Take a look at this website and  you can learn how to help out small business in your neighborhood.

I fell in love with this little shop in Encinitas called 42nd and Orange: M.O.M It was opened by a daughter and mother who devote all of their free time crafting and creating out of their small studio in Encinitas. Its right next to UNIV.

Pick up some unique holiday gifts here, they have the cutest stuff!

So, I was reading this blog article that was talking about how lame it is to photoshop and alter photos for womens magazines. These magazines crop, cut, paste, soften, erase, blur any imperfections that the model may have with the goal of creating the ideal or “perfect”woman. I don’t want to go on a rant about this topic, instead, I’ll let you read the article for yourself and you can read someone else rant. I will, however, let you read my thoughts.

My thoughts:

It’s funny when I think back to being a young impressionable sponge. Absorbing every criticism or reinforcement that was hurled my way. Hanging on every word of advice given in my YM magazine,  Teen Magazine, or Glamour Magazine. My magazines were like the Holy Bible of getting through the teen years. YM explained that torn jeans and flannel shirts were what I was supposed to wear this season, it told me that Charlie White perfume was going to attract the cutest boys in school, it told me where to find all those special sexy spots on a man, it promised that if I washed my face with Neutrogena I would have flawless skin, it assured me that if I had brown eyes plum eyeshadow and burnt coffee lipstick would make me most appealing.

Oh, how I believed it! I had a never ending collection of beauty products hidden in every drawer and cabinet of my bathroom. I would spend a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes manipulating my hair every morning just to get my ponytail bump-free and my bangs hairsprayed stiff to hold the perfect round “C” against my forehead.  I would spend an entire morning primping and preparing for the day.  I’d arrive to school, quietly sit at my desk and then, sadly, feel just as insecure, self-conscious, defeated as I first did when my naked body stepped out of the shower only a few hours before. 

Sigh. That poor, poor little spongey-brain girl.  

If only I could whisper in her ear and say, “Don’t worry. Someday you won’t care anymore. Someday your skin will feel like it belongs on you. Someday you will no longer think Cindy Crawford is the prettiest person on earth. You will think you are.”

I’m not exactly quite sure when it happened, but there was a moment in life when I heard those words. And then there was a moment when I believed it. And now, I live it. I am living my “someday.”

No more oggling over bean-poles in magazines. No more taking advice about my own damn face. No more mapquest to my man’s body.

Now, its just me and my happy,happy self. Age is sobering. Isn’t it?

It’s like the Italian guy told me, “you are soap and water.” Huh? I didn’t understand it then. But now, there is no better way to express beauty. Simple and pure. Unpainted nails.

In fact, I’m not soap and water my life is soap and water.

More wedding stuff… Just thought I would share some DIY wedding ideas with you.

Love Bird cake toppers

Love Birds

Hand made ideas

More cake toppers

Cake topper hearts

Hanging Decoration

Hanging Decoration

 The love bird cake toppers are really easy to make if you have some basic sewing knowledge. Just cut out 4 shapes of a bird (this will make 2 birds). Then cut out 8 shapes of the wings (this will make 4 wings). Sew two sides of the wings together, with you sewing machine on zig-zag mode, so that they are two-sided. Sew the wings onto the outsides of the birds body. Then take two black beads and hand stitch them to the bird’s head on either side for eyes. Sew the two sides of the bird together, again using zig-zag stitch, leaving a gap open so you can stuff the bird with poly fill. fill the bird with poly fill, them sew the seam shut. You can use wire to shape as bird’s feet and then hot glue into place as I did. 

The Heart cake toppers are even easier to make: Cut heart shaped pieces of fabric, then sew on smaller pieces on the faces to create texture and dimension. Then sew the two sides together using zig-zag stitch on sewing machine, leave a gap for stuffing with poly fill. Fill with poly-fill. Then sew your gap shut. Take shish-ka-bob sticks and poke the pointy side into the bottom of the heart. You may need to pop a seam with your seam ripper to make a little gap for the stick.

The hanging decoration is the easiest project yet! I bought vine balls, small round mirrors, and ribbon at Michael’s Craft store. Take the small round mirrors and hot glue them all around the vine balls. Then take your ribbon and loop it through the vine ball to make the first length that will hang from the ceiling and tie it in a bow. Then do the same with the next ball- make sure it is completely centered on the ball so that it hangs right. Do not make a bow on this one, make a tight knot and then cut the extra slack and tuck it near the ball to hide the knot. Then do the same thing with the last ball but this time keep extra ribbon so you can make a larger bow and have some ribbon ends that hang down. Thats it, you’re done! Have fun

I’m utterly obsessed with this artist I just discovered. If I got a hold of any Danny Roberts originals I might accidentally eat them. I love them that much.

Just a little sneak peek…

http://www.felixheinen.de/008.html

http://www.laurenceduchemin.com/

http://www.studioroxas.com/

I’ve been MIA. Sorry. You’re probably sick of looking at those wedding dresses from the last post. I know I am. Time to mix it up a bit! I’ll share a few of the things that I’m into right now…

 Since I’ve been on an art hunt for the house I decided maybe I’d try making some stuff on my own. So, as you see above I made this little piece or art called “Ballruses.” Goofy. Yes, I know.

Here is my attempt at a free hand drawing of a dude in a magazine. Cheetah print diaper is Soooo IN right now   Weird. Yes, I know!

Tucker is always on the top of my list for goofy inspirations. What a goofball…

Im also really liking my “Palooka!” baby apparel line. Its coming along bit by bit.

See more at www.palookababy.wordpress.com

Lastly, here’s a pic of my wedding shoes…

I’m joking. But OH SNAP! that would be cool. Peace out!

I have lots of ideas about my wedding. I think most women would think my desires for the wedding are a little too unconventional and untraditional for their tastes.  But hey, thats why its OUR day. Nobody elses. A day where we make a promise to love and cherish each other for the rest of our lives. Not a day to impress others with indulgence and extravagance.

I love all things natural. Pure. Clean. Honest.

This is what our day will exude. Honesty and truth in who we are.

With all this being said…I will key you in on the wedding details later. For now its about the DRESS!

Afred Angelo

This is a simple and classic stlye by Alfred Angelo that I thought would be nice if I feel like going a more traditional route. I would then apply my own detail to the dress to give it a little more of my personality. 

BCBG

This Dress by BCBG found at Nordstrom’s is a gorgeous untraditional dress. I am really loving the idea of having a knee length dress that feels a little more casual. I’m also falling for the flower applique on this dress.

"Milan" Dress

"Milan" detail

 This dress I found on a cheesy website called Dolly Couture. But I like that it has a 50’s inspired feel to it. Doesn’t the top of this dress look edible? Just like the frosting on the cake! Yummy. And that tule skirt?? I would feel like a ballerina! Perfect.

Zac Posen Dress

Here is another little gem that I found. Designed by Zac Posen and can be purchased through Saks Fifth Avenue. Understated, yet still beautiful. The straight pencil skirt look to the dress gives it a more elegant and formal feel while the cotton material and ruffled decal give it a more comforting county feel. That nice little open stripe detail makes the dress really stnd on its own, don’t you think? I can really picture myself in this dress, especially since it has those nice straps to keep it up during dancing! You know I love comfort.

"Molly" Dress by Priscilla of Boston

"Taylor" dress by Priscilla of Boston"Drew" dress by Priscilla of Boston

"Drew" dress by Priscilla of Boston

 The two of these dresses by Priscilla of Boston, the Talyor and the Drew, are very similar. The Taylor is shown in a satin that really makes it look more like a wedding dress and the below knee length skirt seems a bit more sophisticated. The Drew dress is a little more casual in apprearance because it is a cotton blend. The peeping tule under the skirt gives a more playful feel. I just want to have a country ho-down in this dress! They are both so pretty. 

What do you all think? Which is your favorite? Thanks for sharing!

Tucker boy!

Meet Tucker! He is the newest addition to our family. Michael and I adopted him from a rescue organization called EVEN CHANCE Rescue. He came over with his foster mom, Nicole, and they checked out the house and then sadly but not too sadly, they said their goodbyes. Tucker is such a GOOD BOY! He gives our backyard two paws up! We played ball for about an hour so that he would be nice and tired. Earlier, I had bought some fabric and quilting batting to make Tucker a little bed for his crate. Michael was working on his computer and I was busy cutting the fluffy batting for his new bed in the office. Tucker was determined that he was going to lay on it whether it was finished or not. So he plopped right down so he could be center of attention. He just wanted to be right next to us and be loved. He didnt leave our side once.  I picked him up and put him on his blanky so I could finish sewing and he fell fast asleep. We let him sleep on the floor in the room with us last night and he was very happy and lay there sleeping the entire night.

In the morning Tucker and I went for a run/walk and he  checked out his new neighborhood.  He’s such a happy, well-behaved boy. It was really hard leaving him this morning when I went to work. Can’t wait to get home tonight so we can play!

We couldn’t have asked for a better little guy! Thank you Nicole and the rest of the crew at EVEN CHANCE RESCUE, you’re awesome and we LOVE our Tucker-man!

He doesn't go anywhere w/o that ball!