Work In Progress

I've been spending most of my increments of work time rebranding and creating a new blog over on Typepad. It's given me a new appreciation for how much work goes into these things, even for those who aren't spending over two hours figuring out how to correctly code a nav bar. I plan on sharing a full post (or two) on how I decided to make a change, what tools I've used to feel slightly more adequate, and some tutorials that helped fill in the blanks.

I spent most of Saturday afternoon clearing brush from a fence line in our backyard for a background for a banner photo idea. Then I scrapped it. I also hauled (with help from the poison ivy-covered husband) props out to the other side of my house for another banner idea, spent two hours designing said banner idea, and then scrapped that one this afternoon after coming up with a third idea.

It's been quite the challenge but I haven't felt this excited about having learned something technical and complex since college. It feels good to have set a big goal and then knuckle sandwiched it into submission. This may lead to setting more goals. WATCH out.

I'd like to publicly thank Elise Blaha Cripe for offering her class on blog design and saving my night with some post-class assistance in coding. I heart that girl.

I hope you have a lovely Memorial Day. We're celebrating with a handful of neighbors and remembering those who have served and sacrificed for our country. There will be ice cream and a kiddie sized swimming pool involved.

xoxo,
Rachel

More Wedding Photos!

Here are a few photos from my regular camera. I know the photos that Sarah from Arrow & Apple took of the wedding weekend are going to be stunning and I can't wait to see them! That's the thing about weddings. They take months to plan and a day to enjoy but then you can revel in the photos that start popping up for as long as you want!

Have you been to any weddings yet this year? What was your favorite detail? This is the first wedding I'd been in since my other bestie got married almost seven years ago and it was such a fun time!

xoxo,
Rachel

An Instagram Wedding Weekend

It was lovely from the bachelorette party all the way through to the reception break down. I can't even pin point my favorite part as there were so many good conversations, sentimental moments, and yummy treats!

My bridesmaids dress and shoes were from ModCloth. I am pretty sure I'll actually have occasion to wear them again, too! Elsie and Emma and all of the others involved in the creation of such a beautiful event should be totally proud of what they pulled off. I'm always going to remember that weekend.

We've been traveling to see Brett's family for a few days so it's been spotty posting from a change of pace and we're coming up on a three day drill weekend but I think I'll be able to squeeze some fun posts in between single mama duty and post traveling clean up. Plus, I have a fun new coffee table find to share!

xoxo,
Rachel

The Best Wedding Ever

I think I'm still recovering from a marathon wedding weekend! I've never been to such a beautiful event and had the best time with the girls in the bridal party! So much so that I kind of wish we could do that every month. Minus the sore feet from standing in wooden heels all day!

As some of you saw, I posted Instagrams throughout the weekend to not only document the details and special moments but to share the fun with everyone! Expect a photo heavy post tomorrow. As for now, I'm catching up on family time, giving Brett a much needed break, and getting the house back to a manageable state of disarray.

Also, that fantastic beehive took thirty minutes of conditioner and gentle untangling to get out. It was worth it.

xoxo,
Rachel

To Elsie & Jeremy On Their Wedding Day

Elsie, I remember the day I met Jeremy after having heard all about this bearded man that made beautiful music. I was nervous to meet this guy you held in such high regard because it obviously meant he was extra special. I had a feeling from the beginning that he was going to be a part of the rest of your story.

Jeremy, you and Elsie are so well matched. It seems as though you enable each other to step into your fullest potential and share a special understanding of how valuable each other's gifts and talents are. It makes me so happy knowing one of my best friends has found happiness with such an exceptional guy.

I'm so thankful to get to watch all of this happen and to share in your special day by standing up there with you two and all of the people that love you most as you commit your love to each other. I love you guys.

xoxo,
Rachel

Sharing Love, One Dress At A Time

As you may know, this week is KCWC over on Elsie Marley's blog. I'm sure some of you have been squeezing in an hour a day over the last two days to make something for your own little ones to wear. I started early and took a break on Sunday to sit down and work on one of the simplest of patterns out there, the pillow case dress.

I thoroughly enjoy making things for my kids. They don't always understand or have the capacity to appreciate handmade things right now but I hope they'll look back at photos and old blog posts and see it as another way their mama loved on them. (There is that pose again!)

For this pillow case dress I used a vintage floral pillow case from my collection, extra-wide double fold bias tape, and grosgrain ribbon. The trim on the bottom was already there. I used what I had on hand and it took me about twenty minutes to figure out the logistics and put it together. Twenty minutes, folks!

I love me an instant gratification sewing project!

The thing is, our friends Katy and Adam are headed out to Haiti in June to take clothing and necessary supplies to orphans that attend a school that their church, New Bru (or Center City Church) helps sponsor. The organization that started the orphanage, Center of Hope, celebrated it's opening last October. New Bru is hoping to send over as many pillow case dresses as possible for the little girls that attend the school as well as ones in surrounding communities.

So, one pillow case dress turned into three.

And three turned into five. Five dresses took me an hour and a half to make but will be enjoyed by a handful of girls at the school for a long time.

I would LOVE if you would join me in making a pillow case dress (or two, or five) to send to these girls in Haiti. If you're participating in KCWC, or just really like to sew, think about taking an extra twenty minutes this week or next to put together a simple pillow case dress for an orphaned girl in Haiti.

My friend, Katy, has more information on the work their church does through members that live and work there if you're interested in finding out more. You can contact Katy Shatto at did2613(at)hotmail(dot)com to find out where to send your dresses when you're done.

Standard sized pillow cases will fit most elementary age girls in Haiti but they are also passing them out to younger girls in surrounding communities so they have a need for smaller sizes as well. The only guideline is that they aren't made from solid red pillow cases or any fabric with patriotic (American flag) prints. You can find a variety of tutorials to make your own including this one, this one, or this one.

For every dress sent to Katy, a name will be added for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Fabricworm! If you send five dresses, you have five chances of winning $50 worth of fabric! All dresses must be post marked June 1st in order to arrive in time and the winner will be announced later that week.

What a great opportunity to share love in the form of something so essential to daily life. I'm looking forward to hearing Katy's stories of passing out dresses and supplies this summer and will happily report back to share what your kindness helped accomplish.

Again, for more details and an address to send your dresses to, e-mail Katy Shatto at did2613(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart!
xoxo,
Rachel

Misha Lulu Giveaway!

Wearing Misha Lulu not only makes your kids look adorable, it makes them smarter. True story.

Me: Hey, Ruby! Where's Madagascar?

Ruby: It's East of Mozambique, mother dearest.

Me: Hey Ruby, what does the zebra say?

Ruby: Zebra's don't talk, Mama!

Karen of Misha Lulu is generously offering a pair of the green shorts and tiger shirt (shown above on the lovely Penelope!) to a lucky reader! Sizes run from 12-18 months all the way up to an 8 and I can speak from experience saying Misha Lulu's pieces are extra special. They are interesting, well made, and super fun to mix and match.

For your chance to win, leave a comment sharing your favorite spring time activity as well as a way to get in touch if you don't have an active blog. Giveaway will end on Sunday, April 24th.

If you haven't already seen Misha Lulu's newest lines, Africa, Paris, and New York, you'll want to browse through and check out their loveliness! There's also a Surplus Store with clearance items from previous lines in case you missed out the first time around.

xoxo,
Rachel

Vote If You Want

There are plenty of new blogs to follow on this Top 25 Kids' Style List so it's at least worth a browse through. It was flattering that someone added Smile and Wave and it's fun to be on the list with a few of my favorites! You can vote once a day until May 9th.

xoxo,
Rachel