photo SUPER THIN LINE 4_zps4xjugusw.png  photo ENTER 188X24_zpsan0no3qw.png  photo HOLIDAY 134X24_zpsivdh8utq.png  photo PROJECTS 118X24_zpsmt1mfnap.png  photo RECIPES 112X24_zps5kyaynje.png  photo SHOP 100X24_zpsgecoqzk4.png  photo CONTACT 134X24 SECOND_zps0icpk3so.png  photo PRESS 100X24_zpszfhijryx.png  photo SUPER20THIN20LINE204_zpsq5i2ucyd.png

August 31, 2012

august recap


 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
August has been a steady month of projects, wrapping up our summer and preparing for school.  These are some of the highlights for this month - if you're interested in reading/viewing the full post, click the link below each picture.
 
We are planning a very laid back Labor Day Weekend at our house.  We're staying in town and doing a little house cleaning/organizing, a few yard projects and a small backyard barbeque on Sunday. 
 
Hope your holiday weekend is filled with happiness!
 
 

 

August 30, 2012

five layer greek dip


5 layer greek dip

Hummus (I use the roasted garlic flavor)
Cherry tomatoes
Cucumbers
Kalamata olives
Feta cheese
Onions (I use a small amount of red onion)

Dice tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and onions.  Spread hummus on the bottom of your serving dish.  Layer remaining ingredients as desired.  Sprinkle with a little olive juice.  Salt and pepper.  Serve with pita chips (I serve with the garden veggie medley pita chips) or bagel crisps.

This has been one of my go-to dips when we've had guests this summer and it is great for tailgaiting as well.  Simple, easy, yummy!

Enjoy!

{sharing at Kelly's Korner}

August 29, 2012

labor day weekend outfit

{last call for summer wear}
 
 
 
 
 
Do you have any fun plans for labor day weekend?

August 28, 2012

first day of 1st grade



{so excited for his first day} 


 {all smiles as we walk up to school}
 

 {super star student cake}

{still smiling ~ first day of 1st grade ~ successful}








IHeart Organizing

the creative headquarters tuesday blog hop

August 26, 2012

super star student







 
 
I wanted to do something special for Preston as he gets ready for his first day of school tomorrow, so I decided to put together a simple "super star student" themed mantle.  I pretty much left my mantel decor as is and added this cute little framed picture of this giraffe from our playroom and made this star banner.  I love the message on the giraffe artwork, which inspired my theme.  I added the chalkboard to write his grade level and to create a fun spot for his first day of school pictures tomorrow.
 
I'm so glad Preston really enjoys school.  Last year when we would go somewhere for the weekend, he would say, "make sure we'll be back for school on Monday...because I don't want to miss."  I'm just soaking up his love for school, because I know it won't always be this way.  It was fun to see his excitement already at "meet the teacher night" and sweet to see him smile when he first noticed that I made these decorations just for him.  I have a surprise treat planned for him too when he gets home after his first day.
 
Wishing my little 1st grader good luck tomorrow, as well as any of your kiddos heading back to school!
 
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Update:  Here is the cake I made for him to celebrate his first day as a 1st grader!
 


 
 
 

August 24, 2012

happy weekend





this just makes me smile :)

hope your weekend is fun-filled

happy weekend friends

August 23, 2012

organized kids' arts and crafts closet



Because we have a small mudroom area (more to come on that space,) I turned our small coat closet into a arts & crafts closet for Preston and Lyla.  We keep all their toys upstairs in the playroom, but I wanted all the markers, paints, glue, etc. to be downstairs where I could supervise them.  So my handy husband built shelves in this closet and I began organizing!



I headed out to the dollar store and picked up these turquoise bins that are perfect for their art supplies. What I love about the smaller ones, is that they have a nice handle. I keep all these supplies on the lower shelf, so the kids can go in there themselves and choose the bin with the colors or paints they want to use and easily carry it out to the table.

I used these larger baskets to hold their coloring books, workbooks, and notebooks.


These little buckets came from Pottery Barn Kids a couple of years ago. 

And I love the dry erase crayons.  Do ya'll have these?  That little small dry erase board in the back is for the dry erase crayons.  There is a white side and then the back is black.  It's a perfect size for small hands and great for the car.  So fun!


This paper roll is awesome!  We have had it for about 3 years or so, and this is only our second roll and it gets used almost daily.  Great purchase!  My kids love doing the mosaic picture projects, so I have a supply of those here.


Other baskets hold flash cards, stamps, and bubbles.  And on the top shelf (above the chalkboard) I have things I don't want them to necessarily get out on there own, like play dough, water balloons, etc.

 
And finally I tried to get a picture of the whole closet, but this is the best I could do.  This closet is in a small hallway and has a really high ceiling, so it was hard to get far enough back to get everything. 

So nice to have everything organized and pretty.  I find myself opening the door when I walk by just to look at it again :)  Do you do that after you've done a project that you're happy with?
 
With school starting next week, we are organized and ready for school projects!
 
 
 
And if you're interested in more organization, here is how I organize my kids' toys & our photos:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


August 22, 2012

sweet and simple






I wanted to share a really cute and very inexpensive find that I'm so happy with.  I had a lot of comments asking about where I got the cross bracelet when I had it displayed in my polka dot tray project.  This little cross bracelet from ASOS is so sweet and simple.  It was part of my "go for the gold" inspiration board that I blogged about here and I ordered it because it was sooooo reasonable.  I just got it in the mail a couple of days ago and I'm so happy with it! 

Always exciting to find a good deal!