First Annual Sisters Weekend in SF

Tomorrow, my two younger sisters arrive in San Francisco for the FIRST annual Sister's Weekend! My Christmas gift to them this past year was a weekend together in the city, and it's FINALLY arrived!



Lots of fun plans are in the works including celebrating my youngest sister's birthday, some SERIOUS eating (because in our family, food is a number one priority, let's be honest), shopping, laughing and just plain sister time! The hus has been kicked out of the house, and it's a 100% boy-free zone for the next 48 hours. HECK. YES.



We will hopefully have lots of pics to share next week, including a trip to the Alameda Point Antiques & Collectibles Fair, dinner at our FAVE restaurant, Superbowl Sunday Funday, and maybe even some thrift store shopping, crafting/baking, or sightseeing fun! I CANNOT wait!


P.S. TODAY is the last day to enter the giveaway, so make sure you enter to WIN!!

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Sneak Peek....A Baby Shower is in the Works!

At the end of this month, I will be hosting my very first Baby Shower for my wonderful friend Sue! She's having a girl, and I'm tickled PINK (yep, pun intended) for this fabulous celebration of all things GIRL! Here is a sneak peek of the invitations I sent out.Stay tuned over the next few weeks for more details!

Oh, and don't forget!!

Tomorrow is the last day to enter the giveaway!!

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Happy Love Month!

Let LOVE MONTH begin! I have grown very fond of Valentines Day over the past few years...yes, the cynic is dying and the craftiness is growing! This year I have been filing away all the cute supplies and DIY's to share with you, because I truly think that handmade is the best, most heartfelt way to say I LOVE YOU. Here are some of my favorites thus far...


{A Whole Lotta Lovin Stamp Kit from Paperfinger - found on Paper Tastebuds}


{No, But Seriously, I REALLY Love You Stamp from Paperfinger - found on Paper Tastebuds}



{FREE Printable Valentine Garland from Whisker Graphics}


{Felt Valentines Pins Tutorial from The Purl Bee - found on Erin Ever After}


{Lacy Votive Holders Tutorial from Martha Stewart - found on Erin Ever After}

{Conversation Heart Cookies Recipe from Martha Stewart - found on Jolie Jolie}

Siiiiiiiiigh.
All I want to do right now is bake, and sew, and stamp, and CRAFT some valentines for my family and friends!
Happy Love Month!

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Dreams of France + GIVEWAY & DISCOUNTS!

Dreams of France.

Who doesn't dream of France?
Pastries & Romance....there's not a whole lot better in our book.
Since we won't be going there any time soon,
we drift off to France in our thoughts when we visit our Sponsor's store!

Dreams of France is full of romantic treasures that will make you feel as if you have landed in Europe without ever leaving your home.{Carte Postale Pillow Sham ~ $50.00}

Jackie, the owner of Dreams of France, started her shop a year ago this month. "I have always wanted to own a little shop and bring beautiful things in to share with people ~ things that I would love to have in my own home," Jackie shares.

We asked Jackie to tell us what inspires her with her store,
"I am inspired by all of the amazing, talented women I have met through blogging and all of the wonderful things they do. My children inspire me to be a better person and to see the world through fresh eyes. My husband inspires me with his patience, kindness and support of me and all my endeavors. And overall, I am inspired by the beauty that is all around me…especially now that spring is around the corner!"

We love her answer and I think many of you would to! Blogging is a world of inspiration as are the people we love that surround us.

{Tea Dyed Towel ~ $12.00}

We appreciate unique shops, artists, bloggers. We love when people cultivate their own style and stamp of authenticity. We asked Jackie to tell us what three things are unique about her and/or her store.
She said:
"The items I carry are largely made by hand by friends or other women with small businesses. I like to support individual artisans as much as possible.

My shop is very specific to it's theme of Dreams of France - I'm keeping it small and focused to things I really love. Most of what I carry, I believe, reflects a French feeling. I do "dream of France"…and I am lucky enough to get to go there this summer!

One of my favorite parts about having the shop is taking pictures. I'm learning as I go about photography and am really enjoying being able to share that as part of what you see on the site!"

{La Lumiere ~ now $19.00}

Lastly, we wanted Jackie to share some words of encouragement with you. Are you dreaming of starting a store or something that just has you a little...scared? In Jackie's words,
" Just do it!! Seriously, I don't know a ton about business, but I would say, stay true to a vision, start small and let it grow naturally. I love what I'm doing and I am thrilled with every order I get - it's a blessing to be able to do what you love to do! "

Well, because Jackie is SO awesome, she's hosting a giveaway here!
She is giving away 1 of her Madonna Burlap pillow covers pictured below + the insert for it!

{Madonna Burlap Pillow Cover ~ $30.00}

To enter to win
Visit Dreams of France and leave a comment here with your favorite item in her shop!
Make sure you're a follower, too.
If you want extra chances to win, spread the news on twitter or facebook.
Leave a comment for each thing you do & share the link in your comment!

Giveaway ends on Thursday, February 4 at 5pm PST.
Winner will be announced on Friday, February 5!

Oh, by the way, Jackie is even MORE awesome because she is offering a 10% discount to ALL of you through February 28, 2010!
Enter this coupon code and check out to save: FF210

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Inspired by...

First of all...the WINNER of the 2 Card sets is
#7 Anna from In Honor of Design
CONGRATULATIONS!!

And now, back to our scheduled program:






{A San Francisco Wedding found on Green Wedding Shoes, photos by Lilia Photography}


{Amazing Table Decor found on Once Wed, photos by Lilia Photography, Bride's Etsy Shop: Lilmissi}






{DIY Citrus Centerpieces on Pretty Good, for Project Wedding}

{Inspiration to Reality Shoot found on Pretty Good, photos by Jessamyn Harris}

{Vintage Indie Wedding with mismatched Reception Chairs found on Ruffled, photos by BVA Photo}

{Idaho Barn Wedding found on Once Wed, photos by Jesse Leake}



{Gilly Save the Dates by MaeMae Paperie}





{A Rainy Camp Wedding found on Green Wedding Shoes, photos by One Love Photo}



{A Dreamy Engagement Session found on Green Wedding Shoes, photos by Denise Bovee}




{A California Coast Wedding found on Green Wedding Shoes, photos by Jen Rodriguez}





{Gorgeous Natural + White Wedding found on follow studio, photos by Mint Photography}



{A Pink & Black Party Photo Shoot found on Snippet & Ink, photos by Meg Smith}



{DIY Icing Tip Place Card Holders found on Once Wed, by Ashley of Dolci Odille}

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Anthropologie Inspiration into {Affordable Fashion} II

I already mentioned I was obsessed with the current toffee & olive line from Anthropologie.

And I meant it.

I have been on a mission to redefine the outfits into affordable and realistic.

This week I accomplished that goal
(And bought the pieces to make the outfit I might add-VICTORY)
So here it is:

THE {Anthropologie Inspiration} Outfit
Total Cost from Head to Toe: $462.00
And my take on it....

Pintucked Tunic Top~$59.50
vs. the $88 Anthro top

Button Cuff Roll Up ~ $14.99
vs. $58 Anthro version

Schoolboy Khakis (in grey) ~ $14.99
vs $88 Anthro pants

Blush Chiffon Flower Necklace by Untamed Petals ~ $52.00

We'll leave the shoes up to you!

FYI: If you have never shopped Gap Online before or have never used this code
GAP20
Enter it at check out and receive 20% off your entire order!
(Can't say we don't love ya!)

And in other F&F news....
F&F would love to be sponsored by your shop, blog, or business this February!

We are also accepting Feature Applications for upcoming posts.
Please contact us for more information.

OH! Don't forget--
it's the last day to enter the giveaway

We can't wait to hear from you!

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Cooking with Trader Joe's

During a recent visit with my cousin I discovered that Trader Joe's has a cookbook
(Well, two actually, however this is the one I really investigated){amazon for $19.77}

I realize some of you may not have a Trader Joe's near you or maybe you haven't even heard of Trader Joe's but I have to say that as a working Mom, Trader Joe's is many things dear to me.
a) Its easy!
I can buy frozen meals that are completely ready aside from a short amount of time with a frying pan.
b) It's healthy!
Many organic and fresh products means healthy.
c) It's affordable.

When I saw that Tracy had the cookbook, I became mildly obessed with scouring the pages.
I also took the time to write some down so I could test them before making the investment in the book.

I've tried cooking from cookbooks but I always need 50 ingredients that end up going bad before I can use them in another recipe. Not only have the recipes I have tried been AWE-SOME they have had minimal ingredients, have been beyond easy, and they make me feel both healthy & successful.
I'm pretty sure I just struck culinary gold!

Here are 2 recipes I tried and L O V E D.
You give them a shot and decide if this cookbook could make you feel like a brand new woman :)

Pasta Alla Checca
8 oz linguine pasta
1 8 oz container refrigerated Fresh Burschetta Sauce
1/4 cup grated parm cheese
1 8 oz container Ciliegine, fresh mozarella balls
1/4 cup chopped basil

1. Cook pasta
2. add burschetta and parm cheese. mix well to coat pasta evenly
3. Stir in mozzarella balls gently. Top with basil and serve


Chipotle Turkey Chili
1 1/4 lb ground turkey
1 medium onion chopped
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp ground cumin
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
15 oz can organic black beans
3/4 cup refried black beans
1/2 cup chipotle salsa
2 tbsp barbecure sauce
cheese

1. heat olive oil in medium saucepan over med heat. cook onions 5 mins. add ground turkey and cook until brown. add ground cumin and cook 1 min longer
2. add remaining ingredients. refried beans need to be broken up and stirred into the chili and dissolved.
3. when chili comes to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 10 mins.
4. garnish with cheese and serve.

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