Obsessed: around the web this week

Happy first Friday of this new year, 3P pretties! When yesterday kind of felt like a Monday, I was so very thankful that Friday was actually just one day away!  This weekend will definitely be filled with all kinds of 3P events, and especially some new year organization.  Plus, I may or may not continue to peruse some of these web obsessions.  Netflix movie marathon after a good workout, anyone?  Have a great weekend, whatever you have planned, and I will see you back here next week! 

1. This cute little desk calendar from Sugar Paper will be the perfect addition to any desk (and I can totally picture it in my office). (markandgraham.com)

2. Feeling totally inspired by the beauty of this bedroom, and would love to create a similar look in the 3P house by combining pieces from this collection and this set. (craneandcanopy.com)

3. Ready, set, go- its Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale time! I'm loving this bright pink, totally girly satin robe. (victoriassecret.com)

4. I love me some avocado, and this healthy dish sounds delicious after the piles and piles of holiday sugar these past few weeks.  (pinterest.com)

5. Target has some great deals on workout gear right now, and I would love to take these C9 athletic shoes for a spin around the 'hood.  (target.com)

6. I need to make this DIY makeup brush cleanser and use it weekly on my ever faithful beloved brushes. (cupcakemag.com)

7. Some "new" (aka now-watchable) flicks are now viewable on Netflix- here's the short list of 25- perfect if you are snowed in this weekend! (stylecaster.com)

8. Since life is short, the "be authentic and vulnerable" advice in this 2 minute resolution article is invaluable. (huffingtonpost.com)

9. This new collection from Trina Turk would be this girl's dream wardrobe on a resort escape- I am especially loving this dress. (trinaturk.com)

5 pumpkin recipes to try for fall

< fancy Pumpkin Meringue Tartelettes for your inner baker > (tartletteblog.com) 

Cool gray days, chunky knit scarves, apple picking, hot drinks and soups, pumpkin carving... there are so many delightful traditions to appreciate about the autumn season.  With the last day of summer officially behind us, this 3P blog will be filled with all sorts of fall inspiration this week.  And to kick the autumn excitement off, here are a few delicious pumpkin recipes to try this fall. 

< use real pumpkin to create a homemade pumpkin pie > (bhg.com)

< cake-like pumpkin donuts with buttermilk glaze > (portuguesegirlcooks.com)

< macaroni and cheese made with pumpkin- this is worth a try for an autumn dinner! > (bhg.com) 

< whoopie pies are always a delicious treat, and I can't wait to try my hand at these Pumpkin Spice Whoopies > (bhg.com)

Wonders from the weekend

< spied some swirly brackets that I will love for an upcoming projects >

Happy Monday, 3P pretties!  It is hot and muggy outside as I write this, so I am especially thankful to be indoors today with great air conditioning!  This past weekend was like a domestic dream- as the road has been my destination so much this year, it feels like a treat to enjoy a full weekend at home.  The man and I worked on projects around our beloved house and both felt uber productive and appreciative of each other's work.  Some little treats were enjoyed too- hey, it's the little things that count!  And this unending summer heat has both of us dreaming of cool fall days... me especially, now that all the September issues are out in abundance!

This is going to be a busy but great week, and even on Monday I will work to stay positive.  Whatever you are facing this week, make it a great one, 3P style!

< hers and his Jamba Juice in the sunshine >

< September issues on a Saturday morning?  Perfection! >

< sweet fox socks that I love, from my stylish grandma >

< ice cream treats because... well, its still summer! >

Pssst!  Have you entered my $25 Jamba Juice gift card giveaway?  Details here.

Obsessed: around the web this week

So happy that Friday is here! This has been a week that has gone by both slowly and quickly- you know what I mean?  Some days have flown by but the week has been slow, or vice versa.  I am looking forward to a quiet weekend at home and some time with great friends- it will be just what I need to recharge for next week!  Here are a few things I am loving this week- hope they bring you a nice moment on your Friday, or some laughter and smiles through the weekend.  Hope you all have a great weekend, 3P style, and have fun kicking off the second half of August!  I will see you back here next week!

1. The talent this singing sensation portrays is amazing- her impressions are right on the money! (gawker.com)

2. I am really getting into nail polishes (see how mine are stored here), and I am totally loving Deborah Lippmann's new shades for fall!

3.  If only one could eat all these gluttonous calories and be as slim and attractive as the Gilmore girls! (huffingtonpost.com)

4. I have been on the hunt for python print heels for a while, and these snakeskin heels might have to find a place in my closet! (bcbg.com)

5. Some office reorganization has been on my mind lately, and these clear acrylic stacking boxes leave me wanting a whole acrylic desktop organization set. (cb2.com)

6. An outdoor dining terrace like this would definitely be my kind of dream backyard. (elledecor.com)

7. Time to renew my Lucky magazine subscription! Eva Chen is adding a great new excitement as editor! (luckymag.com)

8. Even though these captionless cartoons might only bring a smile, I laughed after looking at most of them. (newyorker.com)

9. Any morning will start of better with a tasty and healthy treat like these strawberry parfaits. (pinterest.com)

Wonders from the weekend

 < fresh organic eggs from my friend's farm for breakfast >

Hello there Monday!  Great weekends never have me ready for the start of the work week, but making up your mind to succeed is what this 3P girl is all about! This first weekend of August was filled with the completion of a few house projects, birthday celebrations, a little relaxation time, and a quick road trip to see one of my brothers in a stage play.  Of course, this weekend went by too quickly!

Whatever you are facing this week, make it a great one, 3P style!

PS- have you entered my Mystery Hostess Stella & Dot show giveaway yet?  The end is near for this contest (Friday 8/9), so don't delay!

 < dreaming up inspiration for a laundry room makeover >

< loving how my Stella & Dot elephant pouf goes so well my Kate Spade purse! >

< this kitty girl rarely relaxes like a well-bred lady... >

< sweet treats during movie-night in... milk and cookies is hard to beat! >

Bridal showers and bridal shower games

A few weeks ago I had the joy of celebrating my best friend's upcoming wedding during a weekend full of her two bridal showers.  Each shower was filled with wonderful women, adorable decorations, delicious food, and plenty of love and spoils for the bride to be!  I didn't do too much planning for either of these wedding showers, but was happy to add a few details here and there.  Here are just a few details from each of the bridal showers, as well as the scoop on some of the bridal showers games I created for one of the events.  My dear friend- you know who you are- I am so happy for you!!

The details, day 1:

< Picked up a little notebook from Anthropologie, pasted the bridal shower invitation inside, glued a bow on the outside, and made it into a guestbook! >

< The 'Bridal Tea Party' tablescape for bridal shower #1 >

< Lovely table set up for mimosas and tea, with a DIY pendant banner above >

< The cutest little personalized bridal shower favors- so in keeping with the tea party theme! >

< The mismatched blue place settings were perfect for the tea party bridal shower >

The food:

< Little fruit cups filled with cream and fresh fruit >

< Tasty sandwiches fit for a high tea! >

< A warm brownie topped with chocolate and a fruit compote- yes please! >

< Cupcakes set up in the shape of a wedding dress- perfect for a bridal shower! >

The details:

< Supplies from Michael's for an easy, semi DIY pendant banner >

< The DIY pendant banner in its glory! Personalize it any way you like for the guest of honor- I stuck sticky glitter letters on mine to read 'Valerie bride to be' >

< The first bridal shower game was a clothespin collection contest.  I personalized the clothespins with a few different stickers, and handed one to each guest as she entered the shower.  Throughout the event, there were three words that you could not say- if you said one of those words, the guest who caught you saying that word could take your clothespin.  At the end of the wedding shower, the guest with the most clothespins won a prize >

< The second game I created for the bridal shower guests was a 'guess the herb' game.  I hid 6 different herbs in plastic cups, covered them with wax paper, and labeled them with a number.  I poked holes in the wax paper right before the game was played so that guests could smell each herb.  >

< The answer sheet I created for the guests, to go along with the herb guessing game >

< A few of the bridal shower game prizes I wrapped up with a little love quote >

The details, day 2:

< Adorable brunch tablescape at a beautiful country club >

< The favors, all with a touch of the bride's favorite color >

< The gift table with ribbons, ribbons everywhere! >

< The sweetest, handmade cookies from our other best friend, for the guests at this shower! >

Obsessed: around the web this week

TGIF, my wonderful 3P readers!  Hope everyone had a great week and is looking forward to an amazing weekend!  Here are just a few of my favorite things from around the web this week.  Enjoy, and I will see you back here next week!

1. Let the rocks bloom where they are planted, people! (chicagotribune.com)

2. An ahi tuna and avacado salad sounds perfect for summer days.

3. This amazing room makeover makes me want to do this kind of service project locally.

4. Love me a good sale, and totally wanting this Stella & Dot wrap bracelet.

5. A new era of bra sizes?  I am interested to see the support this system gets. (nytimes.com)

6. Hot weekend barbecues will totally call for these frozen smores bars.

7. Speaking of frozen treats, how cute is this dog and his ice cream? (image)

8. Lately I have totally been crushing on lucite clutches- might have to get this one.

9. Always love a floral dress for sunny days- currently crushing on this one.

Noodles for all!

< Enticing entry >

Exploring new territory is one of my favorite activities on life, and this is true even regarding new restaurants near my little suburb. I was recently introduced to what is now my new favorite restaurant by one of my sweetest friends, an do cannot get over its deliciousness! Noodles & Company is not just noodles- they offer pasta dishes from around the world, plus soups, salads, sandwiches, and the most amazing soda machine you will ever use. Are you a vegetarian, on a gluten- free track, or have any other dietary specifications? No problem- everything at Noodles & Company is totally customizable! Take a look at some of the deliciousness I got to enjoy at my local Noodles & Company the other day, and find one near you here to try out soon!

 < Amazingly delicious appetizers with fresh asparagus (the veggie they use on these changes so it aligns just perfectly with the season) >

< A tasty salad and two noodle dishes- these were Japanese pan noodles and Bangkok Curry, but we got to sample a little of almost every other noodle dish too! >

 < Taste testing with best of friends is the best! >

Easy Weekend Brunch

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I got to enjoy a lovely little weekend brunch with some friends.  We basked in the sunshine, sipped on mimosas, de-stressed from some crazy, busy, hectic, wonderful life schedules, and made some fun plans for the future.  I threw together this quick and easy weekend brunch by making a family-favorite egg souffle, cutting up some fresh fruit, baking scones, and serving up some bacon.  Along with the food, I set up a mimosa bar with several kinds of  juices, champagne, and some sliced fruit for garnishes.  I also snipped some blooms from the garden to decorate the tables a bit.  This was by far one of the easiest, most lovable, and entirely enjoyable entertaining events I have ever enjoyed putting together.  Here are some snapshots of this lovely brunch for you to enjoy!  Check out lots of other brunching inspiration I am loving here.  

Obsessed: this week around the web

Just a few favorites from around the web this week, on this TGIF!  Have a great weekend, 3P style, and I will see you back here next week! xo


1. My 90's childhood has me appreciating the brights trend like I never though I would- adoring the bright color of this Kate Young for Target dress.

2. Hands-down, my favorite brunch meal is eggs benedict- I am excited to try this recipe for a crowd one of these days.

3. I am playing this song on repeat.  Making up dance moves too!

4. Support the Hollyrod Foundation and Autism Awareness with this bracelet, perfect for all things spring and summer.

5. The perfect spring scarf- the right pop of color, and lightweight for the warmer days with cooler mornings and nights.

6. I laughed so hard on a day I really needed it, after I found this page.  I love me some Arrested Development!

7. Flowers are starting to bloom in my garden, and I cannot wait to make freshly cut, simple arrangements like this.

8. Loft is having a 50% sale on their sale, and I cannot get these heels out of my head!

9. Mr. DLR can do no wrong.  Swoon over the Oscar de la Renta Spring 2014 bridal collection here.