Make Messes Not War

Photo entry

I read the chapter on introducing solids in my mommy manual but this is NOT what I had in mind!

"Be sure to check out http://www.iheartfaces.com/ to see all the other beautiful faces that have been entered into the contest!"

The Gift of Messes

There are many gifts you can custom create yourself and you don't have to be Martha Stewart to pull it off. For children I suggest giving the gift of messes. My daughter's personal favorites are bath slime and finger foam. Here is the recipe card. Your child and tub will both get a good clean scrub while your child plays. Another bonus is that if you have the camera ready while she messes you will also score a one of a kind gift grandparents are sure to treasure.
Strapped for time and want a unique gift out of your creative league? Handmade and custom created items don't have to break the bank. Often you can commission a designer or artisan for a custom item equivalent to or less than department store prices. Etsy has a unique feature called Alchemy where you can post a request and artisans will fight for the honor of making your dreams come true.
Please feel free to print the recipe on card stock and attach it to a gift bucket or craft box full of the necessary supplies. Just click on the recipe card to enlarge it.

Loving Paradise but Missing Oklahoma

I may be in Hawaii but my heart is still in Oklahoma. This blog always reminds me of home, http://todayinidabeloklahoma.blogspot.com . Whether you are from Hawaii or Italy you have got to blog on over and see what you're missing. Be prepared this blog serves up a heavy dose of sarcasm Oklahoma style. It also might be the last shred of documented proof that smart rednecks do exist.
Why in the world would I miss Oklahoma when I have paradise?
Well Lake Wister doesn't trump the ocean but Hawaii has SPAM on the McDonald's breakfast menu? SPAM?! For breakfast!! Every Sooner worth her salt knows a girl needs bacon, eggs, fried potatoes and biscuits all smothered in gravy to maintain a girlish figure. My Grandpa Roscoe swore bacon grease gravy induced early puberty and yes my grandfather really was named Roscoe and I have a real live Uncle Bubba.
Happy Holidays from Hawaii and a special thank you to the women of Idabel for reminding me of home.

The Gift of Beauty

I have decided to give everyone on my list handmade creations. I already have my eye on some stunning one of a kind creations for my family and friends. Check out my Christmas List for a sneak peak. Everything is beautiful from gourmet fudge to bath soaps. These gifts are sure to please. I am really excited about the chennile ice cream cones for my imaginative princess and the wooden rattle for the baby. Don't you wish you were on my list?

My Daughter's Designs

My daughter not only picks her own clothes she designs them. For family portraits she designed her and her sisters tutu and insisted we continue with a very dramatic red and black theme. Like a true Diva she insists on being the only princess in the shot and is always absent from group pics. Where was she? Coaching us from the sidelines and keeping Grandma company. Maybe someday we will score a true family portrait. Thank you Gabi for capturing this moment with our youngest. Luckily our Diva is always willing to pose solo so I was able to photograph her in her favorite hat.

TracyLacy Trinkets shares my daughter's love for bold and bright contrasts and composed a gallery of stunning red and black images. No gallery is complete without a tutu and I am thrilled to see ours on her beautiful list.... http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=21697

Cute TuTu Pics

There is just something very special about a baby in a tutu. The owner of Catherine Lough Designs put together a collection of tutu cute images on Etsy and I am so proud she featured our youngest princess. Please check it out and see all the little princesses @

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=22024

My New Favorite Thing

Moons Harvest Bath Cupcakes on Etsy
If you are on my Christmas list odds are you will be scoring one of these adorable cupcake bath bombs. These delicious looking treats look good enough to eat. I am sending these to all my family and friends with LUSH addictions. Everyone on my list will be getting handmade items from good enough to eat bath products to real edible homemade blondies and chocolate treats all from Etsy. Don't you wish you were on my list?? Here is the link...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_6&listing_id=17338649