saved

I got them before those pesty tomato chompers did.

Just in case you were wondering if I went into early labor... I didn't. Though, my belly looks like I am going into labor soon. It has just been a busy few days. Really busy. I haven't even had time to scan my polaroid for my weekly Polaroid Tuesdays. I will do that soon. Will be back with regular postings (and answering emails) soon. Promise.

polaroid tuesday: week thirty-nine

Just pretty.

a serious letter

Dear Tomato Chomper,

Please leave my tomato plants alone. I do not think highly of you, frankly, I do not even like you. You seem to be doing nothing good in my garden. Unfortunately, if and when I find you, you will be eliminated immediately. I have already rid my garden of 10 of your thick, yucky relatives. I am just giving you advance warning as this is your chance to get away before I do away with you myself. Plus, you are making my girls very unhappy because they love their tomatoes. I have strict orders from them to do all I can to save their precious tomatoes and that is what I intend to do.

Sincerely,

Ruby

for our dancer

True is the newest little dancer in house. Naturally, there must be a go-to bag to put all of her teeny, tiny dance stuff. Made of linen on the outside and the most perfect cotton fabric for the inside, this little number does the job. Of course, a little embroidered ballerina is on the front to remind us what exactly this bag is for.

She loves dance. She practices at home a lot, not because I make her, but because she really loves it that much! Right before nap time, she will walk across her room with her hands up and on her toes for what seems like a million times. I have to remind her that it is nap time, not dance time. Seeing her in her little outfit really sobers me up that my little True is no longer a baby, but she will always be a baby to me.

coco

Last night, some of us made our way to Skirball to watch Coco Before Chanel. It was just marvelous, despite the fact we got lost in L.A. a bit, but we managed to make it right when the movie started. Thankfully, Alex from the Skirball also came to our rescue as they were letting no one else in (Thank you so much Alex!).

Back to Coco Chanel... wow! Everything about the film was just gorgeous! I was inspired to get home and start sewing, though I did have to resist as I did not make it home until about 11:30pm and had an anxious husband waiting for me to go to sleep (Ben can't sleep unless I am with him). I highly recommend watching this film. I mean, I am no sophisticated sewer or designer, but gosh it makes me wish I was! And I must say that I loved all the furniture in the film. I definitely have a penchant for French furniture and was ooh-ing and ahh-ing over everything.

At the screening, I was able to meet up with Karen and Renee, though I am afraid I may have missed some others who may have been there. Hopefully, there will be another chance to meet! The silly girls that we are kept on taking pictures because all our shots and poses seem to come out funny.

Take one: The only place I could find for me and belly was at the back.

Take two: Why are they around me like I am their mother? And what happen to the other two?

Take three: Much better.

Now, the bigger I am getting (I really can't imagine getting any bigger, but I still have a couple months left), clothes are getting more difficult. I seriously wear the same thing over and over again. Thus, I set off to make another dress just like this one. This time I used some vintage fabric that I got at a recent thrift store excursion. I thought it was a nice choice for the fall, though I wish I had these shoes to wear with it.

I am definitely no Coco Chanel with my sewing or designing skills, but she is one fantastic inspiration.

Funny conversation following the movie:

Me: I am inspired to go home and sew.

Linda: I am inspired to go buy a Chanel bag.

Like I said, Coco Chanel is inspiring. Hmm... what shall I sew next?

savor

It is definitely still scorching hot in southern California. No signs of fall at our doorstep, but I am hoping that changes really soon. I am glad to say farewell to summer, but for the official last day of summer we spent some time savoring some red and yellow (yes, yellow!) watermelon, along with some red and golden raspberries. Yum and refreshing... perfect to bid summer adieu.

Once the fruit was put at kid level, tiny hands were clamoring it so quickly that I was having a hard time holding them back to snap a picture. All the fruit was gone in a blink of an eye, just as quickly as summer came and went!

Hello Autumn!!! I love you. You are by far my favorite season...

polaroid tuesday: week thirty-eight

I wanted all these tin letters from the flea market.

I think they would have looked nice on a colored wall, but I have white walls.

perfection

Warm sun. Lovely flea market. Good finds. Ran into a friendly face. Being with my favorite person. The day was perfect.

******

Today, we have two winners. The Skirball giveaway winners are Jenny Stevning and Sara. Congratulations!!! Your families will love this exhibit as it is absolutely amazing.

******

enjoying the process

When making something the process can sometimes be more enjoyable than the outcome. Though, in this case it was both.

I am the girliest of girls and my little girls are too. I recollect wanting so many dolls as a little girl and bugging and bugging my parents to buy them for me. I imagine my girls feel sort of the same way, except they don't watch television to see the new dolls that are out there nor do we take them to toy stores for them to see dolls to want. I much prefer the handmade way. There's no such thing as having too many dolls, so we set out to make some new ones to add to our collection.

Using an old cotton sheet and fabric markers we set off to draw some dolls. All three of us did. The girls really enjoyed using markers to draw, especially since it was on fabric rather than paper. Then, I cut out our hand drawn pictures, as the girls picked coordinating fabrics for the backing from our scrap pile. After which, I heat set all the drawn images. I quickly sewed the pieces together and True stuffed as I did so. We were all enjoying the process as we talked and laughed along, though Brave did eventually go to nap somewhere in the middle.

(When working with fabric markers don't forget to put on some sort of smock or bib as fabric marker stains will not come out. )

True was so excited about all of them that she lined them all up to take a picture. Of course, she plopped herself in right in the middle.

Immediately, they were taken to her room to be played with and loved.

(The three dolls hand drawn by True.)

(The doll hand drawn by Brave which True claims to be hers.)

True is at an age now where she is able to follow project instructions really well. Brave not so much, but she will get there. Nevertheless, Brave had so much fun doodling all about the fabric as she pleased. I can see how much True has grown from the very first doll we made. Here, she drew the dolls all by herself, picked out fabric she liked, and stuffed most of them by herself too. The only thing she didn't do was iron and sew, which I don't think she is quite ready for. Also, True is the one who did most of the clean up afterwards. She knew how and where to put everything away. It was so obvious to me how much learning and fun she was having through out the whole process.

See... who needs a toy store when you can make your own toys?!!

Thinking about this little project reminds me how much I need to enjoy the process of parenting. Not saying I don't, but sometimes it can easily be forgotten amidst the busyness of the everyday, and the sometimes hard and frustrating days. Even those days are just all part of the process of our children growing and us growing. Throughout our whole life, no matter what season, we must always remember to enjoy the process. We should always be life learners throughout this process called life.

*****

This week's "just because" package recipient is Karen from Blue-berry Park. Karen- Please email me with your address. Also, don't forget to enter for the giveaway that ends tomorrow.

*****

say hi to our garden

I'm beat. Dead tired. And I blame it all on Ben because he woke me up at 5am yelling, "What were you thinking? Why is she up there?!!" He was dreaming. I kept laughing and then couldn't go back to sleep because I was congested and now I am sure I will need a nap today. So with that, I will leave with you pictures of our growing garden. It is so peaceful outside in the early mornings as I do my daily watering.

morning routine

In the process of all our organizing, our routines are getting organized too. Plus, I was a teacher once, so I am a very structured person and I like lots of lists and charts. Here is our "morning routine" chart to help us get started with our day. I am sure you will see more of our homemade charts soon.

Sometimes, the chart doesn't always get followed, though we try, but with kids, you know how these things go...

And don't forget the giveaway and to sign up for the screening. I am going with my some friends, one of whom has graced Glamour Magazine's blog for her fiance's wonderful proposal. I still love reading that story and am excited that she is finally starting the wedding planning. Also, I am so excited that many of you will be at the screening!

It is Wednesday and just a few more days until the weekend. Ben and I plan on going on a date either tomorrow or Friday night, so I am definitely a happy gal! I lovey my husband lots!!!

EDIT COMING: OOPS!!! I forgot to put the -ed at the end of dress. I am so glad my Benny is there to catch my grammatical errors! Must fix that tonight and will re-scan a new chart. See... I am not perfect! Now, I am worried about my former students, maybe I taught them bad grammar. Sorry kids...

EDIT UPDATE: Last photo shows the edit... whew!

polaroid tuesday: week thirty-seven

Dear polaroid camera,

Please don't be jealous, but I got this little pretty thing to take pictures with too. You are still by far my favorite as I don't even know how to use a Savoy or what to substitute for 620mm film. You have no need to worry. You are not being replaced.

Love, 

Ruby

Anyone have any clues how to use this cute thing?

in a nutshell

The weekend consisted of my silly girls, more yummy Ben-cooked food, taking pictures in Los Angeles, and this cute girl's birthday party.

Fun... oh so much fun!

My mind keeps racing with my house to-do list. I want a clean, organized house before this baby comes and I have a little over 2.5 months left. I am loving this busy readying and I just made a fun purchase to help be prepared. Now, we just have to get through another full wonderful week ahead until another fun-filled weekend.

p.s. Don't forget the Skirball giveaway.

for los angeles locals (or if you want to drive or fly here)

You may remember our "More 'Stashin' Fun Birthday" we had for Ben awhile ago and our little trip to the Skirball for the Noah's Ark exhibit as part of the day's surprise. We absolutely loved that exhibit and the girls had so much fun running around and playing with all the interactive goodies that we can hardly wait to go back for another run around the place!

(photo taken by Grant Muford courtesy of Skirball Cultural Center)

Now, thanks to Skirball and their generosity, I am able to offer one of my lucky readers some passes to take your family to this wonderful interactive exhibit. Seriously, how cool is that?!! I guarantee that your family will have a jolly good time and that there will be lots of good memories to be made.

How to enter:

1. Leave me a comment telling me what you imagine yourself doing if you were on Noah's ark.

2. Leave me a way to reach you via a link to your blog or email.

Easy peasy, right? The giveaway will end on Saturday, September 19th at 8AM PST. I will announce the winner the following Monday morning. I guess this kinda restricts the passes to locals, but if you want to fly or drive here for the exhibit, by all means, go ahead. It is definitely worth it.

Skirball is also hosting another wonderful event, which is a free screening of the film Coco Avant Chanel with Audrey Tautou on Wednesday, September 23 from 7:30-9:30 in the evening. The screening is free, but if you wish to attend, you must be a Skirball Facebook Fan and RSVP on the Facebook event.

I am definitely going to this with some of my girlfriends and I think it would be fun to meet another bunch of you there. We won't be chatting during the film, but it would be nice to meet and greet each other before and after. If you sign up, let me know!

:: sponsor welcome ::

Say hello to our newest sponsor... Found Vintage Style.

(a few of my favorites: abacus, little girl dress, tin & mug set, watering can, old crate, tin globe)

Obviously, there are a plethora of goodies in this shop that are hard to say no to. I want all of those things pictured above and then some, but I must hold restraint. At least for now, but maybe not tomorrow. We'll see...

If would like a crate similar to the one that holds the city blocks in Brave's room, then this old Coca-Cola Crate will definitely do the job! So go check out this shop full of goodies, maybe you don't need to restrain yourself like me!

Found Vintage Style is also offering all Cakies readers 10% off, which I am sure will make restraint a bit more difficult. At purchase, just write "cakies" in the notes to seller and they will refund via paypal.

 

*** If interested in being a sponsor, email me for rates. ***

the latest tummy filler

I wanted fresh baked cornbread with honey butter.

Morning.

Noon.

And night.

Don't ever mess with a pregnant woman's cravings.

I wonder what will hit me this weekend...