decorating with the unexpected.

[I'm writing this post to distract me from the sickness that is still in our house. Poor Naomi now has it. It's pitiful.]

When I see something at a thrift store or garage sale (usually it is sea-green, turquoise, or some blue color) and I'm not sure how I will use it, I try to think outside the box.

Like a vintage suitcase. I use it to store magazines inside and place old books on top.

Vintage thermos. This shelf is not complete. But I took down my Valentine's decorations and I'm not really sure what to put up since it's not quite spring yet. So this is where I'm at with it. I'm going to fill the thermos with flowers to add some "spring-feel." And get some art up there too.

Old picture frame. I love having old frames hung in a collection. But when I have just one I like to put a picture up in the middle or a wreath or even a plate.

Vintage trunk. These are great to use as side tables or a coffee table. DVD's are stored inside of ours.

Lately, I have been seeing stumps being used as home decor. And I think it's pretty awesome. [Just wish I could afford one. Perhaps I can talk the husband in to finding a stump somewhere and making one.]

image credit: Real Wood Works on Etsy

All the items in the above pictures are from garage sales or thrift stores (except for the stump, of course). I'm definitely getting the itch to go to garage sales. Can't wait for the season to start. Do you enjoy the early Friday and Saturday wake-ups to find a deal? 

impossible.

Audrey is at that age where taking pictures of her end up with awkward smiles or some weird position or movement. Then when you add a four month old in the mix, it is nearly impossible to get a good picture.

Today I dressed the girls in matching shirts and the skirts I made them. [First time for this, I'm not a huge matchy-matchy fan. But I think it's cute when they coordinate.]

I couldn't even get one great picture. But together, they make a pretty funny collage. Not to mention, Audrey insisted on eating her peanut butter and jelly sandwich during the photo shoot.

Ah, sisterly love. It is pretty stinkin' cute watching Audrey love on her sister and then Naomi get so tickled about it.

And, it is so so good to have Audrey almost completely back to her normal self. [While I pretend that I am not getting sick. I refuse.]

survival.

I didn't mean to be MIA for this long. I attempted three posts this week, but never completed them. And now, so many days have past I'm not sure where to begin. I guess with the fact that sickness has taken over our house. Audrey has been very sick for the last five days, and just now today, seems to be on the mend. Just in time for Andrew to get really sick last night. I'm hoping his body can kick it a lot faster than Audrey did. I'm also praying (really hard) that Naomi or I don't get it. You don't even want to know how much gross stuff I have cleaned up this week. [On a related note: I'm so glad Audrey is not potty-trained yet. Okay, gross. Sorry for sharing.]

On a happier note, I am loving my new iphone. Especially taking pictures. Are you a part of the free instagram app? If so, we should be friends- find me under Better Than Cupcakes.

Here are some of my pictures from my phone. Mostly of Naomi because she is the only one that has been healthy and happy this week. (She is a very smiley baby.)

This last one of Audrey is when we attempted to go to the park for some fresh air

even though she wasn't feeling well.

I have also been working on adding some new things to my shop. I don't have them posted yet, but be on the lookout this week. Have you checked out the new Easter skirt I made? Spring is just around the corner! 

Here's to starting a fresh, new week, folks!

lots.

It's suppose to be around 60 degrees today. It's a February tease, but I'll take it. It makes this would be a difficult day, so much better. The warmth energizes me. It makes me want to reach out and take everything in for the day. To do this and that and live. Yesterday was a lot of that. A lot of {good} doing. Then came the night. Between Audrey getting sick FOUR times and Naomi nursing, sleep didn't really happen. And now, I have been short on patience. So I may just take a moment to bask in the sun and breathe. Just breathe.

I don't really have anything to complain about. I shouldn't complain. In fact, good things have been coming our way. On Valentine's Day I went on a date with Andrew and I keep dreaming about the amazing food we had. And the fact that I put on a dress, made me really happy. See.

(Normally, I wouldn't be able to wear this dress, because it doesn't really allow for easy nursing access, but I dusted off the cobwebs and put it on for the night.)

Then, yesterday, I feel like I finally entered the 21st century by getting an iphone. I had the same phone for three years. It didn't break, so I didn't really want to get a new one. But my tech savvy husband talked me into it. And yeah, I like it. A lot. I am already obsessed with instantly posting pictures on facebook. [Are we friends yet on there? Let's! Search for my first name, Abra, trust me, there aren't many around.] 

Alright, I must take a short nap while the kiddos are napping. Tootaloo.

happy valentines.

I'm sitting here eating not one, but two cookies that we decorated this morning and drinking a glass of milk. Both girls are napping (ah, bliss). I have two loads of laundry that need folded, three skirts that are half done, a dishwasher to unload, and numerous things to put away. But, you know what, I think I'm calling it a day.

Because this morning. This is what happened at our house.

We had 13 kids three and under at our house for a Valentine's Day party. There were six moms, two of which are expecting. We decorated baggies, passed out Valentine's, decorated cookies, ate heart shape jello's and heart shape pbj's. There was laughing, playing, and even some crying. But we all had a good time. I'm so thankful I have a close group of young mamas to share these times with.

For the rest of the day, I plan on relaxing. The hubster said he is going to try to come home early today. (And if you know him, that will be a miracle. He usually works really late. Everyday.) He made dinner reservations somewhere, but we aren't sure if we are going to use them or not with the two kiddos around. So we will see. I will be just as happy staying in with my little family. (And watching The Bachelor, which I'm ashamed to admit.)

What is your Valentine's Day looking like?

a girl of many faces.

I seriously could sit and talk to Naomi all day long. (Which I practically do.) Because her faces are the best.

Also? I really like yellow on her.

That's all. Happy Sunday.

it's a boy.

I hosted a shower for one of my close friends today. And I was super pumped to do it because it was for a boy. And around here, we just see a lot of pink.

One of my favorite things from the shower: mustache straws. You read it right, mustaches all around.

(Here I am modeling one for you. I might just use one everyday because it's that fun.)

The mustaches are made from the cardstock-like felt. I just folded one in half and cut out mustache designs. Then used a hole-puncher for the holes. 

For the favors I made no-sew blue felt flower pins. Easy, peasy. Just cut, wrap, and glue. (To cut the flower, I just basically kept going around in a circle like a swirl.)

It was a fun day. Not to mention it was really sunny today, which always makes the day better.