feeling blue? this one's for you...

Hope you're having a particularly lovely weekend that is not quite blue at all. And thanks to these particularly lovely Etsy shops for their beautiful blue inspirations...

1.1 crown 3 tiaras  2.janish jewels  3.la native

4.la marquise des anges  5.the wheatfield  6.old new again

7.dream spun kids  8.amye123  9.plum pretty sugar

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lemonade & sunshine

These photos from the recent lemonade & sunshine party hosted by pen n' paper flowers are making me a little envious that we're having Zuzu's 4th birthday party at a nail salon. Alas, I'm just going to have to find a way to sweeten up the joint without the proprietor thinking I'm a crazy lady. Which, admittedly, I am.

I love the dainty wildflowers throughout the party, and especially on the back of the sweet metal chairs. I was already planning on doing a little lollipop patch and this one is certainly a lovely inspiration. And I bet you can't guess what Zuzu's all time favorite beverage is... Yup, lemonade. Pink, yellow, strawberry or plain. As long as it is sweet... she's happy!

Thanks must also go to Celebrate Today for the introduction to this lovely party!

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girl friday

So it appears that I've only been posting on Fridays lately.
Well that's not good!
In all fairness, we have been to the pediatrician three times in the last six days and tomorrow will mark the second trip to my doctor. Not much of a summer vacation so far I tell you.

But we did have a lovely Father's Day. That's dear daughter at Father's Day lunch pictured above. She's sporting a new zuzu girl handmade charming blooms headband while sucking down a yummy apple cider. I just couldn't resist the photo op.

In our down time at home, and clearly instead of blogging, we've been watching lots of this...

And I've been doing a little on line shopping here...
(beware, it's almost as addictive as Etsy!)

I ordered the most fabulous Haven Girl sequin dress for Zuzu's birthday party at more than 50% off the original retail. It was still stupid expensive but you only turn 4 once. Right? It looks like this... but (and I mean no disrespect to this lovely model) it will look far cuter on Zuzu...

Sequins are absolutely essential for birthday party #4.
Of that I am convinced!

And so, I say adieu to Thursday.... for tomorrow is Friday yet again.

Here's to a healthier week for us all and a few more blog posts to boot.

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flickr friday

Phew.  What a week!  We finished up the school year here in Northern California this week and it's truly been a whirlwind.  Two days into summer vacation and we've already been to the pediatrician and picked up our first (and hopefully last) batch of antibiotics.  None the less, I'm convinced this is going to be the best summer yet!

These are just a few of the lovely little things that inspired me this week on flickr.  

Credit goes to these fantastic folks:

1. the "cupcookie" by chic cookie kits

2. vintage 1972 Kenner Blythe doll by candy pop

3. gracie girl needle book by bari j

4. butterflies by cassia

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two + two is fabulous

 We have a Melissa & Doug abacus perched on the family room bookshelf that no one has used in years.  It currently serves the purpose of valiant book end and I've always found it too darn cool to pack up with the old toys.  Then today, I saw this.  Now this abacus is cool.  CB2 is marketing it as "wall decor" which it most certainly is but I personally think the product shot does it an injustice.  Now close your eyes and picture this three foot long abacus, low on the wall in a little boy's retro bedroom.  Right next to the Eames replica chair & a set of well loved vintage wooden blocks. Sweet, right?

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it's the little things...

 It took a year but I finally did it.  Two weeks ago I entered our garage on a mission.  I stood tall on a ladder and located the sewing machine that I purchased on sale at Target in April. Of 2009.  I removed it from its now dusty, and still unopened box on the top shelf.  

And I haven't slept since (slight exaggeration).  

Really I've just been playing around a bit, getting to know my new friend and her 100 or so stitches.  I've definitely got some grand ideas. But the hard reality is that I may never accomplish most of them due to lack of time, skill or a combination of both.  But for now I'm proud to share my first two simple projects.  

Meet the dainty bloom coffee cozy.  Go green. Stay cute.  

 And some lovely fabric bracelets for my most stylish & crafty friends.  

I do have to say, I think my glue gun is getting quite jealous.

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oh my, oh my, oh my!

Quick.  Hop, skip & click on over to Bakerella for this amazing pudding cup tutorial.  So fun.  So lovely.  And I just can't imagine the taste sensation.  Sorry I can't stay.  Must go blow up some balloons now...

oops, but first, additional credit must go to simplesong for the link!

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things that made me smile today...

chic vintage childrens bed via houzz

playful yet grown-up bedroom via houzz

salvaged peachy apron frock via dotty angel on flickr

time to wander poster via the wheat field on etsy

classic school themed baby shower via one charming party

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Hijkids

Introducing Hijkids.  They have a beautifully simple philosophy of bringing together designers that "handcraft clothing, accessories and toys for children with an emphasis on quality materials, classic designs and modern sensibility".  Be sure to checkout the Sale section too.  It's stocked with some super sweet deals!  

Pictured above... 

1.sophie doll 2.verta rae scarf 3.sugar cookie dress 4.love is in the air apron

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pillow talk

miss mosh

felt furnishings

alexandra ferguson

Johnny Vintage

Now that the new sewing machine has been saved from the depths of despair in our dusty garage, I'm dreaming up all sorts of things I can make for the house.  The list is getting long fast.  High on the list are some new throw pillows for just about every room in the house.  The above beauties are just a few of my favorite inspirations. I truly love the last one by Johnny Vintage but, as I announced on facebook last night, I'm thinking it probably not the best quote to introduce to our newly reading six year old.  Or his parrot of a younger sister. One to file away for the teenage years when ass kicking will be the least of my worries...

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curiouser and curiouser

Alice & Wonderland inspired birthday party table (or un-birthday party table as Alice would have it) courtesy of Lollipop Events & Designs.  Loving the stacked tea cups (secured with a hot glue gun), the moss ball centerpieces and the dainty little monogrammed tea bags.  Thanks to The TomKat Studio for the introduction to Lollipop's lovely shop & blog.

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jordan ferney's birthday tree

 Jordan will be posting more details on how to make your very own birthday tree (or baby shower tree... or mother's day tree...) later this week on her blog.  But I have a hard time with patience and these images were just too lovely not to share immediately.  I'm thinking I might like a *just because it's pretty tree* in our home...

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vintage love

 Isn't it just lovely what a little paint can do?  I adore amye 123's use of upcycled materials and fabulously happy paint colors.  The little deer props certainly don't hurt the cuteness factor either!

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bookworm

 My eldest learned to read this year and our lives will never be the same.  It's a beautiful thing watching him put his nose in his book and keep it there, despite distractions.. even when the distractions involve such necessities as food, school & sleep.  Heck with it.  My boy loves reading!

I've been thinking forward to his 7th birthday this fall (um, yes fall) and was going to suggest that in lieu of gifts his friends donate a book in his name to the school library.  In turn he will receive 7 gifts of his choice (and within reason) from his parents. In my defense are at least a half dozen unopened toys/games on his closet floor that were given to him for his 6th birthday.  I'm thinking it's a pretty easy sell and really such a great idea all around (and not just because it was mine).  He gets exactly what he wants.  The library gets free books.  His friends don't have to wonder what he will like.  And I don't need to figure out where to store another stack of untouched gifts.  Everyone wins. 

Now how do I sell him on these fantabulous book cupcake toppers that I just found on Ohdeedoh?

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silly shopping

Vintage big eyed postcards courtesy of Silly Shopping. They are all so darn cute it's nearly impossible to pick a favorite.  You can find hundreds of images Silly Shopping's Flickr account and a whole bunch for sale on Etsy.

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cupcake

Like most of my friends in the late '80's, when I left for college I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. But I was going to an excellent state school (Go Gators!) so it really didn't matter yet. Then it was time to declare a major and still, no clue. I'd always been kind of a math geek, and even though I also liked to write I figured Business School was a good bet. But still, no clue. The one day, senior year, it hit me. I went home and told my parents that "I wanted to buy clothes with other peoples money." Yup. I think I put it just like that. And so I did.

And for many long years I worked my tail off in the world of corporate retail. Buying clothes, housewares, wall art, light fixtures, sofas and anything else they wanted me to. And I was damn good at it.
But then I quit.

Now what in the world does this have to do with cupcakes you might be thinking. Or, more likely, has this woman completely lost her mind? Well, both nothing, everything and, um, yes.

See when one of my friends asks for my opinion these days on where to buy something I get a little obsessed and the quest takes on a whole life of it's own. Like today for instance when a friend emails me, "I want to have a cupcake party but everything out there is so cheesy..." And then I spend the better portion of my evening searching for all things "cupcake" on Etsy.

But the beauty of it is, I found some good cupcakes. Some really good cupcakes. And they are not at all cheesy.

Thanks go to these lovely Etsy shops for the images and products shown above...

1. frilly t-shirt 2. set of 4 notecards 3. cupcake stand 4.printable favor tags 5.calming poster 6.sweet charm necklace (ok, I cheated a little here, this one's mine) 7.cookie jar 8.cupcake wrappers 9.ribbon barrette

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amy butler wallpaper

Just when you thought she had successfully taken charge of the entire textile industry she goes and does it again. Introducing Amy Butler wallpaper courtesy of Graham & Brown. It's colorful, classy, and it's nothing less than fabulous.
Thanks go to Design Sponge for the hot new tip!

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bongenre elegant melamine

 Bongenre melamine tableware courtesy of Jill Fenichill and her lovely website.  These are just four of my favorite patterns.  Children's sets and bulk wedding packages available as well.

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it's the little things...

Give me a pair of well worn jeans and a slinky black tank any day.
It's the little things that excite me. 
 1.via spiga clogs 2.cara accessories bangles 3.rainbow haze bag

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a global perspective

I know, I know, it's Cinco de Mayo and I had visions of creating a colorful Mexican inspired collage but then Etsy sent me this one courtesy of their fabulous blog and there was really no reason to compete.  

I mean... it's cool. 

Then I saw this stunning work of art at the K Callaghan Gallery and I totally inspired.  My son would LOVE the blue one in his room.  Too bad the walls are currently overrun with shelves of Legos.  Sigh. 

Maybe in a few years...

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