the it list

Happy Friday ladies... I hope you all have a fabulous Easter weekend, whatever it brings to you.  "Hop" on over to these fab blogs for plenty of spring inspiration!

• strong sense of style gives color blocking a try... it's so fun and easy!  And really? What feels more properly spring than pink and green together?
• a spot of whimsy has some fabulous eye-candy from the movie Water for Elephants.  Please tell me you have read this book... if not, do it stat, the movie opens this weekend and it looks to be amazing! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• thought and musing wears a simple and elegant maxi skirt for some wine tasting... a perfect outfit for what looked to be the perfect day!
• good clean fun shares her favorite childhood cupcake recipe... angel food cake with strawberry frosting.  These look SO good and definitely what childhood memories are made of! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• the capital barbie finds some fun accessories with bold angles... this bracelet stood out as a favorite for me.  Pop on over and see her other finds! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• good tots rounds up maternity poolside looks for summer, including this adorable peach polka dotted maternity swimsuit!
• rose a la mode sports this fun yellow and white striped dress and seriously has me craving more stripes. Is that possible? (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• a spoonful of dish reminds me that flowers never disappoint in the inspiration department. Just looking at them I can feel that summer is closer!
• a little dash of ash will brighten your day with some good old fashion gorgeous guys.  Good looks never get old (sigh). (find a little dash of ash on twitter!)
• lady m says what we are all thinking lately: we can't get enough of Zara.  Check out the inspiration and some of their (very interesting) backstory over at her blog!
• meet virginia design is sure to put some spring pep in your step with this fun mix of bold colors and florals.  This outfit just screams sunshine! (find meet virginia design on twitter!)
• mama loves papa's daughter is quite the fashion prodigy!  Just look at these adorable items she (or her mama, either/or) picked out for herself! (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• rebecca with an r proves that blazers never, ever get old... at least in my book!  I just love the simple sophistication of this look! (find rebecca with an r on twitter!)
• good life for less is color crushing on purple + blue + white for spring. It's such a simple color combo - check out her looks! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the it list is produced each week by jill of good life for less... click here for information on how you can be involved!

Flowers

The latest issue of Martha Stewart is all about flowers.


From fields of mustard flowers that are endless in their natural beauty.


To a desk draped in floral wallpaper.


And last, decorating a table scape with a bright and beautiful bouquet of poppies.

We are so fortunate to have so much natural beauty surround us every where we turn. Next time I am outside, I'll be sure to stop and smell the flowers.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

a day in monterey

Recently we spent some time in Monterey California.  We stayed at the Plaza Hotel which was luxurious and relaxing.  We strolled on the beach and played in the sand.  Of course we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  The boys loved every minute of it.  It was a perfect mini break for our little family. 

Any mini breaks planned for you?

Btw, things have been complicated recently so I haven't much time to blog.  I miss reading all of your blogs and will return to devouring them all soon. 

Family fun

My brother loves JibJab and sends us videos a lot.  This one is rather funny and stars me, the hubs and the boys, so I thought I'd share.  Do you JibJab?

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

the it list

Happy Friday folks!  Take some time to enjoy these great blogs today!

• good tots is loving this sequined maternity top - so cute!  Check out this sparkly number is a fun maternity outfit!
• sweetie pie style is crushing on Sam Edelman shoes - check out all of her great outfit inspiration. I am loving these animal print wedges the best! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy brings us bold and brilliant photos of the tulip fields in Holland. If you have never seen these photos before you must check them out, and if you have - well it never hurts to see them again (and again!).  (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• thought and musing has the perfect tourist outfit... a gorgeous maxi skirt, layers and a scarf!  Perfect for travel wear - and so chic!
• strong sense of style is loving the bohemian look of kimono style jackets for spring and summer.  Wow - these are just gorgeous!
• good clean fun always has my mouth watering... these lemon yogurt muffins are no exception! These would be perfect to serve for Easter brunch! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• the capital barbie features graphic footwear. These black and gold wedges are GORGEOUS! Wow! (find capital barbie on twitter!)
• one hundred inspirations features this Kristen Cavallari outfit that has me craving boots and right before summer even!  
• a little dash of ash has me wanting a 'relaxation room' in my house - forget "man caves", "mom-caves" or "mud rooms".  I need a relaxation room! (find a little dash of ash on twitter!)
• rose a la mode has me swooning for this maxi dress, I absolutely love how she styled it.  So effortless and beautiful! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• mama loves papa looks dashing in this graphic sun dress. I love fun patterns for warmer temps and this dress doesn't disappoint. (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• meet virginia design has tips and tricks on thrifting. I especially loved this post because I never seem to have much luck snagging the good deals! (find meet virginia design on twitter!)
• a spoonful of dish introduces us to the most gorgeous laptop bag - ever.  Totally agreed - my laptop would be very happy in this bag!
• good life for less has teamed up with JCPenney, stop by to create Easter inspired outfits using pieces from JCP for a chance to win a $50 gift card!  How fun! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by Jill of good life for less - click here for information on how you can be involved!

a lamp reborn

A few weeks ago I showed you a lamp that I had purchased from a local thrift store.  It needed a new shade to modernize it and after much debate I decided on one from the Pottery Barn found here.
Here is the before:

and here is the after: 

 the shade is the bleached Burlap Tapered Drum Lamp Shade from Pottery Barn.

I purchased the a medium sized shade for $49 bucks. Not bad considering the lamp base was only $15. Bringing my grand total to $65 bucks.

This is the lamps home for now but I am sure I'll move it around until I find the perfect fit. 

Any refurbishing projects in the works for you?

meet virginia

via

It's not often that I use my current laptop bag.  It's a cute one I bought two years ago from Vera Bradley.  While I love it I love this one even more.  Let me introduce you to Virginia.  Isn't she cute?  I love cheetah and I love this cheetah laptop bag.  Thank you Rebecca Minkoff for making such stylish stuff. 

This beauty is available for preorder here.  I don't need it but I want it.  

I am realizing I want a lot these days.  I need to work on being happy with what I have and besides all I really want is a healthy husband and happy kids.

up and running

via urban grace interiors

Yeah, it's official... our internet is up and running and faster than ever before. 

I have spent my evening reading my favorite blogs and oh my have I missed a lot in a week +. 

I know I need to post pics of what's been going on in my hood but I thought some eye candy might get ya'll going. 

So lately I have have been dreaming of kitchens. I know, I know, kinda strange since I love my current kitchen but I can't help myself.

via made by girl

I am realizing that after pouring over magazines and blogs that I am loving white kitchens with dark wood floors.  

via coastal living

Currently I have cream wood cabinets and I love them but there is something about white that I love even more.  What is your favorite color for kitchen cabinets?

via honey we're home

I do love the two tone look as well.  Lighter upper cabinets and darker bottom or a dark island.

via lynn morgan for coastal living

While I love a light granite or marble I am not sure if I would choose it.  I am leaning towards a darker granite or a different stone that is close to black. 

via urban grace interiors

Is this granite in the picture above? I am not sure but I love these counters. 

via dmagazine

Tile is important for a kitchen too, don't you think?  I am loving these tiles and the design they bring to the kitchen. 

via urban grace interiors

Last on my pretend kitchen remodel is what I would do for lighting. I adore these pendant lights, adore them.  I've been asking for them for over a year now for my current kitchen and I keep getting the veto.  Perhaps one day. 

A recap of what my perfect kitchen would have is

white or light cabinets, black counter tops, light tile backsplash, dark wood floors, chrome pendant lights.  

What is your best kitchen?

the it list

Happy Friday ladies... I hope you have big plans for this weekend!  In the meantime, take some time to visit these inspiring posts from the blog world!

• shen dove style pairs a floral dress with a simple blazer for the perfect spring look.  We both agree that a blazer can pull an outfit together so easily.  (find shen dove style on twitter!)
• walking around {where the sidewalk begins} lays out her top restaurants in Chicago.  I always enjoy getting good recommendations for dining in my favorite cities!  (find walking around on twitter!)
• good clean fun whips up the ultimate summer cocktail... as she says that "conjures up warm summer nights, lightening bugs, and laughter" - I don't know how you can say no to that! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• thought and musing remixes one little black dress into three gorgeous outfits!  You have to pop over and see her styling work.
• strong sense of style has you covered (literally) for the rainy spring weather.  Check out her picks for rain jackets, wellies and umbrellas, oh my!
• a spot of whimsy recognizes that sometimes you just need a dash of inspiration in the form of Audrey Hepburn. And to that I say, 'Amen, my sister'.  (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• rose a la mode features the office she never uses (while looking fab, of course!) - do you have a room in your house you don't use? (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style always posts her recent inspirations on Monday mornings... it's the highlight of my post weekend slump.  The images she finds never disappoint! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• capital barbie gets ready to "lace up" for spring... but not like you may think! Check out her new favorite style of shoes! (find capital barbie on twitter!)
• a little dash of ash pulls together tons of interior inspiration featuring navy blue walls.  A look that I totally love, even more so after perusing all these gorgeous photos! (find a little dash of ash on twitter!)
• mama loves papa is posing pretty in a super fun bird print dress for spring... her post also features her husband's (aka 'papa') new vintage VW truck - so cool! (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• a spoonful of dish manages to put together a fun blog post even when her internet is down - find out how she did it!  I love a resourceful gal!
• good life for less is color crushing on red + pink + khaki - check out her inspiration! (find good life for less on twitter!)
• good tots features a very chic nursery inspired by this gorgeous magenta dresser/changing table.  So fun for a sweet baby girl!

the IT list is compiled each week by Jill of good life for less - for more information, click here!

END HMTL

Where to Post

Darlings, I hope you are all having a fantastic week. Our little family spent the weekend in Monterey and had so much fun. More on our trip tomorrow with pics. Now that we are back home, me and the boys have caught colds. Luckily dad has been spared. 
Along with our colds our Internet has been down. Insert sad face. I am now blogging from my phone. 


Today I discovered several cool apps that I have been playing around with.


The two photo editing apps are Hipstamatic and Instagram. These apps make photos look awesome. Luv them!!!


To post via my iPhone I found several apps that are supposed to work. After reading about each I decided that BlogPress was the most compatible with blogger. So far so good. Let me know if you think it looks okay.


All of these images are from Nordstroms March catalog and edited in Hipstamatic and Instagram.


Here are a few pics of how we are spending our day today. Still in jammies, watching the telly.


Jake despite his cold smiling for mom.


Start of random pics...
Hubs at a business meeting 


My new glass canisters for my kitchen.


My mom agenda calendar and kitchen folio. I could not function without my momagenda products... They are the best!!!

Bye darlings......


Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

the it list

It's hard to believe that April is already here... That means that for many of you spring has arrived or is very, very close!  Take some time to be inspired by these amazing blogs today to celebrate!

• good clean fun whips up the yummy looking sweet potato and black bean empanadas.  These look like they would make a delicious spring meal with a fresh salad! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• mama loves papa looks spring chic with this gorgeous pink coat!  It's perfect to help you look and feel like spring is here even if it's a little chilly still! (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• turn up the rad is crushing on melamine plates and platters and I am too - these once 'old school' style serving pieces are definitely trending right now! (find turn up the rad on twitter!)
• rose a la mode rounds up her favorite spring and summer shoes from Target - the prices and styles are definitely right on here ladies! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• walking around {where the sidewalk begins} is blog-crushing.  And I can see why, pop on over to see who her inspiration is! (find walking around on twitter!)
• shen dove style is looking absolutely gorgeous in sequins and some snazzy shoes - I just adore this outfit! (find shen dove style on twitter!)
• strong sense of style is loving the tribal trend right now, ohhhh - so am I!  I love that she chose simple items that you can add to your current wardrobe! 
• thought and musing looks fabulous in this road-trip outfit!  I love that her simple floral top dressed the whole thing up (and what about that hat?!?! LOVE!).
• sweetie pie style is inspired by shopbop's recent 'road trip' lookbook.  See how she recreates the looks for less!  Score! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• keep collected seriously rocks daytime sequins and stripes.  I want/need a sequined skirt after seeing this outfit!
• a spot of whimsy has some fun with Pantone's colors - always a good time!  Pop on over to see oodles of color inspiration! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• capital barbie has an assortment of drawstring bags featured that I love. These are a little retro and I like that they are coming back! (find capital barbie on twitter!)
• a spoonful of dish takes one simple black dress and dresses it up in four fun outfits - there is something for everyone here. I just love these outfits!
• good life for less brings you three stylish workout ensembles to freshen up your workout routine.  Be sure to check these out!  (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is put together by jill of good life for less - click here for information on how you can be involved!