Shiny Happy Hair

I have always aspired to have shiny healthy hair. I love shiny hair and love to have it on my own head. I've tried lots of different shampoos. Many cheap shampoos and a handful of a little more expensive shampoos. The best I'd come up with until recently were Biolage by Matrix and Back to Basics by Graham Webb. Oh, and then there is the Shampure by Aveda that I tried a smaller bottle of last year. It was nice, but seemed to not work as well after a while.

Well now I've found some new to me products that I am in love with! The hotel sized versions of the shampoo, conditioner as well as shower gel, lotion and bar soaps of L'Occitane products were provided at the Four Seasons where we stayed for a night while in Miami at Jason's work conference. After one use my hair was shiny, soft and smelled like heaven. And even after skipping a shampooing for a day, my hair still not only looked great, it smelled great (usually I notice the nice smell of shampoo wears off after a day).

I have been using both the Aromachologie L'Occitane Shampoo and Conditioner ever since (a month at least), and I have not been disappointed. So I just wanted to share my discovery with the rest of my readers. This line comes in a few different formulas - volumizing, repairing, dry and damaged hair and normal and fine. Of course it is not cheap at $17 a bottle {10.1 oz for shampoo and 8.4 oz for conditioner}, but I think it is so worth it. And you can probably figure out a schedule of rotating between this and a cheaper product. You can also purchase sample sizes if you want to try it out. If you were wondering, L'Occitane is actually a boutique chain store {is that an oxymoron} and can be found most likely in upscale malls or shopping areas. If you don't have a L'Occitane store near you, it is pretty easy to find their products on the internet.

Moving on Up

Last week I experienced a very moving event, the graduation of two young women from the Teen Mother Choices program.

They have each come a long long way and have been truly transformed into the wonderful people and moms that they are today.

For all the many times I've seen the benefits of this program, I certainly felt the power of it effects at this ceremony.

I am so happy for these women who have been through a lot and have come so far.  I just pray for them now - a life of continued learning, loving and wonderfulness.  The woman on the right is the one getting married this July.  I met up with her at the fabric store today to pick out and purchase the fabrics for the projects I will be helping her out with for her big day.  It is such an honor to be a part of her life in this way.  I love spending time with her and getting to know her better.  I can't wait to get started on her projects!

If you are interested in the Teen Mother Choices program for your community you can get started by going here.  I am so blessed to be a part of this program in our area!

Perfect Pillow

Rarely do I see something that I love and that I have the perfect place for in my life.  But when I saw this pillow from Crystal's Etsy shop Little Bit Funky, I fell in love and knew the perfect place for it.

Many would assume this would be great for a child's room.  But it works perfectly in our guest room when I have this quilt on the bed.  This quilt was made especially for me for HS graduation by my grandma, all by hand.  It is quite bright and a bit hard to work around, but I have made it work because I love it that much and I loved my grandma and remember her always.

Now isn't that and inviting site for a guest?  Too bad we don't have that many guests.

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Been trying to get ready for the Farmer's Market in June, both building up inventory and getting display and pricing ready.  Sometime when I have more figured out, I'll do a mock set up and maybe post pics here for critique.  For now, I'm off to the gym on this rainy day.

How the Gardens Grow

Every year I seem to plant more flowers than the last and this year is no exception.  In fact this is the first year I've actually planted flowers in the ground in the front of the house (not counting tulip bulbs).

Here is what I've planted so far:

Next to the front door we have impatiens with colors in the coral family planted in an antique well bucket and torenia (wishbone flower) in clown rose planted in a cute pot we purchased in Cambridge, WI by G. Wolff Pottery.  Isn't it the sweetest thing?  Too bad I can't find a matching saucer for it.  These are my favorite containers.  Both of these flowers do well in shade and partial sun.  Since we have a covered porch, it gets more shade than sun, so I chose these flowers to go here.

Next to the walkway path leading to the front door is this pot that I used to hate.  It was one of two on either side of the front door when we moved in.  Except the other one was broken and we had to trash it.  So it just looked really out of place up on the porch alone and didn't seem to fit into any sort of arrangement with other pots.  But I think it looks nice here.  It is hidden king of, but a nice piece to look at as you walk to the door.  It is filled, just like it was last year, with begonias.  They did really well last year and I hope for the same for this year.

The final bunch of flowers I planted in front are snapdragons in whites, yellows, and red/corals and they are under a crab apple tree.  I went back today to get a few more plants to fill in and this is the final result.

In the back are the traditional petunias I've been planting for a few years now in two pots on either side of the rails for the stairs from the deck.  They normally take off and are very full in the pots by mid-June.  I always like an assortment of colors in these.

The final flower is a new choice for this year in this green pot that Jason picked up at a sale for a garden shop that was moving.  Last year I tried some kind of guinea impatiens or something.  They died off right away.  This year I'm trying pansies in an assortment of colors.  They look a little smooshed now.  Hope they perk up soon!

I have also planted some herbs. Clockwise from the left we have: sweet basil, cilantro, oregano, and chives.  These are always nice to have fresh for cooking.

I hope that we can have a vegetable garden, but the soil really needs to be worked and right now there is a bunch of stuff sitting on the spot where the veggies would go.  We need to get that worked on soon if we want to have one this year.

Mother's Day

Yesterday turned out to be really great.  Yes, the weather helped with the moods.  But mostly it helped to create some wonderful moments.

I took the kids to a local nursery to get some flowers.  Miles took a trip and fell on the pavement skinning both knees.  He really doesn't like me to carry him anymore but immediately he asked me to and would not let me put him down.  Meanwhile, I had a cart of flowers to get to the register to check out, and those garden carts are big and hard to steer with one hand.  Ella stepped in and pushed it for me.  She carried the flowers to the register, pushed the cart to the car, put the flowers in the back and put the cart back by the nursery.  She was so helpful and sweet!

Though I did not like that Miles was in pain and bleeding (luckily the nursery had some Band-Aids and Neosporin for him).  It was nice to feel needed for emotional support during his pain.  And later I knew he appreciated it with his "I love you, Mommy". 

I also had purchased a Slip n Slide that day at Walmart, so Ella was suited up and having a blast.  Miles finally decided to get his swim trunks on to give it a try.  After a while I couldn't find him though I swore he'd gone upstairs.  I called for him in the house, but no answer.  So I went upstairs and found him lying on his bed in the nude sucking his thumb, holding his teddy bear and sleeping.  How funny!  He must have been too tired to put on his trunks.

Next I had started dinner and realized it would just be Ella and I.  I was kind of bummed, but decided to bring our food outside to eat.  As I was kind of spacing out and wishing the whole family were there, Ella suddenly said "I like eating with just us two.  It's so nice when just you and me do things together".  After that we talked and had a great time and when done eating, we laid in the hammock together and read books. 

Late that night Miles had a bad dream or something and I picked him up and brought him in his room to rock in his glider.  He is usually not up for something like that, but last night he was.  We had great snuggle time as he asked me all kinds of questions about the meaning of life. :-)

Jelly Bags

Remember this little jelly roll of Sweet fabric by Urban Chicks that I recently purchased?

Well now it is this:

and this:

Aren't these the cutest bags!? Now my gifts for the kids' preschool teachers are done!

These bright photos are brought to you with the cooperation of the the beautiful weather today.

Here is our backyard this morning. We are so blessed. We are all in shorts today and are awaiting a visit from the teen mom I mentor and her daughter. Should be a fun afternoon with lunch and play and lovely weather. But first I must run to Quilt Play for some thread. Thankfully I have a coupon today!

Edited to note that I got the pattern for the above bag{s} here from Bunny Hill Designs.

Little Star

The highlight of the weekend was going to Ella's singing recital.  Though her group only had a very short part of a song, it is always fun to see your child perform.  And I am very happy with how comfortable she is on stage.  I think it is a great experience.

Plus she makes friends wherever she goes.  Is there anything sweeter than little girls in pretty dresses playing ring around the rosy?

It was a fairly hectic weekend with lots going on and hubby on a camp trip with his dad and brother.  I've been sewing up cute bags for the kids' teachers. {WAIT till you see these!}  We also host a church small group at our house and I had to find time to straighten up the house too.

I will have a couple of custom sewing jobs soon.  Plus I want to have time to make more for the shop.  Especially with Farmer's Market coming up mid-June.  I've already started gathering displays for my wares.  It may also be an excuse to purchase more fabric!  What is your favorite fabric that you'd like to see on one of my potholders and/or tea towels??

I'm also trying out using my sewing as a mini-ministry!  Today was the beginning of my first project along these lines.  I knew of a young lady through the teen mom ministry I'm involved in who is getting married this summer.  She is not rolling in the dough, but wants a respectable wedding.  She has many people from the church helping her out and I am offering my sewing services to her to make her flower girls {2} dresses, ring bearer pillow and a couple of bridesmaids gifts.  We met today and talked.  It was nice to get to know her even better and to hear how much she has learned, and changed over the years.  I gave her my advice and support where she asked for it and prayed with her before we parted ways.  We will meet up this week to look at some fabric.  This is probably not something I'd do on a regular basis, but every once in a while when the opportunity arises and I feel called to do it.  Anyway, I'm excited!  Here is our start - the pattern for the girls dresses {her daughter and her daughter's friend}. Different colors and trim, but I'll keep you posted as planning and sewing progresses!

Bless You Eggplant

Here is an oh so chic reversible tissue box cover which I just completed.  I used the Amy Butler Sewing Kit which I won from a giveaway way back when from Crystal.

Side A

 

Side B

 

I've had this eggplant colored fabric I purchased from Fabric Shoppe for quite a while now and and am so glad to have this finally done.  Check that one off the list.  I must say, I'm not a huge fan of the instructions on AB's patterns.  I can usually figure things out {thanks mostly to the diagrams and past experience}.  But man, is that a different language she's speaking?

Belongings Makes Me Happy

I have found it.  A store that I love, love, love, love, love.  It is better than typical retail, it is better than a garage sale.  It is a home goods consignment store.  I read a few designing type blogs that are always showing these great flea markets and stores and.  I. am. jealous.

Until now...

The store is called Belongings and is located in Barrington, IL.

Here are some examples of what they carry from photos off their website.  And perhaps I'll have to bring my spy camera next time I'm there {Friday}.

As you walk in, the front room is loaded with tons of living room type decor.

Walking back to the next room is the cash register area with many more goodies, including their jewelry pieces. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the right is the dining room area, complete with furniture and all types of serving wear and place settings etc.

But wait, there's more!  An ENTIRE upstairs!  The upstairs bedrooms each seem to have their own theme.  One is definitely a "man's" office theme, the others are either more feminine or neutral. 

They have great art up everywhere, beautiful furniture.  Not garage sale prices, but not antique store prices either.  I think every price I checked was quite reasonable.  And as time goes on, if a piece doesn't sell, the price gets reduced.  So you might get lucky there.

And did I find anything, you might ask?  Why yes I did.

I had been looking for an old watering can for a while and passed up some at garage sales because I thought I could get a better deal.  Never could.  And the price on this one was just the same as what I've seen at garage sales.  So I snatched it up!

I saw this pretty compote and just had to have it. It was perfect for serving yogurt when I had a little buffet breakfast for family this past weekend.  I think I'll use it for holding fruit while it's waiting to be used as a serving piece again. {It's not really blue, but clear glass}.

They get new items in ALL the time and I get the feeling they have a pretty high turnover of stuff.  A very nice thing about this shop is that the consignor receives 50% of selling price with remaining 50% directly donated to Wellness Place, a community based not-for-profit cancer education and support center. I happen to go to Barrington on Fridays for my son's Spanish class.  So I guess I'll have to pop back in this week.  Oh well. :-)

Hurting for another

I'm having a very sad day.  A friend called this morning with some very unfortunate news.  It has been a long time coming and I'm sorry it has come to this, but she has to do what she has to do.  And today is a big day which will change everything.  She is so scared and does this with a heavy heart.  I am so sad and upset for her and for everyone involved.  I don't think things are going to be any easier.  Not for a long time.  I will go to see her (she's out of state) if she needs me and I just wish I could reach my hand across the miles and the time zones to hold hers today.

Ta-Da! The Apron

When I started the concept for Kitchen Stitchen, the last thing on my mind to make was APRONS.  They are big, take a good chunk of fabric and take a decent amount of time to make.  But I kept getting requests and recommendations to make aprons.  I didn't want to do something like a lot else that I see out there.  So I decided on a linen embellished style.  Real 100%, not exactly cheap linen {thank-you 40% off Joann's coupon for saving me}.  My lovely neighborhood {literally neighborhood, how did I get so lucky} quilt and fabric store has a good chunk of these great Mona Luna Metro Market fabrics.  These modern birds are so cute and I also truly love the red O's!  I have enough fabric to make another apron, so I probably will and just set it aside when this one sells, or maybe I'll even save it for Farmer's Market.  Can't wait to try it in some other fabrics.  Shelly at Quilt Play has order some more kitcheny type fabrics with me in mind {oh I feel so honored} which I will probably need to buy much of for making lots of store items!

Pillow Animals

Remember that sneak peak I gave you yesterday of my {then} latest project {I have another project completed since last night}?  Well here is the result:

Two adorable animal pillows with patchwork borders and minky backings with antiqued buttoned envelope openings.

First up was the penguin.  I looked up some pictures of penguins and then freehand drew one of my own.  I transferred the imagine to Steam-a-Seam 2, attached one side of the S-a-S 2 to the fabric to be cut out and cut all layers.  Then removed the other side of the S-a-S 2 and stuck it onto the white square and ironed it to fuse the pieces.  Then zig-zag stitched around the image.  Repeat for all the other little pieces.  For the penguin I added two small black buttons for eyes and a long heart button for the beak.

 

For the cat I embroidered the eyes, nose and mouth and added thin ribbon for the collar.  I hand sewed on the bow.

 

I really love the look of the patchwork of fabric as borders.

These cutie pillows will be going to some cute little girls as a present from their doting daddy.

I am going to save my next project for tomorrow, as hard as that is for me to do!

Closer to the End

The dance recital for Ella's class and the classes I teach was this weekend.  Ella was great and cute of course.  And I obviously am in need of losing weight looking at this picture, eh hem...

I had 3 classes perform in the recital.  Two were 3-4 year olds and one was an accelerated ballet and jazz class.  Here is a photo from their number.

I was glad to get back to sewing some projects today.  Here is a sneak peak at a couple of things I'm making up for a new client for his daughters...  I hope to have the completed projects posted tomorrow!!

Love that cute kitty face!

 

Mother's Day was nice with breakfast in bed handmade cards, handpicked "flowers" and a trip to the gym and more...  Hope all you mothers and future mothers and women who don't have kids but are still surrogate mothers to others - had a great day too!

Negligent Blogger Here

Dear poor readers, all 4 of you (ha!).  I am so sorry that I have not been very good with the blogging.  Lots going on around here.  First of all I'm still trying to recover from last week's cold.  I'm not sure if I already mentioned that I had a test done and it was NOT the flu.  As it turns out, the swine flu does not appear to be any different than most flus and not as huge as a scare as it was made out to be.  Anyway, there was a thought it might be because we had be traveling between Chicago and Miami via air, I got very sick when we got back and my daughter was throwing up one morning.  But she was instantly better and I was negative for flu.

I feel that I left some topics hanging, so I'll try to sum them up here:

• Earlier I was trying to decide if I would try out either the Grayslake Arts Fest or our Summer Farmer's Market.  With the Arts Fest, it was almost imperative that I be ready to accept credit cards (more expense for me) and that I buy a tent and a table.  After going to a craft show and as I thought about it, I decided I was not prepared to prepare for an Arts Fest.  Additionally, I decided to try the Farmer's Market for these reasons:  People at a Farmer's Market generally are people buying fresh produce and therefore cook.  They would be a good set of consumers to be interested in kitchen gear (which is what I sell).  Also, the farmers do not take credit cards, so most people arm themselves with CASH which makes me think it would be ok to not accept credit cards.  So my plan is to do one show per month for June, July and August.  I applied and was accepted with enthusiasm.  Yay!  In fact the coordinator complimented my items and asked "do you really make those yourself?"
• This is the LAST week (in fact today is the last day) of teaching dance for the season.  I think I was sadder thinking about it last week.  This week is so busy, I am really accepting it as the natural end to something good.  I am truly looking forward to having more free time and enjoying the summer without teaching.  The rehearsal and recital are this weekend and I'm predicting I will be sad again either during the recital or Sunday after it's over.  We'll see how I feel.
• Oh boy, our vacation!  I need to get around to posting some photos.  The first part of the trip was a meeting for Jason.  We stayed at the Four Seasons and it was both nice and uncomfortable.  At the Four Seasons, everything is PERFECT, the service is instant.  You are never made to wait, you are wanting for nothing.  But I was so nervous.  Was I acting ok?  Was I looking ok?  Did I tip the right person?  Every time someone did something for me and then asked for my room number, was I going to be charged?  Ugh.  That was just one night stay, then we moved to another hotel for the REAL part of the vacation.  Our hotel was right on the beach, South Beach that is.  The weather was great, food was delicious and it was just so fun and relaxing.  And did I mention we didn't have the kids?  We did a LOT of walking.  The culture and people were very interesting.  Lots of people in good physical shape.  Not so much shyness about their bodies.  Even walking down the street, people would just be wearing their bathing suits, or just very small clothing.  Another interesting thing I noticed was that people were VERY forward.  If they saw someone they liked, they'd yell over at them their interest and sometimes a conversation would result.  Anyway, it was a nice break.
• Our kitty Paris is doing much better.  Still taking her antibiotics, not pooping in the wrong places and much more friendly (which honestly still isn't that friendly).  She just seems happier and healthier.  Even her coat seems shinier.
• In sewing news, I've made a few more towels.  Two are in the shop.  I'm working on a set of placemats.  They are almost done, but I am having to break from that to hem a prom dress.  I am also doing a special order and making some pillows for little girls.  I have the first pillow top finished and promise to post a pic soon.

That's about it for now.  Gotta run.  Don't give up on me and my blog please!!

Mother's Day Giveaway at goodLife {eats}TM

Here is a giveaway that you just cannot pass up. There are so many prizes from such great stores! Go over to goodLife {eats} to leave a comment for a chance to win one of SEVERAL prize packs filled will all kinds of Kitchen Goodness! Make sure to read the rules first.

Several weeks ago I was approached to see if I'd like to donate any items for this giveaway and I agreed. My contribution is a kitchen set consisting of one Tea Towel, one Pocket Potholder and one Magnet Set all in "Lime Garden" from my Kitchen Stitchen shop on Etsy. You can see the set in the lower right hand corner of this Prize Pack montage:

And here are some of the other Prize Packs:

See what I mean? You just can't miss this one! Good luck!

I'm Sick and Therefore Lazy

But I wanted to do a post, so I am doing a feature of a lovely Etsy shop that I had seen a couple of dresses from that I just adored. I finally went to the actually Etsy shop littlegirlPearl.

I love her styles, fabric selections and combos and seeing how she finds inspiration for her designs. Well, just see for yourself.

I know at least one of my readers is venturing into the fun world of sewing girls dresses. So I hope she and the rest of you love this.

Gorgeous Wrap Dress

Vintage Pillowcase Dress

(love that it's actually from a pillowcase and mixes modern fabric for the straps)

Red Twirly Dress!

(LOVE THE REDS!)

More and more cute...

She Even Makes Hats!

She has a blog and a Flickr page. At the very least you must go check out her shop and see all of her yummy goodies for sale! What a talented lady!