Thursday, January 27, 2011

Grab and Go Vest!

Emergency Preparedness.

Just the sound of it overwhelms me. It's overwhelming thinking of everything you need to do to be prepared if / when disaster strikes. I've tried to stock up on our essentials but I feel like it's a losing battle at times. I ordered backpacks for a family of four but they were so heavy I ended up transferring the "stuff" to a rolling duffel bag! It's in our hall closet waiting to be rolled out of here in an emergency. Ha!

Okay, so cut to a few months ago (but it feels like weeks) I was talking to an old colleague of mine at lunch. She and her husband had graduated from their local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and realized that the backpacks really don't work. They are just TOO heavy to carry around. They have one teenage son so he could carry his pack now -- but what about those of us with small young children? What about older adults (read grandparents) with limited mobility? It will be chaos already without having to carry a huge pack on your back with everything you own crushing you down.

So they created a very smart and simple vest that comes with all of the essentials!

It's called The Grab and Go Vest.

It's for adults and is filled with all of your essentials that you need when you're on the run from a disaster.
Here's their blurb:

GRAB AND GO VEST+™ is a well organized, sturdy, adjustable, easy to wear garment made of durable poly/cotton fabric and weighs just 4 lbs.

FOUR POUNDS -- that's all! (My backpack was near 45 pounds!) The vest has all the essentials - food, water, first aid, water purification tablets and more. Go check it out. Hopefully we'll never need to use them. But why risk it? Get prepared today and go buy your vest.

Enjoy!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Scripture Journals

My sister Ann blogged about this idea awhile back and now I'm stealing it from her! She got this idea from The Red Headed Hostess blog and I love it!

I think it's a great way to really study the scriptures (or anything for that matter). I find that writing things down in an organized spot helps to keep my thoughts more organized as well. So even though the note aren't totally organized you'll be able to find them at a later date -- and that, my friends, is priceless.

So here is what she does... I've cut and pasted directly from The Red Headed Hostess' site:

I put topics on the top of each page. This can be done 2 different ways.

1- You could write topics at the top as you study and add topics as you go

2- You could write topics that you want to study at the top of each page right when you get your journal

I typically do the second one – so when I learn something about that topic, I turn to that page and write about it. Either way, leave some pages at the beginning of your journal to keep your own table of contents.

I also put in a lot of talks from conference. I just copy and paste them onto a Word document, put them in columns, and shrink down the font.

Then I just tape them in.

So lets say you are asked to give a talk, or a lesson on this subject… you already have so much gathered! And they are things that you felt were valuable enough to write down, and if you felt it was valuable, others will likely feel the same way.

Plus your “line upon line” learning may speed up. It does for me because I don’t forget as much.

I just love this idea. I'm definitely going to start to incorporate this in my life. And what a great gift for a friend. A lovely bound unlined journal that they can use for whatever it is that suits them.

Here is a lovely journal from Anthropologie.

It's only $18.00. Sweet!

At Celery Street they offer some great choices in journals. Check this out for only $17.00

Oh! Check this out! At Cafe Press you can make your own journal! Here's their blurb:

Keep your thoughts and notes in a personal place, with custom journals. Choose from millions of designs on writing journals, each ideal for personal journals, diaries and other uses. Made with wire-O binding and containing 160 pages, you can choose a paper style to match your use. With 100% satisfaction guaranteed, most journals ship within one business day. Can’t find the perfect journal design? Personalize your own custom journal template.

Here is one of their holiday covers

Since we're talking scriptures I was able to find a cover that is all about Christ

Funny enough - this one is called Sunbeam

I hope this helps with your scripture study. I think it'll be a lovely way to keep me motivated to not just read my scriptures, but actually "feast" upon the words of Christ. Enjoy!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Before and After

There is nothing like a good "Before & After" makeover. Sigh... I love them. Real Simple.com posted a fun selection of B&A rooms. Here are some of my faves and not so fave.

The Entryway Before

and After

Isn't that sooo much better? I love the white bench across from the console with mirror. And thankfully they got rid of that horrible pink paint and squirrely-q wallpaper up top. Ick. Love this red paint!

Here is another kitchen (which may I add looks like a lot of kitchens I know).So much paper and clutter... so little space to cook and eat.

And Voila!

Paper and clutter streamlined into own area. New rugs and kitchen towels and a much better, cleaner looking space.

Okay, now check out this *lovely* Before and After. I don't think I like either of them -definitely not the Before, that's for sure. But I'm not into the After either.

It's the dotted wallpaper. It's too busy for me in that small kitchen. Ick.

Here's an office Before

Hello clutter. How do you pay bills in here, btw? In the blurb they make note of how horrible that bright pink rug is in there. So then they choose this rug instead. Really? Ick on both accounts, imo.

Love the rest of the redo. But there are so many great rugs out there right now. Why would you choose that one? Ugh.

But that's what I love about Before and Afters... you never know what you're going to get.
Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Love is in the air....

And I love this wreath!
I got the mail today and with it came my new Cambria Cove catalog. It flipped right open to the page featuring this wreath. I think it's so perfect for Valentine's Day. I might splurge and get it for the house.

I think this is just such a beautiful wreath for v-day. Here is the blurb on it:

Celebrate the season of love with this beautiful wreath displayed in your home. Dried integrifolia, Santa Cruz oregano, achillea, pink roses, and purple oregano are harmoniously mingled into a lovely heart shape and adorned with shimmery pink ribbon. Each wreath is made to order by hand from naturals locally grown in Greenfield, California. A Cambria Cove exclusive.

Love it! Enjoy!

The Zero-Waste Home

I just saw this article on Sunset.com and am highly intrigued.

A zero-waste home? Wow. You should see outside today for trash day. All of the bins (my neighbors included) are full. I am proud to say that my recycle bin and my green bin (composter and yard waste) are more full than my regular trash. But no where am I even close to what this family has accomplished and accomplishes each day. I don't know if I could get the entire family (read husband) on board so it would just be me doing this by myself. Not so much fun and WAY to much angst and effort on my part.

Here is a blurb from Sunset:

On trash day in Mill Valley, California, the Johnson home has no garbage. Nothing. There is a hefty compost bin and a teeny recycling bin—one that Béa Johnson is embarrassed exists at all. “So much recycling really goes to waste, so you need to try to reduce that too.”

Garbage, though, is something that happens rarely in this modern, minimalistically decorated house. That’s by day-to-day intention—to live simpler and lighter on the planet. Their quest started three years ago when Béa and husband Scott downsized from a 3,000-square-foot home to their current 1,400 square feet. But it had been on Béa’s mind ever since she’d nannied for a family that lost everything in a fire. Béa decided she wanted to truly love and use and know everything she kept in her home. “Even down to the vegetable peeler,” she says.

Yeah, so ummm... no trash on trash day. I'm no where close! I really find it interesting that this all started when she saw a family lose everything to a fire. It is all stuff in the end, isn't it? Here are some of her ideas that intrigue me the most. Their toy room:

The blurb that accompanies this photo:

In the playroom there are four bins of toys. The rule is simple: If the boys want something new to them, it needs to fit in the bins.

What’s missing?

Lots of toys: If the boys outgrow something, it’s donated, sold, or re-gifted. Béa and Scott encourage friends and family to give gifts of experience rather than things. This year, their 10-year-old’s birthday gifts included a weekend of skiing and gift certificates to a climbing gym and the local ice cream shop.

Love the gift idea... instead of giving more crappy toys that fall apart after a few uses they get a vacation or gift certificates to go somewhere fun. I have a whole tub full of toys that no one plays with anymore because either it's lame, a part is missing or it's broken after a few uses. It's so annoying. But I've spent so much money on them I still don't have the heart to throw them out. AND most of the Goodwill / Salvation Army places around here won't take children toys anymore due to lead content. So it's either use it or toss it. And I feel guilty throwing away lame toys I'd much rather give them away.

Oh yes, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of STUFF in your clothes closet? Take a look at the master closet:

The house closets are enviable for their lack of clutter. Shopping is done only twice a year at a thrift store and replaces items that are stained, worn, or outgrown.

What’s missing?

A bulging wardrobe: Everyone has a set number of items. For example, Béa caps out at 6 pairs of shoes, 7 tops, 7 pants, and 2 skirts (1 also wearable as a top). Same idea goes for Scott and the couple’s 9- and 10-year-old boys (each has 7 casual tops, 1 dress shirt, 4 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes, and 1 pair of PJs per season).
Shopping bags and shoe boxes: Secondhand items are preferred over new. Last April, for example, Béa spent only $40 replenishing clothes for her whole family (she even found nice $1 Abercrombie & Fitch tees for the boys).

Okay, can we talk about not buying new clothes - not ever, never?? I think that's a bit extreme for me. I love sales and I love hand me downs, but there is something fun and lovely about buying a new outfit that makes you feel like a million dollars. That said we definitely don't need as much clothing as we want.... but a little shopping now and then is good for my soul.

The living room has only what they need: a sofa, a video player, blankets, and pillows.

What’s missing?

A single-use couch: The sectional couch here expands to a queen bed; pieces separate for extra seats; and a mirror-top tray turns seating into a table. To buy something similar, Google “adjustable sectional sofa.”
Books: All come from the library.
Photos, art: Memories get stale when photos are displayed for too long, Béa says. To keep the past fresh, albums come out yearly around the holidays. As for art, she hasn’t found anything she likes and can afford, although Béa sees the living wall as an ever-changing art piece.

I love the single use couch idea. I love pieces of furniture that function as dual or triple pieces. No books, though? I'm an english major and have a major addiction to books. A room without books is like a room with no soul. I'm not into her NO books movement (books to keep I should mention). I love art on the walls, but how cool is her living wall? That is fabulous!

What I got out of this article is about doing more to reduce my waste but keeping it in balance with who I am and who I married. :) I try to compost any food waste, I use recyclable bags when out shopping, I belong to a CSA Farm for fresh fruit and veggies... but we watch TV, we buy clothes, we drive a mini van and I don't have a compost toilet. And I'm okay with it. I'll continue to do better and to try to reduce my waste in the world.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Love this video and song...

I thought this was very well done. It turns out that a Hollywood Storyboard artist / BYU professor with the help of assistant BYU dance prof put this together. Love the song and the storyboard that goes with it.

So I thought I'd share with it you as well.
Enjoy.

The Joy of Cooking

If you don't have The Joy of Cooking in your cookbook repertoire you are definitely missing out.

The day I found out my grandmother was dying was the day I got this book.

She was sick and I was very hopeful that she would get better. She was lying on the couch in the living room and asked me to boil her a potato. I, being 19, had NO idea how to boil a potato! But I did not want to bother her about it - so I went into the kitchen and started up the pot of water.

Not only did I ruin that cute little potato ... but I saw my grandmother lose it! She came into the kitchen and saw the whole potato (not peeled or cut into fourths) hanging out in the pot and just lost it. She started crying, "How can I leave you if you can't even boil a potato?!"

My grandfather happened to arrive home at that moment. He did a big sigh when he heard and saw the commotion. My poor frail grandma rolling around on the stool (too weak to stand up even), throwing pans around as she was trying to find another pot to make her potato in. He got her calmed down and fixed her another potato. But before it was even boiled she made him go out to the store "right this minute" and buy me the "Joy of Cooking" cookbook.

She knew that she would not always be in the kitchen with me to help me cook -- so she got me a GREAT back up.

That is how I knew my grandmother wasn't going to get better and that I had better learn how to boil a potato.

In the years that have followed (quite a few of them too) I have used this book to learn how to cook. I love their instructions for cooking beets, steaming artichokes, roasting lamb, pork chops, pork tenderloins, chocolate cake, great pie crusts ... the list goes on and on.

For anyone learning how to cook / wanting to cook or needing another great book - I highly recommend this and thank my grandmother for giving me great instructions on how to cook.

Congressional Reform Act of 2011

This has been sent to me a coupe of times and I have to share it. It's definitely one of my favorite things. Too bad it can't come true.

Thoughts?
***********

Let's get this message to Congress loud and clear! Contact your member of Congress and anyone on their staff, as well as your friends, family and neighbors. It's time for a change ~ yes!

Congressional Reform Act of 2011

1. Term Limits

12 years only, with one of the possible options below:

- (2) 6 year Senate terms

- (6) 2 year House terms

- (1) 6 year Senate term and (3) 2 year House terms

2. No tenure and No pension

3. Salary collected while in office - will not receive pay when out of office.

4. Congress (past, present and future) will participate in Social Security.

All funds in the Congressional Retirement Fund will now transfer into the Social Security System immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security System and Congress will participate with the American people.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI (Consumer Price Index) or 3%.

6. Congress will no longer have their own health care system. They will participate in the same system as the American people.

7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 1/1/11.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators who serve their terms and then return home to work.

I can keep on hoping and wishing though! :)

Saturday, January 15, 2011

The Melia Azul Ixtapa All-Inclusive Hotel

We went to The Melia Azul Ixtapa Hotel a few years ago and today I'm missing it! It was so nice there. We went in January - so the crowds weren't crazy like they are at the holiday season (which comprises of Thanksgiving through New Years).

My youngest was 6 months at the time and even with a baby we had a blast there. It's an all-inclusive so all of your food and drinks come with the cost of the rooms. My husband's family loves going to all-inclusive hotels in Mexico and I've been to quite a few with them but this one is my favorite. At most all-inclusive resorts the food is just okay, sometimes not even that. But we did not have one bad meal here. I'm not saying that it's 5-star, by all means, but they definitely have wonderful restaurants. Breakfast rocked it (and I'm not a breakfast gal). The pina coladas all day long at the pool was very nice as well.

For younger kids - they have a kids club where they can go sans parents and play. We dropped off our 3 yo and he was ticked when we left (but he's always ticked when we leave him with a sitter so it's nothing new then OR now!). When we came back a few hours later he would not leave. He was busy painting and having fun and would not leave! They also have crafts outside of the kids club for you to do together with your kiddos (they are fairly expensive though so beware). They have activities at the pool for bigger kids and they also have a ton of water sports at the beach.

The best part of this hotel is their location to the island near the coastline. We took a chartered boat over one morning and spent the day there. Beautiful water, beautiful beaches, sooo nice.

We also spent a few afternoons going into Zihuatanejo and shopping. It's a quaint little fisherman's town with a lot of fun tourist-y shops and great little restaurants. Seriously had some of the best guacamole and fish ever there. Ohhh soo good!

My understanding is that because this is mainly a touristy town that all of the water (or if not all - then most of it) is heavily filtered. We were able to drink the water everywhere we went and not once did we get sick. Hello double bonus!

I'm not sure how safe it is to travel in Mexico right now (lame drug cartels) especially since there were some recent beheadings in Aculpulco (Ixtapa is about an hour or more south of Aculpulco). So while I can't recommend anyone going to Mexico right now if you decide you want to go Ixtapa anyway -- this is a WONDERFUL place to visit.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

What a CUTIE

If you haven't bought some Cuties already this winter -- I highly recommend you do. If you're not sure where to buy - click HERE and it will direct you to a page on their website that will give you some places to purchase.
I buy a 5 lb bag and keep them on my kitchen table on a glass bowl. I'd take a pic and post it but it's pretty bare today and doesn't look as good as when it's full. But I love that it's more than half gone. I grab a few every time I walk out the door and eat it on my way to my next appt / drop off / pick up.

They are loaded with Vitamin C, Folate, Potassium and Fiber and they are so sweet it's like eating DESSERT all day long. Now that's what I call SWEET.

Mmmmm.... just talking about this is making me crave another.
Enjoy!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Today's post is brought to you by...

JCREW.
I just got the new catalog in the mail and I love what's been going on over there lately. I'm no longer my tall skinny self -- now I'm just normal with a mommy tummy that doesn't ever go away. But their clothes have been fitting me nicely.

I love this sweater....

I love this necklace (but beware it looks a little on the heavy side so this would def for be a short night out for me).

Love the jacket...
I've had so much fun going through the catalog. I can't wait to go shopping.
Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Crate and Barrel's Black Folding Step Stool

Okay, I don't actually own this stool. I own a VERY VERY similar one that they (some company) stopped making a few years back. But they look the same, same price and same everything. And I feel confident in saying that this stool is one of my most favorite things.

This is the best stool! I love it - especially with kiddos. It can hold up to 300 lbs (which is nice to know that i won't crush the little guy!) and folds nearly flat. I store it next to the refrigerator and in between my washer and dryer. I have three of them and we use them daily. My 4 yo loves to get it out in the kitchen and help me stir the eggs, wash dishes, wash her hands, help me cook ANYTHING and reach into the fridge to grab a yogurt. My 7 yo likes to use it to reach into all of the high cupboards that he's just not quite tall enough to reach. I also keep one in their bathroom, which makes it nice for when we have other friends over -- they can all reach the sink to wash their hands (a total pet peeve of mine, btw - not washing your hands after using the restroom - GROSS). My daughter also uses it to hang up her clothes in the closet! woo hooo!

My mother, after visiting me for a few days, loved mine so much that she went out and bought 3 herself. They really are a great step stool. Oh! And one more great thing about them -- helloooo - they're only $13 each. Woot woot! I love them so I wanted to share with you as well.

Enjoy!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Apartment Therapy - Therapy for the Soul

Do you know about this blog - Apartment Therapy? It is one of my favorites and was also voted as one of Time Magazine's Best Blogs of 2010. Time says this about AT:

"Apartment Therapy is a how-to guide for restructuring one's life on a smarter, cleaner, hipper scale. Visitors get to see how others have done up their apartments — from decor and green space to child gear, tech hookups and cool furnishings. It's all about thinking outside the box — taking a 550-sq.-ft. pad in New York City or a similar small space in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston or Washington, D.C., and sharing how you made it breathe, stretch and pop. As the blog's mission statement proclaims, "A calm, healthy, beautiful home is a necessary foundation for happiness and success in the world." In addition to virtual-apartment ogling, be sure to check out "Marketplace," where you can specify a city — and even a neighborhood — in your quest for that perfect couch, lamp, cookware or centerpiece."

I wanted to share one of my favorite latest posts of theirs. It's from an interior designer who "adopted" a room at the local YWCA shelter that caters to women and children. The Y moved into a new space and they had designers adopt rooms and redo it for free. It is amazing. Check it out:

Private Apartment for Women's Shelter by Mary Mader

How cute is this room?! I love it! I wish she would come and decorate my home. If you click on the link above it will take you directly to her posted blog and you can read about what she did. I was curious about the other rooms so I went to the YWCA's site and found some more pictures.

You can read more about the YWCA Pierce County Washington by clicking on the link. In the meantime here are some of their photos:

I love that so many designers and so many other people donated their time and energy and resources to creating a wonderful home for people who have no where else to go.

I love it. Enjoy!

Something to think about...

Reading interesting articles online from different news sources really is one of my favorite things to do.

This weekend two friends sent me two different articles re parenting. I thought it was very interesting how different in opposing views the articles were.

If you haven't had a chance to read the below Wall Street Journal article I HIGHLY recommend it.

Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior

The next article that was sent to me is so polarizing opposite in opinion that it's a bit crazy.

This one is brought to us by CNN.com and is from two Harvard professors (not that it means more to me, imo. But thought I'd mention it anyway). This one is called:

Want to get your kids into college? Let them play

So if you weren't already confused on how to parent and what is best for your child I'm sorry to add to more of the confusion! LOL. My opinion though is that us "western" parents are too soft on our kids. We are falling behind in so many different areas in schooling. It's ridiculous. YET we are also losing out on teaching our kids how to socialize with how much time they spend on the computer, texting and television. My issue is I don't want my children to not know how to interact with other kids. I don't think it needs to be all or nothing. But more balance is definitely needed in our culture. We should definitely be doing more so that our kids are spending less time playing -- either with their friends or with their electronics.

When I think of babysitters -- I don't ever think of the local high schoolers. They are too busy with all of their studies and extracurricular activities. They HAVE to HAVE those to get into college. So how do you get around this? What is the answer here? The kids I know are too busy to even babysit. Are they too busy to text? No. Email? No. Hang with friends -- No.... although not all the time. They try to do extracurricular activities with their friends so they can see one another. And if they do have a free night they don't want to spend it babysitting they spend it with their friends.

That said - I do think we need to push our kids to do more and to learn more. But I'm not completely sold on the all or nothing parenting technique.

Any thoughts on this?

Sunday, January 9, 2011

The Troubadour Theater Company

If you haven't heard about The Troubadour Theater Company you are really missing out. We just went (finally!!) to The First Jo-El tonight. It was in Burbank (or Burbank adjacent as they said tonight during the play) and it was a trek. Bad traffic - the 405 crawling at nice slow pace which made the 10 go nice and slow as well -- started the night off on the wrong foot. I remember saying outloud as we entered into the maddening crawl, "Well, I think this is our last time going to one of The Troubie's shows. I just don't think I can take the traffic on a Saturday night to get there."

Well, I am eating my words. The show was SO funny, SO clever, SO worth the drive that Rich and I can't wait for the next run and for our RUSH to buy tickets (they sell out within minutes - argh!).

I "borrowed" a blurb off of their website to tell you more about them:

"Troubadour Theater Company is a free-wheeling, no holds barred, Commedia Del Arte flavored, slapstick driven Los Angeles based ensemble of actors, musicians, and comedians that has been performing for audiences throughout Southern California and beyond since 1995. Their fast-paced, laugh-filled, loose adaptations (some of the lines are still there) of classic plays, literature and film, as well as their original productions and hilarious sketch material, make this company a unique and exciting experience for theater-goers of any age."

They are so clever with their shows and songs. We have only been to three shows -- "Oedipus The King, Mama," "Frosty the Snow Manilow" and tonight's show, "The First Jo-el." Each time we go we can't help but commenting how amazing the shows are with the songs and sketches. It is truly laugh out loud funny for almost the entire show.

Here is their blurb describing tonights' show:

"They May Be Right or they may be crazy, but the Troubies are telling the story of the nativity with the help of Piano Man, Billy Joel. Let go of that New York State of Mind, and Say Goodbye to Hollywood, and hello to Bethlehem! She’s Got a pregnant Way About Her, but when they Tell Her About It that there’s no room at the inn, Joseph and Mary are Movin’ Out to the manger. Come out and enjoy yourself for The Longest Time."

I liken this to the show Mamma Mia. But instead of using the real lyrics the change them up a bit to fit the show, the audience and pop culture.

If you live in the LA area or decide to fly in for one of their shows (which I highly recommend - it's worth the plane fare!) here are a couple of MAJOR hints:

1. Don't be late! If you come in late they stop the show and WELCOME the late-comers with a rendition of "You're so LATE... you probably think this song is about you! You're SO LATE!"

2. Don't - I repeat DO NOT let your cell phone make ANY NOISES whatsoever. Again, they stop the show, sing a song about you and shine the spotlight on you. It's quite embarrassing. Thankfully I've never experienced it and tonight was free and clear, but our last show had a cell go off. I was SO glad it wasn't me!

3. If you sneeze be prepared for them to sneak in a "Bless You" in the middle of their line.

They constantly make references to the audience and honestly, how they are so clever and quick is amazing.

I don't know when or what their next show will be but I'm sure to buy tickets again. Well worth the traffic on the 405!!

Go Troubies!!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

How nice does a VACATION sound about now?

I just saw this photo online at Southern Living and I'm craving this right now.

This is St. Thomas. I've never been, but would love to go there... TODAY.
I'll stay for 10 days (the perfect amount of time for a vacation) and I'm trying to decide if the little ones should stay behind. I'm thinking yes - they should stay behind. I'll miss them. But I'll love them oh-so-much more when I come back, right? I just want a VACATION from life.

I'd love for my DH to join me and that would make this the perfect vacation getaway.

It's always nice to dream......

Monday, January 3, 2011

What's Up Cupcake? My new fave book!

Whats New Cupcake? Ingeniously Simple Designs For Every Occasion
By Karen Tack and Alan Richardson

I bought this for a friend for Christmas and have not given it to her yet. We've missed each other for gift giving and now I'm thinking about buying her another copy and keeping this one to myself. Hmmmmm.... gotta love that shopping mantra (one for you and one for me)!

I a not a baker though so I'm a bit nervous about trying these out. So we'll see. My friend, however, is amazing with these kinds of things. She made my son a pirate treasure chest cake for his birthday. It was so amazing that no one knew it was the cake!

This the cake and the pirates she created. How amazing is this?? Love it!
I think she'll enjoy the cupcake book more than I will since she will be able to make them. I, on the other hand, will enjoy her creations and sing her praises.

All Sorts

My sister featured in her blog, Good Ideas, a great blog called, All Sorts. This site has all sorts of cute crafts and ideas to do around the house and with your kids.

For example:

There are a ton more cute ideas on this blog. But wanted to share some of her cute ideas. LOVE IT.

Here is one last craft that she made. I think my daughter and her friends would love these.

Enjoy!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Awkward Family Photos

I saw a post awhile back on I believe Veranda Interiors about this website. I finally had a moment to check it out.

Oh, this is good.

I'm sitting here laughing all by myself at these photos. So I had to share them with you too. If you're having a gray day and need some cheering up - I highly recommend visiting the website Awkward Family Photos.

Enjoy!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

A Reading Nook

In case you can't tell - I love to read. It really does give me great pleasure.
But what I'm craving right now is a reading nook. We just moved in to our current home in September and we're finally feeling like we've moved in (why is moving such a process??).

I have a little space in my bedroom where I'm thinking of adding a cozy chair, reading lamp and either a bookcase or table. Here are some ideas that I found online.

This is from www.donkeehouse.com. It's a photo from someone's hallway. I like the idea of this but that bench does not look cozy to me. And reading in a hallway doesn't seem very conducive to curling up with a book and reading all night long.

Donkeehouse also had this one posted. I LOVE this room. I wish this was in my current house. But maybe it's best that I don't - I would never leave it. I would have to hire Alice from the Brady Bunch to do the dishes, laundry and go get meat from Sam the butcher so she could make our dinner. My kids would only see me if they wanted to read with me. Ha! Maybe not such a bad idea after all.

New York Real Estate Access had an entire article on creating a reading nook. I love the first image I took from them. The second one I thought was just funny. I can't imagine this would be that comfortable, but who knows.

Anyway, I'm hoping to find a nice cozy rocking chair or love seat that I can put in my nook and have a nice place to read my books!