Sandwiches, Desert Sand and West Texas: Friday I’m in Love

Where I wish we were going this weekend: I’ve had Marfa on my mind lately but my husband says “no, thank you” to lack of WiFi and DirecTV. Maybe I’ll have to convince Jaime and Colleen to head out there for a ladies creative retreat. Who else is in? El Cosmico’s rented Safari Tents, Vintage Trailers and Teepees look like the perfect place to clear your thoughts and let ideas flow. via Hey, Sweetpea

What I will actually be doing this weekend: My new-found love of Instagram (@prudentJaime & @prudentjacinda) has lead me to Whippycake (@WhippyCake.) As an Instagram hold-out, her recent series on all things Instagram was a fantastic way for me to get up to speed. Instagram: The Basics, Composing a Photo, Secondary Apps, What Now?, and Who to Follow. And hello, how cute are all the goodies in her shop?

Cause about which you might like to know: Doris from Project Keeping Cadence has been been sewing zipper pouches (for the female soldiers,) sand scarves and cooling scarves for over 5 years and she needs our help! She has been funding this huge project all on her own and needs donations to cover materials and shipping. Right now she is working on 650 scarves to send to Colorado Springs by November 1st. If you would like to donate $$, donate materials or offer to help with sewing, please contact Doris on the Project Keeping Cadence facebook page and be sure to like her page and share it with others! Thanks Doris for making our troops just a little more comfortable doing all they do for us! XOXO

Meanwhile on Pinterest: For some reason y’all are making a note of this French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich. I can’t possibly imagine why. ha

carol van zandt

This awesome thing which I acquired: My talented friend Carol Van Zandt send over a fat quarter pack of her new Licorice Fizz collection. These sharp black and whites will be making their way into a few Halloween projects that I have planned. Visit The Plaid Portico for gorgeous news on fabric including Carol’s!

Speaking of fabric: If you live in the Austin, TX area, you should head out to Dana Willard of MADE fame’s book signing next Thursday. Looks like a fun event! Dallas next please.

…And my most monumental news of the week? My big girl started Kindergarten. She is doing really well and seems happy to pop out of bed and walk to school. We’ll see what happens when we run out of new outfits.

Enjoy your long weekend and Football! Go Irish!

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DIY Hot Air Balloon Mobile (Free Pattern!)


I have been completely obsessed with all things hot air balloons lately and not just any – vintage hot air balloons to be exact. There is something so whimsical and dreamy about them. Joy from How Joyful took her love for them and turned them into a nursery mobile for her new little one. Is it weird that I kind of want one over my bed too? While you’re collecting felt to make these beauties, pick up a little extra to make her felt roses and before the heat escapes us, treat yourself to this upcycled summer vest.

Gather your materials and we’ll all float on, alright…
(p.s. Who can name the band?)
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A Monthly Box O’ Magic: Babbabox Activity Kit Giveaway Winner

Jaime has been a BabbaBox fan for a long time and now I love it so much too! We know that you will too! The subscription service from Babbaco is awesome… each month a box arrives on your doorstep brimming with all of the supplies and instruction you could possibly need to create crafts, science experiments, reading, games, and more with your kids.

Keep reading to see more and to find out who won a BabbaBox (and get an exclusive discount code just for Prudent Mamas) after the jump… (more…)

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Oilcloth Upholstered Footstool & A Design Question for You!

upholstered footstool

I’ve lived in Keller, TX for 3 years and yet just discovered that it’s an antique wonderland. Enormous multi-room antique malls are hidden behind inconspicuous storefronts all along Main Street. This could become a problem as you will see in my posts over the next few weeks. I’m discovering that I have a talent for finding all kinds of treasures deserving a loving home. My loving home. For example, ever since Jaime posted her upholstered oilcloth stool a few years ago, I’ve been on the lookout for one to re-do. Over 2 years! And last week I found 2 within 5 minutes of my house. I was good and only bought one (for $6) promising myself that if I finished the project I could return for the second stool. Apparently I’ve figured out what motivates me. Here is my first little beauty, covered in Anna Maria Horner’s new Field Study Oilcloth and ready for sticky baby fingers or bathtub splashes.

Read on for the before and after photos and my design question for you… (more…)

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How to Make a Knotted Suede Bracelet


We are always keeping our eyes out for pretty accessories to make, so when Jen from Eat. Sleep. MAKE. told us all about her tutorial for making knotted suede and beaded bracelets we had to share it with you. Her Plywood Inspire Boards and Citrus and Herb Soap are also great projects to add to your “things to make” list. All those out there who love a good estate sale should check out the Estate Saling 101 Series.

If you have a project you’d like to share with us at Prudent Baby contact us here. We’d love to hear from you!

Keep reading for the full How to Make a Knotted Suede Bracelet Tutorial…

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Jet Planes and Pickles: It’s Friday I’m in Love


Scary thing I did that wasn’t that scary after all: So, Carleton’s friend invited us to join he and his wife on a trip to Santa Barbara for the night – IN THIS PLANE THAT HE PILOTED. I was totally scared beforehand (perhaps it did not help that Carleton kept referring to me as “shark bait”), but once we were in the air it was so calm and peaceful. So now “learn to fly a plane” is added to my bucket list. Also, the lack of red lights and full body pat-downs was pretty sweet.

Moment of cuteness: Normally my husband avoids my cutesy instagram photo set-ups at all costs, but he let me have this one. Thx babe. 🙂

If you wanna follow our instagram photo barf, we are @prudentjaime and @prudentjacinda.

What we were making this week: Pickled up some of our tried and true Easy Peasy Spicy Pickles. I love refrigerator pickles. The only thing I did differently from my usual recipe was I added fresh dill and doubled it. Deelish.

Thing I am getting increasingly excited about: My new book comes out in five weeks! It’s a journal for YOU to write YOUR OWN prudent advice for YOUR daughter and it’s called My Prudent Advice (you can pre-order it on amazon now!). I hope you like it.

Space we loved pinning: Jacinda and I wish we worked face to face in a beautiful office like this instead of face to text message. Sadface.

In the news: Loved seeing Jacinda’s DIY Travel Lap Tray on Apartment Therapy Family.

Totally best giveaway ever: Jaime made a beautiful video of our families together while we were all in LA. I love it so much. Ya know what else I love? FABRIC! Here’s our sweet “home video” and the details on how you can enter to win $250 worth of fabric from Fabricworm over on the Prudent Baby YouTube page. Fabric like the gorgeous new Field Study from Anna Maria Horner. Come say Hi!

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DIY Marbled Paper Cards


You know that amazing feeling when you have found a project that only takes seconds but has absolutely stunning results? Ya, me neither. Kidding! Erin from House of Earnest has created just that with her DIY Marbled Paper Cards. I’m sure you’ve stumbled upon marbled nails through your Pinterest ventures, but this takes marbling to a whole new level.

Since House of Earnest is all about pretty and simple projects, make sure to take note of this sparkly glitter vase and how to make a glass lamp from a vase.

Find out how to make your own DIY Marbled Paper Cards after the jump…

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Feeding the Kiddos: 10 Delicious After-School Snacks


Cheez-Its are perfect for snacking on while getting homework done, along with some delicious Scrap-Busting Granola Bars.


Make a batch of Sunbutter to eat with sweet apples or Pretzel Rings.


Store up on zucchini to make Zucchini Bread and Sweet Zucchini Pickles. Stick with the green theme and toast up some Spinach Hot Pockets.


Want to treat them to something sweet? Homemade Drumsticks, The One-Minute Chocolate Chip Cookie or Cucumber Mint Popsicles can do just the trick.

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