Dora

Now I am not on to get all hot and bothered about silly things like color playing a part in gender roles and thinking celebrities should have any effect on our children if we teach them well. But even I can see that this Dora doll is much "prettier" and "thinner" than the normal Dora the Explorer on television.

Should Dora's appearance as a doll or an interactive cyber creature change from the Dora kids know and love? Or do you think a major change in physical appearance, like this, is confusing for kids?

Covet

I love this guys apartment.

I must have the deer head (it's similar to this one from ZGallerie). I love the Ikea frame around it. I covet the monogrammed pillows and the black vase. 

Admiring the balance and symmetry on the sofa table. And those fab retro lamps.

Love the leather rug in the living room, the beautiful mid-century sideboards, the sea urchin lamp on the desk, the ghost chair, the pop of red in the kitchen. I wish this guy would come and organize my house.

Cute Tutorial

Check out this adorable tutorial from Holly Jones at Creating Cupcakes. This is such a cute idea. Nice and wintery without being holiday specific. Love it! It's adaptable, as well. Don't like snowflakes? Make them ornaments, deer, santas, dogs, pacifiers, the alphabet, etc, etc...

DIY Snowflake Garland

This snowflake Garland is very inexpensive and easy to make. You will need some "Stiff Felt" in white or your desired color, some ric rac or ribbon, sharp scissors, a hot glue gun, sequins, and a needle with thread.

1) CLICK HERE to Download and print this 2 page PDF file. This will be the pattern for your snowflakes.
(My CLICK HERE doesn't do anything. You'll have to follow the earlier link and follow her CLICK HERE)

2) Cut out the paper snowflakes for a pattern.

3) Trace Pattern onto some stiff felt.

4) Cut snowflakes out of stiff felt.

5) Use a hot glue gun to glue sequins or embellishments to the center of each snowflake.

6) Using white thread, hand sew each snowflake to ric rac or ribbon to make your snowflake garland.

7) Find a fun place to hang your garland and enjoy!

*Note, snowflakes take a little time to cut out. I like to cut them while watching my favorite movie.

Please feel free to share my pictures and this tutorial with your friends. Please direct them to this website to download the snowflake patterns, as the pattern is not intended for

re-distribution. Thanks!

Adorable-ness

He may be the Spawn of Satan, but at least he loves his sister.

Question

Is anyone else having problems loading photos?

Festive IKEA

Check out a few of the Holidays displays at IKEA. Adorable:

These little guys came in Natural or Black, but unfortunately the ribbon is holding them together and red does not go with my Holiday decor. And check out the gnomies on the gift bags. So cute.

These plates aren't necessarily "Holiday" but they easily could be. They were beautiful. 

Project

So my cafe curtains are coming along nicely. Well, I only have one finished, but that sure beats none, right? My set-up is a little basic, but I am slowly getting the job done.

Don't judge my shade-less lamp and my icky wall color, people. Just be proud I am getting something done. I know I am.