So Good: Smoothies

Smoothies are so refreshing on a summer evening. We like to try all kinds of combinations, but one of our recent favorites is a strawberry, blueberry, mango smoothie. Here's an almost-recipe:

Equal parts fresh blueberries, strawberries {halved or quartered}, and mango sorbet,

Pour in about 8 oz mango mix juice {orange wouldn't be bad either},

Blend until smooth {add more juice if necessary, to obtain preferred consistency},

Enjoy!

Shopaholic: Tied Up Memories

Gift Tags

Have you ever bought something just because it was cute, even though you didn't have a need or purpose for it {but you're sure you'll find one eventually}?  I know I have, and these gift tags from Tied Up Memories are one of my recent too cute purchases. They would make excellent decorations to a gift {what they're intended for}, but would also be cute in a scrapbook, hanging on a cork board, or even for labeling drawers.  With a variety of {cottage} styles, it's difficult to pick just one {especially considering the prices}.  So stop by and take a peak, you might find something that is too cute to pass up too!

From the Garden 

Vintage Paper Blooms

Bird Watching

Last night I spotted a bird right outside our front window. At first I thought it was a Mourning Dove, but as Josiah and I looked closer, it resembled a female Cardinal more than a Mourning Dove, and then, as it perched on the tree, we were able to get a good look at it, and noticed it had a mask. We took note of its other distinct features {red wing tips and yellow tale tip}, and then did our best to look up the mystery bird.

The website WhatBird.com turned out to be a great resource. We were able to narrow our bird down first by location, then size, shape, beak type, color, and other variables, and soon we had a list of only 17 birds. While clicking through the available options, we actually found our culprit: the Cedar Waxwing.

{Now, if only I'd gotten a photo of our actual bird!}

Also, Josiah thinks I need a bird feeder because I'm always watching the birds out of our windows. However, I argue that I don't need a bird feeder when I can just watch the birds in the trees {not to mention, I think we have enough squirrels}. Maybe I seem silly for being so excited, but it was so neat to see a bird we'd never seen before, and then to be able to figure out what kind of bird it was. I am now on the lookout for more.

Baby Shower: Summer

Trick Sun Hat 6-12 Months - worthygoods $28
Girl's White Bucket Sun Hat - Blissful Moments $6.95
Infant Boy Gift Set - Posh Pipsqueak $16
Modern Peasant Dress - Olive & Ollie $28

Little Comforts

After a busy weekend of fishing {well, watching Josiah fish - wow, that can be tiring!} and working on hand binding my latest quilt {photos soon, it's a surprise}, I was ready for a break today.  However, on a busy Monday, sometimes it's the little things that make me happy:

Shoes that are cute and comfortable {I'm not one of those lucky people whose feet will just wear anything}.

A book that's been sitting on the shelf far too long {and reading it on the back patio in the evening sunlight}.

Lilies that I didn't plant or tend, but are just beautiful to look at.  Suddenly, the business of the week doesn't seem quite so overwhelming after all.

Simply Home: Throw Pillows

One of the best ways to change the style of a living room or bedroom is to change the throw pillows.  By choosing a neutral sofa or bedding, the whole room can be changed with just a few accents.  Browns, tans, greys, creams, and whites, can easily become bold and edgy when accented with reds, golds and oranges, or cozy and cool with blues, greens, and yellows.  Even better than changing throw pillows, changing the pillow covers is a cost effective {as well as space saving} option.  Simply slip the new style covers on to your pillows or pillow forms, and you have a great new look.  Ready for a change?  Remove and store one set of covers and replace it with different ones.  Here are a wide variety of throw pillow covers available on Etsy for a little freshinging of your style:

Spa Blue Throw Pillow Cover - Asmus Home Interiors $18

Doily Pillow Cover - Nuka $24

Throw Pillow Cover Amy Butler's Coriander - Persnickety Home $30

Ruby Red Retro Funky Designer Cotton Cushion Covers - Marie's Cosy Cushions $20

Shopaholic: Lillyella

Lillyella is a well known jewelry designer on Etsy.  Her jewelry is simple, elegant, and completely wearable any day.  Nicole's blog is also worth following, as it is full of how-to's, recipes, and giveaways.  Nicole is also having a Christmas in July sale, with promotions for her followers on Twitter and Facebook.  Here are a couple of Nicole's photos {doesn't she take fabulous photos too?} of some of the jewelry we've purchased for ourselves and others:

Baby Shower: Names

Wood Plaque with Vinyl Lettering -A Simple Impression $15
Vinyl Wall Words Design Decal -Pop Vinyl Studio $19
Hanging Round Wall Letters - Candice n Katies Art $19.95
Hand Painted Wooden Wall Letters -Whimsical Rooms $13

Maybe Someday...

...I'll live in a caslte like the one we visited this weekend.  Singer Castle to be exact, it is only accessable by boat, and is just beautiful.  Even if our time spent there was only a one-hour guided tour, it was worth the trip.  Styled after a castle in Sir Walter Scott's Waverly {a first copy of which was in the libary}, it was complete with suits of armor, secret passages, and a dungeon.

Although the structure was only finished in 1905, it seemed to take us further back in time.  It is the kind of place one only reads about in fiction, right before our eyes {and available to rent for the night for under $1,000!}.  We tried to take lots of photographs, but our tour companions often made it difficult.  However, we were still able to capture a quite a bit of it.

If I were to have the fortune to live in a castle someday, this would be the kind I would hope for: on a lovely island, remote, and flooded with daylight {except maybe the dungeon}.  I think maybe as a follow up I will have to get a copy of Waverly and read about the places that inspired this architectural wonder.

Who knew there were such amazing castles to be found in the US?  And practically in my back yard at that!

Simply Home: Slipcovers

Welcome to my newest column: Simply Home. I am kind of a Martha-Stewart-wanna-be when it comes to my home. I'm lucky enough to get to live in an adorable Cape Cod house for my first home-owner experience, and I've put some extra work into decorating it too {so, please bear with my cottage style}, but, with the military, we won't get to be here forever, so I've done my best to make my decorating as affordable and versatile as possible. In this column {which will run the Fridays I have something to write about} I'd like to show you some of the little things I've done that you can do at home too, to give your home a little style without breaking the bank {I'm sure all of you have very stylish homes though!}. If you have any tips or ideas, please e-mail me and I'd be happy to share some of them on the blog too! So first off, my white {slipcover} couch:

I love Pottery Barn style, and am always browsing their catalogs.  For the past several years, they've been displaying white sofas and I wanted to get that look.  So, I picked out this Ikea sofa at a fraction of the price {just in case - we're not the neatest couple on the planet} and have to say that, a few years later, it was a great option.  We haven't noticed too much wear and tear on the cushions, but the slipcovers have been amazing.  Chocolate, coffee, and a variety of other things have been spilled on this sofa, and yet they've all washed out with a little stain remover {in my home washing machine!}.  I've also noticed that after a few months of sitting around they start to look a little worn, but they wash up like new.  And, for an easy change, new slipcovers are available for reasonable prices as well.  So, if you're considering a slipcover sofa, I am pleased with mine, it didn't break the bank, and doesn't look too lived-in at all!  What a great way to make life easier, a sofa that is wash-and-go {just make sure the cover is machine washable, some of them are not}.

{Now I just need to figure out something for that empty wall...maybe a wall-hanging? vinyl decal? picture? Suggestions welcome!}

Shopaholic: Mixmasha

Jade Cluster- button brooch

We happened upon Mixmasha's shop while reading the Lillyella blog and couldn't resist these beautiful creations!  Buttons and brooches, what a perfect combination. Not only is the concept beautiful, but the workmanship is too.  Carefully constructed and simple, elegant packing, would make these lovely brooches a perfect gift for you or someone else.  Take a peek, maybe heart, or make a purchase from this lovely Australian!

 

Ireland-button brooch $12

Port Wine Cluster- button brooch $14

Baby Shower: Apples

Red Apple Bib and Burp Set - Baby Gee's $19

Custom Nursing Cover - Hungry Hippo Creations $16.50
diaper cover- apples and pears - Re Think Crafts $13
Handmade Baby Bootees - Toffee Apple - Lili Draws Pictures $9

Shopaholic: My Southern Lace

My Southern Lace

I have a love of pins and brooches.  My sister pinned a beaded flower on my jean jacket once, and I've worn a pin on my jackets and blazers ever since.  Last fall I found a great green tweed blazer, but it needed something unique.  I was browsing Etsy when I stumbled upon My Southern Lace's shop and this unique pin:

It is one of my favorite posessions.  I get lots of compliments on it because it really is so unique.  Neither I nor anyone else has seen anything quite like it.  Although you may not find a pin just like this one, Cherylynn has some other great vintage jewelry in her shop like these:

 

Vintage Floral Enamel Pin $10 

2 pc Vintage Blue Floral Rhinestone 12k Pin set $15

And...

the winner is...

Back to the Random Integer Generator this time, and our winner is comment number 7 - Tarena from Our Growing Family who's favorite item from The Vintage Flirt is "elise".

Thank you to everyone who entered and a special thank you to Molly for sponsoring this great giveaway! Also, keep checking Whimsy House, Fabric House, and The Vintage Flirt for new additions.

Baby Shower: Aqua

Diaper and Wipes Pouch - Baby Bliss MH $8.50
Baby Gift Set - Noodles and Milk $27

Terry Baby Bib - Paisley Baby $10
Aqua and Chocolate Polka Dot Lovey - Dragonfly9012 $19.50

Behind the Scenes: Whimsy House

We would like to introduce Molly of Whimsy House this week.  In addition to her whimsical goodness, Molly has two other shops, a fabric and notion shop called Fabric House and a brand new vintage shop, The Vintage Flirt.  Molly has been one of the great, encouraging sellers we first met when we started our Etsy shop.  Not only has she been encouraging and cheerful, but she also was our first customer, purchasing one of our little blankets for her nephew.  So, without further ado, enjoy learning a little bit more about this busy and talented woman (and don't forget to enter the giveaway too).

Hope - Felt and Fabric Yoyo Posey Brooch $8

1. What inspired Whimsy House?  My best friend gave me a bracelet a couple years ago for Christmas that was just gorgeous and artsy and wonderfully handmade.  She found it on Etsy.  I fell in love the moment I started browsing around the site and I instantly knew I wanted to be a part of it.  I had just started staying home more with my girls, slowly letting my interior design business dwindle because I didn't want to put them in daycare, so Etsy became my sanity saver and Whimsy House was born.   My grandmas were both crafters.  My Grammy was always experimenting with different art mediums.  She is definitely the one who gave me the courage and confidence to just go for it!

2. Where do you find your supplies for Whimsy House?  Everywhere!  I love to work with vintage, old items and scraps from my interior design projects.  I find the whole concept of "upcycling" intriguing and much more fun than going to the craft store and buying new stock.  I often shop Etsy for supplies along with flea markets and thrift stores, garage sales and antique malls.

Shades of Sage and Olive - Fabric Project Pack $4.25

3. Do you have a favorite medium to work with?  Again - old stuff!!  I adore fabric but don't know how to use a sewing machine so everything is hand stitched.  Vintage buttons, however, are my latest favorite if they can be considered a "medium"

4. What does your daily routine look like?  Now that's a tough one!  Since it's summer now we are able to start the mornings slowly.  My girls,  2 and 5, wake us up and we go from there.  Check email and Etsy, feed everyone,  shower and get ready for the day.  The mornings are play time and email returning/shipping time.  When Sophie  goes down for her nap and lunch is done I try and squeeze in crafting and listing time.  My older daughter, Elle, loves to craft and will usually pull something out to work on or play with my supplies.  Then it's dinner and craziness when my hubby and 14 year old step son get home.  Time for some wine and grown up time, maybe another listing or at least some browsing on Etsy, TV time and hit the sack!  Now of course lots of days involve errands and gymnastics class and laundry and all that stuff but that would be how I would love each day to run - dream on!!

5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?  A mommy and a teacher (would never do that now - I'm so thankful others will!).

vintage italian tapestry clutch purse

6. What is something you cannot live without?  My family and friends.  Red wine and good cheese.

7. Do you have a secret indulgence?  Trash TV - pathetic, I know.  I love "Brothers and Sisters" and  "Gray's Anatomy."  My all time favorite is HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm"... hoping the new season will start soon.  And if I ever make it out to a movie I over indulge in movie theater popcorn - my mouth waters just thinking about it!

8. What kinds of things to you shop for on Etsy?  Everything!  I always go to Etsy first for gifts and I search supplies quite often too.  I love to support Etsy sellers - truly the talent is amazing (not to mention the prices!)  I've been trying to buy clothes there too (not an easy task for me, I'm much better at dressing houses than myself!) and I discovered Creole Collection and her many other shops as well.  I'm addicted to Wendy's style plus she is so super easy and fun to work with.  I also by soaps and lotion.  Really, I think I always shop Etsy first!

Fanciful, Fun and Funky - Vintage Findings Necklace $16

10. Do you have a favorite purchase or two?  So many... I simply can't choose!  Ok - here are a couple: Cherries  from Metro Station and her thread art is amazing!  I have lots of those pieces too and I adore them!  I check her shop daily... she's so talented. And Hope the Brown Bunny - Mixed Media Assemblage  from Folk Art Vision.  I bought this for my mom last Christmas and I had a hard time parting with it.  I love bunnies!!

Lakeside Bloom - Vintage Findings Ring $10

Now for the fun part, Molly is generously giving away one of her beautiful Whimsy House rings (valued up to $10) to a lucky winner.  To enter, simply visit any (or all) of Molly's shops:  Whimsey House, Fabric House, or The Vintage Flirt and come back here and leave a comment with your favorite item.  To earn extra entries you can do the following, just make sure to let us know:

• Follow our blog
• Follow Molly's blog 
• Tweet this giveaway
• Send a friend and have them enter

You have until July 8 at 9am to enter.  Winner will be drawn later that afternoon.  Good luck!