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

Vintage Here, Vintage There: Mother's Day

Mother's Day this year was pretty low key. Brett had finals looming so he had to study, Ruby got sick and was working on a few molars coming in, and I was just plain tired. Thankfully, we had beautiful weather! We let Brett study in my studio and got outside for a bit to play in our makeshift pool.

Ruby had a fever the night before but she was happy to get in that cold water and forget she was sick for awhile.

Her sun suit is from Nanna's Attic on Etsy. I saw it last week when preparing links for VH,VT and it reminded me of something I had when I was little. I think mine may have been a smock but it had a tulip on it. Mom or Grandmother, does that ring a bell? I got another vintage romper for her from the same shop that I'm hoping to use as a pattern to make some myself.

After a long day of relaxing Brett took a study break and we headed downtown for some iced coffee. I decided we should take advantage of the change of scenery for this week's VH,VT. Springfield, you have some great alleys.

This is a dress I got from Red Velvet last year and wore earlier in the year on a bowling trip. I realized after we left the house that I was wearing the wrong bra with this dress so it looks a little busty! HA!

I'm wearing: Vintage dress, Red Velvet. Belt, thrifted. Shoes, Target. Vintage scarf, thrifted. Sunglasses, ModCloth.

While Brett was taking photos of me, the littlest one was sneaking drinks from my iced coffee. Naughty, naughty.

Sebastian was pretending to be Spiderman and loved being in those back alleys! Ruby chased birds and tried to climb some loft dweller's back stairs.

Ruby's wearing: Summer smock gifted from 3RingCircus. Bloomers, thrifted. Vintage Minnetonka moccasins, thrifted. Heather of 3RingCircus is a sweet online friend and sent this and another pretty embroidered top that her daughter, Penelope, had outgrown. Thanks, Heather! We love them.

I'm so thankful to be their mother. So, so thankful.

I'm pretty sure every lady needs a vintage scarf in her wardrobe. Here are a few I found on Etsy: Here, here, here, here, and here.

Did you have a special Mother's Day? Did you get to wear a pretty dress? I know Rubyellen and her family had a relaxed Mother's Day weekend as well and I can't wait to see what she wore on her special day!

xoxo,
Rachel

p.s. Thank you for your votes for the Top 25 Kids' Style Blogs! You got Smile and Wave in the top 10 and I'm so flattered and thankful!

April Sponsor Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone who commented and shared their favorite thing to collect in last month's sponsor giveaway post! Also, a big thank you to all of the sponsors who participated!

********************************************************

The winner of the April Sponsor Giveaway is...

Cece's Mommy

"I collect salt and pepper shakers, the cuter the better!"

********************************************************

Cece, e-mail me with your mailing address at racheldenbow(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll be sure to send it out to my sponsors so you can receive all of your goodies!

xoxo,
Rachel

p.s. Today is the last day to Vote on the Top 25 Kids' Style blogs! Thank you for the big vote boost this morning already! Even if you've already voted there are a ton of blogs to browse through and add to your inspiration list. I've already got some new favorites. Thank you!

Last Week in Instagrams

It's going to be a full week ending in a fun and exciting weekend! I'm going to be playing catch up all day on Monday and Tuesday with posting (hello, April Sponsor Giveaway!) and Mother's Day photos. Ruby got sick and Brett had finals to study for so it was low key and we were all pretty sleep deprived. Nevertheless, it was good to be together!

I hope your weekend was enjoyable! Monday starts Elsie Marley's Kids' Clothes Week Challenge and I fully plan on squeezing at least two dresses into some nap time slots. I'm also excited to share an opportunity to help clothe some orphans in Haiti so stay tuned!

xoxo,
Rachel

P.S. Monday is the last day to vote for friends in the Top 25 Kids' Style category on Circle of Moms. It's been exciting to be in the top 12 since the start of the contest! I'd love your last vote today. Thank you for being such lovely readers!