yuck

Describes exactly how I feel...

I caught some nasty bug and it is making my throat hurt and my body feel all achy. Though the upside is that I am being waited on hand and foot, whatever I want at my beck and call, so this is kind of nice. Want pumpkin pie for breakfast? I got it. Want Thai soup for dinner? I got that too. I think you get the picture and it is all cause my Babe-iliscious loves me so much!

So off I go to enjoy more soup my Babe-ilicious has brought me to eat in bed...
As much as I love the pampering, I hope to get better soon cause 2 days stuck in bed is kinda getting boring... and there is so much to do!

support some mamas

The holiday shopping madness has no doubt started, but to tell you the truth, I am avoiding the malls. I probably won't even be setting foot in a mall at all this year! I am buying handmade or supporting a mom run company, which is probably still handmade. Here is a start, check out these mom run companies with wonderful products for some of your special little babes (or yourself)...
Then, if you live in the L.A. area, there is another Misha Lulu trunk show on December 6th. If you missed the first one, here is your second chance. Really, do some Christmas shopping here because you can't go wrong with the wonderful prices and the company is owned and ran by an uber funky and creative mama... she is just so cool! I would even come just to meet her!!!If you come to the show, let me know, I may be there too and we can meet up (but I am not sure what time I will be there).

Happy shopping and I will be sharing more of my favorite handmade artists in the coming days...

thankfulness

We (Ben, True, Brave and I) are very thankful for you...
Our quickly put together banner (can you tell which I did and which True did?) inspired by this artistic mum.

My girls in their Thanksgiving vintage dresses...
These two have lots of love (and thanks) for each other.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

the family sketchbook

We have this sketchbook sitting on the coffee table of our family room. It is ready for when anyone feels ready to do a little drawing, coloring, doodling, scribbling. Though, it's more like scribbling for the babes and doodling for me...

It is wonderful seeing little hands at work, especially in a creative way.

Oh and not sure if anyone noticed that I added some once in awhile mushrooms in the shop... just in case you were interested.

forever

So because we went out of town, I missed the Twilight blog party at Bethany's, but it is never too late to share what I did to commemorate Twilight's release. I made a little pin and wore it on my scarf throughout the weekend...
Yes. Bella + Edward. Forever. Just like Ruby + Ben.

my babe-iliscious and me

I disappeared suddenly for a few days because my Benny, whom I now like to call my babe-iliscious after a strange dream I had, and I journeyed away to La Jolla (near San Diego) to attend a wonderful conference and for some mommy and daddy time (thank God for grandparents!). The conference was refreshing and a good reminder of my priorities... God, Ben, and both my babyCakies (yes, in that order).

It was also nice to stroll around downtown San Diego, hold hands, eat divinely scrumptious food, and sneak kisses in here and there...
At least once a year, every couple definitely needs to have some together time away from their kids. We had so much and fun and it was just nice being together...

I really love my Babe-iliscious!!!

small excitement

Well actually, more like BIG excitement for something Small...

So, what did I do when I saw one my crowns in the wonderfully inspiring Small Magazine?!!

I jumped for joy!!!

This is a dream come true... yipee!!!

for the head

We love ban.do...
Each piece is so inspiring and I love the textures and the variety of materials that are used, especially since most of them are vintage.

Jen Gotch is so creative (along with her friend Jamie) and I would love to own one of their creations. I am not a headband person, but I think I could definitely do one of the clips. I was so loving her creations and thought, why can't True wear one (after all, my vintage millinery flowers were just sitting there), so for fun, off we went to make one for her little head...Now, the ban.do headbands are much better creations than mine, but I think True looks cuter than the ban.do models, but I may just be biased.

Oh and their will be a once in awhile shop update of mushrooms (only 5) either tomorrow or Thursday, depends when I can find the time!

***UPDATE: MUSHROOMS WILL BE IN THE SHOP TOMORROW, THURSDAY.***

***top image via Ban.do shop

all is and was well

Thank you to all for your thoughts and prayers. Yesterday, things changed dramatically as the winds died down to allow the firefighters some breathing room to fight these raging wild fires. The winds were no longer shifting the fires toward homes and I am glad to report that my aunt's family and house is alright (thank you, thank you). The fire is still very close, but it is getting under control. Though, there are still many out there who lost their homes and struggling with the aftermath of these wildfires, that so much prayer is still necessary. Last I checked, the nearby fires were 17% contained and the further ones were about 40% contained and hopefully as the days pass, things will just continue to get better. This blogosphere community is just so wonderful, in that many of us have never met (in person), yet we have sincere concern for one another... thank you.

Well, before the fires got out of hand, we did manage to sneak in a fun-filled Saturday at the Misha Lulu trunk show. I tell you Lola Baby was hopping with eager shoppers excited to score such great deals on these one of kind digs (I came out with a nice little stash).

Upon entering the store, I saw the inspiration for Misha Lulu. She is so delightful and cute, just like her mama...

A couple racks were filled with the designer clothing...

And I cannot forget to mention the bargain bins...

There was a point in the afternoon, that I didn't even want to go near the corner cause there were so many women clamoring at the opportunity to get these funky clothes...

Of course, there has to be some yummy snacks...

And little ones devouring them as well...

The little ones were just as easily as enjoying themselves as the adults...


The highlight of the event, besides the clothes, was meeting the Misha Lulu creator! I met her just as I arrived and instantly recognized her. We said hellos and Karen and her equally delightful husband went off for lunch.

I walked into the store and saw Suzy, and immediately we were just oo-ing and ah-ing over how exceptionally lovely and funky Karen is and how ordinary we felt next to her. Karen is so sweet and free spirited that it is easy for one to see that she is one exceedingly creative mama...
I just have to say she had the best outfit and boots. She looks like she belongs on the Sartorialist.

So I highly recommend paying a visit to the Misha Lulu website and blog, as well as shopping at Lola Baby, shopping handmade or indpendent designers are really the only way to go!

We definitely had a good and busy Saturday (can't forget to mention that afterwards we went to one of the top tutu designer's baby shower). It was such a busy day and Sunday got even crazier, but thank God that all is now well (but keep your thoughts and prayers for all those affected by these crazy fires).

Oh and I almost forgot to mention how nice it was to meet a couple of you! It really is nice to meet another reader/fellow blogger in person. That just made my day too!!!

Have a good day friends.

if you pray, please pray

Not sure if you know, but there are a lot of southern California fires going on right now. There has been so much devastation already. There is one in the city we live, but thankfully it is much too far to get near us. On the other hand, my aunt's family house is right near the fire's path and they are currently moving as much as they can (and have been through out the night) out to my parent's house and ours. Please pray that no one would get hurt and that the fire would change direction and no longer affect their house or anyone else's for that matter. We are all on edge here and nervous, especially because this is hitting so close to home, but I do believe in prayer and that God is still in control. 

We do know that another family friend's house is in danger as some houses have already been eaten up by the fires on their street. So, please lift up a prayer for my family and all others who have been and may be affected by the fire.

Thank you. 

growing girls and lots of sewing

Things have been insane at our house lately, good, but crazy! The girls can make such messes in a matter of 30 seconds. They are a bit like the Tasmanian Devil, they whirl through and everything is everywhere! So I am always cleaning, but the girls are having fun and really starting to interact together. I love it!

Now, I think this is my fifth bag like this (I promise to have once in awhile bag update in 2 weeks) and someone requested an orange and green combo, so it was perfect cause I happened to have this vintage tablecloth, well now turned bag...


And with all the crazy sewing that has been going on, I have broken 4 needles this week. Good thing I have been wearing my glasses lately, cause they have become my eye protectors. You never know when one decides to break and tries to gouge me in the eye! Yes, protection is necessary...
I also keep forgetting to mention that if you are Twilight fan and I am kinda crazy for them (I read the whole series in a weeks time and have already reread 3 of the four books and not to mention I am now reading Wuthering Heights), there is a Twilight blog party over at Bethany's and Nathalie's this coming week to commemorate the movie (yay!). I so wish Nat, Beth and I lived close to each other, it would have been fun to go watch it together as they are the ones who introduced me, but this party will have to do. Check Bethany's blog for details. It's going to be fun!

Oh and tomorrow is the Misha Lulu trunk show, so come if you are able and get some Christmas shopping done. It will be from 2-6 at 100 N. Glendora in the city of Glendora and there will plenty of goodies there! See flier here.

I just reread my writing and I am jump from subject to subject. Well, that seems to be my mind right now... lots to do, but so little time. I think this is going to be the theme for the next few months. 

Now, off to work before the both babyCakies wake up! I have to make 1) a bag 2) nursing cover 3) 30 something hair clips to finish, so it is back to lots of sewing (and hopefully no more broken needles).

See you on Monday!

the midday omelet

The husband didn't know what he wanted for lunch, so I threw this together for him...

Left over pinto beans and chopped up broccoli sauteed in some extra virgin olive oil and red pepper. Cook the egg whites with cheese, stick the sauteed veggies and beans in the middle, fold it over, then flip it over and "tada!" Now you've got a midday omelet. Omelets are my Ben's favorites.

Shop has been updated with the once in awhiles. Each Lela is wearing an extra special something, ready for her cold trip home, wherever that may be...

jelly sandwiches for breakfast

End up all over the place, especially their little faces...

But the tummies are happy, so I guess that is all that matters.

True's announcement

Once in awhiles shop update this Wednesday...
There will be only 10 Lelas (none of which are exactly the same) and all of whom are lovable and huggable. Also, for a little extra lovin' True has hugged each one and said, "I love you Lela. You are my best friend!" Now, who can resist that?!! Cause I certainly can't.

I can't wait to get them in the shop. My goal is to have a once in awhile shop update next week for mushrooms and the week after some bags. Then, that will be it for the once awhiles for the rest of the year!

There is so much to do and so little time. I have a gazillion crowns to make, Thanksgiving dresses to think of, and some gift making for Christmas. I feel like I am running out of time! Does anyone feel that way too?

Well, happy busy Monday!

nothing gold can stay

Nature’s first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

- Robert Frost

I fell in love with all the colorful Autumn trees and leaves we saw on Monday. I wish I could just pack the whole forest up and bring it home, though we did manage to sneak out a few pieces and that will have to do. All the leaves and trees got me making Brave a skirt, using my sewing machine to "paint" the perfect Autumn trees. It is so simple and makes me feel all Fall-like...

I really love this season. Don't you?

meet, shop, and hang out

Are you in the Los Angeles area?
On Saturday, November 15th, the genius behind famed clothing line Misha Lulu will be at Lola Baby in Glendora for a wonderful trunk show. Get wonderful digs at great prices... I already know what I want! Plus, meet the creative mind behind this lovely, funky clothing line...

Karen and her husband, Joe, started Misha Lulu and it continues to grow and expand each year (of course it would, who wouldn't love her stuff?!!). Recently, Karen was an Open House feature on Bloesem Kids, which is a pretty darn big thing! Her clothes have also been in magazines like Baby Couture, Small, US Weekly, Babytalk, so I think you get that point... you better come because there may never be another opportunity like this!!!

If you want to see more of her goodies, check out the Misha Lulu's site, and I promise that you will instantly fall in love with all of her stuff. It is the perfect mix of funky and cute. Or to get to know the creator more, check out her blog.

So come, get some Christmas shopping done, be there for a chance to win some raffles, and just to hang out! I know I will be there hanging out, so it would be cool if we could all meet together! So let's all be there to shop Misha Lulu, support Lola Baby, and win some prizes!!!

Shop Misha Lulu...

Read her blog...

Hope to see you there! Let me know if you plan to go... and maybe tomorrow I will have some goodies to share!

my day

The traditional breakfast in bed, which consisted of my common request for pumpkin pancakes and Ben's common creation of some sort of little critter (inspired by Play With Your Food) made of a fruit or vegetable...

A surprise day trip to the mountains for picnicking and frolicking around...




It was a marvelous way to spend my birthday! 

Thanks to my Benny and both my little babyCakies... I love them so much!!!