:: Look HOO Turned One! ::

Can you believe my little pumpkin is ONE already? This weekend family and friends spent a wonderful weekend in Arizona celebrating little D and his 1st birthday. Jacki planned an adorable owl party which was a total "hoot!" Enjoy a few pics from the fabulous celebration...






















It was such a wonderful weekend and I miss the other half of my family already. Thank you Jacki Lynn for being such a wonderful host and the best mommy to my favorite little nephew in the whole world!

{ Surprise Lingerie Shower }

Last week I was honored to make a floral arrangement for my friend Juli Mathew's surprise lingerie shower. I designed it to look like the green roses, mini-cymbidiums, and lilies were swimming in a bed of hydrangea. You'd really have to see it in person to understand what I'm talking about, but I think it turned out beautiful. So pure and clean. And the aroma? Heavenly!

When I arrived at Juli's house for the surprise it was so fun to see her face light up when she saw the beautiful flowers. And get this - because her wedding colors were green and white, she decided to use them at her wedding the next morning on the guest sign-in table. How sweet! My only regret is that I was out of town the day of her wedding and couldn't create ALL of her arrangements.

:: Dallen's GIANT Cupcake ::

This weekend family and friends gathered in Arizona to celebrate the 1st birthday of the cutest baby alive! Here's a sneak peak at the GIANT cupcake Little D excavated as we sang him "Happy Birthday." I think he liked it. What do you think ? More pics soon to come...

:: Über-Chic for Cheap ::

I was shocked when I walked into Forevee 21 and walked out with this gem. Isn't it lovely? And the best part...the $32 price tag! I guarantee this cardigan would sell for BUCKS at Anthro. Apparently Forever 21 carries a chic clothing line called Twelve By Twelve. Why has nobody told me about this? The fashion-forward line got its start back in June of 2007 in Los Angeles California, targeting 30-something women.

Here's what Betsy Zanjani, vice president of merchandising for the project, said about the line, “Forever 21 is fast fashion, it’s quick-turn, young and fun, whereas Twelve by Twelve is a grouping of items designed to go together, to be worn together. It will be a little bit more sophisticated, much more luxury.”

I'm no fashionista, but I know a good find when I see it. And when I see chic AND cheap, I simply cannot say no. Happy shopping!

{ Copycat -or- Coincidence? }

The other day I was watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and noticed that the woodpile bed frame in the Master Bedroom looked oddly familiar. I couldn't quite put my finger on it until today when I walked into Anthropologie and saw their current bed display. So who's the copycat? Or is it just coincidence?

{ Extreme Makeover: Home Edition }

{ Anthropologie }

{ Happy 1st Birthday Dallen! }

My little D turns one today! I just can't believe it. He's walking, talking, and sporting six little chompers. The other night while v-chatting with my little pumpkin I watched him take his first steps. He's seriously the cutest thing ever! I'm so excited to sneak away to Arizona this weekend and celebrate my favorite one year old. I just might kiss that cute face off. Happy 1st birthday little D! See you soon!

:: Mary Poppins Lied ::

I've always thought a spoonful of sugar helped the medicine go down. Maybe not? After months of undiagnosed symptoms like extreme fatigue, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision and a pounding heartbeat (among other symptoms) I went to the doctor for some blood tests and finally received a diagnosis! No Paula, I don't have cancer! Turns out I have Hypoglycemia, an abnormally low level of sugar in the blood. After a little pep talk from the doc about eliminating sugar and starting on a South Beach style diet, I came home and googled all I could about the unfamiliar-to-me-disease. If you'd like to educate yourself along with me, here's a little of what I learned:

"In simple layman's language, Hypoglycemia is the body's inability to properly handle the large amounts of sugar that the average American consumes today. It's an overload of sugar. Functional hypoglycemia, the kind we are addressing here, is the over secretion of insulin by the pancreas in response to a rapid rise in blood sugar or 'glucose.'

"All carbohydrates (vegetables, fruits and grains, as well as simple table sugar), are broken down into simple sugars by the process of digestion. This sugar enters the blood stream as glucose and our level of blood sugar rises. The pancreas then secretes a hormone known as insulin into the blood in order to bring the glucose down to normal levels. In hypoglycemia, the pancreas sends out too much insulin and the blood sugar plummets below the level necessary to maintain well-being.

"Since all the cells of the body, especially the brain cells, use glucose for fuel, a blood glucose level that is too low starves the cells of needed fuel, causing both physical and emotional symptoms: fatigue, insomnia, mental confusion, nervousness, mood swings, faintness, headaches, depression, heart palpitations, a craving for sweets, cold hands and feet, forgetfulness, dizziness, blurred vision, inner trembling, outbursts of temper, and sudden hunger."

So there you have it. I only wish I would have noticed the symptoms sooner so I could change my diet and start feeling like myself again. No more standing in line at Target afraid I'm going to pass out before I reach the check-out stand, or driving down the road feeling dizzy and drunk. Scary!!! I know it's going to be a difficult month to stay away from sugar (hello....Halloween???) but I'm so done with feeling zapped of energy all the time, so stay away from sugar I will....even though all I want right now is another chocolate chip pumpkin cookie over there on the counter. Grrrrr!

{ Pimp My iPhone }

I honestly don't know what took me so long to buy one of these! The other week I marched myself down to Irvine Spectrum and visited the DomeSkin kiosk man (just outside Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory) and bought myself one of these for $14.99. I love their fun graphics!

FLEUR DE LYS

FOOTBALL

NEW YORK SUBWAY MAP

So what are they? They're basically giant stickers with 3M technology which makes them extremely thin and lightweight, provides protection, and improves your grip. They're also removable, reusable, and come with a lifetime warranty. And not to mention, give a little style to the already amazing iPhone. I picked the Fleur De Lys design. Obviously!

And guess what Blackberry users? They have some for you too, so stop your whining! And for you non-southern Californians, they have a great website so go order yours today. You're gonna love it!

:: DwellStudio For Target ::

As if anyone really needed another reason to love Target? Seriously though, how amazing is the DwellStudio line for Target? First of all, their pillows are gorgeous. The bold graphics and whimsical prints are so fun. And under $20? Yes please! I think I need the yellow and grey one right now.


I'm also loving that they've made it easy for the "regular people" to shop their website for an entire room and look like a designer came in and did all the work. And the prices? They just can't be beat. I mean, where else are you gonna find a gorgeous upholstered headboard for under $300?

{ Images: Lattice Decorative Pillow, Silver Lake Desk White/Walnut, Perch Comforter Set, Bedskirt - Brown Border }

{ Images: Bloom Duvet Set, Peony Decorative Pillow, Blue Birds Decorative Pillow, Hadley Bedroom Collection }

{ Images: Foliage Bedding Collection, Garden Pattern Rug Brown, Floral Block Sheet Set, Bedskirt - Brown Border, Floral Block Decorative Pillow - Brown }

You do realize that you all have no excuse for an ugly and outdated bedroom now! So tell me, which one is your favorite? I still can't decide.

:: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies ::

How was your conference weekend? Mine was lovely! I love relaxing at home in my jammies, all cuddled up on the couch with my pillow and blanket as I listen to counsel and advice from the leaders of our church. So much wisdom and truth!

In between the Sunday sessions I went upstairs to get ready for the day and when I came downstairs I was greeted with the most divine smell...Mom's delicious Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies. It just wouldn't be October without General Conference and Pumpkin Cookies!

Here's the recipe if you'd like to bring a little October cheer into your home. WARNING: Extremely addictive!

{ House Of Blues: San Diego }

Saturday night while all the boys were away at the Priesthood Session of General Conference, the girlfriends and I snuck down to the House of Blues in San Diego to see one of our favorites: Miss Ingrid Michaelson.

Greg Holden, a dangerously cute Brit from Lancashire, opened the show and swooned the ladies with his guitar and boyishly good looks. After the show I noticed him standing in the back of the crowd. I really wanted to walk over and tell him that I was in love with him, I mean, that he did a really great job but...I chickened out. Lame, I know.

The rest of the concert was amazing. Ingrid is seriously so funny and an incredibly talented musician. My favorite song of the night was "Maybe". Love that song! She even invited singer/songwriter Greg Laswell, the opening act from the last House of Blues Tour to sing a song they wrote together. Cutest duet ever. Great concert Ingrid!

{ DIY Magnolia Wreath }

For years I've admired my parent's beautiful Magnolia tree in the backyard. Weird? I know. I've always wanted to make my own fall wreath with its gorgeous glossy leaves and today, I finally just did it! From start to finish the entire project probably took me a total of 20 minutes and $2. Can you believe it?

I started out with a bag full of leaves I plucked off my parent's Magnolia tree, a wreath frame from Michael's that I bought using one of those 40% off coupons, and a glue gun. That's it! I think it looks adorable hanging from the dutch door of the flower shop. What do you think?

{ All Things Ikat }

I was first introduced to the Ikat pattern awhile back when I purchased my Ochre Ikat Skirt from J.Crew. I loved the pattern but didn't know it had become such a world-wide phenomenon until recently when it started popping up in all the Pottery Barns, Urban Outfitters, and Ikeas across the states. So I'm sorry if I'm a little late, but I'd like to share my love for all things Ikat.

{ Sleepless in Southern California }

I bought this magnificent wire dress form a few weeks ago at the Newport Consignment Center for $25. The plan was to dress it up and stick it in the corner of my new room in Huntington, but last night, the clothes from my closet decided to have some fun with it. I'm not sure what makes me more crazy? The fact that I was up until 1am dressing a wire mannequin and taking pictures with my iPhone, or that I'm blogging about it on the world-wide-web? Oh well, at least I fell asleep dreaming of ruffles and cardigans.

PS- That teal dress you're admiring on the left belongs to my Mother. I stole it, and I'm pretty sure as soon as she sees this I'm going to be reamed for not giving it back after wearing it. I'm notorious for that sort of behavior. Cute dress though, right? It's easy to see where I get my sense of style from. Wink! Wink!

{ A Collection Of Favorites }

When I see a beautiful picture in a magazine, I must rip it out! My mother will attest to this. Whether it's mine or not, doesn't really matter. I know, I'm a terrible person. Anyway, I was at the doctors office the other day and during my 2-1/2 hr. wait, I thumbed through a gazillion magazines and brought these beauties home with me. Yup, I stole them. These 3 pictures just so happen to be 3 of my favorite things to collect!

First, I am OBSESSED with Mercury glass. I'm not sure when the fascination started, but I just can't get enough of the stuff. Someday I hope to have a beautiful collection like this one...

And how about this gorgeous plate collection? I must admit that every time I'm at Anthro I'm always tempted to buy a plate or two in their back sale room (ladies, you know what I'm talking about) but can never justify my purchase. However, I think I've found my justification...

WOW! Before making mention of the gorgeous display of milk glass, can we just admire that amazing stacked cocktail table bookcase? Stunning! As for the milk glass, it's always been a favorite of mine. So classic, chic, and an easy find at most thrift stores...

So what do you collect? Or want to collect? I'd love to hear about the fun things you've found and the creative ways you like to display them.