come shopping with me — aka: cute stuff I found while i was out and about ...

... and wanted to buy but didn't. I've been saving up my shopping trip pix to share with you as one big post instead of a bits and pieces here and there. Wanna come window shopping with me? Yippee!

First off ... Target. Talk about super cute bags with a colorful pop of neon stitching.

Don't even get me started on all the gorgeous patterns. Yum! I purchased this style of wallet from Target a couple years ago and have loved it. I don't really need another one ... but wouldn't the middle floral one go fantastic with the pink stitched purse? Just sayin'.

And this tribal print backpack ... gasp, my oh my. I could actually see using this a lot this summer. :)

Next we're off to Hobby Lobby. Ah, chevron paper ... I can never get enough chevron. And what's this? Are those chevron pillows I see? Yep, I'm head over heels.

Talk about a million and one binder clips in different colors at Staples.

I got really excited when I saw these jumbo sized gold ones. They would look great used as a simple way to hang artwork. Forget the frame, just use two clips at the top corners and hang from tiny nails. Ta-da!

These notebooks brought a smile to my face when I saw them at Walmart—great reminders to be happy, great and kind. 

Eek! More chevron ... hm, how did that get in there? ;) I actually may need to go back to the Dollar Tree for some of these. They would be great for storing my little guys art supplies. Hmm ... I wish I would have thought of that while I was there.

*UPDATE: If you follow me on Facebook then you already know that I caved and went back to pick some up. I love me some chevron!

Have you come across any great finds lately while you were out running errands?

{images: Little Paper Dog}

Stylish storage

Beautiful solutions for organization makes me drool. Boxes, woven, acrylic ... I'm getting goose bumps just thinking about ya!

1. Komplement baskets: Ikea 

2. Kottebo Coconut Palm Leaf Basket: Ikea

3. DIY Upcycle Shoeboxes:  Mormorsglamour

1. Acrylic Sectioned Drawer Dividers: The Container Store

2. Rectangular Stackable Canisters: The Container Store

3. Acrylic Desktop File: The Container Store

Are you obsessed too? be sure to check out one of my new favorite blogs I Heart Organization. Jen features stylish storage for any area in your home. Yep, not even the pantry is overlooked. :)

diy tree slice chalkboard tutorial

  

As I mentioned in this post about my living room decor, I'm totally digging the chalkboard art trend. I'm also into the  inspirational phrases, quotes, words, etc "epidemic." What could be better than combining the two? I now present to you the perfect DIY project to bring them both together ... the tree slice chalkboard. Bam!

This project all started when I came across these beauties at Hobby Lobby. Confession: Before stumbling upon them I had no idea you could buy tree slices at the craft store.  I honestly thought that in order to complete this project I would have to find a dying tree or something. :) Luckily I was wrong ... and I got really excited when I saw these... excited enough to take a picture. ;)

Supplies
• Wood plank tree trunk slice thingamajig (Hobby Lobby .... Don't forget to use a 40% off coupon)
• Chalkboard paint (I used Martha Stewart's Multi-surface Chalkboard Acrylic Craft paint from Michaels and I LOVED how smoothly it went on.)
• Brush

(This picture is an in progress shot. I smoothed out all the ridges of paint before I was done.)

Follow the chalkboard paint instructions listed on the container. Mine recommend applying two coats—letting it dry at least one hour in between coats and then letting in cure completely for 24 hours.

I free handed the edge with a foam paintbrush following the natural outline of the wood to give it an organic look.

After anxiously waiting 24 hours I conditioned the surface by lightly rubbing chalk (on its side) all over the painted area. This part is important because if you skip this step it will leave a ghost image of your drawing after you try to erase it. Not cool chalk ... not cool.

Now erase it all off and start drawing.

I used a pencil sharpener to sharpen the edge of my chalk to get thinner lines. (Thanks to this tip I pinned on pinterest.)

Now display your stylish new chalkboard prominently in your home and anxiously wait for your friends to come over and complement you on it. My oh my, look how trendy you are! You just ooze craftiness. ;)

{Images: Little Paper Dog}

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i can't help myself ... i'm swooning over this new pinterest board

Get ready for some lovey images! 

"Our Someday Home Makeover"—inspiration for our home
(via Ez from Creature Comforts)

maruska

Norwegian Elle Decoration found via SF Girl By Bay and My Paradissi

A Beautiful Mess

happy valentines day

In need of some last minute ideas?
• Frame a love note
• Free printable Valentine tags—Argyle Hearts
• Secret messages


{image: Little Paper Dog}

my living room mood board

Don't you love it when bloggers show you what their homes look like? I do! I admit that I enjoy quietly peeking into these beautiful spaces from behind my computer. Not to long ago I decided to change our living room up a bit. It's still a work in progress (sorry no pix) but I love how it's turning out.

Enjoy bits of my living room. :)

 

1. Fortune's Favor World Map: Caravan Shoppe —I love love love this print ... in fact I'm crazy about all their chalk art. I had Staples print it as an engineer print for pennies and hung it in my living room from bulldog clips. Inexpensive artwork with a huge impact!

2-3. black houndstooth + blue chevron fabric: Hobby Lobby— With my 40% off coupon in hand, I found both of these from Hobby Lobby. I used pillow inserts I already had on had. Bam! New pillows for under $5!

4. Little Red Riding Hood: Elsita—This is a print I found on Etsy a few years ago. All of Elsita's papercuts are jaw dropping amazing.

5. TEJN Faux Sheepskin: Ikea—This is thrown across one of the chairs in my living room. It may be ... um, covering a small hole. Eek! Ever since my little guy was born he has had a weakness for fuzzy soft things ... needless to say he loves snuggling up to it.

6. "Santa Maria" Waverly fabric: Hobby Lobby—I'm head over heels for this pattern. It looks fabulous against my chunky black and white striped curtains. I used this super simple envelope pillow tutorial from Little Green Notebook ... and I'm over the top shamelessly proud of myself with how well it turned out. :) I'm sooooo making all my pillow like this from now on.

7. AV Room Portable USB Turntable by Crosley: Urban Outfitters—My husband surprised me with this gem a while back. Not only does it look cute but it sounds fantastic.

8. DIY Chalkboard: Little Paper Dog—DIY coming soon on the blog. (Insert my giggles of excitement here.) Stay tuned!!! *UPDATE: Click here for the tutorial.

Slow and steady changes. What's next on the list? Perhaps some metal chairs like these and a gorgeous chunky wood table made by my husband. Did I mention that I'm married to a carpenter? Holy flip ... nothings hotter than watching him run a huge sheet of wood through the table saw. Seriously. :)

Have you posted images of your home or mood boards online? Leave a link in the comments so we can take a peek. :)

boy and girl free printable school valentines: i like how you roll

My little guy needed valentines to take to school so I whipped these labels up the other day.  Quick and simple ... plus chevron makes everything look fabulous. ;)

Supplies
• Printable labels (link at end of the post)
• Plastic bags (I used Great Value snack sized bags I already had on hand)
• Goodies

Fill em up! Tootsie Rolls, Rolos, cars, balls ... pretty much anything that rolls or has the word roll in its title. You get the idea.

My little guy decided to give cars to the boys and bouncy balls to the girls. It's fun to see his excitement while putting these together for his friends.

On the back there is a place to write the name of the giver and receiver. His teacher encouraged them to hand write out each name themselves. Since my little guy is just learning how to write we are breaking that task up between a couple of days. Gosh, I'm so proud of my boy!

* Want to share this download? That sure is thoughtful of you ... please direct readers to this post for the actual file.

*All my freebees/downloads are intended for personal use only with your home printer. Commercial use or any sharing or distributing of these files is strictly prohibited. 

To download these holiday gift tags click here.

 

{images: Little Paper Dog}