{ thursday thoughts }

*via nella designs, dooby brain, going places 2

{ birthday baking }

C A K E. Mr. Polkadotsandpuppies is all. about. cake. This being the case, every year, the only thing that the man ever desires for his birthday is a made-from-scratch cake. He's pretty easy to please, I know. I try a new recipe nearly every year, and I've certainly scored some big points with him. Last year I made this lemon layer cake. It was divine.

The year before belonged to this brown sugar, caramel beauty. It was moist and sweet, and tasted deliciously old-fashioned-like something right out of your grandmother's kitchen! Then there was this one. My God, it was rich. It's called Holy Cow cake. It's a bit of a shortcut cake as the recipe starts with a cake mix. It was positively sinful. I swear, just looking at the ingredients for this cake is enough to make your pants fit tighter! And, it's definitely not much to look at, but was it ever scrumptious! His birthday's coming up soon, and I think I'll give this little lovely a go. *via epicurious, sweet magnolias farm, a cat in my lap, bakerella

What about you? When it comes to birthdays, do you like to bake from scratch, or perhaps from a box? Or do you prefer the ease and convenience of a purchased bakery cake instead?

{ i am loving }

Aqua and red. I've been obsessed with these colors together for quite some time now. My sister makes fun of me, and tells me that it reminds her of superman. But I love it. It's so cheerful and unexpected.
It's such a fun, happy color combo for children's parties. This tablescape is absolutely incredible.

*via onecharmingparty

I couldn't get enough of these colors when planning my own Happy Jack's birthday party. This combination looks so fresh when used in decor. *via domino

This is one punchy pillow. Wow! *via auntbucky

Seems some sassy brides are liking it too.*via hotpinkbrides*via getmarried

My little men were the lucky recipients of these matching aqua and red, reversible handmade bibs. Thank you Aunt Mary and Aunt Jane! We love them!

And, of course, it's not a bad choice for cupcakes either! *via paringdown

{ it's love, i tell ya }

French press coffee is where it's at, people. I think I've been living under a rock or something, because it seems everyone has been making their coffee this way except me. The lovely hubby was sweet enough to give me the Bodum Chambord Coffee Press and Cuisinart's coffee grinder for my birthday, and I have been in full-on coffee bliss for over a week now. If you want a really superb tasting cup o' joe, do yourself a favor and pick up these two miracle machines, a bag of your fave whole beans, and get to pressin'. You'll never go back to your old drip machine again. Promise.

{ wednesday wish list (come true!) }

I made this Wednesday wish list a reality! These are all the excellent fashion finds I scored at Anthropologie this month. And everything was on sale! Even so, I'd say I'm banned from shopping for say, a year, after all these purchases ;)

*images via anthropologie

{ i am loving }

Rustic dining tables paired with modern chairs

I think my ideal dining room would have a time-worn farmhouse table like this.

With an eclectic mix of seating. Perhaps some of these

And maybe a cozy upholstered bench like this

And some of these classic Vienna side chairs.

Don't these spaces just make you want to pull up a chair and dig into a big family dinner? Mangia!

*images via houzz, ikea, ballardesigns, remodelista