Peck Life

Friday Favorites

I used to be excited that it was Friday…but being on maternity leave, every day is the same. In fact, I rarely know what day of the week it is anymore! haha. Oh sleep deprivation, you are great. At any rate, I came across a few fun links this week during my many hours of nursing/phone surfing. Hope you enjoy!

{Photo courtesy of The Sweetest Occasion}

1. The National Stationery Show just happened….{droooooool}. So many gorgeous paper products. Cyd has done an amazing recap: Part 1 and Part 2.

2. LATTE ART!!!!!!

3. The most scrumptious looking no-bake blueberry cheesecake pots. Possible Father’s Day dessert?

4. I’ve officially migrated all of the blogs I follow to Bloglovin’. Still trying to get in the habit of reading in there vs. opening up Google Reader! You can follow me {here}.

5. Remember when I shared a list of the best sunscreen’s for kids based on the annual Environmental Working Group report? Well, the 2013 list has been updated and released! The report is lengthy so click here for a good, short summary.

6. A really fun free font!

7. In case you are looking for a new blog to read, I love Inspired by Annetta. She is a beautiful artist, photographer, and friend {that I’ve actually never had the chance to meet in person even though we live close to each other…that should change!}

8. These soap clouds look pretty cool. Has anyone tried this before?

9. We rocked our March of Dimes walk. I love all of these people so much! 20 people, $6870 dollars raised!

10. This was my favorite video to watch on Sesame Street growing up. So naturally, I LOVE this post: The Story of Crayola Crayons.

Happy holiday weekend!!!

The Best Toys

From the time I was 6 months old, I was taken care of during the day while my parents were at work by a woman named Donna. I don’t know whether to call her a friend, a caregiver, a second mother…? I love her. I have fond memories of being at her house and all of the fun toys we used to have; lots of wood toys, learning toys, puzzles and painting. Oh yes, and the old ice cream maker we used to churn!

Donna and I still get to visit from time to time and each time I see her, it seems she has unearthed some little treasure from her garage – gems I would think she’d want to pass down to her own grandchildren but somehow she has decided to gift to Sky.

This time? It was some “vintage” puzzle dominoes, an animal puzzle, AND {not pictured}, a fold up tee-pee covered with rainbow fabric. I’m so appreciative to her for thinking of us and I LOVE to see things I remembered as a kid. Even more, I love that Sky {and soon Ben} will get to enjoy them too.

3 Cool Things

The one thing about having a new baby is that blog reading goes out the window. Boo! One day I’ll be caught up but in the meantime, here are 3 cool things I wanted to share that caught my eye lately!

1. Two of my favorite brands – Converse and Marimekko have teamed up on some awesome shoes for the spring season. I’m due for a new pair of chucks!

2. For fans of Spoonflower, you’ll be happy to hear they now have custom gift wrap!

3. And, last but not least, I’ll be walking again this year in the March of Dimes Bloggers for Babies walk! You can read more about it HERE but basically, a group of awesome Seattle bloggers get together in May and walk 3.5 miles to raise money to help ensure babies get the pre and post-natal care they need! It’s a great cause and a fun time.

My personal fundraising goal is $200 and the walk is one month away! I’d love your support in helping us meet our $5,000 team goal so if you’d like to donate a couple dollars, you visit my personal page HERE. Your donation is tax deductible and goes to a wonderful cause!

{Photo courtesy of Chelsey}

Have you found any cool things this week? Do share!

Friday Favorites

1. The prettiest Easter centerpiece ever thanks to Le Robins Nest.

2. Creating your own wedding bouquet – beautiful!

3. An interesting look at creating a happy family.

4. A boxed breakfast is my favorite too.

5. DIY baby socks – too cute!

6. If Sky is like this with his little brother, my heart might explode.

7. A beautiful embroidered Easter egg tea towel. Megan makes it look so easy!

8. Is it bad that I sometimes feel this way about potty training Sky?

9. 3 words: Jonathan Adler Junior.

10. 25 tips and tricks for blogging – so helpful whether you are a beginner or a veteran!

Happy Easter weekend all! xo!

Sweet Finds: Hunkydory Home

 

Hunkydory Home is an online boutique run by Alison Ellerbrook – who sells a range of handmade cushions and lampshades but sprinkles in other fun home and child-friendly products that match perfectly to her colorful, retro, aesthetic.

As I was browsing the site for my favorite things, it became instantly clear I must have a thing for orange! Can you believe that little fox is actually a door stop? He’s so charming!

Although Hunkydory is based out of the UK, they do ship internationally so next time you are in need of something unique and fun for your home or a gift, this little gem of a store will not disappoint!

For more information, you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

NOTE: “Sweet Finds” are not paid sponsorships, advertisements, or endorsements. I merely pick online stores and artists that I like to feature and share with my readers. I hope it helps you to discover something new!

P.S.! Have you entered to win a Swoop Mini yet? Today is the last day!

Friday Favorites

1. The best 6 words I’ve heard all week: Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup courtesy of Lulu the Baker!

2. Favorite clothes for boys – a roundup of some adorable shops.

3. The perfect snack – crunchy granola rings.

4. A REALLY cute way to reveal a pregnancy.

5. An unconventional fashion show. Orla Kiely at London fashion week.

6. I can’t wait for this show to start again on April 7! Here’s a sneak peek trailer.

7. 50 lovely sugar-free Easter ideas!

8. I’ve been a Meiko fan for a really long time and it’s little things like this and this {and all of her Facebook status updates AND the fact that she went on tour with Hanson} that make me love her even more. I mean COME ON:

“The moral of the story? When life gives you lemons, make lemonade and hope that one day your no-good cheating ex-boyfriend will walk into a 7-Eleven and see your lemonade on sale with your face on it and it freaks him out so much that he has nonstop diarrhea and nightmares forever! Or something like that.”

9. Jonathan Adler comes to JC Penny – wheeeee!

10. BLUE MASON JARS ARE COMING BACK! It’s the little things…

11. Desktop wallpapers from Marimekko!

12. As you probably heard, Google Reader will die a slow death come July 1, 2013. For now, you can opt to follow Peck Life on Bloglovin’ or use the RSS feed with the new reader of your choice. Or better yet, get posts delivered right to your inbox by adding your email address in the box to the right. Blah, I’m still upset about this!

Happy Friday friends! Lots of wonderful links this week, I hope you enjoy checking them out! I’m not sure what the weekend holds for us yet – I’ve been feeling pretty run down and get as far as unloading the dishwasher or folding one load of laundry before I need to rest. My brain as a to-do list a mile long but my body might make me do otherwise!

An Address Stamp

As we’ve been slowly settling into our new abode, I’ve been thinking about address stamps. It’s a funny thing because so many of our bills are paid online these days, yet I still can’t help feeling like writing out my return address over and over takes a valuable minute out of my day. Plus, it’s not quite as pretty!

While there are so many options out there {like these}, my one requirement is that is has to be self-inking {I won’t use it if I have to constantly hunt for the ink pad….sad but true}.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Foryoo / 2. Note Trunk / 3. The Yellow Note / 4. Note Trunk / 5. Caroline Creates / 6. Note Trunk

I used to make my own labels on the computer and then print them out, but a stamp seems so much more “adult”, don’t you think? I’m in love with all of these, it will be hard to pick just one!

Sweet Finds: Sunday in Color

Meet Sunday in Color – a new online shop that launched last fall brimming with colorful décor and toys for children. I first came across this gem when I was on a late night search rant for “animal nightlights” {because it’s a really important thing and once I get going…}. Turns out, in addition to adorable lighting, they have much more. I’m partial to the crochet balls featured above and this piggy cuddle pillow. Be sure to check out the shop and also the blog for lots more colorful inspiration!

Friday Favorites + A Birthday

Happy Friday! It’s been a long rough week as we battled our way through the stomach flu. I’m so thankful it’s over because today is my 31st birthday and we have a special day planned! Josh and I are venturing out together to pick out fabric to reupholster this couch {finally!}, visit some salvage furniture shops, and of course, take a trip to Ikea!

I’ve been a terrible blog reader and commenter this week – feeling so behind in nearly every aspect of life. However, I did manage to stumble across a few things that made me smile. Here they are for you!

1. Flowers that make me long for spring.

2. The best online sources for Fabric – 2013 edition!

3. A sweet, colorful baby shower. I have a soft spot for yarn balls.

4. Thinking it would be a good idea to try this out – no phone in the presence of others for at least 21 days.

5. I am not usually a fan of baby names on nursery walls…but for this? I would make an exception.

6. I thought Kelle’s maternity pictures were gorgeous and this too:

“Working on: Making very purposeful decisions about the input in my life. I often do this little cup analogy in my head because Lord knows I love analogies. If our "cup" is full with good things--our family, people that challenge us to love, creativity that inspires us, reading that moves us, etc.--there isn't room for anything else. If we choose to make time for those not-so-great things, something good must spill over to make room. I'm stingy with the good in my cup--I'm not letting it spill over.”

     I always love her perspective.

7. More pretty iPhone cases. Sigh.

8. The ultimate guide to eating organic….on a budget {plus a free e-book!}.

9. Scrumptious cupcakes that would probably only turn out right if I had a well-trained chef make them for me!

10. A beautiful space for a young girl. Totally thinking of making the bird banner for little babe’s room.

11. A pretty printable placemat. Say that 3 times fast!

12. Room portraits from the top down – interesting!

Happy weekend!!

Sweet Finds: Cinema and Story Art

I recently came across some art from Land of Nod that caught my eye and sent me into a tizzy of discovering modern and colorful art prints that interpret some of our favorite childhood movies and stories. Which one is your favorite?

Charming classic cinema prints from Megan Romo.

Nursery rhyme prints from Open Sketchbook

Minimalistic classics from Christian Jackson.

I’m partial to the “row row row your boat” print from Open Sketchbook but I love them all!