it's the most, wonderfully hectic time of year

9 adults, 3 dogs and 2 kids = I didn't get a lot of pictures.  But we had a wonderful time together.  There's even a cute video at the bottom. :)


Merry Merry!! 

emmaisms

It's getting to be a habit now, for OTHER people to share with me the funny things that Emma says.  Just the other day, she had a playdate with a school friend of hers.  They went over to Mary's house after school, and when I came over to pick Emma up, Mary's mom greeted me with a cup of tea, and we chatted.  The first thing she wanted to do was tell me what Em had said that made her laugh.

Emma (to Mary's mom):  "I have to go to the bathroom."
Mary's mom:  "Ok, sweetie, do you need any help?"
Emma: "No, thank you."
Upon exiting the bathroom, Mary's mom goes: "Everything come out ok?"  (heehee)
Emma:  "Yep!  Just like I planned it!" (and skips on down the hallway).

Such a turkey.

And because I am still wearing my mommy goggles, I want to share with you her first report card of the school year.  :)

thrift with me thursday

When I was a kid growing up in D.C., my sister and I were introduced to thrifting by my wonderful Emma, aka nanny/surrogate-grandmother-extraordinaire (and yes, my little one's namesake).  She would take us on adventures all over the city by public bus, and she knew every thrift store on every corner.  I remember one of my favorite ones was in the basement of the church at Chevy Chase Circle.   I think those old ladies got to know us by name.  I bet it's still there.

I remember hunting through piles of old lady's gloves and hatpins and stuffed animals and costume jewelry.  Over the years my taste changed, of course.  As a teenager, I hunted down plaid flannel shirts at every Salvation Army and Goodwill store I could find (Hello?  Nirvana?)  Now, I walk in and I'm instantly transported to that musty church basement.  The flouroescent lights, and the smell of...what.....dust?  Dirt?  Sounds inviting, doesn't it?  Heh.  :)  Then comes pride in ownership.  I feel like every visit has the potential of hitting some kind of lottery, and the anticipation is almost better than the actual find.

I love the challenge of thrifting.  It's gotten rather trendy recently, so you have to look harder and find the stores that nobody knows about.  You have be committed to the search, even if you go through some dry spells.  This week, I think I done good.  I found a couple of gems and I think I spent all of $30.

Black patent leather pumps - with a platform heel.  Oh, you fancy!

Red and white enamel bangle I can mix in with my others.

Vintage black leather clutch

Silver metal belt with bow clasp - perfect with cardigans

And last but not least....a vintage schoolroom pencil sharpener.  Don't you remember it?  Oh, I do.  I remember it well.  There's nothing better than a reeeeeeally sharp No. 2 pencil - right?

 

Speaking of pencil sharpeners, I was inspired to pick it up because it will have a new home.  I am finally almost finished with Emma's Art Studio!  

Originally, we had her play kitchen in this corner.  But at age 4, she's not into the kitchen scene as much, and she's REALLY into the coloring/cutting/crafting/pretend homework/business executive scene.  So I combined a few ideas from pinterest, and from a DIY blog and came up with this.  Pretty much all of it came from IKEA.  Artwork?  By you-know-who. 

Love the desk/drawer combo - perfect for storing paper, playdough, paint, etc.  Pull it out 
to reveal a desk big enough for 2 kids, and just push it in at clean up time!

 

I also added some curtain wire across our large kitchen window.  They come with clips.  Perfect for ALL THE PAPERS she brings home from preschool.  Gah!  Seriously??  What do I do with all that paper?  Some of them are masterpieces, and some of them are dots and a scribble.  Or her name.....written 1000x on a piece of notebook paper.  Oy.   Well, at least now I only have to part with the really obvious ones.

 

 Thanks for looking!  Happy Thrifty Thursday!
♥,
E

deck the halls

I was absolutely bound and determined to enjoy the entire month of December this year.  That meant, having all the 'big' things done early - tree, Xmas cards, etc.  The tree is decked - went with a 'white christmas' theme this year.  Our holiday cards are designed, printed and ready to go out tomorrow.  If you want a little hint for those, take a peek at the new banner up above!  :)  I have one more photography shoot at the end of the month, but my other job culminates this weekend with the big event I've been planning for 6 months.  I've really enjoyed having my party planner hat on again, but all good things must come to an end. After Saturday, I'll be able to really kick my feet up with a glass of hot apple cider, and really concentrate on the season.


We cut down our own tree this year - highly recommend it.  We got lucky and found it on a warm, sunny day.  I have a cute video on my phone I'll have to post - but emma did the sawing herself (with some help, of course) :)

Listened to Rachel Platten's album while decorating the tree.  I'm obsessed with this album - I promise you, you'll hear it soon and will love it.

I have a few plans for the new year - not so much resolutions as much 'goals' I want to strive for.  One, is to keep up with my 5am boot camp (yay me!)  Two is to stop neglecting this poor, pitiful blog, and actually recruit some real followers.  Three is to take my photography business up to the next level.  I mean, really, really go for it.  Don't know exactly what that will look like, but be prepared to be bombarded.  :)

Off to get mkae some placecards.  Happy Tuesday!
♥,
E