polaroid tuesday: week twenty-six

Sun's first light peeking in as I sneak a quiet breakfast while the girls are still asleep. 

I really do love polaroids. I have yet to send emails for the wonderful polaroid offer mentioned last week, but have slowed down as they are out right now, but are restocking. Stay tuned, don't worry, I haven't forgotten you...

it was too hot

The heat has hit and boy did it hit hard. Yesterday was 102 degrees and just terrible. On the way home from church, I made Ben satisfy my request for icee and then we came home and I made pink lemonade freshers... refreshing. Refreshing is True's new vocabulary word. I am not sure True liked the lemonade as much as she liked the straws, which were a gift from Erika a long time ago, and I finally found the perfect special occasion to use it. Brave, on the other hand, loved it and got 2 servings of the refreshing drink, but then again, Brave loves everything. 

Of course, the heat also means bare little feetsies on the grass. I don't know how my girls do it cause they run all over the yard (in the sun) and don't care, while I think it is too hot and stay under the shade. I guess collecting rocks and flowers are much more important to them than worrying about the heat. 

The forecast for the week will be hot and busy. Lots to do. I need to make a list to make sure I get everything done, but we are excited for Saturday to come. Summer is in full swing here and getting exciting, even if it isn't my favorite season. I definitely have visions of lots of lemonade, salads and yummy sandwiches being eaten on the front porch. It's in my head and I hope it happens lots! By the way, does anyone have a killer lemonade recipe? One that doesn't call for too much sugar, but is the perfect balance between tart and sweet. 

Happy Monday all!!!

i heart making crowns

I love making custom crown (and regular ones), but custom ones always present a challenge and I love a challenge... usually. Well, one of my closest friends requested a I LOVE NY crown for her little girl as a hint to her dad of what he was getting for Father's Day, which were plane tickets to NY. I knew this was going to be a fun crown for a stylin' little girl. 

She wanted I LOVE NY, skyscrapers, and if I could manage to get the Brooklyn Bridge in. Let's just say I got two of the three, but I was having trouble putting the bridge in without the crown looking too busy. But I was very happy with result and I think she was too!

I must say that yesterday was a very productive day as all my bathrooms are now clean! I even cleaned the showers and tubs, which is quite an accomplishment as I never ever clean those. I hate cleaning that part of the bathroom. Anyone have any tips on how to remove really bad hard water stains? Today's task will be to fold and put away laundry and I would really like to get some sewing in. Now that I think about it, I didn't even feel nauseous at all yesterday. Maybe, things are looking better. Ah! To be human again is such a good feeling. Well, thank you very much to my two little, not so little anymore, seesters for taking care of my very little girls. You two are the best!!!

The weather is expected to heat up this weekend... yikes! I know I am a wuss when it comes to hot weather. I prefer the cold. 

Happy Friday! Keep cool this weekend with watermelon, cherries, and a whole bunch of lemonade. At least that's my plan!

sweet and refreshing

Darn. I forgot yesterday was Wedding Wednesday. Sorry. I might just post it later today or continue next week. Of late, I have been quite absentminded with so much going on and not enough brain to think about it all! Does that ever happen to anyone? Maybe, it's just me. Maybe, this baby is sucking all my brains for himself/herself... maybe. Nice thing is that my sisters are with me today and that means babysitters!!! I get to catch up and clean and do things that I have wanted/needed to do... I think I'll sew me a dress. Well, we will see how time goes. 

I have made a couple custom crowns this past week and here is just one of them. For a special Ruby who is going to turn 5 with a perfect, summery, watermelon themed party!

I found this crown so sweet and refreshing that I had to take a bite. Now, really, who can resist a cool, sweet watermelon in the summer? It is the perfect treat to help one cool off from the scorching sun. 

How is the weather where you are at? Has the summer heat already hit? It hasn't here and I am enjoying every bit of it. Though, we will be making our way to Texas in about a week, so I know I am gonna be in for a lot of heat. 

polaroid tuesday: week twenty-five

Something about this picture, especially the cherries, makes me feel quite summery. I am ready for a picnics, ice cream, and lots of cold and refreshing things.

What things make you feel summery?

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ANNOUNCEMENT: if you love polaroid film as much as I do and want to get some for cheap, leave me a comment with your email address.

EDIT: I will be emailing you how to sign up for the cheap polaroids, though they ran out, but will be making more, so you should snag some once they come up again!
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random things

Popping in to say hello. I disappeared last week because Father's Day was fast approaching and I must admit this pregnancy has left me sitting around with no clue what to do for Ben. I mean it just isn't possible to top what he did, so I wasn't even gonna try. It did finally hit me and I set out to do what I planned originally, but was afraid to try. It was fun and definitely a challenge. I will share that with you when I have a bit more time as I still have to sort through the pictures, which are on Ben's computer. All in all, the weekend was grand and Father's Day was wonderfully spent with some good family time.

random thing 1: I have it announced on the shop, but the shop will be closed from July 1st-17th. 
random thing 2: I have my appointment for my ultrasound to find out if the babycakies is a boy or girl.
random thing 3: Energy is coming back, but nauseousness is still kinda here.
random thing 4: I need to get my sewing machine checked, but in the meantime, I am using my sister's.
random thing 5: True is such a ham. She is getting funnier and funnier everyday.

random thing 6: I love June gloom. I love grey and non-sunny weather.

random thing 7: My love for Twilight has been re-ignited. Thanks to one of my friends finally picking up the book.

random thing 8: My necklace tutorial was featured on Small Magazine's blog. 

Have a good Monday everyone!!! I am off to do some work...

wedding wednesday

The hardest part of wedding planning for us was picking a photographer. I think we saw about 20 different people before we finally settled on one. We drove from Santa Barbara to San Diego to meet with various photographers, but it took awhile until we found "the one" and one within our budget. Now, I am thinking it is much easier these days cause there are tons more photographers because with digital technology is just much easier. Now, I know about 10 different photographers! Heck, even I have an SLR, though I hardly consider myself a photographer.

Well, when we did finally settle on one it was David Jay. He was just so downright nice and we loved his eye. He used a lot of negative space and really loved color. His photographs were minimally altered and so it was all pretty natural. He was just good. This was one of my favorite pictures from our engagement shoot, which was done two weeks before our wedding. That was how late we found a photographer.
David Jay is just so talented. Afterwards, my sister and I would call angles and good pictures "the David Jay." Well, now I am not sure if he is still doing wedding photography as his photographer stardom skyrocketed even higher soon after our wedding (not cause of us). He does conferences and created Showitfast and other things that make it easier for professional photographers. He is a genius and just an overall talented guy!

*photos taken by David Jay

polaroid tuesday: week twenty-four

The girls sitting on/with all our new found old goodies from the flea market as we wait for Benny to pick us (and the goodies) up in the loading zone. 

It had been a few months since we have been to a flea market and it was such a good feeling to be reunited again. We didn't have very much time there, just a couple hours, but it was a good time, even the girls came away with some stuff for themselves.

I love flea markets. Don't you? 

doing the happy friday dance

It's Friday. Yeah! Yeah! 

Sorry I was so busy today that I forgot to post this. It was written, but just had to press publish, which I didn't even have time to do!

Today's agenda consisted of:

- Did laundry.

- Some crown making.

- Getting dressed.

- Dropped girls off at grammie's.

- Got a haircut.

- Dinner with my hottie.

- Went to Bible Study. 

And the winner of the giveaway is... Jodi from The Bee Hive!!! Congratulations!!! Expect an email from the owner of Hijkids. And to all who entered, thank you once again for checking out a lovely shop of whom I am a big fan! 

Stay cool everyone and eat some bananas!!! Just like my Brave...

p.s. Please send over any yummy pumpkin cookie/cupcake recipes. I really want a pumpkin cupcake...

a good breakfast

Pumpkin smoothie and lovely reading material courtesy of a fine little gal. 

Yes, I know it isn't fall, but pumpkin is good any time of the year. I love pumpkin pancakes, smoothies, and now I am a craving a pumpkin cupcake... yum!

Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe

In a blender put:

2- scoops (using an ice cream scooper) vanilla ice cream/yogurt blend

2- heaping scoops of canned pumpkin

6 oz- vanilla soy milk

a light sprinkle of pumpkin spice

Blend together, adjust to taste, and enjoy.

Oh no! Now, that I mention craving pumpkin cupcakes that is going to be what I want. Poor Ben. Where is he going to find that?!!

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Don't forget the giveaway ends tomorrow morning!!!

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wedding wednesday

Okay, so with this pregnancy, I have not wanted to get online, let alone really get too near a computer, so I am behind in emails, blogging, pretty much anything that involves a computer. Also, the sum of my days involve laying in bed and well... laying in bed, not too exciting to share around these parts. I am sure you don't want daily pictures of me and the girls chillin' in my messy room. Therefore, I have dubbed Wednesdays... Wedding Wednesdays. At least for now, and my life and body returns back to being somewhat human. Plus, our anniversary is in a little over a month so I thought this would be a nice way to reminisce.

I have mentioned before that "chicken and lamb" was a little theme that ran throughout our whole courtship and even wedding thanks to Dave Matthews, so we did a little play on that for our guestbook. I got this unusually long book at Anthropologie, which I just had to snatch up, despite the fact the colors didn't match the wedding, but the size was perfect for what we wanted to do. 

We had our very talented friend, Jose, create a carnival cut-out of sort for guests to take pictures in. It was pretty big and sturdy as it was made of wood, I think it was about 4'x6'. It was a very nice size. Actually, it is still sitting in my parents' garage. The piece was based on a "chicken and lamb" painting Ben had given me when we were dating. Guests got behind it, someone took a polaroid of them, then they stuck it to the book and signed it. Now looky here, there we are almost 4 years ago...

I think it was a lot of fun and it is so special going back to see everyone who was there and to read what they wrote. I still remember the feelings of that day so vividly. So surreal. So in love. So just absolutely dreamy. 

I think by the time I am done with my wedding sharing you are going to be so sick of "chicken and lamb" things, cause trust me... it was everywhere (at least in small details). Maybe I should just call it "chicken and lamb" wednesdays.

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Don't forget the giveaway!

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polaroid tuesday: week twenty-three

It was a beautiful day and we all went strawberry picking.

Ben was the hottest picker out there.

hijkids: sponsor giveaway

Hijkids is a wonderful little shop full of magnificent handmade goodies for little (and big) girls. Kristine, the owner, has done a superb job of hand picking unique and beautiful pieces to fill her shop. She curates a wide array of clothing from various artists from all over the world. Check out her shop as I am sure you will fall in love with all the pieces. 
From HIJKids: The Summer Vacation Brooch is a handmade felt brooch lovingly made in England by Anna Alicia. The brooch is valued at $22. The colors look so stunning together and can be worn by little ones and grown ups alike! Giveaway is open to everyone, including those international.
To be entered in this giveaway leave a comment on this post telling me:

1) About your favorite item from Hijkids.

2) The best email address to reach you. 

 

The giveaway will end next Friday, June 12th at 8am PST. The winner will be announced shortly after. 

Enjoy the weekend!!!

it isn't tuesday

I know it's Friday. Yesterday, was my baby seester's high school graduation. Every time I would think about it I would start to tear up. 

There should be a rule: Pregnant women are not allowed to attend a baby sister's graduation. 

It just wouldn't be good for the makeup. Nevertheless, I went and teared, but good thing was that I was busy taking pictures that it kept my hormones at bay. I'm glad. It was grand. She is done and tonight we will celebrate. Here are some polaroids I took that help keep me from crying.

Happy Friday everyone!

Don't forget to check back over the weekend as there will be a cool-you-won't-want-to-miss-it sponsor giveaway...

i'll take it

The girls and I spent some time in this beautiful building with the prettiest walls. I would love my walls to look like this. It was utterly gorgeous wall paper and I am sure very old wallpaper. Here so many grand picture opportunities are sure to be had. Actually, the whole building was just gorgeous, lots of details and really old. Those are very good combinations.

Besides this as wallpaper, I would love this in fabric. Wallpaper or fabric, either way I would gladly take it, so I guess too bad that either isn't an option.

What type of wall person are you? Wallpaper? Colored walls? Or white? I tend to leans toward white. Though, I am sure that can change one day.

polaroid tuesday: week twenty-two

Brave's new (vintage) friend. Meet the wooden duck.

It came from a Fine Little Shop indeed...

key keepers

The weekend's over?!! Really. Where did time go? That went by so fast. Not that time is too much different for me, since I stay home, nevertheless, I love weekends cause Ben is home. We definitely had a busy one, which included appointments, a birthday party, and being with church family. Busy, but fun.

We went to the 1st birthday party of a sweet little girl. True and I (okay, mostly me), decided to make her a doll. It's been awhile since I last made one, but I think this one came out sweet with a special little pocket to hold a special little treat.

What was inside you ask? Well, a special little key because the birthday celebrant is a special little girl named Key. 

I am about ready to go on a key making extravaganza, so my little girls will have their own keys to play with, cause frankly, Brave and True hold the keys to Ben and my hearts. We love them lots! Love them so much you just want to squeeze them so tight and never let go. Or maybe, we want to lock them in our hearts and throw away the key so they can never leave us, but they will grow and they will leave, but they will always have our hearts. It is amazing a parent's love for their child, but what is much more amazing is God's love for us. Yes, His love is much greater. 

Happy Monday as this week will sure be busy... my baby seester is graduating high school. This will be a monumental moment for my parents. Two kids done with college and two more to go. Now, we hold the keys to my parents' hearts, okay, and Brave and True too (maybe Brave and True more so). Things change when grandkids come along...