five friday favorites :: inspiration

hello there lovelies! happy happy friday to you! have you been enjoying your week? we're shipping out sassafras sets today, but first i want to share a few things that i have been loving!

• i'm dying over these adorable rompers!
• and... i'm thinking that these need to be purchased for my boys. how fun to go back to school with?!
• i love abstract art, but i never feel like my pieces turn out. this artist is amazing at it though!
• 5 reasons we can't handle marriage. do you agree?
• if i can stay awake, the boys and i are headed to the drive in this weekend!

enjoy your friday friends! i'll see you back here next week. xo

five friday favorites :: inspiration

is it just me, or has this week lasted forever? when will it end?! i'm not working this weekend, so maybe that's why i'm anxious about the weekend. oh, and it's my birthday tomorrow! <blushing/>

we're having some close friends over for a farm dinner and as always, i'm most excited about decorating. i plan to hit up the farmer's market in the morning and buy armfuls of flowers. i've got pretty cafe lights to string from the trees and i think we'll try to project a movie or two onto the garage door for the kiddos. the best part though... fireworks! my husband can put on a great firework show so we are all set for a good ole' summer party!

in between planning though, i've been loving a few favorites that i'm excited to share!

• how adorable are these pincushions? i don't even sew really, but i want these.
• two greats of comedy
• a sweet concept for children with autism
• the most beautiful video of the week
• local friends - this looks fun! mmmm.... beer.

happy happy weekend! i'll see you back here next week. xo

mother earth :: diy :: inspiration

how lovely is this lady?! if you have an old globe sitting around (especially one that isn't even accurate anymore), i suggest using as a blank canvas! surprise guests with this fun piece of art!

tips for your DIY:

• white wash your globe first so that the color fades a bit and doesn't come through in places you don't necessarily want it to
• sketch & paint with the globe facing upward... meaning the curved bar of the globe will be behind the spot you create on. this will give you an easy angle and will look natural when your art spins
• after your are done with your creation, use a soft sanding block in areas where you want the continents & text to be slightly exposed.

good luck friends! xo

five friday favorites :: inspiration

hello friends! how are you? i hope well. i've had a fun week at the shop making all sorts of new goodies. i love weeks like this... little computer work and i spend my days in the back room creating. unfortunately, as a business owner this isn't always the case. i have to do 'business' sometimes and it's not my favorite thing, really. not complaining though! just grateful for my 'fun' time that comes along with this wonderful job during a wonderful week of summer!

i have been taking little breaks though to sit in the office and peruse all the good sites for inspiration. here is a list of my five friday favorites this week:

• informative & detailed instructions on how to make cute bird art!
• if you aren't great at free-hand drawing, maybe try this?
• an absolutely crazy story about twins.
• a funny video that will deliver a giggle for sure
• and lastly, local friends, i'll be volunteering at paint the street. will you be painting a square?

see you back here next week! i miss you already ;)

five friday favorites :: inspiration

hello darlings! i hope you've had a wonderful week! we've been a little slow here at the shop, which is, actually, sometimes nice. i crank up the tunes and sit in the back room painting or planning. the sun has come out today and i'm wearing a sundress... which makes me a happy girl! i have some fun things to share with you that i've been enjoying all to myself this week, enjoy!

• i want this hanging in my kitchen. also, the photographer is from here in illinois!
• a great summer reading list. wish i had this before i left on vacation... i did find a couple good ones to entertain me though.
• do you follow catalog living? so, SO, funny!
• we all have those moments when we're doubting ourselves. here's a little printable to help you feel better.
• local friends: this amazing show opens this weekend! and will i see you tonight at the bacon throwdown?!

five friday favorites :: inspiration

happy friday friends! i hear the sun is going to come out (finally) this weekend here in illinois. yahooo!  it's been a week full of prep here at the shop, as i'm headed out on the road for 10 days. my husband and i bought an RV and we're packing up the boys and taking our maiden voyage across the country. we will hit up 3 state parks, see lots of mountains, hike and bike ride... i'm pretty excited! the girls here at the shop are going to do their best to keep a regular schedule, but it may be hit or miss for a couple weeks, so you may want to call before you come.

i'm sure i'll have lots of photos and inspiration to share when i get back, but until then here are my five friday favorites for this week:

• my new favorite tumblr account. SO cute!
• something not so cute is rage. however, i agree that there are productive outlets for it.
• a powerful video.
• would you put a dresser in your kitchen?
• and lastly, to our local friends, i hope you'll take advantage of this free event!

enjoy your weekend friends! i'll see you back here next week.

five friday favorites :: inspiration

hi friends! have you had a good week? i've had quite the time getting back in my routine after the art fair last weekend. i'm starting to feel like myself again though and we're getting ready for another big weekend! my son's birthday is tomorrow so we will be camping out - which involves SO MUCH MORE than sleeping in a tent. we plan to fish, swim, ride 4-wheelers, fly the drone, eat s'mores, catch fireflies... the list goes on & on. you know i just wanna sit and drink beer, but we'll be good parents and indulge the birthday wishes.

the shop will be ran by a couple of my best gals tomorrow, so i hope you'll swing by for a visit! until then, here are my five friday favorites i want to share with you:

1. i've been wanting this shirt for a while now. it's on sale, so no better time, right?
2. have you seen this yet? it's so me - seriously. on the same topic, this had me crying with laughter.
3. i don't think i want to know any of the people that live here.
4. a great recipe for the long weekend!
5. and local friends - tomorrow is the last day to bid on a piece in our kiddos auction! be sure to stop by and encourage the young creatives!

have a wonderful weekend darlings! xoxo

five friday favorites :: inspiration

happy friday friends! what a week it's been... can you believe it's friday already? between dentist appts, kiddo auctions & art classes, event planning meetings and the first farmer's maket of the season - the week has just flown by! it's not over yet though and still lots on my plate, but first i want to share my five friday favorites with you:

• how amazing is this clock?!
• advice on how teens can become millionaires
• if it was 1939, i would be a poor wife.
• a lovely reminder.
• cross your fingers that it doesn't rain this weekend, then come out and join me here.

xoxo.

five friday favorites :: inspiration

hello there friends! how are thing? do you have big plans for mother's day?

we have had a burst of business here at the shop this week - lots of dads & kiddos shopping for mom. that's always fun because we like to sit down and help the little ones make a card! one serious problem though has been no a/c! it's been out all week and like 90 degrees in here. as much as i love sitting in my sweat (hot yoga anyone?), i really hate sweating when i'm not actually trying to. maintenance guy says it will be fixed by tuesday, so cross your fingers for us, ok?

lot's of mom stuff going around the web this week, but there are also a few things i don't want you to miss:

• would your mom wear this crown for the day? if so, you can print it off for free here.
• this spoof is a gift in it's self.
• i can't. this is just too crazy adorable.
• an interesting take on adult friendships.
• local friends, this is intriguing to me. is anyone signed up?

have a great weekend friends! xo

five friday favorites :: inspiration

happy friday friends! and more exciting, happy may day! the boys and i spent the morning delivering may day baskets to family & friends. it's our tradition and they love it - even if they do grump at me when i wake them an hour early.

we have our pinterest parties this weekend, and i have lots to prepare. before that though, i have 5 things to share...

• i want to wrap every gift ever in this.
• i still use 'dingus'. do you still speak any of this slang?
• a new instagrammer to follow. makes me smile!
• giraffes are my fave. this is the best.
• local friends, will you be hitting up any of these events for lincoln's funeral?

have a fantastic weekend! xo

five friday favorites :: inspiration

whew! what a week! i'm so happy it's friday - not only because i have some super fun things to share with you, but also because it's been a week full of nervous anxiety. tomorrow i am participating in my first cross fit competition! yikes. i really don't know how i got here. one minute my goal was a pull-up and now i'm chasing after a trophy. i guess, it's because of all the wonderful people i've met along the way... people that make me laugh at 5am. i literally get out of bed each morning to see them and they make this hell that we put ourselves through, actually tolerable. enjoyable in fact.

and so, my 2 best workout girls, talked me into this competition. i've been nervous all week! i absolutely HATE the feeling in my stomach that happens when i'm nervous. therefore, i hate them (my 2 best workout girls). at least until tomorrow is over... then i will love them again.

anyway! enough about that. did you have a good week friends? like i mentioned, i've got some fun things to share!

my five friday favorites:

• reversible wrapping paper. why is this just now a thing? i feel like we should have been using this for years.
• need to entertain the kiddos a quick bit? try this list. 
• i've always believed it gifting a hostess a boutonniere. here's a step by step.
• the shop has been invited to be a part of shoptiques! eeek! this could be big.
• and last (and local), will you join me for this fun event?

happy weekend friends! xo

five friday favorites :: inspiration

well, good morning! do you have big plans for the weekend friends? we are headed out of town to visit my brother & his darling family. colleen will be watching the shop, so be sure to stop by and say "hello"!

before we go however, i want to share a few of my favorites from this week:

• i've been tossing around the idea of designing some of these. what do you think?
• i'm with her. let's put gold leaf on everything!
• this is so true! it's a love/hate relationship for me.
• i can't wait until my sons have a birthday party. this will be perfect to fill with candy!
• local friends, have you checked out this restoration?! it's amazing.

ok, i'll see you back here next week then! i've already scheduled the "hunt" for tomorrow, so be sure to stop in for your chance to win. xoxo

five friday favorites :: inspiration

happy friday friends! big plans for the holiday weekend? i'm off from the shop today (although we are still open) and blogging from bed - how great is that?! the boys and i are planning to dye some eggs this afternoon, but before that i have some inspiration to share!

this week's five friday favorites:

• these monster eggs are so cute (no boiling required!)
• jeff bridges + a love of photography = greatness
• great article on fashion. so many great quotes.
• the prettiest toilet papers i've ever seen!
• local peeps - the springfield old capitol art fair put out their call for volunteers. what a fun way to spend a spring weekend!

there you have it! i hope you have a weekend full of family, food & sunshine! if you'll be out & about tomorrow, be sure to stop by the shop for our saturday scavenger hunt. otherwise, i'll see ya back here next week. xoxo

five friday favorites :: inspiration

omygosh, it's friday and i've drank waayyyy to much coffee. can you believe we only have 2 weeks until easter? so much to do... decorate, put together easter baskets, plan & prepare a meal, the list goes on & on. oh, and i should definitely clean my house. that NEEDS to happen this weekend ( i say that every weekend ).

well, while my mind is spinning over here, i've managed to put together my top 5 inspirational links for the week. just for you darlings.. enjoy!

• i don't really believe that these take just 5 minutes, but they do seem simple enough!
• how cute is this?!
• and how creepy is this?! wow.
• the boys and i are headed to this on sunday!
• i like this idea. i think it may take some getting used to for some though.

happy weekend friends! be sure to stop by tomorrow and play our saturday scavenger hunt!

five friday favorites :: inspiration

are you ready for the weekend friends? i certainly am. we have very little plans and so i'm excited to get in some time with my kiddos. it's supposed to snow again, so we'll definitely be keeping things low key.

in the meantime, i've been collecting some goodies to share with you. maybe you'll enjoy a thing or two of the links below this weekend?

my five friday favorites:

• as it snows, i'm dreaming of the farmer's market season. how incredibly cool would it be to have one of these?!
• it's negative something outside, so i figure now's a good time to try this with my boys!
• or... we could stay inside and make this instead. yum!!!
• if we do, i want to pig out on the couch wearing this. can you imagine?! i can't stop giggling.
• and lastly, if you are local, be sure to enjoy this fun activity that only comes around once a year!

happy weekend lovelies! xo

five friday favorites :: inspiration

today is hubby's birthday! i'm taking off a bit early to pick up the boys so we can wrap presents and decorate a bit before he comes home from work. then, tomorrow he has plans to burn a giant pile of old cut-down trees in our back field. friends are coming over and there will be lots of cheep beer, i'm sure. (that's his thing).

anyway, lots to do before that, but i have some things i want to share with you first!

• if stanley tucci was your boyfriend.
• this is an awesome idea!
• do you believe any of these? the first one made my jaw drop.
• how incredible is this? i am ordering this kit for the boys!
• tonight, i'm headed to the "rat pack prom". my outfit is going to be ridiculous.

see you back here next week friends!

five friday favorites :: inspiration

awwww.... friday morning. kiddo valentine cards are made, signed & sent off to school. so are the treats. i fished something red out of the month-old pile of laundry for each of the boys to wear. workout done, activities are completed, errands are ran and now i'm sitting in my favorite place drinking my favorite coffee.

again, awwww.....

what a great time to share with you my five friday favorites of the week!

1. lots of mixed emotions as i imagine being one of them.
2. i'm no prude, but i think this is a point that needs to be made.
3. some beautiful inspiration.
4. i went to the last pairing event and had the best meal in maybe my whole life. if you like whiskey, this one is for you.
5. these are adorable! what a fun way to introduce a little abstract art.

enjoy your weekend friends!

five friday favorites :: inspiration

question: do you want much video online? back when i worked in an office, i never felt comfortable pushing 'play' at while on the job. i felt like someone would see me not working! now, at the shop, my surround sound is hooked up to the computer, so if i watch anything, it's broadcast through the entire store.

i do watch video on my laptop at home as well as my phone though. especially when i'm bored. i don't have enough patience for it otherwise.

well, today i'm here to share my five friday faves and this list is a special video edition! so grab your phone, headphones, or snuggle in bed with your tablet and click away:

1. poor radio shack. these commercials are funny to watch though!
2. i love the onion.
3. how is it possible that everyone looks exactly the same (well, except zack)?
4. an animation about the beloved polaroid and a cute little women.
5. just because.

have a great weekend friends!

five friday favorites :: inspiration

eeeek! it's friday!  i'm pretty pumped up for the weekend... 2 pinterest parties, a film festival & a 70th birthday party.  when will i nap?!  i keep asking myself that question...

anyyyyyywayyyyy, here's my five friday faves for the week:

1. this video is so great! what style would you like to try?
2. something we all need to consider. i know i do my best creating this way.
3. i like this story. i like the way it's written and i like it's truthfulness. 
4. trying to figure out how to make these. if only i was good at the damn pottery wheel.
5. my hero & inspiration.

have a happy weekend friends! xo

five friday favorites :: inspiration

it's that time of the week again! i'm loving so many design elements & cultural trends in this early party of 2015, i had trouble narrowing down my five this time. but alas, here you have it!

five friday faves:

• my jar dropped open when i saw this. such a simple idea and communicated beautifully.
• for local folks, there is a critically acclaimed film festival going on this month & next.
• this made me smile. how would you imitate your reality?
• and while you're at it, here's a fun way to get in the game spirit!
• if you are like me, you couldn't care less about football and are more into detoxing your wardrobe.

happy weekend friends!