Our WORLD

We are officially in the midst of “the holidays”. I swear Lovebug must have read a how-to book on Halloween. He trick-or-treated like any pro I’ve ever seen. LovebugThree blocks, a couple dozen sugar highs and crashes, and now one holiday behind us…. it’s time to buckle down and get ready for the next. Thanksgiving. And then there is the Friday after Thanksgiving. You know the biggest shopping day of the year? When the malls are packed to the gills. Which means no parking, and well, mayhem.

All the more reason to shop online, and shop early! And another reason:

All orders placed between November 5th and the 18th will be entered into a $100 gift certificate drawing to JULIAN & Co.!

So shop away, and while you’re over there, check out our new Birth Necklace Round. A sterling round pendant adorned with our signature baby hands or feet prints and name on the front. And all the precious birth specs on the back. The perfect gift for any mom.

Happy Shopping.

I’ve been tagged by Ann of A Latte in The Morning. After figuring out what it meant I learned it’s a fun way to share a little bit about myself while learning about others. Thanks Ann for including me in the game.

The rules are:
1. To link the tagger and provide the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Here we go:

Here’s 7 facts that I’m not sure you know about me:

1. I live in San Diego, CA - I’m a native
2. I have 8 brothers and 6 sisters, I’m number 14 in the line-up and all of our names begins with the letter “T”.
3. I owned a cafe in San Diego called caffe FORTE - for five years and sold it to have babies.
4. I have a son, Julian who I lovingly refer to as “Lovebug”.
5. I love to bake and once a year host a holiday cookie party.
6. I collect angels.
7. I am married; my husband’s parents are from Italy, so we are lucky to have family in Italy to visit.

Well, that’s it for now, I hope you got to know me a little better.
Here’s the list of 7 people I’m tagging:

Lara @ Frankovitch Family
Sara @ Mairzey Dotes
Resa @ Resa Design
Jen @ The Adventures of Ellie Bellie and Jonah Boy
Tracey @ Tiny Sprouts
Lizzie @ Because I Said So
Kristen @ Motherhood Uncensored

So… Tag you’re it! I can’t wait to see what you will share about yourself!

I haven’t baked nearly as much as I did when I had my cafe. Here is a popular and yummy favorite:

Makes 9 large scones

1 cup whole wheat flour
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 1/3 cups light cream
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1. Set the oven at 375 degrees. Have on hand a baking sheet; leave it ungreased.

2. In a food processor, combine the wheat and all-purpose flours, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and granulated sugar. Pulse just to mix. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture has the consistency of very coarse sand.

3. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. With a rubber spatula, add the cream and walnuts, stirring just until combined. The mixture should look shaggy.

4. Working quickly, spoon 1 scant cup of the batter into mounds on the baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.

5. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the scones are lightly browned at the edges. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.

These lovelies are nutty and slightly sweet; a perfect treat for fall mornings.

has been around for a couple of years now and through all my experiences I have come to meet some fabulous designers. Not only do these gals have wonderful products….they are incredible people! They are the first people I go to with new product ideas, for advice when I’m in a slump, or for sanity if Lovebug is being a little crazy. I secretly think they wear capes, fly in invisible airplanes, and wear bullet proof cuff bracelets. To show you just how great they are, I have teamed up with them to offer you some great deals.

Take a peek at their goodies and use the discount codes provided to get a jump start on your holiday shopping! (And hey, they’re not just my favorite designers. These designers have had products featured on the Today Show, in Cookie Magazine, Pregnancy Magazine, Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine and many more!

Mairzey Dotes - where blankets are created exclusively for baby. Check out their new Plush Blankets . Use code “fall20″ for 20% off.

Made by Angie - handmade baby wipe containers - so you can clean up in style. I’m in love with this gorgeous beauty. Use code “thanks” for 15% off.

Tiny Tales - the perfect recipe for life’s memories. It’s so hard leaving Lovebug with a sitter. It’s a little bit easier with their new Babysitter Notes. Use code “HOLIDAYS08″ for a free babysitter notepad with every order. (An $8 value.)

Ellie Bellie Kids - classic play for the modern child. Lovebug has this awesome Mini Messenger Bag - he keeps all his trains in it for safe travel. Use code “freeship” for free shipping.

Sophie & Spice - Personalized mommy cards, wall art, pop art, birth announcements and more. Lovebug has this fab Children’s Canvas Wall Art - in the “Train” of course! Use code “babypromo08″ for 10% off.

And of course this email wouldn’t be complete without a little news from JULIAN & Co.. So, while you’re shopping….head on over to our store and check out our newest Galleria Necklace - Large. A timeless classic becomes beautiful with your personalization! Use coupon code LOVEBUG for $10 off your order.

Check out our blog, for deals and giveaways. This month’s giveaway is a necklace to promote Breast Cancer Awareness.

Our seasonal baby COINS will not be available after October 31, 2008. Don’t worry, they will return again In August 2009.

Happy shopping! We hope you enjoy these sales and find something super special for yourself or someone you love.

More interested in trucks than pumpkins.

…a wagon.

A trial run of Pluto. Priceless.

Introducing JULIAN & Co. Godmother Necklace . I love this piece - such a sweet sentiment for the godmother.

And a few more new goodies….

Check it!

My niece, Rachel is getting married in two weeks and she is having 4 flower boys including Lovebug.

That means I have only 14 days to beg, plead, bribe Lovebug to cooperate. So far it’s not going well.

Today we went shopping for the outfit: Bone colored khakis, a white button down dress shirt, a brown leather belt and converse shoes - any color. Rachel said she would supply the tie.

As I laid the selection over my arm at babyGAP, Julian protested, “No, no Mama, this one” - pointing to a pink striped shirt. “And these jeans”, he instructed as he pulled them from their rack. “The shoes I have are better”, he informed me. I explained over and over that those choices were fantastic, but Rachel has chosen “this” particular outfit for the wedding.

“No, no…. Mama call Rachel please”. “Mama, call Rachel now, I want this shirt”….

Rachel’s choice….