NEW items in my shop, plus FREE shipping ends TODAY!

wooden bird

little seamstress

mail carrier

It's been a loooong time since I did a shop update, but now that fall is here I am finding more time to list new vintage items and I did so this morning! So head on over to GrayDay and see what's new and take advantage of my last day of free shipping!

10 months old, an epic blog post

After this weekend, the little miss is 10 months old! Pretty crazy-dazy.  That means she has been living out of me for the same amount of time she was growing inside of me... that means I have been committed to this little one for 20 months, which, I'll admit, in the grand scheme of things will amount to a drop in the bucket... but from where I sit it's pretty wild to think of this time in these terms.  And the days before these past 20 months feel like ages ago.  What did I talk about, think about 20 months ago? I have no freaking idea. I'm drawing a blank! lol Anyway!

* warning* This blog post is heavy on videos, the result of slacking (and only musing for the 9 month post), thus they will all go on one big post as the ultimate recap for friends and family who live afar. Plus I try to strike a balance with my blog, I feel too many baby posts might be boring and alienating for some... hence another reason this is a big post- to avoid daily baby blogging! ; ) so if you want to hear more about my baby and watch some cute home videos, check them out after the jump!

A Love letter to summer, the last one?

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you guys, I think this is my last "Love Letter to Summer!" I know summer isn't technically over... and maybe I should wait... but this weekend is Labor Day and it feels wrong to keep showing images of carefree vacation filled days when folks are hanging up their bathing suits and heading back to school, etc. But not to worry I have future seasonal Love Letters in store for my Monday blogging- to inspire, and bring a little bit of magic to your computer screen. So check back in every week for more visual eye candy. And in the meantime enjoy the last Love Letter to Summer.

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A 90th Birthday Recap

 As some of you may know, my grandfather turned 90 this August and in keeping with our long tradition of throwing him a party at the shore every year, this year was no exception! Unfortunately the rain moved our party indoors (which was a first) but we had a great intimate lobster dinner to celebrate the Patriarch of the family. Above: Grandad with his Lobster dinner and captain's hat on and his V.I.P ribbon in place!

The whole crew including two of Grandad's friends.

Grandad opening the photobook we gave him, with my Uncle Rob and Aunt Deb sitting beside him.

Showing off the cover of the book, with a dapper Grandad on the front.

Grandad opening his bespoke ISIS Ceramics plate by my Aunt Deb.

My Aunt managed to fit everyone's name around the outside of the dish. This includes 4 great grandchildren!

A detail shot of the plate with a quote from my late grandmother "Remember who loves you!" which was also included on my Dad's plate for his 60th. The airplane with the Happy Birthday K.L.S banner is a reference to my Grandfather's 60th birthday when my Grandmother had a plane at the Jersey shore fly over the beach towing that message. The lobster was excellent, the laughs were abundant and overall it was a lovely party for a great man!

teapot

I'm in love with this vintage teapot.

(don't tell my husband, wacka wacka!)

Links and Such

I love this entryway, a great example of how simple and minimal objects can really set a tone and create a feeling for a house! Plus the two toned front door that has windows at the top- lets in light while also maintaining privacy. I just had to share it with my sister-in-law as inspiration for their new home, it really speaks to their light and relaxed, rustic, and colorful style. Here are this week's Links and Such, enjoy!

love this quilt, the baby is cute too!
knit mary jane slippers
what a dashing set of vintage cups!
turn tea tins into magnets (great for holding pencils!)
Recipe: Reese's cheescake brownies, holy smokes they look GOOOOD!
wooden fish rattle
free printable ice cream tags/cards
darling girl's dress
perfect for fall- sew this argyle fleece throw!

AND

FREE Domestic shipping in my Vintage home shop on etsy, as I prep for a shop update!

Handmade Shout Out

I missed yesterday's Handmade Shout Out, but here it is one day late! And be sure to check back in later today for this week's Links and Such.

Above: Child's Leather Rabbit Mask, By SundriesAndPlunder

Milk Bottle Vase, by MaryOber

Tempermental, original painting by JenniferDavis

Bat in flight, ceramic necklace, by HandyMaiden

Silver Moon Clock, by CyberMoon

Try This: DIY Moss Graffiti

What a cool idea to use moss as graffiti, to grow it into words or a design! Can you imagine if all spray paint graffiti was replaced with "green" graffiti? Reminds me of Seed Bombing. Anyway, so Crafting a Green World has a great tutorial on how to make your own moss graffiti. Essentially- in a blender add one can of cheap beer or 1/2 cup of buttermilk, add a few handfuls of moss, and one teaspoon of sugar. Blend it together and then paint in on a wall and mist daily until it grows! I think this would be fun for a party, wedding reception, used at a garden store (I'm looking at you Terrain!), or at a little cafe. If you try this, let me know how it works!

so this cloth diaper thing...

(the little miss sporting a "Fuzzi Bunz" diaper at 7 months)

It's been almost 10 months that we have been using cloth diapers and I'm here to report back on a few tricks and tips and other little things we have learned along the way. I'll try to not be too poop-descriptive ; ) If this topic pertains to you, read about my cloth diaper experience after the jump!

time at the shore...

just a few pictures my sister took of the little miss, myself and our niece at the shore the other weekend. ah sandy babies!

A Love letter to summer

As the summer begins to wind down, my thoughts turn to Maine... (this will be our first fall away from Maine in two years and it's my favorite season -sniffle, sniffle-) and when I think of Maine lakes and the beautiful coast come to mind. Plus lakes feel like a nice transitional fall element. So Enjoy this week's Love Letter to Summer: Lake theme!

source

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magnified sand

What to Watch: The Tree of Life

The other week, the husbo and I went out for a little date-day and went into Philly to see The Tree Of Life. I read snippets about the movie, mostly general "go and see this" recommendations, but not enough to know too much about the story line and I like that I went into the theatre this way. (I even think the trailer doesn't do the movie justice... I enjoyed being a bit in the dark and enjoying the journey of not knowing much about the movie, so watch the trailer if desired.) And so, in order to not spoil it for you, I will keep my remarks brief. I took a lot away from this movie... it was one of those films that sticks with you the following days and new conclusions and observations are made as you think back on the story. 

In grad school I dabbled with installations; I appreciate how this medium has the potential to create an experience for the viewer, to place them in an environment that can translate a smell, an emotion, and abstract feeling and make it tangible by creating an experience for the viewer...  The Tree of Life was like a cinematic art installation. For me it delved deep into the abstract questions, the nostalgia of life, of memory, of the world as being bigger and more infinite than our little issues... the movie was an experience and had the same qualities as an art installation. So if you can, do see it on the big screen.

Links and Such

Happy Thursday and Happy Links and Such! Sorry this is so late in the day. My mom, myself and the babe were out this morning and we hit up a baby consignment store and scored some great clothes for this fall, next spring and even the summer! I'm inspired to do a consignment blog post so stay tuned for that. Meanwhile, how great is this Salvaged Brick Garden path? The owner salvaged the bricks and chiseled off the mortar before using it in her garden! talk about work, but well worth it! It looks great, very secret garden!

colorful coat rack tutorial
I wonder if I could knit a gray sweater like this for myself?
Dog Peek
polaroid cookie
a tunnel in the Ukraine 
LovingEco- it's like Gilt Groupe but only sells eco specific fashion and beauty products!
A colorful bedroom
why having a toddler is like being at a frat party
Cute little girl's skirt! (love everything in this shop)
a cute 1st Birthday party (yes I'm already thinking about it, October will be here soon!)

Little Sack of Sugar

We've been listening to Pandora's Children's Folk Station when riding around in the car and the husbo and I recently came across Woody Guthrie's Little Sack of Sugar song and just love it, it's hilarious, short and sweet!

the perfect dress

I'm in love with this dress by modaspia. The perfect throw on and go linen dress, very flattering and will wear well over time! me thinks it would be a great wardrobe staple... ; )