plush play...

This fun play rug caught my eye. The contrasting textures are so smart, visually and practically. I want to play with it! Don't you!? There's a farm and a dollhouse, too! Check them all out here.

via lmnop

fit to be tied...

The Boy turned twelve this past weekend. Twelve! He is now part of the young men's group in our church. I'm the mother of a young man. Wow. When did that happen? This means white shirts and ties on Sunday as that is the suggested attire for men participating in services in the church. Gone is my cute little boy in pastel gingham shirts and matching vests *sniff*.

We're shopping for some smart looking ties which can be hard to find for this age group. Looks like we've hit the jackpot with etsy though. Such a great selection of sharp ties for my handsome boy *ahem*, I mean young man! Which one's your favorite?

[1] [2] [3] [4}] [5] [6] [7]

'tis the season...

Oi vay! Could this season be crazier? Sorry I missed a coloring page. The letter 'J' may have to wait until Christmas has passed. We'll see. Here are a few of my favorite Christmas songs to tide you over. A couple are missing since last year... like "I Heard the Bells" by the Carpenters and "I Saw Three Ships" by Sting... but there are still some good ones to turn up while you wrap presents and deck the halls! Enjoy...

inspired ideas...

I'm so excited! Amy over at inspire co. has published a new little e-magazine called Inspired Ideas. You should definitely check it out. I've always loved Amy's aesthetic... fresh and cheerful with a vintage vibe. Go get a little eye-candy today, it's healthier than the stuff the kids will be bringing home in a couple of days!

I'm especially enamored with the pom-pom sheep. Just precious. I'd like to make a bunch to use as baby-gift toppers. I'm sure Princess and Cha-cha would love to help me whip up a few one of these days!

blooms of wool...

Oh. My. So pretty. Handmade wool felt jewelry.

via a room somewhere

manifesto...

I've been seriously contemplating killing our t.v. lately. It would be so good. Really good. Can I give up "What Not To Wear" though? That is the question. Shallow or what?

How great is this aardvark manifesto? I'm thinking we should come up with one for our family. What would it say? Things like... eat more jello... siblings = friends... maintenance is key... ride your bike... march to your own drummer... choose healthy food... be nice to your mother.  Good stuff like that.  What would yours say?


manifesto via Aesthetic Outburst

like clockwork...

I'm looking for a new alarm clock. The Husband is resigning the position. Do you think one of these vintage alarm clocks would do the job?

more kitchen pretty...

Another lovely little nook found in my files of favorite photos. Sorry, once again, I neglected to note it's source.  There are so many things to love in this kitchen corner... the plate rack, the cabinetry, the banquette. I'm taking notes for someday...

greetings in bunting...

I never seem to tire of bunting though I've made plenty.  I've sewn large bunting for parties in fabric, in paper, in plastic.  I've incorporated tiny bunting in designs for cards, for flyers, for bulletin boards, you name it.  But it's never occurred to me to make tiny bunting as the actual card.

I am so loving this clever idea from Cathe Holden that I think I may even whip one up today for my niece's birthday and then maybe one for my newest nephew.  What a fun and festive way to use up lots of paper or fabric scraps.

it's still a small world...

Pool print from here via How About Orange

Aren't those tiny umbrellas precious?  I posted about tilt-shift photography a couple years ago but it still fascinates me.

Now there's even a tutorial for faking the tilt-shift technique with photoshop.  Go ahead, miniaturize your own world.  You know you want to!


Faux tilt-shift from here



a bit of kitchen pretty...

I found this pretty photo in my files.  I don't know where it's from anymore but it's got me daydreaming about a kitchen with a little baking nook.  Mmm... that would be nice.

a little shopping...

Pinky and I had a bit of time to spare after book club the other day.  On our way home we took a scenic detour so that we could wave at the baby cows along the way.  It wasn't quite naptime yet so we decided to stop in at a darling little toy store that was on our path home.

We'd never been in before and oh, what a treat.  We explored every nook and cranny, oohing and ahhing all the way.  Pinky was beside herself with excitement running from one pretty thing to the next.  We spent lots of time ogling a giant display of Calico Critters all decked out for Halloween.  Too cute!  Then we found our favorite thing... a  Melissa and Doug grocery cart.  She squealed happily when she saw it and immediately took it for a stroll. I was impressed with how sturdy it is and adorable, too!  I think this may be on Miss Pinky's Christmas list this year. (I just love when they're little enough that I get to tell Santa what they want) And Pinky and I have a new favorite place to visit along our scenic detour.

stainless style...

Love this stainless steel pitcher.  Pretty and practical.

lunchtime love...

A bit of spork goodness. These are the ultimate. Actually my kids call them 'spifes' for the bonus knife on the side. So colorful and sturdy! They're handy in the kids' lunchboxes but I bought them for the simple reason that I love the way they look.  Turns out that bright unusual look also ensures that they return home each day.  We still have all of ours after two years of lunchtime love. Bonus!

toys to treasure...

Beautiful things over at imagine childhood.  Those plush geese are so charming that they may even be the exception to my no-more-stuffed-animals-in-this-house rule.

wooden handled glass magnifier • mother goose plush • wooden canoe

♥ felt...

Alicia's done it again.  Felt ornaments so delightful it makes me want to cry.  Look at that red coat.  The red gingham... the tiny stitching.  Could it be more darling?

The last three years she's designed these felt ornament kits and each year I drool and then hem and haw over them until they are gone.  I have no embroidery skills.  Would I massacre their heirloom-worthy loveliness?  Would this fear cause me to leave the kits in their bags indefinitely?  How sad would that be?

I was actually slightly relieved when I saw the new kit.  I can't possibly buy it since I never actually bought the previous kits.  Right?  Can't not have a complete set.  Then I scroll down.  Oh... oh!  It's the cottage with the sweet beaded lights from last year, the tree with the perfectly placed sequins, the charming pink cocoa cup and... *sigh* the beloved, much-remembered ice skate.  She's re-released the last two year's sets.  My heart beats faster.  Now a new reason to hem and haw... should I spend $75. on ornament kits that may suffer the horrible fates listed above?

Oh, but look at that ice skate.  Can I resist?

caravan...

I am still so enamored with this sweet bunny lamp.  It would be so perfect in Princess and Cha-Cha's bedroom.  My heart beats a bit faster each time I come across it, hoping that this time it will be within my grasp.  Alas, once again it is out of reach.  This time I came across it in kind of an odd photo.  But it led me to Caravan, a quirky shop with a very clever website.

Where I even get to see it all lit up.

And I can check out other interesting items, like these bug magnets.  So not me but I am strangely drawn to them.  Aren't they lovely?

I really want one of these birds.  I don't know why, I just do.

The Caravan shop looks like a place I'd love to peruse... you know, on my next trip to London.  And while I'm there I'll finally pick up my rabbit lamp.  Wouldn't that be nice?

cabinet craving...

I think a sunny yellow kitchen like this would make me cheerful every day.  (Do you think The Husband can be convinced?)

And these bathroom cabinets.  Yes, please...

oh deer...

This set of fabric decals is making me smile today.  Isn't it sweet?  Removeable and repositionable, too.  The chubby pink bird is my favorite.

cake on the brain...

This Petite Cupcake Kit from Meri Meri is darling.  The packaging is precious and I love that these sweet little papers are for mini cupcakes.  It's not always easy to find cute wrappers to fit the teensy cupcakes.

If you don't know Meri Meri you should take a peek.  Their cupcake kits are so clever.  You could plan a whole party around them!  And their children's boxed valentines... oh my!  I'll have to remember to show them to you when I see them next year.  They go fast!

A few of my favorite cupcake kits.