Age is an Issue of Mind Over Matter. If You Don't Mind-It Doesn't Matter. - Mark Twain

Yesterday was my 30th birthday. Today's quick post is in honor of 30th birthdays everywhere:

Photo courtesy of Photo Bucket

I'm not the biggest fan of the pointy cone birthday party hats, but I would wear this handmade birthday crown by Glam Hatter any day. 

30 Tulips make for a lovely 30th birthday gift.  Prestat in the UK has the prettiest bouquet of tulips around, but any local florists will do special bunches of 30 for you. 

 

"He Told Her He'd Lasso the Moon"

The moon would be a perfect gift, but so is this Glicee by Jessica Jane Sublett.  It is a beautiful tribute to the 30's and such a chic gift for a flirty thirty.

Kharygoarts creates custom made cake toppers that can match any style, personality and occasion.  I love the detail in her pieces. You can see the time and love put into each one.

And finally....

Just for fun: 30 Things That Look Like Pac Man, lol. Courtesy of Smosh. 

P.S. The Frisky is a favorite web site of mine and in November they posted a list of "30 Skills Every Woman Should Have Before Turning 30." I am happy to say I have mastered (or pretend to have mastered) every one - how about you?

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Let the Sun Shine In

To me, sunflowers are the happiest of flowers. Sure daisies make me smile and tulips are amongst my favorites, but I will take sunflowers over any others anytime.

These cupcakes from Cupcake Craftts are yummy and smile inducing - the perfect combination for a sweet treat. 

Shlomit Ofir created this beautiful gold graphic sunflower necklace. I am in love with this. (My birthday is Sunday hint hint, lol)

The Nebraska Sunflower soap by Suds by Sarah is natural and fresh and it looks so pretty sitting in a wooden soap dish. Plus it has sunflower petals in it!

Honestly I don't usually go for dolls - their faces kind of creep me out, but I can't resist "Suzie the Sunflower Fairy" by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing.  The petals around her hair and the butterfly wings are too cute (and her face doesn't weird me out either!)

And finally....

A lot of sunflower products are shall we say...."countrified". Not this chic little clutch by Davie and Chiyo.  The black and white print with the pop of yellow inside is just perfect, proving that sunflowers can be "city-fied" too.

In My Own Back Yard

I tend to work in an office or home office and a rarely get outside in the daylight hours to truly appreciate the artistry of the earth. For today's Art-full Friday I took my camera into my own backyard to explore the beauty of nature:

The thin, tiny branches that crawl across the wall of the house thrill me. They would make a gorgeous fabric.

Under the canopy of trees in the backyard

One of the few pops of color in the mostly green yard. The contrast of colors and the soft "spikes" of this flower make it one of my favorites in the yard.

The mango tree is beginning to thrive again. 

Ticked by the mini white flowers within the bright purple petals

I have always liked that these berries look frosted, as if they were fake Christmas decorations. 

Another one of my favorites. These flowers collect the dew in fascinating ways creating watercolor like patters on their paper thin petals.

Mother Nature strikes again. A seemingly ordinary palm tree leaf becomes a work of art when the light hits in just the right way.

Going Green

Found a glass head at the flea market this weekend and I have decided to turn it into a terrarium. After a quick how-to video courtesy of eHow.com, I started looking at some other terrariums for inspiration. It is amazing how many variations there are to fit into any decor, plus they are eco-friendly!

Below are some of my favorite terrariums:

So chic! 2001: A Space Terrarium designed by esQue

Preston Bailey's tea part centerpiece terrarium utilizing fresh flowers on a glass cake stand

(as seen on Poetic Home)

Too adorable! The Fantasy Moss Terrarium by Betty's Fantasy.

Simple and beautiful - Monkeys Always Look's hanging terrarium is perfect for an apartment (although I might do a grouping of these in the kitchen at the house). 

Nini Style showcased numerous terrarium decor options. My favorite is the large dome on the right.

 Have you created your own terrarium? I'd love to see it!