find the time.

This clock wins the "Most Clever Thing I've Seen Today" award. 

steel wire chair.

Even though it's completely out of my price range, I haven't been able to get this steel wire chair out of my head since first spotting it on Design Mom.  Wouldn't it be pretty in the garden with some of these lights strung up everywhere?

ruffle tank.

I know it looks like a lot of ruffles, but trust me. This is the sweetest little tank to layer under your favorite cardigan.  I adore mine.

letterpress recipe cards.

I think this set of letterpress recipe cards by Moontree Letterpress would make the perfect hostess gift for all your summer travels.  Or a mothers day gift, or a birthday gift, or a wedding gift, or...

solid drum by plan toys.

This wood drum by Plan Toys was baby Oliver's favorite birthday gift.  He bangs on it all day and guess what?  I don't even mind the noise.  This drum is not only pretty to look at, it has a surpisingly soothing sound.  A definite must have for your toy box.

link love.

Lots of happy things going on in the internets.  Here are a few favorites:

Did you see this clip clock via Design Mom?  I can imagine a million and one things I could clip.  Paint chips, calling cards, photo booth pictures just to name a few... And speaking of Design Mom, did you see Gabby's fresh new blog design?  Love.

Dante Beatrix is contributing every dollar from the sale of their Esther bunny t shirts to Camfed International.  Camfed International is an organization dedicated to educating girls in Africa and empowering them to become agents of change in their communities.  A perfect little Easter basket stuffer, no? You can buy your Esther the bunny t shirt here.

This ABC color-it-yourself poster looks like the perfect little piece of artwork for the playroom.  I know a couple of kids who would love to get their hands on one.

Stephanie put together the prettiest images of work spaces on her blog the other day.  They inspired me to no end.  It's time for a desk overhaul.

DIY friday: ruffle jeans.

Our sweet blog designer Lyndsay is so talented.  Do you want to spruce up your blog?  She's your gal.  Looking for a new delicious recipe?  She's got one for you to try.  Want to to put some ruffles on a pair of jeans for the little girl in your life?  Yup, she can do that too.  And Lyndsay made a tutorial so you can make some right along with her. 

Don't you love blogs + how they allow talented women to share their abilities with the rest of us?  Me too.

Happy Friday, friends.  I look forward to seeing your shiny, happy faces here Monday.

walnut paperie giveaway WINNER!

Congratulations to Angie who said "I love the bonjour! love, love, love it!" Angie, you are the winner of the Bonjour + Hello Pack from the lovely Walnut Paperie.  Thank you all for your sweet comments, and of course remember to visit Walnut Paperie!

Post Edit:  I just noticed that Angie is also being featured as our Friday Favorite today.  What a lucky day! 

friday favorites : by Angie.

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a few of Angie's favorite things

spring

weddings...especially the dance floor

reading in the mornings outside with a cup of coffee in the summer...this doesn't happen often

my slippers

dave matthews band

taking a long shower

a clean house

a quiet house

water skiing

girl time

Thanks Angie and happy friday!
Click here if you are interested in becoming our next Friday Favorite.

fablehaven : book 5.

I am a big Harry Potter fan and quickly became a Fablehaven follower after I read the first book.  It is mythical and imaginative and extremely fun.  The fifth book came out Tuesday, in which I promptly picked up my own copy.  I am two hundred pages in and am already enjoying myself.

Have you ever read Fablehaven?

jo totes.

Do you have a digital SLR?
It seems like most everyone has one or wants one.  I am no photographer by any means but I do love snapping shots of my boys.  The one problem I had was the little black not so attractive camera case I used to house my camera.  To be honest, it was ugly and I was ready to upgrade to something much more stylish.

I discovered Jo Totes and knew it would be the perfect solution.  Cute tote.  Small compartments.  A place for everything.  Plus the dividers are removable and can be placed however you would like to organize your camera bag, making it custom just for you.  Oh and the price is quite reasonable too!  It comes in Noir, Olive or Scarlet.  I have the Noir and love it.

So tell me, what kind of camera do you have?
And what color would you choose?

baby parties.

 {photo of me + Oliver taken today, on his birthday}

Friends, today my baby Oliver is one.  We are keeping the celebration simple.  A new bubble machine, a few balloons, and cake.  Really, what more could a one year old want, right?  But I'm curious.  How do you celebrate your babies birthdays?  A huge party with friends and family, or a smaller more intimate gathering?

lattice pillow.

Even though I told myself that I can't buy anything that won't add color to my home, I'm having a tough time resisting this lattice pillow from Humble.  These towels are really cute too.

baggu bags.

Have you jumped on the bandwagon of reusable bags when grocery shopping?  I always thought the idea was fantastic but just never got around to purchasing any.  I guess you could call it lazy.  But I finally got tired of my collection of plastic grocery sacks and started my web search for the perfect bag.

I stumbled across Baggu and knew I needed to try for myself if they were really worth the money.   Baggu sent me a set of three to try out and I've never looked back.  I love them.  If you purchase them in a set of three or five, they come in there own little storage bag.  I keep mine in my purse so I  always have them on me.  I actually think I may purchase another set for the extra large trips I sometimes make.  They come in an array of bright colors and the bags are machine washable!

Do you use reusable bags?

fresh sugar.

I've tried to wear lipstick and on occasion I do but I am a lip gloss girl through and through.  But I am picky.  It can't be too sticky or gloppy or shiny or taste funny.  In other words, it has to be perfect.  My newest favorite is Fresh Sugar Lip Gloss in Sugar Shag.  It glides on smooth, smells nice and makes your lips look like you just ate a cherry popsicle!

Do you were lipstick or are you a gloss girl?

product review: walnut paperie + a giveaway!

As a lover of all things paper I'm always on the look out for classic, well designed cards + stationary to add to my collection.  You can imagine my happiness when I stumbled upon Walnut Paperie!  I was immediately struck by the simple aesthetic.  Everything was understated and so well designed. 

The sweet shop girls Brittany + Kimberly sent me a few samples to review and I have to say, this stationary is even more lovely in person.  The printing is impeccable, the paper is a nice substantial weight, and the care they took putting everything together is just the kind of thing that makes a loyal customer out of me.

Want to know the best part?  Walnut Paperie is offering up this note set to one of you dears.  All you need to do is comment on this post telling me which design is your favorite.  The Bonjour or Hello. 
One comment per person and be sure to leave your email or blog address.  Giveaway starts today and runs through Friday morning 7am [March 26th].  Good Luck!

friday favorites: by whitney.

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 a few of Whitney's favorite things

fresh basil

homemade lemonade

sunlight coming through the windows in the morning
anything served in a ramekin, everything is tastier when it's small

chocolate cake
having a clean car, as rare as that is

sleeping in freshly laundered sheets

cooking and listening to Madeleine Peyroux
  a newborn baby sleeping on my chest

summer evenings

Thanks Whitney!  Reading your list has me feeling a bit like we're destined to be friends.  

Happy Friday, dears!  Oh, and go here if you are interested in being our next Friday Favorites.

carved circles window panels.

A friend called me the other day wanting my opinion of these West Elm window panels for her home.  I gave her my hearty approval and now can't get them out of my head.  Don't you think they're gorge?  Reasonably priced and so pretty in person I almost stole them right from her curtain rod.  Not really, but I was tempted...

salt water sandals.

Is there anything more classically summer than salt water sandals?  And the yellow!  I couldn't resist...I just snagged a pair for Miss Audrey.  Her chubby feet are going to look so cute this season.

dress up.

For a couple of big box stores, these items are all well made + very sweet in person.  I'm starting to think Easter outfits, you?

ruffled shirt
tiered skirt
dress
flats

sunny days.

Happy, sunny afternoons at the park with Audrey are definitely a favorite thing.

Even with nap time bed head and a full diaper.

magpie lovely.

We've blogged about this darling shop before but for me, I just can't get enough.  I wanted to share a few things that are going on right now over at Magpie Lovely.

First you must check out all the loveliness that defines the quaint boutique.  I love feminine and am a sucker for ruffles, and Magpie Lovely satisfies both my cravings.

Two, Holly was kind enough to extend a discount code for My Favorite Things readers.  Our sponsors never disappoint!  Just enter MF20 at check out to receive 20% off your entire order.  Hurry hurry, it will only be good for four days! [good through the 20th of March]

And finally, Magpie Lovely gives its costumers a chance to host "online" trunk shows.  I found the opportunity to be interesting and much easier than the traditional trunk show.  And you receive all the perks of a regular one too!  A win/win in my book!

Go forth my lovely readers and shop away!

monkeys always look.

Are you feeling the pull to buy some flowers and hand deliver them to all of your favorite people too?  If you are,  I think these garden markers from the cleverly named etsy shop Monkeys Always Look would make them an extra special treat. 

the winners!

Sorry, I am once again late in getting up the winners.  But better late than never, right?

Tamara Garvey Illustration giveaway winner!

Burke Decor giveaway winner{s}!

Congratulations girls!  Please get in touch with me very soon!

friday favorites : by Louise.

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a few of Louise's favorite things

lazy saturday mornings

my trusty sewing machine

hot bubble baths on cold nights

my beautiful dogs

turkish delight

white roses

toasted crumpets dripping with butter

the smell of new leather

Thanks Louise and happy friday!

Go here if you are interested in being our next Friday Favorites!

mantel.

I received a request from a reader for a little mantel design.  I went to my trusty search engine and came up with the following images.  Mantels can be a little intimidating but can make such a statement in the room.  What does your mantel look like?

ps. check out this and this.  great sources for mantel inspiration.

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liberty's coming.

Only five more days until Liberty of London hits your local Target!  I was a lucky duck and was able to snag a sweet little pink bathing suit for my daughter Audrey yesterday.  It was in-store with the other suits in the toddler section.  Great quality + of course the trademark floral.  I scoured the rest of the store to see if I could find any more Liberty treasures, but there were none.  A fluke, I guess.  Bad news is, now I'm even more anxious to see the rest of the goods in person.

I've never been so excited for a Monday.

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book worm.

Currently reading this + loving it.  It's fast, interesting and sweet.  Have you read it?  Any recommendations for when I finish?