Bugging Out

As promised, with only two days left until the Truly Nolen Mousecar Parade (in case you are following #MousecarParade on Twitter), today's Etsy Thursday Treasury is all about pests.

Art Nouveau Print by Kiri Moth Designs.

Buggin My Soap Line (several insect types) Handmade by Hilary.

Steampunk Insect Ring by Edme Designs

Latex Art Zen Gown by Black Lickorish

 

Matching Mother/ Daughter Ants Apron by SunnieHills0729

The Ghost of That Bug You Smushed Magnet by Paper Fruit Hair

4 Bees Vinyl Wall Decal and Over Sized Ant Wall Decal by Wilson Graphics

And finally....

My favorite cockroach of all time, from Family Guy.

"Good, Good...."

Follow me on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/EmilyontheAve

The Good Old Summertime

June 1st is officially noted as being "Children's Day" or "Stand Up for Children Day" both in the United Stated as well as internationally and yet this is the first year that I even knew about it.  Believe me I would have exploited it for gifts somehow back when I was a kid. For me, June 1st marks the start of summer and so today I have for you a variety of summer themed items for children:

Paola Lakimi captures all the best parts of summer in this sweet print.

You can't go wrong with this monkey in a teeny weeny pink bikini from Twinkle Kids 2.

 

Ensure your baby's cool factor with this felt Surfs Up Mobile by Pink Perch. 

For hippie kid chic, no one does it better than Art & Soul. I don't have kids yet, but I buy gifts here all the time. Everything is unique and absolutely precious.

What is better than spending a summer day relaxing in a hammock? Robyna's ZaZa Recycled Baby and Children's Hammocks are upcycled using vintage fabrics are a calming summer treat.

And finally, while I normally try to promote small businesses and handcrafted items, I am in love with Pottery Barn Kid's Beach Ball Sprinkler Toy and I just have to share it with you. 

I kind of want one....or three....in the corner of my yard for my BBQ party...

 

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! ~Maya Angelou

Still planning your Memorial Day bash?

Here are some inspirations on what to wear, what to serve and quick and easy ways to decorate.

Meryl Streep, classy and gorgeous as always in a patriotic Catherine Malandrino dress.  

If head-to-toe red, white and blue too much for you, this simple yet stunning leather necklace is a DIY piece of cake. M&J Trimming has a great tutorial that will show you how to put this together in about 20 minutes.

 

Not a do-it-yourself type of girl? Any outfit from a sundress to a pair of old shorts and a tank top looks chic and put together with a great hat. I am especially in love with this floppy striped hat from the Gap.

 

Since Memorial Day marks the start of summer, start it off hot in a traffic stopping, party starting bombshell sundress from Pin-up Girl Clothing.

Now YOU look good, Let's quickly dress your party. 

Photo courtesy of www.Anitaarts.com

The dollar store has hundreds of pinwheels this time of year - snag a handful and place in white or glass containers scattered across the table and you've got a playful centerpiece.

Photo courtesy of faveflowers on Flickr

Glass containers of any type can be found at the dollar store and you probably have some in your house already.  Fill them with alternating layers of any appropriately colored items. Fave Flowers (above) used petals but blue colored candy, rice or white mints and red hots (all available at the dollar store or local grocery store) would work as well.

Whew! All done - now....ready for a drink?

Slash Food introduced me to one of my favorite Americana inspired drinks - the Starfruit and Stripes Daquiri. Visit their site for the recipe for this sweet (and potent) drink and many more. 

Since I am no grill master and I do believe Memorial Day is all about BBQ, I will let someone else blog about the main courses but for dessert, I have a few personal faves:

Cream Cheese Strawberries are delicious and a snap to make. People expect it to be white chocolate so it is a pleasing cheesecake like surprise.  Find the simple steps here.

Photo courtesy of www.Annies-Eats.com

Bake these fresh or use a favorite cheat of mine. Go to your local bakery and pick up plain cupcakes and just top with fresh fruit. No one will know you didn't make the entire thing.

You know you have made Jell-o shots so you know how to do this. Grab a star shaped cookie cutter and some food coloring and go to town.  You can't mess this up.

Have fun and enjoy your weekend. Be safe and I will see you back here Tuesday!

Fiesta Infusion

I love Cinco de Mayo -  Mexican traditions, vibrant colors, music you can't help but dance to, tons of delicious food you can't help but eat and an excuse to drink margaritas in the afternoon....I wonder if Seis de Mayo has an inferiority complex....

Why limit the fun to one day? Below are items to help you infuse a little fiesta in the other 364 days of the year.

This vintage 70's Mexican Embroidered Dress from Hellhound Vintage is fantastic.

Her shoes are spot-on too. Love them.

This piece by Savi is crafty and cozy and glitzy and beaded - like a drag queen grandma made me a necklace. I absolutely adore it.

Um...is there anything better than a penguin in a sombrero? Even the baby with half a face can't deter from the cute factor of this Cinco de Mayo Toddler Shirt from Zazzle. 

 

Wholesale Bar Supplies sells Glassware inspired table and chair sets.

Imagine 365 days of Margarita Magnifico in your kitchen.

From the flower in her hair to her great rack, AnitaMargarita by Details Art is fabulous.

And of course, I can't talk about Mexican art without mentioning the Goddess of all things Glitter:

Kathy Cano-Murillo - The Crafty Chica. Kathy is an artist, a writer, a creator and an inovator.

I could go on for hours about her blog, her books, her crafters cruise - but if you're looking to add a little Mexican flair to your home - look no further than the incredible Crafty Chica Etsy store which features products by Kathy and her husband Patrick.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!