I'm slow to announcing the Pen + Paper Flowers Book Club Selection for September...
BUT...that doesn't mean I'm not totally excited about it!!

I've picked "Live Happy" from Compendium Books and it looks as though it will be yet another a beautiful, short + sweet, inspiring read once again, by M.H. Clark.

I have to say this woman is brilliant. She has authored so many incredibly inspiring books, many of which you and I have read together this year, and I can't seem to pull myself away from her specific works of art when it comes to choosing a new book each month.

This book promises to inspire us to really look for the happiness that surrounds each day.

"Every day is an opportunity to bring good into your life. Every day is a chance to find more happiness. And every day, you can find your happy simply by deciding to look for it. This colorful, uplifting book is a reminder to invite delight wherever you are."

I love that!! "Invite delight!"
That just may be my next art print...*wink*

Want to read along with me starting September 1st?
Grab your copy of Live Happy right here on Amazon!!

I'm absolutely LOVING the August Book Selection - if you haven't started it yet...
get going!! As always, my book picks are quick reads so you still have time to finish it before we focus on "Live Happy" for September!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
My girls are back in school...first day was yesterday.
Ella started 1st grade and ADORES her new teacher!!
Ema kicked off her Junior year in an Epic way...by not going to school at all. *frown*
She's sick. Sick as in "can't-go-to-school-until-Thursday-or-Friday-we-hope-per-the-doctor" kind of sick. *frown*

Meanwhile...I'm working on a super pretty project for an upcoming magazine feature.
Sneak peeks are always being shared on my Instagram when you are missing me on the blog.
I'd love for you to follow me over there!

SHARE | Believe And It Will Be

I shared this on my Instagram feed last week and had someone ask where she could purchase the art so she could print it out and maybe even use the Heidi Swapp Minc machine to turn it into a gold foil art print. (If you don't have one - let me just say it's pretty amazing)!! There's a mini Minc too!!

Anyway - I thought I'd post it here on the blog as a free printable for anyone else who would love to print it out, frame it, color it, etc.

Download the 6x6 file HERE.

Here's the thought inspiration behind this artwork and what I shared on Instagram:

"I think when it comes to ideas + dreams, your relationship with "belief" is all that may be standing in the way. If you BELIEVE then it will be. (Belief fuels passion, hard work, determination + dedication). On the other hand, if you DOUBT...then "it"...(your idea, your dream) will disappear."

xoxo

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I'm thinking I should start posting a free black and white printable like this on a regular basis. I may include it as a freebie for newsletter subscribers...so if you aren't subscribed yet SIGN UP HERE!
If you love the idea, let me know by leaving a comment that says "Yes, do it!" *wink*

Last Monday before the new school year starts.
Last week before Summer ends. *insert tears*

FREE | Sugar Is My Sidekick Art Print :: The Cake Blog

What started out as a simple sketch is now the FREE art print over on The Cake Blog this month...
This might be my favorite one yet since it includes all of my favorite sugary treats...popsicles, cupcakes, macarons, chocolate chip cookies, cotton candy and of course...a pretty cake!!

Enjoy it as a FREE printable file for framing or grab the wallpaper downloads to sweeten up your desktop as well as any of your other digital devices.

Find the DOWNLOADS HERE and enjoy your weekend everyone!!
xoxo

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Summer is coming to an end for us as we approach the first day of school on Monday, August 24th.
I say this every year but as much as I look forward to the routine of things the school year brings, Summer, for me, marks the end of another chapter with my kids I never want to stop reading!!

HOME | My Studio

Good Morning, friends!!
The other day I snapped a quick photo of one side of my "studio" because it looked somewhat organized and cute. (and it hardly ever looks this clean). Ha!

I have to admit that the only reason it looked this tidy was because I did a quick prep for a Google Hangout (video chat) and the photo you are looking at now is what is behind me when I'm sitting at my desk, which would therefore be my background during the chat.

Anyway, I got to thinking about it and I don't believe I have EVER shared a small peek of my studio, like ever, and so I thought you would enjoy a little visual of where the magic happens here at Pen + Paper Flowers.

If you are interested in some of the specifics about some of the items in this photo, keep reading.
Otherwise...you're good to go! *wink*

The dresser is the same one from The Abandoned Dresser post a couple a years back. I keep paper, party goodies and some Cricut® supplies stored inside.

The antique corner shelving used to be in Ella's bedroom when she was a baby and even through some of her toddler years. It came from Garden Gate Tea Room's gift shoppe before it closed last year. *tears*

The giant honeycomb tissue balls are leftover party decor from The Graduation Party. I then transitioned them into Ella's bedroom and hung them from the ceiling in one corner of her room. They looked like adorable balloons with the tissue tassels from the party hanging from them as well but I recently took them down when we started her mermaid/dolphin/beach room makeover this Summer.

The cute dress form came from HomeGoods a few years back. (here's one similar I found on Amazon).  I have a vintage apron tied onto it that belongs to my mom. (I don't think she knows I have it....I think she left it here one time after one of our annual holiday cooking baking days). *wink*

The camera hanging on the dress form is my first (and only) digital SLR. It's a Nikon D70 - an oldie but goodie - like almost 10 years old.  I keep it hanging on the dress form for easy access and also wrap the coordinating cord around the neck of the dress form for uploading photos to my computer. So see...it's cute and still practical since it stores items I actually use.

The basket on the antique corner shelf came from Hobby Lobby and is what we used at the Graduation Party to collect cards. I now use it to dump all of my receipts for filing later. It actually hangs off the shelf a little bit so I'll probably be doing some rearranging...which I do quite often around my house. You'll find me moving furniture and decor to different areas of my home to change things up since I get bored easily.

And there you have it. A quick peek at one side of my studio!
Here's to a productive week ahead for all of us!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I EVEN fixed my hair and put on a little makeup for the chat I mentioned...which is rare for this mama who's usually decked out in a messy bun and no makeup at all. *blushing*

By the way - I know it's been quiet on the blog over the Summer so until the kids go back to school,  follow me on Instagram where I post something almost daily!