Like Magic

As many of you might recall

my blog has often been my personal diary

a safe haven to share my thoughts

with understanding friends.

I haven't opened up in quite some time

and for good reason

I am actually taking "happy pills"

I made the decision about 4 months ago

knowing that I needed to try something

before jumping into motherhood.

For as long as I can remember I've been

anxious, and overly emotional.

As excited as I was to become a foster mom

I was worried that I would get in my own way

by allowing my emotions and fears to run our household.

Honestly, I was tired of living in my shoes

I wanted the me that was happy, optimistic, and full of life

not the me that was depressed, anxious,

and to a royal pain in the butt!

I know "happy pills" aren't for everyone

but I swear they have changed my life!!

Oh sure, I still have my moments

but I'm no longer plagued by entire days

of wallowing in self pity and fear!

I hope if you are struggling

you will be brave, and try something new.

I thought that I could get better on my own

I wanted to believe I was bigger than my emotions

but those silly little pills have taught me

that somethings aren't our fault

and there is no shame in asking for help.

Nobody is perfect

We all have our issues...

but don't ever give up on yourself!

I wish there were "magic pills" to heal all our wounds

and fix all of our problems

but no matter what we have each other

and that is the only true MAGIC we need in life.

Have a lovely weekend friends!

Play Date

The little girls in my home wear their headbands everyday

which is so exciting because for so long I really had no clue

how darling my headbands were on little girls.

just me - and while I'm very much a little girl at heart

the affect is quite different.

Unfortunately my foster kiddos faces

can't be shared here in blog land.

So I am so excited to share my work with amazing photographers

such as Laura Winslow

These headbands were specially made to coordinate with

a new line of clothing from

Palm Tree Princess.

Check out her Play Date collections for more info

on this line of bright and cheerful dresses and separates.

I've shared just how much I love all things

Palm Tree Princess before.

And honestly, who could blame me!?

& just an f.y.i.

if you want a custom Play Date headband

to match your new must have little dress

I'd be happy to whip one up for you :D

That's just "Bugger"ific

In all the years that I've been blogging

what I have always wanted to share the most

are the little things that make life with kiddos so fun

because as we all well know, little ones

and the big ones especially

aren't always

perfect angels!

But little things like goodnight kisses,

piggy tails, mud pies, and milestones

are what get us through those long days

of cleaning up after them non stop

doing homework... again!

and those shrieks and shrill noises

that make you neighbors wonder

what is that woman doing to her poor children?

Poor children, indeed! HA!

As a crafty person

it's the parties that really excite me

it's making small moments extra memorable

by just thinking out side of the Dora Explorer lunchbox.

This week I had my first opportunity

when one of my kiddos teachers asked if I would bring snacks

to celebrate my kiddos summer birthday.

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was

- LOL well that was until I realized

that I would need to keep my budget

itty bitty.

I knew I wanted to go with a bug theme

because my kiddo has been learning about them for weeks now.

I found this very tasty recipe for dirt cake

from the blog Mississippi Kitchen.

To save money I used 100% generic ingredients.

The bowl I picked up from Hobby Lobby

using my 40% of coupon of coarse

and well the lady bugs were a bit of splurge

I picked them up at Craft Warehouse.

I used digi goodies from A Print A Day

and clipart from Pams Clipart

The inspiration for the party favors

came from the blog Sweet Serendipity

Both projects I had my kiddos help me with

I think it's great when you can have them help out

it adds to the memories.

Although it does create more mess in general

and from my brief experience it takes twice as long

as everyone has to get equal job and turns at helping.

A Randomly Wonderful Life

Sometimes the most meaningful of friendships

start in the most unlikely of ways.

As most of my very good friends can tell you

we didn't start off being perfect fits

in fact in most cases quite the opposite

but I very much believe

that the best of friends accept you just as you are.

Many of my friends I have never actually met

we know so much of one another

but the only thing that holds us together

is this vast yet sometimes surprisingly small world

we know as cyber space.

On a rare occasion

I get the chance to meet one of my cyber friends.

yes,

it can be awkward at first

bridging the gap from this person you know only in your head

to a real living breathing person sitting across from you

eating an ice cream and making small chat.

But in time you will feel as if you've know each other for ever!

Tara and I have had the opportunity to meet twice now.

Tara and I became friends over time

as she was and continues to be my most loyal fan of my yoyo creations.

We quickly learned we had much in common

including a love for girly fashion and the world of frilly Lolita clothing.

I can't thank my lucky stars enough for bringing Tara into my life.

She is a doll, and the type of friend who likes you just the way you are!

Speaking of loving someone just as they are -

my stubborn pup Miller

is one very lucky guy

that his momma puts up with all his antics

including him sharing my pillow at night

and often leaving me with hardly any room to sleep!

One last bit of silliness I know you will all appreciate

and unlike my husband

will share my giddiness over.

Yesterday I ran into Craft Warehouse

for 2 pieces of fabric

but ended up taking home over 28 yards!

They were having a major major sale -

It was like stepping into crafting paradise!

Whimsical Woodland Party Ideas

Just listed this whimsical woodland inspired yoyo headband

and thought it would be the perfect inspiration

for a county style woodland party.

How about you? What b-day party themes

are you thinking about these day?

(click on images for sources)