all natural homemade popsicles ...

we have been making homemade popsicles at our house like crazy so far this summer.
my kids love them, and i feel good about giving them something that isn't full of sugar and dyes.

check out my latest zupas post for a fun homemade popsicle recipe and tips.

click here.

{photos by me.}

and, the winner is ...

...comment # 64!

 Shalise said...

Loving the 'Toe the Line' shirt dress. You and Norah are darling!

June 20, 2011 12:45 PM

congrats shalise!

please email me your address, phone number and size you will need!

for the rest of you, be sure to use the code armelle10off to get 10% off your next order from shabby apple.  (code expires, july 17, 2011)

shabby apple dress review and giveaway ...

i was thrilled when shabby apple contacted me to do a review of one of their darling dresses.

i've been wanting a shabby apple dress for a long time, so i was happy to finally get to try one out!

i ended up choosing the mariposa grove green dress.  i have a thing for kelly green!

i ended up pairing it with a small cardigan because it was a chilly day.  and, don't mind the uncooperative miss norah...  and, that my husband cut my feet off in the picture.. ha ha.

it has cute scallops around the neckline, which you can kind of see better in this picture.
i thought the quality overall was very nice.  the cap sleeves i thought were a little bit smaller than it looked on the model, but other than that i really liked the fit of the dress.  it also seems to run big, as i ordered an extra small even with extra baby weight i have yet to lose.

so, i have some exciting news for you readers!

shabby apple is giving one of you their new adelaide bow skirt.  isn't it darling?
i am in love with that big bow!  too cute!

all you have to do is, check out shabby apple, and let me know what your favorite piece is in the comment section!  you have until wednesday, june 22nd at midnight to enter. (us residents only)

the winner will be announced thursday, june 23rd.  good luck!

and, for the rest of you, shabby apple is offering my readers 10% off their next order.  just type in the code, armelle10off at checkout! (code expires july 17, 2011)

shabby apple sent me a dress to review, all thoughts and opinions are my own, if you are a business and would like to send me your product for a review, please email me at: carolinearmelle @ gmail.com.  

a summer salad ...

my zupas post is up today.  it is all about how to put together a nice summer vegetable salad and fresh vinaigrette.

check it out here.

{photo by me}

father's day card ...

father's day is this sunday!
if you are in need of a card, there are some darling father's day cards over on the lifestyles crafts blog available to download for free!
check them out here.

{photos via lifestyle crafts}

red, white, and two! ...

i can't believe my little norah is almost two!?
it seems just like yesterday that we had her tiny first birthday party.

last year, when planning her birthday, i thought it would be really fun to do a 4th of july themed party, since her birthday is so close to the 4th.  and, since she will be turning two, i thought, why not a "red, white, and two" party.

here is some fun inspiration from around the web that i have found for her party.  hopefully it will all go as planned.  wish me luck..

{photos via:  napkins,  ribs, corn on the cob, red lemonade, cake, candy, pinwheel table, fruit, paper lollies, strawberries}

check out more great red, white, and blue inspiration on my pinterest, here + here.

flowers ...

aren't these flowers just gorgeous?
i just planted my flowers last weekend, and i sure wish they looked like this right about now.

i love planting pretty flowers!  how about you? do you like to plant annuals every year? or do you just stick to perennials?

{photo via pinterest, via blogs courant.com}

homemade lasagna ...

i'm loving a nice dish that i can prepare ahead, and pop into the oven for dinner, and have leftovers for days.  now that the weather is finally warming here, i want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible.  freeing up more time for summer fun!

i'm sharing my yummy lasagna recipe over on the zupas blog.

check it out here.

{photo by me}

bar gelato ...

doesn't this gelato in a popsicle form look amazing!  i'm a huge fan of gelato, so making it  into a bar form... well, it's genius.  well done, bar gelato!

{via simplesong}

inventory reduction sale ....

i just loaded the armelle jewelry shop with some great deals!
be sure to check out my inventory reduction sale going on right now.

there is only one of each item on sale, so when it's gone, it's gone.   this is just a tiny preview of what you'll find on sale! there are some great deals, every thing is between $9-$27!
click here to shop the sale.

spice rub ...

as you can tell, my posting has been a little light lately.  i plan on thoroughly enjoying my summer with my little ones, so if posting falls on the back burner, then you know why.

today over on the zupas blog, i am sharing my recipe for a nice homemade spice rub. and, i bet you already have all the ingredients in your cupboard.  i love using this on baby back ribs, oh yum!

click here.

{photo by me}