the new cupcake ...

i'm thinking doughnuts are going to be the new cupcake.

what do you think?

{image and recipe via butterfly food, via unruly things, pinned by suann}

berry muffins ...

i have been baking a lot more than usual, ever since i got my new kitchenaid mixer for christmas.

my children and i made some fun mini-berry muffins a little while ago.  i'm not sure what it is about mini things, but they sure are cute.  and, my kids adored them.

check out a great recipe for some berry muffins over on my post today on the zupas blog.

perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast!

{photo by me}

white desk ...

while browsing around at world market the other day, i spotted this josephine desk.

a very fun version on the west elm parsons desk, but with some hip legs.

i wish i had seen this when i was shopping for desks for my studio.

slip ons ...

i picked up a couple pair of these fun slip-on's while at forever 21 the other day.

the gray ones kind of remind me of the grey toms.  but, these were only $5.50 a pop.  they come in other fun colors too!

and, at this point in my pregnancy (only 4-6 weeks left!), i really appreciate some good slip ons!

headboard ...

i love this headboard from lonny magazine.

i'm thinking of re-doing the headboard in my room (see below) with some fun fabric. any suggestions?

i used these instructions to make my headboard about seven years ago...  i think it's time to spruce it up with some new fabric.

one line a day ...

for valentine's day, i bought my husband this one line a day memory book.
he has mentioned to me how he is terrible at keeping a journal, so i figured this would be a great solution.

i want one for myself.  it's a great way to keep a journal, but without all the pressure.

dressed in white ...

there really is something to be said about decorating with white.  it's soothing, and looks bright and clean.

i love the home of design editor of style at home, ann marie favot.  it is white perfection.  take a peek.

i'm a tad bit obsessed with the kitchen.

what about you.  do you like white?

dining nook design board ...

so, after making plans forever ago... we are finally working on getting our dining nook area put together.

i put together this little board together of the main pieces for our kitchen dining nook area that we have purchased or are going to purchase.

my husband got me this kitchen table for valentine's day, i just ordered the chairs, and we already have the pendant light put in.  so, i'm feeling good that we are on our way.   it seems my plans take forever to come to fruition, so it's nice to see a light at the end of the tunnel.  don't worry, we've only lived here five years.

so, what do you think?  are there too many conflicting patterns with the rug, curtains, and wallpaper?  i can't decided?

{curtains photo via 6th street design school, tray via IHOD}

a little shelf inspiration ...

i love seeing how people style their shelves.

here are a few i love.

1. alice lane  2. caitlin wilson

3. domino via lgn

4. apartment therapy via dandee  5. martha stewart via stephmodo

6. design sponge

homemade granola ...

have you made homemade granola?

well, i tried it out for the first time last week, and i have no idea why i waited so long.   it is so much better than store bought.  and, the best part is you can put in whatever you like!

today, i am sharing my recipe for homemade granola over on the zupas blog.  click here.

and, if you are looking for a fun way to package it up to give to friends and for a free printable tag download, check out my post here.

{photos by me}

happy valentine's day ...

happy valentine's day!!

i've had a great day so far, and most of all, i'm wishing for a nice valentine's day nap for this 33 week prego mama..  we'll see..
also, this morning ezra brought the bubble valentine's cards we made to preschool for all his little friends, and he loved giving them out!   let me know if you used the download, and if they worked out ok!

anyhow, i hope your day is filled with lots of love!

{image via a creative mint}

made with love ...

i am sure many of you are making up some goodies to bring to your loved one's this valentine's day.  

so, i made up a fun "made with love" printable gift tag for you to download.

just download, and print on cardstock kraft paper (or whatever cardstock color you prefer), and cut out and punch a hole at the top.  i left some space to add a little japanese masking tape, but you could add whatever you like, or leave it blank.

enjoy!

click here to download the free pdf for made with love gift tags.

have a great valentine weekend!

s'more pops ...

if you are still looking for a fun treat to make for valentine's day monday, this is a fun and tasty one!

remember those chocolate moon pies from when you were little?  yeah, they kind of taste like that.

my little ezra and i set out to make these s'more pops yesterday, and we had a blast!  they are pretty simple to make, with a just a few ingredients, graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate.

he was very proud of the himself for making them, and he's dying to give them out to his cousins for valentine's day... and eat one or two, of course.

we wrapped them up in some clear cellophane bags, and tied them off with a little japanese masking tape, all ready to spread s'more tasty love with our family and friends.

for a the recipe, and complete step by step process (with photos!) on how to make these s'more pops, head on over to my zupas post this week, click here.

and, be sure to check back later... i have one more valentine idea and printable for you.

... are you sick of me talking about valentine's day yet?

{images by caroline armelle drake}

a colorful cake ...

can you believe this darling cake?

this would be a perfect way to celebrate valentine's day!

{via a subtle revelry, by green wedding shoes}

welcome sponsor: urban scarlet ...

i am so excited to share with you our newest sponsor: urban scarlet.

this amazing one-stop-shop for pretty things just had it's grand opening!  and, it is full of all your party favor, japanese masking tape, and pretty packaging needs.

as you know, i am such a huge fan of packaging goodies, so it was hard to choose only a few, but here are some of my favorite items in the urban scarlet shop.

washi tape ($9 for a set of two)
striped paper straws ($7, box of 144)
bakers twine ($15 for 240 yards)
cloth bags ($4 for ten cloth bags)

also, you'll want to be sure to check out the urban scarlet blog, where justine shares pretty things, DIY's, inspiration boards, and recipes!

*if you are interested in becoming a sponsor on the armelle blog, please email me for current rates.

don't forget ...

.. the love day sale ends tonight (sunday, feb 6th) at midnight..

get 15% off your entire order in the armelle jewelry shop with code LOVE15 at checkout.

love sale extended ...

hello loves.

i have some good news.  i have decided to extend the love sale until sunday night (feb 6th)!!

i had good intentions to list some new pieces in the shop just for the sale, and i just got around to doing it today.  but, lucky you... you have two more days to shop!

remember, just type the code LOVE15 at checkout to receive 15% off your entire order from armelle jewelry!  (code is good until sunday feb 6th at midnight!)

and now, here are a few new fun pieces i just added to the shop.  would be great for valentine's day, don't ya think?

vintage heart locket necklace, $32

oui gold french charm necklace, $34

harmonica charm necklace, $32

long pyrite nugget "fouls gold" necklace, $32

horseshoe charm necklace, $32

round vintage locket necklace, $32

airplane charm necklace, $28

going steady charm necklace, $32

happy weekend!!

i'll be celebrating vietnamese new year with some yummy food with my family.

have a good one!

bubble valentine's cards ...

my almost four year old ezra is in preschool this year, which means we had to come up with a fun valentine for his class mates.

i decided to go with a candy-free valentine, and came up with this little card with mini bubbles attached.  the card says, "being your friend make me BURST with joy!  happy valentine's day!"

ezra had a great time writing "love" ezra on the back of each card.

then, he helped me attached all the bubbles to the card, and package them up in clear packages for all his friends.

i'm happy they are all ready to go for his valentine's day party coming up!

and, guess what?!

i've decided to give some of you a break, and offer a free download if you are scrambling for an idea for your little one's valentine's card's this year.

download the valentine's card free pdf here.

and, download the valentine bubble free pdf stickers here.

here is what you'll need to make the cards:

• card stock
• full sheet sticker label paper
• mini 2 inch celebration bubbles -  these are found in the wedding section at most craft stores, they are about $4 for a box of 24
• cellophane bags (optional) - i used the clear self sealing lip bags that were 4" x 6" found locally at xpedex
• color printer

all you need to do is print out as many of the free pdf downloads as you need, then cut them out. (i used a paper punch corner rounder on the cards)  

print the cards on card stock, and the stickers on the full sheet sticker label paper.  

have your little one sign the back of the card.

label all your bubbles, then glue or tape them to the card, and place them in the clear bags.  

good luck!!

let me know if you have any questions.

and, feel free to share this link with your friends!