Things I Love Thursday // 4.23.15

(Consider this the "Speaking of…" issue. It wasn't planned at first. Then I started writing and it started happening --so I just went with it. I don't know. Apparently, I'm in a mood.)

• Plenty of shampoo ~ Every once in awhile I'm struck by how fortunate I am, how beautiful my life is, how differently my kids are growing up than I did. I could go on and on. I'm most struck by this feeling sometimes, in a moment of clarity, when I realize that I don't have to add water to the end of the shampoo bottle to make it last a few more days until my paycheck comes. The life I've built with Mr. Jones exceeds any expectations I may have articulated to myself that go way beyond a full shampoo bottle (Think: healthy children, meaningful relationships, embracing adventure, enjoying one another and valuing our true partnership… ); however, a fresh bottle of lovely shampoo waiting under the bathroom sink really knocks me off my feet sometimes.
• Looking forward to a girls' weekend in Boston with my hysterically funny, witty, spontaneous, fun-loving, wine-sipping, creative, lovely… (Are you barfing a little bit in your mouth yet? Really though, she's something else.) friend, Gretchen ~ Yahoo!
• The weather lately ~ Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine. And speaking of throwing up… Spring has thrown up all over our yard and it's absolutely lovely. 
  
• Flonase ~ Speaking of Spring… I'm delighted with the fact that not only is Flonase working fabulously for me and my nose this season, it's also available over the counter and at Costco! Hurrah! I think the real secret is to get ahead of the season. I started taking my Flonase regularly in March. I know the season is still young… but I'm more hopeful than I've ever been to enjoy a mild allergy season. 
• Our recent afternoon with these West Coast Boys ~ A few of our great friends from Oregon and California were on this coast last weekend for a golf trip with the hubby. While the girls and I didn't get to spend nearly enough time with them, it was fun to have a few hours Sunday afternoon to catch up. 
  
• Being invited to dinner ~ Speaking of Greg being away for the weekend… It was so nice that our friends invited the girls and I to their house on Friday evening for an amazing meal. The company, food, wine, and patio were delightful. 
  
• This La Cornue Chateau Range ~ Speaking of incredible meals… Imagine what I could make with this! Swoon. Of course it's never going to happen but a girl can dream, right? 
  
• Pedicures ~ It's not very often that I sneak away for an afternoon pedicure but when I do, I'm always so relaxed and I enjoy every moment. (Especially now that I've found a place that does not do the weird calf-punching thing. Seriously. Stop that.) 
  
• This new stationery design ~ Speaking of punching… Look at this punchy little peony note card I just came up with and listed in the shop. (Ok. That was clearly a stretch--but I'm at the end and the ball has already rolled away!) 
  

Read More

The Giving Season | Teacher Gifts

'Tis the season to let your children's teachers know how much you appreciate their guidance, instruction, and patience. I've always thought that the best gift for your littlest students to give is a hand-drawn picture. Now that my monkeys are a little older, they write a note, letter, or poem to say what they love most about their teacher.  I think it's also appropriate to show your gratitude with a small gift. If you're considering going this route, I'd like to suggest thoughtful, custom stationery {wink}. An apple motif is the obvious choice like these, these, or these. However, personalizing a more general design, (and omitting Ms., Mr., etc.) is a great choice too--like this option or this one.  Aside from the go-to Starbucks gift card (always an excellent choice), how will you show your teachers how much they mean to your family?

Read More

Babies! Babies!

Obviously, if you've been paying attention, you might have noticed how I have not been keeping up very well with my blog. *sigh*

I have been busy... with some other stuff.

In preparation for my "double baby shower California road-trip weekend," I made several crafty little items to gift to the mommies-to-be.

For Leslie, who is having a baby girl these onesies:

Baby Girl Barron is expected in a few weeks and the little peach has no name yet. In my futile attempt to convince her parents to name her "Apple" (this is Leslie's maiden name--sweet), I made this one special:

Of course, she got some stationary too.

Her sweet nursery is in purples, pinks, butterflies, and dragonflies.

The shower was so much fun. The food was homemade; the decorations were complimentary of the nursery theme; the weather was fantastic; and the company was terrific. Here's a picture of Shakay, Leslie and me (representing Jenkins Hall Sacramento State, 1993--y'all!).

Kerri did an amazing job with all of the shower details. Seeing this picture of the three of us together brings back a TON of much less-innocent events!

It was especially fun to celebrate both bellies at the same time!

Mr. Barron made a guest appearance at the shower and it was great to see him too!

Leslie's shower was Saturday. Jenn's shower was Sunday. Of course I had to make some special treats for my new nephew-to-be!

Here's the stationary I made:

That little Monkeyboy is gonna be soo sweet!

Jenn's theme was safari-inspired. What is the difference between "safari" and "jungle" by the way?

These are a "rip off" of an idea I came across online... I think mine turned out much cuter. (They're "Helpful Hint" cards that shower guests fill out for the Momma and Dad to-be.)

Here are the bookplates I made.

And the onesies...

My mom did a great job with the decor.

The three of us got to visit for another whole day!

These shower favors turned out so sweet!

And the pre-made food (Come on folks! I drove 12 hours each way to get there!) was mostly delicious. However, I do NOT recommend the "Loaded Potato Salad" from Costco--*ugh*!

Here is my gorgeous, glowing cousin!

Jenn and Leslie, thank you for letting me be a part of your baby celebrations! You are both going to be amazing mothers!

Read More

And the Winners Are...

Not too long ago I had a little contest to see who could help me solve the "Cuddlebug Mystery." Unfortunately, for many of you... you did not bother to play along. However, there were a couple fun ladies who did play and I made both of them winners!

Miss Lia won a set of these cards (on their way to you as we speak):

And Miss Amanda won these (also on their way to you):

xxoo

Read More

Gettin' Crafty!

Our babysitter-extraordinaire, Katie turned 13 yesterday! (Yes, my babysitter is only 13)

We (meaning I) made her a stationary set as a gift to accompany the beautiful artwork the girls made.

I printed the chocolate polka-dotted boarder and  her name using Microsoft Word, then cut it out and attached a punched and scalloped square in pink cardstock. I ran the ribbon around the card and attached it to the backside with glue. If the ribbon looks familiar, it's because I just used it in another project recently posted here.

Centered on the square cutout is a white circle, a brown flower, a smaller pink circle, and a white silk flower (I found in the clearance section of silk sprigs at Michael's). I fastened those layers together with a pink brad and attached them to the ribbon with a few dots of glue.

When the card face was finished, I attached it to a folded piece of white cardstock that is the actual "card." I wish I had enough sheets of a coordinating color cardstock to use as the background/main card... but I did not.

To finish the gift, I stamped a small pink flower and her initials in chocolate at the lip of the envelope.

My laundry pile is even bigger now, but I had a great time doing this instead!

Read More