Small Style No. 13

A few days ago, the little miss was all set for bed when we decided to take a little mellow walk through the park -- the evening air was just too nice to ignore.

We tiptoed down the path, took a turn near the water and picked flowers. It was so peaceful and calming. The perfect way to wind down after a hectic day.

Pajamas: Vintage Snugabye (my favourite brand for jammies)
Shoes: Gap (she thinks these particular shoes are call "an outfit")

As always, we're linking up with Mama Loves Papa.

On Anticipation & Disappointment

Yesterday our berry picking attempt was thwarted by a rather powerful thunderstorm. We pulled to the side of the road to wait things out -- drops so thick we couldn't see the road.

Gretchen didn't understand that our adventure wasn't going to happen until we were back in town, near our home... a little voice piped up from the backseat...

We go farm? Pick staw-bewwies?

Tears as big as the raindrops fell from her cheeks when I told her we couldn't go berry picking in the storm. Such a heartbreaking moment. I ached for her.

Generally, when some big event like this is nearing, I say nothing to her. I wait til it's upon us before springing the exciting news. In this case, someone spilled the beans to her earlier in the morning, and so her entire day was spent dreaming of strawberries.

I often find myself struggling somewhere between wanting to give her the thrill of anticipation, and the urge to protect her from disappointment. It's a fine line and I walk it daily.

Two is a tricky age for explaining the world, but we do our best.

How do you handle this sort of thing with your little ones? I don't want to rob her of that wonderful feeling that comes when we're looking forward to something, but my soul cries for her when things don't work out as planned.

I can't protect her forever... this I know. But my gosh, it's hard not to try.

Wordless Wednesday (Puppy Hugs & Popsicles)

Gretchen's Love List

♥ Adventures about the town with mama
♥ Making friends with the local park bear
♥ "Painting" with water on our front porch
♥ Lots of vintage necklaces from nana
♥ Slides, swings and anything climbable
♥ Sticks and ponds, water and wading
♥ Bike rides in the Chariot
♥ Cafe dates, cranberry juice and Earl Grey pound cake
♥ Snuggles, and lots of them

Letting It Out

Let me start by offering my overwhelming thanks to all of you who have sent me notes and emails and tweets and Facebook blurbs, asking how I'm doing and if I'm alright. I've lost count of the sweet messages and my heart swells knowing that you lovelies think of me outside of blog-land. I'm completely honoured.

You know me well, dear hearts.

Things haven't been peachy, but as one who truly believes that all things happen for a reason, I'm taking the hits as they come, knowing I'll be stronger when all is said and done.

Some changes have been in the works for the last long while, which is one way of saying that the boy and I have been going through some things, and for the time being, we have decided to live apart in order to better ourselves, so that we may be better together. I'm not one for airing intimate details of my relationship on the blog, so I won't really say more. We know that this is what's best for us at the moment, and if our love is the kind that lasts forever, then we'll prove that to each other in time.

It's all about time.

So yes, this is what has been keeping me a step away from So Fawned for the last month, and I'm in the process of finding my rhythm again.

I didn't want to post this for sympathy, or advice, or any sort of reaction... just thought I owed it to my readers who have been nothing but supportive of me since day one. 

This mama's going to be fine, mes amis. She always is.

Thank you. I adore every last one of you.

Edited to add: The boy and I have a friendship which remains true, and our love for our daughter takes precedence, of course. These facts have not faltered as our journey takes us in this new direction.

Small Style No. 12

Many apologies, of course, for missing out on last week... but Gretchen's seriously bringing the cute for our 12th edition of Small Style, so I hope you can forgive us!

What a little plum!

Skirt: Old Navy (or at least I think so...)
Sweater: Carter's
Hat: Gagou Tagou
Socks: Don't know the brand, but my gosh they are soft!
Shoes: New Balance

Linking up with our delightful Small Style host, Mama Loves Papa.

Wordless Wednesday (In My Backyard)

Oh Man!

Alright, 2011! Whatever you've got, I can take it! I'm smiling and rowdy and oh so ready. Tonight I'm trying to piece some posts together in my had, but the words aren't quite there yet, so I'll give them a little while to mull about. Until then? A little laugh with my sweets:

If you're not grinning now, there's a good chance you're a Cylon.

Peace out, mes amis.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, daddio.

I love the little world that you two have together. There's just nothing like it.

Strange Sleepers

Do you ever find your kiddos in odd positions when you check on them in the middle of the night?

PS. Do you also still check to make sure your toddlers are breathing before you go to bed? Or is that just me?

A Little Wordlock Love

Since the break-in, I've been exceptionally diligent about locking our doors. Something I was never worried about before, but unfourtunately, after such an intense event, I now keep our house locked up 24/7. It's not ideal, but it does make me feel safer.

Our front door and back door lock up just fine, but shortly after the incident, I starting thinking about the gate to our backyard. I knew I wanted to keep something on it, at least at night, to prevent someone from sneaking into our yard.

Cue the fine folks at Wordlock, who recently sent me one of their really neat padlocks to try out. Our gate closes with a simple latch, which has a small hole at the bottom -- a perfect fit for my new padlock, and a perfect way to me to sleep a little better at night.

As you can see, Wordlock locks are number-free -- which, if you're anything like me, is a bit of a relief. My bank pin is just about the only numbered password that I need to have stuck in my brain. I'd much rather think up a fun word for my fancy new lock.

There's a HUGE collection of words that can be spelled out with this lock, many which are featured in the packaging, so that you can choose and change your keyword (quite simply). And, since you're probably all wondering, it's pretty hard to find any inappropriate combinations. (Yes, I tired.)

According to their website, these spiffy little Wordlocks are weatherproof, can withstand 3000lbs of pull strength and are made with a maximum security hardened steel shackle. Essentially, I don't think I could break this if I tried. Which is a pretty comforting fact!

I'm feeling quite content with this baby hanging on our back gate. Begone, creepy robbers!

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If you're in the market for a lock (for your gym locker, kids' lockers at school, luggage... you name it) you should definitely check out their website. The lock I was sent goes for less than $10 and is available in four different colours.

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. As always, the thoughts expressed are my own.

Fawned Friday

01. Cats in bars? Oh yes, ma'am!

02. Veering from my norm when it comes to design, but I like it.

03. A happy way to spend an hour.

04. Little red delights.

05. A trio of cuties.

06. Oh Plumey, you're always right inside my head.

07. Oh goodness, yes.

08. In my neighbour's backyard.

June Sponsor Love

Just wanted to take a moment to say hello and merci to my lovely June sponsors. Be sure to visit their links below for a little sojourn to their delightful little corners of the internet. I'm so thrilled to be showing off these talented ladies!

She Loves Libraries ~ Birth Routes

 Moment Of Stars ~ B.Inspired Vintage

 Your Green Baby ~ Needle & Nest Design

And my lovely BlogHer roomie, Mama Loves Papa!

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(If you'd like to sponsor So Fawned, just click here for more info... accepting July sponsors maintenant!)

Wordless Wednesday (Sweeties)

Beyond The Blue Box

It's official. I've died and gone to thrifting heaven.

On Monday afternoon, Karen & I packed ourselves, and Gretchen, into her little red car, for a rainy afternoon road trip to Beyond The Blue Box aka. the best thrift shop I've ever had the pleasure of perusing.

Row upon row, treasure upon treasure. Even while wrangling a busy two year old, I was able to find an armload of delights to bring home.

So good, right? That owl has a matching rabbit pal, which went home with my pal, Karen. Twins! So lovely, so sweet.

I couldn't resist that cat book (which actually turned out to be free!), while the trivet might be my favourite piece from the day... been looking for something just like this for a while now. That and the mug, they look just like items my gramma would choose, and her tastes are rather impeccable. As for that tiny umbrella girl? I just couldn't leave her behind. It'll find a spot in Gretchen's room soon.

Any guesses as to what I shelled out for the haul? Because I nearly forgot how to speak English when the cashier asked for "$3.50, please". Amazing. I want to go back. Now.

Have you had any thrifty-luck lately? It's getting a little tiring always checking our local shops, so I'm glad we got a chance to check this one out. And we'll certainly be making another venture there in the (near!) future. I hope!

Wish you all the best, in life (and love). Now it's time for tea, and goodnight.

On A Monday Morning

Oh I'm feeling like a dweeb today, mes amis! But...

... happy Monday! Big plans this morning? This afternoon? This week? I've got lots on the horizon, some good, some not so good... and in time I'll reveal it all, I promise. But for now -- have a fantastic day!

I hope the sun in shining in your neck o' the woods.

On Poppies & Time

 

They've since wilted and dropped their petals, but for a week or so, my yard was host to the yearly poppy-crop... and how delighted we were!







I think I'll make a tradition of photographing Gretchen in the poppies each year. Seems fitting -- a way to mark passage. It's just so beautiful.

Can you imagine... one year ago...





Oh goodness, dear friends. It'll never cease to amaze me how the time ticks away and the newness takes over. It's all a miracle and I hope I'm treating it as such. I do try.

Peace.


Bless.

Wishes for a wonderful weekend.

Fawned Friday

01. How cool is this DIY cutlery?

02. I am absolutely thrilled to have found this site.

03. The sweetest little sampler.

04. A little library love.

05. Does she know how you feel?

06. Totally digging this wooden lamp.

07. I think I'd like one of these in my yard, please.

08. Super sweet birdie portraits.

09. Oh my goodness. Yes please.

Small Style No. 11

I almost don't believe that it's already Thursday again! My word... where did the week go? We're in the middle of weird weather humidity, thunderstorm fiasco in our tiny town -- lots of trees down after last night's tornado-ish winds. Crazy. The power was out during the prenatal class that I was sitting in on last night and we spent 1/2 an hour just watching the storm downtown. I really love weather like this... a little exciting, a little scary.

But I digress... Thursdays = Small Style! Time for a few snapshots of G-slice on her way to daycare this morning:








Capris: Gap (thank you hand-me-downs)
Shirt: Joe Fresh
Hat: Go Designs (so happy to be getting TWO summers out of this chapeau!)
Shoes: The beloved not-Crocs (but close enough)

And since you can spy my outfit a little too:
Mom's pants: Bluenotes (but thrifted from Value Village)
Mom's shirt: Old Navy (I adore this shirt... I wear it a LOT)
Moms' sandals: Joe Fresh, $4 (oh hells yeah)

And, just like every week, we're linking up with Mama Loves Papa! (Oh my goodness, can you believe BlogHer is in less than TWO MONTHS?? I'd better get my passport pretty soon, eh?)

Wordless Wednesday (At The Neighbourhood Bike Wash)