This. That is all.

Yellow-splosion Spring into Target! (With links!)

Target, sometimes you just make me happy.  When I was dying over the yellow lattice fix and wanting another room to decorate that I could make a burst of spring and fun, the super helpful Target employee offered, "You should really check out the garden things that came in. They are super duper cute."  

And, $36 later, I had 3 new pillows for a much needed spruce up for our outdoor couch.   I love butterflies and the coral just pops!  Butterlies are so representative of change and growth, and that's just where I am right this very moment.

Warning ** this photo has not been styled ** so shield that part of your brain ;).   I would have loved to have some great stylins for the table, but beginning a new chapter and a new biz makes for a busy momma!  

And, yes, I know EVERYONE spells it "mama" and yeah as "yay" but I will just always see those words as "momma" and "yeah" in my mind.  So there! 

{buy butterfly pillows here and coral lumbar pillow here}

Here's my interim card.  I'm looking for 4-5 good human beings in need of some marketing assist for my 19 years of experience and referrals are quite welcome!  Areas of expertise are:  TV & radio media plans including buys, creative & execution, and online, event, database, and social media integrated marketing campaigns.

More on the flex work solutions side to come....

And, here are the items that got me initially psyched at Target.  This storage bench with the lattice and yellow reminds me of my childhood.  It screams spring, right?!

 {Buy here for just $89.99}

Can't you see this entire look in a vacation guest room or your guest room, screened in porch, or little girl's room?  It's too sweet and innocent and fun to not completely fall in love with!

{Lampshade here for just $26.99 and I can't locate the side tables, but GO TO TARGET!!}

Pokemon DIY cards your kids will flip for!

OK, it's 2015.  I know I've been fickle, not really here for you....that's a changin'.....

So, a sweet kid named Benjamin brought THE best Valentine's gifts a kid could imagine to school this year:  personalized Pokemon cards!

My kiddos Iris & Sam went BALLISTIC.  Ob-sessed.  They had to have them, had to make there own, and knew there dad an effects guru could make it be.  I was cautiously told they'd made a purchase, a laminator as they quickly imparted it was only $19.99 at the office supply store.  I broke into a huge smile.  I'm not that big of a tightwad.  Totally worth occupying hours upon hours of my kid's time.

So....full Saturdays later, Mike and the kids patiently worked on creating their cards by using photos or drawing their own images and scanning them, making them come alive, and laminating their favorites.  The laminator is small about the size of a 3 ring hole-punch.

Sam & Iris actually do something I'm quite proud of.  They share their Pokemon cards in one binder and discuss all their trades and cards with one another.  That quite literally is one of my proudest mom moments to date.

So, here are the goods!

Now you've got something fun to do the rest of this dreary Sunday, other than forts & movies galore!

Boggy Creek Farm salvation & roasted eggplant soup recipe to keep you warm & toasty!

There is a place that is my equivalent to a Buddhist meditation retreat:  Boggy Creek Farm.

As I turn onto Lyons Street at the four way stop, my lips autopilot into a smile.  I approach the entrance, hidden and humble.  One must drive slowly up the gravel driveway as you pass the row of sunflowers, "Come in, slow down, we've been waiting for you," their whispers waft through the air as they beacon you in.  I crawl to a park and my smile deepens.

This is my grocery store, and, it fills me with light and life.  I used to come once every few months, I now come once a week. I hardly step into the bustling HEB any more, or even my once favored Natural Grocer.

{Carol Ann & Larry, my farmers}

Everything's slower here.  It's like you're in a film set in the 1800's far from the city folk, but you are minutes from downtown Austin.  The historic white farmhouse greets you as the mountain high pecans sway above, farmdog Buddy scampers around as you sit to watch hens peck around, flowers abound the property and the crops are in every direction around you.

I know my cashier, I know my farmer and their easy pace and friendly advice and conversation are the highlight of my week, without exception.

In the mood to cook something yummy with my BC eggplants, I googled a roasted eggplant soup recipe.  I didn't have 3 medium tomatoes or cream, but I had a jar of Larry's homemade fire roasted tomatoes which I'm sure were even better and I used 1 cup half and half as a replacement.  Takes about an hour to make.  Here the recipe is for you:

Ingredients:
3 medium tomatoes, halved
1 eggplant, halved lengthwise
1 small onion, halved
6 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons sunflower oil
1 tsp dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
4 cups non-chicken broth/stock
1 cup whipping cream
3/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400. Place tomatoes, eggplant, onion and garlic on a baking sheet.  Brush with sunflower oil.  Roast around 45 minutes.  Take out and scoop the eggplant from the skin into a large saucepan.  Discard the skin and add the roasted veggies and thyme to the same saucepan.  Add broth. Puree into a blender and return to saucepan.  Stir in cream as you simmer.  Salt and pepper and ladle into your bowl with a few sprinkles of goat cheese and mint (I added).

Here it is:

Enjoy and stay warm y'all!

Friend Friday: Design by You

So.... don't freak out...I know... 2 posts in 1 day.  But, this has been on my mind:  I am in love with your taste.  Seriously.  I see little pockets of design brilliance in my friends homes all the time.  So why not share and inspire?  It's not just the crazy overachiever types who seem to do it all and make us want to gag.  It's you too.

I popped on Facebook and was dying!

#1 Remy, the muse, sweet thang, dog - Can you call her that?  Are dogs really that tiny??  I feel like she needs her own name.  And even her name, I want to call her Remington Steel for some reason.

#2 I am pretty much in love with everything in Bryce Smith's pad:

Where to start... I mean, "mange" backwards, the owl planter with the perfect "I'm bored off my ass" expression, the paper heads.... It's a unicorn, people.

The tree painting, which I'm convinced is Bryce-made.  Even the lamp looks good.

And..............Remy!!!  Nuff said.

HAPPY FRIEND FRIDAY!

Breakfast Bowl to Survive Back-to-School 4 You!

We made it through the first week of school - WHEW.  Sam began Kindergarten and Iris 2nd grade.  It was emotional.  For me.  We left our wonderful child development center after 7 years, and our baby is in elementary school.  I know.  I am a mushy mom.  I can't help it.  He looks so ready, right?

Me.  Not so much.

And, I can say Sam had no tears, only enthusiasm for more, more, more.  More of his classroom and after care.  He's exhausted, but hey, kindergarten is freakin' exhausting!

And, I'm getting through it with some good nutrition.  Here's one for all the moms & dads.  

Easy peasy breakfast bowl:

your favorite yogurt

a handful of quinoa or granola

a splash of chia seeds

sunflower seeds too

and almonds

and a good dose of berries,

especially superfood blueberries to get through it all

Good luck y'all and have a GREAT school year!! XOXO

My made up Roasted Brussels Sprout arugula toasted almond salad - BOOM!

Yummy improv salad!   My made up roasted brussels sprout arugula toasted almond salad - BOOM!

Toss Brussels sprouts, whatever number your hearts delight, with a little (1 tbs) olive oil, salt and pepper (a few twists)

Roast 35-40 min at 420 flipping every 10 min or so.  If they look a little burny, ya done it right.

Slice whole roasted almonds (or roast your own - by putting in a sauce pan on a low-ish burner and flipping every few minutes or so 'til they smell all yum and roasty)

Throw in those toasty almonds with halved grape tomatoes (so, you take a little tomato and a knife and cut it in half ;) --) and Boggy Creek Farm arugula (jump in your car and go to Boggy Creek Farm Wed-Sat 8am-1pm for the freshest just picked) or grab the packaged greens if your a time stressed mom and missed the farm.  BUT, DO promise you'll give yourself and your kids that experience oh so soon - YOU DESERVE IT! :)

Add your roasted brussels sprouts and toss in your dressing. Add shaved parmesan and a few twists of fresh pepper and VOILA!  You are the super star and you make yummies for the tummy your whole fam will like!

Dressing = 1/2 squeezed lemon, 1/4-1/2 cup olive oil to taste and salt and pepper to taste. Mix that bad boy up.