Here are Accessories For Your Desk that make working more cheerful such as a pretty notepad and insulated water tumbler, a flowered weekly planner and mechanical pencil. I’m also sharing how to make Trader Joe’s flowers look professional, cute personalized collar for your pet, what Howard is cooking and more!
It’s Five Faves time with Annie and Cindy.
1. Arranging Method For Trader Joe’s Flowers
- Buy three similarly colored bouquets and cut some greenery from your yard
- Add flower food to water in large vase
- Trim stems, remove bottom leaves and scraggly-looking leaves from mums
- Place greenery in vase first, then largest flowers followed by the smaller flowers
- View vase from all sides and fluff
2. Rifle Paper Company For Accessories For Your Desk
Rifle Paper Company is based close by in Orlando, Florida. I love their cheery designs. My friend, Lisa, gave me the insulated cup and Corkcsicle straw that I use practically every day for water.
And Tommy and his girlfriend gave me the pretty desk accessories as gifts. I use the weekly planner as a mouse pad, too. (Spiral pad, mechanical pencil).
The playing cards below make a sweet stocking stuffer!
Check out their sale for darling Christmas gift ideas.
3. Howard’s Dinner Lately: Veracruz-Style White Fish
This fish dish from Mission Food is amazing! ” Fresh Pescado a la Veracruzana, or Veracruz Style Fish, features an aromatic sauce of tomatoes, garlic, olives, and capers.”
Howard says it’s easy to make. (I’d like to have it every week, Howard).
4. Comfortable Jersey Shirt Dress And Ballet Flats
This zebra pattern in the Boden Jersey Shirt Dress is already sold out but there are seven other patterns from which to choose (in petite, regular and tall). I’m wearing a petite 8.
If you want to splurge on a classic that will never go out of style…this is it! I bought these Chanel ballet flats several years ago in Paris (less expensive there) and I love them. What a good investment as they seem to go up in price every year!
But there are so many pretty ballet flats out there right now. They are comfortable but polished. I wear them with jeans, too.
Ballet Flats
5. Chief’s Stylish Personalized Collar And Leash
Just because Chief is in his 70’s in dog years, doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to look fresh! The matching collar (lots of cute patterns and sizes) and leash are from Amazon. The collar is personalized and Chief likes that he doesn’t have a metal ID tag hanging down that clanks on his dish.
If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Such a great dress on you, MA. And paired with Chanel … swoon. Chief looks equally stylish … my girls are due for a collar/leash upgrade. I love your flower arranging tutorials … I never achieve your level of perfection but I do get better. Have a great week! xo
Mary Ann,
I always enjoy your posts. Thank you for the TJ flower tips. And I love the simple striped vase you used. Do you have a source for it? I found similar ones on Google, but I really like the one you posted!
The vase was from Serena and Lily but I don’t see it there now. Sorry.
Oh goodness I appreciate your TJ’s flower arrangement tips. I went back to TJ’s bought the third flower mix. It made all the difference!!! Looks so much better- Thank you 😊
Thanks for commenting!!!
Aren’t we lucky to live in places where we can walk out the door and have all the greenery we want for our flower arrangements? I won’t be so lucky when I end up moving to Colorado unless I’m putting Pine in my arrangements I won’t have a lot of greenery I love ballet flats. I think they look great with everything. I have some Steve Madden ballet flats that look like Chanel at a fraction of the price. !! I love rifle people company also. We used their designs for the rehearsal dinner invitations for my daughters wedding and for the dinner for all the out of town guests.
Pine smells great in arrangements!!
Thank you for the floral arranging tips: helpful! And the recipe: I really only enjoy salmon, shrimp, and clams, so I am always looking for recipes to cook other types of fish. Love that custom collar from Amazon w/ inscribed contact info: very useful — and Chief looks snazzy in his perfect plaid (that suits his coloring to a T)!
Hi Mary Ann!
Always look forward to your posts. I am wondering if you would share the colour of the shutters that can be seen in your photo wearing the Boden dress. Not sure if that’s your property but if you know or can guess at the colour it would be much appreciated.
Best for a great weekend!
That’s at our country club…but it looks close to Benjamin Moore Stratton Blue. Thank you!
Mary Ann, you are so lucky to be married to a chef. Do you have-to do the dishes? I can’t wait to try the fish recipe. I appreciate the tips on how to check for fish doneness. Ordered the thermometer you linked immediately. Floral arrangement tips are great too. Thank you!
Yes…I definitely have to do the dishes!! I didn’t link to a thermometer but thats a good idea to have one!
I had to look back because I know I clicked on a link that took me to the thermometer on Amazon. Now I see it was after I clicked on the Mission fish recipe link. By the way my Quincy quilted bag (you provided that link I hope) arrived and I love it. Perfect size, great quality and so lite in weight. Thanks again for sharing so many wonderful ideas.