So Fawned

Fawned Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:39:00 +0000

Today I spent hours upon hours, snuggled up with a feverish little lass. Gretchen's fighting a bit of a bug and my fingers are crossed she can kick it before her third birthday party on Sunday afternoon. If I have to reschedule, it's not the end of the world, but my heart bursts just knowing how excited she is. However, I did mention that if she wasn't feeling well we'd just move the party to another day, and she pressed her face to my chest and said, okay mama. So sweet. Thankfully, at this moment, she's sleeping sweatily and I hope to goodness her fever is breaking. It's awful when you just want them to feel better instantly.

Please send get well soon thoughts our way. It would seem we've had a doozy of a January when it comes to our health. Can I blame the completely bizarro weather we've been having? Rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain -- sometimes all in one day? I do love winter... but I'll be excited once the world turns green once again.

Happy Friday, mes amis.

01. Long locks.

02. Hilarious.

03. A cute giveaway you'll probably want to enter.

04. Teabag cookies! (Thanks for the link, Dani!)

05. Loving these simple DIY lights.

06. I've been living in this sweater all week long.

07. Kitty snuggles.

08. One of my favourite artists ever.

09. Can't stop looking at this image.

PS. After months of completely slacker-dom, I finally did up a little Fawned Friday button for any of you lovelies who'd like to participate each week. Also, if you play long, be sure to send me a note so I can add you to the link list. Merci.

Much love!

Beyond So Fawned

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:53:00 +0000

A few posts I've been working on over at Mom Spark this week:

Peace!

Wordless Wednesday (Snow Days)

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Sundays Are For... Umbrellas, Baseballs & Dancing

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I'm not usually one to dote over a cover band, but I'm making an exception for these chaps. The Baseballs have been playing constantly in my house for about a week now. I'm hooked.

Have a happy, dance-y Sunday!

Fawned Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:59:00 +0000

In keeping with tradition, this week's Fawned Friday is late due to the birth I attended last night. If I'm not mistaken, my last four births have all started on Thursdays... bizzare! Time for me to get some shuteye... dreaming of a visit to the farmer's market in the morning. Peace!

01. Then wander, I shall.

02. These might be my favourite works ever by the Plume.

03. A great self portrait guide from one of my favourite bloggy gals.

04. Hand whittled crochet hooks.

05. Feeling swept away by this blog's photography.

06. This totally needs to happen.

07. I'd like these little lovelies to live in my bathroom.

08. DIY rope bracelet love.

09. Hauntingly beautiful carved book landscapes.

Something To Make You Say "Awww"

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:18:00 +0000

In honour of the birth I'll be heading to at some point tonight, here are two very sweet baby-centric videos. Ok, so maybe they aren't baby humans... but fawns & sloths are sure to make you "squeee" just a wee bit.

I am just about enthralled by the sounds these little creatures are making. Ah-dorable.

Peace! Send out some good birthy vibes for my first doula baby of the year. Peace!

PS. Thank you to Mr. @stevehancock for linking that little fawn video.

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday (Like Baby, Like Kitten)

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Thank you to My Girl Thursday for pointing out the similar poses in this photo. I'm swooning. Two of my little loves, huggy girls, so sweet.

Don't Mind If I Do

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:30:00 +0000

A little something to think about on your Tuesday morning, mes amis. This afternoon, the little miss will be off to her daddio's, and then I'll be heading to the cafe where I'll sip way too much coffee before meeting with some February doula clients to talk about breastfeeding and birth wish lists. After that? Well, I'm not entirely sure, but as per my own advice, I'll be sure it's both ridiculous and amazing. How's about that?

What's on your docket for today, folks?

What Mama Wore: On A Mellow Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:02:00 +0000

Tights: H&M // Striped Top: Only, TiaStar.com // Top: Gentle Fawn // Cardigan: Joe Fresh // Scarf: Thrifted

There's a bit of a funny story behind this scarf. A few weeks back I was hunting around in the scarf section at Value Village, and clucking my tongue at how expensive everything was. $7.99, $12.99 for a thrifted scarf? Puh-lease. So off I wandered, to the opposite end of the store, pouring through rows of vintage tablecloths and napkins, and I spy this gorgeous piece of fabric. I pulled it off its hanger and Gretchen snatched it out of my hands. Ooh mama, so soft, we can get this? And I realized it wasn't a napkin at all, but a beautiful scarf. It felt wonderful in my hands, lovely texture, orange and brown. Then I looked at the price tag -- $2.99. One million thank yous to the person who mis-categorized this fantastic new addition to my wardrobe. I'll considering this thrifting karma.

{How To} Brew French Press Coffee

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:55:00 +0000

Fact: I LOVE my Bodum. French press coffee makes me all giddy and I love brewing it up for the same reasons I love brewing up a pot of tea. It's all in the ritual. Choosing my favourite bean, trying new blends, grinding in my favourite grinder, pouring, stirring, smelling, sipping.

There are lots of different methods to follow when it comes to using your French press, so today, I'd like to share my a bit about my French pressing habits. Enjoy!

First, I like to start with whole beans, as fresh as possible. These particular ones happen to be from Starbucks, but I often like to buy them downtown from the roaster I used to work for.

I grind the beans as my water boils on the stove. For a French press, you generally want a coarse grind, but I like mine a wee bit finer. It's all visual for me. This grinder is a bit of a prized possession, actually... it's on its way out though. Nearly broken and try as I might, I can't find an identical replacement, so I treat her with care. (Seriously. If you ever spy a yellow Philips grinder online or at a thrift store, please let me know!) When I'm grinding, I don't actually measure my beans. I just know how full the grinder ought to be for one full Bodum. However, I measured it out today, and for my size press (an 8-cup, 32oz. Bodum) I used about 8-9 tablespoons, or about 2/3 cup beans (before grinding).

Once I have my grinds the way I like them, they go into the French press with a tiny pinch of salt. Around the holidays, I sometimes add nutmeg & cinnamon for a fun kick.

Next, I pour the water in a circular motion to soak all of the grinds, then stop once the carafe is about 1/3 full. Then I grab my trust wooden chopstick and stir til the coffee "blooms". You want to see the colour change a bit, as the ground start to steep and magic starts to happen. Once your coffee "blooms", fill your press to the top, pop the lid (press) on top, then set a timer for four minutes. At the end of four minutes, you're free to get pressing.

My trick? Place your hand on top of the press and allow the weight of your hand to do the pressing. You don't want to shove it. If it so happens that your grind is too fine, your press may be a bit tougher to get down as the grind block the flow. To rectify this, simple reverse your press to halt the blockage, then continue pressing. Never SHOVE your press down. This can end in a mess of boiling water and coffee all over you. Messy & ouch.

Once your coffee has been pressed, you're ready to savour & enjoy. Find your favourite cozy mug, pour away & add your accoutrements if so desired. I like a dollop of cream and a bit of organic sugar. Or sometimes Bailey's, if I'm feeling festive.

And that's that, mes amis. Time to sit back & enjoy your cuppa. Don't forget to pour the rest of your brew into a thermos or carafe of some description to keep it piping hot til you're ready for mug no. 2 and beyond.

Peace!

This Moment

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:48:00 +0000

This moment A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're moved to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.

Fawned Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Well fancy that, it's Friday all over again -- and the 13th at that! I hope you're all starting your days off on the right foot -- tea, sunshine, baby snuggles or whatever floats your boat. Today the little miss and I will be spending the day together -- perhaps a trip downtown, or, depending on the weather, a day of paints and pictures, wooden blocks and dollhouse imaginings.

The flu has finally 100% left my system, and so a sort of relief has washed over me. I'm feeling much more rested and prepared for life than I was last week when I felt so mentally and psychically weak. For someone who has a hard time stopping, it's tough to allow myself the time to heal. Thankfully, with tea and rice bags and and rest on my side, I'm back to feeling like ME again and life feels much less daunting.

I hope you've all been well. Enjoy a few lovely links below, and please, enjoy your day!

01. This blog makes me swoon.

02. One of the most incredible posts I've ever read.

03. When I was younger, I once considered traveling & working as an au pair.

04. What a beautiful space.

05. Musical beds.

06. Very sweet snapshots of folks in love.

07. I'd like to wear banana eyeshadow.

08. This reminds me I could use a bang trim.

09. I think my neighbour for pointing out this incredible find.

PS. Check out two recent posts of mine over at Mom Spark: Tattoos & tights.

Tap, Tap

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:03:00 +0000

Gretchen loves Instagram. Swipe, swipe, swipe. One finger across the screen, looking through everyone's photos. I even showed her how to "like" an image by tapping it so the little heart pops up.

A few days ago, snuggling up on my bed, she took my phone and opened up the app. After scrolling a few minutes, she paused over one image.

"Oh mama, dis one is a good one. I fink we should tap tap it."

Be my guest, little lady.

PS. Am I following you on Instagram? Leave your name in the comments & I'll be sure to look you up. I'm sofawned, just like Twitter.
PPS. I've also been playing along with the #janphotoaday meme... anyone else?

Get Karen To Haiti: "When Disasters Strike, Pregnant Women Shouldn't Always Be At The Back Of The Line"

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I was recently approached by Birth Swell's Hilary Boucher, who asked me if I'd be interested in promoting a fundraising effort to support Circle of Health International (COHI) in sending a certified nurse midwife (CNM) to volunteer her services in Haiti. As a doula, childbirth educator and a mother, I am thrilled at the chance to share this inspiring campaign with all of you.

Karen Feltham -- a CNM and nursing instructor at Binghamton University in New York -- traveled to Fond Parisien, Haiti just four weeks after the January 12th, 2010 earthquake devastated the small country, to support pregnant and labouring women at a local birth center. Two years later, Karen is returning to Haiti, where she will spend ten days at the HCM Maternity Clinic, working alongside the two local midwives who currently serve over 2000 women each year.

The wonderful midwives at HCM provide high quality care for the women who come to them, however, outcomes for both mothers and their babies could be improved with additional training and support. During Karen's visit, she will provide peer-to-peer support to the two local midwives, and will work toward three specific goals:

Review existing protocols for managing emergencies and deciding when to transfer to the local hospital. Provide clinical support and skill-building where it could improve outcomes for Haitian women and their babies.
Run emergency drills using improved protocol for complications most likely to be seen at the clinic, including shoulder dystocia and postpartum hemorrhage.
Improve monitoring processes so that the clinic can evaluate their existing protocols and make improvements based on evidence, not just anecdotal understanding.

Circle of Health International is an organization with the mission of working with women and their communities in times of crisis and disaster to ensure access to quality reproductive, maternal and newborn care. COHI has sponsored Karen's second visit to Haiti and is now working to raise the necessary funds to cover her transportation (approx. $800 in airfare and local travel) as well as room and board (approx. $300).

In an online campaign, organized by Birth Swell, bloggers are coming together to share this incredibly worthwhile cause. Here's how you can help:

Contribute online: Starting with a donation of $10, you can help send Karen to Haiti! Generous items (handmade jewelry, works of art, and more) have also been donated as perks for donors offering $20, $35, $50 and $100 gifts.
Share the cause through via Facebook and connect with COHI's page.
Promote the fundraiser via Twitter, using the hashtag #GetKarenThere!

During a recent Q&A, Karen said, "I have great faith in the process of birth, and have been really rewarded by that faith." This is an ideal which speaks to my heart, and I know that her time in Haiti will be of great value to so many women.

Every bit counts, mes amis! Thank you so much for your support.

Guest Post: Marvelous Zucchini Muffins With Cubit's Organic Living (Plus A Giveaway!)

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:19:00 +0000

Tonight I bring you a tasty guest post & a yummy giveaway to boot! Say hello to Laura, of Cubit's Organic Living fame. She's a rad Toronto blogger, a purveyor of seeds and an all around awesome mama. Enjoy her zucchini muffin recipe, and enter to win below!

...

These muffins are one of our favourites. A nice combination of seasonal vegetable and whole ingredients that everyone will happily eat.

INGREDIENTS
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
3/4 cup sunflower oil (or another light cooking oil like grapeseed or canola)
1 small zucchini grated
2 large carrot grated
1 cup raisins
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cut steal cut oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 350. Line or grease 24 muffin cups.
Whisk eggs, sugar and honey together.
Add the oil, then vanilla, and then the grated zucchini and carrots along with the raisins.

Combine your dry ingredients in another bowl.
Whisk the flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and oats together.

Combine the dry ingredients and wet ingredients together slowly.
Divide the mixture evenly into your greased or lined muffin tins.
Bake 18-20 minutes at 350.
Remove from tins and cool on wire racks.

These are so good. Sometimes I throw half a cup of finely chopped walnuts for extra goodness. Enjoy!

GIVEAWAY
Laura has generously offered one of you a lovely prize, including:
A copy of An Illustrated Guide to Growing Food on your Balcony -- a great container gardening resource
5 packs of Cubit's Organic seeds -- for growing some yummy muffin ingredients!

HOW TO ENTER
Please comment with your favourite breakfast ideas, especially for finicky toddlers, along with your email.

For additional entries (leave one comment per entry):

Follow @sofawned on Twitter
Follow @Cubits on Twitter
Like So Fawned on Facebook
Like Cubit's Organic Living on Facebook

Open to Canada & US. Giveaway ends January 18th @ noon! A winner will be chosen at random & announced here. Merci & best wishes!

Update: The winner is Steph Diaz! Congrats!

This Moment

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:57:00 +0000

Fawned Friday: The Winter Wellness Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:07:00 +0000

Oh goodness. Yesterday, I woke up feeling a bit off, and by the afternoon I was incapacitated, flopped onto the couch, ravaged by some sort of flu-ish monster. My body ached so terribly I could hardly walk... I could hardly move. I've never fallen down a mountain, or been crushed by a whale, but I bet it'd feel similar.

In honour of my body fighting off an army of discomfort, I dedicate this edition of Fawned Friday to home remedies: Natural ways to help ward off and counteract the sicknesses that may plague you this season. Enjoy & be well.

01. Remedies for the winter medicine chest.

02. A lovely recipe for elderberry syrup.

03. One of my favourite sources for herbal remedies.

04. DIY herbal winter medicines and other elixirs.

05. How to create your very own apothecary.

06. Great tips for staying happy and healthy all winter long.

07. The wonders of tea tree oil.

08. Sleep strategies for well-rested mamas.

09. And just because I think it's neat... have you ever tried this tea?

Hope you're all well, mes amis! I think I'm kicking this thing in the butt tonight... just a bit more rest and I'll be good as new.

Peace & good health.

A Week Of Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:44:00 +0000

Good afternoon, lovelies! Today I want to point you toward a wonderful series of posts happening over at The Conscious Perspective this week. On Monday, Heidi launched Women Who Inspire - five days dedicated to some seriously fabulous women, including:

Maternal health advocate Christy Turlington Burns, Spirit Junkie author Gabrielle Bernstein, Tiny Buddha founder Lori Deschene, author/coach/purveyor of helping women Play Big, Tara Sophia Mohr, and Leonie Dawson (aka Goddess Leonie), founder of The Goddess Guide Book.

An incredible lineup of interviews, giveaways & more will be featured on Heidi's site this week. Today's interview with Gabrielle Bernstein includes a chance to win her beautiful book, Spirit Junkie... and be sure to visit The Conscious Perspective tomorrow for a must-read interview with famous mama, Christy Turlington.

Tell me, dear hearts, who inspires you?

Wordless Wednesday (Snow Day)

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Saying Goodbye To 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:55:00 +0000

What a year! I won't pretend that 2011 was all kittens and sunshine, because it really wasn't -- but what good is dwelling on the negative? No good can come of it and so we're truckin' on. Twenty-eleven brought changes in my career, life, relationship, friendships, family & more... some good, some bad... and everything is different now. But that's life, right? I have great hopes for 2012. Things will even out this year. More than ever, I know what I want, and despite knowing that things are never quite reigned in, it's giving me a sense of satisfaction. At least I've got an idea in my head, you know? There are some fun things I'll be talking about in the next month or so... lifewise, exciting things. I've only got time for positivity and happiness this year, people. Join me?

January

It Just Takes A Moment

All Things Excellent

February

Friends, Baby Girls & Embroidery

Late Last Night

March

The Fawn's Quick & Easy Chili

On Toddlers & Chutzpah

On Sunshine, Bangs & Taking Care Of Mama

April

On This Mama's Mind Tonight

"John's Pants"

So That I Remember

Easter Weekend Love List

On Break-Ins & Feeling Violated

May

Hide & Seek

One, Two, Three, Four, Five

Moment By Moment

Pretty Girls & Their Bikes

June

The Babes, Together Again

Dedicated To The Rain

July

A Girl & Her Bike

The One Where The Fawn Gushes Because Her Heart Is Simply Bursting

Yurt Love

August
Snapshots From San Diego: A BlogHer'11 Visual

Bancroft, Ontario

The Burning Hell Loves Babies

September
There's Music At The House Of Fawn
Our Sunday
Neighbourhood Sweethearts

October
A Thanksgiving Retrospective
The Gibson Tuck... In Action
Our Pumpkin Patch Adventure

November

Deep In The Hundred Acre Woods
Some Style Inspiration For The Season
Eight Things You Didn't Know About Me

December
Shiny Happy People: The Blogger Meetup!
O Tannenbaum & Tradition
Hematomattack
Blogs Nights

And if you're looking for a little eye candy... take a peek back at all the Fawned Friday posts too. My favourite blog feature.

Happy New Year, dear hearts. So much love.

Hear, hear.

Get Well Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:30:00 +0000

Not even a stomach bug can keep this kiddo from smiling. She's such a trooper, despite the miserable night she'd had prior to this photo being snapped. My little puker seems to be doing better tonight... hoping the sickos will be all gone by tomorrow. There's nothing quite so heartbreaking as a tot telling you "I don't wanna feel sick anymore, mama". We snuggled and nursed all day long, and by this evening she even had some dinner. She did manage to snack a bit during the day, following the bananas/rice/applesauce/toast rule and she told me the "applesauce make my tummy feel better". So far, she's been sleeping just fine tonight, and I'm about to head to bed myself.

Send happy thoughts our way, mes amis. Hoping for a healthy start to 2012.

PS. Apologies for the lack of Fawned Friday this week. It'll be back next week, full force.
PPS. Just so you can have the same song stuck in your head for the rest of 2011...

Peace.

Small Style No. 21

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:30:00 +0000

Ducky Sweater: Thrifted (an absolutely gorgeous find), Necklace: The Children's Place (a Christmas gift from @messykarenjean), Scrappy Skirt: Handmade by mama, Slippers: The Toy Shop

Basically, what you see here is the outfit she'd like to wear anytime music is playing in the house. This girl loves to sing and dance, has a remarkable memory for lyrics and some pretty radical moves. (Like Jagger, probably.)

I've been a Small Style slacker this weekend, but let's link up over at Mama Loves Papa, shall we?

Vintage University Love

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:14:00 +0000

I found these fantastic vintage snapshots of my university on their website. So amazing. I'm pretty honoured to have attending such a gorgeous school, despite my somewhat disillusioned thoughts about post-secondary, but that's neither this nor that.

How much do you love the lamps those dapper chaps are studying by? And the fireplace? I sometimes miss those rooms.

Tell me, friends, where did you go to school? What did you take? I'd love to know! (To answer this question myself: Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario. BA in Philosophy & Cultural Studies.)

Images via trentu.ca archives.

Blog Nights

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:17:00 +0000

I've been geeking out like mad this week (what else is new?), watching the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings films over and over again while I drink tea & blog my nights away. Many of you know I write for several websites, and quite often I end up getting the majority of my writing done at night, after lights out o'clock.

Tonight was no exception. With a little Harry Potter on in the background... I'm blogging, Pinteresting, tweeting and sipping Earl Grey at my kitchen table. Last night I shared an Instagram of what my evenings have looked like lately:

For the last few days, my roomie has been away with family for the holidays, and I think I actually forgot what it was like to live "alone". Usually she and I chat and watch Gilmore Girls, so rarely am I solo at night. Sometimes it's nice to be silent and still.

I really enjoying all of my blog work right now. It's exciting. It's always changing, growing, morphing... new opportunities, new ideas. Sometimes I look at my blogging schedule (via my trusty ol' Google calendar, aka brain) and it seems a bit daunting, but I love it. The only difficult part about all of it, is trying to make time for my blogging, birth work and life, all at once. (Wouldn't it be nice if we could actually make time... surely there's a recipe on Pinterest for this sort of thing.) So far, I'm managing to do a LOT of things fairly well, but it's tough balancing it all, on top of being mama to the raddest little lass. Things slip, as I'm sure you all understand. The goal, I suppose, is to do fewer things REALLY well, but my gosh, that's the trouble. Sorting it out, letting go, reorganizing, restructuring. Another venture has been brewing in my head for a good while now, and even starting it will be interesting by itself. I find myself a bit hilarious sometimes... but I have a great deal of trust in life sorting itself out. I know I'll be able to reconcile it all.

Life has a way of working out for the best, when you give it a chance to.

And that I shall.

Source.

Christmas With My Little Fawn

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree Fawn) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 07:51:00 +0000

A morning with kin, five generations, gifts from so many who love her, smiles, twirling, brunch & a cozy nap with mama. Dinnertime with chosen family, good eats, lots of laughter, hugs and happiness.

Gretchen had a fantastic day. Oh my, the things she says and does. A constant source of brilliance and amusement. She keeps me on my toes. She keeps me grounded just the same.

Grateful for our wonderfully mellow Christmas.

Wishing you all the best, mes amis. I hope your day was everything you'd hoped for and more.