by Allison

adorable back to school supplies

I wandered into Joann’s this week, entirely by accident. 

As accidentally as one can wander into a store when driving her own vehicle. 

And it’s a good thing I did because their school supplies were on clearance to make room for Halloween supplies.

cute notebook

I’m sorry, but are you kidding me with this?

In my day notebooks were filled with New Kids on the Block and Paula Abdul.  None of this adorable school-themed stuff.

back to school supplies

My kids were under-impressed, which means I get to keep all the notebooks for myself!

Which one should I use to write notes to my best friend in Chemistry?… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

What’s in your purse series week sixty two

This week’s What’s in Your Purse Series purse is from Jeanette.  Thanks!

If you love this series and want more of it, submit your purse.  If you want to submit your purse to the series take two photos of your purse {nice, clear, non-blurry ones} one of the outside, one of the inside, along with a listing of the contents to allisonATpetitelefantDOTcom

what's in your purse series
what's in your purse series

Starting from the top left corner working across in rows:

First Row:

  • - folded changing pad that came with the diaper bag – love the black and lime print but I forget the name of the pattern
  • - an extra outfit for the little miss because you never know – in this case a navy blue cotton dress with embroidered flowers
  • - blue striped pack of Baggu reusable shopping bags – I am loving this new set because it’s small enough to fit in my bag, so I never forget them.  Three bags holds an entire grocery run!

Second Row:

  • - two pre-fold cloth diapers and a blue Thirsties cover – we heart cloth diapering!
  • - black and white wet bag from Planet Wise – for carrying any “used” diapers, but also so great for

    • … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

what you should be buying at the $1 store part II

Last week I shared with you What You Should Be Buying at the $1 Store Part I, which was all about crafts and crafting supplies.  Today’s post is all about dollar store beauty.  Alternately titled:

Gettin’ purdy on the cheap.

You had to know it had to happen at some point, right?

nail polish

rubber bands
inexpensive make-up
eyelash glue

Beauty supplies to buy at the $1 store:

  • rubber hair elastics
  • bobby-pins
  • headbands
  • toddler barrettes
  • packages of combs
  • nail polish
  • nail polish remover
  • makeup {if it’s a trusted brand like L’Oreal, LA Colors, N.Y.C., Maybelline}
  • eyeshadow {see above about brands}
  • cotton balls
  • eyeliner {see the note on eyeshadow}
  • lipstick {look for expiration date and brand}
  • lip-gloss
  • fake eyelashes {these would only last for one application}
  • eyelash adhesive
  • eyelash curler {again, watch for quality}
  • foam curlers for little girls
  • hairspray
  • hair gel
  • mousse
  • shampoo and conditioner {I’ve purchased really expensive shampoo at the dollar store from time to time.  Like $20 bottles of shampoo for $1}
  • baby powder
  • baby oil
  • nail buffer
  • package of emery boards
  • cosmetic wedges

Have I missed anything?  What’s on your list of beauty supplies at the Dollar Store?  … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

how to preserve sweet summer corn

If you’re anything like me I live for August, just so I can taste the once-a-year, out of this world flavor of corn on the cob.

There’s really nothing else like it.

corn on the cob

My BFF Martha Stewart has a great little trick for preserving the fresh taste of corn on the cob, well into the cold fall.

I love that Martha.  She’s got all the good tricks.

boiling corn

To prepare the corn, boil it just like you would regularly.  Fill a pot with lukewarm water and add the corn; bring the water to a boil and cook for about 12 minutes.  Remove corn from the pot.

corn on the cob

Let the corn cool down, and start cutting the kernels off the cob.

sweet summer cornOnce the corn is completely sliced off the cob, put it all into a Ziploc freezer bag.

ziplock freezer bags

When all the corn is at the bottom of the plastic bag, squeeze all the air out of the bag and seal it.

ziplock freezer bags

Keep the corn in the freezer for up to 3 months, and reconstitute back to delicious, fresh corn on the cob by boiling for a few minutes.

I can’t wait to taste delicious, fresh corn in November, I really can’t.… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

What’s in your purse series week sixty one

This week’s What’s in Your Purse Series purse is from Laura.  Thank you.

–You guys are total rock stars.  You’re sending in your purses like gangbusters, and I love you for it.  But still, I’ve gotta beat the drum.–

If you love this series and want more of it, submit your purse.  If you want to submit your purse to the series take two photos of your purse {nice, clear, non-blurry ones} one of the outside, one of the inside, along with a listing of the contents to allisonATpetitelefantDOTcom

brown leather purse
brown buckle purse

This is a purse that I’ve had for years…YEARS…  It pretty much goes with everything, so I don’t have to change purses unless I really want to.  I think I got it at Kohls…

  • Receipts & store coupons – time to clean…
  • Several lip balms, glosses (didn’t even know i still had two of them).
  • Excedrin Migraine & Benadryl – allergy season is ongoing…
  • Wallet.
  • Cash – I never have cash, today was rare, I was just holding it for my daughter.
  • Loose change – always have in the bottom of my purse.
  • Orbit gum.
  • Sticker and card from places I’ve visited lately.
  • Pictures, in & out

    • … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

pinterest how to use it & how to love it

I’ve mentioned before how much I love Pinterest.  My fancy new trick on how to clean hard water stains came from Pinterest.

pinterest

It’s honestly a site I spend a lot of time using to find ideas for everything from cleaning tips to fashion trends.  It’s basically a visual bookmarking of everything awesome on the internet, and I’m completely addicted.

So, how do you navigate Pinterest?  Well, it’s super easy and I’m here to help.

how to use pinterest

You guys totally overwhelmed me with your interest. I thought I’d have like 2 dozen comments.  I’m trying to catch up on invitations now, and when I get caught up, I’ll re-open the comments.  Thank you!

  1. First of all, you need an invitation.  No problem.  If you don’t have one and you want in on the love, let me know and I’ll invite you. 
  2. Create a board.  Or seven.  I happen to have 26.  No, I don’t have a problem, why do you ask?
  3. Follow people.  You can follow people using your Twitter or Facebook account, or just follow random people who seem to have really good taste.  I’ve actually found a handful of really awesome blogs I didn’t know existed

    4. … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Organizing my books by color

Some time ago I saw photos online of home libraries organized by color.

Naturally, I assumed people who organize their books by color have an abundance of free time in which to accomplish such a task.

books

I was wrong.

It’s okay to be wrong once in a while, as long as you own up to your mistakes.

organizing my books by color

In the space of a very short afternoon I was able to organize all my bookshelves by color.

I mean, I organize my closet by color, and I organize my shoes with photographs.

Why did I think my bookshelves should be exempt?

organizing my books by color

For someone like me, who’s just the teensiest bit O.C.D., having my books organized by color is Shangri-La.  Absolute happiness.

It makes my bookshelves look like they really have their act together, which I appreciate.  A good bookshelf is hard to find.

It adds a certain element of decor, and it makes my eyes feel happy when I rest on whole blocks of color at a time.

Have you done anything lately in your home that made your heart sing?  Perhaps your dishes are stacked in a spectacular fashion, or your keys are always in the same place.  … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

What’s in your purse series week sixty

This week’s What’s in Your Purse Series purse is from Alice.  Thanks Alice!

–You guys, are total rock stars.  You’re sending in your purses like gangbusters, and I love you for it.  But still, I’ve gotta beat the drum.–

If you love this series and want more of it, submit your purse.  It’s time to get a move on.  If you want to submit your purse to the series take two photos of your purse {nice, clear, non-blurry ones} one of the outside, one of the inside, along with a listing of the contents to allisonATpetitelefantDOTcom

 

knock off valentino
what's in your purse

My purse is a knock off of a Valentina my hubby brought back from a business trip to Milan a few years ago. I love  the purse so much, even though it’s starting to fall apart a bit I can’t give it up because of how awesome it is. I think my hubby needs to go back to Milan soon!

Items from top – left to right

  • candy wrapper
  • my house key
  • receipts (with notes about our deck railing measurements on the back)
  • baggie of coupons
  • arby’s menu with packets of sauce (not quite sure how long those

    • … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

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