I love to scrapbook. Love it. And, I love to buy, wrap, and give gifts. There is literally a line item built into my monthly "budget spreadsheet" for these very things. My friend has a room dedicated to scrapbooking and other crafts. I peak in everytime I am there...and dream...
I've decided to break out my scrapbooking gear (and, yes, I have one ofthese) and get started on Raegan's Babybook/Scrapbook. I guess I feel that since I have plenty of documentation to use (Thank you, blog), I'm not starting from scratch. That motivation, along with the really cute stickers that I picked up today at Joann's with my mom, makes me really excited!
So, in the spirit of preserving memories-I've decided to make today's favorite about craft tools.
My favorite?
Creative Lettering Software
By: Creating Keepsakes
I use this all the time with my scrapbooking as well as for lots of other stuff. It includes lots of really, really fun fonts as well as journalettes (cute shapes that you can type into). So, even if you don't scrapbook but you enjoy DIY projects like creating your own cute return address labels, invitations, personalized gift tags, birthday banners, etc---this software is a Must-Have!
Apologies for the late post...we've been on the road.
OK: Time for a serious confrontation.
Why aren't you sharing the love on Favorite Fridays?!? I know there are at least 2 people who check in on this blog from time-to-time. I know you both have tons of ideas. As I tell people at my office, it is sooooo not cool to 'knowledge hoard'. :)
As much as you might think that I do my Friday posts JUST to share; It's simply not true. My favorites are not as good as yours. I'm sure of it. And, let's just be honest here, I am lazy these days...more than ever. So, the more I can capitalize on how much you know, the better it is for me. :) There. I said it. These Friday posts serve just as much of a selfish purpose as much as it serves a way for me to share.
So, really, if you have a thought, post a comment. Don't be like my co-workers by keeping your ideas to yourself!
PS-I'm aware that one of the reasons I might not be getting comments is due to the privacy issue with the blog. But, those of you who have been able to access it should have no problems. ;)
Onto today's favorite
So, lately when I shop, I've realized that a lot of what I'm looking for either doesn't exist or is over-the-top expensive. I have determined that it's due to my LOVE and CRAVING for my ultimate favorite fashion trend of:
Feminine Vintage-style clothing
I know what you're probably thinking. "What in the world is that?" Well, it's taken me a while to find the adjectives and style category to describe it. (Speaking of, I'll get to describing the style in a sec).
Before I figured out the true category of what I like, I knew what I didn't like. Example, I've never been one to dress myself from head to toe in Jcrew, Banana Republic, or even Gap for that matter. While I love pieces from all venues, I am not a fan of "outfitty" attire. To me, it completely removes the aspect of any creativity. Clothes, like decorating, serve as creative outlets for me. That last thing I want to do is walk into Tory Burch (even if I could afford it) and buy everything featured on a display. I mean, that is someone else's expression-not mine.
Similar to that of my decorating style (although, I'm not certain that I have really achieved what that is in my current home), I adore mixing and matching styles. In clothing or home design, a combination of an "old world" piece, classic accents, with a feminine touch is what I adore. (This is what I LOVE about my friend, Stephanie's, design. It's 100% transitional. She has definitely inspired me on the decorating front.)
Specifically in decorating, my opinion is that this concept of mix/match is much easier to attain (from a monetary standpoint) than on the fashion front. Old world pieces can be mimicked by those who posses the trade of craftsmanship. So, typically, you can get something with an old world feel that is affordable. Remember Raegan's armoire? I mean, a handyman in a tiny town in Kentucky made this for me...for a fraction of the cost of the mass produced item that was even of lesser quality.
Back to fashion-this is not as easy for a variety of reasons...is making clothing items a lost art? And, even if it's not, how many people do you know like Barry (the KY handyman) who set up shop at the local Flea Market ready to take your vintage-inspired dress order? If you answered anything above a big, fat '0' on this, I beg of you-please let me know. :)
Meanwhile, since I will never be able to afford what I REALLY want, I've reverted to doing my very best to emulate what I can at more affordable price. Thank goodness for Forever21/ArdenB/Alloy/Anthropologie/random boutiques/ and several other resources that shall remain unnamed. (I can't give away ALL my secrets now...especially when you're giving me nothing!)
If the above mentioned shops ever go out of business, at least I have Polyvore (my newest online obession) where I put together fun ensembles and dream one day about wearing them. I've imported one of my fun, little creations below.
You may hate it, and that's fine. No offense taken, I promise. We all have different tastes and interests. In the words of Chuck's late and precious Nana, "That's what makes the world go 'round".
From this entire past month, the thing that sticks out most in my mind is the cuddle time…lots of it. I’ve become very much in love with the nape of her neck. I find it so sweet. And, with her very thin hair, it’s the softest thing in the world. Chuck says that the smell of her neck makes him want to take a nap. Sounds odd to everyone else but I know exactly what he means. I want to bottle it up and keep it forever.
So much to share so I'll get right to it.
-Raegan is everywhere. I mean, everywhere. Fun, but exhausting. I can't step out of the room for 2 seconds...even to grab something to drink really fast...without her her being on my tail. I know all babies do this. It seemed to have happened overnight. Her reports from school almost always include something like "Raegan is all over this room", "Raegan is crawling everywhere", "Raegan is on the move". Along with the daily reports often come the accident reports. All babies have these too...but it doesn't help that Raegan tucks her head down when she crawls. Instead of looking ahead at her destination, she looks flat down to the ground. Makes for some nasty bumps right in the center of her head. Here is some footage of our little peanut on the move:
-Pulling up non-stop and "cruises" around. This happened completely overnight. Once she started, she hasn't stopped.
Skyping has become quite challenging
-She’s turned into such a little sweetheart. Not that she always wasn't. But, now she is more than ever. She snuggles with us, she pats us, she crawls all over us, she buries her head into us, she cuddles and cuddles and cuddles. I love it.
Cuddling with Daddy after a race
-So, this is funny. She has started carrying her toys in her mouth when she crawls. Yes, animal-like…and completely endearing, of course. I mean, let’s be honest-she could spit up all over me and I’d still think it was the most precious thing ever. Oh wait, she does…and I do. Our little animal:
-I don’t know how else to say this other than: She’s a stinker. (Am I the only mother who said she’d never say those ridiculous mommy words but overdoses in them every day? My day is full of “stinkers”, “pistols”, and the worst and possibly most overly used “sillys”. ) My overuse of “stinker” is fully warranted. Example: One day during lunch, back when she was at the very beginning of eating finger foods, I was thinking, “Wow. I am so proud of her for eating so many green beans.” She put down 4 hand fulls plus all of her mashed sweet potatoes, and she kept wanting more and more. Being the good mother I am, I encouraged the gluttoness feast and continued to hand her more green beans. I quickly realized that Gabby was planted at the bottom of Raegan’s highchair. While this isn’t abnormal-I mean, how many babies are neat eaters-I could tell that more was falling on the floor than normal. Hmmm. I decide to watch. Really closely. I notice that as I hand her a few green beans, she picks one up, eats it, keeps her eyes on me, picks the other up, puts it in the seat of her chair between her legs, eyes still on me, and takes her first little finger and pushes it off the tray.
What can I say? I’m a sucker.
I pull the 14 syllable “Raaaaaeeeeeggggaaannnn” of which she responds to with what else than.....the head lean………….
That pistol of a stinker sure is silly!
Full plate
Look how much she's eaten!
or...maybe not:
"Raaaeeeeeggannn"
STINKER!
-Is into banging things together, shaking her head "yes", and clapping. Managed to capture all 3 of these things in one take:
-Is loving books. Loves to be read to but also loves playing with them on her own. Often when lots of toys are out for her, she will gravitate to the books. She gets really confused when they aren't "touch and feel". ;)
Can't stand for mommy to be reading a magazine without including her
You can imagine how these reading sessions go...
"So, here's what's going on with Brangelina this week..."
-She likes to give “high fives”…well…more like a prolonged five. Holds her hand up and keeps it there while her Daddy does a fast little ditty that goes a–little-somethin-like-this “Give me five, give me five, give me that five, give me five, give me five, give me, give me, give me five.” She just smiles and laughs. Daddy is hilarious.
-Laughing tons more. Big laughs. And, lots of giggles. Her daddy can make her belly laugh. Check it out:
-Has funny little nuances. Like how she puts her right leg up when she is sitting in her high chair...always her right leg, never her left. And, almost every time she sits there. And, how when she's in the floor, she sits with one leg bent and the other straight. I love these little things...mostly because they weren't taught. They are just "her".
-Still loves all non-toy items...zippers, snaps, and the least dangerous of all-power cords....Oops!!!!
Still loving paper.
This was her first piece of mail (A Thank you from her friend "Brooklynn").
She played with it for 15 minutes.
-Starting to really like stuffed animals.
-Talks and talks and talks. It’s all of a sudden starting to sound like she is really trying to carry on a conversation. Her newest sound is “buh!” I think it might have several meanings because sometimes, she says it with a smile, and other times, she says it when she’s clearly frustrated. That’s always fun.
-Is able to put things into holes now…likes her toy with the balls that she can put in the top and then spin round and round…also just likes to chase the balls around on the floor too. She and her daddy race. She wins. Fair and Square
-Hands us things when we ask for them.
-Still sleeps 11 hours at night (8pm-7am). Generally takes two 2.5 hour naps (9am and 2:30pm).
-As far as stats, now that her Dr appointments are so spread out, I don’t really have 100% accurate statistics. She’s still little with a belly for days. Somehow, she’s on track with clothes. 9 months still fit somewhat, but she is out of 6 month. 12 is too big. If they made 10 mth clothing, I’m pretty sure that’s what she would wear…which leads me to question the whole sizing mechanism. If she is in the 5th percentile and right on track with sizing, are other babies her age in 2Ts?!?
If you ever need me and can't find me, it's safe to say that I'm at home kissing the nape of this Bitsy's neck.
Happy 10 Months, Bitsy Bits!
I can’t believe we are already planning your First Birthday party!
What items have you found extremely helpful with your little one(s)?
There are lots of items that make my life easier with a baby. I have to say that lately, the below have been lifesavers...and clothes savers. There's only been one stain that I haven't been able to remove. Everything else? Clean as a whistle. Thanks, Oxiclean!
Almost too late on this week's post...please direct all complaints to Healthways, Inc.
Topic for today: Favorite basic piece of clothing.
Those who know me are shocked to the core that I am not posting a black turtleneck. (Love me some turtle and cowl necks.)
But, I have a new one!
Who doesn't need extra long camisoles and/or tubes? Such practical buys...especially for all of those "mixers and matchers" out there. Great to piece with tunics, a top that needs some added length, or a low cut V neck.
