3.31.2010

happy easter ... planning

with easter fast approaching i'm needing to get my brunch planned.  below are some great resources i've found, from planning the perfect table to the perfect meal & keeping the kids entertained as well. 



... food ...


williams-sonoma.com
centralmarket.com
wholefoodsmarket.com


.... planning/decor ...


realsimple.com
bhg.com
marthastewart.com


... activities for kids ... 


parents.com
marthastewart.com
familyfun.go.com

images courtesy of marthastewart.com & williams-sonoma.com

3.30.2010

dreaming of a new car ...

it's really not practical for us right now (as I love my passat & I hardly drive it) ... but I have the new car buzz ... maybe I could just go and test drive so I know what I want ... when it's a better time for us to buy.  here are a few of my favorites (shallowly, based on looks alone).  


all images courtesy of edmunds.com

3.29.2010

the modern calling card

so we all have our corporate business cards and they are great when we're at networking events, representing our organization.  but what about all of the networking events that we attend to promote our family?  the answer - the modern day calling card.  you can make these yourself or buy them anywhere you buy regular ol' business cards, but there are some new online retailers making them with a more personal flare.  the whole idea is that you can make these really personally reflect you and/or your family.  check out some of my favorite designs below.  i've ordered mine ... hope it inspires you too!

all images courtesy of:  paperwink.com, redstamp.com, & shutterfly.com

3.24.2010

the flameless candle


I'm always decorating with candles ... and I'm known for putting them up very high - so realistically they are never going to get lit.  This past holiday I found these great candles that are wax led candles.  They come in a variety of sizes and colors.  But here's the kicker - they have a timer in them so they come on for a 4 hour stretch every day - or you can set them to just come on all of the time.  Genius.  So not only are they family friendly but they also truly can be functioning candles.  Love em!  I got mine at Target ... but I also found a great selection at www.flamelesscandles.net.  Check 'em out!

3.23.2010

best clutch ever





last year I desperately needed to get a wallet/clutch that I could carry by itself, throw into my bag, or into a diaper bag.  after much searching ... I found it and it has more than lived up to my expectations!  it's a great wallet and I have room to store all of my gift cards, receipts, business cards, and makeup.

3.22.2010

30 {ish} day planning ...

here are some upcoming holidays so you don’t get caught off guard.  i try to focus in 30 or 60 days out so I'm not rushing around at the last minute (not that that doesn't happen).  have you planned that special holiday meal?  have you bought cards and gifts for the kids and other family members.  have you dropped off those documents to the accountant?  hope this helps ... 


3.30.10 ~ first day of passover ~ tuesday
4.1.10 ~ april fool’s day ~ thursday
4.2.10 ~ good ~ friday
4.4.10 ~ easter ~ sunday
4.11.10 ~ holocaust remembrance day ~ sunday
4.15.10 ~ tax day ~ thursday - ugh
4.21.10 ~ administrative professionals day ~ wednesday
4.22.10 ~ earth day ~ thursday

3.19.2010

new martha stewart paint at home depot



I read about the new Martha Stewart Living paint at home depot a couple of months ago but this past weekend we where there and I was just passing bye and noticed that they have a complete paint palette.  It's so great for quick reference and I just love her colors!!  I don't have any painting projects in mind - but I may need to find a couple. Stop bye this weekend when you're running your errands!

3.18.2010

make everday {work} life more beautiful



one of my favorite online spots for the perfect work accessories is www.seejanework.com.  anytime I need something to help me organize or a little something pretty for my desktop I check it out.



3.17.2010

great plates



Speaking of spring coming ... I was at Walmart yesterday and these plates just jumped out at me!  It's from the Better Homes & Garden's line and they have dinner and salad sizes available in a variety of colors & patterns.  I tried to see if they were online and they weren't (sad).  They are melamine so we can use them for big or little people ... family, environmentally, dishwasher, and microwave friendly.  And the salad plates I got were a whopping $2 each!! A total steal compared to the other ones I had my eye on that were $20+/piece. 




p.s.  this picture doesn't do them justice ... go check them out!

3.16.2010

spring is coming ...


I was at the store yesterday and they had bundles of daffodils ... such a wonderful reminder that spring is just around the corner.  Get out there and get some spring flowers today!!

3.15.2010

career mom ... travel guilt ...


Last week I spent the week in Colorado, working as I do every 6-8 weeks or so.  It made me think of some things that I’ve learned over the last 4 years of a periodic traveling career mom.  Hope you can relate. 

1. 
I leave gifts to remind them of me every day - they aren’t big gifts, mostly books, or things that I’d get them at target or the grocery store anyway - but then they have something to look forward to every day that I’m gone.

2.  I write each of them a very personal note.
  - Ok ... I’m not one of those people that wishes tragedy on myself but we live in a bit of a scary world & with airline & car crashes that happen - I just never want my husband or kids to ever to question how I felt about them should something happen.  Also in my mind if I’m overly prepared for something like that - then it won’t happen, right.  Fingers crossed. 

3.  I stock up on all of the necessities before I leave.  - My husband is a GREAT dad ... but he doesn’t always remember all of the little treats, diapers, etc that are needed on a weekly basis.  I always try to remember to stock up before I leave.  Since I travel regularly it also helps keep me organized. 

4.  I organize outfits & layout everything and anything they need.  - Again, my husband is a great dad ... but it’s a lot caring for 2 crazy little ones for a week. 

5.  I always pick up something small when I’m traveling for each of the kids.  - I know this can turn into a crazy habit if I continue to travel, but I try to keep the things  very small and wherever possible I’ll pick up edible treats (that way it doesn’t add to the clutter and then they still have to “earn” it to eat it). 




 p.s.  still learning this blogging stuff ... and didn’t really have access to a company-free internet so I’ll have to take other measure when I go next time.

3.05.2010

easter ideas - part 3 ... great easter baskets

growing up my mom always made the most beautiful easter baskets for me and my sister.  since becoming a mother I feel great pressure to put together the perfect easter basket.  this post is all about the easter basket.  hope you're inspired ...

ideas for easter baskets: 



and ideas for fillers:
p.s.  some places I found these pictures or other great resources on-line:   pottery barn kids, williams-sonoma, land of nod, oriental trading company, beau coup and martha stewart online.

3.04.2010

easter ideas - part 2 ... great outfits for easter


so in our family we're much more casual than formal.  it's not that I don't like some of the really fun fancy dresses and sweater vests ... but to me we just look funny.  i also rely upon on-line shopping ...  it's just hard to squeeze in bouncing from store-to-store to find the "perfect snappy casual" look, that looks effortless in what little time I have on the weekends.  thank goodness for online shopping ... and my favorite spot for the kids ... gap kids & old navy!!  here are some great causal looks that can be worn for the first time for easter ... and then can be mixed and matched into the regular daily wardrobe.  emma & owen are going to look quite cute in some of these!!

 
 


3.03.2010

easter ideas - part 1 ... photography & cards

Only 4 weeks until Easter ... and holidays always seem to sneak up on me, not to mention I always have such great ideas ... not all of which have the time to fully come to fruition. 

One luxury that I NEVER regret is a session with a professional photographer, and spring is a great season for a session.  I was just out checking the blog of a photographer that we used for our holiday pictures last year, Alyssa Maisano, and she is doing the CUTEST sessions ... easter pictures with bunnies!! 

The perfect compliment to great photography is a precious card to share your great new photography with ... and tiny prints is my goto spot for great cards.  They have some great new designs!! 

Hope these inspire you!!



 

  
  
  
 

3.01.2010

favorite candles ...

don't you just love to walk into a house or room and you're overcome with a wonderful scent ... it can improve your whole mood.  i've been lovin' these henri bendel candles for years ... they are my "go to" candle.  my favorite scents are vanilla bean and pomegranate ... and I love that they're kid-friendly too! Get out to a Bath & Body Works to pick up your favorite.