Amy Atlas.....

Amy Atlas Events, really gives me party inspiration, makes my heart flutter and makes my dreaming delightful. Oh the merriment! I mean the details are wonderful, simply wonderful!

{photos courtesy of Amy Atlas Events}

Floral Studio...

Learning how to create floral arrangements has been a pretty neat skill that I've wanted to have under my creative belt for a very long time. Well, wait no more!!! I'm so supremely ecstatic that I will be attending my first class on Sunday at The Floral Studio. There are so many endless possibilities..my little head is spinning at the sheer thought, parties, dinners, surprises, etc.
Mere words alone can't express how pumped up I am. Be sure to visit come Sunday or Monday when I have pictures of my newly learned knowledge and floral arrangement!!!
{photo courtesy of The Floral Studio}

Animals and Paper?...

I'd really like to add these cool animal paper clips to my desk. I think my favorite thus far are the hippo and the squirrel although all of them are cutesy! I'm just thinking about how happy they would make my paper feel is paper had feelings.

{photos courtesy of The Paper Place}

Wednesday ♥ Poem and/or Quote...

"Love grows by giving. The love we give away is the only love we keep. The only way to retain love is to give it away." ♥ Elbert Hubbard, writer and publisher

{quote taken from Love: Quotes and Passages from the Heart}
{photo courtesy of Danske}

Frilly Frilly Spring Time...

Dear Springtime Dress,

I really believe that you belong with me, well not just to me, I think that the other dresses in my closet truly need you to keep them company. I promise that when Springtime actually gets here, I will wear you more than once, I'll even take you to pretty places where we can stroll down the street with Hampton in tow and then we can dine on sweet treats and such.

I know it's not much but I hope it's enough for you to say that you'll come home with me.

pretty pretty please........

{photo courtesy of J.Crew}

Monday Daily ♥ Poem and/or Quote...

an act of love that fails is just as much a part of the divine life as an act of love that succeeds, for love is measured by fullness, not reception. ♥ Harold Loukes, Christian Educator & Orator

{quote taken from Love: Quotes and Passages from the Heart}

{photo courtesy of Danske}

Merrily Merrily Merrily Life is like a Dream...

Doesn’t this Kate Spade speing Collection just make you want to run out and skip merrily down the street?
Well, it did for me! Dreamy sigh!

{photo collage courtesy of Kate Spade}

Wednesday Daily ♥ Poem and/or Quote...

"Love is, above all else, the gift of oneself." ♥ Jean Anouilh, dramatist

{quote taken from Love: Quotes and Passages from the Heart}

{photo courtesy of Danske}

Hats off to the Chef...

If I had to choose my favorite food bloggers, who create their own dishes and have beautiful presentations, it would definitely hands up and down have to be, Smitten Kitchen and The Parsley Thief! I've posted recipes on here before from both sites and every time I visit them, it just makes me want to cook and eat really good food.

The best thing about home cooked meals are that, a. you made them yourself so it's a delightful achievement, b. you don't have to be a graduate of a cooking school to cook well {and not make people sick} and c. you learn how to make almost anything!

So an awfully HUGE thanks to the women who dare to cook and share their food savvy with the rest of the world!

{photo courtesy of Smitten Kitchen}

Darling Little Camera...

I have learned that I have a small affection for white gadgets, so when I peeped the Fuji Instax Mini Instant Camera, my affection grew and grew and grew so much that I have to have one.

Hear me out, I really do need a new camera for some of my projects and because the last time I got a camera was 2005. Heavy sigh, ok ok, this is not a need camera so much as it's a I really do "want" this camera.

{photos courtesy of Photo JoJo and Oh Happy Day}

Tuesday Daily ♥ Poem and/or Quote...

"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity." ♥ Henry Van Dyke, clergyman and writer

{quote taken from Love: Quotes and Passages from the Heart}

{photo courtesy of Danske}

Take me to the Circus...

I absolutley ♥ Anthropologie, because they have beautiful clothes and trinkets for the home and they have a simply fantastic way of making you want to purchase everything they have to offer, so when I retrieved the catalog from the mail this monring, it made me:

a. want to go to the Circus

b. have a Circus themed-party and/or

c. create Circus themed party favors

Either way, I simply love their take on the Circus and I actually can't wait for the Circus to come to town this year.

Daily ♥ Poem and/or Quote…

I have this book called Love: Quotes and Passages from the Heart, by B.C. Aronson and I absolutely love it. You have a mixture of emotions, laughter, sorrow, joy etc., all related to love by an array of people from comdeians, poets, writers, etc. It's a really good book.

So, in celebration of February {♥ Month}, I’m thinking why not post a love poem or quote either every day or every week throughout the month from the book just to share some of the love {a collective arrangement of musical oohs and aahs go right here}!

Quote of the day:

"To have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment. It is not inherited, as with a family. It is not compelling, as with a child. And it has no means of physical pleasure, as with a mate. It is, therefore, an indescribable bond that brings with it a far deeper devotion than all the others."♥

"Frances Farmer," Actress
{photo courtesy of Anthropologie}

It's February Lovelies...

The wonderful wonderfulness {did I just create a word?} about February is that there are so many lovely things to do and celebrate this month, i.e. Black History Month, birthdays, holidays and of course Love!

I'm excited that February is here and that we have another month to do and experience great things!!!

Have a lovely February lovelies.

{photo courtesy of Pony Tail}

Bedroom VaVoom...

I really like the idea of having two seats face each other in the bedroom. It's like a nice little "nook" area smack dab right there! And this wee little table with the flowers is absolutely perfect!

{photo via Elizabeth Anne Designs}

Cupcake Bar...

I would so totally LOVE to have one at a party for me or a friend. How darling is this?

According to Style Swoon, the concept of the Cupcake Bar is to:

a. have at least two kinds of cupcakes,

b. have at least three different flavors of icing

c. have as many different kinds of sprinkles as you want

She also notes, that it particularly good to have a small group {less than 20 people}.

I agree with her that people love making their own treats so I think this would be a more than perfect idea!!!!!

I have to try this out PRONTO!

photos via and courtesy of Style Swoon}

Penelope Toop Projects...

I'm currently working on three PT projects and one super de duper special secret project!

I'm excited and thrilled to say the least....I'll tell you more in a bit!

Color Palette...

I kinda of already have these colors {creams, browns, whites and various shades of pink} in my room already but this photo is really making me fall even more in dreamy la la land love with it.

I was thinking about slightly changing my current colors from the pink and coral to more of a lilac but I think that what's presently in my room, has just become permanent!

{photo via Oh Happy Day}

Yumm Yumm Yumm...

This Gelateria watercolor painting makes me hungry for gelato and art!!!!

You can purchase this and other beautiful watercolor paintings by It Looks Good To Me for a mere $35.oo.

Restaurant Adventure 2010 #1...

I've wanted to go to Busboys & Poets for quite some time now because I heard so many good things about it, so on Monday, my gal pal and I headed there and we had a wonderful time. Not only was the food and atmosphere fantastic but while having dinner, I noticed that the more people started pouring in, their wrists were adorned with a yellow bracelet because.....they were going to perform! Monday night is apparently Open Mic night!!!! They sang songs and read and spake poetry and it was just a fantastic positive, amazing atmosphere and evening, it honestly made me feel like I was in Love Jones during the cafe scenes!

I love the description phrased on their page: "BB & P is like your friend from college who on any given night could be found at either a coffee shop, poetry slam...."

Their mission: Busboys and Poets is a restaurant, bookstore, fair trade market and gathering place where people can discuss issues of social justice and peace. Each Busboys and Poets location should enhance the community -- allowing us to bring together a diverse clientele reflective of the surrounding neighborhoods. Busboys and Poets creates an environment where shared conversations over food and drink allow the progressive, artistic and literary communities to dialogue, educate and interact.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I would love to return to Busboys & Poets!

{photo courtesy of Busboys & Poets}

Peace and Hope for Haiti...

in the aftermath of the inconceivable earthquake {the largest in 200 years in Haitian history} that hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti yesterday, my sincerest prayers go to the people of Haiti as well as their family members who live in other parts of the world and all those effected, who are trying to reconcile what happened on yesterday.

My prayer is for peace, comfort, strength {mentally and physically}, revival of the hearts and minds of the people and its city, assistance from those around the world & the ability to somehow see a bit of light {hope} even at this unimaginable time.

Though tragedy, expected or unexpected, is never an experience that is easy to deal with, I that prayer from pure hearts for Haiti can and will offer some semblance of peace.

{photo courtesy of NPR}

Happy New Year…!

As another year has ended, another one has begun. I’m very excited about each new year seen and doubly excited to make a list of wonderful things that I would like to do within the year. So in honor of the New Year Resolution tradition, I’ve made a very small list of things I either: want to do, should do, need to do, would love to do and the list goes on. Since this is a milestone year, I think that as the year continues along, I will add more items to the list hoping that I can accomplish them all!

1. become more time conscience, meaning “become better at being on time”
2. do something creative and fun every month either solo, with my family members and/or gal pals, be it something small or big, just do something that brings me some type of joy. i.e., taking a cooking class, going to a concert or play etc.
3. learn a new skill/craft. Perhaps learning another language or learning the art of letter pressing!
4. explore new restaurants around the city because this city has soooo much to offer and it’s time that I become serious about breathing in its culture, plus I like to eat really good food!

Let's get started!

{photo courtesy of Confetti System}

Merry Christmas....

May you and your family, friends and loved ones have a very Merry Christmas. May it be filled with laughter, love, comfort, peace and warm memories! Be loving and thankful for those persons in your life & being able to celebrate another wonderful holiday.

Let's also take time to pray for those who have lost loved ones during the course of this year or in years past, and that their minds be filled with great memories and healing. And in a world where people can often times like you one moment and dislike you the next, be an example and allow the light {Christ} that resides in you to be seen. Be kind with your words as well as your actions and most of all love one another.

Merry Christmas!

{photo courtesy of Target}

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas...

with only a few days until Christmas, people {including myself} are still perusing the malls to finish off our shopping! The stores and crowded, as well as the parking lots but you still get a warm fuzzy feeling when you think about the reason for this season...the Earth's greatest gift..Jesus Christ. It's amazing that he gave such a wonderful gift to us all, his life, his sacrifice, his forgiveness and most importantly, his Love.

Enjoy your day and many many more!

If it's Magic...

This is a clip of my friend & talented musician/singer/songwriter Terrence Cunningham singing Stevie Wonder’s “If it’s Magic”. listen to 0:28-2:59. He's an amazing talent!! Yay for Terrence, keep up the excellent work & people, please add him on your "must listen to artist" list!

If it’s magic…
Then why can’t it be everlasting
Like the sun that always shines
Like the poets in this rhyme
Like the galaxies in time

If it’s pleasing…
Then why can’t it be never leaving
Like the day that never fails
Like the seashores there are shells
Like the time that always tells

It holds the key to every heart
Throughout the universe
It fills you up without a bite
And quenches every thirst

So…
If it’s special
Then with it why aren’t we as careful
As making sure we dress in style
Posing pictures with a smile
Keeping danger from a child

It holds the key to every heart
Throughout the universe
It fills you up without a bite
And quenches every thirst

So…
If it’s magic..
Why can’t we make it everlasting
Like the lifetime of the sun
It will leave no heart undone
For there’s enough for everyone

Slippers my Dear...

Do you think that if I put these shoes on and prance around I may somehow become a beautiful ballerina? Well if not, I'm sure they would be stylish and comfy on my feet!

{photo via Daily Candy}

My Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Version...

Last night I had every intention of making the Chocolate Peppermint Wafers which was my plan A however it became a very long evening and making cookies from scratch just wasn't suiting my fancy. Sooooooo I went with my plan B, which was to purchase some Milano cookies, dip them in melted chocolate and sprinkle them with crushed peppermint & then package them up.

Thank goodness for a plan B and hopefully they will bring a little cheer to my co-workers day!

Chocolate Peppermint Wafers...

I'm going to make a batch of these cookies tonight and give them as gifts to my co-workers tomorrow during our Christmas exchange! I hope they turn out delicious! Of course I'm going to have to package them up really nice and hope that they serve as good gifts. Tis the season to be giving & to be kind.

{photo courtesy of Real Simple}

Snow and Graham...

Snow & Graham makes pretty paper EVERYTHING {cards, calendars, wrapping paper etc.} and they have a small blog to go along with it! Things like this make me happy!

{photos courtesy of Snow & Graham}

VW Glam Princess...

I ♥ smell goods so I'm excited to take a whiff of the latest Vera Wang perfume, Glam Princess. It sounds yummy {Top notes of crushed red berries, juicy guava and sparkling pear, heart notes of orange blossom and vanilla orchid, base notes of warm ambrette, sugary marshmallow and soft cashmere wood} and I hope it smells divine! It's scheduled to be released this month just in time for Christmas..yippee!

The Joy of the Lord...

is my strength {do not sorrow}. -Nehemiah 8:10

Yesterday my Pastor preached on the subject of Joy and it reminded me of something that I read the other day:

worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big, powerful or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. stress says that the things we're involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards others, or our tight grip of control. bottom line: trust God!

{book: crazy love, overwhelmed by a relentless God, francis chan}

{photo courtesy of Real Simple}

Happy Birthday Bows and Bags...

One of my very good friends birthday was earlier this month & her wonderful cousin decided to throw her a surprise birthday dinner with some of the women in her family and some of her close girlfriends. I was asked to make some favor bags in honor of the celebration!

After some brainstorming, her cousin and I decided to create "Relax More, Stress Less Pamper Bags", to include, teas, a relaxing cd, devotion books, love & kindness quote cards, chocolate covered pretzels & a candle. I love using brown handle bags when making favor or party bags because you can utilize any color scheme that you like. In order to "jazz" up the bags, I decided to use navy blue, fuchsia and green and then hand tied a ribbon and a paper heart {words read: Relax More, Stress Less Pamper Kit}. The girls loved the bags and the birthday girl was happy, surprised and overall overcome with delight!

I'm glad that the bags turned out well but even more estactic that my friend's night was memorable for her and that she had a wonderful time.

Yes, please Dress please...

Dear gift giver,

I would like said dress in a nice box, wrapped with a big pretty bow, please of course.

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

gift recipient

Party Piñatas...

I really want to host a small yet fun filled holiday party this year. What's better than getting all dressed up, eating well, spending time with your gal pals & recaping over the year? If I do manage to have one before the year's close, I think that these dazzling, festive & pretty pinatas would be in order!

{photo courtesy of Urban Outfitters}

My Green Nugget of a Gem...

I will proudly be the first to say that I have def. been converted to a guacamole LOVER! It was in part due to my sister's {hi sister C.D.H.} constant talk of it and prompting me to climb aboard this lovely green gem train! Now, I make it every chance I get and have incorporated it in a number of food dishes.

The most splendid most wonderful thing is now that they actually have a book about various ways to prepare it!! {and the crowd shimmers with glee}. Guac Off MUST be added to my ever growing collection of food books!

Merry Christmas to me perhaps? hint hint wink wink sister/friend

The great thing is that not only does it taste good, but it's good for you!

{photo via Oh Happy Day}

Make Merry the Kate Spade Way...

I wonder how many of these 20 Ways to Make Merry I can do this month. My ultimate goal will be to do all 20 but we'll see how it goes. Perhaps if I space them out during the course of the month, I can have all 20 under my belt! The cool thing aside from the 20 Ways, is when you roll over the graphics, you get a lovely little surprise!

{photo courtesy of Kate Spade}

Happy December...

We've finally approached the last month of 2009...Welcome December! All in all its been a wonderful 11 months and prayerfully this month will be no exception.
As people pull out the lively Christmas decorations, crank up the Christmas tunes, and heat up the hot chocolate, perhaps it'll put everyone in the mood for being kinder, more loving and in cheerful joyous spirits. It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year!

{photo courtesy of Martha Stewart}

Recipe to Try: Spicy Sweet Potato Wedges

Sweet potatoes are yummy to eat in any season but they seem perfectly at home during the Fall. Here is a wonderful recipe that I happened upon via one of my favorite food blogs, Smitten Kitchen.

Roasted Spiced Sweet Potatoes

Adapted from Gourmet, January 2002
Makes 4 to 6 servings.

1 teaspoon coriander seeds

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes (the latter will make them quite spicy, so using according to your preferences)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 pounds medium sweet potatoes

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 425°F. Coarsely grind coriander, fennel, oregano, and red pepper flakes in an electric coffee/spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Stir together spices and salt.
Cut potatoes lengthwise into 1-inch wedges. Toss wedges with oil and spices in a large roasting pan and roast in middle of oven 20 minutes. Turn wedges over with a spatula and roast until tender and slightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes more.

{recipe and photo via Smitten Kitchen}

Beautiful Headband..Twigs & Honey...

I would like this glorious ribboned headband in my possession right now so that I can wear it everyday..well as close to every day as I possibly can.

{photo courtesy of Twigs and Honey}

Miniature Notepads...

Now don't these miniature notepads just make you want to throw a couple in your purse or give them away as favors?!

Iomoi has a number of beautiful items that would make perfect gifts and/or compliment your home! I'd def. drool a little bit if someone decided to give these away as gifts!

Smores Galore...

I'm having serious thoughts about giving these sweet treat smore kits as Christmas gifts to my co-workers! This is such a terrfic and wonderful treat & simple display that I really wish that I would have thought of it first. I don't know what I truly adore more, is it the clear packaging that let's you see the yummy goodness inside or the treat itself? Either way I'm going to enjoy putting them together and giving them away!

I've tried this recipe and it turned out divine!

{photo courtesy of Twig and Thistle}

Delightful Calendars...

I gladly happened upon one of the most creative calendars I've seen by Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar. How fantastically awesome are they?!
{photo courtesy of Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar}

Curbside Cupcakes...

OMG I'm so happy that this is real! A real live brightly colored pink cupcake van that drives around and sells yummy cupcakes. I love this town!

{photo courtesy of The Washington Post}

Same Day Update:

So I got a call shortly after I posted this and my co-worker called to tell me that Curbside Cupcakes was outside our job!!! {I mean honestly how totally radically blissful is that} I gathered up two of my other co-workers and dashed out the door and met Kristi and Sam! They are WONDERFUL people and so FRIENDLY. I had the Red Velvet Cupcake and be still my little ticker..IT WAS O-MAZING!!!!!!!!!!! The cupcake was so moist and flavorful and the cream cheese frosting...oh the cream cheese frosting was divine! I'm so glad that I was able to appease my palette and have a delicious cupcake to end off the work day!

Happy Birthday Office Style...

I'm thinking about doing this Happy Birthday Banner for a friend of mine at work. I love the fact that it's mini sized and can fit right onto her computer. It should be a lovely surprise for her. I'll post a picture of how it turns out! What will the creatives at Paper Source think of next!?

{photo courtesy of Paper Source Blog}

Penelope Toop Project...

is finally heading out the door as of tomorrow morning. A friend of mine wants me to make some party hats for her bridal party next year. So I mailed her some color samples in a little packet and away they go! Excuse the slight blurriness of the photo..PT needs a new camera pronto!

The small packet included:

a. PT Party Hat Color Request Form

b. PT Color Swatches

c. Self Addressed envelope

d. PT Business Card

I'm very excited about this project and the opportunity to showcase my little darling venture, *Penelope Toop!

*Penelope Toop is not only a blog, but it's me {though not limited to}...a darling little Party Planner and Favor Maker...♥

Flower Brooch My Darling...

Today I made a flowered brooch out of paper and I liked it so much that I put it on.

{finger snap snap}