My heart is happy. Busy and overwhelmed at times. Stressed and impatient at times. But when our day is done and our castle is quietly closed my heart clocks out... Content

Happy Wednesday!

For more Fabulous Wordless Wednesday photos, visit 5MinutesforMom.com and Wordless Wednesday.

Top Ten Tuesday: Frugal. Fun. Festive. Holiday Wrapping Ideas

Tis the season…to wrap gifts! I have always loved wrapping gifts. I remember loving it as a kid and at Christmas time I would always watch my mom wrap gifts in ways that simply amazed me. She always says, "It's all in the presentation." With a family of my own and a million more gifts to wrap I wanted to follow in her footsteps and create memorable, fabulous wrappings that wont break the bank.

  

Here are 10 Holiday wrapping ideas that can spruce up any of your Holiday gifts this season...

1. Buttons- This year I wanted my packages to have a glamorous feel, but yet still feel hand-crafted. So this year I am using buttons. Oh friends, there are some fabulous DIY wrappings using buttons. You think I am kidding, take a look... 
2. Brown Paper – I used this for all of my gifts this year. I wrapped all our boxed gifts in plain brown paper, tied them with simple red twine. They look just adorable. I can't wait for the boys teachers to get their gifts this week!
3. Glass Jars – You can use these for so many things. Why not use them for wrapping presents. Make some cookies, buckeyes, homemade fudge put it in the glass jars add a ribbon and a ornament and there you have a fabulous presentation {with some goodies inside}.
4. Clear Cellophane – I use this ALL THE TIME. It's my go to for almost any occasion. Especially for a gift basket or box where you want the gifts to be visible. 
5. Cake Ribbon- Adds such a luxe look. This adds a bling factor to any gift. Use your normal brown paper bags add this fabulous ribbon and look at what you can create.  
6. Recipes – For the cooking lover in your family... Print out their favorite recipes and use them to wrap a cookbook or even, a batch of sugar cookies in a box. Add a cute little red bow or twine and there you go.  
7. Gold Tissue Paper- Add a simple Stationary Sticker and seriously anyone who receives this will LOVE it. I know, I would. 
8. Glassine Bags- You can use anything around the house and add twine to it. You can create a handmade fabulous look. Seriously, look at this DIY project that is to DIE FOR. Yep, your drooling. It's fabulous, right?
9. Fun with Fonts- Perfection for typeography lovers. So simple. So Chic.  
10. Photographs – You can’t wrap a gift in a photograph without ruining the photo but you can still use it to add some style. Try wrapping the gift in plain white paper and add a holiday-themed photo, like one of these. Wow factor at hardly any cost. 

Do you use the same hum drum Christmas wrapping paper? Try something different this year. It doesn't have to be expensive at all. Be Creative. Be Fun. Be Fabulous! Be Merry!
This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda ...Go check it out!

Christmas Cards: Watch Shutterfly and I Do Work...

Have I told you before about my deep love for all things Shutterfly? Remember when I was going crazy about the boys birthday shindigs. Well, Shutterfly so graciously helped calm me by providing fabulous photo card invitations. Once again, they are here to save my behind. Do you realize Christmas is only 11 sleeps away? {sigh}


As you all know I am not a Christmas card kind of gal. Why? I have no clue but after our photo shoot with the lovely and talented Nikki James Photography. I couldn't help myself. The pictures were to die for and I knew Shutterfly would make our Christmas cards fabulous. So, I will be heading to Shutterfly for our first EVER family Christmas card. Let me just tell you I am so excited to order them. Check out just a small sampling of holiday cards they have available:

Seriously, how stinkin adorable are these? Please head on over and take a look at all of these fabulous, drool worthy  Christmas photo cards. Just a warning: Our 1st EVER Christmas card may show up at your door 3 days after Christmas but for us, that's okay. We like to have the spot light all to ourselves. i also totally forgot to order the cards on time

So, am I the only procrastinator of the bunch? Are your Christmas cards out yet? 

Disclosure: Shutterfly is giving me free cards in exchange for this post. I truly loved the cards well before the free loot. If you’re a blogger, you can get free cards too!

Drum Roll Please...

The fabulous Winner of the Reader Appreciation Gift Package {which was selected by Random.Org} is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

11

Thank you to all of you for reading and your sweet comments. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!! Congrats, Emily, please email me at maria.woodall3@gmail.com with your address so I can send this fabulous prize package out to you!!

I am... Organically Yours

I have been trying to clean up our eating around this castle. We tend to be carb and sugar kind of group here. If you like processed foods, you would LOVE us here at our castle. However, I have made an executive decision to *try* and add some healthy, organic foods that the men in this house wont spit out on their plates {including Coach W}. So far, the prize of best organic eater goes to the one who doesn't talk or at least what he says sounds more like gibberish. He and I have fallen in love with HappyBaby. 

If you're in baby food mode, like I am, than you probably know that there are a lot of great options out there...I must say Cole LOVES this food. I LOVE this food.

HappyBaby is a line of premium organic baby meals founded by 2 women who wanted to bring fresh, organic, homemade baby food to people who don't have the time to do it all themselves. A.K.A. Me {thanks ladies} 

They have: No pesticides, No chemical fertilizers, No genetic modification and No slaving in the kitchen!  

I heart this happy pouch of organic goodness. Here is why...

~Easy transport. The squeeze tubes are a genius ides. I can put them in my purse. I don't need a bowl or spoon. 

~ Ready to eat. No heating it up. Just open and squeeze. 

~There is no mess involved. {This is huge in my book. I am somewhat OCD and the no mess minus some drool is fabulous}

~ Most importantly, they are yummy! 

If you are looking for an organic line of baby food that is DELICIOUS and NUTRITIOUS, here you go! Oh the reasons I heart you HappyBaby. Now, if only they had these for adults....

***Only a few hours left for my fabulous Reader Appreciation Giveaway. If you are reading this go sign up for it. Geesh! :)

linked to Things I Love Thursday

Patiently. Waiting. Praying. Anxious. {all over a Penis} PART DEUX

My blonde hair, blue-eyed love with Wii controller in hand shouts,"Hey, Captain Whiny Pants go play with sompin."

This little guy has been let's just say a tad bit on the needy side the past couple of days. Maybe because he knows that tomorrow he is having surgery on his "instrument" {as the Urologist called it}. I have heard it called many things but an instrument. Okay?! Remember this post? Well, tomorrow is surgery day. I have to say I was at total peace with it after we went back last week but now... I am getting a little anxious. {sigh} I know. I know. It will be fine. I know it's a ten minute procedure. I know that he has cut over 300 little penis parts this year {ouch}. BUT... I also know that my sweet baby is little, he doesn't understand why he will have an IV. Why all of these strangers will be around him. Why he will be in a little gown and out of his favorite feety pajamas. One day, I know he will be happy that we did this. One day, he wont look at me with tears as they take him into the surgery room. {sigh} I don't know if I can do this. I have no choice. So, I will do it. I will pray. I will pray and then I will pray some more. and I will tell the doctor if he hurts my sweet baby I will cut his penis off 

So, for tonight and tomorrow I will cling to this verse. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." 
~ Phillipians 4:6

Holiday 2010: Fabulous Modern Gifts Under $25

Not everything has to cost an arm and a leg to be modern, stylish and uber cool. If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas Gift that won’t break the bank, I have found the best gifts under $25. Whether you need to buy for your man, the kids, a friend, coworker, or a gift exchange, one of these items is sure to suit your needs.

Lets begin, shall we?

{1)

{2}

{3}

{4}

{5}

{6}

{7)

{8)

{9}

{10}

1. Stainless Steel Straws { Brook Farm $18} 

These are so sheek, eco-friendly and seriously so modern. How fabulous would you look sipping your diet coke lemonade through these. A great stocking stuffer for the entertainer in your life!

2. Polka-Dot Coasters {Kate Spade $20} 

How fabulous are these? Playful, fun and stylish and so New York. To top it off the box they come in are just as adorable as the coasters. Love. 

3. Animal Flashcards {A Modern Eden $10}

I LOVE these. I have them and used them in my nursery as a border. They are multi-functional and just adorable. Fabulous design and uber cool for your nursery. What kid wouldn't want to learn when it's this fun to look at?  

4. Ikat Mini Bowl {Anthropologie $5.95}

Add a little candy in one of these bowls and wrap it up! A fun, simple, stylish gift for anyone!

 5. Tyrol Horn Cup {Jayson Home and Garden $21}

Seriously, what guy wouldn't feel a little more manly drinking out of this. I loved it. Modern, great design and organic. What could be better?

6. Wood Skin IPhone4- Walnut Chocolate  {Etsy $25}

Eco-friendly, Modern, Stylish... need I say more? What a way to stand out. So many have the I-Phones but have you seen a cover like this before? Love it!

7. Cup Cake Bath Fizzies {Etsy $5.00}

These are to die for. How adorable? They come in all different colors and smells. What a great way to add a little flair to your stocking stuffer!

8. Love Like Music Wall Decal {Etsy $25}

For all of you music lovers. This is a sleek, fabulous wall decal. This will add a splash of color to any room you put it in.

9. Eco Play Dough {Giggle $20}

What child doesn't like play dough? These are colorful and just look fun. Best of all, they're made from all-natural ingredients for good, healthy fun.

10. Double Timer  {Uncommon goods $18}

For all of you cooks out there... here is a Retro design that allows you to boil pasta for 30 minutes and simmer the sauce for 20 minutes at the same time. Fabulous.

So, get to shopping. Only 18 more days till Christmas. Which one do you like? Also, if you haven't already please make sure and sign up for my Reader Appreciation Giveaway!

This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda ...Go check it out!