random.
Random stuff to chat about today …
First up, tulips.
I’m so glad spring is here. Even if the first spring flowers do look a bit unruly after only a few days.
Can you tell what we’re working on in our household?
It goes for me too. I may not stomp up the stairs or cry when asked to do something I don’t want to do, but I certainly mope in my own way. We’re working on that …
This weekend I went to a baby shower and ate the most delicious brunch/dessert ever.
I’m not sure what recipe the hostesses used, but it was delicious. The filling was a mixture of cream cheese, strawberry preserves and whipped cream. Then we poured hot fudge and sliced almonds over. Yum. Very healthy too {I’m kidding.}
Want to see something else that is not healthy?
Ugh. Those beauties are not looking so good. Any suggestions for cracked nails? Clearly I need some help.
Let’s look at something prettier for a moment …
Isn’t that herringbone brick floor the best? {and the velvet settee and molding and urns …}
One thing I like about my kids is that they all like to draw and color.
We leave their craft stuff accessible – which means the kitchen table is almost always a mess – but I like that they can draw whenever creativity {or boredom} strikes.
Have you entered the March giveaway yet? There is still time …
Have you seen this no-heat-curl-method for getting nice wavy hair?
I tried it a few days ago.
This is while in progress … I look a bit like the Queen Mother, yes?
I wish I could say the no-heat-curling method worked … but it was sort of a bust. At least for me. Probably due to user error and the fact that my hair is ridiculously long and thick.
If you have medium-weight hair and have had a hair cut within the past 8 months {oops … time to schedule one} I bet this would work great.
You can watch a really cute video for how to create the curls here. Let me know how you hair turns out.
And we’ll end today’s chat with this:
I’m brainstorming ideas for a new spring wreath.
Last year’s is quite pretty and I’ll be re-using it somewhere in the house.
But I’d like something new and different for our front door this spring.
Here are a few great inspiration ideas:
We’ll see if I can come up with something as pretty and I’ll be sure to post a tutorial when I am finished.
As always, thanks so much for reading, commenting, linking, liking and the sweet notes you send. I’m beyond grateful and flattered by your kindness and friendship {even if we’ve never met in real life}. You are great.



















Angela
Emily,
My suggestion would be the same as Andrea, cracked nails could be a sign of something greater that you should see your doctor about. While waiting for your appt. enjoy some jello. I love the chalkboard idea and will share it with my step daughter for my two lovely granddaughters. Have a nice day.
Laura
Lovely post as always! I love the chalkboard for your Bible verse! Did you make it? It looks simple enough to make, but do you have a tutorial on it?
pamela
I agree that Nailtiques is the best thing for cracked nails. I had acrylic nails for years and nothing could bring my nails back to life until I used Nailtiques. There is a whole system that you use and it works!
Terry
Emily, I a
Ways look forward to reading your Blog posts. Love your sense of style. Do you think the hostess of the shower would be willing to share her actual recipe? It sounds heavenly!
Terry
Emily, I always look forward to reading your Blog posts. Love your sense of style. Do you think the hostess of the shower would be willing to share her actual recipe? It sounds heavenly!
grace
I’ve tried the same no heat curling method that you showed and it didn’t turn out too stellar for me either. I thought maybe it was my user error but after reading your account I’m on board with the too-long-thick-of-hair reasoning.
I also tried the sock bun method and struggled with it. Sleeping in a french braid has been what gives me the best results.
Michelle
for your nails get the revlon shine and buff and then any strengthener. the buffer gets out all the ridges.
tip junkie has like 90 wreath tutorials they are all awesome!
i luv your hair like that!
i wish my lil guy liked to draw/color – he only does it when its homework and then it takes some conjoling to get him to do it.
Sinead
Hi Emily! Try 27 Wishes by Philosophy. It is 18 bucks but worth every penny. It is like a balm but it soaks right in. You can you it for everything – burns, excema (sp?), chapped lips, cuticles, dry and and feet. I swear it is the best product ever!
Harbormom
My nails were so much worse than yours and my pharmacist recommended a supplement called, simply, Hair, Nails and Skin. You’ll not notice a difference for a week or two, but your nails will become stronger and less brittle. Mine used to chip like a pottery bowl… no chips or peeling for weeks. Hope it works for you, too!
Mar
My dermatologist told me to try biotin ( a vitamin supplement) for nails. It’s good for nails and hair. It made a HUGE difference in my nails. They’re strong now and grow fast without flaking, chipping, and it takes a lot to break them now. It’s probably one of the ingredients in some of the other things that are being suggested. It’s not pricey, and you can get it in most grocery stores that carry vitamins.
Karen
I’ve been taking Biotin (vitamin supplement) since December, and my nails are 100% better. Also I switched from acetone-containing polish remover to non-acetone (on the advice of my hairstylist). But the Biotin is THE BOMB. I’m actually having to trim my nails back because they’re getting too long, where before they’d break and peel and crack so easily. Give it a good 6 weeks or so, letting the old, weak nails grow out, and then…
Stephanie
Yeesh, my nails used to do the exact same thing! Go to your local health food store and you should be able to find a hair and nails vitamin supplement. If you can’t find that specifically get yourself some pre-natals they’re pretty much the same thing plus some. Just because you’re not pregnant doesn’t mean your body doesn’t need all of the good stuff in those babies!
shauna reed
yah! just noticed that you mentioned no heat curls! and you look so pretty with the head band part! what on earth? that is not fair. thanks for the mention! you have a lovely blog my friend!
Brittany
Philipians 2:14 is our verse for the past couple of weeks also. I am really loving how the discipline combined with memorizing a verse is working.
Stephanie
I too have super thick hair, but I was able to make the no heat curls work. What I did is use 2 headbands. I wrapped the bottom half of my hair around one headband, and then wrapped the top half around another. The curls are not perfect, but it does give that full bodied, messy look that seams to be in right now.
Kyrie
Hey Emily! As always, love the randomness
!
I just found this link for a ‘Tough As Nails’ DIY on Pinterest and thought I’d share:
http://www.homemademamas.net/2011/04/tough-as-nails.html
I haven’t tried it yet, so don’t know if it works…
‘Til next time!
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
-Kyrie<