Monday, January 31, 2011

PLEASE READ!!! Important info about house fires!

One of my fave blogs, Young House Love posted this very important information.  I know after reading this story I realized how little my husband and I have done in case of a house fire.  Please follow the link to Young House Love and read the story of Melanie and her family who watched their 2000+ square foot home go down in flames in less than an hour.  Thankfully, Melanie and her family got out of the house safely.  After their experience, Melanie so kindly sent Young House Love a list of "must do's" for every homeowner.


  1. Subscribe to an online data backup service (my external back up drive sat right next to my laptop in my office)
  2. Keep passports in a safe deposit box
  3. Take pictures of each room initially and update them as improvements are made (storing them somewhere offsite – like Flickr)
  4. Take pictures and keep hyperlinks of all expensive purchases, including jewelry
  5. Hire an architect (my dad in our case) or use floorplanner.com to document each floor layout along with precise wall/ceiling measurements, each outlet, light switch, crown molding, other trim, type of flooring, any unique items to structure of property
  6. Put phones in a consistent place each night
  7. Get fire ladders for any second floor bedrooms
  8. Scan each photo and receipt, again keeping them offsite, or on an online data backup service
  9. Do not be frugal with homeowner’s insurance. Spend the extra $50 per year for the most coverage

Life's a Circus, Why Not Celebrate It!



If your little one has a birthday coming up, this Circus Party Theme by One Charming Party is just perfect and so easy to put together!  Great for a boy or a girl and let's face it, life with kids is a true circus!  

Thursday, January 27, 2011

OMGoodness Look at the Cuteness!


I had to post this!  Do these Princess Converse get any cuter?!  I found a new fabulous website with great designs for children!  Pink Taffy Designs- LOVE IT!

Let's hear it for the boys!  Little Man Tie Thermal!  So, so cute! Remember Pink Taffy Designs!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

{Beary} Cute DIY Valentine Lollipops


These super simple lollipop covers have a special Valentine's message on the back perfect for your child's classmates!  The best part- the printable is FREE! The best, bestest part- your child can make these all on their own! Yahoo!  Jump on over to Skip To My Lou for the directions and printables link!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Pepperoni Please...


I am definitely making this for the kids and hubby since Valentine's is on a weeknight this year (that means absolute craziness in my house between the hours of 4 and 8)!  Found this idea on One Charming Party!  Order pizza and throw on some cookie cutter heart shaped pepperoni slices (cooked of course).  If you have frozen pizza at home, toss on those pepperoni hearts before baking!  Whala!

Monday, January 17, 2011

A Little Monster Lovin'



This one is for all you room moms out there looking for an easy and cute Valentine's Day party theme!  The Purple Pug put this together eith such simple supplies!  All the directions are on The Purple Pug blog. Follow the link and check it out!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Crazy Affordable Organizing Idea!


This little white bookshelf only $39 (including the bins at the bottom) at Wal-Mart is perfect for that nook in your mud room, playroom, or kitchen that really needs organizing!  Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie used this to de-clutter her cookbooks and magazines in the kitchen.  I was thinking the magazine holders would be perfect for all those little paperback kids books many of us have scattered around the house or in a playroom/ kids bedroom!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

OMGoodness! Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes!


It is 5:24 pm here in Jersey as I am searching through all my favorite blogs.  I have not had dinner yet, and I come across this picture.  I think I might have to stop typing to stop my mouth from watering!  Thanks to The Larson Lingo for this super yummie and super duper easy recipe!  Duncan Hines cake mix and Nestle Tollhouse cookie dough,  OH YEAH!  Step by step directions are on The Larson Lingo blog.  Jump on over for some yummie goodness!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Love is in the air... or is that just the cabin fever talking?


Are you looking for that perfect shower gift or something little for your love.  How unique are these custom made coasters by Burlap & Blue.  Guaranteed, no one will receive two, the coasters are sure to be a fave!  Burlap & Blue sells all kinds of custom tile work for the home.  All hand made and absolutely one-of -a-kind!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Love is a simple roll of the dice....


This is an absolutely adorable Valentine's Day idea for that special someone in your life.  So simple, follow this link for the free download and directions from Shabby Chic Crafts!  I'm going to modify these and make them for my kids!  I {heart} this crafty design!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011



Here we go ladies!  January is National Organization Month!  For some of us, like myself, my heart skips a beat because I LOVE to organize!  However, I do understand that not everyone is as wacky as I am and probably think ewww, organizing!  Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie posted 5 Simple Ways to Organize Your Home.  Laura lists 5 super simple tips for keeping your house clutter free.  These tips will literally take less than 5 minutes of time each day!  Wow, she's good!  Today is the day to get started!  Woohoo!

Monday, January 3, 2011

My latest read! It won't disappoint!

I read this oh so fun fiction in two days!  Gotta love SNOW!  It takes place on the road with a traveling circus in the 1930's.  I normally would have never picked it BUT, I wanted to the read the book before seeing the movie starring Robert Pattison and Reese Witherspoon that's coming out soon.  Yes ladies, Robert Pattison (aka Team Edward)!  What a pleasant surprise! Water For Elephants was FANTASTIC!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

OMG!!! I {heart} Young House Love!

OK, so I know many of you are going to laugh at the rock that I have been living under, BUT, I just discovered Young House Love!  This is a blog about the cutest couple in the world and their trials and tribulations of redoing their home DIY style!  The awesome part is, they are totally inspired.  Their designs are amazing!  The website has soooo much information from colors, to where to buy, to DIY tips that I was almost combusting right here on my computer looking through everything!  Here is a little taste:


This is a photo taken of a home Young House Love "crashed"!  You have to see the others!  All of you like me sitting at home this week thinking, what am I gonna do this year?  Young House Love will definitely provide you with a plethera of inspiration!  I'm going to go email them right now to let them know they are my crush of 2011!