polaroid tuesday: week thirteen

On our date, I saw this vintage carnival light...

I wanted it. So. Bad. It is so perfect and pretty, but we must be smart with money, so I will wait. At least I got a polaroid of it...

strung along

Some are in the shop and ready to be worn (can also be seen here)...

Oh! I have to share this wonderful giveaway on Erika's blog. She threw the cutest circus themed party for her daughter and she hates to be wasteful and see these goodies just be put in a box, so she is giving some of the party items away! Perfect for someone else who would like to throw a circus party!!! Maybe the winner could be you (hurry, it ends April 1st, no joke!)...

my friday night date with ben

Thanks to some wonderful tips from Jenn we had a grand time in downtown Ventura...

I must say Cafe Fiore is yum and I was glad to be able to wear my thrifted-altered dress out (the dress was a huge very ethnic looking dress). I love dates with my husband...

this weekend's obsession

I have been having fun coming up with new ways to turn more fabric scraps into necklaces of sorts. This one turned out pretty (at least I think so) with its coral color, though it comes out super bright in the picture. I also sewed on a little flower to adorn it. I think it makes it especially sweet...

I have a feeling I know what my new obsession will be this weekend...

I hope I have more to show you soon. In the meantime...

Have a blissful weekend!!! 

recycled scraps

I have a large growing pile of fabric scraps. I refuse to throw them away because I am sure they can be used for something. I have been seeing different types of interesting necklaces made of buttons, beads, and fabric. Then, I figured why not make one out of my scraps...

I think it made my white shirt a little less boring. This was so quick and easy to make.

 

How to make a recycled scraps necklace (which is very similar to the straps on my braided tablecloth bag):

1. Take your scrap fabric, I cut a .5''-1'' snip and tear the rest of the fabric down for a nice frayed edge. Used 3 different fabrics for each strand.

2. Take 3 of the torn pieces and tie the ends together with a rubber band. 

3. Braid the 3 pieces together and tie ends together with rubber band when done.

4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 for more strands. Remember you can make the strands any length you want, if run out of fabric, just weave more into the braid.

5. Once all the strands you want are braided, gather one end of each strand together and straight stitch together with sewing machine. Repeat for the other ends of the strands. Snip off any excess.

6. Gather ends of the necklace and sew together (snip excess) or a ribbon can be sewn at the ends to be able to tie the necklace closed, but I just sewed both ends together. 

7. Voila! A nice way to make use of all your lovely scraps.

Sorry if the directions get you a little lost, but it really is easy. I promise. Maybe I should put some in the shop. Please share any other good ideas you may have of things that can be made with scraps. I would love to hear (read) them!

polaroid tuesday: week twelve

I have a new thing for cuckoo clocks...

This particular one, which now sits in my work room, is bought from Darlybird. I want a whole wall full of all different types. This may be a new goal. 

spring dreaming

I day dream about spring shoes, or maybe, I just daydream about shoes in general. Spring is finally here, though not sure if that says very much seeing that I live in southern California and the differentiation between seasons are not that great, but nevertheless color (or is it shoes?) is on my mind. I seriously want these...

from dear golden vintage

from marais usa

from indigo by clarks

I should have a sign that says, "Will work for shoes!" Now, if only those retailers would do a little trading, etsy-style... that would be a dream! Surely, some of them would want some clips or crowns.

To any secret admirers out there (okay, Ben), I love these things. Don't forget I am a size 6, though I think the yellow shoes would fit me. I know, I know (Ben is rolling his eyes as he reads this), you have been more than generous lately. Just thought I would share... you never know.

Happy Monday everyone! 

p.s. care to trade anyone?!!

makes pretty pictures

Our colored pencils for our family sketchbook were pretty dull, which means they are being used A LOT. I am so glad. True and Brave can sit for long whiles just coloring (and fighting about who gets to color on which page), but mostly coloring.

The task of the day: sharpen them pencils.

When we were done, the shavings were so pretty that I couldn't resist giving them their own photo shoot, there is so much beauty in simple things...

The pencils are now ready to go...

See you on Monday!

finally flying

Yes, some may have already noticed, but the shop is back up and running. I must say it was a nice break, but I am so glad to be back. More items will be listed slowly, though there are already a few new colors of Rosy Posies, crowns, and back home from a wonderful winter south are some fluttery friends...

These are the new once-in-awhiles of the shop. I had so much fun making these and they look so good together (Though, I doubt someone would buy them all up to put on a wall, but they would look good that way!). 

I have already received a nice welcome back from some of you via orders and emails... thank you so much!

Also, I wanted to share a wonderful new blog called Designing Moms, full of highly talented designers who are also mothers. I am also honored to be part of it, but I don't feel as qualified as some of the moms on there... seriously, one is an extraordinary cake artist, another wonderful tiny garment makers, and an exquisite jewelry designer. Really, the list could go on and on as there are 13 wonderful women in all. Each designer/mom contributes a plethora of fantastic ideas and goodies that every mom will definitely want to know about! If you want to add to your probably already long blog reading list, check out Designing Moms. 

Okay, that is my rant for today. Hop on over to my shop and say hello...

my lunch and dinner

Peanut butter & jelly, with a teaspoon of condense milk, on a pretty plate, makes for a very nice lunch...

For dinner, I wanted a western bacon cheeseburger, minus all the fat, so I set off to make us some healthified onion rings. Sliced onions, dipped in egg whites, rolled in Panko italian breadcrumbs, stuck in the oven for 20 minutes makes yummy, healthy onion rings...

I am pretty happy with the way they turned out, but wish the breading stuck more. Anyone made healthified onion rings before? Any tips? I am definitely going to work on perfecting this recipe because I love onion rings, but do not want to deal with all the fat that regular onion rings so generously give. 

We made some sirloin burgers, which are lower in fat than regular meat, stuck in my healthified onion rings, soy bacon (yes, soy tastes darn close!), spinach, cheese, and can't forget the barbecue sauce and thus enjoyed a much heart happy version of the western bacon cheeseburger. My body and tummy thanks me!

For those of you bothered by the idea of soy bacon... really, it tastes good, just make sure it is extra crispy and you'll never know the difference!

polaroid tuesday: week eleven

Just because ferris wheels always make nice pictures...

Especially polaroid ones.

In case you didn't get the memo, it looks like polaroid film, especially the most sought after 600 film, may be saved after all! Hooray!!!

Though, I should be good to go for at least a couple years, as I just stocked up about two years worth of film...

a rare moment

Ben let me indulge a bit last weekend when we went to Santa Monica Pier. It is just too pretty (and fun) to resist. The cotton candy was calling my name...

My girls are so good (rather, well trained) that they both were strongly refusing any cotton candy. I would try to touch their lips with it and they would fiercely reject it and say, "No!" Training, I tell you... training. I mean, who says no to cotton candy, except the daughters of a dietitian father.

Me on the other hand, well, I just couldn't refused. Plus, the sugar high after just feels good!

Hope your weekend was just as sweet as cotton candy!!!

the place we called home

During college, I had the privilege of studying abroad in London with my best friend, Linda. The place we called home was a cute little flat known as  "Cromwell House." 

It was such a special time there. I loved the constant traveling, bounty of shopping, and the fact you had to walk if you wanted to get somewhere (oh and school was good too!). I have mentioned this before, but my first love of art was through drawing and sketching. I used to just draw and sketch all the time, though they rarely resulted in a framed piece (I have very few of those).  Several years ago, I drew the place we called home for those few months and gave it to Lin as a birthday present...

I had so much fun drawing a place that held so many wonderful feelings and memories as this was my first real time away from home. I fondly remember looking out that large flat window and missing home, but at the same time, being unbelievably grateful for the opportunity to live there. We had a lot of good memories... lots of fun times, semi-crazy ones too (just semi- as I am still pretty square). 

Now, several years later from our galavant through London and that drawing, I wanted to give her something else that was reminiscent of our special time. I commissioned the overwhelmingly talented artist, Sam from mummysam, to recreate our  "Cromwell House." I think she did a mighty fine job in capturing it...

She even got the teal-green-ish colored door just perfect (I gave her a colored picture, but sorry can't tell from my black & white drawing) and look at the lettering of the restaurant, perfection again! Sam is so, so amazing...

I loved the little house so much that it was kinda hard to give away (but I am glad Lin has it), though now I just can't wait to have my own. I so wish I could go back to London, but this time with my family in tow. Seriously, kissing my Ben by the Big Ben, now that is perfection! How wonderful would that be! Never know, maybe one day I will be back...

Also, excuse my recent absence here. My sister-in-law was here (combined with my mac being out) and we travailed all through southern California. I have so many fun moments to share, but now I working and the shop will be opening soon... really. Next week, that is my goal. 

Oh and remember our "photo fun party," well, here are the results of the photobooth pictures... enjoy! They are hilariously funny and my sister and her boy love taking pictures. Here is one of my favorites (it's True and the birthday boy and some other kid I don't know)...

Hello again everyone! Hope you are still there.

p.s. Linda reminded me of how freaky that large window could get too. Sometimes, it would just lift up all by itself (I don't think that is normal). Though, on a good note, we saw the queen drive by through there too!

polaroid tuesday: week ten

A little late, but still Tuesday here. It has been a fun week as my sister-in-law is in town (hence, the lack of blogging and because my computer has been out for repair). There has been a lot of bonding time going on with their special (and fun) Aun-tia Suzi...

We will be sad when she leaves...

oh happy weekend

I awoke this morning to find a comment pointing me to this...
Eek! My heart skipped a beat the moment I saw it. My True looks utterly adorable in an illustration!!!

Thalita is a talented illustrator from Brazil and she is a super cute pregnant woman (my bet is she is having a girl). Thalita was inspired by the Misha Lulu photographs to sketch away my True. Ben and I were completely in awe! You should check out Thalita's lovely blog.

Not to mention that my sister-in-law is here visiting from Texas and we are off to Santa Monica today... there is lots of fun to be had. Oh what a happy weekend thus far!

her little gig

Have you seen the new Misha Lulu line lately? You must have because it has been seen everywhere... in the latest issue of SMALL and even on Bloesem Kids. Karen has done it again with her wonderfulness and created a perfectly cheerful line for Spring '09. You really must check out the new collection and site. If you peruse enough, you will see a familiar face here and here...My True-y did such a good job, but I did discover that she has a "shy smile" just like her mama. My shy smile usually comes out when I am a bridesmaid walking down the aisle (it didn't come out when I was the bride because I had the most ginormous smile as my eyes locked on my future husband). I think my True is so so cute! 

Thank you Karen for letting True be part of it... we had a blast!

p.s. You can see some Cakies clippies and a Lela doll in some of the photos... way cool! I am so honored.

photo fun party

My seester's "special" friend's party was a blast. He is a photographer, so it was appropriate that he was thrown a "photo fun" party. We made cool banners of magazines pictures, strung some pictures he and my seester took together, along with some funny pictures of him growing up. The best part was the little "photo booth" area we made. We hung a couple sheets, had a basket full of funny props and one of his best friends is a photographer too, so he was cool and kind enough to take everyone's pictures. It was fun! I can't wait to see the turn out of our silly pictures. We had lots of fun with that photo booth...

Did I mention that I made another dress?!! Not necessarily for the party, but just for fun and to add to my "sewing for me" addiction. Plus, I have tons of fabric sitting in my stash and they need to get used. Really, they must.

You should throw your own "photo fun" party..

p.s. I think my husband's bow legged-ness is sexy.

polaroid tuesday: week nine

Our backyard is full of weeds, our neighbor's is full of palm trees. I want some pretty trees (and grass).

  

Will trade tons of Cakies crowns for some grass...

sorry for the disappearance

I didn't plan to take a mini-blog break, but it just happened as I have been sipping on cold chocolate soy milk and relaxing (kinda). I really need to get some chai tea to make my own chai tea latte! Thanks to those who told me how to make it. I am really bad at these tea/coffee things.

Seriously, another subject, but friends are the best. They give you little treats that just make you smile. My friend Jane gave me the cute mug/cup things from my favorite store. Really, you can't go wrong there. I love them and it could be for Rubyellen Bratcher or Ruby and Ben... either way works for me.

I had a grand weekend. I hope you did too. My best friend and I met up with some of the gals I used to live with in London. Reminiscing is always fun! Then, the surprise party I have been planning with my middle seester for weeks now, finally came to fruition. It was for her "best friend" and he was quite surprised. Our family and his family (plus friends) was there, we should have just made it an engagement party, it would save us the trouble later! It was a fun party, will show more pictures soon.

Well, off to do some Monday morning cleaning before the girls wake and darn me because I forgot my point-and-shoot camera at my mom's, so I am completely camera less for now. My shop opening will have to wait...

Happy Monday!