More Easter Tablescapes
Easter sure is sneaking up on us this year, isn’t it? I feel like we’ve barely recovered from Christmas and it’s already time to decorate the home, dye eggs, and buy Easter dresses.
What are your Easter traditions? One of my favorite things is putting together a beautiful tablescape for our family brunch. Before I do this, I always need some inspiration. Here are a few photos that I found that helped me come up with my theme for this year.Each one is simple, sophisticated and unique in it’s own way.
{More table setting ideas at Decorating Made Easy}
And don’t forget the kids! They need a space of their own too, to enjoy the holiday. These bright and festive tables would be fun for children of all ages (maybe even a few adults!)
{Hostess with the Mostess blog}
Looking for more inspiration? Check out my Easter Tablescapes post from last year! Happy decorating!
{Kids & Crafts} Leprechaun Traps, Take 2
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and you know what that means… it’s time to get ready to trap your very own leprechaun!
This is, by far, my most favorite craft for Brady and I to do together. He loves painting and adding embellishments/stickers; I love that each year we can make the same thing, but use our imaginations to bring it to life in very different ways. And the anticipation of maybe catching the wee lad makes it that much more intriguing for my 4 year old! No telling when he’ll be too old (or too cool) for doing these kinds of activities with Mom, so I’m enjoying it as much as I can right now.
Since this was our second year building leprechaun traps, we actually had most of the “supplies” we needed on hand (green & gold paint, shamrock stickers, gold coins, etc.) To spice things up, I picked up a few new items in the dollar bins at Michaels, along with a box of Brady’s choosing. So in total, this year’s leprechaun trap cost us a total of $7. Not too shabby!!
{that is not washable paint, therefore, we paint shirtless. well, just him.}
When it comes to the design/construction, I let Brady take the reigns. He didn’t want to deviate too far from last year’s design, so we are using the “propped up lid with a stick” approach again this year. While we were unsuccessful in catching Lucky the Leprechaun last St. Patty’s Day, Brady is hopeful that this year’s trap will (and I quote) “get him good”.
Kristin and her girls made new leprechaun traps as well. Truth be told, with them living in Grand Cayman, I was expecting there to be some sand… I imagine it’s pretty hard to lure a leprechaun in from the beach!
{with traps this cute, how could a wee little leprechaun resist?}
Are you building leprechaun traps with your little ones for St. Patrick’s Day? If so, attach a link in the comments so we can check them out! And when it comes to catching your very own leprechaun, may the odds be ever in your favor (am I allowed to say that?!)
Update: I’m linking this post up to the Pinterest Power Party on the Be Sweet blog (hosting along with Living On Love and Cents, The Taylor House, and Sister-Dipity.) I’m #58 . Come view my link and help me be one of the top 5 viewed projects! xo
I Scored at the Target Dollar Bins!
Is there anything more exciting than when Target gets new inventory for their “Dollar Bins”?! Ok ok, I’m sure there is, but indulge me a little, won’t you…
I get a little disappointed when I walk into Target and see the same picked over items in those glorious dollar bins. I mean, a girl only needs so many magnetic notepads. Problem is, there’s no way of knowing when the new goods are coming. I wish I could get an alert to my phone every time they get new merchandise so I can be the first in line at the store (are you listening Target??)
So needless to say, I was thrilled when I laid eyes on all the new Spring/Easter items in the bins on Sunday. I ended up with a whole basketful of craft items for me and educational items for Brady (thanks to LeapFrog and Highlights!), but our fave by far were these Sugar Stencils (6 pack, $1).
One of Brady’s favorite past-times these days is drawing with stencils. We got him this Robo Stencil Set at Land of Nod for Christmas, and he absolutely loves it. And we recently picked up some alphabet stencils at Michaels for him to practice writing with as well. He’s always looking for something new he can trace or outline, so his eyes lit up when I came across these stencils.
I know, I know, they are meant to be used for decorating cupcakes and cookies, but they make such cute (and cheap) festive stencils for my little drawing fool! He’s been very busy the last few days making Easter cards for the whole family.
Have you scored with any cool (cheap) items lately?
New Love for Valentine’s Day
When I was in high school and college, I hated Valentine’s Day. I never had a long-term boyfriend and whenever I did have a “man of the moment” it never seemed to be in February (or in November for my birthday, or December for Christmas…) Anyway, I didn’t begin enjoying Valentine’s Day until I met The Hubs.
The first few years we were together, we totally did it up for Valentine’s Day. Drinks on the 91st floor of the John Hancock building, dinner at the same restaurant, chocolate covered strawberries and champagne, homemade gifts, and gifts that come in beautiful turquoise boxes (you know the ones!) Then… we got married, and suddenly it seemed like we didn’t have to “do” Valentine’s Day anymore.
“You don’t have to get me anything for Valentine’s Day.”– said no woman, ever. Or at least, not a woman who means it. But my husband says it, every year, for at least the last 5 years. And so I usually don’t get him anything. And sometimes he doesn’t get me anything either. And the day comes and goes– no flower deliveries, no wining, no dining. No chocolate covered strawberries and no pretty blue boxes. Le sigh…
But in all honestly, I’m really okay with that now, because I have a new love for Valentine’s Day. Ever since Brady was old enough to know what Valentine’s Day is, we have put all our energy and focus into making it all about him! We decorate the kitchen after he goes to bed the night before. Banners, signs, heart centerpieces. He has a heart shaped plate and a heart shaped bowl for breakfast. Breakfast consists of pink milk, reddish heart-shaped pancakes and strawberries cut to look like hearts. Gifts include stuffed animals (his favorite), candy hearts and little love notes from Mom & Dad.
Last year, he was over the moon for the spread we put out for him.
And we were over the moon because we found out, on Valentine’s Day last year, that Baby Eatherton #2 was going to be a boy! I’m pretty sure it’s going to be hard to top that kind of excitement this year, but I can’t wait to try!
{this photo was taken last year people, I do not have any “news”}
What is your favorite thing about Valentine’s Day? Is there a tradition you follow every year? Do you still do it up all romantic-style, or do you make it more about the kiddos too? Would LOVE to hear about it 
{TAT- Link Up} The Gift That’s Still Giving
** We’re so excited to be co-hosting this week’s Toddle Along Tuesday {TAT} with Melissa from Growing Up Geeky. The topic is Favorite Holiday Gift! **
I can only buy Christmas gifts for Brady so far in advance, because what he wanted in October may be a distant memory come December. If time and money were no issue, I would do all my shopping on Dec. 23rd, because we received some “updates” to his list about 3 days before Christmas. Luckily I have my trusty-dusty scapegoat, Santa. I told Brady that he had already shut down the Elf Shop, packed up his sleigh, and was no longer taking requests. Our Elf on a Shelf Buddy’s blank stare backed up my story (thanks for the help, Buddy).
As I placed all the packages under the tree late on Christmas Eve, I anticipated which gifts would have the WOW factor and which would get the “this is as exciting as the underwear in my stocking” face. I knew the CuddleUppet would be a huge hit, because it was the one thing Brady consistently asked for, morning, noon and night… since Easter (and it’s a blanket AND a puppet, so c’mon). I thought the VTech Kidizoom Digital Camera would be a close second, because it was a newcomer to the list and Brady had just recently fell in love with taking photos (with my iPhone, of course). After that, it would be a toss up between the iTikes Map Explorer and the chocolate.
The more educational/”don’t require batteries” items, I feared, would get lost in the wrapping paper discards… the books and puzzles, the Lincoln Logs, and a game I bought on a whim at the last minute from Pottery Barn Kids that teaches about geography (snoozefest, I know, but The Hubs is really into that kind of stuff and I thought maybe this would get the two of them out of my hair for a little while).
I had no idea the National Geographic Zoom Around The World Science Set would be such a hit! I mean, I knew The Hubs would be excited, but Brady could not WAIT to get at it. As soon as the last gift was open, the two of them were down in Brady’s room setting up the board game, making up their own rules as they went along.
Admittedly, I have no idea how the game is played (nor do they, for that matter), but they were having a great time setting up all the pieces and spinning the wheel. Brady was using words like “continents”, “Atlantic Ocean” and “egret”, so I know he’s getting learned real good
While it was rewarding enough just to see how happy the game made him on Christmas Day, I’m even more pleased that he’s still interested in playing this game with Daddy (keyword: Daddy) almost 2 weeks later. After all the holiday dust settled, this (surprisingly) became the gift that keeps on giving! Well, that and the CuddleUppet.
{Seriously with this thing?!}
A Few of My Favorite {Beauty} Things!
Following up from Heather’s post on the “My Favorite Thing” party, and with the holidays just around the corner, I thought I would share a few of my favorite “beauty things” for under $20. Any of these items would make a great gift for a sister, friend, or teacher, but I have a feeling you might need to buy one (or two) for yourself! C’mon,you deserve to treat yourself for all the hard work you’ve put in shopping, decorating and otherwise being a fabulous wife and mother, and who doesn’t have at least one holiday party to glam up for this time of year, right?!
Tocca “Love Yourself” Fragrance Sampler
(Available here from Sephora. See statement above for reason why!)- $18
Essie Nail Polish in Fun Holiday Colors
Big Spender and Beyond Cozy- $8/ea
Stila Smudge Pot
For sexy, holiday party eyes (in a variety of colors)!- $20
Mor Essential Hand and Body Cream
What are your favorite beauty items under $20? What do you do this time of year to “treat” yourself?
About Mama Dish
With all that you have on your plate, do you feel like you have Mama ADD, OCD and PMS all at the same time?
Mama Dish is a blog that's as... eclectic as you are. Looking for ways to entertain your toddler? We have some ideas. You like decorating, fashion and reading? We have a little bit of that. Crafts? Yep. Recipes for two, and recipes for two-year olds? We've got those. Need a good laugh or a virtual hug? Well, we hope you'll find that here too.
Powered by women who have strengths and talents in a variety of areas (and happen to be friends for the last 20 years!), we hope to bring you useful tips, new ideas, and refreshing points-of-view that help make juggling all the different pieces of you a little easier.
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Heather, Natalie & Kristin
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