Thursday, March 31, 2011

April Desktop Freebie

Enjoy your April desktop!
using Sprout images from Sweet Shoppe designs

Just click to open or save the picture and then save as desktop background!
Please feel free to share on your blog- the more the merrier!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Birthday Giveaway Winner

I had a wonderful birthday courtesy of my great friends and family and my super thoughtful husband. Could these birthday tulips be any prettier? They look wonderful on my desk at work!

The winner of the birthday giveaway necklace according to the online random generator is #2- Sarah Leahy!
Sarah said:

I have been a follower for a long time! Happy Birthday!! Pick just one flavor of cake?! Oooh... chocolate tops the list! Thanks for the great giveaway. I will post about it on my blog!

http://lifewithleahy.blogspot.com

Congratulations Sarah! I will contact you this morning and send you some sunshine!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Birthday Giveaway

Tuesday is my birthday! I love birthdays- it is a celebration! I don't mind that I am getting older- I know I am right where I want to be in my life. My days are full of the sunshine that a happy and healthy 2 year old brings. Since my friends and family are showering me with gifts, I wanted to spread the birthday sunshine to my blog friends. Because if we could all have a party with fabulous desserts and splendid crafts, I'd host!

Win this necklace- Mr. Sunshine- I purchased from etsy! Due to a little shipping mishap, I happen to own 2 of them. So, one for me and one for you!
To win this necklace, just become a follower and leave me a comment telling me your favorite cake flavor! Be sure to include your email address so that I can notify the lucky winner. Feel free to share the giveaway on your blog, we'll make it a little party!

I will draw the winner on Wednesday morning.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Friday's Foot Fetish: The Hunt

The hunt for the perfect gold sandal to replace my favorite worn out pair is over.
Thank you Zappos!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Cookie Dough Truffles

I have a friend who loves raw cookie dough. Seriously, don't we all love raw cookie dough? Chocolate chip cookie dough is the best and this recipe recreates it without the eggs PERFECTLY!
Once you mix it all up, you add in mini chocolate chips and then roll the dough into small balls. Those are refrigerated for just a few hours and then dipped in chocolate.
How could this not be good?
Get the full recipe here. I think I need to share a big bowl of this safe cookie dough for my next girls' movie night. Enjoy!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Bring out the Bunnies

It is beginning to look like Spring in the Texas Hill Country- the grass is turning green, it is a nice 80 during the day, someone in the neighborhood is grilling each night, and the promise of bluebonnets is near. Even though Easter is later this year, with Spring here, I had to pull out the Easter decor.

I seem to gravitate toward putting all of my seasonal decor in the formal dining room and entryway. My bedrooms and living room don't change much.

Here is the collections in the dining room-
The dining room decor is from Pottery Barn Kids, Hobby Lobby, and this Etsy store. It is one of my favorites!

My entry has a collection of baskets filled with eggs, bunnies, chicks, and birdies. I love bringing out Abby Lu's basket as part of my decor and reprinting pictures of Easters' past for my frames. For 19 cents, you can't beat changing out your framed photos to make your seasonal decor!
I'll be making a He Is Risen banner later this month with the girls from church and look forward to adding it to the collection.

Happy Spring my little chickadees!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Friday's Foot Fetish: Sweet for Spring

Oh how I love these sandals! Aren't they sweet?!?
I saw them in store and the flower is securely sen onto a piece of fabric that is sewn onto the strap. I love the natural feel of the cork with the real silk flower.
They also come in pewter and purple.
I think I want the gold color- I love the cream and gold combination. Love them all!

Cobb sandal by Report- $60 on Zappos

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Apple or Olive, Kelly or Jade

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I am loving the color green right now!

There are so many pretty green things out there- here are a few of my favorites

Monday, March 14, 2011

Favorite Paint Colors

This picture of my RED dining room is being featured on a new blog called Favorite Paint Colors. Check it out- lots of options! You can sort by color family, room within a house, etc. There are some beautiful rooms to swoon over!
Without even trying, I fell in love with this room!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Friday's Foot Fetish: 2011 Bernardo Sandals

I love Bernardo sandals. They are by far my go-to-shoe for the summer. I wear them to work 5 days a week. They are dressy enough for church. I wear them with dress slacks or summer dresses. They aren't cheap, so I buy one pair for year and have done so for 5 years. They are the type of shoes that will last forever!
I noticed last week that the stock of Bernardo at Zappos was all on sale. This week, the 2011 shoes were released and I am in love with the Mosaic above. Not in love with the price, so I don't own them yet!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Clarisonic Mia Review

I recently had some money set aside to get a facial. My skin was in desperate need- I had red sensitive spots, dry flaky areas, and oily breakouts happening in the same area. Frustrating!

I read online about the Clarisonic Mia and decided to buy the system rather than get a facial. The online reviews were all positive and for less than the price of 2 facials, I could get a facial at home anytime I wanted.


After just one use, my skin is so much better! The dry red spots are gone. My pores are smaller. My skin coloring is much more even. My makeup goes on better. I can't say enough!
I bought my Mia in blue to match my bathroom online, but they sell them at many different stores- Sephore, Ulta, and Nordstroms. It also comes in lots of fun colors including red, my favorite color!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Candlestick Cake Stand

I love anything Cath Kidston. She is a London designer who uses lots of fun colors, like red and blue, and pretty roses with polka dots and stripes in her designs. When I saw her cake stand online, I knew I wanted one like it. It reminded me of the cake stands I had seen in bloggy land using candlesticks.
I had the idea in my mental Rolodex until I found the right plates. These rosy ones were found in a store while shopping in Fredericksburg. They are melamine and were under $10 for the three of them.
Using candlesticks I already owned and simple silicon glue from Hobby Lobby, I glued and stacked the plates letting them set for 24 hours.
Isn't it cute! Under $10 makes me even happier!
This will come in handy for the shabby chic baby shower I am working on for next month. It is a brunch shower, so these little plates will hold quiches, sausage balls, and doughnut holes perfectly!
Thank you Cath Kidston for the inspiration!

Linked to the Frugal Friday party at Shabby Nest

Friday, March 4, 2011

Friday's Foot Fetish: Comfy and Cute, take 2

This is the cute and comfy pair my sister will regret not buying! Aren't they fun! She is a pre-K teacher, so they really fit her work and personal style. They are built like a tennis shoe inside- very soft and cushioned.
Keen shoes can be found on Zappos, of course!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Good Use of Fabric Scraps

I visited a fabric store while shopping with my sister a few weeks ago and fell in love with this display. It was simple scrapbs of fabric hung on the wall on embroidery hoops. I have seen this before in babies' rooms, but this gave me all kinds of ideas for my craft room.
What do you do with scraps of your favorite fabrics?

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

March Desktop

Can you believe it is March already? Wow! Spring is coming and I am excited. More time at the playground, fresh flowers and produce, and regular pedicures! All things I love about Spring!
For this month's desktop, I used For Valory kit from Sweet Shoppe Designs. I fell in love with it when I did a blog redesign for a friend. She recently used these colors in her daughter's nursery.

The 29th is a special day in our lives.... both mine and my sister's birthday. We are exactly 4 years apart.