Gifts for Grad

For the first time in a long time I have no graduation parties to attend this year. Of course it's the year I find a cute graduation gift that I would consider giving that's better than sticking cash in an envelope. They could wear it around their neck!

A Money Lei - A Hawaiian lei made of $100 bills! So cute. These are available from Sai's Gifts and can be ordered here .

Image courtesy of Sai's Gifts

Giveaway - The Emergency Gift Book

Time is flying. Last week was an unexpected vacation week with a sick little girl. when she was up to it we had lots of fun, when she wasn't I was forced to watch Handy Manny. By the way - I have since named all of my household tools so we are on a more personal basis. This week finds me back at work and still trying to figure out the ending of LOST. I am pretty sure it will take all week so I have allotted the time for it.

What a great time for a giveaway! I have one copy of The Emergency Gift Book to pass onto a very lucky reader. This book is filled with fun, easy and inexpensive gift ideas like IOU coupons and quick DIY gifts. It is also a hysterical read.

The 411: Please leave your comment by midnight (EST) on Friday, May 28. The winner will be notified on Monday. Be sure to leave an email where you can be reached

Just for fun: What is the craziest gift you have ever given or received? Was it a silly cake or an obscene piece of clothing? Let's hear all about it!

Blah, Blah: This is open to US residents only The winner will be picked from Random.org.

Image courtesy of Amazon

Dreary Days

This week has thrown me a bit for a loop. Our daycare provider went into labor 2 weeks early and had a beautiful baby girl on Monday night. I am home with Lilly this week - a nice, unexpected vacation. You would think I would be able to get a whole lot done with a full week off - you know, since we have our own little one on the way - but I have mostly done laundry and packed up books I need to find a home for. Well, I guess it is something.

Today is dreary, rainy and cold. Lilly and I are headed to the Ecotarium in Worcester later. I wish we could be outside working in the garden but it is not meant to be. The above photo is one I took of our side garden that we did on a whim last year. I'll post some more photos tomorrow. The forecast calls for sunny skies! Fingers crossed!

Popsicle Break

We had a busy weekend of family commitments and yard work. I actually enjoy working in the yard this time of year, especially when you get to see your hard work pay off in the blooming of flowers. The aliums that I planted in the fall came in beautifully and the hostas we planted last year are on their way. Very exciting.

We reward ourselves (well, Lilly and I do) with a popsicle break. Nothing screams backyard fun like a popsicle. Yum. Lilly and I watched Martha last week and jotted down this homemade recipe for blueberry popsicles. They look so good and good for you. I love the popsicle maker she used which I found out is available here.

How about you guys? Do you enjoy the unavoidable stickiness of a popsicle or are you a smooth ice cream kind of person?

Image courtesy of Gourmet.com

MaxxSilly Loves: Little Green Notebook

Sorry for the lack of post lately. I had two exhibit installs in the past month and a baby to get ready for. My nesting has kicked into high gear and I am tempted to get rid of everything that is not nailed down. Unfortunately this is not an option. Blerg.

This weekend lots of discussion will be had on the home. We find out Friday whether there is a boy or a girl coming our way. Exciting stuff. I continue to research exactly what I want to do to Lillyana's room. She loves polka dots, so I am thinking of playing with that theme. Lots of inspiration can be found on Little Green Notebook a great design blog by Jenny.

Jenny redesigned her daughters room with items she had and things from Target, thrift stores, and Home Goods. You can read more about it here and here.

Image courtesy of Little Green Notebook

See it: Emily Dickinson’s Garden

I know today is Cinco de Mayo but due to being pregnant I can’t celebrate with my usual 30 rounds of tequila shots, therefore I am skipping right ahead to Mother’s Day.

How do you plan on celebrating with mom? If you are lucky enough to be in New York from now until June 13 I would suggest taking your special lady to the NY Botanical Garden. Their spring exhibit is called Emily Dickinson’s Garden: The Poetry of Flowers. The exhibit is filled with beautiful flowers that would have been in Emily’s 19th century Amherst, Massachusetts home. There are also poems featured through out which highlight her connection between her work and her love and knowledge of flowers. There will also be readings of Dickinson’s poetry through The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture.

On display will be Dickinson’s favorite plants and flowers, including daisies, daylilies, tulips, roses, lilies, jasmine, and many others. You can also stroll through a replica of the family property in Amherst, including the Homestead, Emily’s own home.

You know mom would love this...Enjoy!

Images courtesy of the NY Botanical Garden

The Wheels Are Turning

We find out what we are having next Friday (May 14). A boy? A girl? A grilled cheese sandwich (possible, it's all I like to eat when pregos)? We are happy with whatever comes out way as long as the bugger is healthy and happy.

With the reality of knowing less than two weeks away, we have started discussing our nursery options. Well, my husband has now been included, I started thinking of this when the test said "pregnant". We decided to move Lillyana's nursery furniture (convertible crib, dresser and changing table) into the new baby's room. Lillyana will get a new twin bed and new dresser. So really we are redesigning two rooms. All of this is being done on a tight budget and as green as possible.

I've been looking at my favorite kiddie site Ohdeedoh for inspiration. Then of course there is John and Sherry over at Young House Love who just did an entire nursery (above) for around $720. The inspiration is everywhere.

What about you guys? Any nursery design suggestions or ideas?

Image courtesy of Young House Love

See It: Auntie Mame

I watched one of my favorite movies last night Auntie Mame. A roomate introduced me to this film a few years ago and I have been hooked ever since. The wardrobe and interiors are amazing andthe story even more so. It is based on a book by Patrick Dennis that I have had on my bookshelf forever. I'm thinking this summer might be a good time to read it. Rosalind Russell, who stars as Mame, reminds me of my Grandmere Florence.

I like to think that if Holly Golightly ever grew up and became the guardian of a child that she would become Auntie Mame. Take a look at this clip (one of my faves) and if you get to see the movie you won't regret it.