" title="ebb & flow :: fabulous finds & divine designs"> ebb & flow :: fabulous finds & divine designs

Did you start your Sunday morning by frosting a batch of Funfetti cupcakes? I did and I’m taking it as a sign that today is going to be a good day. Any day that begins with cupcakes must hold some promise, right? It is already shaping up to be a good one. We’ve got the Super Bowl later and I’m still hoping to make some Goodwill magic happen. Hidden treasures, I’m coming for you! Speaking of treasures, here are some from around the web this week.

• • Elie Saab kills it every single time.
• • A surprise Christmas Eve wedding (the bride was the one surprised!).
• • I think I’m going to need some Princess Bride wine.
• • How to decide who to marry via Kate’s tumblr.
• • The faucethead ‘know your resources’ series continues.
• • Rainy day engagement photos sound like a good idea.
• • Some of Kat’s kindred spirits.
• • Striped trees that trick the eye.

That’s it for this week. It’s officially my nephew’s due date so between cupcake frosting and Goodwill hunting (pun intended) I will be glued to my phone awaiting any news. Come on, little guy! We want to meet you!

I went to bed at 9 o’clock last night. That makes me a few things: 1) well-rested 2) awesome and 3) very old. But, I’ll take it. The only downside of my slumber was the wedding stress dream that snuck in. I had a very clear dream that my sister and I at 10 a.m. (wedding was set for noon) scrambling to get both our hair and make up done, trying to find a wedding dress to wear and buying new shoes before the ceremony. Oh, and our neighbor, who is a nurse, was doing our hair and make up. The result of the tw0-hour wedding scramble was an epic bridal meltdown directed mostly at my mom (sorry, mom!). I’m thinking this situation will be pretty easy to avoid in real life though, thankfully.

Anyway, big plans for this weekend? I’m on appetizer duty for the game on Sunday but other than that I’m on the hunt for a new project. I’m hoping Goodwill has some hidden treasures with my name on them. I’ll be sure to give you a full recap. Until then…

Source: Luxe Shine Wallpaper from Anthropologie via Joy’s Pinterest

Super Bowl weekend is almost here! We might have some people wander over for the big game (Confession: I don’t even know who’s playing) so I’ve been hunting down some appetizer recipes. As if the appetizer gods knew of my search an email from GoJee arrived today with some Super Bowl favorites from around the web. I thought this bacon bean chowder looked promising, The nice styling didn’t hurt, of course.

Source: Bitchin Camero

Great find by J.W.K., Miss Natalia Joos. If you’re looking for inspiration, search no farther than her Looks of the Week. So, so good.

Source: Tales of Endearment

It would appear that this nephew of mine is enjoying keeping us all is suspense until the last minute. His due date is Sunday (thank goodness the Bears aren’t in the Super Bowl or there would have been ISSUES) but I want to see his little angel face now. And know his name. And buy him things he doesn’t need that will just take up room at his home. Come on, little man. Your family wants to meet you!

Source: Crib sheets from unison

I’ve been craving a good ‘get your hands dirty’ project lately. I want to sand a bench or stain a bookshelf, chipping my nails and getting a sliver in the process. It’s an odd thing to crave but I need it. You and me this weekend, Goodwill. We’ve got a date. Please have a project for me waiting in your smelly interior.

Source: Roland Tiangco via Beautiful Decay

When I first saw this video on swissmiss, I was reminded that kids truly are little sponges. This little lady has absorbed so many brands, ideas and icons at such a young age. And her vocabulary is quite adorable. Maybe everyone should have a five-year-old review their logo before publishing…

Source: Adam Ladd via swissmiss

This past wintery week I’ve needed sunglasses more than some summer days spent on the lake. That snow can muster up a serious sheen, I tell ya. So I’m thinking some tortoise shell frames are in order. Any recommendations? I’ve had a crush on these Ray-Bans for awhile, but who hasn’t?

Source: Patterson Maker

Ahh… another day spent in pajamas. I love the weekend. Other than quick trips to the gym, I have been a hermit the past couple days. I’ve read some wedding magazines, watched some movies and managed to get some work accomplished. It’s been good. I’m hoping for more of the same today. Before that, though we’re taking the Red Head’s mom and step-dad to the airport. They’re heading to Africa for a couple weeks! I am insanely jealous and can’t even imagine the stories they’re going to bring back. In honor of they’re trip I’ve been singing songs from the Lion King all morning. It seems like the mature thing to do.

• • This documentary looks intense.
• • Photos of things getting hit at high speed.
• • Anyone else getting pumped for The Hunger Games?
• • Why do I want these cupcake stands so bad? They’re so impractical.
• • Oh I love me a good dip.
• • Love seeing an Iowa State alum getting recognized.
• • A list from F. Scott Fitzgerald.
• • Manic Christmas kit.
• • Rachel’s latest project is perfection: Mignon Kitchen Co.
• • Every minute one hour of video is uploaded to YouTube.
• • From now on I’m taking all my wedding advice from Ryan Gosling.
• • Children photography done right.

Phew, lots of links for you today. Enjoy!

We’ve made it to Friday, my friends. I was worried for a minute there that it was never going to come, but, at last, it has. The next couple days are shaping up to be filled to the brim but I’m looking forward to it. Some time in Minnesota with friends, family, work and play is just what I need right now. Plus I have a nephew on the way who is set to make his appearance any day now, so in the next week I’m going to be jetting to Chicago on a moment’s notice. (Dear baby, please try to arrive Tuesday night. That would work best for my schedule. Many thanks, Auntie Elissa). I am so looking forward to having another little one to spoil. I’ve been meaning for ages to put together a gift round-up of all the baby awesome-ness out there, but it got buried by the to-do list. Sorry, little guy! Cannot wait to meet you (next weekend, after your birthday on Tuesday…I hope). Have a great weekend, everyone!

Source: Sacramento Street, a well traveled woman 1 and 2 and A Cup of Jo