The Color of the Year

 

A month or so ago, Lynsee and I spent some time researching color trends.  We wanted to make sure that the vintage flower jewelry we were creating was in line with the latest styles.  It was actually very interesting and fun to see what the newest color trends are predicted to be for the upcoming year.  According to Pantone, the next latest and greatest color for 2011 is Honeysuckle.  To view the complete top ten list, click here.  I love the Silver Peony and Silver Cloud.  I love that all the colors are so bright and cheerful.  So much inspiration!

Farewell, Christmas 2010

Oh how I love the Christmas season!  This year, since my children were 4, 4, and 2, I felt like it was more magical than ever before.  They were spoiled by grandparents and aunts/uncles beyond measure, and are having a blast playing with all of their loot.

Today I will go to Target and cash in on some clearance Christmas deals for next year, and work on cleaning up and putting away all the decorations.  I did want to share with you a taste of our Christmas this year. Here's a list of my top 10 Christmas traditions (in no particular order):

1. Riding the Polar Express Train to the North Pole (a.k.a. Williams, Arizona)

2.  Making Gingerbread Houses/Trains

3.  Seeing the Christmas Lights at Temple Square/Eating at Organ Stop Pizza

 

4.  Reenacting the Nativity Story

5.  Christmas Pajamas on Christmas Eve

6.  Playing the Chimes

7.  Preschool Christmas Program

8. Lighting our German Christmas Pyramid on Christmas Eve

9.  Advent calendars!  This year we had two.  One chocolate calendar from the grocery store (we've been using that one since I can remember!), and one "Santa House".  The kids would open one door of Santa's house each day to reveal a fun activity for us to do.  We also make paper chains.  Does that count as an advent?  Next year I plan to make a felt tree to decorate!

10.  Playing in the snow.  This takes some effort for us Arizona folk.  We actually have to travel a distance to find it!

What are some of your favorite traditions?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  Hope yours was wonderful!

Go BSU!

I just wanted to give a quick shout-out to my hometown college football team!  Woohoo BSU!  My 8 year old spent all of his birthday money on a ticket to this game!  Yep, that's him on the right hand side.  Isn't he cute?  His dream in life is to play for the Broncos and I was so happy to hear that he was able to go down on the field after the game.  He received autographs from some of the players and one the players even gave him his glove.  Talk about the best birthday ever!  Thank you Bronco football players for making my little boy's year!

Advent Calendars

Each year I wish I had been on the ball enough to make one of these fun little calendars.  If I can remember, I would like to make this a project for JUNE.  That way I can make it, put it away, and still be excited when I pull it out again.  Here are some favorites of mine:

Pink Chalk Studio

Snowing Presents by pickles

Sew Mama Sew

Little Birdies at Skip to my Lou

Buttons and Burlap Calendar

Recycled Advent

Do you have an advent calendar that you love?

The Company Store Kids

A few years ago, my friend Liz, introduced me to The Company Store.  It's sort of like a Pottery Barn (not quite as cute), but their prices are much lower.  They also have a Company Store Kids.  You can find some good things there if you look.  And I think the selection has gotten a little better over the years.  Anyway, I purchased my boys bedding there.  I did have kind of a rotten customer service experience, but I don't think most people would encounter the difficulties I did, so I will still recommend them.

Recently, they have begun to carry childrens clothing.  They have some fun holiday wear, that seems to be fairly reasonable in price.  Check them out!

I especially like this ruffle burst tee for little girls, and this hooded henley for boys.

Cowboy Boots for Kids

Thoughts of cowboy boots have been filling my head lately.  My kids randomly have been asking me to get them some, and just today at their preschool, three little boys were wearing them!  This last weekend I began a search for some.  I thought I could just walk into Payless and pick up a few pairs -- wrong.  Not only are they sold out at Payless -- they are sold out of cowboys boots everywhere!  Walmart, Target, KMart, Shopko, Famous Footwear (clearly I am not in the market for "real" cowboy boots -- just some cute cheap ones the boys can race around in.)  Today I was telling my mom about my predicament, and after a quick internet search, she pointed me to Sheplers.  This fun little store seems to me to be fairly authentic in the Western wear department.  They carry an enormous selection of adult and childrens cowboy boots.  They have light up boots, pink boots, fringed boots, snakeskin boots -- you name it!  I really loved this real leather pair --( for only $36.99!!!), but since my boys are only 4, I couldn't sell my husband on the real deal.  So, I went with these.  I only spent around $60ish (shipping and tax included) for two pairs, and I think my kids are going to go bonkers over them.  I'm excited.  So, if you are running around town looking for cowboy boots, look no more and head on over to Sheplers!

 The ones I got.

The super cute authentic leather pair.

Pillow Pets

Whenever I ask my children what they want for Christmas, it is always the same answer...a pillow pet!  I really do think they're cute, but is my 8 year old really going to love it as much as he thinks he will.  Maybe, who knows? 

As I was walking through Target today, I came across some pillow pets all piled onto about 3 shelves.  I had two of my children with me and I stopped to peek just for a moment.  I picked up a pillow pet and examined it just to see if it was as cool as my children thought.  I think it was.  Anyway, the problem came when I went to place the pillow back onto the shelf.  As I tried to slide it back into position I knocked two pillows off of the opposite side onto the floor.  I walked to the other side of the shelf and picked up the two pillows and tried to slide them back into their original position, only to knock two more pillows off of the opposite side again.  This carried on for at least three more tries.  I'm convinced this is no accident.  It's smart, really.  Let's make it so difficult for the customer to place the pillow back onto the shelf that they decide to place it into the cart for purchase.  I did finally manage to replace all of the pillows, but it definitely got me thinking about Pillow Pets.  Hopefully Santa will bring them!

The Family Pictures

I mentioned a little while ago that we had our family pictures taken by the ever so lovely Blue Lily.  This Wednesday my email box was filled with the lovely surprise of our finished images.  I LOVE them so much.  Thank you, Wendy!
Here are a couple of my favorites.  Seriously, it's hard not to just post all of them here.