warm days ahead

Oh, days have been warm now. This California weather seems to be kinda finicky. Every morning, the girls are out and about the backyard and the afternoons are spent on the front porch.

Today was especially cute because I finally took out the vintage army cot I got on ebay recently. The girls were so excited to have another "spot" to relax on, so while Brave and Soul were napping, True was the lucky gal who got to relax and read all by herself. She looked so grown up and looked like she really knew what she was reading. Now, I just need Ben to put up my hammock and I can relax too!

Spring has got us Bratcher girls excited! Are you excited about springtime?

p.s. April is almost here, so if you want to be a sponsor, shoot me an email!

And, it is tax month... yuck! We are almost done... yay! Ben just has to finish getting everything together to hand over to our tax lady Jenny! If you need a good tax person, I highly recommend ours. She can do it for anyone in the United States and she is really efficient. Email me if you want her details too!

projects

I am knee deep in all sorts of house projects over here. My house hasn't really been cleaned or organized since December due to the holidays and the craziness of the first trimester, but now that all that is over (almost), I think nesting has officially begun.

It all started with the gardening. I just have a few other plants on my list to get, some seeds to sow, then get some mulch t0 add on top and I am kinda good. At least for the rest of the month. Then I moved on to tackling the different rooms downstairs, particularly the common areas. I have changed things so slightly, moved things around, and filled the rooms with more indoor plants.

At the same time, the girls and I have been working on finishing this family painting that we started eons ago. We completed it yesterday, but I must say is definitely interesting to work on a large painting with kids. All Ben needs to do is hang it up! If it were up to me, I would just take a nail and hammer and hang it. Ben of course is much more efficient and makes sure things are put on as secure as possible, so I will have to wait until this weekend. After that, we will share it.

Any projects you are working on? Today is for cleaning up the mess I made redecorating and answering emails. If you are waiting for me, I will get back to you soon!

vintage here, vintage there: soulie and me

I really don't get dressed up much during the week, especially during cooler weather, so I look forward to the weekends for dressing up. This is what Soulie and I wore on Saturday when we went to my friend's engagement party and our afternoon date.

The jacket is one I got from anthro when they had their super sale around Christmastime. I have come so close to returning it many times because honestly, I "work" at home and it isn't really cold in California, so how many times will I actually use it?! Well, it has come in handy 3 times already, so it is not going back to the store for this cute jacket.

on me: top, gap. skirt, vintage c/o ms. tips. jacket, anthropologie. slip, vintage. shoes, seychelles. necklace, make pie not war. ring, etsy (can't remember).

on soul: dress, misha lulu. shirt, american apparel. sweater, vintage. leggings, babylegs. shoes, freshly picked.

Lately, I much prefer wear a maxi skirt over a dress. I tell you, every pregnancy my mood for dressing has been different. Though most vintage skirts are maxi skirts on me, cause I am so darn short. I am sure most of you tower over me! I think I have only 3 maxi skirts, so I definitely need to stock up on more to last me through the spring and summer.

Skirts I like: hippie maxi, yellow floral, peaches and plums, and chevron striped maxi.

Cute things for kids: smocked dress, knit maxi, paisley dress, boy vest, navy sailor dress, and summer tank.

Rachel and Ruby are sure to be wearing something super cute "over there"! They always do so you will want to make sure to see what they are wearing too!

vintage here, vintage there: week one

vintage here, vintage there: week two

vintage here, vintage there: week three, part one

vintage here, vintage there: week three, part two

vintage here, vintage there: week four

vintage here, vintage there: week five

vintage here, vintage there: everyday wear

vintage here, vintage there: outerwear

vintage here, vintage there: texas style

vintage here, vintage there: borrowed

vintage here, vintage there: family outing

vintage here, vintage there: what's in my bag?

vintage here, vintage there: handmade

vintage here, vintage there: shoes

vintage here, vintage there: love day

vintage here, vintage there: casual

vintage here, vintage there: boy edition

vintage here, vintage there: just me

misha lulu

The spring/summer collection for Misha Lulu is now out (see here) and let me tell you how utterly amazing everything is. The new collection has so many pieces that I would wear myself and the styling and photography showcasing Karen's knack for designing makes everything even more charming. If you look through the collection, you will also see the newest Misha Lulu model. Here's a hint: She is little and has got a curly mane.

misha lulu website...

misha lulu surplus shop...

misha lulu blog...

vintage here, vintage there: mama whitney

Meet vintage lover Whitney who shares all about her love for old things all the way from Idaho. She has cool effortless style and her photography she shares on her blog is so simple and pretty. Did I mention she has a little children's vintage shop full of treasures?!! Head "over there"and meet Whitney and her pretty Tayvee!

Rachel and I will be back tonight sharing some vintage we wore over the weekend. Spring is slowly creeping about, so it makes us very excited!

***** vintage mama features *****

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama heather

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama karen

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama james

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama alix

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama beth

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama danielle

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama stacy

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama gisela

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama tammy

saturday date (with soul)

Friday night the big girls slept over at grammy's and grumpy's, so Soulie experienced being an only child for a bit. One of my closest friends is finally getting hitched, so Saturday we headed out to her engagement party, after which, we made a date of it by hanging out at the beach and doing some other fun things together (with Soulie in tow).

The baby belly looks huge there, but I think that picture is funnily deceiving. Though, it is getting larger daily no doubt.

It was nice to go out on a sort of date with my Benny. We haven't gone an official date in a few months, so this was nice. Soulie was with us because my parents took the big girls to watch a musical, so Soulie couldn't go with them, but let me tell you... one kid is so much easier than three out and about!

I know one is hard. I don't knock that fact to some of you who are still in the one kid phase, but boy oh boy, life gets much more interesting with two, then three, and ask me about four in about six months! God is good in that he prepares you slowly with each time you add to your brood, but if you have twins and triplets the first time around. Well my friend, you are just in a whole other ball game! God definitely knows you could handle a whole lot then!!!

Back to our date. It was sweet, simple, and kind of spontaneous all rolled into one. We used to go on date nights weekly, but we would have to drive to my parents (30 minutes away) and leave the girls, pick them up, then drive back home. Sometimes that is kind of a hassle.

I think one thing that keeps us sane together is the fact they all go to bed pretty early, so that gives me and Ben quiet time, even though we don't go on "dates", we don't feel like we are missing out on too much. Don't get me wrong though, I think going on dates are still very important. That's why yesterday was so very special because we just got to walk arm in arm, which is easier to do with one kid, and just kind of laugh and giggle at silly husband and wife jokes together.

Ben mentioned how he listened to part of this message, which was sent to us by our Pastor, and it really resonated with him. I just listened to it and I must say, it resonated with me too. Good practical truths. Marriage is definitely an investment where both parties need to be willing to throw in their all, but God is really the one that makes the difference. With God's help, I like investing in my marriage with Ben.

So tell me, are you married? If so, for how long? If not, any engagement/wedding coming soon or are you still patiently waiting? Marriages are by no means easy and I am sure we could all learn a bit of wisdom from one another no matter how many years you have under your belt!

week's end

Whew! That was a busy week. Between the rainy days and the sunny days, there was a lot of playing, cleaning, and most especially gardening. The girls were all out with me yesterday playing as I was planting. My hands are so calloused and roughed up from all the gardening (and I already have dry hands to begin with). I ought to use gloves but it just doesn't feel the same. I like feeling the soil and bringing it up to my nose and smelling it! Best of all, I love that there are flowers outside that I can bring inside.

But after the days of gardening, last night I conked out in bed. After I read, I meant to go downstairs to snack and get my camera to upload pictures and blog, but then I was so tired I couldn't move and then fell asleep. Ben came upstairs to check on me, which woke me up, and I realized I still had to wash my face, floss, and brush my teeth. I hesitantly got out of bed to do so, but went back in bed to floss, then fell asleep while flossing. Ben had to wake me up to brush my teeth. Man oh man, I was tired. It is a good hard working kinda tired though and not a morning sickness tired. The days are getting better for me... praise God!

Things I learned this week...

- No one is selling any peony plants in our local nurseries.

- These would make the cutest gardening shoes.

- This thrifty challenge sounds like fun.

- My main problem isn't my impatience with the girls, but I have a much too demanding spirit and self-will. I need to be much more unselfish and prayerful about everything, but especially the girls.

- Child commercialism is so deceiving, of course own-ness also must be given to the parents. Watch this documentary.

- This book is such an eye opener. I really love it. Read it.

- Sales like the one over at Ms. Tips are always friendlier on the pocket book.

What did you learn this week? Happy weekending!!!

pizza night

Last week we had a pizza making night. It all started because I had another craving and this time was homemade pizza with shrimp on it. Good thing, I made a bunch of whole wheat pizza dough (recipe here) awhile ago and just stick it in the freezer for days such as these.

True of course gets her pizza with no cheese because she is allergic to dairy.

Brave gets her pizza with loads of cheese because that girl loves dairy.

And the baby belly and I were happy as clams with our chili garlic oil and shrimp pizza with a bit of basil put on to add more oomph!

Once again, I don't do any cooking, but just watch as Ben and the girls work their magic in the kitchen. I love having my own personal chefs!

Who's the cook in your home? I am definitely not the cook, but I am the baker. Hence, I was the one who prepared the dough and stuck it in the freezer.

polaroid tuesday: week twelve

A nice sunny day (with a chance of rain later).

How have your days been?

DIY outdoor bench/cushion of sorts

Many of you have inquired about our outdoor seating you have seen pop in our pictures from time to time and I am finally getting to share about them now. Mind you these pictures are from last summer, so our garden looks nothing like this now. Right now it is weed filled and dirty, but I am in the process of cleaning and prettying it up.

Materials:

- 2 pallets of the same size

- High density 5'' thick foam cut to fit on top of pallet (bought at local craft store)

- Outdoor vinyl (to cover entirety of the foam)

- Waterproof tape (to wrap the vinyl around the foam)

- Outdoor canvas or duck cloth (enough to fit around the foam)

When Ben and I were first fixing up our yard last summer, we had such a hard time finding cozy seating that was our style. We wanted something simple and kinda natural looking, but everything we found in the stores looked cheap and were too expensive (not a great combo), and too patio-like. That wasn't for us. After brainstorming, I drew out what I wanted and wanted to see if Ben could make it. I just wanted simple wooden benches with something comfy on top. Then, after more brainstorming, we came up with this pallet idea.

One afternoon we went driving in local industrial areas and just started searching for pallets. We needed two of the same size to stack on top of each other, to make the seating the height we wanted. The first two pallets we saw were perfect and easy as they were just in the trash pile along with some broken ones, so we just stuck two good ones in our car. Then, the next two we came by was more difficult because we found them in a commercial trash container. Ben had to climb up and was carefully checking things out to find two good pallets that were the same size. When he did, he had to carefully lower them down to me (and man, those things are heavy) and try not to fall at the same time. We loaded those up and brought them home.

I cleaned the pallets by hosing them down. I took measurements and wrote them down and knew just how much foam I would need to buy. I went to Joann's to buy the foam and had 50% off coupons because that foam ain't cheap! It was probably the most expensive part considering the pallets were free.

I bring the foam home and place them on the pallets and with a serrated knife, cut it to the exact size I need. The width of a pair of the pallets was pretty wide, so I had to piece two pieces of foam together to get the full width. I took the vinyl and wrapped it completely around and made sure it overlapped, then just closed everything with waterproof tape. Sounds kind of like a quickie way of doing it as I am sure there is a much more chic way, but the foam was hidden and I didn't care. I just wanted it to not be able to get wet or damp.

Lastly, I just cut the duck cloth I got to fit the pallet with extra room to tuck in and under the cushion. I probably could have sewn a nice perfect cushion and maybe i will get to that eventually, but I just wanted something quick and natural. Now, voila! We had the perfect seating for us! There is plenty of room for lounging, reading, and doing some good 'ole relaxing!

Before we had all our rain, I made sure to bring the cushions and cloth in. The pallets stayed outside and have continued to weather, but I think it has a nice worn look. Plus, I love old things so that's cool with me!

Sorry there isn't much of a step by step, but it really is easy peasy and pretty self explanatory. Find 2 pallets, buy foam that fits on top, buy vinyl to go around the foam, close it up, and wrap it in cloth. Simple as that!

This look might not work for everyone, but it does for us. The best part is that it is much more budget friendly and matches our style more than anything we saw being sold out in the stores or online! Don't you just love a good, quick, and easy DIY?

* All these pictures were taken last summer. I have been meaning to share this DIY for so long now!

vintage here, vintage there: just me

I feel this is a somewhat lonely post as it is just me sans kids (well, I have the baby inside me, does that count?). I had every intention of doing a post including them, but yesterday's and today's weather has just been bad, so it just wasn't feasible to snap any pictures of them dressed up cute in vintage! You are now stuck with a post of just me from a few weeks ago.

I wore this outfit on a nice sunny day to go out treasure hunting with my sister (see her outfit post of the same day here). We grabbed lunch, found some goodies, then went to visit some friends at the school I used to work at. It was a nice day out and I was tired when I got home. Though, it seems I am always tired when I get home. Pregnancy (and having three kids) takes a lot out of you!

I am a short gal, so wearing vintage dresses with the bump has been especially difficult because of where the waist falls on some of my vintage dresses. For this dress, I kind of had to tuck in the skirt up to make the waist fall somewhere more flattering and accentuate the bump. The little peplum also accentuate it.

My go to shoes are always ballet flats and of course my purse of sorts is a tapestry bag. I am just in love with those and will keep collecting them forever, until I run out of room or Ben makes me stop.

I really feel lonely looking at these pics without my girls. I feel naked without them!

on me: dress, vintage. cardigan, target. shoes, jessica simpson. tapestry bag, vintage via the attic people (told you I love their shop!).

The rain is back, so we are bundled up in pajamas all the day long over here, but I am so looking forward to the warmer weather, though I consider myself a gray sky, gloomy weather kinda gal. I think all the gardening has me dreaming up warm days in a lovely hammock sipping on some lemonade. Okay, maybe not lemonade cause that doesn't sound too good to me right now, but I will definitely be sipping on something good.

Other pretty things I am coveting: zig zig dress, mustard knitted dress, vintage yellow and lace, 1920's deco, ethereal 1940's, black checker

Pretty things for kids: gingham sailor, nautical stripe, prepster bow tie, maroon shirt, pink hearts, retro elephant

I miss seeing Rachel's vintage outfits, since we took a couple weeks off, but I am so excited to see what her and her lovely gang is wearing "over there"!

vintage here, vintage there: week one

vintage here, vintage there: week two

vintage here, vintage there: week three, part one

vintage here, vintage there: week three, part two

vintage here, vintage there: week four

vintage here, vintage there: week five

vintage here, vintage there: everyday wear

vintage here, vintage there: outerwear

vintage here, vintage there: texas style

vintage here, vintage there: borrowed

vintage here, vintage there: family outing

vintage here, vintage there: what's in my bag?

vintage here, vintage there: handmade

vintage here, vintage there: shoes

vintage here, vintage there: love day

vintage here, vintage there: casual

vintage here, vintage there: boy edition

p.s. I think I am 10 weeks pregnant in the pictures.

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama tammy

This week vintage mama is Tammy, the lovely lady behind the shop Ms. Tips! I have been such a fan of this lovely shop that it is nice to put a face behind the shop. Tammy is so lovely and has such great style, that I think she definitely needs a blog to showcase it, so everyone meet this ultra chic vintage lovin' mama...

Hi, I’m Tammy and I own an on-line etsy shop called Ms. Tips. I sell hand picked vintage items for women and children, while also working at my long-time waitressing job - which is how I came up with the theme of my shop. Selling vintage for only a year now is definitely the best job I’ve ever had.

Q: When did you start wearing vintage and why?

A: I started wearing vintage when I was 15. I’ve always interested in anything old and fashion. I’ve always loved listening to stories about how people lived and what they wore in the past. I love wearing vintage because they fit my body so much better than modern clothes. They are also better made and each piece is unique. Just can’t go wrong with vintage.

Q: What do you look for in a piece when you’re shopping?

A: I am such a sucker for fun novelty prints and bright color combinations. Being comfortable is also very important, so I like to wear mainly cotton, soft acrylic knit dresses, nothing itchy! When I’m shopping for my shop, I try to find pieces that are unique and wearable from every era. I somewhat pay attention to trends, because really, fashion recycles itself. For kids’ pieces, I always ask myself, “Would I put this on my child?” If answer is yes, then it goes in my cart.

Q: Favorite vintage find to date?

A: I have so many. I like each and every piece I own and they are anywhere from the 1920’s to 1980’s. I tend to favor 40’s, 50’s and early 60’s.

{top right corner, clockwise: 80’s doggy skirt from etsy, 60’s party dress from an antique store, 50’s sundress from a thrift store, 40’s day dress from an antique store}

Q: The one piece that got away (or would’ve broken the bank!)

A: I honestly can’t think of any piece that got away. I always try to find a way to get what I want. If something is way overpriced or doesn’t fit into my budget I tend to move on pretty quickly. If these were within my budget I would have gotten them in a heartbeat.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66550158/1940s-rayon-dress-ballerina-floral

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57994018/vintage-1950s-saffron-mustard-corduroy

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56867346/reserved-beyond-cute-30s-40s-juniors

Q: How do you style your son?

A: I’m sure other vintage-moms will agree that it is so hard to find vintage clothes for boys, especially anything for 5+ year olds. My son, Emmett is getting pickier about what he wears, so I don’t force him to wear what he doesn’t, but when I find an awesome jumpsuit from the 70’s or quirky novelty sweaters I bribe him to wear them☺. Typically I style him in vintage T-shirts, novelty sweaters, and vintage levis jeans. Nothing too precious because it’ll get ruined so quickly!

Q. What are some of your favorite places to shop?

A. For me: adelaide homesewn, 1385, sally jane vintage.

For Emmet: 3 ring circus, lishyloo

Thank you Tammy! Rachel and I are so glad to be able to know the face behind your awesome shop a whole lot more. Be sure to check out all the vintage goodies found in Ms. Tips!

***** vintage mama features *****

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama heather

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama karen

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama james

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama alix

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama beth

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama danielle

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama stacy

vintage here, vintage there: vintage mama gisela

oh me oh my

Yeah. Remember our pretty garden? Well, that disappeared very quickly once the fall/winter rains hit and we got pretty busy, then the weeds took over. We simply let everything go as we got busy and we just never planted for the winter, so we figured we would just get our summer harvest ready once March came around. It is March now and my friend asked to have her wedding shower here next month for about 100 people so um... yeah, we better get started cleaning.

Here are some before pictures:

Luckily Friday, I finished my end of taxes early, then went to work in the backyard right away. I spent a bit of time on Friday doing some major hacking and pulling. Then on Saturday, I spent all afternoon into the evening doing more pulling, but also did some digging and planting. I love getting my hands all grubby in the soil. It feels so good to be outside gardening. I can't say I am great at it, but I really do love it.

I was so exhausted Saturday night and could not move after I came in and took a nice warm shower. All I wanted to do was lay there and I didn't even want to eat! It was a good kind of exhausting though. I am so thankful that my horrible morning sickness days are behind me and I can get out and be useful again (here's to answering emails next)!

While I pulled weeds I was thinking about how I ought to get rid of things that hinder me from my walk with God. While planting new flowers, I was thinking about how God got everything right the first time he created everything. There was no trial and error for Him. Lastly, gardening was such a good reminder to me to enjoy the Creator more than the creation. These are just more tidbits of my heart and thinking.

I have yet to take after pictures because I am so not done. Rains were due on Sunday, so I wanted to make sure to get as much planting in on Saturday. I can't wait for the rains to stop because I need to go to the nursery and get more plants. I plan to get back out this week to do more gardening. Spring... here we come!!!

Tell me what your weekend was like.

cooking baby: week twelve

Four is as high as we go, so we are making sure to document this growing belly. I always wanted to take monthly pics with each of my girls before, but never got around to it. This time we are making sure to do it and we are doing it weekly though we just started on week 12. The reason for the late start is because it took me forever to find the perfect dress to take it in. I wanted the pictures to be in the same dress, so you can really see the difference from beginning, kinda beginning, to end.

I ended up getting this dress and luckily it went on sale, so I got a nice price adjustment (makes me feel much better). I just tucked in the waist a bit, since it sits at an awkward place due to the baby belly and cut a strip from some green jersey fabric and used it as a sash to hide the weird waistline from my raising it up.

I am actually in week 13 now, so I am a bit behind in sharing this picture that we took last week. I think I look farther along than I actually am, but it is because this uterus has been stretched out so many times already (and very recently, I might add) coupled with the fact I am short, so this belly really just pops.

I know some of you have asked to see my pregnancy fashion. Honestly, right now, I am in such a rut. I just want to wear pajamas all day long! Hopefully, once this morning sickness says "bye bye", dressing will be fun again. For now, all I get dressed up for are the weekends when I have to leave the house.

Week 12 is when I first started to feel semi-better. The constant nasty taste in my mouth is not as strong and nausea only takes over in the morning. I am praying with faith that I will feel semi-normal soon enough, but days are getting better slowly... yippee!

Have a great weekend! Ours involves finishing up taxes. so. not. fun. What does your weekend involve?

p.s. I am so very behind in emails, so I may owe some of you one that date back to February (so sorry!). Once taxes are finished up, emails are next on my to-do list, but please forgive the pregnant woman for the late response! Thanks for hanging in there anyways!!!

tacos, mini pies, and auntie heather

I hope you aren't getting sick of all the food talk here. I am pregnant after all, so that is usually what is on my mind, and between the girls and my morning sickness, there is not much time left for crafting, so it has become all about food. Tuesday night, right before bed, I suddenly smelled tacos (my way of making them). Mind you, it was nowhere around or wasn't cooked recently, but the smell just came to me and so did the craving. Thus, crunchy shell tacos with lean ground turkey (and loads of light sour cream) was on the menu for Wednesday night. I added a bit of hot sauce, cheese, and some greens to make the tummy happier!

Then earlier in the day, I saw these mini pies and knew I had to make those for dessert! I originally wanted to do pumpkin pie, but then saw the can of apple pie filling with no sugar added and thought that was a better route to go. Then, we ate ours with some vanilla ice cream. It is the easiest and cutest dessert ever! I want to have more people over pronto, just to make these cute little babies!!!

Wednesday was obviously a very good day food wise and what made it even better was that Auntie Heather was in town to join us (Uncle Ele came later in the evening).

The Nepos moved to Prescott, AZ last year and we don't see them as often anymore, but Auntie Heather came with lots of treats from the antique stores of Prescott (those treats deserve a whole other post) and a stack full of menus from local restaurants (for Ben) that she did a darn good job convincing us that we must make it out there soon. I love the way that city sounds and already can't wait to make Prescott our next road trip.

Another reason today was a good day is because Soulie's fever finally broke and red little bumps appeared all over her abdomen. Now I know she had the sickies because of Roseola. Praise God she is on the mend!

Thank you Lord for very good days (and even the bad ones too)!!! How did your day go?

******

The winners as chosen by the random robot are:

The tapestry bag from the Attic People goes to "violet and fern" who said..

The $50 gift certificate to Petunia's Tiny Tree Design goes to "Carrie" who said...

Congrats ladies, it must be your lucky day! Please send me an email so you can get in touch with my lovely sponsors. Thank you to all who entered, I have more coming up soon!!!

*****