I went shopping with my mother-in-law this Saturday. She wanted to go to the outlets out in Cabazon for my birthday. We were a little late in getting out there but we had fun. I got lost in the Crate & Barrel store and also bought two outfits at the Ann Taylor factory store. You know I loves me some Ann Taylor.

Crate & Barrel was giving out a free gift with any purchase over $50 so Joyce and I both got one. Can you believe that they were just giving away a 4-set of coffee mugs? They’re white and have a nice shape. Joyce gave me hers too, so now I have a set of 8. Pretty cool.

Among my purchases were 12 buffet plates for when we have parties. I think it’s just so neat to have real plates instead of paper ones when we have a lot of people over. I love the cobalt blue and silver stripes around the rim. Then I got a blue rug for the kitchen which is a pretty french blue. That was a steal at $24.99 and it covers the majority of the kitchen floor (which isn’t my favorite tile anyway). I’m helping throw a bridal shower for my friend Rebecca next month and her color is pink so I bought some pink striped, cloth napkins that really compliment my grandmother’s china. We’ll be using the salad plates from her set for the food at the shower so I was excited to find matching napkins that really bring a fresh modern look to the table.