Hi everyone – Happy Friday! Here are all my favorite things from this week:
On TV- FOR ONCE I ONLY HAVE ONE THING TO SAY:
- Scandal - Last night was ABC season finales. Grey’s Anatomy was good – but somewhat predictable. But Scandal?? SHONDA! You got me good this time!!!
On the Computer -
- Delightful Order – Host an Organized Garage / Yard Sale - I am planning a yard sale for this June and I came across this post. Great ideas to be really organized!
In the Kitchen -
- All Recipes – Guacamole - my favorite summer snack is guacamole – and I love it with cilantro. This is an easy recipe.
On the Page-
- Real Simple – 16 Tips for Effortless Outdoor Entertaining - it’s getting warmer out – time for barbeques – and I have a backyard now!
For the Kids -
- Arden Theatre Company’s Pinocchio - In the Philadelphia area? On stage through June 23.
For the Home -
- House Beautiful – 10 Easy Outdoor Decorating Ideas - party ideas above – now look here for some decorating tips!
Hope you enjoyed My Friday Favorites today. Leave me a comment and tell me about the things you love this week. What are you watching, reading, cooking and planning?
Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!
Welcome Home!
Happy Thursday everyone! I am back and all moved in to our new home. 
Notice I said moved in…not unpacked, not all set up – just moved in! Over a year ago, I posted that we started house hunting in my post – Home is Where the Heart Is. Although we have been looking, attending open houses, and going back and forth on all of the issues that come with buying a house; I did not write about it here. I was just too superstitious. We found our home back in November 2012, but it was a short-sale so it took months and months to actually purchase it. Sometimes I didn’t know if we were ever going to close. We finally did and now it’s our home. But it just isn’t a home. It is one big project! When I first walked through this house, despite the fact that I knew how much work we were going to have to do, I just felt like it was our house. It was exciting to think that I was going to be able to re-do every room exactly the way I wanted to from top to bottom. Although there were many rehabbed homes painted completely in that muted yellow that we saw, there was always something that outweighed the cookie-cutter-kitchen-tile-backsplash and islands, like the neighborhood, or no basement, or only one bathroom.
So now I will document as we re-do one room at a time!!!
Here are some awesome before shots that I took directly from the real estate website. I know what you are thinking – you wouldn’t have even looked at this house!
But I have a vision!
Master Bedroom
Olivia’s Bedroom
Living Room
Dining Room
We have been ripping down wall paper for weeks! Can’t wait to share some after shots of these rooms soon! Olivia’s 2nd Birthday party is June 9 – so that’s our deadline for a few projects!
My Friday Favorites 04/12/13
Hi everyone – Happy Friday! Here are all my favorite things from this week:
On TV- Season One of The Carrie Diaries came to an end this week leaving the fate of Carrie and Sebastian up in the air (but not really, since we know she marries Mr. Big in 2008.) Nashville is heating up- does anyone else want Rayna to end up with Deacon? My pic for Friday Favorite is… of course….
- Mad Men - Betty is as CRAZY as ever, Classic Roger has returned, and I want to see more Joan in the future but Season Six is off to a great Mad Men start…
Countdown to AWKWARD. Season 3- Tuesday April 16!
On the Computer -
- The Ultimate Blog Party! brought to you by 5 Minutes for Mom – a great way to discover blogs written by people all over the country. Check it out and don’t forget to comment, follow, and “like” – it’s always nice to give some love!
In the Kitchen -
- The Nourishing Home – Kitchen Pantry Make Overs on a Budget -I love when there is a truly disorganized “before” picture. It’s honest and let’s you know – no matter how disorganized you think something in your life can be – it can turn out beautiful and organized! I also love when the words “homemade” and “budget” appear – then I know I’m not going to break the bank!
picture from The Nourishing Home
On the Page-
- Better Homes and Gardens – Decorate on a Budget -Tips on how to decorate all rooms in an affordable way. And of course, I love the owls in this picture!
For the Kids / For the Home –
- The Lakeside Collection – Perched Owl Bath Collection – Olivia is going to have her own bathroom at our new house – I think this will look great in it!
Hope you enjoyed My Friday Favorites today. Leave me a comment and tell me about the things you love this week.
Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!
![UBP 2013](http://www.5minutesformom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/UBP-2013_250x250.jpg" title="Ultimate Blog Party 2013" alt="Ultimate Blog Party 2013" /></a>)
Helpful Hump-day Hints 04/10/13
Happy Wednesday everyone – be happy – the weekend is almost here!
As I mentioned last week, my Helpful Hump-day Hints (HHHs) are going to be about moving and packing this month since that is what I am in the middle of doing! Here are my HHHs for today:
HHH#1 – Make a checklist of all utilities you have to shut off / turn on and check them off as you contact them.
HHH#2 – Make an itemize list of everything you own to send to moving companies so you can get quotes for their services. Do this room by room so you don’t forget anything.
HHH#3 – Find out how long you can forward your address for your snail mail. Make a list of all the places you need to switch your address – especially your magazine subscriptions.
Wishing you a happy hump-day! Countdown to our move is 18 days!
The Return of Mad Men
It’s Sunday and one of my favorite Sunday things returns tonight – Mad Men!
When we last saw our favorite group of ad execs, they were moving onward and upward. Landing the Jaguar account at any cost, Joan is now a voting partner and their sights are set to expand upstairs. We lost Laine and Don has yet another secret to hide.
Peggy Olsen jumped ship, leaving Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, and her mentor Don for another offer.
Sally Draper became a woman.
Megan is starring in a commercial. (Careful, Megan – remember Betty tried this once?)
And we got a glimpse of an old Don…
Two season ago, (before I had Olivia!) we had a fun premiere party. I made the invitations.
The invitation was from Mr. and Mrs. Draper. I even created Betty her own email address for RSVPs!
Everyone got a character card, saying who they should come to the party as. On the back of the character card it said the characters favorite drink and asked them to bring one ingredient.
Everyone went all out with their costumes. I work in theater, so I expected nothing less!
Tonight I will be watching in my PJs surrounded by moving boxes. Times change!
What will Don do?
Tune in tonight – the two hour season premiere airs at 9/8Cpm on AMC.
Helpful Hump-day Hints 04/03/13
Happy Wednesday! My hints for today have to do with packing and moving. We are packing up our apartment and moving to our new home next month. While this is a very exciting time, it’s also an extremely busy time. This may surprise you – but I want to pack in an organized way so we start fresh and organized at our new home. I have been tempted to buy all those fancy moving organizational stickers and items from The Container Store and Staples. But I have stopped myself! Don’t spend money on that! I say to myself – think of all the other things you will want to buy when you get to your new home!
HHH#1 – DIY organize when moving – save the money for stuff for your new house that you won’t be throwing out once you unpack!
Here are the signs I have made right here on my computer. I had tons of color paper left over from last summer’s sale when we sold our family home. We are using them on every box we pack. My husband and I are committed to packing a few boxes everyday. We started on Sunday and we are doing pretty well!
HHH#1 – PURGE, PURGE, PURGE when moving! If you haven’t seen it/ moved it/ used it/ wore it/ in awhile – then you can live without it. Don’t take it with you to collect dust at your new place!
We have a box for all the stuff we aren’t taking with us … it’s already pretty full and we just got started! Bare with me — there is going to be a lot of moving / packing talk on My Color Coded Life this next month. Then on to the fun stuff – remodeling!! Have a great Wednesday – the weekend is almost here. Thanks for reading.
Passover Present
I was reading an article online and it mentioned the haggadah. I was pretty sure that this was the book used at Passover seders, but wasn’t 100% sure, so I googled it. When I did , a picture came up of New American Haggadah by Jonathan Safran Foer. What an amazing coincidence, since he is my friend Leigh’s favorite author and she hosted the very first seder I ever went to. Well there was only one thing to do – amazon.com and add to my cart! I was excited to give it to her in time for her to use at her seder this year.
I wrapped it in tissue paper but couldn’t find a ribbon I really liked. I remembered a Friday Favorite on mine that I picked a few weeks ago where someone cut out an initial from pages of an old book (My Friday Favorites 03/08/13.) I found a picture online of the cover of Leigh’s favorite Jonathan Safran Foer book and cut out a letter “L” from it to decorate the package.
My favorite time to give a present is when I find one I think someone will really like – not because it’s their birthday or the calendar says December 25. I’m a firm believer in – if you see something someone may like – get it for them – a surprise present will brighten anyone’s day!
My Color Coded Life tip: when wrapping with tissue paper you must use many sheets. This makes it sturdy like wrapping paper and covers up the gift. What fun is opening a present if you can already see what it is through the wrapping?
I hope Leigh and her whole family had a very blessed Passover!
And congrats to my friend Angela who made the 400th comment yesterday! Prize to come!
My Friday Favorites 03/29/13
Hi everyone – Happy Friday! I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and enjoy time with family and friends. For those of you celebrating – whether Easter or Passover – I wish peace and happiness to all.
Here are all my favorite things from the past seven days:
On TV- many good shows this week – Grey’s Anatomy, The Carrie Diaries, Nashville, Dancing with the Stars (bye Dorothy!) – but my pick for Friday Favorite -
- Scandal - Because everyone deserves a do – over. I’ll say it again, not watching this show? Netflix Season 1 and start from the beginning!
Countdown to April when two of my favorite shows come back on -Mad Men Season 6 and AWKWARD. Season 3!
On the Computer / In the Kitchen -
- I Should Be Mopping the Floor – A Collection of Fabulous Brunch Recipes – and what a collection this is! Amazing recipes from many, many different sites. Whatever type of bruch you are looking to host – check this post out!
originally from I Should be Mopping the Floors
On the Page-
- Real Simple Magazine April 2013 issue – this month’s cover says NO TIME TO CLEAN? Yes, please – anything that will tell me how to get more done on less time! You have to buy the magazine to read it – but here is an online similar article – Spring Cleaning Shortcuts.
For the Kids -
- From Growing a Jeweled Rose - 100+Spring Activities for Kids - Crafts, Gardening, Sensory Play, Outdoor Activities and much, much more!
originally from Growing a Jeweled Rose
On the Rocks -
- From The High Heeled Hostess – Easter Basket Cocktail - Cherry Vodka, Triple Sec, Milk and a Peep!
originally featured on FeastofFun.com
On my Wish List -
- Daisy and Peep Centerpiece from DigsDigs.com - so adorable, but it’s on the wish list because I feel I would never get around to doing this!
originally from digsdigs.com
Hope you enjoyed My Friday Favorites today. Leave me a comment and tell me about the things you love this week. We are SO CLOSE to the 400th comment – you could win the prize! Wondering what other Comment Contest Winners received?
Check them out here:
Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!
Helpful Hump-day Hints 03/27/13
Happy Hump-day! Here are my Helpful Hump-day Hints for today! Check out all of these ways to jump start your spring cleaning and get organized! All from FamilyEducation.com. I get emails from this website which include activities for your kids, managing your home, family finances, and much, much more!
HHH#1 - 10 Ways to Declutter Your Home
HHH#2 -Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Printable Checklist
HHH#3 – Top 10 Home Maintenance Projects for Spring
HHH#3 -Age-by Age Guide to Teaching Your Child Life Skills
Hope you enjoy these lists and that they are helpful. Explore the whole site and see what will help you and your family get organized this spring. Hope you had a nice Hump-day!
We are SO close to the 400th comment – let me know how you are getting organized for spring and maybe you’ll win the prize!
A Birthday Party
This weekend I wanted to post pictures of the yummy St Patty’s Day food we made, plus document a craft we were making for a birthday party. BUT – I can’t find my camera! Grrrr.. I cannot figure out where I put it!! I use it so much for this blog, I always know where it is. I am sure it will turn up soon. So – my pictures today are taken from my TERRIBLE phone (no, I don’t have an iPhone.) But I figured some pics were better than no pics!
Back in February when I was shopping at the craft store for Valentine supplies, I saw the cutest bee stickers. I thought about Olivia’s friend Charley, who has a bee themed nursery and that her first birthday was coming up in March. I bought the bee stickers and some other craft paper to make a picture as a gift.
I pulled out the supplies to make the craft. We were getting ready for Olivia’s first party as a guest! Notice anything missing? Some bee stickers, maybe? Yup – couldn’t find them. But now it’s Friday night and I can’t go out and get any. So the present had to go on without the bee stickers (even though they were the inspiration!)
Here is whet we came up with – I finished it off by putting the picture in a white frame. 
To jazz up the gift bag, I stenciled a “C” on some colorful craft paper and cut it out.
Remember to draw letters backwards when stenciling them. 
Once I cut the “C” out, I affixed it to a green gift bag, added a yellow bow, and we were ready to bring our gift to the party!
I told Charley’s mom, one day soon I will find the bee stickers – and can add them to the picture then. We had a great time at this first birthday party.
Happy Birthday Charley!
P.S. For those of you keeping score at home – I am missing my camera and some bee stickers — so much for my organized life lately! Oh well, bring on another week!
