Wednesday, November 30, 2011

My Favorite Things: November

Santa's Little Helper wine

A flower from one of my officers, thanking me for my help

A Jay-Z & Kanye date night with my husband

Decorating for Christmas at the office

A pink champagne surprise from Clay

Tiny french braids, secured with a big bow

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Deck the Halls

It is officially Christmas time in the Church house. Thanksgiving was awesome, the food was devoured, the dishes were done and put away, AND NOW IT’S TIME TO BREAK OUT THE ORNAMENTS. THE TREE. THE LIGHTS.



Confession- we never stopped listening to Christmas music. It’s been an entire year, 12 months, 365 days of The Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, and I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas. I made the babycakes a CD last winter and it’s never made its way out of the Edge. I thought I’d be sick of the songs when Christmas actually rolled around this year (I mean I was sick of them last January, of course I’d be sick of them come December) but surprisingly I’m not. They feel fresh and new. One of the many wonders of Christmas, I guess.



I have extremely enjoyed adding more traditional favorites back though, like George Michael’s Last Christmas and Nick & Jessica’s Baby It’s Cold Outside, all of which were on steady repeat as we decorated our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving.



Every ornament is brand new and full of wonder for the kids.  They want to know the story behind each one- where did we get it? What does it mean? Can I hang that one?! My heart literally felt like it was going to burst of happiness.



I gladly answer their questions. I like remembering the history behind our decorations.  I think their favorite story is the one about their first christmas ornaments.  Mine is the story of our wedding.



We have every nook and every cranny decorated and sparkling and frosty. Fun snowman and dangling bulbs and tiny gingerbread man to attract the attention of my curious children and bring the warmness and coziness of the season into every room.


My god I love Christmas.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Friday, November 25, 2011

So Thankful

I am thankful ...


...for family.
For my mom and my dad and their health.  For my stepfather, who is the wonderful hardworking person he is.  For my brothers. For my inlaws, some of the most thoughtful and generous and caring people in this world.  For finding time to get together and celebrate, for sharing delicious food.


... for my husband.
For how much he loves me and our children and how much he does for us and how much he makes me laugh. 


...for these kids.
For how they made a family out of two individuals.


...for stuff.
For our house and our comforts and our vehicles and heat and working furnances and a bit of money in the bank to replace things when they break.  And for knowing that this is just stuff, and for understanding that while stuff makes life easier- it's not life.


... for everything.
My heart is full.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

From our family to yours.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

More Upcycled Dresses

I finished a couple more dresses for Emerson, and she and I love these ones just as much as those I've made last week!


This one has a custom collar, custom sleeves and the bottom of a big kid skirt all mixed and matched with a sparkly shirt to create a unqiue dress.




Love those sparkles!

This next dress is my personal favorite.  The ribbon shirt on top was a clearance find at Target for $2, and the ribbon material on the bottom was from a thrifted shirt I found for fifty cents. I added some sleeves (my first time "puckering" them!) and some tulle, and seriously, love.





Wednesday, November 16, 2011

New Hurr

I got my hair cut off a couple weeks ago. It was time. I haven't had it cut (besides the occassional trim) in years.  It was to the middle of my back. 

I've made the appointment to cut it about 13 times and each time I've cancelled.  I don't know why I was so hesitant- I've never been one to resist changing my hair.  Plus I like having short hair.

So I made the appointment and stuck with it. It's just hair. It'll always grow back.

And I love it.  I can still do it. I can still throw it in a pony. But it's short enough to keep a tease and a curl for longer than only an hour or two (something I was rarely able to achieve with my longer hair).  I only wash my hair twice a week anyway, but it's still cut my styling time in half.  Awesome all around.

Monday: washed & curled

Tuesday: side braid & side bun

Wednesday: twisted up with spinpins & clipped with a silk flower

Thursday: washed & flatironed straight

Friday: smoothed with a headband

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Turkey Day Outfits

I'm on a sewing high. So I made a couple shirts for the kids' Thanksgiving outfits.


A tulle turkey! An argyle tie!


And speaking of fancypants, this was my first time sewing pants.
I think Em approves.