I am in love with these braided ribbon headbands (@ Skip to My Lou)

I would have never thought to bleach my shirt to match the bleach stains (@ a thousand words)

I am going to grill up some of these easy grilled vegetables this week- they look delicious! (@ gimmie some oven)

I love these tips on winging it and making your first loaf of homemade bread (@ the kitchn)

We are definitely going to be printing out this traceable stationary to practice our writing (@ Creative Mamma)

I could definitely go for one of these portobello-prosciutto burgers right now (@ Pioneer Woman)

I am in love with these ideas for ways to re-purpose reusable bags (@ Grace Violet)

These yarn-wrapped hangers are a great way to stash bust my yarn collection (@ wise craft)

I think we could all go for some of these breakfast cookies (@ Cooking With My Kid)

I love these fun back-to-school traditions to celebrate the start of school with your kids (@ How Does She?)

These whole wheat blueberry muffins would be a great breakfast treat (@ Salsa Pie)

This camp-out party theme would be such a fun one to do with my little guy (@ kara’s party ideas)

I love this DIY Garnet Hill inspired embellished t-shirt (@ Blue Cricket Designs)

I am so inspired by this thrifty playroom tour (@ ashley ann)

These ice cream balloons are such a fun & simple addition to party decorating (@ ohdeedoh)

I bet my kids would love these homemade peanut butter balls for a fun snack (@ Southern Plate)

I am in love with this Alice in Wonderland party (@ Let’s Explore)

I am so inspired by this beautiful craft room makeover (@ Posie Gets Cozy)

I bet my children would love these banana bread milkshakes (@ Picky Palate)

I love this pillowcase sundress made for adults (@ Craftzine)

These frosted jumbo animal cookies look delicious and so fun (@ Bake at 350)

This no-bake grilled vegetable lasagna looks yummy and healthy (@ goodLife {eats})

This toddler ruffled dress upcycled is so cute (@ Blue Cricket Designs)

I am loving this tutorial for turning paperback books into custom hardback ones (@ ohdeedoh)

This Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce looks delicious (@ Simply Recipes)

I love these little birthday cupcake cake toppers (@ The Crafting Chicks)

I will have to put those cupcake toppers on top of these mocha cupcakes with espresso buttercream frosting (@ Brown-Eyed Baker)

This raspberry crisp would be delicious with some vanilla ice cream (@ Pioneer Woman)

This little button headband would be so cute for back-to-school (@ Little Miss Momma)

These homemade raspberry limeade slushies scream summer to me (@ Smitten Kitchen)

These cupcake liner trees are on my crafting to-do list (@ Domestic Fluff)

Who would have thought to recycle a cereal box into a marble run? Genius! (@ made by joel)

I want to dive into a plate of this grilled cheese brushetta (@ Fresh Family Cooking)

This recipe for whole wheat challah looks delicious (@ The Way the Cookie Crumbles)

These white fish tacos would make a fun weeknight meal (@ Annie’s Eats)

This scampi tilapia would be another fun way to prepare fish (@ $5 Dinners)

I love this idea of repurposing an old painting into a cute dining room chalkboard (@ Bless Our Nest)

I like this tutorial on making homemade pretzels (@ Joy the Baker)

This is a fantastic round-up of fun items to knit for babies (@ whip up)

These zucchini blueberry muffins would be a great way to use up the zucchini in your garden (@ Rookie Cookie)

Sorry, friends for the abbreviated notebook this week. It takes me all week to pull these entries together and rather than blogging this weekend, I was spending it in NYC at BlogHer ’10 instead. I came home with a killer cold, kicked it in high gear to do back-to-school shopping, and am now trying to play catch-up on real-life business and online business…

Oh,  and did I mention that I am also preparing for a cooking contest in Chicago for Kenmore on Friday? If you are in Chicago, you are cordially invited to be my guest! You can virtually vote for me too through Twitter if you are feeling generous too. No pressure though! I feel weird about asking for votes.

I may be tired from doing a little too much dancing too.  Yeah, I have a tendency to party like a rock star and then suffer the consequences later.  I shall live without regrets and dance like no one is watching. Plenty of funny video footage was recorded for my husband, but I won’t torture you all with the evidence.

The city life really suits me though. I love, love, love New York City. I was in heaven! I soaked up every moment of the big city life and flew back to my sweet small town and the beautiful people that make my world go round.

Happy reading, wonderful friends!!

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I am going to be printing and decorating all sorts of things with these free printable vintage decals (@ Just Something I Made)

This is a great tutorial for making homemade fruit leather (@ Bloom, Bake, & Create)

I am going to make one of these wipe off weekly menu boards (@ Make & Takes)

I like these 20 back-to-school projects (@ the long thread)

I need to use this tutorial to dry my fresh herbs from the garden (@ Salsa Pie)

I love these beautifully monogrammed place settings (@ Lemon Tree Creations)

This idea for documenting a family trip made me giggle (@ How Does She?)

This DIY lace ruffled shirt is adorable! (@ Tea Rose Home)

I love this post on what to do with leftover baby food (@ alpha mom)

This watermelon tuxedo tank is adorable (@ Making it My Own)

These little crocheted hair bows would be a cute back-to-school accessory (@ Happy Together)

I am in love with this big-as-life board game (@ Craftzine)

This little fabric flower accessory would be a cute embellishment to add to a necklace (@ Candace Creations)

This roadkill rescued book rack transformation is stunning! (@ infarrantly creative)

I found my next Bunco party theme- white trash party, baby! (@ Prudent Baby)

My son would adore these ninja cupcake printables (@ zakka life)

I love these tips for planning a party in a matter of hours (@ Picnics in the Park)

We will have to try this recipe for making your own sports drink for pennies (@ ohdeedoh)

This lemon blueberry pie ice cream looks like delicious summer dessert (@ How Does She?)

My daughter would look so cute in these bottle cap necklaces (@ Under the Sycamore)

I love these thirteen tips on creating a journal of your story (@ Making This Home)

This fresh cherry pie looks divine! (@ The Farm Chicks)

I love this simple top down knitted hat (@ luvinthemommyhood)

These Wizard of Oz party favor baskets are adorable (@ One Charming Party)

This mod sailor dress tutorial is great! (@ Happy Together)

These banana chocolate chip oatmeal cookies would make a fun treat (@ Make & Takes)

These reusable snack bags would be a great way to cut down on lunch waste (@ angry chicken)

I am in love with this idea for using an old t-shirt to create superhero capes for your kids (@ ohdeedoh)

I love this idea for creating your own homemade snow cone syrups (@ Jolly Mom)

These whole wheat oatmeal chocolate chip cookies look amazing (@ 101 Cookbooks)

This recipe for homemade finger paints looks like a fun rainy day project (@ Easie Peasie)

This security envelope recycled into a stationary set is so brilliant (@ A Little Hut)

These homemade marshmallows and homemade graham crackers take a s’more to a whole new level (@ the urban baker)

I adore this sidewalk chalk board (@ Salty Pineapple)

We will have to try this recipe for homemade pop tarts (@ Brown-Eyed Baker)

I am loving these gift bags made from recycled newspapers (@ How about orange…)

I love this idea for decluttering and making a magazine recipe binder (@ goodLife {eats})

This bite-sized Greek salad would be a fun appetizer to make (@ Cooking With My Kid)

These peach shortcakes would be a nice summer dessert (@ Annie’s Eats)

If peaches aren’t your thing, this homemade strawberry shortcake might fit the bill (@ gimmie some oven)

I love this tutorial on how to sew a buttonhole (@ Craft)

I am loving this tiered cupcake platter (@ How Does She?)

Here is another fun little paper wreath made from a book (@ Blue Cricket Designs)

This little car mat would have been a fun travel item when my kids were small (@ Sugar Bee)

I wonder if my kids would go for these delicious green french fries (@ Dinner: A Love Story)

This blueberry ginger jam sounds delicious (@ Making it My Own)

I love this printable reading list to jot down my kid’s summer reads (@ alphamom)

Homemade pudding pops brings me back to my favorite snack when I was a kid (@ Serious Eats)

Turning a shower liner into a lunch bag that can easily be cleaned is genius (@ Ikea Hacker)

I am really intrigued by this recipe for fresh blueberry pulled pork (@ Coconut & Lime)

I am bookmarking these beautifully designed canning labels for the next time  I attempt some  canning (@ Sweet Preservation)

I am planning to make one of these beautiful Pottery Barn knock-off faux centerpieces for my table (@ Thrifty Decor Chick)

These blueberry muffins with orange glaze look are two of my favorite flavors together (@ eat at home)

I love this little rainy day magic chocolate cake made from common pantry ingredients (@ Salsa Pie)

These banana monkey bars look delicious and I love the idea of sharing them with your neighbors (@ A Soft Place to Land)

I love this Anthropologie knock-off shirt tutorial (@ The Crimson Owl)

This lemon ice served inside of little lemons is just adorable and would make a fun summer treat (@ The Idea Room)

I love these cute ideas for making a Super Mario birthday party special (@ zakka life)

This framed photo confetti project is grandparent-worthy! (@ The Blackberry Vine)

These blueberry cinnamon rolls look like a delicious way to use this fun summer fruit (@ Annie’s Eats)

These mini frozen fruit kabobs would be a healthier snack alternative in the summer for my kids (@ One Charming Party)

I want to make a few of these headbands upcycled from an old cosmetic case or purse (@ Ruffles & Stuff)

This blueberry shortcake would be a great dish to prepare for the summer (@ Simply Recipes)

These snickerdoodle blondies would be a delicious little treat to make (@ Brown-Eyed Baker)

These tissue paper hydrangeas on thrifted pins would make a beautiful gift (@ Just Something I Made)

I want to add a removable ruffle to all of my shoes now (@ A Lemon Squeezy Home)

This post is inspiring me to make some homemade butter (@ My First Kitchen)

This mud pie kitchen takes making mud pies to a whole new level of creating (@ Pepper Paints)

My kids would love these diy harmonicas (@ maya made)

I am bookmarking this single lady pancake as a treat to myself the next time I have the house to myself (@ Joy the Baker)

These homemade strawberry cupcakes look heavenly (@ Daily Nibbles)

I want to try this pasta with baked tomato sauce (@ The Wednesday Chef)

This cinnamon roll pizza would be a fun Saturday morning breakfast treat (@ Picky Palate)

This little sock wreath is adorable (@ Blue Cricket Design)

This soy lime pork tenderloin would be great for a backyard BBQ (@ Confections of a Foodie Bride)

This basic pancake recipe would be delicious with some of our fresh berries (@ The Way the Cookie Crumbles)

These ice cream jars would make fantastic and unique party favors (@ Style Me Pretty)

I love these ideas for other unique items to clean in your dishwasher (@ Unplggd)

I love these upcycled Barbie doll headbands (@ zakka life)

These ice cream sandwich pops would make a fun summer treat (@ Living Locurto)

These brownie pillow cookies look heavenly (@ Bakerella)

This sweet cherry pie is drool-worthy and I love her pie crust tutorial (@ Annie’s Eats)

This Coke bottle bouquet is so festive & creative (@ Lemon Tree Creations)

I will have to remember these fireworks cupcakes for next year (@ just a girl with ginger hair)

I love this tutorial on how to make printables on picnik (@ homemade by jill)

This basil chicken & orzo soup looks like a delicious warm treat (@ gimmie some oven)

I am going to make a batch of this homemade granola (@ A Southern Fairytale)

These chocolate chip cookies would make a fun afternoon snack (@ V and Co.)

These faux no-sew roman shades are beautiful (@ High Heeled Foot in the Door)

This tequila lime chicken looks like a delicious summer dish (@ Eclectic Recipes)

I am going to have make this taco dip for our next summer potluck (@ Brown-Eyed Baker)

I love this picture tutorial on how to make a great homemade pie crust and this blueberry & blackberry pie (@ Joy the Baker)

This whole grain waffle mix looks like a great item to tuck away into the pantry (@ Rookie Cookie)

This Dr. Suess birthday party was simply stunning  (@ Annie’s Eats)

This backyard pantry is so inspiring for housing the summer clutter (@ ohdeedoh)

This mini water table idea is simply genius! (@ Rookie Moms)

I will have to remember these tips for tomato planting success (@ goodLife{eats})

These amped-up red velvet cupcakes look amazing (@ shelterrific)

This Southern Mint Iced Tea Gelato looks like a refreshing summer treat (@Foodwhirl)

These zipper rosettes are so cute (@ Ucreate)

These strawberry lemonade smoothies look like a fun summer treat (@ Polka Dot Cottage)

These ideas for a DIY wedding bouquet were so smart & thrifty (@ Craftzine)

I bet this go-to birthday cake is delicious (@ Posie Gets Cozy)

My kids would love these corn syrup paints (@ eighteen25)

I want to make these red, white, & blue cupcakes (@ Tidy Mom)

These little gift boxes would make fantastic birthday or holiday gifts (@ angry chicken)

This idea for making a sun tea concentrate is so smart (@ gimmie some oven)

These hooded beach towel backpack would be awesome for those beach trips (@ The Train to Crazy)

This grilled marinara chicken looks like a simple & fuss-free meal (@ $5 Dinners)

I am going to have to try this recipe for light and fluffy pancakes (@ Serious Eats)

I want to try this recipe for sugar cookie bars (@ Dine & Dish)

This lavender lemon cake would be a delicious summer treat (@ Centsational Girl)

Another take on s’mores I absolutely love- a s’mores cookie recipe (@ Coconut & Lime)

I need to get the hang of crocheting so I could make this adorable little squares scarf (@ do you mind if i knit)

This gluten-free creamy pasta with shrimp & vegetables looks like a yummy summer dinner (@ domestifluff)

These homemade strawberry shortcakes would be a delicious summer treat (@ Posie Gets Cozy)

These no-stitch basket liners are so smart! (@ Home & Harmony)

I want to make a dozen of these shabby chic ruffled necklaces (@ Poppy Chic Designs)

My kids would flip over this handmade play tent (@ 2 little hooligans)

This chicken and olives skillet dish looks like a weeknight winner (@ The Pioneer Woman)

This inexpensive wall art would be a fun and easy craft (@ a penny saved)

This blueberry banana bread is a blending of my two favorite things (@ Baking Bites)

This Oreo ice box cake would be a great summer treat (@ Scribbit)

I am loving these ideas for creating a toddler-friendly house (@ Sew Liberated)

I love this idea for organizing my ribbon (@ Just a Girl)

This potato painting project would be a fun and frugal activity to do with the kids (@ Skip to My Lou)

I love this DIY booster seat project (@ Smashed Peas and Carrots)

I am also in l-o-v-e with this inspiration wall idea (@ Smile and Wave)

This Greek yogurt ice cream would be a yummy summer treat  (@ shelterrific)

This blackberry crisp would be the perfect accompaniment to homemade ice cream (@ The Mother Huddle)