Simplify: Tip #22

“I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind.”
-Albert Einstein

pic & quote via

My Home Tour on Noel Marie

Jessica, whom you may know from The Homebound, kindly asked me to do a home tour on her new venture Noel Marie, a website devoted to all things stylish while keeping it real (i.e. on a budget). Here is a description from her site:

"After becoming fed up with every fashion and home magazine we read being completely saturated with images of products and pieces we could never afford, we thought it was time to create a site where stylish ladies could find some attainable inspiration. Our categories will include fashion, interior design, beauty, recipes, and cocktail ideas, with all of our posts keeping affordability in mind.

We believe that just because we aren’t rolling in the benjamins, doesn’t mean we don’t deserve to live stylish lives - and we think you deserve to have that lifestyle too. We think it is much more rewarding to focus on creativity and ingenuity, and less on designer labels - though we won’t begrudge ourselves if we stumble upon a killer sale. "

If you haven't checked the site out yet, you are in for a treat! Plus they live blog the Real Housewives of New Jersey, so it doesn't get better than that! Are those beezies train wrecks or what?

Check out my home tour and interview here.
Thank you Jessica for including me in your home tours!

Wish I Were Here...

I'm having a major " I need to get away from it all" movement, if you will. The past few weeks have been rather overwhelming. Nothing worth getting into, but let's just say I would love to run away and hang out here for awhile, all by myself...

A colorful little getaway in the woods. No phones, no TV, no computer. Just a few good books to help pass the time. Give me two days...is that too much to ask?

Images via. (Anyone have any idea what the text says? I made out France, vacation and nature, which is all I really need to know!)

Simplify: Tip #21

via

"The meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude towards them." -Antoine de Saint Exupery

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

Oh my little Kare Bear I love you so. This year has gone by so fast, I just cannot believe it is already your first birthday. Wasn't it just yesterday I was introducing you here to my blog buddies? You have brought such a sweet little vibe to our family and I could not imagine life without you. Happy Birthday Kara Avery!

Hope you all have a wonderful extra-long weekend!

Get Your Download On

Have you checked back in over at the Feed Your Soul free art project lately? Tons more great art to download for free.

Kara's First Birthday Party

Last Saturday I had plans to throw Kara a big first bday bash. I say I had plans because Natalie ended up getting very sick with the flu the Thursday before so I had to cancel it at the last minute. My parents decided to brave a few germs and still came though, so I just scaled everything way down- as some of you may know it's impossible to get anything done when you have a sick kiddo. So here are a few pics from the humble little party...

I didn't get a chance to buy flowers for an arrangement, so I just used ones I got on Mother's Day.

The birthday girl

The awesome cupcake liners from Bake It Pretty are what set the color scheme.

I cut some yellow gingham fabric I already had to make a table runner-didn't even bother to hem the edges, I kind of liked them frayed.

I made a paper chain out of scrapbook paper I've had hanging around for years after seeing one on Magchunk. Before Natalie got sick, I had planned on making a ton of them and stringing them around the room.

Kara was very dainty with her giant cupcake. She kind of just poked at it and took little tastes here and there.

Her actual birthday is this Friday, and on Saturday is her baptism. The in-laws are having a big BBQ afterward for her (the baptism is more their thing) , so she will get the full party experience then I suppose. But I enjoyed our scaled back party and I think Kara did too.

Sweetbeets Giveaway Winner! (Plus a new Peacock Feathers Winner)

Congrats to "Ang71" who is the winner of the selection of Sweetbeets goodies! Lisa has sent you an email so she can get them out to you.


I also had to re-draw a name for the winner of a custom moodboard by Elizabeth because I never heard from the first winner. So Becca is the new winner! Becca said:

"Sounds like an awesome person AND designer! I really need a mood board for my wedding! I'm getting married and planning it myself, and could use some help with reception decor! :)"

Becca, please email me so I can get you in contact with Elizabeth.

Congrats to the winners!

Etsy Faves

Just a few of the items currently hanging out in my favorites:

"Ocean" Print
"Greta" Necklace
Wheatgrass in Vintage pot
ABC Print
Letterpress Thank You Notecards
Times Are Tough Magnet

Interior Infatuation

A fun little house to wake you up on this Monday morning. You feeling the bright yellow? Cuz I am.

I want this wallpaper. For sure.

This rug reminds me of a Rorschach test. What do you see? A bird? A leaf? A mustache?

Love the effect of the bright yellow paint on this twisty-leg table (surely not the appropriate name).

Gray and white stripes-possibly my new yellow and white stripes?

More hot pink flowers for you.

Ummm, is that a tv or microwave? Seriously, I can't figure it out.

Via Canadian House & Home.

Simplify: Tip # 20

Available for free download here.

Summer Styling: Dresses In The Desert

Love, loving this shoot from Real Simple on summer dresses. The hair, accessories, location, sumptuous summer lighting, everything. Kind of-kind of- makes me excited for hotter weather.

This is my favorite: Yarni dress, Frye boots and Lizzie Fortunato Jewels necklace. Want. It. All.

You Had Me at Yellow Zig Zags and a Succulent Bouquet

I don't post many weddings around here, but ohmygoodness this one is so perfect it hurts.

A unique bridal bouquet of succulents, yellow yarrow and yellow crespedia balls.

The bride designed all of the printed materials.

The juxtaposition between the fluffy pomanders and the sleek silver orbs is eye catching.

Coolest wedding party photo ever.

A reception by a palm tree lined pool=laid back California style at its finest.
The amazing firepit was used to to roast marshmallows by.

A post-wedding plunge in the pool? Perfect.

Wedding designed by La Partie Events, originally seen on Style Me Pretty.

View more wedding photos at the amazing photographers' site Erin Hearts Court. Also, check out their engagement photos here and here, which are equally as awesome as their wedding.

If you view the rest of the pics out-don't you think the bride looks like a cross between Fiona Apple and Maggie Gyllenhaal? So pretty.

Fedora-ble

I think I want to get a fedora, a la Reese Witherspoon:

image via

image via

image via

Cute, right? My only problem? I look a fool in hats. Seriously, you should see me. I don't know what it is, but I just look absolutely silly when I throw somethin' up on that head of mine. I've never tried a fedora though. Maybe this is my chance to redeem myself. We'll see...

I really like this option from Ann Taylor Loft for $29.50

What about you guys? Do you like to wear hats?

Tory's Style Guide

"South of France" Inspiration

I was perusing the Tory Burch site recently and noticed a "Tory's Style Guide" icon. I happily clicked on the link and found a ton of cool stuff, such as party ideas and "Guest Editor's Wish Lists", which currently features one of my favorite ladies LuLu De Kwiatowski. Check it out for some great eye candy.

You Oughta Know: Lisa Zuraw of Sweetbeets

I'm having so much fun with my "You Oughta Know" series, I already have another one for you today! I am pleased to introduce you to Lisa Zuraw, owner of the wonderful business Sweetbeets. I ran across Lisa's shop on etsy when I was searching for a letterpress card for a friend's baby shower. I was instantly smitten with all of her lovely designs, and ended up choosing this one:

Baby in Basket card available here

Isn't that just the sweetest card you have ever seen? My friend ended up liking it so much, she framed it and put it up in her son's nursery! What I also love about Lisa's work is that all items are printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Adorable and eco-friendly too-what a great combo! So listen up folks, because at the end of this interview you will get your chance to win a selection of Sweetbeets products valued at $30!

Here we go...

Q: What inspired you to start Sweetbeets?

A: I've always enjoyed making things and been interested in design. When I was a "tween" I'd change around the furniture in my bedroom every few months, I spent a ridiculous amount of time picking out the perfect wallpaper, and I convinced my Dad to convert the closet into a workspace with a built in desk and book shelf! I also tried sewing my own clothes--that didn't work out so well! Fast forward several years and I dabbled in soap making (but working with lye made me a bit nervous) and eventually I got into paper crafts. After my first son was born I started making cards, initially with rubber stamps and craft punches, as a creative outlet and to give myself some "me" time. I dreamed of starting my own stationery company and did tons of research online over a three-year period until my brother encouraged me to "just do it"! I started teaching myself Adobe Illustrator, and my brother helped me set up my first website (which I've since redesigned) in the summer of 2007.

Gift Tags available here

Q: I love the sweet, simple, nostalgic designs of your work. Can you take us through the process of coming up with a new design?

A: Thanks for your kind words! I have a long list of design ideas that come from watching my children play and thinking back to my own childhood. I'm inspired by the simple things most kids seem to love such as splashing in puddles and blowing dandelion seeds. I am self-taught so often I'll work from a photo that I've taken of one of my sons. For example, the "cowboy" card is based on my son riding his rocking horse.

Rocking horse card available here

Q: You have recently added a great art print to your line-up of products. What can we look forward to in the future at Sweetbeets?

A: I am working on a line of print-at-home baby shower and birthday invitations. I love pouring over all the wonderful birthday party inspiration online (Party Perfect is one of my new fave blogs on this topic). Despite thinking about my sons' birthdays far in advance, they always seem to sneak up on me and I realize I haven't actually done anything to get ready! I confess that last year I invited guests by email because I didn't leave myself enough time to create nice invitations and mail them before the party. Surely I cannot be alone in this! I figure there must be other moms who want unique party invitations that have a do-it-yourself element. The first design is based on the space party we had a couple of years ago and the PDF is now available in my Etsy shop. Check back very soon for new designs!

Space Birthday Party Invite pdf available here

Q: You also run a great blog called ModEco kids, featuring handmade and eco-friendly products for babies and children. Has having children of your own changed the way you view products designed for them?

A: Having children has made me realize that the best "toy" is their imagination! But of course it is nice to have some actual toys too. We've really streamlined the amount of toys we have at home and mainly kept the quality wooden toys and toys that encourage open-ended play.

Art prints available here

Q: What are some of your favorite/must-have "mommy essentials"?

A: I highly recommend a baby sling. It took me a few months to figure out how to use it with my first son but I carried my second son in my sling starting from when he was a few days old. Now that my sons have outgrown the sling, my current mommy essential is the CD "It's A Big World". My sons listen to this soothing music every night while going to sleep and we never get tired of it!


Q: What are some of your favorite activities to do with your sons?

A: Last summer I took my boys several times into the nearby forest to go "fishing" and also to catch frogs at the little stream. I'm looking forward to doing that again this summer!

Q: A few of your favorite things?

A: Besides my family (of course!), some of my favorite things include the color green, hour long massages, the process and rewards of decluttering, and Wild Sweet Orange herbal tea by Tazo. I also LOVE this little porcelain jar by Canadian artist Nesting Emily that I bought because it represents the inspiration for developing more of my own personal style, which is still a work in progress!

Thank you so much, Lisa for giving us a glimpse into your life and business!

And now for the giveaway instructions- pay attention, because it is a bit different this time:

Simply follow this link to the special Sweetie Pie Pumpkin Noodle giveaway page at the Sweetbeets site, enter your email address where indicated and press "subscribe". You will be entered into the drawing as well as her monthly newsletter (which you can unsubscribe to at any time-not that you would want to-I get it and love the updates!). That's it! Easy! The winner will receive a selection of Sweetbeets valued at $30! The contest will be open through Sunday, May 17th. Lisa will randomly pick the winner and I will announce it here on Monday, May 18th. Good luck!