Arrgghhh..A Library Tote

Is there any greater place than the library?

Wednesdays in our household are Library days. Our boys look so forward to it and so do the Hubs and I.

We are so notorious for hauling out as many books and videos as each of our arms will carry. A library tote for each of the boys was severely overdue.

It was a quick fix.

Plain canvas totes are pretty easy and cheap to come by. That paired with some random iron-on letters turned into some cute totes for my little Pirates.

-I cut a rough rectangle out of black cotton fabric and hot glued it in place. (As I have preached here often: hot glue is where it's at!)
-I cut out the letters of each of my boys names from my iron-on sheets and arranged them above the flag.
 -The skull and cross bone iron-ons happened to come with one of the pack of letters. They were perfect! I ironed those on to each flag.

(my stray hair was dying to be included in this picture obviously)

I frequently buy packs of letters and iron-ons when I see them at super low prices. You never know how many projects you could use them in. I recommend snatching them up when you can.

My boys adore them and I adore watching my guys use them to haul books to and fro.

Happy reading!


Linking up at:

NYC {Pic} Roundup

So finally a little roundup of quick pics I took on my camera phone while in New York City at Bridal Market. Unfortunately there is very little down time so everything was very on the go. Even my phone calls home were made in cabs while I sat smushed with co-workers.

 

Me, Jill (who is 7 months pregnant and brave), and Debra (owner & designer of Paris Inc.)

The hours are long, the feet are brutalized, but the food sure is good. And that truthfully is always something to look forward to even if my soul feels half-broken after working twelve hour days on very little sleep.


We do stay in the greatest hotel, San Carlos in mid-town Manhattan.

They have the comfiest beds, a yummy complimentary breakfast and the best 'lil mints are left on your pillow every night.

Bridal Market is held in a convention space that is pipe and drape. So that means everyone's showroom had to be completely built. We haul in furniture and spend two days merchandising and creating Debra's vision. It really does look beautiful inside when it's all put together. You forget you are in a massive warehouse space with hundreds of others.

Beautiful chandeliers and mannequin's wearing the most beautiful wedding dresses certainly help as well.

Sometimes I would sneak off to the Illy coffee station for a treat to get me through the rest of the long day. Do you know the amazement of the tastiest, overpriced coffee around?

After work we'd hop in the cab to go back to the hotel and drive right by all the sights that I could only enjoy from a speeding cab.

 Rockefeller Center

Times Square

There was just enough energy to enjoy a bit of dinner. Culinary highlights of my trip include:

 lump crab and chipotle guacamole downed with blood orange margaritas at Dos Caminos.

Veggie Korma with lemon rice at Mint (the best Indian food in Manhattan!!).

Pumpkin Ravioli that never disappoints at Pietra Santa.


The last day Jill and I met her adorable cousin who just moved to the city at the very cutest brunch place I've ever been called Penelope on Lexington. The palette was blues and greens with lots of whimsy.

I could live in that wonderous little cafe. It had me at church pew seats, old schoolroom tables and chandelier full of strawberries over the toilet in the restroom. Not too mention that I had pumpkin waffles with mango and papaya. The combination was beyond words.

So there it is my trip in pics. I vow to go to NYC someday not on business, and with plenty of time to explore all the sights and eat my way from block to block!

Have a happy week!

Happy Easter & Keeping it Weird.

Happy Easter Y'all.

Our family had a wonderful day at church and then home for brunch despite the relentless terrential downpour we've been having in these parts for days.

The boys played with the goodies the Easter Bunny brought which included foam swords that didn't even make it until the end of the day.

Already trashed.

At one point I caught my oldest jumping off the playroom bench landing wallops with his foam sword mid-air. Sheesh.

Maybe I shouldn't have cracked them out on chocolate and then handed them a foam medieval weapon. My two boys could make a shank out of bubblegum and a popsicle stick. I should have known better.

After the giddiness of the baskets wore off a bit, Easter took a weird turn. Church clothes were shed and a bit of cross-dressing ensued with the boys having a dance off in my shoes while foaming at the mouth. Actually I think it was just half chewed peeps running down their chins.


Eww..peeps. Yucky. I can barely watch them eat 'em.

Occasionally I would step on those darn play snakes or randomly catch them slithering through my pictures. I hope they eat grass. Easter grass that my vacuum hates.

Most of all this day is a wonderful celebration of Jesus and his sacrifice that I'm so very grateful for.

Thank you Jesus.

Very Merry Inspiration Monday {Truth}

First of all: I love John Cusack

Second of all: I love John Cusack for saying this.

(image)

{Feathered} Nails

Hello Friends!!

I am back from my long NYC work trip. It went by in such a blur but left me crazy exhausted. Stay tuned. A pic summary of my trip is to come.

But I did want to show you what I ended up doing with my nails. I found a lovely inexpensive bottle of nail polish that I adore called Grey Area by Sally Hansen. 

(image credit)

I painted all my nails that color and decided to try to add some flare by using feathers on a few nails. I was a bit too busy and frankly lazy to do every nail so I settled for every other and really like the end result. The only thing I would do differently next time, is not use any color on my nail before the feather is applied. It was hard to see the detail of the feather with the grey underneath. Though I did like the way it turned out just the same. It sorta looks like a cool leapard print to me.

Really the process is simple and I found pretty easy though you have to be percise and quick. Here's how I did it.


1. apply bottom coat (I will just use clear next time like I said earlier)

2. quickly apply feather to finger while bottom coat is still tacky. I used craft feathers and found one that I liked the shape of and applied directly. I used some like these:

3. let dry a few minutes and then trim with clippers around the edges so feather fits to fingernail

4. add top coat of clear. after that coat dries add another

There you have it, a feathered nail that your husband will not quite understand but will make you wear an accomplished smile.

My next feat may be applying lace. I will be sure to post pictures if it doesn't end tragically.

{Nailed}

It's Spring..FINALLY!

Yay! for my poor feet and hands who need a sandblaster and some spackle!


I'm pretty lazy classic when it comes to nails. I like them shorter, squared off and nude. The funkiest I normally go is black. Lately I've been seeing some beautiful nail options that really do appeal to me. I am weighing my options on what to do as I am going on my bi-annual trip to NYC for bridal market and need a fun manicure.


DIY of course.

This one is rather cool but maybe a bit to bright for my taste. Perfect for Easter if you're brave.

 

(via pinterest)

This one is super cute and shabby chic. I may definately try this one soon, but it's not right for this NYC trip.

(via pinterest)

I am in total love with feathers right now! This one looks pretty high maintenance though.

(via pinterest)

I completely would rock this one all year 'round. Wonder how long it would stay pretty on Mommy hands.

(via pinterest)

This is such a modern take on a French manicure. I just love the tone on tone. Must try this one as well. Find the tutorial here.

I love lace and this is just genious.  Find the DIY here.

This manicure is totally chic! I'm gonna keep some great newspaper articles just to do this with. I bet it would also be super cute with comic strip pages. Imagine!! The tutorial is here. Though it is in French, it is still pretty easy to follow.

Hello Ombre! And these colors to me are just perfection.

(via pinterest)

What do ya think? Are you a Plain Jane when it comes to nails or are you a creative Diva??