casual afternoon

casual afternoon by swirling featuring dark rinse jeans

Topshop knit top, $76
Bassike scoopneck tee, $109
Abercrombie & Fitch dark rinse jeans, $62
TOMS flat heel shoes, $54
Elliott Lucca genuine leather handbag, $198
3 stone ring
Post earrings, $42
Linen shawl, $20

my favorite tradition

For 11 years now we have been visiting the "Mall Santa" and it has been so fun to look back over the years and see how our family has grown and watching these 3 grow. Hoping I can still sucker them into going when they are in their teen years.  I think they owe it to their mom!! ;)

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Crazy life needs a craft

Can anyone ever say..."{Life} isn't crazy?" Maybe they or you can...however, this time of year seems just a bit crazier than most. But since it's been like FOREVER since I've been on this blog I thought I'd put up a fun little holiday craft I found in this darling little Christmas book. Hope it brings a little cheer to you today!! (and ps:sorry for the picture quality, I took it with my camera phone)

{Gumdrop Wreath}

What you'll need: a plastic craft foam wreath, masking tape, wire, wooden picks, gumdrops, and ribbon. Simple right!?! Quantities will of course depend on the size of wreath you chose. To begin: wrap masking tape around the top of the wreath to reinforce the wreath for hanging.  Wrap wire around the wreath over tape, bending the wire into a hanging loop. Break wooden picks in half, inserting the broken ends into gumdrops. Cover the top and sides of wreath with gumdrops. Tie a bow at the top to hid the wire.  I think this is a perfect kids craft and hey, if you eat of few gumdrops in the process that's just a benefit! Happy crafting!!

saw this on a blog...it was just what I needed

It takes pride to be anxious. I am not wise enough to know how my life should go.
~ Tim Keller

In the light of the last few days this quote has given me some much needed peace!

Take II

Well day 2 turned out a whole lot better! I think working with a thicker fabric really helped the over all look. Anyhow it was fun to get my sewing machine out and actually be able to thread it!! Yippee! Can't wait to try something new again!! :) And my 9 year old liked it so much she wants me to make her one as well!!

the results...

So...I had a lot of fun trying this new project even though the results were less than stellar! But I shall try try again! And remember this is what I was going for.

Happy creating!

The need to create

So lately I've been feeling like I need to get a little more creative! I found this amazing blog and I'm going to attempt to make these Adorable boy hats...we shall see how they come out!! :) My sewing experience is pretty limited and consists of 7th & 8th grade Home Ec. This should be fun! :)

wait...I did make a quilt one year. {with the supervision of my mother and sister in law} :)