teacher gifts {part three} and some other stuff

First, let’s start with a fun gift idea:

Dana from MADE is a genius at sewing and comes up with such cute and simple projects to make.

She featured this little project right before Mother’s Day and I just knew my mom would love a ruffle-y summer scarf.

All it takes is a half yard of light-weight fabric and some elastic thread. I’ve been reading about elastic thread so I was excited to give it a try.

It was NOT a good experience.

Apparently some sewing machines just don’t do well with elastic thread, and mine is one of them.

But Dana, the dear that she is, gave a second option for those of us with machines that have elastic thread allergies.

A ruffle-y summer scarf made without the evil thread.

I whipped one up for my momma and she loved it {or at least led me to believe that she did …}

So, if your teacher is the type who would wear a summer scarf, if you want to give elastic thread a try {or just go the traditional thread route} and have a few minutes to make your gift, this is a perfect one.

Click HERE for the tutorial.

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On a completely different note …

We moved away from Seattle a few years ago to a suburb with expansive houses and teensy yards. There are so many things I love about where we are now {fabulous neighborhood, a new {rodent-free} house that has a dishwasher and doesn’t need a new foundation, the greatest friends} but when I go into the city I realize how much I miss it. For the shopping. And being close to my amazing sisters. But also for the most spectacular old homes and established landscaping.

Love.

I used to be a nanny and would pick up the girls at a preschool that was located across from this brick house. I’ve always wanted a house just like it. While I was in the area today I decided to drive by just to remind myself of what it looked like.

Still in love.

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Speaking of love, here are the little girlies having a sweet cousin moment.

How about that for a random post?

my baby sister is having a baby

My big sister and I hosted a shower for our little sister last night. She is due with her second little girl in just a few weeks, so it was fun to celebrate with a few of her dearest friends.

While laying in bed fighting off a breast infection a few weeks ago, the theme for the shower came to me:

A P R I L S H O W E R S B R I N G M A Y F L O W E R S

We wanted everything to be really flowery and springy with a yummy salad, crusty bread, special sweets and time to honor the mommy-to-be.

{invitations}

{flower pin favors}

{garland}

{gifts}

{fresh flowers}

{the food}

{me, amy, mom, audrey}

{me, audrey, the guest of honor}

And just because I think they are some of the cutest maternity photos, here are a few that were taken last week of my sissy, her husband and the most darling soon-to-be big sister {hope you don’t mind, Hillary!}

some current wants

this is how i want to dress:

love it.

{all images from emersonmade}

It’s a sunny day

My mom taught a song to the boys:

“It’s a sunny day, it’s a sunny day, it’s sunny outside so we can go out a play. All the little children say ‘hip-hip-hooray!’ It’s a sunny, sunny day {boom boom}”

Most days when it is unexpectedly sunny {quite frequently, I’m afraid}, we all break out in song. Today was one of those day.

GORGEOUS.

So we headed outdoors.

 

I realized that since having Audrey, I really haven’t photographed my first three loves. So I grabbed the camera and snapped a few shots of our beautiful day.

 

We met up with my mom and her wonderful husband for a lakeside lunch.

Then ventured to another park to meet up with cousins. {Note: it was only 68, which is really a nice spring day, but certainly not warm enough to be shirtless – unless you are 5 and your name is Grant}.

   

My silly six year old found posing for the camera quite entertaining. He had some awesome poses.

 

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend. We loved today.

Unfortunately, I think we’ll be singing the “It’s a rainy day” version of the song tomorrow.

i can’t live without …

well, actually, I can’t live without a lot of things {God, my family, chocolate}.

Instead, I should call this, I COULDN’T BREASTFEED WITHOUT …

because, truly, I don’t know what I did before this invention.

My very good friend created this brilliant undergarment. I wear one everyday.

I am pleased to introduce you to the

This little wonder is much like a tube top, only it is worn under your bra line. It doesn’t seem too impressive upon first glance, but believe me, it is amazing.

Here are my top three benefits:

1. It keeps you all tucked in. We all know that after expanding incredibly, a stomach takes quite a while to go back to normal {if ever …}. This is just tight enough to slim you without the uncomfortable squeeze of wearing spanx. 

2. It hides the beautiful reality of back fat.  Have you ever sat behind someone who is breastfeeding? Ever noticed that no nursing cover can quite cover a mamma’s side and back? You lift up your shirt to feed your baby, and out pops the flab leftover from growing the precious darling. Not something I’d like to show the world.  An empire tank is worn under your bra so that when you lift your shirt, you keep your torso covered by the tank. IN.GEN.IOUS.

3. Do I really need another benefit? I’d say the first two are enough. However, I will also say that I love supporting my dear friend. She has worked tirelessly on creating a company for moms, she is creative beyond belief, such a thoughtful friend and great mom. I think supporting other companies created by moms is one of the best things we can do for each other.

Check out her little company video {shot at my house! How fun it was despite my nasty nausea at the time}

Rae has generously offered a 25% discount on any of her AROMMY products.

                                                                                                                   {the smib – part smock, part bib}

{another product I can’t live without once my kiddos are eating real food. And just look at that little cutie in the orange shirt – my darling no. 3}

                                            {stationery}                                                                                                                                                 {flowers}

                                                           {door bumper. Yet ANOTHER one I can’t live without. No more slamming doors}

 

                                                                                                                                           {placemats} 

Visit AROMMY’s blog here. If you’d like to place an order with the 25% discount, please email rae@armommy.com directly.

ooohhh, can’t wait for this company to just take off {and for my back fat to magically melt away…}