polka dot shoes

... with a Sharpie. I haven't worn these flats in almost a year. I was so over that frayed bow (especially because it frayed a lot more since I had bought them). I was originally going to add a satin bow, the same color, but then realized that was too similar to what was already there. So the next best thing... a Sharpie. Ok so this is probably NOT the best thing because I actually googled "sharpie on fabric" and most answers pointed to "not intended for fabric". The best answer though was "when you want it stay, it won't. And when you want it to wash out, it won't". I believe a Fabric paint pen would be best but I actually went to buy one and the only single pens they had were black or white...kinda boring. I wanted a metallic and they only came in a pack of 4, I currently have no use for fabric pens so I went with the Sharpie. Ok, enough talking.
The supplies: flats, Sharpie or Fabric Pen. Optional: Hole punch and cardstock (as a guide)

First remove the bow with a Seam Ripper (?). I punched the cardstock with 3 holes and used it to outline the circles and then filled them in. Obviously you could easily free hand the circles but if there is any way I can make something close to perfect, then I will try.

Super simple and fast! What do you think? Would you a try a Sharpie on fabric?

Yellow

My SIL let me "borrow" this pretty summery yellow dress (I warned her that once it was in my hands she was not getting it back... just a joke). She bought it, but then decided she didn't like the way it fit her. She likes the dress still, but isn't sure what to do with it to make it look right on her. So, even though I think she just needs it altered (which I am not confident in doing for her), I thought it would be fun to style it 2 different ways so that maybe she can get a different perspective on the dress.

Yellow and Navy.

You seriously can't go wrong with this look, but I think the shoes are what really pull it together. I'll even let her "borrow" them. I have had these shoes for YEARS, seriously, I would say at least 9 years! And I'm pretty sure I have only worn them about 3 times. That's what happens when you keep shoes in their original box, shoved in the back of your closet.

Yellow, Brown and a print.

I have to admit I'm not too sure about this combo, it looked cuter in my head. But the point here is that the dress can double as a really pretty skirt, with the right shirt or sweater layered over it.

It was fun wearing this dress for 30 minutes, I love how flowy it is. But the rest of the day I was in jeans and a sweatshirt, especially because it started raining before I even finished taking these pictures. Any other suggestions for a pretty yellow dress?

Today I'm linking up with the Pleated Poppy

Random

1. I showed my husband this picture on Pinterest and this was our conversation:
me: I have been looking for a pair of lace shorts that fit me right but haven't found any. If I make them though, they will be perfect.
husband: yeah but, you don't wear those "out" right?
me: um, yeah! why. would you be embarrassed?
husband: yes! Those look like something a baby would wear, over a diaper... not even a toddler, a Baby!

2. Yesterday I was driving home from Target and I saw the PRETTIEST rainbow ever and as I got closer to home I noticed it was a full rainbow. As soon as I pulled into the driveway, I ran inside and told Babe to put his shoes and jacket on. I took him out and snapped this picture but I wish I would have took a picture of his face when he turned around and SAW the rainbow, it was so priceless and so fun to see him in awe of it.

3. It took a year but today was the first time I wanted to cry because of my 1+ hour long drive to and from work. I left my house at 6:35am and got home at 6:02pm. I really hope (I know) It's because of the fact that this week and next is VERY busy for me, so I feel like I am wasting so much precious time sitting in my car.

Today I'm linking up with Lowercase Letters for Miscellany Monday

Scavenger Hunt

So I have to start out by saying I completely failed with my 365 project this week! I think I only took 3 days worth of pictures, but can I just blame it on the fact that the weather has sucked and I pretty much just stayed in the house or the office....yeah?! Ok!
Kristen from KV's Confessions has been linking up with this Scavenger Hunt on Sunday's with Ramblings and Photos. This week's words looked so fun, I thought I'd give it a shot.

1. Lace

2. Bling

3. Wood

4. Fuzzy

5. Fabric

I really enjoyed taking the Scavenger Hunt pictures much more than my 365 Project pictures. I used my Canon (except the "wood" pic) instead of my phone camera, which I have been using way too much lately. I "will" get back on track with the 365 though, unless the Scavenger Hunt words are just too appealing. 

1 year ago today

we officially got the keys to our 1st house! I can't believe a whole year has gone by. There are still so many things we want to do. But for now we try to enjoy the things we have done and look forward to the memories that are yet to come. 

Starting with a celebratory dessert tonight!

You can read more about our house here

Hope you all have a great Friday!

 

wednesday

I love Wednesdays.
Not only is it the middle of the week but I get off of work at 2:00 every Wednesday. It gives me a happy feeling because everyone else I work with is still at the office, but I get to come home and spend some "daylight" time with the boys. Wednesdays use to be the day we went out to eat, went to the mall, did stuff that we had to spend money on. But we have been really good about staying home and doing stuff around the house, and then "maybe" grabbing a boba tea or something small like that.
So this is me on a Wednesday...

...no makeup, putting away laundry, organizing our kitchen cupboards, teaching Babe how to take pictures without blocking the lens with his finger and watching the boys play Cootie.
I love Wednesdays.

Random

This past weekend was the most random, somewhat unplanned weekend I have ever had in my life. Saturday morning after breakfast Babe and I went for a walk (I walked, he rode his tricycle), then we put together every puzzle he owns, pruned the roses, did the dishes, then had lunch. 

After lunch we got ready for the day, which is weird because normally I would think "the day is half over, why get ready" but we did plan to take some unused furniture to my brother in A.V.. So we loaded up the truck, drove for an hour, dropped off the furniture, caught a movie with my SIL and her friend (at a super cute theater with reclining loveseat's, what!) and had dinner with my cousin and her family at Marie Callender's, yum! And just a little more about the theater: in addition to being extra cozy, it's located inside of a cute little shop called "Forge", my favorite store on the Blvd.

On Sunday we woke up and went straight to my parents house for breakfast where we met up with my brother and his family. Then I dropped off my husband and Babe at my cousins's house while I went to get a haircut. When I went back to pick them up, Babe threw the biggest fit EVER (ok, in front of other people) because he wanted to stay and play. My husband somehow managed to get him strapped in his car seat and we endured 20 minutes of crying and screaming. By the time we got home I was ready to cry and scream too! So I dropped off the boys at home and headed straight to the mall for a Thai Tea and Macarons. (I did not eat the Macarons while drinking Thai Tea). I stopped in at XXI and luckily had a gift card to purchase these 3 items of jewelry. The bracelet was $1.50 and the purple earrings were .50 cents, on clearance! 

At this point I was happy again!

Today I'm linking up with Lowercase Letters for Miscellany Monday

365 project week 3

1.14.2013 Work on Monday morning

1.15.2013 My favorite book store

1.16.2013 Unpacked my Princess House animals 

and then re-packed them because I have no idea where to put them

1.17.2013 Much needed at home manicure. I HATE getting manicure's at a nail salon

1.18.2013 Got the best news today....from a fortune cookie

1.19.2013 Play time with my Babe

1.20.2013 Raspberry and Espresso Macarons, I have been craving these

northern ca.

I can't believe our trip to Northern Ca. was just over 2 weeks ago...it feels like months ago. We were lucky enough to get really great weather the whole time we were there and also lucky to make a quick stop in San Francisco. Babe enjoyed the sights but couldn't wait to get to grandma's house.

My MIL lives on a really great big property that has  little bits of charm everywhere.

The time we spent there went by SO fast. 
Babe got to spend time with his little cousin,
they had the best time riding around on this awesomeness...

And he tried pizza, for the first time, at the best pizza place EVER...

ok, that's just my opinion, but if you are in Sonoma County, I suggest Mary's Pizza.

Looking forward to our next visit.

dressing up

This past weekend was my company party at The Magic Castle. I don't dress up too often so I was a little excited to put on a pretty dress and heels. Unfortunately I did not plan on buying a new dress for this occasion. Instead I chose a dress that I have worn at least 3 other times over the last 5 years! 

Can't go wrong with black right?!

It was really hard for me to get a picture without the sun dots BUT I actually kinda like it.

These Lela Rose shoes (Payless) are my favorite. I love the floral print and that cute little overlap of fabric near the front. I don't know why it looks like they don't fit me but I swear my feet were not coming out with every step I took.

Today I'm linking up with the Pleated Poppy

Random

1. For the last 4 days my husband and I were living like we were in our early twenties. Staying up late, sleeping in, no kid! Babe was spending time with my SIL, gotta love her.

2. I was sharing a Chipotle burrito with my husband and I said "This tastes really good today. What is this white sauce?". He laughed and said "Sour Cream".

3. My husband has the worst habit of being on his Ipad while we are watching a TV show or movie. So we're watching an episode of The Office and I'm laughing every 10 seconds. He says (very seriously) "can you stop laughing!?" I said "well that's what happens when your not paying attention", he says "no, usually I can hear what is going on. But not when you are laughing". WELL... Excuse Me!

4. Have you seen "Hungry for Change". My cousin recommended it and I immediately regretted those less fat chips I bought last week. And my husband: he said it was making him hungry.

Today I'm linking up with Lowercase Letters for Miscellany Monday

365 project week 2

1.7.2013 Call me old school, whatever. But yes ... I still own, AND use, a CD player. I rarely ever actually buy CDs nowadays but I definitely love listening to my old one's. 

My favorite song on this CD: Gravity.

1.8.2013 I never (never say never) reach for Low Fat, No Fat, Reduced Fat, Less Fat product's but the "Applewood Smoked" lured me in. They taste as good as they look on the bag.

1.9.2013 My favorite salad to make: Lettuce, Cranberries, Cashews, Goat Cheese, Balsamic Vinaigrette,  Apples and/or Chicken

1.10.2013 a book: Imagine. Design. Create

1.11.2013 This was a crazy day. There was an investigation going on all day at the Promenade across the street from work. The entire area (streets, business's, everything) was closed. But "somehow" me and a few other people made it into our building about 9am. Eventually after noon they did start to let people in the surrounding building's but did not open the streets or any business's at the Promenade.

1.12.2013 My company winter party was at The Magic Castle and we weren't allowed to take ANY pictures! You can only get into this place if you get invited. Luckily my husband and I got to talking with one of the members and he gave us a pass to go back. 

1.13.2013 Dress shopping at Charlotte Russe. 

DIY blog planner

I recently got a new Galaxy S3, and for the 3.5 years before that I had a little Palm Centro. My phone was outdated BUT it really had the best calender, memo's and notes "built in".  I didn't have to search for an App. I'm hoping to be a little more organized with my Blog post's and plan my whole week out (or at least try). I needed something to help me out with that. I decided to go the good old fashioned way with a paper weekly planner.

I got this little planner from the $ Tree and decided to spruce it up with some scrapbook paper, a sticker and washi tape. I think the process is pretty self explanatory by the pictures but I will say I used the clips just to make sure the paper laid perfectly fit against the planner while I taped the edges.

I really like being able to see the entire week as a whole and these cheap planners are super thin, so I can carry it everywhere with me in my purse.

 If anyone knows of a really cool app that I should check out (instead of this), please let me know. Thanks.

Chambray

I don't think I ever heard the word Chambray until I started reading Blogs... is that weird?! Or does everyone go around calling a collared shirt a Chambray? Or is Chambray only used when the shirt is jean material? I have NO idea.
So this past weekend I wore a Chambray.

This necklace has been one of my favorites for the past 5 or 6 years. I don't remember where I got it but it goes with everything ... ok, maybe not. But I tend to try it on with everything, just in case.

I was hoping to  have a "work" outfit to post also, but I'm a little behind on that... maybe next week?!

Today I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy

Random

1. After cooking dinner I asked Babe "do you want some chicken?". He said "No Chicken! Chicken makes me sick and Grumpy!" I have no idea why he said that but he DID end up eating the chicken.

2. I miss the previous 2 weeks of having 5 days off and working 2 days.

3. I also miss exercising in the morning next to cute Red Barns.

4. I am looking forward to my office winter party this Saturday, even though I have no clue what I will be wearing. One thing is for sure, I will be shopping my own closet since I am on a path to minimalism ... and yes, I was only reminded I would not be buying a new dress thanks to my husband (ok, I had it in mind but wasn't going to actually say it!).

Today I'm linking up with Lowercase Letters for Miscellany Monday

365 days of my life

So I mentioned how I was thinking about doing a 365 Project of self portraits BUT I decided that was probably not going to last very long. Instead I have decided it will be a 365 Project of My Life. Even this will be a challenge because as much as I enjoy taking pictures I don't actually take picture's EVERY DAY. But hopefully it will give me an opportunity to capture one thing a day that I can look back on at the end of the year. So here is the 1st week of my 365 Project: 365 Days of My Life.

1.1.2013 My MIL works at a Senior Living Complex and they have the cutest library and dining areas. I loved this little nook holding this one book and binoculars.

1.2.2013 We spent about 10 hours in the car. Stopping several times on the way back home.

1.3.2013 I have been eyeing this tote ever since it hit the shelves at Target, but at $60 there was no way it would be mine, plus I didn't really NEED a new tote. That is until I got some new camera stuff .... then I had a reason to consider it again. And as luck would have it... $18 on clearance!

1.4.2013 Party Planning

1.5.2013 Painting the garage... boring, I know. BUT I'm looking forward to the end result.

1.6.2013 This is the first time I have ever made Abuelita's Chocolate. I have to say... I think this is the best I have ever had. Unfortunately my husband thought it was too sweet. 

So that was my first week of 2013. I won't be posting everyday but rather once a week like this. I'm actually looking forward to this 365 Project.