Nails Funny

Last night I spent a glorious hour in Tarjay while my men bonded at home. It was divine and pretty empty too. Just great. I was very focused and only strayed from my list a little bit: the fantastic deal on the 2nd carseat and a poppin nail polish. Yeah I love a great clearance find.
Now the polish. It is so bright and cheery which is out of my manicure comfort zone. Shoot doing a manicure is out of my comfort zone. Left hand is a winner and the right hand should be hidden in a glove. So armed with my cool polish I have myself a mani. I did it right after putting my son down for a nap. I couldn't possibly do anything else with a fresh mani....master plan :)Now this polish is bright and pretty. So bright that I thought it was called Caution. Reading fail. The bottom of the bottle said caution blah blah and all I read was caution. I promptly picked it up since it had such a cool fitting name and it was on clearance. It wasn't until I got home and was putting it away that I saw it is actually called Hot Pursuit. I like Caution better!!

I haven't fixed the imperfections yet :0

small things

I love the small things. This little lemon-sugar scrub was a gift from a friend. It feels great on all the rough spots and aren't mason jars the cutest?!!

What little thing has made you smile today?

Ten for Tuesday: Summer Living!

One of the best perks of being a teacher is well SUMMER! The days are long, footloose and fancy free. Love them!

1. Hanging out in DC people watching. Just me, the hubs and some Starbucks...bliss.

2. BBQ festival. Free tickets, live music, delicious food.

3. Meeting good friends for lunch. Yes kids, that is what teachers do during the summer :)

4. Avoiding housework. Just kidding, mostly.

5. Working out. I think this is my husbands favorite quality time. Me not so much :)

6. Finding some big feet to measure myself against. And yes you should know that there is a Miami Heat/ Lebron James reference.

7. Watching way too much crappy tv. Dr. Phil does not count as quality folks.

8. Fabric shopping. My cousin has a request and I guess I will try to pull it off. Have any of you guys made the book sling as featured onl Penny Carnival?

9. Reading blogs...get to updating people :)

10. Relaxing bubble baths have become a nightly routine. It is amazing how much evening time you have when you are not running baths and doing the nightly routine with a little one. Getting mighty spoiled!

Sewing Again

I feel like it has been ages since I have sat down at my machine. Like blow,blow,blow away the dust long time. It felt good and a full bobbin in the right color was a bonus. I can tell you it wasn't that long ago when threading the bobbin was my undoing. Trust me I still have my sewing challenges but I can totally thread bobbins with no issues. Go me!!
There have been so many things that have kept me away from sewing and really it all boils down to post work exhaustion and tons of obligations. The impending summer brings the reminder to slow down and do what makes me happy. That includes lots of sewing. I finished a quilt that was originally going to be a Christmas  (2011) gift and now it is going to be a belated birthday gift. I guess that has just increased the amount of love that has gone into this baby...from picking the fabric to sewing on and off to looking at it in the sewing pile this quilt was always close to my heart ;) I also started a simple strip quilt for my friend who got married. The wedding was in November I still have a little time,right?!?

the finished one

      the new start

and they call it etsy love

a few things i am digging on etsy right now

this portrait from thepairabirds

this vintage journal form TheFancyLamb

this tile magnet from erinink

oh, etsy how i love you!!!

Artist: Elizabeth Catlett

image courtesy of the Harvard Ed Gazette

Howard University graduate and renown artist Elizabeth Catlett has passed away.

10 for Tuesday: Purse Peak

A peak inside my purse reveals the usual suspects.

1. Bunny fruit snacks, my son loves them and shhh, I do too.
2. A hair clip. These things are really everywhere, my chair, my desk- you name it.
3. A pretty pen. True story: I was trying to endorse a check and I could not find one "routine color" but pink, green and turquoise I have an abundance.
4. The Body Shop lip gloss. I love these. They are shiny without being sticky.
5. Accessories. Earrings (check), bracelets (check)
6. Hand sanitizer.
7. Epi-pens. Allergic reactions don't scare me :)
8. A party invitation. Really? Why does this kid have such a hot social life?!
9. My planner. I have two and I am using them!
10. Stamps. I love writing just because notes and sending them to my friends and family. Having stamps handy makes that so much easier.

So what cool things are lurking in your purse?

10 for Tuesday- Pinterest Love

Are you obsessed with Pinterest? Do you love it as much as I do? Is this just babble and you don't know what the heck I am talking about? I hope not because I love it. I will admit I loved it more when it wasn't blocked at work :) Anywho Pinterest is a cool place to organize the gazillion things that you find appealing....ie. a fantastic wonderful place to pass time. All the while seeing how nifty, crafty and ingenious other folks are. Count me in :) Here are 10 things that I have recently pinned. ENJOY!!

Easy peasy delish fruit roll ups from here : http://thecopycatcook.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/fruit-rollups/

A variation of this design for my son's quilt from here: http://minneapolishunter.com/2010/01/04/a-quilt-and-cake/

This amazing crafty space from here: http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/2011/05/joons-craft-room.html

Cute, cute cookies from here:http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/blog/2011/09/pinterest-cookied-chevron-cookies/

Cool, cool blue~

Isn't she lovely? from herehttp://www.homeworkshop.com/2009/07/21/diy-ribbon-upholstered-chair/

meal ideas for my little one , go here: http://www.livinglocurto.com/2011/04/lunch-punch/

gorgeous fruit :)

isn't this just amazing, from here: http://nattybydesign.blogspot.com/2011/10/transformation-week-day-2.html?

clever ideas, go here: http://storageandglee.blogspot.com/2010/06/another-way-brown-sugar.html

happy pinning! 

Buttons galore

Life is super busy around these parts. I am sure most of you can relate to trying to get it all done. I am feeling the pinch but not feeling overwhelmed~ that is really just my personality more than any real strategy. My to-do list is winding down and most of the packages have been sent. Yay! I am working on a few hand-made projects and I hope to finish them up this weekend.
Tonight I made a initial button print for one of my cousins. I am not sure how I am going to jazz this up- either a frame or hanging from a ribbon. I think I need to add a few more buttons but I am pretty pleased with the product. See things I pin on pinterest do actually get made...eventually :)

How are your holiday preparations going?

Ten for Tuesday Miami Edition

It is late and I am settling in from my trip so I will add pics later. Ok, this post will be all about my love for my hometown Miami.

1. November and wearing flip flops...insane but AWESOME~
2. Listening to a steel drum band- the caribbean sound really gets your hips moving.
3. Blue skies, like postcard perfect blue.
4. Black beans and rice, flank steak...yummy.
5. All of the greenery- I know I am supposed to be embracing the changes that fall brings but now I see why I can't get into fall, green grass is GORGEOUS. Especially the smell of fresh cut grass.
6.Palm trees every place imaginable.
7. My folks enjoying my son.
8. Outdoor shopping.
9. Eating lunch with the water and boats as the background.
10. 80 degree temps in November!!!

Miami is my place. There are just so many things about my hometown that make me smile. What makes you smile about your hometown ?

10 for Tuesday

You've missed 'em, haven't you? So since it has been a long, long time since my last 10 for Tues. post I will keep things random.

1. I am loving my new nail polish. It's called Blank Slate and well blank slates are pretty darn appealing and this polish is no exception. The color is fantastic and it goes on really smooth and it looks great without all of the top coat, bottom coat, coat of arms blah blah.

2. Life is so precious. MUST.TREASURE.EVERY.SECOND.
4. D bought dinner home. It was delish jerk chicken and I did not have to cook. Winner, winner chicken dinner.
5. The ATL Housewives will be back soon. Smutty reality television at its best. Makes me happy.
6.Pinning on Pinterest is so ridiculously addictive. My fav board today involved Bill Cosby and the Cosby show. Talk about happy memories.
7. Tights season is finally here. Bring on the herringbone! Never done that pattern before, but I think they will make me happy.
8. My super awesome parents! Can't wait to see them in a few weeks.
9. My little boy feeding me the most tart apples imaginable. Talk about Momma sacrifices :)
10. Hump Day is tomorrow....I think I can, I think I can.

BONUS: I was featured at One Eleven! (Nope, it hasn't gotten old yet :} )

4 years ago

we traveled to Vegas and said our vows
smiling and laughing the whole time
quietly amazed that we were
finally starting on our united journey

I love you Mr!

WIP- Quilt

This quilt has sat around since this summer unloved. It needs binding, that I am now an expert at :) It also needs a label, which I must include. It needs to be shipped off to the tiny girl in curls who amazes me!! Hope I can tackle it this weekend.

First Quilted Pillow

I guess it would be more accurate to call it the first pillow ever. Not that pillows are the most complex sewing project, but they are new to me ;) I made a pillow for a birthday gift for my friend. I think I am in love with strip quilts. I feel quite satisfied when I get something down and a project like this allows me the instant gratification that I crave. I started this pillow yesterday after scouring some blogs for gift ideas. I don't have one specific one that did a quilted front and back but after talking through the process with my pal Beeps, I decided to quilt the back for stability. The verdict: I think everyone on my Christmas list is getting a pillow. I kid. I kid. Well I could change my mind on December 1st if I haven't formulated a gift making plan by that point.

Out on a Limb

This weekend

I wore these shoes:

I read this book:

Talk about stepping it up a notch! Who knows what the week will bring!?!

Quilt #1

Last week I got the grand idea to make a quilt for my niece's 11th birthday. I had all the material I needed for the top, a pattern and a few free hours :) So with all of those things in place it was a go. I was able to finish the top of the quilt in a few hours. The design of the quilt is a strip design so it was certainly a beginner project. This week was hectic at work so my plans to get it nearly finished before the weekend did not pan out. Instead it was Friday night and I stayed up until 2:30 basting and quilting the quilt. But alas it was WAY too late to start the process that has been my thorn....the binding. My Saturday did not go as planned and so I was only able to make the binding and pin it. Sunday would bring the day to machine sew the binding. After watching a few videos and reading various binding tips, I was able to get it done. The whole time I was sewing I had, "Beat It" (like Beat the Binding) and " I fought the binding and I won" stuck in my head. Those songs became my soundtrack and I was able to finish with a few seconds to spare. I wasn't able to wash it but my sister will be able to handle that task. Overall I worked very hard BUT I was pleased with the finish.
My niece was overjoyed when she opened my gift. My hard work was super appreciated and I think she will really use it. Shocking right?!
What I learned from this process is: I can QUILT! I mean I can do it. I know I will get better bit for a first start to finish quilt I think I did a great job. Next up bind the two quilts that are just waiting for binding so I can get them in the mail. And start my Christmas projects. SO excited!

the back of the quilt with the strip of leftover fabric

the front 

and they called it Pyrex Love

Go ahead and ohhh and ahhhh. I did :) Aren't these golden Pyrex bowls adorable? Thanks to Beeps for finding the one with the little handles at a thrift shop near her house. I mean as much as I love Pyrex, me and thrift stores are not a good match. I never find anything. Beeps has agreed to school me on the ways of thrifting and I have will have to take her up on it. Although having a personal shopper is not a bad arrangement ;)

Adorable Fridgies

My pyrex collection is growing! Well I found this adorable fridge set while I was vacationing in Vegas. It is in great condition and the wonderful lady who sold it to me was such a jewel. I am not really a pink person but this set is GORGEOUS and how could I refuse? I love it and I think I just need to cook so I can have some leftovers to put in these beauties ;)

Maine- Postcard Perfect

I was struck by the beauty of Maine. It is super lush and between all of the trees and waterways it really is just breathtaking. I also loved seeing the lighthouses, kayaks, ships and lobster traps that make Maine unique. I loved Maine!!

Maine Vacation- Vintage quilts

Just getting back from our wonderful Maine vacation. There are certainly many reasons why Maine is known as, "Vacationland": the temps (cool breezes in August), the yummy lobster, the numerous waterways and the activities. We had a fantastic time and one of the cool things was the turn of the century restored farm house that we called home. The house was decorated with so many cool touches. One of my favorite things was the quilts that she used to decorate. I really would love to know the story of who made them and why but it was enough just to feast my eyes on them.

1. A quilt that was hanging in the hallway 2. Quilt that was in my room 3. Close-up details of the quilt in my room