room change up

n has been in his big bed since november.  back when he was much littler, i thought i would go with the sports motif, what many little guys like.  well, of course, n is not as into sports as he is into animals.  he is the biggest animal lover {right now anyway}.  yesterday he said, "mommy, i really care for all animals," in his little two-year old voice.  so i needed to come up with a different game plan for the change over from his nursery to his 'good boy' room {as he calls it}.  out with the sports and in with the animals.  i like to keep things simple and inexpensive.  

i decided to go with simple animal images using stencils.  

materials used: 

• stencil paper
• sharp detailing knife
• acrylic paint
• foam pouncing brush
• stretched canvas 
• artist paper

i used various animal silhouettes and cut out each on the stencil paper.  

instead of buying more, i decided to use the existing hooks and just cover them with the new pictures.  

just pounce over the stencil.  you can leave some brush strokes or lay it on thick, what ever your style.  you could also use multiple colors and layer, but i wanted simple lines and images.

there is still room to add a few things on his wall, but for now he loves it.  

i also painted a large letter n on a larger canvas for another space in his room in his favorite color.  we placed it by the chair i refinished for his future desk area.

adding a few new and old items to his shelves makes a cute area for storage.  

the letter n again along with a few other keepsakes.

n loves his 'good boy' room, complete with his big bed and all his animals.  there is lots of room to grow around here.

it is my turn

blog it forward.  a hip circle of bloggers, passing it back and passing it on, a blog olympics of sorts.  three hundred bloggers were on board to talk, link, show, and open up about all things inspiring.  this mash up was organized by the brave sfgirlbybay, aka victoria smith.  she is based out of one of my most inspiring cities by the bay, san francisco.  blogging it back in my wave, you will find bricolage and butter, a team of sisters who blog together about blog finds, quilts, fabric, etc.

so what inspires me?  that is a loaded question.  i am always coming across things that i find inspiring.
words. typography. art, of all kinds, however if i filled my house with all the letterpress art i like, it would be like living in the self-help section at the tattered cover.

{via hijirik}

{via b dunlap and a cup of jo}

etsy . there is such a variety of people and talents, artist and designers.  independent artists, true independent artists {the ones who do everything, even without the use of an assistant}.  those who take their work further {i.e., using organic materials, upcycling, recycling, redefining}. sellers of vintage finds.

{via reiter8 }

 {via whimsy&spice }

{via mwnaturesantiquities }

{via highstreetmarket}

twitter. i am new, but i have found quick links to serious design inspiration and have met some brilliant people along the way.  i happened upon greedy girl, design crushing, and green couch design, all who are just around the corner.  

{via greencouchdesign}

the web.  where do i start?  i have come across loads of inspiration...  women who are real, talk about it, and make me think about it.

{via modish }

vintage, mid century modern design, diy home improvements and those who blog about it.

{via doorsixteen}

{via hindsvikvintage}

i must also add the fact that i am inspired by the simple things in life... 

coffee.

{via heartfish}

running.
food.
my to do lists.
but most importantly...
over 20 years of friendship.

and the deepest source of my inspiration... my family.  past and present.

this post really got me thinking.  if i had to pick one thing, it would certainly be my family.  

they keep me going.  

what inspires you?  

now to keep this 'blog it forward' mash up going, i must pass the torch onto BROOKLYNrehab, aka alyssa zygmunt.  she is keeping it real from her fashion design to her cool finds made better via her craft.  

check out her blog and her etsy shop and maybe you will find your own inspiration, too.  cheers.  

marinated chicken

you really cannot go wrong with this marinated chicken {or what ever meat you like}.  there isn't a recipe {that's how i roll}, but go forward with confidence and know that this will be fabulous.  

i have listed the ingredients from most to least in terms of quantity needed.  just make sure you cover the meat.  

what you need: 

• wine or beer or coke
• soy sauce
• orange juice
• honey or brown sugar
• worcestershire sauce
• ketchup
• mustard
• onion powder
• garlic cloves or garlic powder
• salt and pepper

what you do:

1. salt and pepper each side of the chicken
2. add a diced clove or two of garlic or a few shakes of powder
3. sprinkle one side of the chicken with the onion powder
4. squirt mustard and ketchup over the chicken {about the amount you would put on a burger per chicken breast}
5. add a couple tablespoons of worcestershire sauce
6. poor a bit of honey or brown sugar over each breast
7. poor on some orange juice {maybe a half cup}
8. drench the chicken in soy sauce and wine {or beer or even coke}

it will look like this.  cover and keep in your fridge at least a couple of hours or over night.  

i use this for grilled, baked, kabobs, or stir fry chicken.  it is always a hit.  depending on your taste, you can make it more asian or more bbq'ish.  

have fun!

happy day

happy valentine's day...

made for their daddy.

dress the part

what will you wear this valentines?  

a little red... {via nadinoo }

a little chocolate... {via econica}

a little vintage... {via svintage }

or just a little something... {via missfarfalla }

happy valentine's weekend.  cheers.

sweet valentines

we have been busy making fun valentines.  

we had the preschool party today.  our little gal gave her friends cupcakes, candy bottles, and cards.  

we gave the teacher the glass bottled candy and the kids the little plastic bottled candy.  

to create these cute little guys...

you need: 

• little plastic bottles and lids
• cute paper
• labels
• lots of candy
• self restraint {so not to eat all the candy}

what you do:  

1. cut the paper to fit around the bottles.
2. glue or tape the paper around the bottles
3. print and stick the labels onto each bottle, over the pretty paper
4. fill each bottle with candies and close each with the lid

happy day... smiles for everyone.

simple valentines

we made these simple valentines for the preschool party.  

what you need:

• paper tags
• letter stamps
• stamping pad
• buttons
• glue
• ribbon

what you do:

1. stamp each letter
2. glue a button over the letter o.  
3. add a ribbon through the hole
4. write a nice note to your valentine on the back and sign your name. 

sweet and simple.  simple today, sweet tomorrow... tune in then; we are making bottles of candy and cupcakes.  yum.  happy crafting.  what valentines will you make?  

proposal dish towel

valentines day is just around the corner.  this is so sweet and perfect.  i think it would be brilliant framed.

{ via brookish an 1800s and jane austen inspired shop }

ready for spring

i am ready for spring and despite the snow we were in yesterday, i have bikes on the brain. 

 this one is sleek. 

{ via peter dudas designs }

a sweet gift

for your honey ... 

via bee raw honey 

and the winner is...

mrs. olson... she said, {YAY!! I'm so excited!!!...}

her profile picture is discretely awesome.  my kind of gal.  

if we lived anywhere near each other, i know we would get along famously.  

thanks to everyone who entered, your odds of winning were brilliant. {wink}

xo giveaway

this is a very unplanned, out of the blue, lat minute, fly by the seat of my pants kind of giveaway.  everyone who follows my blog or on twitter has been so kind and inspiring.  i just thought i would have a little giveaway for valentine's day.  enter to win a small brin & nohl xo coffee sack basket.  even though i am in my thirties, i still receive valentines.  this is a fun gathering basket for the occasion.

if you would like to enter, please leave a comment below by 8pm CST (make sure you leave your email address so i can contact the winner).  i will pick the winner this evening and have it to the post office tomorrow, just in time for valentine's day. xo.

a first

i have been a little busy, but tune in tomorrow for my very first giveaway!  it is time to show some love...

i hope you have a lovely evening. xo.

shop update

so yes, I updated my little shop just a bit.  it needed an update on photographs and i added a couple of items to the inventory.  

now back to work.

guacamole

thought i would share the easiest recipe i know.  i will try my best to estimate the measurements, but truth be told, i have never measured on this one.  once you try it you will understand why.  it is so easy and delicious, you really can't go wrong.  this is the one that ignites many requests...

what you need:  

1 avacado

3 tablespoons salsa

1 tablespoon sour cream

1/2 teaspoon onion powder or 2 tablespoons diced fresh onion

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

mash it all together with a fork.  we enjoy this as an appetizer, with our tacos or fajitas, on grilled chicken or burgers.  get creative. 

happy wednesday.

frozen

we have been under a bit of ice lately, but we took advantage of the calmness and adventured out to play.  

i think the sun is starting to peak out.  

happy monday.

green humidifier

the winter season makes my whole family feel parched for water.  not pretty, but this mast humidifier by shin okada is art in itself.  without the use of electricity - water is diffused from the thin hinoki {japanese cypress}.  it is quiet, smells lovely, and therefore green.  love it.

{via masuza}