Links and Such

Happy Thursday! Here are this week's Links and Such. 

NOTE: I recently added a "Links and Such" tab to the top of my blog to allow you to scroll through past L&S editions. enjoy.

ABOVE: I love daydreaming about a fun room to make for our daughter and THIS one on Poppytalk is just too cute and full of fun ideas! I love the ferris wheel, what a great storage solution for stuffed toys. The mint green walls also provide a fun backdrop that really makes the yellow pop and meshes with the pinky striped curtain. Genius. I never would have thought to go for a pastel mint, but I'm digging it!

Keeping with space for kids- how about a Nap Cave?
WOW- Richard Wright wall painting!
An EASY diy to make a versatile layer/scarf/tunic combo thing all in one!!!
strawberry shortcake recipe
in love with this NEW-To-Me blog!
I want this Trench in Navy
Yarn bombing, according to the NY Times
rose gold pin weight
this sandwich looks awesome! btw, love her blog header!
DIY pleather gold braided bracelet

Handmade Shout Out: This and That, Some New Etsy Favs

This Week's Handmade Shout Out is another grouping of some recent etsy favs I thought you should know about! Enjoy.

Above: Swallowtail Garland by kissmego cute for a party or all year round decoration!

The Perfect Pair Button Stud Earrings by TheAngryWeather

Custom Sterling Charm by TheHummingbirdNest I really like the font and the subtle rustic patina. There are a lot of custom silver charms out there, and this one is now at the top of my favorites!

Mason Jar Votive by PigeonToeCeramics Perfect for this time of year- hello outdoor entertaining!

Parkway 3 by MarcoSuarez

Beaba Babycook- Review

A month ago my mom gave us the Beaba Babbycook to aid us in our baby food making endeavors! The results are in- WE LOVE IT! True one can make baby food with a food processor and stove, but this baby food maker does it all in one and steams and cooks the food lickety split! If you have read some of my nesting blog posts before, you'll know that we are not quick to jump on the "must-have-this-for-baby" bandwagon, but this is one tool that makes life a lot easier. So hop aboard! I know there are some negative reviews out there about this product, but we have been using it for two months now and have only had a positive experience with our Beaba. We purchased ours on Amazon for a cheaper price.

The Cooker comes with a handy recipe guide for month appropriate foods. And I suggest buying the freezer trays as they are the perfect serving size and they easily pop out of the container without disturbing the other food pods. I simply heat up her portion in a ramekin (with a touch of water) in the microwave for 1:30 power level 4. This melts just enough food but still allows me to break up the remaining frozen bit stirring it all together so it's not too hot or too cold!

At the moment sweet potato is a huge favorite, as is the combo of spinach and carrot. Happy cooking!

Busy Gardeners

NO Monday blog yesterday, but I have a good reason!  I've been busy with some secretive stuff lately that has been pretty consuming, but have no fear I will blog about it next month, so stay tuned for that!! 

Other than that, we've been busy gardening the last two weeks. The weather has been pretty ideal up until yesterday ! The mild days of 70 degrees with little to no humidity are only spoiling us for later in the summer when it will once again be sticky. Last week we kept mulching up a storm and still have more to do!  We also spruced up some pots with fresh flowers (as seen above) and the husband had the genius idea to lay out our picnic blanket in the yard for the baby to play on. It's a great blanket- soft fleece on one side and gortex type fabric on the reverse. This gave the little miss some fun outdoor time and allowed us to keep working. I love this time of year! I hope you have a great start to your week!

Links and Such

Happy Thursday everyone!  So I wrote this LINKS and SUCH on Thursday and it went live, but then blogger had a meltdown and it disappeared. So I am re creating this week's blog post with the help of my "history" feature.... sigh hopefully I can gather all of the links together!

Above: Renest offers up a fun Vertical Salad wall!

DONE! ; )
dang A floor made from pennies
A Cute use for vintage bottles
The moon in your house
thoughts on motherhood
DIY birthday garland
Sail away skirt
a simple and sweet take on ginger ale 
10 ceiling porch lights
best sunscreen for kids
I'm going to knit this for the little miss for her first birthday in October, mum's the word! ; )

Knit Baby shoes in 3 hours

I knit up these darling baby shoes this week in under 3 hours. 

Above: the little miss chilling in the grass with Millie and then getting a kiss from her Dad.

I'm quickly learning how easy and rewarding knitting baby goodies can be! My materials: some white cotton yarn I had in my stash. I have so much of this yarn I'm inspired to knit up a little animal. The turquoise buttons were also from my button stash and with the white yarn, they make a fun summery combination. The pattern was from Vintage Knits for Modern Babies. This is the first pattern I have knit from this book and it was very quick an easy. So many beautiful patterns I recommend purchasing the entire book (rather than buying them individually online)!!

Green Living: A Guide book to Recycling

This week's Green Living Post is a shout out to this new book Recycle The Essential Guide. From what I've read, this book not only helps answer both the basic and the tougher recycling questions, but digs deeper by offering a consumer directory to purchase goods made from recyclable materials. I'm a firm believer that all goods especially packaging should be both made from recyclable materials as well as be recyclable. Trash and packaging is my biggest GREEN issue, I won't buy something if I can't recycle it! 

I'm working on a bigger Green Living Blog post to be published at a future date- all about "Living Like A Homesteader". Where I will explore the idea of getting back to our roots before disposable was even an option and what we can do in our daily life to live more like a Homesteader with less impact on our environment.  

Look Book: In search of the perfect White Tunic

As the weather continues to warm up around these parts, I've been thinking about my wardrobe. In the past I've spoken about buying a few high quality staples each season in order to beef up my wardrobe. The idea is to be very selective and to edit one's wardrobe in a similar way a Designer designs a space. And so I've concluded that this season's staple is a white tunic. Consider this a wish list if you will, one that will inspire your own white tunic search! 

My Criteria: I'm not trustworthy when it comes to white, especially a knit, jersey type fabric! I find they stain more easily, pill quickly and overall they do not last more than a season. So this tunic must be some sort of linen or high quality cotton. Something I could easily wear everyday and still look styling. Here is what I found so far, which one is your favorite!?

Above: J Crew's Embroidered Bip Tunic

J Crew's Cotton Blousanna Top

Anthropologie's Alfresco Tunic, I wasn't sold on the asymmetrical front, but after seeing it on a model I think it looks lovely and breezy!

Anthro's Sandy Secrets Top

Anthro's Magdalena Peasant Top (I think I love it in blue best)

Boden's Embroidered Kaftan

Loft's Broken Wings Blouse, I know not white, but I like the shape and print!

White Tunic, by Poetry Not a great picture, but I LOVE 90% of their clothing you should check them out! Like their Embroidered Cotton Tunic. Since funds are tight at the moment I might sew my own tunic out of some linen hanging around. Of course if I do, I will post that project here! Have a great start to your week!