wild rumpus party invitations...

thanks for all of your nice compliments on my studio!

i'll be sure to answer all your questions about the wallpaper and floors in a post to come.

until then, i've been busy designing a wild rumpus birthday invitation for ezra's 3rd birthday next weekend. i decided to do a "where the wild things are" party, since it's one of his favorite books.

i kind of feel like i have to live up to his big circus party last year... ha ha..
well, not really. the truth is, i love to plan and throw a good party!

here's what i've been working on. i'm going to print it on watercolor paper or textured cardstock, i think.

FRONT:

BACK:

i'll post some more pictures when i have them printed and packaged up cute.

take care...

my studio: the wallpaper ...

i have to say, i am very proud of myself for hanging all this wallpaper.

i know it was just one wall, but it is tedious stuff.. and the wall is 15 ft long. also, this pattern wasn't the easiest to match up.

but, alas! i finished... late, late the other night long after the rest of the house went to bed.

i couldn't be happier with the outcome! i love, love, love it!

now, i can't wait to get my new desks in there and get it all organized!

my studio: the floors ...

i'm really excited to finally start sharing some pictures of my new studio/office, or whatever you call it.

i knew that i wanted to stain my concrete floors. until i found the wallpaper i wanted, i wasn't sure on the color. but, i came across a photo from an old domino magazine, and it all came together from there.

so, here's a little peek at my floors. we stained the concrete a nice aqua blue color and i couldn't be happier with it!

you know what else they are good for?

taking pictures of my sweet little norah on them! they make for a perfect background, don't you think?

this is such a classic norah face. her little pursed lip smile...

can you tell by the last one that she'd had enough..

i just love that sweet little girl.

can you believe she'll be nine months on the 1st? time flies ...

check back tomorrow and i'll post some pictures of my wallpaper...

i know, you are just dying in suspense right? well, probably not, but here's a peek just in case.

silpat ...

i recently bought a silpat non-stick baking mat. and, really i don't know what has taken me so long.

i love it! and, it's environmentally friendly since you don't have to keep using parchment paper.

you can read the rest of my review on my latest post over on the zupas blog.

click here.

{photo by me}

book review: the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society ...

wow! isn't that title a mouth full?

i just finished reading the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society last night.

it was a delightful book!

i have to admit, in the beginning it was kind of hard to follow since the story is written out through letters back and forth among lots of people. i had to re-read the first 30 pages to get it all straight.

but, once i figured out who was who, it was a great read!

i loved the main character juliet. she is witting, charming, and cleaver, and you can't help but like her!

the book takes place post world war II in england. writer, and main character juliet is seeking out inspiration for a new book when she discovers stories about the people on an english island that was occupied by the germans in the war. she then travels to the island to put the book together and falls in love with all the locals.

a darling book, i'd recommend it. and, it's a very fast read too!

so, have you read it? did you like it?

knee deep ...

hi all!

i am up to my elbows in stuff...
boxes and boxes.
it's terribly overwhelming.

i went through my kids closet, emptying bags and bags of clothes they don't fit.
it's crazy how many clothes kids can acquire and go through when they grow out of them so fast.

i also tackled my closet. i have a ton of stuff to get rid of!

now, i am going through boxes and boxes of stuff that was in our basement.
i'm discovering all sorts of things i forgot i had.
i found a box of my christmas decorations i was missing.
i found a lot of other things i need to get rid of.
i feel like the more i'm trying to organize, the more messy my house is from pulling everything out.
i think i'm going to have to have a garage sale...

and, did i tell you i spent almost all of saturday putting up the wallpaper in my studio?
it's amazing!
... but, i'm still not done. 1 1/2 strips to go! wallpapering is tough..
don't worry.. i've been taking pictures along the way.
i'll post them soon!

'til then.

p.s. do you have the spring cleaning bug too?

{photos via real simple}

virtual parties are my fav ...

hello all!

you can find me over on you are my fave today. i did a guest post on a red balloon party, with all sorts of fun ideas.

check it out here.

homemade yogurt ...

i was at a discount store the other day, and i came across a yogurt maker for $29.99, the price was originally $90. i snatched it up, because i've been wanting to try to make homemade yogurt for a while. and, boy am i glad i did!

the yogurt turned out tasty and thick and creamy, more like the yogurt in europe. and, the best part is, it saves you a ton of money over time. i used organic milk to make my yogurt, and you know the price of organic yogurt these days. plus, i substituted agave nectar for sugar, making it much healthier! because, really... have you read the sugar content in yogurt these days? it's more like candy really...

to learn more about yogurt, and for a recipe for my rich vanilla yogurt, check out my latest post over on the zupas blog, here.

{photos be me}

tie one on ...

i'd really love to make a tie for my almost three year old ezra. i think it would be fun to make him a cute one for easter.

the purl bee blog has a great tutorial to make your own. i might give it a try. and, you don't even need a sewing machine!

{via, my favorite things, via the purl bee}

book review: the hunger games ...

i was recommended by many people to read the hunger games, by suzanne collins.

it is young-adult science fiction novel. it introduces sixteen-year-old katniss everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world where a powerful government called the capitol has risen up after several devastating disasters. in the book, the hunger games are an annual televised event where the ruthless and evil capitol randomly selects one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts, who are then pitted against each other in a game of survival and forced to kill until only one remains.

it didn't disappoint. i'll be honest, when you find out what the story is about, you do sit for a minute and think, "am i really reading this?" but, then the more you read, you realize what an interesting/entertaining story it is, and you can put it down because you want to know what is going to happen next.

i'm excited to read the next book, catching fire. then of course, the third book mockingjay doesn't come out until the end of august.

spain, on the road again ...

have you ever watched, spain, on the road again?

i got hooked one saturday morning, and watched it all day long episode after episode.

it follows gwyneth paltrow, mario batali, mark bittman, and claudia bassols around spain on a culinary adventure. they eat, they shop for food, catch fresh seafood, cook, play, and eat some more.

every time i watch an episode it makes me want to go to a fancy restaurant and eat something i've never tried before.. dish, after dish.

if you ever see this on tv. stop and watch a few episodes. they are enjoyable!

i also believe you can download the episodes from their website, here, and watch never before seen scenes and view recipes.

book review: the happiness project ...

i just finished the book, the happiness project last week.

if you are not familiar with the book. it is a non-fiction book written by gretchen rubin. it is basically a memoir of her research and her year of trying out her resolutions each month and little by little see if it makes her a happier person.

i really enjoyed this book. i'll admit it got a little slow for me somewhere in the middle, but i felt like i could really relate to her experience. and, i found it very hopeful that by just changing some small things in your life, can change your overall happiness for the better.

i even tried a few of her techniques. there were many times in the last week that i remember biting my tongue instead of making a negative remark. it is nice to be more aware of what can make you happier in a situation.

this book definitely gave me a lot to think about, and who knows, maybe i'll even start my own happiness project? i'm know there are plenty of things i could work on.

so, have you read it?

did you like it?

and, of course, i've got to know.. .... what are you reading?

a puppy party ...

my good friend, and amazing photographer, jessica kettle put together this darling puppy party for her son max's third birthday. he loves puppies, so the ideas just stemmed from there.

she got extremely luckily, and basically planned and bought everything for this party within a 24 hour period. how nice is that!?

jessica had a great idea to make a cake that resembled "dog chow." she cooked the cake in a glass bowl, then turned it upside down, frosted it, then added coco puffs and put in in a real dog dish she got at the pet store! brillant!

each guest got a party favor bags full of "puppy goodies!" and, the kids got to play puppy games like fetch, and even eat their cake on the ground without silverware like puppies.

i was in california for the party, but my little ezra went, since he and max are bff's, and he had a blast! what a darling party!

for more pictures and details about the party, click here.
and, be sure to check out jessica's amazing photography skills here.

béchamel sauce ...

a simple béchamel, [or white sauce] is an easy base sauce for all sorts of options.

i made a quick and easy béchamel sauce with parmesano reggiano, chicken, asparagus, and mushrooms. you can come up with countless additions to this sauce, which is nice when you are in a pinch to get dinner on the table.

to learn more about béchamel sauce, click on over to my latest post on the zupas blog.

click here.

{photo by me}

pendant lighting ...

can you believe all these pendant lights are from target?

here's a few of my favorites.

1. capiz shell floral pendant light
2. round capiz shell chandelier
3. harbor brushed steel light
4. deco deluxe pendant light

baby cardis ...

i can't get enough of these darling baby cardigans from dwell studio.

and, yes, my norah owns all of these...

1. turquoise flower sweater
2. stripe v-neck sweater
3. ruffle sweater
4. snowflake sweater

shop update ...

i just added a few new items to my shop.

the popular emma earrings now come in blue!

check them out here.

**
emma earrings, $22
i love you all the time necklace, $18

stripes ...

i'm seeing stripes everywhere these days ...

..love this striped headboard, and storage bench!

both from dwell studio for target!

1. striped headboard
2. striped storage bench

a little corner...

... that i wouldn't mind eating my breakfast at.

i almost bought this orla kiely wallpaper a few years back for my kitchen.

still kind of wish i did..

{via, interior styling, dottie angel}

norah's closet ...

i thought i'd start doing some posts on cute kids clothes i come across.

how cute is this outfit? complete with shoes for warm or cool days.

my norah has the cardigan {technically for boys}, red hi-tops, and yellow pants.

but, just maybe she needs the rest of the ensemble..

...she's well on her way to looking like a mini-me, and i love it!

1. dwell striped sweater
2. pearl lou and lee headband
3. white rosette top
4. cherokee yellow pants
5. red chuck taylor hi-tops
6. red salt water sandals

polenta ...

i am a huge fan of polenta.

it is a great alternative to pasta, or potatoes. and, it's gluten-free, which is nice for the hubs.
you can serve it creamy, or set. and, it's delicious!

to learn more about polenta, and for this amazing recipe for polenta with chicken sausage, kale, mushroom, and sundried tomatoes, click on over to my latest post for the zupas blog.

click here.

{photo by me}

ten ...

... days to be exact!

...until liberty of london hits target!

...can't wait!

...florals are back, and in a big way!

{via apartment therapy}

ninainvorm ...

i just about died when i saw these darling pieces over on say yes to hoboken.

they are all from the etsy shop, ninainvorm. the mini bunting just couldn't get any cuter!

glass storage ...

i just bought a set of glass food storage containers.

i love how they display the contents, and stack nicely.
i feel safer heating up food with glass containers in the microwave, and they also go in the oven up to 450 degrees.

the big plus is, they are bpa-free, and should last many years!

bookshelves ...

i always find it interesting how people organize their bookshelves.

as for me, i'm terrible at it.

here are some tips from real simple.

• try arranging the shelves with solid color items for maximum pop.
• fill the shelves with favorite family photos and heirlooms.
• style with unexpecting items, like an eye catching antique or statue.
• organize a colorful collection of found objects.
• everything doesn't have to match.
• find a few striking objects for an interesting display.
• paint the interior of the book shelf a few shades darker than your wall color.

see more tips here.

{photos via real simple}

shop update ...

i just updated the shop with a few new pieces ....

check them out here!

kantan designs ...

welcome sponsor, kantan designs!

kantan designs is a husband and wife team, that creates decorative digital prints to spice up any home. these darling prints make a great gift, and are reasonably priced too!

my favorite's are the scatter sunshine print, as well as the i hope they call me on a mission print.

be sure to check out their etsy shop, here or you can also find kantan designs locally at, soel boutique and the flower basket in provo, utah.

:: if you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email me. i offer very reasonable rates! ::

organization ...

wow! sounds like from your comments that you loved the book, the help too! it is getting a lot of buzz!

anyhow, last night i started the next book on my list, the happiness project.

i'll post more about the book when i write up my review after i've finished, but i was intrigued by the first chapter and i have already gotten to work.

the first chapter is on organizing and de-cluttering your life. it completely makes sense that you feel a lot more at ease when you feel organized, and all is picked up.

so, wish me luck as i tackle my master bedroom closet today. i have a million other organization/de-cluttering projects. but, i'm going to take a deep breath and tackle one at a time, as to not completely overwhelm myself.

on that note, here's a few pretty pictures to enjoy, and maybe even motivate you!

{jordan's organized workspace/play area}

{a wonderfully organized dressing room/closet, via design sponge, via russet street reno}

{a front closet makeover, via real simple}

{viv's bookcase, via ish and chi}