Progress!

I know I am a bit late, but Happy New Year! As I reflect on last year I am so amazed at the way the Lord has blessed me spiritually, naturally, and creatively. If I had to sum up the year in one word it would be "PROGRESS."

Not long ago I was pregnant and very discouraged. I wanted desperately to use the gifts I believed the Lord had given me but I couldn't find the time or the confidence to use them. I thought I would never be able to create and sew until my children were grown and out of the house. I thought I would be here for years: in front of this computer admiring all the beautiful things the women in cyberworld were able to create ... because they were more talented and disciplined than me. I used the excuse that my mother wasn't a homemaker and because I was "starting from scratch" with no idea of how this whole thing worked, I was at a disadvantage and as a result I couldn't successfully juggle all my responsibilities and my creative desires.

In October of 2009 these self-defeating thoughts along with morning sickness prompted me to email Rae of made by rae. I had long admired her work and wondered "how did she do it all?" Honestly, I wasn't expecting a response but she gave me some of the best/honest/comforting advice I had ever heard ... she doesn't do it all! In short, she told me she prioritizes her (really cute) kiddos, doesn't watch much TV, and doesn't post every day. Then she encouraged me to just go for it and start the etsy shop I've been thinking of starting because it would be a major confidence booster. That email along with support from my hubby and friends (and lots of grace and wisdom from the Lord) helped me and motivated me to move forward.

Since then -- with the Lord's help -- I have sewn 3 skirts, 4 hospital gowns, 4 aprons, 2 chef hats, 1 dress, 1 pair of shoes, 1 bow tie, 2 neckties ... refashioned 1 cardigan and 1 t-shirt ... stenciled wedding decor,8 t-shirts, and a tote bag ... helped design Christmas cards & birth announcements ... maintained a family blog and started this blog ... all while growing as a Christian, a wife, a mother, a homemaker and a daughter! Even though I have not yet started an Etsy shop I know I've made progress!

This blog and you, my followers (though few for now), have pushed me to make major creative advances and for that I say thank you! I believe bigger and greater things will come this year and I hope you stick around...for even more progress.

Carrying Baby

Photo by ERGO baby

In my modest opinion, every mother should have a Baby Ergo Carrier. It has been a life saver! I have had many baby carriers- the Peanut Shell, the Moby Wrap, and the Snugli. I have used the Ultimate Baby Wrap and was very close to buying the Baby Bjorn. But the Ergo is my favorite. It is comfy (thanks to the padding and waist strap), versatile (you can wear it on the front, back, and on your hip), convenient (easy to get on and off), and has a hood (to protect baby from the sun AND allow for discreet nursing). I do still prefer the Moby Wrap when the baby is very small with limited head control--but after that the Ergo and I are inseparable...and so are me and my babe.

Matchy Matchy

I have a sickness and I really need your help.

When putting together outfits I try really hard not to match too much but I can't seem to help it! In my modest opinion, I think coordinating or complimenting looks so much better than matching. I remember growing up and seeing couples matching (as in the exact same outfit) at the mall or Six Flags and I secretly vowed not to be that couple.

I love it when I see people coordinate and put colors together that wouldn't normally go together or family's that compliment each other without wearing the exact same things--oh how I long for their freedom!

If only I could just learn to coordinate and not match. "Complimentary not matchy matchy" I silently recite to myself. I remember a good friend who would only wear a gold colored shirt with her denim skirt because it had gold stitching. And another friend who would match her hair accessories with her blue jeans rather than a neutral black or white. Is it because we grew up in the 90's? Or is it a geographical thing? Above is a picture of my children (the cheesy one on the left and the "little" one being held on the right) the other cuties belong to my friend--she too grew up in the 90's and hails from Chicago. Hence, our kids all match!

I don't know--but as I try to gather the kids' outfits for our annual Christmas pictures I find myself repeating over and over again "Complimentary not matchy matchy." Do you ever have this problem? Or do you find yourself needing to match more?

Diaper Bag, for Mama not Baby

Photo by Petunia Pickle Bottom

Gone are the days of my cute little purses. And I don't carry a purse and a diaper bag. In my (modest) opinion the diaper bag is my purse. No, its not a small bag for money as defined by Merriam Webster. Its a huge bag full of necessities for my children and myself (and occasionally my husband). I do not let the gender of my child dictate the color since I am the one carrying it, not them. I used to like handbags but now the stakes are higher- the number of pockets, the material, the accessories. I've become a diaper bag connoisseur.

My current favorite is my brown Kate Spade (KS) Stevie Baby Bag, which was my Mother's Day gift last year. The year before that I received a Petunia Pickle Bottom (PPB) touring tote. We got great deals on both bags, thanks to the outlet mall and Ebay, as they can both be a little pricey. I like the versatility of the PPB and the classic style and size of the KS. Although I'm not angling for a new one, the PPB Sashay Satchel is really cute...and more affordable! (Hubby I hope you're reading this -- and just in case you are -- Mia Bossi makes nice diaper bags too.)