Unexpected Inspiration

I got a lovely gift in the mail yesterday!!!!

I won a giveaway on my friend's blog (dream create share)-- and for my 'prize', I chose a handmade piece of jewelry. The other choices were a handmade journal or a paper pack.

Well, not only did my package include these absolutely beautiful earrings...

{{(love them, love them!) Umm, LOVE THEM!!!! I don't know what else to say. But I do want to wear them every day. Today I chose my outfit simply so it would match the earrings.}}

...But there was MORE!

She included this gorgeous journal

and a paper pack full of fun papers and trims.

I can't wait to use them. My heart feels full! I want to just sit alone with these goodies and create! And pour myself into it! I haven't done that in so long, and I didn't think it was necessary- but having this in front of me-- this open, empty book-- a blank canvas and lots of media to create with --- it's drawing me.

This is who I am and what I've been doing my whole life, but it was one of the first things to go when my life got fuller. (Journaling & creating.)

Dede- thank you for the amazing gifts, and also for the inspiration that you have given me! I CAN.NOT. wait to spend some time with my journal. I absolutely treasure it. And the earrings, they are my favorite. Absolutely perfect! You are such a beautiful person and an inspiration in more way than one. Keep on loving life and living your passion in that contagious way that you do! Thank you again, sweet friend!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

(& 1st time painting!)

We didn't catch a thing! (except seaweed)! But it was fun anyway. My first time surf-fishing. I think we would have done better off the pier. The day before, we went down to the pier and there were at least 10-12 ppl fishing, and all had caught something! We watched a woman reel in a little shark, it was cool. Here are a few pictures of Kevin, me & my niece Alyssa. And here's what Jake did the whole time...
(Pack&Plays are the BEST!)

I also want to post this DARLING little dress that I bought from a friend of mine- I've mentioned her before because she also made my MeiTai wrap. I asked her to reserve the material because I thought I might be having a girl-- so now that it's a boy I was going to have her make it and then save it for my next baby-- but that felt like a waste because that may be years, and may be another boy!! So I ended up giving it as a gift and my friend LOVED it!!!! Her baby is due next month! Anyways, I think these dresses are so beautiful and well-made! Hand-knit tops, super cute!!!!! Check out her store on Etsy (Hand Knits by AngoraKnitter) P.S. The pink isn't as bright as the 2nd pic looks. It's almost a dusty rose pink-- really pretty!!!

Our new Mei Tai Carrier!

Our new Mei Tai Carrier!
I want to show off our new Mei Tai carrier. It was made by a friend of mine who operates a successful business making (mostly) dresses (Hand Knits by AngoraKnitter). They are absolutely beautiful and I can't wait until I have an excuse to buy some!!! :)
*I did the best at getting pics of myself wearing it, it was quite funny! Couldn't wait for Kevin to get home to take the pix! Jake is teething so he had fun chewing on the material-

For this carrier I chose the fabric (which happened to be double-sided, think: reversible! yay!)- she added a pocket in the back for cell phone, diaper supplies, etc. Jake loves it- it's so comfy for both of us. (The straps criss-cross in the back, dispersing the weight more evenly on my back than the traditional back-pack style carriers I've tried). AND (this is huge), it's soooo easy to put on!!! We love our Snugli front/back pack carrier, but it has so many clips,cords,strings,fasteners,clasps... I don't let anybody else wear it because I finally got it adjusted to me and I don't want to have to figure it out again! LOL So I love my new carrier... it's so easy, cute, stylish, comfy, and versatile! (You can do back, front, and side carries- to name a few). Thank you, S! (AngoraKnitter)

P.S. I love buying things from WAHMs (work at home moms). I recently bought a gift for a friend of mine who is having a baby girl. A darling little headband/bow from the creator of Tickly Toes Boutique. Since the website isn't totally up and running, here are some pictures of her darling daughter wearing her headbands. (Posted with her permission). I had problems getting the pic of the one I got (a cute funky headband with a double-bow on it... but just imagine how cute it is!