Warm Fuzzies

After a rough weekend, and waking up to a mile-long 'to do' list, my spirits were considerably brightened upon opening my inbox.

This first email was from a client from my weekend position as manager of an event venue:

"Hi Yvette,
I am sending a note to tell you thank you for my daughter's 5th birthday party. Everything was so well organized and so beautiful. The girls and the parents loved every moment. Your services exceeded my expectations. I'm also appreciative for how gracious you were about the last-minute additions.
Most importantly, my daughter said how much I was the best mommy ever because of how happy she was with her birthday party.
You definitely have earned a customer for life. I will be coming back for your services soon. Thanks again for everything!"

Seriously!  How great was that?!  Later this afternoon I received a text from a friend who ordered some items for Teacher Appreciation Week:

"Just opened my package. Thanks! They are adorable!"

And, upon arriving home from picking my kids up from school I received this email:

"Yvette - THANK YOU so much for the beautiful wet bag and gift!  I was so excited to open my package and find a new small bag that I can use for my make up (and in a pattern that I love!), because I had just returned from a business trip and my current makeup bag came home with a hole in it.  Perfect timing!!!  You do beautiful work.  Thanks again!"

Oh, how it warms my heart to get these love notes! It also reminds me that one nice word can brighten someone's entire day and I plan to pay it forward!

Free Surprise Gift and a Giveaway!

Who doesn't love surprises?  How about a FREE GIFT?  Well, you will get both if you order a Wet Bag between now and May 10!  Each Wet Bag order will go out with a FREE SURPRISE GIFT inside!  Pop on over to my Facebook page for a chance to win your VERY OWN custom 9" x 12" Wet Bag!!

Must share and comment on FB to enter!

Here are some of the Wet Bags from years past....

Ahoy There!

Who is ready to hit the beach? Here's a little nautical beachwear look to inspire you!

Jumpsuit Love

I've been madly in love with jumpsuits this season! Unlike more classic warm-weather looks, I know jumpsuits are a trend that comes and goes. But, because they are so cute and comfy I will take advantage of the trend for as long as I can!

My daughter (resident AquaSeventy6 fashion icon) got a fab new jumper in her Easter basket this Sunday, and she rocked it that same afternoon.

She paired it with a white racerback tank and her white Saltwater Sandals.  So. Freaking. Cute!

Jumpsuit: Old Navy   Shoes: Amazon Tank: JCPenney

I love this look so much I designed a grownup version!

Have you rocked the jumpsuit this season?  Tell me in the comments!

Yummy Quinoa Meatballs

A post like today's is like last night's Blood Moon---RARE!  (The kids and I did get up at 3 am to see the eclipse...it was pretty awesome!)

If you know me, you know I really don't cook. At least not often, and certainly not as well as my husband. Early on in our marriage Hubs realized I had exactly 3 menu items in my repertoire and took over the majority of the cooking. He has a great affinity for chopping and sauteing, braising and reducing...I have a great affinity for eating and drinking, relaxing and enjoying.  

I am proud to say that I have added several new dishes over the years, but alas, this kitchen ain't big enough for two chefs, so unless Hubs is working late or I get a crazy inspiration, I don't cook dinner very often.

Yesterday morning, however, I was inspired.

I introduced my family to quinoa a few months ago and my daughter LOVED it (my son, the pickiest of all eaters ever, not-so-much.)  I wanted use quinoa in a new way, and came across a few recipes for quinoa meatballs, so I decided to give it a try, giving it my own touch.

Here's what I came up with:

My family doesn't follow any specific diet plan.  I just try to find the healthiest options of what we eat which fit into our lifestyle.  If we can make something from scratch, hooray!  If it comes from a jar, hoorah! And, if it's made at a restaurant by someone else who will do all the dishes afterward, yippee!  It all works for us.

Today we may make braised lamb and baby spinach and tomorrow we may pick up a pizza from the corner pizzeria.  We are equal opportunity eaters.

Because of this, you will want to tweak this recipe in order to suit your own specific dietary restrictions.

Yummy Quinoa Meatballs:
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef
1 egg
3/4 - 1 cup cooked quinoa (I used rainbow quinoa)
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons tomato sauce
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 - 1 teaspoon Sriracha (hot sauce)
1 tablespoon minced garlic

Mix all of the ingredients together in large bowl and form into balls.  I got about 24 smaller meatballs from my mix (about 1.5" - 2" each).

Place them evenly on a baking sheet or casserole dish.  I sprayed mine lightly with cooking spray.  Put them in the oven at 450 degrees for about 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.  I turned my meatballs over at about 10 minutes.

I won't lie...these were THE BOMB!  I had a couple for lunch, and then reheated the rest to eat over linguine marinara for dinner.  My daughter loved them, as well.  Woot!  One more dish for my collection! I'm about 1/16 way to my own cookbook!  ;)

Let me know if you try this recipe and how it comes out for you!  xoxo

Ready for Spring!

Last week was Spring Picture Day at my daughter's school.  I'm totally digging the outfit she picked out and I wanted to share!

The maxi dress is from Target (this season), the denim jacket is from Gap Kids (thrifted) (here is a similar one), the bracelet is from Black Market Minerals and the sandals are from Rack Room Shoes (last summer).

Here is how I would recreate this look for me:

Are you ready for Spring?

Scrappy Patchwork Throw Pillow

I usually work Saturdays and/or Sundays.  As the manager of an event venue, I have to decorate, plan and oversee each party.  So, if I have prior commitment, the date is blocked off.  Making my own schedule is a perk, but one that I don't exploit.  It's very rare for me to have a whole weekend off, and very VERY rare to have two weekends off in a row. It just so happens that I am in the middle of one of those very rare occasions.

Because of this, I had a little time to organize my fabrics.  I found a pile of scraps left over from my recent orders, including these Rag Ribbon Table Skirts I made for Simply Vintage Candles' gorgeous booth at the Atlanta Gift Mart.

I decided to come up with a few fun projects to use up my pile of scraps...

Here is my first creation:

This Scrappy Patchwork Pillow has two different sides:

I love how these colors can brighten up any room!

If you like the look of this Scrappy Patchwork Throw Pillow, you can order your very own custom patchwork throw pillow/pillow cover.  Email me for more info!

Happy weekend, lovies!

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