Finn Swims: Also called the "Proud Mom Post"

This summer was a big deal for Finn. He learned to swim. Not perfectly, but it doesn't matter. Finn has always been very cautious around water. OK, that's an understatement. At every lesson he would try to lawyer-talk his way out of every request. It was exhausting for all involved. Thankfully, he had the sweetest, most patient teacher. And the progress from the first lesson to the video below is astonishing. Way to go, Finn!
(And no, that is not my pool...I wish.)

Down to the last days

Finn starts school in one week. For the first time ever! I'm excited. Not sad, or nostalgic. Just excited. And totally ready to have a change of pace around here. It's going to be so good for Finn, and so good for me. We both need this new chapter.

Going through my photos, I came across a few that were neglected as the summer passed. So I thought I would share just some more posts of summer pics before the season's officially over!

My Memories Giveaway

Remember those digital layouts that I posted about HERE? Well we are giving away the WHOLE My Memories Suite over at the Blog Guidebook! That's a huge value. And not very many people have entered yet. So you might just have an amazing chance at winning if you are a digital scrapbooker or want to become one! Click the link below to enter:

The Many Moods of Pantone: Spicy Orange + a freebie!

I have talked about Pantone's Colorstrology before (see here). Basically Pantone is a universal color matching system that graphic designers use for consistency in printing. And Pantone has assigned a color for every day of the year with a little "horoscope" of sorts attached to the color. They call it Colorstrology. I thought it would be fun to take a color every so often and create a mood board to go along with the Pantone color of that day. Then taking that as inspiration, I'll create a free download for you!

Today's color is Pantone Spicy Orange. The keywords associated with this color are "Exceptional, Writer, Successful." That's an inspirational place to start! So here you have it. My first Pantone Mood Board + Freebie! Hope you enjoy:

1. Orange Vintage Typewriter Painting, Etsy 

2. Keel's Simple Diary

3. Fillsta Table Lamp, Ikea

4. Le Versha Chair, Anthro

5. Tangerine Flicker Dress, Antrho

6. Lokta Bean Paper, Paper Source

7. SpaRitual Nail Polish in Revere

8. Madison Clutch, Banana Republic

I have this quote by Rita Mae Brown hanging above my (rarely-used) desk. And even though my desk is primarily used to stack waiting laundry, I still see this quote every day. And it reminds me to create.

To download this 8.5x11 print, click the image below:

P.S. One of my favorite bloggers who appreciates orange in every hue (and Pantone, too) is designer  Jessica Jones of How About Orange. Stop by to find more juicy views on design, color, DIYs, freebies, and tons of fresh inspiration for crafters and creators:

click here

Vintage Photo Hunt = A Good Laugh

Have you seen the Vintage Photo series that runs over at The Sartorialist? It's one of my favorites. And I was browsing through some vintage family photos tonight (to submit to the series), when I stumbled on some "Vintage Lyndsay." Um, I want to know how I was allowed to leave the house in this festive number. I mean, seriously... (I blew it up nice and large so you could appreciate the details)

I love Crytal B, and so should you

I got a squeal-worthy package in the mail today. It was from Crystal B. You see, we have a deal worked out. Whenever I do a little work for Crystal, she pays in products. I can't resist her products. Or her personality. Or her friendship. Which is why I still love to collaborate on projects with Crystal. Like R&R. Have you heard of it? NO? Ohmygosh. It's a creative conference for the super busy woman. What? That's you? Then you need a little R&R! Check it out here:

Now back to the package. It was full of amazing things, as usual, including her new bracelets. Just this morning I was trying to think of where I could get my hands on some turquoise earrings, because Maya had lost my only other pair. And voila! Turquoise earrings in the mail. And what's more is she always thinks to include a little something for the kiddos (because when a package comes to the door, it doesn't matter who it's for—a little kid wants it to be for them every single time). Check out Crystal's Etsy shop, HERE. I'm sure you'll love her as much as I do!

Bedtime Books

Here's what we read last night:

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy

by Mo Willems

Why we love it: 

All of Mo Willems' books are so fun. The kids make me read them in the "Pigeon Voice."
Pigeon is one of our favorites for interactive story time.
click to find it

Maya wanted me to read it for you, so here you go. Don't laugh at my Pigeon Voice. :)
(And pardon the low quality—I filmed it on my iPhone.)

Also by Mo Willems:

What are you going to read tonight?

The Princess and the Flirt

My mom made Miss Maya a new dress. It's so darling! On Sunday Maya wore it for the first time to church. All day, from the moment I put it on her, she kept repeating, "Prisess! Prisess!" while twirling. This surprised me. Maya is NOT a princess type. Mostly she wears pirate garb and yells, "Arrrggghhh." Case in point: I tried to get Maya to watch Sleeping Beauty tonight. NO GO. I mean, we were not even half way through, and she was giving me the look like, "if you don't put on Toy Story or Jake and the Neverland Pirates, I am going to do that tantrum where I bang my head on the floor." Okaaaaay, no princesses, then! So much for Snow White waiting in the wing. The only one she loves is Rapunzel. And I think Mr. Flynn Rider might have something to do with that. She blows him kisses. Buzz Lightyear, too. And she has eyes for Peter Pan. She's kind of into Belle, but laughs at Gaston, and likes the beast even more. Especially at the end.... Hmmmm. This girl is a flirt.

Maya has to wear leggings under every dress. Because she likes to find someone (prefereably little boys, or big boys, or even Dads while we're walking the hallways during church—because there's no way she'll sit in a pew for an hour while everyone is reverent). And then she likes to show them how she can stand on her head and say, "Cheeeeeeese!" while her dress heads for her ears. She even sidled up to the repair man who came to fix Wes's windshield. She knows no boundaries. Dear Maya, please establish some boundaries before you are of dating age. Possibly sooner. And in the mean time, you keep wearing that "princess dress" like no other little girl I know. Sassafrass!

P.S. I'm sorry if I blinded you with my super pale legs. There's really nothing for them.

Wordless Wednesday

Bedtime Books

Here's what we read tonight:

Hush Little Dragon

by Boni Ashburn

Why we love it: 

Gorgeous illustrations, great rhymes, and a sweet sentiment at the end.

click to find it

Little Hoot

by Amy Krouse Roenthal

Why we love it: 

Again, the illustrations, unexpected and clever wording, the twist factor 

(a little owl who wants to go to bed early)

click to find it

What are you reading tonight?

Bootstraps and Birchbox

I'm still here. I'm feeling better in some ways, not so hot in others. I am taking a medicine that is going to make me feel junky before I (hopefully) get better. So fingers crossed that we're getting closer to the cause of my effects. In the mean time, I decided to pull myself up by the bootstraps this morning, and take some photos to prove that, yes, Wes, I still own makeup, and can still look like I number among the living. :) Yesterday I got a happy little hotpink box on my doorstep. Did you? If you don't know what I am talking about, I am referring to Birchbox. (I have to say it every time, because it makes me famous by association.) My sister-in-law (my little bro's wifey) dreamed up this company, and is now doing quite well for herself. Better than quite well, I imagine, because Birchbox has exploded. And it's really an awesome idea. It's a monthly (or yearly) beauty subscription program. I get hand-picked beauty samples delivered to my doorstep. Then I try out all these little samples to see what works for me. If I love them, I can buy them through Birchbox's site, and gain loyalty points towards full-size product discounts. You can read more abou it HERE.

Anyhoooooo. I thought I'd share my favorite find in the "Haute Box" with you today. Usually there are one or two things that really stand out. And this month it was the blinc eyeliner. It's a liquid eyeliner that uses warm water removal. And wouldn't you just know it? My very favorite beauty product I own is my warm water removal mascara from Clinique (High Impact Curling, or Lash Power). (blinc also makes a similar mascara.) And the eye liner does not disappoint. I tried it out with much success for someone who never wears liquid liner. Super happy with the results. And so far it's lasted through the day. It doesn't smear or smudge, and can only be removed with warm water and a little swipe of my finger (no makeup remover required). Take a look at my vanity (it only took my like 20 photos to get a few that looked great):

Note to self: Pencil in the ends of my eyebrows.
Note to Birchbox: Got a great product for that?
Not to readers: Do not over-pluck your eyebrows when you are young. Otherwise you'll find that you can no longer get them to grow in as thickly as before once you reach your 30s.


P.S. No one is compensating me for this post. I just love the stuff.

Summertime Snaps

I've been testing out a product in order to do a review over at The Blog Guidebook. And it has caused me to do the unthinkable. Digital Scrapbooking. Yes, I know lots of people (maybe even you) enjoy this often worthwhile past time. But having worked as someone who created digital scrapbooking products for a few years, honestly the last thing I want to do is put my photos in happy little layouts. But I was surprised to find myself actually enjoying it today (cringe, I know). And wouldn't you know it? They turned out so darned cute that I thought I'd post the final results. And it was a nice way to share some summertime snapshots from when were up in Oregon. Here you have it:

(This is chocolate face, not dirt, I assure you. Although that wouldn't be surprising for Maya...)

If you are interested in the software I was using, it's called My Memories. You download the software, and then can create all kinds of digital photo projects (cards, books, layouts, even slideshows and videos). They have a lot more going for them than other online digital scrapbooking software. I personally decided to download the kits and use them in Photoshop with some of my other elements. But that's the nice thing about My Memories—you can use their software if you haven't the slightest idea how to use Photoshop (or the like). You can customize it to make it fit your own way of working. Aaaaaand I just gave them a plug without even meaning to. Ha!

Guest Posting

Find me here today: (thanks, Molly!)

Missing BlogHer

I was all set to attend BlogHer this weekend down in San Diego. I was really excited to spend a few days with my friend Crystal Beutler (as in Crystal B, the jeweler). I was looking forward to taking classes on writing, mothering, blogging. I was looking forward to getting away for a bit. But my body (and the forces that be) have another plan. So I am staying in town, and hoping for a diagnosis. I am bummed to be missing out. I had 500 business cards printed. 500! I mean, was I really going to hand out all 500 cards? Probably not. But they were just so darn pretty, and the price was so darn good, that I couldn't resist:

And I was stocking my little shop, Sprig and Sprocket, with new designs, as well. But now 500 people won't get to see those new designs, either. So I thought I'd share them with you. I've added a new style to the shop. I started to toy with the style I used in my Insect Numbers poster, and then just pushed it further. I wanted something sketchy, imperfect, whimsical, almost child-like. I love it. It might not be for everyone. But the new direction is fun for now. Relaxing, free. Here's the latest (as of last night):

 

To view more, visit HERE.