make shortbread buttons

seen: shortbread buttons tutorial

forty-sixth at grace: Have you seen these yet?  Button shortbread cookies sound so fantastical.  And because that's what we're going for sometimes, a recipe and photo tutorial to make your very own.

seesaw. letterpress

seen: you're neat handprinted letterpress cards, $7 (set of 3)

seesaw. letterpress: The blogesses of many talents.  It's neat.  

p.s. searching for a shaklee distributor

I'm ready to try own Shaklee's Fresh Laundry.  I've used my mom's for the last week and a half and wow!  I feel and smell the clean.  Any distributors out there?  (Or any fans?)

enjoy cupcakes

seen: enjoy cupcakes 

[photos via style me pretty]

I know they've become a standing trend, but I love this refreshed vision for cupcakes.  Mobile cupcakery.  Being "inspired by local produce, flavors, wines and respect for food," I'm sure these promise a delightful treat.  Next time we drive south, I'm a sure visitor!

for the urban gardener

seen: white clay pot, $12

GRDN: I came home from my mini vacation refreshed.  It's exactly what I was hoping for.  And best of all, instead of just wanting changes, I've been making changes (all week).  I started with buying a meyer lemon tree, a dwarf grapefruit tree and 4 pots of sprouting herbs.  Green can change a home.  (Are you feeling that gardening tug?)

These pots are gorgeous (& remind me of Holland).  I wish they were lining my counter, filled with basil, cilantro, parsley and rosemary.  Because white and green are the prettiest combination.  

diy pinwheel

seen: diy pinwheel

style me pretty [via simple blueprint]:  Pinwheels seem like the perfect representation of February, my new favorite month: they're magical (and so is celebrating love.. and my marriage), they generate energy (February is early enough to still be motivated my new resolves) and they feel like Spring (brought in by February.  Kind of.  [late March]).  A stretch?  Maybe.  But I like them.  I like them for a children's craft and party favor the same.  And that makes them a happy diy, yes?  Enjoy.  

anne-claire petit dachshund

seen: Anne-Claire Petit Dachshund (best online price)

My Finn is really in love with the idea of dogs.  He goes silly over the stuffed variety and I just knew it would make the perfect declaration of our love for him for Valentine's Day.  If I found these in time for an online order, he would be the excited owner of a plush dachshund.  (Instead he sleeps with his instant favorite Weimaraner puppy.)  Bless Anne-Claire Petit.  It's the best in kids plush.

inspired: calling cards

seen: customized calling cards by Mint

framed: sassa art photography

Cassandra Allred

Sassa Art Photography

Philadelphia

Right now my world is full of unknown certainty: Certainty of a new life, a move to a new state, and a new job for my husband. Yet the unknown is what tomorrow has in store for me. I catch myself longing for the finish line and living in my future plans and dreams, a series of  “when we… then I’ll”. I forget to live and enjoy the moment and to enjoy the journey that will someday take me there.  I’m reminded of this, each day, as I watch my son grow before my eyes. Days, weeks, months… where does the time go? Although my life is somewhat of a blur, my focus is where it should be: on the eyes of my son and family.  

*****

[see previous "framed" features here.]

miniature rhino custom heart sampler

seen: miniature custom heart sampler

I don't really have a place to call home.  My childhood was all over the map (New Orleans, Houston, England, The Netherlands) and our marriage has followed suit (Utah, Boston, California).  The nice thing about being a "wanderer" is your chance to learn to love more.  I love our spot in California, and now, after a couple of days of fresh, soft snow and spotting moose families, I love these Utah mountains again.  Like I'm not tied to anything enough to overlook what else I could be loving.  Of course being gone from "home" makes me miss and love Brad who stayed to work.  Miss our grocery stores.  (Although I'm not missing the lack of space, the damp garage and the testy and old appliances..)  So I'm feeling it: a lot of LOVE. 

I also love miniature Rhino and really want this on my bedroom wall.  Above my nightstand.  Next to one of these.  To always remind me what I should love most- regardless of where on earth this crazy life takes us. 

Happy approaching love day. 

[p.s. Don't particularly love my mom's ancient computer.  Forgive any spelling errors.  Can't find the spell check on this thing.]