Simply Seleta

{after dinner} mint

I love discovering new blogs that offer tons of eye candy.   Here's one I have to share with you.  Found it after dinner tonight [yes, this is what a girl who has no babysitter does on a Saturday night] and was completely delighted. 

Her name?  Ellie

Her talent? graphic design

Her blog?  Mint

I know that technically this is not a "new" blog, but it's new to me.  I spent quite a while cruising her site looking at all the goodies. 

She first had me at her logo.

Then she hooked me with her fresh, modern, simple style.  Lots of great ideas for pretty things.  Anything from fabulous art to tips on good packaging to chic clothes made from vintage fabrics to designer dog goodies.  She even shared a tutorial for a no-sew way-cool banner.  An economical idea that is custom and wonderful without being store-bought.  Love it!  Check out her breezy thank you cards for sale over at etsy.

Be sure to head over and see her blog.  I promise you'll leave inspired.

{stylish} interactive alphabet

I believe this is a nice segue after yesterday's animal-ish post.  Calling all artsy moms and lovers of cool graphic design.  I found this great website that showcases the alphabet in a most creative way.  

Translation: it's a much more sane option than being in the same room as your child while hearing the repetitious songs of a cracked-out purple dinosaur who makes you want to either a) become a cutter or b) strap yourself in a straight jacket just to survive the duration of the songs.

Here's a teeny peek...except imagine these quirky letter creatures making all kinds of sounds and quickly scuttling across your screen.  I promise it will make your little one giggle with delight.  The top image above is the zebra, my favorite one.  I also love the letter "X" be sure and look at that one too.  You'll laugh.

When you arrive at the site, you'll see all the letters of the alphabet and hear the chatter of all kinds of animals.  You pick a letter and it spells the name of the animal which begins with that letter.  Then the letters of the alphabet move into the shape of the animal.

I've enjoyed this with all four of the offspring.  The other night they each had their turn clicking on all the letters while I cooked dinner.  It really is an excellent tool to teach a tot about their ABC's.  Our three year and four year old can't get enough.

The site is right here.  Let me know what you think about it after you visit.

[all images courtesy of Bembo's website]

wallflower

Some walls speak for themselves.

{photo from here}

checking in

Wow, it sure has been interesting being offline for a week.  Not sure how I like it.  I'm taking a very quick three hour "offspring break" after about ten straight days of kidfest 24/7.  What is an offspring break?  Oh, it's a necessary parental luxury and can be found in the simply seleta dictionary:

off·spring break ( ȯf-ˌspriŋ) (brāk)
noun

1.  an interruption or escape from continuous physical activity with parental descendants; known to offer a pleasing change to both the mind and mental state.  Side effects include feelings of euphoria, clarity of thought and general sense of well-being.  Often the subject giggles with delight and finds joy in simply nothing more than complete silence or having the ability to finish a thought without interruption.

near antonyms:  crazed, crack-brained, cuckoo, bananas, batty, berserk, delirious, hysterical.

Now that you know the definition and emotional value of an offspring break, we'll move on.  I used my brief break to sneak in the bookstore and go online.  Can I just say that I love the smell of fresh-brewed coffee mixed with the sight of 20,000 square feet of books neatly stacked on shelves?  And it's a bonus that there are no small people at my feet requesting food, wiped bottoms or sibling mediation.  I think I may live it up and celebrate with a Caffè Latte.

Just as I'm boasting about having a nice break away...I found a book I'd like to recommend.  Of all the possible topics can you take a guess what it is?  Kids and design.  Perhaps I've lost my mind after all.  Either way, I have to tell you that I loved this book.  Mainly because it has great pictures mixed with endless brilliant and realistic ideas for both design and play.  And all of their projects not only look stylish and pretty, but include using items you may already have in your home.  That's a total bonus given today's economy.   

The book:

14 bucks.  You can get it here.

[first photo by monica buck]

green = good

this girl makes me want to garden.

 

these girls have total style.

this girl is so creative.

and this guy makes you want to stop and stay a while.