The leaves, they are a changin'!

We've been having some fun outside with the beautiful warm fall weather around these parts lately.

The other day we ventured out to a little petting zoo that the kids just love.

I'm trying to do some special things with the kiddos before the baby comes (NEXT WEEK!!), although I barely have enough energy to keep up with them most days!

Let's just say afternoon naps are a necessity these days. And there aren't many house projects getting done right now.

I mustered up enough energy last week to put out some fall decorations with my mom's help. I don't do a lot of seasonal decorating, but I'm enjoying the autumn colors in the pumpkins and the mums.

I found this antique metal bread pan at a barn sale last week and just had to get it! Isn't it cool?

What I Wore Wednesday - Preggers Edition & Some Shopping Tips

I just have a few photos to link up to the Pleated Poppy's WIWW party this week...

Saturday:

Long-sleeve black top: Motherhood Maternity

White vest: Kenneth Cole from Goodwill

Jeans: Target

Shoes: Crocs Outlet

Sunday:

Long-sleeve top: Motherhood Maternity

Short-sleeve jacket: Forever 21 from Plato's Closet consignment

Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft from Goodwill

Shoes: Nine West from Goodwill

Some of you have asked if I have any tips for shopping at Goodwill or for looking good while pregnant. While I am not a fashion expert by any stretch of the imagination, there are some things I've learned along the way.

Since I've started shopping at Goodwill on a regular basis (a year or two ago), I've found that I can buy quality clothes that are unique and that I can actually afford, and I'm dressing better than I ever have before.

I shop at Goodwill about once a week and sometimes I will find nothing and sometimes I will come home with bags of good stuff. The trick is going regularly and not having any expectations of finding something specific. A lot of times I will go just for the thrill of the hunt! I'm weird, I know.

I've gotten so many good things there that I now have a rule where I will not buy something unless I absolutely LOVE IT. It keeps me from buying too much stuff that I really don't need.

If you are local, the Goodwill I shop at most is in Lancaster along Lincoln Highway. I've found that they have the best selection at really good prices. And they also carry lots of furniture. If you go there on Wednesdays, you will get a discount for using your frequent shopper card.

~ ~ ~ ~

Some tips for looking cute with a baby bump:

1. Layer, Layer, Layer! I always dress in layers and tend to wear longer, dark basic tanks to go over the belly (the dark colors hide the belly better than light). Then I layer with fun jackets or cardigans, and they do not have to be maternity or be able to close.

Me wearing an extra-long black tank with a ruffly consignment store jacket

2. Just because you are pregnant, doesn't mean you have to wear maternity clothes!

A lot of the styles for tops right now are long, flowey, "baby doll", and can cover growing bellies really well. I've found that most maternity clothes just aren't my style and usually don't fit just right.

Me wearing a flowy Old Navy tank with a Forever 21 jacket

I usually wear maternity tanks or basic maternity black/brown short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirts to wear as a first layer. This covers the belly. Then I'll put non-maternity shirts/jackets/cardis on top.

Me wearing an extra-long blue tank with an Old Navy shirt found at Goodwill

Also, the Belly Band has allowed me to wear most of my regular jeans and pants throughout the pregnancy. For some reason, because of the way I'm shaped, I haven't ever found a pair of maternity pants that fit me comfortably.


3. Accessorize!

Me wearing a long-sleeve brown maternity shirt (Motherhood Maternity) with a plaid short-sleeve maternity jacket (Target but found at GW) and a fun pink scarf

If I'm feeling frumpy in my preggers get-up, I'll wear fun colorful jewelry or scarves. I was never really into wearing a lot of accessories, but I've been learning that it makes me feel better when I put extra effort into what I wear. Chunky jewelry, colorful bags, embellished shoes, tall boots make me feel extra special when I'm battling the frumpy feeling.


4. Wear Color!

Me wearing an extra-long black tank and an orange ruffly jacket found at GW

Wearing colorful scarves, cardis, jackets draws attention away from the extra poundage in the belly area. And I've easily found fun, unique pieces at Goodwill or other thrift stores. Be creative!


5. Don't give up on your style sense just because you are pregnant!

Me wearing an extra-long purple tank, a short-sleeved cardi from GW, and a skirt I made.

I don't consider myself to be super-stylish at all. In fact, I envy a lot of my friends' style sense. But I also don't want to give up and just wear whatever feels comfortable and easy. Putting some effort into what I wear has helped me to feel "normal" while I'm pregnant and has been a fun challenge.

Me wearing a dress from Motherhood Maternity

I don't have a lot of time to put into choosing what I wear, but it just takes a couple of extra minutes to put on something stylish as opposed to a t-shirt and sweat pants. Although, don't get me wrong, I wear my fair share of frumpy lounge clothes - just not in public!

Some Painting Projects

I've been working on several painting projects lately - mostly special order signs. And here are some favorites.

I painted this sign for a friend to give to someone as a baby gift. Isn't that a great idea? Love it.




A driftwood "Welcome" sign - these rustic signs are so fun to play with! I love the unique wood!





And this "Bistro" sign is for sale in my Etsy shop right now. But I'm loving it in my kitchen! Sometimes it's so hard to part with these things!



If you would like to request a sign for a particular area in your home, just let me know!

Diaper Bag Revamp

I'd been on the lookout for a new diaper bag for the past few months and just didn't feel like plunking down the extra cash for one. And I couldn't find one that I really loved.

One day I remembered that I had gotten a plain black one from the hospital when Jack was born that I had kept, and my wheels started turning.

Here's what it looked like...basic, black, boring.



I pulled out the trusty sewing machine and sewed some ruffles from my stash of leftover fabric.

I hot-glued the ruffles onto the bag and also glued on the flower (which I can always change out if I get tired of the pink color).



I found the embroidery letters from Hobby Lobby and used fabric glue to glue them to the bag - they are my initials.


And I kinda like how it turned out! It was free, so if I get tired of the bag, at least I didn't spend any money on it!

You know how I love a good (and cute!) bargain! :)

What I Wore Wednesday - Preggers Edition

Yes, I'm still here! It's been a busy week filled with checking things off my to-do list and working on painting projects that people have requested.

AND getting more and more worn out from being almost 9 months pregnant! And running after two little munchkins.

Two more weeks to go!!

Here is my WIWW post linking up to the Pleated Poppy...

Wednesday:
Black long-sleeved top: Motherhood Maternity
Red vest: Kenneth Cole from yard sale
Scarf: Goodwill
Pants: Ann Taylor Loft from Goodwill
Shoes: Crocs Outlet

Friday:

Black tank: Charlotte Russe
Pink jacket: Ann Taylor Loft
Pants: Ann Taylor Loft from Goodwill
Necklace: Plato's Closet consignment
Shoes: Crocs Outlet

Saturday:
Black long-sleeved top: Motherhood Maternity
White vest: Kenneth Cole from Goodwill
Pants: Ann Taylor Loft
Scarf: Goodwill
Shoes: Born

Sunday:
Gray tank: Forever 21 from Plato's Closet consignment
White cardi: Goodwill
Skirt: H&M from Goodwill
Boots: Goodwill

Tuesday:
Blue maternity top: Ross
White jacket: Ross
Pants: Ann Taylor Loft from Goodwill
Shoes: Gap Outlet
Scarf: had for years

What I Wore Wednesday - Preggers Edition

Just a little over 3 weeks left until D-Day! I'm trying to cram in everything I can till then - shopping, cleaning, organizing, projects. I'm acting like my life will end when the babe gets here!

I guess normal life will end for a while though, so until then, I have loads of stuff I'd like to get done. Typical nester!

Here is my WIWW post - linking up to the Pleated Poppy...

Friday:
Pink Top: Old Navy Maternity
Black Cardi: Goodwill
Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft
Shoes: Ross

Saturday:

Gray Top: Forever 21 from Plato's Closet consignment
Yellow Cardi: H&M
Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft from yardsale
Shoes: Walmart

Blue Tank: Target
Khaki Jacket: J. Crew from clothing swap party
Skirt: H&M from Goodwill

Boots: Plato's Closet consignment

Tuesday:
Black Tank: Target
Yellow Shirt: Goodwill
Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft from yardsale
Shoes: Ross
Gray Scarf: Goodwill

Fun little lampshade project

I decided to re-do a plain white lampshade in our master bedroom while I was doing a mini-makeover in the room a few weeks ago.


To make the lampshade, I tore out some pages from an old German book that I had setting around. You can find old books so easily at yard sales or Goodwill. I happen to be a collector!

I smeared Mod Podge all over the plain lampshade, stuck pages all over it, and put a coat of Mod Podge on top of the pages to seal it.


Really very simple, and I like the rustic, one-of-a-kind look! I also hot-glued twine around the top to finish it off.

This would also look great using vintage music sheets.


The hubster has been creating an AWESOME laundry chute for me, and I've never been so excited about wash before! It was a complicated project though involving making a hole in a concrete floor (the nursery), and creating a cabinet for both the nursery and the laundry room. It's almost finished, and I'm so excited to use it!

Oh, the little things that make me happy! Happy Weekend!

What I Wore Wednesday - Preggers Edition

I've been really slacking at the "What I Wore Wednesday" posts lately, mostly just because I've been tired of taking pictures of myself! But I got back on the wagon again and have another post here, linking to the Pleated Poppy's linky party.

I can hardly believe I only have 4 weeks and 2 days until DELIVERY DAY!! I'm getting really excited to meet this little baby and at the same time, like any compulsive project-obsessed person, have a never-ending list of things that I want to accomplish because the arrival.

I'm really savoring my time with Avery & Jack though, because I know that I won't have nearly as much quality time to spend with them when baby #3 comes along.

So...the weather is getting cooler, and we've spent the last couple of days in our pj's and snuggled up indoors. All day long. And I am SO not apologizing! :)

Thursday:

Blue tank: Target

Short-sleeved Cardi: Goodwill

Skirt: Gap Outlet

Sandals: Yard sale

Tuesday:

Black tank: Target

Green jacket: Goodwill

Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft

Shoes: Walmart

Scarf: don't remember

Saturday:

Black tank: Target

Ruffly Jacket: Plato's Closet consignment

Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft

Shoes: Goodwill

Sunday:

Brown long-sleeve tee: Motherhood Maternity

Plaid short-sleeve jacket: Goodwill

Jeans: Target

Shoes: Payless

Scarf: gift from my mom

Tuesday:

Long-sleeve black tee: Motherhood Maternity

Jacket: Goodwill (in case you haven't noticed, I have a million jackets from Goodwill!)

Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft from yard sale

Shoes: Crocs Outlet

Scarf: ?

Grape Heaven!

Every fall I make canned grape juice from Concord grapes that are in season. It's so easy and just about the best taste in the universe!

Here is the recipe I use, in case you want to try it for yourself:

Aunt Susie's Grapejuice Recipe:
-2 cups grapes (per jar)
-1/2 cup white sugar (per jar)
-boiling water

Fill quart jar with grapes, sugar and boiling water. Mix to dissolve sugar.

Put lid and ring on jar. Place in canning pot, fill pot with water, and boil for 10 minutes.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Enjoy!