I will never stop loving ... bright and colorful poms!

Don't they just make you smile?

pictures from Style Me Pretty.

seriously cool scissors

So I bought some Modge Podge this weekend. It was my first jar of Modge Podge and my first attempts at using it.

It went ok.

I have this beautiful idea in my mind of this glorious and large piece of wall art created from these great scrapbook papers and some sort of backing (this weekend the choice was foam board ... and did it work? ... not so much). Have any of you had any luck with Modge Podge and scrapbook papers? I could use some advice.

In the meantime, I found this project on Crafterhours for some seriously cool modge podged scissors. If you want to try it out - here's the tutorial.  

photo booth fun

Sometimes all I want to do is sit around with my friends and laugh :) Happy Monday!

tear drops of color

Amidst the many fall items on Anthropologie's website, these earrings shine. 

Jack Johnson and other famous people come to Raleigh.

Last Saturday we saw Jack Johnson in concert! He was awesome. At one point John and I were laying in the grass (we had lawn seats ~ I love sitting on the lawn) watching the clouds create different shapes around the moon and it felt like he was just singing to us, like our own private concert. He was such a chill guy and his voice is great! And we knew all the words to all the songs which always makes a concert more fun. It was perfect <3

Guess who else made an appearance in Raleigh, NC last weekend? Chris L., Jesse, and Chris Harrison from the Bachelor!! And I was in the bar right down the street from them! Too bad I didn't actually see them in person and I don't have fun paparazzi-esque photos to share, haha. 

a really cool groom's cake!

A friend of mine went to a wedding recently and this was the groom's cake. How cool, right? I just wonder how they sliced it? It's almost too cute to eat ... and it's such a funny shape!

Tiny Carved Sculptures - from a Pencil!

These amazing (and tiny!) pieces of art were carved by a very talented man named Dalton Ghetti. He has been carving these tiny sculptures out of the graphite in pencils for 25 years and only uses 3 tools: a razor blade, a sewing needle, and a sculpting knife. I think they are incredibly impressive! Don't you? Unfortunately for us, Ghetti has never sold any of his creations, he simply just gives them to his friends. (Sounds like an incredibly talented, and very kind person!)

I received these images in an email but you can see more of them and read more about Ghetti and his work here. 

Birthday Fondue

My friend Tori is turning 24! and we celebrated with cookies (here's the delicious recipe!) and then fondue!

The first course was the cheese. Ours was spinach and artichoke dip.

Morgan and Lindsay were super excited!

Then it was time for the main course ... the meat and veggies.

Then Tori opened some presents. And Jessica admired them (that is what you're doing, right Jessica? haha)

Then it was time for dessert (the best part, of course!)

We got turtle chocolate - mmmmm!

And the waiter set it on fire. And the flame was blue!

See?

Then our waiter sang - it was hilarious! 

Here I am with the birthday girl!!

Happy Birthday Tori!

recipe: Birthday "No Bake" Cookies

So this Sunday is my friend Tori's birthday and we have been celebrating! Yesterday I surprised her (and our entire office) with delicious no bake cookies (because they're her favorite!) Yum Yum!

If you've never had a no bake cookie before, I promise you that you are going to want to make them tonight and eat them all weekend long. ;)

Here's the recipe

In a big pot over medium heat, melt 1 stick of butter, 2 cups of white sugar, 1/2 cup milk, and 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder. (Of course, when I made these, I was out of cocoa powder. So I made a trip to the grocery store at 10pm to buy cocoa powder, sugar, and 3 bananas (just because.) And I get to the register and the cashier says oooh you are baking cookies (just imagine me doing an Asian accent right there). I said yes, I'm making them right now but I didn't have enough cocoa. She responds oooooh cocoa. Cookie need cocoa. HA! ok, I digress. ) Once it is all melted together it will begin to boil. Let the mixture boil rapidly (little tiny bubbles all over the surface) for 2 minutes.  (this is important - so set the timer!)

Remove from heat. Add in 1/2 cup peanut butter, 2 1/2 cups of quick oats, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Stir it all together and then drop it by the spoonfuls onto wax paper. Let it cool and ENJOY!

This morning I woke up and thought it was Friday.

Does that ever happen to you?

picture via From Me To You

the cutest little pet ever.

Seriously, this little piggy is the most adorable thing I've ever seen. 

this is the coolest foot stool ever.

Nicole's fall project list:

1. learn how to knit one of these 'poufs'.

yellow tub and ruffles

I love this bright yellow tub and ruffly curtain! how fun! My friend Tori made her own ruffled shower curtain in shades of teal and green and it is fabulous. One day I'll take a picture of it and share it with you :)

spotted on Design*Sponge

weekend and winner!

Last weekend, I spent a lot of time on the deck drinking delicious lemonade with my family :) And I plan to do the same again this weekend! I hope you have a wonderful summer weekend as well. 

And, Congratulations to Erinn!! You are the winner of the Polk-a-Dot University giveaway! YAY!

pictures by me :)

LoYo

Yesterday, we snuck away from work for a few minutes to try out a new frozen yogurt place called Local Yogurt, also known as LoYo. It was good and locally owned... I had the bilberry flavor which was sweet but also a little tart and I topped it with strawberries and Golden Grahams (yes, Golden Grahams!) They also had a yummy peanut butter flavor and a very rich chocolate. And look at all of the toppings they offer. Do you love froyo? It seems like there are a lot of frozen yogurt places popping up around here, and I tell ya what ... I'm kind of excited about it :)

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a pair of polk a dotted earrings!

Wednesday (EE's FIRST!) Giveaway!

Yay! I am so excited to announce my very first giveaway :) Since I just opened up my own etsy shop called Polk-a-dot University, I would love to offer a pair of polk-a-dotted earrings in the color that you choose as a prize to one lucky winner! This contest will run through this Friday 8/13. 

In order to enter:

1. become a follower of Everyday Ebullience (if you aren't already)

2. leave a comment below telling me which color you would pick 

I'll pick a winner at random on Friday ~ good luck!

new layout

Everyday Ebullience has updated its look! I really wanted a way to separate out each individual post and sidebar item and with this new layout in place, I think EE will be much easier for all to read and enjoy :) Let me know your thoughts!

giveaway?

Guess what? EE is going to have its very first giveaway this week! Since I recently told you about a new project I'm working on, you can only imagine what the prize is going to be ;) Be sure to visit EE tomorrow - Wednesday! - to participate in my first ever giveaway ~ YAY! 

wallpaper thoughts

I've been thinking about what to do with the empty wall in my dining area and there are so many different options that I barely know where to start. These wallpapers are beautiful, right? Problem is, I'm in an apartment so what would I do with a wallpapered (is that even a word?) wall when I move out?

There was a post one time on Creature Comforts (that I can't find right now) about putting fabric or wrapping paper on the walls like wallpaper. Have any of you ever done that? It sounds like a good option ... and then I could coordinate the cushions on my chairs with the walls ... too much?

presenting: Polk-a-dot University on Etsy!

It's Monday and I have an exciting announcement for you!

I have been working on a fun little project, crafting and creating, photographing and polk-a-dotting and I am so excited to share with you that I now have a new little Etsy shop (that's right - I am now on Etsy! yay!)

So, without further ado ... EE proudly presents: Polk-a-dot University ~ your home for collegiate themed polk-a-dotted earrings. This little shop features fun and sweet polk-a-dotted earrings in a variety of color combinations so you can cheer on your favorite team or just wear your favorite colors! I am so excited to share this project with you and I hope you find it as exciting as I do :)

xoxo Nicole

lenny and the cucumber

Last night, little Lenny devoured a cucumber and he was the happiest little piggy ever.

Do you have big weekend plans? John and I are going to see our friend play in the Dave Matthews Tribute Band ~ yay! 

Be sure to come back on Monday ... I've been working on a BIG project and I cannot wait to share it with you!!

inspiration

It's funny where inspiration comes from. Yesterday at work we were inspired by the intro to Frasier. And I'm always on the look out for rooms that inspire me - specifically dining areas since the wall behind my table is pretty bare right now. 

Aren't these balcony pictures gorgeous? If they don't inspire you to have plants and herbs and a beautiful sunny area, I don't know what will! Where do you get your inspiration?

picture via Design*Sponge

the funniest little corgi

Happy Monday! Can you believe it's August? I just have to share this funny little video of the cutest corgi who loves when his owner talks like the Beatles.  Everyone needs a laugh to get their Monday started right! :)

first spotted at Cute Overload