a little summer d.i.y...

with summer (and maternity leave) quickly approaching, i find myself daydreaming more and more of sandy beaches, the smell of suntan lotion and the lazy carefree aloha feeling that summer sparks in me.

in prep for summer (and fat post-baby feet) i recently treated myself to a few new pairs of soludos and got inspired to take on a fun little do-it-yourself-er.

step 1:

purchase pair of white (or any solid color soludo)

step 2: 

be inspired with sharpies, paint, thread or dye and create your very own one-of-a-kind soludo

step 3:

step back, give yourself a pat on the back, and get ready to be the envy of all those who stop to notice your dazzling design

...and if you're really inspired, try making a pair for a friend. they'd make the perfect gift too!

**photo: soludos

the sticky-icky...

for all of you who know and love instagram... check out this genius gem of a company.


they'll help bring those gorgeous photos of yours to life.


and, wouldn't these make the sweetest little gifts?
think... housewarming, birthday, new baby, mom/dad's day... just because?!


yay!! long live the magnet...




**photo credit: stickygram.

the gift of paper...

i think it's true... the best gifts are always the heartfelt kind.  it doesn't take lavish spending or extravagance (although, those are nice too!), just some goodness and t.l.c to bring smiles of the lasting kind to a friend's face.

i whipped these up for a friend's birthday and sure hope they'll make her smile as she pens love notes or just general hello's to whomever she feels.

...and it's kind of the gift that keeps on giving because who doesn't like to see a handwritten note tucked between the junk and bills of your mailbox??

ala the berenstain bears...

growing up, i loved the berenstain bears. i mean, who hates cute, cuddly, fuzzy bears that dress up and live like humans? 


and even as an adult, i still have a soft spot in my heart for papa, mama, brother & sister and the little life lessons they teach & learn in their daily adventures.


so when i recently came across these little bear paws, my heart melted picturing them on the itty-bitty feet that will be entering our home this july. 


then, once i saw they come in mama & papa sizes too, i started thinking that maybe... we each need a pair!


just call us papa bear, mama bear, big brother bear and baby brother bear glynn..

paper knots & bows...

i love to wrap. not rap, but wrap (well... i rrrrrrreaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyy wish i could break you off a little freestyle rap, but that's another post in itself)...wrapping as in presents, i've got covered...



i love it and the possibilities are endless.


needless to say you can see why i adore all the wrapping goodies over at knot & bow. i really can't get enough. twine, heart stickers, gift tags and ribbon...oh my!!!

that's sharp...

on our last trip to the pdx, we stumbled upon a small letterpress fair... and it was there that i was smitten by denise sharp's pretty, little, paper-pressed products. 


with the holidays coming up, i thought you might need a little boom in a box.

made to order...

whether it be a new baby, a sick friend, or just someone in need of a little t.l.c, bringing dinner into a friend's home is a way to show your love and support while providing a little home-cooked goodness for their soul.


a friend and i recently did this for our friends who had just brought their new baby home... we made baked ziti and filled a bag with salad makings, dessert, and some wine for the new parents to share.  


the gift allowed them to have a date night in without the stress of trying to cook and change diapers/breast feed/or calm a crying lil' babe.


we made a little card for the baking instructions, but this simple touch of decorating an aluminum lid is pretty much genius and will be my go-to way of bringing dinner from now on.  


- decorate lid with a sharpie... be sure to include baking instructions and any other tips and/or additions that would compliment the meal.
- serve & deliver in recyclable aluminum baking pans that eliminate the need to return a friend's cookware!


**photo inspiration from enormous champion

entertain-tip #8... make the house warm.

whether it's moving apartments or buying a home, we've all had friends or family members give up their old digs in turn for a better view, more squre footage, a fresher coat of paint, or simply a newer nest to call their own.  


i love the anticipation and sense of new beginnings that a move conjures up. a move is, at it's very core, a change... and change is always emotional.  personally, i think a move is a sign of growth... a chance to leave behind what you've outgrown and settle into a new place that will serve as the foundation for whatever your journey holds next.


...and it's probably because i think moving symbolizes so much, that i always find myself struggling for the perfect housewarming gift to bring over that expresses my happiness, support and well wishes for my dear friend.



I've recently done a little research into this act of giving and it turns out that many cultures have their own variations of a how to warm house...


give...
-  a candle so that there will always be light
-  a broom to "sweep away evil"
-  wine so that they never go thirsty
-  honey or chocolate so life continues to be sweet
-  bread so that they never go hungry
-  salt for good luck
-  olive oil for good health

awesome, right? simple yet meaningful. give one or bundle a few together for the perfect package of new house love.


...and when you're the host, don't forget to take these traditions and turn them inward to help create a welcoming, cozy atmosphere for you and your guests:

-  light the candles
-  open the wine
-  serve the bread, salt and olive oil (preferably with cheese & some prosciutto)
-  and end the night with chocolate or a bit o' honey. 

you dip, i dip, we dip...

bare with me while we transition from color dipped hair to color dipped utensils... totally different yet still offering that eye-popping "W-O-W" factor to your everyday knife, fork, and spoon.


it takes the charm of an older set of cutlery plus+ a quick spray of your desired colors and voila, you've got yourself a totally hip, dipped set of eating utensils...


this simple little project is sure to add a little "umph" to your next gathering or make a great gift for a favorite friend!