Archive for December, 2010

I’m kind of obsessed with the idea of repurposing clothing, particularly T-shirts. I say obsessed with the IDEA because I don’t actually ever DO any of this said repurposing. But that’s about to change. We got this book. And we like to look at the pretty pictures.

And as soon as I locate a sewing machine, Bella and I all will be all over this!

Until then, I give you…my friend Christine. She is hilarious. And she’s crafty. Check out this short and sweet video, where she combines all of her superhero skills to make a rad t-shirt.

As much as I try to shield my girls from the materialistic pull of the Christmas season…the frenzied desire surrounds them on all sides. On TV, in stores…we almost just need to turn it all off and not leave the house to avoid it!

We desire for JESUS to be our main focus, as well as giving to others. This year I really want to get into some new holiday traditions and stick with them for years to come.

I’d love to hear some of the ways you combat the WANT of this season.

How do you find meaning amidst the chaos?

Being that I don’t have a house of my own to decorate for the holidays, I decided to decorate my hair I found these delicious felted wool dreads on Etsy…and fell in love with them immediately. I was craving a little change and these were just the ticket!

I’m not sure how long I will keep them or how they will “settle” into my dreads once I wash them, etc. But for now, I adore them and just couldn’t wait to show y’all (yes, I’m missing my Texas friends).

Back in my college days, when dreads were just a fascination for me…I stalked a girl that worked at the natural foods store in Grand Forks, ND. She had long blonde dreads with a few purple accents. It was then and there that I decided to dread my hair someday. So thank you mystery dreaded beauty…

Dreads + Purple + Wool = Happy Mama.

**For those of you who have dreads and want to know HOW I attached them…they are just one long piece that is pulled through the loose part of my roots and tied in a knot.

Two little girls. Sisters forever.

Matt and I recently went on a “date night” in Des Moines. We left the girls with Nana and Papa and took off for a night of just US! First we went to our favorite Thai restaurant and shared spring rolls and curry. Then we headed down to a sweet little alternative theater and saw The Social Network (which was excellent!). On the way home, we grabbed some coffees at Starbucks.

It was delightful. We were able to sit and really SEE each other and talk without interruption. Even though we spend all day, every day together…the connection is sometimes lost in the daily-ness of life.

We are definitely not “regular” date-nighters…although I long to be. I have friends that have been doing it every week for YEARS! I’d love to hear about the special ways that you re-connect with your spouse or loved one…

Do you have a regular date night?
Have you taken a special vacation together?
How do you re-connect/slow down…especially during this hectic holiday season?

This morning my mom and I enjoyed some candy cane green tea together. There is just something about holding that warmth in my hands…the steam rising up to meet me…it all makes me very happy. Sharing that time with someone you love makes it even sweeter!

And now, as I sit here writing…I have the same cup filled with honey chamomile tea. The house is quiet, the Christmas tree is glowing, and the fire is lit. Pure bliss. I look forward to this simple pleasure every day.

I had big plans to swing up to the lovely town of Bellingham when we passed through Washington earlier this fall. But the uncertainties of travel prevailed and we never made it. I would have SO LOVED to step into Teresa’s studio and see where the magic happens. I wanted to smell the fresh cut fabric and see all the yummy colors and share a cup of tea with her. If you don’t know about Bellingham, take a peek at this awesome video. Teresa was interviewed for it and you see snippets of her cutting + fabric. Love it. It made me even more sad that we didn’t go!

But instead of seeing Teresa in person…we’ll just have a giveaway! Yay yay yay for another Texture Clothing giveaway! *squeal* I know you are as excited as I am…because the last Texture giveaway was wildly popular. And why wouldn’t it be? Teresa’s clothing and accessories are beautiful and functional and well, pretty darn amazing.

What is Texture Clothing?
Think gypsy vibe and travel savvy with the ease of real world living built in. texture is a boutique without the pretense ~ hard wearing, high fashion ~ figure flattering cuts ~ street legal HEMP product ~ not the coffee sack fashion typical of HEMP clothing ~ lovingly made, deftly stitched, beautifully patterned in the Pacific NW ~ clothing with a conscience.

Who is Teresa?
Teresa Remple is the naturally caffeinated instigator and inspiration for texture clothing. She was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and has lived in Bellingham, WA for nearly eight years. She is the proprietress of texture clothing and in that capacity she does everything from drafting patterns to sweeping the floors. She started sewing at twelve and founded the company in October, 2002. As a seventeen year veteran of the summer festival scene, Teresa embodies a compassionate, earth first vision for the under appreciated, and misunderstood HEMP fabric. A Fashion Arts graduate with a passion for textiles that makes her special, she’s all about working hard and living lean.

Our giveaway is for:

• A funky little “scrappy scarf” (made with the leftover scraps from the other Texture clothing!)
• AND…my favorite thing in the whole wide world: knit mitts!

I am only a little obsessed with my knit mitts (I already have another pair on the way!). They are, hands down, the most comfortable fingerless-glove-thingies that I’ve ever worn. I love how they cling so nice to my hands, and they are surprisingly warm. I pretty much want to wear them everywhere. All the time. But, just a little tip for ya: I’ve found that it’s helpful to take them off while eating and going to the bathroom The scrappy scarf is so so sweet and soft….and is the perfect weight to wear with anything, indoor and out. For all you dready mamas out there,  I actually like to wear it as a dread wrap as well…it’s super stretchy and just perfect for it!

There are four wonderful ways to enter the giveaway (you can do them all if you want — leave a comment for each one).

• Leave a comment and tell me your favorite hot drink. Oh how I love a great hot drink.
• Share this giveaway on your Facebook page
• Share this giveaway on Twitter
• “Like” the Texture Facebook page (if you’re already a fan, you can add another entry).

I will randomly choose a winner on Friday, December 10 (entry cutoff is at 12:00 p.m. CST).

If you simply cannot WAIT until Friday to see if you win and you must order now…Teresa is offering a 20% discount to you as well…just enter the code HAPPY20 (valid through Dec. 13). So many goodies to choose from!

Have a happy day!

*big thanks to my Dad, who was the superstar photographer for today’s post

Thank you for all the entries for the Little Bird Vintage Designs and Tweet Baby Designs giveaway! It was so fun to see the books you’re reading and what you’re watching as well.

And the winner is…

Leah Cayzer!

Congratulations Leah…watch for an email from me soon! For those of you who didn’t win…you still have time to take advantage of the discounts offered exclusively to WSLW readers. The following discount codes are valid through Friday, December 10:

Little Bird Vintage Designs: 10% off your order // enter FLOCK (check out her new mama shirts and infant gowns!)
Tweet Baby Designs: 15% off your order // enter SARA15

Today, we stopped to see our family in Minneapolis and had a smashing time…Thai food, coffee, and lots of laughter. This one of my sister with Lucy was too sweet to pass up.

Today, I came around the corner and found Lucy and Bentley having a moment.