My mother and I went window shopping this past weekend, “Ooooohing” and “Awwwwing” over baby things. I found this diaper bag at Pottery Barn Kids, and now I have eyes for no other.

I also made sure to inform my mother of my “No tank tops on boys” rule while we were looking at clothing.

At the beginning of each season, I make a to do list of things I’d like to make.  Here is what is currently at the top of my list:

Martha Stewart shows you how to make your own cement pots. Like in the picture below, these pots make the perfect tiny pot for planting your succulents.

I want to use this method to make a cement candle holder that looks like this.  Now, I fully recognize that this project will most likely turn into cement-all-over-my-faceandhair mess, but I’m determined to try!

For those chilly Spring evenings, I’m loving this argyle throw, and it actually looks pretty easy to make.  I think this would be a super cute baby shower gift.

This picture is majorly inspiring me to embroider something.  The use of negative space is so modern and super cool looking.

And if you want an amazing song to listen to while you are crafting, I can’t get enough of Radical Face’s Welcome Home (which came out 3 years ago…why am I just now hearing it?!).

And what would crafting be without the perfect snack (hint: it would be lame).  So for the perfect snack make these candied pecans. They are delcious and really easy. A few notes: I subbed vanilla extract for the water and when you whisk the egg whites make sure to turn on your go-go-gadget-super-fast-whisking-arm to make sure to incorporate lots of air into those egg whites.

I’m helping a dear friend get some ideas and inspiration for her wedding and came across some cute cake-toppers.  Of course there were about 80,000 (love)birds so out of rebellion, I ignored them.

All of the below are handmade by Etsy sellers.  What did you use on your wedding cake?  Or if you’re not married, do you have an idea of what you’d like?  Something traditional or something unique to you and the bride/groom?  Or forget wedding cakes…  what about a simple birthday cupcake?…  Any ideas crafty, creative friends??

by  dandelionland

by passionarte

by  heatherboyd

by Weddings and Wire

by SavageArtworks

by MilanCreations

Nobig  news for you readers  i’m certain, but Tim Burton’s latest is out today.  Are you going to see it?

Most who know me are aware I’m just a little bit in love with Tom Petty**.

And this Alice-y video is only another page in the book proving it.

** I mean c’mon – the dude sings your (best version possible of) typical rootsy, American, Blue-Collar, women-loving, rock anthems - the perfect accompaniment for a drive through Kentucky and Tennessee I might add.  Yet he’s atypically eccentrically and morbidly imaginitive.

(could someone please go ahead and give me the blog award for dumbest subject lines ever?  i just get hasty and then my mind goes blank)

So……

Have you been to the magnificent magicalness of Tulle4us.com sale-land-land?

Oh unfortunate lamb, if you have not, please be quick.  Unless you are my size, and then you will dodge curses if I find you snooping around those items i might at some point desire after I check my bank account again and think of some meal I can give up or appendage I can sell so that i can purchase the whole lot of it.

But it wouldn’t take a leg at these magical sale-land-land prices.  So put your snazzy shoes on and follow (or click on) the multi-colored jpg road…..

Chunky Cable Knit Cap $10

Gingham Blouse $16

Belted Sweater Skirt $16

Voile Neck Tie Dress $23.20

Wool Double-Breasted Jacket $24

Today I look like this

And I want to be doing this

But instead I have to do this

And I don’t have enough of this

But very soon I will leave and take a nap and get ready to meet my new little friends M and N who are joining the family and home of some dear friends.  They are coming from a little (big) place called Ethiopia.  Adoption is Great!!!

Last night I prepared some treats for them…. some sugar cookies cut out into (awkward, juvenile) shapes with an easy lemon icing (juice and zest of half a lemon + 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar) as well as some Chicken Wangs…  Sticky Honey-Soy Chicken Wangs to be exact.  I wrapped ‘em up in a bag and put ‘em in the freezer and voila – homemade, gourmet frozen snacky food!!

I think I would like to try these delicious-looking potpies next – thanks to the high and holy temptations Hiking in Stilettos always presents.  And it would give me the perfect excuse to use my never-used ramekins

Saturday I will teach my 3rd and 1st “official” dance class

And that’s about it.

Until next time….

Eyes only half-open Wren

Wren Edit:  Marking the day because I Must*

Today… Tuesday, 2nd of March, 2010 11:56am…

Jack Henry Abell entered this world and began his adventure-story

(joining mom, dad, and older sister Anna Scout)

*Perhaps he will see this someday…granted we do not all live underground and inside the computers with today’s virtual documents & diaries serving as recycled blue capsules we swallow once-a-day in (efficient) place of the great past-time of 3 square meals

Oh Starling- I CANNOT WAIT until your little Starlingita joins us.  Now please continue….

Today I found these onesies by designer Silvia Osella. Love them!

Our church hosts a public art gallery/music venue, inviting talented artists and musicians from all over the country to share their gifts with our fair city.

This past Friday, though, was a project/opening put together by those talented individuals of our congregation’s Visual Arts team and was a reflection on Wisdom through the Psalms and Proverbs.

Each installation has its own story and its own relevant reflection covering lament and joy and perplexity…No matter what your spiritual beliefs, these well-known books express much of the inexpressable parts of the human condition.  Well, this bit from the site says it better than I can…

These works are at times simple, and at times complex. Reflecting the very nature of the Psalms themselves, the works occupy a visual space that is at once both literal and metaphoric. Feathered wings hanging from the ceiling cast a shadow inviting reflection on both celestial beings and the bone structure of nature’s aviators. A bed cloaked in astro-turf at once invites comfort and questions our modern attempts to harness and recreate nature’s ubiquitous forms. “Questioning Clocks” use simple icons to reflect universal questions constant from ancient minds to modern times.

Unfortunately the descriptive “statements” are absent from these iphotos.  But still- they’re cool to look at.  And perhaps you’ll just have to come on over for a visit.

With a little Starling due to arrive in late September, my husband and I have to figure out how to creatively decorate a nursery in an apartment where you can’t paint over the white walls. So, I’m currently researching wall decals to inject a little color into our baby’s life. Here are a few that I found at Spunk Sprout.

I am on a slow fall from a point about halfway up sugar mountain and it’s only 9:40am!!

Another birthday in the office and this time my honey KitchenAid and I made the “best darn sugar cookies ever” with my own touch of almond frosting.

I can’t say that they are the best sugar cookies i’ve ever had but they were quite fluffy and tasty… the kind you don’t really want to bake all the way through.  I confess though all I really want(ed)to eat is about 5 of these …

Yum!

And now… Thank You Sarah C. for warning me not to be too rushed with my bedding choice (see yesterday’s post) and informing me that Liberty of London will soon be coming to Target.

LofL is a high-end UK shop boasting stunningly creative and bold (yet perfectly elegant) patterns in clothing, accessories, home-wares, etc.

Their Spring line in Target launches March 14th and features the most colorful and vibrant of selections.  Forget the bedding-  I think I might be more excited about an airy flowery dress to go with my new floppy straw hat than anything.

Thanks Target for collaborating with such great and diverse designers!!

Go Here to watch a little video and explore a little of what’s to come with this line.