Fancy up your fridge

Growing up my mother had our fridge PLASTERED, and I mean PLASTERED with magnets. Free ones, ones she collected, it didn't seem to matter. I always thought that fridge was ugly. Or maybe I just hated having to take them all down to clean the fridge (which was often my job). At any rate I vowed that when I grew up, I wouldn't have a fridge cluttered with tacky magnets.

Fast forward to today. I've got 4 kiddos who are constantly creating works of art for me. I've got wedding invitations with beautiful engagment photos that I hate to throw away. I've got the random note, or reminder that I want to be visible.

The other day I had an urge to make something, but had nothing really to make. Then the fridge caught my eye and so did a stack of cardboard from a recent photo print delivery, as well as a couple photos sitting on my bar waiting for a home. And a simple idea was born. I got out the good old mod podge and scrapbook paper and made these interchangeable frames for my fridge. (Sorry I know the pic is horrible quality, but I am having a lazy day!) The photos are attached with Zots, so they can be exchanged easily. The clip magnets can be found just about anywhere - these were found at the grocery store. They can also be made larger for your kids' art work.

Talk about a fun and EASY project. And one I can be proud to hang on my fridge! ;)

Pinkalicious Party

I can't believe my baby is 3! We celebrated right by having a Pinkalicious party. If you have a little girl and have not yet discovered this sweet little book, you must read it together.

The invitations are made from scrapbook paper. There are a variety of ideas on google, under cupcake invitations. I broswed through several images and just came up with something on my own. In the inside it said for all the guests to come in their favorite prncess dress, fairy wings or pink outfit.

Here's the party room. I made tissue paper flowers, just like we did for Cinco de Mayo every year in elementary school, and hung them from the ceiling. The chairs each had a tulle bow tied to it, and the table had a tulle bow runner down the center. I placed crayons in cups in shades of pink only, and sticker sheets on the table, which was covered in white craft paper.

One of my friends made a darling banner for me (hung on the armoire) that said "Think Pink" on it.

While I finished up in the kitchen, the girls colored on the table.

Sasha and friends are wowed by cousin Bella's artistic skills!

Our first activity was a game of Musical Cupcakes. I scanned the images directly from the book and mounted them onto large doilies.

We sat down for a minute to read the story, and reenacted the garden scene with a game of Elefun, transformed. I taped paper flowers all over the elephant base (to disguise it), and replaced the red/yellow butterflies (that come with the original game) with pink flowers and butterflies cut out of tissue paper.

Then we headed back to the table to decorate wands. I spray painted them pink ahead of time, and traced the edges with glitter glue. The girls decorated their stars with sticker jewelry and chose ribbons to tie around the stick of the wand.

At last it was time to eat... just the right balance of pink and green foods! Jello jigglers, strawberry marshmellows, mini strawberry yogurt pies, strawberry ring candy, grapes, green apples, honeydew melon and pink lemonade. The girls each took home pink star shaped lollipops with a very long stem, so they looked like edible wands (found at Party City).

The final touch was perfectly pinkalicious cupcakes, made to look just like the ones in the story... pink frosting, white pareils, red piping, and a cherry (cherry sour, actually) on top!

(Not pictured - each guest also took home a princess hat purchased from my favorite spot, the Target Dollar Spot, to go with their handmade wands)

Sasha and I had a blast. Nothing makes me happier than to create magical moments for my kids! Give me birthday parties any day! They are so. much. fun. and such a great way to enjoy life and growing up.

Think Pink!

My beautiful nieces... this shoot inspired a whole new direction for my photography! I am loving sibling shots now!



Tell me a whole collage of these wouldn't be so fun with a bunch of "pink phrases" like...

"Pink of perfection"
"Think Pink"
"Tickle me pink!"
"Make mine pink..."

I'm thinking of ways to decorate individual frames with these phrases too. Maybe stamped onto the frame? Add your phrase ideas in the comment section, if you can think of any!

One little secret wish...

There is a small part of me that's always wanted to open a shop of some sort. I could see myself owning a baby boutique, or pastry shop, or custom painted furniture store. When I was a newlywed I submitted a few pieces of jewelry and art to nearby shops, hoping to make a few sales. My good friend and creative soul sister Zoe and I mused about opening a store. A few times. So when I do happen upon a fun little place, you might find me snapping pictures and oohing and aahing over something simple like the bathroom. Lol.


While I was in Utah a few weeks ago my mother-in-law took me out to eat at this darling little restaurant called Food For Thought. It was so shabby, so simple, so sweet. I loved how quaint it was. I love that someone took the time to make some of the shop's smallest details pretty, like this valance over the soda machine.



And this shelf of punch bowls, which suggests to me that the place could be transformed for more grand, magical occasions than just lunch.



The walls of the restaurant were a soft pink... and looked like damask. The tables were all different... I particularly loved this intimate set-up for a little two-seater beneath a phantom window (with curtains, of course!).



As you walk into the restaurant, there's this cute little old stove propped in the corner. Just because.



And then this darling display of all types of goodies. Like fabric. And treats with descriptions.








The food was as delightful as the shop itself! I had a to-die-for pear salad and delicious mediterranean inspired sandwich. The service was friendly. It was quiet. (And the bathroom, though I am without pictures, was pretty cute too).

tulle and mod podge and buttons, oh my!

Sasha is turning 3! And loves all the typical little girly things - dressing up, dancing, pretending. I made this tutu and jewelry box for her birthday. The tutu was easy - I followed Linsey's tutorial.



And the jewelry box was just my own creation. Gotta love mod podge!



As long as I was in the creative mood, I made a frame I'd been putting off for a while, and dressed up an old, cheap target lamp that's been in the girls' room for years.