the "it" list ~ July 9

Are these summer days just flying by or what? It's Friday again! Take some time to check out these awesome posts from around the web today!

• penguin's gift has a round up of the sweetest tooth fairy "gear" - my son is just about to start losing teeth. Such a sweet age and any of these accessories would make the experience much more magical for sure!
• sweetie pie pumpkin noodle has ten watches you are going to swoon over. I'll take one of each, please!
• the good life for less is already swooning over fall... are you with me or do you dream of endless summers?
• one sweet find has this adorable mother/baby giraffe set for sale in the shop. It would be so great in a nursery or for any lucky mom or mom-to-be!
• style your life has the inside track on an amazing Stella & Dot sale... I just love Stella & Dot and these pieces are to die for!
• merci blah blah is getting bedazzled... from this great Jenna Lyons look to the most fab embellished shoe you have ever seen - check out this fun inspiration!
• a spot of whimsy is featuring Michigan ALL WEEK (you know I love that!) - you won't want to miss this amazing Michigan based stationer. Such gorgeous paper goods!
• one hundred inspirations has a simple and chic look inspired by Gwenyth Paltrow - all for under $100, of course!
• jess lc launched her new "intention" necklaces this week... they are gorgeous AND inspiring and even feature braille. I am SO in love with these!

The Tooth Fairy

My oldest daughter is sure to lose her first tooth sooner then I am ready to acknowledge she is growing up.  Lucky for me she still has all of her baby teeth.  Though I have to admit they are starting to look a little small for her smile.  But I'm fine with it as long as she gets to stay my little girl a while longer ...

The Tooth Fairy hasn't had a reason to visit our home just yet but I need to be prepared for the big event.  Once school starts I am hitting the bank for some golden dollar coins for the first tooth.  But I still need to find the right pillow.  One that fits her personality.  One that will be a lasting childhood memory. 

Here are some of my favorites from Etsy:

Tooth Fairy Pillow Clip

from Adorn With A and M

$3.50 (plus $2 shipping)

Shabby Chic White Linen Tooth Fairy Pillow

from Simply Sweet Shoppe

$10 (plus $2.75 shipping)

Hawaiian Print Airplane Tooth Pillow

from sweetlee3

$10 (plus $2.75 shipping)

Tooth Fairy Box

from Quilt Dailey

$4 each (plus 2.50 shipping)

Tooth Fairy Pillow

from Sparkle Power

$12 (plus $3 shipping)

Tooth Fairy Pillow Fish

from kmkc78

$5 (plus $2 shipping)

Little Tooth Fairy Pillow

from chickabiddy baby

$12 (plus $3 shipping)

Mario Graphic T-Shirt

A birthday invitation arrived in the mail last week, yippee!  I'm not sure who was more excited - my children because they get to par-tay with one of their friends or me because I get to gift shop for the birthday boy!!  This little man *love* his Wii and I have had the pleasure of watching him play Super Mario Brothers (and he is really good)!  So off I went looking for gift ideas ...

I found this Mario Graphic T-Shirt on Eagle Eye Designs' Etsy shop.  You choose the color (white, blue, green, pink, or yellow) and the size of the t-shirt (toddler and youth sizes available).  Priced at just $15 (plus $3.95 shipping).  Perfect for the birthday boy!

I love the simple graphic outline, but if you wanted to jazz up this gift idea toss in a package of fabric markers.  The giftee can decorate his Mario and really personalize the t-shirt.

If I had discovered Eagle Eye Designs shop twelve years ago I would have ordered this Zelda t-shirt.  My dad, nephew, and I were HUGE Zelda fans!

When I Grow Up I Want To Be Me

I love, love, love giving When I Grow Up I Want To Be Me by Sandra Magsamen (around $14 at Amazon) to 6-8 year old girls.  Its a very simple book with few words but the book offers a lot of meaning and inspiration!  With all of the expectations and stress we put on our children (and ourselves!) its nice to have a quiet moment and remember the simple ways of being ourselves.  Being us.  Being who we are.  Accepting who we are.  Knowing we are each someone very special.

the "it" list ~ July 2

Hooray for a holiday weekend... hopefully you have some fun and some blog reading scheduled for this nice long holiday weekend! Take some time to check out all of these lovely blogs, you will be glad you did! (say hello while you are there!)

• sweetie pie pumpkin noodle turns an old mirror into a fun new chalkboard... she's definitely got an eye for style. I love this DIY!
• good life for less celebrates Independence Day all week with "red, white and blue week" - these beach outfits are perfect for a long weekend in the sun!
• one hundred inspirations brings you Jessica Alba's chic-mom-on-the-go outfit for less than $100!
• where is the me in mommy dresses in red/black/white for the Eclipse premiere... I am loving this look! (ps, how was the movie!?!?)
• the pretty bee makes old frames into fun jewelry displays... fun for jewelry creators and collectors alike!
• style your life pulls together an amazing ensemble for a summer pool party... I love that she included a cocktail, my kind of gal!
• merci blah blah once again pronounces her love for ASOS (this time accessories) and you will fall in love too!
• a spot of whimsy honors female legends... this month it is Princess Diana. So, so lovely. These photos are just amazing and it was inspiring to re-visit her amazing life. LOVE.
• penguins gift has the Tour de France in mind with these bicycle inspired gifts... I have a lot of bike lovers in my family. Such fun finds!
• spry on the wall has an amazing knack for hunting down the best in runway style... don't think runway style is for you? Check out how her take on Chris Benz's Resort 2011 collection. Nice!
• really cute stuff has an opportunity to win their new monogrammed card collection before you can buy them - hurry! Go check this out!

Viva la Tour!!

The month of July is one of our favorite months, second only to December.  Not because of the scorching heat.  Not because of a fabulous family vacation.  Because its is the month of the Tour de France!  We watch the Tour coverage on Versus daily, multiple times on most days.  We wear lots of yellow during July and do lots of crafts that involve the color yellow.  And it all starts in two days - this Saturday!!

In honor of this epic race I thought I'd share some great cycling themed Etsy finds for any Tour fan on your gift list.

Bicycle Ride Print on Vintage Dictionary

from CrowBiz

$10 (plus $2 shipping)

Sterling Silver La Bicicletta Necklace

from Kenton Beadworks

$25 (free shipping)

Frank the Robot on a Bicycle Cards

from Naomi Cayne

$10 (plus $1.75 shipping)

Spokes mens/unisex t-shirt

from totalradness

$25 (plus 3.95 shipping)

Bicycle Zipper Pouch

from Cut Out and Collect

$10 (plus $2 shipping)

Yellow Bicycle

from adriantoddzilla

$3 (plus $2 shipping)

Eiffel Tower Crayons

from Blackbird Design House

$8.75 (plus $1.95 shipping)

Stella & Dot {for little girls}

Last fall I was introduced to the fresh, new jewelry of Stella & Dot.  After clicking through a couple of items I was hooked on this fabulous line of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings.  I love that Stella & Dot offers affordable and stylish jewelry that ranges from bold to understated, and can be easily worn everyday even by a SAHM like me.

I am the happy owner of many Stella & Dot pieces and I was fortunate enough to get these little gems in the mail recently:

And of course my two daughters enjoy looking through my jewelry and 'helping' me choose what to wear each day.  Lucky for them Stella & Dot now has a line for little girls!  I am eying the two bracelets pictured above (Kristin Pearl and Little Dottie) and maybe the Mini Soiree in coral.  Once I decide I'm ordering a few extra for gifts (I'm thinking of all those classmate birthday parties that are sure to fill my fall calendar!).  At just $14 each they make a wonderful gift for a little girl - beautiful and sturdy enough to wear everyday (although they shouldn't be worn on the playgrounds or during art projects ;) ) and much nicer to compliment their outfits then dress-up jewelry.

Stella & Dot is sold through very knowledgeable stylists like my good friend Jo-Ann.  Visit her site and be struck by the beauty and affordability and the style of Stella & Dot!