Coffeecake

Route 63 Snap Tote from Lands' End

via www.landsend.com

 

I think the Route 63 Snap Tote from Land's End is just perfect for summer...and anytime.  I recently purchased this tote and could not be happier with it.  It come in a range of neutral colors.  I love the Natural shown here, but purchased the Beechnut...at tan color that I think will not show dirt as well. 

Sephora Offering 15% off for Beauty Insiders-This Week Only!

via www.sephora.com

Lovely Spring Diaper Bags

 

 

Here are some of my favorite diaper bags for spring.  You'll notice key spring fashion trends such as ikat and floral motifs have worked their way into this mom necessity.  I think the bags pictured add a fun twist to a practical item and enable you to bring spring trends into your wardrobe, even if you just run around in sweats and t-shirts!  You can find these bags as follows:

1. Oilily, Summer Check Diaper Bag, $196 at Zappos (free shipping).

2. Oi Oi Ikat, $149 at Amazon.

3. Oilily Tea Party Baby Bag, $208 at Zappos (free shipping).

4. Oi Oi Black Check Caryall, $140 at Diapers.com (free shipping).

5. Vera Bradley Baby Bag, $97 at Zappos (free shipping).

6. Kalencom Maxi Tote, $94 at Zappos (free shipping).

Wall Art from Warm Biscuit

via warmbiscuit.com

Warm biscuit has a wonder collection of vintage-inspired items for the nursery as well as older kid's rooms.  I love this personalized "brothers" silhouette print. it would make such a sweet touch to a playroom or hung among a collection of family photos.

Aimee Maternity and Nursing Wear

via www.nursinggowns.com

If you are looking for a stylish and comfortable maternity/nursing nightgown look no further than Aimee Nursing Gowns. These gowns are super comfortable in a 90% cotton, 10% lycra blend and available in a range of pretty pastel colors as well as black and cranberry. Robes and PJ's are also available. Right now take 10% off orders over $75.

I personally bought several of these nightgowns during my pregnancy as well as a robe and a pair of pajamas. They are great!

Spring Handbag: Knotted Mini Tote from Ann Taylor

via www.anntaylor.com

I am really liking this  "mini tote" from Ann Taylor. It is a nice blushy beige color, very fresh for spring, with a light croc pattern.  I tried it on in store and found it really comfortable over the arm and a great size, too...not too big and not too small. It's conservative, but stylish, too.  It could be easily dressed up or down and would make a nice handbag for work, shopping around town, or an evening out.

Photo credit: AnnTaylor.com

Craft Project: Nature Brights Kitchen from Sew4Home

via sew4home.com

Sew4home is a wonderful website with fantastic home decor sewing ideas and tutorials. Several times a week they feature a project tutorial or craft idea. Periodicaly they offer a collection of projects using a new fabric collection.  Current it is a "Nature Brights" Kitchen, with fabric from Patty Young's Flora & Fauna Collection by Michael Miller.  Tutorials have already been posted for chair cushions, reversible placemats and napkins, and more projects are to come including an apron, curtains, potholders, and more. 

Baby Tree of Life Throw from Lion Brand Yarn Company

via www.lionbrand.com

While perusing the latest Lion Brand Yarn catalog, I came across this petite version of Nicky Epstein's well-known Tree of Life Afghan.  I have long admired the pattern in its adult size, but am really charmed by this sweet baby size.  It's knit with only a single skein (1020 yd) of Lion Brand's Pound of Love of acrylic yarn.  I have long been a "yarn snob", and thought about knitting this in a specialty yarn, but am going to give the Pound of Love a whirl.  It is machine washable and dryable, which you can't beat (but I will probably still handwash).  And you can't beat the price of $9.49 for the whole afghan!!

P.S. if you haven't checked out Lion Brand lately, check out their new website with TONS of FREE patterns, join them on twitter, Facebook and Ravelry,or better yet, get their iPhone app (I did and it is very cool!).

Valentine's Day Newsletter from MarthaStewart.com

via www.marthastewart.com

Check out Martha Stewart's Valentine's Day website with tons of ideas for Valentine's Day and sign up for her Valentine's Day newsletter--New ideas sent to your inbox weekly now through Feb. 14!

Book Review: The Comfort Table, Recipes for Everyday Occasions, by Katie Lee, Book

via search.barnesandnoble.com

I got this wonderful cookbook over the holidays and I am so happy with it.  Katie Lee has wonderful, unique recipes and great ideas for entertaining.  She includes ideas for a variety of celebrations including a Retro Cocktail Party, Chrismukkah, Steakhouse Night at Home, Spa Lunch and Chinese New Year.  For each event, she features a complete menu and even a music playlist. The photos are beautiful and the recipes clearly written in a warm, engaging style.  Highly recommended.  $20.80 at Barnes & Noble (additional saving for B&N members).

Valentine's Day Garland from Pottery Barn Kids

via www.potterybarnkids.com

I love this vintage-looking garland from Pottery Barn Kids.  It sells for $29 and would make a sweet addition to a party for kids or just for some Valentine's decor for your home.

• 10.5' long
• The three-dimensional hearts feature the same retro designs found on our Valentine's Day Plates.
• Hearts hang from a grosgrain ribbon.

Craft Project: Memory "Scrapboxes" from Martha Stewart Living.

via www.marthastewart.com

The February issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine has a lot of great articles and recipes...go out and get yourself a copy if you don't subscribe (I did, as I had let my subscription lapse.  It will be well worth it as it features one of the coolest art projects I have seen, and it's one you can do yourself at home, although maybe not on as grand a scale.  Darcy Miller, editor of MS Weddings has assembled a collection of "scrapboxes" -- collaged shadowboxes that feature photos and memorabilia of her family.

The boxes feature unexpected elements and ephemera such as candles from a birthday cake, teething toys, and girl's sunglasses.  Because she has three daughters, they are very princess-y, sparkly and whimsical, but I think you could do the same for boys.  I have been toying with the idea of displaying my son's birth announcement in an unconventional way, and had been thinking of a shadowbox instead of a conventional frame and matting.  This has convinced me to do something more creative....I am just not yet sure what that will be.... Knitted booties, a crocheted bib, or something more unconventional?   You could also use greeting cards, silver rattles or spoons, small toys, party favors, perhaps even a beloved pacifier! 

I love how Ms. Miller juxtaposes the objects with an accompanying photo, bringing the photo into 3 dimensions, such as putting a real party hat in a frame with a photo of the birthday girl

For ideas, check out the MS website features Darcy Miller's entire collection of boxes and scrapbooks as well as her party ideas.