Perfect gift for a dad...

I am over here today talking about a little gift that Little Man and I put together for Father's Day.

 I have some great photos from what that photo shoot was really like and a tutorial on making something in this gift coming up real soon.

besitos, 

xo

VIDEO tutorial on my Pom Pom Snowballs!

I am over here today showing you how to make your very own indoor snowballs!

EXTRA for my WeedsToWishes lovelies...here is an additional VIDEO tutorial for you on these snowballs. Let me say that I don't know why it uploaded the way it did (smaller than the screen) to You Tube and I will see if I can fix it later tonight... but the filming of this video this took like 2 hours to record for various reasons such as the camera not recording when we thought it was, baby having a diaper blowout, a pesky fly, and a bunch of other interruptions...so its the best we could do- if all else very entertaining!

 Hope it helps!

besitos, 

xo

In case you missed it....free printable.

Just in case you missed it. 

This week on How Does She I am talking about 50 different ways to show someone you care about them... and there is a FREE printable! I have to say that I have just loved reading the comments of those who had experienced a loss in last month's post right here and it made me just go hold and kiss my little ones so much tighter.

 So, Check November's post right here.

beistos

xo

Scattered...

Nap-time Confession right here:

I have been feeling a tad bit scattered lately from the summer traveling and...well from my mind really. It's constantly thinking of great new ideas and posts I want to post but haven't had the time...it seems as though once I put one project down to make more time- I then pick up another project without realizing it!
Story of my life.

  I may have mentioned that {here} once before when I was closing my private practice. I just have so many passions for so many different things...so I start new business, new blogs, new projects...I think I may be a project hoarder. I can never have just ONE of anything... is this an addiction to multiples?
 I am a gemini.

So, the wheels in my head have been turning for sometime now and I have decided to consolidate a little bit more in my life once again and am revamping the front page of this blog to be able to consolidate several other blogs and workshops and projects I will be doing this fall... I'll explain more later... still sorting things out.

Bare with me okay...?

But I thought I would share a little funny moment. Well, to me it was funny...


 I was doing a photo shoot for a post I was writing for How Does She  on fashion in New York City, when all of a sudden I heard a band coming down the sidewalk...
 all wearing I heart NY shirts....

...I froze. 

...then posed...

...Which was a mistake because I almost got trampled. 

Then I was strung along down the sidewalk to a local pub they were all meeting at.

Only in New York.

Pretty sure you had to be there.
More photos of this over {here.}
Besitos xo,

This couch...some may see a weed- I see a wish.

I am over here today on How Does She revealing my office makeover using the Chip it program from Sherwin-Williams. If you don't know what that is- check out this post here.

This is the color scheme I decided to get inspiration from to make over my ugly boring office.

...And it all started with this guy.

This is was the first thing to enter into my new space. I adopted this fabulous piece from a local antique market for a great deal...well that is because it needed A LOT of work. 

I have to admit to you that when Mister saw this couch...he pretty much told me it was a lemon and to just scrap it. He didn't think that it was worth the hassle and money of repairing. Not really what I was hoping to hear...but I then reminded him of his love for old vintage cars- one in particular that is taking up space in our garage and only been driven a handful of times.

He never said another word about the couch again.

There as no way I was going to give up on this little couch... although I have to admit- he was right... it needed a lot of work... and possibly money. When we took a look at the inside frame- it was still in it's original padding... which looked to me like a nest of nasty hair pulled out of a drain. Sorry... gross... moving on.

Oh and the fabric was the hardest part...I searched and searched for a fabric that was actually in stock (I had only a week to find what I needed) and just as I was about to give up- I found this.  Little did I know that birds would be a huge theme in this room- I'll explain in another post.

Tada- Here is the couch finished thanks to Best Upholstery. I was happy to see the colors from my color pallet coming together.

I moved my desk and placed the couch in this corner close to the natural light. I envision myself curling up to read. 

Relief. It's done. And despite what the mister says...I love it.

xo besitos,

P.S. Don't forget about the giveaway going on right now until the 30th right here for the coolest Babbaco Box by Jessica Kim - You don't want to miss it!  

My Date with our Summer Jars.

It is time for my annual summer list .
You know the list that little man and I must complete before summer is over. We almost completed the list last year!

And this year I have made Summer Jars to help us get started.
I will be showing you how to make these lovelies next Tuesday on How Does She.  So, get excited.

Our Summer list?

Fly a kite

Dandelion blowing

Catching butterflies

Swimming

Sprinklers

Water fight

Camping in the backyard

Making a fort

Blow bubbles

Make sandcastle

Stare at the clouds

Picnic

Go to the Zoo

Go to the art Museum

Finger Paint

Sidewalk chalk

Scavenger Hunt

Bike Ride

Feed the birds

Roast marshmellos

Camping
Fishing

Rolling down a grassy hill

Walk the dog

Hopscotch

Bug catching

Pinterst craft

Paper airplane contest

Plant flowers

Learn to paint something new

Learn to draw something new

Scrapbook

Photo walk

Slip n Slide

Water balloon fight

5 dollars at dollar store
Water Park

Have a Happy unbirthday
Make Homemade Lemonade
Make homemade bread
Photo Walk
Downtown Walk
Farmers Market
Plant something
Italian Sodas
Go on a hike
Botanical Gardens
Ice Cream in Hyde Park
Snow Shack visit
Sew something
Play Horseshoe
Throw a football around
Frisbee
Summer vacation
McCall, ID
Service Project
Bon Fire
Soccer Game
Try a new park


Words from Cristi the Counselor:
 I can't stress enough as a counselor working with children how important it is to continue a routine in the summer. Too often children who seem to do well during the school year struggle in the summer due to a lack of structure and boredom.  I am not saying plan every waking moment- but plan activities that still keep your children challenged, learning, working, creating, playing, and exercising. Not only will they be that more prepared for the next grade but they won't come to you grumbling about being bored.

HowDoesShe.com has some great and FREE printables for a reading activity for your kiddos-  Check it out here- it made me wish Little Man was reading so we could get started on this fun game!

Some ideas to keeping kids engaged in a summer routine are:
-Plan ahead and create a daily schedule (see here for my visual schedule tutorial)
-Have a set time they wake up every morning- same with bedtime.
-Pay to play- work first and then play.
-Don't forget  to schedule special play time
-Hang a sign on your outside doorknob that tells neighborhood kids when your kids are and are not available to play.
-Limit TV time
-Create a Summer Jar (check out Howdoesshe.com tomorrow for tutorial)


Don't let this Summer get away from you!

Seize the day. 

I want to know what's on your Summer list?

Besitos

xo

Easter Eggs into Shaker Eggs.

In case you missed it... this week over at How Does She I talk about how to transform old easter eggs into musical shaker eggs...

Check out the DIY here.

and we have Bee sing us a lovely song! 

Happy Easter!!

besitos xoxo.

Friendship coaching

7 DAYS and counting for Valentines Day!!! YAY! I love Valentine's Day!

 But don't forget your little valentines this year! I'll be posting 7 gifts you can give your children this year to celebrate the week of Valentine!

As for today, I am over here at How Does She talking about how to be a "friendship coach" with our children and the benefits of positive social peer interaction. It is something that can often go overlooked.

Although, I think every child may need a little "friendship coaching" here and there-
 Here are some signs that they may benefit from additional help:

-Lacks at least one or two close mutual friends of his or her same age

-Invades personal space of others

-Has an abnormally loud or soft voice when speaking to others

-Seems ignored or victimized by peers

-Has trouble winning or loosing gracefully

-Doesn’t show empathy when others are hurt or rejected

-Acts bossy or insists on having everything their way

-Constantly tease other children

-Doesn’t attend to facial expressions or nonverbal cues

-Doesn’t make eye contact when speaking or listening to others

Check out some pointers here  on three ways to coach your little ones some social skills. Don't hesitate to seek out additional professional help!

 Also BONUS...We are also making these "friendship bracelets" and singing and dancing along to Bee's Friendship Song!! Did you know that she just started her blog?? This week she is counting down to Valentine's with her thoughts about love and music. Go check her out!

www.biancamerkley.blogspot.com

besitos,

Love Languages...

I am over at How Does She today talking about this valentines idea- check it out here.

Today I made mister take a five love language test by Gary Chapman. Results....drumroll please...

Her score

9	Words of Affirmation
10	Quality Time
0	Receiving Gifts
6	Acts of Service
5	Physical Touch

His Score

6	Words of Affirmation
8	Quality Time
0	Receiving Gifts
6	Acts of Service
10	Physical Touch

Hmmmm....

Here is a little recap of the five languages:

Words of Affirmation

This is positive verbal reinforcement. If this you then you love hearing genuine compliments.  You feel loved when your partner expresses appreciation for the small things you do. You may feel insecure without encouragement or regular expressions of approval.

Quality Time

Periods where you have complete attention. If this you then you enjoy sharing things you love with others, and feel special when someone else includes you in something they are passionate about. You often feel neglected without time spent specifically focused on each other, or doing something together that you love to do. 

Receiving Gifts

This is physical or visual symbols of affection. If this is you, then you respond to tangible illustrations of the love in a relationship. You appreciate thoughtful, personal gifts, not necessarily dependent on price. A home-made card or tiny trinket can speak volumes.

Acts of Service

This is doing things for a loved one. If this is you then you feel loved when someone goes out of their way to make things more pleasant or smooth for you. Examples include: doing chores, cooking dinner, taking care of something that would normally be your responsibility, chipping in without being asked. Most people can relate to this love language, though in very different ways, and it is extremely important to practice this love language out of genuine feeling, rather than duty, to avoid resentment.

Physical Touch

This is bodily contact between people. This love language encompasses all kinds of touch including being intimate, hugs, kisses, and cuddling. Physical contact can be its own form of communication. If this is you then you need your partner to recognize what kinds of touch are pleasant and which are irritating, and focus on increasing the former and reducing the latter.

What is your love language?

To take the quiz go here. 

besitos,

PS- don't forget our GIVEAWAY going on all week...right here.

Bringing Sexy Back....

I'm over here today talking about the things that bring my sexy back. Check it out!

I am excited for the New Year!

Besitos, 

Turkey Song over here...

I am over here today-  with another song from Bee for Thanksgiving and we made these lovelies to flap around to the song...check it out! 

visit www.howdoesshe.com

Besitos, 

HOW DOES SHE???

I am very excited to announce my very first blog post on the amazing website How Does She. If you haven't checked this site out- go here now!

It will make it's appearance tomorrow (Friday) bright and early so go over there and CHECK IT OUT ( I am under the "Fashion" category)...maybe even leave a comment! ;)

So, what is my post on you ask???

Well, you will just have to go over there and read...

but I will be nice enough to give you a sneak peak...

Now, for my Weeds to Wishes readers...here are some photos that didn't quite make the cut. My high heels were sinking into the soft muddy ground making it really hard to stand!

my heals are sinking in the mud...

Not sure how to pose...so, why not this?

can't keep my balance...

Well, that is all for now...GO CHECK OUT THE POST starting Friday morning!!

Besitos, xoxo