Such Pretty Things

California Love: Urban Barn

Yes, I am finally back!  We had such a wonderful time in California and I have sooooo much to share with you all. In fact, there is so much to show you (I think I took about 3000 pictures!), I will have to spend the next several weeks posting about all the pretty places and things that I discovered. 

I really love CA - the weather, the beaches, the food, the people-watching, the SHOPPING! Every time I go, I find something new to love and no matter how long I stay, I always end up feeling like there was so much more I could have seen.  So, where to begin?  Well, we started our trip in San Diego, so I guess I'll start there...

Shortly before I left for CA, I found out that there was going to be the grand opening of a new antique shop called Urban Barn in Escondido (only about a 40 minute drive from San Diego).

Urban Barn is actually a huge (8000 sq. ft.) garage space that holds the wares of many different vendors. It is the creation of Linda Carpenter and what an incredible place she has designed! Each vendor specializes in shabby chic, vintage decor and the displays are beyond gorgeous!  You must take a look...

If you love pretty, vintage things - this is the place for you!  There are a number of permanent dealers inside the garage...

...and about once a month, there is also a flea market held outside with many more vendors...

You can find everything from pretty floral pillows...

to shabby chairs...

The rafters are absolutely dripping with vintage chandeliers....

And there are gorgeous vintage frocks at every turn...

Outside, there is a huge selection of wrought iron furniture.

I also found tons of vintage millinery flowers...like these sweet flowers embellished with old rhinestone buttons.

And look at this amazing millinery display!

I just loved these romantic vintage lace trims...

There was so much to see!  I am a long-time fan of designer Annette Tatum (author of The Well-Dressed Home) and was delighted to find her beautiful, whimsical mannequins on display.

Don't you just love her "paper" ribbons?

Mary Smilove (of the fabulous Sweetpeas and Snapshots) has a lovely new space at Urban Barn as well.

It was so nice to finally meet Mary in person and see her beautiful space!

So, if you are in the area, you really must check out Urban Barn!

Well, I don't want to overwhelm you with too many pictures, so I'll be back soon with much, much more...

:-)

Jessica

Two Kids and a Five Hour Flight

Well, we are off to sunny California for a little family vacation. Given that we live on the East coast, it's not exactly a short trip...a five-plus hour flight to be exact.  While my girls really are good travelers, they tend to get bored the minute we set foot on the plane. And it's not long before we hear the inevitable, whiny questions like, "When will we beeeeeeee there?" and  "How much loooooonger?".  Fun times.  So, over the years I have learned a few tricks to help make our trips a bit more enjoyable. One of them is called the "Surprise Bags"...

The Surprise Bags are, well, bags...filled with surprises. And, yes, they are flat-out bribery.  :-) Here's how it works: A few weeks before we travel, I start collecting little toys, games, and treats that I think the kids would like.

I hit places like the book store, the dollar store, Five Below, and Target (of course!).

When I've gathered all my supplies, I simply wrap them up in cute little treat bags (the adorable polka dot ones are from Target).  I typically pair an activity or toy with a snack or two.

Sometimes the snacks are slightly healthy (how cute are these "Lilly Pulitzer Animal Crackers!)...

And sometimes they're not...

The kids love the surprise bags and they keep them busy and happy for hours!  How many bags I make totally depends on the length of our trip. I try to make one for about each hour of the flight or car ride (although with younger kids, you might want to give them a bag more frequently).  I also make separate bags for each child - that way I can gear the contents to the specific age and interests of each child. 

Now, there are several rules associated with the Surprise Bags.  For example, to receive a bag there has to be good behavior and there can be no nagging about when the next bag will be offered. This isn't usually a problem because the kids are so excited and motivated to get another bag that they tend to be on their very best behavior.

Here are just a few of my favorite toy and activity ideas: Art supplies like a pad of paper, water colors, brushes, and crayons...

Scrapbook supplies like a mini album, fun stickers, pretty paper flowers, and a glue stick...

Beading supplies...

Current fad favorites like Silly Bands and Japanese erasers...

And classic books and paper dolls...

I have daughters, so my choices are obviously a bit "girly", but I hope you get the idea...

Well, I'll be back soon...with lots of fabulous things to share!

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Treats: Colorful Ice Cream Sandwiches

When we are out in San Diego, we always go to our favorite ice cream shop, the Moo Time Creamery. They make delicious ice cream, but what my girls love the best about the place is their "vanilla" ice cream - it just happens to be a gorgeous shade of aqua blue!  So, it got me to thinking...every summer I make my own ice cream sandwiches - they're fun, easy to make and everyone loves them, but they are a bit boring. Even though I usually vary the ice cream flavors or the type of cookie I use, they generally end up looking about the same. But this year, I thought I'd shake things up a bit and "color" my own ice cream! How fun is that!

If you want to make some, too, here's what you'll need:

-Vanilla ice cream (good quality)

-Liquid food coloring

-Large cookies (I used sugar cookies from a local bakery)

-Sprinkles, colored sugar, chocolate chips, etc... for decoration (optional)

-wax paper

Begin by briefly setting your ice cream out on the counter and allowing it to melt slightly - just enough so that it is easy to stir.  I wanted a bunch of different colors, so I divided mine up into several bowls and added a drop or two of food coloring to each.

Start with just a little food coloring - you can always add more. Blend together until your desired color is achieved.

Working quickly, place a scoop of ice cream on top of one cookie, being careful to leave some room around the edge.  Top with a second cookie.  Next, press down lightly on the top cookie until the ice cream gets close to the edge of the cookie - be careful not to squish it too much or it will spill over the edges and you'll have a big mess. If you want to smooth your sides, you can do so with a butter knife dipped in hot water.

At this point, you may want to put your sandwiches in the freezer for just a few minutes to set up. Then, roll the edges of the ice cream sandwiches in multi-colored sprinkles, candies, chocolate chips, etc...

The color and design combinations are endless...

Immediately wrap the sandwiches in wax paper and put them back them in the freezer for several hours to allow them to harden.

I absolutely love how my colorful ice cream sandwiches turned out... and the kids went totally nuts for them!  

You really have to try these this summer!
 

:-)

Jessica

The Best Cookies Ever!

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful holiday weekend.  I just wanted to pop in and say "hi" and share a recipe for I what I think are possibly the best cookies ever.  They are Chocolate Crinkle cookies and they are delicious!

Very chocolate-y...almost like a brownie, but better!

My Mom has been making them for as long as I can remember and they have always been a family favorite. The original recipe comes from the Betty Crocker Cooky Book (published in 1963), but you can find it here. If you decide to make some, I urge you to make several batches! I made them for our Fourth of July Celebration yesterday and they were gone in a flash!

Happy 4th of July!

:-)

Jessica