Since I took the day off yesterday to spend with my girls...
I'm working overtime to catch up on all my orders...

In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you some beautiful COLOR inspiration

I photographed this quilt as inspiration for a customized baptismal program I just designed...
The details are amazing!! One of the most beautiful quilts I've ever seen!!

I'll share the whole scoop on it later...

but it turned out A. dorable!!!

Have a great Tuesday!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

We had the most wonderful Family Night last night...

A "pizza picnic" followed by a game of football...

finished up with roasting marshmallows and making s'mores.

I, of course, am sticking to my vegan "promise ME" goal...

which means I couldn't partake of the s'mores.

But...

it was still fun roasting them and just having good...quality...family time!!

family night | Family Wishes Jar • 2012

Good Monday Morning everyone!! (and Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Day)

I'm feelin' fired up from a productive weekend...
and I'm looking forward to a great week ahead.

It's the 3rd week of January...can you believe it?
almost the end of the first month of a brand-new year!?
Some of us may still be creating resolutions...
and setting goals.

With that said...
I wanted to share with you something we did for Family Night a couple of weeks ago.
Since I'm always looking for ways to strengthen our family...
by actively keeping our connections alive and well...
I came up with the idea of creating a "Family Wishes" Jar!

(My inspiration came from this post/photo from Green Wedding Shoes).


We sat down as a family...
I gave everyone 4 slips of paper...
and we each came up with activities we'd like to do together at some point over the course of 2012.
The activities were not meant to cost money, necessarily...
but to promote engaging family activities - in some form or fashion.

Some of the ideas were as simple as:
• getting outside and playing together...(game of volleyball, football)

• heading to a location for some fun...(park, beach)

• staying inside for a game of cards/dice.

With our ideas gathered, I stuck them in an ordinary, random jar I had and set them to the side.


It wasn't until this past week...
I took some time to transform a jar I already had into what is now our official
"FAMiLY WiSHES JAR".
It's something we can keep on display...
Selecting items one-by-one until we've accomplished them all.
(All I need to do is change out the tag every year).

I started out with this look...

But I really wanted it to match my creamy white home decor so I changed out the blue ribbon for creamy tulle...

Here's how I created the jar...
(all of these items I already had on hand - no need to purchase anything new)

SUPPLiES:
• jar from Target
• Armour Etching Cream
• Paintbrush
• Scotch Tape
• Vinyl Stickers from Office Depot
• Pink Felt Sticker from Martha Stewart



STEP ONE
Apply stickers to jar using scotch tape as a guide for keeping them aligned
AND...to create a frame around the letters.


STEP TWO
Apply Etching Cream and wait 90 seconds


STEP THREE
Rinse under running water to remove etching cream


STEP FOUR
Wipe off excess water and peel stickers off. Done!

You've seen me use this process before.

It's a fast...

simple way...

 to personalize any glass or mirrored item.

Want more specifics on this technique?

See this post...

Don't let the jar distract you...

If it inspires you...GREAT!

My real goal today was to inspire you to create your own FAMiLY WiSHES.

They could be in the form of a list instead of a jar.

It's not about the container...

It's about sitting down together and coming up with ideas...

and then following through on those ideas.

THAT'S what's important!

Presentation is just the icing on the cake! *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

So excited to have checked off some things on my "promise ME" list this weekend.

(I'll share details with you this week).

Feelin' good and motivated...

How are YOU doing?

holiday | 2011 Holiday Recap

Since my Christmas tree is still up...(no laughing anyone)
I figured I could still get away with sharing with you my recap of our holidays...

• LOTS OF HOLIDAY BAKING • 

I'm so glad I caught these photos of Ella helping me sift powdered sugar one day...

She got a  little carried away with spinning the handle...
making it an adorable photo to capture after she unexpectedly dusted herself...*wink*

• ANNUAL COOKIE BAKING •
Our annual cookie baking was a HUGE success.
While the adults focused on making traditional cookies...
The kids had fun with their annual task of decorating the sugar cookies.
They are getting quite creative as they get older...
We had everything from a "baby elf", several melted snowmen and even a bearded gingerbread man...

Things got even better when I broke out the "Disco Dust"...
Next thing I knew the girls were using it as eye shadow and lip gloss...
(I LOVED the look so much, I just may consider doing it for my next "GLAM" outing). *wink*

• ELF ON THE SHELF TRADITION BEGINS • 
This year, our family welcomed our sweet little adopted Elf named Stuart.
He surprised us each morning with a new,  precarious hiding place...

• MINI ELF DONUTS •
Because he was such a funny little elf and added an extra element of magic to our holidays...
We decided to make him some mini Elf Donuts and left them with Santa's cookies and milk...
He must've loved them because they were all gobbled up when we awoke Christmas morning... *wink*


I know the Christmas holidays have passed...
but I hope you've taken a minute to recap/document your own festivities of 2011.

Stay tuned for our:
"Family Wishes" Project

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I. am. soooooo behind...

on absolutely every aspect of my life right now!

Stay focused Jessica!

Just. stay. focused!  *wink*

building family ties | Dear Daughter

It's official...

The "Dear Daughter" journey 

has officially begun in my home!!

(Go here to see where I got the inspiration from and what this is all about exactly)

 I strategically purchased spiral-bound journals to fit perfectly in the mailboxes I created for the girls.
(I love it that I'm able to combine the two projects together).

I'm very excited to begin this journey with my girls.

I expect our relationships to blossom in ways I never even imagined!!

What are you doing to strengthen relationships in your home...

with your children...

with your family?

I'd love for you to share some traditions or projects you've embarked on with your own family.

Inspire me!!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Off to whip up some cupcakes for a fabulous ceremony I'm attending today!

My 17 year old cousin - senior in high school...

is having an official "signing" ceremony for being recruited by The Citadel.

He's got some MAD Baseball Skills...among other amazing athletic talent...

PLUS...

he's super smart...

handsome...

and humble.

He is SUCH a gem!!

LOVE him and I'm so very proud of him!!

Congrats Nate!!!

family | happy birthday claracakes

Clara celebrated her 15th birthday over the weekend...

At her request...
no fanfare.
Just a simple pool party...
with her best friend Brittany...
her favorite cousin Kalie...
and her family.
Along with a request for an oreo cheesecake for her birthday cake...

I made mini oreo cheesecakes on Saturday... 

I still managed to find a way to sneak in a little bit of party decor by creating a pretty place for the cupcakes.

(I dressed up a styrofoam block with wrapping paper, ribbon and a tissue paper flower.

I then used my adorable cupcake stand to create a focal point.)*wink*

Sunday night we had her birthday dinner request: Hearty Bacon Potato Chowder.

My mom and stepdad showed up with this....

an absolutely delicious oreo cheesecake my mom made...YUM!!

It was a weekend filled with a lot of family time...

something I definitely enjoyed...

and needed!

Happy 15th Birthday Clara!

Love you to pieces!!

Stay tuned for that Father's Day giveaway I mentioned last week!

It's going to be great!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

As you might imagine...

I'm disappointed Clara no longer wants "themed" parties and would rather keep things simple.

At the same time...

I'm okay with it too. (knowing I can still full focus on Ella for a long time - and possibly squeeze a few more out of Ema). *wink*

I enjoyed taking her for her annual birthday pedicure on Saturday morning.

And as you can see...I can still sneak in a little bit of creativity...

leaving BOTH her and I content with the overall results! *wink*

promise ME | #10 - Janet Hill Studio

Remember the interview I did with Janet Hill this past Fall?

I've been in love with her art ever since laying eyes on it.

So much so,  I decided to include collecting her art into my "promise Me" journey.

So I'm excited to say...

The two absolutely gorgeous and stunning Janet Hill Studio art prints I ordered are here...

"Hot Chocolate" and "Italian Bakery"

I even love how Janet included a little thank you card and a smaller print inside a cellophane sleeve...

attached to the outside of the envelope.

The prints are even MORE gorgeous in real life!

The paper and print quality exceed my expectations...

And the color saturation is stunning!!!

I cannot WAiT to have these framed and hanging in my studio.

Now I've only got one more to order to be able to cross this off my "promise Me" list!!

Speaking of the "promise ME" adventure...

I've got the cutest little gift to send to those of you who declared your participation on the "promise ME" page.

I'll be contacting you for mailing addresses so I can get them out to you!

Have a wonderful Monday everyone!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I'm cheating today.

I actually created this post last week and have decided to share it today because my mind is too preoccupied with thoughts of my stepdad to be able to write a different post.

He's been in the hospital since Friday - a heart attack.

He's having a heart cath this morning.

I'm praying stints will be the answer he needs.

His heart is enlarged and only functioning at 10% right now.

Many prayers for him are needed.

life | sabotage...

I have noticed a pattern in my life.
Whenever I make progress in goals related to health...
I suddenly find myself creating obstacles to sabotage any further progress.
This past week was no different.
After 7 days of no-sugar...
along with some real results from participating in Rhonna's six week shape-up...
the sabotaging began.

SABOTAGE TACTIC #1:

pistachio sandies

For my weekly Cannelle et Vanille recipe sampling...(promise #1 of my "promise ME" journey)

I was looking for something simple.

And I was looking for something different since I've been electing to try entrees every week.

I went with these pistachio sandies since there would be hints of green - completely apropos for St. Patty's day coming up.

Truth is...

I shouldn't have picked a dessert this week.

It proved to be too much of a temptation for me.

I justified needing to sample these morsels in order to properly "review" the recipe. (go here for the full review)

A legitimate reason.

But what followed was a weekend filled with more sabotage.

SABOTAGE TACTIC #2:

Sugar Mill Pancake House


I justified it would be okay to eat the french toast & syrup when we went to Sugar Mill for breakfast on Saturday.
Afterall...we went to a "pancake" house for crying outloud...it was a completely necessary sacrifice on my part to be fully engaged in the experience with my family. right?

This pre "french-toast-sabotage" photo taken while we were waiting to be seated, clearly shows I'm happily justifying that 

the treadmill workout I did at 5:15 earlier that morning would pretty much neutralize any extra calories I'd be consuming.

SABOTAGE TACTIC #3:

Clara's Band Competition

After breakfast...

Clara and I spent the rest of the afternoon at a band competition she was participating in.

Innocent enough...right?

Innocent until I purchased some candies/snacks for Clara to eat.

Turns out she ended up not having any time to eat them

so I was left holding the bag...literally & figuratively.

Things didn't improve either.
We ended up picking up Popeyes for dinner that night. *sticking finger in my mouth while making a gagging sound*

And even after a weekend filled with sabotage...
I found myself digging out the cupcakes I'd been saving in the freezer and polished those off too.
What!?

Well guess what today is?
Today is "Check-in Tuesday" over on Rhonna's site.
Even though I was checked-out all weekend...
it's now time to "man up" and confess my weaknesses...
admit to the multiple infractions I willingly participated in...
(I LOVE accountability) *wink*

Following the check-in...
It'll be time to:
Let. it. go.
It's time to move on.
It's time to be better.

That's right.
Today is a new day and I'm determined to finish the next 6 weeks STRONG!

Let's face it.
We all have weaknesses...challenges, hurdles, etc.
However, we each have the ability to turn those weaknesses into opportunities...
Opportunities for growth, strength, and fortitude.
I could use a bit more of each of those!
How about you?
What's tripping you up?
Holding you back?
Making you feel weak?

I challenge you to look it straight in the eyes...
multiple times over if you have to...
and do what it takes to turn it into a strength.
Don't let it keep you from being the very best "you"...
the "you" you are supposed to be!


Happy Tuesday!
Wishing us each strength in whatever capacity we are in need of right now!
HUGS!!!

KEEPING iT REAL
omgoodness...
my mind is all over the place lately.
Researching packaging options for the party product I've been keeping secret for awhile has me pulling out my hair.

But...I can tell you Ella's party will finally be revealed this week...
in conjunction with an announcement I'm beyond thrilled about!
Stay tuned!

life | tradeoffs

I wasn't really going to post today because I'm just completely swamped with orders, deadlines, projects...you name it.

But it's because I'm so busy...
I'm actually inspired to post a few photos.
Some REAL photos.
Photos I took yesterday depicting "tradeoffs"...
The tradeoffs of being so completely busy...
my two year old decided to keep herself really busy with some projects of her own.

Ella + black permanent marker =

 • couch art •

• carpet art •

• ottoman art •

I guess the fingernail polish art she created a couple of months ago - under the supervision of her two olders sisters, mind you,

needed another design element added to complete the work of art??

• dog art •

yep...not even our dog, hamilton, could escape being a blank canvas for this budding artist...

 • the art of having a "time out" •

Finding the balance is never easy...

I'd say things were certainly "out-of-balance" yesterday. *wink*

Enjoy your Wednesday everyone...

KEEPING IT REAL

I'm seriously thinking I need an assistant...

or at least someone to help with Ella a few times a week?

hApPy hoLiDaYs!!

Hoping you all have been enjoying these last few days with your families...

Happy Holidays!!

French Farmer's Market Thanksgiving - the decor

It's the very last day of November...

I figured I'd better hurry up and post about our Thanksgiving before we are officially into December.

I've got so many photos to share so I'm hoping you'll get lost in the imagery...

The idea to host Thanksgiving this year began with the purchase of our new home back in April.

Having never hosted Thanksgiving or any other holiday before...we knew we finally had a home that would accommodate a large crowd comfortably.

So the planning began...

After deciding on a French Farmer's Market theme...(a theme I was originally going to use for Ella's 2nd birthday party)...I started researching Farmer's markets and focused on finding little details I could incorporate to make our Thanksgiving feel authentic. (baskets, fabrics, etc.)

Here's where we would all eventually gather...

at the 11x3 foot custom harvest table we had made.

(more details on this in a separate post)

I wanted things to feel simple and organic and

I chose fabrics, dishes, utensils and decor that felt "French" to me...

I LOVE this French ticking I found in ivory/brown...

I felt it added a nice contrast to the floral fabrics I'd picked out

And that's how the color palette evolved into creams, brown, orange and vintage blue...

which then led to the creation of the Fall 2010 Kids' Table Collection.

With the table for the kids figured out...

it was time to move on to the adult table.

I opted for a cotton fabric that resembled vintage flour sacks for the table runner - it was PERFECT.

(even though burlap would've looked great - I felt it's distinct smell would be distracting during dinner)

My mom sewed it together for me and then we worked together to create the fringed ends.

(She and my older girls also worked to make all of the coordinating napkins too).

I kept the centerpiece decor pretty simple by using small fibrous pumpkins

wrapped in the coordinating fabrics and twine.

Mason jars were filled with lentils and a simple tealight

and were surrounded by a few acorns the girls and I had collected weeks prior...

The grapevine wreath design element I created for the invitations...

was carried over into the decor

by using mini wreaths to wrap the silverware...

hanging two large wreaths on the front doors to greet people as they arrived...

and incorporating two large wreaths on the french doors in the dining area.

When my search for goblet-style drinking glasses didn't turn up much, I settled on the stand-by mason jars.

I also created chalkboard place card settings by spray painting pre-cut triangular wood pieces from Hobby Lobby

and then hot gluing a small square wood piece to the back to keep them standing upright.

I wrapped fabric around the scented soy candles strategically placed throughout our home...

I wrapped the wheat bundles I had diplayed on the fire place mantle in the dining room...

I used chicken wire and an old window to create a place for everyone to write down & display

what they were most grateful for...

and the sentiment I'm sure we all were feeling...

Now...

the dessert table deserves a post all on it's own...

Stay tuned for all of the details...

I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving Day celebrations with your own family.

I know I have a lot to be grateful for and I intend to carry that spirit of gratitude into the December holidays as well.

hugs!

Jessica

KEEPING IT REAL

• I was still adding floral picks to the wreaths in the dining area after family began arriving...

• I was fighting a cold/allergies that was zapping me of energy and was seriously wondering how I would get through the entire night...

• I had wanted the mason jars wrapped in fabric but ran out of time...

• The 25 pound turkey we cooked provided enough leftovers that I don't want to look at turkey again - for a LONG time.

AND.....

• I could NOT have pulled this off without the tremendous help from my mom and stepdad, Rick.

They worked for weeks helping me create the foundation for the dessert table - you'll see that later...

along with creating the table runner & napkins.

But it gets even better...

I showed up to my house late Wednesday afternoon to discover a squeaky clean home - accomplished by the group effort of my mom, Rick and my two older girls. WOW!!

Could there have been a more perfect way to come home and prepare for the hours of baking ahead of me?

Thanks Mom, Rick, Clara & Ema!! I love you!!!

And thank you Grandpa Wayne & Grandma Debbie from Illinois for watching Ella on Wednesday so everyone could finish up all of the preparations!!

It was seriously a group effort!!

I'm SO lucky to have so many people in my life who were willing to help!

I of course can't forget to mention J...

the man who overlooked the chaos during planning...

helped keep us on a budget...

and supported, encouraged and uplifted me through the entire process!! Love you!!