Coming Home

I finally found a sweet little outfit that I thought was pretty and appropriate for Evelyn to wear home from the hospital. I mentioned in a previous post that it was important to me to pick out something special to bring her home in. I did the same thing for Mara Kate (although since we didn't know if she was a boy or a girl I also had a little boy outfit bought too--which I returned in the weeks following her birth).

Anyway, I'm very happy with what I found and the fact that is was on clearance! I really wanted her to be dressed in something feminine, but I didn't want it to be too dressy or too casual either. I also wanted it to be something that she would be comfortable in so nothing overly stiff or froo-froo!

Here's what I've settled on...

The entire ensemble

Tiny lavender & white seer sucker dress. Could it get any more precious?

Matching ruffled diaper cover and sweet little booties. I got the booties for $1 at a consignment store and I just switched out the existing slightly faded pink ribbon for new fresh lavender ribbon so they would coordinate.

OK, so the only question is....should I have a little "E" embroidered on this front pocket, or even her monogram EBN? I love personalized things (as if you couldn't tell that from all the other things I've posted already) and I want this to be a special outfit we'll save as a keepsake but I don't want to go overboard.

Opinions please!

Aunts are Awesome

Aunts are awesome in general, but my Aunt Jane has a really nice embroidery machine and she used it to make some really cute and fun things for Evelyn!

Remember these burp cloths? I ended up mailing 4 of them to her to embellish a little bit. I think they turned out super cute! I had also asked her to make some matching Big Sister/Little Sister shirts for Mara Kate and Evelyn. She sent the finished products to Birmingham with my mom this past weekend and I was able to pick them up while I was there. I am so excited to have everything back in my hands and can't wait to see Evelyn wear and use these special items.

Embroidered burp cloths
(I think my favorite it the lime green monogram, just because
it's the first time I've seen all her initials monogrammed together)

Evelyn (E) Onesie and Evelyn travel wipe holder

Can't wait to have a sweet photo shoot with both my girls in these cute, girly shirts

My Aunt Jane also makes amazing smocked dresses (she is who taught me how to smock) and I didn't know she was making one for Evelyn, but when I opened the package this was also tucked inside! Isn't it gorgeous?

I just adore the dainty, feminine pearl beads on the front.

She also threw in one more Big Sister shirt for Mara Kate. I know Mara Kate is going to be such a proud Big Sister, I know we'll get lots of use out of this one too!


Thanks for everything you did, Aunt Jane! You are the BEST!

Fall-izing and America's Next Top Model

We've been Fall-izing at our house. I think as I've gotten older the season of Fall/Autumn has become more and more a favorite time of year for me. Maybe it's living in the South where humidity rules and reigns for the majority of the year, so by the time Fall gets here I am extremely ready for some cooler, crisper air. I also think it has to do with the fact that also living in the South, I don't have to worry that much about the coming winter weather as I am not a big fan of extreme cold temperatures, ice, snow, etc. So, living in a place where the winters are fairly mild, I think I can simply enjoy Fall without it bringing with it the dread of the coming winter months.

Although the temps haven't dropped much at all yet and it's still warm enough to wear shorts, t-shirts and flip flops most days, I am still decorating for Fall and getting out my pumpkins, acorns and warm oranges, browns and reds in anticipation for the crisper days that are (hopefully) just around the corner.

Also, I need to show you the Next (High) Top Model. If you've read this blog for any length of time at all you will remember seeing these cute red high tops very recently. Well, once they were on her cute little feet one time, she has been requesting to wear them a lot...so, I indulged her again and pulled out a little red (long sleeved, fall-ish type weather) shirt and jeans for her to wear with her little red high tops. She wanted me to take her picture again, just the way I did the first time she wore them.

Here she is, America's Next (high) Top Model, with quite the pose.



Fall at our House:

A cute little pumpkin.
I bought it at Kohl's in the early Summer off their clearance rack and have had it tucked away waiting for time to bring it out.

Some simple arrangements I put together in place of some Spring ones I had there previously.

Love this little piece---it's a new addition to my decorations this Fall.
A good reminder of what we need to be doing during the season of Thanksgiving,
but also year round!

And, last night I attended a Ladies Craft Night with some ladies from the church we've been visiting recently. I had a lovely time and am thankful for some time spent with some sweet, fun ladies here in Rome.

The "sweet" I made to take along...

Almond Bars

Mmmm.



And here is the craft I worked on while socializing...

of course---something for Fall. :)

I'm very happy with the way it turned out and how the colors all blended together.

I'm also excited to have a real front door to hang it on. In Atlanta I never invested in any kind of door decor as in our apartment complex, I wouldn't have been surprised if it had been stolen right off our door. Just wasn't worth it to me.

I had so much fun shopping at Michael's, picking out little sprigs here and there that I thought would go well together. After ringing it all up (most of which was on 50% off) I realized that I had only spent $15 ($5 under budget for what I had set for myself) and that included the grapevine wreath too.
I was very happy and pleased with myself after looking at the pre-made wreaths you could purchase of similar size and style in the store which were being sold for $99.50. Of course I was proud to let Kane know that by spending $15, I was able to save us close to $85 in the long run. He was highly impressed. :)

A Few Fun Finds

Below are a few pictures of some of my favorite consignment sale finds. I bought more than is pictured but mostly just casual play clothes---little tees, jean and khaki shorts, etc. The basic essentials. I only took pictures of the things I thought were extra cute or just a really great deal!

My "splurge" item. Smocked Dress, $8.50.

So, so pretty!

Sweet light yellow dress. I think this was $3.00
I also got a little white sweater for $2 that would look so sweet over this.
(FYI--The slightly darker spot near the top center is not a grease stain---
just some water from the iron).

Love this one--love the sweet feminine collar!
The colors are so vibrant and just scream SPRING! Looks brand new.

Cute Gap Dress w/ bloomers. $4.

Fun tops for the HOT Summers in Atlanta!

Sun Dresses, $2.50 each.
The pink one came with bloomers that match the belt!

Although I am always thrilled with the clothes deals I find, I never seem have good luck finding decent shoes at these sales. I normally just go to the half-price day and by then I think the good shoes have all been swiped! So, we still have a bit of shopping to do, but will hopefully be able to find some that are not too expensive!

Avant-Garde

Don't you know, this is the new fashion! Wearing a long strand of pearls tight around your neck as a choker, then crisscrossed down your mid-section and around one thigh?! Don't you think this look will be catching on soon in the fashion world?! :)

A Good Deal and a Fun Buy

While Mara Kate was away visiting my in-laws last week I got to do lots of browsing and a bit of shopping. That's something I don't do very often. The thing I enjoyed more than being out was that fact that I didn't feel rushed or worried about the time. I didn't have to think about naps, meals and needs of someone else; so as long as I was fine, I was fine!

Worrying just about myself is not something I'm used to these days and it was a bit of an adjustment to not think about 2 year old needs for a few days. Almost in the same way that it was an adjustment to LEARN to think about those needs when I'd just had Mara Kate and I had to learn to think about her needs all the time. Just interesting.

Anyway, while going about my leisurely shopping I came across a great deal on a nice jacket. I debated on whether to get it, but in the end I just had to. It was too good of a deal to pass up. I love finding deals on clothes and other items, but I was so excited about this one I wanted to post about it. :)

A nice style and I like the color too.

A quality brand


And an excellent price!
Bought at Kohl's off the 80% off rack.
Purchased with a 30% off coupon,
which means I got it for $14.00.

A Visitor

This week Kane's sister Elizabeth came from Nashville for a visit. We had a really nice time and stayed so busy we didn't have much time for picture taking.

On Tuesday afternoon we hit the pool less than 2 hours after her arrival, which was really nice. Mara Kate had a blast showing Aunt BeBe how good she is getting at swimming and splashing everyone!

Wednesday morning we went to the Georgia Aquarium, which Mara Kate loves and showed BeBe the beloved penguins. BeBe also bought Mara Kate a little stuffed penguin from the gift shop. Mara Kate is madly in love with "Penelope Penguin" and has taken her with her everywhere since.

Wednesday afternoon we hunted down some bead shops in the Atlanta area. Elizabeth is an excellent jewelry maker so we were excited to explore a couple shops. She found some things and so did I. Elizabeth brought all her jewelry making tools with her so she made me a necklace with matching earrings while she was here. I'm very happy with the way they turned out and felt proud to know that I took part in designing them.

Thursday we had a relaxing morning, ran a couple errands and then went out to lunch. For supper Elizabeth took over my kitchen and cooked Korean food for supper, which Kane was very excited about. It was yummy!

Elizabeth, we are thankful you made the effort to come see us. I know Mara Kate enjoyed having you here as did we. Thanks for all the books you read to Mara Kate, for cooking and also for your company!

Reading books with BeBe

BeBe, Mara Kate and Penelope :)

Kane with his big sis and little girl

My new necklace and earrings--what do you think of our design?

Girl Time

Yesterday Mara Kate and I had some "girl time" while I straightened her hair with my flat iron. She was so patient and loved looking at herself in the mirror after I was finished. (She also loved posing for the camera, as you'll see below!)

I had fun seeing exactly how long her hair really is underneath all her usual curls!

I do still love her curls, but we had fun just playing around. I think she looks a lot older with her hair long and straight----what do you think?!

By the way, it was completely back to it's curly self by the time she woke up this morning!






!

This One's for You, Carol!

Here is a picture of Mara Kate sporting a cute Lilly Pulitzer outfit her great Aunt Carol bought her! These ever-so-cute overalls have been sitting in her dresser drawer patiently waiting while she grew, grew, grew! They finally fit her and look darling on her! She was so proud and happy to have her picture taken in them. Thanks Carol!


p.s. Notice she is wearing her coordinating fur-lined Crocs as well! :)

Fall Fever

These tags were a sweet gift from my sister-in-law, Elizabeth.

A few days last week it was actually a bit chilly when we woke up. Of course the temperature was up in the 80's by mid-afternoon, but those few minutes in the morning made me get really excited about Fall.

Excited enough to get inspired to do a sewing project that had everything to do with the approaching season. So, while we were out and about last weekend I stopped in a fabric store to browse. They had an entire rack of cozy corduroy that was perfect for what I was wanting to make. I found a bolt of rich chocolate brown fabric that was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to make something warm and cozy for Mara Kate to wear to church in the coming months. I picked out a simple pattern for a jumper and got the coordinating thread, zipper, etc. I worked on it a bit last weekend and then tucked it away until I had some more free time. Yesterday our car was in the shop and I was off from work so I pulled my sewing machine out once more.

After putting in a call to my mother-in-law with a sewing question, I worked on the jumper here and there a little bit throughout the day in between reading books, changing diapers, making meals, and walking down to get the mail with Mara Kate (a highlight of her day). Kane was working last night so I had some time after Mara Kate went to bed to take care of the finishing touches. I finished it about 30 minutes before Kane walked in the door...and I am happy with the result!

Cuteness!

Here is a picture of Mara Kate this morning. She was all dressed and ready to go with me to run errands...but, since I thought she looked so cute in the little capri outfit (compliments of her Aunt Carol) I thought I would snap a picture before we headed out the door. :)

My Life-- In Pictures

A few posts back I asked for people to request pictures for me to post on my blog that give a little window into my life and world. Since I only got 1 comment on that post, I will post her requests. If anyone else has any requests let me know. :)

For Becca my sole commenter/requester, who asked for:

-wedding pics
-your favorite room/area in your house
-something you made/arranged/created in your home that expresses your personality
-your favorite outfit of MK's



Something that I made/arranged/created in my home that expresses my personality:

My container garden

$5 table I bought at a garage sale and then painted with this finish---
I just love this little table and it is SO me!

A close up of the finish

My favorite outfit of MK's:

This is ONE of my favorite outfits...and she just happened
to be wearing it today when I was taking pictures.
(this dress is sized 6-12 months, but fits her perfectly right now at 17 months of age--go figure!)

Another of my favorites. Again, something that fits her just right and during the right season it was intended for too! (sometimes hard to find sometimes!). Is is LINEN and we get compliments every time she wears it. So cute!

OK, this wasn't on the list, but I wanted to share it anyway.
It is MK's new diaper bag...and it is my favorite accessory.
I got this bag at Target and it is actually a purse. I then took it to a monogram shop and had her initials monogrammed on it. It is just SO cute and perfect for spring and summer.

My favorite room/area in our house:

This isn't necessarily my FAVORITE room, but it is one where I spend a lot of my time!

My favorite spot in our apartment---on the couch. Spending time with Kane in the evenings or smocking, reading, watching TV, talking on the phone...and right there in the middle is where I usually sat for hours and hours when Mara Kate was smaller nursing her.
Such sweet memories have been made right here!

And finally,

Wedding pics:

These pics are digital shots of regular prints, so please excuse any flash issues and fuzziness. It's the best I could do at the moment! :)

My bridal portrait

Me with my flower girl and ring bearer (niece, Alley and nephew Liam)
(in my mind these children haven't grown since this picture---even though in reality they are both almost 3 years older now than they were here).

The KISS!

Just Married!

Our Rings and my bouquet

Kane's grooms cake. Notice all the chemistry equations. :)---so HIM!

Our lovely wedding cake. My mother in law made it and I LOVED it!
(Thanks Tuie!)

One of my favorite pictures. A random pic of me with my
sisters, cousins, niece and grandparents.

So, there you have it! :)