Rainbow gingham buntings back in the shop!

I have a happy little stack of rainbow gingham and the urge to sew....

so buntings are back in the shop!

Take 15% off for the rest of the weekend with coupon code SPRING15.  Yay!

xoxo

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Comfort food: rice pudding

For a sweet treat yesterday I made rice pudding.  I hadn't made it in so long, I almost forgot how much I enjoy it.  

What you'll need:  

1 cup instant rice

2.5 cups milk

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

optional:  handful of raisins (I prefer it without, but the boys love raisins so I add them in)

In a saucepan, combine rice, 2 cups milk, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar and raisins if you're adding them.

Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly.

Reduce heat to low/medium, and boil slowly for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Mix eggs and remaining milk.

Slowly add egg mixture to pan, stirring vigorously with a fork.  (If you don't mix like crazy, the eggs will cook in weird spots and your pudding will be more like fried rice.  No bueno.)

Cook over medium heat until thickened.

Stir in vanilla.

Let cool for 10-15 minutes and enjoy!

xoxo

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DIY: tiny jam jar salt & pepper shakers

I saw this project a while back on Sweet Paul and almost died of the cuteness.

So.
Stinking.
Adorable.

The whole project takes about five minutes.

Mark a few dots on the lid of a couple of teeny Bonne Maman jars and hammer a nail through each one.  Fill the jars with salt and pepper and admire their darling itty bittyness. :)

xoxo

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What I Wore

The past week has been a whole lot of laying low...so nothing too exciting. :)

Took the troops to one of those bouncy jump places.  

top:  Rebecca Beeson

pants:  Lucy

flip flops:  Havaianas

School and errands.  My return to the real world.

tunic:  Land's End

jeans:  Target

boots:  Ugg

Linking these up with Lindsey.

xoxo

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Thank you Babble

for naming a pretty cool life. to Babble's Top 50 Mom Craft Blogs!  I am in such amazingly creative company...I'm still pinching myself!
xoxo

Rainbow painted wooden spoons

Of all the makeovers and before and afters I've ever shown, I think this one may make me the happiest.

After seeing these and these, I gathered up all of my wooden spoons and utensils.
 

Along with a little masking tape and (non-toxic, dishwasher safe) enamel paint, I gave them a bright and happy makeover.

Now if only I could think of a way to properly display their rainbowy goodness in my kitchen!

xoxo

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Easy Sew/No Sew Super Hero Cape Tutorial

The little dudes in this house live and breathe all things super hero.

So naturally we had a super hero themed party for their birthdays.

In another installment of what was I thinking when I committed to making all these party favors, I made capes for our guests.

Since fleece won't ravel and doesn't need to be hemmed, they're easy enough that I made a dozen the night before the party in just one evening.

These capes won't actually make you fly, but it would be cool if they did.

What you'll need:

fleece, about 24 x 30 inches
a contrasting color fleece scrap, about 6 x 6 inches, large enough to cut a star or other applique shape
small pair (1 x1 inch-ish) of sew on (don't try to sew through sticky back on your machine!) Velcro

And this is what you do (I made these so long ago I didn't take process pictures):

 

If you'd like to make this in a no-sew version, just substitute the sew-on Velcro with sticky back Velcro and use fusible web to attach the applique.

ps.  Our cape wearing friends are aged 6 and under...if your child is older/taller, adjust your measurements to size.

xoxo

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All is well.

So, first of all,

thank you
thank you
thank you

for all of the comments, emails, prayers, and general good vibes sent my way.  A speedy recovery it's been, and I am so grateful.

Homemade cookies from a friend also help. :)

Gatorade.  Goldfish.  Prescription drugs.  Breakfast of champions.

Enough carry out.  Time for mama to get to the grocery store.

Housework got a few days off, too.

And here are a few non-medically and non-scary deets, for anyone ever finding themselves in the same situation as me.  When I told everyone what I was having done, friends, both in real life and bloggy, came out of the woodwork to share support and talk me off a ledge.  I'll do the same and hopefully ease someone else's fears. :)

Tuesday morning, I had my gallbladder taken out lapriscopically.

Got to the hospital at 6 am, had my IV placed (by an awesome nurse that claims she's the "Vein Whisperer"...and I agree!!)
Went into surgery by 7:30 am.
In recovery around 11ish.  Not feeling too bad, just "out of it."
Pumped and dumped on account of the anesthesia.
Ate some crackers, took a pain killer and was on my way home.
Got home and napped with Sister for the entire afternoon.
Woke up with a metally taste in my mouth from the anesthesia, but feeling almost normal.
Ate a normal dinner of pork chops, applesauce and green beans and felt great.
Took another pain killer, went to bed and slept til morning.
Woke up a tiny bit sore, like I did a killer ab workout, but no pain at all.

And that was it.  Really.  The recovery (and surgery for that matter) was so easy, I'm still surprised about it.  I'm a girl so afraid of all things needle-y and doctory-y that I almost considered giving birth without epidurals just to avoid it.  Big. Chicken.

I lifted the baby.  I vacuumed.  I drove.  NBD.

If you're in the same spot and need the surgery, just do it.  Get it over with.  Everyone promised me it wouldn't be that big deal, and it really wasn't.  :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, friends!

xoxo

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Luvinthemommyhood's Commuter Cowl

A few weeks ago I tested Shannon's new pattern, the Commuter Cowl.

I've always been a scarf loving girl, but I've gotta say...I really like this pattern a lot.  It's simple (just a few cuts and no wasted fabric!), it's quick (less than a half hour!), and it's definitely stylish (so many options!).  When you have an evening to yourself or a few extra minutes of naptime, this is the perfect project.

I picked a lightweight madras fabric for a spring cowl, and I'm loving it paired with a jean jacket.  Next up will be a fall version, and I already have my eye out for a the perfect heavier weight wool or herringbone fabric.

Want to see all of Shannon's Commuter Cowls in her gorgeous fabric choices?  Check them out right here! Want to just cut to the chase and get a copy of the pattern for yourself?  Buy one right here!

xoxo 

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What I Wore

Here's my lame one outfit post of what I've worn the past few days.  Our gorgeous weather had me outside in the yard, head to toe in dirt...nothing worth sharing, I promise. ;)

Birthday brunch 

shirt:  Target

jeans:  Seven for all Mankind

flip flops:  Havaianas

Linked with Lindsey.  

xoxo

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Quick DIY: washi tape vase

It's just as easy as it sounds:  gather up a jar, a few rolls of washi tape and a bunch of flowers.  Wrap the jar with the tape as you like.  Enjoy.

And as you're reading this, I'll either be having or have just had my pesky gallbladder removed.  If you're the kind of person that likes to send good thoughts a complete stranger's way...I'll take them! :)

xoxo

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Weekend sewing: dresses

We've lucked out with some wonderful summer-like weather the past week.  So I took that as a perfect excuse for me to sew a few short sleeved dresses.

This was from the Leila & Ben sweet dress pattern and gingham/seersucker-y fabric from JoAnn's.

I love the finished product, but the process was brutal.  I couldn't figure out the casings and how to connect the arms to the body for the life of me.  I finally just ditched the directions and did what made sense to me.  And it worked.  I must've over-complicated things or been under-caffeinated, as a quick google search will come up with dozens of rave reviews.

This was once again the LBB Sienna dress pattern, made with an old shirt of my own.  Sister got to wear it for St. Patty's Day since 80 degrees was too warm for the rainbow top.

xoxo

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March 17th

Lucky Charms for breakfast.
A few green shirts.
That's how we rolled for St. Patrick's Day around here.

Hope you enjoyed your day, too!
xoxo

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What I Wore

St. Patty's Day parade

shirt:  C&C California...and it only comes out of the closet for St. Patrick's Day...it's at least 10 yrs old!

cami:  Old Navy

jeans: Target

boots:  Ugg

School, errands, soccer, playing outside...and I need to wash the mirror!

shirt:  Nordstrom Rack, but I cut out the brand tag, so ???

jeans:  Target

ballet flats: Target

School, Costco, enjoying the warm weather outside

shirt:  Gap

cami:  Old Navy

jeans:  Target

ballet flats:  Target

Linked with Lindsey.  These posts really are a great motivation for not wearing yoga pants every day. :) 

xoxo

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Adventures in puddle jumping

 

xoxo