the intersection

I am not writing today about the beautiful weather, a nice stroll to the park or my latest chocolate indulgence {none of which are true of today}.  And I'll spare you the details of how I just spent the last few hours, trying to get my boys to take a nap in the same room for the first time and then another twenty minutes picking silly putty out from the buttons on our remote control.  Do you really want to hear it anyway?  Doubting so...

  

This blog is on my mind.  This passion turned business.  Several doors are opening right now for some really amazing opportunities.  And I'm practically floating.  Even so, yesterday, I was forced to pause when Elliot {3 yrs} said "mama, take your hands off of your computer! Do you want to ride on my spaceship with me?" {translation:  spaceship = couch}

ouch.

Now, I know every work-at-home mom experiences poignant moments like this that make you re-think everything you are doing.  Is it worth it?  Does the quality time spent with  them outweigh the time I have to spend working?  Will they ever see & understand the passion behind it?  Am I hurting them when I am at work and mentally unavailable?  Do I hire someone?  I could go on.  I think the answer is...yes and no and I don't know...all wrapped into one.  

So, today, I am reminding myself of what I know...I need to create, I have more ideas than time, I have to contribute to my family income, I am energized by doing, I am pursuing my dream...This is the intersection.  Most days I am loving it.  My prayer is that, one day, my children will see & understand what is behind "the work"...maybe even be inspired by it. 

Thanks for being here - truly - and for listening to me affirm myself this evening. (*wink)
   

10 months

random thoughts on my little man, silas...
  

{Lance isn't a fan of these boy-tights...I think they are too cute.  My sister got them for him when he was in the womb.  What do you think?}

Is it just me or does Silas look like a different baby in every photo I take?  Must have something to do with his Jekyll & Hyde personality.  It's a running joke between my friends & I that I am always making up ludicrous stories about his difficult personality because every time we are out, he is a happy little angel.  He definitely likes activity and is energized by doing and seeing.  We have had some rough times with him - but it's so true what everyone says about how you forget it all, because I have felt that way just over the past couple of weeks - he has been a complete joy.  I feel we have really turned a corner with him - as far as the no sleeping and screaming nonsense goes.  {finally!}  He even calmed himself and fell back asleep after waking a couple of times this week - shock of all shocks.  Ah! Progress.

Silas and Elliot were interacting during lunch today - and I was busy in the kitchen, until I heard the cutest belly laughs ever coming from the dining room.  Is it not the best sound?  Well, I have video proof that a mom will do anything to hear her baby laugh...he was laughing because Elliot was spitting his falafel & hummus across the dining room table {make that...room}.  Yep.  And not only did I grab my camera, I encouraged Elliot to continue to spit his falafel across the table.  What a sweet sound it was - worth every minute of vacuuming after all was said and done. 

Still working feverishly on my new projects - it's been a lot of family stuff around here lately - will be posting soon on more business news...stick around.

    

strolling in seal beach

My parents trip has come to an end...so back to real life for me!  I tend to neglect things a little bit when they are here.  The next two weeks are really busy for me and the business...{not to mention dust bunnies that are calling my name}...so tomorrow, it's game on!   
  

Tonight, we went out to dinner and took a stroll down the pier in Seal Beach, then down to play in the sand, at Elliot's request.  It was a really beautiful day today and a gorgeous evening/sunset - a sweet ending to their visit.  We'll miss you, Gigi & Papa!

   
Photos taken with the ShakeItPhoto iPhone app....so fun!
 

our little getaway

whew!  Looking back at our pics from our little weekend getaway...I am realizing we crammed a lot into a weekend...especially with two little ones.  

We stayed in Carpinteria - once again, oh how I love quaint beach towns.  Walking down Main St. (or in this case, Linden Ave.)...

views of mountains to your right, and the beach to your left...

restaurants where the chef comes out to talk to you...

bar owners shooting the breeze while you sip your happy hour wine...

you know the kind.  They are just lovely, no?

The boys swam in the pool at the hotel and as you can clearly see, Silas loved it. 
Window-shopping and boutiques full of fabulous finds & treasures...

 

And of course, a visit to Santa Barbara would not be complete without a visit to the Zoo & Botanical Gardens.  It was a gorgeous day...the highlight was feeding the giraffe...and of course, the lion stuffed animal Elliot got to bring home {courtesy of Gigi & Papa}.  Elliot was most looking forward to seeing the lions and the exhibit was closed...bummer.

 

The happy pictures almost make me forget the little hiccups of traveling with little ones {some very frustrating and discouraging kid-moments that resulted in a major mama meltdown...was very thankful for my mom in that moment}.  I'm glad we took the opportunity to go - we are going to have a very busy spring/summer as a family and it was nice to spend the time together. 

Oh - one more thing...to all of you restaurant owners reading this post {ha!}...having a bucket of never-before-seen-toys for children to entertain themselves...BRILLIANT!

  

home & catching up

 
Coming home after vacation brings two realizations:

1.  my house really does smell like a house where a dog lives - bummer!

2.  and i have much to catch up on

 

Neither realization is all that pleasant - but life goes on.  I don't think I'll have the time to post pics from our little getaway today, so I'll leave you with this one in the meantime - my sweet, sweet little Silas.  He was so good adapting to new schedules, places to sleep (most of the time on me) and the changes that being away from home bring.  Crawling and exploring is so obviously making him a happy little guy.  Yay for happy babies.

   

i {love} thursdays

 
ah.  I now anticipate thursdays with new fervor.  I have a babysitter to get more {uninterrupted} work done during the week.  And she's great with my kidlets, too!  Because that makes a huge difference, doesn't it?

So, I am down at the coffee shop down at the end of my street with my mom - who is also working...enjoying a lemon poppyseed muffin and a latte.  yum.  Ready to get lots done!  We are all heading to Santa Barbara for a little getaway this weekend and I couldn't be more excited - we haven't gotten away as a family since Silas was born.  The weather will be beautiful.  We are planning on the zoo, swimming, good food and exhaling...

  

shout out :: no. 2

 
So, really, do I even need to say anything here?  I think the photos speak for themselves.  How {insert any favorable adjective here} is Lizzy Anne Clothing?  Elizabeth Shanklin is a friend that I have known more through the small business world and email networking than in person.  But, she also grew up with my husband -- and we have had several small world connections over the past few years.  I interviewed her over here last summer, but since then, her business has been flourishing - you can become a consultant - host a trunk show - really exciting stuff!

Congrats on new website, Elizabeth -- it is truly beautiful!!

  

family time

 
Ahhh...my parents are here visiting.  translate :: i'm happy.  i am spending my days with one of my best friends {sometimes just working side-by-side, like this very moment}.  i have the opportunity to miss my kiddos some {always a welcomed feeling}.  i am eating far more chocolate in a day than anyone should be allowed to consume.  

probably will be some light posting this week - due to their visit - and I am hard at work preparing for my new collections that I am still super eager to show and tell you about.  soon...very soon...

The warm sun doesn't hurt either -- I hope you are enjoying your Monday.

  

walk at dusk

 
We took a really nice walk at dusk this evening - I needed to get out but didn't know it.  Lance did.  I'm glad he suggested it and that I listened {okay, I'll be honest...I said I wasn't going and he insisted -- I have asked him in the past to insist, because I can get really lazy about that time of day}.  One of those things I was glad about after the fact.  I know...it sounds like I am talking about doing something really tough!  Again...lazy.  

 

I am clearing my house out this week {boy it feels good} for a yard sale with a friend this weekend.  I found this old camera that I bought at a yard sale about 5 months ago, because Elliot was asking for one and I told him that we could get one when he started using the toilet.  I completely forgot about it because we were out of town for most of the beginning of training.  But I found it today and he was ecstatic.  Was taking photos the whole walk - saying "cheese" to the trees, grass, ocean...

  

*new designs* added to the shop!

 
1.  Because every jewelry box needs a pair of simple, classic white pearl drop earrings. 
2.  Sweet.  Bestselling vintage damask design - in earring form.
3. Colorful, original wildflower design - accented by a silver flower charm and a red aventurine charm.

and this...this is what I love about what I do...

4. ...a friend saw the spring bouquet necklaces from last week and asked if I could do a hydrangea (her mom's favorite flower) and add an aquamarine stone (her mom's birthstone).  But, of course!  It's really fun to work alongside you to come up with something you helped design to give as a gift.  I really feel honored to be a part of something so thoughtful.  So, thanks!
  

my sweet boys

 
I realized when we came home from church today that I had unknowingly dressed Elliot + Silas in aqua/dark grey.  I do that a lot...the other day, all three of us were wearing kelly green...not planned...guess it felt like a green-sorta day.  It's been a long time since I took pictures of them together - it's not the easiest thing to do - but here they are...our boys...I love them to pieces.  

 

new packaging!

 
New packaging!  I'm just smitten with how cute they turned out.  And to think I used to send out plain old kraft boxes...if you were a recipient of one, I send my regards.  Really, it's been something that has been bothering me for awhile...because I just love a pretty package.  So, rest assured, when you place an order from now on, your package will look just as lovely as these.

Oh and have you ever tasted those jet-puffed marshmallows covered in toasted coconut?  They are to. die. for. - you can't always find them and never in the same place.  But, today...today, I found some and it just about made my day.
 

happy birthday love...

Good weekend here - we got the chance to go out last night to celebrate Lance's birthday {sans kids - thanks Rachel!}. We went to one of our favorite restaurants and enjoyed good beer....we don't do that often enough. I didn't get as much business done this weekend as I had hoped, but it was nice to be somewhat unplugged for a bit. Today is Lance's actual birthday -- Elliot thinks we should go to a party to celebrate -- but we didn't plan one. ;)..so I don't think that's going to happen - but we do plan on spending some time outdoors as a family. Hope your Monday is productive and sunny!