Ballerina Slippers

Happy almost September!  My mom is always looking for new projects, no matter the season, and she found these adorable knitted ballet slippers on e-patternscentral.com.  How cute are they?!  Now I know ballet slippers are a shoe for all seasons, but I have to say I think the knit of these makes them perfect for a fall project to keep small ballerina toes warm.  Needless to say we'll be making a pair and donning them on the first willing ballerina in training we can find.  What's also great about these is the variety in color that knitting provides.  If you're not digging the dusty rose, try a hot pink, or maybe an orange if you're planning a ballerina or fairy type Halloween costume.  Check out e-patternscentral.com for other fun patters and enjoy!

http://www.e-patternscentral.com/list.html?mode=list&criteria=ballerina+slippers&go.x=0&go.y=0

Fun Finds at Benicia Bay

Benicia Bay Company is a great place to gift shop, which is just what I found myself doing earlier this week.  While looking for a little something for my sister-in-laws upcoming birthday, I found these cute personalized birthday cards.  I love a little personalization, and was impressed that there was a plethora names on these cute cards.  I found a Camille, a Garrett, and a Gabrielle, but there were tons more to choose from, and with the fun birthday cupcake artwork I can think of a few friends of mine who would enjoy getting one of these on their special day.

Artwork by Ramona Lowe

Another fun find was this magnetic bulletin board.  Also customizable, Benicia Bay had lots of different magnetic background boards to choose from, from stripes to polka dots, and lots of accoutrements to jazz it up, almost like being able to scrapbook on a magnetic board.  Here's what was on display, this would be fun to display photos from birthday parties or sleepovers, maybe even a wedding or baby shower.

Magnetic Customizable Scrapbook

If you happen to be in the Benicia area be sure to check out Benicia Bay Company.  Located right on First St it's a great place to look for a gift for someone else or for yourself!  And they have a cute coffee and chocolate shop located inside, what more could a girl ask for?!

Pretty Party Food at Cakebread Cellars

Well, this entry is really more for the adults to enjoy... parties for the kiddos are wonderful, but thanks to Janice, I was able to spend last Friday at a big kid party at Cakebread Cellars and it was fantastic!  Janice let me tag along to this event with her, and not only was the scenery picture perfect in Napa that evening, but the food was a sight to behold.  It was beautifully prepared by master chefs from around the world, incredibly delicious, and truly artistic.  I sipped mostly on Cakebread's Pinot Grigio, but also sampled the Chardonnay, which was also tasty.  Besides the fantastic food and tasting, Cakebread also had their new cookbook on display, which you can check out here.  It was so nice to get to enjoy delicious food, wine, and my friend, and to see other people doing the same just made me happy as a clam.  I guess I'm easily pleased, but sometimes it's such simple moments that make me remember how wonderful (and delicious) my world is!

My favorite from the event!  Bruschetta by Picco in Larkspur.

A sweet treat

Some of the beautiful landscaping at Cakebread

Ballerina Party Favors

On a jaunt to Joann's the other day, I ran across these fun ballerina goodies in the $1 bin.  I think these would make great party favors, fun activities for a ballerina themed party, or just for a sweet little gift for your favorite ballerina.

Ballerina Band-Aids!

A fun felt coloring kit

Ballerina Trinkets!

Ballerina Jewelry Kit

Here's another project that would be fun to do at a princess themed party.  These shirts (also at Joann's) have various Disney princesses in all their splendor ready to be colored and jazzed up.  Looking for an extra fun twist?  Add an iron on applique or puff paint your own princesses' name on the back!

Cinderella, Belle and Ariel... oh my!

Adieu to Summer...Fun Gear for Fall

It's getting down to the wire.  Those last few summer days where you can feel children and adults alike savoring the longer evenings, lingering outside on the porch and in the sprinklers a bit longer, and arranging for those last few summer dates, plans, and sleepovers.  Ahhh, it's kind of bittersweet, isn't it?  I've always loved summer, but August for me always brought mixed feelings.  Really basking in the summer sun and warm evenings for as long as I could and keeping the thought of work and homework out of my mind, but also feeling a twinge of excitement as the fall drew near.  If any of you have similar feelings, I've found some fun things to help you revel in your final summer days and nights.  

Melissa & Doug has some whimsical and pretty outdoor exploring gear, which I found at Whole Foods in Walnut Creek.  Here are a few of my favorites for outdoor exploring and adventuring.  Check out their website for a more goodies (super reasonably priced too)!

Butterfly Bubbles... how fun!

Butterfly House

Butterfly Binoculars

Melissa & Doug have been around since 1988 and have some really wonderful products ranging from arts & crafts to dollhouses to classroom supplies.  Toys are great, but I always have extra appreciation for an educational and well designed one.  Also on display at Whole Foods are some great things by Crocodile Creek.  I love these doodle and art pads.  How fun are these for party favors?

If you're in the market for some ballerina back to school gear, be sure to check out Crocodile Creek's website.  They have some really cute ballerina backpacks, lunch totes and waterbottles.  Going back to school shouldn't be so bad if you've got great ballerina gear right?  Here's wishing you wonderful summer days and nights, enjoy them for all they're worth!

Pretty Ballerinas

I love a good In Style magazine every once in awhile.  I picked up August's edition a few weeks back and was looking over an article called "Fall's Amazing Shoes", and there are some fun ones!  I usually try to wear a shoes with a bit of height to them since I'm on the shorter side, but I do love a good flat.  They're classy, timeless, and pretty trendy these days.  One brand and website that caught my eye was Pretty Ballerinas.  I love how their shoes run the gamut from classic to preppy and even a bit punk.  I know it's back to school shopping time for the kiddos, but what's to say the grown ups can't get in on a little of the shopping fun too?! Here are some of my favorites.  Enjoy!

Pretty & Preppy - I love the pink with the stripes!

On the Pretty Ballerina website this shoe is listed as a Smoking Slipper.  So Hugh Hefner, but cuter

Love these!  They come in black too!

Ballerina Inspired Threads

On an errand in downtown Walnut Creek yesterday I popped into J. Crew to admire the new back to school and fall clothes. Sparkles, beads, and blazers filled the store, but, as my grandma's granddaughter, I headed to the back to check out the sales and clearance.  I was pleasantly surprised to find a new kids section in J. Crew, and found these cute dancer inspired threads.

At first glance at the bottom tee, I thought they were all dance shoes, but even better, it's all kinds of fun girly shoes.  I love the embellishments on both the shirts as well.  The poof of tulle, a wispy feather and rhinestones, rhinestones, rhinestones, such fun!  Here's the J. Crew website, or if you happen to be in Walnut Creek, make sure you check out the adult hair accessories, they're another one of my new favorites.