The shop is all ready for the April sale this weekend- and it looks FABULOUS. There are some great treasures this month.

There are a few changes down at the store. The name (and owners) have changed to Studio 1404. Kelly, the previous owner, has decided to change directions just a bit, but she will still be a vendor with all of her gorgeous goods. She built a beautiful store, and Brian and Amanda are continuing the tradition. Also, I have moved further towards the front of the building- right inside the double glass doors. Come down and see us- the weather should be perfect!

We're back from a Spring Break roadtrip to Taos, NM with my parents. It's so much easier travelling with older children. There are no tantrums and few fights, and we're LOVING it.

Taos is beautiful in a "let it be" sort of way. Peeling paint, old adobe, rambling sage bushes. They don't seem to strive for perfection in the way that we midwesterners do with our McMansions and manicured green lawns. Plus there's art everywhere. It felt good there.

We spent lots of time outdoors- skiing and hiking, sitting in the hot tub, and rambling about town. The kids were rock-stars at the skiing. Seriously. We cooked most of our meals in the condo, but had a few nice meals out too. Old Martina's Hall was our favorite- beautiful rehabbed building and amazing food. The toy store in town was adorable.

There was yet another snow storm here while we were gone. It's melted now. And we're back into the groove again at home. I'm getting ready for the upcoming shop weekend, Brian is working on the bathroom, and the kids are enjoying just a little bit of warmer weather.

Happy Easter, friends!

The luau birthday cake- copied from one I saw on Pinterest somewhere, before and after the party. It was YUM. The glass of punch there was adultified, if you know what I mean. We had to. The 13 squealing girls drove us to drink.

We've got a lot going on here- here are the highlights:

It's a First Friday weekend! See the little painted table and chairs up above? Brocante Bliss - 1222 W. 12th Street. Visit the Brocante Bliss facebook page for details.

The kids both had birthdays. 12 and 8. There was a sleepover, a family party, and a luau with 13 little ladies. I'm going to show you the luau cake tomorrow.

Someone got a cell phone. (NOT an iphone. The kid is NOT getting an iphone before I do. I forbid it.)

Brian decided it was time to (finally) remodel our upstairs bathroom, so he ripped out much of it Sunday. There's all kinds of messy going on in there as we figure out how to do this on the cheap, but nice. I don't want to sacrifice the nice. We're all going to be sharing one bathroom for awhile, but it will be worth it... it will be worth it... it will be worth it... right?

We're planning a couple of vacations. Good places with family. And trying to figure out when we can squeeze a little camping trip in too.

J is playing on a tournament baseball team this Spring/Summer. It's pretty low key, but it means several weekends will be occupied with baseball.

The weather has been crazy (Monday- balmy 75 degrees. Tues- dropping temps and rain. Today- blowing snow. Thurs- frigid cold.)

Well, I'll be working Friday and Sunday this weekend- come down and see if you'd like!

xo.

For Christmas the last few years little N has asked for a dress for herself with a matching version for the American Girl doll. These are this year's dresses. I used this pattern which was a little persnickerty (that's a word, right?) and not all that clear, and I've sewn quite a few clothes in my time. My zipper job isn't so hot either. No worries though- they are super cute on them, and she's very happy.

Here's last year's dress too.

I'm having trouble with the blogging. Yes, I'm busy lately, but also, I just don't want to do it. One of the reasons that I've been having a hard time with the internet world I used to love is that it's unrealistic. And hard to live up to. And somewhat elitist. So in my own little attempt to keep it real, here goes:

I don't think I've ever seen a Woody Allen movie. I've watched the Hangover about 20 times.

I like listening to pop music with N. It makes me feel peppy.

I don't know if this shop thing is going to be worth it. Two months in and I'm leaning towards no. (Sigh.) It's great fun, don't get me wrong! But it's an awful lot of work for very. little. return. And by return, I mean money.

I haven't been feeling all that well lately. I'm pretty sure it's a lack of exercise. I have never been a fitness-y kind of gal, but this is possibly the laziest (exercise-wise) I've ever felt in my life. I need to change that. NOW.

I drastically reduced my feed subscriptions and flickr contacts this morning. It was time.

I haven't been sticking with my headache diet AT ALL lately and I can really tell. I need to try harder.

I haven't taken a film photo in over a year? Really? I bet that's right.

I hate those competition shows like American Idol and The Voice. SO boring.

But I secretly love watching that terrible Kardashian show. I justify it by saying that they are a tight-knit family and all work really hard. Well, except for Rob...

I am a judgmental person. My one resolution for this year is to try to be more empathetic and understanding.

I get really jealous of STUFF. I try not to, but I do. Everyone I know has an iPhone and/or an iPad. And we don't. And their kids are decked out in NorthFace this or that. And they drive nice cars- the kind that don't break down while driving in Western Kansas. And they go on all kinds of fancy trips. For us there's always more pressing stuff to spend money on. You know, like groceries. Deep down I know I'm silly to feel bad. How on earth will I teach my children that stuff is not that important, if it bothers me so much?! My strategy so far is I just try to hide it.

I eat pretty well- lots of fruits and veggies. But I also eat WAY too much butter. And I have NO willpower when it comes to carbs.

We primarily shop at Walmart grocery store. GASP!

I loved the Twilight books. I held off reading them forever, but then when I started I couldn't put them down for like two weeks straight and then finally, I emerged to clean up the house and cook dinner. Also, this series. Entertaining sci-fi smut. But I was OBSESSED.

So there. I hope I can think of something to come back here and talk about soon.

Well... of course I forgot my camera, but Chris took a few nice photos for me. Sweet friend.

Here are the details, friends and family, if you're interested in visiting the shop this weekend:

Brocante Bliss
1222 W. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO
(12th & Mulberry in the West Bottoms)
Friday 9-9, Saturday 9-6, and Sunday 11-4

I'll be there most of the day Friday and again Saturday morning for several hours. I probably won't be there much Sunday, but I'll head down near closing time for sure.

Also, there will be a CONTEST! With PRIZES! Brocante Bliss has teamed up with Hope House this season for the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway. <--- Click on that link for all the details. Plus you'll be helping women and children through Hope House too!

Here are a few of the furniture pieces I'll have available. I'm planning on taking a few more photos of the booth all fluffed up tonight, and I think I'll walk around and take photos of some of the gorgeous goodies everyone else has to offer. I'll try to show more tomorrow.

Hope to see you down there!

p.s. See this little sparkly house. Um... yeah. Little N and I HAD to have to have it.

My little Mayfly business is growing! I've decided to open a booth space down in the West Bottoms Vintage district. My space will be in the Brocante Bliss building. It's a gorgeous collection of vendors, and I'll be right next to my friend Chris, who was instrumental in talking me into this. I will have rehabbed, repurposed, and handmade furniture and home goods, artwork, and vintage treasures. I'm concentrating on baby and children's items for now because these items go hand-in-hand with my mural services, which I would *love* to advertise a bit while I'm there. Also, it will give me focus these first few months, which I'm finding out, I need.

I've been thrifting and hunting, scraping and painting (in between photoshoots and editing- did I mention how busy I already am this time of year?). I've finished one large project, this pretty desk/dressing table and I've got several more in the queue. I'm slowly building stack of little treasures to accessorize and fill my space. And I'm sketching out some handmade items too- stockings, little pillows, bird paintings, etc. to fill in the spaces.

Have you been down to there to the vintage market on a first friday weekend? It's super fun, and there is so much goodness to be found! It happens to be a first weekend right now, so go down and check it out. I won't be there until NEXT month, December 7th, 8th & 9th.

I'm a little nervous about all of this. Will I have enough stuff? Will it look good? Will it sell? Will I make any money at this? Only time and hard work will tell.

Wish me luck!

Applefest and Red Barn Farm. Cool, cloudy and just right. I'm so glad they're still excited about going every year. I was the only one who fell asleep on the way home.

(Just a few photos I like together.)

Hello!

Summer has ended, officially even. School started long before that, and the kids have accepted the routine pretty gracefully.

On our vacation to Colorado this summer, we listened to a young man talk about his life of guiding river rafters there six months of the year and then in New Zealand the other six. I thought about how buttoned up our life is. Back in my teen years I imagined myself in California becoming a surfer girl by day, my husband waiting for me in the Volkswagen Vanagon to go off hiking in the mountains in the evening. Have I ever surfed a day in my life? No. I've never even been to California. For a moment I was sad for what wasn't. But as soon as it came, that thought passed. What we have is so much better (for us), and it IS oh-so buttoned up. These children of ours thrive on our boring and stable life. They seem happy, and so are we.

There is always talk in this crafty/mommy blogging world of rhythm and connection, living mindfully and fully in the moment. As my kids get older I find for me these words are impossible to live up to. Life is busy. It does simplify things to say NO to a lot, and we try. But we also have to say YES a lot too. YES means schlepping to baseball and gymnastics and Junior Master Gardeners, friends' houses and birthday parties. We still eat dinner together, but it may be early or late, or even (gasp!) in the car. Life changes, and it's okay.

Of course it's silly to be wishing for the next activity, day, season, phase of life. But it happens- especially when today was crappy. Living in the past is stupid too. That's common sense. We must wade through the crappy days and the happy ones. It's important to soak up the laughter and tickling fights, because soon enough they will turn into tears. And as my husband says, never say no to a game of catch or a push on the swing, because soon enough they won't ask anymore.

But looking ahead is a necessary part of life. We have to prepare ourselves and our kids for the future. That's our job as parents. We have to work and find a way to save money because these kids will want to go to college. And looking back is just as inevitable. Memories are one of the sweetest things we have as humans. I was picking through some old photos and was marveling at my kids' bald baby heads and round toddler cheeks. They looked like different people then, people I used to know but don't anymore. Seeing those faces takes me right back, and I'm so glad to go once in awhile.

So really where am I going with all of this? I don't know. Nowhere really. I'm just popping in to explain why I don't have the time to pop in more. I don't have time to visit all the blogs I use to, and even when I do, I often don't relate as well. I miss my old blogging friends. I miss taking photos just for fun. But life is busy. We're busy doing our best as parents and humans and for now, we are good.

Little N has been in St. Louis for her annual summer solo visit to her grandparents' house. While she was gone, we moved her into the guest room. Although it's further from our room, this room is much bigger and has a real closet- which daddy has now made super awesome. (My favorite part of the new room!) She picked the paint color last week; she knew we were going to do this switch. She just didn't know we'd do it while she was away. Cross your fingers that she likes this surprise.

And now I get to redo the little guest room too. Yay!

We're happy to be over at Cindy's Craft Camp again this summer, this time making these pretty yet super easy lanterns my mom used to make with us.

Head over and check them out. Take a look at all the other fun crafts while you're there too. Keep your kids busy awhile and make some great stuff, will ya?!

Are you a crocheter? I am not. But I'm trying! I've decided to try Blair's Granny Square Sampler Afghan this summer. Blair is such a great organizer and cheerleader. I think it will be great fun, we'll end up with a gorgeous blanket!

I had a tiny bit of the wrong kind of yarn on hand, so I gave a couple of squares a try. I ordered some new stuff (from here), and it arrived while we were off camping. Blair posts a new assignment each Friday. I'm working to catch up now, but we have a house full of out-of-town family, so it may take a little time. There's no pressure- I've got all summer and a lot of swim team practice to get caught up.

We went to the Wakarusa Music Festival at Mulberry Mountain, Arkansas, and yes, we took the kids with us. And although the weather was weird the whole time, it was really great fun. Here are our observations:

•The children LOVED. IT.
•Hippies are pretty dirty- thus the nickname dirty hippies. (I'm just being honest, I'm sorry.)
•We are a little bit hippyish ourselves, so we do not find dirty offensive. But we do love a nice hot shower.
•Just as expected, the people watching was stellar.
•Many hippies with children do not supervise their children. At. All. (just saying.)
•We had long talks about over-drinking and grown-up language, but really with so much action and fresh air and wind and music, it all went right over their heads.
•We skipped the drug-use discussion all together, which was fine. (again, over their heads.)
•The camping was too tight and crowded and loud even in the "family section" to be enjoyable. After two nights, we packed up and moved to a beautiful, nearby, little national park campground on the river with a nice swimming hole.
•The music was great. Really wonderful. All types.
•The Avett Brothers are AMAZING. They're even better live than I imagined.
•The Ozark Mountains are always gorgeous, but storms come on hot and heavy. And fast.

The kids are already talking about going back next year. We'll just have to wait and see if my Avett Brothers return...