A Much Needed Break!

Today hubby and I had a very long discussion about priorities, getting organized and above all focusing on our family. The last few months since buying our home have honestly been a little stressful, we now have a mortgage, utilities, home repair and home upkeep to think about. Hubby has gone back to school and needs time to study and do homework, while still working full time. In the last week I have taken on a lot more work, responsibilities and overtime, I'm also house sitting and cat sitting for my parents while they are out of town (I miss them dearly). JD has officially begun the “terrible twos” and I feel like he is totally frustrated that we aren’t allowing him to be as independent as he wants to be. On top of all these things I've also been feeling a bit disheartened by all the pettiness and negativity I see on a daily basis, it's just sad!

So, I've decided to take a week or two off of blogging, my Etsy Shop, working on the launch of Quaintly Amusing's website, reading my favorite blogs and answering emails. I've also decided to make our life a little more private especially on Twitter and Facebook and I've made a promise to myself to completely ignore and distance myself from negative people and situations. I promise to come back with a clear mind, fresh new and baby makes three... posts including more recipes (I've had complaints about the lack of recipes) and a whole new super charming Quaintly Amusing website. Please stay tuned and take care!

Wordless{ish} Wednesday

JD was not happy to hear bath time was over!

Quaintly Amusing Sneak Peek

For a couple of months now I've (with a whole lot of help from Kristin from Simply Klassic Design) been working on a new project and I think it may finally be time for a sneak peek, it's a brand spanking new site called Quaintly Amusing! This new site will not only feature charming details and decor from Quaintly Amusing Etsy Shop, but will also feature charming details and decor from other amazingly talented people and shops. I'm hoping to have the website up and running by the end of the week, but I wanted to give everyone a chance to start getting their charming details and decor submissions ready! Stay tuned...

Bemis Mayfair NextStep Toilet Seat

This post may not be for everyone but I'm hoping that parents of toddlers may find it helpful, so here goes!

When we bought our house the first thing we changed was our toilet seat (the toilet itself was new). We looked at all kinds of toilet seats but when we came across the Bemis NextStep toilet seat, we thought it looked interesting and decided to try it out. This unique and versatile toilet seat is a 2-in-1 seat for both adults and children, its perfect for potty training, features a built-in potty seat that secures magnetically to the lid when not in use.

JD didn't seem too interested in using it at first, but lately he's been warming up to it. On Friday night he actually told daddy he wanted to use the potty and sure enough to our surprise he did! We are so proud of him, but more importantly he was so proud of himself. Today he asked to use it again, so we are really hoping that this becomes a habit for him, but we will just have to wait and see!

Bemis Mayfair NextStep Toilet Seat

Etsy: Home Decor

You all know how much I love Etsy, especially when I'm looking for charming party supplies (wink, wink) but I also love Etsy for their home decor accents! I've been looking to add a few unique accents to our home and I've come across so many fun and inexpensive ways to do so through Etsy. Here are a few of my purchases and a few items that have made it onto my very long wish-list!

Thankful Subway Art Print

by: I Love It All 

Custom House Numbers

by: Single Story

Shabby Chic

Pottery Barn inspired Chalkboard Frame

by: JuBeMeDesigns

Bathroom Rules Vinyl Signboard

by: Empressive Designs's

Hot Bath Vinyl Decal

by: Tweet Heart

Polka Dots & Pearls: Reusable Snack Bags

Last week JD received these adorable reusable snack bags from Melissa at Polka Dots & Pearls, aren’t they so cute! Melissa and I met through my Etsy shop a couple weeks ago and we both share a love for retro and whimsical party supplies. Melissa not only makes these adorable snack bags but also makes really cute bows, headbands, doll outfits and more! Melissa and her family are currently settling back home in Germany after spending some time on the East Coast, but she will be taking orders again in a couple of weeks!

Rocket Ship Bunting Banner

Remember that adorable rocket ship fabric I fell in love with and just had to purchase for JD's party, well here it is again in all it's bunting cuteness! This weekend with the help of two very talented and amazingly sweet ladies I finally saw my idea come to life!

A special thanks to Isela & Veronica for sewing this adorable rocket ship bunting banner for JD, you ladies are awesome!

Rocket Bouncer

Back in November my mom bought JD a really awesome Little Einstein's Rocket Bouncer, you can read the whole story here. Well, hubby has been driving me insane for the last few weeks insisting that we need to take the bouncer out of the box and "test it". Today, I guess he finally got so tired of waiting for me to agree, that he took the bouncer out and when I got home from work both him and JD were in it! I was actually surprised at how big it is, but still small enough that JD felt comfortable being in it all by himself. I can't wait to see him jumping in it with all his friends at his Robots and Rockets birthday party!

Wordless{ish} Wednesday

Last Friday JD woke up before I headed out for work (this rarely happens) and when I went to kiss him goodbye he started crying, he didn't want me to go! I felt so bad I didn't know what to do, he was watching the movie UP at the time and all I could think to say was "mommy will get you a balloon on her way home from work", he immediately stopped crying and gave me a kiss and hug goodbye. Being a working mom can be hard at times, especially on days like this. Someday he will understand the reasons why mommy and daddy go to work, but for now I will do my best to keep a smile on his face even if it requires a little bribery!

Sesame Street Presents: The Body

Yesterday we took JD to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana for the Sesame Street Presents: The Body Exhibit. The three of us had so much fun, JD got to run around and explore and he even got to meet Elmo; he hasn't stopped talking about Elmo since! The Exhibit will be at the Discovery Science Center through May 1st 2011, kids under three are free and general admission is only $12.95 per person (10% discount if you show your AAA Club card)!

Gourmet Popcorn Buffet Planning

Now that JD's Robots and Rockets birthday party is about a month and a half away, I am allowed to start driving myself and hubby (he actually starts to give me input around this time) crazy about the details! My first order of business this weekend is to get all the things I need for JD's Gourmet Popcorn Buffet in order. We already own a popcorn cart, so that takes care of the yummy butter flavor popcorn we'll be serving; I've also found a local gourmet popcorn vendor for the other flavors, but I'm still searching for a wholesaler with a better price. I wasn't sure exactly how I wanted to display the popcorn, just because I hate using glass when toddlers are present, but I did find these very heavy glass jars that would be perfect for displaying, but not fragile enough to worry me, so I will be lugging those home this weekend!

• Nostalgia Electrics Vintage Style 48'' Popcorn Cart
• Popcornopolis Gourmet Popcorn
• 2 Gallon Heritage Hill Jar
• Photo: Jar with Gumballs from Amy Atlas