Friday, September 25, 2015

My Addiction

Don't get excited, it's not what you think. But I do have a confession to make and here it is... I am a chocoholic, cake-aholic, ice cream-aholic, candy-aholic. There, I've admitted my weaknesses! I have an addiction to all things sweet! I'd rather have a cupcake and coffee for breakfast than cereal and orange juice. I'd prefer a bowl (or two!) of chocolate ice cream for lunch rather than a salad. I'd love nothing more than a scrumptious Milky Way candy bar and bowl of M&Ms for dinner instead of steak, potato, and vegetable. Since I have now acknowledged my penchant for sweets, I suppose I'll share with you my all-time favorites list:

1.) Favorite all-time candy is Snickers Candy Bar.

Photo courtesy of Snickers.com

2.) Favorite Ice Cream is Edy's Original Rocky Road.

Photo courtesy of Edys.com

3.) Favorite cake is Betty Crocker Devil's Food with chocolate icing.

Photo courtesy of
BettyCrocker.com

4.) Favorite Cookie is Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Photo courtesy of
verybestbaking.com

Well, there you have it! Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! So now you might have figured out that Halloween is one of my most very favorite days of the year! Just think, all that candy and it's even free! Halloween evening will come and go and as usual I will stuff myself with candy. I've never been able to stop after just one or two pieces.... voila, I'm addicted!

Halloween is next month and before I am overcome with a sugar high I need to focus on our costumes! Zoey's Attic can help with adorable shirts and bodysuits for baby's first Halloween. They also have the cutest trick or treat bags with designs to match your costume and some glow in the dark too! There are even candy bags with your joke printed on them so you can look at the bag if you forget the punchline! Now that's clever! Can't wait for candy day! Happy Halloween!

Friday, September 18, 2015

Teachers Are Awesome!

We interact with many teachers during our lifetime including our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. From the beginning, these treasured family members have been there to guide us along life's glorious and sometimes twisted and complicated paths. When the time comes for formal education, some parents may choose home schooling. Many others will make the decision to send their little ones to a traditional preschool and then off to grade school and high school, either public or private. As an adult you will partner with many teachers who will help you educate your child with the information and skills needed to ensure success, not only in present day activities but also in the future as a contributing member of society.

I owe everything to my teachers! Without a doubt my instructors have proven to be exemplary role models and have not only taught the essential reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also instilled the integrity and values required for a productive and satisfying existence. I am incredibly grateful to all the men and women whom have taught me with patience and kindness so many invaluable lessons. Thank you to my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Hamm, for your hugs and consoling words when I cried because I made my leaf man upside down. A grateful heart to Sister Perpetua for demanding I learn my multiplication tables with rapid fire. Special thanks to Sister John Kevin for letting me realize it is OK to be "me" especially during those awkward teen years. Many thanks, also, to Mr. Mullen for teaching me that there is good in everyone you encounter, even if you sometimes have to search for it. I could go on and on, but you get the point.... my awesome teachers over the years have in countless ways had a positive impact on my life, and I am so thankful for all they have done to help mold me into the person I am today!

So if you've had or currently have a teacher whom has helped you travel along life's special and intriguing journey, be sure to take time to say "thank you."  On that note, many thanks to all our teachers for making our LOVE baseball tee our all time number one best selling item! Everyone at Zoey's Attic is truly grateful for your support!

Thank You Awesome Teachers!

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Family Fall Traditions

The Autumnal Equinox, aka the first day of Fall, arrives here in ten days! The celestial equator is the imaginary north to south line in the sky above the Earth's equator. Fall in the Northern Hemisphere begins at the moment the Sun crosses this line. In St. Louis, my home town, Fall arrives this year on September 23rd at precisely 3:22 a.m. CDT.

There is so much to love about this season that will soon enough usher us into the cold of winter. The cooler, but not yet frigid, days and evenings are so welcome following the extreme heat and humidity of summer. I so much love the color changes in the Fall foliage. I even enjoy raking all the fallen leaves! Fall fashions are my favorite too, especially wrapping up in a cozy warm sweater with a cup of coffee and a good read. I could go on and on proclaiming my praise of Autumn, but instead I'll share with you a few of our family traditions. Just as we have certain Holiday customs, we also have established certain family rituals that we observe year after year. On this list are family outings that include:

- An annual trip to the apple orchards is always at the top of the list for things to do in the Fall. Nearly everyone I know enjoys a weekend afternoon picking apples at Eckert's. The main farm and orchards are located in Belleville, IL, but our family prefers the orchards at Grafton Farm. They also have a Country Store offering family favorites such as apple and pumpkin butter and apple cider too.


- Of course it just wouldn't be Fall without a trip to the pumpkin patch for some Pumpkinland fun! The farms near our home all offer hay castles, hay rides, ziplines, play areas with large slides and farm animals for the children to pet and even sometimes feed. Our favorite pumpkin patch is at Thies Farm and everyone looks forward to our annual outing to select the perfect Halloween pumpkins for our home!


- Autumn is the perfect time of year for a day trip to a State Park for a picnic lunch and hike in the woods. A trip to Pere Marquette State Park, just outside of Grafton, IL, is always on our Fall agenda! The sites along the drive are magnificent. On one side of the road is the mighty Mississippi River and the opposite side are the river bluffs covered with trees, bushes, shrubs, and wild flowers all gloriously displaying brilliant Fall colors. Following a picnic lunch it's time to stop at the Visitor's Center. There are Park Interpreters available to guide you on a hike. They share a wealth of information about the vegetation and natural wildlife, history of the Park, and even stories about the native Americans who once inhabited the land that is now Pere Marquette State Park.


- Finally, a trip to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, also known as Shaw's Garden, is a priority during each and every season of the year. The Gardens were originally the estate of businessman Henry Shaw and were opened to the public in 1859. The flowers are always spectacular and are breathtakingly beautiful during the Autumn season! There  is also a Children's Garden with play areas and educational exhibits. A stroll through the Botanical Gardens is definitely a highlight any day of the year!


Well, there you have it! So what are your favorite family traditions for Fall?

Friday, September 04, 2015

Labor Day Savings Start Now!

It's Labor Day weekend! In the U.S., Labor Day is a Federal Holiday celebrated each year on the first Monday of September. Lots of sales are offered by many local and national retailers, and Zoey's Attic has a deal for you too! We have a 15% coupon code for all our Facebook friends, TwitterPinterest, and Instagram followers to use this weekend at Zoey's Attic Personalized GiftsThe code to use at checkout is LABOR15 and it will expire at 11:59 p.m. CST on Monday, September 7th. The coupon code is only valid at our Zoey's Attic Personalized Gifts online shop. Get a head start on all your holiday shopping and be sure to check out all the fun shirts and unique gifts for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas! Be safe this weekend and Happy Shopping!