the graphics fairy...who knew?

Remember this post I wrote a while back about creating some easy botanical wall art? Well yesterday I stumbled across another great blog that provides free downloadable vintage clipart - The Graphics Fairy. And with over 1000 followers on her blog, I feel like I'm the last to know about this treasure. Be sure to check out the site - all of The Fairy's clipart would be very cool framed or used in some crafty way!

{All images from The Graphics Fairy}

Gorgeous House

I love lots of elements about Ellen Rakieten's house in Elle Decor that I saw over at Anh Minh designed by Nate Berkus and Anne Coyle. (Photography by William Waldron)

modern vintage kid decor

I was doing my morning peruse of all the delicious blogs out there and I stumbled across this adorably craft company through Poppytalk blog called Petit Collage. Is it weird that I just want them for myself?? Maybe a bamboo mobile above my bed would help me sleep...I choose the owl family! And I kind of want the fabric pennant wall stickers for above my office desk - they are removable, reusable and they don't wrinkle! I think they would make me happy and they would increase my work productivity. I really do!

Paper Animal Puppets

To say our daughter is obsessed with all things related to animals would be an understatement. We are at the point where she is switching between acting out (with noises) a bear, peacock, and tiger all in about five minutes. (I am still trying to figure out if this is normal for a three year old -- do your kids do this?) These gorgeous Paper Animal puppets by Hong Kong based artist Furze Chan that I spotted in lmnop would be right up her alley, because not only does she love animals -- but also puppet shows. I am adding them all to my wish list pronto. You can find them at Little Paper Planes, but be sure to take a look at all of Furze's work on her website --it is all so beautiful!

Shopping hiatus, week ten

Major cheating last week. For the second week in a row. Sad.  Especially because we're in the home stretch.

{ikea cheats - 1, 2, 3, 4}

We kind of did it on purpose, too. I mean, I was resigned to the purchase of a new pillow (#2). But then a friend told us he had some extra tomato seedlings that needed a home and that meant we had to make a home (#3). We could have taken a terracotta pot from my mom's stash, but we wanted something sleeker. And I've been wanting my beloved mandarin quat to get a new outfit (#1). He's still living in the black plastic pot he came in, which is apparently not good for his roots. And, having already cheated, I threw caution to the winds and purchased 3 teeny tiny white ceramic pots that I've been eyeing for months now (#4). For tiny plants around the house, which will probably not survive my care.

D tried to excuse us by saying that it was all for the house and not really for us. I considered not telling you at all and hoping no one would notice. But I'm confessing after all.

As far as the pillow goes, the jury is still out. It really is a nice down, but I'm thinking I should have bought the "back sleeper" one, which has more volume. Ikea believes that stomach sleepers need a thin pillow, but I'm not sure I quite agree. I'm giving myself time to adjust.

Things I want to buy:

*Sunglasses (2 pairs - from Zenni - upgraded to SEVERE want)

*Pillow (purchased from Ikea)

*Perfect workout tee shirts (must be thin cotton, loosely fitted, nice and long, v-neck)

*Serving pieces from the Heath summer collection (specifically, the summer appetizer set and possibly the serving and cutting board set - still want, D on board)

*Small rug for the my office (STILL looking on Craigslist - no luck yet)
*New clock for the kitchen area (specifically, this one which D and I are obsessed with)

Strong Armed

I have a problem--- a fitness "hang-up" if you will, and it's starting to bother me more and more.




Good morning, Sara Celi.


Try as I might, I can't tone my arms. Trust me, I'm trying. When I started running in earnest, and working out with a fitness plan about two years ago, I watched my body really change. My legs became more defined, my stomach flattened, and my hips shrank.



My arms hardly changed.



It's not that I'm neglecting this part of my body. I lift weights and do cross training. I've even had my personal trainer do what he calls "Arm Busters" with me during our sessions.



So why can't I have Michelle Obama arms or Madonna's amazing muscle? I don't want jiggly fat anymore!



Help me, fitness buffs! I need your tips!


* Photo of Madonna courtesy: ABCnews.com

Bad Mr. Benson

A Angry Frank Marzullo Here...GOOD MORNING!

He has been behaving so well the last month or so, but we had a set back last night. Yes, I am talking about our favorite weather dog Mr. Benson! If you watch regularly you will notice sometimes I wear my glasses and sometimes I do not, depending on allergies, tiredness, and if I am out of contacts. Well for some reason Mr. Benson decided to lash out at me last night as I was getting my weatherman sleep, he decided to jump on the bed and walk to the night stand. He then decided to make a snack out of my glasses. I woke up about 1am for my usual glass of cranberry juice, before I sleep for another 90min or so, and that is when I found him chewing my eye wear. I got a tad angry and he looked at me and then I just grabbed the glasses and crawled back into bed. What am I going to do with him? He is just a puppy so it's okay, but still Mr. Benson do not chew my glasses. These are my favorite that I picked up at York Vision in Kenwood, I may have to make a visit to Cliff York and his shop to see if we can buff out a few of the chew marks on the lens and the end of the frame. However, the brains behind our morning news, our Assistant News Director, Marita, just told me you can not even tell he chewed them. I say yes you can I know I am kinda of obsessive when it comes to these things. Anyway have a good day everyone!