The Thank You Book: The Last Elephant and Piggie Book

elephant and piggie mo willemsThe Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems will always hold a warm place, and a silly place, in my heart. When Clare, my beautiful first born, was about to turn one, I asked Rick what the theme should be for her party. Without skipping a beat he said “birthday-themed.” And so I proceeded in a pre-DIY blog, pre-Pinterest world with creating a pretty dynamite birthday-themed birthday party. To this party, my friend Jaime brought her sweet brand new baby Scarlet and a beautiful gift. In that pretty package was a selection of new books for baby Clare including two books by Mo Willems, whom I had never heard of before. Can you remember a time when you hadn’t heard of Elephant and Piggie and Pigeon and Duckling and Knuffle Bunny and Trixie? On that day I read The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog and There’s a Bird on Your Head for the first time. Since then we have spent so many nights sharing all of Mo Willem’s books, and passing them down from child to child, and also giving them as gifts to anyone we know who needs these beloved (and sometimes ornery) characters in their lives.

elephant and piggie mo willems

The time has now come for 25th and very last Elephant and Piggie book.

elephant and piggie mo willems

THE THANK YOU BOOK

Gerald is careful. Piggie is not.
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.

Gerald and Piggie are best friends.

In The Thank You Book!, Piggie wants to thank EVERYONE. But Gerald is worried Piggie will forget someone . . . someone important.

elephant and piggie mo willems

And while Elephant and Piggie are busy figuring out who they need to thank, I’d like to say #thankorama to Mo Willems himself for these funny, crazy, heart-warming characters who have played an important roll in my three children’s early years. This may be the last Elephant and Piggie book but we will be learning to read using the library of 25 published books for years to come.

elephant and piggie mo willems
Read on for fun free downloads… (more…)

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Unique Flowers for Mom

DIY mother's day Flowers

Mother’s Day is just 3 days away and while a traditional bouquet of cut flowers is a lovely gift, there is still time to put a creative, personal, funky or fun twist on your flora gift for your mama. Here are some of our favorite DIY’s, tips and tricks for flowers.

Above:Ziploc-Lined May Day Bouquets | Simple and Stunning Succulent Wreath | How to Make a Succulent Crown| Lolli-Flowers

Spring Flower DIYs, Tips, and Tricks

How to Create 4 Beautiful May Day Bouquets | Lavender and Oatmeal Soaps | Baby Food Jar Hanging Bud Vase

See more Spring Flower DIYs, Tips, and Tricks after the jump…

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Simple & Bright Bok Choy Salad

Simple & Bright Bok Choy Salad
If you planted a winter garden, I hope so included some bok choy! It’s ready now, so pick it (or pick it up at your local farmer’s market). I love bok choy in an easy weeknight stir fry, and I especially love it braised so it’s a bit creamy. But bok choy is also delicious eaten raw! Just chop it up and toss it with a dressing that has some sweetness to cut any bitterness in the leaves. Add some nuts or seeds for crunch, and you’ve got a light, delicious lunch. Get the dressing recipe for our Simple & Bright Bok Choy salad after the jump… (more…)

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Wild for Flowers: Must-Have Florals for Spring

Mother Nature is still mixing some April Showers in with my May Flowers but I’m ready for blooms. Here are ten of my favorite florals this month. From a pretty new coloring book of clever quotes and pretty flowers by Zoë Ingrams, to Quinn’s favorite kicks this season, to retro SunPrint Paper to bring me back to childhood, May is bursting with pretty petals.

1.  The Flower Trip – Florabunda – Bando

2. Roshe One Cherry Blossom Sneakers – Nike

3. Dear Stella Fabric by the Yard, Wildwood, Midnight Floral Ebony – Fabricworm

4. Wise Words to Color: Inspiration to Live and Color By by Zoë Ingram

5. Roxy Kids Sneakers – See Kai Run

6. SunPrint Kit – Amazon

7. Adidas Originals Floral Print Legging – Urban Outfitters

8. Faux Peony Stems – Target

9. Girls’ Terry Cloth Kaftan Cover Up – Marimekko for Target

10. Patterned Case for iPhone – J. Crew

 

 

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Simple Summer Dress Tutorials

Looking for some simple easy breazy girls’ summer dress sewing tutorials? Here are some of our favorite kids dresses to sew. How to Turn Any T Shirt Into a Sundress It’s time to start sewing up some spring and summer dresses for your littles. These are some of the most popular summer dress tutorials that we’ve shared over the years, and our little girl’s favorites.

Girls Summer Dress Sewing Tutorials

1. My favorite is the How to Turn Any T Shirt Into a Sundress tutorial pictured above, as it is super fast and upcycles any cool tee you own.

2. I’m also still a huge fan of the ever-popular Snappy Toddler dress (with pattern)>. Snappy Toddler Dress

3. Our Easy Summer Muu Muu will be your daughter’s favorite comfy and cute dress. Easy Muu Muu Pattern

4. I adore our One Shoulder Dressy Dress, it’s extra cute in a bold pattern. One Shoulder Dressy Dress DIY

5. This pretty DIY Pinafore is great for spring in a bright color. DIY-Pinafore

6. This Peekaboo Toddler Tank has the cutest back! Check it out. Peekaboo Toddler Tank

7. This loose fitting summer frock is extra cute with the gathered neckline: Summer Frock with Gathered Neckline. Summer Frock with Gathered Neckline

8. We’ve made so many version of our Pillowcase Dress, I like this one with bias tape trim. Pillowcase Dress

9. And this dress is just so fun to make in gauze, the Snap Wrap Dress. Snap Wrap Dress

Simple Summer Dress Tutorials

Find more of our kid clothing sewing tutorials here. Happy sewing!

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A Treatise On Beach Cover Ups

Here is what makes a good beach/pool cover-up IMHO:
1. It covers my belly so I can eat fried conch fritters without actually visually observing my stomach expanding.
2. It packs up small, so it’s easy to lug around. This is why I am not interested in terry cloth cover ups. I don’t want to carry ten pounds of wet towel with me ever. I’m supposed to be relaxing, not feeling like I’m doing laundry.
3. It dries quickly. That sexy wet boob and booty-zone where your cover up sticks to your bathing suit and it looks like you peed in your pants? Pass.
4. It is relatively cute. I don’t need to look like I’m at coachella or anything, but I don’t want to stray too far into Mrs. Roper territory either.

Also, I worked in a bathing suit store, many moons ago (many pounds ago?) so I have some experience with these things. Check out my picks for the best beach cover ups after the jump…

My absolute most fave is this kaftan from Rose & Rose. I wore it all over Tulum a few months ago, and am wearing it currently as I write this on the beach in Mahe, Seychelles. It’s super lightweight, packs up tiny, feels amazing in the humid weather, and is just the right length. I love this thing. It’s by Rose and Rose.

I love gauze. It feels great in humid climates and it’s so pretty. This one will show the back of your swimsuit, and I feel like showing my back is something I’m okay with. This is the Daydreamer Playdress from Vitamin A, it also comes in black which can be more forgiving.

I also love rompers, all the time. I’m all about one-piece dressing. This Solana Romper from Vitamin A is crazy comfortable, but its quite short in the booty area, like shorter then it looks here. But so comfy.

My husband suprised me with a gift of this dress and I love it! It’s not a beach cover up, however, when I wore it my daughter said it looked like I was wearing a robe. She actually said: “Mom, are we going to a pool?” I said, “No, why?” and she replied that I looked like I was dressed in a pool robe. So, I packed this dress along with me to the island, and it really is great for throwing on over your suit and sitting down for a nice meal. I still wear it out though, cause I love it. Wrap midi dress in Linn stripe from Madewell.

Melissa Obadash makes some luxurious stuff for the beach, it’s all quite gorgeous but some of it feels like a lot to have on, lots of details and lace, a bit fussy for me. But some of it is just right, like this Amber Bandeau dress. Great for if you are staying somewhere luxurious and want to look super put together while drinking cocktails by the infinity pool.

I totally love tie die, and where better to wear it then by the pool? Like seriously, you can’t wear tie dye to work. This romper is lightweight and comfy and perfect if you are curvy in the chestal-region, for showing off your assets. Surf Gypsy tie dye romper from ASOS.

This one may seem a little boring, but I wear it constantly. IT HAS POCKETS. Also, it’s made of some strange material that feels almost like swimsuit material – it dries so fast. I love it. Jordan TaylorBlack Quintessential Surplice Tunic from Canyon Beachwear.

Would wear this 24 hours a day. Akasa Ombre low back beach dress from ASOS.

I like to have a beach maxi. It’s great for when your legs are feeling like they are getting burned and something about a long dress makes you look more “done” when it’s time to mosey on over to the restaurant. This one is fab. Monki Lace Beach Dress from ASOS.

Well now that I have shared my deep thoughts on beach cover ups, I think I will walk from my current seat out to this here beach. XO

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Backyard Updates

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Now that we’ve had a taste of warmer days here in Texas, I’ve ventured out to give our new backyard a bit of TLC. Last year it was all about just enjoying the new pool and pinching myself that this was all right outside my back door. Now it’s time to add some finishing touches like things to sit on (ha) and also some pretty plants and rugs and such to make it more homey. Here’s a sneak peek at what I’ve been working on!

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The Prettiest Balloon Decor

Balloons say “spring” to me. I got lost in a Pinterest hole looking at the prettiest balloon decor for parties, like this above from Petite and Sweet.

Learn how to make a balloon arch yourself at The House That Lars Built!

This rainbow aisle spotted at Rock My Wedding made me so happy! And perfect for a rainbow-loving kid party.

Adore this hot-air balloon centerpiece spotted on Bridal Guide.

Everything about this picture spotted on Spearmint Baby makes me so happy.

Pretty Geeky shared the great idea of using golf tees to secure balloons to the ground. Magical wonderland!

Love attaching the balloons right to the wall as seen on Honey & Fitz.

A balloon cloud! So cute! From Em-el-ie.

More amazing hot-air balloons, from Kara’s Party Ideas.

And I love the idea of writing on a black balloon with a gold pen from Hello May.

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