Weekend Highlights

Hope everyone had a lovely Easter weekend!

I'm grateful that we had a little snippet of good weather so at least the

kids could hunt for eggs outside. 

My sweet nephew had a superhero party and since then, 

J Boy has been a superhero non-stop! 

He even had to wear it for the Easter egg hunt. We have to call him Superman and 

he has saved us quite a bit. I love how he stays in character while dressed up. 

Adorable.

  

After years of thinking about getting chickens, we finally did! 

Just in time for Easter. The kids have already had fun taking

care of them and holding them.

Know a Deserving Mom?

 

It's that special time of year to celebrate all the wonderful moms in the world! 

Mothers Day is around the corner (May 8th), 

and Modern Palm is here to help you give 

a wonderful, thoughtful, and unique gift...

Just the perfect way to say "thank you," "love you," and/or "rock on!"

Who is that deserving mom in your life? 

you, your mom, your mother-in-law, sister, friend, grandmother???

no matter who it is, we have an incredible selection of gifts.

Don't forget there is free shipping on orders over $100.

INSPIRING COLORS: Red & Pink

Red and Pink 

The bold, attention grabbing red and the 

sassy, adored by all, pink are perfect when pair together, 

especially during the month of February.

Express love and appreciation this Valentine's Day with the help of
Modern Palm. 

The most important aspect of all things Valentine's Day 

is not price but thoughtfulness and creativity.

We have plenty of unique and thoughtful gift ideas to inspire 

you to connect with the people you love.

Wonderful Christmas Madness

Whew!  It has sure been a busy month... What is it with this December? I don't know how you mom's out there do it.  I seriously feel so crazed trying to accomplish everything I'd like to and need to do everyday, but somehow I always feel short, late, tired, and just so....is there even a word to describe? Maybe it is because my kids are getting a little older that things seem to have taken on a new kind of craziness this season.  Some things just had to fall to the way-side, and my blog was just one of them.

Highlights of the month: 

I've had fun keeping up with Modern Palm.  I have so enjoyed having my store these last few months.  I can't believe how much I have learned and how much I still need to learn, but it has been an overwhelming adventure and fun process. 

Ashy's 6th birthday friend and family parties.  We did a fairy woodland party with her darling friends and had a great time. She has also been busy with gymnastics and dance performances. Isaac did very well at his Christmas piano recital and is having a blast with basketball.  I had a little Christmas neighborhood luncheon at my home, and then, of course, our annual girl Christmas party that we've done every year since high school. I absolutely love getting together with my friends and Stacy had a great party this year. We also had  our couples Christmas party, that is always a blast.  

Ashy and I had two mommy/daughter dates. We went to the Rockets Christmas Spectacular, which was... spectacular. Then we went with the girls in our family to to the Nutcracker, which is such a fun tradition.  We love doing our annual service activities with my family. Each year it is something different, but this year we took blankets that we made and toys to the Primary Childrens Hospital and the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Then we went to Temple Square to see the amazing Christmas lights display. This is by far one of my favorite Christmas traditions. We will also take cookies to the firemen on Christmas Eve.

Last night, at Ashlyn's dance recital we were able to finally see Santa, after a few other failed attempts. Isaac and Ashlyn were obviously excited and ready to tell him their Christmas list wishes. I didn't know how Jack would do, but was pleasantly surprised to see how calm he was with Santa... Gray on the other hand, although super excited to see him beforehand, constantly repeating Ho! Ho! Ho!, started freaking out when it came time to sit on his lap.  Screaming. 

Oh! how I love this age.  Gray will be two next month and he is so darling and entertaining. He's been sick lately and has been having sleepless nights... I've been having bad flashbacks  to when he was wee babe and how many sleepless nights I had with him.  I'm having a hard time functioning.  This has been a great reminder of why I'm not getting pregnant any time soon. :)

The Polar Express...Last weekend we did our annual fun but simple Polar Express in our own car.  I put a Polar Express hand-made ticket on the bed with the kids Christmas PJ's laid out.  The kids are saying, "what are we going to do tonight," and Mr. D and I said, "oh! maybe we'll just hangout at home tonight. Why don't you go get your pj's on." All of a sudden we hear the excitement of "it's polar express night! Ya!" They get so excited for this simple, but fun annual event. We get in our "polar express" in pj's with our blankets and popcorn, pop in the Polar Express movie and go to Thanksgiving Point to see the lights.  Thanksgiving Point has a Christmas light display that you can drive thru, which I personally think they need to amp-it-up-a-bit, but the kids enjoy. Then we go get hot chocolate and continue to drive thru different neighborhoods to see the lights.  

Now that all these other events have happened, I need to focus on our neighbor, teacher, family, and friend gifts.  Um... this year I'm a bit unprepared. Christmas cards didn't quite happen. Still debating if I want to make a LATE attempt. I have so enjoyed this eventful month though. I feel like it has been so full of the true spirit of Christmas. How grateful I am for the friends and family we have in our lives. 

There it is, a little wrap-up of our month. Hope y'all have enjoyed this month and hope this week will be filled with more wonderful holiday excitement. 

DIY Magnetic Advent Calendar

Seriously LOVE this magnetic advent calendar. 

Darling, simple, and creative!

Maybe next year I'll be motivated to make it.

Love List: Holiday Lovin'

via West Elm

We've been a bit spoiled with warm weather this fall... that is until this week. Snow.

It officially feels like the holiday season is in full swing, especially with the 

Christmas music on the radio now. Yikes. 

Well, this Love List is full of fantastic holiday or winter finds.

 via Pottery Barn Teen

via Modern Palm

 Habitat Tea Towels.

These could be used in kitchen or in the bathroom for house guests.

via Garnet Hill

 What a fun advent calendar

These PJ's look oh-so-cozy! 

It makes me want some hot cocoa right now.

Halloween Ideas

My disappointed kids will tell you I'm not the best at decorating for Halloween. Sure, we have a few things... but they L.O.V.E homes that go-all-out with Halloween Stuff.  Needless to say, this is an area where I need to get a few ideas. So, I've been checking around online and here are a few things that I think I might be able to handle...

via Martha Stewart

Erin Oltmann did a great round-up for ideas at Today's Mama. 

Love these ghosts and think my kids will too!

Kami at No Biggie has a few good ideas too! 

My kids always love putting together candy houses, even though they don't last long!

How cute is the decoupage pumpkin found over on Make and Takes? 

What a great idea!

I thought these Ghoulish Goody Bags 

made by Amy Atlas are a fun idea to for kids to give to friends.

*********

What about you? How do you like to decorate for Halloween? 

Any fun projects you do with your kids?

Happy 4th of July!

For those that live in the USA, 

hope y'all are having a wonderful and patriotic day! 

We are enjoying the mountains,  picnics, 

family, and of course, fireworks! 

God Bless America!

Mother's Day: Stella & Dot Jewelry

What a perfect idea for a gift for Mother's Day!  

STELLA & DOT JEWELRY

You could give your mom a gift, or hint to the family what you would like for Mother's Day.

 How about a new take on pearls? 

Every woman loves pearls, especially these new, fun and modern accessories!

or, 

for something colorful, summery, and fun every woman could use some more turquoise! 

Just so you know, an order needs to be placed by these dates to receive the gift in time for the special day.

Orders placed for standard delivery (USPS), need to be placed by 11AM Friday, April 30th.
For 2day FedEx: Orders need to be placed by 11AM Wednesday, May 5th
For FedEx overnight: Orders need to be placed by 11AM Thursday, May 6th

Happy Easter

Hope you are all having a wonderful Easter!  

Did you get all the chocolate you wanted? 

GIVEAWAY! For Valentines

I recently came across the cutest card company!

Minted

Serious! I am in love with their designs, and I have a feeling you'll be in love too.

They have a crazy amount of designs to choose from, and quite frankly, I love them all!

They also do custome wedding, baby, kids, showers, holiday, birthday parties, stationary......

I mean they have it all! Even letterpress!

Well, they are kind enough to provide

50 Valentine Cards 

for a lucky, lucky winner.

If you are like me, and didn't quite get out Christmas cards this year,

how fun would it be to send out Valentines cards instead,

and let everyone know how much you love them.

Or, you could use these cards for your children to give to their friends and

they would have the cutest cards on the block or in their class!

Or, a baby announcement for Valentines...how sweet.

Go Here 

and check out all the fun designs,

then enter bellow and let me know which cards you love,

here are a few of my FAVORITES!

Wow, who ever wins is going to have a hard choice!

Guidelines:

*You have up to 4 chances to enter

(let me know in the comments which entries you have completed)

1. Leave your name, favorite card, and email in the comment section. 
(example: Alisa at apinacoladablog@gmail  Love the Owl card)

2. Tell your friends (through Facebook, Twitter) to come on by! Or, post my button on your blog.
Then tell me you did (example: Alisa: twitter & facebook)

3. Become a subscriber (on sidebar), or Follower (link on top bar). (example: Alisa: became a follower)


4.Do a post on my giveaway on your blog and link over to my site letting your reading know about this fun giveaway.  (example: Alisa: did a post and linked to you)

*giveaway starts today, Jan. 26th,

and ends

Sunday night at midnight,

CST Jan. 31th,2009

*Winner will be announced Monday morning.
*Be sure to leave me your email.
If you'd rather not leave an email because of concerns with spam, shoot me an email telling me you entered so I can contact you easily.

Valentines Ideas

Marshmallow hearts & Hot Coco

It is time to start planning for Valentines. Can't wait to do some fun crafts with the kiddos.

These darling Valentine Ideas are all found on Martha Stewart. 

I heart breakfast, so this year, I think I'll do these cute heart shaped pancakes.

For our wedding, we received a heart shaped ceramic pan.  For the the last 8 years, I have made heart-shaped brownies for Valentines....

It is now tradition.