Tuesday, February 15, 2011

February Book Club


The astonishing new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult about a family torn apart by an accusation of murder.
They tell me I'm lucky to have a son who's so verbal, who is blisteringly intelligent, who can take apart the broken microwave and have it working again an hour later. They think there is no greater hell than having a son who is locked in his own world, unaware that there's a wider one to explore. But try having a son who is locked in his own world, and still wants to make a connection. A son who tries to be like everyone else, but truly doesn't know how.
Jacob Hunt is a teenage boy with Asperger's syndrome. He's hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, and like many kids with AS, Jacob has a special focus on one subject--in his case, forensic analysis. He's always showing up at crime scenes, thanks to the police scanner he keeps in his room, and telling the cops what they need to do...and he's usually right. But then his town is rocked by a terrible murder and, for a change, the police come to Jacob with questions. All of the hallmark behaviors of Asperger's--not looking someone in the eye, stimulatory tics and twitches, flat affect--can look a lot like guilt to law enforcement personnel. Suddenly, Jacob and his family, who only want to fit in, feel the spotlight shining directly on them. For his mother, Emma, it's a brutal reminder of the intolerance and misunderstanding that always threaten her family. For his brother, Theo, it's another indication of why nothing is normal because of Jacob. And over this small family the soul-searing question looms: Did Jacob commit murder?
Emotionally powerful from beginning to end, House Rules looks at what it means to be different in our society, how autism affects a family, and how our legal system works well for people who communicate a certain way--and fails those who don't.

Favorite Things Round-up

Here is a round of of some things that I am loving right now!  Happy Valentine's Day!















{1}   Smock Everyday Notebooks
{2}   Small iPod Speakers from Merkury Innovations
{3}   Jax Glasses from Crate & Barrel
{4}   Rhino Box from Jonathan Adler
{5}   The Caves Resort in Jamaica
{6}   Everything on Sweet and Saucy Supply
{7}   Boatman Geller Correspondence Cards
{8}   DIY Photo Magnets and Tacks - Martha Stewart
{9}   DIY Silhouette Escort Cards - 100 Layer Cake
{10} CouponCabin.com - Coupons for everything!
{11} Valentine's Favor Tags by greenapplepaperie on etsy
{12} Jonathan Adler Water Bottle - See Jane Work
{13} Giraffe Lamp from Jonathan Adler
{14} Calendars from Wiley Valentine

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Favorite Valentine's Day Posts

Whether you are having a party, making Valentines for friends or children's friends, or just love to look at all the pretty things that come with Valentine's Day, there are so many great resources on the internet.  Here are a few of my favorite Valentine blog posts from around the web!



































1. Vintage Flower Valentines Day Sweets Table from Hostess with the Mostess
2. Pintrest Pin by Tidymom
3. DIY Cookies by Anders Ruff
4. Valentine's Macaroons by Sweet & Saucy
5. Printable Valentine's Cards by How about Orange
6. Heart Charm Wish Necklace by Ash & Anchor
7. Valentine's Card Round-Up by Oh So Beautiful Paper
8. Romantic Vintage Valentine's Tablescape by The White Library
9. Printable Valentine Round-up by The Long Thread

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Valentine's Fruit Stickers

I came across these adorable stickers on Twig & Thistle and wanted to share!  Visit the post here for a link to the FREE pdf download and instructions! These could be used in lieu of Valentines, or just to make that special someone smile.  Enjoy!







































Pictures are all from Twig & Thistle





Sunday, January 30, 2011

Onesie Project

My cousin is expecting her first baby in the next few weeks.  Instead of getting something off their registry, I decided I wanted to do something different for them and their baby boy to be.  I had seen some shower ideas where everyone makes a onesie for the baby, whether it's with fabric markers, or glue and fabric.  I made them a set of three onesies with different animal shapes in fun fabrics.  Since they are having a little boy, I stuck with reds, blues, greens and yellows for the fabric colors.  Below are the steps to do this yourself and some pictures!

 


















The Steps:
1. Go to your local fabric store and pick out some fabrics that you like.  Remember that the shapes may not capture a large pattern, so look for small patterns that will still look great in small pieces.  The fabrics that I used are quilting squares from Jo-Ann Fabrics. They were ideal for just getting a small amount of fabric in a bunch of different patterns.
2. Purchase Heat n' Bond paper which will attach the fabric to the onesie.  I used ultra hold, but if you want to sew a boarder around the edges of your shapes, you need to get the "light" version of this paper.
3. Pick out some shapes and draw them on a piece of paper.  Cut that shape out so that you can use it at an outline.
4. Iron a piece of the fabric (large enough for the shape that you have selected) onto the Heat n' Bond paper.  Follow the directions on the package to make sure you are using the right side first.
5. Trace the outline of your shape onto the back of the Heat n' Bond, then trim the Heat n' Bond and fabric into your shape.
6. Remove the back of the Heat n' Bond paper and place your shape on the onesie.
7.  Follow the instructions on the package to iron the shape onto the onesie with the correct amount of time of ironing.

These should be washable, however I have not personally tested that.

These make an adorable personalized gift for a baby on the way!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Crazy About Stripes

I can across this bedspread on West Elm which peaked my interest in adding some stripes into my life.

















Here are some of my favorite decor ideas that I came across.

















Striped Duvet from DwellStudio, Blue Bedroom from House to Home, Green Bedroom from House to Home, Striped Candled Vases from Martha Stewart, Garden nook, Black, White & Green Patio, and Twin bedroom, sources unknown, Striped Cement outdoor patio from HGTV, Striped dishes from Jonathan Adler, Red and White Entry from Elle Decor.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

V-Day is coming!

So I know that Valentine's Day is one of those holidays that people may love or hate, but my Mom's birthday is on Valentine's Day, so it has always been her favorite holiday and thus has become a favorite of mine.  Here are some fun valentine's cards, gifts and links that I have come across!

 

 

 

All of the above can be found at www.fredflare.com


































Check out some great DIY's on Pizzazzerie.  From printable hearts to candy wrappers and treat bags, this is a great post!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

The Art of Snail Mail

So I realize that most people have moved on from snail mail to email and social media, however I am still in love with handwritten notes.  Who doesn't love to get things in the mail?  I know my Grandma appreciates the letters that I send her on a regular basis.  Whether it is a thank you note (something that I obsess over), birthday card, sympathy note, or just a note to say hello, I think that snail mail is a lost art form.... especially when there is so much beautiful paper out there.  Here is a round up with some of my recent favorites.  





{1} Seine monogram letterpress stationary from Smock.  {2} Blakesly stationary from Wiley Valentine  {3}  Social Stationary collection from Wiley Valentine  {4} Snail Mail Correspondence Cards by Kate Spade  {5} Engraved Classic Yellow Correspondence Cards by Kate Spade {6} Letterpress Thank You Cards by Vermillionstarpress on Etsy {7} Bicycle Cards by Boatman Geller  {8} Bohemian Custom Stationery by Edencreativestudio on Etsy {9} Gocco Printed Bicycle Notecards by ChunkyPinapple on Etsy  {10} Festive Lanterns by Pinkerton Design for Tiny Prints  {11} Greetings From Personalized Stationary by Ann Gardner for Minted  {12} Spring Blossom by J Press Designs for Minted