Amy Butler Christmas

I discovered the coolest fabric store in town yesterday called Crafty Planet. They have the best selection of unique fabrics that I have ever seen. They carry a lot of fabrics from various indie textile designers. They also carry the most adorable selection of fabric for children - very vintage and very Tokyo Pop. I wish I would have known about this place when I was putting together Parker's bedroom. I would have spent a bundle!

I went there particularly for Amy Butler fabric. She has such amazing fabric - a great combination of traditional and modern, which is exactly the look I am working towards in our home. But I did not go there for a decorating project. I went there for a Christmas project. I bought the Mary Engelbreit Home Companion magazine the other day. Normally, this magazine hasn't been my sort of thing, but it had Amy Butler's home for Christmas on the cover. Amy decorated her house for Christmas EXACTLY the way I want to. So, of course, I had to get it. Surprisingly enough, she had some projects shown that you can download for free! I bought the fabric to make the tree forest for a table display. For this free pattern and more, check out Amy Butler.com. At the bottom left, you will find "Free Patterns". Select ME Holiday for Christmas ideas, but check out all of the free patterns. You never know what you find!

(image from Amy Butler Design.com)

Weekly Video - I've Been Rick Rolled!

Rick Astley MTV Music

Whatever happened to Rick Astley? Roll your eyes all you want...you know you loved his singles in the 80's - that is, if you were old enough. You can't help but tap your foot and sing a long.

Viva la Coldplay!

Everyone is asking, "How was the concert?" Well, I will tell you - AWESOME!! I was pleasantly surprised. Don't get me wrong, I love Coldplay. They are one of the few bands that I can listen to an entire CD from beginning to end and not skip over a bunch of songs. They are very talented for sure. As I mentioned before, Phillip and I saw them when they first came out with Parachutes, and though the songs were great, they were BORING. Boy, what a difference 6 or 7 years will make. I was completely charmed by Chris. Not only was he full of energy, wriggling all around the stage like some sort of giant Gumby, but he was so gracious. He talked about how much fun they were having and how much they appreciated the response their fans gave them. The stage and filming that went with the show were amazing. Definitely some of the best film work I have seen with a concert...arty, but not pretentious. At the point of the show where they performed Lovers in Japan (see post below. Watch the video again and imagine thousands of butterflies surrounding you while the music is playing), thousands of foil butterflies and flowers fell from the ceiling for what seemed to be at least 10 minutes. It was so beautiful - they were floating all of the place. It was a particularly neat effect since we were directly underneath it all (we had floor seats).

I have been to t TON of concerts in my time, and I have to say that I witnessed something I have never witnessed before at a concert...especially one that is as big as Coldplay. They were so grateful to their fans that the whole band marched towards the back of the audience, in the bleacher seats, and wedged themselves in between all of these people sitting there and proceeded to sing a few songs. Everyone's mouth just dropped. That was the moment that won me over...well, that and the butterflies.

All in all, one of the better shows I have seen. They sang everything I could have possibly wanted, and of course closed with Yellow. That song never gets old. Well done, Coldplay. You have restored my faith in your live shows.

My Heart Just Melted

For a while now, I have been trying to teach Parker how to give a kiss good-night. I ask for a kiss (usually several times) and eventually he will lean forward to my mouth with his mouth WIDE OPEN for his "kiss". It is wet and slobbery and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But tonight, when I was getting him ready for bed, he did something different and I had to write it down so I wouldn't forget how special it was.

Parker has been teething in a bad way lately. It seems to bother him mostly at night around bed time. You can tell it hurts because he whines and whimpers, wants to be cuddled (not normal for him) and will let me rock to sleep while singing quietly to him. While we were sharing this quite time together, he lifted his little head from my shoulder with the sweetest look (I swear little hearts were shooting out of his eyes) and proceeded to give me his version of a kiss all on his own! I did not have to ask him for it at all. I swear my heart melted to mush at that very instant.

Crochet in a Different Way

(Boutique Pink Designs at Etsy.com)

I know I have said this before, but I am constantly amazed by people's talent. Crochet had been a craft that, until the last few years, had become a bit "dusty" and boring. But now, with a new generation of crafters and artists, I have seen some beautiful things. I found this fantastic scarf lariat on Etsy (one of my all time favorite sites). Check out the artist, Boutique Pink Designs. The shop has a great selection of scarves, scarflettes, wraps, fingerless gloves. The shop is full right now, so maybe you will find a fantastic Christmas gift.

Video Wednesday - Coldplay

Coldplay MTV Music

Coldplay MTV Music

I am a huge Coldplay fan. I love just about every song I have hear them sing...on CD. I saw them live back when the Parachutes album was just getting big and I have to say I was hugely disappointed. Chris had the personality of a rock and the band clearly didn't have it together to play the venue they were at. This Friday, Phillip and I are giving them another chance. I hope that after all of the practice they have had, they will put on a better show. I will let you know.

The first video, Lovers in Japan, is from their new album. I have to say, I love what their stylist has done with their look for this new album. I love the banded colors on their arms and such. It definitely was a unique statement in the beginning.

The second video, The Scientist, is one of my top favorite Coldplay songs and definitely one of my top favorite videos of all time. It is so haunting and simple. I have seen it several times but only now just noticed something at the very end. The woman took off her seat belt just for a moment to remove her coat right before the car accident. I can't tell you how many times I have done that. Now I might think twice.

Our Weekend

This weekend, Parker stayed the night at a friends house. He absolutely loves staying there. He is always so tired when he comes home. My guess is from all of the constant interaction he gets. Between our friend Deb and her husband and kids, Parker doesn't have a moment to play by himself...and he loves it!

My shopping trip with the girls was great. We were at the mall from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. I know that is a LONG time. There was a private sale at Sephora (my favorite beauty store) that I wanted to go to. My girlfriend Katie and I even got makeovers. All day she walked around with a really pretty blue eyeshadow (not the 80's kind) and I had rocker chic heavy eye-liner. If you have seen the last two episodes of Gossip Girl where Little Jenny has totally rocked out her look, then you know what my eye make up looked like. It was a lot more than both Katie and I were used to, but it looked really good. Darn, it didn't occur to me until just now that we should have taken a picture!

Phillip took the afternoon that he had to himself to play poker at some card hall he found. He played for 6 hours and left with enough winnings to pay for our dinner that evening! Now if he could have won a bit more to cover my shopping...

All in all, we had a nice weekend. Even though we spent most of it separated, it was still nice to go back to who we were before Parker. By 12:00 pm on Sunday, we were both ready to pick up Parker and see his smiling face. I hate not seeing him all day and night. As soon as we walked into the door, he gave us a big smile.

Ahhh...

Baby, It's Cold Outside

(Hat from Kate Spade.com)

Well, within a two week period the temperature plummeted here! We had snow flurries last weekend. The snow did not stick, but it was a sad reminder of things to come. Not that I don't like snow. I do. There is something magical about FRESH fallen snow. But when it sticks around for months and months and months (no exaggeration, unfortunately), one gets a bit sick of the snow. By then, it turns all gross and dirty. The beautiful virgin white snow is only a memory.

I think I need this hat makes the statement I will want to make by January.

Have a Great Weekend!

I am looking forward to this weekend. Tomorrow, Parker is staying the night at one of our friend's house. He has occasionally slept over there and has had a lot of fun, so we will see. It is definitely much needed on mine and Phillip's side. I am spending the day with the girls at shopping. It is a real treat to go shop without Parker. I will actually get to try clothes on! I think Phillip is planning on going to the local casino and play a few hands of poker. Later, he and I will get to have a real grown-up evening with a nice dinner and get to sleep in on Sunday! Yahoo! But...as much as I crave adult time, I miss Parker after a couple of hours. I especially hate not being able to give him a kiss good night. But I just keep telling myself that these sleep overs are good for both Parker and me.

Hope your weekend is great! Any exciting plans?

First Steps!

I know the picture is not that great, but Parker was only standing up for just a couple of steps, so I am lucky we got this shot. Just last weekend, I bought him his walker. I had noticed that he was really good at pulling himself up to a standing position(usually next to the couch and such), but he wasn't cruising yet. After playing with all of the gadgets that came on the cruiser and helping him feel comfortable to pull himself up to a standing position using the walker, he surprised Phillip and I by taking is first tentative steps all on his own with his walker! We were so excited!

What's Up Cupcake?

(Cuppies Walking Cuppy Puppy in the City and Underwater Cuppie at Jessie Oleson's shop on Etsy)

There is something so cute about cupcakes having different adventures. Who can resist? I totally think that someone should write a series of childrens books about Cuppy and her pals. Jessie Oleson has the most adorable prints showing us all sorts of crazy adventures Cuppy has. I don't care how juvenile the prints are, I want them all to hang in my living room!

Adios Bush! (Video Wed)

I realize that this is actually Thursday and not Wednesday, but at the rate I am going with my time management skills lately, I am lucky I am posting anything at all.

I thought this song choice was appropriate in light of the election this week. I know the song is a bit harsh, and I certainly don't wish Bush any harm, but it is time for a new era. Hopefully the next four years will purge us of all this "toxic crap" we have taken in as a country.

Besides, I have always been a HUGE fan of the band Drugstore. Hearing them sing reminds me of happy times in my early 20's and the people that were important to me.

When You Don't Like Your Choices...

See more Natalie Portman videos at Funny or Die

Sewing Class

(Image from The Daily Planner)

I thought that I would give you all an update on how my sewing class is going. Let's just say that I am hanging in there, but it is definitely causing me more stress at this time rather than enjoyment. With the age that Parker is right now, I am having a hard time keeping up with the "assignments". The only time I can really devote to sewing is when he takes a nap...and I have to share that time with eating, showering, cleaning house, blogging, etc...you get the picture. Tonight is the 5th class so far. I missed last week's class since I didn't have a chance to get my pattern pieces cut out (which I am still working on). We are starting work on our selected beginner's project. I selected a pair of toddler PJ's. I figured Parker is growing like a weed and can use the PJ's. Plus, if they are hideous, it won't matter because only Phillip and I will see them. I found this cute fabric with a Pirate theme for his first pair. I am struggling with cutting the fabric. I don't know if it is the scissors, my lack of knowledge, that I am left handed, or a combination of all three, but it is taking me FOREVER to cut the fabric! I mean FOREVER!! It is so frustrating. Come to think of it, when I was a little girl, my mother would sometimes have me try and cut her patterns out for her...I was never very good at it...always chopping up the fabric. Hopefully I can get all of the pieces cut out before tonight's class or my mean Hungarian teacher will yell at me in front of everyone (unfortunately, I am not joking about that).

Where Did All the Kids Go?

Well, Halloween has come and gone. Friday was a bit anti-climatic though...I only got 4 Trick or Treaters this year!! What the heck!!?? Last year I had about 40 - that is a huge drop in numbers. The elementary school up the street from our house had some sort of party during prime trick or treating hours. I think they took all of my trick or treaters. On an upside, I did have some strange woman ring my doorbell and tell me she loved how I decorated the exterior of my house...especially the mummy. Well, I guess I will take that compliment...but I would rather have had a bunch of kids ring my doorbell instead. Now I have a TON of candy and you all know that I have no self-control when it comes to chocolate. I HAVE to eat it.