Our Irish Party

Need some Irish ideas for March? 🙂

Truly Skrumptious

Ack! I’m finally sharing about our Irish party with our friends! I started it days ago, but kept getting interrupted by more urgent things. Anyway, here it is!

We have some friends that love to celebrate the Irish culture like we do, so we sometimes have get-togethers in March and mix the American with the Irish cultures.

So here’s our serving table with drinks, dessert and the food I forgot to photograph as I was hostessing. My mother-in-law brought some green carnations for the table. We had Bewley’s tea (my favorite tea!) in our Carrigaline shamrock tea cups, punch made from rainbow sherbet and 7up for an American touch, Shepherd’s Pie, Steamed Cabbage and White and Brown Soda Bread, served with Dubliner cheese.

For dessert we had a field of shamrock cookies and some rainbow cupcakes. All yummy!!!! 🙂

And here’s our table, festive and fun!

Some of the decorations:

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Fun and Unique Gift “Bows” DIY

Still have some wrapping to do? Here’s a fun, creative idea!

Truly Skrumptious

Last year I found a super fun idea for the “bows” on our Christmas gifts! I love doing something different and unique, and I even changed my “bows” from the original idea I found. It takes some work to find the miniatures for this project, but I was able to find enough variety by going through my house, Christmas stash and finding a few in stores. I LOVED making these, and the result!!!

So adorable! And I hung the tags from this one. :>

I like cute and different paper too!

I also used some other creative cuties for my cousin-in-law: a felt acorn, holly branch and cute tags made from the paper. :>

This box always makes me smile!

I just hot glued each decoration onto a clothespin and decorated packages, so easy and fast!!

I went completely out of the box for this one: simple and cute, and…

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Modest Monday: Green Lu La Roe Perfect T (Dress?)

Have you heard of Lu La Roe? It’s all the rage here in California and it’s popularity is spreading to other states. I have a few skirts and some leggings, in case it ever cools off enough to wear them. A few weeks ago I finally bought a Perfect T! It turned out this one is extra long, too long for a shirt, too short for a dress. I was stumped at first. Then thought I would add a strip of pretty flowered fabric to the bottom to make it longer. But I wanted to wear it before I had done that, so I wracked my brain for a temporary solution and thought of a black skirt I usually wear for ballet classes. I tried it and the flow workes perfectly with the Perfect T. 🙂

Everyone else thought so too, so this is the way I wear it. I LOVE it! It’s so comfy and the green is so pretty. It kind of fits me like a Carly, which is a new dress in the line.

I also tried some other looks with it, and since I always want to share some more everyday outfits and modest pants ideas, but never get those photos taken, I thought we’d do that today also.

Wear it with a belt and capris!

Didn’t know he was photographing yet, haha! 🙂

Or with jeans and boots!

Happy Monday!

 

 

 

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Modest Monday: Melon Stripes

 

My husband tried some different angles this week for our photos. He was in the mood for something different I guess. 🙂

 

I just bought this skirt on clearance for $3 yesterday! It’s so fun and colorful, I couldn’t wait to wear it!! I wore it with an old thrift store top with small ruffles on the sleeves and neckline, and my favorite Etsy necklace. I find I have so many more things to wear this necklace with lately. When I bought it, I had no outfits it went with. 🙂

 

It was another scorcher or I would have worn one of my pretty, short sleeved cardis with it.

 

 

The one with the funny smile. 😉

 

Have a great week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Modest Monday: Welcome Autumn

 

Happy Autumn! I was going to post last Sunday’s outfit, then remembered these photos and decided to share them since they’re so autumn-looking, and this is the first week of autumn. Not that you would know it where we live. It’s been in the high 80s/low 90s here. UGH!! See my red, hot cheeks? Oh the joys of year round summer. Thankfully, we DID have two night in the 40s last week, before this latest heat wave. That means the house actually cooled off a tiny bit during the night. Yay!!

 

 

 

Anyway, I’m still enjoying the look of autumn at least. Last year we traveled to Illinois. Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio and saw glorious colors! I miss living with those colors!!

 

 

It was really fun pairing this dress differently and using the greenery as a prop. 🙂

 

 

 

And I ADORE the details on the bodice!!!! I got some compliments on that at church. 🙂

I love this amber shamrock necklace from my in-laws several years back.

I think yellow (and green) were made for redheads!! 😉

 

 

Happy Autumn everyone!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Modest Monday: Pretty Summer Florals

 

A couple of weeks ago, I was digging through my closet for something yellow in celebration of my Sweetie’s birthday, as it’s his favorite, especially on redheads. And I had just worn my one yellow dress to church a couple of weeks before. As we were celebrating on Sunday, this presented a dilemma. I ended up finding a few forgotten dresses. I love that! I decided to wear this pretty floral one in a completely different way to help modernize it, but then found out about a couple of the kids I used to take care of as a nanny were getting baptized (YAY!) at their church, so I wore a different dress that would blend in more. I’m an extrovert, but don’t really like to stand out so much in a new situation. 🙂

 

And it’s been TOOOOOOO long since my last Modest Monday post!!!

 

 

 

Soooo, a week later, yesterday, I wore the pretty floral! I belted it so it was shorter and easier to walk and move in, Paired it with my lacy cardi and tan sandals and wore the mock up of the earring my girls wore in our wedding, green heart stone danglers. Of course it was another hot day, so a side braid finished it off.

 

So my red hair shows up better. 🙂 And, a certain someone doesn’t always notice things like flipped over collars. 😉

 

 

 

 

Lots of fun compliments! 🙂

 

Also, because I love his new shirt so much:

 

 

And he’s so handsome! 🙂

 

 

 

Have a great week! Filled with smiles!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Love Is In The Air

A few weeks ago, Stephanie, the Community Coordinator from Bloom Nation contacted me about writing a post about the different ways we celebrate love, especially on the ordinary days, as opposed to holidays, birthdays, etc. Have you heard of Bloom Nation? I hadn’t. They support local communities by partnering with independent florists and showcase their handcrafted arrangements in their marketplace. What a cool idea!!  This is actually a concept I know very well! It’s something I’ve adopted in my own life for quite a few years. You’d be amazed how even  little  30 second effort can brighten an otherwise mundane or stressful day.

When we were dating, and working conflicting hours, the romance seemed lacking and I gently suggested to my Sweetie that he didn’t have to make grand gestures all the time, but a little note here and there would really help us feel more connected while we were both working. Even a short note on a piece of scratch paper would work. It helped that we worked at a Christian Conference Center and could drop off notes easily. And I worked at the Registration Desk which ALWAYS had scratch paper available. AND, Pass It On cards were hugely popular at the time. Ever since then, we leave little notes for each other regularly. Of course there are dry times, but we always pick it up again. I pick up cute Post Its when I see them and they work great for a simple “I Love You” on the bathroom mirror or kitchen counter/cabinet as a surprise in the morning. Or his lunch box. The same with these pretty, already written notes from a notepad I bought a while back. Last weekend our church had a couples dinner and gave us 3×5 cards to write notes on for our sweeties. Several years ago I bought a little valentine mailbox and we started using it to leave little notes or pustichalks (just a little something), a term we learned from our Russian family members. This year we received this adorable mailbox from my husband’s wonderful cousin as the gift box! Perfect for this gingerbread lover. So this is our new giftie mailbox. And bonus, it’s bigger, so we won’t have to leave bigger things next to it instead of inside. 🙂

Of course, we still love to celebrate the regular stuff, like our anniversary this Sunday! And who doesn’t like getting flowers for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and just to show you care?! Sometimes we give flowers, and sometimes we do other things for each other. Sometimes we watch a special movie, go to a favorite location, have a special meal, anything that means something to us. For example, for our Irish related anniversary, we might eat Shepherd’s Pie and Soda Bread, watch something Irish related or honeymoon related like Ever After because we watched it on our honeymoon, listen to Irish music, watch or perform Irish dancing, you get the idea. Or watch our wedding video or peruse our wedding album. And enjoy the shamrock plant from our reception that was a table centerpiece. The main thing is, we like celebrating each other and people in general. Relationships are precious and special, so we like to celebrate that in little ways as well as big ways.

And I love Irish Belles, usually found at Trader Joe’s these days.

Because flowers ARE pretty and cheerful!

We apply this same idea when remember those that aren’t with us anymore. By doing an activity that reminds us of them. I drink black cherry Pop Shoppe Pop when I’m thinking about my dad. And I think of him when I have non-chocolate cake, because we were the only two family members, including all relatives, who didn’t choose chocolate for our birthdays. And sports always make me think of him and all of the different games we went to with my brothers, because I didn’t have a sister until I was 9, and she was a baby! My dad and I had a lot in common, including personalities. 🙂

***** All of these months later I’m finally finishing this post after many health struggles, family emergencies, travels and stress! ****

I have a couple of little girls in my life and we like to connect by crafting and drinking tea together. Quality time spent chatting while doing things we love! Quality time is actually one of my Love Languages.  I often deliver flowers to one of the girl’s friends/neighbors on May Day that I’ve bought or we’ve made together. She loves it! 🙂

When we remember and celebrate our Chelsie we like to look at her photos, say her favorite phrases, listen to her favorite song (Diving In by Steven Curtis Chapman), set up the train, watch Mary Poppins or The Gnome Mobile because she looked like Karen Dotrice, etc.

All of these probably reveal my love of themes! 🙂

A few other things we’ve done are kissing and saying I love you when we part, having a date most weeks, texting as a way to check in and stay connected during the day (including fun emojis the other might like 🙂 ) and just trying to be conscious of being considerate to each other. Helping each other out when needed, or anticipating needs are some of the best ways of showing someone you care, in the most important ways.

The BEST way to let someone you love them? Show them you care about their needs, thoughts and lives. Throwing in a card, flowers or a gift are just the icing on the cake. The Lord really wants us most of all, to show we care though our actions! 🙂

How do you show people in your life that you care?

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Modest Monday: Green and Black Floral

 

 

It’s Modest Monday time again! Yesterday I wore a repeat dress, but last weekend I wore this pretty, floral dress/skirt. I wear this little cap sleeved black top with absolutely EVERYTHING!!! It adds sleeves and modesty to all sorts of outfits, yet is also thin and cooler than most. The little thrift store cardigan is also the thinnest I’ve found for our hot, sunny weather. I love finally having a couple of longer necklaces like this one from Forever 21. I rarely shop there, but a family friend gave me the tip about their longer necklaces. And I’m still in love with these adorable sandals with the pretty flower. Thanks to the Modest Mom for that Kohl’s tip! I’m wearing earrings that same family  friend friend made for my bridal party 17 years ago. 🙂 Theirs were a little fancier as mine were the prototype. I love that I can wear this outfit ANYWHERE!!! And it’s soooooo super comfy!!! 🙂

 

 

This one shows the coloring better.

 

 

My Sweetie wanted to capture the mushrooms that have spontaneously sprouted up of course. 🙂

 

 

 

 

Have a great week! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modest Monday: Lavender Loveliness Revisted

 

 

 

It MUST be time for another Modest Monday post, since I’ve been so sporatic with them…and any posts actually! With my crazy hormones and Adrenal Fatigue, my brain is often mush and I don’t have a brain that thinks clearly most of the time. So my posts have become fewer and farther between. But, for today, here’s a new one! 🙂

 

I shared this dress a few years ago, but I paired it a bit differently this time, with a different cardigan and sandals.

 

And guess what? My husband and I didn’t fight while we took the photos! (I think it happens because we’re hungry and ready for lunch after church). It’s better when we make each other laugh like this. 🙂

 

 

Soooo much more fun!! 🙂

 

 

I adore this dress and received a lot of compliments on it. Who knew lavender looked so great on redheads…especially with my hazel eyes and darker hair (now especially) and eyelashes. I always thought of it more for my strawberry blond sister, but, at least paired with the black, it works! And so comfy!

 

Dress: Target

Cardigan: thrift shop

Necklace: Forever 21

Sandals: Kohl’s online

 

Have a fabulous week! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lucy and Nora’s Dollhouse

 

 

A few weeks ago we saw JJ Heller for the first time!!!! Whee!!!! Have you heard of her? She’s fabulous!  We both LOVE Dave and JJ Heller, so we were pretty excited!

 

 

They DID NOT disappoint! 🙂

 

 

And during the meet and greet? They made each and every one of us feel like we were their friend! You can discover JJ Heller HERE ,HERE and HERE.

 

About a week before, I decided to make a dollhouse for their ADORABLE little girls, Lucy and Nora, as a way to bless their family in return for all of the blessings they’ve given us. Hurry, hurry! So it was a bit of a rush job, but I did it! Then, two days before, my Sweetie pointed out that they may not be able to get it home. And I realized he might be right now that they live in Nashville and probably flew. 😦 I plugged away at it anyway, wrote her a message and took it along…just in case.

 

Lucy:

 

 

Nora:

 

 

Aren’t their names adorable too?

 

So I made them a house. And when we met Dave and JJ after the event, I told them about it, presented the issue I hadn’t thought of, and…she said, “We’ll figure it out!” Yipee! Two things going through my head here: They’re as excited as I am about it, and good, because I forgot to bring Finger Puppet Stages as a backup. So I sent my Sweetie to the car to retrieve the house and the look in their eyes when they saw it made all of the rushing around to finish worth it!! 🙂

 

So…here’s the house. I forgot to take a photo of the entire house, but here are the individual rooms.

The Bedroom:

 

 

 

A dresser made out of mini nerds boxes and flower thumbtacks, The dresses the dolls came in on hangers from a Dollar Tree pack that included the doll, bed, desk, stool and nightstand. The guitar, perfect for this family, and bear are party favors from DT. The drum is an ornament and I crocheted the blanket for the bed.

 

 

I straightened out a a paperclip and stuck it into the cardboard as a rod for the hangers. The Micky and Minnie artwork came from a Valentine box. 🙂

 

The Bathroom:

 

 

 

Here’s one of the dolls. I took off the cheap, plastic dresses (but I’ve learned that the girls want them anyway) and made new dresses out of ribbon trim and lace. The dressing table, hair dryer and perfume bottles came in the pack from DT. The sink is a pizza riser, juice cap and a bit of pipe cleaner as the faucet. The bathtub is the container from fake Dippin’ Dots.

 

A scrapbooking sticker becomes another piece of art.

Aren’t these dolls adorable?

 

 

The Living Room:

 

 

 

 

An H for Heller! A mini paper umbrella becomes an overhead light. I made a davenport from jewelry boxes and contact paper. A floor lamp from a spool, wasshi tape, paper, a Que tip, mini cupcake liner and flower thumbtack. The other doll, a coaster as a rug and an entertainment center,grandfather clock, baby carriage, baby, baby bottles and rattle from  DT packs. I made a tiny dress out of ribbon with elastic along the side, which is now the top of the dress.

 

 

 

The Kitchen:

 

 

More of that contact paper, an apron made from fabric backed with Heat ‘n Bond and hung on a thumbtack. The table is made from a spool covered in washi tape with a thrift store coaster glued on top. Plates and butter churn(used to me part of party favors) and chairs from DT packs.The cake is two lids glued together with a fabric flower glued on top. The stove is made from a small gift box, stickers I cut down and Velcro circle stickers. The fridge is another small box with food stickers inside. And this time I made a MAILBOX!! I’m super happy with the way it turned out! It’s scrapbook paper and glue posted on a small box covered in contact paper. Then I made letters out of textured scrapbook paper.

 

 

 

The Mailbox:

 

 

 

 

The Patio “Stuff”:

 

An umbrella table from a Kuerig cup (with the top cut off, coffee emptied, cleaned and top put back on), a pool made out of plastic bracelets and scrapbook covered cardboard and a fire pit with sparkly pipe cleaner and twig bits.

 

 

A tire swing from popsicle sticks and a tire themed yoyo, a cupcake topper turned giraffe toy and a yogurt spoon turned shovel.

 

 

 

And a condiment cup becomes a toy box with more DT favors.

And here’s the outside:

 

 

The patio folds up and latches at the top for storage and transport. Here’s the front door and the scalloped roof.

 

 

 

I cut trees from scrapbook paper and glued them to the walls. Then added this cute owl. 🙂

 

 

So, there you have it. An adorable dollhouse for two adorable girls!! 🙂

You can also see Evie’s and Abby’s Dollhouses!