Friday Favorites

April 29, 2016

My husband and I are celebrating our wedding anniversary and his birthday on Saturday, so we decided to fête both occasions by taking a family trip to Disneyland. It's not the intimate, romantic celebration that I would typically want for an anniversary, but the hubby and I both agree that our family could use a healthy dose of fun right now (house hunting is stressful, not to mention my husband's crazy commute and the fact that he's not home during the week). The girls don't know we're going, which makes me feel even more excited because I just love surprising them. Plus, I fully embrace any chance I can get to spend the weekend at a hotel--no cooking or cleaning up, hooray! Have a wonderful weekend, and God bless!


Spicy shrimp and avocado lettuce wraps that would be a great alternative to tacos. 


A rose gold bike. 


The cutest little succulents planted in a teacup.


DIY speckled clay keychains


Makeup brushes that empower.

DIY Colorful Cake Stand

April 28, 2016

These cake stands were truly one of the easiest projects ever, took no time to make (save for the drying time), and since I used glass plates and martini glasses from the dollar store I also saved a ton of money. The fun, punchy colors will brighten up a festive Cinco de Mayo taco bar or make a Mother's Day brunch extra cheerful, but they're also perfect for serving donuts on an ordinary morning.

DIY Glass Cake Stand

1 clear glass plate
1 clear martini glass
glossy spray paint (I used Krylon)
industrial-strength adhesive, such as E-6000

In a well ventilated area, spread newspaper or an old sheet on a flat surface. Spray the entire martini glass and the underside only of the glass plate (you'll be placing food on the top of the plate, so you don't want to spray it). Let them dry for four hours and add a second coat if necessary. Allow both to dry overnight.

Apply a liberal amount of adhesive to the bottom of the martini glass and center it on the underside of the plate; press gently. Squeeze more adhesive around the bottom of the glass where it meets the plate to help reinforce it. Allow to dry, upside down, overnight. 




I recommend hand washing these; I haven't tried them in the dishwasher and I'm not sure how the paint will hold up.

Wordsmith Wednesday: Alfresco

April 27, 2016

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.

Fun Tablescape Ideas for a Cinco de Mayo Feast

April 26, 2016

At any Cinco de Mayo festivities, the food and drinks (margaritas!!!!) take center stage, but it's still fun to have a festive presentation for all those tacos and tequila. If you're hosting, here are a few fun ideas to make your Cinco de Mayo table look awesome.

1. Use a serape (those brightly colored, striped, shawl-like blankets) as a tablecloth or runner, and if you have several on hand, drape them over the backs of a few chairs. If you don't have any, try to find striped placemats in punchy colors to mimic the poncho's pattern.


2. Fresh flowers are key to a festive tabletop, but think outside the box when it comes to the vase. Wash out empty Cholula hot sauce bottles, Corona or Patron bottles, or even cans from tomatoes or chipotle peppers (check the Latin food aisle at the grocery for brands like El Pato and La Costeña) and arrange fresh blooms in them.


3. Set out colorful bowls or terra cotta pots with mini cacti in them; even better if you can find grafted cactus (also called "moon cactus")--they're bright red, pink, orange or yellow instead of the typical green.  Just make sure they're far enough from the food that no one has a painful run-in with the spiky plants.


4. I love using fresh fruit or veggies to add a natural element to a table. Limes are bright and colorful--perfect for a Cinco de Mayo celebration--plus, they make a great canvas for paints or markers (use colorful Sharpies to write your guests' names on them, or add sparkly designs with a metallic paint pen). You could also place fresh peppers or avocados in wooden bowls for a more rustic feel.


5. Mini piñatas, sombreros, or maracas all make fun and festive decor; arrange them around the center piece, along the runner, or if you're having a sit-down dinner, use them as place settings and put them right on each of the plates.  


image via

Friday Favorites

April 22, 2016

Katy Perry may have said it best when she tweeted that the world lost a lot of magic this week after news broke of Prince's passing. I was really stunned and saddened by his death, more so than with most other celebrities, because his music has played, and will no doubt continue to play, a huge role in my life. This weekend we're taking a little break from house hunting, so, while I've been a stickler about monitoring what my girls listen to (it's been mostly Disney soundtracks with a little Kidz Bop thrown in here and there), I'm going to introduce them to two of the best dance songs ever written--"Let's Go Crazy" and "I Would Die 4 U." Have a great weekend, and God bless!


DIY carnation stir sticks that instantly elevate a glass of ice water.


This cute and colorful Mara Hoffman romper.


Ice cream sundae tacos that will be so perfect for Cinco de Mayo.


Giant paper flowers and striped wall--the prettiest party backdrop.


The one and only Prince looking insanely fierce in gold sequins.

New Ways to Give Mom Flowers for Mother's Day

April 21, 2016

You could easily order the same floral bouquet you always get your mom for Mother's Day (it's coming up on May 8), but instead, why not try something new and inspired? These flowers give a fresh spin to the traditional blooms your mom loves. 

DIY mama a floral monogram.


Treat her to a sweet cupcake bouquet. Here's a great tutorial for DIY cupcake bouquets if you plan to make it yourself.


Spend a little extra and splurge on a gorgeous bouquet of fresh roses that will last until next Mother's Day. Really.


Let the kiddos get messy and create a colorful handprint bouquet.


Get crafty and make mom an enormous paper rose.

images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Wordsmith Wednesday: Kvell

April 20, 2016

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.

Friday Favorites

April 15, 2016

I always try to maintain a positive attitude and perspective, but this week has had more than its fair share of challenges and for the first time, in a long time I'm not only happy for the weekend, I'm actually relieved that it's finally here. This mama needs some rest, a few lingering hugs, and a bottle or two of good wine. I hope you have a wonderful, restful weekend! God bless.

Breakfast enchiladas



A pretty DIY watercolor paper backdrop that looks simple to pull off.



This amazingly gorgeous toucan. Those colors are unreal.



The exact reminder I needed this week. 



A sweet little front porch.

Wordsmith Wednesday: Impervious

April 13, 2016

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.


DIY Edible Finger Paints

April 8, 2016

Kids are naturally brilliant at making messes, and one thing I've learned is that life is more fun if you let them once in awhile. Since most little ones love to color and paint, these edible finger paints allow them to express themselves creatively, all while making a colorful, sticky, yummy mess.


To make edible finger paints, simply mix food coloring of your choice into chilled vanilla pudding (warm or room temp pudding tends to be runny, so make sure it's good and chilled). I picked up vanilla pudding packs from the dollar store and used food coloring that I already had at home. You could also use vanilla yogurt, but the pudding has a thicker, more paintable consistency. Have fun!

Friday Favorites

April 8, 2016

Well, we survived the first week back from spring break, and since my daughter's school had early dismissal all week we even managed to have a little extra fun. We got some fresh air and exercise out in the backyard (oh, and by the way, if you haven't hula hooped in over a decade, you'll want to ease into it because, trust me, you're not as good as you used to be), and had lots of extra playtime and stories indoors. This weekend we'll be back on the hunt for the perfect house for our family--wish us luck! You have yourself a safe and fun weekend, and God bless!


McQueen shoes that look like they were made for dancing. 


The cutest pie crust ever.


Adorable matchbox party favors


Montego Bay.


This beautiful s'mores cake

Wordsmith Wednesday: Voluptuary

April 6, 2016

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.

Friday Favorites

April 1, 2016

Spring break has come to an end but I'm actually quite excited about it; the end of spring break means we're closer to the end of the school year! Since our summer plans involve moving (yippeeeeeee!), I'm even more anxious for June to get here. This weekend we're house hunting and we're taking our little girls with us (is that a good idea??). While my youngest has no idea and couldn't care less about where we live, my six-year old has a few thoughts on the kind of house we should get; her shortlist includes two-stories, a pool, a big backyard that will fit a giant swingset, a big playroom, and bunk beds (hee hee). I hope we don't disappoint her. Have yourself a fun and safe weekend, and God bless!

A colorful beach situation. 


Skinny coconut mojitos


This fabulous DIY portable cocktail bar that makes me want to throw a party this instant.


Coffee


A sweet little hidden gem in Paris.
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