Replace a piñata with a few water balloons hung from a sturdy string!  Getting a cool blast of water after a successful swing is a great treat on a hot summer day and much more healthy than candy, right?

image and idea via ziggityzoon

Here’s what you need:

common garden, hemp or linen twine found in most hardware stores

Size 7 needles

Heavy black thread

Directions:  Cast on 12 stitches.  Garter stitch until you form a square.  Cast off.  Sew it closed with blanket stitch in contracting heavy black thread.  Stuff with wool.  Wool is resistant to water and naturally anti-bacterial.  A piece of natural or synthetic sponge would work too.

images and directions via 3191milesapart

Green Goddess Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients

2 slices bread (we used a white bread, but one filled with lots of different whole grains and seeds would be *awesome*)
2-3 tablespoons Green Goddess Herb Pesto (recipe below)
2 slices mild white melty cheese like mozzarella
handful fresh baby spinach
¼ avocado, sliced
2 tablespoons goat cheese, crumbled
olive oil (and butter if you’re so inclined)

Directions

Spread about 1 tablespoon of Green Goddess Herb Pesto onto each slice of bread (2 tablespoons total, but if you’re sensitive, go light, the pesto is STRONG).

On one slice of bread, add 1 slice of cheese, sliced avocado, crumbled goat cheese, spinach, second slice of cheese, then top it with second slice of bread. Press together gently.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a frying pan over medium low heat. (If you want to use butter, add it to the oil and let it melt). Add the sandwich to the oil and cook until bread is golden brown. Press down on the sandwich lightly, then flip the sandwich over and cook until second side is golden brown.

Green Goddess Herb Pesto

Ingredients

1 clove garlic
1 (or 2 if you’re ballsy) anchovy fillet (in oil)
½ small shallot, chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
handful chopped fresh Italian parsley
handful chopped kale
2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon chopped chives
¼ cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Pulse garlic, anchovy, and shallot in food processor until chopped. With the food processor running, add lemon juice, parsley, kale, tarragon and chives. (It won’t process very well yet, don’t worry).

Very slowly drizzle in olive oil until kale and herbs get sufficiently chopped and everything is the consistency of a pesto. You may need more or less of the olive oil depending on how big a “handful” of herbs is to you. You can also turn off the food processor and push herbs down the side of the bowl with a spatula every once in a while.

Season to taste with salt and pepper (You probably won’t need too much salt if you used 2 anchovies).

recipe and images via tastespotting

For now…here’s what caught my attention this week!

I’m such a sucker for “food art”!

I’m smitten with Kristine Mays’ Garment collection.

Paula Hayes’ gigantic terrariums are magnificent!

This pork tenderloin recipe with fresh herbs looks divine!

Here’s what 2000 calories looks like…

Does this stress anyone else out besides me?  Slow down, people!

I recently heard Andy Andrews speak.  Now I want to read every one of his books.  Best speaker ever!

Show your mom your love!  The very best gift…make her think you’ve sealed your love permanately….then make her happier by showing her that it’s temporary!

Ahhh, Paris!

I want to stay here.

Have a great weekend, lovelies!  XO!

interlocking necklace, $14.80

Will I see you there?

Jewel Vamp, $69.90 

My dream home would have a library filled with old books and an overstuffed chair…

image via sweethomestyle

It would also contain a music library that included sheet music and a grand piano…

image via goo.gl

What does your dream library look like?

image via unknown

image via beautiful-libraries

image via freshhome

image via theglamourai

Ever wonder why old books smell?  Here’s a quick explanation…

Interesting, right?

Which image do you like best?  What is your favorite old book?  Where is your favorite spot to read a book in your home?