[Make] Bling-Bling Rhinestone Monogram

When in doubt, add rhinestones.  That's not really my motto, but it seems to work for this project.  This glitzy monogram would be a fun addition to a number of special occasions-- wedding, bridal shower, girls birthday party... really anything that needs a little sparkle. Or maybe even room decor-- hey, it looks kinda nice on our dresser.

This actually isn't my monogram, but is something that I'm working on for the holidays. More on that later.  :)

Here's how you can make your own shiny, sparkly monogram--

[This Week] London Olympics 2012

olympic ring cookies via the decorated cookie

Are you watching the Olympics?  We've been watching the Olympic Trials and are all geared up and excited for the Games to be under way!  I'm also looking forward to the open ceremonies which we will watch this evening (darn tape delay!).  

I have fond memories of the Beijing Olympics 4 years ago.  Happy Vee was just a couple weeks old and I was couch-ridden due to a broken left foot... I think I watched every.single.event, including the ones in the wee hours of the night. This time around I'm good to go, but unfortunately another member of the family is in a cast and has been put on activity restriction...

the blue cast, along with the black eye that his brother accidentally gave him last week & his jack-o-lantern smile...  a mom can just sigh... sigh...

He's not in any pain and has plenty of energy, but unfortunately can't participate in any of the activities that we had planned for the rest of summer.  Bummer.  I guess we'll try to while away the boredom by watching the Games and playing some board games.  :)

Have a nice weekend!

[Read This / Eat That] Bringing Up Bebe & Yogurt Cake

Have you read or heard about this book? Just in case you haven't, here's the scoop...  Bringing up Bebe is about an American woman's experience bringing up children in Paris, France. While raising her first child, she begins to notice significant behavioral differences between her own daughter and the children of her French peers.  Most noticeably, the French children are better behaved, eat well-rounded meals (no snacking!), and are more independent and in command of themselves.

I won't go into a full book review (there are plenty of opinions), but here are some of the points that make a lot of sense to me.

[Wordless Wednesday] Beautiful Sunset

view from our home 7.19.2012

p.s.  not photoshopped at all.  this is the end result of hurricane fabio over southern california.  stunning, huh? have a lovely day!

[Our Week] Turning Four!

Someone special turned Four this week! We kept it simple and he had a wonderful time. Honestly, we could've stopped with the balloons... A room full of giant 16-inch balloons about made his year.  :)

I stayed up late the night before to blow up these bad boys... By the end, I was dizzy. I think it counts as exercise. ;)  Worth the effort though, it's been keeping them busy-- there's a game of jungle volleyball-oon going on as I type.

We had a few more surprises for the birthday boy.  Some presents, lunch at his favorite restaurant, a visit with Chuck E. and a trip to the pet store to pick out our newest family member.

The boys decided on the name Garfield... from the Garfield the Cat comic strip.  They came across my old Garfield comic books and for some reason Happy Vee has a connection with the cantankerous cat. Funny guy!  So Happy Vee had a wonderful birthday and I've been busy learning about keeping an aquarium.  It's quite a process, but so far so good.

Hope you're having a nice weekend!

[Eat] Easy Chicken Marsala

My kids love chicken, so it has become a staple ingredient on my weekly menu plan.  For the past year, I've found myself making this chicken marsala recipe pretty frequently. It's tasty, it's easy, and both the kids and adults like it, so I thought I'd share it here-- Why not, right?

Click "Read more" for the recipe

[Party] Washi Tape Decorations

So I slacked on the planning and Happy Vee's 4th birthday party doesn't have much of a theme... But that doesn't mean we can't make it special!  I decided to pull out my washi tapes and challenge myself to use them for all the party decorations.  Here's what I have so far--

Washi Tape Favor Bags

Washi Tape Mini Banner

Washi Tape Gift Wrap

Click "Read more" for the details

[Etsy Love] Sapling Press

Ever have a moment when you just need a good chuckle?  Me too!  I stumbled upon these chuckle-inducing letterpress cards at just the right moment-- precisely 10:30 PM last night when I was still trying to get my kids to bed... Don't ask...

These clever little notes come from the site dear blank please blank and were made into cool letterpress prints by Lisa Krowinski of Sapling Press.  They're witty and unique... my kind of humor.

Actually all of her work is pretty clever.  Love it! More here.

[Eat] Dark Chocolate Baked S'mores

My kids have been begging for S'mores.  But what to do when you're nowhere near an open fire? BAKED S'mores!

Click "Read more" for the how-to

[Inspired by] Pigeons

Every now and then I'll see something that just speaks to me.  At the moment, it's this powder room...

zoe johns & max castalano's powder room via design*sponge

It's not the "cool art gallery in the pooper" aspect, nor the dark chalkboard painted walls, but the pigeons. Ahhhhh the pigeons.   Maybe it's because there aren't many pigeons where I live (I think the hawks get them) or perhaps they just speak to my former city girl self... But in print they are not pesty, poopy or dirty... just cool.  :)

Here are some "cool" ways to add some pigeon to your life...

contemporary print via the micro mentalist

fine print on canvas via vyala arts

london pigeon tote via alfitude design

pillow via bpoetic home

water color via jason paints 1

tote via cafe press

giclee print via oelwein

 pigeon shopper via paul farrell

digital download via madame bricolage

pablo the pigeon via oeuf
i'm imagining a bunch of these in a new york-inspired kid's room...

tshirt via eden bella

acrylic print via sparkle hen

Okay, I think that's enough pigeons.... for now.

Happy July 4th!

If you're in the U.S., have a wonderful Fourth of July! 

Do you have any plans for the long week?  We intend to lay low and maybe head to the beach for some sand and surf. 

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

[Eat] Baby Heirloom Tomatoes

Sweet and tasty.  A great addition to a salad or just on their own.

Are you enjoying the summer harvest?

[Make] Bouncy Ball Photo Stands

If you have kids or are often around kids, there's a good chance that you have several of these rolling around your home.

And although you may only see one, most likely there are several more hiding under your couch, lurking deep within the depths of your junk drawer, or perhaps playing with the dust bunnies under your refrigerator.  

Over the past year I've been collecting all of the random bouncy balls that I find around our house. I've quite a collection so it was time to start doing something with these guys! That's how these bouncy ball photo stands were born.

Easy, unbreakable, lots of fun summer colors and, if you mess up... no problem!  Just grab another one and start again.  

Click "Read more" for the details