What We Love this Valentines Day

Favorite Things:  With Valentines Day just around the corner (like next week-what the what!?!?) we had to share some of our favorite Valentines Day finds.  Spread love it's the only way.

Clockwise from top right:  Homespun Vintages heart print dress, $60, at Homespun Vintage, Atsuyo et Akiko's 18k gold filled and diamond necklace, $180, at Atsuyo et Akiko; Hiho Batik's pillow, $35, at Hiho Batik, Rifle Paper Co. greeting card, $4.50 at, Cute Attack; Annies Blue Ribbon General Store heart key, $6.75, at Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store; Gucci's leather high top sneaker, at Gucci.com.

Atsuyo et Akiko's cotton pillow, $56, at Atsuyo et Akiko

Bon Bon's wool, cotton, cashmere, nylon & viscose, double breasted jacket $79 at Estella, Pottery Barns envelope chair backer $14.99, at Pottery Barn Kids; Jessie Sima's canvas print, $66, at Redbubble; Toto Knits organic cotton sweater, price available upon request, at Toto Knits, Marie Chantals gold and diamond necklace, at Marie Chantal's 18k yellow gold & diamond necklace, $2,995, at Marie Chantal, ModCloth plastic & metal umbrella, $29.99, at ModCloth

Capturing a Moment In Time

Bebe Bird, the superhero loving, cat adoring toddler turned 3 years old on Sunday!  As a gift he received this incredibly personalized framed drawing that captures this moment in time (toddlerhood) so perfectly. Created by illustrator Jessie Sima, this unique gift is perfect for a close friend or loved one.  It makes a wonderful housewarming present, Valentines gift, birthday prez etc etc etc.  You catch my drift? To purchase your personalized artwork email Jessie the details about the person, couple or family you are gifting, their images, and ideas you may have that represent them.  Price varies on size of the artwork and an estimate is provided upon request. For more information visit Jessie Sima. 

John Lithgow's: Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo

John Lithgow with illustrator Leeza Hernandez reading"Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo" 

One of my favorite New York experiences is having the opportunity to meet some of our favorite authors at local bookshops. It's intimate and inspiring.  After an afternoon excursion to Central Park Zoo Bebe Bird and I were able to enjoy such an experience when we stopped into Books of Wonder on our way home.  Actor & children's author, John Lithgow was performing a reading from his newest children's book "Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo "with the books illustrator Leeza Hernandez.

This fun & interactive children's book tells the story of a boy who attends a summer concert at an outdoor bandshell right next to the zoo.  The zoo animals love the music so much they storm the stage, take over the instruments and hilarity ensues.  "Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo" is wonderfully written in a sing song way-literally.  The book comes equipped with a CD of a live orchestra & Lithgow singing.

Lithgow, whose father had instilled in him a  love of books, has passed on such a joy of reading to his children.  "I have carried on my father's tradition by reading aloud to my own kids when they were little.  I have also started a few traditions of my own, like singing to them and playing really mediocre guitar, building castles with them out of refrigerator boxes and treasure hunts across museums" According to Lithgow's biography.

John Lithgow performs a snipit- of"Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo" at Books of Wonder 

You can purchase your own signed copy with CD of "Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo" for $17.99, at Books of Wonder.