Happy Birthday Carolyn!

Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law Carolyn...tomorrow! I wanted to do my shout out today since I usually don't get around to blogging on Fridays. Carolyn is married to my older brother Aaron. They have produced two of the cutest girls around and most of their good-looking genes come from Carolyn. Here are some fun facts about Carolyn: she is a really good mother and strict with her babies' schedules, which I really admire. She also feeds them healthy food--very important. She is an excellent hair stylist--I had major withdrawal when I moved out here and didn't have her around. She has all these hidden talents--I'm not even sure she knows all of them. She can re-upholster furniture! She is excellent at video editing and whips out all these great family videos. Her house always smells good and is clean--I've picked up a few things from her. She has a contagious laugh. She likes to cook and try new recipes. She's extremely patient, which is why she can do any type of Martha Stewart craft or recipe and succeed. I love this picture of her. I had to hunt for it in a mass of old photos, but I found it! It's an old picture when we were all in college living in SLC--that was a fun year. But she still looks the same. Hope you have a great day!

Blue Bird Shower Invites

I'm helping plan my sister Julene's baby shower, eventhough I can't attend. So here are the cute shower invites. For some reason, it took me a while to figure out the whole layout--I think it was because we have such different styles. She is more classic and would probably want an invitation with all the ruffles. So, I don't want to disappoint her. My other sister's husband thought up the poem. You see, Julene is in her 40's and she surprisingly got pregnant. This is her fifth child, but she is empty handed with all the baby gear because she thought she was done--hence the shower. Here's the poem:

Her family grew from one to two, to three and then to four

And so it was a perfect size, she thought there'd be no more.

She gave away her baby clothes and packed away the toys.

Then came the unsuspecting news--a bouncing baby boy!

And now she finds she's in a bind and needs the help of those

Who want to come and have some fun and

shower her with clothes.

Very creative and very cute!! This is how he proposed to my sister with a sweet poem. Anyway, I'm helping out with the games and will supply the party gifts with some fabulous jewelry pieces. Wish I could be there! PS--sorry about the dark photos. Old camera.

Happy Birthday Stella!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful little merry sunshine--Stella Jane! She is three years old. Today, I reflected back to the day when she was born, and honestly the first thing I thought was how terrible my labor and delivery was. It was so bad that I swore to myself that I was never going to have another baby. I hate to say it, but it was my closest thing to death. Thankgoodness for drugs because I felt like I got a glimpse of what some of the pioneer women had to suffer through during child birth. Anyway, after she was born and after I got through my baby blues (yes, I was emotionally recovering from this terrible delivery--okay maybe there is still some emotions), I realized that all the pain and suffering was definitely worth it. Stella had such a tender, sweet spirit (and still does, of course). A little newborn who would love to cuddle, good sleeper, patient, dainty, easy crying cues and just loveable. When my Mom came out to help out, she kept telling me that she was the "perfect" newborn and how lucky I was. After having Lucas, I can now attest to that. It's been so fun watching her grow, and we are so grateful and feel lucky to have her apart of our family. So here's some pictures of our baby.


First Birthday:


2nd Birthday

Busted Camera

So the other day I was having troubles closing the lens to my camera. I went and told Seth that it wouldn't close and if he could fix it. He had to jam it shut in order for it to close. A little sand from the beach was stuck in it. Seth was now determined to get this sand out. With a little Internet research he figured out how to dissemble the entire camera. He got the sand out, but then didn't know how to put the sucker back together. I gasped when I saw my camera in pieces. Then he mention that he didn't know how to put it back together, and it was done. Well, my fellow bloggers, you know how much we use our cameras. So, I was devastated especially since Stella's birthday party is this weekend. Lucky, we have an old camera, that's not the greatest, but it will do until now. In the meantime I'm in the market for a new camera.

Bug Cupcakes

I'm going to attempt to make these for Stella's bug party. Of course this really cute idea came from Martha Stewart, and of course she makes it look so easy. I'm tempted to just bag the idea and go with good 'ol sprinkles because planning kid's birthday parties is a lot of work! But they look so cute and easy, right?

Simple Signs

Look at how darling these simple initial signs are? Perfect for a little one's room. Drooz Studio also has some really cute name plaques.

Mommy's Makeup

When I saw this picture, it put a smile on my face and reminded me of this post. Makeup is just so fun to play with, especially mommy's!


{via Parenting}

Friends

I've had some really good friends celebrate my past birthday by taking me out to dinner. It's such a treat and I'm truly grateful! This past weekend, I caught up with some friends from my old work. It's always so fun catching up with them. We all started the same day, worked in the same department, had cubbies next to each other, went to lunch every day together and was there for each other through good and bad. Now they hold "important" jobs in the fashion industry. Sometimes it makes me sad because I miss all the excitement, perks and excelling through a company. It was actually a hard decision to quit my job and be a stay-at-home mom. But the sad moment stays with me for a second, and then I think about how lucky I am to be able to stay home and teach them and watch them grow. The worst day with my kids is better than the best day at my job.

Launch Party

Last week, my friend Heidi invited me to attend a launch party for her famous interior designer boss, who launched a furniture/serving ware line at Bloomingdales. It was great fun meeting her co-workers and seeing the beautiful pieces--I already have a list of my favorites. The editor of Elle Decor stopped by to bring the guests a goody bag. Lots of fun treats inside--the September issue of Elle Decor which has an article regarding the launch, an inscripted Elle Decor notebook and a nice serving set, which was one of the new pieces. Afterward, Heidi took me out to dinner for my birthday. It was a lot of fun and a nice mid-week break.

Flower Field

Beautiful flowers! I think I can smell them! My friend Natalie captured some breathtaking images of a dahlia field near her in-laws home. I couldn't resist, but to share with all of you. I hope she was able to take a few of the flowers home. Absolutely beautiful.

Bold Bedding

I can see myself slideing under the sheets of this pretty bedding. Ferm Living, which has really cool wallpaper, is now launching a bedding line. I can't wait to see their other designs.

Favorite Belle Flats

I'm in love with a new Belle by Sigerson Morrison ballet flat. All I can do it drool over them since they are out of my price range. I'll be on the look out for a knock off. I like the contrast of the royal blue suede and metal studs.

Silverman Farm

Last week, my friend Carmen and I took our kids to Silverman's Farm to pick apples. It was a pretty day to be out on the farm. You take a tractor ride up a hill to the apple orchard and pick away. They loved it, and we got a good amount of apples. Of course, we had to stop by the animal petting farm--however, I tried to sneak out, but Stella seems to always remember where the animals are located.

Bathroom Sink

I've been on the lookout for bathroom sinks. Every bathroom sink I've had, have had no drawers, so I really want one with drawers. But at the same time I want a double sink. Our upstairs bathroom is pretty small so I can only have one or the other. I'm just not sure what is better to have--drawers or two sinks? I really like Restoration Hardware's sink vanities.

Swing Jackets

Loving the swing jackets at Target--may have to pick up one since it is a Fall staple for this season.

First Day of Preschool

My baby is growing up! Today was Stella's first day of preschool. She's been so excited for quite some time. After she found her cubbie hole and took off her jacket, she actually told me I could leave. I guess that's a reassurance that she's ready. Here's a few pictures of her big day.

Traveling Makeup

I feel like I travel a lot more since I've lived out East. And I've definitely got the whole airplane system down. So, with all the traveling I've become more interested in travel products. I love anything that's mini. And I've notice that if my makeup isn't properly stored, a little explosion might happen. Or I'm bound to lose something in a messy bag. I really like Stephanie Johnson travel bags. They are all lined with plastic and have lots of compartments inside making it very convenient.

Simply Vera

Has anyone check out the Simply Vera Wang line at Kohl's? I heard it's pretty cool. I already spot one item I like--the bubble skirt.

Bug Invitation

For Stella's upcoming birthday, I decided to throw a bug party. I'm not sure why I choose this theme considering that every bug scares the heck out of her. It was originally going to be a butterfly party, but she has more little boyfriends than girlfriends. And she's not attached to one particular cartoon character or toy. Pretty much she likes anything that is girly. I didn't want the little boys to not be excited, which they would of if we had planned a barbie or my little pony party. So I went with the bug theme. I'm hoping that she will realize that not all bugs are bad. I think Seth is more excited about the party than she is. Here's her cute bug invitation I made. I like the wording.

Last Long Run

It's a great feeling to know that I am so near the end of my training and ready to tackle this upcoming race. This weekend was my last long run--it's was my second 20 miles, and I got to run it in Central Park with the New York City Marathon training program. Although it was hard and surprised at how many long hills there were, it was great. They set up of the course as though it's the actual race so it gives you an idea of what you will be going through. I ran the course in 3:03 hrs, which was a little better than my first 20 miles.


{via NYRR}

Apples

After I ran my long run, I was so pooped out I really had no energy to do anything. I took a long hot epsom salt bath (it should of been icy cold but I couldn't bare it), took a nap and then started working on my apples. Last week I took the kids to a farm to pick apples, so I had a ton of apples in the house that needed to be worked on. Seth was entertaining the children, and the house was just too quiet. I get very antsy when I just sit around, so I had to do something even though I could barely walk, bend down or really stand. So, I dehydrated a nice bunch of apples, then made my first two apple pies. They all came out delicious! I still have a few apples remaining so I plan to make my Mom's yummy applesauce and muffins. Do you see the encrypted message in my pie?

Happy Birthday to ME

YAY!! It's my birthday today! Nothing too eventful going on, just another year older. I think next year I'll try and actually have a birthday bash since it will be my big 3-0. Until then, I can still enjoy one more year in my twenties.

In the meantime, how fun would it be to attend a birthday party like this. My thoughts are already rolling....


{via Martha Stewart}

Cakes

A few birthday cakes I wouldn't mind having...


{via Confetti Cakes and Colette's Cakes}

Studded Boots

I keep seeing these Charles Albert boots in all the fashion magazines this month. I think they are so darling, but I'm surprised at how cheap they are--only $35. For boots, that's super cheap. Wow...it almost makes me think that something is wrong with them! I'm afraid that they would chew up my feet or the heel would snap off or my calves would sweat.

Perfume Oils

I love to mix body oils. You smell a little different everyday but still the same. I've notice that alot of perfume companies are coming out with the idea of mixing oils. Tsi-La has a mini-collection of four different scents that's all organic--no preservatives or alcohol. I would like to get a smell of that.

Give Me Drawers

Wow...look at all those drawers in that kitchen. I'm super jealous. I only have two drawers (yes, only two) in my kitchen. So, I'm envious of any kitchen storage.

{via Dimond Baratta}

Javis Davis

My friend got all her baby bedding custom made through Javis Davis. I saw her fabric samples, and I can't wait to see the results. She spent about $500, which isn't really bad especially since most pre-made crib bedding will set you back a least $300. They also have a good selection of fabrics.

Foundation Moisturizer

My ears perk up if I hear about anything that will help save me time or will help me multi-task. Well, here's a foundation that is also a moisturizer. This will cut my make-up time down by a minute or two. Jane Iredale's foundation hydrates like a moisturizer while providing full coverage. Worth a try.

Moment of Silence

Take a little time to remember....

{via Time}

Whimsical Furniture

This furniture piece looks like it would fit perfectly in a loony-tune cartoon.