A picture is worth a thousand words

I just have to share these pics because the difference in reaction to a sparkler between lil' man and his cousin J is so funny. We celebrated lil man's 6th birthday party yesterday with all of our family.  Instead of getting a regular candle for him to blow out, we got him a sparkler to shake it up a bit.  Fun, right?  Yes, for his 4 year-old cousin J.  But apparently sparklers are beneath 6 year olds.  It *almost* looks like he is crying here, but between you and me, I think this is his attempt at trying to look "cool" and nonchalant (and do I see a hint of embarrassment here as well?).   Oh goodness. Do they really start this young?

And of course I have to share pics of Alina at the party yesterday wearing the fabric rosette headband I made for her:

Making Fabric Rosettes

I've seen these cute little headbands all over the place recently and I've got to tell you that I'm in love with them.  They are just so sweet, aren't they?  I think they look just as cute on kids as they do on teens or even adults.  I would totally rock one of these to work, but since I don't work (hehehe), my playdate moms will be the lucky ones to see me in my new head gear instead :).    These are seriously so simple to make, and considering that I have like a million pieces of fabric scrap hanging around my house from making my pillow covers I may have a new hobby!!  **Cue eye roll from CD here.**

Today was my first time making these, and trust me, if I can make them, so can anyone!

Homeopath/Naturopath doctors vs. Medical doctors - My journey and Experience

I suffered a long bout of "sickness" last summer.  I put it in quotes because I'm not exactly sure what happened or if it was any sort of a sickness at all.  My youngest, then almost 2 years old, had a seizure in my arms last July due to a spike in her temperature.  It was one of the scariest things I have ever gone through. I'm actually embarrassed to admit that I never knew what a febrile seizure was until we were in the emergency room and the doctor had to explain it to me.  Three days later I got "sick."  And I just couldn't get better - I was weak, I had no energy, I couldn't breathe, I felt faint when I stood, I couldn't eat, I felt depressed, I had heart palpitations. It was so horrible, but looking back I can say that my "sickness" was probably a culmination of so many things converging and my body just not being able to handle it anymore.

OOOoooo PURDY

WIN ME FOR FREE!

I'm being featured in a giveaway!!  Check out www.curiouscora.blogspot.com for a chance to win one of my custom Birthstone or single stone Mother's Necklaces....wait for it... for FREE!  Valued at $46, this is a sweet little sentimental gift perfect or any woman.  Want to see the gorgeous stones you get to choose from? Head on over to my Facebook fan page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Designs-by-ALY/135376603194961 and check out my photo album titled "GEMSTONES."

For all you early birds who are looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift (Mother's Necklaces or Birthstone Necklaces) - check out my newest listing on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/70488872/birthstone-collection-amethyst-and to customize something just for your momma (or wife, or MIL, or sister or stepmom, or grandma, or... well, you get it).  Now get moving! Hear those birds? See those daffodils, buds on the tree in your front yard and sweet little white and pink blossoms while driving down your neighborhood?  Those are all SIGNS... signs that Mother's Day is right around the corner.  In the meantime, I'll tempt you with some more of my purdy pictures:

Amethyst and Sterling Silver finished with petite Tourmalines

designsbyaly.etsy.com

Oh, and before I forget, I'm offering a Mother's Day Special to all the Early Birds out there. Head on over to my Etsy shop and convo me to set up a special listing for you and for a *secret* (cuz that's how I roll) 20% off coupon code!

The big 0-6!

Happy Birthday Lil' Man.  He's a big 0-6 today!  How fast are the years flying by??   Per Lil' Man's request we celebrated his special day with Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast, Sushi for lunch and Spaghetti for dinner.

I think he was so tired of me taking pics of him at this point. He he he. I can just see it in his face. He's thinking "hurry it up old lady and move along so I can eat my cupcake..."

The cupcakes were from Wegmans. If anyone has a Wegmans near them and have yet to taste their cakes/cupcakes, do it! They are so good! We always get all of our birthday cakes from there, they usually have all the themes the kiddos are into and they are cheap to boot!

Nom Nom Nom

DQ was too full to eat cupcakes when I was taking pictures so I couldn't get one of her scarfing hers down, but rest assured she did it justice.

~ Happy Birthday Lil' Man ~

I love my family!

Lucky Green Finds!

Some of my favorite Green Finds on Etsy:

And from my own collection:

Use Coupon Code: LUCKY for a lucky 17% off your entire order in my shop until Sunday 3/20.  

Irish Soda Bread

I have a love, love relationship with Irish Soda Bread.  Actually, I think that goes for all kinds of breads (naan, anyone?).  So with St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, I thought what better time to enjoy this little loaf of deliciousness - with half the guilt - since I actually have a reason, besides a craving,  for making it?  Irish Soda Bread is a little sweet, a little savory, you can eat it with stew for dinner, you can eat it with butter for breakfast, you can have it with a spot of tea at high noon.  I could keep going, but I'd rather get to the eatin'.  So...shall we get started with the cookin'?