This week just zoomed by. I’m still fondly remembering last weekend. Lovely Julie told us about the annual chalk festival here in Denver and we made an outing of it.
Have you been to a chalk festival before? I love the whole concept — giant works of art that will wash away in the next rain. It’s straight out of Mary Poppins. Happily, there was also a section specifically for kids to chalk their hearts out and my kids spent a satisfied hour there.
Hmmm. I wonder what we’ll do this weekend. While Ben Blair and I make our plans, here are a few things I’ve been wanting to share with you:
- Katy made an outfit from a sketch drawn by her daughter. You have to go see the ruffled leggings.
- Loving this online magazine by interior designer Laura Day.
- Making a playlist for a party? Songvote lets your guests vote on your picks before the party starts.
- The fabulous Mrs. Lilien paper doll. Thanks, Karey.
- Excellent list of read-aloud chapter books for ages 3-8.
- Funny baby names from my home state.
- If I have already own a BBQ, do I need a fire pit in my backyard? (I’m thinking of s’mores, of course.)
And here are my Babble Family Style posts for this week:
- Swap your clothing online with Thred Up.
- A fix for baby food mess on-the-go.
- Fight boredom with this cool Totem Tree.
- Summery slipcovers for your Ikea sofas.
- Gorgeous mobiles for the nursery by Puka Puka (I love these to the sky.)
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and eat something fresh from your garden. See you back here on Monday.
kisses,
Gabrielle
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes on the fire pit – makes for great nights in the great outdoors and s’mores are the best!
As always, LOVE your list. I’m constantly in awe of how you manage to find all the beautiful and cool things that you do in addition to everything else that you have on your plate (I’m loving your dodge caravan series, too, can you tell? right up my alley with all the questions that run through my mind!).
First, yes to the fire pit!! Our kids just love it, especially for s’mores…it just adds such atmosphere to spring/summer/fall nights, makes it possible to keep parties and get-togethers going outside longer even when the nights are cool or buggy.
All your Babble posts are great…tempts me to ruin my karlstad cover just so I can get one of those amazing prints. SO great to have for future reference! I think I want one of those mobiles for our play area in our family room…
I passed along the book list to friends…it’s exactly the kind of thing I’m always looking for.
The online mag is so fun!! Love the style!
thanks so much!
Thanks for the link feedback, Sara. So glad they are helpful to you. Watch for the next Dodge post this coming week.
My parents (who are fairly recent empty-nesters) just finished a big landscaping project in which they put in a fire pit. I thought they wouldn’t use it much but they make s’mores almost every night together! The neighborhood kids like to stop by too when they see the fire going. I’d say it is a definite hit!
OMG! I love the sewn outfit and her ruffled leggings!! The webazine has been dubbed under the favorites for late night reading =) Thanks for the Friday links and the Babble links!
Hey, that’s ME!
Thanks for the link, Gabby. I hope your readers from Utah will volunteer their own experience on names, and find something of interest. :-D
Thank for the wonderful link to Sara Jane’s book list. My little 7-year-old is a true book worm but I’m wanting to read some “classics” so this list was perfect!
I love the idea of mobiles everywhere. I’m FINALLY getting the opportunity to give my 19-month-old a proper room (my husband and I move to a sofa bed in the living room, but whatever!), and I’m definitely thinking mobile(s) to give it a magical touch. I fell in love with these pinwheel mobiles on Esty (http://bit.ly/a9sDtN) when she was still in a crib, but never got one. And a huge yes on the fire pit. Turn up the Martin Denny!
Where is the Wold Cup love on your blog?
I love you anyway!
xoxo
You could go to the Denver Art Students League Sale — but the weather might be less than ideal. 2nd and Grant. Sat and Sun.
Yay, I love your “A few things” posts! Btw, check out this hilarious joke:
http://thegraphicbee.blogspot.com/2010/06/possibly-most-funniest-joke-i-have-ever.html
A chalk festival in Denver?!? I’m going to have to put that on the list for next year – sounds like a blast!
You should get a fire pit! Such fun with the kiddos. We’ve already made s’mores a half dozen times this summer! Plus it’s just fun to sit around a crackling fire on a cool spring/fall/summer night.
A too love “A few things.” And I’m gushing over the mobiles. I love the idea of a timeless, ageless mobile. Not one with duckies and bunnies that will be passed on at the next garage sale. Love!
Regarding the fire pit, we’re envious of our neighbors with a fire pit and they actually use it all the time, year ’round — in northern Michigan nonetheless. Now THAT is a wise investment. As for the ones listed on AT, they’re a bit spendy. There are some great ones at our local Ace for $69. Might be the Father’s Day gift I’ve been searching for, no?
I’m so glad your family enjoyed the chalk festival! My husband and I went a few times while we lived in Denver, and even made the trip up once since we’ve moved to Colorado Springs. We love Denver!
You are from Utah? Such a small world:)
And by the way, such a beautiful family you have.
as i read this i am eating fresh peas from my garden. how funny?!?!
Yes, go for the fire pit! We got one this year and it has been so, so fun. S’more making, marshmallow roasting and cozy dates by the fire once the kiddies are in bed.
Everyone is looking for the ruffle fabric used in the leggings… I’ve been buying my fabric at http://www.rufflefabric.com. They’ve been great! The fabric is beautiful- I’ve used it on leggings, dresses, skirts, and even a table runner. It’s so fun!
We made our first trip ever to Denver this past weekend, and we visited the Colorado Renaissance Festival on Saturday. Even though it rained the whole time, it was a blast! Not sure if you would be interested in bringing six kids, but they do have a lot of great kid-themed stuff to do! (as my brother was driving us around, I actually thought, “I wonder where Designmom lives? Are we going to run into her somewhere?). :)
Great list. I find myself wishing I had Ikea couches for that slipcover pattern :-)