332 : lunch posts

I came across this blog and was completely captivated by its content. The concept is pretty simple (and very creative): everyday since Kindergarten, a father sticks a sticky note to his son's lunch box with a half-completed drawing and a half-written story. These drawings just prove how seriously awesome children and their imaginations can be.

You can check out all the post-its at wandermonster.com

331 : crunching leaves

I love fall weather... the smells, the crispness in the air and all the amazing colors the leaves start to turn. Ever since I was little I could never resist stepping (and occasionally jumping) on all the dried up, crunchy leaves on the ground... the bigger and drier the better. There's nothing that quite screams childhood like jumping in puddles and leaf piles. Some people never grow up (and wouldn't have it any other way).

Photo from http://flickriver.com/photos/tags/andgreen/interesting/

266 : kids

I spent my Saturday night with two amazing little people: Eli (6) and Dagny (3). So amazing in fact, I actually offered to watch them while their parents (a client turned friend) went to a movie. After a long night of beaded bracelets, painting, foam bats and ghosts, magic, card games, checkers, bath time and teeth brushing; they finally went to bed. Best kids ever.

239 : house industries

Over the past few years, I've become seriously obsessed with House Industries. Not only do they have some amazing fonts (Day 191) but they've come out with some crazy beautiful products. In addition to the Alexander Girard blocks from Day 16, there are also these beauties:

Between the Girard alphabet blocks and this set, I know no regular ol' blocks are gonna cut it for my future kids.

And how seriously amazing is this Girard memory game. Love it.

226 : my "new vase"

When I was super little and I'd go to my great grandma's house, I'd spend most of my time in her tiny little enclosed patio. There were potted plants galore, and even a grape vine growing in the corner. To water her massive plant collection, she had a bucket she'd fill with water, and then dip this little metal pitcher in to fill it and proceed to water the plants. Naturally, whenever I was over there, I'd do this as well.

Maybe about 10 years ago, my great grandma fell and broke her hip, and went to live with my grandma (She lived alone until she was 90!). Shortly after, while the family cleaned out her house and prepped for an estate sale, my mom asked if I wanted anything. My answer...that little metal watering pitcher. She laughed and told me that when she was little that was their milk pitcher. Boy had that thing been around a long time even then.

So, what to many would be a piece of junk, to me is a little piece of treasure. And after sitting for years in my mom's garage, that little metal milk pitcher/watering can now adorns my office as my not-so-new vase.

224 : strawberry soap

When I was little, whenever I'd go shopping at the bed & bath store with my mom, I'd get a little red soap shaped like a strawberry. I don't ever remember actually using them, but they were my little pieces of yummy smelling treasures. A few years ago, at Bed Bath & Beyond I saw similar little strawberry soaps, and of course had to have one. While cleaning up today I found it (of course, unused). It brought me back to the days when the simple little things, like a strawberry shaped soap, brought so much joy.

215 : retro candy

It's nice to randomly run into something that screams out childhood. And that is just what Candy Necklaces and Candy Buttons do for me. Memories that take you back to the carefree days of riding your bike and playing outside with your friends. It reminds me of the times when the simple little things were all it took to make me happy. Then the adult in me wonders why my parents, who would never buy the sugary cereals for breakfast, would let me eat these.

202 : hamsters

I have a weird desire to get a hamster just so I can watch it roll around on the floor in it's little ball. So when the bf and I were in Target tonight, and I saw these cute stickers, I knew I HAD to get them. And since they made me smile, the bf got them for me. The balls are actually raised plastic, so the little hamsters move around as you move the stickers. So cute.

177 : gardenias

I love the smell of certain things and gardenias are high up on the list. Ever since I can remember, I'd bury my nose in the delicate white flowers while at the nursery.  I've attempted my green (who am I kidding...there's no shred of green in it) thumb at growing them a few times, but all were epic failures. Luckily my grandma has a huge bush in her front yard where I can sneak a sniff or two.

Photo from Mid Valley Trees

168 : dodger games

The bf didn't do that great of a job "surprising" me today by taking me to the Dodger vs Yankee game (he left the window on my computer open to the ticket page...oops). But I appreciate that he took my not-so-subtle hints that I wanted to go. There's something exciting about sitting up high in the stands and people watching...especially during a night game (today was an afternoon game). It reminds me of being a kid and going with my dad, eating dodger dogs and having chocolate malts. Oh, childhood.

And, we got our tickets to the Dodgers vs the Mets in July...can't wait.

100 : kids bandages

Not many people like getting wounds. Let's face it, pain isn't all that fun. But there's nothing better than bringing a little bit of happiness to them, by ditching the skin toned bandages and grabbing some brightly colored cartoon ones. Yeah, we know, they're childish. But could really look down at Curious George adorning your finger and not smile? It's ok, you can admit it. We won't judge.

28 : foam capsules

If you were a child of the 80's you may or may not remember these...

Little plastic capsules that held brightly colored foam. When you'd drop these little guys in warm water, the capsule would dissolve, and the foam would expand revealing various shapes.

When we found these at Michael's craft store, we were instantly reminded of our childhood. Why these things ever existed, we're not too sure. The excitement is very short lived.

We were less than patient waiting for these suckers to open...I can't imagine how we waited when we were young.

After a lot of "poking" they finally started to open up. Here we see a squid.

And finally, the end results:

08 : balloon animals

Last night we were pleasantly surprised as we attended a clients 65th birthday party...it was complete with sangria, a wii bowling tournament and even a balloon artist. Yes, people, you read that right...a balloon artist! He came complete with a sparkly patriotic sequin vest and a pouch full of colorful balloons. His hands were a blur as he twisted and molded out various animal shapes (he can make 200 different animals...I'm not even sure I can name that many).

So, we had him create a monkey, penguin and a snail. Later while doing an on stage performance, he crafted the starfish...yes a starfish.

Pure amazingness.

07 : national geographic

When I was young, I went through different phases in response to the question "What do I want to be when I grow up?". In one of those phases my answer was "National Geographic Photographer". I have tons of old National Geographic magazines from the late 80's & early 90's which were the inspiration. They offered, and still do, some amazing photography. Yes, I imagined myself being on an African safari taking pictures. The top magazine is from August '89...a little over 20 years old!

04 : sea monkeys

For years I have wanted Sea Monkeys. When I was young, I knocked mine over and never got to actually see them hatch. So a few weeks ago I decided to go on a hunt to find some. It was just after Christmas so it was a little more challenging than expected. Low-and-behold, Aaah's had them. We even got a choice: classic red or a snazzy purple.

We're going on 2 weeks now, and currently have 5 tiny little things...let's hope we have better luck with Sea Monkeys, than we do with plants.