Barbie Party

'Cause what California girl doesn't need a crocheted over-the-shoulder bag

with a matching chain stitched headband? 

(I had fun making these wee accessories- and it took only a 1/4 of the time to make) :D

Yup, Olivia's to that age where Barbies are comin around!

We went to a sweet little birthday party where all the girls brought their Barbies to play with

and ran around shrieking, giggling and getting glitter tatoos (so glad my hubby didn't go after all!!!)

Happy Friday

DC

My stepmom, Stacy, and I took a trip to Washington DC (and surrounding states)

this last weekend.
With some extra airline miles, Stacy flew us both there!!! :D (Thanks Stace!!!)
What a picturesque area, with giant green trees and plenty more greenery all around.

I was in awe by its sereneness. 

My dear friend Danielle, alllll the way back from elementary school, just graduated from Med School. 

I'm so stinkin' proud of her persistence, determination, and hard work!

We didn't do much sight seeing but had such a lovely time catching up- time sure

feels like it's being stolen away all the time!

Ah, yes. My 1$ Salvation Army dress serves me well again! :D 

The sad thing about loving vintage clothing is I've gotten even cheaper.

$7 is pricey to me now- after finding GREAT pieces of clothing for

next to nothing. I still have a bit of a weakness for the finer garments in life though,

(YES, YOU Anthropologie!- though I only buy your sale items- hehe)

Stacy, looking gawgess!

I'm generally NOT a rose person

except for the old timey breeds of roses and the wild/hybrid kind...

but these were pretty fantastic!

Didn't go in there... but how cool is the building?!

Did go in here, and holy moly, was the food good!!!

Stacy and Liz, grabbin' a quick bite to eat before heading to Danielle's.

My meal... halibut served over greens and lentils with currants. 

So. good.

Peony's in front at Danielle's house! 

This has gotta be one of my favorite flowers!

Finally, some relaxing clothes and hanging out on a porch :D Bliss

Danielle, myself and Diane (my confessed blog stalker- hehe- love ya!!!)

Cousin Jenny, Aunt Karen, Stacy, me

Karen, Stacy's sister, was super generous opening her home to us

for the weekend.

A deer in the backyard... and see what I meant about the greenery?? 

Enjoying the scenery :D

Heading home... already??! ;(

That was a fantastic little get away! More to come!

I'm now looking forward to camping. It's that season again and our 

tent trailer is DESPERATE to make a run (yeah- it told me!) ;)

Traveling anyone?

Swap Love

LOOK what came in the mail!!!

I've always been pretty intimidated by the "swap" concept

 (worried about finding just the right thing to send someone who is virtually a stranger)

but Claire from Claire De La Luz asked me if I wanted to do one with her

and I was super excited! She's a friend, even though we just met through these

blog wires! Her blog is smart, fun, fashionable, and she's got great taste in music :D 

Do drop by and say hello :D (if you don't already!)

Olivia, my little one, was SO excited to open the mailbox from the post office!!!!

She was so proud to carry that box home singing, "Mama got a special pressssent, from her speciallll friennnnd...." :D

Inside was a pretty ruffly skirt and a blue calico Gunne Sax skirt 

(the kind I've had my sights set on for some time; I feel like I just now

joined to Gunne club! I had to wear it immediately (of course) and went to pick Elsa up from school in it.

I felt so pretty and feminine and a bit like a southern lady, pairing it with boots and all! 

These little heart earrings were pinned to the white cotton tank top!

lavender, lemon thyme, sage, and rosemary 

 Excuse the sleepy no make up eyes :D

Claire, thank you SO very much for this generous gift and for being such a sweet friend!

I'm very excited that we crossed paths out there in blog land and have gotten to know each other better!

Your package is being lovingly put together, m'dear!

It will see you soon :D

I was in Washington DC this past weekend and can't wait to share pictures and tales from 

across the country with you! It was SO green and lush!!!!!! (not quite like California)

Time to concoct something for dinner...chicken and artichokes? 

xx,

and Happy Monday!

Rituals

That word alone makes me wanna run, initially. 

But add to it perseverance and pay off... and it doesn't seem too bad

Two things I have recently committed to:

1. Face washing. 

Hi. I'm Nicky. I sleep with my make up on. 

I always have. I hate rubbing gunk all over my face and trying to scrub it off

especially when the water doesn't get warm in my bathroom til 20 minutes later! 

I'd save it for my morning shower....and break out like I'm 16. 

However, I was recommended a product that I like a whole bunch

and have been using nightly!
The cranberry smell is delicious and it takes ALL of my eye make up right off!!!

I'll let you know when I quit breaking out... it may be never! haha [weep]

2. Brushing and flossing EVERY night!!!!!

Brushing, I've always been committed to (though every once in a while I'd fall asleep 

watching a movie and meander haphazardly to my bed at 2am.)

Flossing... yes. I've been told to do it every day (more than a lot of times).

My dentist warned me. I heard him. And heeded his warning (sometimes).

It wasn't until my little ones and I came up with a flossing cavity that I really snapped into action.

If their teeth are bad, it's my stinkin' fault- and I don't want that on my shoulders!

PS. all you gotta do is look up one horror story on root canals to scare you into doing good.

Shoot, I LOVE my teeth and never realized til hearing scary stories

and having one bad filling. (not being able to chew on one side is retarded!!!!)

Got it fixed, and so now floss 3 mouths EVERY night. 

Theirs and then mine 

(cause it's helped me to stop eating or drinking anything after 7:30 anyhow! 

We are all benefiting greatly here!!!

AND... I'm teaching them a life long lesson at a wee age!

(hear me trying to convince myself to never stop)

I know you've got some great things going out there!

Any of you unfortunate gals still break out? What are you using?

Natural remedies anyone???

I can't wait to hear em! Happy Thursday!!!

xo, N

oops... forgot to ask for deodorant solutions too- besides the good ol' store bought. 
(and without needing a laboratory in my home!)
I've tried baking soda- but I'm pretty sure you absorb much of the salt into your system!?
Tried Toms and a few other "natural" ones from Henry's and they don't do much.
Do tell.... :D

Reasons I Love Vintage (Part 1)

Vintage. Ahh, the classically over used term that I'm growing weary of

(simply due to over use, but still doesn't change the way I feel about "vintage" items). 

There are so many beautiful pieces out there that are vintage...

clothing and chachkie's alike; 

many of which I'm snaggin' up to treasure for myself or sell in my Etsy shop. 

Here are some in my possession that I love:

I love. love. love. this book and it's crewel embroidery!

One of my favorite finds by far (about 25 cents at Salvation Army a few years back).

I spend a long time studying the details of the stitches

Here's my attempt to try out some of the flowers in the book... a little sampler!

Another just-for-fun sampler.

Fruits on parade :D

Found this rad beaded necklace at an estate sale the other day ($1)

same sale. also $1. I love it's sweet colors and daintiness!

Anchor pin: a nautical summer essential

Turquoise clip on earrings 

Little metal birdie. Why did I need this, you ask? I have no clue!

I gotta quite picking up little chachkies like these or I'm gonna drown in them! 

And soooo much more. 

To be continued in Part 2 :D

xoxo

Right Under My Nose

I'm a lucky girl in that my brother DJ's (so he's got a lot of music),

my sister's always knows the latest and greatest, and one of my best friends works in the music industry.

Therefore... I'm handed down music! I LOVE it.

This CD, another hand me down, has been right "under my nose." (or just in my itunes). It was a gift along with my purchase from the nice folks Urban Outfitters a few years back. I've skipped through it and was diggin' a few songs... but really paid attention today to a song called Presents by Via Audio. Funny how I passed up for a while.

Yikes, the live version was not-so-hot so I just deleted that video... but the next one is cool :D

And who was to know I'd buy the dang near- SAME sweater the day before seeing hers- hahha

Man, I wanna play some music!

Who wants to jam???

Considering Swim Wear

Hey, hey! 

I'm updating my Etsy shop and about to add this bikini...

While hunting online for price comparison...etc I came across this:

If they were lined... I think they'd be Rawtha dawling... wouldn't you say!?

Heck, maybe I could even make one!!! After all... I can make a scarf- bahahahhaha

 (Oh Gemini, you never cease to amaze me with your optimism!)

It's time for a new bathing suit this season for sure. 

Old Navy's B & W striped one has served my well for

[cough] a few years now. 

I'm kinda digging the retro bathing suit look (but they don't do much for tan lines, huh?)

from Anthro

from Urban Outfitters

cuuute.

Who's found adorable (AND AFFORDABLE) swim wear?

'Cause I'm not paying a whole lot more than Old Navy prices- I know... lowers my options

but we've got a family to feed! haha

Do tell...

Vintage Skirts

Coming soon to my shop :D

                   This maxi skirt is available here

Ahhh.... ok to upload photos again! Yay!

More soon...

N~

Happy Cinco De Mayo-

Here's wishing you a taco or two and perhaps a margarita with which to wash it down ;)