Spotted in Town & Country today...

“Children see magic because they look for it.”✨

 ~Christopher Moore

"The possible's slow fuse is lit by the imagination." ~E.Dickinson

When I was girl, we used to attend the same holiday party each December.  Our family friends lived in a large home in Town and Country on several acres.   On one evening each year, they opened their home to dozens of friends for tree-trimming and toasts to the season. Such wonderful childhood memories.

As a child, the thing that impressed me most about their home has stuck with me over the last 30+ years.  It wasn't actually the childrens' bedrooms that fascinated me as much as what their rooms were hiding. Both kids in the family had a secret playroom attached to their bedroom. It was so magical to me at the time, like a real life scene out of the C.S.Lewis classic "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe". 

Accessed via a small ladder and high above his bedroom, the son had a hidden ceiling loft space that was illuminated with strung lights where he practiced his guitar.   The daughter's secret space was accessed via a small hidden door at the back of her closet, which opened up to a lovely pink playroom filled with dolls, books, and toys.  How badly I too wanted a secret space to let my imagination run free!  

I think that childhood memory has much to do with the giddy feeling that I experience when I spot a special hidden space in a property, tucked away where you would least expect it...

Do you have an extra closet, attic, bedroom, or space under the eaves?  I took to Pinterest to inspire you to apply a little creativity to transform wasted space to one where your family's imagination can run free!   

Garden Tip: Attract Monarch Butterflies with this plant

Don't mind me...

I am just in Monarch Butterfly heaven here in Town and Country. Wow! If this doesn't convince you to introduce native Liatris to your garden, then I don't know what will. Beautiful.

Purchase this native hearty perennial HERE at Missouri Wildflowers.

Every house deserves the perfect backyard tree swing, don't you think?

Thinking back on my childhood, hour upon hour spent swinging on our backyard swing remains one of my favorite childhood memories! I was charmed by this one in West County this morning.

4 Fun St. Louis Memorial Day Weekend 2015 Happenings!

Shakespeare Festival: 
Antony And Cleopatra in Forest Park

Nothing says "Summer in St. Louis" like Shakespeare under the stars in gorgeous Forest Park.  Grab a blanket, picnic basket, and the family for a free evening of fun.  Marking 15 years of free, outdoor Shakespearian performances, the Shakespeare Festival's production this year is based on a classic ancient romance, "Antony and Cleopatra."

05.22.15 – 06.14.15
Free, Nightly at 8 PM, except Tuesdays

Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park
5715 Elizabeth Ave
St. Louis MO,

http://www.sfstl.com/in-the-park/antony-and-cleopatra-2015/


2015 St. Louis County Greek Fest in Town and Country

Whether you're of Greek decent or just love ethnic cuisine, the Greek Fest is a lively environment destination in which you can experience the Greek community's deeply rooted traditions, heritage, and delicious cuisine!

5.22.15 - 5.25.15
Friday-Sunday: 11:00 AM-9:00 PM
Monday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

1755 Des Peres Road

http://stlouisgreekfest.com/


Lantern Festival: Magic Reimagined at the Missouri Botanical Gardens

What is more beautiful than our Garden at night?  Our garden lit up by brilliant COLOR! Celebrating the Garden's ongoing botanical research in China, 22 all-new sets crafted from silk and steel will once again offer visitors from around the world the opportunity to experience an event rarely staged outside of Asia

5.23.15 - 8.23.15
6-10pm

$22 adults
$11 members
$10 children (ages 3-12)
$5 members' children

Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/things-to-do/events/special-exhibitions/lantern-festival.aspx


43rd Annual Gypsy Caravan at the Family Arena

Junkers, antiquers, and Pinterest fans... welcome to heaven!!  The St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association presents the 43rd annual Gypsy Caravan, one of the largest antique, craft and flea markets in the Midwest. Proceeds support the STL Symphony and Education Concerts that reach and inspire upward of 40,000 students from 1,000 area schools each season.

Monday, 5.25.15
Early Bird (7:00-9:00 AM): $20
General (9:00 AM-5:00 PM): $10
Free at all times for children under age 13.
Peek and Purchase (Sunday, May 24, 2015 5:00-7:00 PM): $30
Exclusive opportunity to shop vendor booths before the general public; includes Early Bird admission on Monday

Discounted admission wristbands* available for purchase at Dierbergs Markets through May 25.

*Early Bird: $17.50; General: $8.50; Peek and Purchase: $27.50

The Family Arena
2002 Arena Parkway
St. Charles MO, 63303

https://www.stlsymphony.org/gypsycaravan/

Hidden Gem: Askinosie Chocolate

Most will agree that there is an immense difference between chocolate and amazing chocolate?  This post could not be timed better with Valentine's Day right around the corner!

Several months ago, I saw this particular piece on Feast TV regarding a small batch bean-to-bar chocolate factory in Springfield, MO...



Askinosie Chocolate is at the height of the craft chocolate movement, directly sourcing their cocoa beans from farmers all over the world and then completing the entire chocolate-making process IN HOUSE, from scratch.  

Needless to say, I was intrigued.  I was also actively shopping for holiday stocking-stuffers so the timing was ideal. On Christmas morning, my entire family opened luscious goodies from Askinosie including this crazy-delicious peppermint bark that I ordered for the boys...  

It was all that and then some.  While a little pricey, it was well worth it as you could taste the love in every morsel of their product.  So special.  Since then, I have sung their praises on my Instagram and Twitter, to anyone who would listen.

Well yesterday I was at my local Whole Foods picking up a few items and what did I stumble upon?

That's right folks, Askinosie products have finally hit the shelves in St. Louis.  If looking for a special Valentine's Day treat for your honey, pick up one of these special goodies.  I promise, you won't look back! Friends don't let friends eat cheap chocolate...

Nitty Gritty... 
Aksinosie Chocolate 
514 East Commercial Street
Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 862-9900

https://askinosie.com/

https://www.facebook.com/askinosie.chocolate

https://twitter.com/askinosie

See more of my Hidden Gems HERE.

Holiday check-in...

My poor blog has been the unfortunate victim of SERIOUS holiday neglect.  I apologize, friends.  

It goes without saying that holiday frenzy and my annual 4th quarter preparation for the upcoming 2013 business year is in full swing at Casa de Nenonen.  Add in a large dose of international travel for Steve, 3 active Buyers, and the boys' busy lives... it makes for a wonderfully "active" Nenonen November. ;) Regardless, I truly apologize for my post inconsistency!

Did everyone have a lovely holiday?  All was swell here in our house!  We kicked off the week with the 26th Annual Boyscout of America Scouting for Foods event.... 

This 1 day food drive, that happens to be the largest in the country, is a busy day for families of Scouts in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.  Regardless of the economy, St. Louis was super generous this year resulting in well over 2 million items that will stock over 500 local food pantries.  Scouting For Foods is an event that we are always proud to partake in as a family as it directly touches and enriches the lives of locals who need it the most at a crucial time of year.  Bravo to the Area Council!

Per the actual holiday, ours was intimate and casual this year- the perfect day.  A peek...

Yes, you can all take comfort in the fact that the family Realtor totally DOMINATED St. Louisopoly, thank you very much! ;)

The following AM, I signed us up for the annual Town & Country Turkey Trot 5K at one of our favorite local spots... 

2012 has most definitely been a year of wellness for both me and Steve.  Between the 2 of us, we have recommitted to our health, working out 5-7 days/week and cleaning up our diets quite a bit.  The icing on the cake, despite feeling great?  Collectively we have lost over the equivalent of the weight of this guy since June...

(as shocking as that is to think about) 

Anyhoo, unfortunately thanks to a serious sports injury that I have been battling (and strict doctor's orders), I was forced to cheer my guys on my the sidelines ala....

 

*sigh*.

It is what it is. 

 

Regardless, they ROCKED!  Steve finished his first 5K, no problem in under 30 minutes, and the boys persevered...

All in all, a busy yet great week. 

One can't help but be a tad sentimental and sappy this time of year, but truly, I have so much to be thankful for.  2012 has been a wonderful year for me, both personally and professionally.  I have given a lot, and in return, have received a lot.

As another set of Buyers draws to a close in this coming week, I find myself reflecting on my personal life journey.  I currently work with the most adorable couple, soon expecting their first baby and purchasing their very first home together.  There is nothing like picking the future bedroom for a baby you carry in womb.  It truly is a heartfelt, emotional purchase.  Their excitement and anticipation has been so fun to witness and experience, mostly because I have been there, done that- long ago. 

As Reed and Parker round the corner of another school year and we prepare one for High School (eek!) and the other for Middle School (ack!), I find myself wondering where the time went?!  To watch them evolve and grow has been exciting yet painful. 

The bittersweet journey of parenthood.

I can't help but look at this young couple with warmth in my heart of the incredible journey that they have before them.  In addition,  I feel blessed to be part of finding the perfect house to act as the stage for THEIR story together.

Most of us rush through daily life, business as usual.  It is when you pause and reflect time-to-time, however, that you absorb how magical it has been...