This happy little window is right above Glow’s bed. True came into Glow’s room and said, “How come our room isn’t nice like this?” I said, “Because you guys are always making messes.” LOL. Glow’s room (it’s Soul’s room too, but she doesn’t sleep in it yet) stays pretty clean because she just sleeps in there, and all the playing goes on in True and Brave’s room.
This week’s learned, links, and thankfulness…
This video that’s been so circulating Facebook is very convicting.
Thankful for our Thursday night dinner club. We had two weeks off, but now we’re back to it.
I’m so excited 24 is back, but Ben and I won’t watch it until the season is over, so we can do one, big, binge bash. It’s my ultimate favorite show.
Ms. Tips is having a good 25% off sale this weekend! Love this boho bucket bag.
We ordered these large buckets for the garden and I can’t wait to plant our peppers in them.
Brave is going to be a break dance girl. She’s got this move down.
The weekend is here, we’re working in the yard as a family (finally getting things in the ground), and I’m going to need to sneak in time to work on some of my own projects. Huzzah!
Saw this little mask at Daiso (local Japanese dollar store) and brought it home with us. It’s kind of strange and we love it, so up near the mantel it went.
This week’s learned, links, and thankfulness…
This week I had some “oh I’m such an awesome mom” moments, and I also had “oh my gosh I don’t deserve my kids because I’m the world suckiest mom!” moments too. That’s motherhood, ain’t it?!
I’m excited because I get to style the Uncommon Goods digital lookbook. I love challenges like these.! They want to see their new items styled in a real-life space, so I, along with another blogger, get to play stylists.
Ben emailed me the new Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen list. After talking with some people about our eating habits, I realized I’m not so great when it comes to breakfasts for my family. We almost always have oatmeal and O’s everyday. I need to figure out how to add in some variety.
Check out Kristina’s blog The Self Searchers. She emailed to say hello, shared her blog with me, and I love what she shares on her space, so I thought maybe you would too! The blog world is so different from when I first started, it was friendlier then, and it wasn’t all about making it a business, so if you’re now wanting to join in and engage in the blogging community, it’s much harder. It can seem like the big bloggers stick together and help promote each other, and everyone else seems to get lost in the large sea of blogs. I would love to share about some bloggers that I think are great, but don’t necessarily have a large audience, so expect a link to someone new from time to time.
I have this necklace from Burdees, and every time I wear it, I get tons of compliments. It’s a really pretty piece.
Mother’s Day is next weekend and Ben keeps asking me what I want. I told him, pumpkin waffles with whipped cream, my favorite langostino sopes, and Mexican chocolate pie from The Pie Hole. Oh and to do nothing in a clean house. LOL
OH and we’re having a book release party on May 31st at the Oh Hello Friend shop and you are all invited! I will share more info soon and I hope you can make it! Happy weekending! It’s so hot here and we’re going to an ice cream party!
I love me some Me & Mr. Cassidy ( I blogged about them before here). I worked with them on a little something, and I can’t wait to share it with you soon!
Today, my biggest girl turns 8, so we’re celebrating just the way she requested. We are making sure there is lots of fun on the agenda, and I can’t believe we’ve got two years until double digits… that makes me nervous!
The bus roof has been raised! I love following Katie’s bus to home transformation!
Waiting 4 hours at the airport gave me time to answer emails. I’m soooo thankful for that! I had no problem with having a delayed flight.
Oh my gosh! SCANDAL! #totallyteamjake
Love seeing my busy bodies Soul and Brave making presents for their big sisters birthday.
Had fun meetingSummer, Holly, and Ashley on Monday. Such a great group of gals and I love the cool things they do on their blogs! You should check it out…
It’s almost May, that means it’s almost time for my book to come out! AHHH!!! Did you order it yet?! Don’t forget, if you pre-order, you can get a special pack. If you’re overseas and pre-ordered, email me, and I think we can figure something out to get you that pack. Order it here or at any of the other places listed on my sidebar.
I shared True’s side of the room and someone pointed out that this is True’s first gallery wall, really cute to think of it that way!
There was also a good discussion regarding blogs and sponsorships over on this post of Jenny’s. I’m not adverse to sponsorship, I’ve got a few coming up to share with you, one has to deal with Kroger (Ralph’s) another another Bing, and both have to do with little ways to save (or earn) money, which I’m all for, so I can get behind it and I’ll share more about it soon. So obviously, I work with sponsors from large companies to small indie ones, and I have no problem with it, and I really think long and hard about it before I take something on (and Ben and I always discuss it too). I enjoyed Jenny’s discussion on it, chimed in my own thoughts, liked reading other people’s thoughts, and I think it was something good to think through. I think she just said, in a very nice way, what many others are thinking but not saying, because if you aren’t rejoicing in the roses and magic in the blog world, some will label you a hater, which I don’t think is necessarily the case. It’s just always good to do heart-checks as a blogger and as a reader.
The blog world has definitely shifted patterns as blogs become real businesses and it can feel more competitive these days. I love blogging, and while sponsorships (or gifted items) from time to time are nice, my favorite thing about this whole online thing is some of the cool people I’ve met and been inspired from, the community I’ve been a part of, and the creative avenues I’ve been able to do because of my online presence. Hello, I wrote a book, and that probably wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t blog. Or write and photograph an article like this for a magazine, or even contribute projects for other magazines and sites, and all of this came because of blogging. It’s all insane in the best way and things I would have only dreamed of, so I’m really thankful for this avenue as it’s led to other things that I love doing.
Anyway, that’s my huzzah for the day. I’m thankful for this space and the fun I’ve had with it (and hope to continue to have with it), thankful for random opportunities that happen along the way, thankful for you guys who keep following along and get when I’m feeling crazy and also rejoice when I have good news to share. You guys are the bestest!
This is my craft making space. This room always looks like this and much of the house has looked like this all week too. Oye! Thankfully, Friday afternoons are for getting most of the house back in order, except this room. It still looks like this.
This week’s learned, links, and thankfulness…
Two girls have been sick this week. Thankfully, True was better mid-week and Glow’s fever is just finally tapering off.
This DIY dress would be fun to make, and I also want to make this dress because of the pockets!
I would love this vintage sundress for one of my big girls.
Finally got around to responding some blog comments in this week’s posts. Also, some of you overseas asked if you will be able to purchase my book, and the answer is YES!
I watched The Summit and Blindsight documentaries on Netflix this week. The spirit of adventure is strong in both films, while The Summit was gripping because the whole trip was so perilous, Blindsight was just inspiring and moving. What are some of your favorite documentaries on Netflix? I like adventures, mysteries, and historical ones. And you’ve probably already heard some of the reviews on the American Blogger trailer. What are your thoughts on it? Does it appeal to you or do you think you’ll pass? I definitely see where the negative backlash is coming from, but I also know some of the women in it, and I think they have good intentions and real talent. I do think that the title of it is a bit misleading and probably should have been called something else, but what’s done is done and everyone has just got to grit their teeth and go with it. Speak your piece if you disagree and you’re allowed to disagree, but remember to still be kind, and if you love it, well, you love it, and still be kind to those who disagree.
I’m so excited because I have to renew my passport! I showed my girls my passport picture and said, “Who’s this?” They said, “I don’t know.” I said, “Look closely.” and still they said, “I don’t know.” HA! When I told them it was me, they could hardly believe it. It was from when I was 18, short blond-streaked hair, and it was not a flattering picture.
Thankful for finally satisfying my craving for an In-n-Out burger on Thursday night. I even went all out and got cajun fries from Five Guys to go with it. That’s what I call a wild night! I thought about instagramming the moment, but it was a moment I just wanted to savor and not share. #burgerbliss
I didn’t feel like blogging yesterday, so I didn’t. Sometimes it’s nice to just step back. At times, it can feel competitive and like you always have to put something out there, but it also feels nice to stay silent for a day. Something our pastor said in a recent sermon stuck out to me… “Everyone is trying to sell some sort of good life.” And it’s so true, I totally see it in the blogs I read, and I even do it! If you make this, you’re living the good life. If you buy this, you’re living the good life. If you do this, you’re living the good life. If you eat this, you’re living the good life. Movies, books, commercials, songs, stores, blogs, everything is trying to appeal to you and your idea of a “good life.” It’s a reminder to always have a discerning eye and don’t get fooled. For me, it’s a reminder that ultimately it’s only Christ, and even living for Christ, means I won’t please everyone. There’s nothing wrong with loving those things (shopping, food, books, movies, etc.), those things are meant to be enjoyed, but when we make our life about things, then we’ve got it all wrong. This is just another rumination of my heart again.
Happy Saturday! My sister has a big fundraiser event tonight and I can’t wait. There will be so many different performances from her and all her friends, so it will be fun evening for sure.
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!
This happy little window is right above Glow’s bed. True came into Glow’s room and said, “How come our room isn’t nice like this?” I said, “Because you guys are always making messes.” LOL. Glow’s room (it’s Soul’s room too, but she doesn’t sleep in it yet) stays pretty clean because she just sleeps in there, and all the playing goes on in True and Brave’s room.
