Color Me Happy ~

I recently purchased a new set of Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils. 

This set runs around $180, but I got mine for $90 from Ebay - thank you Ebay!! I decided they needed to be out of their box and easily accessible.

So I grabbed whatever glassware I had handy. And let the color coordinating begin - the kiddos enjoyed helping me "sort" all of the colors. 

I have got to say, colored pencils (really any art supply for that matter) really makes me smile. 

I love all of the colors...just waiting to create. 

I realize that the computer is now one of the most popular "mediums", but I still love the old fashion pen to paper. 

How about you, is there a specific art supply that makes you smile?

Al Fresco Dining ~

Entertaining | Summer Inspiration

Today I am dreaming of al fresco dining. I just love it when the air is still warm at night (dear sun, we miss you), the bbq is fired up, some yummy wine is uncorked and sitting around the table with friends and family...ah! And as always, the more the merrier.

It makes me smile. 

  

Here are a few photos that do the same. 

I love the casual elegance and rustic touches.  

images: house beautiful, christopher baker, homes and gardens, house beautiful, unknown

How about you? Do you dine al fresco when you can?

We have more rain in our forecast, but a girl can dream right?

Goodwill Finds ~

I have got to say, it has been way to long since I have seen my local Goodwill store - oh, how I missed you so!

Here are a few of our latest finds:

 We were really lovin' the tarnished silver and fun glass pieces. Oh, and that wood pillar, I feel a little spray painting coming on!

Stylish Finds ~

So we are officially back from vacation and adjusted back to our normal day-to-day activities...do you ever feel like you need an mini vacation after returning from vacation? That whole unpacking and readjusting phase...ah, time for a glass of vino!

While on our fabulous vacation, I sneaked into Anthropologie and spotted these fabulous Homegrown Monogram Mugs - $8 each.

I instantly feel in love with the fun whimsical patterns. And upon picking them up, they are an ideal weight and they feel perfect in my hands. I had to hold myself back from buying them right on the spot.

I hope you are all having a Happy Monday and are ready to take on the week!

Much Needed Vacation ~

via gingerella

So my darling hubby and I decided to surprise the kiddos with a 10 day vacation in Palm Springs! Of course, we have booked this bad boy weeks ago, it was exciting for all of us to hop on the plane - especially since the kids thought we were off to run errands. The look on this kiddos faces were priceless! And tomorrow we are surprising them with 2 days at Disneyland...I can't wait to hear the screams of joy (at 6am)!

I am off to play in the pool with the kiddos, get engrossed in a fabulous book and completly live in the moment...in 100 degree weather!

I hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Dressing Up a Glass Candle ~

This is a re-post, but I was thinking about teacher gifts and I thought something like this would be fun. I am all about the gift that can be used. And this would be a fun, inexpensive gift they could enjoy - and hey, the kiddos could help too (okay, probably not the hot glue part)!

I picked up this candle for $4.00 on sale the other day - I liked the fragrance, but the candle itself...blah.

 

So I decided to glam it up a bit. I peeled off the sticker - some might find this tedious, but for some reason I find it a tad bit therapeutic.

Here is it all ready to be dressed up.

I grabbed a bit of burlap and this crown that was once a napkin ring (thanks Mom). 

 

I hot glued the burlap on.

Hot glued the crown on and tada...

A $4.00 candle all dressed up!

House Tour Tuesday ~

Thanks to Architectural Digest today we get to tour this fabulous home in Malibu. I just love the stone work, the weathered surfaces and the simple furnishings.

Earth Day 2011 ~

 

Now go recycle something and pass it on!

Easter Baskets for Him ~

Holiday | Easter Inspiration

Do you give your sweetie an Easter Basket? I am always a sucker and love coming up with fun "basket" ideas for my hubby. 

Here is his basket from last year (note: my darling is a UW Husky fan)

I know it is last minute (but that is kinda how I roll) but here are a few fun ideas for "his" Easter Basket.

My hubby loves golf, so a range golf bucket would be fun to fill to the brim with golf accessories and jelly beans of course!

 

amazon.com

You can't go wrong with a grill basket for the bbq - sun, please come out!

 

amazon.com

If you man enjoys a cigar, an empty cigar box (he would probably prefer it filled) would be fun. You can pick up empty cigar boxes at your local cigar shop - they make great containers for craft supplies too!

How about for the bar, an ice/wine bucket.

I mean, who could say no to an ice bucket filled with peeps!

 

amazon.com

Just remember, it doesn't have to be a basket! It is also fun to switch up your kiddos baskets as well!

Outdoor Fountain ~

Garden | Landscape Inspiration

We are thinking of ripping up some of our moss lawn in our front yard and adding a simple water feature. Here in the Pacific Northwest, it is very easy for your lush green lawn to turn to soggy-boggy moss - now I am all for grass you don't need to mow, but really not quite the same! 

So in an attempt to reduce our lovely moss, I was searching around for some inspiration and found a few:

images: 1. gardenfountainnook.com, 2. stylehive.com, 3-5. sunset.com, 

6. bhg.com, 7-8. houzz.com

One More Bunny ~

Easter | Holiday Inspiration

So our final bunny, is also my favorite bunny. I am very much in the "less is more" state and I think this super simplified guy looks great. 

Simplified Bunny:

Yep, he is my favorite.  I love the colors, the textures and the fact there are only three pieces (except for the bunny of course). So, I hope you got some inspiration either for Easter or really for anything else. 

 

Creating all these bunnies was fun afternoon with my Mom - thanks Mom!

If you missed any, you can see them here, here and here. 

Have a terrific weekend!