How to Beautify Your Bag with Fresh Blooms

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Stevee stopped by the studio earlier this week for a visit with Colleen and I, we decided to play with flowers. The garden is currently so beautiful all in bloom that we just wanted to carry a little piece of it with us all day.

So we made little purse “boutonniere’s” as a sort of purse charm for each of our bags.
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It only took a minute, and we got so many compliments on our flower-adorned purses the rest of the day!
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Learn how to Beautify Your Bag with Fresh Blooms after the jump (it’s so easy)… (more…)

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DIY Bow Stamped Wrapping Paper

This post is sponsored by Disney Press. Thank you for creating magical tales that get our kids excited about reading.

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It would be a gross understatement to say that our three little girls (Quinn, Clare, and Scarlet) are huge fans of Minnie Mouse. What’s not to love? She’s spunky, she’s fiesty, and she has magical adventures. Jacinda has even flown in from Texas so we could wait eagerly to visit Minnie’s home in Toon Town and get her autograph (FYI, she’s totally a sweetheart in person too). So when we were asked to review her new book, Minnie in Paris, we were happy to oblige.

Inspired by Minnie’s iconic bow, illustrated in beautiful pink for her trip to Paris, we decided to create DIY bow stamps and use them to make this modern wrapping paper. We think Minnie would agree that our project is trés chic, oiu?
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I think Quinn would also agree.
Minnie in Paris at Pretty Prudent

Minnie in Paris by Sheila Sweeny Higginson and Illustrated by Mike Wall is available now. Order your copy from Disney here. Quinn adores it, as will any of the little dreamers in your life.
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This a great little project for a summer afternoon, and you can use the stamps over and over again.
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Get the full tutorial for DIY Bow Stamps and Bow Stamped Wrapping Paper after the jump. Bows Bows Bows!
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Have Dragons, Will Travel

This post is sponsored by Target. More Playtime, More Together; Immerse yourself in the roles of your children’s favorite characters at Target – and have fun doing so!

IMG_6656For years I’ve had a strict “1 toy leaves the house” policy which has served me very well. It’s a variation on my former “no toy leaves the house” policy which served me even better. Basically with three small children, I found that simply leaving all toys at home saved me a whole lot of:

A. Removing toys from car

B. Mediating fights over toys in aisle 3 of the grocery store

C. Going BACK to aisles 1-14 to look for forgotten toys

This worked well for me.IMG_6647

Soon, however, I started to feel like How to Train Your Dragon’s Stoick the Vast of toy rules, stubborn and unbending in my ways, so I began to allow one toy for each child. This was a perfect compromise for the girls. They were always able to pick a book or a doll and amuse themselves. They also found the loop hole in the system where together they would pick two toys. Hello, TEAMWORK! So that was all going great for us but then we had a boy and boys are different. Here’s a few things I’ve noticed about boys, well at least my boy…
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DIY Leather Tote

DIY Leather Tote
Shannon from Clad&Cloth is back again with another fantastic tutorial for you. Last week she shared the tasty Homemade Churros Recipe, today she is sharing this cute leather tote. This tote is perfect for a day at the farmer’s market or day at the beach. I have been dying to make this. You can use the excess leather to make a matching Leather iPad Case, Leather Bow Bracelet, or these Leather Baby Shoes.

For more crafting inspiration, head over to check out the Clad&Cloth DIY projects. You can find great projects for the home and for you!

Find out how to make the DIY Leather Tote after the jump…

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Dad Day Gift Guide

It’s that time of year when we show dear old dad just how much we appreciate him and all he does for the gang. In celebration, we have collected our favorite gift ideas for paternal types. Perhaps something here will be the perfect way to pamper that young fella this June 15th, alongside a meal fit for a king and some handmade cards.

Are you ready for some Footbol? World Cup is coming on June 12th and if your husband is a fan, a team jersey like this one is a sure thing.

Potions and lotions aren’t just for ladies. Treat that sexy Grizzly Adams to some quality product for his man mane. Honest Amish Beard Balm wins for best name (and has great reviews) and Beardbrand Tea Tree Beard Oil is also a favorite amongst Rip Van Winkles and their gals.

Show your father-type that you appreciate his, a-hem, attention to detail with this spectacular Tube Wringer. No longer will he have to put up with the “middle squeezers” in the family.

Read on for more perfect gift ideas for father-types.

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3 Days in Paradise: Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

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Between Colleen’s Icelandic adventure, Jaime’s journey to Norway and my promise (fingers crossed, haha) to my husband to never leave him alone with the children again, we called on our friend Sonya, from Parlor Diary, to spend a few days in Mexico relaxing by the beach, courtesy of Iberostar Playa Mita. Isn’t she the best to be there when we need her? Here she is with the inside scoop on the ultimate family vacation in paradise. Take it away Sonya…

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The video promoting Riviera Nayarit begins with “I can’t get this place out of my mind…” It’s easy to understand why Visit Mexico would promote this beautiful state on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Riddled with gorgeous beaches and majestic mountains, a visit here is likely to stay with you for quite some time.

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During my stay in Riviera Nayarit, I was invited to stay at the brand new all-inclusive resort, Iberostar Playa Mita. A chain based out of Spain, Iberostar owns ten hotels in Mexico, but this is their first offering on the Western coast. Iberostar, the 5-star “Premium Gold” destination,  offers deluxe family-friendly accommodations. Kids will love the ocean front beach, pool, splash park, playground, and youth activities. Parents can take advantage of drop off at the kids’ club, babysitting services, spa, gym, entertainment, and multiple options for dining and cocktails. Iberostar Playa Mita proves that family fun and luxury can coexist.

Read more about my visit to Iberostar Playa Mita in Riviera Nayarit after the jump…

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Homemade Churros Recipe

Homemade Churros Recipe

Let’s start the week off with something a little extra sweet shall we? Shannon from Clad&Cloth is here with this tasty churro recipe. I think I’m craving them this week because last week I went around exploring Olvera Street in Downtown LA. My parents would take my sisters and I there every few weeks when we were kids to eat homemade tortillas and cinammony-sugary-churro-deliciousness. Shannon will show you the simple recipe for how to make these churros right at home.

Homemade Churros Recipe

Make sure to add Clad&Cloth to your blogroll to keep up to date on Shannon’s newest findings and DIY Projects.

Homemade Churros Recipe

Check out the recipe for these Homemade Churros after the jump…

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Playroom Sneak Peek

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Lovelies! While Jaime and her family are exploring Norway (aren’t her @prudentjaime instagram photos so good?) I’m here doing a little nesting, getting prepared for Summer, and FINALLY recovering from turning in our book manuscript. One of the rooms in my own home that we used in the book to showcase some of my MOST FAVORITE DIY projects was our playroom. Under the genius guidance of The Land of Nod Creative Director Danielle Kurtz, I whipped that toysunami into submission in style. The toy organization tip list that she contributed for the book is just as smart as you would imagine. Of course I can’t show the stuff for the book but I want to share a glimpse at the mood board and the finished room. I couldn’t resist, so many of the great LON products that we used in the room at now on sale! Take a look!Land of Nod playroomLand of Nod Playroom

Flea Market Wire Ball Bin – $33.15 *Organic Landscape Floor Bin  – $33.50 * General Storage Shelf –  $399 * Multiplayer Wall Hook  – $14.95

Land of Nod playroom

A Tee Pee to Call Your Own – $159 (more…)

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