April Fool's Day Roundup

*Image from Martha Stewart Living

April Fool's Day is tomorrow! I come from a loooong line of pranksters. My family has perfected the art of a good natured prank (my uncle once filled every cupboard, every sink and every shower in my dad's house with newspaper, my dad once gave my grandpa an exploding present, these are time consuming, engineering marvels of pranks, not just glueing a quarter down). I figured I have to keep the tradition up and start apprenticing my kids in the fine art of pranks sooner rather than later. To spread the fun around I thought I'd share a round-up of some easy, family friendly pranks I found 'round the internets:

1. Martha Stewart Living - I especially like the colored water from the tap and the "solid" milk...
2. Family Fun - The balloon surprise seems awesome and they have lots of great food tricks
3. Parenting - Some cute, classic "mix-ups"

Happy Pranking!

A Beautiful Day Is A Terrible Thing to Waste

I had all sorts of plans for my "day off" (the one day a week where both my kids are in school, I get a whole glorious two hours to myself). I was going to update the website, work on a new and exciting design, check my emails, write some posts... But then my son's eye turned suspiciously red and it was a beautiful day, so Duder and I dropped off sister at preschool and headed to the duck pond instead. I'd say I feel bad about it, but man, it is a beautiful day. Maybe I'll get to that stuff tonight...

Fact: Making Things Tiny Makes Them Better

Though I don't think I could ever justify the prices, there's always been a special place in my heart for Restoration Hardware (and please don't even get me started on how much I love this couch, I lust after that couch). I love the rustic, industrial aesthetic they embody. And just when I thought it couldn't get any more depressing looking and lusting after beautiful industrial furniture they went and made it tiny. TINY! Yes, that's right, the chair and desk above are child's size. Kill me now. Now its about as likely that I'd spend over a thousand dollars on a chair for my kids as it is that I'd buy my dream couch...but *sigh* that's a damn cute chair. Luckily not everything at RH is crazy expensive so I can happily put these accessories on my wish list without guilt. ;)

So cute! Find Restoration Hardware Baby & Kid here.

Happy Friday!

I'm feeling a little under the weather today so I think I'm going to take the afternoon to get cracking on some new library books, maybe listen to some Radiolab, or watch a really bad romantic comedy...

Hope you all stay healthy and have a great weekend!!

Happy Birthday A.J.!!!!

Today is A.J.'s birthday!!! Join me in wishing her a sparkly, roller skating, xanadu birthday!!!!

HAPPY BIRF-DAY AJ!

Pinky Swear Pets

Inspired by one of my favorite blogs, Design*Sponge (check out her pet post here) I'd thought I'd introduce you to the furry department of Pinky Swear Designs. A.J. and I are both big animal lovers and even though A.J. doesn't currently have pets (allergies & babies) she loves up on my babies whenever we're in our "workshop" together.

Meet Tammie, head of Afternoon Naps and Evening Strolls. This furry little thing bolted into our house a few years back and promptly made herself at home. Her former owners, who had neglected her terribly, called us and told us to keep her, they were moving anyways :( . I've come to embrace her for the little old lady lap dog that she is and have proudly become a buyer of dog barrettes and sweaters (she needs them!). But I still giggle a little watching my heavily tattoed husband walk a ten pound fluffy dog in an argyle sweater.

And this is Carrots, Packing and Shipping Assistant (he's great with shredded paper) and Director of Keyboard Sitting. When Carrots became a part of the family he was fresh off of "death row" in a South Central shelter and was a scrawny little thing. He's since packed on the pounds and towers over Tammie. He looks like a big tough guy but deep down he's just a big papa bear who insists on giving everyone who visits kisses and grooming sessions (especially the babies).

How about you? Do you have fuzzy officemates? We'd love to meet them! Share a link in the comments.

Also, because I feel very passionate about this and feel the need to share, if you or someone you know in the Orange County area is thinking about getting a pet, please share these links with them! These are some great rescues doing amazing work and finding forever homes for some sweet animals that really deserve it:

MeoowzResQ - (who rescued and fostered our Carrots before we adopted him) rescues cats and kittens and fosters them in loving homes.

I.C.A.R.E Dog Rescue - Rescues and fosters puppies and dogs

Barks of Love - also rescues puppies and dogs.

From the Desk of A.J. - Glamping

*The Resort at Paws Up, Montana

The boy wonder brought a humungous pill bug into the house the other day. I shrieked with fear and he laughed. I proceeded to roll that thing onto a paper towel and we walked it back outside and set it free. Yes, I am a self proclaimed wuss when it comes to any creepy crawlies, flying buzzing things, and/or anything with a slimy skin body.

That’s when my life with 2 boys (uhm, 3 including The Hubs) flashed in front of me. I thought “they are going to bring me all sorts of 'fun' things aren’t they?” They are going to make me go to things I really may not enjoy…they are not going to want to go where I want to go…and they are going to make me go CAMPING.

I do like camping, sort of. I grew up camping…so it’s not like I don’t know what it entails, and it’s not like I don’t know what one gets out of it. I know, you smell fresh air…gaze at stars; take in Mother Nature and all. I get it. I just know, sometimes, it’s a little too much. I miss my bed, my own shower, my bed, my sandals (because if you don’t wear sneakers, something will attack your toes), did I mention my bed?

OK…the point is I loooove being outdoors, and I loooove taking in what Mother Nature has to offer. I just want to do it with a little more comfort.

*Galapagos Safari Camp, Santa Cruz Island

Glamping. Glamorous camping. I know there are a few campsites here in SoCal that have been around for years…but glamping is getting huge…and its sooooo AWESOME!

Found Goglamping and Glampgirl . Both have destination links that circumference the world…yep you heard me the world. Europe (France, Belgium, Italy, the list is long), South America, Islands, Canada you name it…lots to choose from (with prices to fit small and big wallets). All with pictures of these beautiful little (or huge) accommodations (canvas, tents, yurts, tipis) that have big fluffy pillows, hand spun rugs, bubbly at your bedside-yep, that’s my kind of camping!

Looked into a few for me and the Hubs’ anniversary coming up…but of course, they are pretty much all booked. I’ll think about it early next year. I just know, one of these days, I’ll be joining the millions of moms out there packing up bug spray, creepy crawly catchers, fishing poles, Bactine and mallows and heading out into the woods. I’m excited to do it, but would be ecstatic if the woods involve a nice down comforter and a Jacuzzi tub;)

For more information find Go Glamping here and Glamping Girl here!

Happy Friday!

I had girl's night last weekend and it was fabulous. We drank margaritas, gossiped a bit, and then played Just Dance 2 (which is ridiculously fun to play). It was then that I was introduced to this brilliant little piece of disco history. Best song about a crazy russian ever. We've been listening to it non-stop at my house since then (always fun to hear your six year old sing "ra-ra-rasputin!") So this one is for my girls! Love you guys!

Have a great weekend!!

Happy St.Patrick's Day!

I don't know about you but we have a little leprechaun problem round these parts. Last year they turned our whole living room upside down and sprinkled clovers all over. This year we decided we should try to trap them. Though we thought we had a foolproof trap (fake gold coins to lure them in, double sided sticky tap to trap them) those little guys are tricky and yet again turned our house upside down. They even dyed our milk and toilet water green this year. We'll get them sometime!!

Whether you're celebrating with some mischief or a Guiness and corned beef and hash have a wonderful St.Patrick's Day!!

Never heard of Leprechaun traps? I hadn't either. But if you do a quick google search you'll see hundreds of kid-made leprechaun traps. My kid's had a blast coming up with a plan. :)

Fool's Gold

Somebody's birthday is coming up fairly soon *coughMEcough* and I've become obsessed with the idea of having some jewlery made out of pyrite (or fool's gold). I love it in its "natural" state, all sharp edges and big shine. It reminds me of a meteorite, but sparklier. My search led me to all kinds of fool's gold goodies and I thought I'd share some of my favs today. This Comet Necklace (above) by Big Tinsel is at the top of my wishlist. So in love with it.

Pyrite earrings by Jet Flair are subtle and sweet. I love the warm, slightly fuzzy, murky color on these.

And though this is technically not made out of pyrite (its brass) it came up in my search and I love it to death too. Shield Ring by Hannah Naomi.

Happy Friday!

In the car with my four year old:

P: "What's this song from Mama?"

Me: "I don't know babe, its just on the radio."

P: "I know what its from. Its from that book where the school bus goes into space."

Have a great weekend!!

Order of the Week - Heart Tattoo

A little bit rock and roll rolled into a whole lot of sweetness. One of our first designs, and still one of our favs (I wear one exactly like this most days).

Order your own here or here.

Sparkle & Spin

It feels a little odd to claim that my four year old has her own style, but the truth is she does. And anyone who knows her will immediately recognize that this store is exactly her style. Its kind of like they followed her around for a few days and then threw a shop up just for her. She rocks the crazy pattern leggings or occasional skirt/tutu with the graphic tee almost everyday, along with either a mask, cat tail, or tiger ears. And she would just about die for that owl tunic (she was a snow owl for Halloween). We both did a lot of squealing over this shop. :)

Find Sparkle & Spin here.

Happy Friday!

I have a bad habit of not eating breakfast. Then I hit ten o'clock and I'm starving, and all I want is something fast and filling. Something like a giant muffin. I know I'm not doing myself any favors by skipping breakfast, so I've been trying to think of something I will eat. Since I crave muffins anyways, I thought I'd start with a healthier version of the muffin. That along with the fact that I've been trying to work quinoa into my kiddo's diet (I'm always trying to get my picky son to eat more protein and quinoa is a great protein) led me to quinoa muffins. So I had my son help me make these yesterday and we loved them! Its a great basic recipe, I can see making these with all kinds of "fillings". We used wheat flour and added cinnamon and chocolate chips (I also "cheated" a little and used pre-cooked quinoa from Fresh & Easy). Quick and easy and filling. Find the recipe here and have a great weekend!!

Bit of Whimsy - Koala's For a Good Cause

I've written about Bit of Whimsy's dolls and patterns a couple of times now. Her monsters and dolls are still my favorite thing to sew. I am by no means a great seamstress, but her patterns are simple and straightforward. I also love that I get to use up all my little scraps of fabric (it takes less than a half a yard to make most of these). She adds new patterns and dolls all the time and I want pretty much all of them. Today I think I'm finally going to break down and buy a new pattern, the Koby Koala. Not just because its sooooo frickin' cute but also because Bit of Whimsy is donating HALF of all proceeds from the sale of this pattern to the Australian Red Cross to aid in the flood and fire relief efforts.

Find Bit of Whimsy Dolls here.

Order of the Week - Up In Charms

How do you fit four kids and three grandkids on one necklace? Layers! Contact us here for your own.

Pinterest

I'm constantly trying to figure out better ways to keep all my bookmarks organized. But the internets are just too vast sometimes. I've got over a hundred bookmarks in one folder alone. So when I go back through looking for that one thing with the cute idea...nine times out of ten I can't find it and give up. I heard about Pinterest just a few weeks ago and I'm totally hooked. Its an online "bulletin board" of sorts, you set up your account and create your own bulletin boards to "pin" things to. So, for example, the screen shot above is a bulletin board I created for my daughter. So now when I see things I think she'd like, or remind me of her I just click my litte "Pin It" button (you put it on your bookmark bar, so you're not having to go to a new site everytime) and it creates a picture and link of that item on her board. I have a board for each of the kids, one for me, one for the house, one just for DIY, etc. So fun! Its also a community. So you can check out other people's boards, comment on items and re-pin to your boards. I've seen some amazing things other people have pinned I might not have otherwise. I love having everything layed out in a simple, visual way, and this is by far the easiest way to create bookmarks or lists that I've come across. I'm a total convert.

To become a part of the Pinterest community you have to be invited or accepted! If you're interested I have three more invites I can give out. Comment below or email me your info at lauren@pinkysweardesigns.com (I'll need your email) :) First come, first served ;)