vera bradley

I was over at the Vera Bradley website and they had some goodies on sale.

I got this agenda....
and this knotty headband....
{i hope it comes before baby so i can wear it to keep my hair back for the big day.}

and this baby book.

I got a few gifts from the sale section too, but i can't show those in case the giftee is looking.

children inspire designs

as i have mentioned before, i belong to an online shopping club called zulily. {and i can sign you up if you want, all i need is your email address...} well, they always have the stinkin cutest stuff and since one of my faves, children inspire designs, has made an encore, i thought i would share.


i apologize for the massive pics. i'm too lazy to make them smaller.
matryoshka dolls are so hot right now.

i got this one for judy jude's room. it is so darling in person. i will probably post pics of the nursery some day when it's actually put together. soon, very soon....
and i thought this set would be fun in a play room. our plans are to someday have one in our finished basement. a pipedream really.

view more here. they are only available thru zulily for a short time. let me refer you if you decide to buy!

that's just mean

I belong to a club called zulily. it's kinda like a costco that sells high-end goodies just for kiddos and moms at a discounted price. you never know who will be in the shop that week and they only stay for a few days.
well i opened my latest email from them to find a brand called 'Hazel'. {sorry link is for the adult line. i couldn't find the kids stuff.} that's the name i desperately want for my imaginary daughter. {oh please please don't take my name if you are pregnant with pink right now! unless i have no idea who you are.}

and just look at that picture!! that is exactly how my hazel will look! ok, her clothes anyway. do i dare try for a daughter after this one? or call it quits like i'd planned?

{if you want to join zulily, can i refer you? just send me your email address in my comments. i won't publish it unless you want me to. and i get store credit for every person i refer who buys.}

Magic Lotion

I have had a rash on my face for about 8 years. My dermatologist diagnosed it as peri-oral dermatitis. And for 8 years he has not been able to prescribe anything to make it go away. whether it's a big patch or small, on my chin or the corner of my mouth, it's been my obnoxious constant companion. And this last pregnancy, I thought it was going to host a hostile take-over! Then I went into a beauty supply store and the girls at the counter told me to try Cocoon lotion. BRILLIANT!

I've been using it for about 2 months now and my rash completely gone! I put it on all over my face right after the shower, on the infected area periodically throughout the day, and then all over again at night. It's like a miracle.

If you hate your skin - you must try this. The back says it heals dermatitis, eczema, acne and psoriasis just to name a few. (And I've noticed my blackheads diminishing too.) I paid $35 for a big bottle which is the same as my co-pay at the derm.

Here's to happy faces - CHEERS!

have you seen this?

One of the movies Dan and I scored at the Hollywood Video out-of-business-extravaganza was The Brothers Bloom. We had never seen it but my brother Andrew and his cute wife Julie said it was good. And for $5, I thought ... why not?

Now I know it's a little late for a review, but I think this movie got a raw deal, so allow me to impart my own thoughts about it.

It's your typical con man movie that's a bit on the quirky side that I found both amusing and intriguing. There is a sweet under story, however; stealthily laid beneath the popcorn exterior. and I can always tell I liked a movie when I keep thinking about it afterward. But it wasn't until little pieces of the movie came floating back to me that I realized exactly how deep and touching the under story was. It wasn't obviously shoved in your face like so many other movies do. The writers expected their audience had a bit more intelligence than the superficial movie goer. {thank you guys} perhaps that's why it didn't get the best of reviews?

At any rate, I was driving to Big Lots, {I just love that store. I bought some really cute mirrors. perhaps a pic later?} and it hit me with full force leaving me to fight off the bawl. Ok, maybe I'm being silly. Maybe you'll watch it and think, what the heck is she talking about?

It's that dang Adrien Brody. This isn't the first time he's haunted me after a movie. I couldn't sleep the night after I saw The Village. It wasn't me worried about a woodland monster getting me - paleease! I don't scare that easy. It was images of Adrien Brody as an innocent, all be it disturbed, mentally handicapped kid bleeding to death in a pit.

where was I? Oh yeah. super long post = I think I really liked this movie and I recommend it if you're not completely confused by this novel I've written.

I spy with my little eye...

Cookie Truffles. You will need:
{and not in this order}
1. green food coloring
2. pure orange extract (optional)
3. about 1 tsp vegetable oil
4. 8 0z block cream cheese - softened
5. 16-18 0z pkg sandwich cookies
(your choice - I used lemon)
6. mini chocolate chips
7. 12 0z pkg white chocolate baking chips


You will also need:
1. double boiler
2. food processor
(this is mandatory! If you don't have one, call around to see who does.
Tell them if they let you borrow it, you'll make it worth their while.)
3. melon baller
4. large toothpicks
5. super professional piping bag (or ziplock, whatever)
6. paper nut cups (optional)



Finely crush your cookies in the food processor and toss into the lovely artisan your hubbie bought you for Christmas, or a large mixing bowl. Cube your cream cheese and toss that in too.
Mix


After it is well blended and looks like cookie dough,
shape into balls with your melon baller.



Place in pan or plate and freeze for 20-30 min.
Meanwhile, add your white chips and v. oil to your double boiler and melt over med/low heat.
Stir until smooth. Stir in approx. 1/2 tsp orange extract.
Remove glass bowl and set on a hot mat near a good work surface.


Remove cookie balls from freezer. One at a time, insert toothpick into bottom of each ball and dip in melted w. chocolate, turning to coat. Pull off toothpick and let cool on wax paper. Your fingers will get messy. Wait till you've dipped all the balls before licking them.

Stir in 3-4 drops food coloring to remaining w. chocolate. (If chocolate has hardened, re-melt in double boiler and allow to cool a bit) Scoop up now g. chocolate and spoon into ziplock. Snip a small hole in one corner and squeeze all chocolate to it. Pipe little circles on each ball and top with choc. chip. (go pipe, chip, pipe, chip or the chocolate will harden.)

I switched to the regular sized choc. chips because I thought the mini ones look too much like... well, you know! Then I decided they both did. So you pick, dilated pupils or no.
Chill in the fridge about an hour. Place in paper nut cups and arrange on platter for your party.

or find a cute box and give some to the friend that let you borrow their food processor.

be sure to include a quirky message.

{store them in the fridge, they are much better chilled. and you can make them ahead of time too. Just don't put them in the freezer once they've got the choc. on them - they might bloom.}

ENJOY!

meant to be

first there was this: single serving pie in a jar.

then there were these:

free printable jar labels.

Say hello to freaking cutest Christmas neighbor gifts ever! And the beauty part is you can start them now... before you become catatonic!

gasping!

So I stumbled across the blog of Anna Maria Horner, a fabric and pattern designer. {and yes, I have quite a bit of her stuff} And I was nearly in tears with her family picture. I want one sooo bad! It's gorgeous! {Candis, you like?} Anyway. Loving her blog, but she also has a website. check'em out!

It's amazing how many heart-breakingly talented people have been crammed into this world.

very cool

so, an old buddy of mine from grade school {isn't the internet amazing?!} just found me and informed me of something all my crafty friends out there won't want to miss. it's called the handmade affair and it's happening locally Sep 12(?). application info is here.

you can also check out Kate's blog where i highly recommend checking out her link list to the right. {man she knows some talented people!} and i also like her mama survival secrets on her second blog.

Enjoy!

conference recipes

my mom would make these so often for general conference, that, to me, they've become synonymous.

Marshmallow Toast

take a piece of bread and lightly toast.

spread peanut butter on toast.

lightly sprinkle with brown sugar.

top with marshmallows.

put under the broiler till mallows turn golden.

eat.

Hootenanies

preheat oven to 375 degrees

place 1/2 - 1 stick of butter in a 9" x 13".

place in oven to melt butter.

toss in blender:

6 eggs

1 c milk

1 c flour

1/2 tsp salt

pour batter over melted butter.

bake for 20 min till HUGE.

we eat ours with lemon juices and powdered sugar.

but you can also top with fruit and whipped cream.

Bon Appetit!

don't come around here no more

the two unsuspecting salesman today dropped the last straw on this camel's back. you think they would cover this in training! if you come to my door and ask, "is your mom or dad home?" you can just turn around and walk away. because whatever it is you're selling- i don't care if it's Elvis Presley shaped, gourmet imported caramel filled chocolates that come wrapped in a 1/2 yard of fabric, i'm not going to buy it now. i've thought of some snotty replies, {i don't know if they're home, would you like me to call them and find out?} but i can never remember to say them once the offense is committed. (and yes, this does happen to me frequently.)
...so i'll try to cut them off at the pass. for those of you without a local craft store...
first of all: i feel sorry for you; second: there are some great stamps to choose from here. just use a foam brush to lightly dab a little acrylic paint onto you stamp and press firmly but gently onto your plaque. don't forget to put a clear coat on when you're finished to protect it from the elements. {and the occasional egg from a snubbed solicitor.}

too cool... and a little creepy.

This morining I had my handwriting turned into a font. I went here, followed the simple instructions and she emailed it back to me TODAY. It's slightly weird typing with it though. I keep thinking 'ha, this looks just like my handwriting!' You can see more handwriting fonts here. Mine's not there yet, but I'll post the link when it is. It's called 'Pea Carolyn'

my head could explode

i'm going to try to get all of this out without overwhelming or confusing any of you.
so my incredibly talented friend, Candis, has a beautiful website - heirloom paperie. But did you know that heirloom paperie has a blog with FREE TEMPLATE TUESDAYS and $5 DOLLAR FRIDAYS?!!
i must say this weeks free template tuesday is looking mighty good, no? anyway. she referenced another blog to say where she got the font: idiy. {hilary, you must take a peek at this blog - i insist} and from there, i was led to another blog, magic jelly, where i happily downloaded 12 FUN AND FREE FONTS. i KNOW! i'm sort of a font junkie and with just a few chain clicks i felt like a pirate finally digging up that big ol' X. all of these blogs offer cool and free downloads. have fun making your pretty things!

YOU'VE BEEN PHANTOMED!

Jessica and I used to do this when we were teenagers. You can do it any time of year but I think it's especially appropriate during October. You get a giant refrigerator box and cut a long rectangular hole in the front just wide enough so you and another person can see. Keep the top taped but open the bottom so you can walk. You bake a plate or two of cookies and wait until dark. Pull the box over you and a friend, leave the plate of cookies on someones porch, ring the doorbell, then go stand on their lawn. When they open the door you shout in a booming and ominous voice, "YOU'VE BEEN PHANTOMED!" Then you slowly back away. It's hilarious because they are so confused by the giant talking cardboard box on their lawn. One time as J and I were backing away we tripped over a pothole in the grass. Picture an enormous box on it's side with four legs wriggling out the bottom like a turtle on it's back.

You can even make it into one of those chain things where they hang a picture on their door and they have to 'phantom' two other people.