21 Day Challenge - my second attempt

This challenge has only accentuated the fact that my wardrobe is very lacking.  I keep telling myself as soon as my kiddos are out of this stage then I will dress nicer.  At this rate - Never Gonna Happen.  So here is my attempt at a Neutral with a pop of color.   Don't laugh.  Denim is neutral to me - so here it is.

Blogging Elsewhere

Today, Megan of Brassy Apple is letting me share a tutorial with you to help send your kids of to school in style.  Run over there and check out all the fun. (The image will take you to Brassy Apple!)

Kitchen Color Pop

Living in Military housing has its ups and downs.  Here the kitchen is entirely tiled - nice - but no walls to add color with.  Since I don't spend lots of time in there (the room is very closed off feeling).  I wanted to add a pop of my kitchen colors without spending lots of time or money.  So this idea might not be new, but inspiration hit - so I thought I would share...

This would be a fun idea for a wedding gift, find a thrifted knife block or buy a new one and make it theirs.  This project didn't cost anything, I had everything on hand.

You will need:
Knife block
Sandpaper
Paint (brush - maybe)
Clear Coat
Monogram (vinyl or a stencil and paint)

1.  First use fine sandpaper, the finer the better (higher number grit), and roughen up you knife block.  This will let you paint without having strip the existing finish.

2.  Use a slightly damp rag and wipe the block down.  You want it clean before you paint.

3.  Grab your paint and paint.  I originally started with spray paint, but color selection here is not too great.  I switched later that night to craft paint and a sponge brush.  Then apply a clear coat to protect your paint from all those knife blades.

4.  Apply your vinyl monogram or use a stencil and paint it on (use clear coat to seal your paint).  Then put your knives in and love the new color in your kitchen.

Overcoming a Fear

I recently came upon the blog Freckles in April.  Kayla has a challenge going on over at Freckles in April.  I have been quietly sideline watching and finally decided to jump into the fray.  I was going to just read, try out some ideas quietly (you know - in case they flopped) and then.... I saw this quote on pinterest (can't find it now - didn't pin it).

“I have an irrational fear of wasting a good outfit on an insignificant day.”


It is weird, but I do save outfits for if I know I am leaving the house -because I don't have that many clothes.  As a Mom your clothes are always getting dirty, there is baby drool, baby food, baking and cooking spills, and so much more.  So more often than not the shirt I want to wear outside of my 4 walls is dirty.


So finally as I was falling asleep I decided to give it a try and share here.  Today - I am not wearing denim shorts and a solid T (my usual staple).  This outfit fits a few of the categories that she has done.  This is my Orphan, my skirt, and my belt it.  This outfit definitely needs a different belt and sandals -but I am working with limited inventory.  I wonder if I can do it 2 days in a row.

Another good fashion read.  Keeping it fresh:30 days, 30 different looks  No more excuses for wearing the same mommy uniform day in and day out.

I've Been Featured

Ricochet from Ricochet and Away recently did a post about bias ruffles and included my Random Ruffle Pillow Tutorial in her post. Stop by and say hi!

The Navy Dental Corps Ball

This past weekend we celebrated the 99th Birthday of the Dental Corps.  It was a fun informal affair.  The theme was 70s.  Jason was on the committee and very busy getting it all done.  Everyone  had a great time and laughed tons - if Jason's costume is any clue.  During all of the formal ceremony portion of the night it was hard to keep a straight face at times because of the costumes.  It was a wonderful night and fun way to celebrate and build camaraderie among the corps.  I am looking forward to the 100th - it should also be a party to remember.

So more pics for your entertainment.  Side note - my costume did not work out and I had to scramble the last minute to get things worked out, so I am not as memorable as Jason (Hopefully that means I get to spend lots on my gown for the November ball).   Jason shirt is a real 70s polyester number.  The pants are a reproduction.  The shoes are new and off the shelf.  My shirt is really from the 70s - nice polyester knit.

Summer Sewing

Since summer is almost technically over - school starting, I thought I would show some of the summer sewing I did.  Charlotte was not too excited about modeling.

 Top and bottoms are Oliver and S patterns.  The bottoms are my all time favorite shorts.  They just released 3 new fall patterns.

 Since I didn't have enough buttons that matched, I dug through my stash and found 3 colors that went well with the fabric.  I really liked how they turned out.  I might have to try reversing the top one of these days.

 Another Lil Blue Boo recycle dress.  This is a combo of one of my shirts and one of Jason's.

 Oliver and S shorts again.  These are from the sleeves of the same shirt I used to make the Welcome Home Skirt.  There are not features from the shirt saved, just used the fabric.  They really looked too plain and I didn't have any ribbon on hand.  So, I embroidered some little bows and stitches to add some visual appeal.

You Always Wondered

You always wondered if dishwashers and washing machines overflow with suds.  Well my dishwasher has  overflown with suds twice in the last month.

As I was trying to figure out why this was happening, my dish helper admitted that sometimes a little liquid dish soap is added.  With boys, you need to explain all the do nots or they will try them out.  I love how boys are more action minded than I am used to.

3 Boys and a 5K

This time Jason and Grahm also participated.  Grahm has been begging to run everyday since Jayce's last run.  It is going to whip Jason into shape because Jayce views running as his private Daddy time.   So, Jason has to run with each of them seperately and now Charlotte is begging to go.

 Since they were running so fast, I hadn't set my settings.  Next time I will be ready.

Jayce ran ahead of Grahm and Jason up till the end.  He ran a good quarter of a mile ahead, but at the end they had over a half mile up hill climb.  That combined with his faster pace took its toll and he couldn't be motivated too much at that point.  So Grahm and Jason came in just before Jayce.  Their times....  28.??  and 29.??  Jayce shaved off 5 minutes!  They both beat lots of adults.  We are so proud and hope they continue to enjoy running.  At this rate we might have to invest in that double jogging stroller!

Beat, but so proud!  Sign in was at 6:30am - I think they need to be up a little earlier so breakfast doesn't make them feel yucky.

Funny Faces

As the living room continues to dry and we run here and there with summer activities, I thought some funny faces might make you laugh.

I have a 5K to go to.  I get to cheer on THREE runners at 7am tomorrow - goodnight and I will have pictures to share of the runners.

Typhoon Muifa

This Typhoon really liked our Island, she wanted to stay for as long as possible.  We were told to stay indoors for almost 48 hours, the longest stretch any Typhoon has earned in our year here.  She fortunately did not do much damage to our neighborhood, the previous Typhoon did that.  I did loose my favorite flowering bush.

The damage this time was done inside.  She blew the wind and rain just right so we ended with lots of water coming in.  We had to move our living room into the dining room to try and keep things dry.  It ruined my painted walls, discolored grout in the bathroom walls.  In the bathroom water was steadily draining from the grout.  The power was out for about 14 hours.  That was all day Friday - inside with 4 kids.  The humidity rose in the house to 90% according to our wall clock, I was getting nervous it was going to start to rain.  We didn't have any more dry towels by the time the power was back on - I had started using blankets.

These storms are very impressive to watch.  We are lucky these houses were constructed with these storms in mind.  At one point we thought the car might end up on its side.

Check out all the Back to School fun

There are some fantastic ideas being shared over at Brassy Apple this month as we try and get ready for another school year.  I am super excited to be a part of this fun month, look for me towards the end of the month.

Un-Birthday!

Late as usual, we fainlly got our act together and celebrated Charlotte's Un-Birthday.  She wanted to have a Tangled Party and she wanted dress-up clothes.  So we had us a pink party - the only thing I wish I would have done is have the guests wear pink.

The crown broke the next day, but she loves the shoes.

Yup - this is the favorite dress.  She also has a new tutu with petals inside, a poodle skirt (I made with leftover fabric from one of the coats I made), a fairy costume (the boys broke the wings the next day), an ice princess dress, and others that still have not made it in the mail.

I saw a recipe for pink lemonade cupcakes.  We tried them and no one really loved them, so we wont be making them again.  Basically you add pink lemonade concentrate to a white cake mix and add lemon to butter cream frosting.  Plus - my kids still don't eat cake.

The for the highlight of the night.  We headed to a beach and Jason launched the lanterns.  It was windy and so a bit tricky - next time we will wait for a calm night.  We had an audience, it was fun and magical - I hope she loved it.

Looking forward to more pink parties.  Happy UnBirthday, Charlotte!  We love you!

Tennyson

It has been awhile since I posted any pictures of Tennyson.  She is getting too big.  She finally started to crawl the right way (made me sad), she stands up all the time, has 4 teeth and counting.  She loves to laugh, is busier than Grahm!  Eats like a horse but weighs as much as a feather.  She is tall and tans (never burns).  She is not afraid of anything.  She prefers to eat her sand wet and salty, loves the water in all its varieties.