{MOTHER'S DAY} AT CAPERS

Did you know that Mother's Day is less than two weeks away? It's true! And here at CAPERS we are always here to help you pick out the perfect gift for mom. Stop by the store and we will even make it easy-peasy for you by helping select a present and adding complimentary gift wrap. Meanwhile, we have have done a little round-up of our tried and true Mother's Day gifts. Happy Mother's Day!!

A nightie or robe from Yala is a CAPERS favorite. Made from sustainably grown bamboo, these separates are soft, lovely, and perfect for day or night.

A table linen, tea towel, or set of napkins from La Jacquard Francais will make your mom the happiest gal on the block. Made in France, La Jacquard is one of the oldest linen companies still in business, and is made to be a heirloom item that won't shrink, warp, or fade!

Handmade in Seattle of all natural ingredients, Sweet Petula is a gift everyone loves! Make her happy with a candle, lotion, or shea butter soap.

Stop by the store for even more goodies for that special mother in your life!

{ECO} Friendly Candles at CAPERS

Social responsibility gets a clever, recycled remake with Paddywax's ECO Green Collection. Housed in up cycled wine bottle containers, the company's signature soy wax candles come in five different plant-infused scents. We love them for the kitchen or outdoor entertaining!

Easy peasy cheaters blended margarita

The last few sunny days in Seattle have given us margarita fever! All we want to do is sit outside and sip a cool beverage and soak in what we can of this short lived sun. Looking for a great (and easy) recipe for a cold drink, I picked up local Northwest chef and author Kathy Casey's book, "Sips and Apps". We have sold this book for years at the store, and the recipes are always spot on. Kathy herself declares this recipe for her "Cheaters Blended Margarita" to be "crazy good". And we believe it!

Cheaters Blended Margarita by Kathy Casey

3/4 cup of tequila

1/4 cup of triple sec

1 (16 ounce can) frozen limeade concentrate, defrosted

1/2 (12-ounce) bottle mild-flavor or light beer

4 cups ice

Measure the drink ingredients into a large blender jar. Blend until smooth. Serve in margarita or old-fashioned glasses. Garnish with lime wheels. Have a party!

For fun variations, try blending in the following:

1/2 cup cranberry juice

1/2 cup pomegranate juice

3/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries

3/4 cup cubed fresh mango

Sips and Apps by Kathey Casey

We just got these great Margarita glasses in the store last week, they are made of 100% recycled glass and come in great colors. We have matching tumblers as well. Perfect for an outdoor party!

Master Works by Northwest Artists at the Woodside/Braseth Gallery

Paul Horiuchi

Cascades 72" x 79" Collage on Canvas Over Board 19633

Paul Horiuchi.

Duwamish in the Fall 16" x 20" Gouache on paper c.1980's

Margaret Tomkins

Random Season 78" x 113" Oil on Linen 1963

Margaret Tomkins

Autumn 52" x 72" Oil on Canvas 1963

Morris Graves

Summer Still Life 31"" x 31" Oil on Canvas 1963

Earlier this week, Claire and I took the afternoon off and spent a small part of our day browsing the "Master Works by Northwest Artists" exhibit at Woodside/Braseth Gallery on Ninth Avenue. Featuring the most influential and renowned artists of our region, the exhibit features works dating back from the 1940's until the present.  It was so exciting to see all the work of artists not only influential in the Northwest, but around the world, all in one place. I highly recommend checking it out, the exhibit runs until March 24th at the Woodside/Braseth Gallery.

I am currently helping to design the nursery of my best (and very pregnant) friend. While searching around the web for some much needed inspiration this week, I have truly descended upon the good, the bad, and the ugly in nursery decor. After seeing photo upon photo, I can't help but think, why can't a room for a little one be just as sophisticated as the rest of the house? Choosing pieces that can grow with the child, or even be moved elsewhere in the house later on, ensure a better investment in the items you choose for the room. Mixing these pieces in with items "high on the cuteness factor" will certainly add up to a nursery to-die-for.

Joni of  the blog Lay Baby Lay gets it right! And see that fabulous rug on the bottom right? Why, it's the Sarasa Rug from Company C! (sold at CAPERS of course)

Another pick from Lay Baby Lay. We love this black and white theme! The Dash and Albert rug, the graphic pillow, and the burlap bags really mix things up. What do I love most about the room though? That great wing chair. It's great to have a comfy place to sit in a nursery while your baby is still young, and it can easily be pulled into another room in the following years.  

So here is where I am in the design process with my friend's nursery. As you can see, I have so much to do! We are starting with the basics, painting the walls navy blue and the trim white. The chair I am using is the England Chair from Cisco Brothers. I love this chair, not only is it super comfortable and classic, but the easy wash slipcover makes it perfect for handling messes and spills! The rug is a great nautical find from Dash and Albert. It is indoor/outdoor, so it has a great wash-ability factor! I will keep you posted on what else I choose, so many decisions to be made!

Les Eclaireuses français viennent de câpres {The French Girl Scouts are coming to CAPERS}

Aren't Girl Scout cookies the best? We love them! To celebrate 100 years of Girl Scouting (1912-2012), the lovely young gals of the Junior Girl Scout troop from the French American School of Puget Sound will be here on Sunday afternoon. They will be serving tea and Trefoils (the very first Girl Scout cookie), as well as selling their fabulous cookies!

        Where: CAPERS

When: One to Three p.m. Sunday March 11th

Rendez-vous dimanche!

 The founder of Girl Scouts Juliette Gordon Low pins a badge on a young Girl Scout

In the store: mixed media artist Susan Mulligan

Calliope and Red Current

Mixed Media, beeswax on panel

Copper with Branded Border

Mixed Media, beeswax on panel

Nishikigoi

Mixed Media, beesax on panel

Susan Mulligan

Isn't she great? This month is all about Susan Mulligan and her beautiful mixed media encaustic works. Born in Colorado and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Susan''s creative mix of oil paint, beeswax and found objects creates a dimensional work of art unlike any other.

Thursday night we will be open until nine for the West Seattle Art Walk. Stop by for drinks, apps, and to meet Susan!

All photos via Susan Mulligan