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Diva Pyari's amazing calligraphy combined with the ceramics of Rae Dunn equals one breathtaking invitation suite.
Wouldn't it be fun to do something along these lines with porcelain pens for party guests to take home as a favor?
{via linea carta via snippet & ink}
This past weekend we were hankering for some dessert, but something a little different than our usual so I looked up a recipe for chocolate pudding. I was thrilled to find this one from Smitten Kitchen which turned out smooth, creamy and pretty much everything a chocolate pudding should be.
It was also very easy. Brady helped with whatever parts he could and when I let him lick the spatula once it was finished the first words out of his mouth were, "Wow! I did a REALLY good job!" Yes, it's a keeper.
{image via Smitten Kitchen}
While we're planning what we're going to be doing to our backyard, I'm keeping in mind a place just for Brady. I know he would love this vine-covered teepee.
And it's so easy to put together, too. You just can't beat an awesome hide-out.
{image via Sunset}
This year's home improvement project is the exterior of our home; specifically, the landscaping. Soon, we won't have to worry about people losing their children in our backyard! We have a couple of things to do in preparation: bury some wires, remove a stump (which was covered in layers of dirt and has been fondly called "the pitcher's mound" since we moved in), add some sprinklers and plan the garden. Most of the manual labor falls to my husband, but planning the garden - that's my thing. And since we're starting from seed, now is the time to get everything in order. I've been working on it all weekend long and thought I'd share some of the helpful things I've found in case you might be wanting to plant a garden this year, too.
My indispensable reference book: Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening. There's an entry for everything you can imagine, from flowers to produce and even lawn care.
How to Build a Raised Garden Bed: Including installing drip irrigation.
How to do Square Foot or French Intensive Gardening: This site gives a great start to making the most of your garden bed, teaching you how to help small garden plots yield tons of produce.
Heirloom Seeds: So many varieties!
How to Build a Trellis: For vining plants, like peas, cucumbers and beans.
GardenWeb Forums: The best online source for any questions you might think of regarding gardening. Experts and novices alike gather here.
Do you have any garden planning tips you'd like to share? Please leave them in the comments!
{images via Sunset}
We've had a few blustery days in a row out here but a warm sun shining down through it all. These pretty, colorful little studs would brighten up days that are dull or shine brilliantly on the sunny ones.
Stud earrings are among my favorites. What are your favorites to wear?
{via isuwanee}
Do you all read A Cup of Jo? If you don't, you really should. It's one of my favorites to follow. And the source this week's Friday Favorite. Loving the ponytails in the J. Crew spring lookbook, she enlisted her friend to teach her how to do it and created a lovely tutorial for us all. I've already tried it out and I love it. What do you think? Will you try it?
Well, my dears, I hope that you have a lovely weekend planned. We have valentine's shin digs happening left and right and couldn't be more pleased about it all. And to top it all off we have family coming to visit. I'm going to scurry off and finish tidying my house. Hope your weekend is delightful!
{image via a cup of jo}
I am very much in love with this full vintage skirt and it's stripes around the bottom. Simplicity is Bliss (which is so true, by the way) has a great selection of vintage clothing to browse through. Hop on over and take a peek.
{image via simplicity is bliss}
In the spirit of the season, I thought I'd make a card to tell you, my dears, just how much I like you. Because I do. Thank you for reading this blog and being such fabulous, inspiring people.
My hope is that you can use this card to tell someone you care about that you like them, too. Valentine's Day is a good reminder to tell everyone we care about that we think they're great. Maybe a good friend, a neighbor...anybody who you think is splendid. Let me know in the comments: who will you share this card with?
Happy Monday, my dears! I hope your day is coming along nicely. We're easing in to the week at our house with no particular plans for today; just playing and taking things as they come. And loving this photo by the talented Lissy Laricchia. Colorful balloons scattered through a wooded area make such an enchanted setting.
{image via lissy elle}
WORK: This week I had the pleasure of designing a baby shower invitation for a good friend whose sister (who I am also friends with) is having a little boy! Have I told you yet how much fun I have doing custom designs? It's for a casual, informal get together so I wanted the invitation to reflect that: fun and laid-back. If you like this design, I have good news: I'm working on more varieties of it right now and they'll be in the shop very soon.
THE HOMEFRONT: Craig took a little business trip out east this week (so we feel for you, everyone who is buried in snow!) and came back with presents. He bought me this seed organizer from my favorite shop, The Daytrip Society. Which means this weekend is the start of planning my summer garden! Has anyone else started buying seeds yet? What are you planning on planting?
SOON TO BE: As I mentioned earlier today, I have some Valentine's tricks up my sleeve. Specifically something for the little ones. Keep an eye out...it's coming next week!
