Back To School Feast

Last night was the night before school started & I thought it would be fun to celebrate with a feast, like my friend Stephanie aka nie nie does. This spontaneous thought struck me only mere hours before dinner. Soooooo, that meant I didn't have much time to make it not just any typical night but a memorable one before they soar off to Kindergarten and Preschool.

One thing that I loved about my Dad is that he was enthusiastic about traditions. Many of them are still going strong to this day. I'm sure he would definitely approve of this impromptu, new tradition- a feast fit for our back-to-school princesses.

Collin was in charge of the theme and the meaning for this school year. He chose the word Discover and the thoughts behind it were very sweet. He also gave them each a Father's Blessing. A tradition both of our families did each year before we started school. It's a blessing to magnify their spirits, filled with encouragement and any added support they need for the year. I remember feeling loved and less nervous... Avery said she felt happy.

Headbands & Clips c/o: Dear Lizzie Boutique // Dresses made by my friend Annie. She has a darling online shop for fabric: Sew Obsessed. She sells all the cute designer fabrics.

I asked them what they wanted for dinner and they said spaghetti! We also enjoyed artichokes, twice baked potatoes (add equal parts mayonnaise & grated parmesan cheese to potatoes for a yummy topping then brown just before serving) garlic bread, lemonade with frozen berries & sugared donuts for dessert. Nothing fancy schmancy.

Polka Dot Shirt//Feathers & Headbands: Dear Lizzie Boutique

Generally I keep dinners very low key but for our feast I broke out the wedding china we haven't used in 9 years. The night definitely turned out to be way more work than expected. Just as I was down to scrubbing the last pot and spoon, Quincey walks into the kitchen and says "I'm hungry." haha!

Instalove

Sometimes I tend to obsess over things. When I was younger it was collecting those plastic charm necklaces and anything to do with New Kids on the Block. Today, I'm officially obsessed with Instagram. For those of you who don't know it's a free app on your iphone and works similar to twitter or facebook where you follow people or have friends, the difference is that your feed is all pictures.

⓵ Cutest

⓶ When you go on a walk with the girls they stop and look at every single ant

⓷ More evidence of how much this girls loves bugs

⓸ Making the yummiest monster cookies with my friend Annie

⓹ A freshly picked flower from my Q

⓺ My mom and all her granddaughters (missing one grandson)

⓻ Piggy back ride

⓼ Tiny Flowers

⓽ Midnight treat with sprinkles on top

One reason that got me hooked is that it's insanely fun to capture those moments you might not necessarily get unless you had your phone in your pocket.

⓵ Sunday morning on a blanket with my girl.

⓶ In-N-Out lunch date with Collin

⓷ Dentist appointment. If you know me I hate the dentist. But this particular appointment it was me all alone in a quiet room watching Friends & seriously laughing so much that I had to turn it off while the assistant took pictures of my teeth. (I was so dorky but it was that episode where Phoebe and Chandler are pretending to like each other but he really loves Monica. It's a classic.)

⓸ Avery has a handful of sequins in one hand and a potato bug in the other... so random. I love that girl.

And there are some gnarly photo actions! Did I just say gnarly?

⓵ Getting J-Dawgs with the fam (J Dawgs= best hot dogs around)

⓶ Cupcake batter and a princess

⓷ Toes in the grass

⓸ View from our summer mornings outside

⓹ Pattern and Lace

⓺ My sister doing my hair

⓻ Cupcakes from Sweet Tooth Fairy

⓼ Sleepy girl and her care bears

⓽ Birthday card for a friend

⓵ Sunday afternoons & our Lola Bug tries to stand on her own.

⓶ Hanging out by the pool enjoying a snowcone because someone pooped in the pool. Sick. lol

⓷ Lunch

⓸ Two words=Shaved Ice

⓹ Her first love

⓺ Garage sale find and new record player holder

⓻ Shadow dancing

⓼ Date night

⓽ Nerd alert

One of the biggest reasons I love Instagram is the numerous companies who take your photos and either print and send them to you, make mini books or large books, posters or even tiny stickers. That's the part that really got me hooked. Because let me tell you, anything that makes it easier to get pictures of my computer and into my hands makes me a happy girl!

If you're on Instagram my username is dearlizzy. Or let's connect on Twitter or Facebook.

Printstagram: mini books, stickers, poster

PostalPix: Prints your pictures onto photo paper & aluminum

Blurb: Photo books. Blurb also prints your blog into a book. Yeah, you can thank me later.

I'm trying all of these out so I will let you know how that goes!

Just like that

Yesterday a string of events forced me to realize the inevitable. My little Aweeey is growing up.

It started with a back-to-school meeting with just us and her new teacher.

She was so elated and drew a picture for her. She also wanted to bring her a flower but needed to find out her teacher's favorite color first. (She's very thoughtful.)

Everything went wonderful and her teacher is very sweet. She showed Avery the classroom then quizzed her a bit and Avery willingly showed off her sounding out skills, that's my girl!

When it was all over and we walked out of the school Avery and I just stood there side-by-side with one arm around her. Excited but stunned and with out saying a word we knew what the other was thinking. She is growing up.

Then, just like that, her first tooth was loose. Quincey was running around saying, "her looth is toose!" It was quite a dramatic episode which gave me a glimpse of the teenage years to come.

First, there was some much-needed reassuring from Dad that another "big" tooth will grow in. Next, we tried numerous techniques to get it out but decided to tell her to "wiggle" it out... so she started wiggling her hips. Not quite. haha.

A little while later, and lots of tears, she came running excitedly with her tiny tooth! I grabbed my camera and we took a couple pics. Then she wanted to show Dad that she'd lost her tooth and the next thing we know she literally lost it- outside. That's when I started searching for the tooth on my hands and knees like I'd lost the diamond from my ring. But no luck. There was talk of painting a rock white for the Tooth Fairy. heehee But we explained to her that the Tooth Fairy would find it outside.

The next big question: what do Tooth Fairies leave these days? Do I slip an ipad under her pillow or is a quarter still acceptable? ;) Late that night, Collin and I snuck coloring books under each of their pillows sprinkling a little fairy dust in our tracks and just like that, she's growing up.

The End.

Feel free to still enter the giveaway below...

Feeling Lucky? Dear Lizzy giveaway

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② Evalicious!! I've admired her layered art journals for years and the creative embellishments she sells at her shop. Eve is giving away these items to one lucky winner: ... memories art journal, label tabs and everyday mini flatback buttons. Perfect to get creative while the kids are back in school or if you don't have kids to record your summer memories in.

③ Jacy of Bit O Whimsy is a sweetheart here is all about her darling shop:

I am a mommy too two silly little boys that can crochet up a storm in my spare time! I have been selling my baby hats for almost 3 years and have loved every moment of it. I offer a variety of whimsical baby goodies to mommies and photographers all over the world. I adore creating newborn photo props as well as darling pieces for everyday wear. I strive to be different from all the other hat vendors out there and am constantly adding new designs. My goal is to get a huge "awe" out of people when they see my items. Making my little hats is a dream come true and I cannot think of anything I would rather do. For more about me and my hats you can visit my blog --- and my facebook fan page. Stay tuned for the big fall line premier... it is sure to put a smile on your face!

She's giving away $30 credit to my bigcartel shop as well as 20% off with coupon code DEARLIZZY for everyone!

Leave a comment and 3 winners either a Camera Bag, Evalicious goodies or Bit 'o Whimsy gift card... I'm crossing my fingers and toes for you!

Leave an extra comment for following them on facebook or twitter.

proof

If I ever needed proof as to whether or not summer has been good to us these pictures would suffice.

If further evidence were required I would hand over our filled up snow cone punch card. What's your favorite summer memory?

This week: school open house, awesome blog giveaway, moving my office back upstairs, new school shoes shopping... the list goes on and on.

get off our lawn

Running through sprinklers is the quintessential feeling of summer. Try doing it with out laughing... or squealing depending on how cold that hose water is. If summer were to end tomorrow we could bid farewell happily knowing that we played in sprinklers. No, that is not our house. Yes, they probably thought we were crazy.

Heels//Vintage Dress

Here is a popular question:

Dear Lizzy, I see that you use Totally Rad Photoshop actions, but I'm wondering if you bought the TRA1 or TRA2? I went through them, LOVE THEM, and now I can't decide which one I like best!
xo, Lindsay Roberts

I really enjoy running Totally Rad Actions. I use both of the packages obsessively but if I had to choose I would get the TRA:2. That has a bunch of my favorites that artistically alter your photos. The Get Faded series of actions are totally rad ;) along with Pool Party & all the sharpening tools are great. These actions run like a dream! I also really love Maggie Holmes Actions!

Q: Hi! Where do you get your crazy cute shoes? I remember from long long long ago, you posted a website where you found some fun (and not crazy expensive shoes) and I can't remember what it was! Thanks, Katie

A: Hi Katie, I can't specifically remember what shoes you are referring to but let me see if I can guide you to something crazy cute. :) The ones I am wearing in the above pic are older and were from Zappos. (Vivienne Westwood) You can find some good prices there. Another great place where I buy shoes are Ruche & Modcloth which have a selection of reasonably priced picks. Also, BC Footwear has some darling styles.

photos by: who else

sucker for school supplies

What's more wonderful than a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils? Okay, a lot of things actually. But I am definitely a sucker for school supplies--throw in a pint sized military jacket & mustache erasers and September couldn't come any quicker.

I thought I would be a little more freaked out about my oldest sprout starting kindergarten but I'm surprisingly *elated for her... mostly because I know she is going to love it.

*Give me another week and a half and I'll be a complete mess! !!

Jcrew, 2, 3, 4, 5, F21, 7, F21, Jcrew

Refashion// full skirt to pencil skirt

Sometimes when it comes to clothes I can be a hoarder... nothing that I need an intervention for where all my friends come over and pry flannel shirts from my kung-fu grip. But I can hold onto things for random reasons for much too long.

I once made a rule, that I always break, if I haven't worn it in 2-3 years then I should say bye bye unless there was something special & sentimental, or a nice pattern. This polka dot skirt I haven't worn for well over 7 years & regardless of the fact that the zipper was broken- I just couldn't let it go. As you can see my sentimental side always wins.

Well, I recently did another spring cleaning (yes I'm aware it's August) to clear up some space and thought it would be fun to refashion a few things.

This skirt was my guinea pig.

• I used my favorite pencil skirt as a pattern. Pinned the pencil skirt to the polka dot skirt. Made sure that since the polka dot skirt has many pleats on the front that the pleats were folded. Then I cut both sides of the skirt, leaving a seam allowance.
• Next, I pinned one side together (right sides facing each other) and sewed that side seam. Then I sewed the other side seam leaving room at the top for my zipper. Then I tried on the skirt. One of the sides was too bulky so while I was wearing it I pinned where the bulkiness started and stopped (to mark it) then sewed so that the skirt fit more snug.
• I added the zipper, which is a Christmas miracle that it actually was functional once I finished.
• The pleats in the front give it enough room so that I didn't need a slit or anything and it not as restricting when I walk compared to my other skirts so I love that aspect.

Share any tips or ideas of your refashioned pieces...! I'd love to hear.

Before the refashion the skirt fit really low on my hips, now it's sits higher on my waist which was a happy accident. Yes, I had to take apart the seam a couple times but it all came together in the end. We will just have to see how it stays together when I wear it.

pink pants & cargo shorts

Where is the numero uno place to go on a double date when you are with family and you want to have loads of fun? The family-fun center: Trafalga.

Collin was a baby and didn't want to ride the bumper boats... he knew we would team up against him and he would be soaked by the end despite the fact that I pinky-promised we would never do that! Here's another installment of he said/she said date night.

She Said:

I blame the fact that I came in dead last g0-carting on the heels.

I didn't realize what a baby I was until I was at the top of the rock climbing wall. ("What do I do now?" Don't look down. Don't look down.)

Yes, I still brag about my skee-ball skills, which haven't changed much since I was six.

Dippin Dots are the real reason I wanted to come here.

Pants, Shirt: F21//Belt, Shoes: Ruche

Be very grateful this photo is blurry.

He said:

As you can see from the picture above, I wore cargo shorts that night. Cargo shorts say, "Hey, I'll hold all your stuff. You just worry about making friends."

I came from behind on the go-kart racing and took the Checkered flag. No really. I took it, from Dale the go-cart attendant guy. Dale chased me in his Nascar Crocs. A wiseman once said, "Don't ever judge a book by it's cover, unless that book is wearing Nascar Crocs." (I am the wiseman who said that.) I never really understood Crocs. Whenever I see someone in Crocs, my first thought is, "Did you go hiking AND swimming today?" Free yourself. Burn the Crocs. (sorry nurses)

What was I talking about again?

We climbed a fake rock wall with screwed in handgrips made for Oompa Loompa fingers. I often wonder how Andre the Giant would've climbed a rock wall, his fingers were like bananas. But then I remembered when he climbed the Cliffs Of Insanity in Princess Bride, he used the rope. I miss Andre the Giant. RIP Andre.

Chris is really tall, like Andre. I don't think he's a "Giant" though, at least according to Wikipedia. He does sometimes drive with his head out the sunroof, and it's really patriotic when the American flag is near his head, like in this photo. It's almost as patriotic as the tattoo I have on my lower back of a Bald Eagle eating a McRib. I think it'd be funny if Andre the giant drove like a Mazda Miata or something.

Yesterday we said goodbye to my sister, Ashley, Chris and Taimi... as they head back to Germany. :'( We had so much fun this summer with them & miss them already. Thank goodness for Skype!

Happy Weekend! Any fun plans?