WRAP IT UP...

I love gift wrapping paper.  I always have.   I also love untraditional ways of wrapping presents.  This year I used all sorts of bright, funky, colored paper.  We live in a resort community, so it is perfect. I keep bows, ribbons, faux flowers and unique decorations throughout the year and I use them on my gifts.  I used ornaments, peacock feathers, lace, sequins, tulle and ribbons to wrap these up. Lily and Claire loved them!

MERRY CHRISTMAS
xoxo, Lily's Laundry
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.com

Oh Santa..Where are you...

It's that time where you are trying to find that perfect gift.  Man, sometimes it is so hard.  I think women are easy.   I tell my husband you can never go wrong with a good handbag (a.k.a Chanel) or a piece of jewelery ;} wink wink {;  I have a hard time finding that perfect something though for the men in my life.  Something that is unique yet that they will get good use out of.  So I go to the ole' tried and true gift guides that pop up this time of year.

Here are some of my favorites...

My sister's and my all time favorite magazine was Domino.  Sadly it went out of business this past spring but and new version has come out called LonNy Mag.  You can view it at www.Lonnymag.com
They have a great gift guide OR buy the magazine and give it as a gift...love those kind..they last all year.

I found this awesome website through LonNy that is very 20's, Flapper, East Village inspired called  www.patchnyc.com.  Perfect if you are looking for a unique, luxurious present.  THEIR WEBSITE IS WAY TOO COOL!

Oprah always has the gift department covered.  Check out her great list.  She has  food, stocking stuffers, art work, clothes and more.  I love this photo by www.allpopart.com that has been Andy Warhol-ized.  It would be cute for a favorite pet!   You can also do something similar on canvas through your local Costco.

www.Oprah.com




Cool Mom Picks has some good stuff. I love how they list it everything $, $$ or $$$. They also have some coolly worded titles like "For Your Twilight-Infatuated Niece" or "For Your Sister and Best Friend who's a Million Miles Away" (like mine, sniff sniff )

Hope these help. 
Oh P.S. Neiman's is offering free Rush shipping and gift wrap with code HURRY.  You can never go wrong there!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

xoxo, Lily's Laundry

www.LilysLaundryBoutique.com

Merry. Merry. Merry...I am worn out!

This has been the week of parties and I am exhausted so I am going to put the whole week in one post. Wednesday night we had my husband client apprecitaion party at Franklin Loan Center. We hosted about 300 people. Ruth Chris did the food and we served beer and wine. I was in charge of the decorations. We did LOTS of red roses, crystals and candles and the tables looked great. A girlfriend Kelly of mine did these crystals on her table for her birthday and it looked amazing. You can get flowers delivered in bulk from Costco. This is the third party I have done this for and every time they have turned out fantastic. You have to order them the week before, on a certain day, for the flowers to be delivered fresh. I got 200 long stem red roses for about $150. Its a great deal. If you need bulk flowers check it out, (make sure to read shipping info though) not a lot of people know about it.

Friday night we had the employees party for FLC.  It was a great time too.  Walter and I are so grateful for everyone that works at Franklin without them we would not have the company that we do.

Everything looks cool at night with all the lights ;)

Today I was at the Sacred Heart Tea selling LLB stuff.  It was lots of fun.  There were about 600 people there and some really great vendors too!  A few of them were Ashley Hackshaw from www.Lilblueboo.blogspot.com, Lisa Walker from www.ellebows.blogspot.com, two sweet sisters Amy and Cara who own She She on El Paseo, Allison Hanlon Clothing and the ladies that own www.happychickadee.com which has darling things too!  If you have a chance check out these blogs and website.  Everyone has great things..I am adding some pictures and then off to bed...12 more days will Christmas...and I haven't even done any of my shopping ahhhhh....

Christmas Tutu's $40 at LLB

Christmas Bucket for $18 perfect for hostess gifts!

Pacifier Clips only $8 perfect to add to gift baskets for showers by Cranberries and Capers

RuffleButts and Gift Baskets by LLB

Merry Christmas, Lily's Laundry
www.LilysLaundryBoutique.com