Green Horned Unicorn

What a Girl Loves - Mellow Yellow

Friday is almost here and after the longest short week EVER (seriously, why do shortened work weeks seem to take longer than normal ones?), I've determined that it's time to inject a little cheerfulness into the week. What better way to get cheery, than to infuse a little yellow into the day? 

So, to liven things up, here are a few lovely, yellow finds - fresh from the pages of Etsy!

As shown, left to right, top to bottom:

• Lace and Linen Dress by Mr. Racoon's Empire
• Smile Pillow by Honey Pie Designs 
• Hello May by Ashley G
• Daisies of Summer by Slippin Southern
• Crosstown Bag by Virginia Clara
• Mini Chevron Cake Stand by Aedriel Originals

As a long time lover of the color yellow, no one is happier than me to watch the yellow color trend of 2010 continue throughout 2011. I secretly hopes it carries into 2012. I sort of hope the chevrons do too :)

Hope your weekend is cheery!

What a Girl Loves - Patriotic Party

I love patriotic holidays, and the Fourth of July is no exception! Growing up, my parents threw the best July 4th parties. Each year, their farm was packed with people, food, fireworks and fun. It was the place that everyone wanted to be to celebrate, and it usually turned into a pretty wild time. As a small child, I remember looking foward to the unmoderated sugar consumption along with the end of the night fireworks display. It was the best!

While I will not be throwing a party to celebrate this year, I thought it would be fun to create a small mood board illustrating the party I wish I were throwing.   

 As shown, left to right, top to bottom:

• Perfectly Decorated Patriotic Home 
• Whimsical Patriotic Cupcake Toppers
• Fourth of July Flag Cake
• The Perfect Patriotic Outfit
• Patriotic Jello Shots
• Fourth of July Fruit Pops

Take all of these items, add in some family and friends, patriotic music (like some Sousa marches), yard games, grilling out, and of course, fireworks and you'd have the perfect July 4th party! 

Nate and I were originally planning to leave town for the holiday weekend, but those plans have been moved till later in the summer. Instead, we are planning to escape the desert heat with a day trip to San Diego. Otherwise will be spending the rest of our time in the oven that is otherwise known as the Phoenix metro area (our forecast is for temps above 110-degrees all weekend). Needless to say, I plan on spending a LOT of time in our pool!

What are your holiday plans?

What a Girl Loves - Vintage Inspired Dresses Round-up

Although it's technically still spring, here in the desert things are starting to heat up. The 90-degree days have arrived, and it's only going to get warmer from here. As the 100-degree days are imminent (the forecast for Thursday is 101..eeek!), it's time to start stocking up on some adorable dresses to help keep cool. Here are a few fun (mostly) vintage inspired dresses I love. Hopefully, a few will be making their way into my closet soon, with the addition of some cute belts, jewelery and shoes of course! 

As shown, left to right, top to bottom:

• Jackie Dress in Blueberry from Ruche
• Carnival Ride Dress from Francesca's Collection
• Fresh Cut Flowers Dress from Down East Basics
• Gondola Dress from Shabby Apple
• Plenty of Fanfare Dress from Mod Cloth
• Mompos Dress from Anthropologie

 Which is your favorite?

What a Girl Loves - At the Rainbow's End

The folklore claims that if you find the end of a rainbow, you'll find a Leprechaun with a pot of gold. As a child, I searched obsessively hoping to locate the gold and the cute little Leprechaun that came with it. Over the years, my hopes of finding the gold has faded, but my love for rainbows has not. This St. Patrick's Day instead of hunting down the gold, I set off on a new search...a search for yummy rainbow inspired food! Here are a few of my favorite finds:

 As pictured from left to right, top to bottom:

• Rainbow Slice and Bake Cookie recipe from Life Good Eats
• Rainbow Pudding from Craft: In the  Kitchen
• Rainbow and Unicorn cake via Amy Atlas Designs
• Rainbow Cupcakes from Hoosier Homemade
• Rainbow Pancakes by I am Mommy via Pizzazzerie
• Fruity Pebble Bars from the Family Kitchen (one of my personal favorite treats from my youth!)
• Gold Dusted Rainbow Balls from Katie Brown
• Rainbow Jello from Hoosier Homemade
• Rainbow Cookies via Amy Atlas Designs

All that yummy color sure puts me in a cheerful mood. I'm not going to lie, it makes me a little hungry too. Fruity Pebble treats anyone? :)

 

What a Girl Loves - Valentine's Day Finds + Fun Valentine Themed Links

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. To help get you in the lovey-dovey spirit, here are some fresh Etsy finds that you are sure to love:

As pictured, left to right, top to bottom: 

1. Sweet Conversations Heart Soaps by Love Lee Soaps
2. Wood Wedding Puzzle by Bella Puzzles Too
3. Felted Love Spell Soaps by SoFino
4. Love Stationary by Mari Carles
5. Mini Heartlette Crown by Giant Dwarf
6. I Love You Banner by Nice
7. Heart Shaped Brownie Cookiewiches by Tookies
8. Valentine's Day Card Set by Arian 
9. Valentine's Day Cookies by My Cookie Career 

For those of you who despise this heart drenched holiday, here's a card especially for you:

Crappy Suckentines Day Card by Farewell Paperie 

If you're looking for some additional Valentines Day inspriation, check out some of my favorite Valentine's Day themed posts and DIYs from this season:

• DIY Cupid's Arrow Cupcake + Treat Bag Topper via Creature Comforts 
• Cupid Printable by Heidi Kenney via Thompson Family Life
• Valentine's Day Card Roundup Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, & Part 7 via Paper Crave
• Printable Valentine Cards via How About Orange
• Kawaii Printable Valentine Cards via Craft
• Heart Cake Tutorial via I am Baker
• 35 Printable Valentines via The Long Thread

There is a lot of cuteness out there! I don't know about you, but the Heartlet Crown from Giant Dwarf has stolen my heart. Which of the Etsy finds shown has stolen yours?

What a Girl Loves - Holiday Gift Wrapping Ideas

I've had my holiday shopping done for a few weeks, but am now feeling the pressure to get all of the goodies wrapped up and under the tree! In my quest for some gift wrapping inspiration, I came across these fun ideas that not only can be used for the holidays, but year round!

As pictured from left to right, top to bottom:

• Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap ideas from Martha Stewart
• Blouse/Shirt Wrap idea from Country Living
• Gift Wrap idea from Compai Creative via Flickr
• Newspaper Blossom idea from Country Living
• Kids Art Work wrapping ideas from Martha Stewart
• Monogramed Gift idea from Design Sponge
• Font Fun idea from Bugs and Fishes
• Pom-Pom Gift Wrap idea from Bugs and Fishes 
• Cloth Gift Wrap  ideas from Martha Stewart

I am in love with the newspaper bloom!! If you're looking for even more creative gift wrapping ideas, check out my Last Minute Gift Wrapping idea post from last holiday season :)

What a Girl Loves - Holiday Wreath DIYs

What a Girl Loves is making its return, just in time for holiday decorating! I must say, I've really missed these posts. I love collecting links and images of pretty things and sharing them with all of my crafty friends. This week, I bring you a lovely collection of Holiday Wreaths. And the best part is you can make these beauties all on your own!

As pictured top to bottom, left to right:        

• Holiday Carnation Wreath from Martha Stewart
• Felt Ball Wreath from Pickles
• Plastic Bag Wreath by Craftystylish
• Natural Coffee Filter Wreath from A Soft Place to Land
• Yarn Ball and Ornament Wreath by Melificent.com
• Sweetgum Fruit Wreath by Martha Stewart
• Felted Sweater Wreath from Betz White
• Happy Meal Toy Wreath from Infarrantly Creative
• Juniper and Pepperberry Wreath from Martha Stewart

(some DIYs found via Re-nest)

What a Girl Loves - Longing for Fall (plus a few features!)

Fall is in the air. Or so they say. Based on the 105 degree temperatures here in AZ this week, I would beg to differ. However, I'm optimistic that the heat will break and sweater weather will soon follow! To get myself in the mood for some fall weather, I headed over to the lovely land of Etsy and created a long overdue What a Girl Loves collection, inspired by fall of course! 

As pictured from top to bottom, left to right (click on the link to be taken to the product page): 

• Fall Flower Bobby Pins
• Vintage Flower Power Tin
• Fingerless Gloves and Arm Warmers
• Rustic Gathering Basket
• 70's Trench Coat
• Craspedia and Fiddleheads
• Vintage Retro Floral Platter
• Safari Yarn Wreath
• Sunshine Handwoven Dress

Speaking of the lovely land of Etsy, just yesterday my Prep School Blooms were featured in a Felt Love themed Treasury! What an exciting surprise!! Take a peek:

If you want to take a closer look at all the felt goodness included, click here. And, don't forget, if you're looking for some fall goodies to decorate your projects with, there are still a few Autumn Splendor Embellishment Kits and the new Spooktacular Embellishment Kits available in the Green Horned Unicorn Shop!

And, last, but certainly not least, I have a few scrapbooking projects being featured in a project post today over on the Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker blog! Head on over and check it out. While you're there leave a little love for Julie who rounded up all the great projects and put together this wonderful post (and gave me the fun papers to play with!).

Seriously, how lucky am I to have a Two Peas Feature, Etsy Treasury Feature, and be included in a project feature on the Nikki Sivils blog...all within a week?! That's good stuff.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!! :)

What a Girl Loves - Upcycled and Recycled Magazine Goods

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I subscribe to many, many paper magazines. Although I pass on and recycle the issues I'm finished with, I sometimes feel a bit guilty contributing to the death of so many trees. To make myself feel a little better, I went in search of goods created with upcycled and recycled magazines. Here's a few that I found that I'm totally loving:

 As pictured left to right, top to bottom:

• Magazine Coaster Set by Rubbish Remade
• Magazine Bowl by Twin Robot Love
• Recycled Magazine Orgami Lucky Stars by Miso Pretty
• Upcycled Envelopes and Note Cards by Scrap Bits
• Paper Beads by Art Spell
• Upcycled Gift Bows by X3 Inspireme
• Magazine Clutch by Spessarite Sole
• Orange Mini Stick Frame by Color Story Designs

Pretty cool stuff, right?! Tomorrow look for a new and really fun Sketchy Thursdays page and on Friday, a changed up, magazine themed Finspo :)

What a Girl Loves - Father's Day Finds

With my sister, nephew and niece (age 6 and 4) in town, my extended weekend went something like this: swimming, baseball, hot dogs, cotton candy, fireworks, swimming, hot dogs, pool party, splash park, feed the ducks, pizza, painting, swimming, homemade blizzards, playing games on the iPad, making a garland, homemade soda, more painting, swimming, sushi, making a bloom bouquet, swimming, ice cream. 

As you can see, it was pretty much non-stop swimming, eating, playing and crafting all weekend long! Fun but TIRING! I'll share some of the photos later on, but for now, I thought I'd share some Father's Day inspired What a Girl Loves picks :)

As show left to right, top to bottom:   

• Beer Soap Sampler Trio from Beautiful Soaps
• Steampunk Chess Set from Sitarah   
• Table Lamp from Design 2009
• Retro Style Keyboards from Wood Guy 32
• Mini Brew Sampler by Taunt on Green
• Authentic Ferrari 360 Office Chair by Race Chairs
• Reclaimed Barnwood Wine Rack by Saw Dusters
• Record Player Clock from Pixel This

 I think the industrial lamp is my favorite. Check back on Thursday for a new Sketchy Thursdays page :)