Book Page Decor

Happy Friday... Oh me Oh my how I love Friday!  My boys come home with NO homework, I get to look forward to weekends with the hubs, playing with my kids instead of being chauffeur and I get to catch up on MY to do lists, not everyone elses.  I just LOVE Fridays!  You know what else makes me happy? Books!  I love reading, I love looking at old books with worn covers, I love even smelling books.  Weird? Maybe.  When my boys come home with their library books I love to open them and sniff the pages... I know that sounds crazy right? wait. Don't answer that...but seriously, does anybody else know what I'm talking about?  Books, especially older ones just have a smell to them that is awesome. Okay now that you all think I'm nutty let me get to my point...Books, their pages in particular posses so much character whats not to love.  My mother is an avid reader, book collector, and has selves upon shelves of all the classics.  I'm sure that's where my love comes from.  But when you open a book, the words are worn, the pages fade from white to cream to yellow and almost brown at the edges, there ageing only increasing their delight fullness...ahhh... so decorating with book pages is genius!!!! I was in heaven going through some inspirational photos on clever ways to decorate with book pages.  I hope you enjoy! 
Have an absolutely amazing weekend!
 XOXO -B

A little something different and some Monogram Wreaths

Nine days.  It's true.  It has been nice days since my last post. I know, I know, I know....I've neglected my blog for a long time now.  Going out of town mixed with being the room mom in both my kids classes, their sports, and my semester at school life is CRAZY!  I have made a commitment, however, to be better about my daily blog posts. I think one reason why is I haven't been happy about the limitations I set on myself to blog in specific categories daily.  Sometimes I want to blog about motherhood, on a Tuesday, or a recipe on a Friday, ya know?!  So I have decided to blog about what ever is inspiring me that day!  So lucky for you it will be a surprise on what I'm posting about.  But I digress... enough about myself...Okay so today's post is about something I have been swooning over for awhile.  I love anything Monogram because it shows a personal element to an item.  On that note these monogram wreaths are fantastic!  They are so easy to do yourself, and allow plenty of room for creativity. Enjoy and I hope you get some inspiration! 
XOXO - B

VIA

Whimsical Wednesday - "Fall door Decor"

Hello Dolls!  I think everyone is absolutely done with this heat.  I love the carefree days of summer, but I'm ready for fall.  I want to ride bikes with my kids, play ball at the park, and enjoy soups and stews and pumpkin bread.  In observance of the upcoming season, and the new month I came up with these beautiful fall doors.  I love decorating for the fall and adding a bit of comfort and warmth to my front door.  Enjoy these photos, and I hope they inspire you to add some fall love to your entryway.
 XOXO!  Make it a great one! - B

All images Via Here and Here

Tasteful Tuesday - "Snack Time"

Happy Tuesday all you Beauties!  As a spin off to my post yesterday on Momma Monday, I am sharing with you today...Homemade snacks that you will approve of for your little ones (who am I kidding, and your big ones, I LOVE these snacks too)!  I hope you enjoy these cook free snacks that will feel your kiddos up with goodness, and will make them smile too. 
-XOXO, B

Bag O' Teddies:

Ingredients

• 1  single-serving-size bag  bear-shape graham snack cookies or animal crackers
• 1/4  cup  vanilla or fruit-flavor low-fat yogurt*
• 1/4  cup  sliced fresh fruit or berries (strawberries, mandarin orange segments, blueberries, bananas)

Directions

1. Use scissors to cut open bag of cookies along one of the short ends. Spoon yogurt over cookies in bag. Top with fruit. Serve from the bag with a spoon. Makes 1 serving.
3. *Note: If desired, use vanilla or chocolate low-fat pudding instead of yogurt.  (Our fav is graham or chocolate bears, with strawberry Greek yogurt and bananas or sliced strawberries).

Carrot Crinkle Fries: **We eat these when we grill burgers too.  YUM!

Ingredients

• 1  pound  carrots
• 1  tablespoon  olive oil
• 1/4  teaspoon  dried thyme
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt

Directions 1. Slice carrots into 1/2-inch-wide sticks using a crinkle cutter. Toss with olive oil, dried thyme, and salt. Bake at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until soft, on a parchment paper–lined pan.

Fruit Kabobs:

Ingredients

• 4    cantaloupe or honeydew melon slices
• 2  oz.  reduced-fat cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese slices
• 4    fresh blackberries
• 4    whole fresh strawberries

Directions

1. Use 1- to 1-1/2-inch cookie cutters cutter to cut shapes out of cantaloupe and honeydew slices and cheese. Thread fruit and cheese onto 4 small skewers. (CUT OFF SHARP ENDS!) Place in a flat storage container and chill until serving time (or up to 24 hours). Serves 2.

Safari Snacks: A fun twist on Ants on a Log

Ingredients

• 1/2  of an 8-ounce package  reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchatel), softened
• 1/2  cup  creamy peanut butter
• 2  to 3 tablespoons  milk
• 2  teaspoons  honey
•   Celery sticks, animal crackers, and/or assorted dippers such as peeled jicama sticks, carrot sticks, apple wedges, pear wedges, or graham cracker sticks

Directions 1. For dip, in a small mixing bowl beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in peanut butter, milk, and honey until well combined and smooth. If desired, chill before serving.
2. To serve, spread dip in celery sticks and garnish with animal crackers and cut-up fresh fruit. Or, serve with assorted dippers. Makes twenty 1-tablespoon servings (1-1/4 cups).

Momma Monday - "Mom approved on the go Snacks"

It's Monday!  Did anybody Else's weekend just fly by?  Wow!  Here is to another week.   So now that school is back in session I wanted to share  two of our favorite on the go snacks that mom actually approves of. I'm talking snacks that are full of goodness that get us through busy school days.  The first one is Kids Cliff Bars.  My boys devour these bars of wholesome nutrition, and I am left feeling satisfied they are getting protein, vitamins and organic grains in their little bodies.   Their favorite is the Chocolate Brownie and the Chocolate Chip.  Costco sells them in bulk (LOVE Costco) and I pack them everyday in the boys backpack.  They are loaded with fiber, have a chocolate gooey taste and they are all natural.  Need I say more?  Plus they are Delish!  My hubs even eats them before he hits the gym for a quick energy boost!  Secondly The Go squeeze applesauce packs (also at Costco) are a lifesaver!  I have these stashed in the kids lunch everyday, and I even tote at least 3 at a time in my purse (aka my lifeline).  These are squeezable fun in a pouch that needs no spoon!  Again these are all natural applesauce packs that have no added or refined sugar, no artificial anything, and they are chalk full of vitamin C, A and fiber.  They count as a fruit serving and are the most convenient snack around!  Now my on the go snack of choice was introduced to me from my bff.  The Luna bar.   Oh My.  The lemon zest flavor is too die for.  They are made especially for women with folic acid, calcium, fiber, and all the vitamins we need.  They are high in protein and low in calories.  I also stash these in my car and purse and eat them everyday between meals.  They are great for prego mamma's as well, being high in folic acid.  Mommas need energy too during the school year!!!  On another note I picked up some adorable pirate themed lunch containers in the dollar section at target.  They are so cute, and I also scored some cupcake holders shaped as a cupcake.  I packed the boys cupcakes in their lunch for dessert the second day of school in these just so I could use them!  I adore cute lunch containers and it just seems to make the kiddos lunch a little more fun.  One last thing... Please always include a note in your kiddos backpack, on their snack, or in their lunch.  Pottery Barn kids has the cutest premade notes with riddles on them that kids can share with their friends at lunch.  Genius!  Enjoy your Monday Loves! 
XOXO - B

VIA

PBK

VIA

Mr. HappyPants

Captain Character

The Beauty Bag Thursday - "Natural Beauty through feel good Endorphines"

Good day!  So I have a question... Do you ever notice how beauty radiates on an individuals face when they are doing something they have a passion for?  Well my humble observation is that when someone is doing something they enjoy bliss sets in and creeps the corners of the mouth upward.  This immediately tightens the skin, creates a smile and a sparkle in the eye.   It's the truth.  I think that is why motherhood is so beautiful on most women.  We have purpose when raising and tending to kids, therefore a rundown, tired momma even has a glow.  This is also true when doing something physical.  A bike ride can immediately create windblown, natural waves and send a rush of endorphins to the brain.  Running through a Field of flowers sends color to the cheeks and lightens the soul.  Being fit and active however, is not always easy.  Especially when your a mom and have many other hats too wear daily.  So if doing activities that make you joyful create inner beauty that shines outward, and being active also creates a healthy glow, why not do both, at the same time!  I say get active with your kiddos and play soccer or a game of tag. Or how about dance in the kitchen with your babes or your hubby. Laughing with a girlfriend while doing errands is a feel good and active time as well.   Endorphins are released when we are happy, and moving  (you know the feel good natural drug your brain releases).  I constantly have my ear buds in my ears while I'm moving around the house dancing.  I sing, shake my booty and move around while I unload groceries, clean, put away laundry, or even cook dinner.  If the kiddos are home I put our jams on the speakers and they join in!  It's fun, gets everyone laughing (mostly at my expense, but I don't care) and it burns calories at the same time.  That great hormone will be released and those endorphins will replace bad hormones like cortisol which is released by stress and lack of sleep and is stored in your belly as FAT.  Get up and move ladies and do something you LOVE!   Sounds easy enough right? well it is!!!!  A few months ago I took  a modern dance class to challenge myself.  I cursed under my breath every Monday and Wednesday as i drove to meet Miss Cherie and her tights.  Oh man was she tough, but I honestly was in the best shape of my life while dancing to her constant commands "relive', plie', leap!, floor fall, Point!" It was unrelenting for an hour but always left me happier then I woke up.  Got get your groove on you beautiful ladies and enjoy a more toned version of you. Not only will your soul be happy, that happiness will shine through as beauty, and make your heart healthy too, now that is natural beauty at it's purest form, and that is definitely priceless.  Make today a great one Dolls!

XOXO - B

Whimsical Wednesday - "Baking Beauties"

I adore cute little kitchen accessories.  There is something about using a beautiful pink spatula, or cute measuring cups that make baking and cooking all the more fun and enjoyable.  I am swooning over these amazingly adorable measuring spoons.  I must purchase the anthropology set ASAP!  I don't know about you, but these would make a great stocking stuffer.  I would also love to give these as a gift tied with twine or pretty ribbon to a stack of handwritten favorite recipes on cards to a new bride, or for a friends birthday.  Enjoy your Wednesday ladies!  Oh and PS, I made the smores bars for the boys for after school today and they are YUMMY!!!!  Let's just say my lunch was chocolate, marshmallow cream, and graham crackers. 
XOXO - Happy Wednesday Dolls!

West Elm

Anthro

Mod Cloth

Anthro (on my list of NEEDS)

VIA (farmstand)

I'm Back! Tasteful Tuesday - "Smore's Bars"

Hello Ladies!  I am back from a much need MIA "stay-cation" with my Hubby and sweet little kiddos.  We enjoyed going to sun splash, getting school shopping done, having a pizza making night, making homemade cinnamon rolls (that was a huge mess, but so yummy and so fun), and enjoying basketball games in the backyard and family movie nights snuggled on the couch.  We went out to eat at some of our fav places and Loved every minute of our relaxed time home.  We even finally finished our two day monopoly game. Anyways, My boys are starting school tomorrow and I have so many mixed emotions.  I adore having my babes home all day.  I miss them terrible when they are away and my fav time of the school year is when it's pick up time.  On the positive note I'm excited for the boys to learn and play with friends and succeed.  I want to have something delish for them when they get home on the first day so this is what I'm making.  We fancy smores at our home and these look so divine.  I'll let you know how they turn out.  In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying your week and will enjoy these gooey smore goodness!  XOXO

VIA

Smore Cookie Bars - The Sisters Cafe

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 king-sized milk chocolate bars (I used Hershey's)
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows)
Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined.
3. Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place chocolate bars over dough. 2 king-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick. Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (most easily achieved by flattening the dough into small shingles and laying them together).
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Whimsical Wednesday - "DIY CakeStand"

Happy Wednesday darlings!  I have a confession.  I am IN LOVE with something else besides my hubby.  It is cake stands.  Oh how I love a stunning pedestal cake stand.  I am always thinking of creative ways to use these lovely culinary display pieces in other ways besides to perch cake upon.  I really am enamored with them.  The other day I came across this idea from the Rachel ray show featuring budget friendly party planning.  Get ready ladies it's brilliant... a DIY cake stand made from a plate and candlestick!  Yes, really, it's that simple and it looks amazing. 

I love the white clean plate with the pop of color on the stand.

This is so vintage looking yet elegant.  LOVE

Pie plates are brilliant for this idea

You will need:

• Gorilla glue or other strong glue
• plate
• candlestick or Goblet
• Spray Paint

Now simply Paint the parts of your cake stand you want to paint.  Let dry completely. Now apply a large amount of gorilla glue to the top of the candlestick and place in the middle of a turned over plate.  Place a heavy book on top to help the pieces adhere and let dry 24 hrs. Voila!  An inexpensive, one of a kind, vintage looking cake stand. You could even go all out and get pretty with Ribbon, a Monogram letter, or even make it tiered.  The possibilities are endless.  I plan on making a three tiered beauty for my kitchen island.  Just make sure you always hand wash your cake stands.
 Enjoy Pretty ladies, and have a perfect day!
XOXO - B

The goblet adds a unique weighted base.  Perfect!

Whimsical Wednesday - Toy room storage

Hello Darlings.  Toy storage has been on my mind as of recent due to the kiddos being home all summer, and the addition of a few new Lego sets.  By the way does any other mama out there have a kiddo who LOVES Lego Hero Factory Bionicles?  The new 3.0 series just came out, so we made a trip yesterday to the Lego store with my sister over at Swirls of Happy, and all four of our boys.  My oh my were those boys overly ecstatic.  Anyway, we personally do not have a toy room, because our extra room is currently vacant waiting for a little angel that will hopefully join out family in the next year or so (no, not preggo yet)!  Due to this we have the Ikea expedit storage cabinet that is PERFECT for toy storage.  We have the largest size and it truly is a godsend for an organized freak like me.  I have been working on cute little labels for all the bins and I will post photos as soon as I am done with this DIY project.  In the meantime though enjoy these toy storage solutions that are simple divine!  XOXO loves!  Make today a Happy Day!

The casters on these rustic wooden boxes are brilliant! 

Free printable labels from sissyprints.  I Love the industrial yet playful look of these!  Find them HERE

The numbered baskets are genius, and easy for kids to memorize

Chalkboard labels are always a DO and easy to make.

Sublime Saturday - "DIY Message Board"

I adore this idea!  It's so easy and use able.  Everyone has an empty frame laying around.  Grab some cute paper or fabric and place underneath the glass in a frame.  Grab some washable or dry erase markers and voila!  The frame becomes an instant message board.  I think this would be cute to put important phone numbers on for the kids, or the "rules" of the house, or even a quick inspirational message of the day.  Enjoy your sublime Saturday lovely ladies!
XOXO

VIA

Whimsical Wednesday - Yellow Kitchens.



Hello Lady friends!  Happy Wednesday.  I majorly dropped the ball yesterday on my Tuesday post.  For some reason blogger was having issues and my computer was not happy.  Any who, it's working today and the world is peaceful again :)  Today I am inspired by Yellow.  It's one of my fav colors, and I have accents of this sunny color all over my home.  It's cheerful, bright, happy, and reminds me of carefree summer days with my loves. Naturally, I adore this color pallate in the kitchen since this is where we spend most of our time, and this is where we are our happiest. So, lets get down to some inspiration shall we??  Enjoy these photos and I hope your inspired to add some yellow to your home design.  XOXO

VIA



VIA



VIA



VIA

VIA



VIA



Whimsical Wednesday - Ice Cream Party!

I love thinking of fun ideas that get friends and families together. I also LOVE Ice Cream.  It's Creamy, and Cold and comes in so many delish flavors.  Gelato is even better. I will never forget the day I had blood orange Gelato in Newport.  That day changed my life, yes gelato is too blame.  Anyway,  how about an Ice Cream Sundae Bar for a Party?!  Any takers?!    This idea is perfect for summer.  It's casual, simple, and inexpensive!  It's an Ice Cream Party for cryin' out loud, who wouldn't love it.   This idea could easily be tailored for adults or children or both! 
I love the idea of using paper rosettes with some bunting to decorate above the Ice Cream Bar.  Find the Tutorial on making Paper Rosettes HERE by the fabulous Amanda Parker for Shindig Parties to go. I think these would make adorable Garland.

Get creative and make a color coordinated sign that says "sundae Bar" so guests know they can help themselves.  I think putting toppings in Mason Jars would be adorable.  I would add dimension with different heights.  Adorn cake stands with the mason jars, use teird stands to hold ice cream cones, and label liquid toppings such and Fudge sauce and Caramel drizzle.  Be sure to use all types of toppings.   Some of my favorites are  Crunchy such as Walnuts and Pecans, Granola, and Chocolate Chips.  Sweet such as Fresh Berries, Sliced Bananas, and Pineapple, and lets not forget the Sprinkles(especially for kids, because to kids life is complete with sprinkles)! Using chopped Brownies and diced Chocolate chip cookies is divine also!  On the note of Ice Cream has any one tried the new summer flavor from Blue Bell, Coconut Fudge??? Oh my let me tell you it is simply irresistible.  The first time I bought it I ate half of the tub by myself.  Please do yourself a favor and go to the store ASAP and treat yourself to this delish Ice cream, Okay I digress... Enjoy some inspiration Below and have a Sensational Wednesday Lovely Ladies.  XOXO