Talk about longevity " the House of Clay, 1100 N.W. 30th, is celebrating its 60th anniversary. To honor the big six-oh, House of Clay will have an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, featuring giveaways, specials, a live sculptor and refreshments.

Check out the shop for more on the ceramics and tools it sells, along with information on any upcoming classes.

It's not just House of Clay celebrating a special day. Blue 7 is honoring its seventh year in business with a new addition. The store, 7518 N. May, is expanding the store to add a whole section dedicated to denim.

And two new stores with hopefully years of anniversaries ahead of them: Green Bambino, 5113 N. Shartel, is an eco-baby store that opened in early March, and Ladybugs and Lizards Children's Boutique, 1389 E. 15th in Edmond, celebrates its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 27.

While out for lunch today, I popped by Full Circle Bookstore to pick up a new copy of Sartre's "No Exit" (total lie " I was actually looking for "Percy Jackson and the Olympians") when I noticed a beautiful collection of classics.

Full Circle has stocked this really lovely collection by Penguin Classics that rebinds favorites like "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" and "Jane Eyre." These books, a new collection that was released in November of last year, feature cloth binding and a matte-foil pattern splashed across the cover and spine. Each book gets a different treatment, most of them symbolizing something from the novel itself " for example, "Great Expectations" features rows of silver chandeliers against a midnight blue cloth, and "Pride and Prejudice" has golden swans against a honey-colored cover.
These are seriously beautiful books. Although I own most of the novels already, I'd love to buy these editions to display. Head over to Full Circle to pick up a few before they're gone.

I suck at using coupons. Absolutely suck. And while I have your attention, is it "kew" or "coo" for coupon? I go for "kew," but I know people who are all about the "coo," some would say militarily so. (I don't really care; it's not like greasy vs. greezy or cement vs. ceeeeement or anything. Greezy and ceeeeeement are completely, horribly wrong, FYI.)

Anyway, coupons and my lack of using them. You'd think, what with my complete disregard of the tiny paper discount-getters, that I'd have a similar disregard for the OKCityCard. Nope. Love it. Use it all the time, in fact.

Maybe it's because I can use it at my favorite local stores and restaurants, or maybe because it's not just redeemable for 20 cents off the 380-ounce jug of mayo, but I find the OKCityCard infinitely usable.

Allied Arts puts the card out every year, and proceeds from the discount card go back to the arts community in the metro. They're good for a full year from the time you order one, and include tons of discounts (there are 181 partners this year, in fact). I use mine all the time at Prairie Thunder Baking Co., French Cowgirl and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, but the card is also good for galleries, hotels, classes, performing arts and sporting events.

And did I mention that it's all local? Yeah, take that, other, substandard coupons.

Once again, Mother's Day has snuck up on me. It does this to me every year, the sneaky little bastard, and every year, I frantically scramble. Did I do flowers last year or a pedicure? Or was it just a frilly card with a side of guilt?

I might be down to the wire " again " but that doesn't mean it's hopeless. Here are some last-minute Mom's Day ideas.

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is once again offering free admission to moms when accompanied by a paying family member (that'd be you). The museum just opened its latest exhibit, "Sketch to Screen," so this is a great time to visit. (Seriously, even if you're momless, go check it out. They are even displaying Keira Knightley's slinky, green "Atonement" dress, which makes me think of James McAvoy. And anything that makes me think of James McAvoy is wonderful.)

Other downtown museums are also offering the "moms get in free" deal, including the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and the newly opened American Banjo Museum in Bricktown. (What? Yes. Banjos.)

Sticking to Bricktown, there's RedPin Bowling Lounge and Water Taxi. Add in brunch somewhere (maybe La Baguette at the Colcord), and you've fulfilled your duties for the year. It can be back to being the forgetful progeny for another 11 months without an ounce of shame.

There's a ton of great shopping events happening this weekend " and it's perfect timing, too.

In a couple more weeks, I won't be able to leave the house without wishing for one of those misting-fan things. (And how hilarious is that graphic, by the way? Thankfully, the personal mister " which sounds slightly like a euphemism for a rent boy, maybe George Rekers can tell us more about that " is all I could possibly have in common with the classy guy in that illustration, from a 2006 issue of Maxim.)

Antique Avenue is continuing a storewide sale through this Sunday. This established antique store along N.W. 23rd Street is a really great place to head for lovely antique furniture, jewelry and vintage nostalgia pieces. I've even spied antique glass eyes there before, so it just proves there's something for everyone at Antique Avenue (yes, even you hard-to-please fake-body-part enthusiasts).

This Saturday, Antique Avenue will also host a flea market in the parking lot, weather permitting, so there'll be a ton going on.

Like I mentioned in this week's ShopGirl, the monthly Live on the Plaza is this Friday. Special this month is an event being hosted by Allioppe, a great, local shopping blog.

The Allioppe Shoppe Crawl takes place from 7-11 p.m. Visitors can pick up a shopping card and get it stamped at various Plaza District shops for a chance to enter a raffle and win prizes (like Lyric tickets).

So here are a few things I never knew about Nancy Drew. First, that name that always appears under the title " that of author Carolyn Keene " that's just a pseudonym. Apparently, the idea for the books were thought up by a publisher named Edward Stratemeyer, and each book was ghostwritten by a number of different people. Second: The title character went through a big revamp in the 1950s to get rid of earlier racist overtones.

What? That's not the Nancy I knew! (Of course, that info did come from Wikipedia, that bastion of truth.)

I admit, I never really got too into Nancy Drew, but I did read a handful of the books from my mom's childhood collection (all post-1959 revamp). What I found were quick-moving little mysteries solved by a sweet-as-sugar girl who solved the puzzle while always dressing her best. They weren't exactly envelope-pushers, but that's kind of perfect for young readers.

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Nancy and her adventures, original publisher Grosset & Dunlap has released a limited edition of her first mystery, 1930's "The Secret of the Old Clock."

The great little book comes complete with the 1959 edition illustrations (check out that awesome camping wear on page 90-91) and a front page of Nancy tidbits from Jennifer Fisher, of the website www.nancydrewsleuth.com. Here are a few to leave you with:

Nancy has solved more than 500 cases since 1930. She met her boyfriend, Ned Nickerson, in "The Clue in the Diary." Finally, Nancy is always prepared; she keeps an overnight bag in her car packed with pajamas, a robe, bathing suit, two changes of clothes and toiletries.

I suck at using coupons. Absolutely suck. And while I have your attention, is it "kew" or "coo" for coupon? I go for "kew," but I know people who are all about the "coo," some would say militarily so. (I don't really care; it's not like greasy vs. greezy or cement vs. ceeeeement or anything. Greezy and ceeeeeement are completely, horribly wrong, FYI.)

Anyway, coupons and my lack of using them. You'd think, what with my complete disregard of the tiny paper discount-getters, that I'd have a similar disregard for the OKCityCard. Nope. Love it. Use it all the time, in fact.

Maybe it's because I can use it at my favorite local stores and restaurants, or maybe because it's not just redeemable for 20 cents off the 380-ounce jug of mayo, but I find the OKCityCard infinitely usable.

Allied Arts puts the card out every year, and proceeds from the discount card go back to the arts community in the metro. They're good for a full year from the time you order one, and include tons of discounts (there are 181 partners this year, in fact). I use mine all the time at Prairie Thunder Baking Co., French Cowgirl and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, but the card is also good for galleries, hotels, classes, performing arts and sporting events.

And did I mention that it's all local? Yeah, take that, other, substandard coupons.

I have a nostalgic love of May Day. And seeing as I didn't grow up in a pastoral 1880s New England, that nostalgia comes completely from books and movies (namely, Tasha Tudor's "A Time to Keep," a favorite childhood book, and the days and days worth of "Masterpiece" I've watched). So I was practically giddy when I dropped by A Date with Iris on Western Avenue and was told about this Saturday's May Day festivities.

Yes, May Day " as in a pole and everything. Do they make adult-sized pinafores, because I'm there faster than you can whip up the petit fours and lemonade. I'm there like Anne Shirley on Gilbert Blythe. (Did I seriously just write that? Someone better call in Marilla Cuthbert.)

Head to A Date with Iris this Saturday afternoon (I was told around 1 p.m. or so) for locally grown spring flowers like sweat peas and tulips, the aforementioned maypole and the crowning of the May Queen. There'll also be new jewelry from local artist Anna Chakola, who just got back from a trip to India, and May Day baskets.

The baskets are filled with spring flowers and small gifts and secretly left on someone's doorstep. You ring the doorbell and try to run away, but if the person catches you, you get a kiss. How fun is that!

It's here. Booths and booths of food, all lined up like some heavenly food court, just waiting for me jump in the queue and order. And there's some art, too.

Of course I love to visit Festival of the Arts for the beautiful and varied artwork. But it's the culinary arts that really get me excited for this annual spring event. Add the fact that the glorious food is paired with local nonprofits, and there isn't a single reason not to hunt down every meal from today to Sunday on International Food Row.

Counting the little stands and the larger booths, there are 30 food vendors to choose from this year. There are the old standards, like Strawberries Newport and Indian tacos, and some newbies this year, like Sage Gourmet Café and Market.

I always find myself in the Gopuram line, but I'm going to have to also try Craig and Carter's Famous Fish Tacos. Before this year, I've always shied away from any sort of fish and bread combination (salmon burgers, tilapia tacos), but thanks to Iguana Mexican Grill and Big Truck Tacos, I've uncovered a deep love of fish + taco shell.

Fish tacos or the tequila bread pudding from Interurban (also tasty), head over today with an empty tummy " you won't be disappointed.

I haven't been to a garage sale since I completely furnished my first non-dorm-room place in yard sale finds and family cast-offs. That's going to change this weekend.

The Vilakazi Foundation, an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of South African children, is holding one of its first big fundraisers: a garage sale.

The sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 2816 Morgan Trail in Edmond. Look for items like furniture, original artwork, children's items, lots of clothing and accessories, plus an original Nintendo and the games to go with it. (Yes!)

The money raised will go toward buying kids sports equipment and food for the community preschool of Coffee Bay, South Africa. Co-founders Carrie Coppernoll Jacobs and Leigh Jacobs are heading to South Africa this June to hand out the supplies and food.

Leigh Jacobs was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and moved here for school in 2000. He and his wife, Carrie, founded Vilakazi in 2009. The organization is named after the Soweto street where both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived.

One more reason to shop the garage sale (as if you needed one): The co-founders are only part of the coolest poor-to-average league K co-ed soccer team on the planet, the Fighting Chickens. How cool is this team? I'm on it. Yeah, I hear you grabbing your keys already.

Now go get some shopping done. And if you spot me there, I may just perform our team's special Fighting Chickens dance for you.