Fresh Homemade Butter

Saw this idea on Momtastic today.  Liz Stanley of Say YES! to Hoboken shows us how easy (and delicious!) it is to make your own, home made butter.  I'm definitely going to try this!

image credit: Momtastic and Liz Stanley

CRAZY Busy!

Life has been crazy, busy for me lately!  What has made life so busy, well one reason is Dr. appointments.  I'm so done with Dr. appointments.  Not really, I still have one Dr. appointment next week and 3 dental appointments for the kids.  It better be over for a long, long time after that!  The first incident was my 5 year old.  To make a long story short, my husband thought he was awake and sat him up on the couch in the middle of the night.  Well, he wasn't awake and he fell forward resulting in this.  The coffee table was harder than his head.  This resulted in an E.R. visit and one Dr. visit.

Three, short days later, this is the 2nd incident that took place.  Football practice, enough said.  The finger is not broken, but just really screwed up.  This resulted in 5 appointments, many, many phone calls and one appointment still in the works.  Boys! 

And this big, puppy is the cause of the many curse words that have slipped out of my mouth in the past 2 days.  I know, he is quite adorable, but he's a handful.  I'm sure my neighbors are wondering what is going on at my house when they hear me screaming at somebody named Dexter.  The somebody is a Goldendoodle who is 8 months old, 40lbs and quicker than me!  That is why I yell.  I cannot catch him.  Believe me, I've tried.  He really is a pretty good dog he just has no idea how to play or deal with strangers.  He has ripped 3 shirts, 2 of which were today, thinking he is "playing". 

This was the first mess he caused.  He ripped apart 2 skeins of yarn and when I'd try to pick it up and throw it away he always managed to grab a hold of a piece of it and make an even bigger mess.  There is one big, huge plus, he's potty trained and hasn't had any accidents in the house.  Phew!  Hopefully things will calm down around here sooner or later.  I'd prefer sooner, but you never know!

Small World Vacations

Happy Weekend!

We are in the process of planning our next Disneyland trip!  We will go sometime this Spring.  We love Disneyland.  It seriously is a magical little place outside of reality.  We are excited!

While our kids are so little, we typically choose to stay at one of the Disney Hotels, usually Paradise Pier.  It's easier for us since inevitably, we have to return to the hotel during the day.  Plus, it's so easy to ditch our Disney rental stroller at the Monorail station and ride to our hotel entrance.

The past two times we have gone, we have used Small World Vacations to plan our entire trip.  They are basically travel agents who book exclusively for Disney.  They research all the best deals and have a vast knowledge about everything Disney related.  The best part is that they are completely free to use -- I'm not kidding!  There are literally no fees -- it seems too good to be true.  But it is true!  Probably the only free thing about Disneyland!  I enjoy it because I can email our favorite agent, Anne Cook, tell her our dates of travel and what we need, and she does everything.  We just show up at the hotel and everything is already there.  She also looks for deals all the way up until we arrive, and if something goes "on sale", she's usually able to apply that discount for us.  So great.  I just had to share. Maybe it will make your life a little easier!

The winner is...

The winner of the Charmingly Chic Boutique Giveaway is...

True Random Number Generator  Result: 26 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

grandma and grandpa said...

I am a follower of the Pretty Poppy!

February 16, 2011 9:50 AM

Please contact us at theprettypoppy@gmail.com within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. 

Thanks for entering and a special thanks to Lori for hosting this wonderful giveaway! 

Behold BHDLN

I'm not entirely sure I can handle the excitement of this new discovery --

Anthropologie has a wedding line! 

Seriously, are you seeing these shoes and dresses?  Too bad my daughter is only 2 -- it's going to be awhile  before I have a wedding to plan.  Pretty sure I could get away with wearing some of the shoes now...

The Alvine Pillow

This pillow has changed my life for the better.  I love it.  So very much.  I purchased one a few weeks ago, and, for basically the first time ever, have semi-regularly made my bed.  I just love seeing it there, looking so pretty. Who knew it could be so easy?

Don't forget about the giveaway and discount code sponsored by Charmingly Chic Boutique!   Click the picture on the sidebar for more details.  Have a fun weekend!

This book has saved me

 

Photoshop Elements 9: The Missing Manual

Folks, if you are new to PSE and would like some advice while learning all the ropes, I HIGHLY recommend this book.  I got PSE last year, and went into it completely blind.  I thought it would be a little more user friendly!  It was so frustrating me to, that I usually just wouldn't use it, reverting back to Picnik.com.  I asked for this book for Christmas, and it has been a lifesaver.  It is so easy to understand and has thus far, clearly explained every question I have had.  I wish I had time to go through it cover to cover and practice everything!  Until then, I will take it a little at a time.  You can find it on Amazon (see link above), or even at your local library!

Charmingly Chic Boutique Giveaway!

Happy Valentines Day!  To celebrate, we are excited to announce a giveaway from a new shop, Charmingly Chic Boutique.  Lori, the shop owner, creates beautiful charm necklaces.  She has loads of designs to suit every personality and style.  She can even turn your favorite photograph into a necklace!

She is generously giving the winner of this giveaway a $40 gift certificate to her shop.  Additionally, for the duration of the giveaway, she is offering all Pretty Poppy readers a 10% discount on their order!  Use the discount code, "poppy" when checking out.

There are so many fun designs to choose from, you're bound to find something (or even a few things) that are perfect for you -- or your Valentine!  Happy entering, and thank you Lori!

{Giveaway Rules}

To enter, go to Charmingly Chic Boutique , browse around, and tell us your favorite piece(s) in the comments section of this post.

Additional entries (leave one comment for each entry please):

*Become a follower of this blog, The Pretty Poppy.
*Blog about this giveaway
*Post this giveaway on Facebook
*Tweet about this giveaway

All entries must be submitted by Sunday, February 20th.  Winner will be announced via random drawing on Monday, February 21st.

Meet Heather Bailey

Lynsee and I decided that we just don't see enough of Heather Bailey in the blogosphere.  Please allow us the honor of introducing her to you, just in case you haven't met.  Heather Bailey is an inspiration and creates happiness for crafters though her creation of patterns and fabric designs.  In all seriousness, her fabric is beautiful.  Bright, flowery, girly, PRETTY.  Through her online store, you can purchase felt, laminated fabrics, cottons, and soon -- home dec fabric (pumped.)  She has so many cute little ideas.  See below.  Check her out if you haven't already!

All images via http://www.heatherbailey.typepad.com/

A Valentine Box for a little boy-- LEGO style

I have two little boys, and it's always a challenge around Valentines Day to come up with a good idea for a Valentines Day card box that isn't too girly.  Last year, I failed miserably.  Their boxes were full on decked out in hearts and glitter and doilies -- they had fun so it was just fine.  This year, I wanted them to love their boxes and not be embarrassed when looking back at pictures 20 years from now.

I was at Joann's looking for inspiration, when I came across a piece of Lego scrapbook paper.  Light bulb: make their Valentine boxes into actual Legos!    Problem solved!

Here's how to do it!

At this point, you could wrap the box in plain paper if you like (to smooth it all out, and make it easier to paint later.)  I didn't, but sort of wish I had.

 Spray your boxes with a can of bright red spray paint!  You can still see some of the old box design through the spray paint (which is why I wish I would have wrapped them first.)  BUT, they are kid Valentine boxes that will be used once, so I am okay with it.  :)

Allow to dry, and before you know it, you will have a super fun Valentines Day box for your little guy (or gal!)

Cute Onesies and a Giveaway

Head on over to the Baby Night Night Boutique blog and etsy shop for loads of inspiration, cute fashions for you and your little one, and a giveaway! 

Tricia is giving away an adorable bookmark and a pair of our very own vintage inspired rose earrings.  Enter by Wednesday to win!

While you are there, check our her darling Sailor Jane top!
Image via BabyNightNightBoutique.blogspot.com

Little Lady Lingerie

courtesy of Little Lady Lingerie

Just a few weeks ago my niece came to visit us here in AZ.  When it was time for PJ's to be put on she came down in one of these sweet nightgowns.  My 3 year old daughter immediately fell in love and has been wanting one ever since.  My niece's grandmother was the thoughtful gifter of this beautiful nightgown and my sister-in-law did not know exactly where she had found it.  The only information she had was that it was named Little Lady Lingerie.  With Valentine's Day around the corner I thought this would be the perfect gift for our little lady.  My search was on!

I am pleased to inform you that I have found the creative seamstress of these nightgowns and you are able to purchase them online.  If you are in the Utah area they are also sold at The Quilted Bear and a couple of other shops.  Take a peek at her blog and you must, must to watch the 2nd video down from the top!  Have some tissues handy just in case!

The Wonder Years

courtesy of The Best 10 TV shows of all time

Do you ever wonder why kids these days are so obnoxious?  I looked up the word obnoxious, to make sure I spelled it right, and the definition said, "Extremely unpleasant".  I found that quite funny.  Anyways, if the previous question has ever popped into your mind, I have the answer.  Have you ever watched the Disney Channel?  Even for 5 minutes?  It's not so much the cartoons on Disney, but it's those really annoying tween shows.  You have to know what I'm talking about.  Our children are watching these crazy, annoying teenagers and they think they're funny, so... they begin to mimic them. 

I've been thinking a lot lately about my favorite show growing up, "The Wonder Years".  Let's compare this show to any of the previous mentioned shows.  Winnie Cooper- extremely classy, reserved, collected, calm, modest and humble.  Hannah Montana-OBNOXIOUS, loud, rude and sneaky.  Why did they have to end The Wonder Years?  They grew up, I know, but who doesn't love The Wonder Years?  Kevin could have had children!  So could Winnie!  I would watch reruns if they were on.  Here is a comment made on this website about the show and I agree 100%!

"I have never had so much fun watching TV before or after "The wonder years". Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper were my friends and I could not possible imagine life without them. So many years after the show ended when I saw Kevin Arnold's pic in one of my friends computer screen NOSTALGIA did HURT. I mean it brought back memories of the yesteryears. It was very easy to relate to everything that Kevin was going through although I was from another world in India. His love interest the cute Winnie Cooper made it all the more interesting. Loved his best friend, though he did look like a nerd. I specially remembered a scene when Kevin kissed Winnie in the beach. Saying this might sound like saying a lot but it is just the truth. Sometimes the show seemed to me more important the books that I studied in school. A tutorial. It will always be close to my heart and fondly remembered. I can assume its like this for many of us around the world. Miss you Kevin."


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I really want to start a petition:  Bring back The Wonder Years!  Who's with me?

Print your own Tee's at Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters recently unveiled their new Custom Shoppe.  In their new shoppe, customers can customize an UO tee with their own picture, clip art or text.  I am super excited about it.  There have been so many times I have wanted to make my own screen printed shirt, but haven't really known how to go about doing so.  The process seems fairly simple.  There are 4 shirt styles in multiple colors to choose from.  Upload your logo, and voila -- custom top with the quality Urban Outfitter tee we love!  I am so excited about all the possibilities here. 

Have any of you ever created your own tee shirt, or dabbled in screen printing before?