Dallas Style

No, not big hair and cowboy boots but an adorable new children's boutique in Dallas. We trekked there yesterday for the grand opening after my favorite Dallas-based blogger wrote about it. It did not disappoint! I bought both Clare and Quinn a new dress (Clare's is the white embroidered number on the rack behind her) plus a gray jersey cardigan with an anchor embellishment (so cute for layering this Fall!), a new hairclip and a fun new coloring book. It was so nice to get into the city and be stylish! Dallas and Fort Worth are both excellent towns with alot to offer.
PS. I'm actually totally obsessed with getting cowboy boots for me and Clare.

Stenciled Brownies

Happy Valentine's Day!
Originally uploaded by Sugar & Meringue / Flying Time Designs

Since Rick would always choose brownies over cake or cookies, I love this idea for decorating his favorite treat. You have to check out Sugar & Meringue's Cookies and Cupcakes. She is so talented!

Ranch Dressing Buttercream Frosting

We had some friends over to watch a soccer match last night so I whipped up a batch of cupcakes (go USA!) and when I handed one to my nephew he politely asked... "Is this ranch dressing?" Sigh, he was referring to the delicious flecks of vanilla bean in the homemade buttercream frosting. He was VERY reluctant to take a bite. I have so much to learn about the wee ones.

A Knack for Shopping

My mom just sent this fabulous Bohemian outfit for Clare and get this... the whole thing was UNDER $4 (Target of course.) First of all, I would never find that kind of a deal (I don't have the patience to search the racks) and secondly, I would never have paired these 2 items. Some people just have an eye for such things...

Mojito break

Oh hello, I'm just stopping in to say hi between batches of delicious poolside cocktails made by my mixologist sister who is visiting from Rhode Island. Be back soon.

Sweet Failure

My sugar cookie dough went tragically wrong this weekend (um, how many times have I made this?) and I was forced to go to plan B. Spoonfuls rolled into balls and plopped in sprinkles. Still delicious, especially with tea after the girlies are asleep... but I've said too much.

Birth Announcement: 3 months late

When Miss Quinn's birth announcement went out last week, my mom's boyfriend said "tell her thanks for letting us know." Too funny. I guess the 3 month window for wedding thank you notes does not apply to birth announcements. For all of it's lateness, it was pretty simple. I used matchbox-style cards through the laser printer, tied with a bow and packed up in a sparkly brown envelope, All from Paper Source. Love the lavender and brown combo.

Also love my new bathroom counter as a photo background. Does that mean I can write it off? : )

Royal-icing Stenciled Cookies

Bright Pattern Cookies
Originally uploaded by Whipped Bakeshop

Aren't these royal-icing stenciled cookies from Whipped Backshop gorgeous? Such an inspiration! Check out her flickr photos or website for a TON of eye-candy, or should I say eye-cookie... yuk, yuk.

Wall art for girls' rooms

I found these ADORABLE cards while meandering from here to here to here.
They are EXACTLY what I am looking for for the girls' rooms but they are not for sale in the online store yet. I need them, I want them.

Chimichurri Sauce

I made some Chimichurri Sauce for Flank Steak and veggies on the grill. I love this stuff and I can't stop pouring it on everything I eat. It is garlic/vinegar/cilantro/parsley/EVOO heaven.


I just read that Jordan Ferney from "Oh Happy Day" just visited Argentina. I wonder if she had Chimichurri Sauce!

Handmade Beauties from Utah!

My sister-in-law sent a tiny little box packed with a gazillion gifts! Some belated birthday goodies for me and some awesome treats for Miss Clare. First of all this fabulous birdie pillow sham (for which I need to buy a larger insert.)


Then this perfect red California apron. M-did you make this from a vintage towel or did you find it just like this in it's apron-y perfection?

(does everyone like my Christmas look in July?)

And a selection of ADORABLE gift tags/note cards/postcards with die-cut corners made from those punches that I always look at (but never buy) at Michael's!


The paper goods were wrapped in another vintage state hankie. Indiana this time!


And here is miss Clare using up ALL her stickers at once.

While she has my sticker-loving gene, I think she is missing my sticker hoarding gene...

Playhouse!

I am plotting to steal wood scraps from the new construction across the street to make Clare one of these. I've had a few awesome playhouses, there is nothing more special to a little girl.

Who wants to work for Pizza?!?

I also had an amazing hand-made doll house which my mother and I wallpapered in oversized-patterned 70's wallpaper scraps. It was my favorite toy for most of my childhood. Maybe that is a more realistic first wood project.