Posts Comments

You are here: Home / Archives for .live.

simple, modern yarn easter eggs

03/21/2013 By 8 Comments

So here’s my deal: I love Easter. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be with family, to celebrate Jesus, to overload on chocolate… all very good things!

But since I have two boys and I prefer modern and understated decor, it’s one of the few holidays that’s hard to decorate my house for. Fluffy yellow bunnies and pink Easter basket grass just isn’t our thing.

In the spirit of celebrating Easter and still keeping it modern and fresh, I created this wooden egg & yarn Easter Egg craft tutorial for SheKnows.

Hope you swing by and check it out! It’s super easy and the supplies are inexpensive, but the end result is Easter chic!

 

Filed Under: .live. Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

reprise! toy story birthday

01/18/2013 By 4 Comments

My three year old is obsessed with Toy Story. Obsessed. Everything from his room, to his clothes, down to his little preschool backpack is Toy Story. After a blow-out second birthday party, I promised my husband I’d tone this one down a bit  (a bit). . . but I still wanted to create a special Toy Story moment for my little man.

Cake Table

Almost every party I do starts with the cake (we always use Layer Cake). This year, I wanted a themed cake, but I wanted to use action figures that could double as toys. We flanked the cake table with Buzz Lightyear lunch boxes and spaceship party favors that you can buy here (warning: they’re super cute, but they don’t hold much).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mac-N-Cheese Bar

I love doing fun food bars, especially for kids’ parties. If this wasn’t being held at a park (and had I not sworn to keep this one more low key), I’d be posting a fabulous over-the-top mac-n-cheese bar. However, this one totally worked, and it was easy to execute. In fact, we bought the mac from El Pollo Loco since it’s my son’s favorite, so it was super easy. We offered an assortment of toppings from bacon bits to parmesan to turkey dogs, to crispy french onions and more. We made little place cards with Toy Story characters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos

I always love to showcase photos of my little man from the past year to add a personal touch, and to show friends and family how much he’s grown. We found a very budget-friendly way to display photos on-theme. These great little picture frames were only a dollart at Target in the dollar section (now known as the “some of it is a dollar, some is $3, so pay attention while you pile everything into your cart” section). They were on theme with the color, and we just stuck on some Toy Story character stickers we got in bulk. He now has these frames in his room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More . . . 

The birthday boy got to dress in his Buzz shirt, his little brother was his sidekick Sheriff Woody.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Potato Head glasses photo op with the some of the kids . . .

Filed Under: .live. Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

valentine’s day: ditch artificial & go natural this year!

01/08/2013 By 5 Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If your little one loves all of the pink & red food fun that comes with Valentine’s Day, but you’re not a fan of artificial food coloring and processed snacks — you have options!

Here are a few quick tips to get you through Valentine’s Day with an organic & natural foods twist!

– GO NATURAL: If you’re decorating your own from-scratch cookies, opt for natural food coloring and organic sugar sprinkles. There are so many great colors & options available (online, at WholeFoods & more), that there’s no need to reach for the artificial brands (see my article on allParenting for why we opt out of artificial food coloring)

Here are just a few options if you’re considering ordering natural food coloring online:

– CHOOSE FRESH: Substitute fresh fruit for snacks… and for color. We recently used mashed strawberries to tint organic frosting pink and the kids never knew the difference! Dried cranberries, pomegranate & strawberries are all great ways to get bold pops of red colors into Valentine’s Day meals sans artificial colors & flavors!

– SELECT SMART PACKAGED FOODS: Opt for ready-made snacks that use natural & organic ingredients (like beets, etc.) for coloring. Try packaged and convenient (but healthy) options like:

  • Earth’s Best smoothie squeeze pouches– Perfect for pint-sized lunch boxes.
  • Jammy Sammy organic pre-made sandwiches (you an cut them into hearts, too!)
  • Organic strawberry milk boxes from Horizon
  • Organic strawberry cereal or granolar bars
  • Organic dried cranberries (My kids love to snack on these. We use the Simply Organic brand from Ralph’s & skip the high fructose corn syrup!)
  • Raspberry or strawberry organic toaster pastries (the perfect substitute for Pop Tarts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: .live. Tagged With: , , , , , ,

navigating cold season

11/17/2012 By 8 Comments

Ever since my biggest little started preschool, it seems like cold and flu season never ends. PS- parents who send their sick kids to school should be fired.

I digress.

We pretty much go organic/homeopathic/as natural as possible around here, and I’ve spent many (many) nights rolling through Whole Foods and Sprout looking for the next best thing.

If you’re looking for solid homeopathic remedies, but want to skip the legwork…here you go:

 

Oscillococcinum. Hubs and I take this right when we feel something coming on. Our pediatrician recommended it a few years ago and it’s always in our medicine cabinet. I may or may not be known for calling it osicoxicillum. Either way, it works. I’m a big fan of the tiny pellet doses versus swallowing a mouthful of syrup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chestal. My three year old loves this stuff. Seriously. He’ll ask if he can have medicine even when he’s not sick. I’d keep buying it for that reason alone. I’ve tried other cough syrups with some variation of atomic cherry flavor, and this honey-based (note: it’s for 2 years+) option is the clear winner. They did recently come out with a berry version, but we haven’t tried that yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coldcalm. No. This is not sponsored. I realize these are all Boiron products so far…but they work, people. This one is also dispensed as tiny little pellets. My sons thinks they’re candy … everyone wins!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humidifier. One of the best ways to fend off cold/flu symptoms sans drugs. I can’t sleep without one when I’m congested, and neither can my littlest one. We have your standard-issue kid-friendly green frog variety . . . but momma needs this one:

ANTON Ultrasonic Humidifier: http://www.stadlerformusa.com/collections/humidifiers/products/anton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God bless the people who take things in life we can’t live without and make them ultra modern and super cool!

Nanogreens. I throw this into OJ and load up on organic fruits and veggies, antioxidants and super greens. We buy it at the pediatrician’s office, but you can also get it online. It’s like spinach to Popeye . . . without the filthy pipe, and it actually tastes good. It’s a little gritty, but that’s a small price to pay for a heaping serving of fruits & veggies sans the corn syrup, food coloring and sugar you find in most alternatives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOOD LUCK OUT THERE!

Filed Under: .live. Tagged With: , , , , , ,

diy mason jar centerpieces

05/26/2012 By 6 Comments

These mason jar centerpieces are a super easy DIY project and they make a big impact on your table. My SILs helped us make these for our son’s baptism and they were the perfect fit for these gorgeous blue hydrangeas that I wanted to use for bold pops of color.

You can use mason jars to tie your theme together throughout your event, beyond centerpieces, too. In addition to placing them on the tables and stuffing them with these beautiful florals, we also used them on the appetizer and desert tables. For the desert tables, we loaded them with white chocolate pretzels that I’d made the night before.

step 1: shop

Always my favorite step! You can buy mason jars online, or at Michael’s where they’ll often have a sale. I grabbed large quart jars for the centerpieces and pint-sized mason jars for the accent tables. If you don’t have it already, you’ll want to buy ribbon that matches your theme and twine.

step 2: set up

Lay out your supplies, fire up your hot glue gun and prep the jars (make sure they’re clean and dry). The lid on each jar has a cap. Pop that out. If you have a place to stash them, keep those little caps for future projects.

step 3: decorate

This one’s all up to you, but for the project here— were lined the inside of the rim of the lid with ribbon using the hot glue gun. We also tied the jars with twine to get them more of a vintage feel. Lastly, we hole-punched and tied on these adorable tags that I found on Etsy (perfect for our baby christening theme!).

step 4: stuff

We loaded these with gorgeous blue hydrangeas. The following day was Mother’s Day and since we were hosting brunch, we actually kept the jars, pulled off the tags, and stuffed them full of gorgeous hot pink and red spring flowers (since I have two boys, I revel in every opportunity to tap my girly side!).

 

Filed Under: .live.

all that glitters

04/27/2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s that time again: Another event for one of my boys and my party-planning obsessing is in full gear. I live for the pouring over of every detail, getting inspired and the giddiness that takes over when I find brilliant little moments of perfection online that ultimately come together for something I hope they’ll love.

This time it’s my baby’s Blessing. We opted to do a dedication vs. a traditional baptism with my littlest man. We’re hosting it in our home, in our backyard, and we’re keeping it intimate and very personal. Of course, that doesn’t mean I can’t plan every last detail like it’s a $50,000 wedding (on a $1,500 budget).

These are just a few of the drool-worthy details I’ve found online and will be incorporating (in two very, very short weeks):

Glittery, gorgeous circle garland. I can't love this enough. Perfect to hand paper pom-poms and other decor.Via robayre on Etsy.

Via HeartandCrafts on Etsy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love a good Pom Pom. This idea is perfect to decorate the back where we’re hosting the dedication. I typically do them myself, but this time around I’m trying to be smarter about overcommitting to DIY projects with two weeks left. I love the color selections and options in this Etsy store. Via PomsAndCircumstance on Etsy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceramic individual cupcake stands via Farmhouse Wares. Brilliant!

 

I adore these precious candles with personalized tags via Kgrainger on Hostess.com. Great for decor and as gifts for Godparents, grandparents.

Filed Under: .live. Tagged With: , , , ,

little white dress – renewing our vows part 1

01/03/2012 By Leave a Comment

This year we celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary and we’ve decided to renew our vows. Just me, him, our boys and an island.

And so it begins. I live to plan these things. I’m also obsessed with all things bridal. My DVR is flooded with every bridal show on television, I flip through bridal blogs for fun and if I had all the time in the world, I’d be a wedding consultant on the side (put that up there with win the lottery, etc.).

I’m starting with the dress. I’m not sure exactly what I’m looking for, except that I’d like something short, maybe some lace, and something we can stroll into a nice restaurant in later without feeling too incredibly over the top.

This one’s kind of speaking to me (you can find it here).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filing this under almost there…but not it. (Here’s where I wish I could take bits and pieces of dresses and make the perfect one…starting with cutting off all the stragglers trying to jump ship off the skirt!). This one’s Romona Keveza.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I thought, what’s wrong with a little “over the top?”

And I quickly remembered the answer: my arse. If I wore this I’d look like I was smuggling Charmin.

The good news is, half the fun is searching!

Filed Under: .live. Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

my top five don’t-dos for twenty twelve

12/27/2011 By Leave a Comment

A colleague posted 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself on our Facebook page and I realized, I can check off one too many things on this list. If you haven’t read the list on Marc and Angel Hack Life, I recommend reading it before you start on your 2012 Resolutions list.

Here are five things I’m working on in 2012:

Straight from their list: “Stop worrying so much. – Worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its joy.”

If there’s one lesson I learned in 2011, it’s that I worried way too much about things that really won’t make a dent in my big picture. I lost sleep over clients (that are no longer on my roster), I stressed over the birth plan for my last son (when, in the end, I had zero control over half the details that I obsessed over), I worried about not baby-proofing enough, baby-proofing too much, about . . . well . . . about everything. And it was all a giant waste of precious time.

This one also hit a nerve for me on their list: “Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others. – Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it anyway.” Can I get an amen? If I had a dollar for every email I rewrote, voicemail I re-recorded or long-winded explanation I offered, I’d be typing this from my yacht off the coast of somewhere very, very fancy.

Here’s one I learned reading a parenting book earlier this year: Stop putting the “full” in “plate.” Sometimes it’s OK to take the easy way out. I can’t even begin to list the dozens of times I poured myself into things I had no time for because I felt guilty about not having the super, ultra, best 2nd birthday ever with handmade photo albums and video slide shows and mac-n-cheese bars with perfect little menu cards and absolutely ridiculous details that really mattered to no one else but me. I learned that take-out pasta and balloons would have sufficed, and I could have spent all that time that I wasted on obsessing over details snuggling with my son or taking him to the park– he’d prefer either over perfectly-stuffed, on-theme party bags.

At any given point there will be a line of people ready to put you down. Don’t be the first one. So. Guilty.          My grandma used to say this and it rings in my head every time I hear myself knock myself down a peg.

Don’t let technology weigh you down. Your life is happening even if no one reads about it in your status update. I’m vowing to make technology take a back seat in my 2012. I’ve started leaving my phone in the car when I go out to eat, downstairs when I’m heading to bed and out of arm’s reach when I’m with my boys. 

It all comes down to one thing: At the end of the day, life’s way too short to get in the way of your own happiness.

 

Filed Under: .live. Tagged With: , , ,

music & mixes: holiday edition

12/13/2011 By Leave a Comment

MUSIC.

I’ll admit it– I’m one of those people that decorate for Christmas by Thanksgiving and blast holiday music in November. While all the sleigh bells jingling and silent nights make me and the kids giddy, it’s downright torture for my husband. His office also starts their Christmas countdown on Thanksgiving, and by Dec. 1 he wants to pack every Fa La La and push it off a ledge. I’ve been forced to get creative so I can get my music fix without my husband jumping out of the window.

Here are a few alternatives for those of you tortured by the same holiday music by the same artists, day in and day out.

Jack Johnson- Someday at Christmas

Vampire Weekend- Holiday

Weezer- O Holy Night

She & Him- Christmas Waltz

The Ravonettes- The Christmas Song

MIXES.

While I can overload on holiday music, one thing I couldn’t overdo if you paid me is eggnog. Here are a few holiday drink alternatives:

I. Love. Coffee. I’m especially in love with Coffee-mate’s new Natural Bliss line. If you haven’t checked out the ingredients in your creamer lately, you’ll be amazed when you do. Each word has about 14 syllables and none of it sounds edible. Natural Bliss coffee creamers are just milk, cream, sugar and natural flavors…with a side of delicious. It has no additives, preservatives or artificial ingredients and comes in three flavors: Caramel, Sweet Cream and Vanilla. My favorite are Vanilla and Sweet Cream. I’m one of the 3,000 bloggers that fell in love with it at BlogHer, now I can’t go back (with the exception of Pumpkin Spice. I look forward to having that in my coffee all year!)

You can use Natural Bliss Vanilla to add a twist to a White Russian and get your coffee flavor and cocktail fix all at the same time:
1 1/2 ounces vodka

3/4 ounce coffee flavored liqueur (Kalua or illy Espresso Liqueur)

3/4 ounce Coffee-mate Natural Bliss Vanilla

One of my favorite new holiday cocktails I found online this year is a little time intensive to prep, but once you have the syrup down you’re good.

Spiced Silver Bell:

1 1/2 oz Camarena Silver Tequila

1/2 oz Lime Juice

1/2 oz Cranberry Spice Syrup*

2 oz Ginger Beer

Lime Wheel for garnish

Cranberry Spice Syrup:1 1/2 cup Brown Sugar3/4 cup Water3/4 cup Water
4 Cinnamon Sticks
1 t Whole Allspice
1 t Whole Clove
1 T Orange Zest
1 cup Fresh Cranberries
Place all ingredients in saucepan over medium low heat. Stir continually until skins of cranberries begin to pop and they easily mash with back of spoon. Lightly mash cranberries, but not so much to create “sauce.” Remove from heat. Strain into heat proof container. Allow to cool. Refrigerate.

If you’re trying to watch your waistline, you can try this Hot Toddy with a Twist courtesy of Shape Mag. Takes 5 minutes to prep and is just over 200 calories.

24 oz water
2 T cloves
2   cinnamon sticks
3   star anise
1 T crushed allspice
1   nutmeg, whole
3⁄4 oz agave
1 oz honey water (combine equal parts honey and water)
1⁄2 oz lemon juice
6 oz Johnny Walker Black Label

Bring water to a simmer on the stove.  Add cloves, cinnamon and star anise. Crush allspice and nutmeg and add to water.  Add Agave and lemon and let simmer for approximately 10 minutes. After it’s simmered add honey and stir to taste. Pour into a glass and add 2 oz. Johnny Walker Black Label.  

If all goes well this December, I’ll have many nights surrounded by family, great holiday music and even better holiday cocktails!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: .live. Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

style snapshots: home

11/13/2011 By Leave a Comment

Redecorating my home is a year-round process. If I spent half the time actually implementing the redecorating that I do scouting out products and ideas — I’d be done by now. Who am I kidding? It’ll never end. Half of the fun is obsessing looking.

I’ve officially moved on to rugs.  The problem? The best ones are obscenely pricey.

Take this ridiculously awesome Soho shag rug from ModernRugs.com. I want to run my hands through it (like this guy is).

Soho Rug, Primo Shag in Gray at www.modernrugs.com $1499 - $8159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one also speaks to me . . . to the tune of $2000+

This Gandia Blasco rug is gorgeous! Also on www.modernrugs.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actually, I’ll take that whole room.

I know what you’re thinking: I need color in my life. How about this one?

Gandia Blasco Modern Half Moon Rug Ivory Rug

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the texture in this Ligne Pure Create rug . . .

www.modernrugs.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My husband just walked in and I actually hit the browser so he wouldn’t see I was still online obsessing over rugs.

I may need help.

Filed Under: .live.
« Older Posts
Animated Social Media Icons Powered by Acurax Wordpress Development Company