My Helper

Sophie loves to dash under the covers help me make the bed.

I'm sure you can imagine how well this really works.  :)

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Starting With Fresh Ingredients

BLT Pasta Salad is on the menu tonight.

Started with onions, celery, and tomatoes. 

Of course, there's pasta and...a pound of crispy fried bacon.

I'll share the recipe tomorrow if we like it. :)

Happy Friday!!

Two Laptop Cases I'm Loving

The beautiful use of natural materials and the elegant handmade detailing of this one makes it so chic.

Portel Natural Felt Case

The fact that this one disguises your laptop as a vintage literature book is just plain cool. I love creative design and a sense of humor.

BookBook Hardback Leather Case

Can't decide which I'd rather have for my own macbook. For now, they'll both go on my wish list :-)

Mental Health Day

I've got nothing left, ya'll. I'm toast. I've never been more exhausted/at the end of my rope in my life and I am taking this crazy to my parents' house in Oklahoma soon because I can't do it by myself for eight more days. (Hi, Mom!)

I've got July sponsor posts and giveaways in draft mode and hope to have them up ASAP. If you haven't stopped by their shops/blogs, hit them up before August gets here!

Thanks for hanging around here.
xoxo,
Rachel

p.s. I take my hat off to anyone who does this single mom gig full time.

Yes I Know It's Hot Outside

But if you don't come outside with me you'll miss the view!

Just look at that wisteria reaching for the sunshine.

Puffy clouds on a summer day.

Do you think it will rain?

Spotted this butterfly from inside the house.

I came outside to look at her and she didn't seem to mind.

The pennywort is filling in very nicely in the path.

Little baby frogs or toads jump all around here when you walk by.

Do you remember studying about Pavlov's dogs?

These are Paul's fish.

Same thing.

I just love a summer day!

Linking to Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home.

Please visit Cindy's beautiful blog to find a list of other participants.

Things That Make Me Smile: Caitlin McGauley Illustrations

These watercolor illustrations make me smile and thought they might brighten your day as well :)

If you haven't already, pop on over to Caitlin's website and blog for more absolutely beautiful illustrations.

A Few More Things on Jewelry Organization

I found a few more things over the weekend I couldn't resist but share. First off, how gorgeous are these gold knobs? Perfect for creating a beautifully organized display of necklaces.

gold knobs available via Hygge & West $8

Second, how cool is this jewelry organizer?

nishka's niche jewelry frames $44

Nishka creatively thought outside the box and made these hanging frames, which she sells through her Etsy shop. I love that they're a step above a simple bulletin board and pushpins. The hooks are a practical solution for neatly holding not only necklaces and hanging earrings, but also bracelets, watches, and even a few rings.

Last but not least, I also wanted to post on here an idea a reader brought up. Stephanie of Sabbe Interior Design shared that last week's posts made her think of using a deviled egg platter to organize her jewelry. What a great idea! I bet that would work beautifully!

Home Ec Interview

A little background info in the sewing department.

Q: How did you learn to sew?

A: I have one specific memory of hand stitching some barbie clothing that I had made to my barbie's body when I was a little girl. Another memory is from sometime during elementary or junior high when I raided my Meemaw's vintage fabric stash to make a simple patchwork doll quilt. I can't remember at what point in between those two memories I first started sewing on a machine but the crafty influence from my mom is undeniably the reason I started. She used to make my dresses for church, Halloween costumes, Christmas presents, and fancy pillows for our home.

My Meemaw gave me a Sears Kenmoore sewing machine as a wedding gift eight years ago and I've since sewn for myself and designed and sold product for Red Velvet Art's shop and online craft classes.

Q: Why do you love to sew?

A: I love being resourceful and using my creativity to personalize my own home. Sewing has been a way for me to make things that I love when I can't find anything in stores (or in my budget) as well as a way to pass on keepsakes in the form of quilts, clothing to my children. It's also provided me with the means to contribute to our family finances while staying at home with our young children. I love the way it ties me to so many generations of women and satisfies that strong creative urge to make things.

Q: What is your favorite thing you've ever made?

A: Easily my first large patchwork quilt. I was inspired by the colors of a vintage crazy quilt my SIL owned and gathered vintage and new fabrics for weeks before spending a good chunk of my Fall break cutting and sewing blocks together. It was the same weekend that we found out I was pregnant with our first child (Sebastian) so I like to attribute my desire to take on such a big project to hormonal changes! I still love the colors in my first big quilt and the uneven rows are charming. (Ruby shown on quilt below.)

Q: What is your favorite technique?

A: I'm really bad with following patterns and technical directions and I'm all over the short cuts when they present themselves! Is that a technique? Taking short cuts? I think it must be. ;)


Q: What part of Home Ec are you most excited about?

A: I think I'm most excited to read the comments from students who have taken their machines out of the closet for the first time in awhile, have overcome their frustration/intimidation/insecurities with making it work for them, and have suddenly realized their reason to live. Or at least realized they can do it, too! Positive feedback from students that have enjoyed previous online classes is always a thrill but I love feeling like I've/we've introduced someone to their new favorite thing.

If you've always wanted to learn how to use that sewing machine you found at a garage sale or could use a few tips on how to get your button holes to turn out like they should, you should join us for Home Ec, an online class designed to teach you how to enter the land of back stitching and squaring up with confidence. You'll get the skills you've always wanted and resources to become quite the innovative crafter/homemaker/business person/best Christmas present maker ever.

Class starts on August 10th. Don't be late!!!

xoxo,
Rachel

p.s. If you'd like to hear more about the other lovely teachers you can read Leigh-Ann's interview here and Courtney's here. They are super duper!

Pretending to Fly Away on Paper Airplanes

I'd love to be with my family on a city exploration vacation this week. I've been craving another summer time road trip to an unfamiliar place. One where we can collect those illustrated post cards with the name of the state in bold, interesting type across the front!

Rather than continuing to dream of one, I decided to channel that restless energy into a paper airplane garland to add some whimsy and fun to our dining room space.

I kept the leftovers out from a drawing party that Sebastian and his new friend, Hope, had last night while her mom, Katie, and I discussed our late night crafting habits and what not.

The string has been up since Sebastian's birthday party because I love the idea of a changing garland in this space that reflects each season/occasion. I folded paper airplanes while Ruby explored the underbellies of the new chairs.

Unfortunately, she's at the same sitting height as the uncomfortably hard lip of the seat.

So, while we wish for Brett to come home and take us on an adventure up Route 66, we'll enjoy our travel themed garland and color our own post cards.

Where do you wish you were today?

xoxo,
Rachel

Abra Cadabra

I've replaced the old chairs with the new ones.

I spray painted a wooden candelabra with Krylon paint in Celery. Three thin coats.

I'm thinking about painting Ruby's high chair white so it'll fit in with the rest of the crowd. The table is from Craigslist, too. It's kind of wonky and needs another coat of white paint to cover up some art projects from months past but it's shape is great.

Sebastian and I have been having some interesting conversations lately. One of the running themes has been how much he loves anything that is 'red all over'. He wants a new house that is all red and has twenty train rooms and a big swimming pool. He thinks we should paint these yellow chairs red.

Don't worry. I don't keep red spray paint in the house.

He also told me in the car today that he wants Daddy to come home. Me, too, son. Me, too.

xoxo,
Rachel

The Lovelies From This Weekend

So, I almost didn't stop at my favorite vintage joint in Mammoth Springs, AR this weekend because I wanted to spend more time with the kids and Brett's brother and sister but the opportunity presented itself in the form of a missed nap and waiting for long lost company (that I WISH lived so much closer to Springfield so we could see them all the time!).

I let Brett's sister drive us in the hip hop van in case we found a load of vintage. Ha! No, I really just like to listen to her music and pretend like I'm 16 again, too. Just kidding. Not really. Anyway...(tired)...I found the apple cookie jar first. I saw a big strawberry one and decided against it but then the apple one was less kitschy and I thought it should come home with me. A little ironic that a cookie jar is in the shape of a healthy fruit, though. Right?

I turned the corner and saw this one and gasped out loud. I've been a fan of this folksy, floral, embroidery piece ever since I first saw it a few years ago and figured it was one of those elusive finds. Imagine my glee when it was on the wall for $11.00. I took it to the front and the lady who is always working laughed and told me she found it, almost threw it away, then thought twice because she knew I'd eventually be in and that I'd buy it! It made my day that she not only recognized me but knew what kind of taste I had in vintage! I love that.

The silver bowls have yellow enamel in them. How pretty! One will go in my room on my night stand if I ever get all the clean laundry put away. The floral photo album is kind of beautiful, too. I think I may use it for an art journal cover because I have about 100 loose pages that are needing a home. I love that I'm needing to be picky and STILL finding good vintage!

Have you found anything extra special lately? What's on your dream vintage list?

xoxo,
Rachel

p.s. After looking at the bowls carefully, I discovered they are Catherine Holm of Norway! Even more of a treasure now!

Retro Beauty School by Miss Elsie Flannigan

The lovely Elsie Flannigan is offering a new E-Course all about personal fashion style! Her latest class includes 10 sessions that utilize video lessons, step-by-step photos, and articles covering topics like '3 Thrifty Makovers', '10 Pretty Ideas for Under $10', 'Step by Step Hairstyle Guide: 1960's Bump and 1970's Curls' and 'Vintage Shopping Tips for Pros'! Find out all the details in this post and then head over here to join in. This new class is perfect for anyone interested in developing their own vintage style!

We're in Southern Missouri this weekend letting my 16 year old SIL drive us around in the van with hip hop and pop music blaring. With a trip down to the Springs and Sonic drinks for all, it's been a pretty fun weekend. Be back soon.

xoxo,
Rachel