A Sweet {Birthday} Morning

Where did six years go? So hard to believe my oldest is aging this fast. Sometimes I wish I could just push pause and enjoy each sweet year just a little longer.

We started Caleb's birthday morning off with party hats and cake batter pancakes. He put on his birthday shirt that I made with some random iron-ons that I had and we ate icing & sprinkles in the A.M.

May I say that birthday cake batter pancakes are nothing short of divine.

Just substitute box cake mix for 1/2 cup of flour in your favorite pancake recipe (I used confetti mix for extra fun). Add powdered sugar and milk with generous amounts of sprinkles to make the pourable icing. All it's missing is a candle!

I think I like it better than a full on cake even.

This is now our newest sweet birthday tradition. Though I'm not sure I can wait 'til the next birthday to have those pancakes again:)

Happy of Happiest Birthdays to my first born who makes me feel so proud to be a Momma everyday!

Because Quiche is Good

Protein, veg and buttery,flakey goodness. What's not to love?

Quiche is nothing if not versatile.

Have it at breakfast with fruit.

At lunch with a salad.

At dinner with potatoes and a salad.

Whenever we go out to eat, if quiche is on the menu I usually gravitate toward it. Not only because it's tasty, but I feel like if I eat quiche then I can order dessert.

Okay, okay I'll be honest. I order dessert anyway. Quiche is still yummy and a wonderful work-up before the creme brulee or molten lava cake.

So make quiche at home. It's easy and because it's good!

 

{Lunch Box} Gratitude

I don't have to tell you Mommies out there that raising kids is HARD. So unbelievably fulfilling, but sometimes so very hard. Having two rambunctious boys keeps me on my toes and a wine glass promptly in my hand at 8pm. Kidding.


No I'm not.


A day where I don't get out of my pajamas and my hair never sees a comb because I'm too busy begging my boys to heed the words coming out of my mouth, can be exhausting. Then when you've tucked those punks into bed and are salivating over the thought of your own, so thankful that night has fallen after such a crazy day, you see this when you go to clean out your son's lunch box:

A sweet, little response from my Kindergartner to the one I put in his lunch everyday.

Every timeout I had to give, every mess I had to clean up, every brother brawl I had to break up, every bathroom break I did not get is so completely forgotten. My heart melts into a gooey puddle of ridiculous love for my boys and I am overcome with gratitude to be cast in the greatest  role of my life: Mommy.

I know you must feel the very same.

Verry Merry Monday Inspiration {HOPE for JAPAN}

I've been hitting the road traveling for work lately so I've had zero time to really exercise my creative legs. Spring is bridal season and therefore our busy season. During my travels this weekend I was getting just bits and pieces of what was going on with Japan. There was really never anytime for me to stop and get the full story. Though what I was getting sounded horrific.

It wasn't until Monday whilst having coffee in front of my computer to start my day, did I click on my MSN homepage to see footage and details.

Tears streaming down my face, and sobs escaping my mouth, I had to excuse myself to the bathroom.

My heart is broken and bleeding for Japan. My day and perspective got a serious wake up call. Everything from my morning coffee to my lunch of leftovers seemed so lavish.

My mind has not stopped reeling in disbelief, sorrow and ongoing prayer. Constantly my thoughts are focused on how I can help or make a difference in the wake of this unbelievable tragedy.

I am so inspired by people who are already ON IT. Pulling together their time, talents and resources to make if even a small dent in what this precious country needs.

Dana over at Made is matching twice what her patterns in her shop sell for now until Sunday. Also listed on her newest blog post are many ways to donate or purchase items with proceeds going to Japan.

Craftzine blog has a post about Crafters coming together for Japan relief efforts here.

The awesome site A Beautiful Idea is built for artists who change the world. Shop here.

Consider the Lillies blog has items listed here.

One in the Hand has a wonderful post with a list of Etsy shops donating proceeds here.

There is a plethora of Etsy artists who are donating a portion or all of their profits to the Japan relief effort. If you were ever going to purchase from Etsy, please make it now and in one of these shops:

LiveTeachCreate
Treasures4Artemis
Fawning in Love's
Nan Lawson
Fourviere Hill

These are just a few I found. Google Japan Relief and you'll get pages of awesome people who are making a difference.

Also, 100% all profits of any sales in My Etsy Shop (see also sidebar) will go to Japan. I plan on adding some more items soon for this same purpose.

In the meantime I will be praying, praying and praying some more for Japan.

What Gets Me Through {A Work Day}

A little sharing of necessities that get me through my work day.


Of course every morning always starts with a good cup of strong java.

Pandora set to Tyrone Wells or Damien Rice or Mumford and Sons

A  little Edward eye candy.

As a caffeine addict..tea enters my afternoon.

Sometimes I have the greatest lunch at this place just down the street, Take the Cake. They do serve lunch and not just cake. Though sometimes I do partake in just cake for lunch.
Like you don't?

Usually with my fav Paris girl:

And it doesn't hurt to work in a pretty office.

with toile wallpaper.

and leapord print carpet.

or that from time to time I get to put on pretty things like Paris tiaras.

And that's how I do it. What gets you through your work day?

Very Merry Monday Inspiration {Wardrobe Remix}

If you are anything like me, you get up in the morning, open your closet door and stare into it with a hopeless look on your face at least half the time. It's not that there isn't  anything pretty in it. It's the putting it all together in a stylish way, a different way that doesn't completely bore you, or make you look like you ran away from the circus.


I need inspiration to get out of my tank-cardi-jeans-uggs uniform that I'm prone to put on for the shear comfort of it all. I'm a Mommy but I don't want to look like the hot mess kind (though I sure do more often than I'd like).


Well this weekend I fell in love with two gorgeous, inspiring, yet everyday girls with style I can completely relate to.

If you haven't already met, please let me introduce you to Sydney & Kendi.


Sydney at The Daybook is almost too adorable for words with effortless style. She is stunning in front of a camera, don't ya think?

She makes stripes on stripes really work.

She is soo convincing me that I can get rid of my Johnny Cash black and rock some serious color in a super chic way.

And seeing this had me a hunting for a mustard yellow cardi all weekend.

The Daybook is now a daily stop for me. I can't wait to see what she's wearing.

Kendi from Kendi Everyday is equally as adorable and all I can do is covet her hair in each beautifully lit shot compliments of her husband the professional photographer.

She is a master re-mixer and challenges herself in a 30 for 30 almost each season.


So this is how you pull off colorful tights. I was wondering.

I'm pulling my maxi dresses out as I type this because I love her chilly weather styling of them.

I must have this outfit exactly right now. Nope, tomorrow isn't soon enough.

I even love her casual style. alot. a whole lot.

A tie? Seriously? How can a man's tie be this cute on a girl and as an everyday look? My husband should hide his ties henceforth. I'm about to get my nerdy chic on!

Here's hoping this inspiration can pull me out of my wardrobe funk.
Where do you find inspiration for your personal style?

Lovely {Lace} Earrings

Gotta hot date?

Grabbing cocktails with the gals?

Running to the grocery for diapers and milk?

These lovelies whip up in no time and have serious impact.

Wasn't that easy?

Enjoy!

wildflowersandwhimsy.blogspot.com

Very Merry Monday (sorta Tuesday) Inspiration {Pinterest}

Do you know the wonders of Pinterest?


It is the most addictive site where you pin inspiration to your boards you can keep. It is the one stop shop for ideas on beauty, fashion, food, home decor and everything else imaginable.


Here are some of my current favs that inspire me:)

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I will be making these stat!

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I have no words for this magnitude of cuteness.

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I want to print this off and put it in a 100 different places so I can be reminded tons a times a day.

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I want this now. That is all.

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Terrific and quick hexagon nut bracelet DIY.

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Perfect for upcoming Spring. My boys might eat fried eggs if they looked like this.

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Brilliant!! A marble added makes heart cupcakes. Who knew?

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I want to wear this every.single. day.

This lunch would make me a ROCKSTAR to my kindergartner.

And that is literally just a touch of the awesomeness that will grab ahold of you on Pinterest.

Get to pinning!