Diggin' for Denim

Cooler, amazing temps combined with the passing of Labor Day weekend have prompted me to break out the jeans, sparking excitement about my favorite time of year. Add in a lazy, loose fleece and I'm in heaven...

When sporting these said jeans, I've been asked about twice daily what brand they are and where they may be purchased. So here you go girls, have at it:

Ann Taylor Loft's Curvy Flares

GAP's Long and Leans


I adore them both because they're under $70, stretch and mold into the softest cotton, wash up like a dream and of course make a woman of substance appear smaller than she really is.

What more can a gal ask for?

And if you're questioning the flare, I still stay in full support, again for the sole reason it makes your hips look smaller. Sign.me.up...said the pear shape.

So if you're going diggin' for denim, I suggest you start here.

Happy shopping!

You Wanna Be a *WHAT?*

"Bug, what do you want to be for Halloween?" I asked curiously, a touch of excitement and encouragement in my voice in anticipation of him spilling the beans at his now oh-so-mature age of nearly two.

"HOMIE!" he shout, his blue eyes lighting up as if he just discovered ice cream was waiting for him downstairs.

Speechless...

speechless...

still speechless...

So like all toddler tricks, I ignore the inappropriate answer and ask again: "what do you want to be for Halloween this year, buddy?"

After a few more attempts we arrive at potentially a Ring Master (thank you Yo Gabba Gabba), but the vote is still for "homie."

And as you all know, this just ain't gonna fly.

Seriously - where does he hear this stuff anyway?! His claim is a "man" says it...Lord knows who he is encountering in his active social life as a toddler to pick up these queues. Though I have a sneaking suspicion Daddy may have something to do with it, though he claims he doesn't and little dude generally does rat his father out (thus how I learned why he was shouting "dangit!"

I scramble back through time to recall if I'd purchased one of those GAP or Nordy's tee that says "homie" on them, but alas come up with nothing. I give up. And I'm starting to get nearer to waving the white flag for his Halloween costume.

So what ideas do you have for innovative and affordable? What will your kids disguise themselves as this year?

Go Vote

It's rare you'll find me going political in this space or begging you to support one of my causes, but in this case:

Go out and vote for these two darling canines! Look at those faces - how could you not?!

No, not Katie and Jared (though they're both quite smashing themselves), but their adorable pups and help raise money locally for the free health clinic and the SPCA.

Woof and thanks!

Going Out With a Bang

We are indulging in the kind of long weekend one only dreams of, complete with weather that signals the first signs of fall, projects falling off the to-do list that have been on for months, a day away from the daily grind, meals prepared with peace and purpose, hours dedicated to naps, an abundance of friends and family and at the heart of it all…

Lawson’s second birthday party!

Seamless and celebratory, it’s a day we (and he!) will never forget for its cheer, joy, active and smile-inducing play. Hosted at Gymboree for a “here, take my money so all I have to do is bring cupcakes,” it began late afternoon with gaggle of our nearest and dearest, which slowly grew to more than 30, many of them little friends under age two, delighting in the primary colors and craziness ensuing around them. Tottering over slides, bouncing of padded obstacles courses, chasing flavored bubbles, clapping to songs, leaping from heights, tucking and rolling in parachutes and some who had just sitting staring in wonder - it was a sight to be seen. Those sans wee ones hung nearby, sharing in the laughter, catching photo opps and unearthing their child-like spirit stuck deep within their souls.






And when play turned to a bit of ambivalence, it was a march to the cupcakes for the “Happy Birthday” tune, beverages needed after some intense activity and catching up with the kind of friends and family one spends each day being grateful for. As laughter and stories filled the room, we served red velvet and birthday surprise cupcakes, passed goody bags to the little ones, hugged guests we hardly had enough time to catch up with and delighted in watching Lawson make headway with his once-lit giant baked good, taking moments to sip a rare juice box in between. Soon, the presents were whisked away, chatter died down as our timeframe ran out and the scramble to pick up and go was upon us. But not before photos were captured, well-wishes exchanged and…




the birthday boy went out with a bang. Literally.

Catching his two front teeth and lip on the edge of what once had been laced in primary colors, streamers and bicycle-themed items for his special day. Alas, like most kid incidents, no harm no foul and was quickly cured with a now almost fully recovered Grandpa pretending to fall into a faux tree.

So yah, we went out with a bang. And what a bash it was.




Thank you to all of our incredible family and friends(many of them not pictured here!) who make these special days and all moments worth celebrating. We love you, honor you, cherish you and hope that when it comes to going out with a bang…


you’ll always be there right besides us.

A New Take on Sperrys

Aren't they darling?

Adore!

I'll take one pair to go...

Of All The Sayings...

the little dude has rattled off this weekend that nearly landed me in hysterical tears, here is the best of all:

"Oh, OH Daddy!" urgently pointing at the hubs' nose.

"What, what is it buddy?" says Daddy, imagining a bleed coming on or something else equally urgent.

"Up there!" says little dude, inching his finger closer and closer to the nostril region.

"Up where? Whaaa?" says Daddy.

"Oh OH Daddy - got grass in your nose! Gotta CUT IT!"

Well, played, little buddy. Well played.

And I didn't even have to put him up to it...

Pop Your Collar...

cause this birthday boy is gonna step out in style!

How darling is this polo created by the ever-thoughtful, endlessly talented, super Mom of two Mrs. Jenny Knudtson?


Laid-back, timely, talented, creative and fun, Jenny took this tee from vision to finish, checking in a few times at checkpoints, but overall, she took our party theme (bicycles) and ran with it. Sensible and still attuned to quality, she nabbed a polo at Target and then took the time to find the perfect fabric in Lawrence that nearly matched the logo of the little dude’s party set for Saturday. The polo is fabulously soft and just the right shade of grey, and Jenny took her Hallmark designer sense and placed a 2 on the breast pocket and cut darling, patterned letters out on the back with a larger 2 represented. Essentially it’s like a jersey for a little guy to sport at his soiree – perfect! When receiving her package, she included care instructions and insisted she was very flexible and open to feedback. During the process she even included a teaser!

Thank you, Jenny, for creating a color-coordinated, perfectly sewn shirt we’ll literally keep for a lifetime for its sentiment and one-of-a-kindness. Because of you, the little dude’s pics are sure to be fab…and everyone will know he’s “gonna be two!!!”

Check out Jenny’s Etsy site in the next few months at petitethreads.etsy.com or connect with her via email for one of your very own.