MIni Diaries~My Favorite Thoughtful Gift

First, nice to meet you. You can insert a hug, handshake, kiss kiss - whatever you're most comfortable with right there. I am over the moon excited to be here on Molly and Dandy's cozy little spot on the web for the week. Theirs was one of the first I came to know when I stumbled upon the blog world, and have been a little partial to My Favorite Things ever since.
For a month I have been trying to decide what to share with you and I finally narrowed it it down to some old favorites, new discoveries that I added to my favorites on etsy, and a house that I have been stalking for over two years now. Yep, you read that right, I am going to go knock on the door of my favorite house and ask if I can capture some images just for you. We'll see how that goes...stay tuned. Oh this is going to be fun! Shall we get started? Yes, let's.

My all time favorite gift to give is the Mini Diary from the Mini Mart. It's a little gem that prompts the author to take ten minutes to jot down a few of their loves for the day. It always delivers a smile upon receipt and has never disappointed me when I needed the perfect thoughtful gift.
Now before you go hopping over there I best let you know they are sold out. BUT...she is taking orders for the spring release (yes release, they are that popular) and you can email her to claim your stake on a few.

the fine art of family {winner}.

Sorry I am a bit late getting this up on the blog.  The only excuse that I can come up with is that I was having fun with my two boys today trolling the bookstore.

So without further waiting, here is the winner....

Not to worry, Danyelle and I have some more fabulous giveaways lined up.  We just love our readers that much!  Have a cheery weekend my dears!

DIY friday: little boy's tie.

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Spring is coming! Spring is coming!  And you know what that means. . .Easter is just around the corner.  Why not take advantage of these last cold, gray weekends and craft a few handmade ties for your little guys?  This tutorial is great for a few reasons, but mostly because you don't need a sewing machine.

Now, to find the perfect fabric. . .

friday favorites : by Carly.

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a few of Carly's favorite things

puppies...puppies...puppies!

when my husband cleans

sleeping in clean sheets

eating cajun tots at McMenamins

watching a good sappy romance movie by myself (like The Young Victoria)

getting up early and watching the news with my Mom

drinking a caramel Macchiato

Girl Scout Thin Mints that have been in the freezer

seeing my best friend Kelley

walking out of a salon with a fresh new hair cut

watching my dog sleep

Thanks Carly and happy friday!
Go here to be our next friday favorites.
It's dreary and cold here in Texas.  I think I will cozy up and try to stay warm.
What's on your weekend agenda?

hang'em awl : the perfect picture hanging solution.

I am aching for spring.

Warm weather.

Budding flowers.

And feathering my nest.

One thing I want to do is hang that gorgeous umbrella print Danyelle posted about.  And now I'll let you in on a little secret.  I use the hang'em awls.  They make hanging frames a piece of cake.  Super affordable.  The perfect picture hanging solution in my opinion!

dwell studio.

Simplicity rings true across the board in my life.  I lean towards clean, uncluttered, modern.  That is precisely why it was so easy to fall in love with Dwell Studio.  Dwell Studio portrays modern without the stark, cold feeling that one may associate with it.  The colors and patterns are inviting and fun.

I had the opportunity to put these beautiful Draper Stripe Ash sheets to the test and was surprised how much I loved them.  My husband even commented on them.  He thought they were THAT much better than our previous set, which shocked me even more.

First reason why I love them.  They are DEEP!  Deep enough that I don't have to tug and pull and tug some more.  My old sheets drove me crazy because they barely tucked in under our mattress.  Completely annoying.  I've had such a time trying to find deep sheets and these, these fit the bill!

Second reason why I love them.  The pillow cases have a flap closing in the back, which in my opinion is a big plus!

The cotton is super soft.  They wash and dry with hardly a wrinkle in sight.  Story is, the love for my bed just grew and believe, I already loved my bed.  I just love my sheets now.

faire houre.

 

I really, really, really love this clock.  A lot.   

Faire Houre's shop is full of lovely clocks + pretty picture styling too.  Check out all of the lovelies here.

natalie one piece.

 

I have no idea why I was doing a search for swimsuits, friends.  There is no vacation planned.  The weather today is rainy.  Wishful thinking I guess?  While clicking away this pretty little number caught my eye.  Don't you think it would be super flattering? And I can't seem to get over all of the vintage inspired styles I'm seeing everywhere!  Happy, happy.  Is there a really fantastic site with styles along this same line I need to know about?

the fine art of family {giveaway}.

I will probably sound like a broken record but my go to jewelry is simple and understated.  And let me tell you, I've found my go to place for timeless pieces.

The Fine Art of Family.

Just the name alone I love, because family is quite important to me.  But their jewelry is To. Die. For.  It is delicate and the craftsmanship is absolutely gorgeous.  This is the type of jewelry you keep forever.  I was lucky enough to get my hands on this dainty "i love you" bracelet.  It is super sweet and looks so lovely.  Lucky for you, I'm giving it away!  I know, I am sad to part with it but equally excited to share the goodness.  The lucky winner will be receiving the sterling silver I Love You bracelet, valued at $175.  So if your Valentine's was a little disappointing, maybe this will cheer you up.

Visit The Fine Art of Family and tell me what you would put on your wish list.
Drop me a comment with your blog address or email [one comment per reader please].
Giveaway starts today and ends Friday morning at 7am [2/26].
Open only to the US.
Good luck!

Just in case  you were curious, here's what is on my wish list.
Large Round Vine Locket
Multi Disc Bracelet

little black dress : shade clothing.

Do you have a go to dress?

One that can be dressed up or dressed down?

Unbelievably comfortable and flattering?

I found mine.
My perfect little black dress.
Shade Clothing offers affordable, stylish and modest clothes for the modern girl.  I like to call it back to the basics.  Staple pieces that any wardrobe needs plus a few pieces to dress up with.  Here is the little black dress I am talking about.  Their dresses tend to run a bit smaller, so you may want to order a size up, especially if you are a bit busty.  The cotton material is super soft, totally washable [I was on hand wash or delicate] and extremely wearable.

Have you shopped at Shade Clothing?
What's your favorite piece?

ps. it's on sale!

creative space.

 

The most inspiring part of this loft tour is the home owners workspace.   I could get lost for hours on end in such an inspiring space.  So friends, where do you craft, create, work?  Do you have a room?  A closet?  Or do you take over your dining room table when the crafting bug hits?

{photos by Christie Chase}

link love.

 

This week,

These chalkboards kept popping into my head. I want mine to say "Today I will...Smile + Wave."  

And how much do you love this car caddy Jill created?  I love it so much I want to marry it.

Fresh Nest Design put together a really great children's rug roundup. 

Speaking of children and all of the cute/ fun things that go along with them, you've got to see the party Anne posted this week.  I want that traveling donut station.  Like, now.

And finally, Nicole's pilates room made me green with envy.  Not because of the fancy smancy pilates machine, but because of the sweet over-sized photo on the wall.   Does anyone know how to enlarge a vintage photo? 

 

ruby + stella home giveaway WINNER!

This is one giveaway I really wanted to enter myself...but that wouldn't be fair would it?  The lucky winner of TWO pretty pillow covers + inserts from the lovely Ruby + Stella Home shop is...
 
Catherine who said...
"I love the Sketchbook Ivory flower motif - SO cute!"

Congratulations to you Catherine,  and a big thank you to Ruby + Stella Home!

a pina colada : my happy things.

Want to know more about me?
That's okay if you said no, I'm not all that interesting.
But if you do, take a peek over at a pina colada [blog].
You can read about my happy things!

dwell studio for target.

Saw all the new lovely stuff in the Dwell Studio line for Target.
I knew you'd love these too so I just had to share.
I'll let you in on a secret...
{i have both of the pillows pictured above and la la love them!}

friday favorites : by Kristie.

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a few of Kristie's favorite things

sweet kisses

windy days

fringe bangs

the first snow of the year

yellow tulips

fun hats

coconut lime verbena scented things

the travel channel

my thesaurus

sweet nothings

Thanks Kristie and happy friday!

If you would like to be our next friday favorites, go here!

yellow.

I love the color yellow.  It ties with green as my favorite color.  Yellow is bright + cheerful + happy.

What's your favorite color?

yellow chair

yellow lamp

yellow stool

the happiness project.

I just started reading The Happiness Project.  I haven't read enough to say whether I love or hate, but I have a feeling I will love.

I'm also reading...
Freakanomics
Food Inc.
Knit Purl Die

My name is Molly and I have an addiction to books.
What are you reading?

all about baby journal.

 

I'm always on the hunt for baby gifts I'd like to receive myself.  This baby journal fits the bill.  

With lovely graphics by Swedish designer Sandra Issakson this journal would be a treasured keepsake for sure
.

pi'lo.

Just stumbled upon the sweet etsy shop Pi'lo.  Pretty things made out of two of my favorite materials, felt + linen.  Yum.  Make sure you take a peek at the alphabet pillow + crib quilt.  They're my favorites. Along with everything else.

ruby + stella home GIVEAWAY!

Do you feel it?  That tug to spruce up your home?
If so, than your going to love this giveaway! 

Ruby + Stella Home is THE place for throw pillows.  Made from only the best fabrics (think Anna Maria Horner) and the kind of attention to detail that makes me weak in the knees. And the colors!  Oh, the happy colors...exactly what my boring beige couch needs.

Ruby + Stella Home is offering up 2 pretty 16x16 pillow covers + inserts to one of you dears.  All you have to do is tell me which design is your favorite and where your new pillows would go if you win.

Leave me a comment [with email or blog address]
Answer the above questions
Giveaway starts today and runs through Friday morning 7am [3/19]

Good luck, friends!

food rules : an eater's manual.

Next time I'm at the bookstore I've decided I'm picking up Food Rules by Michael Pollan.  I glanced at it the last time I was there and it looks to be a super quick read.  Easy and simple.

Have you read it?

i've got a crush.

On of my besties, who is also my go to photographer, threw a rockin' crush party for valentine's day.  And of course the party would not have been complete with out a photo booth.  I just loved posing with my very own crush, the husband, also known as Mr. Elmer.

What did you do on the day of love?

ps. i have the best friends.

real quick : facebook link.

I usually don't post on mondays but I wanted to let you know, we've started a My Favorite Things page on Facebook.  We currently had a group but have recently switched over.  I still need to relink our facebook icon under our Subscribe section but until then, just click on the link below. We'd love for you to join :)

My Favorite Things page

ps. Our fabulous designer Lyndsay will be relinking it tonight.  Thanks Lyndsay, you're the best!

free umbrella image download.

 

{Installation by Spain by Ingo Maurer, photograph by Jesús Manuel Nieto Bobadilla.}

Don't you adore this image?  I sure do.  Especially since I was able to download + print it for free. A happy little way to bring some sunshine on a Monday morning.  Thanks for the mad detective skills, Brooke!

link love.

This week I kept thinking about...

Stephanie's Jewelry Swap.  Such a fantastic idea!

Even though Valentine's Day is over, I still want to make one of these heart headbands. 

Speaking of Valentines, Jenn wins the most clever gift award.

I love planning my children's birthday parties, but if that's not your thing...this site is your new best friend.

and finally...

This wedding editorial on {Frolic!}.  So. Much. Inspiration.

YOUR BLOG'S BEEN HIGH-JACKED

Your Blog's Been High Jacked

by Your Sexy Husband Films

Happy Valentines Babe You are OUR FAVORITE!!

Mollys funny valentine from Matthew Elmer on Vimeo.

DIY friday: cable management.

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Alright, confession: for years I've needed to tackle the mess of cords + cables under my desk.  And look!  Nicole has gone ahead and figured out the fix for me.

Now all I have to do is get my hands on one of these babies.  Aren't simple organization solutions the best?

carnaby hollywood tray : jonathan adler

I've been looking for a tray to set on our ottoman.
I think I may have found it.
I'm loving the bright pop of yellow this carnaby hollywood tray would add to my living room.

friday favorites : by Taylor.

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a few of Taylor's favorite things

funfetti cupcakes

teaching young, curious minds

reminiscing with my sisters

freshly washed sheets

the smell of a new box of crayons

the Muppets, ALF, and other shows from my childhood

old baseball cards

homemade fortune cookies

making up words

fenway Park

surprises

mr. potato heads

pumpkin patches

bing Crosby & Jimmy Stewart

slow dancing in the kitchen while dinner is cooking

the Greek Islands

chanel nail polish

Taylor included a few more than ten and thought I would add them all.  My favorite is the slow dancing in the kitchen while dinner is cooking ;)

Thanks Taylor and happy friday!

Go here if you would like to be our next friday favorites.