Taylor Made designs

Buy a Goodbyn Lunchbox and Save the World!

 

Ok, maybe not the world...but you'll save @ $190 in a year by not buying plastic baggies + juice boxes.  How's that?

Myself, I hate the concept of plastic baggies and packaging in general. Just today I was in Trader Joe's and they had these delicious peaches and I wanted to buy them, but the packaging was unbelievable. There was a wooden box, a plastic lid, a plastic shelve to hold the peaches and then tissue. I just couldn't bring myself to purchase them. If I wasn't in a hurry, I would have asked if I could buy the peaches but leave the packaging behind. Anyway, this summer  I was determined to figure out what I could do to eliminate waste. Cause you know, all these little gestures do add up!

So, I hit the internet in search of an alternative lunchbox for the kids. I am not sure how I found them, but I stumbled across Goodbyn. I loved the clean design of the site, and fell in love, {as much as one can} with the lunchbox and their overall philosophy. You can read about it here... it will warm your heart to know they are made right here in the good old USA by good + caring people :)

The lunchboxes come in a variety of fantastic colours, with and without ears {to aid in opening and closing} and most importantly, they come with a bunch of dishwasher safe stickers for the kids to decorate their boxes with. They had so much fun adding the stickers to their boxes. Just a creative exercise in general for them. Davis placed stickers on every surface, while William, my minimalist, applied them only to the cover and his drink bottle.

We've been using the Goodbyn for almost three weeks now + we have had no problems. No complaints. The kids love them. I feel great about not using plastic baggies. The kids have truly embraced the concept of being "green" :)

The customer service at Goodbyn is awesome. Overall, it's a company I would totally encourage others to support. Seriously, it will make you feel good to buy from these folks. Those of you local, The Toy Box in Hanover carries them. Goodbyn has a Facebook page and of course, there is their wonderful website.

Oh, no one asked me to write about this product... it's just when I come across a product as good as this, I believe in sharing :)

Valentine Treats

Not that I  need a "holiday" to treat myself or others... but here are some of my recent finds on the web.

Those cupcakes? Adorable, huh? Especially love the doggie illustration. You can order some of those illustrations here at Ticings. Of course, you can find a bunch of great handmade gifts on Etsy, like those bambo rings, that stone heart. or for those love notes... why not some xox pencils?

Perfect Gifts

Who doesn't want to be a rockstar at gift giving? Or have their child have the best, and most unique things to wear. I know I do :) I'll be honest... I hate having what everyone else has or gives. I always go out of my way to find something that is uniquely different. {That's how many of my Taylor Made design products have started.} Anywho, my friend Cindy gave Davis this t-shirt the other day. Cute, no? She wore it out while we were grocery shopping and so many people stopped us and asked her where she got it. To say that Davis felt special is a bit of an understatement.

"My mum's friend made it – she made it for ME! It's my favorite shirt." declared Davis. Seriously, she was beaming. It's cute + clever with an edge. Love it.

I just love her stuff. You can personalize all her products. {which wins major points from me}  I just know that if Cindy received the exposure she should have, she'd make it BIG. I am talking Oprah big :) So do me a little favor, when you have a chance, check out her site + products at Mitetees.com. She has stuff for newborn babies, toddlers and young kids. Right now she is going to design a t-shirt for William – a skeleton head with an Indiana Jones hat on it. (she knows he LOVES Indiana Jones + pirates) He is going to be so excited to wear it. And really, isn't that what it's all about?

World's End, Hingham, MA

With the loss of Kotyboots {our black lab}  this Spring, poor Montana {our yellow lab} has been all out of sorts.  So I have been trying to include him on family outings - I really think he's lonely!

This weekend we brought him with us to World's End. Just a lovely place to take a walk. Seriously, this place is peaceful and just beautiful. If you are feeling a bit down, or feeling a bit troubled, a morning/afternoon here is way cheaper than therapy!

The kids really enjoyed our walk. Which makes me happy. I want them to appreciate the world around us. To see things. To see nature! It's one of the reasons I refuse to get a DVD player for the car. I always tell them to look out the windows, see what is out there. They can watch TV anytime... but the world, it's passing you by – don't let it!

Anyway, William was our guide... reading the map and directing us to follow certain trails. We saw tons of butterflies, a couple of red tail hawks, and a baby deer. If you think the photos are pretty, just imagine being there. After about 2 hours, and a 3 plus mile walk, we drove Monty home and then we went out for a late breakfast. A perfect day in my book :)

Life Lessons

Is this not the most magnificent tree? Perfect tree to climb. 

I have been keeping this list on my computer to read daily. It makes me feel better :) I hope you'll find one or two gems that will resonate with you!

Written By Regina  Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It  is the most-requested column I've ever written.  My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.*

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15.. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19.. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up  to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27.. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Great Baby Gift for New Mums – mitetees!

I want to have another baby just so I can order one of these clever onesies!  Seriously... is this not the cutest baby gift ever?

Actually, short-sleeve t-shirts are available for toddlers up to 6 years of age.
Whew. No need to have a baby :) 

Anyway, good thing there is another baby boom going on, because now I can do the next best thing... order some for my friends and be the superstar gift giver :) Cause you know... everyone wants to be known for giving the best gifts. Give one of these, and tadaa, you are a rockstar. That is exactly how Cindy, the owner of MiteTees started this business. She made these onesies for her sister. Gave them to her at her baby shower and everyone "oohhh + awwwed" and wanted her to make one for them. Love stories like that.

I met Cindy last fall while we were both doing a house party. I had seen her onesies in a local store and just loved the whole concept. Oh, and the way she packages them up? Adorable. 

Cindy + I  meet up on Friday mornings for coffee and to just chat about our businesses and stuff. It's so good to have someone else to run ideas by and to provide feedback on stuff. Plus, she's funny :) Her significant other, Paul, is a comedian. So she keeps me laughing.

The onesies are really reasonably priced. They sell for $24.00 and she has a promotion going on right now. Save $4.00.  Tons of different designs. Really, go check out her website. Such great ideas.

A customized baby gift for $20.00? Can you say, a w e s o m e.

All I want...

is some extra cash so I can go and buy these things :) I know, it's not gonna happen. I have too many other "things" that I need, want, have to have... so for now, I like to just document my wants in the hopes that someone out there will say,"hell, that girl should have those things" and buy them for me. Ah sweet dreams, sweet dreams :)

Coral Bag by Thomas Paul. I'm big on all the things ocean + sea, and this bag falls right into this category.

Jewelry by Heather Moore. Gorgeous huh? Check out her website. You can build your own necklace + bracelet. If you are local, you can check out my good friend Dava's store on Newbury Street called MATSU. Dava has a lot of different charms available (she can special order just for you too) plus, she just oozes style and will help you select just the perfect items.

Pillow by Thomas Paul. I own about six Thomas Paul pillows already, but like handbags, I girl can never have enough :) They are the perfect accessory to a room.

Two Piece Walnut Trivet. These wooden trivets are adorable + clever. The shape reminds me of my dingbat that I use.

White bowl. Just timeless beauty. The shape is so organic. Just lovely.

Really now, aren't they all just so pretty? I've been so productive, making serious headway on my To-Do-List, that I could give one of these things to myself as a reward...but believe it or not, I'm just not like that. My personality is more... If I want something bad enough, I just buy it :) That's how I roll...Who needs a reward program?  That's too "Pavlov's dog" for me :)

But seriously...I'm so glad I made a list, really prioritized + gave myself deadlines. I've realized, a deadline is my best inspiration :) I still have a list a mile long, but at least I have tackled some of the projects that I had been procrastinating on for months. It feels sweet to finally have them done :) So what  project(s) do you want to start or do this summer? I'll post about mine later this week!

Growing from Seeds!

This year I decided I would try to grow some veggies, herbs + flowers from seeds. So far I have: carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, basil, cilantro, parsley, thyme, lavender, pink + green zinnias, morning glorys, and a bunch of other flowers. I started in May. I saved empty toilet rolls so I could use them to start my little seedlings. (They worked out perfectly.) I cut the rolls in half and then filled them with soil for seedlings, watered them and put them in my basement under a grow light. And then prayed :)

I am happy to report that I have had great success with the seeds. For awhile, it was touch and go... when 10 days had past and nothing had started to grow, I got a little worried. But then... around days 14-15 little plants started to emerge :) Patience. Not my strongest trait :)

Originally I was going to create a new veggie patch in my backyard but my schedule just hasn't allowed it. So I am going to plant everything in my existing garden. I have plenty of places I can put the flowers and the herbs. It's the veggies that I might have to figure something out for. I think the carrots are a bit overcrowed... so who knows if they will actually grow but hey, I'm learning :)  I'll take some photos to show you how they look in a few weeks once they are in their beds.

Shona over at LaLa dex press has started her first garden in her new beautiful home.
Are you growing anything fun?

Hope you don't mind, but more flower photos :) I wish you all could have smelled the liliacs in my yard. They are over, but I have all these beautiful photos of them. The peonies are just so big this year. I feel so lucky!

My garden is ready to explode with flowers. By next week my bed of lilies will be in full bloom as will the climbing roses. I need to do some weeding and more mulching... seems I can never keep up. Always something to do.

I love this time of year. Though, I wish there was not so much pollen in the air. I've had to wash down our porch, table and chairs a few times already. And don't get me started with dusting... today I spent the day doing a major cleaning of the house. The last few days have been so pleasant that I've kept the windows open. wow, the amount of pollen in the house was incredible.

Well, today I am hoping to sew up some new pillows for my kitchen/breakfast nook. It just needs to be spruced up a bit. If they come out ok, I'll be sure to take some photos :)

So what is everyone doing now that school is out and so is the sun? I'd love to hear!

stop + smell the peonies

Here is Davis in my side garden checking out my bed of peonies. They have just exploded this past week. I keep cutting the blooms and bringing them inside to enjoy. I think I love peonies as much as I love liliacs!

flower lollipop cuppie cakes. yum.

Today we're celebrating Davis's birthday at school even though her real birthday isn't till the end of July. I really wanted her to feel special, as every little + big birthday girl should :) I can't recall where I first saw these cuppie cakes...but I loved the idea - (maybe martha stewart?) and decided, despite the heat (it's 90 degrees here) and Davis's teacher requesting popsicles, that I would make these. I know the kids will love them.

Do you know how hard it is to find coloured jimmies + basic lollipops? Seriously, I went on a manhunt. I checked out CVS (the Consumer Value Store), Walmart, our supermarket, the local cake supply shop, and no one had coloured jimmies or basic flat lollipops. I even went to the post office to ask them where they buy their lollipops. (they keep a basket of pops out for the kids) but, just my luck, they had closed for lunch. Thank goodness for Trader Joes – they carry these organic pops that worked out just perfectly. I settled for coloured sprinkles instead of jimmies.

I also made a poster with all sorts of photos of Davis and a little spiral book. I'll post those tomorrow. Today after school Davis and I are off to the city for a girl's day of beauty. Stay cool everyone. It's really a hot one.

5::30

Here is my fifth photo for the Macro Photo Challenge. So loving the macro feature. I now look at everyday objects + think to myself... mmm would that make a good macro shot?

Hope everyone had a terrific weekend. How come they go so fast? Has anyone figured that out yet :)

Saturday night (well, it was around 1:30 am... so it was really Sunday morning) I woke up with my stomach feeling pretty queasy, and just like William the Saturday before, I got sick. But unlike William, I actually made it to the bathroom :) I was up all night/morning... till around 7:30. Then I spent the day in bed trying to recover. And believe it or not, by 6:00pm Sunday night, I actually felt better. So it must be a 24 hour bug that I had.

My bookclub met last night and we all concluded that we were not all "enlighted" by Eckart Tolle's book. I just did not have any "ah huh" moments. The writing is a bit esoteric, making it hard to read more than a few pages without stopping and thinking, Huh??? What was that? The main message/concept that I am taking away from the book...live in the TODAY. Be present. But we all know that right?

I need to review my booklist and come up with a new good book to read. It's been awhile since I read a really good book.

The sun is shining and I think I need to go outside and do a bit of gardening :)
Have a great day everyone!

4::30

# 4 in a series of 30. Yikes, did I say 30?

I am hoping not to run out of steam on the 30 day Macro Photo challenge. (don't get me wrong, I am totally enjoying the challenge) but I might end up skipping a few days here and there... because, well, that's how life goes :) I am going to make a concerted effort to post a photo daily :)

It's rainy and cold day here on the East Coast. All I want to do is drink coffee and read, but it is time to clean out the kid's toys and do a major spring clean up. I might finish today/tonight with that :) And then hopefully the weekend will be decent so we can do some gardening.

Have a super weekend everyone! As always, thanks for stopping by and saying hello!

:: Day 3 - Macro Photography

For those of you who have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I did a series of A-Z illustrations, that incorporated pages from the dictionary. That was my inspiration for the starfish I did the other day + for this photo as well. I figured, I could do some sort of series :)

I don't know why, but I just love using the pages as an element in my work. I think it's the black + white, the words, and the graphic feature of text that floats my little boat.

Is anyone else joining the Macro Photo Challenge? If so, let me know so I can check out your work and learn something new :)