No prince required

Finally, the event all the media has been waiting for arrived and the royal wedding went off without a hitch. Or at least I'm assuming it did since I recorded the event and won't watch until later in the day. 

Found these rings at Michael's and was very tempted to buy one for funsies. They are replicas of Kate's engagement ring that once belonged to the late Princess Di. Wow, that is some sapphire!

I wish the newest royal couple many years of happiness with the hopes that, while their lives will not be normal, it will be as normal as possible. What does one argue about when you have maids and butlers to take out the trash?

Hmmm ... I wonder if Michel's put these rings half-price yet?

Random Thoughts

It's LEGOs 24/7 around here as we gear up for Will's themed party on Saturday. Thanks to all the other Lego parties blogged on the web, planning has been pretty easy. Working on decorations today and finishing the huge pinata. It's going to be our first "drop off" party which will be interesting. It is also our first boy-only party. I limited the guest list to five for my sanity. It was sad not inviting everyone we know but I can do that with Joseph's party. Which I'll have to start working on as soon as Will's party is cleaned up. Can you guess what theme we'll have for a little boy obsessed with bunnies?

Will finally watched Star Wars! All the way through this time. And he sort of liked it. Gearing up to watch Empire Strikes Back soon. 

Boys took spring pictures at school today. I can't wait to see them.

Coolest bracelets ever ...

I'm pretty proud of myself ... I've painted six of the 10 walls in my weird angular hallway. I've been working a little bit at a time while the kids are in school. Nothing like a fresh coat of paint to brighten a place.

Went to one of our area's largest consignment sales today. I think I got a few good deals (The best? A Mulberribush long-sleeve T in Joseph's size for $2!) and some cute items for the boys to wear. I also looked at books and brought home some vintage treasures.

Bracelets for Japan

I'm sure if you surf the Web as much as I do, you have seen several auctions/crafts raising money for the tsunami-struck region of Japan. Here's just one I hope you consider.

Eric Heins of Corter Leather is making these beautiful bracelets in his bedroom studio with two roommates helping with the shipping/handling. Cost is $20 (shipping $5) and it is available in three sizes. So far, he's raised more than $25,000 for the Red Cross. I'm impressed by both his talent and his spirit. You can keep up with the fundraising efforts by reading Heins' journal.

Apartment Therapy put together a good how to help guide

Baby washcloth sushi rolls by babeecrafts (Etsy)

Help Japan poster by W+K Studio

Peace, Love and Joy prints by Grace Hester

Fabulous Friday — Dressing like a grown up

Recently I dropped off some pants at my favorite consignment shop, Zoe, located in Forest Park. Of course since I was kid-free, I had to look around and soon they started a dressing room for me. And this is what I found when I was ready to try on. (Sorry, just had the cell phone with me.) 

All the clothes sort of match color-wise. This really floored me. I wouldn't be able to voice what my favorite colors/combinations are but there that answer was, staring me in the face. I had subconsciously picked out complete outfits and items that could be mixed and matched to make more outfit combinations.

Whoa! When did this happen? I'm such a T-shirt and jeans girl. But maybe it is time for me to pay more attention to my appearance before the guys from "What Not to Wear" show up ... actually Stacy and Clinton you are welcome anytime!

Curious what I took home? The teal long shirt (first from the left) and the green shrug (fourth from right). I let my consignment credit build and consider it my mad money.

Folks who really know how to put together color combinations ...

Creature Comforts

Kristina Klarin old blog/new blog

Color Collective

Think I can wear them anyway?

The big fundraiser for Will's school is the annual spring garage sale. It is huge and takes us parents all week to set up. As a thank you, we can attend a pre-sale the night before. Of course I usually spend the week taking note of all the things I want. This year I brought home a Cole Haan purse in the most wonderful light green for spring ($2, I prefer to think it is not a fake), a huge Hot Wheels track set for the boys ($3), several strands of vintage costume pearls ($6) and some Born sandals in my size ($1.50).

I love Born sandals and usually buy a pair every other summer. They are so comfortable and quality-made; worth the price in my opinion. So I was super excited to snag a pair that looked barely worn. There was just one problem that I didn't notice until I got home ...

Can you spot the problem? Since the shoes that did not sell were still at school, I checked today to find the missing mates but no luck. My theory is someone out there is going to realize soon that they grabbed the wrong shoes to donate. 

Did I mention how comfortable they are? I'm so wearing them anyway ... at least around the house ... and maybe to the store ...

Buried

This is what my weekend looked like ... and so will the rest of the week. It's that time again to switch out the winter clothes for warmer-weather gear. So Chris was sent into the attic to bring down the hand-me-downs which of course got sorted carefully as shown before finding their way into the correct drawers. And into the attic will go what Will grew out of this year to wait patiently for Joseph in two years. Chris does not understand what a big job this can be so here is my outline for the task ... 

Operation Clothing Swap

A. Clothes down from attic DONE

B. Sort attic clothes into piles: consignment, pass to friend having a baby boy in August, keepers, hand-me-downs for Joseph and whatever I bought ahead for Will DONE

C. Tag consignment pile for big sale (drop-off deadline looming!!!)

D. Take small sizes/winter clothes out of Will's closet and drawers DONE

E. Take small sizes/winter clothes out of Joseph's closet and chifforobe 

F. Ready Will's old clothes for attic making sure boxes labeled correctly DONE

G. Put boxes back into attic

H. Put summer clothes in Will's drawers and closet DONE

I. Put summer clothes in Joseph's chifforobe and closet

J. Make note of things boys need and alert the grandmothers

K. Shop big consignment sale (I try to only spend what I hope to make)

L. Repeat in September

Of course, as soon as I started the switch, the weather here went from 70 to 40. 

Birdie for baby

This cute little guy will be winging his way to Milwaukee tomorrow. Hopefully, he will get there before the stork. I hope the new parents-to-be like it and all the other goodies I tucked into the box.

Now, this is in no way an original idea. (Just head over to Etsy, type "felt bird" and I'll see you back in a couple of hours.) One hundred percent saw it and thought, I can do that. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't. And sometimes, I never get around to the doing. But this, I actually did!

My first birdie was going to be an ornament. But I loved it and attached him to a onesie for Joseph' first birthday instead. When my talented neighbor offered to make the cake, I asked her to match my felt robin. Which matched the invitations. 

I made cupcakes to match too because you can never have too much cake!

While we are on the subject of birds and onesies, this is the cute onesie Joseph got for his birthday. Made by a local artist. I like the brown/yellow combination and button eye. No, it's not the best picture but he was much more interested in the dishwasher at the time than having his picture taken. 

About time for a hair cut

BEFORE

AFTER

What a heartbreaker!

Fabulous Friday

I love bags and totes and carryalls and even diaper bags. The more useful the better. I have tons of the "new" green grocery bags; most are freebies from a variety of companies.  I try very hard to keep them in the car so I can reduce the number of plastic bags in circulation. Every bit counts and so on. Here's a cute ABC tote from abc kitchen. Found after seeing a different (also cute) tote on Eat Drink Chic so I went to check out the website. Of course, if I'm ordering one might as well get the numbers tote too.

I also like to admire designer bags from afar ... usually far, far away in the pages of magazines. I have one Coach bag (third traditional anniversary is leather! Score!) and a thrifted Michael Michael Kors which is a little beat up but I think adds to the charm. I'm about 97 percent sure it's not a fake.

There in a nutshell shows how I'm at odds with myself fairly often. I'm all reduce, reuse, recycle but have an eye for the pricy ... That makes this the most awesome bag for me!

Jak & Jil  Blog via Design Crush

Fabulous Friday -- Tweet!

I'm starting to have a serious addiction to all things bird -- bird nests, felt birds, you name it. If it has a bird on it, I want it. Take for example, this so-pretty bird nest pendant by starrydesigns on Etsy. I've got a local source and one day I'm going to call her and place my order. She makes necklaces AND rings so can't I have one of each?! Pretty please! (If you have the time to DIY, there are tutorials on YouTube to make your own.)

At the same arts/craft fair that I spotted the soon-to-be mine bird nest ring/necklace combo, I fell head over heels for a bird nest painting, picture frame with birdie (which had it been blue and not pink would already be in da house), and a necklace with a delicate bird charm. BIRDS ARE ON THE BRAIN.

And I've got a reason for it. Will was born in April and that's close to Easter so he's got quite the rabbit collection (okay, so mommy has quite the rabbit collection). With Joseph, also born close to Spring in May, I've associated birds with his birthday. So much so, the theme for his first birthday will be "Somebirdie is turning 1."

I even had several designs for the invitation sketched with the idea to stitch felt birdies. They were going to be a lot of work (yes, I'm crazy like that when it comes to birthdays). And then I found this Valentine freebie from June Craft which is PERFECT and will save me a ton of work/time. Heck, I'm going to use them for thank you notes too! (See, not so crazy.)

Cats, dogs, fish, rabbits and raccoons ... what animals do you think are fabulous?

P.S. If you enjoy bird watching with the kids but like me don't know much beyond the robin and mockingbird, follow this link to get a free "Celebrate Urban Birds!" kit from Cornell. Tip from Birmingham Bargain Mom.

Fabulous Friday — I would SO wear this

I would so wear this T-shirt. Probably while walking down the street with Chris following two or three steps behind. But I'd be ready if anyone asks, what time is it? 'Cause the cool people always know it's Hammer time! T-shirt seen on The Awesomer by way of Fashionably Geek. And thanks Chris for sharing it with me.
In my former life, I worked with pictures and words. If I was still in that former life, I would already own this and would wear it often, especially to the press room. But I would like to see it in actual colors. Seen on Leo on the Loose but you can buy it at the Supermarket.

A bit disappointed in ya Target

Dear Target,

You knew we would all love the Liberty of London line. That we would buy, buy, buy the cute patterns on everything from clothes to even a bicycle (yes, bicycles!). So why did you order so few of everything? You do know that I have kids that don't like been driven all over creation to find the dress that matches the coat? Even online, the place were the busy mom can shop her heart's desires after hours screams out of stock on practically everything. So get busy reordering so I can buy this or that and the matching wallets!

Sincerely, A loyal shopper

P.S. I was in your new store the other day. How nice of you to build the biggest Target in the world right in my backyard. So nice and clean. And the service! Three separate people asked me if I needed help as I browsed the wide aisles in wonder. That's my kind of shopping.

And no, this was not brought to you by anyone, but if Target wants to thank me for their upcoming quarterly profit they can send me this ... it would look perfect in the master bedroom.

Fabulous Friday — Alabama Chanin

Just look at those outfits. GORGEOUS!!! They are from the Alabama Chanin Spring 2010 collection. Let me just reach into the ol' wallet to pull out ... hmmm, I've got $3 and about 76 cents in change. Not even close. But here's where I pull the old bait and switch.


Me: Honey, can I have $2,000 for a GORGEOUS dress?
Chris: No.
Me: Then how about $24 bucks for the book that will inspire me to make my own?
Chris: Go for it.
Me: Oh, and I'll need another $24 because there's actually two books ... blah, blah, blah.
Chris: Sure, whatever.


Because I want both of Natalie Chanin's books. Somehow I missed the first one, Alabama Stitch Book, published in 2008. And now the second book, Alabama Studio Style, is arriving on shelves now. Chanin is the designer behind first, Project Alabama, and now Alabama Chanin. A darling of the fashion world, she traveled the world and came home to Florence. The designs are wonderful, rich and very unique. I would love to own a T-shirt or two. She's not selfish either, writing these books to share her how-tos. Now, you may or may not know that I am obsessed with craft/design blogs right now. I love reading wonderful folks sharing their wonderful ideas. I check a bunch daily. And I started to notice a trend. Chanin was everywhere. She drove to Nashville to work a project with this gal. She answered a Q &A here. The new book is being reviewed all over. Makes me wish I thought to request a review copy myself. But I found myself wondering, why is Chanin all over my favorite blogs? And then I found this. Being new to the blogsphere, I hadn't seen a "blog tour" before. It's pure marketing genius. The perfect application of this "new" beast called social media. So follow that link and follow Chanin on her blog tour. Or you can follow me to the bookstore.

What's inside? Grab bag fun PART TWO

Remember that grab bag of Bunny and Bee T-shirts I told you about here? It arrived. And boy, is my big boy going to be a hipster now. These styles might be even too hip. Skulls, birds and rockets are the theme. Tell me what you think ...


Despite the serious face, this last one is our favorite. Even if the little daydreamer is sitting on a skull. And daddy likes the black one ... it also has a cool rocket on the back which would make a cool shirt on its own.

While this was a one-time grab bag deal, if you like that sort of thing you should check out The Sampler. You get a package in the mail full of ... they describe it best ... "an ever-changing monthly collection of samples, goodies, promos and more from indie crafters, record labels and zines." Just like any good grab bag, you never know what you are going to get though they do preview some of the items on the Web site. I got one about three years ago; it had earrings, magnets, fabric samples, one or two CDs, a magazine and more. Fun to look through.

What's inside? Grab bag fun.

I'm a big fan of CoolMomPicks. These, well, cool moms keep me up to date on the trendy stuff that I'm just not trendy enough to know myself.

A good example is Bunny & Bee. I would not have found the San Francisco-based children's line on my own. And to be honest, I would never order from them because I can't afford $28-32 T-shirts for kids that wake up bigger every day. But I did recently order a $20 grab bag filled with 4 random shirts. What a great idea to clear out the warehouse! What a good deal! I can't wait to see what William is going to be sporting this summer.

While I love a good deal and can ride the bargain high for a few days, in this case the main attraction is the anticipation. Grab bags will never go out of style in this house. Just ask my husband about bags o' crap ...