Friday, May 18, 2012

minted

i've been very busy
editing and uploading a few designs
for the minted holiday design contest.

i've never submitted designs to minted.
i'm kinda excited to see how this goes.

go here and see my designs.
then.
later.
i will ask you to vote for my designs.
once voting opens to the public :)

via
via
via

so.
what do ya think?
happy holidays... hehe!


Thursday, May 17, 2012

housewarming gifts

yesterday i shared some cute & clever hostess gifts.
today, i thought i share some housewarming gift ideas!

here are some of my current favorites...
an address stamp sporting their new address - via
mrs. meyer's earth friendly products in a cute jar - via


put together a yummy dinner kit - via

a super creative emergency kit - via

collect local takeout menus and file them in this adorable menu organizer - via


the gift of time :) - via
succulent plant - via


a bucket of hardware supplies - via


do you have any great housewarming gift ideas?
please share! xoxo -e







Wednesday, May 16, 2012

hostess gifts

summer parties 
are right around the corner
i'm always looking for new ideas
for cute and clever hostess gifts.

here are some of my favorites
lavender plant - via
lemonade kit - via

trim your own herbs in an anthropologie mug - via

baguettes & homemade jam - via

ingredients for chocolate chip, oatmeal quickbread -via

wrap wine bottles in a 36" tablecloth - via 
honey & a honey wand wrapped in a lunch bag with string - via

brown sugar rub wrapped in burlap with a cute tag - via

do you have any fun ideas for
hostess gifts? please share! -e



Tuesday, May 15, 2012

i pinned it, then did it

i pinned this pasta salad recipe
pin
then did it!
it was so yummy, especially with this warm weather!
i highly recommend it :)

string bean, arugula & pasta salad

  • 8 ounces green beans, trimmed
  • Coarse salt
  • 1 lb. orecchiette pasta
  • 1/2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
  • 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice 
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 c. olive oil
  • 1/4 c. pine nuts, toasted & coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 c. parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 1/2 c. parmesan cheese shaved with a vegetable peeler
  • 1 ounce (1 1/2 cups) baby arugula

Directions:
Prepare an ice-water bath. Cook green beans in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer beans to ice-water bath until cool, reserving water in pot. Drain beans, & cut into 2-inch-long pieces.

Add pasta to the reserved boiling water, & cook until al dente. Drain & spread on a rimmed baking sheet. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Transfer chilled pasta to a large serving dish

Whisk lemon zest, lemon juice & 3/4 teaspoon salt. Season with pepper. Add oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking until emulsified. Drizzle over pasta, & toss until well coated

Add beans, pine nuts, & grated Parmesan. Toss until evenly distributed. Just before serving, fold in arugula, & top with shaved Parmesan.


serves 8

(i did make a few adjustments, which are included in my recipe above).

Friday, May 11, 2012

iPhone snapshots of my morning

my new growth chart from etsy - link
my office... until we finish the basement, the kid's playroom has taken over my office.
:(
a little canvas i made for reilly's room... good message for a 9 year old! no?
i'm lovin my "Febreze NOTICEables". i chose the scent "linen and sky" and it's fantastic!
max showing off his artwork. it's a rocket zooming in the sky. in case you couldn't tell :)
coop's new goldfish named kai (named after the red ninjago ninja)

my boys (cooper and max). max has a dirty face (as usual) 
& coop is sporting his favorite hat.
moved the kids computer to a new location. now it's easier to watch over
little shoulders because they're smack-dab in the middle of the kitchen!

this is our very lazy cat roger.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

before and after

my life has been full 
kid's activities, shutterfly work & the normal day-to-day

so.
there has been no extra time for painting, decorating
you know,
the fun stuff :)
(only kidding... kinda)

when it come to the "before and after-s" 
this is about the best i can do

my five minute make-over

before
after

here's the the little stinker who didn't help.
at all.
hope you're having a great wednesday!
xoxo - e


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

stealing second

in honor of my dad's 70 birthday
he stole second
on opening day for the san francisco giants
 





 isn't he cutie?
he's the greatest dad!
ever.

xoxo - e




Sunday, May 6, 2012

daddy/daughter dance

rock n roll themed
((of course))
they had a blast
came home exhausted!

thought i'd share :)
-e