Amy Butler Designs

If I could sew...

these are the things I would sew...



I want to sew, but am afraid.


For more information about these cute patterns, and others, check out Amy Butler Design.

Funny Magnets

This is a 3D magnet, that says "Happy Anniversary to You" when pressed. Today is my 20th Anniversary... that is why I picked this one!
This is another 3D magnet. When pushed the phone rings, and the little red light flashes.

This would be way fun with pictures of friends and family!

I love funny magnets. I don't put them on my new refrigerator, but I cover our freezer in the laundry room with ones that I pick up wherever I find them.

Fridgedoor.com has some great collections of magnets. Check them out.

M & M Cookies

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup veg/canola oil
4 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
4 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp salt
m&m's

Combine first 5 ingredients and cream about 2 min. Add vegetable oil & mix well. Sift dry ingredients together and add to dough; mixing just until combined. Fold in m&m's. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 min.

*These were so yummy!!! A huge hit with my family.

**I got this recipe from this awesome recipe blog! Check it out!

Brocade Home

Brocade Home is a great shop of items for the home that are romantic and full of style! They carry furniture and great home accessories. Right now, if you use the promo code SUMMER you can receive an additional 50% off of all sale items.

New Balance

Because my last entry was about chocolate...

And because I'm on vacation, having eaten well and exercised minimally...

I'm needing to get re-focused...

So here is a shout-out about my favorite tennis shoes...

I used to pick out tennis shoes (I've never played tennis, so are they still called tennis shoes?) by finding a pair that fit, were cheap and had some sort of pink in them.

Now that I'm actually a somewhat regular in the workout department, I spend a little more time picking out my shoes. While I still look for something that has pink in it (why, you ask??? Not sure!) I also have to find something that will serve me well on the street, on a mountain trail and on a track. I've loved every pair of New Balance shoes that I have owned! I stick to the "running" or "cross training" style.

I will be retiring these shoes after this trip. I've worn out the inside ankle and heel area.

If my memory serves me correctly... these are my new ones waiting for me at home!

See's Candy!

I love See's Candy! Today I went with my long-time girlfriend and we scored!! The salesgirl was very generous with the free samples!! It was a great end to a fun afternoon spent with friends! To see more information about See's, click here.

P.S. I'm under the impression that candy with a fruit flavor (especially chocolate candy) falls under the FRUIT food group!

Pineapple Truffle

Milk Pattie

Milk Chocolate Orange Cream (probably my all-time fave!)

Lemon Truffle

Milk Bordeaux

Friends!

I thought it appropriate to shout out about the awesome series "Friends." I love that show, and miss it! It can always make me laugh!! My TiVo knows that I love this show and will often tape some episodes for me in the Suggestions folder! It is fun to always have a couple of episodes to watch when in the mood for some great laughs.

This is a piece of art that was in Monica and Rachel's apartment!

This is Matthew and me, last week at Magnolia restaurant in Hollywood!

So, here is a giveaway idea that I just had. I will send something "Friends" related... not sure what yet, but it'll be fun... to the randomly selected winner of this contest. All you have to do is leave a comment and tell a friend about this contest. Contest ends on July 31 at midnight!

Pacifica

Pacifica Perfumes are "fresh, fun, easy to wear and easy to layer."

Check out these fun solid perfumes that I stumbled on! These are just a few of the scents available. These would be perfect for travelling! Right now, through their website, you get free US Shipping with a $50 order. There are many locations where these are sold, but none are convenient to me, so I will be ordering online.

I think these would make great gifts.

Pinkberry!

I recently discovered a supremely yummy yogurt shop! Oh, man... it was some seriously good stuff.

I ordered a small Green Tea yogurt with fresh strawberries and sliced almonds!

Pinkberry bills itself as "swirly goodness. It is frozen yogurt reinvented to create an experience that indulges the senses." Click here for locations and more information! Please note that at this time Pinkberry only has locations in New York and California!! If you are planning on a visit to California anytime soon... I highly recommend stopping by a Pinkberry for a treat.

Single Stone Studios

Single Stone Studios has taken vinyl lettering and signs to all new heights!! Check out these fun samples from their shop! Shelly also has a blog... check it out here!!

This clock can display anytime that YOU wish for it to display! I think this would be perfect for a baby's nursery displaying the time of birth! You could have the clock made in a vinyl that matches the nursery!! OR how about displaying the exact time you said "I DO"... that would be so cool! OR any other time that has personal significance!



How cool would these flowers be in an entry way? I also thought they would be great in a guest bathroom... a space that is normally small! What a statement!

Remember... you can personalize the color choices to match your own decor!

I am putting this on my wishlist. I love Today's Menu!! I like the classic look of it being in black, but am considering a sage green to match my kitchen! Or even a brown???

I See Me!

My youngest child received this darling book for his first birthday! It is so adorable and absolutely a treasure!

Here is what the I See Me website says about their books!

My Very Own Name is a very high quality personalized storybook that helps children learn to recognize letters and spell their names. In this 8 1/2" x 11" hardcover, professionally bound book, animals bring letters one by one to create the child's first and last names in rhyme. A jackal brings a J, an ostrich brings an O, and so on. At the end, the animals celebrate because they've created the perfect name. As an added personal touch, this award-winning book includes the child's birthdate, a printed dedication from the sender, and an illustrated encyclopedia of 61 animals. This storybook is made in the USA.

Here is a sample of a page from the book!

There is also a book titled "My Very Own Fairy Tale" created in the same fashion, but using fairies, instead of animals. Books are $29.95 a piece.

I Scream... You Scream!

Shamrock Farms is running an awesome special for the month of July. For those of you not in Arizona... I'm sorry!


All you have to do is buy three of their ice creams, send in the lids and you'll receive a free child's ticket to ride the Grand Canyon Railway! Lids must be mailed by July 31.


Click here for the details of the offer.

The Winner is...

Kara said...
I love the hand soap and lotions, so I'm sure these are as good as you say! How did you manage to do the give-away thing?? That's so fun!

Congratulations Kara!!! Watch your mail for a fun surprise! You'll be receiving the Original Mentha Lip Shine... one of my favorites.

Oh, and I tried the Orange Mentha flavor... Y*U*M*M*Y*

Amelia Island

I would love a week away at this property! It is a Ritz-Carlton Resort in Amelia Island, Florida. It is about thirty minutes from the Jacksonville airport. I have had this place bookmarked for a couple of years now and every once in awhile I will scan their website and daydream of a visit to this paradise!


Click here for more information about the resort.

Harry Connick, Jr.

I listened to one of my favorite artists today and was reminded how much I enjoy his music! Harry Connick, Jr. is incredible. Not only is his music awesome to listen to... he is one dang good- looking guy!

I went to see him in concert a couple (few?) years ago with a girlfriend. Since neither of us were having to buy tickets for our husbands, who would probably have enjoyed the concert but might not have admitted to enjoying it, we splurged on the best possible tickets we could get! Worth every single penny! It was as if he was singing to us. I swear he made eye contact with us! ahhh, I love memories!

Two of my favorite albums are "Only You" and "Songs I Have Heard."

Isn't he just so cute?

Happy 4th of July!

Bath Bombs

From left to right: Butterfly Ball, Avobath, Butterball and Sakura

There is nothing better than a bath, especially on a cold day. I know that we are in the middle of summer and this entry would be better suited for Fall... but I received an email from LUSH and it got me thinking about their bath bombs!

I LOVE THEM! They have a variety of scents and I have never found one that I do not absolutely love. One of my top favorite choices is the Butterball... it has a great vanilla scent and leaves your skin ultra soft.

The key to fully enjoying the benefits of a bath bomb is to drop it in to your bathtub AFTER you have filled it with water! Also, I personally recommend using the entire product for a bath... especially if you can be sure you'll have time to leisurely enjoy your bath time. If you know that it is going to be a short bath, remove the bath bomb when it has reduced to about 50%.

Click here for more information about Bath Bombs and other products that LUSH carries. They have one store in Arizona, in Scottsdale. I was first introduced to LUSH in California, and have never been to the Arizona store. However, I have purchased items online and have found their customer service to be exceptional.

Photo Gift Ideas

I love using personal photos in gift giving (and gift receiving) and www.exposuresonline.com has some great gift ideas. Here are three of my current favorites.

I have personally ordered items from Exposures and find their products to be very high in quality!

Love this bag! Want this bag! It is $39.00.

These personalized photo cubes start at $19.95 each. Love them!!

These glass vases are $29.95 a piece.