CLOSED: 10 Brantleigh Ct in St. Charles

Nothing says “Happy Close Day and Welcome to St. Louis!” to a relocating family with 3 littles like a family membership to the Saint Louis Zoo!

A warm congrats and thank you today to the A family! In addition, another sincere moment of gratitude to the H family for their generous referral. ❤️🏡🎉

Just for Fun: Artistic view at everyday life

Do you have a favorite search hashtag on Instagram? Mine is, hands down, #nenonenyardfollies as it is a collection of the simple pleasures I have adored most living in our home over the years. Nothing beats the seasonal ebb and flow of Mama Nature in our neighborhood and yard. 🌱🌸🍂❄️

I celebrate my love for this in my latest home project for our cozy family room with a little help from Walgreens...  

... a wood print collage grid of my favorites, creating a micro-journey through the seasons in Casa de Nenonen. I firmly believe you that should surround yourself by things that make you feel good in your home! This wall makes me smile every time I look at it and serves as a daily reminder to stop and smell the roses!💞

TIP: Walgreens is hyperlinked above.  I used the 12x12 square print and an amazing coupon code that took off 50%.

Follow me on Instagram HERE.

Just For Fun: Force bulbs to bloom indoors to cure the Winter Blues!

Have a case of the winter blahs?  Need a little Spring inspiration?

Bulbed perennials like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, paperwhites, and irises do NOT need the nutrients of soil and can be forced with an empty vase, a couple inches of decorative rock, a handful of flower bulbs, water filled to the bottom of the bulbs, and a sunny spot.  

My tulips burst yesterday and I couldn't be happier!  I have already started two more vases to ensure fresh flowers in my house until Spring.

Click HERE for helpful tips on how to start your own indoor bulb blooms.

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.

Closed: 11523 Mack in Maryland Heights

Great people, wonderful property, fun transaction!

I will miss my clients though am incredibly excited for their adventure down South in search of swaying palms, crashing waves, and balmy breezes.  

Cheers and thank you, Brenners!

Hidden Gem: La Patisserie Chouquette

I adore Foursquare and Instagram for a plethora of reasons, though notably, they are powerful avenues to learn about the hot new places in town.  Both apps allow me to see the establishments that my friends frequent, view the photos of their experience, and read their reviews.   As a result, I have a "must-do" list in a number of cities.  Invaluable information from the people who I trust most. 

Anyhoo, friend after friend has been "checking in" to this establishment recently, sharing photos of the most delectable-looking treats! As I was in Tower Grove on Saturday morning, and in need of a hostess gift for a party that evening, I figured it was the ideal time to pop in.

Located at the corner of McCree and Tower Grove, in the sweet little spot of the city nestled between the Shaw neighborhood and the Grove, is a hidden gem that boasts to be "A Sweet, Chic, and Unique Boutique specializing in French Pastry, Couture Wedding Cakes, and Wow-Your-Date Desserts"...

Indeed!  I could easily ramble on about my lovely experience at La Patisserie Chouquette, though I will instead let my photos do the talking.  I will preface, however, that the entire experience (and it IS an experience) from the space to the treats - as pretty, charming, delicate, and delicious as it looks. 

Note:  Our choice to share, the "Great Gatsby", could be renamed the "I have possibly just died and gone to heaven via creamy lime and candied ginger-layered crepe goodness".  Highly recommend.

 

I have been blessed to enjoy delectable hand-crafted goodies on the streets of Paris.  This is by far the closest thing to that experience that I have found here in St. Louis.  As soon as you cross the threshold of La Patisserie Chouquette, you are transported to another time and place.  Everything that you see- pretty.  Everything that you smell- wonderful.  Everything that you taste- sinful.  La Patisserie Chouquette is an experience that every local needs to have at least once.  Incredibly special, this little hidden gem is.

If you are in the neighborhood- drop by and plan to stay for a bit.  If you aren't in the neighborhood, it is worth the journey, I promise.

 

NOTE: for those of you with allergies, the bakery is ALSO gluten and peanut FREE.

 

Nitty Gritty...

1626 Tower Grove Avenue

St Louis Mo, 63110 

314-932-7935

 

Store Hours...

 

Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm

Web:  http://www.simonefaure.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chouquettestl
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/chouquettestl

See my other "Hidden Gems" HERE.

Retail fun...

Obsessed, OBSESSED with InMod's newest retail feature...


... design your own pillows! They are FULLY customizable with fabric, design, and colors. Absolutely brilliant and so much fun! Trust me, if you follow this link... you will end up playing for hours. Bravo InMod!

Retail fun...

Another goodie from one of my old favs, CB2...


CB2 has rolled out their new summer catalog, and this is at the top of my list for my deck. Loving, loving the new retro-inspired Tweet Bird Feeder. Stylish, fun, and practical. At only $29.95... an amazing housewarming present or hostess gift.

Nitty Gritty, per the CB2 site:

Modern habitat takes flight in sheet metal, swooped and suspended in slick hot orange epoxy.

•Steel with epoxy finish
•Open design easy to clean, maintain
•Attracts small birds
•Holds approximately 1 qt. of bird seed


1 qt.; 14"dia.x16.25"H
SKU 572953

Retail Fun...

I am always on the search for cute little gifts to keep on hand around the holidays, in case of impromptu dinner parties, "Secret Santa" events, or any other last minute gatherings. As I have said before on the blog, I am a sucker for CB2. Love it. This year, particularly, they are offering a number of affordable and unique gift items that are sure to impress your host/hostess without busting your budget. A few of their fun, little gift items:

Mercury Vases for $3.95-$6.95/piece...

Mixed media Oliver Appetizer Plates for $2.95/piece...
Elf Candle Holders for $5.95/piece...
So cute, and there are SO many more to choose from!! Check out CB2's gift items HERE.

Retail Fun...

It's October, the month of spooky stuff, so why not?! Peleg Design always puts out never-seen-before "conversation pieces", including this funky locked in chains wine holder...

Perfect for a Halloween tablescape! More info here.

Retail Fun...

I am in love with the idea of incorporating practicality into design. I bumped into these super cool Green Pocket ceramic tiles by Maruja Fuentes. What a brilliant idea for a kitchen, sun room, or even an outside space herb garden...Beautiful and stylish solution for those of us who appreciate fresh herbs, but don't necessarily have the garden space. Learn more here.

Retail fun...

Bumped into these online, and found them mildly amusing.

Find them here.

Retail fun...

Time flies...

... literally!

Order one here.

Retail Fun...

In search of a new bird feeder online this AM, I bumped into the Eva Solo Glass Bird Feeder and fell in love! Though not large enough for my yard, this is the perfect stylish adornment for a small patio or courtyard.

Find it here.

Retail Fun...

Flipping through the CB2 catalog last night (Crate and Barrel's younger and less expensive sister store), I ran across these adorable hanging teardrop vases:



At only $4.95 piece, the possibilities are endless...

What a creative, unique decorating idea for a special dinner party or event. They have coordinating hanging candle holders ($3.95), as well.

The nearest CB2 store to St. Louis is in Chicago, though you can request a catalog here.