mamasaysmine

Oh my, oh my, oh my. 

The good folks at  Today’s Mama and Provo Craft want to make my holiday dreams come true. How did they know everything that’s on my list? Get details of their giveaway here and see below for my answers to their Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?
My husband and I don’t actually get each other Christmas gifts… when we lived far away from family, we spent the money on travel, and now that we’re closer to family we can’t seem to justify spending the money in a tight economy. Frankly, I think this is lame.
- Flip video camera
- new hardwood floors (a girl can dream)
- trip to Florida
- office remodel, including trip to Ikea
- morning-sickness-free days

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
This wasn’t for Christmas, but my husband proposed to me by presenting a copy of Dr. Seuss’s “Oh the Places You’ll Go” and replacing every “you” in the book with “we” - the very last page had cut-out letters spelling “will you marry me?” Best. gift. ever.

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
I’ve always wanted to make a personalized set of Russian stacking dolls for someone.

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
I remember one year getting a store-bought stocking full of candy. This doesn’t sound impressive, but we usually had handmade items and never had candy, so it was a BIG DEAL.

5. What items are on your kids’ wish list this year?
Anything related to the Disney Princesses. Sigh.

6. What is your favorite holiday food?
Cherry mash candy. Salivating as I write that.

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
I’m making dress-up stuff for several nieces and nephews (mermaid costume, capes, crowns) and a velcro & fleece fishing game that I still need to develop thoroughly. Also, I make our Christmas cards every year. Starting to feel overwhelmed… (the addition of a Cricut machine would help right about now…)

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
Holiday Inn.

9. What is your favorite holiday song?
Silent Night.

10. Favorite holiday pastime?
Wrapping presents with my dad Christmas Eve afternoon. I look forward to it every year. We’re both high-maintenance when it comes to wrapping, but we’re also FAST. Now that my daughter is old enough to enjoy looking at Christmas lights, I can’t wait to drive around with her.

I’m a huge fan of Old Navy for kids’ jeans, basics like t-shirts and fun, trendy items for everyone in the family.

To celebrate being 15 years old, Old Navy is offering 15% off your order with code ONBDAY15 through Thursday, October 15.

Happy Shopping!

ps. shop through ebates and earn a whopping 8% back on your purchase!

I am in love with pretty much every project from this Halloween Party guide. The best part? All of the materials are available at your average thrift store, and the projects are all very no sew/low sew (for the sewing impaired, the sewing intimidated, or those, like me who are having a “difficult” relationship with their sewing machine lately).

The creator of all of these awesome projects also has a wonderful little blog that I find so inspiring - Wise Craft. Can I be her when I grow up? (note: it is entirely likely that she is much younger than me.)

Ok, no, I’m not pregnant.

And yet, nursery decor is on my mind.

Of course, so are Max and Ruby, who I both love (because they keep my daughter occupied and don’t say the word “stupid” EVER) and loathe (because they are SO IRRITATING).

But, did you know that Rosemary Wells, the author of all of the Max & Ruby books has a wesbite? And that the Nick Jr. site also has a Max & Ruby section? With this cool project? (which will be coming soon to mi casa, I promise you)

Even cooler… she sells her original artwork and prints at this site. Pricey, to be sure, but a girl can dream. (and there is a $50 ish section here) (which is still not cheap, I realize)

Oy ve. Fall has arrived in the Midwest with a great, sloshy plop. We had a day or two of crisp-ness that made me feel like I was living in a J Crew ad, but now it’s just cold and rainy. No playing outside, not quite cold enough to turn the heat on, but not warm enough to have it off. Plus, my nasal congestion can’t decide if it’s a cold or allergies.

Perfect time for this “Great Escape” meme! (sidenote: this is also a contest entry sponsored by Today’s Mama and may just win me a Cricut machine. To use the words of Rachel Zoe, I think they are BANANAS. I do so want one.)

Onto the meme!

1. If you could escape to anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Definitely Hawaii. I’ve always wanted to walk on the lava fields.

2. What song do you play when you are by yourself in the car?
“Fernando” by ABBA.

3. If you had a night to yourself and money was no object, what would you do?
I’d head to IKEA, get all the storage stuff I wanted and spend the rest of the night painting & customizing everything.

4. What is your guilty pleasure?
I don’t feel guilty about doing anything I love. My favorite thing, though, that doesn’t always get into the budget is getting a pedicure.