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I have no idea if this is strange or not (likely is as my personality just tends to be), but my two favorite foods growing up were tacos and meatloaf (not served on the same night of course).  I’ve now added my husband’s steaks, my father-in-law’s Caesar salad, my mother-in-law’s sausage crepes and my sister’s sweet fried chicken (though not necessarily in that order) but I am still a sucker for taco night and I love a good meatloaf.

Mondays tend to be crazy around here.  The whole week looms ahead and I find myself already looking forward to Friday.  Monday is my day to get plan meals for the week and get to the grocery store.  Monday is my day to play catch-up with my work from the weekend and then take care of Monday’s work as well.  I am always looking for comfort food on Mondays, especially easy-to-make comfort food that doesn’t take too much time out of my already chaotically busy Monday.  Yesterday I turned to my mother’s meatloaf.

I must admit that I completely outdid myself.  Meatloaf with green beans, homemade mashed potatoes and even banana pudding for desert — and a meal that me and my crew (my enthusiastic kitchen-helper daughters) less than 20 minutes to prepare.

I have tried many a recipe and bought many a CD, but few stay favorites given the course of time.  There is something to be said about those things in life — whether it be food or bedding or music — that remain year after year after year.  The oldies that remain – those are the goodies.

In the design world, this is no different.  Though designers are continually coming up with new ideas — adding new collections and discontinuing the ones which have lost steam — you can trust and depend on the staple collections.  Oldies but goodies, just like my mother’s meatloaf.

Some of my favorite designer oldie-but-goodies:

Serena & Lily Caroline Damask Duvet Cover

Serena & Lily Caroline Duvet:  One of Serena & Lily‘s original 14 bedding collections {which debuted in 2004}, Caroline‘s pink and green modern damask-patterned duvet was an instant classic.  A look that is breezy, classic and elegant, the Caroline duvet is sweet and all-girl.  Pair it with the Pink Letter Pillow, Pink Scallop sheeting, bedskirt and shams and and you have a timeless favorite.

Whistle & Wink China Doll Toile Duvet Cover

Whistle & Wink China Doll Toile Duvet:  Until recently, Whistle & Wink has only offered their bedding in twin size.  The China Doll Toile pattern — based on hand-painted vignettes depicting China Doll’s adventures in an Asian garden — is such a goodie that it is now available in full/queen size, too.  With amazing little details {like the traditional handmade sateen Chinese frog closures}, it is no surprise that this pattern is such a favorite.  Love the pattern but decorating a nursery? Whistle & Wink has a China Doll Toile Crib Bedding Set, too.  An oldie and goodie in any size you need it!

Caden Lane Taylor Crib Bedding

Caden Lane Taylor Crib Bedding Set:  One of Caden Lane‘s original Classic Collection crib bedding sets, the Taylor crib bedding is certainly an oldie but goodie.  Inspired in design by the simplicity of bold stripes combined with whimsical polka dots, Taylor is a twist on the traditional baby pink prints.  Caden Lane also has two other original Classic Pink Collection sets available – Ella and Cassie — as well as Classic Blue collection for boys — Cade, Hudson, Jack and Noah — or classic neural/red crib bedding — Carey and Avery — AND Classic Big-Kid bedding, too!  If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.  Caden Lane’s Classic Collection is just the gift that keeps on giving.

There is certainly a reason that designers keep the oldies around… They are goodies, tried and true.

As the Texas July temperatures were only expected to reach 93 degrees on Saturday, we decided to take our kids to the Fort Worth Zoo. After an immediate stop for a sturdy rental buggy (we own a kazillion strollers and didn’t remember to bring a single one) and six overpriced AA batteries (my camera conveniently ran out of juice as we walked past the entrance), we entered the monkey house.  To take three children (all three years old and under) to a zoo is an amazing thing. Their eyes are wide open and they are (in true form) in a constant hurry to see what is next.  At the end of the day, the girls loved the flamingoes the most (because they were pink), Henry and Matt leaned towards the white tigers and I had an unexpected affinity for the mountain goat.  All in all, a lovely day.

My current zoo favorites:

1.  Whistle & Wink’s Itsazoo Nursery Collection: Whistle & Wink’s signature contemporary nursery goes on safari.  Soft, neutral colors make this perfect for baby boys or girls. Elephants, giraffes, lions and turtles adorn an ivory ground with khaki piping and mini-check accents.  The crowining jewel, though, is the fantastically embroidered canopy, with tiny appliqued animals.  Oh, Itsazoo out there alright.

2.  Byrdie Graphics’ Animal Circle Wall Decals:  Whimsical images in grand color; May you now decorate without fear.  These self-adhestive vinyl decals can be easily removed and leave no residue behind.  Four animal cut-out circles (one elephant, one rhino, one lion and one monkey) and four circles bearing their name are included.  We highlight here the orange (perfect for Serena & Lily’s Ben Collection and Pixel Organics Lions, Tigers and Kitties nursery and big-kid bedding) but offer twenty hues!

3.  Kee-ka Organic Monkey Onesie Bodysuit:  In signature style, Kee-ka’s organic bodysuit is the perfect gift for baby boys everywhere.  Simple in design but big in message, this supersoft onesie make the morning clothing choice easy, even before you’ve had the first cup of coffee.