Vintage Flair

Joli Paquet (Pretty Packet) Kit #2

Here is another kit that I will be offering for Joli Paquet.  It is a rose scented candle adorned with seam binding and a tiny vintage ornament.  The candle says Bonne Annee (Happy New Year in French).  It will be available on November 9th along with the Santa kit. 

Joli Paquet

A couple of days ago I received an email from Cerri at Little Pink Studio with some fun news.  She asked me to make a few kits for the girls that are not going to Silver Bella. I thought that was a great idea and I told her I would participate.  The girls involved are Holly, Heather, Joleen, Cheryl and Heather.  After much deliberation, I decided to make a vintage inspired Santa (single) banner.  Here is a sneak peak of my Santa kit. 

This and all of the other Joli Paquet kits will be available starting November 9th, so mark your calendars!

Perspective

We all get caught up in our own world and sometimes we all need to stop and smell the roses.  On Sunday night I found out that a co-worker died of a heart attack at 45.  He was an executive in our company and he influenced every single person at my work.  They are expecting 700 people at the funeral tomorrow because not only did he influence people at work, he was a leader in the community.  I am really bad at getting caught up in my life and I need to slow down and relax a little and enjoy life a bit more because you don't know when it will be your last day.  I hate to talk like that but when someone young dies and leaves their family (a wife & three teenage boys), it makes you take a look at yours.  I tell my husband and children how much I love them every day but I need to get less annoyed at the little things.  I am going to try and work on that starting now. 

Do you now want to hear a funny story?  Oh boy...its a good one.  I volunteered my time to pick up family members at the airport for the funeral.  Little did I know I would be driving this HUGE conversion van and I would be picking up the mother-in-law.  Anyway, I picked up the family and proceeded to drive them to the family home.  Right before I got to their subdivision I asked the brother-in-law to read the directions to me (I didn't want to read the directions and drive at the same time).  The brother-in-law said just turn here and it will be on the left.  He said here it is so I drove the van up the driveway and unpacked the van.  Everyone was anxious to see their loved ones and we were all standing at the front door ringing the doorbell.  Nobody answered and we were trying to figure out what the deal was. Well....were at the WRONG house.  OMG.  I wanted to crawl under the van.  Everyone laughed and it actually turned out out be a nice diversion to the sadness.  Can you believe that!  Now everyone knows at work.  Leave it to me....Oh my!

My little ones craft projects

I did a little crafting with my little ones yesterday and we made this adorable little Piggy bank.  Cute uh? My husband it trying to teach them the value of money (since their Momma is a bit of a spender, he is teaching them early).  It is already missing a leg. Oh well!  We had fun making it.

Here is my daughter, Lily-Grace showing all of you the outcome of her hard work.  She is a bit proud...can you tell?  She wanted me to take her picture and she found the spot she wanted it taken too.  She is so funny, she is a girl with a vision.

We also made tissue paper flowers.  We only had time for one but we are going to make a big bouquet of them.  Sorry this is so short, off to put away laundry and then we have a Halloween party to go to.  Have a great Sunday.

It seems like yesterday

Today is our 10 year anniversary and it seems like it was just yesterday. This is one of my favorite photos from our wedding.  We have a tradition on our anniversary to watch our video from our wedding with our children.  Our children love to watch it and they still don't understand why they weren't there.  Funny uh?  My husband and I had 10 wonderful years together and I am looking forward to many many more. 

Look at this

I have known about this for months and I didn't say anything until I saw for my own eyes. My daughter's altered jean jacket is in the November issue of Altered Couture.  WOW!

I am very proud of my contribution to the magazine and go check it out, it is a good issue!

Shhh don't tell my daughter

Every year for Christmas I give my two little girls something special just from their Momma.  My girls call it their own special pretties.  This is going to go to my oldest daughter, Olivia for Christmas.  I opened the coat closet and there it was looking at me and I HAD to take it out and show all of you.  So, shhh don't tell her ok? 

 

I love imprefect things

Just look at her....the poor girls skirt is ripped in a few spots on the left and her skirt is all discolored.  Also, when I bought her she smelt like cigarettes. YUCK!  After a ton of Fabreeze and a little vintage millinery embellishment, she looks like a million dollars.  I decided to leave her skirt the way it is because even though she is tattered a bit, I think she looks lovely with those lush ruffles.

Vintage brides book from 1929

My youngest daughter was caring this around in her backpack with all of her junk.  She is a bit of a bag lady...I need to keep my eye on her.  I quickly told her that this was one of Mommas pretties and it was not to be played with.  I am not sure she understood.  My wonderful friend Dawn gave me this vintage brides book from 1929 when my husband and I became engaged.  I almost forgot how lovely all of the illustrations are.  I thought you all would appreciate it as much as I do.

 

 

Get ready....Its official!

Girls....it is official, it is finally boot season!  Did you just hear me scream?  I am so excited.  Let me just say I LOVE to wear boots and fall clothing. I just feel so much more put together in fall clothing.  You know what I mean?  Living in Michigan all of my life, you wear fall clothing the majority of the year.  I now live in Arkansas and it is much warmer and it is a tragedy that I am not able to wear my boots longer.  The other day the high was 69 degrees and I couldn't wait to get dressed for work.  How sad is that?  Do you wanna see my new boots that I wore the other day? 

The boots are from Vera Wang at Kohls.  Look what else I bought from her collection. 

I told my boss (who is a very unfashionable guys guy) that is was a wonderful day and I showed him by new boots and dress (I had on the one in the middle) and he just looked at me like I was insane.  I work with all men and all they talk about is sports (hate it) and I told him this one time he could talk about fashion...just for me.  Well that conversation lasted for about a minute. 

I am off to watch a movie and eat molten lava cakes I made. Yum...