Blessed.

St. Patrick's Day.
Wearing green.
A few fun decorations.
A beach date with little boys.
Toes in the sand.
Chatting about leprechauns.
I feel blessed. :)

halloween printables! :)

Halloween is fast approaching!  One week away!!! :)  Do you have your decorating done?  We are fairly set for the holiday already.  Our decorations are up, except for some cobwebs I'd like to add last minute. We need to buy some Halloween candy for the trick-or-treaters as well.  And of course, this sign will greet them as they walk up to our door.....      E.M. Papers is offering up this spooky printable for your trick-or-treaters to read on Halloween.  SO cute to put on the front door next week!!  I've already "purchased" mine and am printing it out ASAP. 
Get the free printable here. 
{And the text is editable as well!}   I adore eye charts- something about them has always intrigued me. {Even though I can't read them for the life of me without glasses/contacts haha!} So for Halloween, my 8-year old will get a kick out of this one with me. Find the printable here. :)   I need something to hang on my mantle to complete the room.  This might be the ticket... Printable garland can be found here.   Or maybe these.  These ghosties are seriously adorable. Mustaches, bows, eyeglasses?  Love love love.  Find the printables here.   And last, but certainly not least, here is a great printable if you want to add some pizazz to cupcake toppers and the goodie bag toppers for your party or even for your kids class.  I think I'll use these to top bags of candy corn for Andrew and his classmates next week! :) Loving the chevron stripe background, too.  Find them here!   What is your favorite part of Halloween?? And don't forget to pop back in tomorrow for a giveaway! You will not want to miss this! :) xo!  

red, white & blue!

 

Since Fourth of July is in only two more days, I thought it was a perfect day to share some of my favorite red, white, and blue photos and crafts.  {Along with a couple cute printables, keep reading!}  The above photo has always been a favorite for me.  The white, fluffy flowers are the perfect backdrop to the simple, yet festive table setup.  

If I were throwing a big Fourth of July bash, this is exactly how I'd want it to look.  {And can I throw in that I'd like that house and backyard, as well???}

Another favorite photo from Martha Stewart- the simple banner says it's Fourth of July without screaming it.  Simple, but so perfect.

Flags, flags, flags!  I have always been fascinated by flag cakes, but this breaks it up into cupcakes.  What a genius idea- easier to eat, but still with that to-die-for motif as a whole- so cute!!!

 

As far as crafts go for this holiday, a wreath is the perfect one in my opinion.  Easy to do, and this one is just so cute.  I adore the addition of the chalkboard sign in the middle- what a cute way to welcome guests to your home this week.

Ad if you have bored kids around this summer like me, WHAT a cute craft get them busy with!  Painted popsicle sticks, some stick-on rhinestones, and back it with a large magnet.  This is a great way to get kids creative and busy, and then you've got a new magnet for your fridge.  Win, win! :)

Two adorable eats- white chocolate dipped strawberries with blue dusting sugar???  Genius and so easy.  And a cute favor if you are having a get-together?  Licorice wrapped up in a cute bright blue cardstock.  SO easy, but it lends so much to the day.

And of course, no day is complete without cupcakes {in my opinion!}

These are all SUCH cute ways of incorporating this sweet treat into Fourth of July!

And since I love to make cupcake toppers, I am providing you with two printables here to make your own toppers.  Whether they are topping cupcakes, burgers and hot dogs, strawberries, etc, these make the perfect handmade addition to the day.

Just right click on either printable, save to your computer, and print them in whatever size you'd like.  I recommend printing about 12 to a piece of white cardstock, and then cutting them out.  Glue them onto small toothpicks or dowels and voila!  You've got yourself some handmade goodies to decorate your Fourth up so cute!!

Fourth of July is really the perfect day to add a little handmade into the holiday.  I hope you all enjoyed these photos as much as I did!  

What are YOUR plans for the Fourth of July?

We are thinking a beach day and fireworks will probably be in order. :)

Happy Monday, xo!

a date with the christmas tree.

First of all, I have to apologize to all of you. I have barely been around, and I didn't mean to completely abandon my blog. A few things have been happening around here that have been taking up my time, and I think it is high time to share!

Number One... The shop has been busy! I am finally caught up on all of my current orders and would love for you to keep shopping. Order turnarounds will be very quick since I know that you all are needing things super quickly this holiday season, so shop now! The 1300th customer will receive some fab freebies in the mail, let me tell you! :) I'm almost there, eek! Maybe you need some cute gift tags for your presents? Maybe something to add in for a hostess gift at a holiday party? Or maybe some cute confetti to add to your Christmas cards? The shop's got it all. Go peek. :)

Number Two... It's the holiday season!!! Need I say more? What isn't going on at this time of year? Shopping for Christmas gifts, stringing up holiday lights, mailing out Christmas cards, planning a party for Andrew's class. Whew! I'm tired just thinking of all of this. More on the holidays in a moment....

And of course, Number Three... I have been wanting to spend an inordinate amount of time with my new boyfriend! Yes, you heard me right! I am now dating a new & super fantastic man and I am happy, happy, happy. I guess my blog comes second to that. :)

So now you all know where I've been and I promise I'll try to be around more. I love my blog, I love my readers, and I love to share ideas, inspiration, and what I've been up to. So thank you for sticking around and popping in to say hi when you do. It means a lot to me. :)

OK, like I said, more on Christmas now!
I have a date
with my Christmas tree
penciled in for Thursday.
We are going to pick out a tree that evening and start decorating it and I couldn't be more excited! Before decorating the tree however, I always think it is fun to take a look at some decor inspiration. Here goes....


The most adorable little tabletop tree. I adore trees this size. Easier to decorate, but still so festive and fun! This one is from that talented lady named Martha. :) I also am so in love with the tiny little trees lining the windows. So super cute!


I am not a hugely pink kind of girl, but this screams happiness to me! I love the iridescent glass ornaments on the tree and I think it looks like one big piece of candy. Love! {Also from Ms. Stewart!}


I do happen to think that Christmas is a time to incorporate all colors. If you toss on every ornament you have on a tree, it looks amazing. The reason for the season is not to make a color statement, and I think this tree looks fun and whimsical.
{From Country Living!}


Then again, the simplicity of this color palette is totally oozing charm as well. I adore the pillow mish-mash on the couch and love how sparse the tree is. And of course, I am a total sucker for anything paper-chain. Maybe I should get Andrew on that project?? :)
{Country Living, again!}


And finally, my favorite picture for this year. I love, love, love this!!! Everything is so happy in this picture from Country Living... from the flowers on the table that are not classically "Christmas," to the bright and cheery Christmas tree, to the eclectic mix of chairs at the dining table, and the most perfect chandelier ever, this is how I want Christmas to feel at my home.

Special.
Not perfect, but so special.
That's what the holidays are all about. :)
Happy decorating, my friends!
xo!

a perfect stocking stuffer!

Just added to the shop...
gift certificates for the holiday season! :)

If you know someone who loves cards, gift tags, wrapping presents, creating, scrapbooking, paper crafts, etc etc etc.... this might be a perfect option to tuck in with their gift! :) Let the recipient choose what they'd like in the quiet coziness of their home after the craziness of the holidays!

Shop for them here!

And by the way...
Almost to 1300 sales in the shop, as well!
Lucky number 1300 will receive some yummy paper goodie freebies, for sure!
Will it be you?!

PS.
So sorry I have been absent around here.
Please forgive me.
I've been a happy & busy bee, let me assure you. :)
xo!

christmas cards...!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.
Tomorrow!!!?!!!
That means that this weekend kicks off the holiday season!
{Can it really be this time of year already?!}
I am in serious need of figuring out my Christmas cards for the upcoming season as well, so maybe you all could weigh in and help. :)

Shutterfly is amazing.
And yes, I know I run a shop full of handmade and super-unique greeting cards and I could whip some up for myself as well... but, that's not how I usually work. I like a photo Christmas card. {Am I being disloyal to my Etsy shop right now???!!} :) And when figuring out a holiday photo card, I turn to Shutterfly! I adore Shutterfly. I love the photo books and have used them for myself and my own photo storage, as well as for teacher gifts! SO cute.

But now I need help in the Christmas card department....
these are my faves so far. :)


1. bright colored lights christmas card

SO unbelievably cute. This card is one of my favorites- it evokes so much happiness and spirit!


2. holly and jolly christmas card

I love sharing more than one photo, and this is the perfect card to create those photo memories! :)


3. sweet and retro christmas card

The soft green makes this card so adorable. I love the swirly font and the retro feel of it is so super cute!


4. bright and merry christmas card

LOVE the colors. It is classic, but still young and modern.


5. merry zigzag christmas card

I adore this one. It definitely tops my list at the moment. I love the colors and the zig-zag provides a cute and whimsical touch!


6. berry merry photo christmas card

ADORE this. Maybe it is the addition of the "holly" berries that I like??? :)


And of course, these holiday themed address labels are too cute as well.
I think I may have to snag a few of these, too.
On the top is the gift address label.
And on the bottom is goodwill to all label.

So perfect to add on to the holiday cards!

So help me out, friends.

Which is your favorite card??

I am having a hard time deciding on which one Andrew and I will be sending out!

And...

If you are a blogger, go visit here to get 50 free cards from Shutterfly.

Amazing deal, right?

Happy Wednesday,

and a very happy Thanksgiving weekend to you all!

xo!

PS.

Mommy Holly is having a Black Friday sale!

FREE shipping to anyone who uses the code "blackfriday" in the message to seller area through Friday. :) Pay like usual and I'll refund you via paypal as soon as I can!

christmas in july!

It's summer. It's hot outside.

But it's never too early to be planning for the holidays, right?! :)

There is a fantastic

Christmas in July

event taking place this week

at It's a Good Day!

There will be guest posts, giveaways, and goodies galore ALL week long!

I'll be guest posting on Friday,

but pop over today to check things out!

You will want to turn on some Christmas music,

I am sure of it!

And here are a couple other things

to get you in the {early} holiday spirit:

happy holiday bird cutouts!

I adore these colors. The bright green mixed in with the red and white seems so fresh! :)

christmas trees and pickup trucks happy gift tags!

Love, love, love this motif. So funky- I can't wait to tie these onto Christmas gifts!

There will be MORE items to come, but these are the first tastes of "holiday" in my shop so far and I am so excited about it! Now get yourself over to Teresa's blog and get in the holiday spirit!! :)

xo!

PS.

The wedding was fantastic this past weekend!

Andrew looked so adorable in the tux!

Photos tomorrow! :)