Dreamy

Isn't this print of Paris dreamy?  Would love to hang it in my breakfast nook.  Actually, would love to go to Paris right now even more.  Find the print here, along with many other treasures.

Dreaming about sweets!

I think it's quite obvious what Heidi and I have been thinking about lately.  Really, what girl doesn't dream of cupcakes and chocolate?  If there is one out there, I wish I was you!

I have a dream of owning a bakery.  I really would love to go to Pastry School, but it's just not in the plans right now.  Who knows, maybe in the next few years?  In the meantime, I really want to add this book to my collection of recipe books.   

I love baking!  I get it from my mother.  It is definitely in my top 5 favorite activities.  Sitting in the movie theatre with a popcorn and soda is also in the top 5.  Why does everything include food in my top 5?  Anyway, I am hoping this book can take my baking to the next level.  I really want to be able to create my own recipes and understand what the purpose is of each ingredient in my recipe. 

I will own a bakery someday, mark my words!  I am slowly trying to convince my husband of this fact.  The problem is, I've had so many ideas of things I've wanted to do that my husband no longer takes any of them seriously.  Just wait...it will come!  It will.

Could it be true??

I went to Target yesterday to grab some milk.  My internal radar must have been turned on because even though I was in a hurry, my eye was drawn to some goodness in a frozen end cap.  

Could it really be true that Magnum bars have found their way to the US?  More specifically, into my Target store?  Vanilla bean ice cream deliciousness dipped in Belgium chocolate -- heaven, right?  Previously, I have only known Magnum bars to be found in Europe.  A super special treat from the European gas station.  Don't worry, I definitely purchased a box of them to enjoy.  I am hoping they are as delicious as I remember them.  If so, I HIGHLY recommend them to you.

Hitting the Road

Lynsee, Tricia (from Baby Night Night) and I, are heading off to the Bon Jovi concert this weekend.  A little 30th birthday present for Lynsee and I.  I am pretty positive I couldn't be more excited.  I love me a little Bon Jovi.

For old times sake, I can't resist posting this.  I, unfortunately, never experienced this fine era of Bon Jovi.  I became a super fan in the late 90's, thanks to my college room mate Wendy. 

Potty Training

 

I swear by this book. 

I have now successfully potty trained all three of my children using this method.  The book indicates that typically, if you follow the strict regime described, it should take about 4 hours to potty train your toddler.  A child is considered trained when they can walk to the toilet without being asked and complete the entire process by themselves.  Of course there is maintenance to be performed after that.  With my twins, it took about 6 hours.  With my daughter, who I trained last Friday, it took about 2 hours.  It was amazing.  I have had multiple friends recommend this method to me -- one of my friends was even trained this way herself, and has now seen success using it for her 4 girls.  

It's definitely not for everyone.  It is very intense, strict and rule based.  It's perfect for me because I really like things that are cut and dry. It's also really dated, which you will notice right away.  If not, the references to Captain Kangaroo will give it away.  :)  

I wanted to pass along this little treasure to anyone who may be looking for a good way to train their little ones.  (It works best if you haven't tried any other methods yet.)  No matter how you do it, good luck!!! 

Bound to Happen

I've been a hairdresser for 10 years.  I've had 3 children over the past 8 years and not one of them, no, not one, has ever even grabbed the scissors.  Actually, Elle did try to cut her friend's hair and snipped his ear instead.  Anyways, I thought I was in the clear.  I thought wrong.  She did it.  The one child who I would most like to stay away from the scissors did not stay away.  It's what I deserve, I guess.  I have cut my own hair numerous times in front of her and, sooner or later, it was bound to happen.  So here are her before the cut, after her mishap with the scissors and my attempt to correct it.

Before.  Isn't she so sweet with her pigtails and tutu!

Oh man, the bangs!  Not so cute and she's even wearing the same tutu!

There was no saving the length.  I was hoping I could just cover up the underneath and not have to go that short, but she chopped off the entire side of her hair.  I'm really shocked she didn't cut off her ear!

The aftermath.  It looks OK when I style it.  I'm talking straighten it with my flat iron and puffing it up.  Otherwise, she looks terrible.  When she caught of glimpse of herself in the mirror she said, "I don't look like Elle!"

The worst thing about this whole situation is that I just chopped off my hair.  I cut off about 6 inches and I gave myself baby bangs.  Mine were on purpose and now I have my 3 year old walking beside me with her own baby bangs that were done by accident.  We look like we got a bit scissor happy in my home.  Now, if I could just get the boys to let me use some scissors on them!

This is what I found on the bathroom floor after I put her to bed.  I know I'm not the first person this has happened to.  It's just really interesting timing.

The Tolix Chair

 I've fallen in love with the Tolix chair.  I've seen it time and again appear on design blogs, and decided that my new kitchen table would most definitely need to be surrounded by them.  [I'm in the process of transforming our old playroom into a dining nook (it's original purpose...more to come on that makeover!)]  I really want to have industrial style chairs, paired with a more rustic table (see images above). 

Here are some options I came across:

Pottery Barn -- $245 each

 

Espacio -- 550 euros for two (check out the other chairs on their site -- AMAZING!)

DWR -- $525 each (this is the armchair version of the Tolix)

Home Decorators -- $99 each

Overstock.com -- $195 for a set of four with $2 shipping!!

How could I say no to the Overstock option?  I ordered them last week, and they arrived two days later.  I love them.  They are very sturdy and heavy, and they look awesome.  I love you Overstock!

Now, off to find the perfect table.

A Beautiful Bride

Last week I traveled to Utah to attend the wedding of one of my very dear friends.  Heather and I have known each other since age 9.  She was one of the very first friends I made upon moving to Salt Lake City.  Her style, even at that young age, was always impeccable.  She has basically always been "Anthropologie" even before that store existed.  Anyway, I was so excited to see her dress.  I knew it would be unique and completely amazing.  It did not disappoint!  Behold, the beautiful bride!

The dress was made from doilies once belonging to her grandmothers.  The poor quality of the picture does not do it justice.  I want one just like it for me!!!

Happy wedding, Heather!

Fluff

I am very much into circle skirts as of lately.  I love them.  I have made myself 1 circle skirt and I plan on making a few more.  This petticoat will be added to my wardrobe also.  Isn't it so pretty?  I have not owned a petticoat since I was a young girl with fluffy dresses.  I must be reverting back to the old days.  The big 3-0 is coming soon so maybe, just maybe, I'm trying to feel young again.  I think this could really do the trick.  It is a bit bold though, don't you think?  Could I pull it off?

If you would like to join me on my petticoat venture you can find some great fluff at this shop!  They also sell square dancing petticoats.  I have never square danced in my life, but I was tempted to start just so I could wear the slip.  They are tempting, but a little too short for my knees.  I hate my knees in case you were wondering.  Enough about me, go take a peek at all of the fluff.  It just might take you back to your childhood days!