The other week I was itching for a lunch of chocolate chip cookies so I invited some friends over and told them each to bring a batch of their bests for a taste off. Once the sugar high was official, I realized I had approached things all wrong. First, there were only five varieties. Second, all of us tasting them had made a batch and it was so hard not to be biased. And third, I hadn’t prepared a prize for the winner. So I’m demanding a redo. I really want to get down to the bottom of this issue. So here’s where you come in, if you swear to have the best recipe, send it my way. We will add it to the line-up. You just have to promise not to get mad when my recipe beats it out.

In my teen years my mom implemented a system where if you made your bed the fairy would come and leave a treat. This might be the reason I don’t make my bed today (no reward) and I always insist on a little treat everyday. Good one mom.

Other posts I’ve written that you’re sure to like:
Speaking of bedrooms, these shared kid’s ones are tops
Chandeliers on a dime
The party decoration that doubles as a sugar high
Maybe my fave one yet
I bet you didn’t know that there’s such a thing as a gold succulent

images: Remodelista, Lena Corwin on Design Sponge, Nikole Herriott on Design Sponge, Marion House Book, Domino Magazine

I was falling down an Internet hole of self pity/general crankiness yesterday so I decided to walk away and make. I had seen this pencil holder and knew I had the materials on hand (sometimes it pays to be a supply hoarder) so while Beck slumbered soundly, I sat and painted and glued.

I just used glass jars, tea tins, acrylic paint, a wooden board and super glue. Craft therapy.

What have you made lately?

I’m a fan of this new mom gig. And I’m a fan of the fun, good looking stuff that comes along with the kiddo.

sources: My Very First Book of Colors, Little Alouette wooden teether, Freshly Picked moccasins, Solly Baby wrap (made from the softest fabric ever and isn’t the branding so cute?), Milestone Baby Cards (contact for delivery to US), Dwell Studio blocks, Aden + Anais swaddle blanket (this I would consider an essential)

When somebody asks me, “What’s your favorite (blank)?” I get all panicky. As if I answer it will be set in stone and I’ll never get to change my mind. I usually wimp out and give a list. Decisiveness is overrated anyway.

So here we go, the friday fave five: entryway edition. Here is a visual list of entryways I love. I give this to you on the premise that you’ll never make me choose just one or not allow me to change this list. It’s just too hard.

images: Lonny, Sara Hicks Malone on Decor8, The Marion House Book, Jonny Valiant, Domino Magazine via Black Eiffel

Sharon is back today, yay! Anything no sew is my fave.

Hi everybody! Today I am showing you how to make a no sew favor bag.  To me these are suited for some sort of girly function but could be made more boy friendly by changing up the fabric (um, corduroy would be so cute)  I’m not much of a sewer but on several occasions I have wanted a cute little fabric bag.  I decided to play around with this method and it works perfectly.  These bags require a little labor and are one of those projects that can be done in front of The Real Housewives Insert Favorite City Here (but probably not Miami).

This image shows the materials needed to make two bags. The blue fabric was purchased from the fabric store while the orange fabric is a fat quarter from the craft store. The amount of fabric you will need depends on the size of the bag you want to make. For example, the fabric for the ones that I made were approximately 12″ wide by 20″ long (again, approximate as I threw away the paper with the actual measurements on it…oops!). Allow about 3″ for the fringe on each side and also about an inch at the top and the bottom of the fabric to create a hem to string your drawstring through. You will need 1 piece of Heat N Bond, I used 5/8″ (you will use half for the top and half for the bottom hem) and a safety pin along with whatever trim (ribbon, string, leather, etc.) you will be using for your drawstring.And have your iron and ironing board out also.

Measure the Heat N Bond to match the width of the fabric at the top and bottom, remember we will be folding the fabric in half doing away with the need for a hem at the bottom. Next cut the Heat N Bond in half lengthwise.  Follow the directions on the package and adhere the iron-on adhesive to the fabric along the top edge first.  Remove the backing, then fold over the fabric remembering to allow enough room for your trim to fit through.  Use the iron to create the hem.  Be sure to double check that your hem is staying tacked before putting your iron away.

Next it is time to get fringey.  We are also going to pretend that the two images in the middle of this collage are the same fabric as the first and last row…To start, cut the fabric approximately 3 inches at the top corner in the center of the hem (top left image).  This is important so that you can string your drawstring through.  Do this at all four corners then go back and cut the fringe on the two sides of the bag (top right image).  If you go ahead and fold the fabric in half before cutting the fringe (middle left image), you will for sure have the same amount of fringe on each side to knot in the next step (middle right image).  Next, starting at the bottom (the fold in the fabric) start double knotting the two fringe pieces together (bottom right image).  Try not to pull so tight that the fabric puckers but tight enough that it will stay together.

Knot both sides of the bag with double knots.  Leave the last piece of fringe at each top corner unknotted so you can insert the drawstring.

Here we used a piece of white trim for the drawstring.  Tape the end if needed to keep it from fraying and attach a safety pin to it to scooch through the hem.  You can either use two separate pieces (1 for each side) and knot on each side or use one long piece and thread it through both sides of the bag to create one drawstring on one side like we’ve done here.

These no sew favor bags could also double as a party activity for a kid’s party.  Prepare the bags through the fringe step ahead of time and allow the girls to knot and choose their own drawstring at the party.  How cute would these be to fill with candy at a candy buffet?  You could even pack a snack or their lunch in these.  In my opinion, providing all the party necessities, like we’ve done in the top photo, is the perfect way to use these bags.  Drop one off at your bestie’s doorstep as a pick me up.  OR since it is back to school time, bring one to your teacher and be their favorite.

I’ve had some bad experiences with playards in the past. Like, waste an hour of my time trying to get the thing to go down only to be left with it half closed and shoving it in the closet so no one can see my humiliation. In fact, at our family reunion a few weeks ago Beck was sleeping in one and when I went to clean it up I gave up about ten minutes in and had my sister come take care of it. It kind of reminded me of the part of Zoolander where they’re trying to get the files off the computer and start just hitting it like monkeys. Conclusion: I look like a monkey when I’m trying to fold up a playard.

But things have changed friends, things have changed. Let’s all give a hip hip hooray for the new playard The Breeze. It opens in one easy step. It closes in one easy step. No directions needed. Don’t believe me, watch this.

This was Beck’s expression after he watched the video -

And this is his expression when he got to try it out -

Want your baby to be this happy too? I’m giving one of these sleek (don’t you love that there’s no cheesy animal graphics on it?) Breezes away today. Here’s what you need to do to enter:
- Visit 4moms then comment on this post
- For additional entries, follow 4moms on Facebook or Twitter

That’s it! Winner will be randomly chosen then emailed directly by me on Monday, September 10th.

Full disclosure: I was gifted a Breeze from 4moms for this review. All stories/opinions/general grievances are my own.

I think my title as blogger might need to be revoked. For one thing, I’ve never worn a top knot. For another, I don’t have a smart phone. And for another, I’m just now finishing Beck’s nursery and he’s four months old. If I was a real blogger, I would have had it done the week after I found out I was pregnant and it would have been featured on a number of sites by now.

I remember waiting for him to arrive and thinking that I would finish it the week after he was born when my mom was here to help. Ha! I barely left the bed for a month. But last week I finally got the courage to brave the crowds at IKEA and only broke my friend’s sewing machine three times in order to add those final touches. Now both Beck and I can enjoy the room before he’s able to scale the shelves and break everything in sight.

sources: fabric banner and mobile made by me, Schleich animals, shelves and mirror from IKEA, framed card from Best Made Company

This party looks so fun spotted on Anthology

This one does too spotted on Design Sponge

Wish I had been invited to this one spotted on Oh Happy Day

And I’m smitten with this one spotted on Cabbage Rose

“I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” – Joe Fox

sources: Rifle Paper Co botanical notebook, Kid Made Modern mini colored pencils (I was looking for an excuse to buy these), Kikki K pencil pouch, Knock Knock stuff to do pocket notes