In the spirit of getting my little office organized (or my little cubby hole in the wall I should say), I thought I'd share some great items I've discovered while "window shopping" on the web.

1. I love these study stacks from PB Teen. And, they're on sale! I really like the fact that there is a drawer and then a place on top of the stack to place items. I'm thinking that space would be perfect to hold the patterns I sell in the shop

2. Wouldn't these Ditsy Dottie Bowls be cute to hold all of those random paper clips, rubberbands, buttons, etc. I just wish they didn't come in fours. Anyone want to break a set?!? Just kidding.

3. This personalized dry erase calendar is fantastic from SayItWithStyle. I love the things you can do with vinyl lettering these days.

4. I know you're probably sick of my PB obsession but here is another great find that I'm dying to go on sale so I can snatch it up. Wouldn't this be cute to display fat quarters on or even a stack of ribbons behind?

Once I get my little office space pulled together I'll definitely have to show you. I'm having to be extra creative with such a small little space.

They've been spotted

I've spotted them. I usually get annoyed when holiday decor and candies come out way too early. Months before other holidays have even come and gone and you would actually think about decorating for that particular one. However, I play to a totally different tune when it comes to this high-calorie goodness. I do have to admit my waistline is thankful they aren't out all year long.

And in other good news! Westminster/FreeSpirit has just announced suspending implementation of their new policy which would require retailers to sell their fabrics at an increased MRSP of $9.50/yard. You can read more about the original policy here. So, it looks like this new policy might still happen in the future, but as for right now it's off.

Unfortunately, with Westminster's price increase still in effect and the increase in postal rates fabric prices still have to be slightly increased...but not nearly the hit everyone thought we'd take.

Don't be jealous

I wanted to send some warm weather to those who need it right now. Hello loved ones in Minnesota! This past weekend we hit the upper 70's and had a little fun outside. Don't be jealous. Well, you can be a little bit. I need to using this opportunity to brag because come July I'll be in a sweat box.

And this pic is just for fun. Our monkey does anything to avoid having to touch the grass to get up. He'll hold his hands in the air and try with all his might to use only his legs to stand.

Back in the saddle

It's been a little bit rough this past week-and-a-half. The kind of rough that your entire house smells like a dirty diaper...even though the hundreds you've changed have all been taken outside. And at the end of the night after the wee one is in bed you sit down to reflect on the day (and silently cheer that the wee one is in bed) and wonder how another day passed without getting anything done...no matter how much light you let into the house.

And then while he was on the mend and showing me his toothy grin I thought Noah had been getting just two new teeth. Oh no my friends, our little guy tends to do things in fours these days. And now the past week-and-a-half is all starting to make sense.

Our family has had a case of the sickies over this past week. There is something about being all cooped up in the house that makes me want to fling open the doors and windows and let the fresh air (somewhat fresh here in AZ) flow through the house.

I've been playing on the computer a little bit though while the babe has been asleep. So, here are some Fabulous Finds to look through over the weekend!

1. I'm sure you've seen this print before. You can get your own here.

2. I bought one of these clips a little bit ago by kipiis. I think they're such a great idea! They make anything into a bib so when you're out at a restaurant make sure to put one of these in your purse and that napkin instantly saves your kids clothes!

3. Valentines Day is sneaking up on us. Martha has some great ideas for those handmade cards.

A one year old with a cell phone

I don't let Noah play with our cell phones or remote controls...but boy does he love it when he snatches them up. Once I discover the secret in his little hands he just looks up at me and drops it as if it never touched him. It's so funny and makes me laugh every time. We gave Noah one of our old cell phones to play with and talk to whoever he wants. He carries it with him everywhere. I even let him dial international as I'm not too worried about him running up the bill.

So if you have some spare time give him a call...I'm sure he'd love to talk to you!

A new year...a fresh start. I've never been big on resolutions. Probably because I feel like I'm always aiming for the same goal...to have a balanced life. I have no idea what that actually looks like, however, I think if I were to personally define it, it would mean to successfully be content in all areas my life. Continually growing and learning and becoming more of who God wants me to be. Sounds wonderful and relaxing doesn't it?

It seems like with a new year comes the desire to get organized! I figured a Fabulous Find Friday would be just the place to share some organizing tips I've discovered.

1. I like this idea of using shadow boxes to hold and display jewelry. I'm strongly considering doing this in my bedroom. Yes, I have a dresser that has those special drawers just for jewelry...but yes, they are all junked up with lots of non-jewelry items and the jewelry I do have is lying under it all somewhere.

2. I think this could be a great space saver when you are limited on desk space. And the color options are fun!

3. I am addicted to magazines. I blame my mom. This magazine rack would be a great way to get my recent magazines out of the way but still easy to grab. I've also seen people use decorative ladders for this use as well.

4. We get home and have to charge up our cell phone, ipod, camera, etc. This recharge station makes a whole lot of sense in keeping all of those gadgets and gizmos out of the way.

So go....get organized! Or be like me and buy the magazines that at least talk about getting organized.

One year photos

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Years Lucas lovingly agreed to do a family portrait session and Noah's One Year photos. Noah has the best smile and every photo just makes me feel so blessed he's mine.

I'm not big on the decorative backgrounds so I try to bring a little something from home to add a personal touch. I had purchased this metal airplane for Lucas a few years ago for his birthday and I love how it turned out.












And as for Noah's one year stats:
Weight 20 lbs 11.4 oz + Height 28.5 in = One healthy, happy boy!

Hello Ya'll...

Well, we've spent the last two weeks away spending Christmas with extended family and doing a little vacationing on our own. I think now we need a vacation from our vacation!

We set out to Savannah, GA to meet up with Hubbys' side of the family for Christmas. It was a nice time down in Paula Deen country.

After Christmas our immediate family headed to Hilton Head beach where N ran into the Atlantic Ocean. He loved it.



We also made sure to hit Tybee Island and the historic area of Savannah.



We didn't make it to Paula Deen's Lady and Sons restaurant but we did head to her brother's restaurant, Uncle Bubba's. It was my first time trying oysters.


Before heading back home we spent our last night and day in Atlanta where we visited their amazing aquarium. The Christmas lights were still up while we were there so we spent the night walking about Olympic Centennial Park. Unfortunately the photos we took were less than adequate of our experience there, but we had a great time.




There was a "petting" area and one of the employees held up the turtle for N to pet. I had the antibacterial wipes ready when he made it back to the stroller.

Phew...are you as tired as we are? Oh yeah, and sometime in the middle of our trip I headed to Lincoln for my best friend's wedding...CONGRATULATIONS Jeremy and Sarah Smith!