link luv roundup

longing for the days i could do this and not fret about breaking my bed.

you know i can't resist a yummy recipe to post and this one for carrot cakey cookie doesn't look like it will disappoint. yum, yum in my tum, tum as my daughter would say. {via lovely morning}

one of my everyday reads "heart of light" shows us how to make a pretty ruffle headband.

kate has a great tute for a reversible water bottle holder over on curiositys.

the hairdresser in me is loving the flickr group braid wednesdays - stunning! {image: simple moth}

my new fave tea towel line! so adorable and fresh, made with environmentally friendly inks, recycled paper, and natural and organic fabrics! check out slidesideways on etsy & their blog "united we slide" - love it!

have you seen this bedroom makeover yet? oh yeah, wait a second, it was on design sponge...of course you have :) i couldn't resist posting it though, so check it out again, so fabulous. jen did this with a drawing projected onto the wall in a weekend when her hubby was away. while you are ooohing and ahhhing over her creative wall makeover make sure to check out her blog which is equally as fabulous "jenlovesken".

learn how to make a pillow from your fave sweater from "my mama made it" who was featured here this week :)

i've been enjoying the book "sweet booties", it's filled with some great little patterns! yep, patterns, that's right, more patterns for me to try to figure out...arggghh..it will be worth it in the end. thanks for all of your guy's help! i will be trying all your tips and emailing for help i'm sure :P

i've been looking for a tute to make myself some of these totes made out of t-shirts. so fun and way more original than all the generic cloth bags out there. click over to leethal for the tute.

i'm thinking this sweater "anhinga" by norah gaughan is going to be just perfect for those chilly summer nights and even better for the fall. don't you think this would be a great maternity convert? berroco has been releasing some great patterns lately! remember the juliana wrap - it's still on my ever growing to knit list.

enjoy your weekend and don't forget to brighten your day with the bright side project. they've got a fancy new look, go take a peek and add some sunshine to your day, then check out this twirly skirt pattern that i'm adding to my "to sew" list and finally, i've been toying with the idea of playing around with elastic thread and almost feel brave enough to do it after reading this post from craftzine - i figure it's time to start living dangerously!

goop cookie roundup & a middle of the night snack mantra

i got hooked on gwyneth paltrow's website "GOOP" about a month or so ago and had to share this yummy cookie roundup she has this week. MAKE features her favorite cookie recipes - watch out though, there are no waist line friendly goodies in this listing. I truly wouldn't even believe ol'gwynnie even eats cookies she's so slim, if I hadn't seen her eat the way she does on her show "Spain - On the Road Again".

it's somehow sickeningly fulfilling to watch a skinny celebrity chow down on some high caloric, fat filled food. isn't it weird how the world works? you feel guilty for feeling happy that she might gain a pound or two and somehow it just makes it that much more ok for you to go eat some high calorie foods saying to yourself in the middle of the night as you stand in front of the fridge preparing to chow down and throw all your workouts that day out the window "well if gwyneth can eat it and stay slim than i can too" mantra. the mind works in mysterious ways.

what are your thoughts? do you feel the same way? do you have a middle of the night snack mantra?

link luv roundup

i just can't seem to get enough of all the lemony goodness going around right now. click here to make this happy hour frothy mint lemonade.

i would love to be daydreaming on a quiet beach right now snuggled up in this quilt like sleeping bag - how divine!!! {via mer mag}

i'm feeling inspired by this gorgeous photo from irene l via fubiz.

here's some skirt tutes that are floating around the blogs the last few days:

1. vanessa turns a tablecloth into a fun skirt.

2. men's dress shirt into a cute pencil skirt over on megan nielsen.
3. epicurean shows us how to turn a men's t-shirt into a child's adorable ruffle skirt.

oh, and don't forget to enter the shabby apple dress giveaway on grosgrain!!! i am crossing my fingers for that one! craftzine and singer also have a new contest going for all you sewers out there to come up with some fresh new swimsuit cover-ups! details here.

loving the sweet home tour of interior decorator tracey leigh over on made by girl.
mackenzie and i have been loving watching this animated video of the new chronicle book "wave" by suzy lee. i worked in the book industry for years and still have a soft spot for wonderful children's books and hope that i will one day find the time to write my own.

buy yourself some of the lusted after raindrop wall decals from elizabeth dunker's home tour that are finally for sale in her online shop "studio violet" {via nesting} and then learn how to keep those receipts organized with this video from AT. finally, check out the new summer issue of popknits! find some great tips on the art of paper cutting over on chica and jo, and then read some touching words with imagery on "i can read" along with this illustration by kevin cyr and click over to "one pretty thing" for her revamp roundup filled with some fun DIY's to fill your weekend with.

p.s. don't forget to check out our lovely sponsor michelle who is an independent representative of that delicious healthy coffee organo gold. try some today - she's offering free shipping on your first order!

mommyhood moments - sunshine, lemons and pools

we're crossing our fingers for a summer filled with sunshine, backyard pool fun with good friends and as much of smitten kitchen's delicious lemon mint granita that i can eat!

wishing you all a wonderful and sunshine filled weekend!

link luv roundup

these bibs are so bright and cheerful! learn how to make your own set over on thimbly things.

ummm, i will take one of everything at tulle right now. tons, and i mean tons, of stuff is on sale for cheap!!!! go take a peek. {via creature comforts}

i can't wait to make one of these ruffle necklaces from "happy together". click here for the tute and while you are there check out her "refresh your step" shoe makeover series! so fun!

{image: jeff kubina}

who doesn't love a good bubble fest? go have some fun in the backyard with bubbles galore by checking out the 9 ways to make your own backyard bubble solution over on AT.

loving the gorgeous handmade knits over at seed, her images are as lovely as her shop.{via modish}

oh, so breathtaking pic from decor8

can we say dangerous! cheesecake pops!!!! oh, bakerella, you're killing me with your scrumptiousness.

whip up some cupcake garlands for your home! i'm loving the soft colors and charm these have. they would look so cute at a party or even in a little girl's bedroom. be prepared to linger over on concrete and honey, it's a blog filled with soft, romantic images.

get some great deals like this cute little butterfly trail hat from tot toppers for babies & toddlers with the etsy baby team! they are a group of etsy sellers who specialize in baby items for infants to two year olds and they are having a customer appreciation event till june 15th!

while you're out shopping, swing by and check out some gorgeous organic crochet booties from sheknits, learn how to put in an invisible zipper on youtube, read up on the cloth diaper lowdown over on simple mom and knit yourself a pair of lace anklets from the purl bee.

link luv roundup

loving this table, oh, so much. {via wide open spaces}

deck out that boring old planter with some bling - learn how over on censational girl.

i can only dream of having my house be as neat and organized as chez larsson's. go pop over and see how she used up some leftover wallpaper to revamp a tin can and an organizer.

ok, seriously, like cupcakes aren't irresistible enough, now there are cupcakes in an ice cream cone??? oh, my hips are growing as i type this. click here for the recipe if you dare!

check out all the great styles and even better prices at ruche! {via for me, for you}

i think i need to put a regular spot on here for any work that the fabulous katie makes over on "katie did". i could gush and gush for hours, if you haven't been to her blog yet, be warned, it's drool worthy. here's her newest outfits for those lucky little girls of hers.

i love this pretty, fresh cabled travel pillow! knit up your own copy from missknitta here or here.

last month's "mom in the mommyhood" jane richmond has a new pattern available in her shop! this cute, little, cozy bolero could easily take you from summer through winter. fyi - jane's shop "alterknits" has moved and has a new etsy address at www.janerichmond.etsy.com.

ok, i am seriously kicking myself for not thinking of this! what a great idea! tote bags as throw pillows - genius!!!

easy and all natural foot scrub - get those heels beach & flip flop ready! {via craft gossip} after scrubbing those heels go download some adorable and free stationary from creature comforts, i love the calm and airy feeling i get whenever i visit this site - it's one of my faves. then make some fun cozy cone motels for your little ones race cars. get the how to here. end off your day by knitting up a great pair of fingerless mitts from "a black pepper"

wishing you all a weekend filled with this................

{image: sundsbo solve, via definitely golden}

more bakerella easter goodness

oh my, is it easter yet? my waistline and teeth are not going to be able to handle all these goodies much longer! bakerella has some more of her easter wonders up on the site and these little guys look so cute i feel mean for wanting to eat them.

what easter goodies are you planning on making? anyone have any recipes they want to share?

(images bakerella)

goop and spain - on the road again

i was reading angry chicken last night, in the dark of course (earth hour) and saw her mention about goop. goop is a blog by none other than gwyneth paltrow. goop is essentially a blog of newsletters that's emailed out once a week, that share her recipes, her personal travel notes, advice, exercise tips, clothes and much more. all i can say is wow. there is a lot of interesting and wonderful things to be found in some of these newsletters. some of the recipes were to die for and i especially loved her latest newsletter for the section BE on parenting. qwyenth posed a great a question and some wonderful women shared their thoughts and wisdom, one of whom is Cynthia Bourgeault, who amongst other things, is a principal visiting teacher for the contemplative society here in victoria, bc. it's worth a read - click here to check it out.

speaking of gwyneth, um, have i mentioned my absolute adoration for "spain - on the road again"? love, love, love this show. i cannot get enough of it. it makes my whole soul hurt with longing to be in that convertible squashed between gwynnie and mario, travelling across spain - eating! please, gwen, if you ever read this, can i come? i won't make any noise, ok, well, maybe sometimes, but i promise to be quiet and stay in the background, i just really, really want to go to spain. what a life she has. the scenery enough would make me think i had died and gone to heaven.

i catch this show in the late hours of the night when my daughter decides not to sleep, or i can't sleep, one or the other, and then stay up even later because i can't bear to miss another minute of the deliciousness of this fabulously warmhearted and funny show. i then bore poor jeremy with my long winded memories of the episodes i catch on pbs late night and try to remember if it was real or if i was dreaming? it's that beautfiul. check it out. you can find the website here and if the show isn't enough to whet your appetite they have a book and dvd as well.

cannelle et vanille - lemon cream cookies

image courtesy of aran goyoaga - all rights reserved

calorie alert, and yes, i am posting this after talking about getting in shape. i couldn't resist. i have yet to post about the deliciously tempting blog cannelle et vanille on here and couldn't hold off any longer. she drew me in with these mouthwatering lemon cream cookies. ohhh, i just love me some lemon cookies. click here if you dare for the recipe. be prepared, her blog is stunning and you will need a fair amount of time to drool over it's loveliness.

spring chicken easter cake pops

bakerella brightened up my day with these spring chicken easter cake pops. if you would like to make some of these, click here for bakerella's colorful tutorial.

healthy recipes your kids will love

do your kids suffer from any food allergies? simple mom has a great article up today about healthy recipes your kids will love without gluten, dairy or soy. from smoothies, turkey & veggie patties to salmon & veggie nuggets, there are lots of yummy recipes your kids and you are sure to love. click here for the recipes.

easter-scape candy vase

my teeth hurt just looking at his yummy easter concoction, but i thought it was too cute to pass up. click here for the tute.

what could be better than the pioneer woman and bakerella together in one place?

let's just say i would have died and gone to heaven if i suddenly awoke in ree drummond's lodge with both her, bakerella, the mustangs outside and all that glorious, scrumptious food, for even just one hour, heck one minute! go take a peek - if you dare. here are the links for two of my favorite sites:

bakerella
the pioneer woman

the perfect baby shower treat

pacifier cookies

i caught these yummy, little pacifier cookies from designergirl007 (via craftgossip) and thought they were sure to be a great break in the usual rut of potluck goodies to bring to your average joe blow baby shower. so leave behind the deviled eggs and whip together a stylish batch of these instead. here's the link.

we're baking again

mack and i made muffins today.

yummy carrot muffins with cream cheese icing. they turned out great.

not sure why i was craving carrot muffins, maybe due to the ever looming fall that i think starts today, but i needed to eat some carrots.

mack loves them and i thought it was a great way to sneak in some veggies for her in a quick snack/breakfast. i made some with icing and some without.

if you too are in the mood for a little carrot, get your shredder out and get baking. you can find the recipe here.