The Dandelion Patch

Heidi talks to Loudoun County Magazine about all of the great gift selections at The Dandelion Patch in Leesburg (and at all of our locations)! Enjoy!

Labels: "Christmas gift ideas", "gift ideas", "holiday gift ideas", "Loudoun County Magazine", "The Dandelion Patch"

It's that time of year that my kids begin to whimper about not wanting to go back to school. And every year, I assure them that although we'd ALL love to stay on permanent summer vacation and keep that Coppertone tan, they will eventually be glad to be back around their buddies full time, learning interesting (and some not so interesting) topics and growing to their full potential.

A couple of weeks ago I found these wonderful lunch boxes, luggage tags and water bottles that can be personalized. I immediately ordered the darling set for each of my children. I chose the soccer ball design for my son, and the oh-so-cute polka dot pattern for my daughter. And now that these goodies have come in, I have two kids who are asking me why they have to wait to use their new school sets!

Fresh packets of pencils, clothes with the tags still on them, and stinkin' cute lunch boxes, water bottles and luggage tags . . . It's the back-to-school ritual!

Except this time, my kids are counting down the days until school begins - excited to show off their mom's newest fashion find. Here's a hint from a mom who made a mistake: you may want to share one item at a time with your kids so their excitement may carry you right to the front doorstep of school!

Labels: "gift ideas", "Heidi's Pick's", Back-to-School, Clairebella.com

My first pick this week is for me!



Ok, so when it's 105 degrees outside and everyone is shopping inside and NOT coming to our Reston location due to the heat, what was I to do? I started trying on Vera Bradley sunglasses! I confess, until this weekend, I hadn't committed to patterned eyeware. But - OMG! They are so super cute. WIth fashionable frames and just a wee bit of pattern showing in all the right spots, I feel like a fool for not caving earlier in the summer. My favorite is this updated gals version of the aviator. The small wire frame fits my face and allows the totally turq to match my blue eyes. And when I learned that the name was "Heidi," I decided that someone was trying to tell me something. Go on, try a pair on for yourself! Maybe your name is written on them too!



For the little one in the tub:



My daughter is certainly not old enough to shave yet, but sometimes I catch her pretending to shave those small, but hairy legs of hers. Until I found this toy from Alex, I was wondering when I would catch her using the "real thing" out of boredom. But now, she has a razor, a bottle of shaving cream and an hour-long bath! Lucky me (or smart me!)! Trust me, this shaving kit is good clean fun for girls and boys. And it provides a much needed break for any mom who's had a long day!

Labels: "gift ideas", "Heidi's Picks", "Vera Bradley", Vera Bradley Sunglasses"

All around me, I see signs for summer reading programs. I'd like to propose a summer writing program. Reading is definitely an important skill. Writing is a close second.

A good writer can write himself or herself into or out of almost any situation. I've seen more people who have excellent writing skills excel in careers where they had no other prior experience, than I have seen people with any other kind of specific technical expertise be able to make similar career crossovers.

You don't even have to see yourself as a "writer" to see a benefit from writing. In fact, last year admidst the worst recession we've seen, I've proffered that if business people wrote thank you notes, their businesses would benefit. Specifically, I've offered a "Heidi Challenge" - where business folks would write 52 thank you notes (1 per week) in a year. After 12 months of this task, the group that went along with my challenge showed better-than-average sales, improved relations with their vendors and strengthened relationships with their employees. What we learned from the "Heidi Challenge" was that writing 'thank you' was really a lesson in being grateful. And thus, our outlook became more positive and our stress level reduced - simply from writing thank you notes!

It doesn't take much to develop a writing habit. A pen and some paper. Perhaps a journal. Give someone - perhaps even yourself - the gift of writing. Forget boring composition books from college days; we have a cornucopia of journals at The Dandelion Patch to suit every personality. From tiny Moleskine notebooks to whimsical journals with the words "Create" or "Rules" or "Write" on the cover. Some thought-provoking journals have quotes such as, "You don't write because you want to say something, you write because you've got something to say." Or, "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." Pretty Vera Bradley pocket-sized books, with matching pens, pencils or highlighters. Lily Pulitzer pens, pencils or highlighters are equally beautiful and all enhance the writing experience.

It's never too early to get little ones started on this habit (though do try to get them to contain their writings to paper instead of the walls!). Start them out with Melissa and Doug Triangular Colored Pencils (they don't roll!), and let them write to friends and family on note cards and let them have some fun sending / receiving mail over the summer. On gift-giving occasions, even the youngest writers can learn to write thank you notes with Zoomerang's fill-in-the-blanks thank you notes. It allows just enough fill-in space to personalize the note, but provides enough pre-printed information to keep the process from being frustrating for new writers.

Next time you head to the beach or the pool, instead of packing a summer book, consider packing a journal and pen instead.

Labels: "gift ideas", "Lily Pulitzer", "Melissa and Doug", "Vera Bradley", Heidi Challenge", Moleskine, Zoomerang

For some reason, the warm weather always makes me want to redecorate and entertain. And since the markets aren't yet back to their wonderfully golden level, my husband suggests that this is not the year for me to purchase an entire new family room of furniture.

However, these gorgeous AB frames are just the ticket to keep me smiling for another few months. With a variety of colors and sizes, the combination of bling and the bow are the perfect pick-me-up when a photo of your loved one is inserted. To be sure that I am not ALWAYS thinking about me(!), I have purchased these fab frames as gifts for a bride, a new mom and a golden anniversary. But you know how the story goes . . . one for you, one for me (or two for me?) . . .

So, you're planning a party but your guests aren't chummy (yet). How do you turn up the heat and turn "ho-hum" to "happening?" I suggest you bring along a cube of Table Topics Not Your Mother's Dinner Party. With questions ranging from "Would you rather be addicted to gambling or food?" and "If you had to obtain $1,000,000 by illegal means, how would you do it?" these conversation starters guarantee your party will be totally hip, slightly taboo, and highly entertaining. Move over June Cleaver, here come the modern moms who know how to make a memorable evening with laughter galore.

Labels: "Eyebobs", "gift ideas", "Gift Suggestions", "Heidi's Picks", "Table Topics"

Not too hot, not too cold! 'Tis the perfect season to do a little outdoor entertaining. This week my picks are centered around hosting that wonderful, casual party for good friends.

I love nothing better than serving up a great party with a fabulous theme. These bright blue glass platters make fantastic serving pieces and an even better conversation starter. Throw on some of the season's best steamed crabs, add a dash of Old Bay, several husks of fresh corn on the cob, a bucket of cold beer ad you have an instant party (Eastern shore not included)! Don't forget the bibs and wet wipes!

Too "crabby" to get the party started? Try adding some inexpensive comedy! These witty cocktail napkins are guaranteed to turn up the laughter track on any gathering. From hilarious quotes like "Without family, alcohol wouldn't be necessary," and "I don't repeat gossip, so listen carefully," your guests will remember your funny quips all the way home - or at least to the bathroom.

Labels: "Anna Post", "entertainment ideas", "gift ideas", "outdoor living", entertaining