Card Table Playhouses

Below: Pirate Card Table Playhouse (includes cool Pirate Messenger Bag) - $170 Below: Double Delight Card Table Playhouse - $175

Below: Fire Station Card Table Playhouse - $140

Below: Bluebird Cottage in Pink (includes personalized address, curtains, removable apples, watering can and "mail") - $175

I love the simplicity and creativity of these adorable card table playhouses from etsy seller Miss Pretty Pretty's "Imaginative Play Toys" site. Who doesn't remember those days of making a fort out of bedsheets strung over various items of furniture in the family room or creating a little house out of a large cardboard box? Miss Pretty Pretty takes it one step further with these beautiful felt creations that fit snuggly over a card table. I love the fact that they set up so quick, and can be stored flat so they don't take up much real estate in the house. And the little details like felt letters that can be put into the mailboxes are too cute! My favorites are above.

BloemBox

What a precious gift for Valentine's Day...or for any occasion, really. Bulbs or seeds that will grow into beautiful flowers, all tucked inside this precious little keepsake box that is ready for gift-giving. I just love everything about it! I have seen them in a few catalogs for several years now, but they have expanded their line and have so many different things to choose from. I can't decide between the specialty, seed mat gardens, habitat gardens, perennials or mini standards! Which would you choose? They help you find a store in your area if you want to pick up a few. In Birmingham, I found them at Snoozy's Kids in Crestline Village. Go see George, he'll get you fixed up :)

Mix My Granola

Oh boy...I'm not sure if I'm having good karma, good timing or just good luck but I am so very excited to hear about this new company that has gotten rave reviews and lets you create your own mixes of granola. MixMyGranola.com lets you pick your own granola base (organic muesli, please) then add in your personal selection of different ingredients like fruit, nuts, candies and "enhancers" (I'll take dried blueberries with almonds and chocolate bits). You can even name your mix and upload a photo for the packaging. This site is heaven-sent because I've recently been mourning the absence of my very favorite brand from the grocery isles. Plus, from the looks of the reviews posted, it seems as if this stuff is amazing. Yum!

Smart Cookies

I have been an admirer of Eleni's cookies for years. I love to visit her site every once in awhile just to see the pretty new sweets that she has added to her repertoire. Valentine's goodies are always particularly playful and fun! Here are some of my favorites...have a lovely weekend.

Rainbow Breakfast

So my friend Melissa just told me that she'll be having a "Rainbow" themed party for her little birthday gal's slumber party later this month. I am encouraging her to serve these hilarious rainbow colored pancakes for breakfast! How cute are they?!

Mama Rosa

I just love these beautiful handmade knits from Mama Rosa's Knits. What a special baby gift they would make, even down to their adorable signature wrap... precious!

Fun Valentine's Ideas

Oh how I miss the days where I got to choose what Valentine's day cards my kids sent out. I would have been all over these "Friendship Blossoms" and "Treat Transmitters" crafts from Family Fun Magazine. Alas...long gone are the days of sincere sentiments and sweet images. Here is what my youngest daughter Claire designed for her Valentine's Day pass out this year...

I'm not knocking Nick Jonas (rock on, Jonas Brothers)...I'm just saying...where did my little ones go?

Circus Party

I just saw this awe-inspiring Circus party up on the fantastic Party Perfect blog. The kids could not be cuter and the styling....just amazing. It doesn't get much better than this!

Images: The Winding Road blog.

Donna Hay

I was so excited to hear that the incomparable Donna Hay has a new book entitled Seasons that just came out. I just happened to notice it while browsing her website. I'm sure it is every bit as mouthwatering and gorgeous as everything she has ever done. I also read while on her site that she is now dabbling in homewares. I can't wait to see what she comes up with!
Oh, and of course I had to grab a recipe for this weekend. Hopefully mine will turn out this beautiful! Here's the info for it.

There's No Place Like Home!

Here are a few pics of an ever so sweet Wizard of Oz party that I spotted on the wonderful imprintables blog. How fun!

William's 4th Birthday

I absolutely love this party that Sharnel (from one of my favorite blogs my life-my loves) created for her son's birthday party. The navy and green theme is unique and wonderful. I love the way you do things, Sharnel....crisp and clean with attention to every detail...very inspiring!

Click here to get more details on William's awesome party.

Anna French

I have been a long-time fan of designer Anna French...even her name is perfect. I have always been drawn to her sense of color, particularly in her children's wallpaper design. She now has a new collection out called Wild Flora. I just love wallpaper, if I had my way, every room in my house would be papered in a totally different print and colorway. There would be no rhyme or reason to what I chose...each room would stand alone and their would be no flow from room to room. It would end up looking somewhat like a fun house, I'm sure...but I could satisfy all of my different loves...and when I'm feeling peaceful I could go be in my soft, muted, very little color room and when I'm feeling more playful and fun, I could be surrounded by a wild pattern in pinks and reds. It would be kinda' like a mood house :)

Artist Leah Anderson's Portland Cottage

I was just wondering around the All Things Cottage blog site when I happened apon this lovely posting of the cottage owned by Portland artist Leah Anderson. What beautiful style and talent.

Here's what All Things Cottage had to say about the artist:

"Born in British Guyana, South America, Leah gained a broad view of societies and cultures as her father’s exploits as an adventurer meant living and traveling to new and exotic countries all over the world. After completing her education, mostly in British schools, she spent twenty years dedicated to family and horses. Clearly her appreciation for calm and serenity is reflected in the decorating style which she displays in her comfortable cottage…the perfect space for her and her husband, and their guests, to enjoy the relaxing tranquility Leah so cherishes."

These beautiful images are of Leah's home and artwork from the ATC blog.