Mama Mia

Christmas, Christmas time is here...

2011-11-15T15:46:00.000-08:00

Whoever knows what song that is and who sings it gets a million points.

Ugh. Christmas shopping. I'm scared this year. Chandler actually knows and cares about toys and Santa and all that. I can't buy a Costco box of diapers and some new PJ's and call it good. Total bummer. Basically I have nothing to say because this post is a request for advice. What was the best toy you ever got your kids? Anything out there that won't be forgotten by February? Toys that hold attention for longer than 15 minutes? Your comments please...

Cameraaaaaa

2011-11-10T12:48:00.000-08:00

I posted a while back that I got to photograph a wedding reception and that it was SO AWESOME to start using my camera again. Seriously, I forgot that I love taking pictures. And adults are so nice to photograph because they STAY STILL when you ask. Heaven. Here are a few shots.

2011-11-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

So I'm not really going to quit blogging, I'm just going to blog differently. I'll try to be as real as I can. Not that this blog is going to be a big whine session - I have lots to be grateful for and lots to be happy about - but I'm going to try not to sugar coat everything, which is a hard thing not to do. I mean, there are very few things in life that we can control, and blogs happen to be one of them. We have our cutesy headers and neatly organized columns, and we can put up only the photos that make us look skinny and don't show profile views of our noses. (Oh wait, that's just me...) Even our bad days are sugar-coated with clever antics about the pitfalls of life. We work so damn hard at life - whether we have kids or work or stay home or whatever - and our blogs are the one place that we can make it look like everything is going the way we are trying to make it. Or maybe that's just me. Seriously, I love looking at my blog because it reflects the cool parts of who I am. But now I'll share the not-so-cool stuff too, because if you want part of me, you're gonna have to take all of me. Haha.

Anyway, today I saw something that made me more excited than I have felt in months and months. Seriously.

You guys. We are going to start getting ready for Christmas! Now! Because if we wait til after Thanksgiving, it won't get done until Valentines Day. It's going to be so fun!!! Look through this online catalog and you will be excited too.

2011-11-06T15:47:00.000-08:00

This is part one of a bunch of personal posts to come. I've decided that this isn't just a sewing blog or a blog about crafting or even about how adorable my kids are. It's a blog about me and whatever the heck I want it to be about. And now for a persional discussion on the follies of blogging...

Let's say you're me. Let's say it's March of this year, and you're a patient at a mental hospital. It's about day 4 and you're still as shocked to be there as you are shocked you didn't end up there sooner. You've always had depressive tendencies, but after this last baby - this gorgeous, angel of a baby who's huge blue eyes say "I love you" every time they look at you - you've just felt different. Before having child #1, everyone told you these amazing stories about this instant bond and how you never knew that you could love anything so much. Then that baby comes, and it is absolutely true. Your heart multiplied by a million and you couldn't possibly be more in love. Nine months go by and you are unexpectedly pregnant with baby #2. The money and timing are all wrong, but you can't help but look forward to loving another baby as much as this one. After all, the same people who told you about loving one baby told you that your heart DOUBLES when another one comes. Then the baby comes. Just like the other, he is absolutely perfect, despite his scrunched old man face and elfish features. You bring him home and you wait for your heart to grow, but all you seem to feel is guilt. You can't love them both as much as you thought you were supposed to. Instead of having your heart double, you have to split it in half. Something is really, really wrong.

Over a year later, things only seem to have gotten worse. You love your kids both. You would do anything for either one of them, but something is off. Nothing really makes you happy, only your kids on rare occasions, and that fact makes you feel extremely guilty. Your husband is becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation, and soon discussions of separation and divorce begin to poke up their ugly heads. He makes it very clear that if you ever were to leave, he would make sure you never, ever saw your kids again. So there you are, your choices in front of you. You can stay with the guarantee that the fighting and criticism, pressure, and put-downs will remain - at least for the forseeable future, or you can brave the custody battle and risk ever seeing your kids again. Except that losing your kids is not an option, and the thought of staying in this situation is enough to make you want to just give up. Just give up. Option three. You wouldn't have to deal with a frustrated husband, and the kids would be better off without you anyway. Wait, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!? Calm down, Adri. Just lay down and stay there. And that's what you do. Afraid to move, afraid to think, you lay there, trying to come up with a fourth option. Ten minutes later you get in your truck, face stained with tears and still in your work clothes, and drive to the hospital.

By day four you figure your armpits could use a shave so you ask one of the workers to come with you to your bathroom to watch you. They don't let you have anything potentially harmful there without supervision, which includes razors, of course. The whole thing makes you look for the dozens of ways you could kill yourself without razors or shoelaces - not because you want to, but because the rebel in you wants to prove their rules are stupid. As you walk down the hall to your room, the employee tries to talk to you. "I noticed that you have a blog today, I hope you don't mind that I was reading it. I hope you don't mind me asking this, but you seem so normal. Why are you here?"

All I can think is that I need to quit blogging.

Style on Monday: Pumped Up Kicks

2011-10-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, a wise man said that we should be careful that being busy equates to being productive. I know that blogs are often counterproductive, so be warned that this post is nothing but a total waste of your time. Since I deleted Angry Birds and Words With Friends months ago, I figure maybe I can get away with a fashion post. That being said, I decidedly love sparkly shoes.

Okay, I confess, I don't actually love Toms in any color. Really, I don't get it at all. But if Toms were the last shoe brand on earth, I would wear a glittery pair. Would you wear any of these? I LOVE the Maddens but I think I'd actually wear the Sperrys with the tan accents.

We're baaaaaaack

2011-09-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

I'm blogging!!! I'm alive! And my kids are still cute! See?

So after a few months of serious down time, I am going to attempt to rejoin society. I haven't even visited a blog since I last posted, so I really am sorry to all my friends who got pregnant, had babies, started school, got engaged, ran a marathon, went to Disneyland, or did whatever else we all blog about and didn't hear a word from me. I am going to try to go back and check up on you, but I'm pretty scared to even open my reader and see how many posts I've missed.

A couple weekends ago I dusted off the old Canon for a wedding and realized how much I've missed it, so I'mma try and start using it more. My boys got some cute new fall clothes off the sale rack at Crazy 8 this week and I thought it was an opportune time to start up the picture taking. It freaks me out to realize how fast they grow.

Fighting is their favorite pastime. What Preston lacks in size, he makes up for with his death-pinch.

Chandler thinks it's awesome that he can hold the camera and have his fingers reach the button.

Adri's Return to Blogging, Part I

2011-05-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

I've spent the past 2 months both missing and dreading blogging at the same time. It's like I miss the connectedness it offers, the sharing of opinions and getting feedback, the creativity involved, and the sense of achievement. (You can click "publish post" and feel like you've actually completed something, unlike cleaning the house or taking care of the kids, which is never, ever, ever done.)

At the same time, I have been completely dreading blogging again, and I'm not even sure why. Part of it is the hermit in me that just wants to stay closed up after the trials our family has been though these past few months. Another part is that I know eventually on this blog I'll have to share about them - no, not that I have to, but that I feel like I should. I'll tell you why.

It is human nature to allow our worth to be a relative thing. We constantly compare ourselves to those around us and allow our self esteem to depend on how we are doing in relation to them. Think about it - most of the things that the world strives for is dependent upon which standard you use. Wealth in one nation pales in comparison to wealth in another. Achievement in sports, academics, music, etc. all depends on being better than everyone else. And in the world of blogging, it becomes easy to believe that a good mom is measured by how crafty she is, how clean she keeps her house, how well behaved and smart her kids are, and how well she manages to pull it all off while looking like a model. Blogging is wonderful, but it is also horrible. I have heard people complain time and time again about how hard it is not to let other people's seemingly perfect lives get them down on themselves. The way I see it, there are two ways to combat this. First, we can all stop comparing ourselves and instead focus on our own achievements. Secondly, we can all be more honest.

I was talking to a friend - okay, fine, my therapist - about all this and she challenged me to be my imperfect self in front of other people. She told me that I'd be surprised to find that more people were drawn to me. And you know what? The more I try to be me, the more friends I make. Not that I've mastered this by any means, but I am doing better.

And maybe none of this matters to you. Maybe you already know that you're awesome and don't need me spilling my guts on this blog to reinforce that. I hope that's the case. But I'm doing this for me, because I still need to work on being myself, and I need this blog to be a place where I can do that.

Feather Hair Extensions

2011-05-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

Are these big where you live? My friend Savannah went to Disneyland a couple weeks ago and she said they were all over the place. Then I was walking in Provo today (because the transmission went out in my car right after I spent almost a thousand dollars trying to save it) and passed a salon that advertised feather extensions, so I figured I had better Google it. (Google knows all. I am practically a licensed plumber because of it.)

What do you think? Personally, I am a fan. A big one. It's a great way to do something drastic without being permanent.

Style on Monday: Royal Wedding Edition . . . nevermind

2011-04-25T16:03:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize until I started staying home exactly how obsessed everyone is with the royal wedding! I kind of don't get it. Are people really going to get up at 4 a.m. on Friday to watch? Obviously I'm dying to see Kate's dress, but that is about it.

I was going to do a royal wedding-inspired style post, but I feel kind of uninspired about the whole thing. I mean, I love Kate Middleton's style (Yay for peacoats and pencil dresses!) but I don't have anything to add to it. So let's talk about something totally off-topic: Random shoes that I would actually wear.

Is it bad that I love these? They're oxford sneakers. Sneakers! My favorite shoe besides the platform pump! But I don't know what you wear these with.

Booties. I still don't get them. They seem so pointless. But I've seen them enough now that they don't weird me out completely every time I see them. I'd even wear a pair.

Black people shoes. I mean bright sneakers. Gigi got some for Christmas and I was a little jealous. I'd rock a pair of these, untied with a pair of bright skinny jeans. Boom.

Blowfish shoes. I see them more and more. I think of everything we've discussed today I'm most likely to own a pair of these. They grow on me.

Thoughts? Or what random shoes would you actually wear?

It's Science

2011-04-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

Today I helped a friend with some schoolwork. She has a presentation this afternoon and she had me draw this and put it on a t-shirt:

It's a course on learning, and this illustrates how our brains grow with stimulation. Those little things are called dendrites. I am definitely an advocate of continuing education and lifelong learning, so I like this illustration. But there was definitely another illustration that needed to be drawn. The "after having kids" dendrite:

Seriously, after having Preston I lost at least 60% of my brain. I would have conversations with people I knew WELL and spend the entire time wondering who they were. Then afterwards I would remember and realize that I had been talking about them in the 3rd person even though I was talking TO them. I'd totally think someone was weird if they did that. I forgot things all the time. I even went to the doctor to have my head checked. Turns out it was just plain craziness that can result from having a baby. If they weren't so cute I might consider trading them in for the missing parts of my brain.

Changes

2011-04-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Our little family has been through a lot of changes this past month. Some have been hard, but all have been for the best, I think. Here are some highlights of the good stuff:

We live in a house! Woot. We moved to a house in zoobieville, just south of Campus and we really like it. Having a yard is so nice (or it would be if it would stop being cold) and having a little space is great for us all.

My hair is redder and more "bangin'" (get it?)

I am a nose breather now! Thanks to sinus/septum surgery. I totally didn't mean to alarm anyone when I was talking about surgery recently. It was a planned surgery that I had scheduled when I wasn't planning on having such a crazy month, but it was such a fight with our insurance company to get it approved that I didn't dare change the date.

Also, I am a stay-at-home, work-at-home mom! Friday was my last day of work (sad) and now I'm just here, sewing and chasing kids and (finally) blogging.

Proud Participant

2011-04-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

... but you wouldn't know it because I never told you so. This is what I've been up to all week. I have way less inventory than I would have liked to, but I have a few cute new items and lots of classic faves. Come check it out if you're in the area!!

Let's just pretend March never happened.

2011-04-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

...at least until I feel like I've got a good grip on April. Geez louise. Worst. Month. Ever.

But plan to hear about it someday. I learned a lot of things that I never want to forget. Prayer works. It's okay to ask for help sometimes. The overwhelming love and support we've received from friends - and some I've never even met before - has been more than I could have ever imagined.

As I've spent the last week trying my best to get back on top of things but still healing from surgery and feeling too overwhelmed to move, I was talking to my sister and she said "Adri, when you sit and worry about these things you should be doing, you let them control you. When you make a list of them and start crossing things off, you are controlling them."

So here I am, crossing off not one, but two things. I blogged, and I finally got my pictures off my CF card. Take that, list.

Style on Monday: Printed Blouses

2011-03-07T11:27:00.000-08:00

I'm sure there's a name for these two-color repeated prints, but I don't know what it is. (If anyone knows, tell me!) Either way I'm in love with them! The prints are statement-making but the subdued colors make them so wearable. They could be worn alone or look super cute peeking out from under a sweater. Adorbz.

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Wishlist Wednesday: Shake it!

2011-03-02T08:03:00.001-08:00

I've been married for almost 5 years and we still don't have salt and pepper shakers. An atrocity, I know. But we get by. I've been browsing the interweb and found a lot of cute ones at reasonable prices.

CB2 ($10.95)

Modcloth

West Elm ($8)

Etsy ($22)

Etsy ($7.50)

Z Gallerie ($23)

Anthropologie ($18)

Modcloth

Ruche ($17.99)

I think my faves are the first one and the Anthro one. Yours?

March . . . ?!?!?

2011-03-01T08:22:00.000-08:00

Seriously, is it really March?? They say that time goes faster the older you get, I'm scared for what it will be like 20 years from now.

Let's talk about outfits first. I have LOVED doing 30 for 30. I've been doing it every day but not taking pictures (!) because as soon as I get home from work, it's lunch time, then Preston's nap time, and then Chandler time, and somewhere in there I either get spilled on and change my clothes or I change into sweats just because I want to. Here is the last outfit I photographed:

I have issue with the clothes I picked. I chose some things that I never wear, just to make myself incorporate them into my wardrobe. But then I realized that there is a good reason that I wear some things all the time and other things never. My closet is going to take a serious purging very soon. And I've realized also that there is no problem with wearing certain things a lot, because you can dress them up or accessorize them in different ways to make them into different outfits. Yesterday I wore a few things I think I should have chosen for 30 for 30. Things that are more wearable, flattering, and neutral.

I also have issue with being a fashion blogger. I am NOT a fashion blogger. I like to talk about fashion, and I love love LOVE clothes, but I don't love taking pictures of myself in them. I think it makes a blog more personal when the author isn't afraid to show their face, but I don't want to be in my blog every day. Once a week is plenty. You all know what I look like.

So on to the fact that it's March. MARCH, I tell you. My etsy sales really took off last month, it seems like not long ago I was at 50 sales, and now I'm at 99. I can't tell you how grateful I am, while at the same time a little overwhelmed. March will be really hard, but once it ends things should be good. Things we look forward to (or are dreading, depending on how we look at it) this month:

Expanding my shop even more
Preston getting tubes in his ears (and hopefully ending all these ear infections)
Moving to a house
Me having sinus surgery (there are cysts growing in there - hopefully my infections stop too.)
Getting ready for spring and summer craft markets

So as you can see it will be nuts, but at the end things should be awesome. Wish us luck!

More Burlap (And Another Giveway, too!)

2011-02-23T09:28:00.000-08:00

I needed more fabric storage (I will forever be needing more fabric storage space, I fear) so I took these old paper boxes from work,

covered them in burlap and stenciled them to make these.

I just wrapped them like presents and hot glued it all together. Time consuming, but not at all hard.

AND if you want to win one of these (or anything you can get with $45 from my shop),

head over to Kendi's blog.

Weekend Update

2011-02-22T06:58:00.000-08:00

Paul and I decided to make an effort to do more planned family stuff on the weekends. Way too often we let our weekends go by without really doing anything fun as a family, and then when Monday comes it's kind of depressing. (Hopefully someone can relate. I hate to think I'm the only lame wife and mom out there.) So this week I did the planning and brought everyone here:

The Midway Ice Castles. When we got there, I was unbuckling Chandler and he gasped and said "What's THAT?!" And I told him it was a castle and he goes "Oh! I like that castle!" It was cute. It was cold but there was no complaining, so must not have been too cold. And it was nice just to go out and do something fun.

I also got lots of sewing done. I'm trying to keep up on my orders while at the same time making new stuff for spring. I got two new items made over the weekend but only got a picture of one.

I have some adjustments to make but I like that I was able to incorporate a pocket into it (the whole front thing is basically a big pocket) and I like that it's comfy. I really am a comfort dresser I've decided. More lately than ever. Maybe when we don't live on the 3rd floor and it isn't icy outside and I don't have to carry 2 kids through stairs and snow I'll be more willing to wear heels and skirts again. Also losing the rest of this baby weight wouldn't hurt.

I found a new favorite action - it's Pioneer Woman's vintage action, but with a lot of opacity adjustments.

Outfit catchup

2011-02-16T20:39:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's already Wednesday! And I haven't blogged since last week?!? I have some major posting to do. And I'm totally skipping around because I need to find my memory card. I've been without my camera for a week and these pics are from an old one and not very good. Let's see...

Friday: Need to find the pics. It was a leopardy day though, which is ALWAYS a good thing. Except here:

Not that I blame her. I've put a lot of thought into this, and I am 80% sure that if I ever became famous I'd be one of those celebs who wears whatever she wants just because she can.

Saturday: I never really got dressed. Sluggish day.

Sunday:

Dress - Layers : : Sweater - Nordstrom : : Tights - We Love Colors : : Boots - Steve Madden

Sunday was the prettiest day we'd had in forever - until Monday and Tuesday. Mother Nature is such a tease! (It's snow/hailing right now.) Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

Monday:

Headband - Academy J : : Cardigan - Target : : Jeggings - American Eagle : : Top - Zara : : Boots - Ruche

I was going to wear blue until I remembered it was Valentine's Day, so I put together something Valentine-y. I got to wear my xoxo headband! I need to wear that more often. How was everyone's Valentine's, by the way? Ours was very low key, but I did get flowers. THESE flowers, to be exact.

Tuesday:

Top - Forever 21 : : Jeans - Express : : Boots - Steve Madden

My favorite shirt! With my favorite boots. And I love how a headband kind of makes it look like I put a little effort into my hair, which I let air-dry and didn't straighten.

17

2011-02-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

This is my little brother Marcus. Isn't he a cutie?? He turned 17 today. Do you know how OLD that seems right now? I moved to college at 17. He is still 2 in my eyes.

I remember the summer after I graduated high school, my mom took me aside and told me to take advantage of the few months left I had with my littlest brothers. They were 7 and 5, and she told me that they weren't really going to remember what it was like to have their oldest sister around. It made me sad. I was going to do a birthday post with Marcus memories today and then I became even sadder at the fact that I don't have lots of memories with him. But here's what I know.

When I was in high school there was a dead rabbit in the street in front of our house a few days before Easter. I brought him out to show him and told him there would be no Easter because the Easter bunny died. He cried and I felt really bad.
Marcus was always a softie. Like as a kid he was more sensitive and emotional. And his stomach was sensitive too. If something at the dinner table didn't smell right he'd start hurling right then and there.
One time he used a garden hose to flood my mom's car.
One time he got into a jar of peanut butter and went to town. The pictures are adorable.
Marcus is hilarious after he's sedated. I wasn't there, but I've head some good stories.
A couple years ago Marcus announced that he wanted to audition for a singing group at school that isn't easy to get into. We all freaked out and got nervous because we didn't know he could sing. Then he got in. Turns out the kid can sing!
He can also dance and play the drums very well.

That's my bro! Happy Birthday, Marcus! Love you!! :)

Day 9. And 7. Oops.

2011-02-10T21:10:00.000-08:00

Trying to get back on top of things. Here is today's outfit:

Jeans - Express : : Top - Layers : : Sweater - Nordstrom : : Belt - Forever 21 : : Boots - Steve Madden

And Monday's:

Jeggings - American Eagle : : Tunic - Adri Apparel : : Leather Jacket - Old Navy : : Boots - Ruche

I swear I wore my hair like this every day in high school, except that my bangs were curled with a curling iron and then hair-sprayed so that they stayed all round and stiff above my eyes. I should start that up again.

Girl Hungry

2011-02-10T08:28:00.000-08:00

Right after I had Chandler, I was instantly ready and wanting another baby. At my 6 week follow up appointment after I had him, I asked the doctor how long I needed to wait to get pregnant again. But after Preston was born I pretty much felt like I was done having babies, at least for a really, really long time.

Then I go boy clothes shopping and realize how nice it would be to shop for a little girl. There is a little girl we watch on Mondays and I was so excited to make her jewelery and hair clips last time! This in no way means that I am baby hungry. I think I am niece hungry. Too bad none if my siblings are married. If anyone has a little girl I can borrow and make stuff for, send her my way! :)

I have a super talented friend Diana who makes me even hungrier.

This is her little girl, Olivia. See? I want to eat her. And then make her dresses. And her nursery definitely isn't helping the situation.

Are you kidding me?!? Ugh. My siblings need to hurry up and make babies!

And while we're on the subject, Diana has an adorable Etsy shop.

Now that's love.

Check out this post on Diana's blog for info on how the room all came together.

Aftermath

2011-02-09T19:13:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago my Etsy shop got its first wholesale order. (Yay!) Being the procrastinator that I am (and basically totally unable to work unless I'm under pressure to do so) I was up until 4am this morning to finish things up, and then woke up at 630 to go to work. Today I learned that there is a HUGE difference between staying up all night in college and staying up all night when you have kids. I wish I had stopped to consider this a week ago. What I'm trying to say is, this is a tired outfit and some extremely lazy picture taking and editing. Be nice to me.

Comfy kicks for a lazy day.

At least I did my hair and makeup, right?

Jeans - Hudson : : Top - gifted : : Cardigan - Target : : Shoes - Simple : : Headband - I made

Cheater, cheater

2011-02-09T09:32:00.000-08:00

You guys, they were 14 DOLLARS.

I'm so weak...

Style on Monday: Red Pants

2011-02-07T17:42:00.001-08:00

It all started when I saved this pic from the February issue of Lucky:

Then Linley wore these the other day.

Then I officially "needed" red pants. Obviously.

So I did a little search:

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See? Need. Otherwise how ever will my wardrobe be complete?

Lazy Saturday (Day 5)

2011-02-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

Whew! I'm caught up now. Last night we took the kids to Jason's Deli and then walked the mall. I was wearing the black cardigan too, but it ended up being used as a snot/frozen yogurt rag. (Lovely combo.)

Also I wore my new favorite ring! (Thanks, Pauley!)

Here's a quick tutorial for a circle scarf like the one I wore in the last post. In the picture it's wrapped around 3 times. (Click to view larger)

Day 4

2011-02-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

After this shoot Paul and I had to have a little talk on taking pictures. He seemed to think that his only job was to push the button, which is terribly far from the truth. When you take a camera in your hand, you enter into an unspoken contract to make sure the subject actually looks good in the picture - no food in their teeth, no stray hairs, a good smile, slimming pose, etc., etc. Apparently no one taught him this. I guess that's on me.

Ya, seriously, those are the best two of the ten he took.

Boots - Gap : : Dress - I don't remember? : : Tights - We Love Colors : : Socks - Target : : Scarf - Handmade

Burlap & a sharpie

2011-02-04T08:39:00.000-08:00

I never thought I'd be decorating my home with something I drew with a sharpie, and yet here it is. Hanging above my bed. Simple!

WINNER!!!

2011-02-04T08:35:00.001-08:00

According to Random.org, the winner is...

#16 Barbara! Yay for you!

Email adriapparel@gmail.com with your address :)

30 for 30 Day 2

2011-02-03T10:03:00.000-08:00

See? I told you I'd find a more interesting background. Now did I deliver or did I deliver?

This outfit doesn't match. At all. But I wore it like I didn't care, mostly because I really didn't care. Kind of like when Rachel makes that gross meal on Friends and Joey loves it and says "Custard? Good! Jam? Good! Meat? Gooooood!"

Hudsons? Good! Paisley? Good! Animal flats? Goood!
(Together? Not so much.)

: Blazer - Express : : Top - Zara : : Jeans - Hudson : : Flats - Target :

Once Chandler figured out this whole posing for the camera thing, there was no stopping him.

I spent the last 2 Fridays trying to get my hair red. You can really tell in good light. I'm hoping it will get lighter over time, but I like it.

Another Fabric Wishlist

2011-02-02T15:42:00.000-08:00

Aw crap, you guys. I just realized I'm already back in sweats and Ugs and I never took pics. Looks like I'll be changing back...

I'm shopping for fabric for spring hoodies (hood lining) and of course found some adorable stuff. Did you know that Ty Pennington has a home decor fabric line? Or at least he endorses one. I love it even though it doesn't go with my place at all.

So pretty! And I need to make myself a little sewing "toolbelt" half-apron thing. This would be perfect:

And for the hoodies . . . I want to do a navy button-down hoodie with a fun, springy lining and buttons. What do you think of these? Thoughts?

If you're ever on the hunt for cute fabric, my 2 favorite places to shop are Hawthorne Threads and The Little Fabric Shop.

50

2011-02-01T12:37:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday I celebrated my 50th Etsy sale! I was so excited! And as promised on Facebook, this is a celebratory giveaway post.

They're my favorite earrings right now. I'm giving away something I don't even sell on Etsy (but I do sell these in markets and botiques) just so you have something different to look at. To enter, leave a comment with something random about you. I'll get the ball rolling with a few random things about me:

Until I got pregnant with Preston I have a very pronounced mole on my lip. I was really sad when it went away.
Two secret talents of mine are parallel parking and eating with chopsticks.
I always use eggs in twos so that they stay in a symmetrical pattern in the carton
I own 3 pairs of converse - one pair of Chuck Taylors, one high top Chuck Taylors, and one pair of Jack Purcell's.

Your turn! :) You have until Friday morning to enter.

30 for 30: Day 1

2011-02-01T12:13:00.000-08:00

This challenge is definitely going to be a lesson in smiling for the camera and using a tripod. Taking pictures of yourself is so awkward! I'm also going to have to come up with a more interesting background, but the hallway will have to do for now.

Top - Forever 21 : : Jeans - Express : : Boots - Steve Madden : : Leather jacket - Target : : Necklace - AdriApparel

29 for 30

2011-01-31T13:11:00.000-08:00

I'm doing it! My first remix starts tomorrow. I hope some of you will be joining me. Like Danielle said, "looks fun but hard." Here are my items:

6 Pairs of shoes

4 Pairs of Pants

4 Jackets

1 Vest

3 Sweaters

2 Dresses

9 Tops

Some of these things I never wear. This is gonna be interesting.

Item 30? Tutorial coming real soon...

Boys' Room

2011-01-28T10:10:00.000-08:00

Finally, I guess I can show you how my boys' room turned out. I remember being pregnant with Preston and feeling so overwhelmed that it would never get done. It kind of never really did get done (still no door) but I'm not pregnant any more (thank GOODNESS) so I don't care about petty things like having doors. Ha!

I'll try to narrate where everything came from.

Nightstands $5 each from KSL
Wood frames from Roberts
Chandler's photo by All Smiles Photography
Preston's photo by Danica Nelson Photography
Pear pillow cover from Ruth's Crafts

Box from Close to My Heart

Changing pad from WalMart. I took off the cover it came with, took it apart, and used it to make a pattern for this one.
Boxes from WalMart, I added the names.

Ikea shelves
Bins gifted (One I re-covered)
Frame from Ikea
Elephant tutorial here

Chair from Craigslist
Tree is fabric starched to the wall

Print I made
Magnet board from Robert's, but I mod podged fabric to it

Quilt made by my friend Katy
Pillow made by my mom

Expedit bookcase from Ikea
Bins from Ikea
Toys from grandmas and grandpas

All the "extra" toys we don't have a good spot for. I kept shuffling them around to take pictures of everything else. (Please, mom and dad, no more for a while!)

Clipboards

2011-01-25T15:18:00.000-08:00

My room is finally coming together, folks! Remember this?

It looks loads better now. I'm just going to post little pieces of it here and there until it's all done. A couple weeks ago I bought three plain clipboards from Staples and put cute scrapbooking paper on them and put them on the wall. Since then they have been covered with stuff.

One holds the cute things I tear out of magazines before I throw them away. (I subscribe to 5 mags and I probably actually read a total of 1 because mostly I just look at and tear out pretty pictures.) The other is my open Etsy orders (so they can taunt me while I try to sleep at night and remind me of what I should have got done that day) and the other . . . is some polariods and a paint sample? Anyway, I like 'em.

Also, I am about to get up and clean the mirror as soon as this is posted.

That wood thing is a vintage type drawer (used to hold metal letters for printing) and holds my favorite jewelery. I need to find a better spot for it but this is where it goes for now.

Monday morning!

2011-01-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday morning!! How was everyone's weekend? I was pretty sick - going to the Dr. today - hopefully things get better. At least I'm not achy/tired sick, just in pain. But I had 2 babies drug free. I once had a 4'' gaping hole in my leg - bone exposed and everything - and didn't cry. I can take a headache. haha.

So I'm catching up on my Google reader (I'm finally using Google reader!) and I like a lot of things.

First of all, the prints in this shop. I want this one for my room. I want an extra $30 and the ability spend it on art without any guilt.

Also this headband. I have no idea where/when I'd ever wear it, but I still like it.

Kendi is starting a winter 30 for 30 next week. I really want to do it. Really, really. But I feel weird posting about what I wear every day. And I'd have to figure out how to take pics without a husband, because he's hardly everrrrr home lately.

And keep an eye on my sidebar, I'm adding some cool blogs. And I think I need to rearrange them somehow. The category ''pretty blogs'' is pretty vague. But how else do I say it. So many blogs now are part crafty, part fashion, part interior design, part food . . . is there really another way to say it?

Resolutions

2011-01-21T08:07:00.000-08:00

Kind of an appropriate post title considering last night's Office ep. So I had a tutorial to post this week, but I needed Paul to help me take some pics, and he is never around any more (2 math classes and 2 econ classes this semester. What?!) so that's not done. And I was going to do a wishlist but I was sick on Wednesday and did nothing. Not sick sick, just the same sinus infection I get every month except this time it's turned into an ear and throat thing, too. I'm going to see a specialist next week, I'm so over this.

Did I tell you that I work part time now? Well I work part time now. It's great. I make real lunches and dinners now, and I have time to do things like sew before midnight and make meals from scratch. I made some kitchen resolutions this year, and they are:

Do dishes and sweep every day
Have family dinner at the table every night
Try 1 new recipe a week
Learn to make tiramisu
Learn to make flan
Learn to make salsa

So for the sake of having a picture on this post, here is what I made last night.

I loved it, my kids loved it, and Paul ate his cold and said it was ok. Except I used whole wheat penne because that's what I had, and heavy cream because that's what I had, and I didn't have parsley. PW is definitely not a carb-conscious chef, but this was super yummy.

Nextly, I've discovered lately that if you do everything you need to do before getting to what you want to do, you'll never do what you want to do ever! So I'm going to try to squeeze in making myself a dress. I want this one:

But do you think it's nearly as cute without the shoulde cut outs? What do I do? An undershirt? And what color?

Get 'em while they're hot!

2011-01-18T14:33:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to let y'all know that Simplicity Patterns are 99 cents each all week at JoAnn! I stocked up last night - can't wait to use 'em!

The new face

2011-01-17T15:50:00.000-08:00

Of Adri Apparel. This is my cousin, Jacie. Isn't she a doll? I just took these today, they're completely untouched. With a face like that I won't have to do much editing!

Wish(list) come true

2011-01-13T07:23:00.001-08:00

A while ago I wishlisted this dress from Anthro. It was $128. :(

I've learned something really cool from all the Anthro blogs I read. Let me tell you a happy little story. I went online yesterday to see if this dress had been marked down, and it wasn't even online any more. So I called Anthro customer service to see if any stores had the dress and for how much. It turns out 7 different stores had it in my size, AND it had been marked down to $29.99!!! So it's being shipped to me from Denver. How cool is that?? Patience = cheap clothes. Just keep your eye on what you want and check in periodically.

Also I've heard that if you put items in your wishlist you can view them in your wishlist after they've been pulled from the website and see their current price.

New toys

2011-01-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

Thanks, Mom and Paul!

Speaking of makeup,

2011-01-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

My mom has been Paula Begoun fan for some time and got a Beautypedia subscription for Christmas.

What is Beautypedia? It is where Paula and staff rate every beauty product out there - department store brands, drugstore brands, and everything in between - and tell you how well it works, taking price into consideration. It's really handy. She also tells you what department store brands own what drugstore brands so you can find equally effective products for less.

Why am I telling you this? Because right now Paula is offering 2 free months of Beautypedia subscription. Want one? Get it here.

How to make a plush monster

2011-01-11T21:10:00.000-08:00

For Christmas I made my boys this:

Ya, it's kinda weird and it totally looks like I threw it together at the last minute (which I did), but it's Preston's favorite stuffed animal. And the face parts are removable so it keeps Chandler entertained.

Wanna make one?

Start with your basic monster shape. I chose this because it's easy. you'll need two pieces cut in said shape, and two rectangles for the pocket that are small enough to fit inside but big enough to hold all the face pieces. Also I chose to have legs so I cut 2 long rectangles the length I wanted them (plus an inch) and twice the width plus half an inch.

Take your pocket pieces and sew 3 sides together so you have (duh) a pocket.

Set the open edge of your pocket on the wrong side of one body piece. Draw a line the length of the opening where you want it to be. Cut along that line.

Turn your pocket right side out and line up the opening inside the slit you just cut so that your pocket is touching the right side of your fabric. (See picture) Pin in place and sew. Now push your pocket back through the opening. You have a pocket!

Now if you want legs, sew along the three sides of them (wrong side out). Turn them right side out and stuff them.

Now take the legs and set them on top of the right side of a body piece. Set the other body piece on top of that so that the legs are sandwiched in and the right sides of the body pieces are touching. Now sew your body pieces together, making sure to catch the legs in the seam and leaving an opening at the top of about 3"

Turn the monster right side out and stuff. Turn in the fabric at the opening and sew closed. (I added some antennae here.)

There he/she/it is! Next I just cut out and hot glued together some face pieces and added velcro to the backs of them.

Style on Monday: Hair & Beauty Edition

2011-01-10T17:02:00.000-08:00

My parents live pretty close to Ulta, which is one of my favorite stores but there isn't one close to me in Provo, so I spent a lot of time at the one in Upland. (And then visited again in Grand Junction.) While I've got beauty products fresh on my mind, here are my faves:

Sunscreen

Foundation

Blush

Shadow (In purple haze)

Concealer/shadow base

I don't have a favorite mascara (recommendations?) but I got a sample of this once and loved it. Too bad it's $25.

Not that I need mascara since I wear eyelashes anyway. I used to wear these, but they are time consuming to put on (but they do look good) so I switched to these:

Hair:

I wash my hair once or twice a week. Baby powder saves me, I use it every day except the first day after I wash it, since it's already too dry at that point. I sprinkle it in my hair, flip it upside down, shake, tease, and I'm good to go.

Before I blow dry, I use this. It's amazing.

Wishlist Wednesday: Patterns

2011-01-05T20:56:00.000-08:00

I'm off work this week and have been trying to get as much done as I possibly can while I have the extra time. Somehow blogging is getting lost in the mix, but I do have a quick wishlist inspired by a particularly long wait I had at the fabric store the other day. I got bored enough to browse patterns and found a few that I will buy as soon as they go on sale.

People ask me all the time how I learned to sew. More than anything, I learned from patterns. I really don't like sewing from a pattern, but it is a good way to learn how things are made.

If you do a Google image search for each pattern number you can see what other people have made. There are some cute things out there, now I want to buy these even more!

And speaking of patterns, this is one of my new favorite blogs. This girl can sew! And she makes me want to try out all these patterns.

2011

2011-01-03T18:12:00.000-08:00

I'm kind of sad at how fast time goes by - 2010 was like a blink! A year ago Preston was a tiny baby and I had no idea what I was doing with two kids. I still have no idea what I'm doing, but at least now I know more of what to expect on a daily basis. (ie. I am actually learning to embrace the chaos.)

For the holidays our little fam took a trip to California to spend time with the Gamboas, then spent New Years' Weekend with the Nyes. Except for the driving, it was a really fun trip. All the pictures I have are already on Facebook, but here are a few with narration:

Day 1: Jordan's birthday. It's a family holiday for us. No one has work or school and the day is totally Jordan's. Usually we go out to eat for dinner (people really love it when they have to stay open late on Christmas Eve for you) but this year Jordan wanted to cook for us. It was this crazy 5 course meal - almost everything we ate was something I'd never had before.

Course 1: Hors d'œuvres - Cucumber with caviar, watermelon slices (cut into dinosaur shapes) with tamarind paste, and honeydew wrapped in prosciutto. Chandler loved the salmon eggs and wouldn't touch the cucumber.

Course 2: Dinner - Individual fritatas, orzo salad (suuuper yummy, I'll post a recipe one day), fava beans with tomatoes

Course 3: Salad

Course 4: Cheeses with homemade bread - Camembert, roquefort, mimolette

Course 5: Birthday cake!

The birthday boy:

My family enjoying themselves:

(Not posed at all, why would you ask that?)

Day 2: Christmas

You know . . . presents. I got a lot of fun stuff from my list. Chandler and Preston were showered with gifts and were so excited.

Camille's gift from Paul. (He commissioned me to make it)

Day 3: My sisters and Marcus and Luc and I sang in church (Angels We Have Heard on High). I noticed at the beginning of our number that Chandler was fighting Jordan to get to me so I had to sing the whole thing looking at the cieling. I happened to notice him being tackled by a teenager in the ward during the 2nd verse as he tried to climb the stairs to the pulpit. By the last "gloooria, In Excelsis Deo" half us us had stopped singing in an attempt not to laugh because he was tugging on our clothes. Most of the people in church didn't know what was going on, and so when I picked him up immediately after the song the entire congregation started laughing. It wasn't too bad, but in practice we sounded so good, I wish we had been able to perform the whole thing well.

The rest of the trip included a trip to the fabric/textile district, some shopping, sewing, playing, lounging, and of course Just Dance on the wii. (Also, Paul, Marcus, and Luc beat the entire new Super Mario game in 2 days. I can't stay alive in that game for more than 2 minutes!)

Whew! I'll post about New Years later. I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday!

Style on Tuesday: Ugly (or are they?) sweater edition

2010-12-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

I dunno . . . does this appeal to you? I get it, I think. I might actually wear one or two of these, but in general these big prints on sweaters just don't do it for me.

+

+ I think I really like this one.

+

+

+

+

+

I can't look at a sweater like this without thinking of Dumb and Dumber:

Uh, yeah . . . we're in the Rockies . . . +

Also these big prints on sweaters remind me of Kurt.

Fashion knows no gender.

The big 1

2010-12-16T12:30:00.000-08:00

A year ago today, my sweet little Preston joined our family. Here are some pics I took the other day at a friends house.

I learned a few things from this shoot. Or I was reminded of some things I had forgotten - I haven't been as into photography since I really started sewing. I miss it. I realized that I shouldn't have shot where the wall color is so close to Preston's skin tone, and also I laid a red tablecloth on the floor that made everything glow red. So I had a hard time editing these so they'd look okay. But my subject was adorable, so they came out all right.

I was thinking that I had been meaning to tell Preston's birth story but never did and I really don't want to forget it. So I apologize but here's the quick version.

Preston was due on the 19th, but I think he could have waited until Christmas. We were never 100% sure about my due date because he was kind of a surprise. The doctor offered to induce me a week early, but I opted for the 16th so that he and Chandler would be exactly 6 months apart. I had also been scheduled to be induced with Chandler, but happened to go into labor just a few hours before I was scheduled to check in at the hospital so Paul and I were really hoping our luck would be the same. We tried everything to get Preston to come, but he wouldn't budge so I went in to be induced.

I was super nervous since I had never been on pitocin before and didn't know how it would be to not have an epidural, but it went almost exactly the same as my natural birth with Chandler did. I started on pitocin at 6:30 and Preston came at 12:20. With Chandler I started labor at 5:30 and had him at 1 so Preston came only slightly faster. With Chandler my nurses were Amy and Adrienne (a nurse and a student) and with Preston I had Christy and Kristina (also a nurse and a student). I thought the alliteration was funny.

I progressed at a good pace, the contractions hurt but didn't kill, then as I was doing my makeup in my bed (which I did with both babies - gotta be picture ready!) I felt a pop so I called the nurse. She asked what was wrong and I said "Um . . . something popped!" and sure enough it was my water.

Now things get intense. When I had Chandler, he was crowning within 10 minutes of my water breaking- except the doctor wasn't there yet, so I had to hold him in. I can not tell you how hard that was. Seriously, you could be unconscious in labor, and your body would push that kid out on its own. It took everything, and I mean everything, not to have that baby before the doctor came. So with Preston, I made SURE to tell the doctor that I needed him there as SOON as my water broke. This time, to my great relief, he just happened to be on his way to check on me when it happened. So he got there and things started happening. A bunch of nurses came in, he got his table out, gloves on, and I really started hurting. Then we waited. It was quiet and awkward for what seemed like forever. I felt like I made everyone come quick for nothing. After a minute or two, the doctor took of his gloves and said he would be at the nurses station if I needed anything. At this point I felt completely stupid. So me, Paul, Gigi, and the student nurse are in our room and the next thing I know, I'm screaming my guts out and I can feel that something isn't right. The student nurse looks down and I can see her start to panic, then a million people rush in. At this point Preston hasn't just crowned, his entire head is out and there is no one there to grab him. I don't remember much more except for how completely ANNOYED I was as I watched my doctor slooooooowwwly and carefully put new gloves on. "Nurse, get that head please," he says and just takes his time. Mind you I am in the worst pain ever of my life and all I want to do is push this kid out, but STILL there is no one there to catch the baby. All these nurses I had never seen before are all around me, telling me to hold him in as if every cell in my body wasn't working toward that end, then all the sudden they are telling me to stop screaming because it's harder to push that way. No one ever told me I could push, so once I finally did it took one push and Preston was here. 7 pounds, 9 ounces.

Reliving that moment got my blood pressure up! Whew! After that they couldn't keep Preston's body temperature up, which stressed me out, but by the next morning he was fine. And despite a miserable pregnancy and crazy delivery, he is the calmest, happiest little thing I could ever ask for. He loves people, loves to laugh, loves his family, and above all he loves hot dogs. He lights up every time he sees me, and he makes me happier than I ever thought possible. Happy birthday, bug! Momma loves you!

Tutorial Tuesday: A break from Christmas (and Sewing!)

2010-12-14T20:50:00.000-08:00

Preston's first birthday is this week (w00t!) and it's been weird to take a break from Christmas to do birthday stuff this week. Since I had done birthday shoots for a few friends' first birthdays lately I'd feel bad if I didn't do one for my own kid. So today we had a little birthday shoot and I threw together a few no-sew props this afternoon.

Preston was not a fan of the hat.

I'm sure you could find similar tutorials all over the internet, but here's what I did.

For the hat:

Party Hat
Felt
Pom-pom ribbon
Glue gun

Take apart a hat and trace its shape on a piece of felt, Cut out the felt and glue it to your hat/

Draw the shapes you want on other felt colors and glue those to the front of the hat.

Glue pom-pom ribbon around the bottom of the hat. Cut off one pom-pom and glue it to the top,

Bunting:

Felt and/or quilting fabric
Interfacing
Ribbon or a long strip of felt
Glue gun
Pinking shears

Cut triangles of fabric with pinking shears the size you want them. Leave a straight edge at the top of each triangle.

Cut a long strip or felt or get out your ribbon if you have it. Glue the triangles to the ribbon so that the straight edges line up with the ribbon

Cut triangles of interfacing just smaller than your triangles and iron them to the backs of the triangles if you used quilting fabric

Use pinking shears along the length of the bunting to give the top a finished look.

Style on Monday: Fashion Blogs

2010-12-13T07:38:00.000-08:00

I love reading blogs waaay more than I love writing my own. I do like keeping a blog because it forces me to document things I never would otherwise, and it makes me actually finish projects which I am really bad about.

I am discovering that there are some suuuuper cute fashion blogs out there. I have been a fan of Jen Loves Kev for a long time now, and recently I discovered on Jen's blog another blog called Kendi Everyday. Lately Kendi is doing a 30 for 30 remix, where she pics 30 items of clothing, and makes cute outfits out of them for the next 30 days. Her style is adorable. (Read more about 30 for 30 here.) I love seeing what she pics out each day.

And here are some more super cute blogs about clothes, in case you ever wanted some good inspiration:

Adored Austin
Eat Sleep Wear
Fancy Pants
Peanut Butter Handprint
Rose A La Mode
The Cherry Blossom Girl
What I Wore

And each of these has links to other fashion blogs to browse. Since it's close to Christmas and I'm sure you have NOTHING else going on right now, here is another way to waste your time. Haha.

Wishlist Wednesday: I can't believe it's going to be 2011

2010-12-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

I have the hardest time picking out calendars. So much that last year I didn't even buy one, which ended up being very annoying for Paul and me. I mean, it's a year long commitment. And if one month has a picture I don't like, that's a whole month I have to look at it anyway. And then there's the fact that Paul and I have to actually agree on one, which is near impossible given that we have opposite taste in everything.

I decided to round up a few I liked from Etsy. On the chance he reads this, maybe he will like one.

Speaking of October . . . does anyone else flip to their birthday month to make sure it's good when deciding to buy a calendar?:)

Genes

2010-12-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

After my post last week about headbands, I spent the next day or so wondering if I shouldn't have said that I had good hair genes. I mean, is it okay to actually say something positive about yourself publicly? Haha. Really though, I kind of felt weird after. But then I decided that it's okay. I mean, I don't have the naturally skinny gene or the small nose gene . . . just the thick hair gene, and you're totally allowed to say that. Plus it's true.

Another gene I got from my dad is the ~~big~~ huge head gene. Hats never EVER fit me. I ordered one on Etsy a few weeks ago and asked the seller if she could please make one to fit me. She told me to measure around me head just above my eyebrows. I measured 24 inches. Yes, it takes a room with a 2 foot circumference to house a brain that only works half the time. Thanks, Dad.

I wore my hat to work yesterday and explained how I had to have it specially made for my ginormous noggin. We decided to measure everyone's head and see how big mine was, comparatively. It went like this: Me: 24" Blondie#1: 22.5" Crazy#1: 21" Blondie#2 (Who also happens to be Crazy#2 sometimes): 17.5", which makes perfect sense given the intensity and frequency with which she changes her hair color. The chemicals are shrinking her head.

(Her projected head size at age 40. Haha, love you girl.)

Anyway, I decided to go home and measure Chandler's head just to see if he had inherited my unfortunate gene. (One of my many unfortunate genes). His head measured 20.5"

At least his nose is cute. For now.

2010-12-07T13:59:00.000-08:00

Ugh.

My serger broke last night and I am in the middle of a bunch of Christmas orders and Christmas presents. I am SO much more upset about this than I should be, I know this. But I'm sad! And stressed. This is what I said to Gigi today:

Me: "You know how when you stub your toe you want to be really mad at the thing you just stubbed it on?"

Her: "Ya totally."

Me: "That's how I feel about my whole entire life right now. Like I stubbed my life on something."

Her: "That's deep."

Boo. So now I wait for my serger to be repaired and get more and more behind as I wait. And TRY to not think about it.

So, let's talk about my new favorite thing: Vintage luggage. It started with my Christmas list, and the party has now moved from Etsy to Ebay.

Love! And not too pricey either. How fun would it be to travel with a matching train case/suitcase combo??

2010-12-03T20:41:00.000-08:00

I'm tearing myself away from the jazz game (I don't know how I ever managed) for a last-minute post. What are you doing this weekend? Holiday shopping? Oh, good. You should do some of it here:

I'm excited to see what's there, I'm sure it will be awesome.

Besides that, I'll be sewing hoodies and Christmas gifts, singing in a Christmas program tomorrow, and finishing up our Christmas decorations here at home. It is SO FUN to see your kids get excited about the holidays - Chandler still doesn't get it all, but Halloween this year was awesome because he had fun. I'm sure Christmas will be the same.

PS Any advice on teaching kids about sharing? We had an embarrassing night tonight at a friend's house, to say the least. I always try explaining the situation to him, but he doesn't get everything I say plus he is throwing a tantrum when I say it so it gets me nowhere. Epic fail.

Deck the Halls

2010-12-02T19:47:00.000-08:00

I got out my nativity collection this week! I'm so excited! And it was cute to see Chandler point out baby Jesus in each one.

These two are my faves:

I shoulda taken better pics, but there they are. They make me so happy. :)

And this is my new addition for the year.

It's by CinnamonInk. I noticed at Bijou Market and knew it would be my newest addition to the collection.

Speaking of CinnamonInk, check out this print:

Adorable, right? I wish there was a little boy one, I'd so buy it. Maybe it's weird I've never heard that quote before, but I hadn't and I love it. I put it on my phone's alarm clock so I'd hear it every day. Such a sweet reminder to do our best. She has lots more super cute prints, too. Check 'em out.

Wishlist Wednesday: My Christmas List

2010-12-01T18:15:00.000-08:00

So when my mom asked me to email her a Christmas list, all I had to do was head over to my etsy favorites page and cut and paste a few links. Most of what I want is from etsy this year, I guess I'm trying to support handmade. Here is my list: (It contains more than I expect to get, but here it is...)

My one non-etsy pick. I've been wanting one of these for a while now.

For our bedroom

For my hand. I love floating rings, they're awesome.

For my entryway. I put it on the list I gave to my parents and sibs but not the one I gave to Paul because I didn't think he would be as eager to buy it as they would.

Speaking of Cali, I want this but the Golden State version, of course.

I'm working on a little sewing area for myself in our bedroom and I have some pretty things there already. This would be the perfect addition.

and this would be perfect hanging over it.

I kind of want everything from this shop. Vintage luggage?!? Not that I go anywhere cool, but I'd find somewhere to go if I had bags this cute.

This organizer/journal is super cute, plus it's set up the way I work . . . I'm better at keeping all of my thoughts in one place instead of personal thoughts in a journal, ideas in a notepad, and to-do's in a planner.

Tuesday Tutorial: (It's still Tuesday somewhere): Yarn-wrapped Poinsettia Wreath

2010-11-30T23:55:00.000-08:00

Look! A tutorial two weeks in a row! And maybe another one in a few days! Boo-ya!! So we are sloooowwwly getting our Christmas decorations up (Would be easier, but I can not explain to you in words how hard my kids have been the last few days. Seriously, I don't get it but I can only take so much more before I crack. Paul is just going to come home one day and the boys will be watching Toy Story 3 and drinking sippie cups full of Dimetap and I'll be huddled in a corner, hugging myself and talking jibberish while I rock back and forth. I'm almost there.)

Haha, what? So this wreath. It will be on my front door soon, I hope.

To make one, you will need:

A foam wreath
Yarn
About 4 sheets red felt and 1 sheet green
4 buttons
Glue gun

So I thought that the yarn part would be a breeze but it was the hardest part. It's pretty tedious, a good activity to do while you're watching Ellen or something. Start by putting about a 1" line of glue on the back of your wreath. Start wrapping your yarn around so it catches the glue to get a good start.

Some tips: don't unravel your yarn! Just take the whole roll of it and keep putting it through the center of your wreath. I did this about ten times, then stopped to align/straighten each row, then 10 more times, etc. Also, since the outside is bigger than the inside (being a circle and all), you'll have to stop and redirect your yarn and overlap it on whats already there every so often.

Okay, that sucked, right? Now for the poinsettias:

Cut a bunch of these. My big ones were about 3" tall and 1.5" wide, small ones were maybe 2" by 1". Cut about 32 big and 24 small.

Put a dot of hot glue on the bottom and pinch the bottom together like this. You might have to pinch it for a sec until the glue hardens.

Cut out a "circle" of felt. (I'm not good at circles) and put a circle of glue on it.

Take your big petals and glue them in a circle FACE DOWN on the felt.

Now cut a smaller circle of felt and glue it to the TOP of your flower, then a circle of glue on top of that.

Glue the smaller petals RIGHT SIDE UP to that. Each flower took me 7 -8 big petals and 6 small. Top with a button.

I also did some where I didn't fold the top petals, just cut the small petals even smaller and glued to the circle of big petals.

Style on Monday: Bedazzle your head

2010-11-29T17:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was one of those why do I even try? kinds of days - a series of misfortunes that ultimately results in an emotional breakdown. It included, but is definitely not limited to, poop in the bathtub and a glass dish that literally exploded all over the kitchen and landed in about 4 of the 7 dishes I had spent all afternoon preparing for dinner. The why try attitude carried into today, but it didn't keep me from having a great hair day.

Haha, okay I didn't really write this post to tell you about my good genes and the power of an awesome hair straightener, it was to show off my new headband from Academy J. I saw it at Bijou when I was setting up and it was love at first sight. Maybe that's because the headband was sending me kisses and hugs, but either way, the flirting worked. I bought it.

Annnd here are a few more to look at:

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I found about a dozen celeb photos of people sporting this trend. This is where I would post some and tell you about how this must definitely mean that you NEED a beaded headband for the next time the paps stalk you outside of Starbucks, or something. But I didn't do it this time.

Okay fine.

See, you NEED one. Because not only are the paps going to take your pic in it, but then whowhatwear is going to take said photo, crop it, and sandwich you between the Olsen twins. Be ready.

Holiday Shopping

2010-11-25T13:54:00.000-08:00

Is anyone besides me dumb enough to brave the stores tomorrow? I've never really done it - I've been shopping the day after Thanksgiving, but I've never done the whole 4 a.m., pushing, shoving, running (is that what it's really like?), screaming to get a 50" HDTV for $1 thing. Wish me luck!

For anyone doing their shopping online, I am having a sale starting tomorrow and ending Tuesday morning at 12:01 for all blog readers. (Yay!) Enter the coupon code mamamia10 to receive 20% off my entire shop!! PLUS, I'll be doing free US shipping starting tomorrow and ending Monday. And I added a few items to my shop yesterday. Here are 2 new hoodies:
The Basic:

Big bow hoodie:

Button Down Hoodie in Picnic Plaid:

I hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for - my family, our health, our jobs, Diet Coke, and of course my Savior, Jesus Christ. At the risk of sounding cheesy and cliche, I am so thankful for the knowledge that I am a daughter of God, and I am thankful for this time of year when we can stop and reflect on Him. May your holiday season be filled with gifts, but more importantly may it be filled with gratitude for the ultimate Gift our Savior has given us as He gave his life to atone for us.

home made Christmas gift#1: easy headband

2010-11-24T18:17:00.001-08:00

I'm going to try to make as many gifts as I can this year, and I'm really going to try to post tutorials on all of them. (That's going to take a lot of effort. Posting tutorials is kinda painful for me.) This is a super easy one. You could wrap it around a cute piece of paper and make a tag out of it, or somehow incorporate it into your wrapping.

You will need 1 3/4 yards of ribbon or chord, sewing machine and thread, and a regular hair tie.

Cut your ribbon into thirds. Hold all three pieces together and pin at one end.

Braid the pieces. Leave about an inch unbraided at the end and pin.

Sew each end of your braids, going back and forth three or four times at each end.

Take your hair tie and fold an end over it (refer to picture) and sew in place. Repeat at the other end and you're done!

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Bijou

2010-11-23T19:01:00.000-08:00

It's over!!! And it was awesome, to say the least. What an awesome collection of vendors. I was super nervous to put myself and my shop out there in real life, but I was happy with how my products came out and I think it went well. Some pics from my booth:

Other awesome booths:

Style on Monday: Staying Warm

2010-11-22T07:55:00.000-08:00

It's cold. And it's going to be cold for a looooong time. (Wednesday there's supposed to be a high of 20!) So here are some cute handmade ways to stay warm:

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+++ (this is a pattern)+++++

This is the last time

2010-11-19T13:42:00.000-08:00

you'll hear about my birthday, I promise. This was my office work party.

You can see why I found this week's Modern Family ep truly inspiring.

Your official invite

2010-11-18T21:12:00.000-08:00

Have you checked out this season's vendors?? There is some serious talent here in Utah, and whether you live here or not you should check them out.

But of course if you are going to be around, why not stop by? You won't be disappointed. I can't wait!

Annnnd another giveaway

2010-11-17T09:40:00.000-08:00

Head to the Bijou Market blog for a huuuge giveaway, which includes a $25 gift card to my shop! And one of these, which I totally want.

It's the 17th . . .

2010-11-17T09:14:00.000-08:00

And my Halloween decorations are still up. Bijou is in two days, and then I can start going about life as a normal person. Honestly, they might still be up even if I wasn't sewing every extra minute of my life (I got up at 3:45 yesterday to sew before the kids woke up, then sewed after they went to bed until almost midnight) but at least now I have an excuse.

The 17th also means that my kids and I turned another month older yesterday. Preston will be ONE in a month. One!! He wants to walk soooooo baaaaad, and he's almost there. I always thought that Chandler was an easy baby, but the last eleven months with Preston have been even easier. He gets needy, but its usually because he's tired, and he loves to play with Chandler. Chandler loves it, too. Whenever he leaves a room I hear "C'mon, Preston!" and off they go to make yet another mess.

Chandler has become way more emotional over the past month or two. He acts like he's heartbroken over everything - not having the hoodie he wanted to wear, not getting the snack he wants, not being able to reach something, etc. He throws himself on the floor and out come the tears. I try so hard to combat this with hugs instead of frustration, but it isn't easy. Sometimes I run out of ideas and just put him in his room to finish his tantrums because obviously I can't give him what he wants every time, but then I feel guilty. Not because I'm not giving him what he wants, but because I'm totally putting him in his room for me not to have to hear it. But then after a minute or two when I don't feel crazy any more I go give him kisses and hugs and everything is good.

So that's us. And in the time it took me to type this I could have taken down my decorations.

Style on Monday: Outerwear

2010-11-15T12:27:00.000-08:00

It's rainy here. And cloudy. And cold. Well, the sun is out now, but it was raining. And it's still cold, which probably won't change until about May. So of course I have to blog about cute outerwear.

I've been eying this since Downeast first put it out. I don't know if I'd like it better with black buttons, or if the turquoise buttons are why I like it. But I like it either way.

This is an old Anthro coat, not even for sale any more. But it's stinkin' cute.

This is not a coat at all. But I want it. I should be wearing it right now.

From Lulu's

From Ruche

winners!!

2010-11-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

According to random.org our winners are . . .

#1 Genevieve

#15 Ashley

#16 Cara

#17 Rebecca

Congrats, guys! Email me with your addresses so I can get them sent off! adriapparel@gmail.com

I had fun reading everyone's lists. I got a few ideas of things to add to my own, and had a few laughs too. ;)

Giveaway tiiiime!!! {CLOSED}

2010-11-12T07:13:00.000-08:00

Peeps,

Where have I been?!? I'll tell you where I've been . . . I've been taking care of a sick family, then getting sick myself, then taking care of more sick family (their fault for coming to visit) then bringing my flu to California so I could have even more sick family!!! Muahahahaha! (It's okay, I'm germ free now.) And also I've been sewing, sewing, sewing getting ready for Bijou Market which is in ONE WEEK HEAVEN HELP ME!!! . . . Ugh.

I've been meaning to have a giveaway for a few weeks now. Farmer's Market ended in October and it was such an awesome season. I never would have expected it to go so well, and I am so thankful to all my friends and family for their support. Even those of you who just came to say hi to make my day go faster really helped me out more than you know.

Soooo . . . I'm doing a giveaway to celebrate an awesome season and to thank everyone for doing what you could to support me. This is SO last minute, but I'll be giving away 4 different "gift packs" that include some collection of my favorite items from last season's market.

Okay, seriously I have no clue what I'm giving away, but the gift packs will include (but aren't limited to) the above items.

To enter . . . I'm not going to make you do a million things to enter, all you need to do is comment below with some of the things that are on your bucket list (I love hearing what other people want to do).

However, I am not opposed to people following my blog or putting a button on their site or liking Adri Apparel on Facebook. I'm just saying.

No entries after 8:00 AM MST Monday, November 15. Good luck!!!

Tshirt redo with my BFF's

2010-11-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

I'm a day late, but I still came through! I have been sewing up a storm lately (I've officially given up on being well rested or having a clean house intil Bijou is over) and it was a nice break to make something quick for myself. This tutorial utilizes all three of my BFF's. Here's the shirt . . .

You will need:
A plain white tee (mine is a men's XL)

A 60" x 4" strip of fabric (or 2 30" lengths or whatever)

A 60" x 3.5" strip of fuseable interfacing

Start by fusing your interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric, centering it on your fabric strip.

Fold the fabric in half lengthwise so that the right sides are touching. Iron the fold and sew the raw edges together.

Now cut the strip into smaller pieces. I used 12 - 1.75" pieces and 12 - 2.75" pieces.

Sew one of the short ends of each piece so that you have kind of a little pouch. I didn't cut my thread between pieces so I ended up with kind of a chain, made it easier.

Turn the "pouches" right side out and use a seam ripper/pen/tweezers/whatever works for you to push the corners out. Iron again.

Topstitch around the three closed sides of each rectangle. I use a zipper foot because the folded under fabric gets in the way otherwise. If you don't have one a regular foot will do. When you get to a corner, stop the machine with the needle in the fabric, lift your foot, and rotate your rectangle 90 degrees and keep on going!

Now you have two dozen pretty looking rectangles with open ends.

Now get your shirt . . . cut off the sleeves at the seams. Using a shirt you already like as a pattern, cut the body of your tee. If your pattern shirt has more give than the one you are making, leave some extra room.

Now open up your shirt and lay it flat so that the right side is up and you can see both the front and the back pieces. Pin your rectangles along the sleeve openings, alternating between sizes. Stitch them in place along the raw edge.

Cut the sleeve seam and open up the sleeves.

Now pin the sleeve to the shirt, right sides together, so that the rectangles are sandwiched between the sleeve and the shirt but you can't see them. Trim away the extra sleeve fabric. Sew the sleeve to the body of the shirt. Repeat on the other side.

Pin the rectangles to the body of the shirt so they lay the way you want them to. Stitch them there going over the top stitching you already did. I only stitched over the end of each rectangle, not all 3 sides.

Now pin up the side and sleeve seams with right sides together and sew them up! You're done!

Not Christmas

2010-11-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

Haha, a million people are writing blog posts today titled "halloween" so I had to be different.

I'm not even going to tell you what we did all weekend, because it wasn't that exciting and you don't really care. I'm just going to show you how cute my kids looked.

Yup, my baby has a mohawk and I'm keeping it because I like it. And so does he.

I found Chandler's costume on KSL. Preston's I made in literally half an hour. The face is glued on and made out of old t-shirts from my ever-growing collection of scrap fabric. I used this (but bigger - a yard and a half wide) for the pattern and cut holes for the arms, head, and feet. Then I stuck some elastic in the bottom and a snap on the top and called it good.

November

2010-11-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

You guys! It's November! What the heck?!?

Time to start talking about Christmas. And making Christmas gifts. (I'm hoping to do as many homemade gifts as I can.) And winning free stuff to keep for yourself!!

So . . . head on over to A Little Lovely. I'm guest posting and giving away one of these.

Jamie will be hosting giveaways all this week and next! So be sure to stop by every day!

BFF's

2010-10-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

So I don't think I've announced here yet, but I will be participating in Bijou Market next month. I am SO excited, but I have so much work ahead of me! I've been up late every night sewing, and I don't see an end to that until the market. So expect the blogging to be sporadic for the next few weeks.

I just wanted to take a second to introduce you to my new BFF's. The clothes I make could never have turned out so well without them. Their names are interfacing, iron, and topstitch. If you aren't already friends with them, you should be.

Interfacing makes a HUGE difference in sewing. You can use it to stiffen fabrics like with shirt collars, or to reinforce, like with button holes. I use it on my hoods to make them sit nicely. I love the way it looks, and things look much less homemade with interfacing. Here are some tips for working with interfacing.

Ironing - I know this is a given, but you can't sew without ironing. I used to try to go without, but it makes such a huge difference. Always iron before you cut, and where applicable, iron your seams after you sew them.

Topstitching - patterns and tutorials will tell you when to do this, but I love the look of a perfectly straight line around the edge of something. It takes practice, but the trick is not to watch the needle but to keep your eye on the edge of the fabric and make sure it stays at the same point. If the marks on your machine aren't where you need them to be you can wrap a rubber band around the bottom of your machine to use as a guide.

I am going to try suuper hard to have another t-shirt redo for Tuesday, and it will use all three.

Style on Monday: Twelve By Twelve

2010-10-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

A month ago some friends and I went to Vegas for a weekend and we happened to stay right next to a mall with the largest Forever 21 I have ever seen in my life. I mean, the thing was the size of a full department store. I heard it used to be a Sears. It had mens, womens, maternity, womens, kids (less cute than but priced similar to H&M's kids clothes), womens, and did I mention womens?? I think that is what heaven is like - one big giant Forever 21 full endless floors of cute clothes priced so low you won't feel guilty about wearing them only a couple of times. And of course you get to share it with your loved ones and all the mirrors are skinny mirrors.

Ahem, so anyway, there was a huge selection of Twelve by Twelve clothes. I wanted them all, or at least a lot of them, but I felt too guilty getting myself anything. (I spent my money instead on a super awesome sound activated shirt for Paul that he still hasn't worn.) I got an F21 gift card from my mom for my birthday and here are a few of the things that caught my eye.

That last one isn't Twelve by Twelve, just regular old Forever 21, but I liked it.

Family

2010-10-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

I had big plans for today . . . I was going to do farmer's market tomorrow (my final of the year) and add a bunch of stuff to my shop and host a giveaway and everything, but this week ended weirdly and I'm pushing it all back a week. So in the meantime, why not check out this funny post on my sister Gigi's funny blog. It's about my weird family, and what's so funny about it to me is that it's true.

2010-10-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

The internet is the perfect way to stretch out a birthday. You can blog about how your birthday is coming up, then on the actual day you get a million FaceBook comments, and then you can keep posting about it forever after. Right?

Okay, it's not really that I'm trying to stretch out my birthday, it's really just that I had 3 whole days without kids, so I did a lot! Having kids makes you wonder what you ever did with all your time before you had them.

I made this EXTREMELY flawed shirt, which I'm super excited about:

I realize that there are a lot of mistakes, but mostly I'm excited because I taught myself like 3 things at once while I made this: Piping, a regalan pattern, and zippers with knits, which I was really afraid of.

I'm planning on making more, once I get more plum fabric (ahem, dad) and I think if I made some changes I could make it mens possibly? If you have suggestions, give em to me.

It's Easy Being Green

2010-10-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

I have some amazingly talented friends. Really, suuuuper talented. Like sometimes it's discouraging because I think if I know this many people with this much talent, and I don't even know that many people, then there is no way I'm ever going to stand out. But that's okay, my mom still thinks I'm great.

Anyway, one of these friends is Annie of Annily Green. She made this quilt recently.

I kind of want to steal it.

She also has an Etsy shop full of cool things, like these:

I'm going to try to be better at sharing my cool friends with you instead of keeping them all to myself.

Tutorial Tuesday: Headboards

2010-10-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

Instead of a tutorial from me this week I thought I'd do a roundup of headboard tutorials since that will be Paul's next big project. (Ya, that was a big mistake being so useful last weekend . . .) Click the + after each photo to view the tutorial.

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Birfffday Weekend

2010-10-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

For my birthday I wanted two things: a hair straightener and an inviting workspace. If Paul could make me a clothes rack for my inventory, that would be an added bonus. Okay fine, I also wanted a few kid free hours to catch up on orders and as many dates with Paul as possible. I got everything I wanted, plus a little shopping trip at Forever 21. I got spoiled.

Thursday night we met Paul's mom and sister in Price and dropped the kids with them. It was a guilty drive home, but a fun weekend! On Friday we went to a movie then dinner then came home to watch yet another movie, then on Saturday we spent the morning working on our room/my workspace.

Before:

During:

After:

I LOVE the stripes! I think the room looks so much more open. But I still have this to organize and make cute:

And of course wall hangings, etc. And I was thinking of doing pink as an accent color (working with gray white and light blue as the main colors of the room and yellow as another accent) but what if I keep the red I already have? Ideas???

Also I need a headboard. I think I'll make one.

Paul made me my clothes rack:

I love it! I got the idea here, from this adorable blog.

On Saturday we went on another dinner/movie date. I got to use my nifty straightener to curl my hair, and Paul looked hot in a hat because I'm a mean wife and didn't feel like cutting his hair.

By Sunday morning though, we were so excited to see these guys:

Aaah, I missed them so much! But we had a fun weekend. Thanks for everything, Paul! And his parents for watching the boys! And to everyone who texted or facebooked me on my birthday! You helped make it special!!

The Birthday List

2010-10-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday was my birthday. The kids spent the weekend with their Grandma and Grandpa in Colorado so that Paul and I could do whatever we wanted. We ate out all weekend, saw two movies, and created a little workspace for me. Lots more to come on that.

I've been working on my life's to-do list for some time now, and I decided that my birthday would be an appropriate time to share. Have you made one? You should, I can't tell you how good it felt. And you know what Paul said to me the other day? We have been working lately on expressing love (I highly recommend the 5 love languages book) and he told me that he wanted to help me work on the list, because he thought it would be a good way to show love. Honestly - and I know this is different for every person - I can't think of a better way. Here's to spending the rest of our lives crossing things off. :)

Sing a vocal solo
Visit Europe (Italy)
Visit Asia (Manila)
Visit south America (Machu Pichu)
Visit my family in Mexico
Go to law school
Join the mile high club
Sit courtside at a Lakers game
Go to an NFL game
Play Claire de lune perfectly on the piano
Learn to play flight of the bumble bee
Own a grand piano
Go to all 50 states
Run a half marathon
Run a marathon
5k time under 30 min
Meet Ree Drummond
Pay cash for every car I own from now on
Learn to make pants
Go to new York fashion week
See my clothes on a complete stranger
Pay for the stranger behind me at a drive up
Give up Christmas gifts for me and my family so that someone less fortunate can have them
Set up a scholarship for women with kids
Skydive
Make creme brulee from scratch
Learn to make tiramisu
Learn to change the oil on my car
Get a dog and train it to dance
Teach aerobics
Go to Euro Disney and Tokyo Disney.
Learn to ride a motorcycle
Wear a big hat to the Kentucky Derby
Sisters trip to New York
Visit New York at Christmastime
Go to the Maceys Thanksgiving Day Parade
Plant a garden
Watch the sun rise over the Atlantic
Do 3 chin ups
Take my kids to the rose parade
Go on a hot air balloon ride
Stand up on a wake board
Watch Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffanys, and Gone With the Wind
Speak Spanish conversationally
Speak French conversationally
Visit the redwood forest
Cross the Canadian border
Get a drastic hair dye job (as in way lighter or redder than normal)
Learn to quilt
Read the bible from cover to cover
Sing or play bass in the Gamboa family rock band
Road trip to the east coast
Road trip to California and actually stop at all the semi-cool places along the way
Sleep under the stars all alone with Paul
Own something from Tiffany
Go on an individual trip with each sibling

This is definitely a work in progress, I'll be adding to it all the time, but here it is for now.

Here it is . . .

2010-10-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

My dress design for Shabby Apple dresses. Please don't laugh at the artwork, you have no idea how hard I worked to make this something that was at least halfway presentable.

If you follow my blog, I'm sure you know where the inspiration came from. First I designed this diaper clutch, then took the idea to make this hoodie. Wouldn't a tailored pencil dress be just perfect?? I'm such a sucker for black and gray, so this rose/plum color was really branching out for me. I think it would be fun in a seafoamish green too maybe? And of course gray. I can't help myself. What do you think?

Tutorial: Dollar Store Halloween Wreath

2010-10-15T08:05:00.001-07:00

The other night while Paul was at school I decided it would be fun to decorate our porch with the boys. We went out to the dollar store and I was surprised to see that they had lots of fun Halloween stuff. We ended up with a plastic skeleton, some fake cobwebs, a cute sign, and some garland for the porch. Plus supplies to make this:

To make your own, you will need a foam wreath (I already had one laying around), a plastic tablecloth, a garland, and a package of plastic bugs.

Cut the tablecloth into circles about 4 -5" in diameter. you can leave the tablecloth all folded up and just cut em all at once.

take something sharp (I used the insides of a broken pen) and stab the center of the circles into the wreath. It will bunch itself up nicely. Cover the whole wreath.

Next we wrapped the wreath in garland and then got out the hot glue gun to glue the bugs in place. Chandler had fun picking out each bug and telling me where to put it.

Wishlist Wednesday: from the Vans store

2010-10-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday wasn't my favorite day . . . it was one of those where everything that's been stressing you out and making you sad for the last month finally surfaces and there's nothing you can do to push it all back down. So I cried a lot. Over stupid things I couldn't control. And then I went shopping.

Chandler needed shoes anyway, and I used my sewing money to buy myself a pair for my birthday. Kind of a company gift (that's how I justify it). Chandler loves them, and so do I. I remember every year before school started my parents would take us to the Vans store for new shoes. And now Vans are cooler than ever. If I were rich I'd shop for Paul and the boys there all the time. But what I didn't expect was to find cute women's things too.

The perfect comfy winter clothes, right?

Style on Monday: Just Do It

2010-10-11T11:27:00.000-07:00

I know animal prints are super in right now, but in my opinion they've never gone out of style. I get that from my mom. We're cool like that. ;)

Dolce and Gabbana

I know that most people don't make animal print a staple in their closets, but if you don't own any, why not give it a try? You'll love it. People will stop you in the streets and tell you how cool you are. I get it all the time. From Chandler. But it's because I'm wearing animal print, I tell you.

The trick is wearing one small piece rather than a full-blown leopard jumpsuit. Here are a few more subtle pieces I like . . .

Forever 21

Lulus

Anthropologie

Nordstrom (Steve Madden)

Target

Nordstrom (Kate Spade)

Or there are always these :)

50 mm

2010-10-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

I finally repurchased the lens I broke a while ago. I am so happy!! I finally busted it out today to take pictures of little P-diddy, who is getting enormous. I hate it.

(He is crawling over my fabric scraps because I had just been sewing.)

See? Isn't it the worst? Haha. He finally figured out the whole crawling thing a few weeks ago so now I have to be extra careful of what Chandler leaves lying around. But my floors haven't been this clean since Chandler was crawling. :)

Preston is figuring out how to make funny faces, this is his latest and greatest. Usually it is more smiley and less constipated looking. His little gums and teeth make the face look cute, I promise.

Style on Wednesday (I make the rules and I can break 'em): Fall Minimalism

2010-10-06T08:53:00.001-07:00

It's kind of funny that minimalism and the eclecticism are trends at the same time. That being said, I lean way more toward minimalism than the opposite. I prefer boring to loud, I guess. Like this:

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney

Bebe/Kardashian

So I rounded up a few minimalist pieces I liked:

All the blouses are from Forever 21 ($8.80 - 28.00), the coat from Ruche ($72.99) and the leggings from American Eagle. They're listed at $30 online but I saw them at the mall for $19.99.

But if I were rich . . .

All from Anthro. Aren't the sleeves on that last sweater to die for??

And I can't figure out how to get the image, but go here for another awesome piece by Uniqlo.

Grilled Cheesus

2010-10-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

You guys. Did you watch Glee last night?

We are SO making this. (Kate Spade)

And I have a really old Emma-inspired sweater clip tutorial I never posted. I'll hop right on that.

And blogging in general. Might be a good idea.

:) Adri

PS what do you think of post signatures? Part of me is like "Well, duh you wrote this. It's your blog." And the other part loves my signature so much that I kind of don't care.

Tutorial: Another Tshirt Makeover

2010-09-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

#3 of the 5-pack of shirts I bought forever ago . . .

(Yah, I know the collar is a little wonky. A little someone jerked me while I was sewing that corner (that wasn't supposed to be a corner.)

I am super into metalics lately, and also into shoulder embellishments. Paul says I look like Michael Jackson in this.

Clearly my husband is crazy, right? Smile and nod.

I should say that I am usually a Large and the shirts I bought were men's XL. It's kinda relevant today.

You will need your shirt, and sequins to embellish it with. I found these iron-on strips for 2.99 a yard (1.50 when that stuff is 50% off) and got 3/4 yard of the blue, gold, and silver and 1/3 of the black and pink. You could also use sequin strips (.99/yd) and use fabric adhesive.

So Start by removing the sleeves and collar again. We aren't going to use the sleeves this time.

Looks hot already.

Now use a shirt you like as a pattern, but this time cut your sleeves into the big shirt piece you already have. They will be more like cap sleeves.

Now sew up the sides. Save the side scraps.

Now try it on, make sure you like the fit, and mark the neckline you want and cut it.

Now for the fun stuff! Get together your sparkly stuff. Mine came in strips with 3 "columns" to a strip so I cut down the columns to make variety in the width of the strips.

Lay them on the shoulders the way you want them. I laid one strip on one side then a matching strip on the other so that I was sure they'd be symmetrical. Once they are all laid out how you want them, carefully place a piece of fabric (I used the old sleeve scraps) over the strips and iron them on. I ironed them onto the front of the shirt first, then rotated the shoulders and ironed the shoulders next.

I let the strips fall in varying lengths in the back too. If I wasn't trying to be frugal I would have made the back parts longer, but frugal I am (trying to be).

Now add a collar using the side strips just like last time.

Well that was easy!

To Blog, or Not to Blog

2010-09-27T15:14:00.000-07:00

. . . that is the question I've been asking myself for the last little while.

Did you know I work 30+ hour weeks? You probably didn't, because I never tell people that, because I'm afraid they'll think I'm a bad mom. Well it's true, I work a lot, and I even like my job. Well, I like the people at my job. They are my family, and I need them at least as much as I need the money. Someday Paul will graduate and I will not have to work. I probably will still work part time because I would go crazy not working, but I won't have to. And that will be awesome.

Until then, I am a working mom who loves crafts and clothes and blogs but can't always find the time to do it all and stay sane. Sometimes I take time off work, other times I give up the crafts, and others I do it all and go crazy. But writing this post just made my life a little easier, and made me feel a little saner, because now I can talk about work (a HUGE part of my life) and being a working mom (because that's what I am) without worrying about being judged.

I know it seems extremely adolescent for me to care what anyone thinks, but that really is why we blog, isn't it? Because we care about what other people think, or at least we think other people care about what we think, or something like that. It's hard (for me anyway) to see other people blog about the best and funnest and most creative parts of their lives and not assume that those are the only parts. And, sadly, I do the same here - I blog about the best and funnest and most creative things I do, but believe me - oh, believe me - there is a lot of boring, sad, stressful stuff that goes on behind the scenes. I'll try my best to be "real" from here on out.

10th

2010-09-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

Holy Cow!!! It is the 10th of September! We are a third of the way through - where does the time go?? I had better get started on Halloween costumes because at this rate October 31st is going to feel like next week!

You might be surprised to know that I have been sick all week. (because I never get sick, right? ) What is wrong with me?!? So, in the spirit of my frazzled brain (that literally feels like it's about to explode right now), here is some random ~~crap~~ stuff about me. And in the spirit of it being the 10th day of the month, I will limit my stuff to 10 things.

Slimer. This is what I call my purse. It is the loudest thing ever. I get compliments on it all the time, but I think most of them are because you can't help but look at it, and so when people see that I notice them staring they feel like they have to say something nice.
I meant to get pictures of this but didn't. It's funny how closely you examine your kids when they're born and yet you still manage to miss a few things. Recently I noticed a weird deformity on the back of Preston's ear and a birthmark on his left thigh. Paul doesn't like me to call it a deformity, but you would be calling it that if it was on the front of his ear and everyone could see it, so why not the back?? I'll have to get a pic. It's not bad, just not normal.
I WORE BOOTS TODAY!!! I deemed it cold enough. It was awesome.
I have a secret punk side. The Distillers is still my favorite band and I have been to 4 or 5 AFI concerts. When I saw this today for $6, I had to get it. I love it!
I know you've all seen it already, but have you made yours yet? I am going to make Leanne's Pinwheel Skirt next week out of a striped fabric. But do I make the stripes on the back panel and front inside panel horizontal, or vertical??
Jeggings. Your opinion? I say as long as you wear them with a long shirt or dress, then they're really just sophisticated leggings. But they have to be comfy, or else what's the point, am I right?
Halloween. Like I said, we'd better get started on that. I'm thinking the boys will be Sully and Mike Wizowski. How cute would that be?
I accidentally bought this print for the boys' room recently. I put it in my Etsy shopping cart then decided against spending $20. Then I bought some supplies and checked out in a hurry, forgetting that it was in my cart. Kind of a happy accident. Chandler thinks it's "coo" and I really like it.
Paul has class on Friday nights so the boys and I have been going on Friday night dinner dates. It's fun and I think they really like it. Except for tonight we basically got our food and left because Chandler was being embarrassing. He wasn't being bratty or needy, just put on a show for everyone he could because he wanted the attention. We left because I didn't want to be one of those moms with annoying kids who is oblivious to that fact.
Sketching. I need to learn how to do it. I simply can not draw pictures from my brain. I am excellent at copying other people's drawings, but that's it. Here is my latest attempt. I hope to bring it to fruition this weekend.

In Style DIY

2010-09-08T09:13:00.000-07:00

I don't know if this is new or if I've never noticed it before, but In Style magazine has a little DIY feature in it. September 's issue had like 6 different projects and this one was my fave:

Just a tshirt and some safety pins, but I think it's so cute! Over the weekend the notions wall at JoAnn was a full 50% off so I stocked up on safety pins, cover buttons, metal bobbins (if you have bobbin problems and use plastic, seriously consider buying metal ones), and tailor's chalk.

You can't tell from this crummy camera phone pic, but the shirt here is an awesome royal blue. Now I really want to find a royal blue tee, but I figure I will just settle for what I have.

Tutorial Tuesday: Tshirt redo

2010-09-07T13:04:00.000-07:00

Here is another from the 5-pack of t shirts a bought forever ago. I did this one just yesterday. 3 more to go! It's still pretty much a basic tee but more fitted and with cooler sleeves.

To start, remove the sleeves from the shirt at the seam.

Using a shirt you already like as a pattern, cut the body of your tee. SAVE THE SCRAPS! Also pay attention to the stretch of the shirt you are using. If your pattern shirt has more give than the one you are making, leave some extra room.

Cut the sleeve seam and open up the sleeves.

Pin 3 folds in your sleeves right in the center. I didn't measure here but made sure the 2 sleeves had the same spacing.

Sew up the center of the sleeves. Go slow so your folds stay nice and neat.

Now pin the sleeve to the shirt, right sides together, trim away the extra sleeve fabric. Sew the sleeve to the body of the shirt. Repeat on the other side.

Now sew up the side seam of your shirt and up the sleeves with the shirt inside out.

Pin 2 folds in the side seam of the shirt. I tried mine on first to see where the folds would be most flattering. Slowly sew those in place as well.

For the collar: try on your shirt and mark where you want the collar to be. Cut your neck opening the way you want it.

Measure along the front opening (mine was about 14") and the back from shoulder to shoulder (mine was 10")

Take your scraps from the sides and cut a 2" by ? strip. For me it was 2X10 and 2x14. Don't leave extra for seams.

Now sew these together to make a big circle.

Fold your circle in half lengthwise and pin it to your shirt with the shirt right side out. Match the seam of your circle to the shoulder seams. You should have to stretch your collar to make it work. Sew in place and you're done!

Note, this isn't the right way to sew a collar to a knit, but since we were working with vertical pieces (that don't stretch well) we cheated a little. I guess I will have to show the right way later.

Style on Monday: Labor Day Edition

2010-09-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

Hooray for labor day! Summer is officially over!! Ever since I moved to Utah I am really not a summer person. I love the beach, but I don't like camping or hiking or any of the other dry, boring things people here associate with summer. (Okay, hiking isn't that bad, and I would totally love longboarding if our boards hadn't been stolen earlier this year. And it's nice to be able to run early in the morning without freezing, but still . . . no beach.)

Nor do I like summer clothes - I don't have a yard to lay out in (and just try "relaxing" by the pool with two babies all by yourself!) and won't go to a tanning bed because I have good aging genes stacked in my favor (have you seen my mom?) and don't want to ruin that. Needless to say I am about as pale as I was on Memorial Day, or Christmas for that matter, and so shorts and skirts are not my favorite thing. Plus I am not into summer colors - I am all about boring, muted colors. Matches my personality I guess.

Anywhoo, this post is my kickoff to a whole bunch of other fall fashion posts (assuming I am less of a slacker in the future.) Today we talk about . . . white after labor day!! (And how it's totally okay.)

All of these are from fall 2010 shows:

Alice +Olivia

Bebe

Louis Vuitton

Marc Jacobs

A few months back, Viv from Ish and Chi did a fashion friday post on winter whites (she is in Australia). If you ask me, this is how it's done.

See what she did here? She totally made a summer dress a winter one. I love it.

Wishlist Wednesday on Thursday: Fabric

2010-09-02T08:58:00.001-07:00

I am SO in a make-stuff-for-me kind of mood! I am so excited for fall but I can't bring myself to buy clothes when I could be buying fabric! I want to make a cute printed dress and maybe a few tunics. I went to PurlSoho to find some fun, quirky prints and there were way too many to choose . . .

Freespirit Fabrics

Freespirit Fabrics

Freespirit Fabrics This one weird, but I love it.

Liberty of London

Alexander Henry I love this whole Farmdale collection. How cute would a crosshatch print be on a pleated pencil skirt with pockets???

P + B Textiles

Liberty of London

I was inspired by this dress:

People ask me sometimes how/where I find my fabrics. I always browse purlsoho. They have all their fabrics sorted by designer and collection, which is how I learned about a lot of designers and collections. The I go elsewhere to see if I can find them cheaper. Sometimes Deseret Book carries these, and Michael Levine has lots of them, too.

Progress

2010-09-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning with no baby in my bed! And no kink in my neck from trying to nurse laying down. I guess we were finally tired enough to stay in bed and let Preston cry. Woo hoo!

On a Chandler note, I am trying to work on our communication. Sometimes it's just easier to make up something simple rather than explain the truth. It started when Chandler wanted to play with a friend's dog right after we had just come inside from playing with him. "Doggie is tired. He's sleeping," I said. Soon everything was either tired, broken, or all gone. "Cars is all done." "Chocolate milk is all gone." Then last night Chandler wanted to watch Mickey Mouse on my phone so I told him Mickey was all gone. "NO!" ye yelled. "All gone is all gone." Enough of that.

But you should hear him say "calculator." It's the cutest thing ever. He pronounces all the syllables. (cow-que-weeder) And last night he coined his own phrase "see you later calculator!" So fun.

The new-news

2010-08-31T17:01:00.000-07:00

Let's see...

Last week I made 5 hoodies. I have sold 6 on Etsy so far and all have been to people in Canada. Canadians must have good taste! haha.

Over the weekend I recouped and organized things after spending the week working and making 5 hoodies. Our place isn't totally clean, but the parts that are are super clean. I am trying to find good and cute ways to use the space in my room so that it can be a workroom without looking like one. I got a new shelf in the process.

Paul cleaned really good and FOUND MY WEDDING RING!!! I'm still out my engagement ring, but I am SO freakin' stoked about my band.

Preston is cutting 6 teeth. Yes, six. He is a trooper. I thank him dearly for waiting until after last weeks orders were all done. Good going, kid.
Chandler has a random fever. It started on Sunday when we were watching a movie and he just walked up to Paul, laid down, and fell asleep at 5pm. We knew something had to be wrong, and it was. No other symptoms, just a fever. He is a little needier but that's it.
Paul started a new semester = we never see him and cherish our weekends together. He is already working hard to stay on top of things. He is a stud.
Chandler sleeps in a big boy bed and shares his room with Preston. Kind of rough, but once we get through these next few weeks things will be better.
My kids remain cute, and look as different from each other as ever.

Being a Mom is Hard

2010-08-26T22:38:00.000-07:00

I have a pet peeve about people letting their kids walk around barefoot in public. This is weird, because I am NOT a shoe person. In fact, I ONLY ever wear shoes when I'm at church or shopping. As soon as I get home or to work, the shoes come off. But if you're going to be in a public place, shoes are not optional, right? And for whatever reason it really bugs me when adults take the time to dress themselves properly but not their kids.

Until today.

I was out running errands with the boys this afternoon, super tired because I had only 4 hours of sleep last night. I have 6 hoodies to make this week (not that I am complaining, I am so thankful for the business) and night time is the only time I can do it. We had about 5 places to go, and my boys travel well so this wasn't a problem . . . until Preston pooped through his clothes when we had only one last stop to make. I had to get cover buttons for my hoodies or I wouldn't be able to finish what I needed to, and I knew that if we went home to change there would be no leaving again. So I undressed Preston, changed him, and went to the fabric store with a baby in nothing but a diaper.

I wasn't embarassed - okay, I was really embarrassed - but not as much as guilty. I have thought critical thoughts before about moms with under-dressed kids. Not seriously mean thoughts, but little critical ones. Of course this happened when I had either one kid or none at all and I had NO idea what being a mom was really like. I had never thought that something as seemingly simple as keeping a kid clothed could take so much effort sometimes. Granted, it was 90+ degrees out and I never would have done what I did if it was cold . . . but still, I am learning more and more every day that being a mom means NOT being perfect, no matter how much I ever thought I was going to do it all right.

As someone who has given their 1-year-old Diet Coke in a bottle, taken him to the mall without shoes (he stayed in the stroller), lets him fall asleep to movies when I'm too tired to fight, and now brought a mostly naked baby fabric-shopping, I am FINALLY starting to figure out that sometimes it's an accomplishment just to leave the house. I would be completely wrong to ever think negatively of a mother who doesn't seem to have it all together, because I am a mom who doesn't have it all together. Took me long enough.

Shoe crush: Nude

2010-08-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting a pair of nude pumps for a while now. At first I was turned off by the idea of a nude shoe, but then I realized how much you can wear them with and now I think I'm in love . . .

image from people.com

See? You can wear them with a purple dress while the paparazzi takes pictures of you!

Or on the red carpet while more paps take more pictures of you!!

Clearly you can see that I need a pair.

And there is this girl at church (hi Chelsea) who has an amazing pair of nude sandals. Most weeks she sits a row or two in front of me and I just sit there and covet her shoes. She is doing this on purpose. I just know it.

Here are some cute pairs I found so you can drool along with me . . .
From Aldo:

from here

Play

2010-08-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

A long time ago, I found this list of resolutions every mom should make on this blog. It really stuck with me.

1. I will embrace the fact that I am not perfect.
2. I will get down on the floor and play with my child(ren) every day.
3. I will take care of my body.
4. I will learn to love the chaos.
5. I will make family dinner a priority.
6. I will focus a little more on my marriage.
7. I will make time for my friends.
8. I will remind myself daily that time with my children is precious.

I have been trying to make it a priority to play with my kids. Yesterday we were playing under a sheet, and both boys thought it was the coolest/funniest thing ever. I got a few pics of it.