::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

Happy Friday! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. This is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects!

*Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there.

Here are a few of my faves I spotted around the web this week:

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~Farmhouse Style Laundry Room Light via The Wood Grain Cottage

~DIY Beverage Tags via Making Lemonade

~Cookie Sheet Tray via Madigan Made

~Monogram Acorn Napkin Rings via Craftaholics Anonymous

~And Me? I'd love it if you have a moment to click over. This week featured:

• New Fall Bag
• Kitchen Wall Art Inspiration
• Antiquing in Old Towne
• Inspiring Project Ideas

Time to link up your best post of the week!

My New Fall Bag (Thirty-One's Vary You Versatile Bag)

This post brought to you by Thirty One. When I have things organized and I'm not in a rush to get out the door for school pick-ups and drop-offs, dance, church, or an event, I like to switch my handbags around. I'm not generally picky about brand, I like color, and I really really like bags that can accommodate all my stuff. 'Cause this mom has lots of it! When the folks at Thirty-One asked if I'd like to try out the new Vary You Versatile Bag from the new Girl on the Go line, I agreed in a heartbeat. Because "Girl on the Go" describes me to a "T." Keep reading to see why this bag is so cool!

The bag is versatile in more than one way:

Size:
It's large enough to serve as a diaper bag, carry-all tote, travel bag (I'd use it as a carry on), or an every day purse.

Form:
You know those plastic transforming toys that boys are crazy about? Well, this bag is a transformer for girls! I thought that it was so cool that with a quick tuck of the top and straps, you have an entirely new shape...and a new bag.

The fabric is sturdy and looks like it could handle a quick scrub in case of spilled coffee or ground-in cracker crumbs. Because we all know that real life looks like that! I also like the extra pocket on the outside. It's the perfect size for my e-reader and a small electronic toy to keep the girls busy during appointments:

I fell in love with the color, the perfect deep shade of teal for Fall. It would look great with a pair of skinny jeans, a cute sweater, and some riding boots.

The Vary You Versatile Bag retails for $75 and you can order one through any Thirty-One consultant, or you can host or attend a home party and order one that way! The September special is to get 50% off a classic organizing style with every $35 spent. You can find more details here.

Thirty-One sent me a quick little video to show you what I was talking about with versatility. (You'll have to click over to view it if you're seeing this post in a reader)



I own several Thirty-One bags and have always been pleased with the quality, design, and I especially love the monogramming option. You can read my review of the fab camera backpack here.

What does your ideal handbag look like?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.



Disclosure: Thirty One sent me this bag for review purposes, but all opinions are completely and 100% my own, as always. I was not financially compensated for this post.

Kitchen Wall Art Inspiration

So while our house guest went home, I got a new friend this week in the form of an awful cold/cough. Being preggo means no good meds, so I've been pretty miserable all week. I'm trying to keep up with my ever growing pre-baby to-do list, and one of the things on that list is to create some pretty wall art for my kitchen. I did a little internet sleuthing and found some fab inspiration to share with you all today.

"EAT" letters from Pottery Barn. An easy DIY with craft store wood letters.

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Antique silverware stamped on burlap

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I love a little humor. This one's an instant download:

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Free printable art with cute stackable bowls:

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Adorable ombre canvas art.

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Vintage trays on the wall:

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I love my Kitchen Aid!

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Framed art using free printables:

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Love this bold look:

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I totally want to try this: fluted tart tins as frames or recipes.

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Which is your favorite? Have you DIYed any fun kitchen art lately?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

Antiquing in Old Towne

I've shared a little photo tour of the historic area of my town before. While I still don't reveal the name of my city online, it is fun to share snapshots from time to time! When you have the time, and no children in tow, it's fun to take a morning to meander down the brick sidewalks and wander in and out of boutiques and antique shops. And that's just what I did last week!

I grabbed a decaf salted caramel mocha and met my mentor friend from church in a lot by the riverside on Friday morning. We headed up the hill to explore as shopkeepers were opening doors and sweeping front stoops. The area caters to tourists quite a bit, and many of the antique shops like to overprice items for unknowing buyers...but it's still fun to look. We spotted more than a few bargains, although I didn't take as many iPhone shots as I would have liked. 

This Halloween themed window was the first to catch our eye. The bold orange tree covered with adorable little signs looked like something that could be recreated pretty easily at home.

I loved the hutch in this display...utensil art piece at the top looks like a fun DIY:

I thought that this antique wood ironing board would make a neat sofa table!

An old travel trunk in great condition:

Grouping old wood rolling pins would make a great display in a kitchen:

What a cute little child-size play hutch. Needs some TLC for sure.

These classic Coke crates were shockingly affordable. I saw some at last year's Home and Garden show marked at fifty dollars or more. Most of these were twenty. I am tempted.

My find of the day was this little painted German Shepherd dog for baby boy's room. We saw four or five old German Shepherd figurines in various shops, and figured they must have been popular during Rin Tin Tin's days. 

Did you enjoy antiquing with me today? I hope to make it back soon and will get more photos next time. 

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

Inspiring Project Ideas {Link Party Features}

Hello there, readers! It's a Features Day from the weekend link party. Isn't it fun to start off your week with some inspiration? There was a fantastic line-up of creative posts: Home Decor, DIY, Crafts, Recipes, Party Ideas, Tips and Tricks, and more. It's an awesome spot to find stuff to add to your Pinterest boards! Here are some that I spotted this weekend:

~$20 DIY Drum Shade via Absolutely Arkansas

~Ovaltine and Strawberry Oatmeal via All Things Steph

~Fall Subway Art via Adena F

Showcase Your Best Post of the Week {One More Day}

Hello! Just wanted to remind you that there is one more day to link up to this week's Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. I'd love to see you there! I'll have a post with some Featured Project Ideas up tomorrow.

If you haven't joined the fun yet, please hop over to the party and add your best post of the week. We have Home Decor, Crafts, DIY, Recipes, Tips and Tricks, Party Ideas, and so much more! Lots of fun ideas to Pin and tuck away for future use.

If you've already linked up, be sure to browse some of the other projects. If you haven't added a link back to me within your post, please take a minute to do that if you'd like your project considered for a feature. It's good for both of our SEO, guys!

Hope you've had a fantastic weekend.

Share Your Best Post of the Week-- Link Up!

Happy Saturday! What are you up to today? Don't forget to link up to this week's link party...it went live yesterday, and I'd love to see your project there! I will most likely do Features tomorrow, so today's the best day to link up.

All kinds of posts are welcome here: We have recipes, party ideas, room makeovers, crafts, printables, tips and tricks, home decor, DIY, fashion advice, and more! The code for the button is located over at the party, or you can add a text link back to me within your post. Remember, I only feature projects that have a link back to me within the post.

If you haven't linked up yet, just head on over now to the party! Be sure to browse some of the amazing projects that have been shared.

Features coming soon!