Dandelion Sky Is Back!

After about a week of being inaccessable, I am so happy to be able to post again. For some reason, my template got ruined - links got erased and strange codes were added. I didn't know the first thing to do! The week off made me realize that blogging has become a very enjoyable part of my life, and that in a week's time, a lot can happen!

Amazing Finish: Congratulations, BJ & Tyler!

TTAW! Glad to see that the nice guys finished first on Amazing Race 9.

Eclectic Inspirations

Feeling a little Victorian, a bit rustic, and a little whimsical today...




















All from Anthropologie.

Tank’s Swap Package

Tank is so excited to be sending his package to his partner for the Stuff for your Pup Swap organized by Beth.

He can’t wait to get his swap package too!

Still Dreaming of the Weekend

It’s hard to accept that Monday is here again, but in the meantime, I think I’ll daydream about the weekend we had with just the right amount of sun and breeze. These make great accessories for outdoor decor: whimsical decorations, comfy pillows, cool outdoor furniture. Just in time for more warm southern California days ahead.


















Mini bird statue from Anthropologie; pillows from West Elm; pot from Anthropologie; furniture from Pottery Barn.

Bunny Yawns

Having rabbits in my household, I have seen many bunny yawns. They're among the cutest and funniest things I've ever seen. The thing is, it's so hard to take pictures of rabbits yawning because 1) you never know when it's going to happen and 2) a yawn only lasts for 2 seconds at the most. By the time I get my camera, the yawn is over. Rich over at Rabbit Row forwarded me a link to a site devoted to pictures of bunny yawns. You can find it here. The bunny photo on the left is Bunny Yawn #26.

Cute Cards: Rock Scissor Paper

As posted by Sharp Lily, Rock Scissor Paper offers such cute cards, invitations and stationery. I just love the "flutter collection," left. Makes writing to friends and family much more fun!

A Super Book by Carson

While searching for a children's book for Karla's Children's Book Swap, I came across this adorable book by Carson Kressley, which has a positive message - being different makes you special. Kids can be mean and make fun of others based on such minor, silly things. Whether you have asthma, a speech impediment, diabetes, are athletically-challenged (yes, I was the kid who was always picked last for kickball) or just plain shy or don't fit in, this book illustrates that each person has her/his own special gifts and talents. And that makes you all the more super.
Available here.

Happy Cinco de Mayo Friday!

Here's to a weekend filled with fun gatherings and delicious food. And what a great excuse to have a party tonight with good friends - old and new. Here's just some of the items I have on my kitchen counter today.












Menu:
Chicken enchiladas
Pico de Gallo salsa
Mango cucumber salsa
Guacamole
Chips
Flour tortillas
Mixed Green Salad with cucumber and baby tomatoes
Apple pie with dulce de leche ice cream
Margaritas, beer and tropical iced tea

It's Swell

Hey, life is too short. Why not live a swell life...or try to anyway!
This book is a lot of fun. I especially love the chapter on party themes and the idea of hosting a "Facts of Life" themed party. The host wears roller skates and guests must bring a picture from their adolescent years. Of course the menu has to match the theme - ho hos and ding dongs and other high fat/calorie food only, please.

This and other Swell books available here.

Tea Cup Candles

If you love teacups as much as I do, what more fun than to make adorable little teacup candles! They would make great gifts for Mother's Day, birthdays, bridal showers or just because.

Materials:
Nested pans
Partially burned candles
Candy or candle thermometer
Tongs
New wicking
Teacups
Wick sustainers
Wooden skewers

Instructions here from MarthaStewart.com (as also posted by Beth).

Self Portrait Challenge, Part 1

This month's Self Portrait Challenge: Introduce Yourself.
More here.

Someone once told me that there's a lot you can learn about a person just by looking at their hands. Maybe this is so, but I also believe that a person's hands become even more colorful when learning their story.

Pearl is my birthstone

I work as a legal assistant and type 80 words a minute
But my passion is creating with my hands
And taking photographs
And baking cookies

I like the feel of slippery pages of magazines,
And the coarse pages of a good novel

I love the warmth of a tea cup in my hands
And the chill of a bowl of sundae at Ghirardelli Square

When I was little, I got calluses from the parallel bars in gymnastics
But even worse from the monkey bars during recess

I miss making lumpia with my mom,
And homemade hot cocoa with my grandmother
Both loved gardening, but sadly, I didn't inherit a green thumb

I love to hug my bunnies,
And my dog,
And shelter animals

I'm classically trained in Ballet
And dance the Hula,
But cannot play a single musical instrument (even though I tried)

I'm married to my best friend and high school sweetheart

Purell makes my hands happy

Happy Lei Day!

A lei is a token of love, gratitude and respect. May 1 is considered Lei Day in Hawaii. This holiday is centered around the Hawaiian custom of making and wearing leis. All over Hawaii, friends and family exchange leis, and it's a day of flowers, music, food and hula.
More info on Lei Day here.