faux chenille blanket for a special little girl

When Neil told me he needed to head to Edmonton this weekend I knew that if I got my act together I could have something ready to send with him to give to my BFF Sharlee who is expecting a baby any day. I enjoyed making my last faux chenille blanket so much that I didn’t have to think long about what to make for the special little lady on her way.



I picked out this adorable cotton print and matched 3 pinks and one cream for the fuzzy side. You can find the tutorial of how to make a faux chenille blanket on this post at made. It is definitely a time consuming project but it is enjoyable and easy. And the end result is fantastic.



I couldn’t decide if I wanted to do cream or black binding and had actually decided on cream but the fabric store I was at didn’t have a long enough length and had no more in the back – thank goodness! It wasn’t until a few days later I thought about doing pink and I’m so glad I did. I love the way it ties in the patterned back and looks against the chenille stripes.



A faux chenille blanket is fun because although they are not necessarily a swaddling blanket, they are soft and snuggly while having enough weight to act as a car seat cover or play mat on the floor. I hope this one will have many uses and get lots of love.

I hope Sharlee adores this little labor of love as much as I do. And I hope she actually has a girl! :)

your response

Wow, thank you! I can't believe how many of you commented on my cry for help - where are all y'all every other day? :) Jokes aside, thank you for offering your opinions and advice. You gave us some really great points to consider, things I hadn't even thought of yet. I truly appreciate it.

It is pretty obvious to us that there isn't a right or wrong choice, as we've all agreed. Neil and I both have late birthdays as well and to further complicate our decision - he was sent early and I was held back, haha. I guess rather than complicating things that should prove to us that either way is right - we both turned out (mostly) ok!

Thank you again for offering your thoughts, they gave us a lot to talk about and we are confident we can make the best decision for Porter. I'll keep you posted!

calling moms of children with late birthdays

Yes, I need you moms. I have a question and I want your opinion. My Porter has a very late birthday (you know where this is headed already...) and we have come to that place when it's time to decide whether or not to put him in kindergarten yet. He can go in September at 4, or we can wait until next September when  he will be 5. I know there is not really a right or wrong answer as what is best is very dependant on each individual child, but I would appreciate some feedback on what you have seen with your own kids, or other kids, or what you have decided if you are in the same position right now.

I am somewhat hesitant to ask this because at times it feels when people give their opinion they are sure their way is right, but knowing I will ultimately do what is best for Porter, I would appreciate some feedback.

Thanks moms. :)

clever ideas

I am sure we have all seen the helpful hints that are flying around the internet, specifically on pinterest, that make us think, "why didn't I think of that?!" I seem to see the same ones over and over again but I recently received an email from my dad with a few new ones that I just had to share. If you've seen these I apologize. I thought they were too good not to pass on.

Pump up the volume by placing your iPhone/iPod in a bowl  - the concave shape amplifies the sound. 

While travelling, keep shoes in hotel shower caps to stop dirty soles from rubbing on your clothes.

Find tiny lost items like earring backs by putting a stocking over the vacuum hose. 

Rub a walnut on your furniture to hid any dings and scrapes. 

Store sheet sets in their matching pillow case to keep your linen closet tidy and organized. 

What are the others you've seen and thought, "genius!"

Now just to remember them all....

my sewing partner

He drives and I steer.

purses: out with the old, in with the new

I bought this purse last year around my birthday. I have used this purse solely for the year. I love the style, color and it's nice and big to fit everything I need to carry (like toy cars. and orange peels? True story.) I still love it but it really has seen better days. The bottom corners have almost worn all the way through and the straps are cracking and spitting.




My wonderful in-laws gave me some birthday money and this is what I purchased with it.

(click on the photo to enlarge to see detail)

An adorable new purse. I love the three separate compartments, the neutral color and the sophisticated and feminine style. It's big enough to carry the things I actually need and not the extras I don't, *cough cough, orange peels*

Love it.

Do you have a purse that adds a 'pop of color' or a neutral one that goes with everything?

I’m about to change your life

I pinned this on Pinterest a while back but hadn’t got around to trying it out until today. My sister in law Mandy tried it and says it works but I was still skeptical. But, it works! And I’m excited about it.

Did you know you can make your own microwave popcorn by… putting your popcorn in the microwave?! Haha, it sounds simple and it is! I bought some brown lunch sacs at the dollar store and I put about 1/4 cup of popcorn into one (just enough for a snack for my kids), rolled the top down twice and then put it in my microwave. That’s it. I did the typical microwave popcorn thing where you just listen until there’s a second or two between pops and then take it out. I honestly couldn’t believe it when I opened the bag - it was popcorn!

It was easy, there was no appliance to drag out, no loud roar of an air popper and no chemical-y coating in my mouth from the store bought stuff. It was easy, mess free, fast, and my kids can eat it straight from the bag.

I’m sure you’re just as skeptical as I was so let me know if you give it a try!

I just threw up a bit

I happened upon this today and literally felt my stomach churn.

Uh, I mean... lucky girl?

thrift store score(s)

On the weekend I went thrift shopping with two of my many fabulous sister in laws. We went to Catholic Charities as the last 2 days of the month everything is 50% off. I love treasure hunting thrift shopping because you feel like you've really lucked out when you find a piece you like, in your size, and for a great price. It's like every time I want to say, "what are the chances?!!" I thoroughly enjoy rummaging through racks looking for hidden gems. 


This weekend I really hit the jackpot with a few items. This was one one of the very first items I saw when we walked into the first store. I thought it was a youth size but walked over to try it on anyway. Turns out it's a ladies small and it fits like a glove, er, jacket. It's a Billabong coat in excellent condition (minus a couple tears in the lining) and I got it for, wait for it.... $7.50. Wicked right?




The next item I feel I really lucked out with is this pair of skinny jeans. I liked the wash but was a little indecisive as they are too long and will need to be hemmed and do-I-really-want-to-bother-with-that-trouble-for-a-cheap-pair-of-jeans? I really liked the way they fit and since they were only $3 I decided to get them as really a hem job isn't the end of the world. I noticed I was unfamiliar with the name brand and decided to look them up out of curiosity later that night. You can imagine my amazement when I realized this is a high end brand and this same pair of jeans is online for $178 and I had just purchased them for $3. THREE DOLLARS. Bahhhaaaaaaaa. I win.

 (pre-hem)

This is another item I purchased for $2, a cute little top with so much fun detailing I could just cry. Love. It.



How do you feel about thrift shopping? Have you ever made a really great find?

it’s my party…

… and I’ll cry if I want to! But there was NO crying here! Friday was my birthday and I find it very fitting that this arrived! I’m not joking I was so excited I was dreaming about it. So far, soOOooo good! I’ll let you know how I think it compares to the original Naked palette as I get the chance to use it more. I can tell it’s going to be a tight race.




And I’ll leave you with a little birthday FOTD. I recently purchased a MAC fluidline gel liner in Dipdown and was excited to do a winged liner with it. Sometimes I think the softness of a dark brown is more appropriate than it's harsher black counterpart. I love the formula of these gel liners and the staying power can’t be beat.

Face

MAC Pro Longwear foundation in NW15

MAC Pro Longwear concealer in NW15

MAC MSF in Light Plus
MAC MSF in Medium Dark/Natural and Shimmer to contour

MAC powder blush in Springsheen

Urban Decay Virgin eyeshadow used to highlight

Eyes

Urban Decay Primer Potion

MAC Mystery to darken crease

Urban Decay Naked and Buck to blend out crease

MAC Blanc Type all over lid

NYX white eyeshadow from the Champagne and Caviar palette to highlight inner corners

MAC fluidline eyeliner in Dipdown

Maybelline mascara Volum’ Express Turbo Boost

Lips

Annabelle lipliner in Havana

MAC lipstick in Creme d’ Nude