Friday Ramblings!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

 

I usually link up with 5 on Friday every Friday, but today, I have so much more than just 5 things to share and I just could not narrow it down!

This baby girl is a mover and a crawler now! She started army crawling on Sunday, and she's trying to get up on her knees now! She army crawled over to get the remote control and was so proud of herself!

 

I also think that we may be getting on a better schedule with her this week. I'm not 100% sure yet, so I don't want to jinx us, but i've been getting home, getting things put away, nursing her, then feeding her solids, and then putting her down for a late evening nap. I'm trying to let her only sleep one hour when we get home, and then I can get her back up around 6:30 or 7, keep her awake for another hour or hour and a half, and then get her back in the bed. I was really hoping to give up the late evening nap all together, but Addy Pearl is not sleeping well at daycare (still) and I may just have to let those hopes go. I have used a babywise routine with all the girls, and she should be getting three 1 1/2 hour naps per day, but she's taking about two naps at daycare and those are anywhere from 45 minutes, 1 hour, or 30 minutes. Home girl just likes to know what's going on!

 

Addy is also arching her back and throwing her head back when she gets upset. This little girl is going to have an attitude just like her big sisters! 

Sigh, Megan is still falling asleep on the living room floor. Actually, she did not last night, but she did Wednesday night. I digress. Let her sleep where she falls. We'll still put her to bed and tuck her in around 7:30 or 8:00, but she'll fall asleep wherever whenever. Whatever.

Gretchen had her Valentine's party at school yesterday! I'm not sure who thought February the 13th would be a good idea for a Valentine's party, but oh well. So, my plan for all three girls wearing matching pants and applique shirts & matching bows just went right out the window. I let Gretchen wear her Valentine's outfit on Thursday, and look how cute she looks! Yes, I may be a little partial. I'm her mom, I made her shirt, I made her bow, I bought her pants.... I just think she's precious.  #sorrynotsorry

 

She was suppose to take pepperoni to her class party. I remembered at 4:00 yesterday afternoon while I was driving home. Mom Fail.

 

Thankfully, Gretchen didn't notice.

 

I also really became thankful for all the moms that stay at home or that were able to take off work to be at the party yesterday. I was able to see a few pictures and I just had a come to Jesus meeting, about how awesome it is that those moms could be there, when other moms couldn't. They were able to take care of the party. They remembered their snacks. They helped plan, helped with the games. They were there for my daughter when I could not be, and I am so thankful to them!

Happy Valentine's Day to my hubby! He was less than thrilled when I took this picture this morning! And, I just have to give him props for letting me sleep in a few more minutes AND he made the bed this morning! This guy is speaking my love language. He's a hottie.

And, my little girls this morning!

 

This is a grainy pic- DJ snapped it and emailed to me, but it's horrible quality. Thankfully, I have some on the "real" camera as well, so i'll post those next week.

 

All of the girls were suppose to have pink minky dot ruffle pants to wear today. I bought Gretchen a size 6, and thankfully, she'll be able to wear them next year. They were a little long, so I just rolled up the waistband twice yesterday.

 

DJ put Megan's on her this morning and holy cow, were they big! I bought her a 2T, and even with her pants rolled up, they were too long. I bought Addy Pearl a size 9 months and they were even longer! Like, they were so long, they were as long as she is! So, after a bit of fit throwing (on mine and Megan's part), Megan ended up in the size 9 month pants that I had bought for Addy, and they fit Megan perfectly!

 

Thankfully, I had a pair of pink pants that I could put on Addy.

And here are all my little Valentine's! Poor Gretchen had just come downstairs after putting on her dress, and I hadn't fixed her hair and she was barely awake anyway!

And, thank you to Andrea for creating this "Hey girl" picture.... I shared it with my hubby, and told him i'd be happy with just ONE PAIR, and he told me that I should've married Ryan then! Ha!

 

One more thing, our family photographer, Madison, and her precious family, have just added a new bundle of joy to their family! I found out last July that they were planning on adopting, and yesterday, they got a phone call that their little baby boy was waiting on them! They had about two hours notice, and they now have the most perfect little boy in their house today! What an amazing Valentine's gift! You may also want to check out their super cute "Hi" hoodies, and canvas prints over at Vine & Ever. 100% of the proceeds will help to fund their adoption, and once their adoption is fully funded, they'll be supporting other families! My girls have their "Hi" hoodies, and I told Madison that they needed to make them in adult sizes because they are the softest sweatshirts ever!

 

Hope you all have a fabulous Valentine's day! May you be loved!

 

By: Unknown On 07.00

Continue Reading

Bows, Bags, & Wine Night Out

 My friend Sarah and I got together a few weeks ago and hosted a girls night out! This night was so needed and i'm so thankful for such great friends here in Tulsa! (I think making, having, and keeping friends, is one of the hard parts about DJ's job. But, God never fails and always provides me with a few great friends for where we currently are in life.) 

Anyway, Sarah is a thirty-one gifts sales rep, and we thought it was be fun to get our businesses together so our friends could not only enjoy a night out, but also enjoy appetizers, enjoy wine tasting (or devouring), and do a little shopping! 

Sarah was just the best host! She took all of these pictures and I had her send them to me, because I took none! She had plenty of food, and most of us all brought an appetizer or a bottle of wine as well. 

I loved that Sarah was also pulling out some of her nice serving pieces, and she even poured her bag of chips into a big serving bowl, because I do that too when I host parties! It just cracked me up when I realized how much alike we are!

We all had a great time visiting and meeting new friends at the party.

Two of the first friends I met in Tulsa came too! I was excited because I haven't been able to see them in a while! Both of their daughters at one time went to school with Gretchen, and we keep in touch through Facebook, but lives always get busy.

This is my neighbor Carmen with Sarah. The entire party was actually Carmen's idea! When we were all together on New Years Eve she suggested us having another girls night!

I ended up getting this lunch tote for work. I have told myself for years that I've wanted one of their lunch totes and I finally bought one! 

I also bought this Hang Up Activity Organizer for Gretchen to use in the car. The pocket up top is big enough for an iPad, and she always has a stack of DVD's, little toys and trinkets that she collects in the back seat, so I thought this would be perfect for her to hold them in! I ended up getting the Coral Mini Gingham print, but I wish it would have come in a few more color choices. 

I purchased their Room for Two Utility Tote to help organize our wrapping paper and gift wrapping stuff. Right now, it's just shoved under our stairs and I hate even pulling it out to wrap a gift! I'm hoping that this will inspire me to keep it all organized, and I purchased their Flip Top Organizing Bin to hold extra gift bags or tissue paper! 

I'm secretly excited about this organizing project thanks to the product and fun print!

Does anyone love thirty-one products as much as Sarah and I do?!

You can go HERE and just click on "shop now" on any of the party links to make a thirty-one gifts purchase! 

I think we need to have a monthly girls night out! I wonder if I can convince DJ- ha! What are some of the things y'all do for girls night? I always feel at a loss coming up with fun ideas that people will want to come to!

By: Unknown On 05.20

Continue Reading

Bows, Bags, & Wine + a Giveaway!

I am so excited to share with y'all a few of my favorite new products from Thirty-One Gifts today! I fell in love with this company several years ago, and I have many of their products that I use all the time!

If you're not familiar with the company, Thirty-One Gifts was founded based on Proverbs 31 and that women can be Godly women who provide for their family and still have the chance to be with their families! I just love that.

My dear friend, Sarah and I decided we would, together, host a girls night out for our local friends, and the party is this Friday night! We plan on having appetizers, desserts, and wine tasting and just hanging out and enjoying each others company! I am so excited for this girls night out, because, this mama needs it!

But, I don't want y'all to miss out either! You're my dear friends all across the nation and I love y'all too! So sit with me while I share a few of my favorite thirty-one products and give you a sneak peek at their Spring 2014 line!

As soon as I saw this tote, I fell in love with the design! I mean, I kind of want everything that this design comes in! Pink and yellow are my favorite color combination, and I love the punch that this bag has! I also love it's size because it's perfect for a day about town, a trip to the pool, or the lake! I also love that this bag has pockets! Because, pockets make everything instantly better!

Easy Breezy Tote $55.00

I hosted a party about a year and a half ago, and this next product was only exclusive to the hostess. I bought one, because it was such a great item, and I am so excited that they now offer the product to everyone!

This casserole carrier is amazing y'all! It fits two large rectangle casserole dishes and can be personalized, so you'll never loose your bag at a potluck! It's thermal insulated, so it keeps your food hot or cold!

Perfect Party Set $60.00

For all of you working mom's, you need to purchase a thermal tote! I keep telling myself i'll buy one, and I typically end up with some other product (like their utility totes or make up bags), but I think i'll be buying this Friday night! Our work room refrigerator's are stocked full of lunch totes from thirty-one gifts, so I'm sure they are amazing! Again, they can be personalized, so no one will be stealing your lunch!

Thermal Tote $18.00

I mentioned before, that I have a few of their utility totes, and I'm in love with the fabric option below, because it screams "take me to the lake, yo!" ..... or to the beach, or on a yacht, you know, anywhere you may be vacationing this summer!

We use this as Adalyn's diaper bag for daycare and it's perfect! I love that the outside pockets hold her bottles or an extra pair of socks and the inside is roomy enough for her cloth diapers, wet bags, and an extra change of clothes!

Organizing Utility Tote $30.00

Aren't y'all just giddy about their products! I absolutely love seeing all of the fun prints that they come out with every year!

Thirty-One Gifts can be shipped nation wide, so just click on the link below to place an order!

Shop Online Here

Now, our Friday night girls night, isn't just about us ladies, although, us mama's deserve to spoil ourselves, but I'll also be bring tons and tons of ready to purchase hair accessories to the event!

I know many of you already shop online for my hair bows! But, after Friday nights event, i'll be having a HUGE comment game sale where you can get your hands on my newest hair bows!

And, that's not all y'all! Because we love you all so much whether you are right here in Oklahoma or spread across the nation, Sarah and I decided that we are each giving away a $10.00 gift certificate to our shops! One winner will receive a $10.00 gift certificate to HPA,  and a $10.00 gift certificate to thirty-one gifts!

Just enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

By: Unknown On 07.03

Continue Reading

Monday Ramblings

It's Monday y'all! Can I get a Woot Woot?! Yeah, i'm not feeling it either, but alas, we are here again ready to start another work week. And, i'm only feeling it, because we are 5 days closer to the weekend! Here are a few ramblings for y'all to enjoy this Monday morning! (I had an entire different blog post planned, but that will have to wait until tomorrow!)

It was raining on  Friday, and the best way to wear your hair, at least in my opinion, is a low chignon on the side. I love how it's messy, but sort of chique at the same time! And, it also saves me about 15 minutes in the morning because I don't have to actually style my hair. I just tease the front and top a bit, and then pull it back into a messy bun.

Addy's daycare teacher sent me this picture of her last week. Apparently, my big girl is trying to grow up and is learning to sit up! I told DJ that this picture didn't really count because she's being supported by the boppy, but she did sit up for about 10 seconds at home this weekend all by her big self!

I have spent my evenings working on hair bows. My embroidery machine and I have been in our 2nd major argument, and it's refused to work for about two weeks now. So, I've been taking out my frustrations by making hair bows, and getting ready for a bow party this Friday night with some girl friends!

 

Side note: as of yesterday, my embroidery machine stitched out Gretchen's valentine day shirt with only a few major hiccups!

I've been trying to keep up with an instagram photo challenge this month, and yesterday's post was "shoes". So, there are my shoes from yesterday. I forgot to take a pic of my church shoes, so you get these montrosities (is that even how to spell that word?) I'm starting to think that these may be the uglies shoes ever, but darn it if they aren't warm and cozy! Anyway, you can instagram along too using the #eandajanchallenge

 

Tomorrow's post is "In your bag", followed by "bed head", "cheer", and "ride"..... those should be interesting!

 

Thanks Erika and Andrea for coming up with the challenge!

 

You can follow me on Instagram @ewelte

Yesterday morning, Gretchen took my cell phone. I later found almost 100 pictures that looked just like the ones above. She later said, she was trying to be a "fashionista".

I'm trying out this new skin care line, and after only 3 weeks, i'm already seeing the difference y'all! And, i'll be posting a full review and giveaway at the end of the month! You can see my before and current pictures on Instagram! Simply amazing if I do say so myself, and y'all they even personalize the bottle for you!

 

Alright lovelies, I have to work now. That's the not so fun part of my day- ha! I hope y'all have a good one! See you back here, same time, same spot tomorrow!

By: Unknown On 06.59

Continue Reading

A Few Features

I wanted to do something a little out of the norm today! I'm so thrilled to share with you custom products from two boutique pages on facebook! Normally, I don't share pages or feature items that are similar to my own, but these ladies are spectacular and over the weekend, they were my saving grace!

 

I know you'll want to 'like' these pages and keep them in mind should you ever need (or want) these gorgeous products!

 

Kailah is the owner at All Tied Up Bowtique and I've watched her business grow over the last year and I'm in love with her work! Sometimes I feel like I have such little talent that it's all in my pinky finger, and these ladies blow me out of the water!

I am gushing over this Sofia the First dress that Kailah created! If Gretchen saw this dress, she would want it. She would beg for it, and she'd probably cry until I bought it for her!

For the last year, I had planned on Megan having a Mermaid birthday party for her 3rd birthday. It looks like Gretchen may end up with that theme instead, but seriously, isn't this tutu skirt to die for?!

Kailah also started designing these split design character dresses! She made this Alice in Wonderland theme dress and I just love how it turned out! Check out the matching hat as well!

 

Can you say talent?!

 

Ashley is the owner at Amanda Rose Chic Boutique, and again, she's such a talented lady!

I love these hooded towels for the pool! And, wouldn't they make the cutest Christmas gift? Megan has a lobster towel from Target, but it's not as special as these custom made towels. And, I just love hooded towels at the pool.

How cute is Ashley's daughter! I love her little tutu, shirt, and super over the top hair bow!

Ashley even creates birthday hats and matching shirts!

 

Imagine the possibilities!!!

 

Please check out these ladies on facebook and let them know that I sent you their way!

 

Before you go, you'll want to check out Vine & Ever as well!

 

Madison is the photographer that we use here in Tulsa for all of our family pictures, and she and her husband are adopting a baby! I've been so excited for them since she told me the news several months ago! She and her husband have finally made it official on her blog and on this new facebook page, and they are selling adorable "Hi" hooded sweatshirts!

100% of the proceeds will fund their adoption and after they have raised money for their own adoption, they will then begin to help raise money for other families! How awesome is that!

 

They also have adorable head cozies, and "Keep Calm" prints for sale!

 

Be sure to check out these amazing ladies and suppor them in their work!

By: Unknown On 05.00

Continue Reading

Back to School Ideas!

Gretchen starts kindergarten this month, and I'm just in shock at how fast these last 5 1/2 years have gone by! I have mixed emotions about this day, as I'm sure many parents do, and I want to make the day as special as possible for her! I've been pinning ideas for back to school ever since I started pinning, so it's time to make use of them!

I thought I'd share with you a few of my favorite back to school pins today!

I absolutely love the idea of giving Gretchen a special little something to wear on her first day of school. I ordered a chunky school bus necklace, but it'll be too busy to wear with her first day of school outfit, so i'm saving it for the second day. But, I really want to find us matching bracelets somewhere so I can give her this poem.

I love the idea of taking their picture on the first (then last) day of school to see how much they've grown! I'm praying that I'll be up early enough to get everyone taken care of and to take her picture. 

Megan won't be starting preschool until the day after Labor Day, and I'll have Adalyn as well on Gretchen's first day. DJ is asking if he can come in late that morning, and hopefully we can get her dropped off at school that first day and have time to take plenty of pictures. I'm totally going to be "that mom" that hangs out entirely too long and takes entirely too many pictures on their child's first day. I'll probably shed a tear or two, or many more than that!

What scares me most about Gretchen going to kindergarten is that she'll get lost in the shuffle. Get put on a wrong school bus (especially because the plan is for me to pick her up every day) or that she'll be too terrified to tell me her name. 

Working in the public schools in Indiana, I know all too well that scared feeling that a child has, and how much help a kindergarten teacher needs on the first day. I love the idea of these little "medals" and i'm totally tempted to make Gretchen wear one that gives her name, her teachers name, and the fact that she won't be on a bus, but if she is on a bus, i'd totally write in the bus number so she doesn't end up on the wrong bus. 

I may be paranoid. 

I love the little bag of goldfish idea! I think this would be too cute to put in her lunchbox on the first day or to have it waiting for her when she comes home. Especially because she can't read yet!

And, let's not forget to make the teacher's first day at school a good one too! I think we'll put together a gift for all of the girls' teachers!

What are you planning on doing to make the first day back at school a great one?

All of these ideas were found via Pinterest.

By: Unknown On 06.00

Continue Reading

Mom's Know: Baby Clothes

I'm linking up again today with Leslie, over at a Blonde Ambition blog! She's a fashionable first time mom to be, and she came up with such a fun link party idea, that i'm thrilled to join in!

Today is all about baby clothes! I'm so excited to share with y'all some of my favorite places to buy clothes for my girls and some of my favorite stores! 

I can't even go any further without mentioning my own store, Honey Pie Accessories! I'm actually celebrating 5 years of bow making and being in business this month, but I make so much more than hair bows! HPA started with hair bows, but quickly grew into tutu's, hair flair, applique shirts, dresses, and i'm still expanding! 

It must be the southern girl in me, but I think every little girl under the age of 5 (and even older than 5) needs a hair bow in their hair at all times. Purchasing quality hand made hair bows, and supporting WAHM's is so important to me!

Porcupine Hollow is also another favorite store for hand made clothing. I purchased the girls chevron dresses that they wore for our family photos and purchased G's 5th birthday outfit from her. 

I also love SweetHoney and Lolly Wolly Doodle!

My girls wear a lot of Smocked Dresses, and we purchase a lot of those from Strasburg, Castles & Crowns,  and Orient Expressed.

The key to buying these clothes is to purchase when they are on sale or on clearance, and then put them up for the next year! 

I also purchase from Zulily a lot. I love that there's a variety and you never know what you'll end up finding. I even purchased a few Castles and Crowns smocked dresses for around $15.00 each! I make sure not to spend more than $20.00 on one item at Zulily.... some of their dresses will be around $35.00, but I know that I can find them cheaper in the stores.

My mom also helps out with purchasing the girls clothing. She buys a lot at Belk's and purchases at the end of season for the following year. 

For play clothes, I hit up Target and Old Navy. Their clothes are so reasonably priced and some of our favorite pieces have come from there! I recently went to Crazy 8, and purchased Gretchen and Megan several outfits on sale for crazy cheap prices! I managed to get long sleeve shirts, skirts, and sweats for $3.00 a piece!

We really have been lucky to have three girls, because there have been so many hand me down clothes! All of Gretchen's dresses have been saved, because they're rarely worn, mostly to church for just a few hours, and they're just in such great condition! I go through clothes at the end of the season, and put them away in plastic tubs marked with the appropriate size. I also save shoes that aren't well worn or scuffed. If clothes are stained or ruined, then they'll go to goodwill. 

As soon as Adalyn starts growing out of clothes though, i'll be listing them for sale on my facebook page, or in facebook re-sale groups. I've been participating in more resale groups lately, and I've found some great Matilda Jane, Kelly Kids, or LWD pieces at amazing prices!

When I first had Gretchen, I didn't want a lot of used clothing, but after having three girls, I'll take pieces as long as they're in great condition and can save money!

Girl clothes are just so much fun, and sometimes I get into trouble with what I buy, but I just tell DJ that Megan can wear it too, or Adalyn, and remind him that the girls will get good use out of what i've bought!

Don't forget to follow my facebook page for custom clothing and accessories, and I'd love for you to follow me on Bloglovin too! (link on right side of page!)

By: Unknown On 05.30

Continue Reading

Infant Accessories

With baby 3 set to arrive in the next 90 or so days, babies are on my brain! I also have so many friends having babies! It's such an exciting time to be pregnant with friends from college or high school and to see their families grow!

I recently received an email from a sweet college friend asking me to make her daughter  hair bows for the hospital that would match her (the moms) hosptial gowns. She really wanted over the top bows, and sent me a photo of an idea she had, and I jumped at the chance to recreate such beautiful bows for her baby girl! These over the top bows are unlike any I have ever made, and now i'm in love with them!

The bow features a large base bow wtih several layers of looping ribbon and ostrich feathers!

I also ordered petti rompers for her and I went ahead and ordered one for Addy too. These are always available at HPA; they're just not always in stock. I really hate to carry items that may or may not sell, but I can always find them for you if you're in need!

My friend ordered this sweet pink petti romper, and I decided on the purple for Addy.

These are such sweet baby gifts and perfect for newborn or 3 month photos! I love the rompers because they stretch so much! I paired the purple with a matching nagorie feather hair flair piece and I cannot wait to get Addy's pictures in it!

My mom and I also made this infant gown for Addy, and I can't wait to make more when I have some free time! I can't remember if I have shared it or not, so i'm sharing it again, because i'm just in love with it!

I added a ruffle to the front along with a bow, and made a headband to match.

I love to create baby gifts, as babies are such a blessing and joyous event that deserve to be celebrated! Be sure to check out my facebook page for more products and i'll work with you to create custom matching pieces that will quickly become heirlooms!

And, if you're a mom to be, contact me about setting up a baby registry for you on my page! I'm just beginning to host baby registries, and because of that i'm offering 10% off all orders placed from the baby registry, as well as a 15% discount to you mom's to be that create a baby registry on my page!

By: Unknown On 08.52

Continue Reading

Charles Emerson Designs~ I won!

I was so excited to get on my blogger Saturday night and read two sweet comments from readers.... One, of which informed that I had won a giveaway over at Pinterest Told Me To! Sheaffer announced the winner on Thursday, and i'm a daily reader of her blog, but I guess I didn't read down far enough to get the news on Thursday!

I was so excited to win a $50.00 credit to Charles Emerson Designs! If you've not heard of CED, be sure to check out the website! Charles' jewelry has beautiful pieces and at affordable prices!!!

This is what I chose.

The Dorthy

The Chevron

The Alexandra (in black)

One of my favorite things about Charles Emerson Designs is that they accept Paypal! I ten dot have an opinion that my paypal funds are "extras" and every so often I splurge on things for the girls or myself.... looks like i'll be splurging on myself a bit more often!

Thank you so much to Erin and Sheaffer for the giveaway!!! I cannot wait to receive my jewelry pieces!

By: Unknown On 06.04

Continue Reading

Changes....

If you're just popping in my blog for today, you'll notice a few changes. First, I've changed the header, my welcome logo, and the background for this piece of home in blog land. I've also edited and deleted some sidebar images.

This change comes along with a few other changes to my Facebook page.  I have to give a shout out to Karen at Designs on Demand for customizing new images on Honey Pie's page. After four years of crafting, it's about time I get a real logo!

Karen was amazing to work with! I had no idea what look I really wanted, so I looked through her previous designs and gave her two that I loved. I told her I wanted something whimsical, and she immediately sent me three designs. We discussed each one, and after two re-edits, she developed my new logo!

She also made a timeline cover to match:

Thank you so much Karen for making me feel official!

And, to you followers & fans, use the code design10 to take 10% off ANY order!

By: Unknown On 18.57

Continue Reading