Adorable Faux Cloud Rug and DecalTutorials

I only just discovered lifeflix, and am so happy I did. Go check out her blog, you will be happy you did. She is adorable and so are her projects. This faux cloud decal (with tutorial)  idea is great, and that fauxsheepskin cloud rug... I simply love. Just use no-sew on the cut edges afterward and you are good to go, full tutorial here. I have fur in several colors that I originally bought to make lots of puppets, but I've been lazy, red, turquoise, yellow, navy, pink... I wonder if I have some gray in there?

Sweet Animal Friends

Glamour Dogs Book by Catherine Ledner

I just love the innocence and free spirits of little animals. I truly believe they have developed, little souls inside those bodies. Just look at the eyes and you can see the love, fear, confusion, desperation, forgiveness pouring out of them.

Bunny in a Basket via Real Beauty

Swimming Piglets via Real Beauty

Bichon Puppy kicksy by Emilie (I miss my childhood bichon, Keiki!)

Jimmy the Guinea Pig by Samantha Warren Photography (I think I squealed in delight when I saw this!)

"Saimai is a two year old tiger and as a baby was suckled by a pig until she was 4 months old. This democratic start in life allowed her to form a loving relationship with other pigs and even a dog."

Sweet Lolita Tea Party

Isn't she so cute? There's a *little bit* of a lolita schoolgirl in her. Some days, I feel like getting dolled up like this, then I remember I can't stand tights, and I don't do mini dresses.

I love how the sweets table, everything is proportional and set apart from each other in even spaces. French macaroons, pastel confections, cherry topped cupcakes, bundt cakes, jello molds and perfectly piped cakes, are just the right touch of elegant meets girly.

 I love all of the decadent white as well, from the gauzy curtains and dress, to the tea cart, chandelier and sofa. The neutrals to really make the colors of the sweets and pastel shoes appear magical.

Looks like someone had a sugar crash. What do you think got her, a day of baking, or too many sweets?
From Vogue Girl, Korea, 2007.

Sweet Treats: Edible Painted Marshmallows and Popcorn Activity

Amy of Living Locurto's edible paint project is adorable! She got the idea from Katherine's amazing drive in movie and popcorn themed party. Katherine used sweet evaporated milk with food coloring, and  Amy used regular milk with food coloring.

We have been loving both popcorn and marshmallows lately, ( put them together to make popcorn balls) and so I'm confident that my boys will just love this little activity.Wouldn't those marshmallows be cute in little s'mores?

Retro Easter Love

peeps bunting tutorial by dana made it

Even though I've decorated this year in more of the robin's egg and muted natural colors, I have a soft spot for these colorful pastels, plastics and porcelains that evoke memories of my great grandmother's treasures in her curio cabinet and some of the little pieces I have stored away somewhere.

retro kitsch easter spring  mantle by boopsie daisy

What are some of your earliest Easter memories? Do you associate a certain food, smell, color, decorating style or activity with your childhood Easter beginnings. Do you keep old traditions, or do you have any new ones you would like to share?

 retro deer cake by sweety darling

 Vintage Egg Hinged Box from Retro Dame

Stay tuned for my next post of my favorite childhood Easter tradition... and how it works on my boys for the first time.

Of Bunnies and Women

rabbit ceramic scupltures ~ iktomi

Bunnies are not exclusively Easter related. I tried to find "holiday neutral" ones that pulled at my heart strings, though it was admittedly tough to narrow down all of the sweetness. I love them all and would have a rabbit menagerie if I could! The great thing about little figurines and pieces of art, is they can be easily placed in little vingettes around your home, for a simple touch of quirkiness in a place that could use some character without overloading it. Which is your favorite? Do you prefer vintage or handmade? Art or function?

rabbit vintage figurine ~ blueberry shoes

two of a kind bunny print ~ the black apple

rabbit at dusk acrylic painting print ~ linda norton

hand embroidered bunny ~ hare and drum

bunny rabbit fine art photography ~ squid art

bunny baby customized name wall plaque ~ junx murphy designs

bunny pale shabby pink cast iron figurine ~ monkey and squirrel

bunny pink iron wall coat hanger ~ happy bday to me

adorable vintage wooden bunny ~ noodle and lou vintage (I adopted him, yay!)

vintage 1940's bunny rabbit candles ~ desert nana

vintage bunny light bulb cover ~ brayton cottage

Sweet Treats: Have a Cupcake while I'm UNDER CONSTRUCTION

This blog is having a little make-over, so please pardon the mess!! Instead, have a cupcake, heaven knows I NEED one with this massive headache.

Maybe I will attempt Billy's buttercream frosting recipe from Martha Stewart.

But for now, nerves are shot, the dog won't stop barking, the boys won't stop screaming/hitting/breaking things/staying off the 3rd floor patio and all I really need is a cupcake. Though it won't make much change, it will transport me a into sugary dreamland where clouds are whipped frosting and it rains sprinkles.

I think it's nap time.

Leaving

apartment therapy

I am leaving in the morning for a little vacation.

It is my mom's 35th high school reunion and I am her date. It will be an 8-10 hour drive and we leave in about 8 hours. I have not packed. My laundry is on the bed waiting for my tired hands to fold them, hang them up, decide which of my cottony, heathered loves will be my roadtrip companions...



Which grey shirt do I bring... which do I leave? Over half of my shirts are grey... well, I take that back, the other half are gray (did you see what I did there?)

Well, I am feeling grey, and gray.


gray ruffle top by lirola

I can't decide if I should take the little chitlens with me. Do I leave them? My hubs offered to watch them both so I could get away. My first thought, "ca-CHING!" "oh, how liberating!" He explains, "I would love to experience being a full time stay at home dad by myself for a couple of days". {swoon}

Do I deprive him of that opportunity? (esp since the dishwasher is broken?)


sadie olive photography... awe!

To be fair on both of us, we worked out that I would take the older since he would enjoy seeing the great grandparents, and the younger would stay with hubs. So, while putting the younger down in the crib tonight, I could barely let him go knowing I wouldn't see him awake again until Monday! No!!!!!

Well, I have to pack and then I have to go to sleep, and wake up early and prepare food and such for the drive. How am I to pack when I don't even know if I will be taking a child with me? My husband keeps telling me, sweetly, softly... hintingly... "uh, honey... don't you need to go pack, it's 11:20pm?"

Such a tough decision. I suppose, we shall see in the morning. It will be a parting of many hugs and kisses.


pillows by emily peacock tapestry

See you all on Monday!