Frozen Yogurt by Oh Joy!

Like Joy from Oh Joy!, I am also a frozen yogurt addict, especially tart frozen yogurt.  

So, I was extremely excited to see this recipe on Design*Sponge by Oh Joy! 

 I can't wait to make this! Is it possible that I could make a tart frozen yogurt,
in my own home,that would be crave worthy?!
Seems to me, Oh Joy! thinks so, and I can't wait to taste for myself...

She adapted this recipe for homemade tart fro-yo from an issue of Sunset Magazine.

If you try it, let me know what you think!

Valentine Gumdrop Necklaces by One Charming Party

Love this new take on the candy necklace.  

My daughter loves to make jewelry anyway, so I'm sure she will flip when I show her this photo. 

I mean seriously, what is more fun than gumballs and jewelry? 

Put them together= sweet girl JOY!

I have adored so many parties that the two lovely ladies from One Charming Party, 

Sara and Brittany, have organized. Their creativity is above and beyond.

I loved getting to know them at Alt Summit and was so impressed with their 

crazy darling set up that they had for us to practice our photography skills. 

Isn't this just a perfect set-up for a circus party?  Wow!

photos taken by Nicole Hill Gerulat

Cake Pops Recipe Book by Bakerella

 

This has got to be the best treat book ever!

Now I'm all about a yummy cupcake with delicious frosting... 

but these Cake Pops happen to be a new fave of mine! 

This Cake Pops Book  is darling and scrumptious and so fun for both adults and kids.  

I love the photography and organization of the book and think it has 

great ideas for a either a little activity or a big party.

Some of my fave ideas:

Sweet Heart Pops: perfect for Valentines!

Pirate Pops: Great for my son's next birthday party

Game Ball Pops: I think I'll take some to my son's Basketball Game

Owls: I can't wait to make with my daughter...she'll love them

Sweet Snowmen: my kids loved, loved, loved making and eating these! We had a nice little activity during a cold, snowy day.

For some other ideas for Valentines click Modern Palm

Kate Spade: Things We Love

This photo makes me happy!

Stripes & Color= Happy.  

This could belong to none other than Kate Spade.

This is just one of the fabulous photos in a little clutch-sized book 

of inspirations designed and published by Kate Spade New York.  

During the Kate Spade party at Alt Summit, we were given one of these 

limited edition books that shares what inspires the creative 

team at Kate Spade New York. 

{I love this idea and totally want  to copy it and create one of my own...

even one for our family.  That would make a fun family tradition 

to make a book of faves and have each member have a 

chapter, page, or whatever... 

huh. I'm gonna have to chew on that idea.} 

Back to the original point of this post...

Dying over these vivacious pages.

 

Marvelous. Simply marvelous. 

You said it so well Kate and team, 

with beautiful colors, photos, & shinny excellence. 

What a fun gift to receive. Thanks!

Altitude Design Summit 2011

w 

Do you ever just FREEZE when you get overwhelmed? 
Lately, I have been doing this excessively... 
I just get so overwhelmed with things I should be doing, or want to be doing, and then these little insecurities sneak in too and it's like this triple paralyzing threat to me. Shouldn't I be able to handle life's stresses better as I age, instead of FREEZING?
I've been wanting to write about Alt Summit, but frankly, I don't think that I'm very good at putting my thoughts into words to express what I really would like to convey.  Regardless, I need to write about this just so I can remind myself why I enjoyed two days with some *crazy* amazing people. 

First off, aren't these retro lunch boxes just fantastic? The goodies that were found inside were so fun too! My kids were trying to take over my "treasure box."

 So, Alt Summit is basically a two day conference where there are keynote speakers, blogging classes, panels, DIY workshops, parties, and a lot of socializing with new & old friends!  I loved re-acquainting with those I met last year, and getting to know many new ladies. I am excited to apply my new-found inspiration and motivation to both my blog, a pina colada, and shop, Modern Palm. 

To complete the festivities, a series of mini parties were hosted at the hotel by the sponsors. The Kate Spade party was off the hook fun! Aren't the decorations fantastic? The black and white striped base with the fun, bright colors are P*E*R*F*E*C*T! Loved the black glasses, thanks to the Girls with Glasses who helped host the event. And the Kate Spade goody bag, filled with some lovely treats, was a great way to top off the event.

The keynote lunch on Thursday featured Mondo and Seth Aaron from project runway, and the keynote on Friday was DJ Spooky. They were all very interesting, entertaining and informative! So fun meeting them all too.

I was excited hear from the lovely Tina Roth Eisenberg of Swiss Miss. I really enjoyed her humor and honesty during the closing keynote speech. 

photo via Armelle
{Caitlin of Caitlin Creer Interiors, 
Kirsten of 6th Street Design School, 

Amanda of Recycled Consign and Design, 
Armelle of Armelle Jewelry,& me}

 

It was great meeting the lovely ladies pictured above.

They are all very talented, wonderful, and fun! 

Here are a few of the lovely ladies and friends I was able get to know better: Rachel of Black*Eiffel,Stephanie of StephModo, Suann Song of Simplesong, Jane of See Jane Blog,Courtney of BeauCourt,Alma of Alma Loveland Designs, Kirsten of Simply Grove, Melissa of IS•LY, Dandee of Dandee Designs, Stephanie of Nie Nie Dialogues, Janie of We Heart Paper, Trina of La La Lovely, Madeline of Uber Chic for Cheap,Erin & Rachael of Today's Mama!  WOW! I could go on and on, and I think I just might, in another post...coming soon. :)I'm so grateful for all the new 
knowledge, motivation,and friends I gained from such a great conference.  I'm already looking forward to next year!  

All images courtesy of ALT Design Summit 2011 and 

photo booth images by angela and ithyle

DIY Valentine Ideas that are Naturally Sweet

These DIY Fruit Valentine Stickers are over the top cool! I didn't think there was any way Kathleen from Twig & Thistle could top her DIY V-Day bags last year, but she did. Luckily, she is super kind and made these so you and I can print these stickers off ourselves and put them to go use. 

I can't wait to use them with my kid's lunch.  Awww! I can just see the smile on their faces now. :) She made stickers for apples, pears, oranges, bananas, passion fruit, blue berries and a general one for everything else! Enjoy! I know I will! :)

Other Valentine ideas I shared last year are found here and here.

High Gloss Magazine

I am always amazed at the incredible talent out there in the blogosphere...
with the recent fall of many home decor magazines, there was a void, a void that many talented ladies have decided to fill. Congrats to Paloma Contreras, Erin Gates, Shannon Wollack, Ashley Steen, Kyle Knight, & Lauren Rauter on the new digital magazine High Gloss!  The Premier issue was unveiled today, and so far, I'm loving it! I'm so excited for them. What a great accomplishment, and I'm excited to enjoy those digital pages of eye candy and fill my head with more envy of beautiful designs and homes.

Taschen Books: The Great Escape Series

Great Escapes Italy & Great Escapes Mediterranean by Taschen Books.

Once upon a time, I was a semi-traveler.  I hope to be that once again.
It is a true passions of mine...
until then, I love me some beautiful art and dreamy books to
satisfy my travel cravings. 

I like to get lost in the style and comfort of books. Here are a few books
I'd like to get my hands on.

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.

CB2 Happy Family Room

So many things I love about this photo from CB2. The bright, colorful wall gallery;

Round marble coffee table, and the Euro sleek, midnight blue Piazza sofa. 

{The word "piazza" just so happens to be one of my favorite words.  

After returning from a trip to South Carolina, I continually tried to get everyone 

to call our back porch the Piazza... but everyone refused}. Darn. 

Anyway, I'm so loving so many things from CB2 right now.
Especially these utility pendant lamps. Aren't they great?!

Joel McHale: the funny guy who has the fabulous home!

All I'm going to say is Joel McHale... did you laugh? I did. 

One of my fave shows is The Soup... I die laughing. When I saw that his home was highlighted in the December issue of InStyle I was curious what it would look like.  

When I saw,  I freaked! I'm so completely in LOVE with his home. 

In my dreams! In my dreams! I die! I love! 

Never knew he was such a family man, now I'm impressed and like him even more. His met his wife, Sarah, back in college and they've been married 14 years. She had the dream job of a design assistant to Kelly Wearstler, yes, you read that correctly... THE Kelly Wearstler.  

Huh! No wonder their home is fantastically wonderful.  

With the help of another Wearstler alum, Elizabeth Gordon, 

they created a home that is off the charts cool.

Want to see more? 

I love the unique, white chandelier and the colored wallpaper on the ceiling 

with the textured tree wallpaper, combined with the bright, funky painting.

This master bedroom is amazing and I'm so loving the capiz shell globe lights 

and four-poster chrome bed.  They are both so unexpected and unique.

There are so many things I love about this home.

I'm impressed with how fab it is yet still cozy and live-able, 

which is so important since they have two young children.

 Photographs by Douglas Friedman for In Style 

Images  found via Elizabeth Gordon Studio.

Altitude Summit

I have been at Altitude Summit for the last two days.

 It has been amazingly inspiring and informative.  The creative talent that is on the web is insane!

I've loved meeting and reconnecting with other lifestyle and design bloggers.

I'm not ready for it to end! Can't wait to post more on this event and can't wait to work on applying my new ideas and excitement on both this blog and my store Modern Palm.

 Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend!