Butterflies

I'm on a little break.....

2010-05-31T14:38:00.001-07:00

....sorry for the lack of posting. You can find me here though if you wish. It is a pretty blog design! Family life, FVK creations and pretty things all posted at one place for now.

TARGET GOODNESS.

2010-04-07T18:11:00.001-07:00

These polywoven summer items {flatware caddy, picnic basket and tray} take me back to my childhood days. They are so retro and so cool. Bright red, yellow, blue, white and green are making me want to do back flips. I haven't done those since my childhood days {well maybe more like teen days....but childhood days sounded better}! Find HERE. They are all so affordable too. I just wish I had more space for storing serving accessories.

WISH.

2010-03-26T04:19:00.000-07:00

My birthday is June 5th. Last year Dave took me the Alameda Antique Fair in Oakland, CA (about an hour from our home). We made a weekend away of it and had a wonderful time. This year The Farm Chicks Antique Show is the same weekend as my birthday. My birthday wish for this year....travel to Spokane, WA and attend this amazing event. They even have a Man Cave for the hubby to hang out in if he gets weary of all the vendor booths! Wish. Wish. Wish. *sigh*

BREADBOX.

2010-03-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

Currently trying to rearrange the countertop items to make room for this lovely sunshine yellow breadbox. Found at Target and it is a steal. Only $14.99. Also comes in red, turquoise and green!

RE-DO.

2010-03-15T05:30:00.000-07:00

{Image from The Inspired Room.}

This kitchen gave me butterflies. I've spent this last week hanging out recovering/healing staring at the same 4 walls in my house. One of those walls involves my kitchen. While I still love my white cabinets, I would love new knobs, a new roman shade and a new kitchen island (one that hubby can build for me). All of those items are actually affordable. The part of my kitchen I want to re-do that isn't affordable.....change out my countertop to solid surface. Right now we have granite tile. It has served us incredibly well, but I just want something a little different.....like the countertop above. Sighhhhh.

DWELL STUDIO PILLOWS.

2010-02-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

New Dwell Studio pillows available at Target in two of my favorite colors....mustard and slate blue. I want one of each for different rooms in my home.

FUNKY JUNK COMPANY.

2010-02-17T09:15:00.000-08:00

I'm never sure what to do with my earrings. How to store them. I have a little earring holder but there aren't nearly enough spots for all my earrings. I love this piece above. I think it would be perfect for displaying all my earrings! Found on Etsy here. But really I think this could be an easy DIY project for my Chicks in Aprons group! I would want mine painted in some funky fresh colors. Like red, turquoise and yellow. All perfectly distressed.

LISA LEONARD.

2010-02-16T08:35:00.000-08:00

She's done it again. Absolutely fresh, fun and a little bit funky. I love the new vintage frames! This might definitely need to be on my mother's day wish list since my lovely 12 year old daughter wore my only Lisa Leonard necklace to school recently and lost it. Browse, drool and shop here!

VALENTINE'S DAY!

2010-02-12T10:48:00.000-08:00

I got butterflies when I looked in my archives and remembered what we did for Valentine's Day last year.

VALENTINE'S DAY 2009

baking sugar cookies with cute aprons on

warming by the fire

Valentine dinner with caesar salad, filet mignon and lobster tail cooked Benihana style by daddy

dancing with daddy.....

and brother

hanging out on couch with Zoe our dog

sucking thumb with blankie

and

hot fizzy bath at 3:00 pm on Sunday afternoon

(sorry no photograph)

I think we will definitely make some sugar cookies again this year and have some dancing in the family room. Not sure what the dinner menu will be though. What are your plans for Valentine's Day?

DID YOU HEAR OUR NEWS?

2010-02-08T10:38:00.001-08:00

I'll definitely be shopping for one of these cocoons for our new little one to come.

Thanks Katherine for the link!

And I'll be asking for your baby supply suggestions soon too.

It's been 8 years since I was last pregnant.

you can be my valentine...

2010-02-04T09:41:00.000-08:00

if you bring me a dozen of these yummies

Check out I am Baker for other great sweets for your sweetie.

IT'S NOT JUST A CHAIR....

2010-02-03T04:00:00.000-08:00

....IT'S ALSO A RECLINER!

I'm not a huge recliner fan. In fact I believe I have said I will never own one. This one would make me reconsider. Found at Crate & Barrel. Too bad we don't have the room or the money. Hubby would be in heaven.

EARLY VALENTINE'S GIVEAWAY.

2010-02-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

Happening on my other blog.

Go here to enter.

You all deserve to win a little Valentine's Love.

Plus all the songs I compiled on this CD....give me Butterflies.

TWO LITTLE BIRDIES SITTING IN A TREE....

2010-02-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

k.i.s.s.i.n.g.

I would love one of these for Valentine's Day.

Found here.

Happy February.

RUFFLES.

2010-01-28T19:23:00.000-08:00

I entered "ruffles" in an Etsy search and found these beauties.

By artlab.

VINTAGE BOWLING.

2010-01-26T19:46:00.000-08:00

I've got bowling on the brain. A date night actually. With another couple. A little bowling challenge. It's been awhile since I wore those awesome shoes. These vintage bowling pins won't really help cure my bowling date night on the brain problem, but they would look absolutely darling in a childs' room ready to be played with at any given moment. Found here. Off to search for matching bowling shirts now!

LOVING...

2010-01-22T10:51:00.001-08:00

I've been loving this paper cut-out print by Tina Tarnoff for some time now. Maybe because after 15 years of marriage, I am still IN LOVE! Valentine's Day is coming up. My favorite holiday. Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? You should....it's all about love. And, love is a beautiful thing.

MY GO-TO BOOT THIS WINTER.

2010-01-21T10:11:00.000-08:00

Found at Nine West Outlet. Sold out everywhere. Bummer. Wish I had bought them in black also. To see how I am wearing them....click here.

LUCKY PENNY.

2010-01-19T15:33:00.001-08:00

Lucky Penny brand handbags are giving me serious butterflies these day. Found at Anthropologie. The cutest part about the bags are the fun printed colorful linings inside and the little coin slot for a 'lucky penny'! I have a charcoal ruffled Lucky Penny handbag that I love. The leather is so soft and supple with a vintage feel and look. And, while they are not necessarily cheap...they aren't as expensive as Coach!

I'VE GOT RETURN ADDRESS STAMPS ON THE BRAIN.

2010-01-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

All found on Etsy.

Which one is your favorite?

2010-01-15T17:03:00.000-08:00

So pretty, even for eggs. Makes me want to have a chicken coop with cute little chickens. Makes me want to put on an apron and go collect eggs. Until I have the property to have my own chicken coop, I'll just have to unpack my store bought brown cage free eggs and put them into the fridge in this pretty little egg crate so that I can open my fridge and dream of owning property with a chicken coop. Found at Anthro. Holds a perfect dozen.

Happy weekend!

COZY NECK COWL.

2010-01-13T21:39:00.001-08:00

Get one while they're hot and it is still cold! My girlfriend is making them and selling them on her etsy site Katherine Handmade. I really love this one as well as the granny square cowls listed for sale. And did I mention....she offers free shipping on most of her items! She really is a cutie.

FLOUR SUGAR SHAKERS.

2010-01-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

These vintage beauties were found at a great antique shop in the LA area while Dave and I were on our little love getaway driving our new old car home to our family. More on that story here. My tag line for my Funky Vintage Kitchen Etsy site says, "handmade items and vintage finds for home, child and you". I keep picking up sweet vintage finds, but I am having a hard time parting with them. Can you blame me?

PILLOW ME PRETTY.

2010-01-07T16:16:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year's my lovies! I scored this pretty little pillow today after reading a recommendation from Cjane to visit the Pillow Factory on Etsy. I am sorry to say that I got the only one. But Etsy is full of lots of lovelies.

I have had a hard time keeping up on all of my blogs. I mostly post on my family blog over at 4Kennedys and am seriously considering consolidating all my blogs to one. Incorporating fun family updates, recent wonderful finds that give me butterflies and updates on my shop Funky Vintage Kitchen. It just might make life easier, plus one blog just might please more people....kind of like one stop shopping!

I'll keep you all posted.

I'VE BEEN NAUGHTY......

2009-12-17T08:44:00.000-08:00

I forgot to invite you to join my 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways going on over at my 4 Kennedys and a Dog blog. Go now....hurry there are still 7 more days of giving going on!

DON'T MISS OUT! -- links working now

2009-12-01T20:11:00.000-08:00

Don't miss out on all the fabulous giveaways going on this week over at Design Mom. I already won an item! Check out my winnings here and go enter to win something for yourself here!

LOVING....

2009-11-25T10:31:00.001-08:00

......this salt & pepper shaker set

and

this glass butter dish.

On sale now at Anthropologie.

Only two more days until Black Friday!

Are you going out shopping?

MY OWN INTERPRETATION OF TEXTURED TIGHTS!

2009-11-23T13:24:00.000-08:00

My daughter said upon seeing me walk out of my bedroom for church Sunday morning, "For some reason that insanely works together." Score one for mommy's style!

skirt - anthropologie two years ago

tights - target this year

shoes - payless shoe store over a year ago

TEXTURED TIGHTS.

2009-11-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

{photo via freckled nest via La Doulier Exquise }

I am loving textured tights this season.

I have two pair already, from Target.....on sale!

I want one each in the picture above.

I want the shoes too.

And the skirts!

{Go here to see my Veteran's Day Post}

WANT. NEED. WEAR. READ.

2009-11-10T09:53:00.001-08:00

We followed this theme for gift giving last Christmas. Our children could pick one gift they wanted for each category. Plain and simple.....it was fun! And easy on the budget. Christmas morning wasn't overwhelming and each gift was cherished. We are looking forward to following the same theme this year. And next year. And so on. You can find lovely gift tags here at Dandee Designs. She was who inspired me last year to go with it!

PEEK AREN'T YOU CURIOUS....SILHOUETTE EVENT.

2009-11-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

If you live in California, you may be in luck! From Peek Aren't You Curious........

"Please join us and silhouette artist KARL JOHNSON and create a stylish and thoughtful holiday gift. His work is so elegant and simple, and this may be the only few minutes your child sits still this holiday season! You can also bring in a photograph of someone or something (a pet!) you would like him to create.

Karl is a 3rd generation silhouette artist who’s work has been featured in O, The Oprah Magazine, In Style, Martha Stewart Living, Elle Décor and Domino. Learn more at http://www.cutarts.com/ "

Saturday, Nov. 14th, 10am-6pm
Fashion Island, Newport Beach
949 719 7732

Sunday, Nov. 22nd, 11am-6pm
Fashion Valley, San Diego
619 293 0284

Sunday, Dec. 6th, 11am-6pm
Village at Corte Madera
415 945 0100

Saturday, Dec. 12th, 10am-6pm
Montana Avenue, Santa Monica
310 434 9700

I have been wanting to replace my "F A M I L Y" letters above my fireplace with silhouettes of our family. I picture them large in black and white with teal photo mats framing each one. We received a large silhouette as a graduation gift from Blake's preschool teachers a few years ago and it turned out perfect. Looks just like him! I've been wanting to give it a try.

GIVE THE GIFT OF GREEN!

2009-11-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

With most peoples budgets tight this year for holiday gift giving, I thought this set of 5 earth and fashion friendly reusable shopping bags by Envirosax would make great gifts divided up. Tie a red ribbon around the already neatly rolled up sack, add a tag and hand out to your hairdresser, babysitter, party hostess, girlfriend, teacher, and the list could go on and on. A set of five costs $37.95 plus shipping. That puts you under $10 per gift. And look how freakin' cute the bags in this set are below. All of them! Found here.

I really don't think it gets much cuter than that.

birds of a feather...

2009-11-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

I am in love with the idea of a sumptuous feather atop a crown of slight curls. The vintage look and feel of the feather headband makes me giddy. I cannot decide between these three headbands from Mod Cloth. I know I just did a post on Mod Cloth, but there's too many great things on the website to pass up. For example:
The Crawford Headband:

The Night Lily Headband:

The Osprey Headband:

The prices are so reasonable, I could justify getting all three...

all a flutter...

2009-11-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

how perfect would this Juicy ring be at your thanksgiving celebration?
fall colored accent- check
gold tone- check
butterfly- check
ab fab- CHECK!

you can get it here.

RIBBON NECKLACE.

2009-10-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

I saw some pretty yellow beads at a thrift store yesterday. They were strung on a piece of elastic. I bought them. I want to restring them onto ribbon and make something pretty like this necklace. The combination of beads, ribbons and flowers gets me every time.

CREATE YOUR LIFE.

2009-10-27T08:49:00.000-07:00

Love, love, love this idea!

This sentiment really speaks to me right now.

Read about it here.

Purchase one here.

cloche encounter of a cute kind

2009-10-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Cannot get over how much I am in love with the cloche!

To me this style of hat is just so feminine and classy. I am remniscent of

Audrey, Natalie, Jackie...
Hats to die for are not the only things found on Mod Cloth. I highly recommend a perusual!

GOTTA LOVE THE 80'S.

2009-10-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

This onesie made me laugh out loud. I think it is great for all of us mommies that were raised on the movie Dirty Dancing. And what a lovely tribute to Patrick Swayze! Found here. Hope it made you smile too.

PUMPKIN MASK.

2009-10-20T17:28:00.000-07:00

Excited to make this pumpkin face mask with the 12 year old girls in our church youth program tomorrow night. I'll let you know how it smells and feels!

Pumpkin Face and Body Mask

1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup bentonite clay (available at health food stores)
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp almond oil
2 tsp cinnamon

Mix together and apply evenly to your face or anywhere else you'd like to smooth. Leave on 10 minutes before rinsing. Almond oil moisturizes, clay draws out impurities, honey replenishes collagen and cinnamon improves circulation.

FIVE BUCK FRIDAY SALE!

2009-10-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Going on over at Zany Zinnia. Lots of scrapbooking and craft supplies for $5. Sale starts at 8:00 am Central Time! Just take a look below at their cute kit for Halloween. This item is not $5, but many cute items will be! Happy Five Buck Friday!

Congratulations Stacy & Dolores on 3 years!

liplicious

2009-10-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

I love the look of shimmery, full lips. Here's a great gloss that is so affordable, perfect shimmer and it's organic. In fact, the entire line is organic*. Goodness, who knew it felt so good to go green...

Palladio Liplicious lip gloss

*for the local girls, you can find this gloss at the premium outlet center in Napa at the beauty store. The whole Palladio line is there.

GREY!

2009-10-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

My new obsession this season. I have bought most of my new clothes for the season in this color and now I am trying to get a bit of grey in each room of my house. I just finished Blake's little mini room makeover adding a touch of grey and blue to his already brown and orange/rust decor. It looks good. Check it out here.

For the rest of the house, I can't keep my hands off these items in the stores. I keep going back and holding them.....wondering.....will they work.

For Kaia's room.

For the front bath.

And these super yummy down pillows for the couch.

life is beautiful

2009-10-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

this movie was so beautiful, tender and rich with emotion. The music is touching and weaves expertly through the whole film. I highly recommend a screening with you and the girls...

not just for the movie alone either...

if that doesn't give you butterflies, I don't know what will.

MRS. MEYERS CLEAN DAY.

2009-10-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

My new favorite scent! Mrs. Meyers Clean Day in Geranium. For.The.Whole.House! Hand soap, bar soap, laundry soap, dryer sheets, counter spray, toilet scrub, window spray, stainless steel cleaner. Seriously.....the whole house. And it smells soooo pretty. And it reminds me of a special night Mr. Kennedy and I spent together on a date.

The kids were going to the movies with Grandma. Mr. Kennedy told me to dress casually, he was planning a date night. We took off for a short drive to Sonoma, CA. Stopped in at a cute bike store to drool over some fabulous beach cruisers that we couldn't afford, then continued driving into Glen Ellen. Mr. Kennedy had been working on a home in Glen Ellen and every day drove by a quaint little restaurant....Saffron, that he dreamed of taking me to. We went. The food was amazing. Actually.....incredible. In their restroom was this hand soap. I washed my hands and while driving all the way home I kept smelling my hands. The scent was delicious and intoxicating...just like the meal we had just eaten and the time we had shared together on our special date night.

This hand soap now greets my guests in our front bathroom. And a bar of soap sits in my shower. The air freshener....at my kitchen window. And the packaging on all the bottles is so cute. A perfect scent to last me until next summer or until our next surprise date night!

AFFORDABLE SLIPPER CHAIR.

2009-10-09T21:44:00.001-07:00

I have two of these slipper chairs from Target in my great room but mine are a plain khaki/cream tweed. I stopped dead in my tracks at Target today when I saw this sweet vine print. Oh they are pretty and affordable. And, I might add comfy. They have held up nicely too! We are going on two years with ours....with lots of use. They actually come in a couple of fabulous prints.

There also was an amazing table and chair set that I can't find anywhere on the internet yet, but I will definitely share when I find it. Let's just say that I wanted to redecorate my whole house around this table and chair set!

Happy Weekend.

we've got it made!

2009-10-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

check out the cutest little dress salvaged from a men's dress shirt!!

you can find the tutorial HERE on the sweetest blog called made. I am in complete and total awe over how talented this chica is- and all with very easy to follow tutorials.

ANOTHER PURPLE RUFFLED HEEL.

2009-10-01T00:00:00.001-07:00

I found these at Payless Shoe Source. Yes, every once in awhile I find a very worthy shoe at Payless that deserves some extra attention. These are my new shoes for this fall season! And I bought them during BOGO....even better. Deep rich purple suede for $24.99!

HAVE YOU HEARD.....?

2009-09-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

I'm hosting a

over on my family blog. It's kind of like a garage sale...only on my blog. Click here. Kaia's closet is up first. Bidding ends tonight on her clothes with more from my closet and Blake's closet coming next! Make sure you scroll down. There are true treasures posted the farther you go. Happy Bidding!

ice, ice baby

2009-09-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Check out these tai ice pumps by Badgley Mischka. Word to your mother...

PERSIMMON AND PINK.

2009-09-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Kaia is wanting her room re-done from the current surfing theme to a more teen look of black, white and grey. I thought this would fit perfectly with her new decor while reminding her what is still important each day. Plus it fits right in with our family motto for the year. Found on Etsy at Persimmon and Pink. I actually think it would look equally fabulous in our family room. Hmmmm......

cute enough to eat

2009-09-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have had an obsession with bento boxes lately. A bento box is a single-portion home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. I like the idea of a bento box because it is a creative outlet and eco friendly. Here's picture of an adorable bento lunch followed by a an even more adorable bento box.

Find the adorable bento box at My Sweet Muffin

coasting through life

2009-09-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

using these fabulous heavy duty coasters from iomoi:

I also love the custom lucite trays:

ROCK REVIVAL JEANS BE STILL MY HEART.

2009-09-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

I wasn't going to buy another pair of jeans. Really I wasn't. I told all the girls on our shopping trip that jeans were not on my list and to NOT let me buy a pair of jeans. I was looking for cute shirts and accessories.

Well I found cute shirts and cute accessories. And then these little beauties caught my eye. I do have one pair of Rock Revival jeans in a light denim wash and if I was going to buy a new pair for the winter it would be a pair exactly like the ones I own only in a dark wash. They are a great fit. Very flattering, with a nice high back waistband with double belt loops that keep them in place. Well be still my heart. My girlfriend was trying on jeans in Buckle at the mall and I went in with her for moral support! As I was walking through the store the pocket above caught my eye and I got all giggly. Really I did. Can you believe they had the exact jeans I had at home only in a darker wash.....in my size. Fate really. I walked out of the store wearing them.

My grocery budget for the next two weeks was cut short. But my booty sure does look cute! See more pics here of just how cute they really are!

in the trenches

2009-09-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

shopping with the girls all weekend is my idea of a kick booty time. When the weekend results in not one, but two plaid trench coats... mommy comes home happy! Here's a looky-loo at some pretty in plaid:

This one is a DKNY plaid trench

i could just kick myself

2009-09-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

with these ultimate boots! I coveted these beauties while shopping this weekend and decided against it... my, my am I having non-buyer's remorse! Maybe I should run back and buy these Turbo boots by Chinese Laundry in grey now that I see what a huge deal they were at Marshall's...

My message to you? Go with your gut.

SERIOUSLY....

2009-09-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

.....isn't this the cutest packaging you have ever seen for flour? I loved it. I bought them after I sat and stared at the them in the grocery store aisle for a few minutes. I want to leave them on my counter to continue to stare. I'm thinking that they would make cute framed kitchen artwork too!

I HEART UGGS.

2009-09-09T17:52:00.001-07:00

.....and these have me all goo goo gaa gaa right now. In my favorite color for this upcoming season and also offered in a yummy purple/plum color....my second favorite color for this upcoming season! These will surely be on my Christmas list. Aren't they delish? I'm not sure if it is the wool material or the wood buttons I like best, but I do know that the combination is hot!

POLAROID FRAME FUN!

2009-09-08T11:35:00.001-07:00

I always love checking out Delight.com's daily specials. I was just talking to a friend yesterday about how much fun polaroids are but how expensive the film is and how fast you go through it with a polaroid. Check out this fun way to frame a regular picture in a dry-erase type of polaroid frame! Here.

I'VE BEEN A BAD BLOGGER....

2009-08-20T20:05:00.001-07:00

...here on Butterflies. Please give me the rest of the week to get my act together and I'll be back next week with pretty things to look at. Thank you.

If you want to visit me on my personal blog, I am keeping that one up quite regularly.

you're clutch a good friend...

2009-08-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

what girl doen't love sweet, feminine little clutch. Not I.

Check out the vintage inspired clutches at Briana Edelman Designs on Etsy.

oh maya!

2009-08-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

love.love.love. Maya Brenner Designs. It was very difficult to narrow down to my favorite piece, but I do heart this necklace:

and I wouldn't be unhappy if my hubby just happened to get this for our anniversary:

fly me to the moon...

2009-08-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

on Rockett St.George. Couldn't you just imagine wrapping up a sweet gift with this lace tape?

Or adorning your couch with this darling pillow?

Or expressing life views on your wall? 'Tis true... all you need is love & I wouldn't mind sharing that sentiment with Rockett's help.

blog-a-licious

2009-08-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

If I were only as hip as the husband & wife team photograpers, I would die a happy blogger. Nate and Jaclyn's work can be poured over on 'the image is found' blog. I just sit and click. When you hop on over to browse... be sure and check out the crazy booth... pretty dang hysterical. The two have workshops to teach other photographers how to do a crazy booth at events. Don't these two just look like so.much.fun.

Here's my fave image from the crazy booth:

pretty in lavender

2009-08-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

purple of any shade is in this fall & I am loving this sweet dress from Dorothy Perkins Come to think of it... this cardigan from J.Crew, would go fabulously along with it

smells good enough to...

2009-08-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Just bought this fantastic french milled soap at a little boutique store near the beach:I may start getting a shea butter tipped nose from the frequency of smelling the bar. I would've bought the lotion, too... but it was sold out. Always a good sign. I have been scouring the internet all day in hopes of finding an online supplier and EUREKA! I found it here. Now, to talk the husband into spending serious money on a case of soap...

sew cute!

2009-08-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

The only word used to describe the feeling when I read this woman's blog is: awe. Check out katie did. I love the modern/vintage clothes she has sewn for her children. I am especially in love with these dresses:

Click here for her tutorial.

SLACKING and CALLING ALL STEPHANIE GRAHAMS!

2009-08-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

I've been a blog slacker lately on this here blog. And now...Butterflies is on vacation. To see what is giving us butterflies while we are gone, check-in on our daily happenings here.

I'll be back in a week or so (if anyone is missing me). Stephanie? Stephanie? Where art thou Stephanie? Any goodies we can drool over while I'm gone?!

JUST TO COVER ALL MY BASES...

2009-07-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

One of my aprons and cake plates is being given away here today! Good luck.

WHILE IN RENO....

2009-07-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

...this weekend, I begged Dave to marry me again. He would just smile at me thinking it was funny. He finally realized on our last day there that he had turned me down three different times. And he promised to take me back so we could get married again. The thought of renewing our vows in silly places over and over again gives me butterflies. Can you imagine always feeling like a newlywed?! I can. He promised me a fun, cheesy wedding in Reno the next time we visit. Then I said "and South Lake Tahoe and Vegas by an Elvis impersonator." If I have my way, we will be back in Reno soon! Those pictures will be so fun to share over the next couple of years. Us getting married over and over again!

ONE.

2009-07-16T07:01:00.001-07:00

My friend's little girl turned ONE on July 7th and they had a 4th of July party for her all done up in red, white & blue. I made a birthday banner and little matchbox party favors for the party.

And for her 1st birthday present.....a little creation from my Funky Vintage Kitchen's new baby/kid line Funky Vintage Kids! I loved adding the ruffles on the bum bum. It was a complete last minute add-on. Miss Mack's mom sent me a picture of her wearing it on her actual birthday.

VINTAGE SEWING PATTERN!

2009-07-13T10:42:00.000-07:00

I went to the fabric store on Saturday looking for a cute vintage inspired dress to make. Nothing came close to this pattern I saw on a girl's blog I visit regularly. I'm so excited....she is making me a copy of the pattern for the short-sleeved green dress! I'll post pictures when my dress is complete.

LEAVES.

2009-07-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

I am not normally drawn to items with leaves on them (even though they are wildly popular right now). But....I do love these. Something about them keeps me coming back and staring at them. Maybe it is the color combination. I found them here on Etsy again. Her necklaces are beautiful too. Browse through her site! Have I mentioned lately how much I heart Etsy?

Happy Weekend. Hope you have something wonderful planned.

NECK CANDY.

2009-07-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

I can't get enough of necklaces these days. My newest obsession. If I could, I would buy a chunky necklaces in every color. I found a handful of beautiful ones. This one would be on the top of my list. Found on Etsy here. It makes me want to go to lunch with my girlfriends and order sparkling lemonade. Here is her close-up! She really is gorgeous in her lemony-lime goodness.

QUILT IN MY FAVORITE COLORS!

2009-07-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

I really wish I had time to learn to sew a simple quilt. I dream of them. I see pretty fabric and want to put them together to make a pretty quilt. I have "quilt on the brain"! I browse Etsy and quilting blogs regularly. I spend far too much time in our own local quilt shop. I need to just break down, give up a Saturday, and sign up for a beginner quilting class. Until then though, I will continue to find gorgeous quilts that keep me dreaming and inspire me. This quilt was found while searching Etsy and I didn't keep good notes so I can't remember which shop I found it in. I'm so sorry. But it really is gorgeous. And makes my insides all fluttery.

I WANT IT ALL!

2009-07-06T10:33:00.001-07:00

Sensibly Styled puts together the cutest outfits! And modest too. This grouping features items all under $30. I seriously need to be shopping a little more Charlotte Russe for my trendier pieces of clothing. Those dark cropped pants are adorable. I like wearing longer shorts and cropped pants because nothing is worse than a woman crossing her legs in short shorts and seeing the cottage cheese that is created when crossing legs. I was thrilled when Bermuda style shorts came back in. And thank goodness they are staying despite this seasons rash of shorter than short shorts! Wow that's a lot of shorts. Happy Monday!

BELLALULU

2009-07-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

BellaLulu is definitely worth a peek on Etsy. I've highlighted a few of her finds that are in my favorite color combinations, but her whole site is like browsing through all the BESTS of an antique flea market. I want the little aqua and red dish for Funky Vintage Kitchen!

HOME TO ROOST.

2009-06-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

I spent quite some time here and here yesterday. Everything about her Etsy shop and blog had me happy inside. After reading her blog, it made me want to go buy old milk bottles and get fresh milk straight from the cow. Take some time to enjoy everything about "Going Home to Roost." Even the name gives me butterflies.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THE 4TH?

2009-06-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Bingo with the family would be fun!

Found here.

watch out for Yogi

2009-06-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

If I had this Blyton Vintage Picnic Basket for 2, I would choose to:

*put on an eyelet dress

*lay out a gingham blanket

*enjoy finger sandwiches and tart lemonade

*ask my sweetheart to join me

SUMMER CLUTCH.

2009-06-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

My daughter collects coin purses. These little summer clutches are perfectly adorable. I really love them all. But the apple green one with the leaf zipper....be still my heart. I am smitten. By TheFigLeaf found here.

dirty, dirty floor...

2009-06-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Looking for a way to protect the bottom of your cute handbag? I fell in love with this solution:

Handbag hook from Z Gallerie for under $10!

DIY: Flower Belt

2009-06-23T08:23:00.001-07:00

This idea and picture from Say Yes to Hoboken. I love it and I love the possibilities. For instructions.....click here.

for those that CANNOT live without blogging...

2009-06-22T00:00:00.001-07:00

Janine King on Etsy, has created a solution for the drab black laptop case.
Can you imagine trucking around your laptop in a bag like this at the airport? Be careful, the security might confiscate this beauty.

best dressed...down

2009-06-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

I love me some t-shirts. My favorite are any from Threadless Tees. Threadless is a community based tee shirt company with an ongoing, open call for design submissions. I love that each tee design is submitted by a regular Joe. Every Monday, new shirt designs are printed. I am seriously in love with this one: And this one:

I have been fortunate enough to snag a first edition at one time. What I love most about Threadless is the price! Tees range from $5- $25.

FATHER'S DAY GIFT IDEAS.

2009-06-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Instructions all found on Martha Stewart. I especially love the shirt cuff card and the homemade BBQ Sauce.

DUTCH CLOCK.

2009-06-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

I saw this dutch clock on a new to me blog Say Yes to Hoboken. I spent quite a bit of time scrolling through her posts. And I have plenty bookmarked to share with you this week! I wish I had a wall large enough for this type of clock. Oh the possibilities.

And P.S. If you were wanting something to motivate you to lose some weight, come join us over on my family blog here.

ON MY MIND......

2009-06-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

These chairs from Pottery Barn.

And this red stool on sale there also.

I have been dreaming of a craft room a lot these days.

PAIRED HEARTS HANDMADE FATHER'S DAY CARDS.

2009-06-15T06:27:00.000-07:00

I love each of these. I love the fonts used. I love the sayings. It is how we talk in our home. Short, sweet and to the point. At least for Daddy. He really isn't much into the fluffy cards. He'd rather a hand-written note inside. So these cards are perfect. Found on Etsy at Paired Hearts.

ALAMEDA FLEA MARKET FINDS!

2009-06-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Between the antique stores in Benicia and the Alameda Antique Flea Market, I came away very satisfied. Not only did I find the suitcases I was hoping to find, but I found another vintage candelabra that matches the one I already have. I use them for my ring displays. I was thrilled. Also on my list was the dress form. And my surprise finds....the cast iron white bird feeder and the blue/white metal work stool. Oh, and the flower suitcase....filled with vintage metal letters to spell out "FVK Made" (Funky Vintage Kitchen, my etsy site.) We also got the letters to spell out 'Kennedy'. I will take a picture when we get them up on the fence outside. Oh how the antique flea market gave me butterflies. Wanna go?

I'M HAPPY TO BE EATING MY WORDS.

2009-06-10T06:45:00.000-07:00

I posted over on my family blog in January about a new spring trend. I titled it NO THANK YOU. It was pictures of the new boyfriend jean rolled a little sloppy and pants worn a little baggy. I must say I am happily eating my words. I found a pair I LOVE. I am sharing. Just don't choke on the price tag. They sit just right on the waist, not down on the hips. Stayed up when I squatted down and were sooooo comfy. Dave says they are his most favorite jean on me and the most flattering. I found them at Anthropologie here.

On the dress form.

On the body.

I actually wore mine with heals the first time too!

They really are cute. Just took a little warming up to. And I must tell you all that I had a hefty return at Anthro. Two shirts I received for Christmas, plus a pillow that had started falling apart. I essentially got them for free!

WINNER, WINNER, WINNER!

2009-06-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

.....said out loud just like they do at the carnival! We have winner of the lovely eraser, grandma's fabulous button ring and the tasty mango lig gloss. Random.org picked commenter #14. And just to give you butterflies, I'm not going to announce who it is. Go start counting down yourself to see if you are the winner!

Congrats number 14. I can't wait to deliver your pretty package to you.

In other news on Butterflies. This week I am going to share with you all my amazing finds from the Alameda Antique Fair. I will be posting all the details of our weekend on my family blog, but saving all the pictures of my treasures here on Butterflies. I seriously walked around the whole day smiling.

And....more news. Stephanie, who contributed as a Guest Blogger a few weeks ago will be helping me out on a regular basis. Whenever she finds something that sets her a flutter she will be posting here to. So hopefully we will be back to posting something pretty EVERYday for you to feast your eyes upon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY/HAPPY 100TH POST GIVEAWAY!

2009-06-05T10:11:00.000-07:00

A few of my favorite things!

These all make wonderful birthday gifts and set me a flutter at the same time. In honor of my birthday and my 100th post, I am offering a giveaway of a few of my favorite things. Yippee!

Napa Valley Aromatherapy Mango Lip Balm

Bird Pencil Eraser to Pretty Up your Desk Space

and....

One of my button rings from my Grandma's button stash!

Giveaway closes Monday at midnight. Winner will be announced Tuesday! All you have to do is leave a comment. Please include your email so I can easily notify you!

100TH POST AND GIVEWAY....

2009-06-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

....coming tomorrow. So sorry for my lack of blogging this week. I have been working hard on my Funky Vintage Kitchen business and haven't had loads of time to play on the internet and find pretty things. The apron above is one of the items I have been working on. Check in tomorrow for the 100th Post/Happy Birthday To Me Giveaway that will run through Monday! I'll be giving away a few of my favorite things!

WE RODE OUR BICYCLES TO OPEN HOUSE AT THE SCHOOL LAST NIGHT.

2009-05-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

And then I came home and found this darling bike on a friend's blog. Madsen is giving two of these away in July! I love this color blue. And everyone in my family has a bike but me. Oh....do I ever have butterflies. Click on the picture to enter to win! Fun. Fun.

THREE POTATO FOUR

2009-05-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with Three Potato Four shop! Lots of great finds. And it makes me all dreamy for my first experience that I will be having with the Alameda Flea Market on my birthday weekend in June!

TAKING TIME TO BROWSE....

2009-05-26T09:02:00.001-07:00

I haven't sat down and browsed through a magazine in a long time. Blogging time replaced my "plop on my couch and read a magazine time", but while away this weekend at a cabin in Georgetown, I picked up the Better Homes & Garden June issue and was pleasantly surprised. I grabbed a pen and paper and started jotting notes of all the little ideas I found and websites I wanted to visit. Who knew....Better Homes & Gardens rivaled Martha Stewart?! I will share a few of my finds this week. Yay for some magazine time while there was no computer access available.

And thank you to Stephanie who did a fabulous job as Guest Blogger last week. It truly helped lighten my load.

BY GUEST BLOGGER STEPHANIE GRAHAM: How this whole thing started...

2009-05-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

I recall how April and I started on the blogging train... we were talking on the phone one day and I brought up blogging. It was a foreign world to me back in the day. (I had no idea the way a simple post could take over your whole day- so naive, I know... but I was young)

As the conversation continued, we both ended up on a mutual friend's blog. We scrolled down. We laughed. We stopped talking. Completely. The silence lasted for quite some time until one of our children was hungry, or laundry needed attention, or breath needed to be drawn- something along those lines. It was the beginning of a the extension of our friendship. Not only were we friends but online blogging buddies. It doesn't get any better than that! (By the way, we still read blogs silently to ourselves while not talking to each other on the phone)

So here is my final post as a guest blogger. Let's hope it gives you butterflies just as it does me... a wonderful site to pretty-fy your blog- HAVE FUN!!!

P.S.- Thank you, April for such a fun opportunity to be you on Butterflies for a week... if only I could fit into your jeans, too...

BY GUEST BLOGGER STEPHANIE GRAHAM: Sinful and Calorie Free

2009-05-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love food blogs. I love food blogs so much, I even have two of my own. But we're not here to talk about me... We're here to talk about the must scrumptious and delightful food blog.

Why? you ask.
What sets this one apart? you inquire.

Well, here it is folks: You don't have to read anything. All that is required is to click, drool, repeat. Just mouthwatering pictures. Amazing, gnaw on your keyboard pictures. Without further ado, here's the link:

Food Porn Daily

And a little picture to get the drooling started

By GUEST BLOGGER, STEPHANIE GRAHAM: Going to the chapel...

2009-05-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

I have an affinity for all things wedding. I planned a wedding for my sister-in-law that was just so perfectly Spring. I love the dresses, makeup, hair, flowers, food, favors, photography, yada, yada, yada... Yes, I know I've been married already. But, I love to help anyone on their special day, even if it means blog stalking the best wedding blog known to brides throughout the world. Here's a sample idea board:

There's idea boards that are set up with mood and color schemes, pictures of actual weddings and great shopping! If I have whet your appetite plenty and are hungry for more, check out some cakes, too at Snippet & Ink.

BY GUEST BLOGGER STEPHANIE GRAHAM: mwuah

2009-05-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

the.best.lipstick.ever.

It lasts ALL day and through two brushes of the choppers. I have been doing hair and makeup for weddings and proms for quite some time and this lipwear gives me the ultimate butterflies! It's super lightweight and rich in color. Every bride needs this stuff if she wants to kiss her man without having to reapply every hour, on the hour.

I absolutely love this Pro Longwear by MAC so much, I could kiss it! Color of choice: Go Vin Go, an ab fab neutral that works on everyone.

'Go Vin Go' is found at the Napa Outlets at the beauty store that carries MAC, Clinique and Estee Lauder for a fraction of the price