Category Archives: Favorite Finds

Here’s a look back at my favorite things I pinned this week and posts that I read…

Pins

Pins I’ve “Done”

Sources: closetcooking.com and cookiesandcups.com (I used my own banana bread recipe and added peanut butter and mini PB cups) via Michelle on Pinterest

Posts

• A blogger’s dream, having something you created grow bigger than you ever could have imagined: My Blog Story by Oh Amanda!
• From a newly-discovered blogging fave (thanks Alyssa): Lowering the Bar by Momastery
• I may not always agree with her, but she makes me laugh more than any other and inspires me to keep it real with my writing: Eleven Years by Dooce

Now that I’m using Pinterest, I haven’t been starring posts as much in my Google Reader but pinning them instead. So rather than sharing a bunch of those images with you [if you click the hyperlink up above there, you’ll see my pin boards – crafts and recipes abound], I’ll share the writing and posts that have struck me and perhaps they will strike a chord with you as well.

The funny

• Open letter to our downstairs neighbors, in anticipation of the Super Bowl by Alice at Finslippy [sorry, there’s some language, but it is still hilarious]
• I did these things as a kid but my kids won’t by Amber at Crappy Pictures [always hilarious, but this reminds me of how my dad is always saying, “you survived, didn’t you” when I point out something I’d rather be didn’t do for my kids]
• Official Post-Valentine’s Day Recap ExtravaganzSQUIRREL by Amy at Amalah [the dramatic squirrel pic at the end is worth clicking through for]
• Those are fighting words, internet by Jenny at The Bloggess [just because she is always funny and honest]

The moving

• The Luckiest by Tricia of Teaching Ty and Tuck [I could pretty much include everything she writes, but I particularly love the song she’s talking about]
• Breastfeeding isn’t free by Sarah at drunkenbee [I think I might have linked to this before, but’s worth a second read]
• (title unknown) by Alicia at Posey Gets Cozy [simple heartbreakingly honest]
• A beautiful c-section by Kristin at Today’s Parent

New to me blogs

• helenjane
• Parents Need to Eat Too
• Wild Olive
• Momastery
• Tricia Lott Williford [her writing is not new to me, but she has a new site]

Here are MY favorite finds from around the web
(sorry it’s been ages since I did one of these)

Crafts I’d like to try:

• I guess this is a craft and recipe in one – individual cupcake stands topped with lemonade cupcakes
• Wouldn’t this badminton heart be cute hanging on the wall of my non-existent cottage?
• DIY Chalkboard Banner – I so want to be the kind of mom that has banners hanging up for special occasions (is that a kind of mom?)
• I so wish I had a little girl’s room to hang one of these paper lanterns in… that Martha is so clever!
• I don’t know that cross stitch could ever be cool, but I do love to do it (though I haven’t for ages) – the Princess Bride one is awesome!
• What a great idea for a child’s bedroom – ABC wall art
• Giant origami – combining my love of paper with cool decor – sounds like it’s right up my alley!
• These pocket hearts seem small and relatively simple – my kind of craft
• What a ingenious idea for if I ever get Jack to sleep in Liam’s bottom bunk – a crib converted into a craft station

Recipes I’d like to try:

• Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce – my SIL in Oz made spring rolls the last time we were there and the fact that I still think about them is a tribute to the deliciousness
• Who doesn’t love old-fashioned pull-apart buns? No one, that’s who…
• In general I like veggie burgers (I also like turkey and all-beef burgers, I’m all-inclusive with my love of burgers), but these sound super delicious from Oh She Glows
• Beef tacos, two ways:
• In the shredded beef in the crock pot
• Carnitas-style with roasted peppers and onions (I made these for Liam’s birthday and they were so, so, so good)
• Cookies and cream cupcakes from the always inspiring Bakerella
• Peach Vodka Slushies are most definitely perfect for a girl’s night!
• Healthy and then not so much – Bacon Stuffed Tomatoes
• I think my mom made this Lemon Buttermilk Sorbet when I was growing up – that or something very similar, either way, I remember loving it!
• Quinoa Three Ways – though I’m a little skeptical of the breakfast option (these are for you, Heidi); tomorrow I’m making my quinoa greek salad, I’ll document it just for you guys – it’s delicious!

Things I’d like to buy:

• I’m a bit of a sucker for pretty glass like these Glassbaby votives (spied via Pioneer Woman)
• I’m also a sucker for cool graphic design like this map of the USA
• All this lovely paper in one spot… yes please! (You know how I feel about paper)
• These prints are too cute… I especially love the family portrait
• Anything at any one of the sweet shops
• I posted about canvas prints before – but I love the stairway treatment Laura did (now to get her to Michigan to shoot our photos, thankfully I have many photographer friends in town)
• Sweet mirrors with a message from Noosh (spied via Lil’ Magoolie)

Posts I liked and I’ll tell you why…

• I Am… by Angella at Dutch Blitz – makes me what to post something like this of my own.
• Crossroads by Emily at not that you asked – the part that resonated most was where she talks about how for the first time, there is no set plan in front of her – that’s sort of how I feel now that I think we’re done having kids (and I also saw the horrible Britney Spears movie in the theater).
• Tales from the Accidental Asshole: The TV Critic by Pamie, who I’ve been reading since the beginning days of TWOP
• The Post Office is My Nemesis by Naomi from Aiming Low because I feel her pain – I never mentioned this here but a month or so ago, I told off a rude, oblivious older woman at the post office (I still get an adrenaline rush just thinking about it)
• You should watch this: Dark Girls Documentary

New to me blogs:

• Mama Loves Her Shows – Blogging and TV, my two favorite activities in one place
• Parenting. Illustrated with Crappy Pictures – you will laugh until there are tears

All images borrowed from the above-linked sites.

Looking for other favorite finds? Look no further, they are here.

Here are MY favorite finds from around the web

Crafts I’d like to try:

• So pretty yarn balls
• I must a jersey knit bracelet to add to my accessories
• Sensory playdough… though I really don’t let me kids play with playdough because I’m a horrible mom
• I miss making friendship bracelets, anyone have a daughter I can borrow to make these with? [yes, I’m totally feeding gender stereotypes]
• What a cute idea: Button artwork
• DIY Paper Snack Bowls – how easy-ish
• I have secretly always wanted to make a granny square blanket, though I haven’t the slightest clue how to do it – I’ve only crocheted a potholder and a washcloth.
• Perhaps this could be a quilt I could do for my 35 before 35 list…

Recipes I’d like to try:

• While not so much a recipe, I think I’ll try making these Oreo pops for Liam’s birthday
• Curried Cauliflower Cracklins, always looking for a way to spice up the veggies
• While I could just go buy one, how much better do these homemade Twix bars look? (totally calorie-free when homemade, right?)
• Seriously, how good does this look: Hedy’s Mars Bar Ice Cream Cake
• Wine + cake = awesome (Red Wine Cake)
• Roasted Tomato Salsa (though I am a salsa verde fan, this one contains ingredients I love)
• Here’s something different to do with over-riped bananas: Banana Everything Cookies
• How scrumptious does this Raspberry Chocolate Cake look?
• Continuing the streak of chocolate desserts: Mississippi Mud Cake
• Something not chocolate or dessert: Missy’s Marinated Tomatoes
• Grilled Sweet Potato Salad because we are huge SP fans

I’d also like to encourage you to try the Mango Quinoa Salad and Deluxe Tomatillo Sauce from my last Favorite Finds post, I’ve had both since I wrote that and they are delicious!

Things I’d like to buy:

• I love all of these quotes for kids’ spaces
• Frientor Books and Go!Global posters both spied on Sally Shim’s site, the illustrations are adorable
• Wordless Wrap wrapping paper (spied on Nice Things Now)

Posts I liked and I’ll tell you why…

• Kendi Everyday is hilarious and stylish – what a winning combination and for 30 days, she makes outfits out of the same 30 items of clothing.
• Free Summer Printables – great for all ages!
• Dooce done two ways: A Story About Someone Else’s A$$ and Bangladeshi Conviction
• Esteem by Angie from (In)courage, a quote:

There is no competition, ladies.
There is no little room that only a few can enter.
There are two choices, and the ironic part is that they don’t affect the other person the way they affect you.
Start tonight, and do something bold.
Ask God to humble you and raise others up.

• Love is a verb by Teaching Tuck and Ty
• On Being Held by Wandering On Purpose
• Consider joining in on this Love Drop

New to me blogs:

• Awesome craft inspiration and many how-tos: V and Co.
• Real moms who blog like I blog: Wandering On Purpose and LucidLotusLife
• Yet another person with way more style than I will ever have, even if I really tried: Design for Mankind
• Super cute blog filled with great inspiration (love her “today we wish we wore” posts): Live and Enliven

All images borrowed from the above-linked sites.

Looking for other favorite finds? Look no further, they are here.