small style. {bows and stripes}.

I have an obsession with bows. This isn't the first I have mentioned this love that gets me searching on etsy for anything and everything bow related.

A bow makes every outfit better. Take Naomi's shirt for example. At first glance, it's like, oh yeah, that's cute, stripes and all.

But then you look closer and the see the little bow detail and it makes me love the shirt.

What I also love? Naomi looks so adorable and girly without wearing pink or purple. [Audrey only wants to wear pink.]

Naomi is wearing:
Shirt- The Children's Place, handed-me-down from sis
Pants- H&M
Hairclip- Goody's, Target

Last week, I got all inspired to make Audrey a dress to match a Misha Lulu dress I bought Naomi for her first birthday from The Mini Social. I used this tutorial as a bases, but really just went at it using old t-shirts I had. And came up with this...

(Sorry, I only have iphone pictures for now. I need to get the real-deal out and take some more.)

The dress on the bottom left is the one I bought for Naomi. I wanted Audrey's to coordinate, but not be too matchy. And it just occurred to me that I must be into black and white stripes as well, hence, Naomi's shirt above and this dress. Bows and stripes, yes, I like.

Audrey sporting the handmade dress at the Farmer's Market last Saturday with her daddy.

Linking up with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa for Small Style Thursday!

lately.

Oh summer. I love when it gets a hold of us and pulls us along for the ride, forgetting about to-do lists and other obligations. Just straight up fun. [We had big plans for this past weekend to get stuff done on the house. We accomplished zero. But we did hit up the farmer's market. Parks. Play in creeks. And eat lovely meals at home.]

Monday started out with gloomy weather. So we packed up and headed to a bouncy house about an hour away. Also? Why were these not around when I was kid? We had to wait till some lame-o one came to the fair every year.

Today we spent the morning at a local Sand Day event, which resulted in Audrey picking up a shovel once and spending most of her time exploring the garden near by. Oh, and a parking ticket. [Seriously, it's like they watch your every move hiding behind trees waiting to give a ticket on a street with zero traffic. Just for the record, I parked the wrong way because I was just lining up with all the other cars the wrong way too.]

But then we went to a concert in the park. Dancing is definitely more Audrey's thing.

Tomorrow I think the pool is calling our name. Welcome, summer.

you will want to write this one down. {yummy recipes}.

I would say I'm pretty middle-of-the-road when it comes to cooking. I try hard to provide meals that are nutritious, but I don't go over the top with all organic and straight out of the dirt ingredients. I wish I was better at it, but I do feel pretty proud of myself for cooking a meal most nights of the week. And we like to have people over a lot to join us. I grew up with the door is always open attitude and I hope to continue that legacy my mama instilled on us.

This week I tried two new killer meals, that I just have to share because 1) they are absolutely delish 2) easy enough for anyone to make 3) no crazy unknown ingredients that you have to google before shopping for.

The first one is taken from allrecipes.com. It is my go-to website for recipes, seriously. I didn't make up this yummy dish, but I do want to share it with you. Here it is...

Chicken Florentine Casserole:
Olive Oil
4 boneless chicken breasts-I cut up into strips
1/4 c. butter
3 tsps. minced garlic
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 can (10 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 c. half and half (i used heavy whipping cream and milk, because that is what I had in stock)
1/2 c. grated Parmesan
2 cans of spinach drained- I used a bag of FRESH spinach leaves
4 ounces of fresh mushrooms, sliced
2/3 c. bacon bits, I used REAL bacon and cooked it
2 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese

I modified the directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350.
2) Saute fresh spinach leaves and mushrooms in a little bit of butter, place in bottom of 13x9 baking dish.
3) Add cut chicken on top of spinach mixture.
4) In same saucepan as used for the spinach, melt the butter over medium heat. Stirring constantly, mix in the garlic, lemon juice, cream of mushroom soup, Italian seasoning, half-and-half, and Parmesan cheese.
5) Cover chicken with white sauce in baking dish. Top with bacon crumbs.
6) Cook at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Remove, and top with Mozzarella, bake for an additional 10 minutes.

The recipe calls it a casserole, but I put it on top of some pasta that was mixed with olive oil and Italian seasoning and it tasted fabulously! I brought this to a friend who just had a baby, and she thought it was so yummy!

The next recipe is totally awesome for lunch or a quick dinner. I found it from The Little Brown House blog.

Monte Cristo with Blackberry Dipping Sauce
(This made three sandwiches for me)
6 slices of thick white bread
Ham
Mayonnaise
Swiss Cheese
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. of Dijon mustard (I used honey mustard salad dressing because that is what was in the fridge)
1/4 c. seedless blackberry jam
1/4 c. milk
salt and pepper

 1) Mix 1/4 c. Mayonnaise with 2Tbsp. Dijon mustard with wired whisk in small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.
2) Spread on one side of each slice of bread. Add Swiss cheese and ham. Top with remaining bread.
3) Beat eggs with milk in shallow dish. Add salt and pepper. Dip sandwiches in mixture.
4) Cook on griddle or grill.
5) While the sandwiches are cooking, make the dip. Mix jam, 2 Tbsp. Mayonnaise, and 1 tsp. of mustard together.
6) Enjoy the sandwich hot with melted cheese and dip away! YUM!

Let me know if you get a chance to try these recipes out. Or send some recipes my way! Happy eating!

small style {handmade}.

Ever since I was little I remember thinking, I hope I have a girl someday. And lookie here, now I have two. And heck, we may just end up with a house full of them. [Who knows. I'm not picky, all girls, girls and boys, babies are so darn cute, it doesn't matter with me. But more indeed, I do hope.]

The point is, I love, love making things for my girls. This past weekend when we went on a train ride on Father's Day the girls wore t-shirt dresses I made. The one Naomi has on is made from a shirt I got while in Germany in 2001, and the sleeves are made from a vintage apron. And peeps, please don't think oh, I could never do that. Because you can, it really isn't too difficult. I can sew, yes, but I'm not some genius at it. If you look close you will see flaws, but I'm okay with that, it gives it character. [That's what you are suppose to say when something is messed up, it has character, you know.] I paired Audrey's with some shorts from Target and Naomi with baby leggings from Target. [I use baby leggings A LOT. Especially in the summer when it's hot outside, but cold in air conditioning. Quick and easy to remove and put on!]

Once I figured out how to make cute skirts for the girls, I just haven't been able to stop. Which is part of the reason I opened my Etsy shop. Skirts are awesome because you can wear them in the summer or with leggings or jeans under in the winter.

You don't have to tell me twice, I KNOW, she is getting so, so big and strong!

Naomi is wearing:
Shirt- Target
Skirt- Me, Rosemary's Cuppa
Shoes: Robeez

[Audrey didn't want her picture taken. That's a two-year old for you. Oh well.]

I'm linking up with the beautiful, Morgan, over at Mama Loves Papa for Small Style Thursday. Go check out the other cutie-patooties!

what she's known for.

When she was born, it was the hair.

Now, she still has a good set of hair.

But around town she is now better known for well, the rolls, especially the scrumptious thighs.

And her big, brown eyes.

Just sayin.

father's day {a train ride}.

This morning we skipped church and I let Andrew sleep in until 10:30. [We never just skip church, but when Naomi's nap was beginning when church was suppose to start, I just said okay.] He doesn't eat breakfast, so I couldn't do the cute breakfast in bed thing or delicious omelet or whatnot. [Just for the record, I love, love breakfast and cannot skip it. And I especially love omelets and bacon.] Then we loaded up, had a quick lunch at my dad's house, and headed for an hour drive south for an almost two-hour long train ride. I thought Audrey might get antsy by the end, but it was actually really fun and relaxing!

I wore white pants to this event. Which was dumb and I knew it would be. But I couldn't resist my new J Crew pair I scored for $10 yesterday. I put the girls in t-shirt dresses I made from my old shirts a while back.

My little fam. I love that man. This was for him. To celebrate how amazing he is. And for my dad too! Also? Isn't that the most adorbs backdrop. I might return again just to use the props for pictures.

My dad, aka Gramps, with his grandbabies. I love, love watching him love on them.

 I never had a real strong relationship with either of my grandpas, so this melts my heart.

I'm telling you, the best props for picture taking there. Look at those sweet sisters and cousins! By the way, Audrey's cousin, Jonathan is wearing an almost twenty-year old shirt from when my brother rode the train at his age!

Throughout the day she would just look at me with the biggest grin. And I would say "are you happy?" She said "yeah!"

Words are not needed for this baby doll.

It was such a relaxing Father's Day. I'm so, so thankful for my babies daddy. Audrey wants to play princess, he's in. Audrey wants to play Abby and Emma, he's in. Audrey wants to go on an adventure to look for Dora and Boots, he's in. It doesn't matter what it is, or how girly it is, Andrew is in. Just the other day he was at a golf outing for work and he pulls out a tiny Sleeping Beauty from his golf bag in front of his buddies. And he thought it was cute, which is pretty much the best thing eva. When he sees Naomi and goes in for a thousand kisses she just grins and giggles. They know their daddy, and they know they are very loved.

And he is loved, so very loved.

true story.

The other night I was too lazy to make dinner so we ordered pizza. But somehow I mustered up energy to want to go for a run after eating. Whaaaaat. [Confession: The hubs wasn't feeling well so I needed something to do post-baths until the kiddos were going to bed, so I thought I could take them for a stroll.] While running Audrey would feed Naomi puffs like a mama bird feeding her baby bird. It was ridiculously cute and a great distraction for me as I was hitting the pavement. [That sounds like I was doing hard-core running, but I assure, I was not.] I managed to do a mile. I'm not a runner. But I pretended to be with new Nike running shoes. At the last corner of the run I passed an older couple riding their bikes. The lady looked back at me and I knew exactly what she was thinking. I was there once. With kids. Always taking care of someone else. But you will get your independence back. Sooner than you think. Savor the moments. I needed that wordless reminder. So I etched a picture in my head of that moment right there. Savoring.

After the run, while I was taking Audrey out of the stroller and into the car, I saw out the corner of my eye, a person, stretching, looking my way. I was feeling pretty good about myself right then--yup, I just went on a run with a double-jogging stroller. Beat that. Then I proceeded to put Audrey in Naomi's rear-facing car seat as the bystander looked at me. Audrey said um, mama, what are you doing? Then I felt like pulling a Homer Simpson Dooooh, and hitting my forehead.

On the way home, Audrey said mama, that was fun. I liked throwing rocks in the water and going for a walk. Apparently she forgot that I actually ran.

Oh well.

sum, sum summer. {touch-a-truck}.

I love it when I have something new to do in the morning that is different then our usual weekly stops, like Touch-a-Truck. We have attended every year since Audrey was wee little. Here is last year's post on it. Yesterday, Audrey sat in a helicopter, garbage truck, cement mixer, bookmobile, school bus, city bus, ambulance, and walked along the back of a semi-bed. All for two bucks. You can't beat that.

It was a good morning.

Audrey with her friend, Ava, who is a year older.

Naomi was there too, she hung out with Ava's sister, Clementine. Clemmie is three months older than Naomi.

Sisters. Sisters. Friends.

small style {toddler TOMS}.

We were at the mall to get shoes for the hubs. But temptation got the best of me and I gave in when I saw the light shining down on a pair of toddler glitter TOMS. Ok, the light wasn't literally shining down, but there was definitely a sparkle in my eye when I saw them. Audrey no doubt loved the fact that they were sparkly and pink. [Silver ones were for sale too, but they didn't stand a chance against pink with Audrey.] Of course, what sealed the deal was the fact that the shoes were TOMS. If you aren't familiar with the brand, you should definitely check them out. Basically, for every shoe you purchase, they give one away. Every family member now owns a pair except for Naomi, which will happen eventually. [Just for the record, I own gold glitter TOMS. Yes.]

Audrey is wearing:
Jean vest: second-hand child's store
Plaid dress: Chaps, hand-me down from a friend
Leggings: Hanna Anderson, hand-me down
Shoes: TOMS
Left hand: Princess Tiana

Naomi is wearing:
Purple shirt: Target
Striped leggings: second-hand child's store, originally from Target
Shoes: Hanna Anderson, garage sale when pregnant with Audrey
Bow headband: Me, but I don't knit, the actual bow I purchased from Brightside Studios Etsy Shop

And a picture of how Naomi takes her sisterly love so well...

Linking up today with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa!

P.S. I have been doing a little online shopping this week for the kiddos in the next size up. Have you checked out the Tea Collection sale? I grabbed this, this and this. I got an extra 10% off by signing up by email. Then I picked up some onsies at Barley and Birch that were 80% off, plus I got an extra 20% just by googling a coupon code. I'm not affiliated with either of these labels, nor am I getting paid to write this. I just LOVE sharing good sales out there! Oh, I also made one splurge on Naomi's first birthday dress, The Mini Social has Misha Lulu going on right now, so using a little bit of credit, I snagged the most adorable hot air balloon dress, which is serving as the inspiration for her birthday theme. [She doesn't turn one till October, but I saw the dress and knew that was going to be for her party. Plus, since it's a dress, she can get double wear out of it and use it as a top eventually.] Do you know of any good deals going on right now? Please share. [Although, the hubs may not like you for it.]

a reminder to myself.

Sometimes I need to remind myself that breakfast doesn't have to be just breakfast. It's a time to take in Audrey's sweet gap-tooth smile while we talk about what we want to do for the day and share what we are thankful for. Or to count Naomi's toesy-woesy's while she reaches for them with her dimpled fingers. The car rides aren't just to get from one place to another, but moments to talk about how God created the trees and oh, look there's Diego in the tree over there. And to sneak glimpses in the rear view mirror of sisters gushing over each other in their car seats. Getting a toddler dressed in the morning is much more fun when kissing machine is involved. Bedtime stories aren't just the final step before ahhh, sleep, finally, rather it's moments to travel together to far off place on clouds of pink cotton and talk about the caterpillar that turns into a butterfly and to feel the arch on their smooth baby skin backs. The early morning wake ups with mama, let's play and Rapunzel dangling in my face is actually the best way to wake.

Taken at the park earlier in the week. Thankful for my phone when I don't have my camera.

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I just need to remind myself that the everyday is extraordinary.



diy dining room table.

A couple of months ago I randomly decided I didn't like our dining room table anymore and I sold it on Craigslist that night. [I even made a little bit off of it-score.]

This is what our dining area used to look like. [Picture taken in fall 2010.]

I didn't have a real plan for the next table, I just knew I wanted something more modern. For about five weeks we didn't have a table to eat from. Our meals consisted of picnics on the floor and sitting at the two barstools we own. I didn't want to just settle on a table because we needed one. But I also didn't want to spend a lot because we don't plan on living here but for maybe another year.

Then I saw this table and was inspired. A DIY table. Sure!

source

Mother's Day weekend we made a trip to Ikea and bought the chairs I wanted. And that same weekend I just happened to find a frame on Craigslist (that was originally from Ikea)  for a table that was a perfect match in my eyes. [It actually came with a top, but it was lame-o, so we tossed it.] The handy-dandy husband bought some Birch wood from Lowe's for the top. He measured, cut, sanded, rounded the corners, stained with a really really light white-wash, and then polyurethaned a couple of times. [Happy Mother's Day to me.]

And now this is my new dining room table and chairs that I looooooove. [Along with new wall color, new windows, patched holes, and trim since the before picture above.]

One of my favorite parts about the table is the industrial-looking bolts. I should just throw a wrench on the top and call it a day.

Wanna see what our kitchen looked like before we got a hold of it? Check it out here, it was a doozy!

P.S. I love sharing home stuff and hopefully I will be doing that more often. I think it's fun to sneak a peek in other homes and get inspired, or be like oh good, they have a messy house like me. shew. And just for the record, I totally cleaned the dining room table off for you, it very rarely looks like that. Keeping it real.

small style {and a little lamb}.

Audrey usually picks a toy of the day to carry around with her everywhere. Sometimes it's a little toy horse, or a princess (a lot of times it is this), or even a big stuffed animal.

A couple of days ago, it was the lamb. I caught her singing multiple times Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Audrey is wearing:

White top: vintage, used to be my little sister's, from Mexico, I think

Blue undershirt: H&M

Tan shorts: Target

Boots: gifted, she insisted on these even though it was 104 outside (Hey, I chose my battles.)

Linking up with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa. She is such a doll, go say hi wouldya and check out all the other cuties linked up too! Happy Thursday, folks!

eight. months. old.

Last night Audrey spent a good forty-five minutes playing beauty salon with me. She made me push my lips out just so to put pretend lipstick on, then she gently used my makeup brushes to apply eye shadow and blush. Over and over and Mama, your makeup came off, here let me help you again. Okay, it's time for dance class, go get a dress on. She picks out my long blue one for me to wear, with three hairclips and a headband in my hair, courtesy of her, of course. This was at 9:30 at night. Then we had a brownie. [I'm not always the best mama-setting example. But we sure do have fun every now and then.]

She's so girly. And careful and considerate of other people's feelings, like if someone is crying she wants to fix it right away. She has such a loving heart for her sister. I absolutely adore her little personality sprouting as a two year old. [Also, she is totally sassy and letmethrowmyselfontheground when I throw a fit two year old. But I'm going to focus on the I duv you so much mama you look like Snow White, two year old.]

And Naomi. Oh my. Don't even get me started. Since the day she was born she has made me want another baby. She turned eight months old yesterday, but I swear she was just making her fast and furious entrance into the world just last week. So, I'm pretty much baffled at her age. Where did eight months go? She is my rolly-polly in more ways than one. She isn't crawling yet, but she can roll herself around like it's her job, put her on some slick floor and she scoots herself backwards and around and around in circles. She learned to clap a couple of weeks ago, not full out clap, but definitely gets the concept. She is a great eater, and still going strong with nursing. Although, she won't really nurse in public, way too many distractions for the girl. Her sleeping isn't bad either. On average (some days are tougher for sure!) she is getting up once around 5 in the morning (going to bed about 7:30). This past week she had her first experience at the pool and loved it. Also, don't hate me for saying this, but she hardly ever, ever cries. Teething-yes, belly ache-yes, over-tired-yes, but these are few and far in between. [I have been on both sides-Audrey was a crier.] Naomi is my laid back sweet doll baby, with a good tan.

Just for the record, it is getting harder and harder to get a picture of her without movement. This is what happened right after I snapped the above picture.

It is so true when they say the days are long, but the years are short.

6 years going on 11.

[Gushy post. Be warned.]

I was a baby when we met at the young age of 17. I was practically still a baby when we got engaged at 21. And a youngin' to get married at 22. [Which brings us to almost 11 years since we first started dating-whoa, whoa.]

Here we are, six years, two houses and two babies later. I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't take marriage lightly. I don't ever want to take for granted waking up to the man of my dreams. [Seriously, folks, he is my prince charming, as Audrey likes to put it.] In fact, I still get butterflies when I get dolled up to go on a date with him. Especially when he wears cologne. Nothing like a good smellin' fella.

June 4th, 2005

For fun, I went through my old June pictures of us together and created a collage. After I made it, I realized I forgot 2006. Apparently, that wasn't my favorite year. And yes, notice the trend in pregnancies. So what does that mean next year will bring? Hmmmm...

And here we are now, 2011. This picture was taken tonight on our little date to Olive Garden to celebrate.

Now you will have to excuse me, I have some Tiramsu in the fridge calling my name and a handsome man waiting to watch a movie with me while the kiddos sleep.

small style.

Last week I didn't get a chance to link up with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa for Small Style Thursday, because, well, a tornado hit our city. It wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. Thankfully our home wasn't touched, but just about a mile from us giant trees were uprooted and roofs torn off. Some homes were really damaged, we took a drive around, it was so sad to see it upclose. But, so far this week, the weather has been very hot and beautiful. Which for me, calls for some fun bright colors to wear!

Naomi is wearing:
Overalls: Osh-kosh, gifted
Yellow Tank: Baby Eggi via The Mini Social
Hairclip: Once Upon a Child-second hand child's store

Audrey has the cutest smile, with the biggest gaps between her upper teeth. right now i think it is so stinkin' cute,

 but unfortunately for her, braces will definitely be in her future!

Audrey is wearing:

Green Tank: Baby Eggi

Skirt: Made by me, Rosemary's Cuppa

Sandals: Umi, 6pm.com

Bracelet: Etsy

Hairclip: Me

Shoes in her hand: cheap plastic high heels that she absolutely loves to wear around the house

I hope you are having a lovely week. I can't believe it's already Thursday. I'm looking forward to celebrating our six year wedding anniversary this Saturday!