5 Things

Dear Aidan,

On Monday, you turned two months old.  I cannot believe how quick the days go by and how much you have grown.  I must say, you are one handsome little man!  You won't remember these days but your momma will cherish them always.

5 Things

1. I could watch you sleep all day every day just to catch one of those silly little smiles you crack while fast asleep. Oh how I wonder what it is that makes you smile at that very moment.

2. I miss your adorable little self every time I am away from you. The highlight of my day is first thing in the morning when I get to see that smiling face that I've missed all night.

3. I come in to say goodnight at least 3 times before heading to bed even though your fast asleep. You look so peaceful at that very moment. 

4. It is the cutest thing how you keep your hands in little fists all day long. Do I have a future boxer on my hands!! But it is a special moment when you open those little fists to hold mommas hand. My heart just melts.

5. There is nothing better in this world than when you fall fast asleep on your momma, so close to my heart. I cherish those moments because I know one day you will no longer be a little snuggle bunny.

Can you stay this small forever!

Love,

Momma

Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin carving has become somewhat of a tradition for me and my fiancee.  It's one of the many activities we look forward to in October.  This past weekend we carved this years pumpkins.  I decided on the Corpse Bride since I love that movie!  Here is my masterpiece.  Not to shabby, huh?

  

Here are my pumpkins from the past four years.

A family of pumpkins.

We didn't want to leave Aidan out, so we carved out a pumpkin for him as well.  

And then put him in it!!

Aidan was not the biggest fan of being in this pumpkin but I was able to get at least one good photo!  He was a good sport about it.  I love this little bugger!!

Pumpkins, pumpkins and more pumpkins

On Saturday, we took Aidan to his first pumpkin patch.  Needless to say him slept through 98% of the experience.  He woke up just as we were going to the register to pay and only because he wanted to eat!  He has slept through most of his firsts: first mall trip, first high school football game and first pumpkin picking adventure.  But who cares because honestly it's all about the joy of experiencing these adventures for the first time with my son regardless if he is sleeping or awake.  Because I remember it all!

My fiancee and I are quite the "October" freaks.  We even might go to another pumpkin patch this weekend.  Maybe Aidan will be awake for some of this trip.  I am looking forward to the day his face lights up as we pull up to the pumpkin patch.  The day he can feed the animals and giggle as they slobber there food down.  The day we can ride the hayride together.  The day he runs through the pumpkin patch choosing his first pumpkin all on his own like a big boy.  The day his clothes and hands are stained from painting his pumpkin.

But what I look forward to the most is October 31, 2014 when he walks down the aisle as mommy and daddy get married!!

Pumpkin Picking Attire

What to wear pumpkin picking?  Well here is what I wore.  A comfy pair of bold colored flats with a cute peplum top was the perfect mix in my book.  And let me tell you how comfortable these jeans are! Added bonus: they were only $20.

// Top: Dorothy Perkins // Jeans: H&M // Flats: Gap // Necklace: NY & Co. // Watch: Michael Kors // Rings: Gorjana // Earrings: INPINK // Sunglasses: Karen Walker //

We had a packed weekend with lots of fun activities.  Aidan's first pumpkin picking adventure, his first high school football game and some pumpkin carving!  Pictures to come!  

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend.  What was the highlight of your weekend??

Dream Job

How often is it that you land your dream job?

Think about all the careers you wanted to pursue growing up.

Your list may consist of one.

Or like me, it make consist of many.

As a child I wanted to be an actress.

I mean who didn't wish to be an actress/actor some day.

That dream was thrown out the weekend after taking drama class in high school.

I realized I hated acting and was terrible at it.

Since grammar school I wanted to be a Fashion Designer.

So I went to college and majored in Fashion Merchandising.

After college, I realized it would not be so easy landing a job in the fashion industry.

And I was not really interested in the business side.

I wanted to design and create.

Throughout my life I have also wanted to be:

A Hairdresser.

A Makeup Artist.

A Wedding Planner/Event Planner.

A Photographer.

Professional Dancer.

What can I say, I'm passionate about a lot of things.

Looking at this list, one thing sticks out to me.

These careers are all creative.

I would just not be happy in a job that did not allow me to use my creative juices on a daily basis.

I must say I may have found the closest thing to my dream job.

I am lucky.

I get to do something I love.

I get to use my creative juices daily.

What more could I ask for!

I'm a Fashion Teacher.

How cool is that!?!

Are there careers on my list I wish I could still pursue.

Absolutely!!

Maybe some day I will.

This blog has allowed me to dabble in photography.  

Etsy has allowed me to share with the world my designs and creations.

Who knows what's next.

But I know this.

I love my job.

I am lucky!

With that said, I thought I would share a little peek at why my job is so awesome.  If you have ever seen project runway then you will recognize this as one of the "unconventional" challenges.  Last school year, I had my students create a wearable garment using unconventional materials.  They were allowed to use muslin to create the silhouette but no additional fabric could be used.  Also, no muslin was to be visible.  It was solely meant to be a base.  The garment would later be worn in a fashion show presented by my students.  Let me just tell you, my students blew me away.  Unfortunately I do not have photos of every garment or from the show to share but it was a huge success.  I do have a few photos taken as the students finished their garments.

Oh and let me just add this.  It is much more difficult to create a wearable garment from recycled materials than it is from fabric.  Newspaper and magazine for example do not form to the body like spandex would.  

This dress was created from hand folded magazine pages which were sewed on layer by layer to create volume to the bottom portion of the dress. 

// Materials: magazine pages //

Magazine pages were hand folded and sewed on in layers to create this edgy look.  The top portion of the dress was created by putting layers of duct tape over the muslin.  Ribbon was used to create a belt that broke the top and bottom portion of the dress up perfectly.

 // Materials: magazine pages, duct tape and ribbon //

Napkins were used to create tons of flowers, which were then glued onto the skirt which was created from a cardboard gift box.  The top was first layered with duct tape and then embellished with fish tank rocks which were glued on in a chevron pattern

// Materials: napkins, duct tape, a gift box and fish tank rocks //

The complete dress was created using newspaper pages with the added appearance of a belt made from duct tape.

// Materials: newspaper and duct tape //

Strands of garbage bags were braided to create this edgy top.  The skirt was made from pieces of tissue paper strategically placed to form a layered, brick-like pattern.

// Materials: tissue paper and garbage bags //

The complete dress was made from layers of duct tape with a peplum made from foil paper.  The dress was broken up with a tissue paper belt with a braided garbage bag embellishment.

// Materials: duct tape, tissue paper, foil paper, and garbage bag //

The bottom of this dress was created with hall passes.  The were folded in an accordion style and layered to create this fun look.  The top, which is not pictured, was made from tissue paper and coffee filters. 

// Materials: hall passes //

The skirt was made using paper tissue paper and a trim was added to the top with balloon pieces which were individually hand sewn.  The top was made with aluminum foil with an added duct tape trim and flower embellishments.

// Materials: tissue paper, aluminum foil, duct tape and balloons //

The top was first created with solo cup pieces and then layered with duct tape to create a two tone look.  The skirt was made from shredded newspaper pieces which were then spray painted.  The belt was made from rope pieces that were braided and spray painted.

// Materials: newspaper, duct tape, solo cups and rope //

How fun are these!?!  How could I not love my job!  

What is your dream job?

baby boys 1st fashion post

That's right!  Aidan's first fashion post debuts today.  Look at this stylish little dude!!

// Sweater: Old Navy // Corduroys:  Gap // Sneakers: Gift //

Baby boy is right on trend.  Look at those bold colored skinny corduroys!!  He knows whats up.

When I found out I was having a boy, I was determined to find cute little man clothes.  See I have two little girl cousins and absolutely love shopping for them.  The baby boy department is always half the size of the baby girl department and in my opinion lacking.  And me being a fashion lover, I wanted little man clothes not your typical baby clothes.  

I mean how cute are these outfits!!

                                               Source: thebabyblackbird.com via Erin on Pinterest

                                            Source: angeloj.tumblr.com via Sydney on Pinterest

H&M, Zara, Gap and Old Navy have been my go to stores for Aidan's clothes.  H&M definitely having my favorite "little man" clothes.  I recently discovered an online store called nextdirect that have adorable, stylish baby boy clothes.  Just wait until you see the blazer I got Aidan to wear for Christmas, ahhh so cute!!!

Up, Close and Personal

It's time to get real.

To be honest.

I was the girl who never left the house without makeup on.

Looking a certain way was important to me.

Actually, I may have been overly concerned with how I looked.

And now I rarely take my makeup out of the closet.

Putting makeup on is a special occasion.

And I'm okay with that.

I've learned to embrace my natural beauty.

To be bare.

Love my imperfections.

It took me almost 29 years to feel this way.

Or a baby.

Why did it take so long?

I wonder the same thing.

But you grow up and life changes.

Your priorities change.

Aidan is now my number one priority.

And he sees me as I am everyday.
And loves me regardless.

I'm not saying I will never wear makeup again.

But I am now okay without it.

I don't need it to feel pretty or good about myself.

And what this made me realize is far to often we are not happy with ourselves.
This needs to change.
Learn to love yourself just as you are.

Be confident in your own skin.
And sometimes this is not easy.
Because we are our toughest critics.

Far too often I see my high school students insecurities take over.

I see the sadness, the hurt that is caused by a cruel comment from an acquaintance.

Why do we constantly feel the need to put each other down?

I worry for my son.

Because I have seen first hand how tough life can get.

How cruel people can be.

Becoming a mother is like a smack in the face.

It makes you realize all the mistakes you made as an adolescence.

Because you were young and naive.

And at times cruel.

But now I have this little boy.

And I don't ever want him to feel not good enough.

It's a life of worrying from here on out.

Motherhood is an eye opener.
This little boy has made me a better person.
And has taught me to love myself.
And he doesn't even know it.