twisted scarf turban

I'm sure you've seen this around lately, the turban. Now you may be asking yourself why in the world anyone would want to wear a turban, well let me explain.

First off, they're amazing at giving you a "I actually put effort into my look" look when you really didn't. A quick wrap and tie of a pretty scarf and it looks like you're up with the trends. No one will know that you've been up all night with a teething child and just rolled out of bed in a sleepy haze and threw on whatever clothing was clean. 

Second, they're GREAT for hiding dirty/bad hair days, in fact they wear better if you haven't actually washed your hair in 2 or 3 (ok, in my case 4 or 5) days. 

Third, they're versatile! You can wear your hair up or down, and knot the turban several ways for different looks. 

1.

Here and here are tutorials on how to tie a scarf into a turban. 

2.

Here is a tutorial on how to sew your own twisted turban.

3.

Here and here are some inspiration from real life lovelies who rock the turban. 

Forget Me Knot Headband 
And if you don't want to mess with scarves and tying knots and such (even though it is as easy as tying your shoes, promise!) you can wear a turban headband. Doesn't get much easier than that! The one above is from Anthropologie and is on its way to my doorstep as we speak. Yay! 

photo friday

Happy Friday lovelies! Here's a look back at this weeks festivities, with a few photos from our East Coast vacation thrown in. Hope everyone is enjoying the last few weekends of the summer. Bring it on Fall!

bonfire + s'mores

scrabble, it's a prerequisite to be part of my family

ella's first time at the beach

view from 37,000 ft 

chocolate 

york beach, maine

the edge of my parents backyard...amazing right? 

york beach, maine

globetrotter

keeping busy

sparkly TOMS

her new backpack

ramen :)



Have a great weekend!

thrifty finds

We have a few thrift shops in town that I frequent. I'll usually get around to checking one of them out each week and I usually find some great stuff. On today's trip I found some great vintage fabrics and the most amazing cream and pink chevron knitted blanket. 

The grey/green/yellow striped fabric on the left is a knit. The fabric on the right is your standard cotton and in the same amazing green/yellow colors. I'm not sure what i'll use them for yet, but they are both great additions to my fabric stash. 

Seriously, whoever knitted this blanket is amazing. And whoever decided to get rid of it, a big THANK YOU to you too. It's in great condition, no holes, runs, or fraying. It's really quite large (queen size maybe?) and is soft and heavy... oh and I only paid $2.99 for it. Got to LOVE that!! It's hanging over Elle's crib in the pictures below, and since her room is the only one in the house that has pink in it, it may just stay in her room...we'll see. 

Do you frequent your local thrift stores? Any amazing finds? Please share!


Linking up at Thursdays Are For Thrifters, Beyond The Picket Fence, & House of Hepworths.

what i wore wednesday

I'm back from vacation! Today I'm linking up to What I Wore Wednesday and sharing with you all this beautiful top I've been rotating a lot in my wardrobe lately. A few weeks ago I got an invitation from Anthropologie to attend a Fall preview fashion show. How could I say no to a night without the baby and some shopping at my all-time favorite clothing store? I couldn't! So I grabbed a girlfriend and we headed out to dinner and the event. 

The fashion show was great! Lots of color, knits, skirts, and teased hair were featured. Of course I couldn't leave empty handed so I picked up the top below and a few pieces of jewelry. I think that it will transition into my Fall wardrobe well and I've already had tons of compliments on it when I've worn it out. 

I pair it with jeans and heals, and it's pretty much a no fail outfit. Easy peasy, no thinking. Love that. 

not me, i wish! :)

vacation 2011

We managed through Hurricane Irene and a 7 hour plane ride with a 15 month old lap child. This little California family is enjoying our vacation in New England, but don't fret! I'll be back to regular posting after Labor Day and with lots to share! See you all soon!

shopping vintage-pt. 2

As promised, here is part 2 of my adventure at the local antique mall. Enjoy!

i don't advocate smoking, but that plane picture would be darling in a boys room
//
vintage type writer

the first photo is a vintage display rack. i hesitated buying it, but it would be amazing for all my hair goodies!
//
another vintage type writer

vintage picnic baskets // library index card case

great vendor display // vintage globe + suitcases

striped kitchen jar (<3 this!) // vintage baseballs

shopping vintage

Unless you live under a rock I'm sure you've heard of Pinterest by now. It's seriously addicting and a well spring of ideas. While browsing I came across some vintage wire baskets used in home decor and LOVED the aesthetic it gave. If you want to check them out (and you do, they're amazing) you can see them in this board (and follow me while you're there!).

Anyways, I decided to take a trip to one of the local antique malls and see if I could find any of these wire gems. While I was there I snapped some photos of some things I think would make great additions to homes decor with a vintage flair, and picked up 2 baskets (one of which happens to be in the last photo). This is part 1 of a 2 part photo heavy post. Enjoy!

vintage bocce balls // vintage pyrex

vintage shirred girl's dress // that collar is amazing

vintage wood box // assorted metal letters + antlers

vintage fan // vintage yellow phone

vintage typewriter // old dairy farm metal crates

modern embroidery

Let me start by saying I'm no embroiderer. In fact, I haven't really a clue as to any specific stitches or knots. I do however LOVE the look of modern embroidery. For years I've been holding on to a few hoops that I picked up a the thrift store, but my lack of knowledge on the art has kept me from doing anything with them. A few weeks ago I bought an assorted box of embroidery thread for a felt food project I'm working on (more about that later). I decided to go for it, and try my hand at making something with the hoops.

Originally I wanted to embroider Ella's name but because I'm no pro I just decided to stamp her name with black ink on the linen before putting it in the hoop. I actually like the look. It gives nice contrast and adds a different texture to the project. I think it also help keeps it modern and not so "grandma-ish". Apparently I'm no stamping pro either, my letters are quite off. And I will be honest, I had to stamp her name about 6 times before I got a piece I liked.

You can see I'm really not very good, which is evident in the loopy tail of the kite. It turned out more wonky than loopy. Ella has brown and pink in her room so I cut a little wool felt in those colors to make a kite and tail.

Overall it was a pretty easy piece to do, but I think i'll have to keep practicing this craft. It's fun!

Here is some inspiration to get you going. There really are some amazing things you can do with embroidery!

source

source

source

words to live by...

This tiny chalkboard sits on Ella's dresser, and every so often I change out the message. Here is the most recent message to her, well...more of a message to myself. Just some simple words to remind me to take joy in the little things. I hope you all find joy in your day too!

Online Fabric Guide

I get most of my fabric from a small handful of places. The majority I buy online, but when I can't wait (need it for a rush order, etc.) there are only two places around town I shop at. I just got two packages this week with beautiful fabrics in them, and I thought it would be fun to share exactly what I'm shopping for these days.

My favorite in the bunch is the Kokka Japanese Bear Friend Fabric. As soon as I opened it I kicked myself for not ordering more (and it was on sale, what was I thinking?!!!). It's just so adorable! The little bears, the girl, the apples, the colors...it's a great print! I've been thinking about what I'd like to use it for, but then I get sad thinking that I may run out. I have a feeling i'll be sitting on this 1/2 yard for a while mustering up the courage to actually use it.

The other fabrics I just scooped up on sale as additions to my fabric collection. I rarely buy fabrics that are full price unless I LOVE them and know that they will sell out fast.

These are some of my favorite places on the web to buy fabrics:

Sew, Mama, Sew!
Fabricworm
Girl Charlee Fabrics 
Hawthorne Threads

Around town I shop at:

Beverly's Fabrics
Joann's Fabrics

I was just introduced to Girl Charlee Fabrics from Rebeka at Artsy-Crafty-Babe. She mentioned using them for the first time and liking the shop, so after reading her post I headed over to the site to check it out. That's where I scooped up the Kokka Bear fabric and the Baby Nay Stripes (in the sale section). Good recommendation Rebeka! Thanks!

Am I missing any other great fabric sites? Where are you buying your fabric from these days? Please share!