Chore Chart

I've been having a little trouble keeping track of all the things I need to help my kids with. I'm pretty good about keeping track of all their activities; Piano, Art class, cub scouts, etc.
But when it comes to reminding them to do their chores; practicing piano, reading in Spanish, trash duty and so forth, I'm not doing so great. So I googled "chore chart template", I found several,  this one is my favorite  I found it at "The Project Girl".
I like it because I can hand write on it, customize it to what they need each week and it's cute. I can also use it for my own chores and organize myself too.

Here you go:

You can download the chart here

Let me know if you use it!

One

I can't believe my baby is already one. I know I say that about every birthday, but to me the first year always goes way too fast and I end up wishing I could do it all over again.
William is the smallest one year old I've had, he is so tiny it makes it impossible not to hold him all the time, he is a busy little guy, but he's always smiling and happy. Some people say that baby #3 is always like that, is that true in your family?

I wish I had ordered more!

I'm packing Spring orders at the same time I'm finalizing my Fall 2011 collection and my sewing room looks like a complete mess. I'm having a hard time finding my tape measure and scissors! Oh well, just a few more days and then I'll organize it... maybe.
I'm always conservative when placing orders to my manufacturer, I always worry about how each collection will do. Last year when I placed my Spring 2011 orders, I was very conservative. With the way the economy is going and so many little boutiques closing shop I ordered just a little extra inventory in each style.
I should have ordered more! I'm very happy to tell you I picked up 2 new boutiques, one in Saudi Arabia and one in Alabama :), they will be carrying my line in a matter of weeks, now the little extra inventory I had ordered is going to them.
So this little number below is already sold out in most sizes, if you want this dress I have in sizes 18/24 months and 8/9 years only. Let me know quick, they are going fast!!

The dress is 100% silk, the print has little birds and flowers. $48.

Friday Finds: P'Kolino Playful Art Set

I like to encourage my kids' interest in art, they love coloring, drawing, painting, you name it.
I don't like messes and even though I know we have at least 7 sets of crayons in their coloring drawer, half of them are broken and we can't find orange!
So, I bough these sets at Babyage.com:

P'kolino Playful Art Set

For $16 they each have a set now. Each set has 12 markers, 12 triangle crayons and 16 hexagon colored pencils. The pencils are 100% color, no wood, but it doesn't color their hands. The quality is amazing, I also noticed that their shape makes them easier to hold and my favorite: they all fit neatly in the little stand.

The boys loved them, they really like the cool shapes and that there's no wood. I like that now they have all their colors neatly in a little stand and there will be no more looking for orange!

I'm always looking for art supplies, do you have any art supplies you and/or your children love?

Easy Window Treatment

I made a very easy, fast and affordable window treatment for the window above my sink. I love the view from there, so I wanted something simple that would not obstruct my view.

Here is what I came up with:

How to make it:
First, measure the width of the window, then decide how long you want it to hang. If your window is under 54 inches wide you are in luck, most decorator fabrics are 54" wide.
Let's say your window is 50" wide and you want the treatment to hang 16". You would need to cut 2 fabric rectangles, adding 1 inch seam allowance for each side.  In this case you would need to cut 2 52" wide by 18" high rectangles. One of the rectangles should be your chosen print and the second should be a solid. Don't use the print for both sides, if you do, the print will not show well when the light comes through, plus you can save some money by using a less expensive solid for the back and splurge on the print.
Next, put right sides together, pin all around, sew all four sides with 1" seam allowance leaving 2 small openings on the top corners to feed the tension rod, make one of the openings bigger so you can turn it inside out.
Turn it inside out and hand sew the bigger opening leaving now 2 matching small openings for the rod. Steam press, feed the tension rod and hang, done!
If your window is like mine, meaning wider than 50" you might have to piece the fabric together (you will need twice the height of the treatment) you can see on the last picture that I added a panel in the middle of mine to make it wider.

Solid back

This tension rod was about $6 at Big Lots

Small opening for tension rod

Before

After

Now, if I could just finish the other 3 rooms that need window treatments,  ahhhhh......

What do you think?

Friday Finds - Easter Dresses

I watched Peggy Sue got Married last night, as you have seen before I love the styles worn during that time. I later started looking for pretty Easter outfits, here are some great ones:

Julianne More For Talbots

Found at River Island $80

Found at River Island $116

Etsy $258

Stylish One Piece Suits

I need to get in shape and there is nothing better to motivate me than looking and trying on swim suits.
Here are a few great suits I found.

J Crew $88

J Crew $88

J Crew $88

Nodstroms $146

Nordstroms $119

Spiegel $59

Spiegel $59

Featured Boutique: Papillon

I'm so lucky and proud to have my line sell at Papillon, this sweet, unique and hip children's boutique is owned by marketing guru and entertainer, Lisa Newberry.

this is beautiful Lisa at her store, rocking a Pettiskirt!

Lisa is great to work with, she is a hardworking mom, super sweet, has great style and she's been very supportive of my collection season after season.
Papillon is located in Marina del Rey in the Marina Waterside Shopping Center.  They carry unique, organic & eco-friendly clothes and accessories for boys and girls ages newborn to 8 years old; in addition to books, toys, dolls, baby mats, stuffed animals, music, gift items, diaper bags & wraps for mom.

such a cute store

What makes Papillon unique is that they offer items you can't get anywhere else - from all over the world.  Mobiles and hand puppets made in Bangladesh, swimwear from Denmark, dresses, skirts & tops made in India and Bali, dolls, skirts & jackets from Vietnam & Nepal, toys from Germany, hats from Switzerland...and that's just to name a few. 

Here are some of my Petti-tanks and Petti-Skirts

They also do an excellent job at giving back, they continually support children's health & education in Nepal, through the Spiral Foundation; in addition to donating proceeds from special events to children's cancer research with St. Jude.  And most recently, Papillon joint the efforts of raising awareness of the Jenesse Center, the domestic violence & intervention program and Halle Berry's "What a Little Love Can Do Project".

Each month Papillon offers special events, such as book readings & signings, jewelry making parties, trunk shows, holiday bazaars, mom's night out events and more. And you'll always find Lisa's daughter Sasha on hand to keep the kids entertained.

Beautiful Sasha wearing Alejandra Kearl Courtyard collection

Shopping at Papillon is always a fun and unique experience!

Papillon
a unique children's boutique
4712 1/2 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 301-1711
papillonkids@verizon.net
www.papillonbaby.com

Friday Finds - 1950's Dresses

These dresses are so romantic, pretty and classic. I love clothes that stand the test of time, the dresses below are 1950's inspired, but they are still very much in style.

All Dresses are by Dasha Pomeranzev

I want all of Dasha's dresses you can see them here, aren't they stunning?

My Favorite Oscar Dresses- 2011

I didn't watch the Oscars, but I looked through all the red carpet pictures to see what the Stars were wearing, here are my favorite dresses of the night:

Amy Adams wearing L’Wren Scott
Not a typical Oscar Gown color, but it looked amazing. It fits her like a glove!
The hair and make-up are great. I'm not loving the necklace over the dress,
but other than that I think she looks amazing.

Natalie Portman wearing Rodarte
Lovely! She is just glowing, the cut of the dress is perfect for her cute bump,
I also love the rich color and neckline of this gown.
Her jewelry is perfect, no necklace, just those great earrings. Beautiful!

Michelle Williams wearing Channel
Michelle made this simple dress just look stunning, her short hair and muted
make up all worked together to give her a timeless, very classic and elegant look.

Who was your favorite?