Grosgrain

Olive Garden $100 Gift Card Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:17:21 PST

Stories of A to Z is having a $100 Olive Garden Gift Card Giveaway courtesy of BlogHer!!!! Beth was asked to do a review and treat some of her friends (including me!) to enjoy. Isn't being a blogger great?! See photos of our fabulous meal and enter to win the giveaway here!

Rose Bloom Bouquet Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:10:21 PST

OMGosh! I want to try this! Would it make a great alternative to real flowers at a wedding. It's even big enough to stand on its own which means less work.Get the full tutorial and wedding pics here.Source: blog.evajuliet.com via Joy on Pinterest

Sew Your Own

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:00:03 PST

Sew your own! With this material and this buckle and this lunchbag pattern! Buy the real deal here. Source: alittlehamster.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Shoe Redo: Embroidery

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:00:05 PST

Ever thought of embroidering your canvas shoes? You could even monogram! Or do a chevron....Source: instagr.am via Maho on Pinterest

Inspiration Clothing

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:46:16 PST

I'd totally steal this neckline for myself!Source: hucklebones.co.uk via Amber on Pinterest

Practical Nursing Blanket Alternative

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:44:37 PST

This is such a more practical idea. Don't get me wrong. I like nursing covers too but many times I was caught without having one on hand. And nursing with a simple blanket can be....challenging. These look totally simple to sew. You could keep one of these in everyone of your purses at all times and use whatever blanket was available on hand. Get the tut here. Source: sewing.craftgossip.com via Maho on Pinterest

Something Pretty.

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:50:20 PST

How happy is this? It's made with Japanese washi tape! Get the tutorial here.Pics from Minifan and Her New Leaf. Source: hernewleaf.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Crochet Lace Bun

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:42:58 PST

I love this. So simple. Just take crochet lace trim and add ties on either side. It looks beautiful because it's 'under' the bun. Sort of like it's 'supporting' it.Source: etsy.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Homemade Valentine's Day Gift Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:50:05 PST

I got my google check today which got me thinking about Valentines. Why? Well, google pays once per month and I suddenly realized that the check would have to last through the Valentine's gift giving season. Gosh! I just got done spending all my money on Christmas! How can it already be Valentines? Where did all the time go? And poor Brian, he just got done buying me a new computer on top of Christmas and now Valentines. But I'll go easy on him this year;) I won't expect too much. If you're in the same budget boat, let's make it...

Inspiration Clothing

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:47:09 PST

I love this top! Unfortunately, it's not available anymore but when it did it retailed for $225. You can still catch it on eBay here but I think if you were smart you'd try and recreate it for yourself. I mean SERIOUSLY how hard could this possibly be? It looks like a couple pinched loops of fabric, edged with black bias tape. The bow looks stiff. I wonder if there's wire in the edges? Does anyone have this blouse that can tell us?Source: thechloeconspiracy.com via Amber on Pinterest

Happy Birthday Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:38:43 PST

My (now) second youngest just turned two on Saturday.Since it has been so close to our hospital stay we didn't have a big party just a little family get together. Fortunately Eloise is still small enough that she doesn't have much opinion about big parties.My new computer should be coming in by Thursday and I can start posting more regularly. Love you little one.

Non-Maternity "Fit to Flatter" Transition Frock Advice

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:43:34 PST

Today I took a big step. I tried on some non-maternity clothes. Now, I know it's only been a week since I was 39 weeks pregnant but it is somewhat discouraging. I want to be able to wear something other than nightgowns and maternity dresses when I go out of my house. I still have quite a bit of tummy (obviously) but the truth is you can wear figure flattering dresses right after having a baby and impress all your friends as long as you know what to avoid AND have a pair of high waisted Spanx in your closet;) Now, realistically you probably...

Please welcome Henri Emerson Cooper Place.......

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:15:23 PST

Without further delay please welcome our newest addition Henri Emerson Cooper Place.My computer died right before we were scheduled to go into the hospital so I wasn't able to post any pics until now. Currently using a laptop I bought 10 years ago so everything takes 10x longer to finish. But looking for a new laptop is fun. Brian is buying me one as a "new baby" gift.Everything went well. I'm recovering at home with Henri whose currently napping. We were only in the hospital from Thursday morning and left Sunday afternoon. Recovery is as...

TV Frame

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:26:47 PST

Wouldn't this be great for your wall mounted TV? When you weren't using it you could have a screensaver of rotating family photos. Via All Things Thrifty. Source: allthingsthrifty.com via Claire on Pinterest

New Nursery

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:30:00 PST

We're thinking of maybe moving Eloise's room and the new baby's room into one space. We won't have to decide this until the new baby is 6 months old as he will be sleeping beside our bed until then but it has me thinking about ways to decorate the new room including how to make matching cribs that are gender neutral. (Better yet, I'd love to move into a bigger house but that's another story;) We have one of those Jenny Lind style cribs for Eloise. I love the idea of buying another used Jenny Lind style crib (this one is only $35) and...

Mena's Make This Look

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:27:33 PST

Have you seen all the good stuff at Sew Weekly lately? Mena is so awesome. I simply adore her "Make This Look" series. Mena presents a real retail dress and then suggests a similar pattern, fabric and accessories to make your own copy of the dress for probably WAY less. You should be visiting her site for this reason alone! But she also has a lot of great other sewing goodness to peruse through.

Homemade Pixie Sticks Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:27:39 PST

Source: amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com via Cheryl on Pinterest I have an addiction to sugar. I eat it ALL THE TIME and never the artificial kind. It looks a little strange to see a grown woman eating pixie sticks on her own without any kids to be seen nearby. Whenever we go to amusement parks I'm always buying the giant sized ones. One for the kids to share and one for me all by myself. It's probably something I should be ashamed of. But I saw this on Pintrest and would love to try. They're made from freeze dried fruit. Get the tutorial...

90s Glider to Modern Glamour!

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:17:44 PST

Oh my goodness. I had to post this! I have one of these for Eloise's room that I got used from Brian's parents. I painted mine and recovered the pads and am quite pleased with the outcome compared to the money I saved from buying a new one but this transformation is just brilliant! It does look like a lot of more work however. But still, very nice. Get the tutorial via Rock Paper Scissors. Source: rockpaperscissorgraphics.ca via Alex on Pinterest

"Twas the Night" FREE Dress Pattern PDF

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:25:59 PST

Well, I'm finally finished. Here is the 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Dress Pattern I've been promising! This is a FREE ungraded pattern. Therefore, keep in mind that it is untested, except by me. If you find an error in the instructions or pattern please let me know and I will happily correct it. IMPORTANT: YOU MUST ADD SEAM ALLOWANCES TO PATTERN!!!!!!! Note: This bodice was fitted for my daughter who has a very small waist for her age. You might want to take it out an inch or two depending on your child. If you do take it out on...

Cute Cheap Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:11:04 PST

Brian's sister got me a $75 Modcloth gift certificate for Christmas and I'm SO looking forward to using it. I plan on buying some dresses for those "transition months". I'm also looking forward to wearing heels. But that's another story. So I was on their site today and found some real gems. But first I wanted to post a few of the deals they had to offer above. (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT). Coral for one: $34.99; We Shall Sea Dress: $33.99; I Be-leaf in You: $33.99. AND some of my more pricier (but still reasonably priced) favs below. One more...

Photoshoots: Fancy Backdrops

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:33:06 PST

Oh Happy Day has the best impromptu backdrops. Here's her latest one. I'd love to make a dozen different backdrops to use whenever I pleased. My biggest hurdle is space. Space and natural lighting. Right now I have my little studio in my garage but it's too cold to use during these winter months which is when I need it the most. I need to figure out something else. Like buying a new house;) My new house WILL have space for a studio. Even if it means the girls sharing a room (which they do anyway). But seriously, something like an exposed...

Glitter Hot Pants

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 07:49:14 PST

Call me crazy but I kind of like these. Hopefully I'll get my pre-baby legs back to wear them next New Year's.Source: smallshopstudio.com via Liz on Pinterest

Cutout Heart Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:00:00 PST

Love this cutout heart dress tutorial!Via Stars for Streetlights.

Christmas Bake Pops

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:00:03 PST

This Christmas I asked for Bake Pops. We bought some at Starbucks once and the girls loved them. When I saw the infomercial for them I knew what I'd tell people I wanted for Christmas. The girls were just buzzing about making something today so I got out the Bake Pop pan and together we whipped up some brownie mix and melted some chocolate chips.I ran out of chocolate chips but I found some Reese's Peanut Butter chips which gave our Bake Pops some variety. We used white chocolate to drizzle over the Bake Pops. But this was something I had to...

Advent Calendar: Day 25

noreply@blogger.com (Kathleen Frances) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:00:01 PST

Ever since I saw the movie Annie when I was 7 I have had a secret love for lockets. So I planned on ending this year's Advent boxes with a homemade locket for Lily and Molly.I bought these lockets at Createforless.com for only $2.19 a piece. I then added the ribbon and clasps from some extra pieces in my scrap stash. So the entire project cost $5 plus shipping.I liked the lockets at Create For Less because they were large enough to put a picture that you could fit more than just a face in and they were also colorful enough to be eye candy for...