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Sometimes it is so easy to just complain about things you don't like or even people you don't care for.  Be the change is something that I need to remind myself of all to often.

Etsy Finds

Image via Fishstikks

Image via Artworks

When we were in Savannah last year I happened upon a shop that carried reproductions of Lori Mitchell's paper mache sculptures.  I bought the little Halloween girl above who currently has a home in our bathroom.  Miss A loves her and keeps asking for her to come in her room instead.  I also picked up one of her Christmas figurines, too.  Since then, I have been obsessed with folk art style.  I currently am drooling over Emily the Cat above.  She's the real deal too not a reproduction.  Hence my hesitation to fork out the money for her.  She is quit cute though.  Don't you think??

Etsy Find: Monthly Onesie Stickers

While browsing for little boy goodies on Etsy, I came across these stickers.  I am taking monthly pics of Cole wearing a white onesie and these would be perfect to add.  Lil' Baby Bumblebee has a huge assortment of stickers to choose from and I think it's a great idea for documenting your little one's growth.  What a great shower gift idea, too.  Pair the stickers with some white onesies in various sizes and ta-da!  A very unique gift! 

Diaper Bag Heaven

For Christmas, Steve got this bag for me to use as my purse/diaper bag and I LOVE it!  With Ava I had a diaper bag that I registered for and I never really thought it functioned well for me.  This time around I scouted out Etsy until I found what I thought would work great for me.  I have been super pleased with it so far.  I love that is has a long and short strap so I can wear it either way. There are plenty of compartments for anything and everything baby and non-baby.  Love it!  Go check out her other bags at Kinies. 

Seriously...

He makes me smile.  His check fluff reminds me of our bun, Simon.  Check out all of Veronika's other creations on her Etsy site.  There are so many cute little guys.  The businessman cat has so much personality too.  

Winter Storm

elde

We're preparing for a winter storm here in St. Louis.  From the way people act, you would think we are going to be under 6 feet of snow for weeks with no power, heat or food.  What's predicted is ice followed by up to a foot of snow.  Don't get me wrong, that is significant but stores are out of bread and milk because people are so worried.  I, on the other hand, am trying to plan plenty of activities for the next couple of days to keep little Ava busy while keeping my sanity.  We're making Valentine's tomorrow and played with play dough making robots for over an hour today.  

During nap time I was doing a little Etsy browsing and discovered these little lovelies.  Don't they look so warm and snuggly?  Perfect for waiting out a winter storm while having hot tea by the fire.  

Printable Valentines From Etsy

$4 each from Green Apple Paperie

$3.50 from Monkey Moo Moo

$5 from Studio 30 Baby

Valentine's Day will be here before you know it.  Here are a few printables from Etsy that I came across.  Cute, cute, cute!

I've got a sick kiddo again so we are laying low and enjoying some Max and Ruby on TV while cuddling.  These slow days are kind of nice sometimes.  I'm soaking these up before I'm on mommy duty around the clock with a newborn. Stay healthy out there!

Trafalgar's Square Giveaway

These prints just makes me smile.  I love all Kit's work.  I have 3 of her prints for Ava's room.  She's illustrating some children's books now that I can't wait to see.

Trafalgar's Square has all her items 15% off right now but if you're into freebies head over to her blog and leave a comment for a chance to win both of these prints.  Good luck!

Easy (& Inexpensive) Christmas Present

$5 from Lily Cards

$5 from Partysaurus

Both are $6 each from Print Your Party

I love that you can add your own photos to the bottom calendar.

$6 from Ali Design

$8 from Lemonade Paperie

Last year I bought the 2010 printable calendar from Lemonade Paperie to give to my mom, grandma and girlfriends.  These printable calendars are great because you buy it once and then print as many as you need.  With a little glitter, a corner rounder and some ribbon you have a really sweet and inexpensive Christmas present.  There are a ton of great choices out there on Etsy and all different sizes, too.  At these prices you can print out one for just about everyone you know!  These are just a handful of the calendars I like for next year.  Decisions, decisions...

Stacey Yacula Studio

Images: Stacey Yacula Studio

Can I tell you just how much I love this artist?  She does amazing work.  Her ornaments are adorable and her little snowmen are so detailed and have such great personality.  I want every single one of her snowmen living on my mantel to enjoy all winter long.  Actually, I want one of everything in her store.  I might have to settle for one of her ornaments for the time being but I'll keep dreaming.

Etsy Finds: Stocking Stuffers

~Set of 8 Rocket Ship Crayons~

$8.95 from Crayon Couture

 ~Fairy Holiday Bendy Doll~

$12.50 from Princess Nimble Thimble

~Dino Soap~

$2.75 a piece from Soapsations

~Dragonfly Rubber Stamp~

$3.50 from Norajane

~Princess Crayon Wallet~

$10 from Gifts 2 Give

~Mini I Spy Bag~

$8 from The Crafting Corner

It's that time of year folks and I'm super excited. SHOPPING! SHOPPING! SHOPPING!  I know some people hate the crowds and hustle and bustle but I actually enjoy it.  I love hunting down the perfect gifts for friends and family.  I make a list throughout the year of things people mention and then start planning what to buy.  This minimizes my stress and lets me enjoy the holiday season a lot more.

I thought I would share a few of the things on my list for Ava's stocking this year.  The Mini I Spy bag is a definite for her.  She is going to love this and it will occupy her time and her busy little hands.  We already own a couple of the bendy dolls but her holiday dolls are just so cute I might have to splurge and get Ava another one as well.  She adores all things crafty and the little stamps would be perfect for her too.  You could even hit up the $1 bin at Michael's and put together a cheap stamp kit for your little ones.  

So what is going in your little one's stocking?  I love to get some new ideas.

Perfectly Cozy

Aren't these adorable?  Knit Storm over on Etsy has these little lovelies.  Perfect for all those nights you want to curl up with a good book and a cup of coffee or tea.  She'll personalize the labels to say whatever you desire too.  So, so cute!

Library Time

Ava and I recently started visiting our local library.  I don't really know what took me so long because the kid loves books (as does her momma).  She also loves trains so the fact that our library has tons and tons of books and a Thomas Train table means at least an hour of fun for her.

Photo from Aunt Jane

Since we've been checking out so many books and the little bookmark stamped with the date doesn't work for me I found this printable list that I'm going to try out for the new year.  It's super cute and I won't lose it like the little bookmarks.  Go check out the Etsy story, Aunt Jane.  She even makes great totes for lugging all those library books around.

The weather is getting chilly and the leaves are starting to loose their green.  Fall is almost here.  Yippeeee!!  

I came across this store on Etsy and fell in love with her work.  Pinch Me Boutique is making some ghoulishly great gourds just in time for Halloween and fall.  I am particularly fond of the Nightmare Before Christmas style gourds.  I just love this time of year!

A Mouse in the House

This little gal might have to be baby #2's first stuffed animal.  I love her little expression.  The Craggy Moor makes adorable handmade animals and each little one is unique in it's own way.  I can just see her perched on a shelf in a little kiddos room...so sweet.

What Every Fashionable Seamstress Needs

From Dottyral

From Sea Pinks

From Namolio

From The Daily Pincushion

I can't get over just how cute these all are.  I would hate to stick a pin in them!  I am really trying to justify the linen pincushion from Namolio.  She really does beautiful crochet work not only on pincushions but hair pins, brooches, scarves, etc.