tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35078400566676084352024-03-05T15:25:41.649-08:00barefoot contessa livingmaking all things lovelyEvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-58643881656571261552013-09-19T23:23:00.001-07:002013-09-19T23:46:49.150-07:00 back in the saddle<br />
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I didn't mean to be away for so long, but giving birth and raising children while simultaneously running businesses takes allot out of a gal. <br />
Fortunately for me, I'm a glutton for punishment and can still manage to string a sentence together on very little sleep. very.little.sleep.<br />
I just can't be counted on to keep an up to date blog, apparently. (we are striving to change that)<br />
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The baby will be turning two in a few days and as the shock of that fact still sinks in - I've been throwing myself back into my beloved work.<br />
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With a toddlers independence (walking! running! daycare social life!) comes more time to devote to the business that supports all this crazy.<br />
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It's been really lovely getting back into the shops and back on the road doing the buying - Fall has always been my favorite season to shop for. All the sweaters, the layers, the boots! The endless possibilities and the thrill of the hunt make the pressure of what is also THE most important 4 months of the retail year, bearable. This march towards the end of the calendar year and ultimately, Christmas, will make or break many a business. <br />
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A really lovely start to this season happened today. My shops, Barefoot Contessa, were chosen as 1st place pick in a readers poll in my city. A local paper, the Georgia Straight, holds this 'readers choice' poll every year and its now our 5th straight win!<br />
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A lot of heart and soul go into any business and I am so honored that our customers and fans continue to love and support what we are doing at Barefoot Contessa. <br />
It's not just picking what's hot or popular or trendy - it's having a passion and excitement for what we do and having that come across and inspire others. <br />
I'm so grateful to all the local designers, crafters and artists that allow us to showcase their work and all the really fantastic staff we have helping, caring and bringing their passion to the table each and every day. <br />
It's these little surprises - these confirmations that let you know you are on the right track that give you such a boost. <br />
As I continue to struggle with finding balance being an entrepreneur and a mom, it's things like this that help give some perspective. <br />
I'm so grateful that I get to do what I love to do and have it allow me to support my family and be a mom. <br />
Thank you Vancouver, I am so honored and so very grateful for your support. <br />
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<br />Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-71349932553180663902012-04-14T15:50:00.001-07:002013-09-19T23:46:07.028-07:00my new addition<br />
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Never say never.<br />
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It will ALWAYS bite you in the ass.<br />
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I swore I would never open another store - "two was enough for me... I'd have to be a madwoman to even consider three... how could I possibly run three stores with three kids... I've just had a baby... what am I? nuts?"<br />
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Guess what?<br />
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I opened another store. <br />
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In my defense, it happened quite organically. <br />
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I actually didn't notice I was opening a store. <br />
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I thought I was gaining a lovely little office...with a sweet little storefront space...tiny...insignificant...hardly noticeable as a store.<br />
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Dutch Husband started the renovation - the goal of a pretty little office we would share, as our Barefoot Contessa Fashion headquarters. <br />
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He did an amazing job. <br />
Too good in fact. <br />
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How could I not use this pretty space as a wee shop?<br />
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How indeed. <br />
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This, my dear friends, is how you end up doing something you never thought you would do. <br />
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Introducing my latest addition - "Precious & Few" a Barefoot Contessa boutique... for children. <br />
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Break out the bubbly...<br />
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Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneEvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-73804011196956443552012-03-21T23:20:00.001-07:002012-03-21T23:20:06.355-07:00a slice of life<br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/21/3294.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/21/s_3294.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />I love being a mamma - I truly do. I am so grateful that I am fortunate enough to have been blessed with two beautiful, healthy, daughters. <br />I also love having my own business.<br /><br />As exhausted as I am at the end (and sometimes beginning) of each day - It's worth it.<br /><br />I am doing my best to be an attentive mamma while striving to be a successful business woman - I don't think balance is possible, but I am working on integration. <br />Balance is unattainable, and I'd rather err on the side of my kids.<br /><br />Integration is where it's at People. <br /><br />To find a way to successfully blend my family with, what is essentially, a family business, is my goal. <br /><br />For example, I have to do allot of traveling for my stores - (buying trips sound much more glamorous than they really are) but having my baby along makes it possible for me to blend my work life with my mothering life. <br /><br />The fact that both, Tallulah Grace and Amalia Rose, are now wonderful little travelers, helps immensely. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/21/3295.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/21/s_3295.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />To survive all the travel itself, I've had to devise how to do so with children in tow.<br /> Most trips have been with Dutch Husband along, to wrangle the toddler while I'm in the appointment picking fashions for the shops.<br /><br />The baby is content being worn and rocked as I go about my day buying and ordering. <br />So far, so good.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/21/3296.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/21/s_3296.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />But as the Spring season gets underway, I need to head out more and more, and as fun as the adventure of hotel living can be, it wears thin. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/21/3297.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/21/s_3297.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The baby and I have been doing more of these trips as a duo of late and we have it down to a science. Everything from what I need from my hotel (breakfast included is a sanity saving must) rental car (pick up near hotel) and stroller (Snap & Go) to where I stop to change, feed and give me and my little companion a break (too numerous and varied to mention).<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/21/3298.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/21/s_3298.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Having a routine to how I do things makes for a smoother trip, easier work day and happier children. <br /><br />I feel lucky that I have the opportunity to do this. <br /><br />How lucky am I to be able to do what I love, and bring my babies with me? (when necessary - I'm not sacrificing their childhood to be at work all day, People)<br /><br />Having my family with me allows me to do what I do, be a loving mamma, and a modern business woman to boot. <br /><br />The funny thing about luck? <br />It requires allot of planning, hard work and passion.<br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-7079528305577523062012-03-18T16:00:00.001-07:002012-03-18T16:00:02.446-07:00what she woreOne of my favorite features on any blog I follow is the "what I wore" post. I guess being a boutique owner really is my calling, as I just love seeing what women are wearing and how they put it all together. <br /><br />I had meant to do the same on this blog - a weekly feature of favorite outfits. Once I discovered I was pregnant, I thought I'd do some cute preggers outfits. Then once my baby was born I was going to do a feature on all the great clothes I had found/made for her. <br /><br />Needless to say....it never happened. <br />I still want to do it but feel self conscious as I have allot of weight to lose still. <br /><br />The fashion industry is a tough business in many ways; image being the trickiest to navigate. <br /><br />Even the formidable Anna Wintour wears black most days - you cant go too far wrong in a sleek black outfit. <br /><br />Finally, I've decided to do it anyway - post baby weight and all.<br /> I don't have much to wear now that I'm in this weird limbo land of breastfeeding baby and chauffeuring my toddler everywhere ( having two stores full of beautiful clothing is great - when I'm my normal size. Not so much post baby ) but it will be fun to challenge myself and document this new baby/fashion terrain.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/18/3221.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/18/s_3221.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Had to ask Dutch Husband to snap a shot of me today with my iPhone - ugly weather didn't help but I managed to bravely ignore the rain and dress for Spring anyway.<br />Baby Tallulah Grace is peeking out from the carrier. Vintage slips I dyed and embellished a la Dottie Angel style are my go-to skirt these days, and my new Kork-ease clog sandals that I am obsessed with. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/18/3222.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/18/s_3222.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Amalia Rose in her Sunday finery. You'll see that I dress my children much more sensibly than myself - no bare legs and open toe sandals on her today!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/18/3223.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/18/s_3223.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />She's growing up so fast - her little wool duffle coat is looking short on her. I think it's heading to the cleaners and then storage for it's next tour on Tallulah Grace. I love classic styles on kids - they really are timeless. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/18/3224.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/18/s_3224.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I knit the "February baby bonnet" for Tallulah Grace - a bit of Spring colour to brighten these grey days and keep her wee noggin cosy.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/03/18/3225.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/03/18/s_3225.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Saw this little bonnet on a customers baby last week and I had to run to Three Bags Full<a target="_blank" href="threebagsfull.ca"></a> (my local yarn shop) for some wool and knit it immediately.<br />Easy, fun and cute!<br /><br />Spring? Where are you?<br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-65521581310005891252011-12-03T22:56:00.001-08:002011-12-03T22:56:40.848-08:00lessons learnedManaged a trip to the Fieldstone Vintage Market today!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/03/3565.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/03/s_3565.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />So glad I made it happen as it was wonderful wandering the stalls of vintage goodness. Even herded the girls and Dutch Husband into a portrait shot - there was a 'photo booth' set up with lovely old chairs and fantastic decor. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/03/3566.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/03/s_3566.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Can't wait to see how it turns out (they email the shot). Tho I am prepared to see my three year old grimacing, the six year old blinking and me yawning. Such is the fate of any family shot these days. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/03/3567.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/03/s_3567.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Even got in a wee bit of shopping - purchased five vintage linen stockings for Christmas this year. I was planning on sewing new ones myself, out of my enormous linen stash, but let's face it - it's not gonna happen. <br />Not this year. Sigh. <br /><br />I've really had to be firm with myself. Talked myself off the Christmas guilt ledge a few times so far, and it's only Dec 3rd...<br />I am having to be reasonable (not my strong suit) and accept the fact that I will not get everything done that I would like. <br />For example, I am participating in one of my favorite craft shows - Got Craft? and have had to swallow the bitter, bitter, pill of reality. <br />I will have some of my handmade jewelry for sale, but not all the other wonderful items I've been scheming to make. <br /><br />Everything got a start but no finish. <br />I'm looking at a studio full of half made...everythings.<br />Those lost weeks with the baby being ill really hurt my production line. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/03/3568.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/03/s_3568.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />So this year, I am learning the lesson of patience and temperance.<br /><br />THAT, and I am SO going to steal the twinkle-lights-in-old-canning-jars idea...I think I can manage to put that together this year.<br /><br />What lesson are you learning this Holiday Season?<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-9328751655636771752011-11-25T22:12:00.001-08:002011-11-25T23:29:47.846-08:00Christmas countdown<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/25/3535.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/25/s_3535.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />One month to Christmas.<br /><br />Maybe you didn't hear me correctly. Let me repeat that....its ONE MONTH TO CHRISTMAS!<br /><br />People, I am freaking out. <br />Where did November go? <br />And why am I only realizing this now? I should have been panicking weeks ago, not saving it up for the last minute.<br /><br />I know there are many of you who don't even begin to think about the Holidays till well after American Thanksgiving. I've even been told some wait for December to begin.<br />Personally, I've always been more of a "Oh-it's-September-the-leaves-are-falling-OMG!!!-Christmas-is-practically-here!" kind of hysteric. <br />What can i say? ...it's served me well over the years. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/25/3536.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/25/s_3536.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />You see, I love Christmas and all it entails - I love the music, the decor, the tree, the hustle and bustle of those city sidewalks...I love everything about it with such a passion that my panic in its being only a month away is more about the running out of "Christmas magic time" than any fear of not finding a gift for all the names on my list. <br />I want my Christmas to stretch out before me in a heart warming lineup of parties, cookie baking, wine by the fire and assorted Holiday flavored activities. <br />I don't want one day. <br />I want my Christmas to last all month long, and with only a few weeks to go, I'm down to the wire of getting the aforementioned activities started. <br /><br />There lies my panic. <br />I am way behind.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/25/3537.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/25/s_3537.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I know how quickly these next few weeks will pass and I don't want to have it all end with just one day - I want to savor it each and every day - and so should you. <br /><br />Its the small gestures and quiet moments that make Christmas special for me.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/25/3538.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/25/s_3538.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-89898849047154706392011-11-19T12:35:00.001-08:002011-11-19T12:35:19.016-08:00It's been awhile...<br />So much has happened while I've been away. I don't even know where, or how, to begin. <br /><br />Let's make it easy:<br /><br />- I got pregnant!<br />After two unsuccessful years <br />trying, we finally made it happen. ( I don't discount the power of "giving up" and selling off all baby items. Had just sold off the last of the nursery furniture when I found out )<br /><br />- It was a drama filled pregnancy. <br />Had originally set out to 'enjoy the process' this time ( I was so nervous when I was carrying Mia, it's all a blur ) So having complications threw a wrench in my 'enjoy being pregnant' plans.<br /><br />Between competitive growing fibroids, a suddenly overactive thyroid condition and receiving a 50/50 chance for Downs Syndrome - it was an emotional roller coaster 9 months. Fortunately, everything worked out just fine. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/19/2011.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/19/s_2011.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- I gave birth to a super cute baby girl! <br />Named her Tallulah Grace and she is the sweetest little bun ever.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/19/2012.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/19/s_2012.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- 6 week old Tallulah Grace suddenly has a fever and we rush to hospital. <br />It's Meningitis.<br />I'm devastated. <br />Cue forward a week, to today, and she is doing great and we will be heading home tomorrow. <br />Sighs of relief all around. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/11/19/2013.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/11/19/s_2013.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />There you have it. Some of the events of the last year. Well, baby specific events of the last year. <br />Lots of other interesting non-baby things occurred too but they would require more time (and coffee) for me to recount today. <br /><br />This is just me saying "Hello, I'm back".<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-91236296923598302302010-12-11T19:36:00.000-08:002010-12-11T19:36:40.640-08:00Tummy troubles have struck the household. I would have thought that there was a rule, written somewhere, that when the parents are deathly ill, the children have no business falling ill as well. Am I right? Can I get an "amen"?<br />
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Rules were broken in my home and all four of us were feeling the effects of the stomach flu these past couple of days. So not pretty.<br />
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So I would have to say that today I am grateful for....minor illness, and how it gives you a little reality check to how wonderful good health really is. I'm grateful for it's swift arrival and departure.<br />
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I'm also grateful for my wonderful staff without whom I would not have the peace of mind that I am able to enjoy when forced to stay home, ill, at the busiest time of the year as a retailer. Thank you ladies!<br />
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Also grateful to old friends who pick up where you last left off - making me even more acutely aware of how much I love, admire and miss them. 2011's first resolution is to keep in better contact with old and dear friends and my wonderful family.<br />
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I'm also super grateful for second chances. Aren't you?Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-9544449170127868632010-12-09T00:55:00.000-08:002010-12-09T01:01:45.001-08:00choosing to be happyI have had, what could very well be, the WORST. DAY. EVER.<br />
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Now having said that, and upon retrospect, it's not the worst day ever - it's just been a bit of an emotional roller coaster day with lots of' 'busy' thrown in and lots of driving hither and yon.<br />
I think it's more that I gave into the sad feelings and the overwhelming-ness of everything that made it such a terribly bad day.<br />
Being sick doesn't help and well...it's been crappity crap all around (with a nod to Dottie Angel on that one)<br />
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I've read, more than once, that to be happy one must <b><i>choose</i></b> to be happy.<br />
Apparently, it really is your choice.<br />
Amazing isn't it? That if you stop for just a second and <b>make</b> that choice - to <b><i>choose</i></b> to be happy, to <i><b>choose</b> </i>to change the direction of your day, it will change your week, your month,<i> <b>your life</b></i>. <br />
I believe it.<br />
I truly do.<br />
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Doesn't mean I practice it as much as I should. Or could, but I am about to change that.<br />
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Consider this. <br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>The top 5 regrets of the dying are:</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. Wish I'd had the courage to live my life true to myself and not the life others expected of me</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. Wish I hadn't worked so hard</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. Wish I had the courage to express my feelings</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. Wish I had stayed in touch with my friends</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. Wish I had let myself be happier</div><br />
Read that again.<br />
Seriously. Read it...again.<br />
<br />
Powerful stuff. Found that tonight and I have to say, it's shaken me up a wee bit. <br />
<br />
Numbers 1 and 3? I live them already.<br />
Sometimes it's a struggle but I'm there for the most part.<br />
<br />
It's those numbers 2, 4 and 5 that have got me shook up. Yikes.<br />
<br />
I'm doing some serious thinking about those...and making changes.<br />
<br />
My sweet child deserves a happier mom - heck, I deserve a happier self.<br />
I consider myself to be a happy person but with all the busy in my life, and demands on my time and energy - I can't say that I'm always at my happy best.<br />
I've lost touch with friends and I know I work too much and too hard.<br />
<br />
Most days, I think about what I am grateful for, and that seems to get me on the right track.<br />
I've not tried keeping a Gratitude Journal...yet (we just got some in the shops for Christmas so it's been on my mind lately).<br />
The people I know who do keep such journals, have felt a real change within themselves and their outlook.<br />
<br />
I like that.<br />
I like that such a simple, quiet, sweet task can have such a profound effect.<br />
<br />
We all have blue days, we all have troubles and regardless, we all have so much to be grateful for.<br />
<br />
A gentle reminder of that is good. <br />
<br />
I'm going to start right now.<br />
<br />
Tonight, I am so very grateful for...<br />
- the strangely comforting sound of the falling rain against my windowpane<br />
- my healthy little girl<br />
- delivery pizza that my daughter will eat cuz I'm too sick and tired to cook dinner<br />
- the comforting light of candles <br />
- and cold white wine<br />
<br />
What are you grateful for?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-soIq5slPWKF5Gti7ca5gWrGSRRfJfCdjSPh38e5WxAfLkhBwOtEe5HovSqqYzYOiK175z2VRU54VRlnTONJEWoYge-psJl6Oq3hoq-5Nmdo0QBILqnAaIocRNQxTz72xRYviB4TWs0cO/s1600/winter09+155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-soIq5slPWKF5Gti7ca5gWrGSRRfJfCdjSPh38e5WxAfLkhBwOtEe5HovSqqYzYOiK175z2VRU54VRlnTONJEWoYge-psJl6Oq3hoq-5Nmdo0QBILqnAaIocRNQxTz72xRYviB4TWs0cO/s320/winter09+155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-74006187041579889482010-12-06T22:29:00.000-08:002010-12-08T23:30:42.672-08:00"the road to hell is paved with good intentions"Don't I know it! <br />
I won't get into my resolutions for the coming year - I'll save that for future discussion, but I will say that I have not meant to be away, again, for so bloody long.<br />
Life happens.<br />
And that's all I'm gonna say about that.<br />
<br />
I'm happy to report that all are well, including my dear mother who is still with us, tho much diminished, but still here nonetheless. So far, so good, and I am hoping this will be a Happy Christmas after all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6fatKVms1meN_yFdELn6cHnjwkt8-SrQOEy3cV0ad8nbsIbPFGtTYpfOkuGX0kvoeaPvdKN6bwvTwgVAZUXBtnt336DoZLWT5dKdgnH59w9jJQ7kyAuFfq-vR-n7ZVc9nAGamp-sSfk6/s1600/barefoot+photoshoot+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6fatKVms1meN_yFdELn6cHnjwkt8-SrQOEy3cV0ad8nbsIbPFGtTYpfOkuGX0kvoeaPvdKN6bwvTwgVAZUXBtnt336DoZLWT5dKdgnH59w9jJQ7kyAuFfq-vR-n7ZVc9nAGamp-sSfk6/s320/barefoot+photoshoot+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And with Christmas on our doorstep I am madly trying to finish my windows and displays for the shops. Mia got sick and now I'm sick....let's just say I'm a wee bit behind.<br />
Normally I'd have the stores done up by mid November, instead I'm up till the wee hours (hmmm...wonder why I'm sick) crafting with old book pages and burning myself with a glue gun.<br />
<br />
This years display is all about old paper and it's looking great!<br />
I just need more hands, more time and more stamina...sigh.<br />
I will upload photos shortly!Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-41657107878511079262010-10-01T18:51:00.000-07:002010-10-01T20:05:41.038-07:00dottie angel dearies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbFZK_81c0daTfbRSO4XPSRiRRatZYPslItaQgjsRh7UmUMdXYmDOemKJJuCzHkZKmBb9ZnrPKiqzO0MvidaiPpgrsVxN55_9eeAmGDHqBm6wapbWE95apeoX8ojHDE1K2gS7Fi2fXA8m/s1600/me.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbFZK_81c0daTfbRSO4XPSRiRRatZYPslItaQgjsRh7UmUMdXYmDOemKJJuCzHkZKmBb9ZnrPKiqzO0MvidaiPpgrsVxN55_9eeAmGDHqBm6wapbWE95apeoX8ojHDE1K2gS7Fi2fXA8m/s400/me.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523277964485881586" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeB3mLPtFC8Jb-ehbB7LJhyvN6EsSj-5Hej76Q4FBG8LvWngZxVznBavRPQHE1aPplfQe1rCMB96QNqoH8m4eu5zxwnQeoGg_pA6U53P2loxyQAdOWsuIYWct-Ru275pmB2ak0rIswjLN/s1600/dottieangelme.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 324px; height: 331px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeB3mLPtFC8Jb-ehbB7LJhyvN6EsSj-5Hej76Q4FBG8LvWngZxVznBavRPQHE1aPplfQe1rCMB96QNqoH8m4eu5zxwnQeoGg_pA6U53P2loxyQAdOWsuIYWct-Ru275pmB2ak0rIswjLN/s400/dottieangelme.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523277748269892994" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZi1jVvcyuBj-gTpLJDiXcAOHyvgi32UNx4XeqpY-VNjoZzaUg_SLPY3situw6yXBXnUgQyrsBOgphSIZiCSlSj24ByFCVEoQlg4ownn-BVm-sByaw4CYFyG7JVideZ5BWPLdn8zuLaaUk/s1600/dottieangelgroup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 346px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZi1jVvcyuBj-gTpLJDiXcAOHyvgi32UNx4XeqpY-VNjoZzaUg_SLPY3situw6yXBXnUgQyrsBOgphSIZiCSlSj24ByFCVEoQlg4ownn-BVm-sByaw4CYFyG7JVideZ5BWPLdn8zuLaaUk/s400/dottieangelgroup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523276602657942818" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoYaCXcsqG6WvKDJAuirx79YkgLFe9vzNlLpPLHBu59B-cUzAPdbJ-MqTs_WMMJoBQJuSLYf7gr7jrkznOH8GYCHKqo_zoBiAPM-Kw2v4P2naI-kbuXakSGTHGp6u7GObSuM_DSPCAMVF/s1600/dottieangel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoYaCXcsqG6WvKDJAuirx79YkgLFe9vzNlLpPLHBu59B-cUzAPdbJ-MqTs_WMMJoBQJuSLYf7gr7jrkznOH8GYCHKqo_zoBiAPM-Kw2v4P2naI-kbuXakSGTHGp6u7GObSuM_DSPCAMVF/s400/dottieangel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523276503109761106" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />What a weekend!
<br />I was in Seattle for an <a href="http://www.ritchieacecamps.com"> ACE camp</a>. It was with the amazing <a href="http://www.dottieangel.blogspot.com">Dottie Angel</a> and I can't even begin to describe how wonderful it all was.
<br />Truly amazing.
<br />I am so happy I managed to get away.
<br />My mom, as some of you may know, is dying and I just couldn't see my way clear to being away for that long (three days!).
<br />Finally, my mom was stable enough and encouraged me to attend.
<br />That did it.
<br />Off I went.
<br />With a newly purchased GPS installed in the Mini (seriously, you don't want to know how bad my lack of direction is) and away I went.
<br />This GPS has given me a renewed sense of freedom - I can now go anywhere without fear of getting lost, never to be heard from again.
<br />
<br />With much anticipation, and a healthy dose of trepidation, I arrived...late for the evening meet and greet but absolutely thrilled to be there.
<br />Everyone was wonderful.
<br />All the "dearies" were, and are, amazing women.
<br />Seriously.
<br />Some heavy hitters in the group....<a href="http://www.chikaustin.com">Jade</a>....<a href="http://www.artsycraftybabe.typepad.com">Becki</a>...<a href="http://www.pinkpicketfence.com">Christina</a>....<a href="http://www.sweetjessie.com">Jessie</a>....<a href="http://www.debeecampos.com">Debbee</a>...<a <a href="http://www.michelleclement.typepad.com">Michelle</a>...<a href="http://www.stacysdesigns88.blogspot.com">Stacy</a>....Rita, Lynn, Lou, Diana and Rita.
<br />Gulp.
<br />Can you say...intimidated?
<br />
<br />We ate like kings (queens?) and crafted for two days straight.
<br />Into the wee hours.
<br />The meals were gourmet, wonderful and generous.
<br />The artist Dottie Angel - gracious, incredibly generous and so, so lovely.
<br />
<br />I am so very grateful for the wonderful weekend of sewing, learning and sharing.
<br />
<br />I promise, I will finally confidently cut into all my beautiful stashed fabrics and make wonderful things happen.
<br />
<br />I will.
<br />I will...
<br />I will!
<br />
<br />
<br />Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-53519857697323402392010-09-19T14:42:00.000-07:002010-09-19T15:01:34.056-07:00stressful summerI've been away far too long, and I apologize.<br /><br />The past few months have been so painful and filled with anxiety and stress. <br />Some dark, dark days people. <br />My poor mother has been in and out of Hospital six times in the past two months. <br />Her condition has been increasingly fragile and I have had to prepare myself for what is essentially, the end. <br />She has heart failure, kidney failure, has suffered a heart attack, pnuemonia, fluid in her lungs and most recently, a blood clot. <br />It's been a helluva ride. <br />Each time I'm told it's gonna be the end and each time she manages to bounce back.<br /><br />She is a strong woman, that one.<br />I can only hope that I follow suit and don't go so easily into that good night...<br /><br />Needless to say (but I'm gonna anyway) I've been devestated at the thought of losing her. <br />I keep begging God for more time (and He has thus far been gracious enough to extend me some) and I have been trying to make the most of each and every day with her.<br /> <br />Some days are better than others.<br /><br />The biggest challenge for me has been my own head. <br />The thoughts and fears that grip me and the back and forth of being in mourning and then...not.<br /><br />I am emotionally exhausted.<br />Having my little girl to think about has kept me from completely falling apart.<br />For that too, I am very grateful.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-31376652836598623362010-06-08T23:19:00.000-07:002010-06-09T01:03:45.745-07:00thrifting finds and garden treasuresI remember...<br /> my Grandmother filling the bathtub with water and placing the cut flowers from her garden in their 'bath'. <br />It was her way of soaking out the ants and other bugs that invariably would be lurking in the blossoms. <span style="font-style:italic;"><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">It's funny how you carry on doing something a certain way because that's the way you learned how to do it. <br />It's a tradition that you don't even realize you are participating in.</span><br /></span><br />That's me with cut flowers. <br />I lay them in the tub and give them a quick shower and let the freeloaders float their way out of the blooms. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOA0ahEu7RWDkcKXRWkps0XIV-tu818yKDjBQmzcXeRYZoi4jQuegRp37f-G-GV9_HSRdlwCX_M9r3Yq6_EQuHJT3g4QiWCIcNCaCw_YAmhDH0SaC7_yBcz96SP2gYYn-VpNnWBg7YFssu/s1600/today+071.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOA0ahEu7RWDkcKXRWkps0XIV-tu818yKDjBQmzcXeRYZoi4jQuegRp37f-G-GV9_HSRdlwCX_M9r3Yq6_EQuHJT3g4QiWCIcNCaCw_YAmhDH0SaC7_yBcz96SP2gYYn-VpNnWBg7YFssu/s400/today+071.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480666272923921538" /></a><br /><br />Two of my greatest loves, and this is no exaggeration, are thrifting and gardening.<br /><br />Thrift store shopping is something I have been doing since I was a little girl, much to my mothers mortification. <br />Back then it wasn't really something you did for fun - It was more out of necessity and thus something to be rather ashamed about. <br />I remember the stigma that came with wearing 'second hand' but I never really let it bother me. I really enjoyed hunting for the unique and special and putting it all together to make an outfit that I felt good in and proud of.<br />I also adored all the pretty plates and doilies and frippery I came across for pennies.<br /><br />I think my love for the hunt and eye for quality and detail was honed and sharpened by those many thrift store forays. <br />I still have treasures in use today that I found when I was ten. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjwx2zf1aaBLdMBu6u17QYbMse8MGjlVFZhy8tzSHmmMCEe8NLxmJ41OFQTVbEyPCeCaQUwf4zyC2_lXT9MADeZdCOaRXvXqA5ULmVASoLd8W8KEmkP_iTUu38H6SRcyJcMGNtw1cssYX/s1600/today+074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjwx2zf1aaBLdMBu6u17QYbMse8MGjlVFZhy8tzSHmmMCEe8NLxmJ41OFQTVbEyPCeCaQUwf4zyC2_lXT9MADeZdCOaRXvXqA5ULmVASoLd8W8KEmkP_iTUu38H6SRcyJcMGNtw1cssYX/s400/today+074.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480665840433725362" /></a><br /><br />I've been trying to embrace simplicity lately.<br />Out of necessity more so than a change of lifestyle - "more is more" I always say!<br /><br />But as my wee house gets overrun by the heaps of collected treasures I've accumulated over lo these many years, I have come to realize that I have allot of stuff. <br />Too much stuff in fact.<br /><br />So I find myself digging thru boxes and making tough decisions about what gets to stay and what....doesn't.<br /><br />It's awful.<br />I hate it.<br />So I decided to go and do something that really calms my nerves and makes me super happy.<br /><br />I went thrifting.<br /><br />But I can tell you that I went with the purest of intentions - I am in desperate need of more slips to dye and make lovely for the shops. <br /><br />I have been remiss in my supplying the stores so I am making up for lost time with some heavy attention to the task.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSsjz75DxWvvtzhPgy-jHKIZNEU7Fe8MBPimz64Rw_Gwno231YZYBFW7UO0CbyNgLjf45WfBB5jEi3QTcsvAIrzbDAzvbI9TeZ_Sh383jy7mXWp_-e9Vn9wyh6cFxiMVpxdfbEBbYqTOC/s1600/today+072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSsjz75DxWvvtzhPgy-jHKIZNEU7Fe8MBPimz64Rw_Gwno231YZYBFW7UO0CbyNgLjf45WfBB5jEi3QTcsvAIrzbDAzvbI9TeZ_Sh383jy7mXWp_-e9Vn9wyh6cFxiMVpxdfbEBbYqTOC/s400/today+072.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480665370733410578" /></a><br /><br />And it was with complete innocence that I wandered thru the housewares section with no thoughts of <span style="font-style:italic;">really</span> looking...till I spied this.<br /><br />A hobnail milk glass vase. <br />I also found, with hardly searching at all, it's sister - a hobnail milk glass planter! <span style="font-style:italic;">(which I forgot to photograph for you in all the excitement of washing and filling my new vase with my just-opened-today peony blooms)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtNGwxoMG-Uu4GdO8GM34qQt2bsS5H1CxDVK0lqVPw0KrkwIWbdMnaQQ0LVoMnKhtHQmxeyyncTU6b743v0jRkzwa4OTFzNuPcXQ_pQBkjk0Ph-AcTwoJ9ad4jDAiEIKeDR8iqxaR92QD/s1600/today+073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtNGwxoMG-Uu4GdO8GM34qQt2bsS5H1CxDVK0lqVPw0KrkwIWbdMnaQQ0LVoMnKhtHQmxeyyncTU6b743v0jRkzwa4OTFzNuPcXQ_pQBkjk0Ph-AcTwoJ9ad4jDAiEIKeDR8iqxaR92QD/s400/today+073.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480664833857383522" /></a><br /><br />Even more shot's of my garden peonies...<br />In their natural state...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9DJ8RJz02mkV6wp_4jOASq9JmecegPt_bJsXSh_g1WYse_VS27bDtIW7jLrV2hjjIxwxjyO2NhdhyphenhyphenpqJuIpaaV9NBa36HjaLBnXV2jn9_8LzAdejOJNymc32849icV7J5v55MDeKuWbK/s1600/today+078.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9DJ8RJz02mkV6wp_4jOASq9JmecegPt_bJsXSh_g1WYse_VS27bDtIW7jLrV2hjjIxwxjyO2NhdhyphenhyphenpqJuIpaaV9NBa36HjaLBnXV2jn9_8LzAdejOJNymc32849icV7J5v55MDeKuWbK/s400/today+078.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480662571345394722" /></a><br /><br />As I said, my two greatest loves are thrifting and gardening, well, last summer I started a garden in the boulevard - I used a discarded wicker rocking chair as part of the vignette. <br />The seat had long ago fallen out, so in went a rose standard. <br />I was pretty pleased with my idea and was even more excited when I noticed people stopping to admire it and snap photos. <br />I know it's horrid for <span style="font-style:italic;">me<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> to say but...well, it <span style="font-style:italic;">was</span> gorgeous.<br /><br />Imagine my disappointment when a few months later, someone dug up my rose and walked off with it! <br />A few weeks after that, they stole the chair.<br /><br />I gave myself some time to mourn.<br /><br />A new wicker candidate has been found.<br /><br />It's a vintage child's rocker that was originally intended for Mia...till one of the staff used it as a step ladder. <br /><br />Sadly it is no longer a suitable rocking chair, but what a great planter! <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7zbUdyZBNZV1Ad5FxfVH0kXe2AD_oEZzKyja_grDhJ3U5OuYv6EMx_imaTcWrI4wYL3mfMu5ELfv1ANyu_azc5sEd3IEDJQX2OEjD0NqUDvFyUwnQUNtv_LlGU5rpQky25rRlH-VwqxM/s1600/today+075.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7zbUdyZBNZV1Ad5FxfVH0kXe2AD_oEZzKyja_grDhJ3U5OuYv6EMx_imaTcWrI4wYL3mfMu5ELfv1ANyu_azc5sEd3IEDJQX2OEjD0NqUDvFyUwnQUNtv_LlGU5rpQky25rRlH-VwqxM/s320/today+075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480657208997997778" /></a>Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-37448967802915325672010-06-05T21:03:00.000-07:002010-06-09T01:09:02.005-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLXH1XNAHT3b-s3EXBx12hZL_r5dMd_lWJs88v_xnNe3LXsczEi_mBpZIYvOn-Qt7Qg7UyNozLDOoNSiJVsv8YLgz7jG8IiZm-4jI9xZmA6DAwSlosmVUMZT0k3Qy50ljoy9OX8i6YxIm/s1600/crazygirlfriendfreakinout+246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLXH1XNAHT3b-s3EXBx12hZL_r5dMd_lWJs88v_xnNe3LXsczEi_mBpZIYvOn-Qt7Qg7UyNozLDOoNSiJVsv8YLgz7jG8IiZm-4jI9xZmA6DAwSlosmVUMZT0k3Qy50ljoy9OX8i6YxIm/s320/crazygirlfriendfreakinout+246.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479520971933477330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxNm5Wfl30NVbVlGbh1S3-uUp79CKlH-4VsG6kxIPOBuXJ9MX7wM1CDSFDSRLQ5sqvXD3wZOLAWv1gbw_8M9ER0lmrHDuav5yWWrT-I2YgXBjsXvI-Tm_D21SvH95rkWPCDSX5M8rvFPZ/s1600/crazygirlfriendfreakinout+243.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxNm5Wfl30NVbVlGbh1S3-uUp79CKlH-4VsG6kxIPOBuXJ9MX7wM1CDSFDSRLQ5sqvXD3wZOLAWv1gbw_8M9ER0lmrHDuav5yWWrT-I2YgXBjsXvI-Tm_D21SvH95rkWPCDSX5M8rvFPZ/s320/crazygirlfriendfreakinout+243.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479509917585105122" /></a><br /><br />Dragged Dutch Husband and baby Amalia Rose, on my buying trip to sunny California. As fun as it was to have my loves with me - I don't think I'll be doing THAT again any time soon. <br />It's hard enough trying to dig up the pretty for the shops on my own - dragging an almost two year old behind me made it a bit harder. Dragging Dutch Husband made it almost impossible.<br /><br />I drank allot of wine this trip.<br /><br />This is Amalia Rose posing by the amazing Echevaria planters in the hallways of our hotel. I love Semprevivums - try to have planters of them each summer on the patio but can't compare to the size these monsters get to in the California sun. Fantastic.<br /><br />Have decided on nickname for Amalia Rose....insert drum roll here....Mia. <br />Mia!<br />Love it. <br />Pretty yet strong. <br />Sweet yet...mischievous. <br /><br />Had I realized what a work out saying "Amalia Rose" would be, I would have come up with something else.<br /> <br />I think I can be forgiven tho, I was, after all, under duress.<br />I had just had an emergency C-section (not pretty) and had finally woken up from anesthesia (SO not pretty) and then <span style="font-style:italic;">was wheeled into my room to meet my baby</span>. <br />I was not myself.<br /><br />It's taken quite some time to come up with a nickname - I refuse to have her go through life with a shortened name that I have no control over. <br />'Leah' is not an option - worked with a Leah and she was a complete and utter snot. <br />'Molly' also out of the question - too reminiscent of Pretty in Pink/the 80's/my dreaded high school years/ugh, ugh, ugh. <br />Tried, in vain, to get everyone to call her "Lola" - yeah, I know it's a reach, but I LOVE that name. <br />Anyway, I'm apparently crap at nicknames as I couldn't come up with anything good. <br />Thank you to my lovely and brilliant friend Susie who blithely tossed the name Mia my way and I have been in love with it ever since.<br /><br />My sweet child just may survive the school years unscathed.<br />Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-9871882568879883172010-01-28T22:13:00.001-08:002010-01-28T23:44:58.295-08:00glamorous life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Njzh_f1nxqbOKRK60TJKo8PvAL3t3iFtGv_oBpjYoq-7ghaIwL-VphKrZEXnBCStgrhM1Qh0mQ-8lyIOByF7PEQqqNfsIOWslENI-NHC7YZqraAa4Hh-rkJiXJxvwAlwnimcyZPGcB7V/s1600-h/dec+and+jan+052.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Njzh_f1nxqbOKRK60TJKo8PvAL3t3iFtGv_oBpjYoq-7ghaIwL-VphKrZEXnBCStgrhM1Qh0mQ-8lyIOByF7PEQqqNfsIOWslENI-NHC7YZqraAa4Hh-rkJiXJxvwAlwnimcyZPGcB7V/s320/dec+and+jan+052.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432047944424675586" /></a><br /><br />This, dear readers, is a photo of my feet resting in the bottom drawer of the dresser next to the bed in the smallest hotel room I have ever been in.<br />This, is my glamorous life.<br />This is what it takes to bring the fashion to Barefoot Contessa.<br /><br />It's funny cuz I know people don't realize what <span style="font-style:italic;">really</span> goes into a buying trip.<br />It's not all cocktails and pretty dresses.<br /><br />I don't like to spend allot (clearly) on the hotels I stay in as it means less money in my budget for stock (and I'm cheap) but even I know that this room is ridiculous.<br />I posted on Facebook how "my room is so small...I can sit on the end of the bed, reach over and flush the toilet with my feet in the shower"<br />Okay...so I exaggerated. <br />A little.<br />Cue next photo...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12kfDWJcfnlM1l8gYNTA78wnadXVFL-wWsh__Hie1xCZl6kGE9NWx79rqfz2FnNIdNuXJndakzal92kEtjzRRTb6VZwR94RnxKrFbPgV1i8Lotez9HjldjjCVQOU0v26dL2KqcxJn0thp/s1600-h/dec+and+jan+054.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12kfDWJcfnlM1l8gYNTA78wnadXVFL-wWsh__Hie1xCZl6kGE9NWx79rqfz2FnNIdNuXJndakzal92kEtjzRRTb6VZwR94RnxKrFbPgV1i8Lotez9HjldjjCVQOU0v26dL2KqcxJn0thp/s320/dec+and+jan+054.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432045832882598194" /></a><br /> <br /><br />These are my feet in the shower, and you can clearly see the edge of said bed.<br /><br />This is what you get for $69 a night (breakfast included!) and as I'm very close to my destination, I can simply walk there each day saving a ton on taxi's.<br />All part and parcel of my buying trips. <br /><br />I was in Seattle earlier in the week and stayed at the lovely Mayflower Hotel (I do splash out occasionally) So I did have a much more glamorous buying trip whilst there for the Gift Show. <br />In San Francisco I stay in this ridiculously small hotel (or so I thought) on Powell street, right downtown. Close to all the great restaurants and fabulous stores and within easy walking distance to the Convention Center for the gift show that I usually attend.<br />My absolute favorite thing about it? <br />The little Mexican lady who sells fresh gardenia blossoms to pin to my dress! <br />Makes me so crazy happy and I would never have discovered her had I stayed at a posh place.<br /><br />I have one more day of shopping ahead of me so I'd best head off to bed...I'll just pull my feet up outta this drawer and lay down.<br /><br />Can't wait to show you all what I've found for Spring! <br />I'll take some shots tomorrow and give you all a sneak peak!Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-32781703333995876652010-01-01T21:39:00.000-08:002010-01-01T22:00:45.848-08:00Happy New Year!<br />The Holidays have just been a blur of activity and this year I feel they have passed all too quickly. I am currently in Nashville, TN visiting my cousin Maria - she is our family historian, having dedicated years to researching our genealogy. It's always such a pleasure to be here, to enjoy the hospitality and learn more about our history and share stories.<br /><br />I hope this Holiday has found you all in the company of loved ones and enjoying the comfort that brings. I love this time of year - so magical, when the entire world seems to slow down, just a little.<br /><br />Wishing you all good health, happiness and a year filled with possibilities.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-29248061174449509002009-12-16T09:00:00.000-08:002009-12-16T09:22:56.062-08:00birthday greetingsI am old today.<br />I don't even want to discuss the number as I am having a hard time believing it myself.<br /><br />I don't feel old.<br />Not really.<br />I do have the odd soreness in my back it's true, but I like to think it's directly linked to lugging a seventeen month old baby on my hip all day.<br />I don't think I look old - the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">esthetician</span> I visited for my surprise birthday facial yesterday said I had great skin and that she never would have guessed I was...<br />So I've got <em>that</em> going for me.<br /><br />But, I am indeed, old.<br />Today.<br /><br />Funny thing is I don't feel this number.<br />I'm not sure what this number is supposed to feel like - but I think I can guarantee it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ain't </span>this.<br /><br />Baby alarm woke me at the usual 7:30am this morning and my day began. We padded <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">thru</span> her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Oma</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Opa's</span> log house to the kitchen to fix up her favorite toddler breakfast and then some quiet time cuddling on the couch looking at the amazing view of the snowy wilderness around us. I got my camera out to take photos of the sun rising over the tree tops and reminded myself, again, to sign up for some classes to learn how to use this thing.<br />I think I did okay.<br />Then outside in her first snow suit to look at her first snow for the first time.<br /><br />I am older today but I don't feel older - I just feel happy.<br />And blessed.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-90705691585658329212009-12-06T22:04:00.000-08:002009-12-06T22:32:42.969-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TLA64PoC3BkKVRTpTH7GiZ0G5DLAhrfSD5vl_bHxsKAr3hxDVEIySy_w6H0LhOwctX80lX8aUYo3mtTDLO_zvGKxOrpOtmEozFchrZf3sX2QnH7DUyUCrO8A2dueBbv7JOox5Zy3x8yB/s1600-h/OctNov2009+103.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TLA64PoC3BkKVRTpTH7GiZ0G5DLAhrfSD5vl_bHxsKAr3hxDVEIySy_w6H0LhOwctX80lX8aUYo3mtTDLO_zvGKxOrpOtmEozFchrZf3sX2QnH7DUyUCrO8A2dueBbv7JOox5Zy3x8yB/s400/OctNov2009+103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412372742838598066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Took this photo a couple of weeks ago - It tickled me to see this palm tree growing out of the storm drain on a side street in East L.A.<br />How does something like this go...unnoticed?<br />Shouldn't someone take action?<br />Is this not a structural danger?<br />I mean, uh...HELLO.... There's a PALM TREE growing out of a STORM DRAIN people!<br />That can't be good, can it?<br />These things keep growing don't they? and they get pretty big too.<br /><br />Once I got over the shock of it, the surreal feeling of seeing this, it made me incredibly happy.<br /><br />How fantastic!<br />This palm growing in the most unlikely place, in the most inhospitable conditions.<br /><br />If this does not teach me to persevere in the face of adversity....well, then, nothing will.<br /><br />Perhaps I'll make it my mascot.<br /><br />I'm heading back this week for a quick buying trip and I'm planning on checking in on this fella.<br /><br />It's a bit of a challenge to think 'winter' and 'Christmas' when I'm in that sunny clime - I find myself dreamily handling the gauze and printed cotton sundresses. Buying for the shops becomes an exercise in restraint some days...Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-63583256196106800502009-09-29T19:13:00.000-07:002010-01-28T23:56:33.294-08:00I am not letting the reality of Christmas fast approaching get me down.<br />I have a million projects for the shops half finished - they won't sell very well half finished. I must make/find the time to complete these things.<br />I know that I am not alone.<br />I just feel that way.<br /><br />It's been a crazy time lately - a quick little buying trip to L.A (it was fantastic - I brought back so much great stuff) the subsequent day spent at Customs dealing with the shipment from my buying trip, and then all the paperwork that has been gathering dust on my desk all month. Not to mention the everyday drama's of being a mom, entrepreneur and uhm...woman.<br /><br />Busy month indeed.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-32300929992073366752009-07-11T03:26:00.000-07:002009-07-11T04:16:26.594-07:00As some of you are discovering, I am a great horder of things. <span style="font-style: italic;">My Dutch Husband would probably take exception to the 'great</span><span style="font-style: italic;">' part of that st</span><span style="font-style: italic;">atement but that's a</span><span style="font-style: italic;">nother story...</span><br />In all the purging and organizing and general simplifying of life that is going on around here lately, I stumbled over a box of broken china - before a collective gasp ensues, it was a horded box of broken china. It was already broken when the hording began.<br />I have been keeping, and adding to, this box of 'junk' over the years - if you have to ask why then you might wanna skip this post.<br /><br />I have big plans for this box.<br />Back when I first opened the store I did an enormous mosaic in the front windows. I also sold a few pieces of furniture that I had worked my broken china magic on.<br />If you've ever done this kind of work then you will know how time consuming and challenging it can be. Needless to say I burnt out and haven't touched a pair of tile nippers in awhile.<br />This box of broken yummyness has been waiting for two 'big plan' ideas.<br /><br />One - a series of stepping stones for my garden, featuring different rose plates broken and then "repaired" as the central motif. These would then be found winding in and out of what is turning out to be a rather wild cottage garden. I have 30 stepping stones.<br /><br />Two - my masterpiece - the front facings of the cement stairs to my house. Again with the rose plates (did I mention I have a 'thing' for pretty rose plates?) re-assembled in their shattered glory and having the added practicality of the house number nipped out in black tile on the very last top step.<br />My husband is appalled.<br />The big plans have been on hold for awhile.<br /><br />Cut to the other morning when baby and I went for a rainy morning stroll and I discovered this walkway in my neighborhood! It is a mix of tile, pebbles and what I can only guess to be painstaking pottery pieces especially made for this project. Incredible.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2ncTDIExtPlx2LjTOTyXZxHVhErJ_9zURF6-rdb9GEadN57qP8mOWeN0mJi4a-Fjml6BIsGDuhXSedw-nhEBWkN2yV1VL23P0skkviWAqoF9xsom1VyEEWD3eE5hE6-NaS0kas8MCpmq/s1600-h/july+10+2009+007.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2ncTDIExtPlx2LjTOTyXZxHVhErJ_9zURF6-rdb9GEadN57qP8mOWeN0mJi4a-Fjml6BIsGDuhXSedw-nhEBWkN2yV1VL23P0skkviWAqoF9xsom1VyEEWD3eE5hE6-NaS0kas8MCpmq/s200/july+10+2009+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357157073364617298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I stood there agog.<br />It was the entire walkway. I don't even remember if they continued up the stairs - I was in such shock by it's brilliance I don't remember looking up. I will have to return to see what they did to the stairs and report back.<br />It is incredible.<br />It made me happy.<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik880ICOur6U88La0tpoSWNALPhyIF8OMTKVucduBWZYBXi9rBdPCTIL2SCe_mOyfSI-OyDDOMyGMQnnWuFxlACSQHP-oAYD4FKhSJSQsEHn7-igPolM4bOR_TPVq8loMmY62NZ18PQDwO/s1600-h/july+10+2009+006.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik880ICOur6U88La0tpoSWNALPhyIF8OMTKVucduBWZYBXi9rBdPCTIL2SCe_mOyfSI-OyDDOMyGMQnnWuFxlACSQHP-oAYD4FKhSJSQsEHn7-igPolM4bOR_TPVq8loMmY62NZ18PQDwO/s200/july+10+2009+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357156944220091282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB2dVKaOJvKme7vwamylU9_eW4sByvSIJqYf-Qq5hdwb5eIZQx6mOdsINS0RCbN2bTA1RlDcKPLT_UUMkUQ75vLU4Ky_vfP_tBYMNq3_CBdXEryyfMl-NRwfsPkEJpbc_ggt5i7TTZs2J/s1600-h/july+10+2009+008.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB2dVKaOJvKme7vwamylU9_eW4sByvSIJqYf-Qq5hdwb5eIZQx6mOdsINS0RCbN2bTA1RlDcKPLT_UUMkUQ75vLU4Ky_vfP_tBYMNq3_CBdXEryyfMl-NRwfsPkEJpbc_ggt5i7TTZs2J/s200/july+10+2009+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357157183123935298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkK22JTOpRxfedzHZNp7eoJqIOlUvFXMbUSZZyDMnx_qYpqL0iXgOwOTtyx6_3bNm7TSTJ2W8Bp8LlM_XfYCe3hSdvmLJR3oTmi1NW_TxLdtSWfyhAwUrgTGK-MHniJp6KEMY-wqy68B0/s1600-h/july+10+2009+010.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkK22JTOpRxfedzHZNp7eoJqIOlUvFXMbUSZZyDMnx_qYpqL0iXgOwOTtyx6_3bNm7TSTJ2W8Bp8LlM_XfYCe3hSdvmLJR3oTmi1NW_TxLdtSWfyhAwUrgTGK-MHniJp6KEMY-wqy68B0/s200/july+10+2009+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357157424414751810" border="0" /></a>Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-76509622900687584812009-07-06T16:57:00.000-07:002009-07-06T17:48:07.681-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ96bRFhrwLcaASR-X-VNGZHwgrj2ww1427k0L5cUUnpQVq0UvDZBe1YBdDlUdp_5uhqg3XSkDuZ89Mmgtx7uyqQaXmKDJl4gFIwekLkhs2W_SnTnysCUvrccYmFmgCr-2kteONJYGvX2/s1600-h/july+6+2009+220.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ96bRFhrwLcaASR-X-VNGZHwgrj2ww1427k0L5cUUnpQVq0UvDZBe1YBdDlUdp_5uhqg3XSkDuZ89Mmgtx7uyqQaXmKDJl4gFIwekLkhs2W_SnTnysCUvrccYmFmgCr-2kteONJYGvX2/s200/july+6+2009+220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355513539221812722" border="0" /></a><br />There is a bright spot in the midst of my dreary studio organizing ....a book signing!<br /><br />This Thursday, at the Main street location of Barefoot Contessa, we will be hosting a book signing for the fantastic "Handmade Nation" author Faythe Levine.<br />She is in town promoting the showing of her indie documentary (based on the book) and I'm pretty excited about meeting her and having her in the shop available to sign books and greet her fans.<br />It's a whirlwind visit for Faythe but she will be available from 3-4:30 this Thursday.<br /><br />Cupcakes and pink lemonade are in order.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I am completely crazy to attempt to bake cupcakes with my now crawling toddler trying to help at every turn, but I feel the occasion warrants a cupcake or two. </span>..<br /><br />Please, do come out and say hello to Faythe and support this great documentary - tickets are still available and you can check out Handmade Nation at her blog - www.indiecraftdocumentary.blogspot.com<br /><br />We will have books available for purchase at the signing if you don't already own a copy (and really, you should, it's a great source of inspiration)<br /><br />This is gonna be fun!Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-76701528469252022562009-06-25T20:18:00.000-07:002009-06-25T20:30:10.832-07:00never again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SeqLMbYh_bSOH6-_KwG5c-3EKY5anxhjO2QvIvgFep_IfP8PJM-5bHY7zKL-am_4H41bxM3_kk-TZP_4cpLOjLtAsCM3XUxjyLhpdjQETRpJ6vkL9IC8NRcAXqBRcsKut4atYf20kC5J/s1600-h/june+23+2009+003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SeqLMbYh_bSOH6-_KwG5c-3EKY5anxhjO2QvIvgFep_IfP8PJM-5bHY7zKL-am_4H41bxM3_kk-TZP_4cpLOjLtAsCM3XUxjyLhpdjQETRpJ6vkL9IC8NRcAXqBRcsKut4atYf20kC5J/s200/june+23+2009+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351473282740359618" border="0" /></a><br />Never again will I hoard vintage treasures!<br />I swear it.<br />I have spent all day, ALL DAY, in the old studio that I am quickly vacating, going thru boxes and boxes of stuff. Awesome stuff, but nonetheless, argh!<br />Why do I do this to myself? I have 5 days left to the end of the month and I hardly made a dent! Two full trailer loads and still I am wading thru vintage hats, teacups, gorgeous old linens.....double argh!<br /><br />What is worse, I keep finding crafting stuff - don't get me wrong, crafting stuff is fantastic but this much of it? I don't realize that I already have loads of felt and buy more, or saucers to turn into little mirrors, or linens to be reborn as pillows....the list goes on and on.<br /><br />I will take photos to show you my madness. Then it will be out there and official and I will be shamed into being a good girl. Walking the straight and narrow...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Of course, all this drama didn't stop me from hitting a thrift store this morning and finding an old fisherman's creel! woo hoo!<br />I've been wanting one of these for ages! </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Gonna hang it on the front door and put flowers in it. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">It's gonna be awesome!)</span><br /><br />Now, what was I saying?Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-31427922832797237382009-06-24T15:43:00.000-07:002009-06-24T15:55:25.732-07:00a work in progress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamTteqnxO_ruAN_UUnNHlhBqvy2GHm0bh7UobsRSvI0wWWd30J4ULWrnlQnPKFGpLHs5k-G1LMP-fukZMjMP7LI4_9oO2Xf1O44Z-yqCa4Tfg7ZfpLlZKdRz4rsEsCS2BhZbMTJJlJBsY/s1600-h/may2009(2)+261.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamTteqnxO_ruAN_UUnNHlhBqvy2GHm0bh7UobsRSvI0wWWd30J4ULWrnlQnPKFGpLHs5k-G1LMP-fukZMjMP7LI4_9oO2Xf1O44Z-yqCa4Tfg7ZfpLlZKdRz4rsEsCS2BhZbMTJJlJBsY/s320/may2009(2)+261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351029283316023506" border="0" /></a><br />That's what my house is, a work in progress.<br />Unfortunately, with a small baby, not much progress.<br />It seems to take me forever to get anything done - I think that is the single hardest thing to accept with my new role as mommy. The sheer number of hours to make a dent in any given project.<br />Gone are the days where I could apply myself to a task for hours at a time, uninterrupted, till it was done.<br /><br />I would not change my state for anything - I adore my baby and this adventure I am on - I just wish I could wave a magic wand and have dishes wash themselves, laundry fold and dinner prepare itself!<br />Notice how I would not use the magic on my many craft projects....I want to do those myself!<br />Magic is for getting the mundane out of the way - not the creative.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Doing</span> the creative has it's own magic....Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-85054915820413746332009-06-24T10:47:00.000-07:002009-06-24T11:25:48.999-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYszluQVmLo4nvh5hKyx6c7NGwYEVT2oMSwaF6qSLtgq-mBf3ehHexlCPDY1BI1_5EhdVGxB-GyMevSNhEUEMXdbM7YMek5MLDlmXWDHsssXf9k6jJgPs5WyDyO5MoD8UKpg_GMH1_1xyP/s1600-h/june+23+2009+027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYszluQVmLo4nvh5hKyx6c7NGwYEVT2oMSwaF6qSLtgq-mBf3ehHexlCPDY1BI1_5EhdVGxB-GyMevSNhEUEMXdbM7YMek5MLDlmXWDHsssXf9k6jJgPs5WyDyO5MoD8UKpg_GMH1_1xyP/s320/june+23+2009+027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350954855881856642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Unable to throw anything out.</span><br />That's what Gordon, my Dutch husband, says is my biggest problem.<br />I protest, but secretly, I agree.<br />I just can't help myself - I find uses for things, I see beauty in the ugly and worn.<br />Funnily enough he's almost as bad as I am - this past weekend we finally managed to get the boulevard garden started.<br />I may have contributed the shabby wicker chair/now spiffy planter to the project, but HE dragged home the slabs of concrete he'd found to use as our stepping stones.<br />Me: shabby chair<br />Him: hunks of concrete destined for the landfill<br />Uhm.....isn't that the pot calling the kettle.....<br /><br />I am really pleased with my little garden so far.<br />It needs some ground cover around the 'steps' and the jasmine vine to grow over the chair to be spectacular, but we'll get there.<br />We moved some unhappy lavender plants and pansies to this new spot and it looks like they have cheered up immensely. A small lilac cutting from a neighbour will also be added shortly - my hope is to have a lush little tableaux to look out on (instead of street traffic) when we are dining on the front porch.<br /><br />Our neighbours one street over have the most amazing boulevard - in front of almost every home is a wonderful garden. It's so lovely to walk down the sidewalk surrounded by lush greenery and the jumbled scent of blossoms.<br />There are only a few of us on this street with plants out on our boulevard - but it's a start!Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3507840056667608435.post-5356182760147426912009-06-23T15:49:00.000-07:002009-06-23T16:28:10.664-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd_MpMu_sXAnVR-yhI_LbiAgptYLKDKoJlgOt4vvPATjs567osrRtoSqRM1sK_UUBiK4m-otyI7Hsj4rvBYp0CP9EdCOkI5mzxKLs8Yk4uyyTuqBQne_sPScDwE3T9_sh8BgBHCeONMUP/s1600-h/june+23+2009+023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd_MpMu_sXAnVR-yhI_LbiAgptYLKDKoJlgOt4vvPATjs567osrRtoSqRM1sK_UUBiK4m-otyI7Hsj4rvBYp0CP9EdCOkI5mzxKLs8Yk4uyyTuqBQne_sPScDwE3T9_sh8BgBHCeONMUP/s320/june+23+2009+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350668776152468802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I have been busy digging into boxes and boxes of my horded treasures.<br />(I have the excuse of hording items because I like to say that they are to sell in the shops, but I find that I don't seem to ever let them get to the shops)<br />Till now.<br /><br />As a result, I have been doing allot of polishing of silver.<br />So much so, I find I am beginning to dislike polishing all this silver.<br />This is outrageous comment for me as I adore polishing silver.<br />I like to have it gleaming and on display around my house.<br />I am humbled by the sheer volume of stuff that I have accumulated.<br /><br />I am trying very hard to let go of these pretty things and fill the shops with these treasures.<br /><br />The only way I am allowing myself to keep anything is if I can use it. Right now. Preferably in some unexpected way. I must either replace and 'upgrade' what is existant or find a way to use the new piece immediately. I end up having to 'think outside the box' and now my makeup is safely hidden from view in a silverplated entree dish. Q-tips artfully arranged in a pretty gravy boat and my cottonballs in a lidded sugar pot. It makes for an awesome bathroom!<br />I've also hit upon the idea of using the "missing it's twin" sugar or creamers as little vases. To make this work I have to superglue a florist frog into the bottom of them.<br />So far, so good.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13474906616532546094noreply@blogger.com1