Red Umbrella Parties

Curtains Finished!

2011-03-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

That only took a month and a half! There are three curtains total. If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, I highly recommend the Fabric Yard for inexpensive fabric!

Target Red Ticket Sales

2011-02-03T15:48:00.000-08:00

Every so often when I need to get out of the house for some retail therapy, I go to Target. I walk the exterior walls of the store only looking at the clearance end caps. Due to the fact that we have been snow/iced in all week. This is what I did today and found these bad boys. $1.98 a piece!

Holy Garland

2011-02-01T10:14:00.000-08:00

This is a new twist on classic garland.

I will be using this idea in the future with song lyrics or the like!

If you don't feel like stringing the buttons yourself, you can find them at Ballard Designs.

Rollfast Love

2011-01-31T07:24:00.000-08:00

I found this wonderful old sign at Three Potato Four last fall. Before I knew it, it was sold! So this is my attempt at having it! I used old fence wood destined for the trash heap.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

2010-11-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

In the quest to find tile inspiration for our bathroom renovation, I came upon this interesting idea: coin flooring. What are your thoughts?

photo via Apartment Therapy

Photos via Apartment Therapy

Indoor Slides

2010-11-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

I don't want my house to be a "fun house" but there is something about a slide that intrigues me. It is not just for kids. I think I would like mine to be hidden the walls with a nonchalant exit spot maybe behind a staircase.

Oh yes, my friends, that there is an indoor slide. And who doesn't love those? Located in a (clearly) amazing house in Indonesia, this slide starts on the second floor, near the kid's bedrooms, and ends up in the kitchen.

Indianapolis wood craftsman Rodney Miller spent 15 months building what might be the fastest, most elegant, indoor slide this side of the Mississippi.

The Mahogany slide is about 17 feet tall, has a 13-foot drop and a 270-degree turn, and is the frivolous lasivhment of Boston Technology’s co-founder, Scott Jones’, tudor style suburban mansion.

Calligraphy Talent!

2010-11-22T04:00:00.000-08:00

Danae Hernandez is amazing. Below are just a few of her calligraphic creations. She has a blog here and an etsy shop here if you would like to see more.

Indoor Swings

2010-11-19T04:00:00.000-08:00

I have always wanted an indoor swing... Why? Why not! The kitchen would be a perfect place.

photo by Jay Jeffers

from The Style Files

again from The Style Files

from BabySpace

Loft swing for two, by joshuagmizrahi on Flickr.

Outdoor Showers

2010-11-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

This is also on my wishlist if I could have anything in a house that I desired: an outdoor shower. A necessity would be at least a few acres so the neighbors couldn't see in.

Merry Christmas

2010-11-17T08:51:00.000-08:00

I don't know what is in the air today... but I feel like putting up a Christmas Tree! Thanksgiving hasn't even come. Well here is a little nugget of greatness for you to get into the holiday spirit courtesy of Benign Objects.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FREE PRINTABLES!

First Birthday Parties

2010-11-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

My sweet daughter is now 6 months old. A chime went off in my head to start the great search... a theme for her first birthday party. Let me share with you my favs for the next few days. Please comment on what your thoughts are to help me choose!

This Sweet Butterfly Party is from Hostess With The Mostess Blog:

Great iPhone Wallpapers

2010-11-15T07:29:00.000-08:00

These were found at Poolga.com.

Fall Wreaths Galore

2010-11-08T11:16:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love monogram wreaths. The hard part is deciding which fantastic way to go. Click the link below each image to get a

step-by-step instruction guide.

from Design Sponge.

from Style Me Pretty.

from Lucky Star Lane.

This came from Living With Lindsay!

And if you aren't willing to make one, I would spend on this one!

The Wood Shaved Wreath can be found at Garnet Hill.

Max The Moose - Party Time

2010-11-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

I posted before about a Max The Moose Birthday party. Well the party has come and gone and here are the highlights! Thank you Rhonda!

Gift Giving Time

2010-11-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

I started my Christmas shopping online this morning and I just happened upon this great little tool from the Creature Comforts blog. I won't tell you how completely wonderful it is. I will let you find that out for yourself! It includes great DIYs and plenty of gift giving inspiration.

Week of the Milk & Cookies Party - Odds & Ends

2010-11-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

The Oreo shaped cake was found at William Sonoma here. The cow pinata was found at Oriental Trading here.

No Post Thursday or Friday

2010-10-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

To Interupt Your Party

2010-10-27T04:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween has come upon us... the Milk & Cookies Party will have to wait.

If you haven't seen these yet, start looking. Martha came out with some cake stencils that are pretty fantastic. This is my shot at using them. I was quite pleased at the ease! I used a box carrot cake and a can of cream cheese icing. "Don't tell anyone."

Week of the Milk & Cookies Party - Favors

2010-10-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Who can argue that one of the best classic cookies is the chocolate chip? I might hurt someone if they get between me and the bowl of cookie dough!

This is my favorite recipe courtesy of Rhonda:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated [white] sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 eggs
12-ounce package Giradelli semi-sweet chips
6-ounces of mini semi-sweet chips
1 box of instant vanilla pudding

COMBINE flour, baking soda, salt and instant vanilla pudding powder in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large mixer bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE in preheated 375-degree oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.

Week of the Milk & Cookies Party - Invitation

2010-10-25T06:11:00.000-07:00

The invitations included a hand drawn farm illustration along with fill-in-the blank thank you cards. This made it nice for a two year olds attention span. Also, notice the detail of the party date. It is hole punched for the month and day!

He couldn't help himself. It took all I had to keep him away from that bottle to take three pictures.

My son, Jack turned two this year. I found a fantastic party idea at A Party Style Blog. I wanted something a little bit different than the "Dora The Explorer" party that you can find a party city. Plus, it was right in line with Jack's love to make cookies and his unbelievable weekly milk consumption.

This invitation will soon be sold in my shop. Also, the wonderful ladies at GormanFoy printed the invitations and sourced/printed the vintage milk bottles for me. Give them a holler if you need something specific customized.

Here is another fabulous interpretation of the Milk & Cookies party via The Savvy Moms Guide.

Fabric On Demand

2010-10-22T04:58:00.000-07:00

Any home decor is possible with this company. If you have something in mind and can't quite find it... this is your solution.

Fabric On Demand

Mod Gourds

2010-10-21T05:05:00.000-07:00

photo courtesy of www.ruckusridge.com

photo courtesy of Michelle Flessner

Take plastic gourds found at your local craft store and use a semi-gloss spray paint. Walaa! You have a beautiful fall decoration that won't rot like the pumpkins on the front porch.

Max The Moose

2010-10-20T07:57:00.000-07:00

My nephew is turning one! His name is Max and the "Morris the Moose" books are some of his favorites. Here is a glimpse of the bookmark birthday invitations my sister-in-law and I came up with!

The address label was placed on the inside of a vellum envelope. We did not have any trouble getting these through the postal system.

The square on the end has a magnet behind it. It is perforated so it comes off and is a reminder to stick on your fridge and the bookmark is ready to use.

Tuesday Inspiration

2010-10-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

This makes me want to go find a nice cottony paper stock and pull out my xacto blade. These are just so beautiful! They are all made by Julene.

All images courtesy of madebyjulene.com.

Look at more of Julene's work here

Decorate With Style

2010-10-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

I love the beautiful things in this magazine that I can't seem to live without! It is just too easy that most of them have direct links to purchase. Happy browsing!