Making Me Smile ~

Here is what is making me smile today...

Brilliant yellow tulips -

with lovely green foliage, placed on a tarnished silver tray -

with the fabulous-ness of my new favorite candle (Voluspa Muscari) -

smile.

What is making you smile today?

Happy New Year ~

I am posting this from my Hubby's new Kindle Fire, so I apologize if the formatting is off!

I just wanted to wish you all a super fabulous New Year!
May your "ringing in" be filled with smiles and laughter...

Here is to an amazing 2012!

Cheers! Chelsea

MyMemories Giveaway ~

Giveaway | For You

The very nice people at MyMemories just released a new version of their great digital scrapbook software Suite v3, and would love to give one of you the software for free! 

 

 I recently downloaded the new suite myself and was please to see how easy and user friendly the software was to use. 

Here is my creation!

In addition to giving away the software to one lucky reader they are offering $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - $20 value!

All you have to do is enter this coupon code:

STMMMS50589

***GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED***
**Here is how to enter (be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry)**

1. Visit MyMemories.com and let me know your favorite layout

2. Follow this blog (or let me know you already do!)

3. Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this awesome giveaway

A random winner will be picked Thursday, December 29th.

Good Luck!

My Babies are 6 ~

My darling little ones are 6 today. 

Time moves too fast...way too fast.

 Sheer happiness when I look at those adorable faces. 

Those adorable faces that always remind us what is really important this time of year.

Family...friends...those you are lucky to have close to you.

Happy Birthday to my kind, sweet, funny kiddos.

Diesel and Fia we love you!

Packaging Holiday Cookies ~

I am going to make holiday cookies (still undecided exactly which kind) 

for my lovely neighbors this year. 

So in the process of deciding which yummy treats to make, 

I started searching for fun ways to wrap the deliciousness. 

Here are a few to share:

 

 images: 1. countryliving.com, 2. traditionalhome.jpg, 

3-6. marthastewart.com, 7. bhg.com

Do you give your neighbors holiday gifts? 

If so, what?

Apple Oven Cake ~

Recipe | Inspiration

My daughter and I made this yummy "dessert" last night. 

I say "dessert" because it really was more of a pancake than a cake, but the kiddos loved it! 

I think I might be including it in our Christmas morning.

 recipe via Sunset

 

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter 
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 sweet apple such as Fuji, peeled and sliced 
• 3 large eggs 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 cup flour 
• 1/2 cup milk 
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Preparation

• 1. Preheat oven to 425°. Melt butter in a 12-in. ovenproof frying pan over high heat. Add brown sugar and cinnamon, swirling to combine. Add apple and cook until just starting to soften, about 3 minutes.
• 2. Meanwhile, in a blender, whirl together eggs, salt, flour, and milk. Pour egg mixture into pan and bake until puffed and brown, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon juice and powdered sugar.

Holiday House Tour ~

After a long and fabulous vacation, I got to come home to a mound of magazines - 

I gotta say, I was smitten! 

So, to kick off what seems like the "Holiday Season", I thought I would take you through a lovely holiday house tour thanks to Traditional Home.

I hope your Monday is great!

MIA ~

Bad blogger.

Yes. Bad blogger.

In my defense - I was sick, the family was sick and now I am 5 days into a much.needed.family.vacation.

image via gingerella

I am basking in the mid 70s with hubby and kiddos in beautiful La Quinta, California. I am on my third book, have officially lost track of the days and have seen my hubby smile...check that, smiling. (And it is an amazing smile). 

You can see the amazing home we are relaxing in here - thank you Mom!

Be back soon!

DIY Goodwill Frame ~

DIY | Inspiration

Here is a Goodwill frame I recently picked up and turned into a regal piece of art.

 Easy squeeze-y!

-

Yummy Banana Bread ~

Yummy Recipe | Inspiration

I know I have posted this recipe in the past, but I just made it again, and it was just as yummy as it was the last time. 

So...I had to share again.

It is from The Pioneer Woman...of course it is good! I really think the secret here is the bundt pan, the crispy outside is divine.

And in case you are wondering, I got my lovely bundt pan from Williams-Sonoma . So don't throw away those squishy bananas!

Halloween Cupcakes ~

So just in case you need that last minute treat idea for you Halloween evening, here is what the kiddos and I have been working on this morning for their party.

All you need is a box of cupcake mix, some frosting 

and then load those babies up with some spooky candy.

Candy, candy, candy...

Spooky indeed!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween! 

Halloween's Past ~

I thought it would be fun to show some past projects for a little Halloween inspiration. Plus, I haven't had the time to really even get into Halloween this year!

Super yummy Caramel Apples

Halloween RedVines

A spooky Candy Corn Display

Ty's Yummy Pumpkin Cookies

And I still love the look of white pumpkins and tarnished silver...

How is your Halloween spirit this year?

Show Re-Cap ~

Wow, it is amazing how much work and energy goes into a show! 

It is official, one can finally walk through my craft room again...

Can you say glitter and burlap?

Here are a some shots from our booth at the show.

But first, her is a photo of my Mom and I the first night in our aprons (the theme for the night)...

Cindy from Haley's Cottage had this dreamy bed.

we joked that we could have "rented" it out for naps...it was that dreamy!

And her fabulous clothes.

A few shots of Room to Inspire...yes, my Mom and I...

Some great bras that DiDi was selling...the Coobie Bra...every heard of it? Apparently they are sooo comfy. I am getting one for sure! I just wanted an excuse to see her store Belle Provence.

Some amazing jewelry from Tippy Stockton...lovely. 

I am actually wearing my new favorite earrings of hers today!

It was fun and I meet a ton of great people...now it is time to rest!!

Oh, and my friend Melaine from My Sweet Savannah had a fabulous booth, I am sure she will have photos up soon.