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...

 

If You're Happy and You Know It...

I am having a blue day so today I have decided to post only about things that make me smile. Today's Etsy Treasury is composed of the Ten Things That Made Me Happy Today:

Happy 8 x 10 Print by pennywishes

 

Smiley Ginger Cat by Marjji

Girly Smile Necklace by anmarkdesign

 

Giant Happy Cloud Earrings by That Bear Is Knitting

 

She Had To Choose Fiber Art Piece by Mummysam

Knit Infant Cocoon Nest by PhylPhil

Where Rainbows Come From 4 x 4 Print by Nut and Bee

 

Sock Monkey with Mom Tattoo Doll by Atomic Grandma

 

Women's T-Shirt by What If Gear

 

Smiley / Frowny Hair Barrette by The Pin Pals

Turning Frowns Upside Down

Everyone seems to be dragging this week, and I can't imagine today is going to be any different with all of last night's Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Keeping that in mind, today's Thursday Etsy Treasury is all about keeping things bright, happy and fresh.  These items put a smile on my face - I hope they do the same for you!

Big bow - check. Bright color - check. Durable denim - check. I think I might have to buy this purse by MyTIDA

While I may not be the handiest in the kitchen - I know how to look good in one! Next time I burn banana bread I hope I am wearing something as cute as this apron from Pretty Little Pearl.

I am in looooooove. He is pink, cuddly, handmade - and looks like he is up to something. This Amiguri Monkey by Cute Designs might be my handcrafted soul mate. 

 

I can't imagine the time that went into creating this bowl by Lucky Luly. I wouldn't have the patience to make it, but it is so bright and pretty I definitely have the desire to buy it!

Sometimes you just have to go bold and this ring by Everyday Diamonds makes it impossible for your hands to go unnoticed. It is half girly, half goth and totally irresistible.

Popcorn shaped soap that smells like cotton candy by LoveLee Soap!

This would make a perfect movie night guest gift.

And since you can't eat the popcorn, I had to include these gorgeous Chocolate Mint Chip Cookies by Meg's Cookie Jar. They remind me of Tiffany's so now I want food and diamonds....

Smile!

NOM, NOM, NOM

My parents gave us a crock pot this past weekend. In the time it took me to look up healthy slow cooker recipes, my husband had settled on a dinner of bbq pork with apples, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts and biscuits.  Healthy went out the window, but damn was it tasty. 

Of course now all I can think about is food. To curb my cravings I decided to forgo calories all together and instead binge on some diet friendly, stylish food fun. 

 Get stuffed without eating a bite. 

Go Buggy on Etsy.com (http://www.gobuggy.etsy.com/) makes charming felted and stuffed food. I am torn between the bucket of fish and the double skewers as my favorite, but I think the mushroom on the skewer is darling enough to take it to the top. 

2 Skwers by Go Buggy

People have said to use chopsticks to eat slower and therefore and help manage portion control. The problem is that I am not the most skilled at using chopsticks, and while I would love to eat sushi for lunch, I feel bad subjecting my coworkers to my eel roll flying across the table. Yes, I could do the Macgyver and tie a rubber band around some paper to anchor the sticks together - but World Wide Fred's CHIMPSTICKS are a much cuter way to go (http://www.worldwidefred.com/).

World Wide Fred's CHIMPSTICKS

Need a sugar fix but I don't want to undo the hard work at the gym? 

urn to some taste bud tantalizing food art.

Fresh99's Food Art:  http://www.fresh99.com/zoomed-in-food.htm

Art by Edith Zimmerman http://www.edithzimmerman.com/blog/

As seen on Damn Cool Pics http://damncoolpics.blogspot.com/2009/03/awesome-food-art.html

And just in time for my first cup of coffee - one of my all-time favorite blogs "A Beautiful Mess" (http://www.abeautifulmess.typepad.com/) showcased these yummy coffee cozies by my other favorite Twinkie Chan (http://www.twinkiechan.etsy.com/).

Coffee Cozies by Twinkie Chan

Have any of your own food crafts? I'd love to see them! Send a comment or email me at Prettyusefulstuff@yahoo.com.

 Follow Emily on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Emilyontheave

International Children's Book Day

I absolutely adore children's book illustrations. Many of my faves are framed and hanging in my art room to provide vibrant pops of color and inspiration.  April 2nd is International Children's Book Day and there are so many great pieces out there using books and their pages so I decided to share some of them with you in honor of this fun "holiday".

The Poky Little Puppy purse from Ruby Lime Designs just makes me smile: http://www.rubylimedesign.blogspot.com/

La Petite Mort on Etsy has immortalized my absolute favorite character Curious George in this adorable piece of jewelry.  I just want to know if it is yellow in honor of the Man in the Yellow Hat?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lapetitemortxo

Do you remember those Little Miss and Mr. books including Little Miss Sunshine, Mister Fickler, Mister Happy and my favorite Little Miss Chatterbox (my childhood nickname)? Although this necklace is technically for kids I am ordering mine and sporting it as an homage to the little girl who used to get in trouble for talking in class. 

http://www.shop.beetlecreekkids.com/