[Weekender] The One With... Drippy Purple Cars, Lunch Counters and Baseball at Petco Park

We spent our Memorial Day Weekend in San Diego.  It was a truly relaxing weekend with beautiful weather and very little crowds... at least in the places that we frequented.

The New Children's Museum is usually busy on weekends, but it was surprisingly calm and peaceful this past weekend.  We spent 3 hours there on Saturday.  The boys painted a car, played with clay, made scratch art, climbed on things, and basically had a great time.

modern art!  ;)

Me relaxing on a bench while the kids took their energy out on a play structure inside the museum. It was so peaceful in there, I could've easily taken a nap.  But instead I was playing Words with Friends... my latest addiction.

On Sunday, we went to The Park at Petco Park to play a little baseball.  When the Padres are away, the park is usually open to the public. There's a lot of green space to have picnics and even a little playground for younger kids.  The highlight for us is the kid-size baseball diamond.  We struck up an impromptu game with some other baseball loving families.

Gotta love Smarty Pants and his "game face".

he looks like he's trying to kill the ball!

After playing for a couple of hours, we were hungry and headed over to Lucky's Lunch Counter which is just down the street from Petco Park.  What a great find and I love the retro-inspired decor.  The food was good too.  We enjoyed the spicy dogs, homemade kettle chips and veggie burger. Next time we're going to try their breakfast.

how cute is the condiments tray?

And that was our long weekend.  Unbelievable that summer is just around the corner!!

[Make] Lyrical Message Stenciled Pillow

I had some time this week and finally got around to a project that's been on the back-burner for several months now.  A pillow with lyrics.  Not just any lyrics though... Lyrics that I LIKE!  Do you recognize the song?

Last year I spotted this "You Are My Sunshine" pillow on VivaTerra --

Then I looked at the price tag (whoosh!) and moved along.  If you could only see what my boys do with pillows. Pillows are seldom on the couch or bed, but can usually be found all over the floor, smashed into unrecognizable shapes.  They serve as building blocks for my kids' imagination--  spaceships, forts, racing cars, falling boulders... All good but, ahem,  no expensive pillows for this household!

I was quite happy when I stumbled upon this DIY version by Amanda at Wit & Whistle and put it on my "things to tackle" list.  I already had a plain pillow (not linen, but a sturdy muslin) and a fabric pen, so it was just a matter of finding the time.

Click "Read more" for tips on making a Message Pillow

[Wordless Wednesday] Hot Air Balloon Ride

photos taken by me in 2008 over Temecula, CA

pssst... have a beautiful day!

[Oh Martha] Watermelon

I can always tell that summer is near when watermelon makes its appearance at the supermarket.  I just picked up a delicious one and we devoured it in a couple of days.  So sweet and juicy, it's the perfect treat for a hot afternoon.  Here's some watermelon-inspiration from Martha Stewart--

frozen watermelon bombe

watermelon lemonade

watermelon basket

nice presentation for a party

watermelon potholder pattern

i'm pretty sure my grandma had one of these!

watermelon punch and bowl

just add seltzer!

watermelon feta salad

this is on my list of recipes to try this summer.

and if that's not enough, how about some watermelon for the walls?

Have a terrific Monday!

[Weekly Inspiration] 5.26.2012

these popsicle cocktails via Hostess with the Mostess

these lettered stone magnets via Happy Emotions on Etsy

this pretty tablescape via 79 Ideas

this geometric wood necklace via Blue Bird Lab on Etsy

and this subtle boy's room via finnian's moon Interiors :: as seen on small shop

 

Have a wonderful weekend!  And if you're in the U.S., enjoy the Memorial Day holiday.

[Make] Press N Seal Stenciled Pillow

An alternative to the Freezer Paper Stencil!  

Which for the life of me... I CANNOT find.   Several months ago, when I decided that a freezer paper stencil project was in my future, I stocked up on what I "thought" was freezer paper.  I bought Press'n Seal Freezer instead.  It said "freezer" so I just went with it.

Skip forward to today... I was all ready to go when I discovered that I bought the wrong thing.  But when I read on the box that it "seals to plastic, paper, metal, wood and many other surfaces", I decided to see if it'd work on fabric too.  And, amazingly, it worked! It also has a few perks over freezer paper-- The Press'n Seal Freezer stencil can be reused, the plastic is sturdy and easy to cut, AND there is no ironing involved.

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

Cinemagr.am

I should be cleaning my house, but instead I'm playing with cinemagr.am...

If you're like me and love GIFs (aka animated photos), then this is the App for you!  This is my first try, so don't judge... I think if I shot this in natural light, it would've turned out much better.  But I love the amazed, dumbfounded look on Happy Vee's face.  And, as you can see by the state of my family room, I really need to get back to cleaning!  

Many more creative GIFs here.

Happy Wednesday!

[Party] Space... The Final Frontier

This weekend we celebrated Smarty Pant's 6th Birthday with a SPACE Party! The party was held at the boys' favorite gymnastics center-- one full hour of climbing, jumping and bouncing children.  Yep, all the parents were high-fiving each other and I think I saw a couple of fist pumps-- Yes!  :) The birthday boy had a BLAST and I think all of the kids were thoroughly entertained during the party and thoroughly exhausted by the end of the party.  All good!

Click "Read more" for the SPACE party details

[Summer 2012] Floral Pants

[Oh Martha Monday] A Little Geometry

Trends may come and go, but geometric patterns always capture my attention. Here are some ways to add a little  geometry to your own life. All photos and links from Martha Stewart.

geometric designed door

geometric magnetic paint mural

polymer-clay jewelry

color block display

geometric suede pillow

decoupage bandanna frame

tailored throw pillows

fringed pyramid favor box

wall papered doors

Have a great week!