Paperless Post

I sent my Dad an e-card for Father's Day. I'm pretty sure I was much more excited about it than he was. I wasn't expecting to not have a car all last week so I didn't get to mail anything off to him. So I sent him an e-card. And I was actually pretty excited about it. I have seen several posts on other blogs over the past month about Paperless Post. What I saw was pretty impressive. I mean really pretty and classy. So I was looking for an excuse to try it out. I know it sounds a little silly to get excited about an e-card but just look at these designs. They have so many to choose from and for all different occasions. It really is worth a look. I'm tempted to just do e-cards for the rest of the year. If I got one of these in my in box I might just do a little dance. Really.

If I had a Million Dollars...

And some place fancy to go.

I guess if I had a million dollars I would have plenty of fancy places to go to right? Actual retail price $2,500 from JCrew.

A Great New (to me) Tool

Example of a pin.

Nap time is my time. I'm so lucky that my 3 year old still takes a really long nap every afternoon. It's wonderful to have that time to clean, do projects, nap myself, blog and of coarse just surf the internet. I find so much inspiration through other peoples blogs, Etsy, Flicker ect. When I find something really great and I want to remember it I used to email the link to myself. So I wouldn't forget it or I wouldn't forget where I found it. It wasn't exactly a pain, but I wouldn't say it was the most effective method of remembering things. In comes Pinterest. For some of you this is old news. I've seen it on a lot of other peoples blogs so I know that I might be repeating information you may already have. However I just recently got my account and started pinning and I really had to share my thoughts. If you haven't heard of Pinterest and have no idea what I'm talking about this is what it's all about. I'm always a little leery of new social networking sites. I've tried several and I don't see the need to join too many different sites. So even though I was definitely curious about Pinterest I wasn't sure if I needed to join anymore sites. I mean I keep up two blogs (a private family blog & this one), I do Facebook, Flickr and I have a Good Reads account. Isn't this enough? I have to say Pinterest exceeded my expectations. It is such a great tool. It is a website where you can keep all those things you find on the internet that you don't want to forget. All in one organized place. You can create different "boards" or collections, brows through other people pins and get stuck looking at beautiful things for hours. When you pin something it automatically saves the link to it. So you never forget where you found something or who to give credit to. So handy. No matter what you are interested in I'm pretty sure you can find this useful. To sign up you have to request an invite. It may take a little while for them to get back to you, but it's worth the wait. It's a relatively new site so they are always updating things and trying to make it better. I have found it so useful and I've only been on a week! If you want to check out my boards you can click here. Sometimes I may post about something I've pinned. So I'm sorry if I repeat myself. I hope that you find this as useful as I do. Happy pinning everybody!

Example of a Pin Board

Celebrating Boys!!!

One of my very favorite blogs is MADE. It is an endless (and I do mean endless) source of inspiration for sewing and craft projects. I've been looking forward to this day for a little while now because Dana at MADE and Rae at Made by Rae have begun Celebrate the Boy month. A whole month dedicated to the little fellas in our lives. Since this little guy I'm carrying is coming in about 6 weeks this is perfect timing. I need to get cracking on some fun things to welcome him into this world. So far I only have 5 receiving blankets. Yikes!!! I know a lot of you have sons and some of you have only boys. There are so many cute projects for girls and it's hard to find cute things for boys. Well this month you are in luck! Amazing boy projects galore!!! So head over there and see for yourself all month long. I've been browsing the archives from last year and it just gets me more excited!

Just because I love it

My Grandma had tissue box holders all over her house. I was lucky to get one when her house was cleaned out and sold. This tissue box is so cute it's even worthy of Granny...

I Love It!!!

found on Gnome sweet Gnome

Pretty Little Organizers

Since I'm in organization mode over here I've been making little mental notes of things I need that would help me in this undertaking. Of coarse it always helps if they are pretty.

We have mail issues over here. These mail hooks from Old New Again are perfect. If I had these next to my front door I would be infinitely happy.

I realized when I was sending out Christmas Cards this year that it sure would be helpful if I had an address file. This one is so bright and cheerful. You can feel good about it too knowing that it was made from recycled album covers. From Freestyle Gifts.

We have the dinkiest plastic desk organizers. No style at all. This one however has plenty of style! You can pick it up over at The Paper Source.

I love BIG calendars. Growing up my Aunt always kept a huge calendar on her kitchen door, and I was always amazed at how well she kept it up. I guess with 10 kids you really have to keep yourself organized. I love this one from Simple Shapes.

Southern Utah Bride Magazine

image found here

I just wanted to let everyone know about Southern Utah Bride Magazine really quick. The talented Jimmy Bishop from Gideon Photography has put together this stunning piece of work. It's really beautiful. There is so much inspiration for Brides all over the country within it's pages. So please go check it out and become a fan on Facebook. I promise you will be impressed!

Go Treat Yourself

I thought the last post was maybe a little bit of a downer. I definitely got on my soap box a little. So I thought I needed to follow up with something fun. Since I'm on the topic of soap boxes I thought this would be appropriate. I've blogged about my love for Mrs. Meyer's before but it was a couple years ago. So I don't feel bad bringing it up again. For those of you who saw this last time I apologize. Around this time of year one thing I get really excited about is getting to use my favorite hand soap and lotion. Mrs. Meyer's Holiday Peppermint Duo. It is a little bit of Heaven. I don't even know if they carry it any more but if you see it sitting on a shelf at your grocery store you should definitely treat yourself. It's worth it!

2011 Color of the Year...

Honeysuckle

I like pink a lot. It's not my very favorite color, but it's up there. This is a nice shade that makes me endlessly happy. Honeysuckle holds a very special place in my heart. It is one of my favorite fragrances. It reminds me of my childhood growing up in Alexandria VA. Taking walks in the spring through my Granny and Papa's neighborhood and along the Potomac River. Smelling the Honeysuckle blooms on the breeze. I remember vividly the very first time I picked a Honeysuckle flower pulled out the nectar and tasted it's sweetness on my tongue. Oh how I adore Honeysuckle. I would love nothing more than to have Honeysuckle bushes surrounding my future home. Thank you Pantone for taking me on a trip down memory lane today and giving me a chance to look forward to Spring. I think you nailed the 2011 color of the year.

Baby Boys.

When I was pregnant with Miss. S I could have sworn that I was having a boy. I had a name picked out, bedding, artwork, everything. All for this little babe who I was sure to be a boy. It came as somewhat of a shock when the ultra sound came back saying I was having a sweet little girl. This time around I could have sworn I was having a girl. My instincts are way off.

Well now that I'm finally having the boy I thought I was having before all the things I had picked out are no longer available (Except the name). I really wanted this fantastic white ceramic owl lamp from Urban Outfitters. Gone. Great Japanese import fabric from Repro Depot. Gone. So I'm trying to figure out all that I want for this little guy's soon to be nursery. I have found one thing that I have to have.

The Long Bellied Russian Red

My Husband has a real thing for Red Dragons. Always has. I think it will be a good jumping off point. I'm not big on theme rooms. In fact I can't stand them. So the whole room will not be a dragon theme but this little guy will have to be incorporated some how.

Shakalaka Lip Blaka

This is a super random post I know. I'm trying to get back into posting after a long time off due to random health problems, and spending time outside in the sun. So I'm starting small. One thing that has always been important to me (and should be to you too) is protecting my skin from the sun. I always use sunscreen when I spend time out side. Lately I've been using this one, but it changes from time to time. One thing that never changes however is my love for a certain chapstick. Shakalaka Lip Blaka. Seriously people this is the best chapstick in the world. The name is a little silly I know, but it is soooo good it doesn't matter. I can't seem to find it anywhere in San Antonio, but they sell it at Macy's (the grocery store) in Utah. So I pick it up everytime I go visit my family. I'm telling you if you see it get it. You will not regret it.

If Someone Were To...

... be planning a special party for a special lady in their life. That someone may want to take a look at these very special cupcake liners. Because you know that lady loves cupcakes & cuteness.Found at Cupcake Social

Gorgeous Genealogy

These genealogy charts really make me want to do some work on my family tree. I love how they are so modern and interesting.Genealogy is hard for me to do. I know I have some family members who are really into it right now. I just have a hard time focusing on it. I think if these were involved I would have a little more motivation. Check out the gorgeousness at My Tree & Me. Also you can enter to win a custom chart titled "Ripples in a Pond" at the Bright Side Project right now. Just beautiful!

Revere Ware

I just made lunch so this is fresh on my mind. Recently I inherited a few Revere Ware pots. I didn't know until recently the glory of a good pot. I got a cheap set of Farberware Non-stick pots before I got married, and they have served their purpose well I suppose. The frying pan is no longer in use but everything else is. I really have no complaints with them, but I don't have any praises to sing either. My views on pots have changed as of late. My new (to me that is. These pots are actually quite old) copper bottomed Revere Ware pots are a joy to cook with. They bring things to a boil so quickly. They heat food so evenly. They clean up splendidly, and they are sturdy. They are the same pots and pans my Mother used all while I was growing up. I would really love a whole set! I've read some reviews on-line saying that the new Revere Ware isn't what it used to be. I guess that is the story with most Kitchen items right? I mean if you bought a Kitchen Aid in 1975 it will be higher quality than one made today. So it looks like I'm on the hunt now. I need to hit up some thrift stores and consignment shops to find me some vintage pots!

A Steal of a Deal

A couple years ago I posted about how much I loved my reusable grocery bags on my private blog (back when it wasn't private). I do. I love them. But I have a confession to make. I forget them 75% of the time. I've tried everything to remember them, but alas they remain forgotten. They do me & the environment no good sitting at home.

I figured out that I need some bags that fold up really small so I can keep them in my purse. I've been eying these from Envirosax.However the price tag seems a little steep. One for $8.50 or a pack of five for $37.95. To some of you this may not seem like that much. But for me I just can't justify spending that much on grocery bags. Especially since the ones I have were a dollar. Well today I was picking up some supplies for a project at Office Depot and in the check out isle I spotted some very similar to these. OK the patterns weren't as cute, but they weren't bad. They are similar in shape and size. The best part was they were $2.99! Less than half the price. So I think they will be fine. I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. I'm sure the Envirosax are better quality, but these will last me a little while though. We'll see how I do keeping them in my purse at all times. Maybe by the time these wear out I will be more willing to spend a little more on the more expensive ones. I'll report back soon to let you know how it goes.

Fun Fact

I am super busy today so I won't be able to post what I had planned. However I did want to post something really quick and say I'll be back tomorrow. Did you know that Pantone declared turquoise the color of the year?Turquoise is one of my favorites. It is just a color that brings joy to my day. Pair it with red or yellow. It is just such a happy color. So enjoy Turquoise in 2010!

Deep In The Heart

People in Texas have a lot of pride in their state. That's one thing I really like about living here. I've lived here for about two years now, and truely love it. So to commemorate our two year Texas anniversary here are some things I've found on Etsy that I think any true Texan would adore.
Texas Pillow found on Love California a little ironic since we moved here from California.Don't Mess With Texans Necklace found on kalliARTTexas Letterpress found on 1canoe2San Antonio Skyline notecards found on Architette also available in Dallas, Houston, and Austin.

I pretty much want all of these things! We really have grown to love Texas and are happy to live in a state with such pride.

What I'm Loving Right This Second

Floral Cabochons. I just bought a ton of these for a project I'm doing. In all different colors. I can't even explain my excitement! Aren't they pretty?

Baby Girls

I know I said I had a lot of posts this week and I promised pictures of the other sewing projects I did. I know I failed you. The trick is trying to get my husband to take those pictures. So until I can pin him down they are on hold. But instead of not posting anything here is one of the most adorable crib sets I have ever seen!No I'm not having another baby but if I were to have another little girl I would love something like this. Found at Plover Organic.

Orange Cup and Showcasing San Antonio

I took Miss. S to Orange Cup today. It is a frozen yogurt shop kinda like a Pinkberry (but I think it is better). This was her first experience with the tangy sweet goodness that it is. After each bite she looked at me with excitement in her eyes and exclaimed "That's good!" and then she would grab for the spoon again. Ahhh a girl after my own heart. I love how much she talks these days.

P.S. I need to mention that there is a lovely article on San Antonio food in this months Martha Stewart Living. This city has some fantastic restaurants. The photos in the article make my mouth water. However I can't find any of them online so go get the magazine!