Say it With Chalk

image via

I have two chalkboards in our house and I love to change out the messages on them! The board in the kitchen usually serves as an on going grocery or to do list, but I like to write Bible verses or inspirational quotes on the board in our living room.

What is on your chalkboard this week?

Etsy Find: Pretty Smitten

12x12 Lucite Tray - $80

Today's featured Etsy vendor offers a huge selection of fun home & paper items!

Pretty Smitten

Pretty Smitten designs are modern and chic! Here are a few of my favorite items which can all be personalized to your specifications... you get to pick the pattern, colors and monogram style. The options are endless!

iPhone Case - $55

iPhone Case - $55

12x12 Lucite Tray - $80

11x17 Lucite Tray - $120

iPad Case - $65

iPhone Case - $55

I love the patterns and monogram styles! You can't go wrong with any combination.

See the whole selection of personalized home & paper items at

Pretty Smitten!

What to Wear: Maxi Skirts

credit: 1 2 3 4 5

Happy Valentines Day!

image via pinterest

A Round-Up of Valentine Ideas

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Having a sweet, cuddly newborn put me a little behind in the Valentine crafting and baking department... ok, way behind. I didn't decorate or anything :-/

However, had I taken the time these are some of the things I would have liked to make :)

Valentine Kisses

Heart Shoe Clips

Burlap & Glitter "Love" Banner

Still looking for ideas? Here are some of my previous Valentine's Day posts:

Valentines Day Hot Chocolate

Brown Sugar Blondies for Valentines Day

Valentines Day Coffee Sugar Cookies

Quick & Easy Valentines Day Decor

Valentine Chocolate Dippers

Healthy Valentine Alternative

Valentines Apparel - Pink Tights

Bow and Arrow Wreath (featured on Tatertots & Jello)

DIY Digital Valentine Artwork

Baby Elephant Ears

Baby Elephant Ears are the cutest things I've ever seen!!!

The pillow, designed by a mom, is functional as an infant head support, but also makes it look like your baby has elephant ears. Seriously? Does it get any better than that?

Anthropologie ABCs

Tree Monogram - $24

Anthropologie has the best in home decor - monograms are no exception! I think these tree monograms are the coolest! (I'm also loving that Ava's name only has three letters so I can afford to spell the whole thing out!)

Letter Hooks - $14

Pinwale Alphabet - $14

What To Wear: Red Pants

a few reasons why I need some red pants...

credit: 1 2 3

White Chocolate & Cherry Shortbread Cookies

I can't wait to try this recipe for White Chocolate & Cherry Shortbread Cookies!

The ingredients include nearly a cup of maraschino cherries... yum! And isn't the color perfect for February 14th? Spread the love with tasty treats!

Get the recipe and pretty presentation tips from the culinary adventure blog, Love and Olive Oil!

Keepsake Vintage Style Hanky

Custom Vintage Style Hanky - $12

On To Baby, a sweet baby blog by the people of Wedding Chicks, sells custom vintage style hankys that would make adorable keepsakes! I love the hanky featured in this family photo shoot. It says: "To use as your 'Something Old' on your special day. Love, Mom & Dad" And it's only $12!? Ava needs one! :)

Swimsuit Season

Anthropologie - Shirley Bikini - $68/$88

I'm 4 weeks postpartum and the time is flying by! Swimsuit season is going to be here before we know it! Have you started swimsuit shopping yet?

Etsy Find: Gypsy Affairs

Vintage Pearl and Diamond Earrings - $36

Today's featured Etsy vendors offers a huge selection of lovely handmade jewelry!

Gypsy Affairs

Gypsy Affairs designs are whimsical and feminine. I just love them all! Here are a few of my favorites from their current inventory:

Gracelyn Elizabeth Earrings - $102

Gum Drop Necklace - $68

Caged Innocence Necklace - $25

Lace Antique Earrings - $34.50

Sequin and Feather Bobby Pins - $24

Salvaged Charm Necklace - $154

Silk Flower and Lace Headband - $84

Gorgeous, aren't they? And those are just a few of my favorites!

See the whole selection of jewelry, clothing and hair accessories at Gypsy Affairs!

Valentine's Day Hot Chocolate

via The Sweetest Occasion

I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that our Ava was born in December! I've been thinking she would be a little Valentine baby all along! It's pretty exciting that she's already here and I can think of something fun to do for our little sweetheart to celebrate her first holiday :)

Here is an idea to make your hot chocolate a little more festive...

Just freeze cool whip on a pan and cut out with heart cookie cutters!

My Favorite Christmas Present

Monogram Locket - $45

I'm so proud of my husband for paying attention to my repeated requests for this necklace from Lenora Dame! He got it for me with an "A" for Ava :) Now I just need a teeny tiny picture of my itty bitty girl to put inside the locket!

Brown Sugar Blondies for Valentines Day

via Baked Perfection

The nurses taking care of Ava during her NICU stay have been amazing! I try to bring them in a treat at least once a week as a small thank you for all they do.

I think these Valentine's Day blondies are coming up next! Yumola!

Etsy Find: Curious Creatures Shop

Turquoise Fan Necklace - $26

I think you're going to love today's featured Etsy vendor! Check out Etsy's: 

Curious Creatures Shop

Curious Creatures is quaint, it's simple, it's your everyday jewelry.

CC has created an amazing line of minimal, modern jewelry with a touch of the unusual! Get ready for pops of color in fun shapes and unique materials. I had a hard time narrowing down my favorites to feature here!

Filigree Brass Locket - $26

Tic Tacs Bead Necklace - $22

Oriental Charm Necklace - $32

Tiger Eye Bead Necklace -$22

Chevron Drop Earrings - $25

Red Coral Disc Earrings - $22

Colored Glass Beads Necklace - $24

Curious to see more?

Check out the entire selection of unique & modern handmade jewelry in the Curious Creatures Shop!

P.S. Visit http://www.facebook.com/curiouscreaturesshop (where you might find an occasional promo!) or follow thecuriousblog.wordpress.com for everyday reads, inspirations and shop developments.

Before You Throw Away Your Christmas Cards...

Am I the only one still enjoying the glow of my Christmas tree?

Hopefully I'll get it down before Valentines Day! :)

Before I take down all our Christmas decor, I'm totally using this this idea from Ashley Ann Photography: Take a picture of each Christmas card with your phone and save them as contact photos! Now you can enjoy a little bit of Christmas all year :)

She's Here!

Our sweet baby girl made a surprise entrance - 8 weeks early!

Ava Elizabeth - 12/28/2011 - 4 lbs 1 oz

Even though she has to spend a few weeks in the neonatal intensive care, we are so happy to have her here! She is beautiful and some people say she looks like me :) That's a compliment I'll take any day! I'll be taking a bit of a blog maternity leave, but I'll be back soon.  I've received several amazing Etsy items for review and I'm anxious to share them with you :) See ya soon...

Easy Christmas Party Recipes

I've taken these treats to a few Christmas parties this year. They got rave reviews, which was cool considering how easy & cheap they are to make!
Package them in Christmas tins and you're ready to party!

Paula Deen's Peppermint Bark

Two ingredients. Enough said.

Taste of Home's Reindeer Snack Mix
It has a little kick to it! The Bugles are my favorite.