BFF in town

So my BFF is finally on summer vacation and came to town. Well, she too is a southern California resident, but we live on almost opposite ends of southern california. She lives closer to the beach and I live a wee bit closer to the cows. That's as best as I could describe it. It is a good hour away from each other, so when school is in session (she's a teacher), we really don't see each other often. Now, we have a few months to play and hang out! Usually our hang outs involve just my house because I really don't leave the house with three girls and with summer starting to settle, it is just too darn hot to get out.

Of course, Lin came over with her newest load of shopping goods and modeled them for us (and I did the same with my tiny bits). It is so classic Linda and Ruby! When we were studying abroad in London during college, we would go out shopping together, then come back to our flat, try everything back on and "frolicked" our newest outfits in front of each other and the mirror (all behind closed doors so our roommates wouldn't think we were bigger dorks than they already thought.) We are such strange creatures.

The girls of course made Auntie Linda read a gazillion books to them and play hide and seek a gazillion times! Soulie would sit with them and then come back to me after a few short seconds of listening to a story. She was more content roaming around.

When I told the girls their Auntie Linda was coming, they said, "Is she bringing mochi?" I just laughed. To them, their Auntie Linda is the mochi lady who brings the fresh made Japanese mochi to them every time she comes! It isn't the ice cream kind, but has yummy bean filling inside. They are sooo good!!!

Seriously, BFFs are the best. Don't you agree?!! Thanks Auntie Linda (and Uncle John) for the loads of mochi and the entertainment. We love you!!!

friends and packages

Danni came over today and we caught up on life, chatted (nerd blog chatted), laughed, got frustrated together and ate a whole lot (and she played with the girls while I got some cleaning done). Something new I learned about Danni is she doesn't like cheese on pizza! While homemade pizza was on the menu, her side didn't have cheese.

It is always so fun to have a good friend who loves blogging like I do. I think we have blog speak. We both totally get the blog lingo and it feels like we have mutual friends all over the place when we talk about some blogs we both read. Makes me feel less blog nerdy!

And Danni brought me a yummy treat... I have been craving the bundt cakes from her wedding for, like, ever, and she brought me THREE!!! I want to gobble them up so fast, but at the same time, eat it all so slowly because I never want the yummy tummy goodness to end. Am I dramatic much?! Probably. But hey! I am pregnant after all. Thanks Mrs. Keith, we must do it again soon!!! And in true Danni fashion, the packaging must always be just as good as its contents.

There was also another package awaiting me at the door from Ariel. She sent me something from her shop that I had favorited and yes... it is a maxi skirt! I am sure you will be seeing it soon.

I love things wrapped in brown paper and that tape was icing on the cake. I want to get me some of that pretty tape! Anyone know where?

Friends and packages are always such happy things! I ain't gonna lie. I love getting packages in the mail! Love! Love! Love it!!! I get extra giddy opening up a box and wondering what is inside. Makes me feel like Christmas! Maybe that is why I prefer to shop online than at actual stores (and the fact that I love ebay and etsy way too much). Anyone else feel the same way?

to miss joan

My friend is getting married this Saturday in Virginia, and while I am bummed that us Bratchers can't make it (though most my family will be heading east this week along with the photographer of the wedding Christian Cruz), I am so glad she entrusted me to make something so that way I can be part of it in a small way. I made two little pillows. This first one is for the coin pillow and the biggest leaf is a pocket that will hide the coins as it walks down the aisle (with a cute little boy holding it of course!).

The second one is the ring pillow that will walk down the aisle (of course, with another cute little boy holding it).

The pillows are made with some pretty gray linen fabric and the flowers and leaves are done with wool felt and some pretty vintage baubles. I opted against the traditional satin because I wanted some that would practical and cute enough to be used after the wedding, and could be put on some cute little chair or couch (if the bride and groom choose to do so).

To Joan and Terrence! We are so blessed by the testimony of your constant trust in God's goodness and grace. Marriage is so fun and I know you two will have a blast! Enjoy running this race of life together!!! Love, the Bratchers

Monday is here again and my three year blog anniversary just passed, so there will be another fun giveaway soon! Promise. I got another list of things to do and projects I want to do with the girls. What is on your project list this week?

p.s. Must see Joan's engagement shoot done by her photographer sister (and my friend) Ica. Utterly adorable!!!

out in l.a.

Yesterday, we made the trek into the city and spent the afternoon roaming the streets of Los Angeles. Well, kinda roaming as the girls were part of the photo shoot for Misha Lulu's new line for Fall, which I must say is just as divine as usual!

Soulie was such a trooper as she was pretty much chillaxin' in her stroller all afternoon and barely made a peep as she completely loved getting doted on by all the big girls (and I loved getting in some adult interaction). As for her big sisters, True and Brave, they loved hanging out with the big girls and I am always so glad for the fun they have on adventures like this. Thanks Karen!!!

Don't forget to check out Misha Lulu's Surplus store, they are always a lot of pretty things for such great prices!

the first of our summer nights

We had some friends come over, made some homemade burgers, drank some yummy wine, indulged in peaches and ice cream, and enjoyed the beginning of our summer nights.

My favorite part is when the sun went down and I could turn on the canopy of lights we had over head. It is all so very pretty and perfect! Now on my shopping list is a very long vintage farm table... I think it would be perfect for our outside dining area.

Oh Summer... I dislike your heat during the day, but I love your nice and perfectly cool evenings at night! What do you like to eat or do for your summer nights outside?

not my pictures

Just like it wasn't my story, these aren't my engagement pictures, but my best friend's who will be getting married in less than two weeks. Some of us tried to get her to start a wedding blog, as she has funny wedding planning stories to share (i.e. Her mom sneaks invites out of her room to invite more friends), but it ain't her thing (she just likes to blog stalk), so I am sharing her pictures. They are too beautiful and inspiring not to share!

Photography was done by Christian Cruz (hair done by my stylist sister). Aren't the pictures just gorgeous? You can see more here. John and Linda were nervously anticipating this day as they are both extremely camera shy, but I think they did a wonderful job and that you can't even tell.

Two weeks until her big day, there is still so much to do! Ah!!! I am a bit nervous... we are in full swing of finishing up wedding stuff for her, so don't mind if there will be a lot of wedding talk here and there. Oh and don't forget the giveaway!

a garden party

On Saturday, we (all the bridesmaids) threw Linda a bridal shower in her mom's glorious garden. We didn't have to do much as the garden was already so beautiful and colorful, but I lugged some of my vintage cafe chairs, made some flower garland, and made Ben cut off some flowering branches from our tree and we were ready for a party!

The lovely bride-to-be said, "It feels like my birthday!"

Remember this? Well, True, Brave and I ended up making a pinata for the occasion, inspired by this one. Though, we made ours with pages of a vintage book and I wrote "Linda loves John" on some of the pages. It was a perfect little game for the bride who requested we don't play any of the traditional games, there was no toilet paper wedding dress for this gal!

For the favors, I made some red velvet cupcakes in a jar and styled it just like this. I had so much fun calligraphing the top of the jars as I haven't used my very newbie calligraphy skills since high school when I took a calligraphy class. I want another occasion to make more cupcakes in a jar, it was so much fun! I am nerdy like that and like to do these kinds of things.

There was so much yummy food and we all happily indulged, maybe a bit too much.

After which, we played the "underwear game." To play the game, each guests were to bring a underwear/lingerie gift that matched their personality and then Linda (the bride) had to guess who each underwear/lingerie gift was from. She did pretty well, but she did have 18 wrong guesses.

Thus, her punishment for each wrong guess was one spin and Linda was spun a total of 18 times right before she was to hit the pinata. The pinata was funny as it didn't want to break, and I thought that I didn't put enough layers, guess I was wrong!

Adults are so much friendlier after a broken pinata. When kids go after all the goodies, there is not even one left on the ground, when adults go after the goodies, everyone is too nice to be greedy that there were still some candy left.

It was really such a perfect day and it was such a team effort to pull off the whole party. All the bridesmaids really did such a wonderful job! I guess we all love Linda lots!!!

Of course, occasions like this are fun because you get reunited with friends again and we might be all together again for the flea market this Sunday.

Want to see more of the shower or other accounts of it? Check Danni's, Helen's or Jenny's blog. That's what happens when bloggers come to a party!

One more month until the wedding and I (and Linda) still have lots to do!

a storybook baby shower

Sunday afternoon seemed normal. I mean, we went to worship with our church family in the morning, grabbed some yummy lunch with friends, and then headed over to my parents to pick up True's dance recital video (or so I thought). Once we got to my parents' house, Ben asked, "Do you want to go in or should I?" I said, "I'll just go." I planned on being quick, so then we could head home. I tried to open the door, but it was locked, so I rang the doorbell.

Immediately, the door opened and to my happy surprise, despite the look on my face, a lot of my friends were standing there and yelled, "Surprise!" At least I think that is what they said, but I was so shocked that I can't remember. The first thing that went through my head was "huh?!!" as I saw Danni, who was supposed to be in Seattle, then Cheryl, who was visiting her parents in San Bernardino and Frances, who has a sick little baby at home. I was utterly confused! Not to mention, I had already pinned my hair out of my face, barefoot at the door, and was stinky cause we just ate food with a whole bunch of garlic! I was not party ready, but party ready I had to be! I was not cute!!! Had I known I was going to a party, my newest baby's party, I would have sewn myself a new dress! But then I guess it was a surprise after all and definitely surprised I was.

(I looked so horrible, but I was so confused!!!)

Here is Danni's video of this hilarious moment, but really my face makes me feel so embarrassed. After my shock and retrieval of my shoes (cause swollen feet are not cute), I continued on to the backyard where I was greeted by such a wonderful display of goodies! The baby shower theme was all about books. It was perfect for the crafter and teacher in me! Each yummilicious dish was accompanied with a poladroid picture (cause everyone knows I love polaroids) of its corresponding book. Everything was absolutely delightful and a crafter's heaven. I mean seriously, it was just all to darling and creative!!!

I was in awe of everything and ate everything, even though I just come from eating a ginormous lunch. I had so many questions as to how they pulled this off. I had no idea and I just kept telling anyone who asked about a baby shower not to worry about it as this was my third and another girl, so this was very unexpected.

The four of us, soon to be five, were so, so grateful and thankful to God for such good friends who love to support us and shower us with love. God is really so good!

The brains and the invite behind the dreamy storybook surprise... Danni, Linda, and Helen, but missing is Ellen who was moving that day.

This is the outcome when you have craft/design bloggers, a teacher, a super organized person and good friends all rolled into one... they throw one heck of a cute party!!! Thanks guys! You are the absolute best!!! I loved it all!!!

And thank you so much to everyone else who came and showered us with love... we are blessed by all of you!!!

*photos taken by my baby sister and Helen and can read more about it on Helen's blog.

update: here is the video.