a pretty package

Ribbons, bows, butterflies & lace...oh how I'd love to open one of these gifts - it doesn't matter what's inside really, the package is just that pretty. A great way to use up little wrapping scraps, too. image via oh hello friend

american girls

I'm not sure if you've heard of a little company called American Girl...but if you're a 6-8 year old girl, there's a good chance of mild obsession. I can only compare it to my love for Barbies in the late 80's, but these dolls actually have an educational history behind them (without the huge pointy boobs and mini waist). So...when Ruby asked if her friends could come over with their American Girl dolls for a lunch, I went all out. Finger foods, hair stations for the girls & their dolls, mani/pedi's, a mini-photo shoot and frame decorating. It was really girly & super fun.

{happy friday!}

Have the very best weekend, my friends. And...if you're so inclined to give this surfboard trick a try, please send pics! xo amber image via amy honey's flickr

kitschy 'lil camper

A camping trip in this ultra cool+retro trailer would be all-out good times. Meet Constance, a 1957 trailer available for photo shoots, but not camp life. Love it!

{gorgeous} cluster

First off - thank you to all who voted on the nursery bedding - you're awesome! I will let you know later this week which makes the final cut. On another nursery note...how pretty is this lighting cluster of lanterns? I can imagine a very happy, giggling baby waking up to these! image: fffound (please tell me if this is your image so I can give credit)

the final four {please vote!}

Ok, I really need your help - all opinions welcome! These are the final four crib bedding options for the nursery. Whichever bedding we decide on will help us pick a room color, and with 8 weeks to go, I need to get on it. So, which do you like best? 1. organic butterflies  2. dwell dragonfly  3. dwell charlotte  4. skip+hop

{happy friday!}

What could be more relaxing than a floating bed? Looks heavenly right about now, xo  image:anthropologie

the gypsy {non-diaper bag}

I'm pretty anti-diaper bag, so when I saw this I knew it had to be mine. Big enough for all the mom necessities, but also so cute I can't stand it.

fabric frenzy

I've been in a complete fabric-obsession, trying to begin+complete the baby nursery. These screenprinted fabrics are just what I'm looking for.

{cozy-up} + {snuggle-in}

Maybe it's the brisk autumn mornings, but all I want to do is cozy up in one of these bedroom nooks. top image: brown button

{wallflower}

How could you ever be unhappy in this room?! Looks like a huge blown-up vintage botanical, I love every bit of it.  via LivingEctMay2009

{happy friday!}

It's been one of those weeks. I'm neither up or down, just kind of hanging in there. 29 weeks prego and feeling every bit of it. xo, amber  pretty pink image

{dixie cup} pops

When school's out at 2:30 I try to come up with a project - nothing over-the-top, just anything that doesn't involve the TV. Today we made dixie cup pops with lemonade, orange juice and a little cranberry juice - such little mess for such big smiles in the end!

pie {in the sky}

I've always been a pie-girl, rather than a cake or any-other-kind of dessert girl. Birthday pies suit me just fine, and really, is there anything better than warm homemade berry pie with ice cream? These are some of the most scrumptious pie recipes of all time (try not to drool on your keyboard), and that apple one is calling my name. via hostess with the mostess

hand carved stamps

Such great designs - I love how these look stamped on kraft paper! Unlimited possibilities...

via style files + geninne's art blog

{happy friday!}

Happy holiday weekend, lovelies! My project list is chock full - lots to share with you in the coming weeks:

• project nursery - my nesting instinct is in full swing. we're turning our large closet space into the baby's room.

• invitations - still working on my line, I've been designing an invite-a-day and making cute mini-mock ups.

image: tere arigo

cookies {for gifting}

Probably the sweetest gift ever from the always inspiring Bakerella - full instructions and labels to download here. I heart these for just about any occasion.

plum ruffle dress

I am all about plum for the Fall - from nail polish to sweaters, bring it on! How cute is this satin + chiffon ruffle dress? Well, you can afford to buy about 3 of them for your very own right here, plus some others while you're at it. Hellooooo Fall!

september soups

I've gushed about my love for soup many times over, but now that September has rolled in I can finally break out the recipes and let the simmering begin. These recipes all look divine, even better with a loaf of crusty french bread. 

porcelain pretties

Sometimes I stumble upon an artist that really makes my day - these handmade porcelain creations are truly little works of art!

Update: I wandered into Anthropologie yesterday and wouldn't you know it, these bowls are front & center. Always one step ahead, those Anthro folks.

{happy friday!}

Getting back to the "routine" has totally taken it out of me - the weekend couldn't come any sooner!
p.s - does anyone have a cure for summer blackfoot?? it seems no matter how many times I scrub my feet during the summer, the bottoms are never clean. frustrating.

goodies {all wrapped up}

Packaging makes all the difference. How cute are these little candy party favors packaged in simple cello and a bit of fabric? Easy & done.

{please} tell me you're watching!

'Lil 'ol miss bananas herself premiered last night with a new season of the Rachel Zoe project. This may be my favorite show of all time. It includes: insane dresses, shoes, clutches and jewels, bitchy girls fretting over drama and fake award show build up. Love it all! 

{sweet little} fortunes

Don't you remember making these on rainy days in 4th grade or at slumber parties?? I love these little fortunes, used as menus here (genius). They'd even make a great boxed invitation, with a groovy pattern on one side. Love!

{happy friday!}

I have very few plans this late summer weekend. The weather is a bit overcast, school is in, I just may clean out some closets and do some nesting. xo amber  image: jo tyler

the very first day

Sorry for the lack of posts - yesterday was Ruby's first day of First Grade! The day went really well - beginning with new friends & a new teacher, and ending with poolside popsicles & giggling girls. Another milestone, and many more tears (mine, of course).

{pure} table art

Creating a visually mouthwatering dessert table is most definitely an art, and Amy Atlas has perfected it. Check out her tables, each one is more insane than the next!

girl's gone Greek!

What food can you not live without??

If I could choose one food to live on for all of eternity, it would be fresh Greek Mediterranean cuisine. I can't get enough, I tell you - yogurt & honey, lemony chicken dishes, cucumber & feta salad, sticky baklava...yum!

I recently watched a "Go Greek" episode of Barefoot Contessa, so last night I recreated it and had my family over for dinner (minus the spanakopita, not enough time!) I used chicken instead of lamb and all of it was mouthwatering - can't wait for leftovers today!

{happy friday!}

Have a great weekend, everyone! I'll be in back-to-school mode for my (almost) first grader (!!) - xo, amber  image by rosie hardy

design crush

I have a new design crush and her name is Megan Park, an Australian designer with a history in textiles now with her own line of home & clothing. Take a gander...you'll love! via swish & swanky

aqua+gold+plum

L O V E this color combo! Even better with a summer tan... image via simple lovely

and a crafty day it was!

Summer kid-project alert! Today we made big chunky heart shaped crayons - no need to buy a thing, plus it helped clean up tons of stray crayons living in the corners of Ruby's room. Just chop up old crayons, fill heart-shaped tins with fun color combos, bake at 150 degrees for 20 minutes and let cool. They'll pop right out - ready to draw!

The Leo {birthday package}

We celebrated our friend Vanessa's 40th at an incredible dinner in the St Helena vineyards. It was only fitting that her gift was equally cool. I designed a personal card and filled a box with all kinds twine wrapped goodies, all with labels and tags matching the card. Fun!

{happy friday!} live from Disneyland

Have a great weekend, everyone! We're still on vacation - we did Disney (all-out!), surprised Ruby with a visit to the American Girl store in LA, had the best day at the Getty Museum and now...we're at the beach. xoxo, amber

update: no, this is not me & the hubby with Ruby - she's with Jasmine & Alladin, of course, and happy as can be.  A super-prego Jasmine would be really funny though...oh, but it might send the wrong message to the 500 adoring kids standing in line!

{sweet like} a pie pop!

First she gives us sweet morsel cupcake-pops, and now these tiny little pie-pops, oh Bakerella you know me too well! The cuteness factor of these tiny little pies is through the roof, a great late-summer project for sure.