101 bits of Summer Fun

Thursday, May 26, 2011
I always get a little anxious and panicky in the middle of May when the temperature starts creeping up to the 100 degree mark (knowing it will go well beyond that). Living in Phoenix, we spend the majority of our summer indoors. It is a huge challenge keeping the kiddos entertained with fun things to do when they can't run around outside as much as they'd like.  Thank goodness my super creative, awesome friend Laura of Laura Winslow Photography saved me with this {FREE} download she created.


How fun is this? I'm going to print it out, frame it, and hang it up in the house so we'll always have fresh ideas when the kids start to get antsy during summer. I'm hoping this will save me from at least some of the crying, whining, and fighting ;)

Download your free copy here.

dream BIG

Tuesday, May 24, 2011
I recently received these ridiculously awesome photos from Laura of Laura Winslow Photography. Couldn't you just strap on your own cape and run along with little J for some crazy adventures? So stinking fun!! Laura is a pro at capturing the imaginative and adventurous spirit of childhood.


I am loving his little cape and mask from Peanut Pop. I may have to pick up a couple for Finley and Oliver. 





A HUGE thanks to Laura and little J for these fun images!! Laura and I are working on a crazy fun shoot this weekend... can't wait to share the details with you when we're finished. 

Cape and Mask - Peanut Pop
dream BIG tee - Finley and Oliver

Three Different Colors!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Do you see these eggs? Notice that they are three different colors! Do you know what that means? It means that Effie, who hasn't laid an egg since she started molting last September, is laying eggs again. I'm so stinking happy about this. I have no intentions of eating my chickens (they have names!), even when they stop laying. However, I was not happy about the fact that Effie may live another 6-7 years without producing anything for us. So stoked to see her pretty blue eggs again.

It also means that Flo is laying eggs in the coop again. I posted a few weeks back that we couldn't find her eggs. Last week I was in the coop and saw both Effie and Flo in their nesting boxes. Effie popped out, walked over to Flo and proceeded to peck the crap out of her until Flo flew the coop so to speak. I'm guessing this is why Flo started laying other places. She now waits until Effie is out of the way and busy in another part of the yard before she lays in the coop. Now we know who's on top of the pecking order. We've got eggs coming out of our ears again and it's definitely a good thing.

We've got lettuce coming out of our ears too and I have the cutest little helper who likes to pick it with me.

Introducing Noah and Lilah

Wednesday, May 4, 2011
I've been sitting on my hands keeping this a secret but now I finally get to tell you all that I'm collaborating on an amazing summer collection with Sherri of the fabulous Noah and Lilah. I absolutely adore the style of Noah and Lilah clothing - fresh, modern, and not over designed - so when Sherri mentioned the idea of a collaboration, I was all over it!

Here's a little peak of some of the awesomeness of Noah and Lilah (all of these cutie clothes are available here). You'll have to wait to see the new collection which will be available in June. ;)


Sherri is an amazing seamstress and creates some of the most adorable little twirl skirts, dresses, and shorts that I've seen. Every time I see one of her new creations, I wish I had a little girl.  I mean seriously, how cute is the little red polka skirt??


We are both working hard on the new collection and I thought it would be fun to take a break and introduce you all to the incredibly talented, sweet, and down to earth, Sherri.

What were you doing before Noah and Lilah?
Wow - it seems so long ago!  I actually never had any plans to stay home with kids when I was pregnant, and I worked as a Director of Finance for a large international finance company.  But one look at Noah when he was born and that was it - I just couldn't go back.  I did work for one year part time after Noah was two, but then Lilah was born, and then the shop Noah and Lilah was born, and the rest is history.  Now I'm content to spend my days with them, sew like mad when they're sleeping, and see where this takes me.  


How did Noah and Lilah get started?
I actually didn't start sewing until I was pregnant with Lilah.  I have a few (not local) friends who sewed/knit and I wanted to learn how.  I started knitting but it didn't give me the immediate gratification that I wanted (I'm not that fast!).  But then I took one sewing class at Joann's, we made a pillowcase, and I was hooked!  That same week I went out and bought a machine, fabric and patterns, and just started playing around with stuff.  My first pair of pants probably took me four hours, but I did it completely on my own and that taught me *so* much.  I learn by doing, and am mostly self-taught.  After Lilah was born I started doing more sewing, opened the shop, was contacted by some photogs to shoot my items, and here we are! 


How would you describe your design style/aesthetic?
Simple is the key word that comes to mind.  I'm totally not into frilly things, and am for the most part a jeans and t-shirt kinda gal.  But simple doesn't mean clothes can't be cute!  I think this new line shows that best.  How to take a few simple pieces, make a few changes, be really modern and stylish, but still not overly fussy or frilly. Grace here...this is one of the reasons why Sherri and I totally connect. We have a very similar design aesthetic.


When you're not busy with your clothing line, what do you like to do?
We're big DIYers around our house, so we're always working on something (currently finishing our basement).  We also have a garden that keeps us busy in the warmer months.  I also recently started CrossFit and am loving it!  But give me a warm sunny day, sitting on the deck while my kids play around my husband and I with a good meal and some wine, and I'm a happy girl!


What inspires your designs?
That's a hard one - can be so many things.  More often than not - it's fabric.  Sometimes I go searching for fabric - not even knowing what I plan to/want to make, and once I find the fabric I just know.  This collection was that way.  We talked theme and color - I went in search of the fabrics based on that criteria, and the pieces were born after seeing the fabrics. 


Favorite piece of the new collection?  
Oh my gosh - so many! I love the all navy tiered skirt.  I've been wanting to add a tiered skirt to my shop for a while, and this was the perfect one.

Thanks so much to Sherri for answering these questions and sharing with us. Be sure to stop by and swoon over her Noah and Lilah line. I promise, you will fall in love just as quickly as I did.


Our summer collection is being photographed by the fabulous Laura of Laura Winslow Photography and will be available in June. So excited!

Photographs courtesy of: