p.s. - don't forget!

Also don't forget to enter the two giveaways we have going on right this very minute!
Just click the images in the side bar and drop us a comment :)

no time to say hello, goodbye!

Friends, I am busy, as I am sure most of you are too.
So sorry for the late post.

Tomorrow night, the husband and I are dropping off the boys at their grandparents house and we are free for the weekend.  I wish I could say we are going to lounge around and eat but to be honest, we are going to go full speed ahead.  I have lots to do before baby N arrives and to be able to accomplish some tasks without my two crazies sounds pleasant!  I think I finally decided on paint colors and am excited to get the rooms underway next week.

I am pining away for these anthropology curtains but somehow I don't think they fit in the budget.  Can you help me?  Any good resources for curtains?  The nursery has a lot of windows to cover!

Also...
What do you have planned for the weekend?

annily green.

This print is awesome.  The words, the pattern, the color. And the fact that it's printed on canvas fabric? Well, that just makes it perfect.

Available in the new to me etsy shop Annily Green.

(via Freshly Picked)

zipz shoes : a giveaway.

Do you recall these awesome shoes I posted about by the name of Zipz Shoes?  How could you forget?  They are only the coolest new thing to adorn your feet.  The zipper action makes the shoes completely versatile and interchangeable, allowing you to switch up your look for a fraction of the cost of purchasing multiple pairs of shoes.

My oldest son, loves his and wears them all the time!  I kid you not.  Easy on, easy off.  He can even do the zipper by himself [with just a little help from mom].  The fact that he can change the color to fit his mood, makes him love them even more.

And guess what, today is your lucky lucky day!  My Favorite Things is offering up a pair of Zipz Shoes, winner's choice!  That's right, you could win any pair your heart desires.  Just drop us a comment telling us your favorite style.  You can also tweet for an extra entry.  Just come back here and leave another comment with the link.  Good luck dear readers!  The winner will be announced this Friday.

**OPEN TO US READERS ONLY**

This is a sponsored post.  If you are interested in becoming a My Favorite Things sponsor, please contact us at info[at]afewofmyfavorites[dot]com for our media kit!

happytape : japanese masking tape.

I'd like to think I possess a bit of craftiness, even though we all know Dandee holds the queen of craft title. I still love to collect my favorite craft supplies, my newest favorite being japanese masking tape!

Happytape boasts some of the happiest of japanese masking tape.  Honestly, the selection is mind blowing. Picking your favorite is the absolute hardest part.  The japanese masking tape comes on the sweetest little rolls, in a multitude of colors and patterns.  Now that the holidays are drawing near, grab a roll of kraft paper and some Happytape and go to town wrapping presents, making holiday cards and gift tags.  Tina is a doll to work with and the quality of the tape is top notch.  Also the colors are true to the photograph, so you know exactly what you are getting.  I have so enjoyed crafting with my own japanese masking tape.  I made some cute little pennate flags for a church function and then sealed tiny little envelopes closed with just a bit of tape.  The price point is affordable and the small investment to purchase a few rolls is totally worth it.  I have the rich & deep 10pak and adore the rich jewel tones they come in!

  

And you know what makes me the happiest, the chance to giveaway any 5pak of YOUR choice!  That's right, Tina has so graciously offered up a 5pak to give away to one of My Favorite Things readers.  Just drop us a comment gushing about your favorite selection.  And if you want an extra entry, simply tweet about it, come back and leave another comment with the link.  Sweet and simple.  The winner will be announced this Friday morning.  And guess what?  It is open to our US and international readers as well.  Good luck friends!

p.s. Need some more ideas on what to do with your japanese masking tape?  check out these fabulous posts from iDiY.
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4

This is a sponsored post.  If you are interested in becoming a My Favorite Things sponsor, please contact us at info[at]afewofmyfavorites[dot]com for our media kit!

link love.

My reader was popping with awesomeness last week.  There were so many great things happening, I couldn't keep up with it all.  These are the posts I starred.  The ones I couldn't bear to simply "mark as read." They deserved a little link love.

Ez shared these beautiful book jackets by Coraline Bickford-Smith.  Stunning is the word that comes to mind.

A new book by Orla Kiely? Happy news!

I'm always looking for classic, natural toys. You can imagine how happy I was to read this article.

I love this art by Anna Bondoc. Wouldn't it be pretty on a collage wall?

essie.

I just took a vow to do better about keeping up with my home manicures.  Spending a little time pampering my hands makes me feel pretty.  Besides, after a long day of wrangling five little ones, it's something small I do for myself.

Essie has been my favorite nail polish for years.  The quality is awesome.  Two coats and you're done. With the proper base + top coats, I usually get 5 solid days out of my manicures.  Not to mention, Essie always does a great job keeping up on fashion trends and applying them to their polishes.  Have you checked out Essie's new fall collection?  The colors are stunning!  I'm currently wearing "Merino Cool" and I can't get over how perfect the color is.  A bit of gray + a bit of plum.  I'm also itching to try out "Little Brown Dress".  Doesn't that look fun?!  What about you, friends?  Do you polish your nails?

paddywax candles.

Fall has arrived, although down here in Texas the weather didn't quite get the memo.  How unfortunate for me.  Although the weather isn't as crisp as I would prefer, I still like to pretend it's fall.  And that means I like to bring out the candles.

I've been a fan of Paddywax for about a year now and was excited when they released their new holiday selection of yummy scented candles.

Woodland
Winter Garden
Holiday Boxes

And of course you can browse some of the "holiday favorites" in the classic collection.  I really believe there is a scent for everyone, even the super picky people out there.  I am one of them and have found a few favorites at Paddywax.  I am especially enjoying the Quince Spice Candle at the moment.  It sits in my half bath and fills it with a subtle scent without even lighting it.  I truly love the fact that the glass and ceramic holders the candles come in are clean and simple.  No tacky logo or sticker, so the candles look lovely on display.  My favorite pick from the candles last year was cocoa mugs but I am curious to try the gingerbread houses.  The only downside to Paddywax is trying to decide on a scent!

p.s.  Dandee also reviewed a few of the "holiday" scents and here is what she had to say...

Amaryllis Tin:  I love the scent.  It's cozy, but not in any way overpowering.  Perfect for fall.  The tin is darling and would make a perfect gift.  I think stocking up on these is a great plan for the holidays and last minute gift giving.

Forest Diffuser:  We are a faux Christmas tree family and this diffuser made the whole house smell like Christmas.  I tucked it away safely so that we can enjoy it during the holidays.

Snow Candle:  Again the scent is perfect.  It smells fresh and the candle burns slowly and evenly.  The ceramic votive can compliment any decor.

Overall, I love Paddywax.  It's obvious the candles are of the highest quality.  The packaging is top-notch and wouldn't require any dressing up prior to gift giving. Although you may have a hard time letting these babies go.

Happy shopping!

MD Moms - baby skin care.

I am super picky when it comes to baby skin care products.  Like super duper picky.  It absolutely can not have a strong smell.  I want it to have a dual purpose [like body wash + shampoo combo] and it simply must be gentle on my babes delicate skin.  Both my boys had eczema as babies and even though they are older, I still feel like their skin needs extra attention.  I've tried many different brands and have found a few that fit the bill but am especially excited to introduce you to my newest favorite baby skin care line.

Meet MD Moms, pediatricians and moms who understand what we need.  I currently use the baby silk gentle all over clean.  It is a 2 in 1 cleanser, so I can shampoo and clean little bodies all at the same time.  The scent is ever so light and pleasant.  Most of the time, if I can, I choose scent-free products across the board, but I was happily surprised that the scent did not bother me.  I also love the fact that a little goes a long way.  One tiny squirt takes care of the hair and body!  Curious to know what goes into the bottle? Check out MD Moms informative page that talks about what ingredients they use.  I found it very helpful and was pleased to know that only the highest quality ingredients go into their products.

The prices are a bit more than you might pay for the drugstore brands but for me, it's worth it.

ps.  I can't wait to try out the baby silk gentle scalp rub.  My boys always have horrible cradle cap.  I'll be sure to let you know how well it works

my jcrew fashion wish list.

Maybe it's because I am longing to slip back in my "normal" clothes.

And maybe it's because I have a love affair with jcrew.

But here is my jcrew fashion wish list.

I want it all!

convertible cuff gloves

quoddy boots

tretorn wool flannel sneakers

cashmere popover hoodie

jericho tote

link love.

My reader was popping with awesomeness last week.  There were so many great things happening, I couldn't keep up with it all.  These are the posts I starred.  The ones I couldn't bear to simply "mark as read." They deserved a little link love.

Stephanie found the perfect blueberry muffin recipe.  Wasn't that nice of her?

Danni's wedding invitations are so, so sweet. I can't wait to see more!

Have you heard of twig?  Be sure to check out the collaboration of this darling + creative husband and wife.

Can you imagine creating 1000 paper cranes?  Check out the mission here.

Gabby brought this darling Victorian cottage to my attention. Yes, please.

trousers.

The trouser jean.  A must for your wardrobe.  I own these + love them,
but am wondering. . .do you have a favorite dressy jean I should know about?

DIY friday: puppet theater tutorial.

Friends, fall is quickly approaching.  Now might be a good time to whip up some fun activities for the little ones to enjoy when the weather is chilly.  This puppet theater has been a big hit at my house.  Why not make one for your children this weekend and save it for a rainy day?

Moo G Clips Giveaway WINNER!

 

Congratulations Mandi!

You are the winner of the Moo G Clips giveaway.  Contact us asap with your shipping information.  Thank you all for entering and a big thank you to our lovely sponsor, Moo G Clips!

helpful hints + how to : by Heather Schoenrock - how to promote healthy lunches.

Check it dear friends.

We have a lovely new article for our Helpful Hints & How To series.  Enjoy!

How to Promote Healthy Lunches and Healthy Lifestyles for your Kids

By: Heather Schoenrock

Approximately 78 percent of U.S high school students eat fruits and vegetables less than five times per day, according to a 2009 survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Yikes! Our kids and teenagers need to eat more of Mother Nature’s goods each day for better nutrition and better focus.  As a parent, you play the role of teacher and of advocate in promoting good nutrition for your children; here are four tips:

• Support the Child Nutrition Act.  On August 5th, the Senate approved the Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act, which will require schools to meet new nutrition guidelines and expand the number of low-income children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.  Now, the bill is waiting to be passed in the House before the current act expires on September 30. Join the Healthy Schools Campaign and send your message of support (you can forward a letter to your U.S. representative here: http://www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/getinvolved/action/childnutrition/action-act.php)

• Pack a lunch.  Until we achieve healthier cafeteria lunches in our schools, packing wholesome bag lunches for your kids may be the best option.  Sandwiches with fresh deli meats and cheeses on whole-grain breads, hand-held fruits and baby carrots are great foundations.  And for sneaky ways to add organic vegetables to kid-friendly dishes, click here: http://jacksharvest.com/recipes.html.

• Be an example.  Set the stage by living a healthy and active lifestyle!  If you and your kids are living actively and eating healthfully at home, the little ones are more likely to engage in similar activities at school.  Be sure that the snacks and meals available at home are consistent with those you pack for school.  Also, take time to introduce your kids to different activities and sports – you never know what activity or sport will strike their fancy at home and then at school.

• Educate fellow parents and school administrators.  The School Nutrition Association and Let’sMove.gov offer a variety of materials to assist parents and school administrators in promoting school nutrition programs and healthy school meals.

Heather Schoenrock is founder of Jack’s Harvest and a mother of three.  Heather’s interest in childhood nutrition began eight years ago with the birth of her first daughter and, as a result, she created Jack’s Harvest (http://www.JacksHarvest.com), a frozen, organic baby food company.  Heather has led countless childhood nutrition and feeding workshops and serves as an advocate for more nutritious school lunches. Heather actively engages her local community members and school administrators as a proponent of the Child Nutrition Act.

ps. don't forget, we want YOUR submissions. if you have an idea and want to share some little gems of knowledge, please email us at info@afewofmyfavorites.com!

friday favorites : by Sharlyn.

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a few of Sharlyn's favorite things

rainy autumn mornings
seeing a shooting star
something warm to sip on
entire blocks of cheese
birds chirping
friendly children
finding a great antique shop
The Sound Of Music
pearl earrings
down comforters

thanks Sharlyn and happy happy Friday!

Would you like to share your favorites?

Go here to find out how.

Rag & Bone - journal writing.

I am going to let you in on a little secret...I am horrible at journal writing.  Like, as in, I NEVER EVER do it.  There was once a time when I was diligent, where my thoughts would freely pour on the pages and then I got married and had kids and poof, the art of journal writing disappeared.  I keep a family blog but that is just not the same as keeping a book of my thoughts, sometimes private and sometimes not.  I do however keep a journal for both my boys.  Little letters written to them, describing their life, their joys and their sorrows.  When they leave our little nest, they will get to take with them my memories of their childhood.  And now that I am about to embark on baby boy #3, I knew it was time to pick out a new journal and I knew that I wanted it to be special.

Rag and Bone Bindery has the loveliest of lovely handmade journals + albums + guestbooks.  You can see right away how much effort and love go into the bookbinding.  The pages are crisp, with rough edges and seem to beckon to you.  I almost don't want to use it, but I think baby Nicholas deserves his first entry sometime soon.  The quality really is superb, making this a keepsake you will want to treasure for many years to come.

The color options and designs are endless.  Even if you claim to be picky, you are bound to find something that suits your style.  I happen to have the pear but I am also quite fond of the woodgrain orange too.

Browse, look around and then make the leap.  Shouldn't we all put a little more time into preserving our thoughts and memories through journal writing?

le creuset.

Do you think it's too early to start compiling my Christmas wish list?  Well too bad if it is.  This baby just made it to the top.  Basically all I need to do is tell my husband he'll be eating the most juicy + tender meats ever if he gets it for me, right?  That should work. ;)

freshly picked [His Her Pillow].

Do you ever come across someone that oozes talent, that you can't help but be a teeny tiny bit jealous?  That is kind of how I feel about Susan of Freshly Picked.  I've always been envious of those who could sew, could create something from nothing.  I find it amazing!

Susan has a fun little shop, filled with the sweetest of her creations.  I've always had my eye on her His + Her Pillow set and when she re-listed it, I knew I just had to have it.  I placed my order over the weekend, so I don't have them yet but I will definitely take a picture once they are comfortably in their new home.

Susan also has some sweet bow bags and tiny little moccasins available right now.  Her creations are beautiful and creative.

Oh and be sure to check out her blog, Freshly Picked.  She shares some awesome tutorials!

medela.

Can you tell that I am excited to be in the final stretches of this pregnancy?
Well, I am.
My to-do list is still substantially long but check marks are being made and tasks are being scratched off, even if a bit slowly.

One item of business I like to take care is to make sure I have the baby essentials before the sweet babe actually arrives.  I have my standard go to list and since I love to breastfeed, a good breast pump is a must have.  I like to build in a "pump time" to store up the liquid gold in the freezer.  I've always found it is nice to have on hand for emergencies.

Medela is an excellent go to brand if you are in the market for breastfeeding products or even just looking for answers to questions.   They offer an extensive line all the way from occasional use, to daily use, on up to hospital grade.  You will be able to find something to fit your need and your budget.

Medela sent me the Swing Breastpump to review and try out.  It is their smallest/lightest single pump that can still be used on a daily basis.  Although it is electric, you can choose to use batteries, which is a fantastic option for traveling.  It is extremely compact and super easy to fit all the parts together.  I also really really love their cleaning methods.  Although I've never used the cleaning wipes,  I have used the quick-clean mirco steam bags.  They work wonderfully and make cleaning super easy!   And once baby Nicholas is here, I'll be sure to post a follow up once I can "really" use the Swing Pump.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Mobile pumping with tabletop, belt clip and neck/shoulder strap options.
• Drawstring bag to keep everything clean and in one place between pumpings.
• Comfortable, massaging SoftFit™ breastshield.
• More milk in less time with 2-Phase Expression® technology when pumping at Maximum Comfort Vacuum™.
• All parts that come into contact with breastmilk are BPA-free.

Moo G Clips GIVEAWAY!

My little girl just chopped her long locks.  She's now sporting a cute little bob and the only thing we can do with her hair is put in a clip to keep her wispy bangs out of her face.  Unfortunately, the clip selection at Target isn't so hot.  When we last checked they didn't have any of the colors we were searching for + left disappointed.  Thank goodness for Moo G Clips!  With so many options, we've found many styles we can't wait to get our hands on.  Like these glitter butterflies, or these darling plaid hearts.  

Do you have a favorite Moo G Clip?  Would you like to win them?!  Today's your lucky day!  Moo G Clips is offering up a $25 gift certificate to one lucky reader.  All you have to do is comment telling me your favorite style, simple as that.  Giveaway winner will be announced Friday September 17th.  Good luck, friends!

link love.

My reader was popping with awesomeness last week.  There were so many great things happening, I couldn't keep up with it all.  These are the posts I starred.  The ones I couldn't bear to simply "mark as read." They deserved a little link love.

Simplesong is a favorite letterpress shop and now through September 20th they're having a sale!

I'm currently planning a few parties, and these beeswax candles Chelsea posted are perfection.

Grace always finds the best stuff and this pretty magazine butler proves that point.

I love everything about Kelli + Jonathan's home tour on Apartment Therapy, but this family portrait is my favorite part.

Printable book plates?  Yes, please!

fibers.

Have you ever designed a t-shirt?  I hadn't either until I came across Fibers, an online clothing site that allows you to be the designer.  You can create custom t-shirts, hoodies, tanks, baby onesies and more using their free templates. Or if your creatively inclined, you can design your image from scratch.

I had my 10 year old son help out with this project. I was curious to see how he would navigate the website, and what his design would end up looking like.  I'm happy to report Fibers came through with flying colors.  I was amazed at how simple it was to create our own design.  The templates were easy to personalize and in just about 10 minutes, Easton had a completely custom shirt.

Originally, we set out to create a shirt to advertise Easton's book blog to his school buddies.  Easton is a big sports fan too, so of course he was instantly drawn towards the baseball style shirts.  We simply added the name of his blog to the front, the web address to the back, changed the font, added some custom distressing and the number 10 (his age) and we were done!

Easton's shirt arrived in five days and we were both thrilled with the results.  The shirt itself is great quality, and Fibers customization options were wonderful to work with.  Check out all Fibers has to offer on their site.  I can think of a million ways to use the I Love T-shirts,  and these Vintage T-shirts are pretty sweet too.

Oh, and if you're interested, you can read Easton's young adult literature reviews on his blog Young Bibliomaniac.

friday favorites: by amber.

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a few of Amber's favorite things

Fridays!
fresh crisp white sheets
cool breezes on hot summer days
bedtime stories
love notes on my pillow
beach bonfires
sleeping in
watermelon
post cards
live music

thank you Amber and happy Friday dears!

Would you like to be a Friday Favorite?

Go here to find out more.

DIY friday: make your own clouds.

Is fall taking a while to arrive in your neck of the woods?  No worries, you can create your own chilly weather this weekend by making this darling cloud mobile via Ohdeedoh.  Full tutorial found here.

{image via Ohdeedoh}

* emera giveaway WINNER!

Congratulations Karen!  You're the winner of the fabulous *emera quilted camera bag!

Contact me at danyelle@afewofmyfavorites.com to claim your prize.  Thank you all for entering and of course, a big thank you to *emera!

simply modern mom.

I completely forgot to share that I was featured over at Simply Modern Mom.

Want to know what I posted about?

Click here!

koala kuddles.

Dear friends, I am 32 weeks pregnant!  I can't believe how FAST the time has flown.  September is here, my favorite season is creeping in and soon I will have a new little babe to nestle in my arms.  I am in FULL. BLOWN. NESTING. MODE.  And just ask my husband, it's a bit scary.  I am organizing every nook and cranny.  Scheduling the painters to come and paint all the bedrooms upstairs so I can finally put together the nursery + my boys room.  And I am washing every little baby footie and blanket I've collected.

One thing I like to have stock of are the must have swaddling blanket.  I've never before used the muslin swaddling blankets that seem to have become so popular but with this little one, I am going to give it go.  Koala Cuddles sent me the sweet green polka dot to use with baby Nicholas.  It is lightweight, soft and only gets softer with each wash.  They are the perfect size to wrap your baby up like a little burrito!  Koala Kuddles is my new go to baby shower gift.

They come in packages of three for $32.95 or you can purchase just one at $14.95.  You can choose from khaki, green or pink.  I'm really excited to put the blanket into action and I will be sure to post a picture of baby Nicholas modeling it for you, once he arrives that is.

michelle armas.

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I really really really love this painting by Michelle Armas.  But I think at $1000 I might have to settle for this equally stunning print.  Her work is lovely and I am dying to get a piece to hang in my humble abode!

urban outfitters round up : my current faves.

I'm sick today friends.
I tossed and turned all night.
I awoke with a stuffy nose, congested head, and a sore, sore throat.
I look pitiful and feel horrible.
So while I let my boys have a free day of video games, I'm taking it easy in my bed.
And while I was resting I clicked onto Urban Outfitters to see what offerings they had.
Here are my current faves...

owl catch-all

love birds wall art

owl umbrella stand

mustache snow globe

moroccanoil.

This is my newest, most favorite beauty product right now.

It is called moroccanoil.

Get one now, your hair will thank you!