I Love You, Weekend.

Friends, tell me what you're doing this weekend! Floating down the river? Playing in the pool? Lemonade stand? As for me, I have a little photo shoot in the canyon, going to a dinner with Matt, and Sunday is SIL Rachel's birthday and she has requested a mexican feast for dinner made by yours truly (I may possibly attempt Paula Deen's Grapefruit Cake too)! I'm so excited!

Oh, and don't forget to check out Erica's Bloggity Blog today! Not sure when it'll be up, but I'm her "Feature Friday" for this week!

xo!

photo via Tumblr

No Photos, Please!

Ok, maybe just a few.

Aunt Chelsea brought Cole these cute little baby Ray Bans so that he could be the coolest baby in Utah. I think that he might just be. Thanks Chelsea!

Jessica Hische

She has mastered the art of typography. Check out Jessica Hische's blog to see her amazing work!

I need Some of These:

Sometimes I abuse dish towels and treat them as paper towels, which comes to my attention later on during laundry time. Sorry dish towels. I will try to love you more. You can buy these towels at ModCloth.

via Swiss Miss

Dear Mr. Disney,

I have a suggestion. I have a strange feeling that if you brought the Captain Eo attraction back at Disneyland you might make an extra pretty penny or two. When it was still up and running my dad would take us to Disneyland under one condition: we had to promise to go see Captain Eo at least once, if not twice sometime during the day. None of us had a problem with that. Anyway, think about it. Remember when you replaced it with "Honey! I Shrunk The Audience?" Yeah, ever since then that theater has gone downhill. Just sayin'.

You're welcome,

Heather M.

Design Star

How much do you live HGTV? They have the greatest shows, including Design Star! Matt and I love watching this show and are so excited for the newest season to start this Sunday! To watch a sneak peak of the premiere, click here.

Mobile Rain

I love this mobile by Le Petite Papillon because I feel like it could go with any nursery, boy or girl. Very clever!

Poster Winner(s)!

Congratulations, You Are My Fave! You are the lucky winner of the poster of your choice! I will send off the poster asap! Just e-mail me: heather@thecoterieblog.com with your mailing address!



Oh, and one more thing, I decided to make it two lucky winners instead! Jessica, you will be getting your pretty little poster in the mail as well. Just let me know what size you want along with your address.




Thanks to all who participated! If you still have decided that you can't live without a Kantan design, stop by our shop and pick one up!

Vintage Gems

Selling these pretty things on craigslist. Click here and here if interested.

Giveaway: Last Chance!

Today's the last day to enter the poster giveaway! Click here to enter!

Little Circus

I saw these cute little patch work vegetables by Little Circus on Black Eiffel and had to share. Aren't they so fun? They're on sale right now, too!

Ed vs. Kiptyn

I wanna hear it. What do you think?!

The Sister Is Here.

Busy today. I hope you have a great Monday!

photo via Flickr

Have a Great Weekend!

Missing the beach on this hot July day! Someone please go jump waves for me.

Thanks, Heather

photo via Tumblr

Seeing Double

Earlier this week I had the chance to take photos of two adorable twin boys! It was so much fun! Here's one of my favorites.

Library Cataloging

I really miss the hand-written catalog cards at the library. I remember so well thinking it was so neat to write my name on the card the was slid in the pouch in the front of a book that I couldn't wait to read, then handing it carefully to librarian. Unfortunately my children will not be able to experience that, but the self-scanners at the checkout are pretty cool too, I guess.

When Matt and I get our gigantic library someday I'll look in to getting this personal library kit. Maybe I could teach my family the art of cataloging.

found via Black Eiffel

Kantan Designs Giveaway!

Thanks to all of your sweet compliments on our posters! In light of our new little business I thought it might be fun to do a giveaway! I'll just cut to the chase:

To win a Kantan Designs poster of your choice-

-Take a look at the shop.
-To enter yourself once, leave a comment here telling me which poster (ANY poster) you'd like most from the shop.
To enter yourself again, post linking to this giveaway on your blog and/or Twitter and then tell me in a second/third comment that you did (and attach the link). Voila! You're entered twice/three times!

-The giveaway will go through Tuesday, July 14th at 12:00 midnight. The lucky winner will be announced Wednesday morning.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

After a day of peace and rest, I finally decided to get out my debit card and pay some cold hard cash to upgrade my blogger account. It should kick in within 24 hours and then you'll start seeing more pretties daily.

Thanks for all of your suggestions! I do have a Flickr account, but I think it just wouldn't feel right uploading a picture of the trendy sweater from J.crew or the must-have earrings from and Etsy shop to Flickr, just to blog about it. I do, however use it for my photos. So I do appreciate your kind concern for my blogging addiction. I love you.

On a happier note, stay tuned for a fabulous giveaway coming VERY soon! I think you'll really like it.

xo, Heather

Don't Know When I'll Be Back.

Apparently there's a limit on how many pictures you can upload on Blogger. I've used up all of the space given to me and quite frankly I don't have the energy to pay the lump sum  ($20) for extra space nor do I feel like creating a post without a pretty picture at the moment. Needless to say, I'm feeling lazy.

I'm not sure when I'll be back. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week. We'll just have to see how much I miss the friend I call Blog. Until then, happy blogging!

Kantan Designs

Just put up a few more items in the shop! Take a look!

Winkreative

I really like these cute little images designed for a bank by Winkreative! I want one on my credit card!

maythird

Who doesn't love giving and receiving gifts in pretty packaging? I came across this cute packaging that you can buy from maythird's etsy shop.

Fish Family For Sale

Check out the school here.

What if...

it was the norm to use wax seals like back in the day? I would love it. How pretty is this one ?

via flickr

Evolution

I saw this Sony photo and realized how far we've come. Wow.

photos via wellmedicated and Apple

Jump Right In...

I wish I could jump into these photos like how Mary Poppins and Bert do.

live journal

Dear Golden Vintage

I really love these eyelet heels! You can find them at Dear Golden Vintage.

The Flag Was Still There...

Taken yesterday at the Freedom Festival-downtown Provo.

What's the 4th Without Potato Salad?

*make sure to watch the whole thing...it gets better towards the end!

SwissMiss

Have a Great Independance Day!

I posted this last year, and I'm posting it again. Here is a song that Erik (my brother) wrote about our wonderful country! Have a great weekend!

martha stewart

click the link to hear the full version!

Freedom Festival: Balloon Launch

This morning I woke up extra early to look in the sky at this lovely sight! It was wonderful! (yes, there's a Tony the Tiger balloon up there)

You're A Grand Old Flag

A few weeks ago I bought a flag to hang outside. She's beautiful, and we respectfully bring her inside every night. Whenever I see a flag flying at someone's house it makes me feel good.

flickr

Strictly Patriotic

For the next two days my posts will solely be about the Land That I Love. I love traveling, but whenever I am gone for long periods of time (or even short periods) there is always that yearning desire to get back to the sweet land of Liberty where the streets are clean, I know I have freedom, and just have that peace of mind. America, I love you.

P.S. I wish we sang patriotic hymns all throughout the year, rather than just for a Sunday or, if I'm lucky, two weeks in a row!

photo via CPD-Blog

Not Too Shabby

See us featured here! Thanks, Molly!

Canada Day

To my Canadian friends (here, here, and here...hopefully I didn't miss anyone):

I hope you have a wonderful Canada Day. I'm yet to meet a Canadian that isn't just delightful! 

Love, Heather

flickr

Twill Cadet Baby Hat

Today Cole told me that he needed this hat. I might just have to get it for him.

Whale

I love the detail work on this whale poster. Isn't it so pretty?

How Magazine

Market Overview

Finally getting around to looking at the photos from last weekend.

our booth (the Umba Lumbas on the right were very popular! My mom is planning on opening a Etsy shop soon!)

the books that sold like hot cakes!...more coming soon (and possibly another little surprise!)

our posters. thanks for liking them :)

delicious complimentary refreshments

and after 7 hours of fighting Cole to take a nap, Alexis got up there and soothed him to sleep 10 minutes before we left

Magnetic Measuring Spoons

I think these magnetic measuring spoons from Morph would really come in handy! They're so cute, too!

Chic & Basic

There's something about simplicity that is just so refreshing! Check out these bathroom products that you can find at Barcelona's Chic & Basic Born Hotel.

found at Lost At E-Minor

Kantan Designs

Well it's up! We finally decided to make an etsy! We had so much fun and had such a great experience at the Bijou Market, so we decided to put our extra inventory up for sale. We sold all of the baby books but two, so get'em while they're hot! A lot of you have asked about getting an Umba Lumba- those are soon to appear in the shop in the near future (mom, start stitching more socks!). Anyway, there is much more work to be done on the shop, but for now here it is folks, the grand opening of Kantan Designs!

Thank you Matt, my personal graphic designer.

Be There Or Be Square.

Busy weekend. Our house has been a non-stop book factory for the past couple of days. Editing photos like crazy in order to get them off to bride by Saturday. Sister-in-law + her husband and kids are stopping by for a few nights to party hard with us as they are working their way across the country in an RV (SO excited to hang out with them!). Racking our brain for cool poster ideas to sell at the Bijou Market. Finding packaging for posters. Finding twine for said products. Gathering display items. You know, just all the nitty-gritty.

ANYWHO, I've said it one hundred times and I'll say it again: Come to the Market tomorrow! It's going to be just great! With over 50 unique vendors, live music, and some delicious refreshments, you can't go wrong! Here are the details:

Bijou Market
Jerry & Calleen Jones Estate
202 e. 1800 s.
Orem, UT 84058

2:00pm-8:00pm

no entrance fee

(outside, so plan accordingly for heat)

Where Were YOU When You Heard?

I liked Michael Jackson...a lot. I truly am a big fan of his music.

I was looking through solid-colored fabric at JoAnn's when I received the text from my mom. It said "Michael Jackson died", and that was all. I immediately read the message out loud at a fairly high volume so that the women around me would hear the announcement as well. As I went to get my yardage cut, the ladies cutting were chatting about it. I know this sounds weird, but I feel like a tiny little piece of me is empty. I'm really sad about the loss and I'm sure I will be thinking about it for days.

Where were YOU when you found out the news about Michael?

I need to go listen to some Dirty Diana now.

signing out,

Heather

Box O' Monsters

Today I received a box in the mail full of monsters. It was amazingly scary. You can hold them, squeeze them, and buy them at the Bijou Market this weekend!

Fish Dish

I want to collect fish dishes some day. Maybe I could start my collection with this little thing from Urban Outfitters.

Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland

Creepy? Absolutely.
Strange? Most definitely.

Am I really excited to see my favorite Disney movie recreated by Tim Burton? You bet your bottom dollar!

Read more about it over at Sub Studio! Oh, and make sure to check the amazing cast lineup!

Chalkboard Wall

I'll be honest- In elementary school I was really disappointed when they started replacing chalkboards for white boards. I love chalkboards. I loved it when the teachers used colored chalk. I liked the sound of the chalk writing on the board, I loved the dusty residue after using the eraser, I loved the fresh clean board every monday morning. The list goes on. Anyway, I always liked the idea of a chalkboard wall in my house. Maybe in the kitchen or office.

photo via guidespot

All Fish Of This Day

Cousin Ashley is so talented! I've written it time and time again! She's now mastered the art of fish. You're amazing, AshMae!

Fresh Produce

There's something about fresh produce wrapped in paper that is so lovely. I wish I could buy all of my produce in this fashion.

found via creative review

Umbrella Tree

Isn't this just so Alice in Wonderland-ish? I LOVE it!

found via Lyn

Expect To See This...

at the Bijou Market. Matt and I have come up with some other little things to delight you all with at the market. This poster is one of them. Come on over Saturday to see more.

Recycle

Matt had a group project in an advertising class where they had to do an ad campaign for Utah recycling. He came up with this great idea to spell words out with actual materials that are recyclable. Here's what they came up with. Let's just say I had newspaper shreds as carpet for about a week.

Stripey Straws

I have a big crush on these paper straws I saw on Oh Happy Day. They just seem so cheery, you can't help but want to drink a cold soda with one. You can purchase them at an online shop called Kikkerland.

Origami Love

This photo reminds me of our first Christmas together. We couldn't afford "real" Christmas tree ornaments so we made a bunch of origami cranes to put in the tree. Between those and Matt's childhood ornaments that his mom saved for him, it was magical tree. I love origami.

photo via Tumblr

Favorite Wedding Ideas

I've compiled some of my favorite wedding ideas that I've seen around Style Me Pretty- one of the best wedding blogs out there. Here they are:

I hope you all have a splendid Father's Day! As for me, I'm sure I will. My baby boy has the most wonderful father a child could ask for! The pictures say it all! I love you, Matty! You truly are amazing!

And dad (father Norton), you're the BEST dad in the world! Thanks for teaching me how to be the best at everything (or at least try to be). I LOVE you!!!! xoxoxoxo.

And father Mildenstein, you really are such a wonderful man! Thank you for raising such a great kid and letting me marry him!

Carnival Themed Wedding!

Check out these AMAZING photos by my friend Kali! What a whimsical wedding! Heather Balliet of Amorology was the mastermind behind this wedding. She NEVER ceases to amaze me! See more photos here.

Sneak Peak: Amanda + Michael!

I took these engagements yesterday with the most fun couple! Michael had just flown in the day before to propose-so romantic! More to come!

Dream Menagerie Rug

Great rug from Anthropologie!

(closer look)

Christian Chaize

How dreamy is this photo by Christian Chaize? I think it's a perfect way to start off a rainy day! It gives me hope.

JP Creative Giveaway!

Make sure to head over to JP Creative for their 100th post giveaway! You could win yourself some lovely personalized note cards! Click HERE to enter!

Three Potato Four

Love these letters from Three Potato Four.

New Favorite Outfit

Getting sick of Cole pictures? Sorry. I just can't help it. Check out his new favorite outfit. I love Old Navy.

Target Diaper Review:

As promised (thanks for reminding me, Arica), I will tell you about the Target brand aka Up & Up diapers I tried out due to cuteness factor.

Scale of 1-10 (1=way crappy, horrible, I hate it; 10=Absolutely incredibly wonderfully great!)

Cuteness factor=10
Leakage factor=7
Noisy, crackily (yes, I do take that into consideration)=4

Overall, I can't really complain. It does it's job at holding it bodily fluids. He did leak in them once at night, just about the same as the Huggies did. I think they're pretty comparable to Huggies. A little more crunchy when movement occurs. All in all though, they're pretty good. I'd use them again, but they're not to DIE for! However, they are incredibly cute, as stated before. There you have it!

Calling All Family and Friends:

photo by Sam Hessamian

I can't find my 9x9 glass casserole dish.

It's driving me crazy! I know I left it SOMEWHERE, but I can't remember where. Along with that, I'm also missing two green rubber square things (for lack of better term) that you put hot dishes on.

Did I leave them at your house? Please help me find them.

The glass dish is unmistakably mine because it has my last name etched into the bottom if it (was a gift..thanks Annie!). I miss it SO much!

Canoe- The Goldminer

Canoe has a wonderful new album out called Goldminer. Trust me people, it's GOOD! If you've never heard Canoe, they're a band who plays fun, whimsical, storytelling songs that have good morals in them. The music is just lovely. Anyway, you can check out info about their new album and listen to some of their music on myspace and also here. I think I might have a new favorite band...

Carnival Escapade!

Nicole's at it again! We had SO much fun getting our summer family portraits taken, I couldn't stand it! Nicole is just amazing at everything she does! Thanks again, Nicole! Check out more here.

Milestones...

As I was putting on another finger puppet show for Cole, it hit me. Today is June 16th- Cole's 6 month birthday! What happened to the time? Where did the spit up go? He doesn't tolerate swaddling anymore. As I try to think back on how the time flew by, I look down at him and he's sitting up all on his own, babbling to the binky in his hand and has a love for books. As fast as he grows, all of the things he starts to do makes me excited for the future! It's so bittersweet.

Calling All Southern Californians!

Time for a new family photo? Need portraits of your new baby? Engagements?

Matt and I will be in San Diego at the end of August! Thanks to $49 one way flights via JetBlue, and of course Luanne, we're coming down for a well-needed vacation and photo shoot. I've set aside some time for a couple photos shoots, so if you're interested just e-mail me at heather@thecoterieblog.com for more details!

photo by Ryan Tatar

Lovebirdies Vase

I could find a nice little spot for this vase in my house! Isn't it pretty?!

found via Erica's Bloggity Blog

Father's Day Ideas

Here are some Father's Day ideas from Martha. My personal favorite is the car wash kit because it's a gift for you too (having your husband wash your car!). See more here.

Tonale By David Chipperfield

I could design an entire house around this beautiful tableware by architect David Chipperfield! Oh how I love everything about these images!

Let Them Eat Cake!

My sweet SIL Rachel has been into making cakes lately. Fun, huh?! This morning she showed up on my doorstep holding this pretty little thing! Isn't it just lovely?! Wanna know the craziest thing about it? This is her FIRST ATEMPT at decorating a cake! HELLO! Talk about talent! I think you found our niche, Rachel!
(oh, and it tasted absolutely decadent, too!) Need a pretty cake for a special occasion? For a reasonable price I'm sure Rachel would love it if you'd let her practice for you!

Happy Friday!

photo via flickr

The Orchid

Wanna know what I'm looking forward to? Rachel of The Orchid will be having a vendor booth at the Bijou Market in a few weeks and I can't wait to see all of her goods! I love her unique style and I know that her trinkets and jewelry are going to be just divine!

Nothing Elegant

There's the cutest etsy shop ever called Nothing Elegant. There isn't anything there that I don't sort of like. I LOVE it ALL! How cute are these little notebooks? I think I need one.

found via twig and thistle

Don't Know Why Y didn't Come

Ever since Ashley posted this, I've been loving showing Cole all different Sesame Street songs on YouTube. He really loves it and sort of gets in a trance when music of any kind comes on. I think we just found a favorite. Here it is!

All I Wanna Do Is Swim,

but I can't because it's been cold and stormy outside for a while now. We'll just wait...

photo via Funambula

My Newest Hobby:

Making baby food! I love it. There's something just so satisfying about it. I have a fascination with watching the food grind up as I crank the handle of the food mill. I love separating out the puree into little sections. I also love how much $ I'm going to save. Today I bought a butternut squash, along with a lot of other fruits and vegetables to prepare for the babe. The squash cost me $1.42 and made seven servings. If I were to buy that in jars it would have cost approximately $4.13. I've been calculating my costs to see how much I'll save! We'll see. As for now, I need to go feed Cole some peas. peace.

Do You BBQ?

Lately all I can think about is what I can barbecue, or rather what I can have Matt barbecue when he gets home. I love your ideas and want to know: 

What do you like to barbecue? Do tell!



photo via always with honor

Uncle Erik- The College Grad

My older brother Erik graduated from BYUH last weekend! Yay Erik! I really wish I were there right now with you all. Instead I'm taking photos on our computer of myself (see post below). Oh well. Off to law school you go. We love you!

Photo Booth Fun

Does Photo Booth on iMacs EVER get old? I think not. (p.s. don't mind that I wear the same shirt in ever picture I post on my blog. I don't leave the house much and I have the same shirt in 4 colors. thanks.)

Li'l Tweet Stitch Kit

How adorable is this little owl stitch kit from Target?! I love it! I have a feeling it's something that you could stitch even if you don't know how to. I want it. Check out the cute baby shower invites that Twig and Thistle made. Make sure to check out their Etsy shop where the little things originated.

found via twig and thistle

Do You Make Pretty Things?

The Bijou Market is just around the corner and I'm so excited! If you or anyone you know makes and sells neat things here is the place to sell your goods! There are only a few more vender spots open so turn in your application soon! There is always great turn out and Bijou Market wants you to be part of the fun! Hope to see you and your lovelies there!

Diaper Cuteness Factor

Raise your hand if you're sick of ugly diapers!

A while back I asked you dear readers for diaper advice. There was a great response and I really appreciate everyone's help. Since we've been diaper connoisseurs for about six months now we've pretty much tried out all of the different diapers out there and liked/disliked the different brands for different reasons (softness, bulkiness vs. not bulky, leakage, explosion factor (aka blowouts), etc.

Now we all know that I'm a sucker for packaging and cuteness. I've always wondered why in the WORLD no one has come out with a cute print on diapers?! I mean I love Disneyland and all but I really don't care for baby Mickey and Minnie Mouse or Big Bird all over Cole's diapers. I mean, it really DOESN'T matter at all, but it would be nice to have an option or at least be a cute design or a simple print. DOES ANYONE ELSE SECOND ME ON THIS?!

So yesterday As Matt and I were at Target I kept noticing their new "generic brand" called Up & Up. It look far more intriguing than the leading brands and was usually 1/2 the price. We walked down the baby aisle and low and behold they had the most adorable polka dot printed diapers! Since Cole will be needing a bigger size diaper soon we decided to try them out. They weren't too expensive (comparable to Costco) and the cuteness factor was just too amazing to pass up. So now we're doing a little test-run to see how we like them. I'll let you know.

To sum up my rambling, I'll just say this: I LOVE the look of these adorable Target brand diapers! THANK YOU TARGET DESIGNERS! I LOVE YOU.

p.s. where did my baby go?! he's already almost 6 months!





photo here

Pitter Patter

My heart did a little pitter patter when I saw this pretty living room. I need it.


via design sponge