I stumbled on Allan Sanders website and just love his illustrations. The one below would be so cool in William's room! He has a whole bunch on his site, including some interactive ones. Check out loopland.net.
Zurich Chamber Orchestra
Fascinating campaign from the Zurich Chamber Orchestra which speaks to the idea of emotional responses to music. Can't see it flying in Toronto, but it is super cool. Makes me wonder what orchestra marketing is like in Europe!
Teardrop
Heartbeat
Not sure if this would work
But it would be fun to watch the reaction anyway. I wonder what I would do if handed this note?
Check out his web site - too fun: http://www.davidfullarton.com/buttons.html. Found on http://forme-foryou.com/
How to Be Happier: Ten Tips for Being a More Light-Hearted Parent.
Taken from The Happiness Project, I felt inspired by these today!!
1. At least once a day, make each child helpless with laughter.
2. Sing in the morning. It’s hard both to sing and to maintain a grouchy mood, and it sets a happy tone for everyone—particularly in my case, because I’m tone deaf and my audience finds my singing a source of great hilarity.
3. Get enough sleep yourself. It’s so tempting to stay up late, to enjoy the peace and quiet. But morning comes fast. Along the same lines…
4. Wake up before your kids. We were so rushed in the morning that I started getting up half an hour earlier than my children. That means I can get myself organized, check my email, post to Slate, and get my bag packed before they get up. It’s tough to wake up earlier, but it has made a huge difference in the quality of our mornings.
5. I’ve been researching the hedonic treadmill: people quickly adapt to new pleasures or luxuries, so it takes a new pleasure to give them a jolt of gratification. As a result, I’ve cut back on treats and impulse buys for my kids. The ice-cream sandwich or the Polly Pockets set won’t be an exciting treat if it isn’t rare.
6. Most messages to kids are negative: “stop,” “don’t,” “no.” So I try to cast my answers as “yes.” “Yes, we’ll go as soon as you’ve finished eating,” not “We’re not leaving until you’ve finished eating.” It’s not easy to remember to do this, but I’m trying.
7. Look for little ways to celebrate. I haven’t been doing holiday breakfasts long, but they’re a huge source of happiness. They’re quick, fun, and everyone gets a big kick out of them.
8. Repetition works. A friend told me he was yelling at his kids too much, so he distilled all rules of behavior into four key phrases: “keep your hands to yourself”; “answer the first time you’re asked”; “ask first”; and “stay with us” (his kids tended to bolt). You can also use the school mantras: “Sit square in your chair;” “accidents will happen,” “you get what you get, and you don’t get upset” (i.e., when cupcakes are handed out, you don’t keep trying to switch).
9. Say “no” only when it really matters. Wear a bright red shirt with bright orange shorts? Sure. Put water in the toy tea set? Okay. Sleep with your head at the foot of the bed? Fine. Samuel Johnson said, “All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle.”
10. When I find myself thinking, “Yippee, soon we won’t have to deal with a stroller,” I remind myself how fleeting this is. All too soon the age of Cheerios and the Tooth Fairy will be over. The days are long, but the years are short.
Good goal to aim for! 
weekend project
In the realm of things I might actually have time to accomplish - this lovely trivet is made just by winding some rope into a beautiful knot pattern, called the Carrick Bend. I think it would make for lovely coasters for my folks out on the East Coast - nautical in nature without beign cheezy. You could probably also use much larger rope and make a cool doormat!The entire project is beautifully outlined on Design*Sponge. Let me know if you make it!
if I had all the time in the world...
I would love to do this in our bedroom. This exact thing. I have always loved birch trees and these colours are just so beautiful.
The room is by Jen Lula and I found it on Design*Sponge! (Which I ended up having a great conversation about in Chicago with the cashier at Trader Joe's. You never know who is reading the same blog as you!)
Family Jewels
There were lots of beautiful pieces of jewellery on the blogs around Mother's Day that I had thought about posting but never quite got around to it. I saw this stuff today though and thought it was so pretty and unique with its use of antique spoons and flatware ends. Maybe for Mother's Day next year? :)
Made by SpoonerZ on Etsy!