Modern Love Wedding Announcement

A wonderful customer emailed me a photo of the Modern Love Wedding Announcement wall print that she had purchased from me.

She placed it in a frame that allowed her guests to write well wishes around the print, celebrating her special day. So very clever. Thanks so much Laura for sharing this. I love it! ♥


photography courtesy of Amy and Kelly Price

Inspiration Sunday - Back to School

It is hard to believe that summer vacation is almost over and the kids will be back to school. Tobias will be going to preschool this year and he is SO excited!

This past week I went school supply shopping for the first time. I'd hate to say this, but I totally LOVED it! I could spend hours on end at an office supply store. Just call me weird. :) Mateo is excited about all his new school goodies. Now I have to label every single pencil, marker, crayon, eraser, glue stick...should be fun! ;)

Here is some back to school inspiration for you, courtesy of some very talented Etsy artists. Enjoy! ♥

Chalkboard Necklace on Chain




Set of 5 Back to School Magnets




Back to School Library Card Notebook




Hanna Hobo in Back to School Owls




Read Sign Barnwood Red Readers are Leaders




Wooden Dolls - Pocket Size Play Set




Lunch Box Notes




Insulated Lunch Bag




Personalized Back to School Apple Tee




8x8 Fine Art Photography Print - Scrabble Art on Lined Writing Paper




Recycled Back to School Pencil Case in Dinosaur Print

Friday Etsy Favorites

Absolutely loving this week's Friday Etsy Favorites and I'm sure you will too!! ♥

1. La Petite Boheme ► Nickel Free Antique Brass Pendant & Chain
2. Carla Dyck ► Teal Canoe On Reflective Waters - Fine Art Photo
3. Chic 'n Warm ► Gray Coffee Mug Cozy
4. Risky Beads ► Camera Weapon of Choice Stamped Keychain
5. darling savage ► Three Wish Fish in Gray and Turquoise - Wall Decor
6. Mayasmomma ► Handcrafted Personalized Pirate Adventure Kit

Inspiration Sunday - Pattern: Chevron

I don't know what it is about the pattern chevron. It really is my new crush. I love it. So modern, yet so retro.

Here is some chevron inspiration for you. ♥


Ocean Chevron Pillow




Chevron Oak Floor




Yellow and White Chevron Oblong Clutch




Chevron Baby Blanket Rainbow Chevron




Chevron Fabric Organizer Basket




Sophistikat Rug in Cobalt




Chevron Wristlet Pouch




Chevron Cake Stand Dessert Pedestal

Friday Etsy Favorites

This week's Friday Etsy Favorites are MOST DEFINITELY fabulous! ♥

1. Anne Holman Jewelry Design ► Vintage Map Solid Sterling Cufflinks
2. Sea Pinks ► Decorative Pumpkin Turquoise Blue
3. White Lilie Designs ► Custom Hand Made Sterling Silver Ring
4. jacqvon ► Handmade Vintage Stanley Ruler Bangle
5. Bookity ► Map Heart Garland
6. New Hope Beading ► It Is What It Is Silver Dog Tag Necklace

Remember to Back-up Your Files!

Yes, a definite note to self is to always remember to back up the computer files on a continual basis.

Why? Because a situation that happened yesterday, would have spelled
D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R if I didn't!

Yesterday morning, I turned on my computer like every other morning, and guess what? The tower would not turn on. I was on panic stage 5, but then calmed down when I remembered that I did a back-up a week ago, so I have 98% of my files on an external hard drive. I also have a laptop computer that I could work on while my desktop was being repaired.

So that morning, with Tobias in tow, I brought the computer to get repaired. I explained what happened and the technician said it sounded like it needed a new power supply.

I can't wait to get my desktop back. It's been awkward working on my laptop. Definitely not as fast, especially when I have multiple programs running and working in Photoshop.

But I am so thankful that I have it to work on along with the files on my external hard drive to access while I'm waiting to get my desktop back.

So the moral of the story is - Back Up Your Files...because you just never know!

Inspiration Sunday - Lockets

A few years ago, my Mom gave me a beautiful heart locket with a picture of her and my Dad in it when they were in their late 20's. It is a keepsake that I will treasure forever. ♥

Lockets are so beautiful. I love how they open and you can put a precious picture or meaningful message inside.

There are so many beautiful lockets on Etsy. These are a few of my favorites.


Watch Locket with Red Rose and Wing by Love Spell Jewels




Sea Turtle and Beetle Book Style Locket by Plasticouture




Lovely Owl Pocket Watch Locket by Sevinoma




Antiqued Vintage Inspired Oval Locket by Backstreet Creations





Key to My Heart Locket by Trash and Trinkets




Vintage Brass Filigree Turquoise Resin Locket by Mint Designs




The Book of Love Locket by Persnickety Vintage

Friday Etsy Favorites

I am totally in love with each of this week's Friday Etsy Favorites! ♥ Definite must sees!

1. Punky Jane Jewelry ► Mark Your Calendar Necklace
2. Noblegnome Jewelry ► Nine Lives - Brass and Glass Bead Necklace
3. Paloma's Nest ► Custom Wooden Bangle Bracelet With Stamped Text
4. Ashbury Lane ► Antique Gnome Mantle Clock
5. Jewelry by NaLa ► Chrysolite Glass Swarovski Vintage Style Earrings
6. BeautySpot ► Secret Garden Locket

Giveaway! ► Enter to Win a $25 Gift Certificate to - mateo & tobias -

Enter to win a $25 gift certificate to mateo & tobias by entering a giveway that I am sponsoring at The Average Girl's Guide.



Contest ends Thursday, August 18, so don't delay and ENTER today! ♥

Brownies Made With Honey and NOT Sugar

Last week, I decided to do some baking as I haven't had alot of time lately to do that.

I made some Roger's 9 Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies. Tobias loves these cookies. And I love them because they are nutritious and there is not as much flour and sugar as in a 'regular' cookie recipe. :)

I also made some brownies, as Mateo loves brownies. A while back I had bought a huge container of cocoa powder to make hot chocolate and other chocolatey goodies. I noticed that there was a recipe on the back of the container for brownies.

The only problem was that it called for over 2 cups of white sugar. Yikes, I didn't want to be putting that much white sugar into a 13x9 pan of brownies. My kids have enough energy as it is and don't need an extra kick start! :)

I had a huge container of honey and thought, "I wonder if I could substitute the honey for white sugar?" I did a search on the internet and what I found said that honey could be substituted for white sugar in most baking recipes. So I went ahead and was excited to do a baking experiment. :)

The only thing that I would need to do though, is reduce the amount of honey used per cup of sugar. The reason being is that honey is sweeter than sugar and because it is a liquid, it will make your batter more runny. So for every cup of sugar, I used 3/4 cups of honey.

The result? The brownies turned out great and tasty! They had a slight hint of honey taste, but nothing overpowering. They were moist and chewy. Mateo loved them!

Inspiration Sunday - White Decor

White. So clean. So fresh. So crisp. I don't know what it is about using a white palette in home decor, but I just love it. It looks so inviting. When the kids get (much) older, I will definitely be going white! But right now, it's just not practical in my house! :) For now, I can just look at some lovely and inspiring pictures.

I love this dining room table. It has such an elegant and cozy feel to it. That chandelier above the table is beautiful. Loving the white wash floors too.




How gorgeous is this? I think I'd feel like a queen lying down on it! I'm also loving all the windows and how much light comes through them.




Love all the cabinet space in this kitchen. I also love how the dark floors make such a dramatic impact on the all white kitchen.




This mirror is so beautiful and elegant.




This room is so cozy and inviting. A great room for entertaining with family and friends.




I love the round mirror. The yarn pom-poms in the clear glass jars are fantastic. I'll have to try that.




I had to add this picture as I love the turquoise walls contrasted against the white furniture. And yes, I love the color turquoise.




This room looks like a wonderful sitting room. Great to relax and read a good book.