The Martha Stewart Show...

....my friends and I went to the Martha Stewart Show on Tuesday as one of my monthly birthday activities for the month of April (yeah since this is a big year, I'm doing fun activities all year each month) and let me just tell you that I LOVED every bit of it! We had such a fantastic time hanging out in New York and most of all being a part of the live studio audience. We were on the The Color Show donning our blue shirts courtesy of American Apparel and most importantly..on the front row. You can even see us during the first four seconds of the show and peppered throughout the entire show. TALK ABOUT EXCITED. I even won a prize for being the most energetic audience member! ha ha

I had a simply marvelous time walking around downtown New York donning our Penelope Toop Party Hats, eating breakfast at The Empire Diner and having lunch at Rickshaw's Dumpling Bar! It was a wonderful Tuesday and you know what? I'd do it all over again!

Shecky's Girls Night Out...

Shecky's Girls Night Out from Shecky's on Vimeo.

I'm excited to head to Shecky's Girls Night Out. It should be fun from what I've heard. You get to do a little shopping, get spring beauty treatments, goodie bags & freebies and just have a really good time with your gal pals.

If you didn't catch the DC one, they have some touring other cities. Be sure to check them out for more information.

The weather is great, sun is shining, people are all about so why not get out and enjoy it!

Have a Lovely Weekend...

I'm looking forward to having a very relaxing (well doing some PT work of course) weekend. Heading to the movies tonight for a mother/daughter movie "date night" and then tomorrow we'll see how the days ahead trots along.

I spotted this video by "The Girls with Glasses Show via Black*Eiffel and it really made me wish that I had a great talk show with one of my friends, did really cool videos with an amazing concept, that we were outfitted in must have outfits, had a totally cute and friendly dog (that would be Hampton's job), created great props and munched on deliciously frosted cupcakes! But alas I didn't really think of it, so I'll be tuning into this show once it begins. From the clip alone, it really looks like it's going to be a great show! As a girl that wears glasses (well contacts the majority of the time), I think this is just a wonderful idea!

With all that said, have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the video!

Letterpress Giddiness...

I'm so excited that I probably cannot adequately express it in words but it's worth giving it a try!

I'm super de duper de, fantastically, want to shout it from the corners to the mountain tops overjoyed that I, yes, I have finally, finally found a letterpress class and you've guessed it, that I signed up for with the hurried quickness of a giselle (they're pretty fast right?).

Suann of simplesong, sent me the wonderful email that she had posted workshops at her studio and I jumped right on it! So I'll be in class in June like a good student ready to learn. Hopefully I can take a few pictures to document my letterpress experience.

{photos courtesy of simplesong}

This is why...

I need a Polaroid and learn how to take really pretty pictures or do fun things with them, so that my pictures would somehow look like Matt Schwartz' (found via Twig & Thistle) of She Hit Pause Studios. If not, then I will just purchase a few of his prints that spark my fancy.
{photos courtesy of She Hit Pause Studios}

Weekend Re-Cap...

Though it's Wednesday, I hadn't been able to get to the computer to post about my weekend, hence it's lateness.

This past weekend was simply beautiful (weather, company, activities & all).

Saturday, I spent the better part of the day walking around Georgetown and finally eating at this restaurant that I've been wanting to venture to, Bangkok Joes. The food was delicious and I had one of the best lemonade ice tea combos ever, their signature Ginger Lemonade Iced Tea (yum yum and yum) and for a nice sweet treat I headed back over to Dolcezza (honestly it's amazing, they make their gelato and sorbetto fresh EVERY MORNING). I also spotted a little place on one of the side streets called Baked & Wired. B&W had sweet treats galore, a coffee shop, treats for your doggies, a mini art gallery (on the walls) and places for you to read, work on the laptop and have nice conversation. I'll def. head back there just to soak in the ambiance.

Sunday after Easter service, I headed to the National Museum of American History to see the First Ladies Dresses & Julia Child's kitchen. Both exhibits were fantastic and I would like to go back and explore others. Afterwards, I headed to one of my favorite Mexican restaurants Lauriol Plaza, where I stuffed myself into a Sweet Sunday Stupor.

It was an amazing weekend and I look forward to many many more!

Good weather, good food, good company and good activities, what could make for a better weekend?

{photo courtesy of Camille Styles}

Happy One Year Penelope Toop {Darling}...

Today marks one full year that Penelope Toop {Darling} has been up and running (happy birthday to me?)!

I've blogged my little ♥ out for a year and hopefully it will continue until I'm plum tuckered. This blog "world" has been a wonderful experience and has given me a chance to document my thoughts, likes/sometimes dislikes, to explore some fantastic sites and meet some great people. Thank you for those who have taken the time to pleasantly comment on things I've posted and even to those of you who just peruse the site for your enjoyment

Penelope Toop {Darling} will continue to pepper life with humor, post pretty and interesting things (well things I find pretty and interesting with the hope that you do too) and hopefully I "improve" in the forthcoming year!

Simply wonderful things make me happy! Also have a wonderful Easter Weekend!

{photo courtesy of Flickr}

Hip Hip Hooray for April Today...

That means (to me) that it's the perfect weather to begin traveling!!!! Today I've seen, people out and about, enjoying the bright sunshiny weather and the joy that it brings! So let's plan our places to travel, pack a bag and let's hit the road!
{photo via We Heart It}

Have a Lovely Weekend...

Take this weekend to enjoy the wonders of the weather be it sunny or rainy, warm or cold. Find a new little something that sparks your interest or enjoy a great meal. Love yourself and love the ones you're with!

Have a lovely weekend!

{photo via Style Me Pretty}

Kiki and Coco...

Those who know me, are already fully aware that I have love(♥) for Paris so I was beyond tickled pink when I saw this video, first spotted on (via Simple Lovely) and it’s so spectacularly beautiful. It’s comprised of photos of a little girl Kiki and her doll Coco in and around Paris. Doesn’t it just make you want to buy and ticket and just go………. It also makes me want to take really cool pictures, add music and make a video!

Congratulations Smith Baby...

Congratulations are def. in order to my friend/co-worker K. Smith for the arrival of her little one Jonathan. He was born this morning to a wonderfully loving Mom and Dad! I'm happy to report that Mom and baby are doing well. I think that Jonathan is going to recognize my little voice after telling him to move so I could feel him wiggle around in his mom's tum!
Congratulations again Smith family, whoo hoo! If you need a sitter, Hampton and I are always available (ha ha ha)

{Photo via Daily Candy Kids}

Dewey's for Surey...

I think that someone should surprise me (with the dog in tow) by taking me here and just let me roam wild and free! And then let me pass out from glee in the car. Any takers, friends family and/or loved ones? I mean they even have candy hanging from the ceiling!!!! Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd you can even have parties there! (I think I need a medic stat).

{photo courtesy of Dewey's Candy Shop}

Hampton is Four....

Happy 4th Birthday to the best little dog a pet owner could ever have.

Hampton has been and is a wonderful delight to my life. He’s always full of little surprises (going through my purse and leaving its contents strewn about the room, the poops and tinkles, the ripped papers, the trash that somehow makes it out of the trash can, the missing food, the treasures deposited when he gets upset, the chasing of the neighbors kids, squirrels, cats and birds etc.), sweet as sugar pie (the excitement when I come home, the wet kisses, the snuggles, the playfullness etc.) and just one life’s greatest treasures.

Even though he has no clue as to why I made such a merry fuss this morning (the constant happy birthday Hamptons had him running around n circles and hopping all over my room), he’ll know something’s up when we get to the pet store and he gets his free birthday gift or when he gets his own little bowl of doggie ice cream.

Hampton if you could read (I’d be rich, no really, we'd live off your earnings and you would be an even more pampered pooch), you would be thrilled to see how much you mean to me!

Happy Birthday and I hope we celebrate many many more together!

I think a BonBon is in Order...

Today it just hit me that I would like to make some ice cream bonbons at some point (meaning soon). I scoured the net and happened upon this seemingly easy recipe. Not only does the recipe seem tasty, but the pictures are def. drool worthy! How can you NOT like chocolate, cookie crumbs and ice cream!

I can't wait to try it out and of course tell you all about it. AND if things go well, I can surely see these being used at a small party!

{photos and recipe via Ceramic Canvas}

Bath Milk Party Favor...

Over the weekend, one of my dearest friends had a baby shower for her little second addition. As one of the party favor gifts, I created small bottles of Bath Milk and put them amongst other things in a small party bag.

The photo isn't the best (hint hint I need a better camera gift givers) but hopefully you get the gist. I found little round cork topped bottles, filled them with scented bath milk, made a label, added a little gem topper (to be swapped from the cork styled one) and make a little card of instructions and voila.

The party bags were a hit as well as this small favor!

Floral Studio Part II...

I had such a fantastic time at my flower class on Sunday. Shawn (teacher and owner) & Katy were delights to work with and commended everyone on their individual pieces. We even had a few guests there as well, Bob, the cat and Jack ,the rabbit (who liked to nibble on the loose rose petals on the floor). Upon my arrival, their were tasty treats for the students to nibble on like cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries and then it was time to get started.

We learned a few basics about the flowers we would be using and how to tend to them, how to use floral clippers and a floral cutter amongst a host of other things. Our class was intimate (about six students) and we just had the most wonderful time. And what was a nice little cherry on top is that we used two of my favorite flowers, peonies and ranunculus!

I'm so glad that I was able to attend and hopefully I can make it to the next one!

Lilien oh Lilien...

I came across these delightful gems of a gem today and it's in a nutshell, simply wonderful. For more fancy please go here, you'll be so glad you did.
{photos courtesy of Mrs. Lilien}

Leah McCormick...

I've talked about my good friend/photographer Leah McCormick on here a few times and one of the gorgeous weddings she recently shot is featured on Style Me Pretty. For additional amazing photos, please go here!

I'm so happy for her. She's absolutely wonderful and funny to boot. She's not limited to only wedding photography but she does it ALL and she's looking for new clientele in the Washington, DC area, so people book her quickly!!!

Congrats Leah on another job well done! hip hip hooray!

{photos used with permission of Photos by Leah}

Birthday Cake Please...

Though I'm a few months early in this request, the early bird supposedly gets the worm, soooooooo I'm thinking that I would love to have a birthday cake that looks just like this. It's simple yet superb, plus i can see me eating all the dots!

Sooooooooo if someone is thinking about a cake or even small cupcakes that I might need for my birthday, here's your inspiration!

{photo via Simple Song}

Pretty Pretty Flowers....

I think I've fallen in love with a new flower and it's name is Renoncules. I picked up some white ones from Trader Joe's for my mom's birthday last mom but these pink ones are calling my name and adding something sweet to it!

{photo courtesy of Chez Ptipois}

Oh Baby Baby...

Lately, there has been a small baby boom here in my office needless to say it's been fun and endearing to see all of the Mother's to Be, "waddle" around the office with a motherly glow emitting from their faces. Well, my supervisor is next in line and she's expecting her first (a boy), and I thought it only befitting to give her a really nice baby shower. She does so much for our unit and she's extremely excited to become a new mom. I first spied the cupcake kits via Oh Happy Day and thought perhaps this cupcake kit would be a cute addition, or possibly be the basis of our theme.

Oh the joys of planning a surprise party with cute things to boot!

{photo courtesy of Meri Meri}

Amy Atlas.....

Amy Atlas Events, really gives me party inspiration, makes my heart flutter and makes my dreaming delightful. Oh the merriment! I mean the details are wonderful, simply wonderful!

{photos courtesy of Amy Atlas Events}

Floral Studio...

Learning how to create floral arrangements has been a pretty neat skill that I've wanted to have under my creative belt for a very long time. Well, wait no more!!! I'm so supremely ecstatic that I will be attending my first class on Sunday at The Floral Studio. There are so many endless possibilities..my little head is spinning at the sheer thought, parties, dinners, surprises, etc.
Mere words alone can't express how pumped up I am. Be sure to visit come Sunday or Monday when I have pictures of my newly learned knowledge and floral arrangement!!!
{photo courtesy of The Floral Studio}

Animals and Paper?...

I'd really like to add these cool animal paper clips to my desk. I think my favorite thus far are the hippo and the squirrel although all of them are cutesy! I'm just thinking about how happy they would make my paper feel is paper had feelings.

{photos courtesy of The Paper Place}

Wednesday ♥ Poem and/or Quote...

"Love grows by giving. The love we give away is the only love we keep. The only way to retain love is to give it away." ♥ Elbert Hubbard, writer and publisher

{quote taken from Love: Quotes and Passages from the Heart}
{photo courtesy of Danske}

Frilly Frilly Spring Time...

Dear Springtime Dress,

I really believe that you belong with me, well not just to me, I think that the other dresses in my closet truly need you to keep them company. I promise that when Springtime actually gets here, I will wear you more than once, I'll even take you to pretty places where we can stroll down the street with Hampton in tow and then we can dine on sweet treats and such.

I know it's not much but I hope it's enough for you to say that you'll come home with me.

pretty pretty please........

{photo courtesy of J.Crew}

Monday Daily ♥ Poem and/or Quote...

an act of love that fails is just as much a part of the divine life as an act of love that succeeds, for love is measured by fullness, not reception. ♥ Harold Loukes, Christian Educator & Orator

{quote taken from Love: Quotes and Passages from the Heart}

{photo courtesy of Danske}

Merrily Merrily Merrily Life is like a Dream...

Doesn’t this Kate Spade speing Collection just make you want to run out and skip merrily down the street?
Well, it did for me! Dreamy sigh!

{photo collage courtesy of Kate Spade}

Wednesday Daily ♥ Poem and/or Quote...

"Love is, above all else, the gift of oneself." ♥ Jean Anouilh, dramatist

{quote taken from Love: Quotes and Passages from the Heart}

{photo courtesy of Danske}

Hats off to the Chef...

If I had to choose my favorite food bloggers, who create their own dishes and have beautiful presentations, it would definitely hands up and down have to be, Smitten Kitchen and The Parsley Thief! I've posted recipes on here before from both sites and every time I visit them, it just makes me want to cook and eat really good food.

The best thing about home cooked meals are that, a. you made them yourself so it's a delightful achievement, b. you don't have to be a graduate of a cooking school to cook well {and not make people sick} and c. you learn how to make almost anything!

So an awfully HUGE thanks to the women who dare to cook and share their food savvy with the rest of the world!

{photo courtesy of Smitten Kitchen}

Darling Little Camera...

I have learned that I have a small affection for white gadgets, so when I peeped the Fuji Instax Mini Instant Camera, my affection grew and grew and grew so much that I have to have one.

Hear me out, I really do need a new camera for some of my projects and because the last time I got a camera was 2005. Heavy sigh, ok ok, this is not a need camera so much as it's a I really do "want" this camera.

{photos courtesy of Photo JoJo and Oh Happy Day}

Tuesday Daily ♥ Poem and/or Quote...

"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity." ♥ Henry Van Dyke, clergyman and writer

{quote taken from Love: Quotes and Passages from the Heart}

{photo courtesy of Danske}

Take me to the Circus...

I absolutley ♥ Anthropologie, because they have beautiful clothes and trinkets for the home and they have a simply fantastic way of making you want to purchase everything they have to offer, so when I retrieved the catalog from the mail this monring, it made me:

a. want to go to the Circus

b. have a Circus themed-party and/or

c. create Circus themed party favors

Either way, I simply love their take on the Circus and I actually can't wait for the Circus to come to town this year.

Daily ♥ Poem and/or Quote…

I have this book called Love: Quotes and Passages from the Heart, by B.C. Aronson and I absolutely love it. You have a mixture of emotions, laughter, sorrow, joy etc., all related to love by an array of people from comdeians, poets, writers, etc. It's a really good book.

So, in celebration of February {♥ Month}, I’m thinking why not post a love poem or quote either every day or every week throughout the month from the book just to share some of the love {a collective arrangement of musical oohs and aahs go right here}!

Quote of the day:

"To have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment. It is not inherited, as with a family. It is not compelling, as with a child. And it has no means of physical pleasure, as with a mate. It is, therefore, an indescribable bond that brings with it a far deeper devotion than all the others."♥

"Frances Farmer," Actress
{photo courtesy of Anthropologie}

It's February Lovelies...

The wonderful wonderfulness {did I just create a word?} about February is that there are so many lovely things to do and celebrate this month, i.e. Black History Month, birthdays, holidays and of course Love!

I'm excited that February is here and that we have another month to do and experience great things!!!

Have a lovely February lovelies.

{photo courtesy of Pony Tail}

Bedroom VaVoom...

I really like the idea of having two seats face each other in the bedroom. It's like a nice little "nook" area smack dab right there! And this wee little table with the flowers is absolutely perfect!

{photo via Elizabeth Anne Designs}

Cupcake Bar...

I would so totally LOVE to have one at a party for me or a friend. How darling is this?

According to Style Swoon, the concept of the Cupcake Bar is to:

a. have at least two kinds of cupcakes,

b. have at least three different flavors of icing

c. have as many different kinds of sprinkles as you want

She also notes, that it particularly good to have a small group {less than 20 people}.

I agree with her that people love making their own treats so I think this would be a more than perfect idea!!!!!

I have to try this out PRONTO!

photos via and courtesy of Style Swoon}

Penelope Toop Projects...

I'm currently working on three PT projects and one super de duper special secret project!

I'm excited and thrilled to say the least....I'll tell you more in a bit!

Color Palette...

I kinda of already have these colors {creams, browns, whites and various shades of pink} in my room already but this photo is really making me fall even more in dreamy la la land love with it.

I was thinking about slightly changing my current colors from the pink and coral to more of a lilac but I think that what's presently in my room, has just become permanent!

{photo via Oh Happy Day}

Yumm Yumm Yumm...

This Gelateria watercolor painting makes me hungry for gelato and art!!!!

You can purchase this and other beautiful watercolor paintings by It Looks Good To Me for a mere $35.oo.

Restaurant Adventure 2010 #1...

I've wanted to go to Busboys & Poets for quite some time now because I heard so many good things about it, so on Monday, my gal pal and I headed there and we had a wonderful time. Not only was the food and atmosphere fantastic but while having dinner, I noticed that the more people started pouring in, their wrists were adorned with a yellow bracelet because.....they were going to perform! Monday night is apparently Open Mic night!!!! They sang songs and read and spake poetry and it was just a fantastic positive, amazing atmosphere and evening, it honestly made me feel like I was in Love Jones during the cafe scenes!

I love the description phrased on their page: "BB & P is like your friend from college who on any given night could be found at either a coffee shop, poetry slam...."

Their mission: Busboys and Poets is a restaurant, bookstore, fair trade market and gathering place where people can discuss issues of social justice and peace. Each Busboys and Poets location should enhance the community -- allowing us to bring together a diverse clientele reflective of the surrounding neighborhoods. Busboys and Poets creates an environment where shared conversations over food and drink allow the progressive, artistic and literary communities to dialogue, educate and interact.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I would love to return to Busboys & Poets!

{photo courtesy of Busboys & Poets}

Peace and Hope for Haiti...

in the aftermath of the inconceivable earthquake {the largest in 200 years in Haitian history} that hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti yesterday, my sincerest prayers go to the people of Haiti as well as their family members who live in other parts of the world and all those effected, who are trying to reconcile what happened on yesterday.

My prayer is for peace, comfort, strength {mentally and physically}, revival of the hearts and minds of the people and its city, assistance from those around the world & the ability to somehow see a bit of light {hope} even at this unimaginable time.

Though tragedy, expected or unexpected, is never an experience that is easy to deal with, I that prayer from pure hearts for Haiti can and will offer some semblance of peace.

{photo courtesy of NPR}

Happy New Year…!

As another year has ended, another one has begun. I’m very excited about each new year seen and doubly excited to make a list of wonderful things that I would like to do within the year. So in honor of the New Year Resolution tradition, I’ve made a very small list of things I either: want to do, should do, need to do, would love to do and the list goes on. Since this is a milestone year, I think that as the year continues along, I will add more items to the list hoping that I can accomplish them all!

1. become more time conscience, meaning “become better at being on time”
2. do something creative and fun every month either solo, with my family members and/or gal pals, be it something small or big, just do something that brings me some type of joy. i.e., taking a cooking class, going to a concert or play etc.
3. learn a new skill/craft. Perhaps learning another language or learning the art of letter pressing!
4. explore new restaurants around the city because this city has soooo much to offer and it’s time that I become serious about breathing in its culture, plus I like to eat really good food!

Let's get started!

{photo courtesy of Confetti System}