Fab Finds Friday!

 Isabella has been modeling for boutiques pretty much since the day she came home from the hospital. There is no lack of photos of this 3rd child. Although the photos are all in a studio and not necessarily real life shots, but she's a 3rd child, so I'm not sure much more can be expected!

We have worked with some amazing ladies, that are super talented and create one of a kind items. We have so many that we have worked with on multiple occasions and have purchased items from as well. If you have been on Etsy lately, there are a million different shops. Most with extremely cool and unique items. But sifting through some of it can give you a headache! It can also be an amazing time sucker, but a favorite thing of mine to do! It can be hard to find these hidden gems, and then once found know if the quality is what you are expecting it to be, it can be daunting!

Insert my newest blog series Fab Finds Friday! Fridays I will be showcasing an amazing boutique, that offers some pretty fab finds! Up first for review is Once Upon A Time Creations. You can find them on facebook here, and Etsy here.

 

This was Belle's first booking with Christie and we have been hooked ever since! On a side note, where did my baby go!

 

We have been working with this boutique for over a year and the quality of her items never ceases to amaze me! She makes some adorable headbands and the variety is almost overwhelming. And if by chance you don't see what your looking for (which I highly doubt), she can custom create a piece for you that will match any outfit! Along with the headbands Once Upon A Time Creations also makes tutu dress. Perfect for costumes, picture days and dress up!

These are just a few of our favorites from this shop!

 

 

 

 Be sure to stop by her page and say hi, check out all she has to offer. Then when you find some adorable items you just can't live without, and you will, you can use coupon code Pretty for 15% off you purchase on Etsy.

LLK Pocket Romper Blog Tour

I am over the moon excited that I get to be on the Little Lizard King blog tour! I love LLK patterns and have sewn up lots in the past. They are always easy to follow instructions with pictures along the way. They have lots of adorable patterns to fill your little girls closet with (trust me, I know!) But what we are really here for today is the newest pattern, the Pocket Romper! You can purchase this pattern here, but don't forget to enter to win one at the bottom!

I was lucky enough to get to test the amazing pattern. Originally I made a Disney romper for my little Mickey obsessed girl. Who are we kidding, I might be a little Mickey obsessed too!  I loved how it turned out and Belle LOVED the pockets. She still adores pockets. She has two older brothers, but I am pretty sure that she will be the one coming home with rocks, worms and frogs in her pockets!

This pattern is a fairly quick sew to begin with , but if you skip the optional pockets it could be even faster! (Although those pockets with a ruffle are so darn adorable!!!)

Seriously, in only several months, by baby has grown up to be, well not a baby! We are also in the potty training stage of life with this one right now, so when I was thinking about how to make my romper for this post, I wondered if maybe I could modify it. The pattern comes with instructions on how to sew a snap bottom or a sewn shut. My first I did the snap bottom and it works so well for diaper changes. But now my little one is gaining her independence (some days a little too much) and I knew that it might work best if we could just pull up a dress vs. unsnapping something.

 

Now I will start off saying that I have NEVER modified a pattern, not even slightly! I am a very by the book person when it comes to sewing and cooking. That way I know it will turn out and I didn't waste time and money trying something new. But alas I wanted to try something new. Like I said before I love the pockets on this romper, but with potty training and moving into a size 4t, this pattern wasn't going to work for us much longer. But now problem solved! Which is also a testament to LLK and there amazing patterns!

 

I started out by cutting the bottom part of the main romper pattern off. Right where it starts to angle another way. So essentially from the hip to the crotch. I knew that I wanted to add length to it and from there I added two panels (in the end I wish I only added the ruffle panel and for my next one I will!) I sewed up the 3T version with an added 1" to give some room to my growing girl, so these dress measurements go with that, but it wouldn't be hard to adjust. 

The yellow panel is 4" x 36" (cut 1) and the pink is 6" x 37" (cut 2).

We also have issues with having to raise our arms up and put something on or off. Like serious issues. I'm pretty sure if someone would record us sometime we could win the $10,000 on America's Funniest Home Videos it's that bad! So I decided to also add buttons to the straps to make it an easier on and off. To do this I simply added an extra inch onto 1 end of the strap. Then I only sewed the straps into the back of the bodice and put button holes in the front. Next time I will also make the button holes go horizontal and not vertical for obvious reasons :)

 

 

And you know, everyone needs a little tushy grab in their lives!

It is clear to see that she adores her dress (or maybe it's the pink lemonade I bribed her with). Either way I love how it turned out and I can't wait to make another one with a few modifications. I already have the fabric picked out and this little princess is demanding I make it NOW. We chose some Marvel Avengers fabric and she can't wait!

Don't forget to enter to win this amazing pattern for free below!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Superhero Room

The boys share a room and have had a super hero decorated room for awhile, but this past weekend we completely redid it and switched up some rooms. The current guest room was bigger and had a much bigger closet (which I used to store photo props and misc. other items in), but with 2 boys sharing and their clothes seemingly getting bigger by the day, it was time to swap.

Their current room was blue, picked to match the color in their bedspreads. I had wanted to get some really nice Pottery Barn ones several years back, but my budget just didn't allow for 1 of those, let alone 2 complete sets. I knew the color scheme that I was going for and I ended up finding a bedspread set at Target that would be great. They only had one in store, but when I looked online, they turned out to be on clearance! Score!

We were keeping the bedding for their new room, but changing up the paint color and adding the coolest superhero surprise for them. The old room had tin superhero pictures (found at Hobby Lobby) on the walls as well as 2 lights that hung on the wall. One was Captain America's shield and the other was Thors hammer. I loved these, but Caps shield had been pulled on one to many times and just wasn't going to go back on the wall. I'm a little bummed by this as they are really cool (found those at Target), but the boys didn't seem to mind.

To start this project I first had to clean out everything that was in the guest room. With the kids gone I was able to pile it all in the studio or Belle's room, and let me tell you there was a lot!!!

 Like I said, A LOT! And that didn't include items from the closet. Some of those boxes are the same as they were 3 years ago when we moved. YIKES!!!

Once all the stuff was cleared out, I started taping and getting ready to paint! I really like painting! 

 I have been wanting to paint some things gray, so this was the perfect opportunity to do that. I knew I didn't want to go blue again (just because I wanted to change things up), but there really wasn't any other color that was grabbing me, so gray it was! I ended up choosing a color from Sherwin Williams called Online, but again, got it made into Behr paint from Home Depot. I liked that it had more of a blue undertone and that's what was going to work best with this room.

Once I started painting I knew I had chosen the perfect color for the room.

I had to let the paint dry, which surprisingly didn't take long. While I was waiting for that I started to move everything out of the new closet and then bring everything else in from the old closet. That was a chore! We decided to hang most of their clothes and combine the other stuff into one dresser. We also decided that dresser would go in the closet. There is a certain monkey that sleeps in the room that likes to climb on top of the dresser and then launch himself off! 

Once the walls were dry came the next step. Both Chris and I were looking forward to this. I had purchased a superhero wall mural months ago off Zulily. It is from a company called Room Mates. This is the one we purchased. It was cool all rolled up, but once we got it on the wall, it was AMAZING! It was time consuming to put up, but not terribly hard. I suggest having two people to put it up. You could do it by yourself, but it was far easier with 2. We ran into a few bumps along the way and have a few spot that have creases, but unless you know where they are, you can hardly tell. I highly recommend this product to add a huge statement to a room or just added fun! Chris loved it so much he thought he might sleep in the room that night to admire it. I was right there with him as Thor is on the wall! It looked great with the wall color and I was happy I went with the blue undertone here!

Lastly we were able to move all the furniture back in. There was far more room now, which is good for two growing boys. We hung up 3 of the tin superhero signs by the closet and plan to get some floating shelves and put one above each bed along with a tin sign and some other fun memorabilia to complete the look. 

I think the boys were quite pleased with the new room, and really what 6 and 4 year old boy wouldn't be!

Painting Our Front Door.

Last weekend, my parents were kind enough to take my kids for the weekend (all 3 of them!!) I deal with them daily so I know what a mind boggling event this can be! They brought them home Sunday, so I was still able to see them on Mothers Day. After all they are the reason that I get to celebrate this holiday (or in reality treat it like any other day). It was also our 7th wedding anniversary so we got to go out for supper Friday night without having to find a sitter and pay for a sitter.

But the really reason that we had a kid free weekend was to get a few things done around the house that we had wanted to for awhile, but find it near impossible when there are 3 small children "helping" you at ever turn.

I managed to accomplish 4 of my items on my To Do list, so I was quite pleased with this. The first task I started on right when we got up Saturday was to paint our front door. I have always wanted to paint our front door red. I think it would look nice and match a majority of the holiday wreaths that get hung on it through out the year.

This is the before. I probably should have also cleaned the finger and probably lip prints on the side window and washed off the outside where some birds thought that I might let them build a nest. My kids had fun with the hose that day!

In the end I changed my mind and I painted it blue. Commodore to be exact. I went into Sherwin Williams to get some paint swatches. I was also painting several things gray and I knew I wanted the Mindful Gray color that they had. I have grown to like the Behr paint from Home Depot though and so ended up going there and having them color match it. The price is right there and they offer a military discount, so I will happily give them my business.

 

My husband was around to help me get the door off the hinges, then we took the bolt out, but left the handle on as we weren't sure exactly how to get that off, with still being able to put it back on. In the end I wish we would have found a way, but all's well that ends well! Once the door was removed, I required some good coffee for my long day ahead, so Chris willingly ran to Starbucks for some fuel while I washed the door down. Surprisingly it wasn't that dirty! I also ran the magic eraser over the door heading to the garage, as my daughter decided to kiss it several times one day while eating a chocolate chip cookie. (Just smile and nod)

I then started on project #2 and the largest project of the weekend, while Chris sanded the door down a little and used a tack cloth to clean it up. I was a little worried after painting the first coat on it as you could still see the white (I didn't expect it would be completely gone with one coat, but you know) and the brush strokes. I was worried I had just made a huge mistake and that I would now be investing in a new front door so that we didn't have to have this Pinterest fail as the first thing that guests saw when coming over. 

 The best way I found to paint the door is outlined below. Start with the groves, and the follow the numbers. This helps to show less brush strokes if you follow the flow of the door.

Thankfully once the second coat was applied I was feeling far more confident in my decision to alter the door and was very pleased with my color choice. So was my husband, so then we got to have a lengthy discussion about how there was not going to be orange letters spelling out Chicago Bears or a giant Bear head in vinyl on the front door. (He's a bit of a die hard if you didn't already know)

After 2 coats of paint.

After 2 coats of paint.

 We ran a small tower heater on the door while it was drying in between coats. We only really had one mishap when the garage door was opened and the wind blew some dried grass in an right onto the bottom of the door. I thought I might cry when Chris came to tell me, but luckily we let it dry, then I took the tack cloth and was able to remove the grass without wrecking the paint. Crisis averted! 

Once the door was dry I removed the frog tape from the handle and unfortunately had a little bit of the paint peel up as well, so I had some minor touch up to do there, but nothing major.

The door was dry and we were able to put it back up by supper and it looks fantastic. The next day I added the hello. I simply cut the vinyl from my silhouette and stuck it on. Easy peasy. I really still want the hello to be yellow, but I will need to order yellow vinyl to make that happen so for now it is red and very patriotic!

The finished door.

I choose this image from the Silouette online store for the Hello and just removed the Sunshine.

Vinyl red hello.

I love the different look it gives the house, but I still have to get used to it. Every time I leave the house or come home I instantly think someone left the door open due to it being dark. I then remind myself that it is just the blue door. I think I may have had several small heart attacks.

New Dress

Recently I participated in a Sew A Long with Little Lizard King. What is a Sew A Long you might ask? Typically pattern makers have Facebook groups and they will choose one pattern to write blog posts about, post pictures of and just offer help to those working on the pattern. Oh, and there are usually prizes, and who doesn't love prizes! I LOVE their patterns. They are easy to follow, well written instructions that make Fabulous dress' and other items for your little ones!

This pattern is the Elise, it comes in sizes 3 months through 12 with an 18" doll pattern as well. This was the pattern I used last year to make Isabella's Easter dress. She no longer fits into it so I knew she needed another one.

Although I don't let her play with the American Girl dolls yet, I had to make a matching dress! Her dolls will have a closet full by the time she can play with them! The bonus of the dolls, they are amazing models and the shoot with them takes no time at all.

On the other hand the shoot with Belle, is a little more work! But seriously in a year, look at how my baby has grown.

Looking back at these photos, I apparently like this backdrop.

I sewed this up at night, as I have to take over the kitchen table to set up camp, so the fit is a little big. But she will grow into, and at the rate she is going it could be within the month. I have two more cut waiting for a chance for me to finish them up, so I will be sure to adjust the elastic in the back for a better fit.

I love all the little details with these patterns and the options. I could sew 10 of these up (and if I could find the time I would) and they would all be a little different. Be sure to check out Little Lizard King if you are in need of an adorable pattern.

 *This is not a sponsored post and all opinions are my own.

Resolutions

2015...Already?!? How can this be. With the start of the new year, it always makes me think of a clean slate. Which then makes me think about cleaning/organizing. Which is something I really need to get a handle on at our house. The stuff is starting to take over and some of it I couldn't even tell you was here. Lets face it, it's probably closer to half! I'm pretty sure there are still a couple boxes that are unpacked from when we moved in 3 years ago.

So resolution #1: Organize more this year. I know, I know, super cliche right. 

Well then you will LOVE me when I tell that resolution #2 for me is start exercising. Something, anything to get my body moving a little more each day. My plan is to start going back to the gym (sadly it's been like 2 years) and start running again. And if you're not thrilled with my resolutions so far, just think of the poor people at the gym. The ones that have been working out all year and now have to deal with the influx of people just like me that make a resolution to start working out.

Resolution #3 and the one that I hope to work on the most this year. Stop yelling so much. My kids can be a handful and daily it gets the better of me and I end up yelling. I don't want to be remembered as "the yeller!" So far I have done pretty good with this. Which is amazing due to the fact that I have all 3 kids home during Christmas break and it is FREEZING outside!

#4, not a resolution, but something I want to continue is my Project 365. I plan to do a digital one this year, so we will see how that goes. I do love the feel of actually scrapbooking paper, so the digital version may be difficult for me at first.

In light of #1, I am starting in my closet. This is a long overdue project and one that I have been wanting to deal with for a while. I have way to many clothes that I don't wear, yet I can't seem to get rid of, because I might wear it. Sound familiar? I know I'm not the only one. 

We have a very large closet in our bedroom and so I was able to move all of my clothes away from the spot I typically keep them. Once an item gets washed and worn, it will move back to the spot where I keep them. I'm starting with 3 months and I am going to see where that gets me, I may give it 6. Hopefully after that time I will be able to clean out all that I don't wear. *Exception: It is cold and winter here now, so any tank tops and capris/shorts are exempt from my initial purge and will face the  same wrath in the summer months!

This is where my clothes will go once worn!

 

And as you can see, I have ROYGBIVed my closet! I highly recommend it to everyone! I find I spend far less time looking for clothes in the morning when I can just go straight to that color. Before the one thing I was looking for always seemed to get lost, sandwiched between two other items of completely different color, so I would skip right past it. 

Wish me luck on my resolutions!