Family stress relief & Israeli couscous

A little family stress relief session took place yesterday which consisted of launching water balloons (grenades) off our deck! I highly recommend it, felt great!

Then to keep things cool and avoid turning on the oven in the midst of summer heat, I discovered this tasty recipe in Country Living magazine, delicious.

My trusty assistant, Gideon.

Israeli couscous is a bit more substantial then regular couscous and harder to find check the international aisle. Here its paired with apples, feta, pine nuts, lemon, and herbs; perfect for summer.

Let's go to the Fair

It all started with a broken heart over an employee's 12 year old's cancer diagnosis. I was looking for ways to finicially contribute to a difficult situation when my Mom said throw a fundraising hospital fair!! Brillant idea, Mom.Providence led the vice president of the hospital to my unit yesterday where I pitched the idea and she loved it! Turns out there's already financial assistance available to meet this family's need, but nonetheless the fair committee is brewing and the event will kickoff in October! If any of you have any suggestions or experience with large events, I'd love your comments, suggestions and ideas.

Here' s my vision:

Heath screening booths, bouncies, clowns, bbq, hospital tours, and live music!

Brainchild

image here

Today I'm pitching an idea to the hospital higher up's that was birthed in my lil mind this weekend. Could really use prayers for boldness and open minds because if my idea comes to fruition, it will be like moving a mountain! Hope to share with you tomorrow, Happy Monday!

"Now to Him who is able to immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..." {Ephesians 3:20}

The "it" list

Happy weekend! Clinging to this promise for some very big prayer requests lately:

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will given you." John 15:7

Check out the great links and have a lovely weekend, see you Monday!

Hooray for Friday! The "it" list is back with a great round up of all sorts of goodies on the web... be sure to visit all these lovelies blogs for tons of inspiration this weekend!

• sweetie pie pumpkin noodle visits some of THE most fabulous boutiques and shops in Mill Valley and takes us along for the ride. She also hunts down amazing chandeliers along her way. Don't miss this goodness!
• merci blah blah rounds up tons of gorgeous drape-style dresses from all over the interwebs. And not just once... but twice. Um, I'll take one of each!
• good life for less gives us the highlights of her recent trip to Forever 21... these shoes were definitely a great find!
• a spot of whimsy forks over a delicious dose of Mad Men style and photos. I swoon, just swoon for that show!
• penguins gift is giving away a Stella & Dot bracelet for the little ladies in your life. So cute!
• style your life puts together a casual outfit featuring an unexpected item - a pencil skirt. I just love this look - so chic!
• spry on the wall gives us a practical and affordable version of this amazing outfit from Isaac Mizrahi's Spring 2010 line.
• the hillside home just bought a new house and is planning, planning, planning. SO FUN! Join her as they start picking out colors, finishes, etc. I just love the adventure of a new house!
• johns journal outlines a simple but fantastic looking diy roman shade project. You will absolutely want to try this. It turned out amazing!
• elena's custom designs makes a custom pillow out of a scarf/handkerchief. I just LOVE this idea!
• really cute stuff is featuring their "family style" notecards... a great gift for friends or teachers or just to have for yourself for thank you notes or notes to teachers. I love these ideas!
• good look for less is offering wardrobe consults at half price through the end of today... hurry and snag yours before they go back to full price for fall!

Have a great weekend... interested in learning more about the "it" list? Email goodlifeforless @ gmail.com !

Quirky chic

Love the element of surprise in all areas of life, but paricularly in decor. Rooms shouldn't be so serious, but fun and even quirky! Mister Ed brings that element to our home and every single person who comes to our house makes a comment about him, I love it!

Here's some other great examples of quirky chic done well.

Love that print, perfect for a guy's office via decorista

This would be great in a kid's room

Those chairs and that elephant print, so unexpected

Note the family pet in the corner via kristaewart

Bunny rabbit mat!

All other images via mdesign

The Versatile blogger award

My dear friend Katie nominated me for the Versatile blogger award, thanks girl!

Here's how it works:

1. Thank whoever gave you the award.

2. Tell 7 things about yourself readers might not know

3. Pay it forward by nominating other bloggers!

Here's my little unknown facts!

1. I met Jesus when I was sixteen and have never been the same!

{putting together my faith story right now!}

2. When I "grew up" I wanted to be an olympic gymnast. I ate, slept and breathed gymnastics!

3. The moment my husband sat next to me, I knew he was "the one." The first thing I noticed about him was his hands!

4. I finshed 22nd in the nation in the NCAA division 3 College Diving championships on the 1 and 3 meter boards, but I never loved that sport! Lots of swimmers ear and chlorine everyday at 5am!

5. My sister and I are born on the same day on year apart and we are the best of friends.

6.I perfomed in all my highschool musicals and never met a musical I didn't love.

7. Constantly struggle with wanderlust and this time its for Turkey and Greece!

And tag your it:

Jill

Jackie

Megan

Elizabeth

Paula

Roman shade how-to

Here's the how-to for how I cheated my way to roman shade bliss. The purpose of these shades in my dining room were two fold; something pretty and something to cool down a room with six windows during summer heat! The supplies are simple: bamboo shades {home depot}, substantial fabric, spray glue {home depot}, and glue gun. Here's the steps:

A few cliffnotes, I did not glue fabric all the way to the bottom because it won't be seen and was expensive fabric. The hardware that comes with shades is pretty self-explanatory in terms of hanging just be sure to NOT cover the slits at the top with fabric otherwise you won't be able to hang them! Hope this helps anyone interested in trying, hoping to post my finished dining room next week.

Weekend review

Our weekend was full of fun! Chuck E Cheese's birthday party, old friends, new toys, fresh fruit and a lesson in decorating I'll never forget.

My sister truly is a rebel without a cause!

I call this shirt a "party in the back"!

Sunday night panini's {tomato, basil, and mozzarella}

And the project that nearly killed me!! Dear friends, never never spray paint a chandelier while its still hanging....yes, I really did that and it wasn't good. Not good for the air or our precious hardwood floors. Thankfully it does look good, but there were many hours spent on my knees with a toothbrush scrubbing the floors. Needless to say my roman shades got put on the back burner, but I will post on those tomorrow! Hope your weekends went well!

The "it list"

My weekend is all filled up with parties, lunch dates, and my roman shade DIY!! Check back Monday, I should have the how-to pictures. Until then dear friends, God bless and happy weekend!

The "it" list blazes on... don't you love Fridays? Take some time today or this weekend to check out the best of the web here!

• merci blah blah is talking fall... her fall wish list to be exact. I love each and every one of her picks. I can feel the leaves crunching under feet already...
• the hillside home puts together a lovely summer/garden/cottage inspiration montage. It's just dreamy...
• style your life puts together a casual summer look for the guys. Ladies, raise your hand if shopping for your husband falls under your duties. It does in my household!
• spry on the wall puts together her take on Nina Ricci's Resort 2011 collection. This is pure genius!
• johns journal gathers beach chic inspiration from planet blue and then puts together outfits that are much more affordable. Love these!
• a spot of whimsy gives some food for thought for the women that want to do it all (this would be me...). I loved this quiet moment.
• penguin's gift has a great stationary giveaway. Check it out... you have a few days to enter still!
• elena's custom designs offers a great grab-and-go baby shower gift, check this out!
• one hundred inspirations lays out this Olivia Palermo outfit for less than $100. I love this!
• good life for less is participating in the 30/30 Challenge... that is 30 wardrobe pieces mixed and matched for 30 days. See how she does it!
• sweetie pie pumpkin noodle features her top 10 picks for earrings... it's impossible to choose a favorite, they are all so lovely!

Happy Weekend!

~~~

Interested in learning more about the "it" list? Email goodlifeforless @ gmail.com!

Planet blue {for less}

Heading to the beach in a couple of weeks and planet blue has got that casual beachy vibe down, just not a huge fan of the prices! Here's the looks for less:

{skirt-shopbop, top and necklace-F21}

{dress, hat, and sandals-F21}

{romper-VS, sandals and bracelets-Charlotterusse}

Mud on the tires

Gideon got an early birthday present, his first real bike. I was all prepared to teach him the in's and out's when off he went! While I was preoccupied snapping pictures he approached a down-hill slope that's when I realized I neglected to show him the brakes. Bad Mommy. Let's just say we knocked out his first bike ride and first fall in one fell swoop!

Squadron Picnic

Husband and I had some down time together at his squadron picnic. Where summer time foods abound, live music, canoe rides, and this beautiful scene stole our breath. It was a welcome respite from the stress of the week and husband got to say the blessing, so cool.

Pulled pork and a revelation

This is our go-to meal for Sunday night Bible studies, feeds the masses and always is a huge hit!

My revelation: I prayed about 6 years ago for a couples bible study to meet in our home. But despite my attempts, pleas, and prayers no one came. It literally just occurred to me God answered my prayer with the current one meeting at our house for months!! Sometimes I'm really dense. The point is God answers prayer just not according to our time, terms, or ways; so thankful He's bigger than me.

The "it" list

Happy Friday, I'm in great company on the "it list" for the next couple fridays, which sweet Jill put together so beautifully, check out all the links and have a lovely weekend!

It's Friday again and we're back! The best of the web is right here! Take some time to check out these awesome links from blog-land...

• a spot of whimsy features a hansel and gretel-like cottage in the woods... my only question, can I rent this for a weekend? It looks absolutely dreamy!
• the good life for less is swooning for silver tote bags... at several price points, it's almost impossible to choose a favorite!
• merci blah blah is sporting a forever 21 top and a new pair of target wedges and looking amazing! this girl has style...
• spry on the wall gives us her take on versace's resort 2011 collection... this outfit is so simple and chic (and hello! orange! loving orange for pre-fall!).
• style your life is going casual, yet sophisticated with this outfit full of silver accessories. this outfit is great... i'll be looking to copy it soon!
• penguin's gift has scouted some awesome sales on lands end canvas handbags... yes, please!
• one hundred inspirations gives you audrina patridge's look for less... there is something about nude accessories for summer that is so easy and fresh!
• speaking of the hills! sweetie pie pumpkin noodle features kristen cavallari's pad on her blog this week, I just love combo of modern and eclectic styling.
• johns journal whips up some bridal inspiration for a friend... each look is so gorgeous, it would be hard to choose a favorite! hopefully she keeps us updated on the final look!
• the hillside home explores the rose bowl flea market and brought back tons of inspiration... you won't want to miss these gorgeous photos!

Interested in being featured on the "it" list? Email goodlifeforless @ gmail.com for more information!

Sara's wedding inspirations

My friend Sara is getting married this December and enlisted me for needed inspiration and direction. So I came up with three different inspiration boards featuring her bridemaids dress in each, giving her varying palette options. Which one do you guys favor?!

Answered prayer

Remember when I was on the verge of a parental breakdown? I needed change for Gideon. Well, I prayed and prayed some more and guess what? He answered.

Took care of a patient whose daughter runs a small private preschool which meets in a church. Eight kids per class, field trips galore, and curriculum preparing for kindergarten. Yes please. Started two weeks ago and what a difference. Thank you Lord and for all you dear ones who encouraged me!

"May my prayer be set before you like incense,

may the lifting up of my hands by like evening sacrifice."

Psalm 141:2

Goodwill blouse

Husband and I had a lovely dinner date the other night and I sported my $4 blouse!