Hello faithful readers!

Where have I been you ask? So many things are happening at work and I have been especially focused these past few weeks. Many changes for our portrait photography business, cobblestone rue and literally our storefront studio that should have happened a couple of years ago. We are excited for all the positive changes, and with all of it comes a shift in priorities and focus. But I am giddy to be blogging again especially this post!

A little history: We launched our portrait brand, cobblestone rue on Christmas Eve, 2007. Yes back then we worked even during the holidays :( Then we announced it to the public on January, 2008. So much has changed, but one brand that has remained constant and still continues to be a source of inspiration for us is kate spade. Our brand colors were (and still are) white and “kate spade green”. I was hooked on this company when I bought my first pair of kate spade sunglasses in 2005 and it came in a hot pink case. I loved their preppy, playful, and sophisticated style and everything that they did made me smile. I loved everything from their customer service to their packaging, and I knew that I wanted to incorporate what they did to our business because I believe in what their business stands for. It was perfect when cobblestone rue was born.

They have launched a campaign, “live colorfully” celebrating every month of this year a different color. In March the color was yellow, this month it is their signature green! So timely for all that we are doing for our brand!

They launched a promo video today on Twitter and of course it is PERFECTLY ADORABLE. They partnered with Adeline Adeline which is a great pairing. Remember my “dreaming of bicycles” post? Well the search is over! Everything else in the video is pretty much fantastic: the music, colors, location, style…the DOG!!!

Well done kate spade, I am a fan for life.

***Oh and one other thing. I have been nominated for Top 25 Party Planning Moms at Circle of Moms! It would mean so much if you vote for me it only takes a second and the best part is that you don’t have to sign up or register! Here is the link: http://www.circleofmoms.com/blogger/cobblestone-rue#_You can vote every day until April 11, just click on the gold thumbs up! Maybe I can throw a party and you are all invited when I make it! I just need to make it in the top 25, crossing fingers and toes! Thanks!

Been dreaming a lot lately.

Now that I have graduated from a diaper bag I cannot stop looking at handbags.

I was never big into accessories. I would always go to Target or a similar place to find a decent handbag for everyday use. It would spend a couple years with me until it was falling apart, and then it would be replaced. Not that there’s anything wrong with getting a bag from Target, but I had been doing this since high school and college and it seemed I never grew out of it. Well, its time for a change around here.

While I am not about to go on a shopping spree to find the latest accessories of the season, I am definitely interested, I know they are important to finish the look of an outfit, and I have been dreaming of them…nice handbags in particular. This is a huge change for me and I am excited. This year I am embracing the importance of accessories as I finally release my inner sophisticate.  Who’s with me? :)

So this week, I peaked in Anthropologie as well as perused their catalog…of course they highlight accessories, great timing! Normally, I would have ignored it, but wow do they have some fabulous ones! There are three in particular that caught my attention:

Cherry-Trimmed Bag

Daily Brights Satchel (Blue Satchel above is my fave and also available)

Elegant Angles Bag

And one of my favorite online boutiques, Ruche has a fantastic collection of handbags for reasonable prices. If you haven’t discovered them, rush over and check them out. I LOVE all their goodies! Here are three of my favorites:

Silhouette Flower Purse

Brickyard Library Handbag

Annabell Blossom by Melia Bianco

And don’t get me started with Kate Spade, in my humble opinion, the ultimate sophistication in handbags.

I have always dreamt of owning a Kate Spade bag, its one of the reasons I fell in love with the brand. Oh the chic simplicity. I do have a yellow wallet from there so one step at a time though Joy!

Then there is J Crew as well as the host of other well-known designer bag collections. Oh my, where to start?!?!?

I’ll stop here. This deserves another post.  ;)

Photo credits:  Anthropologie, Ruche, Kate Spade

My favorite shoes are ballet flats, hands down. I would own every single one that comes out of my favorite stores if I could. This season I am particularly loving the metallic ones!

Here are a few of my favorites!

1) Jingle for Kate Spade

2) Flashy Footwork Flats from Anthropologie

3) Merona Flats for Target

4) Jacquard Flats for J Crew

These are definitely fabulous Friday finds! Have a great weekend!

This is Gray, our 5 year old daughter in Atlanta Lenox Square Mall at a Kate Spade store.

Headband: Etsy gift

Romper: Target

Ring: Kate Spade, trying it on while she patiently waits for me

Shoes: Gap Kids

These days she is a future: author (literally making books and making up stories)

Would you like to submit an Out & About? We are now looking for Fall and Winter submissions. Click HERE for details.

***Giveaway for a signed copy of Lauren Weisberger’s novel “Last Night at Chateau Marmont” ends tomorrow!

Do you dream of the perfect coin purse? Mine would be one with a clasp. It can be leather or vintage fabric…but with a clasp.

1) Photo above: Leather coin purse from ginnybranch on Etsy.

2)  Top L to R: Sakura & Bunny orange/cream purse, Mod Small Frame gray pouch from Field of Roses on Etsy.

Bottom L to R: Owl Sectional flat frame purse, Ume Komachi orange frame pouch from Field of Roses on Etsy.

3)  L to R: Bird in a Cage mini clasp purse, Bumblebees honeycombed purse from EmenGee Designs.

4) For the modern version (no clasp, but its Kate Spade so its good enough!) Plaza Bow coin purse from Kate Spade.