small style {tea collection}.

Ahhh, I'm finally getting back to linking up with Small Style over at Mama Loves Papa. Small Style is so fun because you get to see a bunch of cuties.

I tend to put the same thing on the girls over and over. If it is comfortable for them and layerable. [Kids get hot and cold so quickly, don't they?] Especially now that Audrey has an opinion about what she wears-- 75% of the time she wears princess dress up clothes. But sometimes I can talk her into something I little bit warmer for these winter months. She never complains about the Tea Collection dresses she has. I bought them about a month ago when they were on sale. And now they are even at a better discount-- you can get an extra 25% off the sale prices by using the code 25OFFSALE at check-out! It ends on Sunday so be sure to check it out. I even bought baby boy a couple of super cute t-shirts.

[Please excuse the super grainy photos. I'm using a camera that is about 8 years old since I broke my DSLR on Sunday!]

Audrey is wearing:
Hairclip: Zuzii Etsy
Dress: Tea Collection
Leggings: Crew Cuts
Socks: Target
Boots: Thrifted, Osh Kosh

 Naomi is wearing:
Dress: Tea Collection
Leggings: Misha Lulu via the Surplus Store
Socks: Target
Shoes: Target
Bracelet: Sophie's Closest Etsy

Sisterly love.

I'm definitely not being compensated for mentioning Tea Collection. But when I see a great sale, I love to share! 

small style {recycled dress}.

We have had such lovely, chilly weather this week. Which means to me, making a lot of comfort foods- chili, pot pie, and white chicken chili. And I had to make a trip to Starbucks on the day the Pumpkin Spice latte was available. But to [my] toddler, cold weather, just means a lot more clothes to have to put on and wearing unwanted pants. I knew this was coming, Audrey still wanting to wear dresses when the temperatures drop. I'm thinking very few jeans will be bought, but a lot of leggings and tights will be on the arise. A couple of months ago, I snagged a simple striped Land's End dress from Goodwill for $3. And today I finally got around to altering it slightly, so it is a tad bit more fun, and totally suitable for this beautiful fall weather.

I used an old vintage apron and an old t-shirt for the material,

and basically did a similar design to a previous dress I had made for Audrey.

So simple and sweet. I love the little heart detail I added to the back.

A little late, but linking up with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa for Small Style!

small style.

Hi ya, friends! I didn't mean to be m.i.a for the last couple of days but between mickey mouse pancake making, rock painting, house show cleaning, traveling about 13 hours over the weekend, work meetings, and the usual beauty shop play, the days have been pretty jammed packed. I must say, though, I'm so excited that it is September. I loooooove the fall. And although it's not technically fall yet, I always go out and buy a nice smelly fall candle on the first of September, and today will be no exception. Oh, and I can't wait to buy mums. [A very sweet reminder of my mama. Oh, how she loved those flowers.]

I'm happy to say, I'm back, linking up with the lovely Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa for Small Style Thursday. Audrey has entered the I'm going to dress how I want stage, which I didn't think started till way later, but apparently two is the new ten. Somedays it's a Snow White costume or a towel on her head as Rapunzel's hair. [Not even kidding. Like a hooded baby towel. She will wear it everywhere too. Like she owns the place in it.] Almost every morning the first thing she wants to do is go to her closest and pick out a dress [she has a lot of dresses, but it is usually one of the four chosen ones.] But yesterday, watch out folks, I had a teeny tiny say in her outfit. Like, I talked her into leggings instead of a dress.

Audrey is wearing:

Jean vest: thrifted

Shirt: H&M

Leggings: Gap

Shoes: TOMS

Hairclip: Zuzii via Etsy

This past week, Naomi got a very early first birthday present in the mail, and I couldn't resist giving it to her. Check out her left arm. See that sweet little bracelet? Audrey received one for her first birthday and now it was Naomi's turn. It is engraved with Naomi Fae, and has a pearl bead on it. Audrey still wears hers, hasn't taken it off for, ahem, almost two years. Talk about high quality! I bought Naomi's from the same store as Audrey's, called Sophie's Closest on Etsy. I wasn't paid or compensated to write about this little store, but I love the bracelets, so I wanted to share.

 Naomi is wearing:

Shirt: hand-me-down from Audrey, Old Navy (Don't you just love the lace on the sleeves?!)

Leggings: Misha Lulu

Hair Clip: Zuzii

Big Tush:  BumGenius Cloth Diapers

toesy-woesy covers.

I think my girls may only know toes as toesy-woesies. I especially love when Audrey repeats what I say to Naomi in her try-to-be-baby-voice like Naomi, where are your toesy-woesies? There they are! I really should get it on video.

Anyway, I have been obsessing over baby and toddler shoes lately, to cover those sweet toesy-woesies when fall comes.Too many cute ones. Everywhere. I want them all in my size too!

(Click on the picture for source.)

I ordered a pair of these Sanita clogs for Audrey via Zulily using some credit.

 They came in the mail on Friday and are absolutely adorable!

Yellow. Ruffles. Need I say more?

Pink Minnetonka's. Audrey would flip. And so would I.

Obviously, Naomi needs a pair of moccasins for the fall too. I'm thinking 1st birthday present, perhaps?

*
*
*

*

*

*

I was not compensated in anyway to share these lovelies, I just couldn't resist sharing the cuteness.

small style.

What do you get when you mix summer rompers and dresses that are vintage and thrifted with some little girls?

Well, a couple of cuties, if I do say so myself!

Audrey is wearing:
White tank- gifted
Red dress- Jacadi (made in France), thrifted
Shoes- Chuches, 6pm.com

Naomi is wearing:
Pink shirt- target
Yellow Romper, thrifted, vintage
Pink shoes- Robeez

Linking up with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa!

coloring outside the lines.

Sometimes it's about coloring outside the lines.

Feeling the urge and going for it.

Putting together mismatched pieces.

Dancing like no one is watching.

Letting your true colors shine.

Making mistakes.

Trying something without knowing the outcome.

Living for the now.

[Those words were interwoven in my hands and heart while

 making this dress for Audrey the other night.]

Made from old tshirts and a vintage apron.

small style {park style}.

Everyday I try to take the kids somewhere to get them worn out so they take a nice afternoon nap at the same time. [Yes, I look forward to naptime.] And 95% of the time it works, I get quietness for two hours. [Unless Naomi poops in her sleep and it wakes her up prematurely. Just sayin.] Yesterday after lunch, right before nap time I took the girls to the park. It was the first day in a while that you could walk outside without hitting a dense wall of humidity. It was still really hot, but doable for a half an hour. Naomi is getting to the point where she likes to be involved and going right with her sister. She is starting to pull herself up on things, but still not secure enough to not fall over, which practically gives me a heart attack everytime. She also wants to walk e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e. by holding my hands. She will search for my fingers to grab onto and just go. Which results in back ache by the end of the day. Good thing she is so cute, or I wouldn't let her run all over me and take charge.

Naomi is wearing:

Shirt- hand-me-down from Audrey, Target

Pants- Baby Gap, I just scored these adorable linen comfy pants for $5 on crazy clearance. I wish they were in my size!

Shoes- Robeez

(Her booty isn't naturally that large, she has on a BumGenius cloth diaper.)

[By the way, Naomi is fully recovered from being sick last week. It was definitely one of my toughest weeks yet. She is usually such an easy baby, that when she got sick I wasn't used to handling fussiness. Whew. She is still teething, which is affecting her sleep and mine too! Eek! I'm ready for her chompers to be in!]

Audrey is wearing:

Dress: Handmade in Germany, my sister just brought it back--one for each of the girls, it has the sweetest embroidered kitties on them.

Shorts: Target

Shoes: Umi

Be sure to check out the other Small Style cuties over at Mama Loves Papa!

small style {floppy hat}.

Poor little N is still sick. She hasn't let me put her down unless she is asleep. She is being such a trooper, but I'm ready to have my smiley baby back. I thought it was teething related, but now I'm thinking she has the stomach flu. Which is utterly pitiful. Praying it doesn't travel through our house like it did back in February. Also, I didn't think sickness like this happened in the summer?!

In related news, Audrey has been a great big sister while I am spending extra time tending to Naomi. And of course, she has been asking for extra cuddles as well.

one of my all time favorite pictures of Audrey...caught in the moment...definitely going to be a canvas print soon

Audrey is wearing:

Hat: Target

Tank: Kids Headquarters, Second-Hand Children's Store

Shorts: Target

Shoes: TOMS

Linking up with the lovely, Morgan, over at Mama Loves Papa for Small Style Thursday.

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!

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!

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.]

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!

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!



small style {feeling hot hot hot}.

I'm absolutely loving our weather the last three days. It has been hot, hot hot. I'm the give me the beach instead of a snow slope type of girl, so this 89 degree weather is just what I have been needing after days weeks of rain. These past couple of days we have gone from swimsuit to sun dress to swimsuit to sun dress to, well, you get the idea. And it tickles me to watch Audrey get so excited that she can get her swimsoup on all by herself. [Also, I plan on never correcting her on saying "swimsoup" instead of "swimsuit."]

I love being able to get the girls dress in a simple dress or sweet little romper. Oh, how I love rompers. And rompers with ruffles are just extra bonus.

I scored the most adorable romper for Naomi at a second-hand child's store about two months ago. It was new with tags--A Will' Beth piece. I never heard of the brand before, but when I got home I googled it and saw the prices range from about $50-$100, and I scored a new one for only $4! Then I proceeded to pat myself on the back and call my husband to brag. Kidding. Okay, I'm not kidding, I did do that, for real yo.

Naomi will probably be wearing this outfit at least every other day this summer. Cute and comfy. And I love how it highlights her rolls so well.

I'm linking up with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa for Small Style Thursday, go and say hi and check out the other cutie patooties!

small style.

Last week it was rompers and summer dresses. This week we can't leave the house without a jacket and umbrella for that matter. {heavy sigh} Audrey keeps telling me the rain is helping the trees grow. And look mama, it isn't winter anymore is it? It's fing. And when it gets hot we get to go fimming in our swimsoups. Thankful I have a two year to remind me to look on the brightside of things.

Naomi's Small Style: (I love her pose, she is learning to clap right now, so this was in the middle of it.)

Naomi is wearing:
Collared shirt: Carter's, I wish you could see the pattern on it better, it is so sweet.
Pants: H&M (She wears these a lot, so comfy.)
Shoes: Robeez (She has quite a few pair of shoes, but I always put her in these, they are my favorite.)

Audrey's Small Style: (Excuse the unfocused picture, she wouldn't stop jumping and we had an overcast rainy day, so poor lighting.)

Audrey is wearing:
Floral top: Right Bank Babies via Zulily
Striped shirt: H&M
Shorts: Target
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Gifted (She picks these to wear A LOT.)

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

small style {weather and hair advice}.

It gets old talking about the weather. I know. It's something you bring up when you have nothing else to say or don't really know the person you are talking to.

Random Person 1: So, it's pretty rainy today?
Stranger:Yeah. It rained a lot.
Random Person 1: Yeah, I guess that's spring for ya.

But, know this, when I bring up the weather on here, it's not because of the same reasons. It's because, I live in Indiana and the weather is always weird and unpredictable and will go from 80 degrees one day to 45 the next.

Anyway, all of this crazy weather talk is because I'm ready to not have to layer my kiddos up. I love summer dresses and sweet little tanks and well, babies who sport only diapers.

Yesterday we went to the The Dam and local beach just to see how flooded everything was. While outside Audrey kept saying "let's go inside where it's warmer." She has her mama's genes, doesn't like the cold or anything close to it.

This is exactly what she looked like while saying it.

Audrey is wearing:
Jacket- Gap
Pink undershirt- H&M
Yellow top- vintage, she wore it as a dress last summer
Jeggings- Target
Boots- gifted

Naomi turns 7 months today. I know, crazy right? I feel like just yesterday I was very anxiously awaiting her arrival.

Naomi is wearing:
Purple top and bottoms: Appaman for Target (Love this brand, I wish they sold more of it.)
White undershirt: Children's Place
Leggings: Target
Socks: too small Trumpette

[See that hair around Naomi's ears? It's really long and awkward, and only around her ears, not the back of her head. So do I go ahead and cut it? It feels weird to have to cut my 7 months old hair, I mean, Audrey didn't get a trim until she was 22 months because I was saving every string of hair she had.]

And just for fun, here is what happened right after I snapped the picture above.

Audrey noticed Naomi spit up a little, so she took it upon herself to go get a dish towel and wipe it up. She is such a little mama. I love it.

As always, I'm linking up on Thursdays for Small Style with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa.

small style {sisters}.

Have I mentioned how much I love having two girls? Their interaction right now melts.me.to.pieces. They are sisters. I love that. Naomi just laughs at her and takes all the headlocks hugs she gets from her big sister with stride and usually a giant smile. And they are fun to dress together and coordinate (but not matchy, matchy).

Naomi is wearing:

Red Peasant Top and Grey Shorts: Right Bank Babies, bought when Zulily was featuring the brand
Baby Leggings: Target
Shoes: Robeez
Hairclip: Me

Audrey is wearing:

Checkered Top: Right Bank Babies (I love the buttons up the back and the cropped style.)
Capri Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Nina, 6pm.com
Hairclip: Me

I've noticed that I have been doing so much more online shopping with two kids. It's just easier and I can usually find better deals. Great quality brands, for reasonable prices when you find the right site to buy from. Of course, Old Navy and Target still get me with the sale racks. Do you like to shop online?

I'm linking up with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa for Small Style Thursday, go and say hi!

easter weekend.

Despite the very rainy weather we have had, Easter weekend was lovely. Filled with family, food, egg hunts, cute little girls dressed in classic clothes, and of course, celebrating the Risen King.



[I was going to save this post for Small Style on Thursday, but I just couldnt' wait to share what they wore for Easter.]

This year I didn't want to buy anything new for the girls for Easter. They both have a closest full of adorable dresses, some of which they haven't even worn yet! Both girls are wearing dresses that their Gamma bought them. I went with classic, simple Easter attire. Audrey is wearing an older Gymboree dress and Nina shoes I bought on clearance from 6pm.com. Naomi is wearing a Ralph Lauren dress, the cutest bloomers (that you can't really see--they have her initials on the tush that my good friend, Susan, bought for her), shoes that were Audrey's from Gymboree, and Audrey's baby bonnet from her first Easter.

*

*

*

*

*

I'm so thankful for the freedom to celebrate such an important historical event, the Resurrection that changed everything for us. For you and me.