La Maisonnette Giveaway!

Can you imagine???  Follow this link for a fabulous giveaway!

http://www.stephmodo.com/2012/11/la-maisonnette-france-giveaway.html

Heavenly bathroom

Isn't this gorgeous??

I found this fabulous ottoman at Jason Home and am considering it for my living room.  It measures 66"W x 31"D!  It would certainly be a statement piece but more than that it would provide an extra seat or two and be a soft landing for little wobbly grandkids.  They even sent me a swatch of the fabric and it is a luscious dark gray.  And look at the pewter casters.  AND it's on sale.  If you haven't perused the Jason Home site take a minute and do so.  Great things and a bit out of the ordinary.  Here's the link.

My sister Summer gave Mae the cutest gift - she called it the Summertime Fun Kit! It included:
Bucket to hold all the goodies
Sidewalk chalk
Dollar bills rolled up to use for ice cream
Sand bucket
Trail mix
Bug jar
Bubbles
Kite
Squirt gun
Butterfly net

You could incorporate any number of things to match the activities in your area, but some of my favorite touches were the "Bug Observatory" and "Adventurer's Energy Mix" that included:
Animal cookies
Yogurt covered raisins
Sixlets
Gummy bears
Nutty Butters

So many cute touches to this gift that made it extra special. Mae absolutely loved it!

Mae is Turning 3!

I found the cutest invitiation idea on the blog Dandee. The idea inspired my zoo invitations for Mae's third birthday party. We used animal cookies in the bag, but you could use any treat - multi-colored sour balls, pretzels, wintergreen mints - litterally anything yummy! Any way to incorporate a treat is a win for me!

I created the invite in Adobe InDesign and included two sides with a fold. On the other side it included all the party info. I measured the length of bag i had and once it was folded it ended up being 5 inches x 2.5 inches. I sent it to Fedex Kinkos, cut them myself and they ended up being a relatively cheap and memorable invitation!

Happy New Year! On this last day of 2011 our dear 'Papa' was in a horrible accident. After spending all day in the ER with my Mom and being in pain it seems like he will be okay. We, his children, are counting our blessings. 2011 was an emotional year with ups and downs. We lost a beloved Grandmother, I had a perfect baby boy and my sister is pregnant after many patient days of waiting. It has been an unforgettable year and today has reminded me of the countless blessings our family has received. I have been thinking of New Year resolutions and have gone through the usual "...loose weight, travel, cook more..." but in addition to the usual, I have resolved to live this wonderful life with a heart of gratitude. I resolve to love my side of the grass and relish each day I get to spend with my babies. Ring in the new year! Here we come 2012!

Can I get an AMEN?

I read a fabulous blip in the Jan/Feb edition of Elle Decor.  Five designers comment on 'things that must go'.  Although I was thrilled to read all of them, I will highlight just a couple here.

Richard Shapiro calls the midcentury craze:
"...the monotony of one midcentury room after another, all with predictable, gratuitous, gimmicky accessories."

Mary McDonald:
"I think we all have seen enough garage-sale junk sprayed in high-gloss Skittles colors to last through the next century."

And Sheila Bridges:
Has seen her share of "earthy, handmade concoctions.  Just because it can be reclaimed doesn't mean it should be."

Can I get an AMEN??

Now back to wrapping presents!