Who needs gold or silver?

I've had my eye on "mother's" jewelry for a long time now - lovely, simple hand-stamped and customized bracelets or necklaces with my kids' initials or names on them. The Vintage Pearl and Lisa Leonard have some pieces that I particularly like, but wouldn't pull the trigger on until this boy in my belly actually has an official name...

but who needs that when you could have this? :)

Celia will spend hours outside, making "beds" and "houses" for fairies out of leaves, grass, flowers, twigs, shells, even write notes to them, etc... She's quite the creative one. The other day she brought her huge jar of craft supplies outside too and I just rolled my eyes, reminding her that she'd better not leave it outside and DON'T lose my Sharpie...yada-yada, the usual mom speech. Of course, she ran back in later with this darling necklace for me, one of many crafty things she likes to give me. Each bead represents the birthstone of each child in our family (even baby #4!) - Celia's VERY into birthstones, gemstones, rocks and minerals lately. She is just too funny.

I'll wait on that gold or silver jewelry for awhile.

Tough Ruffles

One of my favorite clutches is from Made by Hank.

Now I'm drooling over her newest "Tough Ruffles" design...

...among her other lovely things too. :)

What's your preference? Purse or clutch?

(With kids, I've got to have both, but when heading out on a date with the husband, I grab my clutch with just the necessities! Oh it's wonderful to ditch the carry-all...)

Day of Thanks: XX

And this guy.

I can't say enough about him and how thankful I am for all he does for our family. You know, keeping us alive and sheltered and all that. Pretty important stuff, which must bring lots of pressure along with it. I couldn't be more grateful for the amazing father and husband he is. One other thing he's awfully good at (or maybe I'm good at showing it) is knowing when I need a break - time without kids.

So he sent me to Portland today. 

It was a good day - sunshine, art, good books, some shopping...(sigh).

And I remembered my camera this time!

The Park blocks, near the museum and performing arts centers:

The PAM's Body Beautiful exhibit brought me back to my study abroad days in Greece. Almost ten years ago, sheesh!

And, well, of course I found plenty of pretty things 

to put on my Christmas wishlist...like this hat. LOVE!

Thanks for the break, T. :)

Little Titans

Would you put tights on your little boy?

I would, if they looked like these:

Love the bright colors and stripes!

Find Little Titans here!

Spied here.

Impossible Instant Lab

I'll probably be the last person in the world to get an iphone. I just don't want to pay for something I don't really need. Although, I haven't upgraded my phone in about six years, so Verizon has sent me offers for an iphone that would almost be FREE. 

Crazy huh?

Well anyway, if I had one, I'd have to get this as well:

Prints those pics into Polaroids! Right away.

Love it.

Seen here.

Back the Impossible Instant Lab project here.

Orangyporangy

Recently stumbled upon Orangyporangy,

a shop of handmade goods 

where vintage sheets and feedsacks have never looked so cute...

A year or two ago, I'd seen a ton of cool old feedsacks at a nearby antique shop. I didn't purchase any, then kicked myself when I went back later and they were gone - replaced by bags someone else had made from the sacks...

I felt like someone had stolen my idea! :)

Fall Wishlist

New TOMS all around...

for me and the kiddos. Yes please.

I'd have lots of convincing to do

to get the husband to wear a pair of TOMS.

One day maybe, one day,

when he sees how comfy they are...

Singer 160

Holy moly, I wish I'd seen this beauty a month ago!

It's apparently sold out...

Limited Edition Singer 160

Watch their video here, it's like a souped-up car commercial.

Wow, what a classy machine.

Lambs Ear

Simple designs,

muted colors...

I'm loving Lambs Ear Shoes right this moment.

And, ahem, not to mention their jewelry...

these square and oval bracelets are calling my name.

Diagonal

Spied these amazing color block clutches by L.A.R.K.,

and now I'm itching to put a diagonal zipper on 

something...anything.

Love it.

Almost There

Well folks, three more weeks of tax season left.

April 17th is the BIG day!

It's close, but still so far away.

I'd be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel

if that said light was sunlight.

The forecast predicts no sun here until April 6th. 

APRIL. SIXTH. 

Hopefully it's wrong because I don't think our fully saturated ground (or me) can take much more rain!

I try to combat the grayness with wearing bright colors,

and getting outside as much as we can,

but I must say it's hard for six months out of the year.

My kids are not big fans of playing out in the rain,

so many afternoons and evenings are spent pulling my hair out 

and counting down the hours until bedtime and sweet PEACE and QUIET. 

I bet you are now realizing that spring break is next week...

and I'm dreading it.

So. I'm trying to come up with some great activities for the kids and I,

maybe a short trip to the coast or a couple museums,

possibly redecorating/painting their rooms,

and of course, getting ready for Easter!

Check out Babble for some creative ways to decorate your eggs. I loved these:

Leaf printing 

Rubber cement 

Doily tracing 

And these paper bag eggs are brilliant!

I could totally see my kiddos tearing these apart

and what's even more fun - they can be any size you want!

And like I said, I've got to wear some bright colors right now or I'll go mad.

These green and blue beauties have caught my eye:

Things have been a tad crazy around here as well,

with our youngest suffering from tonsil and adenoid problems.

That's why she hasn't been sleeping at all since January....

and I mean that literally, as in, waking up every. hour. during the nights.

Add to that getting all four canine teeth at once

and I think I glimpsed one of her 2-year molars popping in today.

Just can't win! We're all exhausted!

So here's to looking ahead - to Easter, 

to some rejuvenating sunlight,

the end of tax season, and the return of that man we call Daddy.

His help makes everything easier. :)

(P.S. We got engaged nine years ago today. And I still love, love, LOVE him.)