What I Don't Heart Today: Sick Baby :(

So sorry for my absence but I'm taking care of a sick baby.  Be back bright and early next week!

What I Heart Today: Layla Grace

If you haven't checked out what they have to offer at the gorgeous Layla Grace you're missing out. Layla Grace is an online store specializing in home furniture, bedding, and decor and recently added clothing for women and children.  I just missed out on entering a giveaway for the gorgeous Petunia Pickle Bottom Weekender from their new Spring line (and you thought they were only brocade backpacks?).  Looking for a gift for a new mom? Layla Grace is currently offering free gift wrap on all Petunia Pickle Bottom. I heart this bag!

What I Heart Today: Styleyourlifeblog.com

I love, I die, I heart, so many words describe how I feel about this blog.  Styleyourlifeblog.com is a life changer for me, it's like I have a stylist living with me.  She knows, she just somehow knows exactly what I would like and what would look good on me.  Jennifer from San Diego is the fabulous voice behind this blog and she works as a Stylist/Personal shopper, styling both wardrobes and rooms.  I get great ideas from her blog posts but she also offers her services virtually at very reasonable rates!  For just $5 she will send you a questionnaire and provide you with a virtual "look" including all of the stores and prices to purchase your outfit.  I plan on doing this sometime soon (when I take off a few more baby pounds).  But in the meantime I just purchased the navy stripe boatneck, yellow shorts, and sandals in the above look she posted on her blog, I'm headed to Palm Springs in March. Happy virtual shopping!

What I Heart Today: Fun Cupcake Liner Pom Pom Tutorial

I came across this fun and easy cupcake liner pom pom tutorial from Kara's Party Ideas and just knew I had to share it.  This would be a great idea for a party dessert table or as an easy way to add a little oomph to a blah room.  I'm thinking about using 3 of them in my laundry room to give it a little somethin' somethin'.  Thanks for the inspiration Kara!

 Photography by Lyndsey Fagerlund Imagery.

Step one: Take 2 cupcake liners and stick a pin through the center of them...

Step 2: Fold/scrunch the 2 liners around the pin like so...

Step three: Put a dab of hot glue on the tip of the liners...

Step four: Insert the pin into the styrofoam ball...

Step four: Push the pin all the way into the styrofoam so the cupcake liners are securely glued to the ball...

Step five: Carefully open the liners making sure the pin is all the way inserted into the styrofoam. If it isn't, push it all the way in....

Step six: Repeat until the whole ball is covered with lovely cupcake liners! Attach fishing line or a ribbon to hang! {For this particular pom pom I left a space uncovered so I could set the ball on a large glass candlestick}...

What I Heart Today: Sorry to see you go Kate Landers :(

Have you heard that Kate Landers is going to be winding down her blog?  She announced Sunday via Facebook and her blog that she is taking a job at an as of yet unnamed company to exclusively design party products for them.  She will be sadly missed by many in the blogosphere, her blog has such inspirational photos and interviews, it was always one of my daily reads.  But onwards and upwards Kate, we wish you well!

What I Heart Today: Hyperlinks in Etsy Descriptions

Ever wondered how some people have hyperlinks in their Etsy descriptions?  Me too!  So I did a little research and found out how to do it.

1. First thing to know is that hyperlinks will only work if you're linking to something within Etsy, for instance your shop homepage or another Etsy product.  Links outside of Etsy will not be active hyperlinks.

2.  Many Etsy sellers have said they have higher sales when they include a hyperlink back to their shop in their product descriptions.  Remember, some people will be coming to your product from outside Etsy, for instance via a Google search, and they may not know how to navigate to your shop.

Want to see what it looks like? Here's a link to one of my products with an active hyperlink http://www.etsy.com/listing/67470004/printable-party-invite-pink-chevron.  Please feel free to let me know if you have questions.  Happy selling!

What I Heart Today: Pugly Pixel

I love Pugly Pixel it's one of my favorite daily reads.  So happy to arrive there today and find this graphic:

Read the whole adorable post here.

What I Heart Today: Free Valentine Printable

Hi guys, I'm going to share my first free printable with you just in time for valentine's day!  I came up with a great, quick idea this weekend to make valentines for all of Gracie's friends.  It starts with this great valentine barrette tutorial from Purl Soho (so cute!).  Examples of the barette style I made is below.

Once you have your barrettes made it's time to get your free printable, cut a little slit where the barrette goes and voila!

If you would like this free printable valentine please "follow" my blog and then email me at whatiheart@gmail.com with the name you'd like on it (from name) and I will email you a printable file.  Happy valentine's day!

What I Heart Today: Party Food II

Sorry for the intermittent breaks! I'm having a hard time getting it together these days, so much going on.  I wanted to continue with my party menu, focusing today on what items on my menu were a hit.  The two favorite dishes were PB&J that one of my BFFs, Liz, made for me, she cut them out with heart cookie cutters and the adults were climbing over kids to get to them!  The second big hit of the day was another dish one of my BFFs, Haze, made and that was an orzo with roasted vegetables.  Haze has made this several times, I stole the recipe from her and always get compliments when I make it.  the recipe is below and I suggest you give it a try sometime soon!

 

(image and recipe via)

Ingredients

nocoupons

• 1 small eggplant, peeled and 3/4-inch diced
• 1 red bell pepper, 1-inch diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, 1-inch diced
• 1 red onion, peeled and 1-inch diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/3 cup good olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 pound orzo or rice-shaped pasta

For the dressing:

nocoupons

• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 1/3 cup good olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

To assemble:

nocoupons

• 4 scallions, minced (white and green parts)
• 1/4 cup pignolis (pine nuts), toasted
• 3/4 pound good feta, 1/2-inch diced (not crumbled)
• 15 fresh basil leaves, cut into julienne

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Toss the eggplant, bell peppers, onion, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, and pepper on a large sheet pan. Roast for 40 minutes, until browned, turning once with a spatula.
Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7 to 9 minutes, until tender. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the roasted vegetables to the pasta, scraping all the liquid and seasonings from the roasting pan into the pasta bowl.
For the dressing, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper and pour on the pasta and vegetables. Let cool to room temperature, then add the scallions, pignolis, feta, and basil. Check the seasonings, and serve at room temperature.