More Pottery Barn Kids things I love

This magnetic tree needs to be purchased for Alexandra - it would look wonderful in her room. It may just be strong enough to withstand her occasional destructive tendencies!



These are just too beautiful and I may have to keep them for myself! A friend of mine actually made me a felt cupcake a few weeks ago and it was adorable. I was feeling sick and she made it to cheer me up!



And these are just the perfect catchall for all the kids stuff - and there is lots of it to catch!!


All images via Pottery Barn Kids

Matthew Mead

How cool is this book?



I purchased it a few weeks ago and I am in love! So much eye candy and some really great ideas. My favorite is the trick or treat tree. I actually purchased one and it arrived today - beyond all expectations. I cannot wait to fill it with all kinds of halloween goodies.

So I recommend this book for anyone who likes Halloween and all the food and crafts that go along with it. Beautiful photography, great ideas and perfect styling!

I love it.

Is it wrong...

that I am excited new episodes of Barefoot Contessa will be airing soon? I miss that broad! I miss oohing and ahhhing over her fabulous home. I miss casting envious glances at her fresher than fresh abundance of glorious food stuffs! I wish I could dislike her but she is just cool. I have not had one of her recipes fail me so for that alone she is just plain likable in my eyes! God bless the Ina Garten.

Oh and since I am talking about Food Network, what the hell happened to that network? It has become for the most part unwatchable. If I need instruction on how to open a can or how to make said can appear homemade, then perhaps the Food network is not the channel for me. Perhaps it is just me, but I am tired of the non cooking
cooks that seem to have taken over. It drives me nuts.

So in summary, no it is not wrong for me to be excited about Ina - she is one of the few bright spots left on that network.

The Genius of Jordan

One of my favorite blogs is Oh Happy Day. I like the style of one Jordan Ferney! Today she revealed her genius plan and it is way cool! It is one of those "Why didn't I think of that?" ideas. A master stroke. It is called the Pretty Little Things club and the premise is you subscribe for 6 or 12 months for a small fee. Then each month you receive a pretty little thing (duh!). It is intriguing! I am not sure too many other bloggers would be able to pull it off but this blog has been going strong for quite a few years and she has a strong and devoted following. I cannot wait to see what each month will bring! It should be fun.



Image of some of her projects via Tangled and True

Batman/Superman - who is it going to be?!

Owen is finally getting excited about Halloween and that makes me excited. After many proposals, he seems to have settled on 2 choices - Batman or Superman! So I was very happy to see this project at the Puking Pastilles blog. I am not exactly gifted at the whole sewing thing, but thankfully Owen has a great Aunt that is very gifted in that department. So the project is underway and Owen can be either Batman, Superman or both when October 31 rolls around! I love it and I am sure that Owen is going to love it too!

All images and project details via Puking Pastilles

I know it's early but....

I love this



from Pottery Barn Kids. Is there anything they cannot do? I always look forward to their holiday collections. They are always a source of inspiration that makes the bar just a little higher for me. I need that!

Candlestick Cupcake Holders!

I saw this image in the Chasing Fireflies catalog and immediately swooned. Not because the Marie Antoinette costume is beautiful but because of the those cakes set out on the table behind her. I love the tall candle holders that are being used to hold cupcakes. I am now on the lookout for some beauties or I may have to find a log and a woodworker and see if I cannot get some made!

image via Chasing Fireflies

Magazines

I love fall magazines. I get a rush when I go to the mailbox and see a pile of magazines just waiting for me. Martha Stewart Living October is always eagerly anticipated for the halloween fun alone. I was asked about my magazine addiction recently and it did get me to thinking! Since I can remember, I have always had a love for magazines. I have always loved books too, but magazines make me pant! I think it is the condensed nature of magazines that appeals to me. I can pick them up and put them down without fear of losing the plot! I can see that perfect photograph and it inspires me to make a change or make a purchase. I get a little giddy when I see a magazine at Borders that I have not seen before. I drive 30 miles each way to a Borders because that is the nearest bookstore that stocks Canadian House & Home. Oh I tell people that I am taking my children to Point Defiance zoo (and I do) but the real reason is the Borders that we pass on the way home. I could spend hours in the magazine section alone!

My first memory of magazine reading was when I was 6 years old and I saw my mothers Womans Own magazine sitting by her armchair. I flicked through and it seemed to be a colorful world that was captivating to my young brain. Looking at that publication as I grew older, I thought it trite and dull but I may have come full circle. I am not sure it is still published as I no longer live in the UK but if it is, I may have to find a copy.

I followed the usual path along the magazine highway - Smash Hits, Jackie, Glamour, Cosmo, Vogue and then I got married and a new world opened up to me. The world of making the marital house a home. Home design magazines were my new drug. I love them. Martha always made me feel it was okay to love that domestic side that I did not know existed. She will always have the number one place on my list. Food magazines were quick to follow and now when I add up all that I subscribe to, it is far more than I would care to admit to! I also have several foreign language magazines that I cannot live without and a few subscriptions to British magazines that I simply cannot give up! Help me someone!!

So to all involved in the production of magazines, I say thank you, thank you, thank you. You make it all seem possible and pretty and I love it.

Recycle and Rejoice

I am a huge fan of fall and winter clothes. I love coats and boots and gloves and I especially love scarfs. I am loving this scarf - it makes me smile!




Available here at Uncommon Goods

It's good to be back!!

After a 2 month sojourn, I am back to the world of blog! Lots of Autumn things on my mind and the need to create is back!