In Honor of Stashtober

Or is it Stachetober?  Either way, this is the month that my very handsome husband turns into this:

Last year's stache.

This year's stache. This picture makes me cringe.

In honor of this, my husband's very favorite month, I have picked out a few of my favorite Etsy mustaches to share with you.

How cute is this little ring by isette? Love it.

If we're talking about mustaches, I have to include the *original* Secret 'Stache tee by the  Oh Fiddlesticks! gals. Finley has this little tee in blue and we are impatiently waiting for the weather to cool down so he can wear it. Adorable and clever.

And lastly, I think these personalized note cards by Emily Guy Studio are pretty rad. Thinking my husband would get a kick of these for his birthday.

How about you all? Any favorite 'staches to share? Anyone else's husband as stashtastic as mine this month?

A Belated Birthday Gift from Parkside Harmony

This past Sunday, I went to check out the newest H&M store in Scottsdale with my friend Erica of Parkside Harmony. When I picked Erica up, she presented me with a belated birthday gift - a gorgeous handmade journal.

 

Erica picked out a stunning paper in gorgeous blues for the color and used an orange waxed linen thread for the binding. It's so beautiful, that I hardly want to write in it (but I will, of course).

Each of Erica's books are made with Stonehenge 100% Cotton paper- a heavy weight (90lb) paper suitable for a variety of media. All pages are hand cut, hand torn, hand folded, and hand sewn by her. The book is bound in 6 needle Coptic stitch. I have no clue what Coptic stitch is but it looks very cool!

Erica's books are so well made and beautiful, that she is featured in Etsy's Blog *today* in their Eat, Pray, Love inspired finds. You can see it here.

I absolutely love handmade gifts - especially when they come from dear friends. Thanks so much Erica and thanks for tagging along with me on our little shopping excursion.

Be sure to visit Parkside Harmony to see more of Erica's stunning work.

Upcoming photo shoot

I have been super busy preparing for a photo shoot next weekend that I mentioned a while back. It's going to be a gorgeous, creative shoot styled and shot by Laura of Laura Winslow Photography, Kim of The TomKat Studio, and Mia of Dolce Vita Mia.

There is going to be a ton of fabulous clothing featured from some of my favorite designers. Here is a small sample of work from a few of the amazing shops that are involved.

Sweet Plume 

Little Mave

Lillipops Designs

How gorgeous is this clothing? I am so honored to be contributing to this effort with such talented designers. I am responsible for styling the lone boy in the shoot and will be making some brand new tanks for the girls. Stay tuned... details and photos from the shoot will be up later this month.

Shop Handmade and Help the Gulf Coast

First off, I apologize that I haven't blogged in a few weeks. We are in full on summer mode here and the boys and I have been keeping ourselves busy. I promise to get back to blogging more regularly soon.

Anyhow, I want to tell you all about a fabulous shopping opportunity. Kate from Flapper Doodle has generously donated her time to organize a wonderful Etsy shop, Help the Gulf Coast, with amazing items donated by equally generous Etsy sellers. 100% of the proceeds (minus Paypal + Etsy fees) will go to Oxfam America and the National Audubon Society to help with clean up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.

This is just a small sampling of some of the amazing items available at Help the Gulf Coast on Etsy.

Monogrammed Eco Notecard Set by Ex Libris Handmade for Help the Gulf Coast

Feather Wrap Ring by Brilliance Found for Help the Gulf Coast

Original Collage on Recycled Wood by Staunch Studio for Help the Gulf Coast

So what are you waiting for? Now's the time to do some shopping and feel good about your purchase knowing that you contributed to the relief efforts from this catastrophe.

I'm going to try my hand at hooking

Yes, you heard me right. After picking up a copy of Debbie Stoller's "The Happy Hooker" last night, I've decided to teach myself how to crochet. I am going to temporarily trade in my knitting needles for a hook and see how I do.

Debbie Stoller, the author, is downright amazing. She has a Ph.D. from Yale in the psychology of women, she co-founded and is the current editor of BUST magazine, and she has written one of my favorite knitting guides - "Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook."

By no means am I an expert knitter but I can hold my own and "Stitch 'N Bitch" made it so easy for me to follow along and teach myself. I am hoping the same can be said of "The Happy Hooker." My brother and sister-in-law are expecting twin boys this fall and I'm ready to dive in and make them some seriously cute goodies. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Wish me luck.

If you don't have the time or the patience to learn to crochet, have no fear. I have picked some of my very favorite crocheted items from some amazingly talented artisans on Etsy to share with you. Enjoy!

Crocheted Mary Janes by Curly Birdie

Crocheted Wrist Cuffs by Well of Creations

Crocheted Fried Chicken by Fair Trade Family

Crocheted Bunny by berry sprite

Newborn Beanie and Diaper Cover Set by Polka Dot Posh

My little obsession

It's no secret that my family and I are super casual and my boys live in t-shirts. I don't iron so you'll rarely find a button up shirt on my boys. And since I am obsessed with shopping on Etsy to find them the coolest little tees, I thought I'd save you all the time and trouble of finding them yourselves and post my favorites here.

I have to start with the "mini" tee by Charlie and Sarah. I picked up a short sleeved version of this tee at Renegade LA last summer and it was instantly Finley's favorite shirt ever. Those of you who know me in real life, have probably seen this tee on Finley no less that 278 times.

Another one of my absolute favorite places to shop for tees is Monster in the Closet. Sarah, the artist behind the monster, makes the cutest little tees. My little guys have a couple of Sarah's monsters and we love them!

One of the very first Etsy shops that ever won my "heart," is Tiny Modernist. I absolutely adore their mid century modern chair appliques. Seriously cool.

And since we're talking about cool tees, I must tell you about b. children's wear. Not only does b. make some of the most whimsical and clever appliqued tees (like the one below that I'm dying to buy) I've found, but she also makes beautiful ruffled tees and hoodies for little girls. 

And last but not least, you must check out Happy Family. I love Happy Family! I have bought several tees for gifts as well as for my boys and they are always an instant hit. The family behind the Happy are super cool - great customer service, quick shipping, great prices, and a free tote with the purchase of 2 tees!

So there you have it. Some of the coolest kid's tees that you'll find on Etsy. Be sure to check out the rest of these seller's fun little clothes.

Prepping for the Photo Shoot

My much anticipated Finley and Oliver photo shoot with the fabulous Laura Winslow is tomorrow! So excited! I have the spent the week stitching my fingers off and working on the styling for my cutie little models. 

These are just a few of the fun things we've picked out to accessorize their outfits. Hat by H&M, black hydrangea headband by Hair Blooms, and hot pink felt headband by Adorn at Handmade Parade

 We are shooting five little kiddos - three sweet toddlers and two adorable babies (both of whom won the Mod Babe Casting Call). It's going to be a little hectic I'm sure but an absolute blast. Fortunately for me, I'm working with an awesome photographer who is not only extremely professional, but crazy good at engaging children and bringing out their personalities.

Be sure to stay tuned to the blog for some behind the scenes action and sneak peeks of the pics!

Shop Local

One of my most favorite things about Etsy is the Shop Local feature. I have had the great pleasure of meeting some of the coolest people ever through Shop Local and wanted to share them with you. All of these sellers are just as amazing as the products they make.

Soap by Rose and Root

Journal by Parkside Harmony

Headband by Dolce Vita Mia

Candles by Sarah Bee Creations

Brand Spankin' New!

This is my brand spankin' new blog! It is my very first attempt at joining the blogosphere (is that what it's called?) so please be patient as I try to figure out what the heck I'm doing and get the ball rolling.

Anyhow, my name is Grace and with me is my little chicken, Ramona. I am the brains and the brawn behind Finley and Oliver - my little clothing line and also my little boys. I'm hoping this blog will be another fun, creative outlet for me to share with you some fun shopping finds, tutorials, my amazing family, and the antics of living on a small hobby farm.