DIY friday : paper daffodil napkin ring

I am longing for the budding leaves and flowers to fill up the gardens.  I absolutely adore the newness that spring brings.  With spring, I conjure up images of garden parties and lots of lovely + lazy days in the back yard.  Next time you find yourself throwing together a spring[y] get together, whip these beauties up.  Such a nice addition to the table top!

moose munch.

Seriously so so good!

birkenstock.

Am thinking I totally need these now that the warmer weather is making its appearance.  Don't you think?  Just one of the perks when you live down south!

clean.

[image via here]

I love a clean house.

Although I do not so much love cleaning, I thrive on sticking to a routine even though it's never followed perfectly.  Monday is my big cleaning day where I get the majority of it done and Tuesday is there to pick up the pieces that I didn't quite get to.  Now I am not talking about the nitty gritty details, just the basics.

vacuuming

mopping

dusting

changing linens

bathrooms

You know the stuff that needs to be attended to on a weekly basis.  I have my cleaning list and my daily to-do list secured to a fun little clip board that I can view through out the day, so I don't have reason to forget.  I have now started including my three year old in the cleaning process, while my littlest guy visits slumber land.  

So my question to you is, what works?  Tips, suggestions, supplies you absolutely love?  I want to know it all.  Because anything that can help streamline and make my life easier, I'm all for. Share away!

lou and lee.

I'm not having a girl, but if I were I would have a hard time restraining myself from buying every single headband offered up in the pretty etsy shop Lou and Lee. So precious!

[via Armelle]

method baby.

Yesterday I was feeling all flustered and nervous that I wasn't yet totally ready for baby. I only have 3 weeks left! So a quick trip to Target was the solution. I stocked up on some newborn baby essentials and that did the trick. I'm feeling much more ready now. One of the items I snagged was this baby wash Molly and some of you dears recommended. The smell is lovely. I also decided to give this baby lotion by Method a try. Has anyone used it before?

the mother of all organizers : momAgenda.

Seriously.  

My heart is beating fast.

My mouth is dry.

And I am giddy with excitement.

And that's all from just browsing the site.

momAgenda definitely hit the sweet spot and has practically covered all of your organizing needs. Don't fret over the name.  Even if you have not ventured into motherhood, there is something for you too.  Oh goodness, I can't begin to name all the amazing products they have lined up.  And if you are weary of yet another plan to get your disheveled life in shape, fear not. Just pop on over and download a free printable or two to decide for youself.  I tried out the myAgenda and the only option I would like better would be their personal portfolio.  I just happen to like my organizer either spiral bound or in a "binder" of sorts.  I'm a bit picky like that.  Honestly, I want one of each of everything.  Paper + organization is a dream come true. I'm in heaven!

ippolita.

I really truly want this to adorn my neck.  I am thinking maybe, just maybe for our 7 year anniversary this August.  Classic + Simple.  I'd wear it everyday!

lucky me beads.

I stumbled upon this etsy shop and had to share their lovely goods. Silhouettes are so simple and classic. I would love a custom pendant of each of my children.

whisper ruffle.

Alright. It's official. I'm a cardigan junkie. And this one isn't helping matters.

DIY friday: mouse pad makeover.

Want a pretty mouse pad? This is one of the most simple + gratifying DIY projects ever. Go here for full instructions.

lj ink GIVEAWAY winner.

Congratulations Jill who said "I love the Buddies series. I have three boys and they are the best of buds." You have won the LJ Ink GIVEAWAY! You will be contacted shortly. Also, a HUGE thanks to Michalle for her generosity! If your sad you didn't win, you can snatch up one of LJ Ink's lovely prints right here.

linda & harriett.

gorgeous paper.

stunning designs.

letterpress goodness.

Linda & Harriett has it all!  It is land full of heavenly paper, notecards, flats & greetings.  It was started in 2005 by Liz Coulson Libre as a custom hand-stamped invitation shop.  Soon she decided she wanted to make her designs available in notecards and flats and made the leap into letterpress.  Her first line of letterpress notecards debuted in 2007 and she has never looked back.

Her designs are fresh + fun with an air of simplicity.  I love mine and even have a hard time parting with them.   My favorite is the moose, what's yours?

dripstick.

As the weather warms up down here in Texas, the cold treats come out.  I think this little contraption would be perfect for my boys.  Would definitely save me a drippy mess to clean up!

lug.

Now that I am working out, methinks that I definitely need this.  Looks like the perfect bag to lug to the gym!

helpful hints.

If you will be so kind as to direct your eyes over to our column on the right, you will notice a brand new feature on My Favorite Things.  Helpful Hints.  And it is just that.  Fabulous articles, written by experts, ranging from entertaining to going green. The first article is up!  Click on over and enjoy!

toast.

I'm really in love with this look from Toast's spring line. Layered airy scarves? Yes, please!

letter pillow.

Just spotted these darling letter pillows from Serena and Lily on Tangled and True. I can imagine them on every child's bed in my home. Now wouldn't that be sweet?

weleda baby product.

I just picked this up in the baby care section of my local target.  I love that the fragrance is barely there and it is a two in one, shampoo and body wash.  I am picky about what I put on my boys and this seems very gentle and mild.  What are your favorite baby bath products?

forgotten.

[image via All Posters]
I completely spaced it this morning and raced out of the house to get to my step/strength class on time.  In the process I forgot it was my morning to post.  My brain apparently isn't always functioning at top capacity, so please forgive me.  

This year was the year to get back into an exercise routine.  I have not done anything consistent since my oldest was born and he will be four in June.  Pathetic, I know.  So I joined a gym and my goal is to participate in the group exercise classes.  Today was the step/strength and I am pretty sure it almost killed me.  I am totally out of shape!

So, if you work out, what is your favorite form of exercise?

lj ink GIVEAWAY.

Being a seller on Etsy, I have the great opportunity of corresponding with other sellers who share my passion to create. One of the nicest shop girls I have had the opportunity to communicate with to date is Michalle from LJ Ink. LJ Ink is a lovely Etsy shop full of sweet prints for every room in your home. Michalle's designs are simple, fresh and fun. Exactly the kind of art I want adorning my walls.

I love all of Michalle's designs, but I think my favorite is the Brothers and Sisters series. So darling. What's your favorite print?

LJ Ink is offering up any one print to a lucky Favorite Things reader. Just leave a comment on this post before Thursday, February 19 at 11:59 cst. The winner will be announced bright and early Friday Morning.

etsy benefit sale.

Well ladies.

If you love etsy.

If you love giving back.

This is the benefit sale for you.

A percentage of sales from these lovely etsy shops will be going to help build Cora's Playground. Start clicking ladies and happy shopping!

*If you look in the right column you will notice the Cora Playground button.  Click on that and it will take you to the etsy search page.  Click on the link above that and it will take you to a link list of all the individual etsy sellers.

persimmon and pink winner!

Drum roll please...

Congratulations to Missy!

Get in touch with me soon to collect your lovely prints.  Thanks Persimmon and Pink!

meet cora.

If you haven't met Cora, you need to. If you scroll down a bit you will see a previous post mentioning her sweetness.  Her story has touched many across the blogging community and now is your chance to give back. A memorial has been put into place to build Cora's Playground. Julie of Joy's Hope started the project and Heather and I are helping with the organization. The Etsy benefit sale is launching on Monday. It's not to let to join! If you or anyone you know is interested in participating please feel free to email me.  Thanks!

Oh and don't forget to grab the button. The code is in my side bar!

wanted : a new master bath rug

I seriously think that if I don't get this gorgeous rug soon I might explode.  Okay, not really but I do need a new rug for the master bathroom and this would work beautifully.  

DIY friday : creating a silhouette.

I have always been fond of silhouettes but have yet to actually attempt creating my own.  Well, I found two awesomely fabulous tutorials.  One gives you a step by step play on how to design a silhouette in photoshop and the other explains how to create one with a few simple materials and your hands.  Get to it ladies!  This is now officially on my to-do list for 2009!

farmhouse sink.

I told my husband that when we build [in the next year or two] I must must must have a farmhouse sink somewhere in the house.  What's one thing you picture your dream house having?

[picture via cottage living]

a full heart.

I am constantly amazed at the generosity I come across on a daily basis when I go about my blog hopping. I am guilty. I notoriously blog hop and spend way too much time on the computer. I suppose a down side to having a lap top, if there is one. A few weeks ago I happened upon this sweet blog, which pulled at my heart strings till they burst. Cora lost her battle with cancer just a few short weeks after receiving the diagnosis. A memorial has been established to build the Cora Playground.

If you feel like giving, hop on over here and purchase one of these darling headbands or pins or both! You give and get at the same time. A most definite win/win in my book.

Also, if you are a crafty lady and want to help out in another way by using your talents, click here.

Happy giving!

oktak pouch.

I woke this morning to snow on the ground and I'm not happy about it. I have been daydreaming about sunny days and spring styles. The image of this sweet little pouch is helping me cope. How are you handling the winter doldrums?

hand pies.

Twig and Thistle is offering up a darling little valentine treat. Hop on over to download a template for this sweet pie box. Kathleen has also posted instructions on how to make some adorable handheld apple pies to go inside. Clever girl!

favorite spot.

This is my absolute, my most favorite & best spot that I adore in my entire house.  It is simple and hodge podge but I love it.  A collection of photographs and art with an array of colors. Makes my heart sing!  Do you have a spot in your house that makes you happy every time you see it?

persimmon and pink GIVEAWAY.

My play room is sadly sporting bare walls at the moment.  No paint and no art work.  In desperate search for the perfect piece of art, I stumbled upon Persimmon and Pink.  A sweet etsy shop with even sweeter art prints.

I love how Susan describes her darling shop.

"Here in the Persimmon & Pink shop I sell prints and toys full of love, graphic punch, sweetness and color. I enjoy working in design and putting my art degree to work. (See, its not a useless degree after all!) "

The messages are wholesome and lovely and are perfect for the little ones.  Who doesn't want to convey these messages to their children?  I certainly do.  My favorite is the multi-colored I am a child of God print.  But tell me, what's yours?

extra goodness: leave one comment, any comment [with email] starting now until Friday, February 13th at 7am for a chance to take home not one, but TWO 5x7 prints of your choice. Thanks Susan, your fabulous generosity is appreciated!

eames rocker.

Not your mom's rocking chair, huh?. I think this Eames style rocker would look just about perfect in the nursery. See all 16 fabulous fiberglass colors here. They're to die for.

printable valentines.

Download some free printable valentines from Emily of Inside A Black Apple right here. These are sure to make anyone love you.

DIY friday: heart shaped paper clips.

What a sweet little craft to do over the weekend. I'm sure your children would love to make a few for their teachers too. For a full tutorial, visit the lovely How About Orange blog here.

list it.

I am a huge list person.

So...

Methinks I need this little lovely.

valentine book picks.

I love having a stash of books that coordinate with each holiday.  So as of right now, we are reading our "love" books.  Here is a quick line up of what is on our bookshelf.

  

 

If You'll be my Valentine

Pigs in Love

Hug Hug

I Love You Through and Through