Beautiful Banner... Batman

cole is into all the standard superheros these days, so much so that even dean recognizes the logos, which is why i picked up another tee for him.  while there, we found this really cute mask invitation set that we decided to turn into a banner for their rooms...

target style # 113 mara mi invitation + stationary sets

check out their site for many more beautiful products + designs

this zoomerang animal set includes - 12 masks [two of each],
12 red elastic cords, and 12 large red square envelopes

for only $7.99 you can do a lot with it - use the invitations, the masks,
make two small or one large banner or even frame your favorites for adorable kid art

target style #114 retro superhero kids tees

i hope these two stay buddies forever

Thrifty Flips [part 3]

my absolute favorite find at the thrift store in the last six months, this studded leather bag...

the strap was well worn and had large gold buttons i didn't care for, so i removed
the whole thing and made a new one from some white vegan leather i had.
 i loved it even more after - proof the design rule of doing the opposite
if you can't match something perfectly is always the best way to go.

Outfitting a Kids Space

when designing a kids space, urban outfitters may not be the first place you would look, but with great finds in every department you can practically one-stop shop.  here's some of my favorites for each...

pope saint victor for society6 slow down art print,
assembly home gray and orange mixed stripe curtain,
globe paper lantern, heritage bookshelf,
the rise and fall sleeping fox, plum and bow callin iron bed,
aesthetic apparatus lunasaurus art print,
airplane hook, herringbone rug in navy,
locker room storage shelf, toy soldier bookends,
and hammerpress no whining print [i may have bought this]

triple-tiered glass bead pendant shade,
waterfall ruffle curtain in chartreuse, macaroon boxes,
brass leaf side table, albert the french bulldog pillow,
magical thinking triangle chain bedding in hot pink,
laura ruth for society6 pretty white pony print, unicorn hook,
scallop rug in gray, industrial storage cabinet,
boho twist frame, and taj wall mirror

Vacation Mode

my husband had the last few days off and since we couldn't travel far, we decided to do little day trips with the boys.  the benefit to a mini vacation like this - no packing + no time changes + and back in time to sleep in your own bed which = two happy parents and kids... 

chasing butterflies, carrousel rides, out to eat, searching for baby animals,
making sandwiches [thanks grandma r] and spicy vegetables on the grill [thanks grandma b] 
voice echoes, dinosaur spotting and going back in time

our mini adventures included the farm, the zoo,

the science museum, and my favorite lots of down time outside

Take Me to the Beach

i've been dying to get there, but with my little feisty ones traveling far would be more of a nightmare than a vacation.  so for now i can dream in my new favorite hat, which will block the sun equally as well at the pool while i'm playing with the boys...

wide rim straw fedora - h&m, rebel pendant - stella & dot, white flowy tank - urban outfitters [similar one shown],
and thin wrap sweater is one of my new favorites picked up at the clothing exchange

Father's Day Finds

with it less than a week away, i was excited to stumble onto tons of great gifts in world market the other day.  guys can sometimes be hard to buy for, but what guy doesn't love food!  so here are some fun gifts based around guys i know and their favorite foods and that some practically consider to be food groups.  they're also gifts that little ones would be equally excited to give and enjoy [well in most cases] with their dad too...

All at World Market:

The Grill Master - rufus teague [made some sauce] touch o' heat bbq sauce, basting mop,

3 piece bbq tool set, the truck food cookbook and natural cedar grill planks 

Mister Morning - "i love bacon" cookbook, bodum french press, animal inspiration mugs [lion - flip side "it's hard being king"] tall, dark, and handsome + daily dose joe coffee and melville's chocolate covered bacon on a stick [both in-store only]

The Pub Fan - guiness draught 4 pack, set of 15 pub coasters, english pint glasses, chocolate covered cigars [in store only] and antique brass"last call" bell

The Pizza Chef - pastorelli thin & crispy pizza crusts, oliveto mediterranean blend extra virgin olive oil, olio d' olive olive oil pourer [in-store only], 100 pizzas cookbook, olive wood cheese grater and wood pizza paddle

Sir Sweet & Salty - funnel cake kit, dad's old-fashioned root beer, wall mounted bottle opener, mustache highball glasses, whole earth organic kettle corn and set of 12 small popcorn boxes

The Hot Head - the sriracha cookbook, sriracha hot sauce, fontera tortilla chips + salsa, and mind twister puzzles.  

added bonus... they have everything you need to wrap these in too

including - drink tubs, ice buckets, baskets, gift bags and ribbon.

this is one-stop shopping at it's best!

Surprise Soirée

my whole family threw one for my dad last weekend to celebrate his retirement.  after working hard to raise seven kids, my parents are getting the free time together they deserve - they just came back from savannah and are off to san francisco soon.  so i put together a travel theme with items i already owned...

coconut + chocolate chip cookie cake was made by my sister rachel.
still love our mason jar tumblers and used my left over price tags from the flea market for drink tags.
the gold moroccan lantern is from here and the black & white pennant garland i made.

caught my sister lisa on the guitar and kept cole from running just long enough to snap a picture of his rosy cheeks.

dean has been obsessed with picking out his socks every morning, this day was no exception
 and i think the stripes + plaid shorts were my favorite combo yet

i feel very lucky to have the parents and family i do.

thanks to my sister sara for coming up with the idea

and to my whole family that worked + traveled to pull it off.

[we managed to keep it a surprise]

congratulations on your retirement dad!