Friday Favorites

Yay! It's finally Friday, which means it's time for Friday Favorites. You'll find my favorite links below, and I hope you like them! First things first, though...

As you can probably tell by the infrequent posts this week, I've got a lot going on including rethinking the content/direction of this blog. Many of you write blogs, and you know how exciting, rewarding and, yet, demanding it can be. It's ironic that a blog about inspiration is severely lacking in it. I'm taking some time to think and, hopefully, come up with fabulous new content.

So, that explains the picture posts throughout the week. They're easy and sometimes it really is true -- a picture is worth a thousand words -- so you'll find many more of them in the coming weeks. As I step away, I do want to thank you for reading For Your Inspiration. I love that you stop by here, especially when you comment on something I've posted. There's no better way to make a blogger's day!

A special thanks to Sandy, Paula, Laura and Maggie who have surprised and delighted me by coming back again and again to motivate me with your always kind words!

...and, finally, my weekly favorites. Have a great weekend!

• DIY Basket Pendant Light from Two Ellie

• Cheerful and Colorful Writing Room from Mama Without Borders

• Price My Space Party at Nesting Place

• Sesame Street Candy Buffet from Hostess With The Mostess

• Vintage Skirt Roundup from Lovely Clusters
  

Friday Favorite: Link Love

Here are a few of my favorite finds from around the blogosphere this week. Hope you enjoy them, too.

the joys of sidewalk chalk on Inchmark

Indulge! Chocolate dipped strawberry cupcake from Wasabimon seen on Cupcake a Day

create a family mission statement on Simple Mom

adorable girl's room on Tania McCartney

an ice cream party, just because on Polka-Dots and Pirates

Have a fabulous weekend!

Friday Favorite: Independence Day

I’m trying something a little different with Friday Favorites. Instead of talking about one blog every week, I’ll start to share some of my favorite finds from around the web. Some weeks will still feature a blog I just have to tell you about, but I like the flexibility of posting different things I’m loving at the moment.

Since tomorrow is Independence Day, this Friday Favorite is all about easy and quick ways to dress your tables and buffets for a patriotic feast. And, they really are easy peasy – all you have to do is download and print, or decorate pieces you already have with a little red, white and blue.

I adore the classic style of this (1) picnic from Country Living. It reminds me of summer days at my grandparents complete with picnic table, flags and pickup truck.

With this great idea from A Soft Place to Land, everything guests need to dig in are all in one place – silverware, bandana napkin and mason drinking jar (2).

Talk about last minute! What could be simpler than printing out one of these 4th of July party sets from (3) Twig & Thistle (matchbook wrappers, drink tags and labels for sparklers) and (4) Paper and Cake (complete tablescape).

Give any cake stand festive flair with red, white and blue crepe paper bunting (5) from Better Homes and Gardens.

This cookie pizza (6) from Pillsbury is simple to put together, pretty to look at and even better to eat.

Finally, these cupcakes were intended for Father's Day but are oh-so-perfect for any summer grilling. I didn't put them on the board, but I just had to include them in my favorites this week, because who doesn't love cupcakes, especially when they are this amazing. fyi:These are still easy to make; they use packaged ingredients.

Hamburger cupacakes and (sugar cookie!) fries from Bakerella...


Happy 4th of July everyone!

Friday Favorite: Birthday Edition

photo by D. Sharon Pruitt

So, today is my birthday! I wanted to save my Friday Favorite post and give you a list of my go-to blogs for party inspiration. Some of them are strictly for kid's parties, but you can find ideas from all of them to throw a great birthday party for anyone.

• Imprintables
• Party Perfect (read more about this favorite here)
• Lollipops Events and Designs
• Celebrations at Home
• Bake It Pretty
• Birthday Girl
• Polka-Dots and Pirates
  

Friday Favorite: Inchmark

Have you heard of Inchmark? If not, you’re going to thank me for introducing you to this week’s Friday Favorite.


Inchmark is written by Brooke Reynolds, a former senior art director at Martha Stewart, who now balances staying at home with freelance projects. From the first glimpse of the simple and fitting design, you know it’s going to be a good read. It is a great blog full of crafty, handmade goodness with tales of childhood and family woven in.

Brooke writes about everyday life with two small kids, shares her journey through quilting and sewing and gives tutorials for fabulous craft projects. Many of the crafts on Inchmark deal with celebrations whether birthdays or holiday. Highlighting Brooke’s simple, chic style, these projects are creative, clean and classic.

all images from Inchmark
birthday party; color story; book bag

I’m always inspired when I visit Inchmark thanks to great projects and friendly writing. I love how seamlessly craft and design projects are mixed with posts about library routines and birthday parties. If you haven’t visited Inchmark before, you need to go see for yourself what I’m talking about. Remember, I said you would thank me.

Friday Favorite: Oh, Hello Friend

It’s been a few weeks since I featured an individual blog on Friday Favorites, so I’m excited to tell you about today’s choice, Oh, Hello Friend. I remember coming across this blog, long before I started For Your Inspiration. Fortunately, it has recently come back on my radar.


Written by Danni Hong, a graphic designer from California, Oh, Hello Friend has a fresh vintage vibe (check out all the lace accents!). I adore blogs that have a cohesive look. Oh, Hello Friend definitely has a pleasing aesthetic that shines through every post and design element.

Maybe it’s the emphasis on inspiration or the sweet conversational tone or the gorgeous images, but something keeps bringing me back. I love the weekly schedule, so I always know what is going to be new. My favorite day has to be Monday thanks to the Inspire: lovely column. Every week features a captivating collection of images representing design, art, fashion, food, paper and other random snapshots of prettiness. What a great way to start the week!


Along with the Inspire: lovely column, you’ll also find product round-ups, photography features, blog links and posts on Danni’s own crafty projects. Everything is fun to read, and it’s all packaged in a way that fits seamlessly into the overall design of the blog.

I hope you’ll stop by Oh, Hello Friend to see for yourself why I like it so much. Danni also runs a lovely Etsy shop that is just as fun to browse.

Friday Favorite: More Blog Links

I didn't have time to write a Friday Favorite today, so I thought I'd give you some more fun blog links from the blogging class I took last month. I found so many great new blogs, I feel like I have to share them. I hope you enjoy them, too.

• That Girl Designs

• Doodlebuds

• Studio G

• Design Evolution

• Gathering Spriggs

Have a great weekend, and happy blog reading!

Friday Favorite: Blogging Your Way

Let It Be print from letter happy

Instead of highlighting one blog for today’s Friday Favorite, I want to tell you about a group of them. We were members of a team called the Fearless Scribblers brought together during a four-week blogging e-course taught by the talented Holly Becker of decor8.

For one assignment during this class, we were asked to visit and review the blogs of each group member. The feedback I received was both encouraging (they like this Friday column) and enlightening (who knew seeing a picture of me is so important?). I promise I’m going to put one up! There are many other changes I’m working on and considering thanks to the input of these fabulous women.

Lolalina Laura (our Fearless leader) started this blog during the class. Already it draws you in with a clean, cheery aesthetic and keeps you there with lovely photos and descriptive writing.

Magchunk Maggie writes about it all on her blog – fashion, décor, food and entertaining – and makes it shine with her spunky voice.

Sam’s Notebook Sam has a great eye for gorgeous photos and her style shines through in every post.

Cookie Cutter Sandy’s blog is anything but cookie cutter from the handwriting in the sidebar to her unique slant on all things pretty and artistic.

When I Grow Up Coach Michelle’s blog is unique (at least to me) because she doesn’t write about design, entertaining or food. But, she’s a life coach for the creative people who do, and she writes with such gusto you can’t help but be inspired.

Discover Interior Design With a graceful and professional layout, Kristen’s blog lets you into the world of interior design from jargon and designers to beautiful homes and images.

Frozen Brooklyn If you like ice cream, Raina’s blog, which chronicles her experiences with a new ice cream maker, is sure to turn you on to a new favorite flavor.

Sparkling Ink Tiina shares brilliant finds for home and entertaining but the most appealing part of her blog are the yummy recipes.

Oh, about the class itself. I admit I went in to it thinking Holly would reveal the secret to becoming the next big blogging sensation. I come out of it with much more. And right now, I'm content with what my fledgling blog is – my own little slice of virtual pie where I get to have fun, play around and put my imagination to work creating potential rooms, parties and styles.

If along the way I’m able to inspire one of you to decorate an outdoor room, start a birthday tradition or dress in coordinating outfits, then that’s just the icing (and the best part) on my cupcake. I'm going to let it be.

Friday Favorite: Party Perfect

Since this week’s posts were all about birthday parties, I decided to stick with the theme for today’ Friday Favorite. This is perfect, in fact, it’s Party Perfect, a blog I’ve read since it first began.


Written by Sara Hicks Malone, former art director for Martha Stewart Baby and Kids magazines and now designer of Hicks Paper Goods, Party Perfect is a treasure trove of inspiration for big and little celebrations for all occasions. We share a love of garlands (or, in her words “hang-y things"), cupcakes and homemade parties.

You won’t find many Cinderella or Spiderman kids parties, and if you do, you can bet they’re done with style and class. Sara’s modern, yet simple aesthetic shines through in her well-edited posts. Expect to find awesome links to theme parties based on books, colors or animals. She also finds super vintage entertaining books and unique party accessories, as well as shares photos and tips from her own hip soirees.

I have looked through this site many, many times for party themes, decorating tips and gift ideas. If you're looking for a specific party idea, go ahead and skip the search function. Just browse through the archives instead. There is so much good stuff here, you don’t want to miss any of it.

Do you like planning parties? What is your favorite part?

Friday Favorite: Green Your Decor

While studying for my interior design degree (circa 2000, yikes!) talk of environmentally-friendly design was just heating up and no one had heard of a blog. But, if things had been different, I would have loved a blog like Green Your Décor, which is the favorite blog for this Earth Day-week.



Written by a designer learning and sharing her process to creating greener homes, Green Your Décor shows products, design ideas and decorating advice that fit within the existing style of most homes and that don’t require an out-of-this world budget. The site itself is pretty, easy to navigate and fun to read.

So, what do I like best about Green Your Décor? The way the blog makes finding eco-friendly products a natural and accessible part of decorating. Here are a few ways that happens.

• Green Room in a Box series If you like inspiration boards, which I do (big surprise!), you have to check out this series. From nurseries to bonus rooms, this is a stylish collection of completely put together rooms covering everything from floor to ceiling.
• Green Steals of the Week Sometimes going green is more expensive, but these posts directs you to eco-friendly finds at the best price.
• DIY projects If you like to make things and/or hate to throw away perfectly good stuff, this list provides inspiration five easy-to-do projects.
  

Friday Favorite: Simple Mom

What could be simpler than reading books and creating organization, the two things talked about here this week? This week's favorite blog is all about making things simple from managing your home to taking care of yourself. It's Simple Mom written by Tsh Oxenreider.


I found Simple Mom several months ago while doing a mad search for ways to organize and manage my days as a stay-at-home mom who also needed to work a little on the side. The resources I found here have been invaluable since then. With two kids (one only a few months younger than my daughter), Simple Mom seemed to have their life in order and loved it.

Here are some of the things I've learned from reading Simple Mom. They have made my life easier, more productive and, I must admit, a little saner.

• Daily Docket While I'm not nearly as structured with my daily routine, I do plan my days using an adapted version of the daily docket.
• menu planning I'd never actually thought about menu planning until I read this blog. That's right. Now, I don't know if I could survive without it.
  
• Jesse Tree Last Christmas is the first time I've done the Jesse Tree, inspired by this post. It's a great way to spend time with your family remembering the reason for the holiday season.
• spring cleaning Okay, this hasn't happened yet, but just thinking about makes me feel more accomplished. Simple Mom is hosting a spring cleaning party and everyone is invited. I can't wait to what tips she offers up.
  

In addition to home and life managing tips, you'll also find a book club, regular giveaways and five columnists who post on various topics.

Friday Favorite: One Pretty Thing

Rain and crummy weather is in the forecast, and today's favorite blog is perfect for when you're stuck inside. One Pretty Thing is a catalog of craftiness. So whenever you're feeling the need to create, click on over. There is bound to something you just have to make.


The author posts round-ups everyday (Daily DIY) of projects culled from various other blogs. That's not all. There are also round-ups for holidays, crafty businesses, kids and gift guides to name a few.

Whenever I wonder, "where did read the instructions for that project?"I look to One Pretty Thing. Even if I didn't see the craft there, I'm probably find a link to it and about 10 other things I just have to try creating.

Friday Favorite: No Time for Flashcards

We have been feeling crafty here lately. (Okay, I have. My daughter just goes along with what I do!) Maybe it's the spring weather or the Easter coming up that makes me want to create and have fun. I don't know, but many of our projects have been holiday related. We've decorated foam Easter eggs which turned into garland, made tissue paper flowers and colored countless pictures.

A lot of my inspiration and motivation for getting started on all these projects (including an Easter egg matching game to help learn colors) comes from today's favorite blog: No Time for Flashcards.


I recently came across this blog and have been amazed at all the art, craft and activities that my 19 month old and I can do. The author is a former preschool teacher and she graciously shares all of her wonderful ideas.

For months, I have longed for age-appropriate crafts, etc. I never realized how many there were, probably because I'm not a teacher and my brain just doesn't think that way. It doesn't matter, because now all I have to do is just click over to No Time for Flashcards and I know I'll find something.

(images from No Time for Flashcards)

Some fun ideas include:

• letter of the week: Fun art projects to help with letter recognition.
  
• beginner activities: These are my favorite right now because they are just right for the age my little girl is.
• food activities: These are great because they provide entertainment and a snack all at the same time.

In addition to all the activities, the author often provides songs and book lists to go along with them. It's a great way to reinforce the lesson being taught. Must be one of those teacher things I have no clue about.

FYI: We do use flashcards at our house. My daughter usually begs for them, actually. But thanks to No Time for Flashcards, we have so many more ways to spend our time. She has had so much fun with the crafts and activities we've done, and I love watching her learn and get excited. This is one blog I'll continue to visit over and over again.

Friday Favorite: decor8

Today's Friday Favorite was actually intended for last week. However, I was stuck in bed with a stomach bug, so I saved it. Turns out, this worked out great because the blog I chose fits perfectly with this week's spring theme.

Each time I click over to decor8, a three-year-old design blog written by Holly Becker, it feels like a spring day with the bright colors, clean design and always inspiring posts. From round ups to home and store tours to product reviews, decor8 always has something to stir the creative juices.

above: part of a recent wreath roundup on decor8

With so many blogs to read, I often come across the same topics over and over again. I count on decor8 for inspiration on all things design, decorating and crafty. There is always something I've not seen before or a link to a great new find. Even if a post is going around the blogosphere, Holly covers it with new perspective whether it's through the image she shows or the words she writes.

Here's a rundown of some ongoing series regularly posted on decor8:

Etsy Take 5 Tuesday: Check out Holly's favorite Etsy finds for the week. Be prepared to love more than one.

Get Real Thursday: Holly poses a topic whether it's fun, unusual or insightful, shares her thoughts and then asks for readers opinions.

How much for this room?: I love getting a glimpse into other people's houses, don't you? This fun series gives you the why, where from and how much.

Friday Favorite: m.writes

I have read marta.writes for several months now. I think I found it during a search for mommy blogs and came across a post the author, Marta, wrote shortly after the birth of her son. Having struggled with adapting to life with a newborn, I was blown away by her passionate account of joy and excitement. I’ve been hooked ever since. She writes beautifully; it is sincere, insightful, thoughtful, descriptive and, of course, inspiring. I get caught up in her words.

In addition to chronicling life with baby, other frequent topics on marta.writes include crafts, recipes, writing and list making. She is also a graphic designer with a shop full of customized stationary and handmade goodies.

Lists show up fairly often on marta.writes. In homage to that, here is a list of my favorite things I find on this favorite Friday blog.

• the little things

“yesterday i bought milk with my due date stamped on it's plastic carton. now if that's not a thrilling moment, i don't know what is.”

I love that Marta noticed the date on the carton was her due date. I so did that.

• the sweet things

Marta posts about cooking and eating pretty often…and she gives the recipes for yummy baked treats.

• the polka-dot things

Polka-dots make me happy; they just do. Apparently, Marta loves them just as much as I do.

Introducing Friday Favorites And Snippet & Ink

Like most people, I am addicted to reading blogs. There are so many good ones out there and I am often amazed at the creativity and knowledge the authors share through them. It is hard, impossible really, to choose my favorites, but I am forcing myself to do that.

Starting today and continuing each Friday, I plan to highlight one blog that I click on over and over for inspiration. A few of them I’ve read for a long time, while a couple are brand spanking new on my daily reading list. However, all of them are go-to blogs for everything from writing to meal planning to throwing a party. The blog I'm starting with is total eye-candy.

There is one thing that gets me about the wedding planning blog, Snippet & Ink: the inspiration boards. Although they are intended for weddings (and I’ve been married for six years), these boards translate beautifully into any party. The author, Kathryn, chooses a theme such as Backyard Picnic and labels them by mood and color. So thorough, so unique, so inspirational – I could spend hours browsing. She also posts real-life weddings and other planning related bits that are fun to look at even if you’re not getting married.

A few of my favorite inspiration boards and parties they can inspire...

• Board #13 Curious George Use this for toddler birthday party inspiration.
  

• Board #156 School Days Use this to create a special back-to-school soiree.

• Board #318 Retro Whimsy Use this if you're going to be hosting a bridal shower.