feeling lovesome

naturally

2012-02-23T07:55:00.000-08:00

today i'm feeling inspired by natural elements. i love the colors, smells, and textures that can be found in nature. i love bringing natural elements into my home, whether it be a pretty plant on my table, a woven basket to hold toys, or a pretty print hanging on my wall. i also really appreciate, and love, when something natural is mixed with the unnatural to create something unexpected and beautiful. it makes me smile to see the mix done right, like the clutch, or when something is so unexpected and unique that it just works, like the antler.
what do you think? are you a fan of natural meets unnatural? or do you think it's better to leave a good thing alone?

1. undyed leather clutch with a pop of bright green.
2. a pretty painted antler (image from here, but similar antlers can be found on etsy. i can't find the link to the original picture or seller, sorry!)
3. beautiful feather print.
4. striped crochet blanket.
5. arrow art hanging next to a comfy leather chair.

oops i did it again

2012-02-22T09:04:00.000-08:00

remember this project? well, i couldn't control myself and had to do it again. i found the perfect little mug for 49 cents and just knew it wanted to be painted gold.

why is everything so much better half-painted gold? cause it is. i swear that hot chocolate tasted better. my husband just might start calling me midas. it seems like every time he comes home there's something new that i have painted gold. it's hilarious. i think if he comes home to find my son half-painted, then we will have a serious problem, but for now he laughs and says he loves it all. whataguy.

this is another simple project. find paint at the craft store that is meant for ceramic/glass, paint using thin coats, and follow the directions on the back of the paint to bake it so the paint will set.
my only tip would be to make sure the coats are super thin and let them dry in between. that seemed to make my life a little easier this time around. but really, you just paint, let it dry, then bake it. then you can use it to your heart's content, and even wash it in the dishwasher! (top rack)

oh gold, how i love thee.
anyone else have a paint-it-gold problem?

quick and easy peanut butter cookies

2012-02-21T08:36:00.000-08:00

here's a quick and easy recipe for peanut butter cookies. it's typically our sunday night we-want-sweets-but-i'm-not-in-the-mood-to-do-a-lot-of-cooking recipe. it's so easy and only uses three ingredients, nice huh?
these cookies are flourless, so they are a great recipe for gluten-free diets, and just substitute the sugar with splenda or truvia and these cookies are down-right healthy (at least that's what i pretend on sunday nights :)

here's the recipe:

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg

mix all ingredients together, roll into balls and drop onto cookie sheets. flatten each ball with a fork (you can even dip the fork in sugar for some extra sweetness on top), and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees.

these cookies are hearty and have a very strong peanut butter flavor, so be sure to serve with a glass of milk!
enjoy!

paper dolls

2012-02-20T08:29:00.000-08:00

is anyone else as in love with downton abbey as i am? i can't get enough, why can't the seasons be longer? my sister tipped me off on these awesome paper dolls, created by kyle hilton, that you can print for free. aren't they hilarious and wonderful? i die over the evil soap and evil facial hair, so funny.

check out the rest here, they are all great.

p.s. i am feeling so much better after my little break last week. i finally went to the doctor and found out i had strep throat, so antibiotics and orange juice were my bffs for a while there.

thankfully, now i'm feeling good and am excited to be back to the blog!

sick day

2012-02-15T12:53:00.000-08:00

there's a nasty little sick bug wandering through my house. first my little boy, and now it's hit me.
i'll be laying low for a few days trying to get this to pass quietly and quickly.
hope your valentine's day was wonderful. my little family went to bed early after an evening of balloons, flowers, chocolate and surprises. it was a fun, but short valentine's day.
i'll see you monday, okay?
xo

p.s. photo is of the best tomato soup i've ever had in a soup shop in our little montana town. maybe i should convince my husband to bring me some on his way home from work today?

happy valentine's day

2012-02-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

it's valentine's day! i hope everyone has a wonderful day full of chocolate and kisses and cuddles with those you love. we are going to be spending a quiet night at home with a sick little boy. our night will most definitely include take-out, a movie, and hopefully something delicious for dessert.

for any of you needing last minute cards, here are some sweet free downloads from walnut paperie. how cute is that little post card?

have a great day!

xoxo

photo via

pin-spiration

2012-02-13T08:47:00.000-08:00

i have a slight addiction called pinterest. the ideas and inspiration that i can find on there are amazing. there are so many creative people out there! i've decided to start actually making the projects and recipes and such that i find on pinterest, it's a fun way to challenge myself as well as gives me great ideas when my brain is feeling a little less than creative.

i have a pin board dedicated to things that i want to make, and that's right where i filed this project by kersey campbell. it was love at first pinterest-sight.

i 100% copied her, so for directions go here.

i have to say, hers turned out way better than mine. i was too impatient between coats and it got a little globby. and the paint is thick, really thick, so i had a hard time getting it to coat evenly or even cover some spots at all.

but! i love them. the imperfectness is kind of becoming my favorite part, they look kind of rustic and brushed. it's cool. definitely my new favorite s+p shakers.
anyone else have fun projects they've found on pinterest, magazines, or anywhere else?
where do you go for inspiration?

p.s. i got the salt+pepper shakers from target and the paint from michaels.

happy weekend

2012-02-10T09:02:00.000-08:00

what a relief that the weekend is here. my husband is flying to seattle to get our stuff from our movers and drive it to us himself. it's been almost six weeks since we moved, i'm so glad this will be over soon! and i can't tell you how exciting it will be to have a couch and plates and clothes and all those little things i use each day but take for granted.
my little one and i are staying here, so luckily my father-in-law is going to fly up and make the long drive with my husband. what would we do without family?
on top of the moving drama my sweet little boy has caught a cold, so there have been lots of extra cuddles and sleepless nights this week. i am so happy i get to take it slow this weekend and start fresh on monday.

here are some fun things i found this week:

this could make for a fun afternoon for kiddos (or a really cute party invitation or favor).

i would love to spend my saturday night like this.

the sweetest little garland. i'm hoping to make some soon. wouldn't it be sweet in a nursery, too?

this is a fun way to give little surprises.

25 romantic desserts.

i'm dying over this before and after.

a very cute diy welcome mat.

the perfect tights to wear on valentine's day.

what are you doing this weekend? slowing down a little and enjoying life? oh, that does sound nice.
enjoy your weekend!
xo

*the beautiful picture at the top is from here.

bird chirping weather

2012-02-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

today has me dreaming of spring.

it feels like spring today. this big montana sky is blue and sunny, the air is crisp and fresh, and i can't help but dream of bike rides, picnics, and spending my days outside.

so here's to color, sunshine, and this pretty earth coming back to life.

no matter what that groundhog said.

umbrella kiss/garden heart/bike/picnic/boots

heart-warmer valentine

2012-02-08T08:04:00.000-08:00

remember this project? well, i think these little babies make the cutest little valentines, so i came up with a new little printable to make them more valentine-y.

since warming time really depends on the size of your warmer i didn't include instructions, but there's plenty of room on the back of each tag to write the heating time for your valentine.

my sewing machine is stuck who-knows-where with the rest of our stuff so i had to hand-sew this heart-warmer, and in the amount of time it took my son to eat his banana and yogurt this morning i was able to cut and sew the warmer. not bad! so all you who don't have sewing machines, you really can do it!

hopefully your loved ones will love having extra cozy hands this valentine's day.
just click here for the tags and here for the simple instructions. enjoy!

a little valentine's day sparkle

2012-02-07T07:50:00.000-08:00

i picked up some pretty tulips at the grocery store the other day with hopes they would liven up our home and bring in thoughts of spring. they do, i just love tulips.

then, i realized valentines day is coming up and we have zero pops of pink going on around here, so i promptly fixed that with a few mason jars, some glitter spray paint, and a little painter's tape.

i just taped around one of the jars and cut a little heart out of some tape and stuck it to the other jar. (don't forget to add tape all the way to the top of each jar! i didn't at first and ended up wiping extra paint off the top.)

i had never worked with glitter spray paint before and was a little surprised at how long it took before the glitter starting coming out in a steady stream. at first it was just a clear spray with little bits of glitter here and there, and that was after all the shaking it tells you to do in the instructions. so don't worry if that happens to you. just shake shake shake and try little test sprays until the glitter sprays out in a thick stream. it really is neat once it starts working.

i am definetly a fan of more subtle decorations and pops of color for holidays, so this is probably as festive as i will get this year. though i think the half-painted jar could even work for easter and fun summer flowers, don't you?

and here's a little tip i learned about tulips from my mother-in-law: put a few pennies in the bottom of your vase and your tulips won't droop. it's true! the copper in the pennies makes them perk right up and look brand new. this little tip has stretched the life out of many tulip bouquets for me, i love it.

so has anyone else ever worked with glitter spray paint? what did you make? i would love to see!

p.s. today my paint in a bag project is being featured on ivillage along with a bunch of other great projects to keep your little ones busy. all the ideas are fun and tv free, go check it out! thanks ivillage!

red lodge

2012-02-06T07:47:00.000-08:00

this weekend we took a day trip to red lodge, a town about an hour away from us. it's a little ski town in the middle of nowhere, nestled against the mountains with just a few main streets. we stumbled across the sweetest little candy shop and restaurant. the restaurant is called bogarts, and the whole place is like a cute little humphrey bogart hangout. we loved it.

i hope you don't mind a few pictures from our little trip. it was all just too cute to keep to myself.

is that wallpaper not fantastic? i love it mixed with the rustic wood.

lunch at bogarts was delicious. my son didn't like my enchiladas as much as i did, though. he looks a little grossed out!

and onto the candy shop:

check out that red crown molding and tin ceiling. love.

the day ended with a little mint fudge morsel that i snacked on on the drive home. so delicious!
it was so nice to get out of town for a few hours and explore a new place.
i hope you had a good weekend, too.
xo

happy weekend!

2012-02-03T07:55:00.000-08:00

it's the weekend! we are crossing our fingers that we can spend part of it exploring little montana towns and driving all around this big sky state. we love exploring over here. you doing anything fun? exploring something new? i sure hope so.

here's some fun things i found this week:

this made me smile.

this looks so delicious i can barely stand it.

i am seriously loving these little notebook bags.

these make me want to wallpaper my bathroom.

this is perfect for valentine's day breakfast.

i could use this little reminder staring at me every day.

i hope you all have a lovely weekend!

picture found here

my little nook

2012-02-02T07:12:00.000-08:00

one of the hardest things about this little move to montana has been not being able to do any of the projects i've been itching to do in our home. i love decorating and diy-ing and it's just hard to do that when you're not in your house! so to tide me by i'm going to post a few projects here and there that we were able to do in the short time we lived in our house, starting with this little nook:
(i apologize, all these pictures were taken before i knew how to use my camera!)

there is this little three-foot nook right when you walk in our front door. i'm sure it's supposed to be for a table or something, but we thought it was really weird and decided almost immediately that it would be perfect for a little bench and shoe storage area. it shares a wall with the stairs (that little half-wall on the right) so it gets passed all day, so why not actually use it rather than just let it take up space?

after a weekend with my husband and lots and lots of hard work (more from him than me), as well as some homework on board and batten, this is what we came up with.

the whole thing was built from scratch, we just sketched and measured and decided what we wanted and then my husband put it all together. he did great, right?! (he is a handy, handy guy. i am one lucky girl!)

we love it, and right before we left for montana my son started to get really into sitting up there and hanging out. my dream is to find him there often, reading and dreaming as he grows up. and i'm sure it will serve as his little "thinking spot" when he's naughty, too :).

i really wanted some cool vintage numbers for the baskets but they can be spendy and hard to find (at least when i was looking they were), so i headed over to the hardware store and bought a few of these babies:

i think they were around a dollar a piece, and i just grabbed some paint that i had in my little stash (acrylic) and gave them a makeover. it worked perfectly, and they've held up great so far.

thanks for letting me share a little piece of my home with you! i love home projects, especially when they turn out just how you want them!

++ the cushion and small pillow were both made by me using waverly fabrics (the yellow pillow was made using this method), and the blue pillows are from target.

gold-dipped necklace

2012-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

okay, that sounds a lot fancier than it is. this is the easiest little project and takes just minutes, but in the end you have a unique and fun statement necklace. does it get better than that?

i've seen a lot of necklaces made with these wooden beads floating around pinterest and stores, but i thought it would be fun to do a little somethin'-somethin' to spruce those beads up a bit.

is anyone else obsessed with the 'dipped' phenomenon going on right now? dipped chair legs, dipped silverware, dipped baskets, it's everywhere. i thought it would be cool to dip the beads in metallic gold paint (or any paint, really. i'm just obsessed with gold). well...minus the dipping part. i decided to opt out of the dripping mess and long drying time dipping would bring and instead went for a "fake dip."

all you need are these easy supplies:
+wooden craft beads (found at any craft store)
+some type of string/cord/leather to string the beads on (i used waxed-leather cord)
+paint
+paintbrush (unless you want to dip. if you do you are braver than me, so send me a link, i would love the see the results!)
+skewer
+painters/masking tape
+two objects of the same height to set the skewer on (i used little bowls, but cups or really anything will work. this is to keep the beads elevated to help with painting and drying.)

here's a close up of the paint i used. i love how metallic and sparkly it is. i think a bright color or anything that contrasts would look great too: bright blue, white, red, coral, black....it's endless!

the first step is to tape around the beads. this does not have to be perfect, the less perfect it is, the more interesting and "dipped" it will look (or at least that's what i told myself :).
after the beads are taped, string them on the skewer.

then whip out the paint and paint those little babies. this is when the skewer really comes in handy. i just had to hold the paintbrush and spin the bead and bam! the painting took about a minute. for reals.

then just let the beads dry on the skewer, string on your desired string, and viola, you have yourself a one-of-a-kind "dipped" necklace.
i bought tiny gold beads to put in between each wooden bead but they were too small, they went inside the holes of the wooden beads. fail. but it could be another fun way to mix it up, just do your hole vs. bead-size homework first :).

enjoy!
xo

printables|valentine cards

2012-01-31T07:16:00.000-08:00

valentine's day is coming up! i love this holiday, all about love and pink and chocolate. what's not to like? i don't have kids in school yet, so i'm not having to worry about sending valentine's to 20+ kids, but i do love to send them to family members. my little guy is starting to catch the coloring-bug, so i thought it would be fun to make some simple little cards that he could color and send to those we love.

i'm definitely team cheesy-puns-are-the-best when it comes to valentine's day cards.

if you would like some too, just click below.

heart burst
wood you be my valentine?
just my type.

these fit into any 4.5" x 6" envelope. i get these at staples, or just make your own here (you may have to shave a little off the sides of the cards).

happy valentine-ing!

diy peter pan collar roundup

2012-01-30T08:27:00.000-08:00

i'm a longtime fan of the peter pan collar and luckily, it seems this trend is not going away any time soon. i've been seeing a bunch of tutorials for removable peter pan collars that can be worn with any shirt, collar or not, to switch up a look and i LOVE them! i'm hoping to make one soon (once my sewing machine gets here...) but found a bunch of great alternatives that don't require a sewing machine. i might just have to jump on the collar-necklace bandwagon sooner than i thought.

here's the roundup:

1. studded collar found here

2. glitter collar found here

3. pearl collar found here

4. leather collar found here

5. felt collar found here
6. beaded/sequined collar found here

7. fabric collar found here

all of the links have great tutorials that seem easy and inexpensive. aren't they fun? good job, ladies! i'm always in awe of how creative people can be.

and if you want the look without having to diy, there are always tons of options on etsy or great stores like asos who sell them ready-to-wear.

oh, and in my searching i came across these babies:

i am obsessed with them, but can't seem to find how she made them. i was, however, able to find lots of girls who found great-patterned collared shirts at thrift stores, cut off the collars and wore them in the same way. seems easy enough, right?

anyone know how to make a collar like the ones above?

anyone else love this little trend?

anyone else going to go make one asap? just me? :)

happy monday.

happy weekend!

2012-01-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

this picture is getting me so excited for valentine's day! just a few more weeks, can you believe it? i've got some little valentine's projects that i'm excited to share in the next few weeks, but for now here are a few fun things i've enjoyed around the web this week:

this looks delicious. i hope to try it soon. if anyone tries it first, let me know how you like it!

an easy way to make your own mittens.

pretty business cards.

what a perfect first birthday. i especially love the confetti.

this is beautiful. (spotted on cup of jo)

fun, low-commitment projects.

what a sweet little puzzle.

anyone have special plans this weekend? i'm getting together with a few new friends for a night out, i'm so excited for some girl time! and i'm sure the rest of the weekend will be spent dancing (my little guy's favorite pastime), singing "the wheels on the bus," and spending lots of time with my two favorite boys.

have a wonderful weekend!
xo

envelope pillow tutorial

2012-01-26T07:57:00.000-08:00

i don't know about you, but i love changing up my decor, and pillows seem to be one of the easiest and cheapest ways to do so. pillows are also such a great way to add pops of color and pattern that wouldn't otherwise be in a room. i took a few sewing classes in college, they were fun and i learned so much. in my home decor class we learned to make envelope pillow covers. i love these, they are simple to make and slip on and off easily, allowing you to change them up as often as you like as well as wash them when they get dirty (a huge plus in my book!).

i also like being able to buy good pillow forms (a lot of times joann's has them on sale or you can use a coupon. i've also bought them from fabric.com and have been really happy.) and then find fabric i love and make my own. it's usually so much cheaper, plus i get exactly what i want.

did i mention they are easy? like, super, super easy? like you can make them in 10-20 minutes easy?

even if you don't think you can sew, i promise you can make these! all it takes is a tiny bit of math and sewing four straight lines. that's it!

(this is how big you will need to cut your fabric. if you don't have enough fabric you can add some to the ends, they will be hidden in the back.)

(woops, typo! i said "so" twice :)

did that make sense? hope so. if not ask away, and i'll try to answer any questions.

now go and add some color to your house! it will lift your spirits and ward off any winter blues, promise :)

pretty art

2012-01-25T08:20:00.000-08:00

aren't these pictures beautiful? they are by an artist named dadu shin. i love the colors and feel that these pieces have, moody yet whimsical.

on his website you can also see sketches of girls in clothes (they are stunning!) as well as his sketchbooks. i love peeking into peoples sketchbooks. if i could hide in art studios and steal stares into sketchbooks all day i would be a happy girl.

don't you just love finding new and beautiful art?

printables|schedule

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

lately i've been working on trying to be more organized. we just (temporarily) moved to montana from seattle and are going on two weeks without our stuff (we picked the wrong moving company, apparently.) with who knows how much longer until we get it. with all the changes, life has been a bit chaotic. planning meals, activities, and even what to wear is harder living off only what we could fit in our car, so i've found it has become crucial to organize myself and my day.

with that comes organizing this little blog. i spend so much less time writing posts and taking pictures when i have a clear idea of what is happening each week. it's wonderful having a plan!

i made this little schedule to help me stay organized and give myself a good picture of what is happening on here for a few weeks at a time.

do you have the same problem? well, just click here to print your own. (if you don't want it in pink just click "grayscale" or "print in black and white" in your printer options.)

for you non-bloggers out there (or those that already have it together!), there's something for you too: a bi-weekly schedule to help you plan out life, a few weeks at a time

find it here.

happy planning!

white

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

there is something so calming and comforting about white. i seriously can't get enough of images like these. don't you think it's serene to just stare at pretty light-bright-white pictures?

looking out my window all i see is white, too. the wind is blowing this dry montana snow all around, and when it catches the sun it looks like glitter. like i'm in my own little snow globe.

i'm off to go cuddle my little guy, and maybe we'll even get brave and head outside to play in all the snow.

happy monday
xo

p.s. are you as excited as i am to see all the blog posts from the bloggers who spent last week at alt? i hope hope hope to go next year!

deer/paint/chair/flower/bike/yarn

happy weekend!

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

i don't know about you, but i am so ready for the weekend! i've felt a little achy and tired all week, so i took it easy hoping to ward off any sickness that was trying to come my way. i think it worked, so this weekend will be spent cleaning and catching up on laundry. sounds like fun, right? :) hopefully we'll squeeze some fun in there somewhere, too.

here's a little roundup of fun things i've loved this week:

these make me wish i had a little girl to dress up. maybe my son could pull them off? :)

i just bought this for next christmas, (though i'm sure i can find something to do with it before then). it's just what i was looking for this year, plus it's on sale!

these are some of the prettiest valentine's i've ever seen. i especially love the fox!

wouldn't these gift tags make perfect little bookmarks?

i might need to make these sunday morning. mmmm.

these are too cute. i can't wait until i have kids in school to make fun things like this with them.

LOVE joanna's bedroom makeover!

i can't get over these simple and modern children's story posters.

and the lovely ladies at little birdie secrets are featuring my no-sew felt bowtie today. thanks ladies!

have a wonderful weekend!
xo

picture source

make it yourself: honey citrus sugar scrub

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

i don't know about you, but this time of year is always the worst on my skin. it seems no amount of lotion can keep the dry away. here is a little solution that i've come to love: a honey citrus sugar scrub. just four ingredients (that you probably have on-hand) is all it takes, and i promise, your skin will thank you.

ingredients:
1 cup granulated or raw sugar
1 tsp pure honey
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tsp fresh citrus zest (i used the zest of an orange)

directions:
mix together the honey and olive oil, stir mixture into 1 cup of sugar, and last, add the citrus zest. sometimes i add a little more olive oil, depending on how the mixture looks and how saturated i want it to be.
store in an air-tight container. i'm not sure on the exact shelf-life, i usually use it within a few weeks, but i would assume it would store well since all the ingredients are pantry ingredients.

besides the soft, soft skin after using this, my favorite part is adding the zest. mmmm. i just love how my kitchen smells after zesting an orange.

this makes a great little gift, too. just put it in a pretty little container, add a tag or some ribbon, and you have a cheap, easy gift.

enjoy!

what to wear|book club

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

i used to be in a book club. at the time i was working full time and overwhelmed and exhausted all the time (being with 10 three and four year-olds all day is exhausting!) and was only able to make it to a few meetings. when i actually went i loved it though. all of us girls chatting (and snacking) over a book; it was nice. i need to find another book club now that we've moved (temporarily), and when i do i'm wearing this.

are you part of a book club? any good book recommendations? i'm always looking for something good to read. (right now i'm reading this)
xo

shoes/sweater/jeans/necklace/bracelet

sweet + delicious

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

here's a tasty-sweet idea for your tuesday:

spread whipped cream on a cookie sheet and freeze, then cut the frozen whipped cream into shapes using cookie cutters or a knife. drop into some warm cocoa and you have a sweet (and cute) way to cool off your hot chocolate.

wouldn't this be sweet at a winter party or even for breakfast?

or as a little gift to friends or family for valentine's day? just pop a few into a little cello bag or one of these containers along with a little note and some yummy hot chocolate mix, (of course that would only work for people who can stick them right in their freezer) and your loved ones can enjoy this sweet little treat too.

photo found here.

weekend five

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

1. got this pretty calendar in the mail
2. went to my husband's post-holiday work dinner (and wore these new shoes. so cheap! and the perfect wedge for winter)
3. got bundled up and took an afternoon walk
4. spotted the cutest salt and pepper shakers at target
5. ate the most delicious coconut cheesecake (sorry for the bad iphone picture. the camera stayed home!)

and on friday my heart-warmer tutorial was featured on little birdie secrets! thanks so much, girls, for featuring my project, and welcome to all the little birdie secrets readers who came my way! i've got an updated printable to go along with that tutorial that makes it the perfect valentine, i'll be posting it soon!

hope you had a good weekend, too.
happy monday!
xo

fun with paint

2012-01-13T10:50:00.000-08:00

three years of my work-life was spent as a preschool teacher. part of the job was to come up with inexpensive but stimulating activities for the kids, and this is one of the easiest and cheapest, but also one that the kids loved the most.

my little guy is finally old enough to start enjoying this little activity, and i can't tell you how nice it is to sit him in his high chair and have him play quietly while i make dinner! the best part is that i know he's discovering and learning as he explores texture, colors, and cause-and-effect.

supplies:
plastic bag that seals tightly at the top (like a Ziploc bag)
packing tape
paint (I used Crayola's washable finger paint)

directions:
just dot little bits of paint in the plastic bag, close the bag, getting out most of the air, and tape the top closed with packing tape so the bag can't be opened. if your kids are anything like my little guy, that bag will be opened in seconds with paint everywhere, so make sure you tape it closed!

really, it's so simple, but can give lots and lots of entertainment and exploration.

i even gave my son a block, crayon, and cars to run over the plastic bag so he could see the different effects. he loved it.

it stays fresh for a long time, so after he is done playing i just slip it in a little drawer in my kitchen to pull out for next time.

other things that i've put in the plastic bags using the same method are:
+ white shaving cream (just the cheap stuff from the dollar store) and food coloring
+ cheap hair gel (and you can add buttons, beads, and little toys for even more fun)
+ baby oil, water, and food coloring or glitter

really, anything goes, so be creative with it and have fun!

printable: resolution note card

2012-01-10T10:23:00.000-08:00

i know i'm a little behind the game with making resolutions for the new year, but until know i just haven't had time to stop and really think about what I want this year to become. most of my resolutions never end of happening, but there's just something about the excitement and hope of planning and wishing to finally become that person that keeps me coming back every year.

i decided to go a different route this time and came up with very specific things that i want to accomplish rather than make a giant list of huge goals (like i usually do) that overwhelm and intimidate me. a book to read, a place to visit, something i want to learn how to do, little things that will add up to a big year.
you all know how much i love pretty things, and doesn't writing it on pretty paper just help a little more? i made some little resolution note cards to write out my goals and slip into my little binder of everyday-stuff-to-do, hopefully they will be a little reminder of what i want to be this year.

do you want some too?
click here to download and print your own.
happy twenty-twelve!

a handmade doll for my sweet little boy

2012-01-03T11:10:00.000-08:00

remember this post? well, the night before we left to visit family for christmas i bit the bullet and made this little guy:

isn't he sweet? i got the pattern from this etsy shop, and couldn't help it and bought a fox pattern too. they are too cute!
the pattern was so easy to follow and didn't even take two hours from start to finish. i can't wait to make the fox! there are also some sweet little bunnies that would be too cute in an easter basket this spring.

don't you just love those long skinny legs?

the stuffing was still a little stiff when i took this picture, he's got quite the twisty torso! but he's since calmed it down :)

and the best part is, my little guy loves him too. he is slathered with kisses and hugs, and pulled around the house by his skinny legs all day long. i love it.

P.S.

I was in no way compensated or asked to post about this pattern, I just loved it and wanted to share!

gift idea: printstagram

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

this summer i was lucky that it was time for my bi-annual phone upgrade and i could get an iphone. i wanted an iphone for one reason, and one reason only: instagram. i am obsessed with it.

today i ran across prinstagram, a website that prints your instagram pictures and gets them off your phone and into your pretty little fingers. best. idea. ever.

wouldn't these make fun little stocking stuffers or little gifts for friends and family?

i die over this tinybook, you get three of them, 24 photos in each book, for $10. so darling. "want to see a picture of my trip to mexico? why let me pull my tinybook out of my purse and you can peruse the whole thing." need i say more?

a step up from the tinybook is the minibook. it holds 50 photos, and you get 2 for $12. i'm thinking that one of these would make a really fun stocking stuffer for my husband. i can just see it on his desk at work, ready to show off to his co-workers. this would also be a fun little-tiny coffee table book, no?

they also make prints, which you could use to make something like this:

love it!

stickers,

and posters. what a fun piece of art to have in your home. i love it.

all images from printstagram, except the heart, found here, and the last image, found here.

and no, this isn't an advertisement, i just think it's a fun gift idea and a really, really cool way to expand my love affair with instagram :)

mad about: mittens

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

it's starting to get cold in the northwest; snow in the mountains and rain that chills you to the bone means winter is here. i think mittens are a fun winter accessory. they are whimsical yet practical, and a way to add a bit of fun to dreary winter months. i've rounded up some of my favorite mittens in hopes that maybe, just maybe, they'll ward off some of the cold. plus, we all know that the cuter something is the better it works, right?

1. you know how much i love mint green. add a bow and these babies are perfection. find them here (yes, they are meant for girls, but maybe an extra-large will work? let's hope so.)
2. i love love love this pair, found on etsy. the pointy little thumb kills me.
3. foxes for my hands? yes, please. they could even double as puppets for my son. found here.
4. these color-block mittens are lovely, from kate spade. don't you love the poms?
5. i love the subtle owls. so sweet. found on etsy.
6. you can never go wrong with a classic navy cable knit. found here.

dolls for boys

2011-12-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

i've been thinking of what i can make for my son for christmas this year, and i think i want to make him some sort of doll. his life will be full of trucks and superheroes once he starts school, so for now i want to nourish that sweet little side of him that loves to hug and kiss and cuddle.

i know boys and dolls can be a controversial subject, but this quote sums up my feelings on the matter perfectly:

"In a culture that often equates masculinity with violence and exploitative behavior, I can think of no better toy for a young boy than a doll to help him model kindness and responsibility for his actions. Perhaps our ancestors were right to think that training for the responsibilities of adulthood begins with childhood toys. If we want the next generation of men to be good fathers, compassionate citizens, and sensitive leaders, perhaps this process begins with something as simple and as countercultural as a childhood doll." (by joel troxell, read the article here).

in my search for inspiration i have found four little dolls that i can't get enough of.

the lumberjack used to be first place, but those foxes are too cute. maybe he needs a doll and a fox? we'll see how the making goes....i'll keep you updated.

do you have a son that play with dolls? or a girl that loves trucks?
i think good thing, i really do.

foxes, lumberjack, sweet red-headed boy, moustached man

heart-warmer tutorial + printable

2011-12-01T11:34:00.000-08:00

i've been seeing the sweetest little hand-warmers surfacing around the web lately. what a sweet idea and a great way to keep your hands and the hands of those you love warm on chilly mornings. all you have to do is heat it up in the microwave and drop it in your pocket or mittens. they are so easy and so much cuter (and cheaper!) than those little warming packets you can buy at the grocery store. plus, they are reusable. cute, easy, practical, and environmentally friendly, what more can you ask for?

making one is so simple, and while a sewing machine makes them faster, it is not necessary to use one. in fact, it was so easy that i didn't even take any pictures during the process.

here's how you do it:
1. cut two of the same shape out felt (two hearts, two stars. etc.). make sure they are the same size.
2. sew the pieces together leaving about half-an-inch open.
3. using a funnel, fill the shape with rice through the unsewn opening.
4. hand-stitch the opening closed.
viola! done! so easy and so sweet, right?
i found that about 25 seconds in the microwave is perfect, but you might want to try out a few different cooking times, depending on the size of your warmer. (make sure no metal accidentally gets shoved in the warmer, you don't want any explosions in the microwave!)

i made a cute little tag to add to mine, turning it into the perfect little gift or party favor.
do you want some, too? download your own here.
enjoy!

thanksgiving: the table

2011-11-22T11:34:00.000-08:00

thanksgiving is coming up, and i've been put in charge of decor. i don't know about you, but i've just barely started thinking about how to decorate and make the table a little extra special, and thanksgiving is just days away! i've found some fun ideas that seem pretty easy, so if you're last minute like me, there's still hope!

1. 2.

1. 2. 3.

1. 2. 3. 4.

1. 2. 3.

happy decorating! we are heading to my in-laws house tomorrow, so it will be radio-silent over here until after all the festivities are done.
have a wonderful holiday, hopefully it is full of food and fun and people you love.
xo

thanksgiving decor

2011-11-21T10:29:00.001-08:00

remember that party planning class i taught? well, since thanksgiving is this week and my decor was centered around thanksgiving, i thought this would be a perfect time to share a few pictures. i went with a traditional color scheme but only wanted a few pops of color, keeping everything else white or neutral. the tablecloth (which is just a big drop cloth) and buntings anchored everything with neutrals and the pumpkins, flowers, and medallions kept it fun with pops of orange and rust here and there.
the "thankful" bunting is just burlap cut into triangles and sewn to bias tape with paper letters taped to it (so i can reuse it with other messages). the doily garland is just paper doilies folded in half over jute.
cake stands help to add height as well as make everything seem a little more put-together. i used my chalkboard pumpkin from halloween as the centerpiece. that with the help of some smaller pumpkins and a cheap bouquet of flowers fill up the table and make for cheap and easy decor.

probably the most time consuming thing i did was make these pretty paper medallions (tutorial here). i was lucky enough to have family in town, so my little brother did all the folding and i did the assembling. it was actually quite fun and brought me back to my days of fan-folding as a child.

i filled an apple basket with different flavors of hot chocolate and apple cider as little favors, and stuck a little "for you" flag in it to up the cute-factor as well as let each person know they were for the taking.

i also put together a few little snacks for the ladies to munch on, plus they also helped fill up space on the table. food is a great way to take up space anywhere at a party! pumpkin dip and cinnamon chips (which are my new favorite things, seriously) recipes found here (i used butter instead of cooking spray for the chips), and bacon wrapped little smokies (not pictured, they hadn't come out of the oven yet when i took all the pictures) recipe found here. these things will change your life, no joke.

i'll be showing more pictures and little tips i taught in my class in a few weeks. i'm thinking of doing a little party planning series....but for now, hopefully these pictures give you a few fun ideas for thanksgiving decor and snacks.
check back later this week for some easy last-minute place setting ideas!

thankful + printable

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

every year i like to make a big deal of the holidays. i fill our home with decor, smells, and sounds of the season; it is always so cozy and happy and something i look forward to. this year has been a little different. my husband has been away for work for the last few months and it has felt weird to do all the home stuff without him. it is our first thanksgiving in our new house, and it just feels a little wrong to do all that stuff for the first time without him.
a few days ago i was pondering life and thanksgiving and realized that even though life has been hard these last few months, i still have a lot to be thankful for. something about that realization whipped me into shape and now i am so excited to celebrate thanksgiving next week.
i made some little "thankful for" cards and sat and wrote out some simple things i am thankful for: taking walks, the colors of fall, family, friends, and my sweet husband. i might even bring some with me to my husband's parent's house next week so we can fill them out while we eat our turkey and potatoes.
would you like some too? download them here, print (on kraft cardstock if you have it), cut, and enjoy.
hopefully they'll help you think of all the little things you are thankful for, too.

autumn

2011-11-17T09:57:00.000-08:00

autumn is my very favorite season. i love the smells, the crisp air, the fashion, the excitement for the holidays that are to come, the festivities, the fantastic colors, and the cozy feelings that it all brings.
recently, i visited one of my sisters in spokane for a few days. fall was at it's finest that weekend. we went for a few drives and were in complete awe of the gorgeous colors all around us. it's inspiring.
do you do that to? go for drives just to see the pretty world around you? if you don't, you should try it. it's one of my very favorite things to do. you better do it quick, before all the leaves are gone! winter is on it's way...
xo

jazz it up: lamp

2011-11-16T11:00:00.000-08:00

so i bought this lamp at target a few weeks ago. i love it, i really do. the visible cord running through the glass doesn't even bother me like i thought it would, and it is just the look i wanted to go on our buffet table (that my husband made! more on that another day.). the only problem is that the shade i picked out looks like it's the same color as the wall most of the day. in real life they are much closer in color than these pictures show, and it kind of bugs me. i love a good neutral, but too much oatmeal isn't good for anyone, right?
i bought a spool of black grosgrain ribbon (7/8" width) and literally taped it around the lamp to jazz it up a bit:

creating stripes for a bold look that you don't have to completely commit to because, hey, it's ribbon and tape! (don't mind the crooked stripes :)

take away a few stripes and you have top and bottom trim that makes less of a statement while still dressing up the shade so it isn't so boring.
adding ribbon is such a cheap, easy way to change the shade and can be done in tons of different colors or widths. huge vertical stripes would look great, or adding trim in a fun color like eggplant or mustard would add color to a room without the commitment.
so which do you like better, the stripes or trim? i'm having a hard time deciding!

pumpkin fun part 2

2011-11-15T09:33:00.000-08:00

remember my chalkboard pumpkin? well, since halloween has come and gone i wiped away that jack-o-lantern face and drew a little thanksgiving message.

it took about ten minutes and has taken my front porch from halloween to thanksgiving. so easy, so fun, and something i will definitely be doing each year.
what have you done to thanksgiving-ify your front door/porch?

how to: no-sew pointed bow tie

2011-11-14T09:39:00.000-08:00

it seems bow ties have taken over the wardrobes of men, babies, and boys these days, doesn't it? i must admit this trend has been a favorite of mine for quite some time now, and i love the pointed bow ties i'm seeing in all the old movies and shows i have been watching lately (downton abbey, anyone?).

with all the bow ties i see all over blogs i thought it would be fun to switch it up a bit and try something different.

enter: the pointed bow tie.

it often gets forgotten, and i think it's a great nod to men's (and boys') fashion from decades and even centuries ago. making it out of felt not only makes these babies a breeze to whip up, but it also modernizes and adds a touch of whimsy, not to mention makes these the perfect fall accessory for the guy in your life (or girl, i would wear it too, and it would make an adorable hair bow).

supplies:

all you need is some felt (i bought sheets of felt at Michaels for $.20 each)

scissors

hot glue gun (this could also be easily hand-stitched)

the length and width of your felt depends on how big you want your bow tie to be. mine was 12 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide, with a smaller strip that is about 1/2 inch wide and 2 1/2- 3 inches long. my little guy is one and this size is perfect for him, and i think he'll be able to wear this size for a few years. (i like smaller, more proportional bowties, but if you like them bigger just make your strips larger.)

how to:

1. cut one end of the longer felt strip into a point. lay the felt strip on a flat surface and bring the pointed side across the strip about 2/3 of the way.

2. turn the pointed side over and bring it back across the other side until it touches the edge.

3. adjust the point if you need to, it can touch the edge or hang over a bit, whatever you like.

4. scrunch the middle of the felt together, making it look like a bow.
5. wrap the smaller felt piece around the middle of the bow where you scrunched it, with the ends meeting in the back.
6. turn the bow around and dab some hot glue in the center of the bow, then fold the top end down over the glue. glue down the remaining flap, making sure the bow is tight and secure.
and then have fun with them!
to turn it into a bow tie i usually thread elastic through the center of the back of the bow tie, but if you don't have room you could glue elastic to it or sew/glue it to a pin or clip.

enjoy!

mad about: embroidery

2011-11-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

i about died when i opened my november issue of martha stewart living and saw the cross-stitch family portrait (#3). then i looked at my pinterest and realized than i have been pinning and drooling over this look for a while, whether it is real or faux. i immediately went to michaels and grabbed an embroidery hoop and some needles (i had tons of embroidery thread left over from friendship bracelets i made over the summer) and decided to make my own family portrait. i have yet to even sketch it out, but the idea is still at the top of my to-do list.
do you love the look of embroidery and cross-stitch as much as i do? it's making a huge comeback, and i like it.
1. embroidered mason jar lids that are so perfectly sweet.
2. embroidered headboard, so clever!
3. cross-stitch family portrait, what a great way to capture your family, no?
4. little hearts cross-stitched on tags, the perfect addition to any gift.
5. embroidered monogram, would also be cute as a christmas ornament.
6. embroidery on rolled canvas really personalizes this print.
7. faux-embroidery on a cake, made from sprinkles! so, so sweet.
8. faux-cross-stitch on a bedroom wall. i love it.

how to: cupcake stand

2011-11-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

as part of the entertaining 101 class i am teaching to the ladies at my church, i have been tying to gather supplies to share as well as ideas that they can do to make their parties and events more special. i've been seeing lots of diy cake stands all over blogs and pinterest and thought it would be sweet to do that on a smaller level, for cupcakes and small treats. this way i have some cost-effective stands to display food, favors, and invites that i make as examples, and a little tutorial for them to do at home. win/win, eh?

all you need to make one for yourself is a small vase or candlestick (i found mine at a thrift store for $2, but i know there are better deals out there!), a waterproof glue/epoxy that is meant for ceramic and glass, and a small saucer. i was able to find this lovely little ruffled plate at a thrift store (which i washed and washed and sanitized once i got home!) for under $2, so the whole project was under $4. not bad! especially considering how expensive cake stands can be.

apply the glue to both the top of the vase and the bottom of the saucer and let it sit for a few minutes to get tacky. this will help the adhesion to stick the best. then you just place the vase in the center of the plate and press firmly. (i decided to do mine upside down, it seemed the sturdiest.) i stuck a book on top of mine to weigh things down and help keep things in place. after a few hours mine was completely stuck, but still a little tacky. i would do this 24 hours prior to using it just to make sure everything is dry and ready to bear weight.

that's it! it's such a simple project and the possibilities are endless as far as plate/base combinations are concerned.

it would be fun to mix colors and find really unique pieces to use as a base. maybe a mason jar or a little bowl would look cute under a floral plate...

and here is a view of the bottom. you can see how clean the base is, you can barely tell they were glued together. and aren't those polka dots darling? i am so giddy over this little plate.

now go make some for yourself, or even as a little gift for a friend or family member. you won't be disappointed!

pretty palette

2011-11-03T00:12:00.000-07:00

my husband and i bought our first house in june and have spent the last few months slowly trying to turn it from house to home. we have done a few fun projects here and there (which i am excited to share on here very soon!), but the time has come to really focus on our bedroom.
i really believe that your bedroom should be a place that you love. a place where you can relax and retreat, and is the one space in the home that is just for you. we got rid of most of our furniture and decor when we moved so we could start fresh, and let's just say that our room right now is anything but fresh and relaxing.
i am in love with this room. i love everything from the colors, to the headboard, to the stools at the foot of the bed; it is perfect. i think it might be my jumping-off point, and i am so excited to start searching for paint and fabrics and little treasures to make my room special.
i can't wait to share it all, hopefully sooner than later!

pretty packaging

2011-10-26T18:07:00.000-07:00

i've been asked to teach a little class on creative entertaining/planning a party to a group of women at my church (!!!!) and have been having a lovely time doing research for pictures, ideas, and little tips. i can't wait to share everything in my little class, and will be sharing all that i find and dream up on here, too.
one of my tips will be to pay attention to the small details. all the little things really make any event, whether it's taking cookies to a neighbor or throwing a birthday party, seem more special and thoughtful, and lovely, too. i've found picture after picture of pretty little details, like these pretty ways to package little treats. i love the thought put into tying each bow or wrapping each little candy, and can't wait to come up with some more ideas of my own to add to these.

gingham-covered honey, wrapped loaves, cone, hand-wrapped candies, pile of cookies, felt heart

feeling woodsy

2011-10-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

i must have lumberjack on the brain lately, because i am drawn to all that is woodsy. real wood. pictures of wood. faux bois anything. it all seems so cozy and organic and perfect for this time of year. it makes me feel like going for a drive and getting lost in heavy woods (with someone else and a picnic basket full of soup, rolls, and hot chocolate, of course!). mmmm. sounds nice, don't you think?

1. 2. 3. 4.

pumpkin fun

2011-10-24T09:12:00.000-07:00

a few years ago i realized that carving pumpkins wasn't as fun as i pretended it was. after all that work you end up throwing them out after a few weeks because they get that wrinkly-old-man-pumpkin-face. you know what i mean?

this year i decided to have fun decorating my pumpkins with:

after halloween i'll just wipe that jack-o-lantern face right off of that chalkboard pumpkin and draw something more november appropriate.
they were all very easy, a bit of glue, glitter, and leftover paint is all it took to jazz up my ordinary pumpkins.

the chevron pumpkin took the most work, but with a little masking tape, my trusty scissors, and some white spray paint i had on-hand, it was actually quite fun. and the color possibilities are endless: eggplant, navy blue, and yellow would all be fun with the orange. and if you feel you can't commit to painting, you could even get the look by just leaving tape on the pumpkin. green frog tape would look fantastic. wouldn't washi tape add another element of fun to pumpkins? i'm thinking washi-plaid...

are you doing anything fun with your pumpkins this year?

mad about: yarn

2011-10-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

there's something so cozy about yarn. i can't stop buying it in pretty fall colors: mustard, gray, navy, and plum. the kinds that are extra thick and chunky and soft are my favorite. i've been seeing some beautiful projects with yarn all over lately, and here are my favorites this week:

1. yarn wrapped pumpkins, via martha stewart.
2. a cozy bowl full of yarn, via pinterest
3. pretty yarn wrapped letters, maybe to spell out something spooky? or cozy? via etsy
4. yarn wrapped wreath, via etsy
5. cozy leaf mobile, via ohdeedoh
6. pretty fall garland, via a beautiful mess

i've been busy crocheting with my yarn, but maybe i should venture out and make something new. i can't seem to get that leaf mobile out of my head, so i just might be adding one to my blue-eyed baby boy's room this weekend.
xo

a pretty fall wreath

2011-10-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

one of the items on my fall bucket list this year is to make a pretty fall wreath. i have never made a wreath before, and it seems like one best ways to make your home look more inviting and festive. i did lots of searching for inspiration and kept seeing this beautiful wreath popping up all over and just knew it was the one.

all you need to make your own is a grapevine wreath, felt, scissors (and a rotary cutter if you have one), and hot glue. it's simple and fast; i made mine in one evening.

the first thing you have to do is make all of your rosettes. i wanted my wreath a little more spaced and organic looking than the inspiration wreath, which also meant less work making rosettes!

to make the rosettes:
1. cut squares out of your felt, any sizes you want. (smaller squares make smaller rosettes, larger squares make larger rosettes. for a uniform look make all squares the same size.) this is where a rotary cutter comes in handy, but is not necessary.
2. cut the corners off your squares, creating a circle.
3. starting on the outside edge of the circle, cut a spiral.
4. starting with the pointy end of the spiral, roll the felt, wrapping tightly.
5. once you are done wrapping, the middle of the circle creates the perfect end for the bottom of the rosette.
6. stick some hot-glue or fabric glue under the end and hold down firmly until dry.

it is almost impossible to mess these up, and i found that no matter how crazy my circles and spirals were, they always turned out in the end.

next, just hot glue the rosettes to the wreath however you like.

and then check that one off the bucket list!

mad about mint

2011-10-14T12:07:00.000-07:00

lately, i can't seem to get enough of mint green. it's one of my very favorite colors right now. i love it most with a light blush or deep coral. mmmm. and even though it's a light pastel, i'm still crazy about it and carrying it into my fall wardrobe. in fact, it's on my nails right this moment.
will you be adding some mint to your life this fall?

camera, bike, skirt, nail polish, and phone all found on pinterest

feeling lovesome

2011-10-14T00:02:00.000-07:00

it's fall. i love fall. the weather is starting to crisp, leaves are changing, and dark cozy nights next to the fire with a mug of cocoa are becoming more regular. there's something about this time of year, maybe it's the time spent indoors or the fact that the holidays are coming, but something in me comes alive. i feel the urge to create. make things beautiful. bake and warm up my kitchen with delicious smells. learn new things. search out ideas. find special treasures. i can't wait to share it all on this little blog, my space for all things lovesome.