Trader Joes Finds - Pimiento Cheese Spread

Perfect for a light lunch or afternoon snack.  Yummy!

Extra good with sliced cucumbers and spread on the slightly sweet, and incredibly soft, Trader Joe Potato Bread 

~♥♥♥~

Non-Crazy Reality Shows - Spain: On the Road Again

This is a relaxing show that I DVR and watch when the kids are napping.  It's almost like going on vacation-- except your new best friends are Gwyneth Paltrow, Mario Batali, Mark Bittman and Claudia Bassols.  They take you to some amazing sites, eat wonderful food and let you listen in on their somewhat unscripted conversations.  I especially love the banter between Gwyneth and Mario... I'd love to hang with him.

If you love food and travel, then this may just be the show for you.

Spain:  On the Road Again

~♥♥♥~

Jellyfish

Happiness is...

Watching Jellyfish as they gently propel themselves through the water. They have no brain, no blood, no nervous system, and they pack a powerful sting... but they sure are beautiful to watch. Whenever we visit an aquarium, the jellyfish tank is always my favorite exhibit-- I think I could watch them forever...

~♥♥♥~

Etsy Love - More Things I Heart

Yes, more Etsy Love... I just can't help myself!

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I'm always attracted to clear things, especially clear glass bubbles.  And yes, those are tiny little pictures of trees in there.  She even does custom pieces with your own photos!

from melissa schmidt

Very cute for a nautical or beach themed room.

from kate durkin

Turquoise and red is such a pretty color combination.

from sycamore street press

Especially cute for a circus-themed party or bedroom.

from fontastico

This typewriter key is a fun take on the monogram pendant.

from keys and memories

Pretty pillow-- tailored with the stripes and feminine with the flowers.

from shabby nest

I'm into silver chains these days...

from entangles by julia

Burlap and chalkboard tags... right up my alley!

from coastline

Pretty yet simple alternative to wall hangings.

from hutch me

Reusable snack bags, much better than flying through ziplocs.

from mama made

Here birdie, birdie-- a simple way to pretty-up a wall.

from almost sunday

I'm always attracted to hearts.  I like how these are not the traditional red.

from sarah and bendrix

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Okay, that's enough Etsy Love for now.  It's dangerous to look at what's stored in "Favorites"-- Now I'm starting to "lust" after a few goodies that I forgot about. 

~♥♥♥~

Fun Decor - CB2

I'm at a creative standstill. 

Among other things on my long "to do" list,

 I need to tackle both boys' rooms. 

I've yet to hang a single thing on their walls.

Haven't found the perfect "something" yet.

So I continue to search and gather. 

On one of my "search and gather" missions I came across a few fun things on CB2, Crate and Barrel's hip sister store.  If I don't over think things too much, these finds just may get me back on track.

I know my parents have an old abacus floating around...

what a cool idea to use it as wall art!

 

fresh and modern with an asian flair... me likey!

I like this... 

would work great in a boy's room.

print block panel...

looks great paired up

this would work on the narrow walls in our kitchen nook.

and a hand painted one-of-a-kind map...

love it with the orange area rug.

so cute for a kid's room.

~♥♥♥~

Etsy Love - Things I Heart

Yes, things that I ♥ on Etsy, but have yet to purchase for one reason or the other.  Usually because (1) I don't need it (or so says my practical side) or (2) it's too expensive (yet again my practical side) or (3)  because I'm waiting for some sign from up above (hmmm, that must be my crazy side).

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These beauties can be custom stamped with a name, date, short message, heart or kissing lips. Beautiful and unique!

from looka jewelry

I love bus roll posters.  I'm still trying to figure out where I can sneak this one in.

from My Sweet Prints

I love the idea of an apron, though I have yet to wear one... Although it's so pretty, if I bought one, I just might start!

from Boojiboo

Love this pillow.  Maybe for the guestroom...

from dede etsy shop

These silver bracelets can be custom stamped with your own text. I would probably do a short poem or meaningful quote.

from my silver pie

Can you tell I love black and white? 

from debos

This would be perfect for a party... Hmmm...

from something's hiding here

Anything that references Paris so speaks to me... maybe for the family room...

from petite coterie

Isn't this darling?  And why did I never notice before that "hi" is built into the alphabet?

from the love shop

So dainty, and I love the color combo!

from foundling

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I'm not even close to being done.  More to come later this week... Did I ever mention that I'm a bad influence?  Consider yourself warned!

~♥♥♥~

Lego Party - The Invitation

Here's how the Lego Party Invitations turned out.

Invite Cover -

I knew those Zots would come in handy one day!

If you're wondering, I downloaded the free Lego font here.

Inside -

BTW, that's a photo of a 4 that I made from Lego

(I did not lose my mind and build one for every invite)

I've been busy working on favors, decor and other stuff since I have less than 2 weeks to pull this together. When it comes to the kids' birthday parties, I'm a DIY kinda girl. And nothing satisfies me more than deadlines and a ton of hands-on, time consuming things to do. Really... I like self-imposed pressure.  That's the way I roll. ☺

Teacher Appreciation Week - Giving Thanks

For Teacher Appreciation Week (May 3rd - May 7th), Smarty Pants made this handprint card (the leaves were made with the side of his thumb).  He LOVES paint, and is very excited to give this to his teacher.  Instead of cookies, flowers, etc., I think I'm going to include a small gift card instead. 

~♥♥♥~

Linked to:

DIY Day @ A Soft Place to Land

Teacher Appreciation @ Somewhat Simple

Children's Art as... Art

Ah yes, kids art. 

It multiplies like bunnies.

 Yet it's so cute that you wouldn't...

 couldn't...

{gasp!}

Throw it away. 

But something must be done...

Before you lose your mind!

Here are some great ideas to contain and display kiddie art~

via how does she? {art into a digital collage}

  

via ohdeedoh {yardstick ledges}

  

sarah jane via ohdeedoh {kid art cut into animal shapes}

  

art me kids via tiny decor blog {art on canvas} 

shannon fricke via decor8 {heart art wall}

jan eleni via design mom {another digital art collage}

charlene prince via project nursery {colorful art wall}

design sponge {art wire display}

via project nursery {interchangeable artwork frame}

 

via a thousand words {and yet another digital collage idea}

design sponge {art card}

~♥♥♥~

It really is amazing how quickly kiddie art accumulates-- I have a large box full of Smarty Pant's art and he's not even 4 years old!

I'm going the art wire and digital picture route.  I bought this curtain wire from Ikea back in January and just need to set it up in the playroom-- it's on the to-do list. 

The idea of taking digital photos of the art and making a poster (or card) is genius!  It would be an easy project in Photoshop.  And if I photograph and document the art, then maybe I can throw away a few... just a few. ☺

linked to:

the inspired room