Yummy Wear: H&M

I am so excited to announce the long awaited arrival of H&M in San Diego.  If you don't know what H&M is, it is pretty much a one stop shop for the entire family.  It's hip and it's cheap and you can pretty much incorporate pieces for everybody's style.  The San Diego store just open at the Otay Ranch Center last weekend.  I love getting layering pieces from there.  I can't get a way with wearing a lot of their clothes (because I'm just not that cool),but I especially love shopping there for my kids because it's cheap and not every kid is wearing it.  What ever you see in the fashion magazines you will get a knock-off at H&M.  The only sad thing about H&M is they don't have an online store.  That is why I am so excited we finally have one here in San Diego!

Yummy Cards: Handmade Mother's Day cards

How great would it be to receive one of these handmade cards for Mother's Day!  I make and sell cards and invitations as a way of supporting my habit of buying scrapbook supplies and I made these to sell for Mother's Day.  These two cards were my best sellers this year.  The "10 Reasons why I love you!" card has 10 strips of paper that you can write your reasons on. Everyone loves this card and I sell this card for every holiday.  I am currently working on my card blog to display my cards and invitations for clients.   I will post when it is up and running. In the meantime, I hope these cards will inspire you to make something special for your mothers and express to them how special they are.  Happy Mother's Day!

Something Yummy: for the soul and tummy

This Thursday, April 24th, there is a group of bars and restaurants in the San Diego area that are giving 25% of their profits for the day to AIDS research.  Click here for participating restaurants in San Diego.  This is a national effort too, so if you live elsewhere, the home page for Dining Out for life can direct you to whatever participating city is closest to you.  Check it out.  Enjoy a yummy meal and know that you just did a great thing!

Yummy Technology: Ipod Dock

Who says form and function can't happily coexist? Feast your eyes on this guy...


photos via http://www.unplggd.com/
If you are in the market for a chic dock for your ipod, (and even if you're not) I would recommend this as an option. No speakers here, sound is simply amplified by the megaphone. But who cares about the sound...I just like to look at it! Available here.

Yummy Mommy and Kids: Java Mama

I absolutely love this yummy place called Java Mama.  What is it?  It's a coffee house geared towards people who enjoy the coffee house life style but have kids.  It's a coffee house with a large play area for your toddlers to climb, play, dress-up and eat.  They serve not only coffee (I am not a coffee drinker) but other great drinks, panini's, bagels, assortment of bakery items and a great selection of kid foods.  It costs $1 for your child to play in the play area and $2.50 for supervised time.  They also offer story time and mommy and me classes.  The kids can run around and have fun while you surf the internet on WiFi, eat or chat with your girlfriends.  My son and I meet for play dates there every Monday mornings after I drop my daughter off at school.  I know not every town has a Java Mama type of a place but you should research to see what your area has to offer for you and your toddler.

Something Yummy: Eco-Friendly Disposable Utensils

Ok so that headline is a bit of a mouthful but I am excited to share this with you guys. While doing my daily blog stalking, I came across these beautiful and earth-friendly utensils, as discussed on Bluelines (one of my favorite design/everything blogs)

This cutlery is made from bamboo and is biodegradable (after about 4-6 months). I really love the simple look, and the neutral tone of the wood. I think these are totally great and a good alternative to your ordinary disposable utensils. According to the article you can find these here and here. I'd love to take these with me on a picnic for two looking over San Diego bay or use them for a summer bbq with friends!

Yummy Home Continued: Family Tree

Sorry if this is a bore, but I had to share this with you. I found this in my daily Etsy finds newsletter, and i just loved it. I would love to have this in my house, and it would definitely make a great gift. May be completely customized to fit your family, home, etc. Without further adieu, the family tree wall decal:

(not so crazy about the black and green...but you get the idea)
I'm already thinking up family and friends that this might be perfect for. And don't worry, my friends, you can get this little gem at the low price of $15.00! Check out this shop for more frugal finds.

Yummy Home: Wall Decals

Living in a rented space for the past 5 or so years of my life, I have been frustrated with the limitations that it sometimes places on design, especially when it comes to your walls. Either they don't want you to paint, or you can only paint certain colors or by the time you decide you want to paint, your lease will be up - frustration! White walls can sometimes be very cool, clean and modern in the right place, but I love color so I have been searching for a solution that will work for my (and many other people's situations). WALL DECALS. I first spotted these little guys at Ikea not long ago and I liked the idea.

Not long after I also stumbled upon these:

These can be found at an online store called dvider. I truly fell in love with the idea after seeing these. The ones for children's rooms are seriously fab.
And last but not least, check out these super cool decals for baby/kids' rooms found at the one and only Target:

The first 3 are from the same 'line' called DwellStudio. I have read around on other blogs and they have talked a lot about the amazing stuff this company does, and have said great things about their Target line. It's darline. And I had to include the truck/car one because I thought it was just too cute! Enjoy!

Yummy Wear: Undies on Lollipops

This is the definition of Yummy!  This Juicy Couture underwear on a lollipop stick is so adorable.  I just love creative packaging.  If I bought one, I don't think I would ever wear the panties because the packaging is so cute.  I love this idea.  I am thinking of how many things I could wrap as a lollipop and giving them away as presents (t-shirts, baby onesies, boxers).  

Something Yummy: Brownies from Scratch

In an effort to prove to Angie that browines from scratch could be delish, I made these for her and some friends. Verdict? She asked me to post it here to share with her and our friends. So here it is!

Sour Cream Brownies:

Mix in small bowl:
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 t. salt

Bring to boil:
1 cup butter
1 cup water
4 T cocoa

Mix boiled ingredients immediately with dry ingredients; beat until smooth

Add:
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 t soda

Pour onto greased and floured pan. Bake at 375 for 23-25 minutes


Frosting: (*This is what makes the brownies, for me, so do not skip out on this!! You won't be sad)

1 cube butter
4 T cocoa
4 T milk

Bring those three to boil, then add:
1 box powdered sugar
1 t vanilla

Funny story behind the recipe (don't hate me)...I got this recipe from an old roommate that did not particularly want to give it up. You see this is her grandmother's special recipe and he grandma asked her not to share it with anyone, or if she did, to at least not copy it down for themselves. Well i made it once and did as I was asked, I didn't copy it down even though it was like a little piece of heaven. We later found out another roommate had denied her request and copied it down. She wasn't very happy. Luckily I was able to get this recipe from her as she could never deny my request to make something special for my husband on valentines day, right?! Well I did make it for vday, and it was special and he was oh so happy...but it came with this charge, "Guard it with your life so my grandma doesn't find out!" Sorry Steph, and Steph's grandma...a treasure like this was meant to be shared....

Something Yummy: Pull Apart Bread

Is anyone familiar with Sam the Cooking Guy?  It is a local San Diego cooking show featuring Sam, a quirky non-professional chef.  He verges on annoying but not enough to change the channel.  Sam's recipes are simple and not intimidating.  Many times his episodes  focus on a single ingredient like: how many dishes can he make from rotisserie chicken, gravy or bread. Well, I was watching his show the other day and one of his dishes looked so good, I had to immediately go to the store, buy the ingredients and make it.  It was Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread.  Instead of using regular bread dough, Sam used biscuit dough and it made this dish so much yummier than what I've tasted before.  Because I don't like raisins baked into my food, I omitted it and instead put in a couple tablespoons of orange juice concentrate into the sugar, butter mixture.  I loved it and so did everyone else who sampled it because the plate was licked clean within an hour.  Try it, I know you will love it!

Something Yummy To Carry Your Yummies!

How cool are these stackable cupcake holders.  This cupcake carrier is by The Cupcake Courier. Each stack holds 12 cupcakes, three stacks in all.  Wow, 36 cupcakes!  All the other cupcake carriers I've seen only carries 12 regular cupcakes and they are not stackable.  I love the four colors they offer, (blue sky, saffron yellow, petal pink and lemon grass).  They are all soft, translucent and looks heavenly.  You can purchase them on their website or I found them for $29.99 on Amazon.  I can't wait to deliver my Valentines Day cupcakes for my daughter's school in this cool courier. 

Yummy Wear: Aprons

I know Kari has been looking for an apron for a while now.  I think I have found the one.  I found these flirty little numbers at Jillie Willie.  I love the fun and fresh fabric prints they use. Wearing one of these aprons, more than the food, would be "Hot" in the kitchen.  Their aprons are also available in children size.  Check it out, I am sure you will find one that fits your personality!

I also came across these must have bibs on the same site.  My son is going to definitely look dapper wearing one of these while shoveling food in his mouth.  These would make such a cute baby shower gift for the new mom-to-be.

Something Yummy: Cute Totes

One of my many loves is a fabulous purses/totes/handbags.  I am always in search for my next new purse.  I find this particular tote yummy.  I love the size; I can carry everything I need for my two kids.  I love the colors; I'm in a black and white phase right now.  I found several adorable totes at Chic Mommy Shoppes.  Most of all, I love that it's only $39.00.

Yummy Wear: Kid Shoes

I have a huge shoe fetish!  Not only do I love shoes for myself, I love to find cute adorable shoes for my kids.   One of my favorites is Puddle Jumper.  I love all their polka dot shoes collection. I have been putting my daughter in their shoes for years.  People always comment on how adorable her shoes are.  My daughter's favorite was the orange with white polka dots.  

I never have problems finding adorable little girl shoes but I do have a harder time with little boy shoes...until now!  Pedipeds has the yummiest little boys shoes.   Not only are they cute, they are really good for your baby's developing feet because of the soft soles.  They also have super yummy little girl shoes.  Could these shoes be any cuter?

Yummy Home: Kate Spade for Kids

So usually I'm not that interested in designer stuff, I always figure you can find the cute knock offs at places like Target, but I am always interested when I see famous designers team up with popular stores, i.e. Issac Mizrahi & Target, Vera Wang & Kohls, Sarah Jessica Parker & Steve & Barrys, Martha Stewart & KMart, you get the picture. Today I got an email from Bed Bath and Beyond promoting Kate Spade and her line of fine dinnerware sold only at BB&B. So naturally, I had to take a gander. Kate Spade is known for her clean, classic designs, and so it was with many of her designer dish sets. They were very cute, but what caught my eye was the set of dishes she designed for little girls and boys. Take a look

Don't you love the fun, simplicity of these plates? I can't decide which is my favorite, but the colors and the stenciled design just make them so completely yummy in my book. My question is, what mom is actually going to buy her son or daughter fine porcelain dishes of their very own to eat off and beat up? Now, I'm not a mom, so I can't speak from experience, but I would imagine I could find a more creative use for these, or maybe just use them for special occasions, or inspiration. Practical or not, these Kate Spade plates are absolutely delish!

Yummy Wear: Literally...

Ok so the other day I came across this little gem and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

I have been in the market for an apron for quite some time and this might be the winner. Just looking at it makes me want to get in the kitchen and whip up something delicious. Also, imagine if that little guy were hanging on a hook somewhere in the kitchen, the color and design are art just by hanging there! She also has other aprons which are also cute, but this is definitely my favorite.
And this brings me to my next thought, to all you sewers out there...anyone know how tough it would be to whip up something like this? I just got a sewing machine and I'm dying to get going and start learning and making things. Word on the street is that its apron making is pretty basic...before you know it i'll be posting yummy aprons of my own making!

Something Yummy I Made: Fabric as Art

So recently I have decided that I really need to get in gear and start decorating the bare walls of my little apartment. I love modern art, with bright colors but even small prints at Target were at least $20 (As a newlywed, some times $20 bucks plus shipping and handling can seem expensive). So as I was roaming the Ikea showroom I saw a series of three pieces of art hanging on a wall. The colors and design were perfect for that room, actually I wanted them for own house, so I walked over to check the price. To my surprise, they had a tag hanging from them saying something like, "For a fresh look, just cover with fabric!" Those Ikea guys really know what they're doing. I should have known! (Apparently it's not just them, but creative people everywhere have been improvising and making their own chic art to fill their homes - sorry I'm a little behind.)

Needless to say, I was so happy to see this as it will definitely cost less than buying it, and I can always just change the fabric for something new. So I googled "canvas covered with fabric art." Here is the article that will be my guide when I make my new wall art! I will be posting pictures when this comes to fruition. Get excited!