
As I type this, it is raining cats and dogs outside and it is ...
... well, it's not WARM by any stretch of the imagination, that's for darn sure.
But you know what? We don't let these things get us down. Not even a little. In fact, on a day like today, I think the perfectly perfect thing to do is to make a list of five things that make us smile. So here we go:
1) Rainstoppers Umbrellas

Real Truth: It rains. Sometimes it rains so furiously that you feel like you need to build a boat and line up some animals two by two, sometimes it drizzles, but it's always going to rain. And when it does, you need a quality umbrella. But ... what if you could have a super FUN quality umbrella? One that changes colors when the water hits it? THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.
This umbrella starts out white and then, when it gets wet, becomes a flock of beee-yooooouuu-tiful butterflies. It almost makes you eager for rain!
Almost.
2) SoulKu

I have a teensy tiny obsession with accessories. You could say that I majored in Accessories with a focus on Jewelry, in fact. (I mean, that's not entirely accurate but it's also not ... wrong.) Because I have curated QUITE the collection for myself over the years, something needs to be extra-special these days for me to add it to my wardrobe.
SoulKu is THAT special. The company's mission is to empower women, and each piece is handmade (and signed off on by the woman who made it) and we love them, their necklaces and bracelets, and pretty much everything they do. Pretty necklace + good cause = ALL THE SMILES.
3) Crown Pens
All hail the Queen! These pens are sassy, adorable, and just plain fun. I fully believe that it is impossible to write with one and not smile a little. A crown pen is always the perfect accessory to remind people that you might not be wearing your crown, but you still rule.
4) Rifle's Colette Social Stationery Set

Sometimes I like to pretend that I am an Oprah-esque influencer of style and living your best life, and in the spirit of my imaginary fame, I would offer the following advice:
- Always have one purse that you can take with you everywhere.
- Spend a little extra money on classic shoes -- they'll last longer
- Master one go-to, delicious recipe for when you have company you want to impress
and finally ...
- Have some nice stationery, because sending a personal note on lovely stationery is an amazing gesture that no one forgets.
THIS stationery is so pretty that I can't help but smile when I look at it! It is an EXCELLENT contender for "the one set of stationery you can't be without".
5) Alice & Scott Hip Flask

I am not hip enough for a hip flask. (I think it's good that I know this about myself.) But this one whispers to me about adventures in far off lands, where the sun is shining and the birds are singing and warm breezes ruffle the palms, and that? Is making me smile.
So cheers to you, my friend. May the weather get warmer and the smiles stay on your face! Until next time!