What's Your Name?

BABY WEDNESDAY....

Finding out you're having a little bundle of joy is always exciting and probably on that list of unforgettable events in life. But set aside all the excitement, I am sure it can get a bit overwhelming.

You worry about how the baby is doing, what kind of baby crib or stroller you should get, going through birthing classes, dealing with morning sickness... yes the list can go on and on and on. But one particular thing I have noticed thats become so important and always stresses out the parents to be, is of course the NAME.

Baby names for many are very important. It almost sets the characteristics of the unborn child. Do you name him after Bill and hope he'll be the next Bill Gates. How about Oprah hoping she'll be the next talk show host that will make a difference. Or how about Mariah Carey hoping she'll follow the path of a talented singer. Sadly, we are consumed with the media and the importance of how a simple name can really be more that just a name.

Well, I hope I can help ease the stress and offer a few suggestions. I ran into http://nameberry.com/ a popular online site that offers unique baby names that are suggested by the world's leading experts. I have listed below the top 10 most popular names. Take your pick and if none of these names work check out the site as there are plenty more.

Quick Tip: Keep in mind though that it will take more than a savvy name to make a person.

Congratulations on your bundle of joy ... happy naming!

xoxo

• Rank
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10

• Girls
• Isabella
• Emma
• Olivia
• Sophia
• Ava
• Emily
• Madison
• Abigail
• Chloe
• Mia

Boys

• Jacob
• Ethan
• Michael
• Alexander
• William
• Joshua
• Daniel
• Jayden
• Noah
• Anthony

Happy 4 more DAYS before the weekend...

Yes... Monday has just passed so your almost to that final stretch.

Whether you’re working hard or hardly working, make sure you 9-to-5 it in style. Here are a few cool things I ran into that can hopefully help you through your long days or just until that hand strikes 5.

Sources:

yliving.com

momastore.org

velocityartanddesign.com

sfmoma.stores.yahoo.net

paper-source.com

Have a fab day!

Cabbages and Roses...

Ever heard of the saying... "Home Sweet Home"

It sure is. If I had a bedroom as cozy as this one I don't think I'll ever want to leave it and if you do it's def. something you'd look forward to coming home to everyday. I just ran into this site Cabbages and Roses. A def. one stop shop for home, clothing and everything else you need to add that modern English cottage style into your wardrobe and home.

You'll see the airy textures, the sunwashed colors, and the utterly cozy mood that practically begs for a warm fireside, hot cocoa and yes a plate of chocolate covered biscuits. It's the perfect serenity.

Make sure you check them out http://www.cabbagesandroses.com/

Enjoy!

Haute Couture Barbie...

Baby Wednesday!

Despite the fact that Barbie lacks everyday skills such as standing still, bending her arms, walking on her own - she always flaunts her adorable dresses and colorful accessories like nobody's business.

With Spring cleaning comes NEW wardrobe. Through out the years, Barbie has become more trendier than ever. She's even more a fashionista when you browse through Tiny Frock Shop. This online store glitters with gently used clothes and accessories for Barbie and all other twelve-and fourteen inch dolls. The collection is curated by a former head designer for Betsey Johnson and Heatherette. She searches for pieces that date as far back as 1920s.

Their closet consist of tulle skirts, cropped cardigans, faux fur coat and shimmery black and gold evening bags. Check out www.tinyfrockshop.com and make sure you fill up the closet so your little girl will never run out of style to dress her doll!

enjoy

xoxo

Stay Protected...

With all the rain going on here is California that only means one thing.... Summer is just right around the corner.

But before you get too excited make sure you stay protected, Sunglasses and Sunscreen that is! Being a trendsetter you all are, I thought I'd share a few hot frames I ran into that are trendy and yes, under $15.

Check out the following stores to find the sunglasses in the image (top to bottom):
OC Shades
Swell
Urban Outfitters

Enjoy the Sun!

xoxo

For Japan with Love... Bloggers Day of Silence

I ran into this while reading another blog and I have to respect and join tomorrow's silence for Japan with Love.

Lydia from Ever Ours and Lucia from Utterly Engaged have put together a wonderful fundraiser for the victims of the tsunami and earthquakes in Japan called For Japan with Love. In addition to raising funds, they have reached out to fellow bloggers and named this Friday ‘Bloggers Day of Silence‘ to help gain awareness for, and honor this tragedy.

You can participate in two different ways:

Fundraising:

For Japan With Love has a direct link on the website to the fundraising page for ShelterBox. ShelterBox was one of THE first organizations asked by Japan to help and were on hand on the Saturday after the quake. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items. Please check it out and whatever you can contribute will be so appreciated.

Bloggers Day of Silence:

Anyone that has a blog can help out with this one. The aim is just raise awareness and respect and acknowledge the devastation going on in Japan. The guidelines are simple.

1. This coming Friday, March 18th, no posts at all on your blog.
2. Please post a blog post about what you will be doing this Friday whenever possible in hopes to spread the word and whoever else would like to join in.
3. Tweet and Re-Tweet this link to For Japan with Love.
4. Encourage your readers to contribute to donate shelter to Japan. Whatever anyone can contribute will be appreciated. Every little helps.

There will be no posts on this Friday in honor of Bloggers Day of Silence. We will be back to our regularly scheduled posts on Saturday. Thanks to Lydia and Lucia for organizing this! Please help out in any way you can!!!

Luck of the Irish...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

That calls for one thing....which beer will you be drinking today?

Here's a list of a few popular Irish Beers that might just satisfy your day.

Classic Irish Lagers:

Harp and Rogue Brewery Kells .

These are great all-purpose beers. Lagers are made at cooler temperatures with yeasts that settle on the bottom of the tank

Ales:

Smithwick's Irish Ale and Sam Adams Irish Red.

Ales are different from lagers because they're brewed at warmer temperatures, and the yeast sits at the top of the tank. This makes for a richer style.

Stouts:

Guinness,

Guinness is undoubtedly the best-known Irish beer in the world, the classic "meal in a glass." It's caramelly, smoky, malty, really distinctive.

Bottoms Up!

xoxo

"Little Things to Sew..."

BABY WEDNESDAY!

Yes that's right... every Wednesday will be all things baby.

Here's a DIY sewing project I ran into that I thought would be super cool for the mom's or aunts thinking of something unique and simple to make for that Special Kid.

It's all about whimsical meets practical in this charming collection of sewing projects from Oliver + S, the acclaimed pattern company known for its fresh, modern style, classic sensibility, and detailed, easy-to-follow instructions.

Designer Liesl Gibson presents 20 fun and unique items for children, ranging from hats and bags to an art smock, cape, and tutu. The special packaging features twocardstock paper dolls (just like the star of this video!). Cut out the illustrations from the book's jacket for the dolls to model, then sew a life-size version for your little one to wear.

Available March 2011
To find out more, visit http://bit.ly/littlethingstosew
Also check out their Video http://vimeo.com/19136271

Enjoy you Crafty Gals

xoxo

A Midsummers Night's Dream...

Most weddings have a special color or inspired theme. But how far would you really go with the theme. I ran into these amazing images that I think would be perfect for that special couple who truly want their theme to come alive.

A Midsummer Nights Dream... A fairy-tale fantasy that truly comes to life.

Imagine a wedding in an enchanted forest filled with flowers, butterflies, ribbons, magical delicate dresses and of course a colorful surprise of deep turquoise eyeshadow.

Your wedding is a once in a lifetime experience so be inspired!

xoxo

The team that made this awesome shoot happen:

Wedding Inspirasi| Tricia Fountaine| Elizabeth Messina

Spotted Dog Bread aka Irish Soda Bread...

I ran into this recipe through Lajollamom.com. Have tried it and it is very good! The recipe below is very easy to make so make sure you lend a hand from your little helpers :)

History Fact: The American Indians were the first recorded as using soda ash to leaven bread in the 18th century... Hence the adopted name Soda Bread

Recipe: Irish Soda Bread

Summary: This recipe is adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 to 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. finely shredded orange peel
• 3 Tbsp. butter
• 1/3 cup currants or dried blueberries
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup buttermilk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a baking sheet, set aside. In a large mixing bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and orange peel. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in currants or blueberries. Make a well in the center of the mixture.
2. In a small mixing bowl combine egg and buttermilk. Add all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened.
3. On a lightly floured surface gently knead dough to form a dough (about 4 or 5 times). Shape into a 7-inch round loaf. 4. Transfer dough to prepared baking sheet. With a sharp knife, make 2 slashes across the top of the loaf to form an X, cutting all the way to the edge. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.

Quick Notes

I would highly recommend using Trader Joe’s dried wild blueberries!

enjoy!

xoxo

The Next Best Thing...

Trends are ever so changing when it comes to what dessert you'll be serving on your Big Day. It was for a long time and still is in most cases the tiered cakes. Then bakers and chefs got creative and it went to how custom and different your cake can look, hence the birth of Ace of Cakes and many others. Then of course the infant that was born... cupcakes. Well, I think we all know about that. The tinniest cupcakes are always the cutest and yes red velvet always hits the spot for me. It sounds like the master minds behind wedding desserts have covered all it's bases... taste, design and size. So what could possible be the next big thing for desserts? Any idea?

Here's a hint... Skylite Snowballs

Heard of it? If you haven't, well then you're missing out. You would be so much more cooler, literally if you had this in your wedding. These are of course the famous frozen treats ever invented... Snow Cones. Perfect for the summer weddings wouldn't you say. It's def.. the best way to help your guess cool off from a long and hot day.

Owner Katie brought her childhood treat to life and offered what she loved the most to everyone else to enjoy. She's worked with Chez Panisse pastry chef Stacie Pierce to create a vibrant assortment of flavored syrups using the freshest local produce in season. These snowballs encompass everything from the light subtle flavor of white-tip jasmine tea, to the bright taste of ripe strawberries or the complex and delicious hint of fresh-ground coffee beans.

Make sure when planning your summer wedding, you also think about how you can help your guest including yourself enjoy the special day without the sweat and tears.

For more information, go to skylitesnowballs.com.

xoxo

The Card Lady