Happy Friday!

{above photos via Interiors and Trad Home online}

Somewhere at the base of Camelback mountain exists a beautiful home with a beautiful yard and views of urban desert living at its best. Super star designer Jamie Herzlinger got a hold of the above place and turned it into something that I can guarantee doesn't look like every other home here in the valley...a real desert gem I like to call it.

On another note I apologize if I have let any of your dear sweet readers down as of late. The last time I decided to take off and not tell anybody, I came home to a couple of emails from concerned blogging friends. I didn't realize people even cared that much..Needless to say I realized that it was probably rude not to clue people in that I was stepping away from the blog for a bit. I mean after all if any of the dear people that I follow through blogging were to drop off the blogging circuit I too would certainly worry. Anyway thank you so much to all of you who have been so kind to me and my little hobby. I am not too sure what direction I am going to take with the blog but I do know that at this point some of the most satisfying parts have been to find others that share many of my same common interests. In the mean time this summer will have very spotty posts as I really enjoy all of my babies being with me at ALL times. I can fully feel that the day they are all in full-time school is just around the corner..AND then what..what will I do with myself..time will tell. One thing is for sure and that is that I've never been one to not have some sort of project brewing if you know what I mean;-)

Here in the next little while I will be loading my little turkeys and taking them out and about to experience things that can be offered at a much milder climate. Which means we will be gone for quite an extended amount of time and many of the adventures will not include that awesome dude that sacrifices on our behalf...apparently he has business to pertain to. Anyway, here's to hoping I can manage all our endeavors solo style. I realize I just may be part crazy but I am also excited to see what our adventures will bring us. I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

xx

Just a few additional shots from Christine d'Ornano's home that appeared in Elle Decor's Spain edition. To see more pics go here.

It appears as if Christine's likes to cluster a bunch of unframed photos in every room that she decorates. Do you like that look?

It's Summer!

The above photo was taken by the talented Nicole Hill-Gerulat for One Charming Party.

Summer and watermelon go hand in hand, don't you think? The above is a brilliant idea.....just put a stick straight into the source and call it good. Well we definitely had to ring in the summertime with something that included frozen on a stick so we went with a little mixture that of course included watermelon.

Have I told you how glad I am to have a camera? I may not always be the most Awesome Mom on the block but darn it my kids will at least have a huge assortment of pictures to look at when they get older;-) We are a little camera happy over here.

Don't you just love those cowboy boots with the shorts? They have been Well's choice of shoes all week long. He doesn't seem to be bothered by the fact that it is over 100 degrees.

watermelon popsicles:

In a blender add the following:

watermelon

1- 2 T fresh lemon juice

1 T cherry concentrate juice

raspberries

a little sweetener (opt.)

Blend, then strain while pushing the solids to extract as much liquids as possible. Pour the puree into popsicle molds and freeze. We used dixie size cups as our molds.

Anyway, on a decorating note I picked up a piece of furniture today that I had lacquered and I am so pleased with the results. I had received an estimate from another company and let me tell you the peeps that I ended up using were very fair and they really do such great work. I will share more on that later for all of you local readers who might be interested.

Happy Summer all of you love muffins!!

Here is to a bright and happy weekend!

For another good IKEA hack then head over here for the tutorial.

Where is my Hubba Bubba? This picture of those SNL ladies is pure fun.

Jane Scott Hodges of Leontine Linens shares her top 10 simple things to spruce up the home .

Brightly colored little girls rooms are all that.

Want to read a magazine online..then go here to see more from the above space.

Don't break up with me but I am in love with the above modern day jelly shoes. Yes these really are Crocs and yes they are so comfortable and a must have for summer. I have the middle pair.

Artwork on a one piece, I agree. Found here.

My eye has been on one of the above tools for all of those cakes that I need to make. Something about triplet boys getting older and much much wiser too, let me tell you;-)

As soon as I find a good seamstress the fabric has come together and needs to form into pillows. Mom I LOVE you in case you were wondering and since you have a sewing machine and I don't then I was thinking we could be really close this next week.if you know what I mean.

What do you have all planned out for the weekend?

Got hack?

My Taylor is not rich..in fact I do not even have a Taylor so I have been trying to conjure up a plan to hack-ify some bureau or chest to look like the above. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the details on that piece. I guess for starters one can source some faux white crocodile stuff. Really though it is all about those accents though.

On another note I am in the middle of a hack job (hopefully it won't really be a hack job though). Not as easy as I thought but can't wait to share.

Oh and the above piece of furniture is from here. Want to see another beauty from the same website..just say "emerald" and scroll down.

REVIEWS (tea children's clothing and the museum)

I felt pretty lucky that triplets got in free to the Children's Museum of Phoenix on Tuesday (the museum was celebrating their 3rd birthday..hence the number three). I had never been before and was really impressed. We could have easily stayed for 5 hours.... which I think is good information to know as kids get cooped up come summertime around this joint. It is getting pretty toasty outside so any large air-conditioned space works out just fine.

While we are on the reviewing subject, the very kind folks over at Tea let me pick out a few items to try out on my kids. I had never heard of Tea before and was really excited to see that that they offered some really cute children's clothing pieces at reasonable prices. I chose to go with a few pieces from their girl's collection found here. In fact, the above rose colored cotton dress is such a perfect play dress and is currently on sale for $24.50 and would easily translate into a fall or winter piece when paired with leggings. So far the pieces have held up really well from playtime to the washer and back. To check out more of what the Tea collection has to offer go here.

kate's pillow

Remember when I blogged about the above fabrics from Ebay? Well they sold out and I am sure hoping they restock because I did not buy any before I posted about it and when I went back...poof the fabric was gone. SO, I was very happy that my friend Kate of Kate Collins Interiors was able to purchase some of her very own. Just look at that yummy pillow with that bright orange-y red piping. Just had to share this snazziness with you because it made me smile.

Anybody else have a good resource for reasonably priced hand blocked fabric?

{Babylonstoren}

Just 45 minutes outside Cape Town exists a place and hotel that I dream about when I want to get away from it all. Let me just break it down..large gardens that produce every imaginable herb, fruit and vegetable where their emphasis is on good, simple, juicy and tasty food - straight from the garden to the table. Are you with me on this one? Seriously just look at that food and those accommodations...so clean and beautiful looking.

To see more of Babylonstoren go here.