happy weekend

Mike and I have been putting in our winter lawn this week. It is so much work, but it is worth it! Our regular grass (bermuda) goes dormant in the winter and turns brown and scratchy. Winter grass (rye) is lush and dark green and so pretty.

We transplanted some jasmine vines to the side wall of our house last year, but just barely got around to putting up a wire trellis for them. I can't believe the difference it has made! The vines have flourished with the trellis and will soon fill it. There are some gospel parallels here, but I'll let you sort them out on your own.

I hardly ever buy clothes, and especially never shoes, but I bought two new pairs this week! These black sneakers from target are replacing the 15 year old black converse that I've worn into the ground.

Quilting update: I've almost completed 12 blocks. The more I've worked on it, the less wonky my pieces have gotten. I love that it's an ongoing project that I can work on when I have a spare moment. Next I need to decide how to put my blocks together. I like quilts with a lot of white space, so I'm experimenting with different border sizes. It has been so fun.

This weekend is big for us. Tomorrow is the elementary school carnival (I'm the PTO vice president, so I'll be there all day), homecoming for Mabel (She's not old enough to date, so she's going with some friends ... and I couldn't convince her to wear my cute vintage dress. Sigh.), and then Mike is singing in sacrament meeting on Sunday. I love when he sings.

It sort of feels like the world is falling apart, doesn't it? I found this quote from President Uchtdorf to be comforting: "When we embark upon or continue the incredible journey that leads to God, our lives will be better. This does not mean that our lives will be free from sorrow ... No, following the Savior will not remove all of your trials. However, it will remove the barriers between you and the help your Heavenly Father wants to give you. God will be with you. He will direct your steps. He will walk beside you and even carry you when your need is greatest ... The fires and tumults of moral life may threaten and frighten, but those who incline their hearts to God will be encircled by His peace. Their joy will not be diminished. They will not be abandoned or forgotten."

I hope your weekend is a happy one!

happy weekend

I've had it. I cleaned out my closet yesterday and put all of my summer clothes in storage. I can't even look at them anymore. But I think that worked, because it's only supposed to be 86 today! And our 10 day forecast doesn't predict any temperatures over 100! Maybe fall is here, after all? I'll take what I can get.

So, I'm not a career woman, obviously. Nor did I ever aspire to be, but I still found this post on 15 Career Tips from Smart Women really inspiring. My favorite: "What if joy is my only metric for success?" I've been thinking a lot about that. My life at home is a success if there is joy here, no matter what my life looks like at the moment, and whether or not I ever get recognition for my efforts. My parenting is a success if I feel joy when I am with my children, even if I parent differently than someone else. My running is a success if it brings me joy, even if I never get any faster. Do you get the idea? It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, or how anyone else is doing things, or if anyone else ever even notices, as long as what I am doing, and how I am doing it, is bringing me joy. I think I've always believed that, but I've never heard it put it such a succinct manner before. I really like it.

Tomorrow night is our church's semi annual Women's Conference. I am excited to watch it with my two girls. It can be viewed at lds.org. I always find uplifting and strengthening messages in this conference, and I am sure this one will be no exception.

Have a happy weekend!

a day dress for summer

I was in the market for a light weight summer dress with sleeves, that actually went to my knees. Something more than a flimsy, boxy knit, and something that wouldn't make me melt any more than I already will come June. When I saw a remnant of chambray linen at the surplus fabric store I snatched it up and this dress was born.

I used my nearly worn out copy of Simplicity 2245 (which is sadly out of print) as a slight guide for the sleeves and bodice, and then added a full skirt (with pockets!). The waist is elasticized in the back to give it shape, but still be comfortable.

The good news: It is easy to wear. The bad news: Mike doesn't like it. Oh well. Maybe he'll learn to like it after seeing me in it all summer long?

Do you consider your husband's opinion when getting dressed? I'd like to, but sometimes what he likes and what I like are so far apart from each other.


p.s. This is the updated version of the pattern, but I am sad to say that I don't like it nearly as well as the original.

my minimal closet

I've realized that I work best when my choices are limited. This is especially true when it comes to my wardrobe. It has taken me years and years to figure out what I like to wear. And the key, I've decided, is only having a few things that I really love to chose from.

Here is the thing. I am a stay-at-home mom who doesn't even leave the house some days. So this is what I need: a few outfits each season that I feel really good in.

This is what I don't need: anything else.

I live in an easy climate, wardrobe-wise. We have two seasons here in Arizona, summer, and not summer. So I've divided my wardrobe in two. The not summer stuff is out right now, and the summer stuff is tucked away in a box on the top shelf. When our days get a bit warmer (probably sooner rather than later), I'll switch things around. Having half of my clothes in storage will make them seem extra exciting and brand new once I make the switch, I think.

I want to invest in good quality clothes. I want them to last from year to year. I want to be deliberate about what I buy. I want to feel really great in everything I own.

And to get me from where I was to where I want to be, I decided to give myself a number limit. I chose 10. So . . . 10 pairs of shoes, 10 workout pieces, 10 sweaters, 10 bottoms for each of our two seasons (some of these overlap), 10 tops for the two seasons (again, some overlap, so there aren't quite 20 total) and 10 church outfits for each season (there is some overlap here as well). That's it. I kept my 10 favorites and donated the rest. I also tossed all of the socks that slip down my heel when I wear them and drive me crazy, and the tank tops that have seen better days, etc. If there was something I was unsure about or having a hard time letting go, I put it in the box with my out of season clothes. I will revisit it in a few months to see if I missed it.

One of the things I like about this idea is that if I am shopping, and I see something that I want to buy, I better love it more than something I already have in my closet, because if I bring something new in, something old has to go out.

I find that the more rules I give myself (like, I only wear certain colors, I only buy tops that don't require layering for modesty, etc.) the easier it is to stick with my limit.

How do you manage your wardrobe? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Baby, it's cold outside.

I'll tell you what, I am not cut out for winter. I haven't been warm since before Christmas. Our hot chocolate supply is getting dangerously low. I am wearing socks, for heaven's sake! Our low is supposed to be a frigid 25 today. Now, I know that for some of you, that is winter business as usual. But we are weak blooded here in the desert and I think I might die.

When it's hot for most of the year, you don't really collect proper winter clothes. You think that a long sleeved t-shirt or a thin, 3/4 sleeve cardigan will see you through til spring. But they totally won't. I was on the look out for something cozy without a hood (because long hair + hoods make me crazy). Target left me empty handed. So I headed to my other store, Old Navy, and found myself in their kids department. Hooray for a winner! Best $15 I've spent in a long time.

I'll still be sitting in front of my space heater, sipping hot chocolate all day though, if you need me.

a Peter Pan Collar tutorial

One of my favorite trends right now is the Peter Pan Collar. I've seen it everywhere, it seems, but I haven't been able to find the right top to purchase. Not to be discouraged, I decided to make my own collar necklace. It can be worn with just about anything! Even a t-shirt. And it instantly makes whatever you're wearing pop a bit.

I think it would make a great handmade Christmas gift for someone on your list. Let's get started.

1: Find some scrap fabric (I used white flannel) and play around until you get the shape just right (my approx. measurements are in the next photo). I cut out a basic peter pan shape, then trimmed and reshaped and trimmed some more. I made about three versions until I settled on the one I thought was best. I wanted it to be able to fit wide and small neck styles, including boat necks, so I tried it on with lots of my shirts, making adjustments as needed.

2: Once you have settled on the shape, trace it onto muslin. Add 3/8 of an inch around the collar for a seam allowance.

3: Then use the muslin as a pattern and cut out all of the pieces you will need for the collar. (I used a nice silky cream satin for the back, then the muslin for the center + fusible interfacing for stability, and a top layer of cream pointe d'esprit. But you can use whatever fabric you would like. I think a lace collar would be beautiful. Or even velvet!) You only need a little bit of each fabric, about 1/3 of a yard. Make sure to cut two pieces of each fabric for both halves of the collar.

Attach the fusible interfacing to the back of the muslin. Then stack the pieces in the correct order, as if you were looking at the finished collar (for my collar that meant: satin, shiny side down + muslin with interfacing on the back + pointe d'esprit). To sew them together, flip the top two layers to the back so that the very top layer is sandwiched between the others. For my collar, that meant the right sides of the muslin and satin were sandwiching the pointe d'esprit.

Pin in place and sew the layers together, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Remember to leave an opening in the back so that you can flip the collar right side out later. This part can be a little tricky. I found that to keep the fabrics from pulling and shifting while sewing, first pin and sew one side. Then press the collar flat. Then carefully pin and sew the other side, making sure to keep the collar nice and flat as you go along, starting at one end and sewing to the center, then stopping and starting from the other end and meeting the stitching in the middle. (See the photo above)

4: Now trim the seam allowance.

5: Turn the collar right side out.

6. A chopstick comes in handy. Make sure to get that corner completely turned out, then press your pieces.

7: Now it is time to sew the two halves together. Overlap the point just a teeny bit and use some hidden hand stitches to secure them together.

Now for the ribbon at the back. You will need 2 pieces, each about 18 inches long. 

8: Pin the ribbon to the back of the collar where it was left open during stitching. With right sides together, pin it to the top two layers, leaving the back layer free. Then stitch in place.

9: Turn the back layer in to cover the line of stitching and pin in place.

10: Use a slip stitch to secure the backing and close up the opening.

Hooray! It's finished! What do you think?

the tops

Remember that fabric I couldn't leave the store without? Well, here it is in blouse form. I used Simplicity 2245 (with an altered neckband) for the cozy cropped flannel shirt, and no pattern for the lace. But I used New Look 6003 for that simple blue pencil skirt.

And now I guess I should get out the Christmas decorations? I don't know what's gotten into me this year, but I kind of want to skip that part.

a new dress

Today I am grateful for new dresses and good deals. There's nothing like a new Sunday dress to make a girl feel pretty. I found this one at the DownEast warehouse sale last week for a song, and silly as it sounds, I am thankful for it!

a pretty dress + the primary program

Last Sunday was our ward's Primary Program. I had to sit on the stand with my class and I knew it would be freezing up there so I wore long sleeves. Silk long sleeves. In Arizona. In September. And I was still cold! I felt really great in this dress, but I knew it was a major keeper when the boy in my class who is not Oliver interrupted me mid-lesson to tell me that it was pretty. Eight-year-old boys aren't terribly observant, so I was completely flattered.

Watching my darling children (including four-year-old Stella) say their speaking parts in front of the entire congregation was pretty wonderful, too.

I found the dress for a song at my local DownEast. Does your DownEast sell jcrew cast-offs, too? Maybe you should check.

sayonara summer

This week has been a quiet one, which is just fine with me. I've been able to make a dent in my humongous book (War and Remembrance- so good, but so long), I've taken naps and baked cakes, and I even got to to spend some time with friends at the park. (It's really not park weather yet, but we braved the heat anyway and I am so glad we did!)

Yesterday I cleaned out my closet. First I boxed up my summer clothes because even though it's still 104 outside, I just can't stand to look at them for one more second. Then I tried on everything else. (Even my sweaters, which was sort of painful, since sweater weather is still weeks away.) Lots of things were sent to the donation pile, and now I am left with the bare minimum, and that is just how I like it. Does having too many wardrobe choices paralyze you, too? I'd rather have a handful of tops that I love and a few pairs of pants that fit well. And that's really all I need. Except a chambray shirt! I am on the look out for the perfect one. Let me know if you see it.

Happy last day of summer and have a good weekend!

a downeast review

A little while ago, DownEast asked me to test out some items from their fall collection. I was happy to oblige! You can find my review (and some pumpkin bread, too) on the DownEast blog here.

Thank you, DownEast Basics!

p.s. I tried really hard to get out of my comfort zone with this outfit (mixed patterns! tucked in shirt!), and I ended up really loving it.

p.p.s. Even if it's still hot where you are (like it is here), make some pumpkin bread this weekend. You won't regret it.

summer!

Day one of our summer survival plan is in full effect. Today's job: sifting through the year's worth of paper that came home from school yesterday. I'm hoping most of it ends up in the trash, but I have a feeling that I'll find it stuffed under their beds instead. Today's fun: breakfast with Mike at his office. We're off to a good start.

Honestly, I wasn't sure if Oliver's sneakers were going to make it to the end of the school year. Thank goodness they did! And then they went straight to the trash. Yuck.

Elliot and I decided that we were over his toile curtains. So we swapped them for sailboats. Much more appropriate for his two-year-old boy self, I think.

And how do you feel about maxi skirts? I was wary at first, but quickly decided they were the way to go this summer. I followed a pin to this tutorial and used a nice stretchy gray knit. Instead of the folded waistband in the tutorial (my midsection and I avoid those at all costs), I used a wide elastic at the top, and added ruffles at the bottom. Sewing with knits can be tricky if you don't have a serger, but most sewing machines have a knit stitch that will work in a pinch.

Find tips on sewing with knits here and here.


Have a happy weekend!

today

I know, I know, too many instagram photos already! But really, they are just so easy and fun. And who wants to lug a big camera around, anyway?

My mom has been in town for the past week to visit and help send off my brother and his family. They are moving on Thursday. It was fun having them here while it lasted! (It only lasted 7 months. Sad face.) And now my dad is here, too. So we are just mostly sitting around, hugging, and talking about how awesome Mitt's speech was tonight.

Today: Stella was very thoughtful at lunch, I wore my summer pants, and the cheering section at Oliver's baseball game was very enthusiastic. All in all, a good day, I'd say.

How was yours?

I'm barefootstephco on instagram. Come find me!

life lately

My sister, Leslie, is the best for lots of reasons. One being that when she sees something she thinks you'd like, she sends it to you. Like this phone case. She is so thoughtful, and I love her.

This photo of little Mike kills me dead. I love it so. And, as if we needed it, it is more proof of my weak genes. I see so much of our kids in his face.

This still happens on a regular basis. Elliot thinks he's ready to wake up, but what he really wants is to hug on his chair for another hour or so. Sometimes I feel trapped. But mostly the weight of his little body on my chest, and his sleepy sweaty smell feel just like heaven.

What do you think about the half tuck? I sort of really like it.

Hello. Goodbye.

I like it when Mike and I accidentally coordinate our outfits. Yesterday it was navy and gray, my current favorite.

Things around here have been busy, but good. Lots of sewing. Lots of baseball. Lots of gorgeous weather. We're all kind of itchy for school to let out. One more month. I think we can make it.

What does your life look like lately?

I'm a sewing machine.

Whenever I sew something for someone else, I like to reward myself with a sewing project just for me. This pattern was a breeze (Simplicity 2147). No zippers, no sleeves, no buttons. Quick and easy, and so versatile. I think it'd make a darling blouse. I made a tunic this time, but I have plans for another, maybe a dress, soon.

Here's a little tip: Choose the pattern size one size smaller than your measurements call for. I am always glad when I do that.

quintessential summer dress

or candy striper? I can't quite decide. But either way, I think I love it.

I've sewn this dress a few times (Simplicity 2360), but this is the first time for myself. I chose a summery black seersucker. The pattern is pretty straightforward, but the flounce and neck binding require a little finesse, and might frustrate a beginning sewer. There are no buttonholes or zippers or sleeves to set, though, so it is a quick project.

I'm trying to be very deliberate with my wardrobe. Sewing is the best way for me to accomplish that, I think. It takes a lot of time to choose a pattern and fabric, not to mention the sewing and fitting. I'm not one for impulse purchases, so building my wardrobe this way feels right.

Do you sew? If not, do you wish you did? Would you be interested in taking lessons?

me and prada

This is my favorite kind of sewing project. A friend fell in love with that gorgeous (and so very modest) green Prada dress and asked if I could make her a custom copy in her favorite shade of red. I said yes! And I'm so glad I did. Pretty dresses are my favorite.

dear flannel shirt, where have you been all my life?

I picked up this shirt yesterday at Old Navy (my yellow one isn't available online, for some reason). As soon as I touched it, I knew I had to bring it home. I mean, have you ever worn a flannel shirt? Coziest thing ever. And just right for an Arizona winter. Also, I drive a Grand Wagoneer. I kind of feel like flannel shirts should be a requirement for ownership.

DownEast Women

***Giveaway is now closed.***

Hi there. I'm back with another DownEast review. This time it's for the ladies.

What do you think of my skirt? I think it goes with just about everything and is perfect for fall. It looks and feels like wool, but it is really a washable cotton/poly blend. Some day I will own fancy dry-clean only wool skirts, but not while I have little kids living in my house. I like the interesting darts and the full lining and the fact that it is gray, which is so much easier for me to wear than black. My only complaint is that it was too long. Or maybe I am too short? Whatever the case, a few minutes at the sewing machine fixed it right up. And now I am tempted to wear it more often than I should.

I have good news! The nice people at DownEast think one lucky reader deserves a little something new, too. Hey, it could be you!

Here's what you need to do:
Browse DownEast. They have some great new things this season! Then come back to this post and leave a comment telling me your favorite item for fall. For an extra entry, you can like DownEast on Facebook. Just make sure you leave an additional comment telling me that you've done it. Do all of this before Tuesday, October 4th at 10 pm Mountain Standard time. I will announce the winner first thing Wednesday morning. Good luck!

p.s. Don't forget, today is the last day to enter the DownEast Girl giveaway. Have you entered? Winner will be announced tomorrow.

a weekend report

I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to my white dress for the season, so I gave it another go at church on Sunday. I think the "no white after Labor Day" rule shouldn't apply in states where it lingers near 100 degrees until Halloween. Am I right, or am I right?

This weekend was great fun. My sisters-in-law and I hosted a baby shower for Mike's youngest sister and I didn't take one picture of it. But trust me, it was really nice, and the food was plentiful and delicious. (Thank you, Abbie, for doing most of the work!) Baby Hazel can be born any day now, please. We are anxious to meet her.

Then Mike and I went to a little neighborhood get-together to celebrate the end of a very long, hot summer. (The end of summer is definitely a cause for celebration around here.) I love our neighbors. They are the best kind of people, and it was so fun to talk and laugh with them until nearly nine o'clock at night.

We are old. :)

What did you do this weekend?