Daily Dose of Inspiration

Monday, November 30, 2009

Greeting Card Display

Love these creative and easy ways to display those holiday cards. We get so many cards every year and my favorite cards are the family photo ones. These have to be displayed. I used to have a cute little wire tree but that has not been large enough to hold all of the cards. My plan is to create one of these.





Photos courtesy Martha Stewart and Country Living



Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Monday, November 23, 2009

A courtyard and a man's cake

I love my man. He has become the DIY'er around the house lately.
He made this....
into this.....






So for his hard work and his birthday
I made this (okay he helped too) for him.
Truly a man's cake. Peanut butter, chocolate and peanut butter cups. There is nothing light or fruity in this cake. It's just rich sweet and oh so good.
Got milk?












Sunday, November 22, 2009

Freebie Printables for Turkey Day

Paper&Cake are very thankful this year and to show the love they are offering a freebie Thanksgiving Party Pack. The pack includes napkin rings, wine tags, menu, recipe cards, invitation/envelope, party food label and favor box. Get your freebie here






BrooklynLimestone is also offering a free menus download. Her print work is gorgeous. She is so talented and her home is beautiful. Check out her blog to see her work.



I love these thankful for cards by erinvaledesign
She has such lovely paper goods and if you haven't visited her site please make sure to do so. You will find lots of freebies from this talented designer.



For the hostess or just because these lovely fall inspired gift tags and napkin bands can go a long way. Check out another one of my favorite inspirational designers CreatureComforts. You'll find great tips on how you can use these tags.






Saturday, November 21, 2009

Happy Birthday to my husband

He is the only man I know that loves chocolate more than any woman I know. Seriously, the man does a happy dance whenever he gets to sink his teeth into anything chocolate.
I love you and I hope to see many more of your happy dances.
Looking forward to a happy celebration tomorrow and of course some delicious chocolate-eey sweetness.


Peanut Butter Cake
Recipe and photo courtesy Bakerella








Thursday, November 19, 2009

Autumn Inspiration







































photos courtesy
BHG, Martha Stewart, Country Living






Inspirational Thoughts Thursday

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

Charles Swindoll

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Mirror, Mirror on the wall.....

who is the tiredest of them all. Is that even a word??? Whatever. Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought who is that woman? Moms you have gotta be with me on this one. Please say there are some supporters out there.
Lately, well actually for much longer that, I have been feeling that way when I look in the mirror. And may I add that I sometimes don't even look in the mirror all day. Scary. I have many days when I just get up and go, put my hair in a pony tail, throw on the hat, flip flops and take the kiddos to their playdate or whatever I may have lined up for them. Okay typing playdate makes me feel really lame. I am the one who needs the date. My hubby and I that is. I need to look in the mirror again with confidence and to see that woman who used to be spontaneous, funny, lively with decent skin and styled hair. Now that I have a one year old and a two year old I can't be spontaneous anymore but at least I should have nice looking hair. Why is that so hard to achieve every morning??? It all comes down to time I think. I just don't have time for me. So sad but it's true. I need to make more of an effort. Do I get up earlier?
Another thing is money. I am a SAHM and I gave up my income to take care of my lovelies. That means shopping for deals and passing up on the weekly pedi and monthly hair weave. No I am not high maintanence. I am so far from that. As for deals, who doesn't like them, I do but I am one of those people that misses them or just doesn't have good luck when she is looking through a pile of jeans on sale at a local boutique. I just give up and pay full price. But times have changed and now I don't mind. I love it when I SCORE and find a great deal.
Back to looking in the mirror. I have lost my identity is what it all comes down to. I am at crossroads right now with finding myself again, taking care of my family and just trying to balance it all.
I need to focus on creating a calm and peaceful path. I need to take the time to pretty myself up even if it's gloss and mascara. I need to have more dates with my man. I need to prioritize family tasks. My girls will always be number one but I need to be a little selfish sometimes too.

Design Crush: Kay Douglass

I have a crush on this designer. Her mix of rustic and modern pieces makes my heart happy. Her discovery of belgian style began on a trip to europe where she found that the french flair was more subtle and lighter and the wood was left in it's natural state. I am loving her style because of the mix of natural rustic elements mixed with modern ones. So inspired to create my home like this. Check out her site too southofmarket.biz












photos courtesy: House Beautiful







Monday, November 16, 2009

Creating a kids thanksgiving table

I am having dinner at my house this year as well as making the entire menu. I am going to need all the help I can get from mom and that means grandma's babysitting duties will have to be passed on to someone else. I am thinking of making it special this thanksgiving by creating a space for the kids. How fun would it be to have your own table and decorated just for you. These ideas are sure to keep the kiddos busy and entertained and hopefully make mommy thankful for eating their veggies too.


works as a tablecloth and little artists canvas.

country living


a basket filled with goodies for keeping little ones busy

an art tool centerpiece
family fun



a thankful tree


being thankful turkey
parents.com



place cards idea
family fun





Thursday, November 12, 2009

You are my Sunshine

Briana celebrated the big ONE this past weekend and it was just perfect. I chose a yellow theme since I sing "you are my sunshine" to her all the time. I had fun planning this party, I was quite the DIY-er and I must say I am proud. I get so many ideas in the blog world that I had to bring some of them to life. These life celebrations are so special and I love that I can put my whole heart into it.












Happy Birthday Briana!!!!!!


Happy Birthday Briana!

Happy Birthday !!!!
We can't believe a year has gone by .


We love you!!!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Popcorn Bar

The thought of having a candy bar buffet at my daughter's first birthday makes me a bit nervous in dealing with a group of sugar rushed kids climbing the walls and jumping on the couches and would probably make many of my friends and family want to ring my neck since Halloween was just a week ago. So I have decided to go a healthy and very budget friendly route. POPCORN!!! Not just plain or buttery popcorn but a popcorn bar with several salty and sweet toppings. Okay, so maybe not entirely healthy, but what's a party without candy, cakes and sweetness. In my research there are several sweet and savory concoctions. The sky is the limit with popcorn. Just imagine a s'mores version. Chocolate chunks, graham crackers, and mini marshmallows. YUMM


Martha Stewart


flickr


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Inspirational Thoughts Thursday

This is a beautiful story to share with your children. Please pass it on.
The Colors Of Friendship
Adrian Iron Thunder



Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed that they were the best. The most important. The most useful. The most beautiful. The favorite.

Green said:
"Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority."

Blue interrupted:
"You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."


Yellow chuckled:
"You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun."

Orange started next to blow her trumpet:
"I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you."


Red could stand it no longer he shouted out:
"I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy."

Purple rose up to his full height:
He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey."

Finally Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening, thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak:
"You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me."

Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined
hands.

The rain continued:
"From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow." And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a Rainbow appears in the sky, to let us remember to appreciate one another.

A Sunshine Birthday

I am currently working on my daughter's 1st birthday and since I sing "you are my sunshine" to her everyday I thought it would be a perfect theme. Can't wait to post pics from the party.