Super cute desktop and family pictures sneak...

I've had the same desktop wallpaper on my computer since July- it even has a July calendar on it, so I am really excited to finally have a new one, this cute one came from Shabby Princess and you can get it HERE. We had family pictures done last week and I am thrilled with how they turned out, despite how huge I am, and how uncooperative my kids were! Our photographer Troy Brinkerhoff is amazing! I'm still sorting through them all but will definitely be sharing more soon!

Will this be the year?

I've been wanting to make a pair of pumpkin topiaries for the front door- like for years. Lowes has some great instructions HERE. I think you could do it with the faux pumpkins and re-use it year after year, I'm pretty sure real pumpkins would rot in a few days with the heat we have.

Host a fun House Party!

I recently found out about a really fun company called House Party. Sponsors select members to host parties, in their home, to showcase their products. I'm not talking about tupperware-type parties, where people come and feel obligated to buy something, these are awesome parties where your guests leave with free gifts and you aren't selling anything! I am dying to be selected for a Shuttefly photo book party, or the upcoming Martha Stewarts Crafts party. They provide the supplies and gifts and you create the party, take pictures, and share your party on your blog, Facebook, or with their online community etc. There's a Betty Crocker holiday cookie party that sounds really fun too but that one happens after my due date so maybe you will sign up and get chosen, and invite me to come! Go check out their website and see if it's something you would be interrested in, I think it's a fantastic idea and wish I had heard about it sooner!

Get $10 at Lettering Delights free!

Lettering Delights is trying to collect fans on Facebook and if you become a fan you will get a code for $10 off your next order! Hurry it ends September 30, click HERE. Besides hundreds of fonts, they also have lots of cute clip art, digital scrapbooking supplies and alphabets etc.

I think we've found a name for the baby

Here's the hint-and no, it's not "Indiana."

Great Party Ideas

I just wanted to share this great party blog I came across- Blonde Designs. It's two moms, Angie Gubler and Kristin Reece who were both designers for Martha Stewart Living so you know they are brilliant! One of them had the most perfect "B/Bee" party for her daughter, Beatrice. I especially love favors, these beehive sugar cookies:and these cute (and cheap!) personalized alphabet coloring books, printed right off her computer:They also design stationary and there is lots of great inspiration for invitations and announcements as well as several other party themes- go check it out HERE.

Great Escape Meme

You know I love my Cricut machine, and I love contests, and this is a fun one with the chance to win a new machine or 4 new cartridges. This is a contest entry for those crazy folks at Today's Mama and Cricut. Be sure to check out Cricut's cool new cartridges and the chance at $30,000 in travel for you and your friends at the Great Gypsy Escape.

1. If you could escape to anywhere in the world where would it be?
Hawaii- I've been to Maui twice and really don't have any desire to travel anywhere out of the US
2. What song do you play when you are by yourself in the car?
I don't usually have CD's or an ipod in the car but I get happy when Taylor Swift comes on, or Truly, Madly Deeply
3. If you had a night to yourself, and money was no object, what would you do?
Massage, pedicure, good food and then a movie at home in my pj's
4. What is your guilty pleasure?
Route 44 Dr. Pepper- the crushed ice and styrofoam cup make it perfect!
5. What is the farthest place you have traveled away from your home?
Probably Maui- unless Niagra Falls or Key West are further away? Sad, I have no idea which is further!
6. Last book that you couldn't put down?
Twilight- one of only a few books I've read since high school, not counting pregnancy/baby books- I was totally sucked in.
7. When you want to escape into another time, what movie do you watch?
Becoming Jane or Pride and Predjudice I guess?
8. What is your favorite local escape?
Scrapbook store for sure! I like to wander "antique" stores too.
9. How do you escape on a budget?
I'm happy at home reading craft blogs or watching DVD's once the kids are in bed! If I'm really going to travel on a budget, I would take a trip someplace within a couple hours drive, up to the mountains maybe, and get a hotel on Priceline or something!
10. Best food you've ever had while on vacation?
The first thing that came to mind was caesar salad in San Francisco! We went there for our honeymoon and ate it every day. Ooooh or the Mickey Beignets at Disneyland :-)

Attn: Jessica Simpson

Your dog is dead. Coyotes don't take little dogs for ransom, and little froo froo maltipoo's aren't likely to win in a struggle. I'm sorry. I don't know why this story bothers me so much this morning, taking up space on my "top news" list on my Google homepage!

Feeling fall-ish...

I love this picture- (from Country Home, seen on Full House)

Michael's has their faux pumpkins on sale half off this week...

And if only I had not promised myself (publicly) not to buy new clothes till 2010, I would totally get this dress:

It's very fall-ish to me. (sour grapes: I'd probably be way too hot in it anyways... )

Make a wish card- CPS Sketch 132

I got a roll of these blank pink tickets for my birthday this year (from Darlybird) and finally put them to use with some stamps! You can see the sketch and tons of great card ideas HERE at the CPS Sketch blog.

Final plea for your vote!

Thanks so much to those of you who have voted for my recipe, if you haven't yet, the voting is open through Monday and it really takes like 2 seconds, click HERE to vote! I shouldn't even allow myself to think about what I could do if I won the grand prize, but it's a good recipe, why shouldn't I win? Thanks so much for your help!

Rope Headboard

I plan to wait as long as possible to move Mr. C out of the crib and into a toddler bed, but when I do I think I'm going to try this idea from Serena and Lilly:

They just wrapped a metal frame headboard with rope- perfect for a little cowboy room, or really most any boy theme room. You can see their complete instructions by clicking on "Get Creative" next to the picture HERE. (isn't that puppy silhouette pillow so cute too?)

Awesome eQuilter Clearance!

I'm having a hard time deciding where on the "need-want" scale new fabric is right now. eQuilter.com is having a huge Labor Day Week 50% off clearance including some gorgeous designer fabrics for less than $5 per yard! Hurry, go check it out HERE.

400th Post- custom blouse and scrapbooking goodies giveaway!

Ok I don't have anything good to giveaway for my 400th post, but I found a couple of good giveaways from my friends! Stephanie is a great seamstress- go leave a comment on her blog HERE to be entered to win this custom "Anthropologie-esque" blouse!She also sews and sells these cute custom dresses, the "1968 dress."

Then, head over to the Glitz Designs blog and enter to win one of 3 Plum Crazy scrapbooking kits!

Good luck! I hope you win! (or I hope I do, either way...)

Yummy- Tomato Pesto Bread

This is another really good, really simple dinner (or lunch.) Toast slices of french bread, spread with pesto sauce, and add sliced tomatoes and mozarella cheese then melt under broiler. It is delish. (great way to use up all that basil and tomatoes you may have in your garden!)
And if you haven't voted for my Jose Ole recipe, it's not too late! It really only takes a second and you only have to enter your e-mail address, and it would be so awesome if I could win! Click HERE if you would be so kind. Thank you!

The much requested "helicopter hair" style

Miss G invented this hair style and requests it often. I do it for her on Saturdays sometimes. It's called "helicopter hair" because when she shakes her head the pony tails spin like a helicopter propeller- in her opinion.

Lucky day

And speaking of pasty things, I won a giveaway for some really fun looking paints from one of my favorite blogs, Little Birdie Secrets! Probably the lowest value giveaway I've ever entered, but I'm thrilled and can't wait to try out these Extreme Glitter and Texture paints. Little Birdie Secrets has so many great ideas, you should check them out HERE. Thanks for choosing me for a fun giveaway!

Who knew...?

Who knew something called "Butt Paste" could smell so good.I usually swear by Aquafor but we're battling a tough diaper rash at the moment and I was almost out, so I decided to try something new- it makes Charlie smell really good and it seems to be working well too.