NYC – Photoshoot with Kat Harris for Olivia Childs

February 11, 2013

{The look: Leather pants: F21 (the key to wearing any non-maternity pants during pregnancy is the Blanqi bodystyler -worn in black above), Shirt: ON, Jacket: Asos (similar here or here), Vest: c/o Windsor Store, Shoes: Olivia Childs, Necklace: c/o Bauble Bar }

NYC…what a whirlwind.

It shocks me none that I chose the big blizzard weekend to travel there.

Somehow, I managed to get on one of the last two flights out of Atlanta before they cancelled the rest…

The weather Friday was bananas. Despite the craziness, it was still a fun time!

Saturday morning I met up with the lovely Kat Harris for a photoshoot post Nemo. (Thank you Hilary for connecting us!) We did a shoot for Olivia Childs new line of shoes coming soon. (Insanely comfortable shoes designed for the working woman.) Kat is the coolest. Despite being from the warm weather states, she was out all weekend shooting for NYFW. We were able to grab coffee afterwards at Joe’s, and had quite a good time:) These are a few of the shots from this talented gal. Will share a few more this week. More on NYC soon. For now, check out more of Kat Harris’ work here! (Her recent photos of Brooke White are insane!)

Kat Harris Photography

Site | Blog

Social media: @thekatharris + @therifinedwoman

"CHEWS TO LOVE" Gum wrapper printables

February 6, 2013

CHEWS TO LOVE:

Ingredients: Courage, Action, Resolve

Long Lasting Flavor.

Nutrient Facts: Serving Size: 1 Chew, Percent Daily Value: %100

Chewsing provides daily nutrients for the heart, protects it from invasive vices, and improves the environment. Chews Carefully.

^ This is all contained on the printable wrappers, which print three to a page!

It’s a fun alternative valentine to gift to guy and girl friends alike, and offer a little inspiration to their week:) Print the wrappers here.

*Print on cardstock for best results!

For other V-day ideas, check out recent DIYs.

To see the three current giveaways going on over on the fan page, visit here!

Thank you February

February 5, 2013

{Coat: c/o Sheinside, Necklace: Bauble Bar, Sweater: J. Crew, Blouse: Windsor Store, Velvet Pants: Gap, Boots: F21, Watch: c/o Tailor and Stylist}

Thank you…… February,

For rescuing us from the longest month of the year.

The fact that you are short makes you tall in my standards.

And you bring the hope of spring weather.

I wore bright colors to maybe entice you to bring some warmer days to Georgia.

Thanks for the trademark x’s and o’s for us to scatter all over the place in the next few weeks.

xoxoxo, Anna

P.S. More giveaways for you readers up on the facebook page all week! Just because its the month of love and all, and I kind of {heart} you friends!

{Heart of Hearts}: Mini Valentines Day Party

February 4, 2013

Since I will be traveling this weekend, I hosted a mini valentine’s day party for my little ones and their friends Feb. 1st 🙂 I kept it super simple and the total cost was under 25$!

Party Details:

Happy V- Day Banner – free printable from the talented Kori Clark

Cupcakes: Gluten free Betty Crocker mix (thanks Betty!) for our gluten free friends.

Cupcake Toppers: Felt Hearts with sticky circle back (find in a pack at Hobby Lobby), attach to wooden toothpicks or topper sticks (also found in a bag at Hobby Lobby).

Heart Shape Table Decor – Dollar Tree Napkins cut into heart shapes.

Heart Cups: White Paint Marker+ Dollar Tree Red Cups

Snack Bags: Pretty Paperie Printables (my friend Natalie’s awesome shop!) + mini baggies. We ended up mailing these packs to cousins as well:)

Felt Heart Headbands: Pack of felt hearts with sticky backs (Hobby lobby or Amazon). Pair two together back to back and hot glue a row full along a stretch headband. Great party favors for the little girls!

Balloon Strand: Tie balloon ends along some twine and hang on the ceiling for a fun and inexpensive valentine chandelier:)

(Mini Table: via Ikea)

Activity Ideas:

Cupcake decorating – set out a bunch of sprinkles in small dishes with iced cupcakes for the kids to decorate before diving in.

Finger painting in a baggie (no mess!). Brilliant idea found here. Gabriel has asked to do this every day since the party:)

P.S. I have teamed up with some of my favorite shops to give away a ton of fun goodies on the IHOD facebook page. Head over to see what’s up for grabs today!

One Truth: My worst date ever

January 31, 2013

Well, I think you all will find my worst date experience an entertaining one, and so I am letting you have a chuckle on my expense…

I seem to have only had awkward first dates. There was another in which the boy started crying before we even had dinner… will share that gem for another time perhaps.

(how I wish the date would have been. via Design*Sponge)

My Freshmen semester of college (before I met Gabe), I met a guy who liked to play tennis. He was pretty friendly, and since there weren’t many other guys who played, I eagerly agreed play a match. He casually mentioned afterwards that we should hang out sometime….

I saw him across campus a few times..always talking to some girl (which in retrospect should have been a hefty hint). One day he ran to catch up with me and asked if I wanted to hang out with some people in his dorm building that night. I had friends who knew him so I thought nbd…..it would be good way to meet more sophomores and juniors and escape my freshmen only boy crazy dorm wing.

I walked into the dorm and he was there in the main lobby. He introduced me to a few people and then told me we were hanging out in the social room of the guys wing. He took me into the small social room that apparently he had reserved … for just us. My thought process….oh snap. So with the lights off he turned on the movie Princess Bride (which I used to like and now loathe. I wonder why.) This wouldn’t seem to be all that bad if it was a guy you had a crush on, but nope. No attraction to him whatsoever and hence tense awkward silence on my part.

However, he must have read into the situation a slightly different since he…..wait for it…..decided to start tickling me. I was so flabbergasted that I brushed it off by laughing awkwardly. (I mean what on earth??) In a matter of seconds he went from cool to creepy. When he tried to tickle me a third time I basically slapped his hand and asked him to stop. In my naievety, never wanting to offend someone mindset, I sat through the entire movie in mortification, said a hasty goodbye, and successfully dodged him for the rest of the year.

This is the summary of the date in which I was tricked into and tickled against my will. It could have been worse right??

Okay well now its your turn friends. Worst date experience??

Edible Valentines: Package and Present

January 30, 2013

Written and created by my sister, Maria.

If I had the gift of a beautiful voice, I would deliver musical telegrams to my friends. Well, maybe. I wish I had the gift of music to be able to play an instrument for my kids, but I don’t have that either. Sometimes I wish I had the gift of touch to give stellar massages to my husband. Negative. I peeter out for lack of hand muscles and attetion span.

However….

I can make treats and sweets and wrap them up pretty. MyValentine gifts to my husband, my kids, and my friends are usually edible. So, here are a few simple heart themed delights, that are spruced up and ready to be delivered to a doorstep, desk, or date.

FOR FRIENDS, SISTERS, TEACHERS, AND
CO-WORKERS:

OREO CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

36 oreo cookies, finely crushed (approx. 3 cups)

16 oz. Baker’s semi-sweet chocolate, melted

Red sprinkles (I found candy confetti lips and hearts.)

Directions:

Mix cream cheese and cookie crumbs until blended.

Shape into 48 (1-inch) balls. Freeze 10 min. Dip balls in melted chocolate, top with candy confetti, and place in shallow waxed paper-lined pan.

Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

They are divine!

(Adapted from this recipe.)

Package: C ellophane treat bags, Raffia(Red or Chocolate), Heart Punch, Tag Punch, Stamps and Cardstock: Stampin Up

FOR PLAY DATES AND CLASSMATES:

“A Little Yummy For Your Tummy” Treat Bags

I hosted a Valentine Playdate (which was really an excuse to bake and do valentine crafts and pretend my kids wanted to do them). These are simple sugar cookies with pink icing and sprinkles. (Must give credit to my daughter, Christiana, for the decorating.) Add a simple tag and ribbon with the phrase: “A little yummy for your tummy.”

What you need: Decorated sugar cookies, cellophane treat bags, cardstock, ribbon, and stamps (via Stampin Up or Etsy)

FOR YOUR LOVE:

Make: Make a batch of the last recipe I shared, Go Go Granola and get ready to gift. Maybe unconventional and unromantic, but every guy loves homemade treats….so I take that back, it is romantic…

Package: Cellophane gift bags, Raffia

gift box (Re-used Christmas gift from Anna 😉

I think I love Valentine’s becuase it’s a great excuse to package and bake and add some color and life into the dead of winter. Gifting, giving and sharing always makes my heart a little happier.

Happy hearts ♥ Maria

My Food Philosophy: Because the effort to make good food is a gift to those around me, it’s happy memories, togetherness, the living part of life.

Round the Web: Red + Pink Links

January 25, 2013

Sometimes my favorite way to unwind from a day is to work with color and theme boards.

Besides, I’m a visual person and love having images to go with a link round up;) Here are some favorites across the www this week:)

(Main image source.)

01. Valentine Sorbet Sandwiches via Martha Stewart

02. Animal Balloons via Cox and cox

03. Chocolate Avocado Mousse recipe via Savor Home

04. Mix well from Madewell

05. Ombre Vase via Design Love Fest

Things to Note >>>

> You may have noticed the new pin it hover button over images:) I am now offering this service if you would like your own installed on your blog! Custom pin it button and installation – $25. I am booked for this weekend, but will have some more openings next if you would like to reserve one of the openings, email me.

> You can now also see a list of other design services I offer on the right hand sidebar. Email me with any questions or for quotes! Availability varies per week:)