It's not too late for cards....

If you missed Holiday cards, why not send New Year's Cards? Check them out at PaperCourt Press!

CYBER MONDAY 40% off holiday cards

No time to chat...I'm busy making cards! Don't miss this opportunity to take advantage of our biggest sale yet!

Thanksgiving Sale!

25% off holiday cards!

Savannah

Our recent real estate transaction went south last week and I had the perfect "pick me up" - a weekend in Savannah for a family wedding. My mom, sister, grandmother and I rented an apartment on Jones Street right next door to the famous Mrs. Wilkes' Boarding House. We had read reviews about paranormal activity in the apartment but thankfully we had a pleasant, ghost-free weekend. And I realized that although I spent a lot of time in Savannah in college, I had never gone beyond River Street to see the real beauty of the city.

Our apartment

The shopping was amazing. My favorite store, One Fish Two Fish, was just doors down from our apartment. They had beautiful artwork by Bellamy Murphy. Once we find a house, I want this Oyster picture...

photo courtesy BellamyArt.com

Next to One Fish Two Fish, is my all time favorite lighting store, Circa Lighting. I've been coveting the Bryant Chandelier for years and it was so great to browse their entire collection.

And no weekend in Southeast Georgia would be complete without a trip to my alma mater in Statesboro. My sister and I drove to Georgia Southern for lunch a Snookies and a stop at the ADPi house. What fun!

It was a quick weekend but a 5-hour flight with no kids is not so bad! And I hope to return to Savannah again soon.

On the move....

We're moving! Only 5 blocks away but we'll have more space and I get to decorate. Hip hip hooray!

The boys are less than thrilled about the move. They're losing a playroom (until we finish the basement) and they'll be farther from the park. They clearly don't understand my need for a master bath and a walk-in closet.

In an attempt to make the transition go smoothly, I plan to have their room decorated before we move in. Below is the idea board I've put together. I plan to accessorize with maps, an antique globe and airplanes hanging from the ceiling. We already own the Taylor Cargo Quilt pictured below (minus the batman shams) and monogramed chambray shams. I plan to put the madras quilts folded at the end of the bed.

Photo credits (clockwise from the top): Crate & Barrel Finley Pendant Lamp, PB Kids Kendall Bunk Bed in espresso, PB Kids Rugby Stripe Rug, PB Kids Taylor Cargo Duvet (no longer available), PB Kids Madras Quilted Bedding and IKEA Expedit Shelving

Sibling Rivalry

Are the kids at each other's throats?

Here are a few tips from the folks at Love & Logic to help with the madness:

1. Whether we do extra things for kids who are battling with each other.

It's perfectly reasonable for a parent to say, "This is such a bummer. I'm tired-out from listening to you arguing with each other. I don't have the energy to drive you to your friends' houses."


2. Whether we allow certain items to remain in our homes.

A friend of ours said to her kids, "This is so sad. Every time you guys play with that game you get in a fight. I gave it away so it wouldn't be a problem anymore."


3. Whether we allow their fighting to interrupt our responsibilities and time.

Have you ever noticed how kids tend to argue and bicker with each other when you are trying to do something that requires your complete attention such as trying to talk on the phone? If you feel secure that your kids won’t harm each other, it's probably best to say, "This is really draining my energy. You guys need to work this out or go your separate ways."


4. Whether we give them "bonding opportunities."

When your kids start to battle with each other, experiment with saying, "Sounds like you guys need some bonding time." Then assign them some chores to give them an opportunity to feel the love.

Relaxing at the beach

We spent Labor Day weekend at Seabrook. As I always say after a vacation on the coast, it is relaxing....so relaxing. This time was extra special because my in-laws tagged along and one of big kid's friends from school was staying in a house down the street. My mother-in-law and I bonded over a 1000 piece puzzle and the boys were content riding their bikes around town.

School started today (do I hear a hip hip hooray?). The kids were excited to be back and I'm thrilled to be back in the routine.

Stay tuned for new holiday card designs!!

Giveaway!

Check out my giveaway on Magnolias, Marriage & Manhattan. Hurry on over!

The boys in blue

The Blue Angels are in town and I get chills every time they fly overhead. Last year, we had the opportunity to watch their show from the Seattle Tennis Club. With cocktails in hand, we watched as the jets flew just feet above us. It was amazing!

Here are a few of the pictures I took last year....

This year, I took three little boys to a park to watch practice. Not quite as swanky as last year but the Blue Angels never fail to impress!

Supper Club

A couple of weeks ago, we hosted our Supper Club for a North Caroline BBQ party. Eastern NC BBQ was shipped in from my husband's hometown of Kinston. We provided the BBQ, cole slaw, Shrimp Shooters, Crudite and "Upsy-Daisy lemonade" and our guests brought side dishes to share.

You will rarely see a picture of me but here I am serving Shrimp Shooters

"Upsy Daisy Lemonade"

from Southern Cocktails book

PaperCourt Press straw flags

"go hog wild"

Crudite display inspired by Martha Stewart

I didn't have a metal planter so I improvised

MIA

Excuse my absence. It's been the full-time mommy show at the PaperCourt household. I'm squeezing in a little work here and there but that's about it. I've given up exercise, personal time, Twitter, etc. to make the most of my boys' summer.

I'll be back soon. Pinky swear.

In the meantime, I leave you with the Catalog Living blog. It is hilarious! Enjoy and let's chat again soon.

Come hang out!

How cute is this invitation for your little one's next gymnastics party? Colors can be customized to match your party! Invitation found here at PaperCourt Press.

Dinner with new friends

Tonight, we are hosting new kindergarten friends for dinner. It'll be one of those dinners where the kids run wild while the adults enjoy tasty beverages.

On the menu....

• Northwest Cedar Planked Salmon with a spicy wine sauce- from the Junior League of Seattle Celebrate the Rain Cookbook (a must-have cookbook if you live in the Pacific NW)
• Ina Garten's Arugula with Parmesan Salad

• Lemon Ice Cream (made with my new kitchenaid ice cream attachment) with Ginger Snap cookies

And the kids will be eating Whole Foods pizza. My boys are disappointed they don't get salmon but at $24/pound it's for adults only tonight. Off to clean....

Weekly meal plan

In an attempt to be more organized and not fly by the seat of my pants, I've decided to start meal planning again. I'm also ordering my groceries from Amazon Fresh who so kindly delivers within hours of me placing my order. It's not necessarily cheaper but it cuts my impulse buys down drastically so I come out ahead in the end.

Here's what we have planned for this week....

Monday - Tomato Artichoke Pasta

Tuesday - Old Bay Shrimp with Orange Avocado Salsa

Wednesday - Mexican Chicken Casserole

Thursday - BBQ Chicken Burgers

Friday - Fly by the seat of my pants day!

Celebrate Mom!

Come on over to PaperCourt Press!

FREE Earth Day stickers download

Tomorrow, little kid's preschool is having an Earth Day fair. There will be four stations of Earth- friendly crafts, planting, etc. Thanks to an Earth loving mom to put this all together. Don't worry, I've done my part too. I made the stickers below for the take home bags. Click here to download the free stickers and print them on Avery 2"x4"(5163) labels! Happy Earth Day!

Preppy shower invitation

And this is what I came up with when asked to create a preppy baby shower invitation for a Florida Gator fan who is having a girl....

At the beach...

We just returned from a long weekend at the beach. Washington beaches are so different than the beaches I am accustomed to. For example, I'm not sure I've ever stepped on a Washington beach without a jacket and rain boots. Something's not right about that but I can't complain, it really is relaxing and gorgeous.

We stayed at the adorable Seastar Cottage at Seabrook. So cute! And if I find a few hundred thousand dollars sitting around I think the Huckleberry Cottage would be perfect for our family.

And I, of course, took a million photos! Here are a few...

Peacock

Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle

Hiking in the city

I took the boys for a hike through an amazing 500 acre park near our house. They walked the entire 3 mile loop with very little whining - mama is proud! Here are some photos from our hike....

(yep..it's me..taken by big kid)

up a tree

moss

fire hydrant in the woods?

Bedtime battles

Thankfully, we rarely have bedtime battles but here's a little Love & Logic reminder list for the times we do.....

• Abolish bedtime in favor of “bedroom time.”
  
  • While it's not within our control to make our kids fall asleep in their beds, we can control whether they stay in their rooms. Say, "You may do whatever you like as long as you stay in your room and you don't cause a problem."
• If they come out of their room, shut their door.
  • Some parents decide to keep putting their children back in the room. Others decide to hold the door shut. Some decide to latch the door shut until their child is willing to stay in their room.
• Ensure supervision and safety.
  • Make the room safe and stay right outside their door until they are calm.
• Expect them to throw a huge fit.
  • This is normal.
• Don't talk to them through the door.
  • Each word we say increases the duration of their fit.
• Open the door only when they fall asleep or are willing to stay in their room.
• Be as consistent as possible.
  • When parents stick to this plan, they usually see major improvement in less than a week’s time.
• Use these tips only with children who are at least one year of age.
  • With little babies, just love them and do whatever it takes to sooth them. The first year of life is all about meeting needs and establishing trust and love.

Partying like P-Diddy

My Pilates partner is turning 40 and has planned a P-Diddy style "White Party" for her theme. The venue is a cool loft space in a trendy part of Seattle that fits the theme perfectly.

Photo courtesy Sole Repair Shop

And the official "White Party" invitation by PaperCourt Press....

My new obsession

Party blogs. I.LOVE.THEM.

Some of my faves....

The Party Dress

Party Perfect

Setting the Mood

Pepper Design

Celebrations at Home
TomKat Studios

What are your favorites? Do tell!

Bathroom inspiration

I bought this fabric today as inspiration for our basement bathroom that desperately needs to be painted. The bathroom is tiny with white and black hex tile on the floor and white subway tile in the shower. I'm thinking about light blue paint above the white bead board wainscotting. This fabric will be stretched over a wood Ikea frame. Where else could I use the fabric in the bathroom? Maybe sewed to a hand towel?

Creative folks, please chime in!

I'm no fashionista

(excuse the iphone photo)

But this number from J. Crew is questionable. It's called a romper. The catalog says, "Think poolside parties and chic beach soirees."

I thinketh not.

Guitar party

Friday's guitar cake baking extravaganza was a success. It only took about 4 hours to create the fondant covered masterpiece. Enjoy the photos....

Sources:

Invitations and cup labels by PaperCourt Press

Cake made by moi with yummy prepared fondant from Home Cake Decoration Supply Co.

Blue and red garland tutorial found on Purl Bee

Bunting made by moi with leftover Ikea fabric

Coordinating guitar shirt designed by PaperCourt Press and printed at Zazzle