Dear Lauren and Lauren,

dress: banana republic outlet  belt: old navy  necklace: world market

I went to World Market last weekend to buy Chris some olives, cheese and crackers for his birthday.
(Yep, we roll out the expensive gifts around here for birthdays.)

And I found this necklace for $6.00.  I love it! 

I am SO excited for this wedding weekend ahead!

It's funny because I almost feel like I've been more involved in your wedding Lauren then in my own.  Maybe that's not true and maybe I don't remember well enough since it was seven years ago.  But I was also pretty much a baby when I got married and my mom helped me an unbelievable amount, so maybe it is true.  

Either way I've been looking forward to this weekend for a long time!

Lauren I can't wait to see you and give you a huge hug tomorrow night.  

Lauren in law you will make a stunning bride and I can't wait to see you marry my brother.  

Getting to be with both of my Laurens is right up top on my happy scale. 

Love you both! 

Love,

pleated poppy    what I wore
whatever wednesday   what I love wednesday

Birthday Boys

dress: thrifted  belt: target  cardigan: old navy  flats: kohls

This dress is the first item of clothing I can say I've actually "thrifted." 

I was probably a little too proud of myself.  

May 5th and 7th are the birthdays of my two favorite boys. 

Chris - I couldn't ask for a happier, more positive, encouraging and loving husband, who listens to me and makes me feel loved constantly.  I am one lucky woman to be married to you.  

Tavis -  I am so lucky to be an aunt to the cutest, most loving, funny and sweet boy.  I knew I would love you but had no idea that I could love you this much!   I wish more than anything that you lived closer so I could see you all the time.  I can't wait to give you the biggest hug on Wednesday!   

 Happy birthday to my two favorite boys!

I love you both SO much!

Easiest DIY skirt

I've been wanting a polka skirt and have not been able to find one so I decided to make one myself.  First I attempted a skirt with a zipper.  It looked pretty good but would not fit past my thighs.  Clearly I had some measuring issues.  

So I made this one and it is probably the easiest skirt you could make.  

All you need is fabric, elastic and a sewing machine. 

First measure your elastic.  I cut mine too close to my actual waist size and I wish it was tighter, so next time I'd make the elastic smaller than my waist size.    

Measure your material.  I didn't do any real measuring here.  I just held up the material and made sure that the width fit around my waist (with a little extra to sew).  And then the length was long enough with a little extra to hem.  

Fold your fabric in half and sew the one side of your skirt together.  This will be the back of the skirt. 

 

Then take the top of your skirt and do a very loose stitch.  I put my sewing machine on the highest stitch size.  I'm sure you could do this part by hand to, just sewing wide stitches.  

Take one end of the thread and pull so that your skirt ruffles.  

My thread broke part way, so I just sewed what was left and pulled again.  

This part doesn't have to be perfect because you are sewing over it and then pulling out any extra thread later.  

Sew your elastic band together.  I went back and forth a few times to make sure it was sturdy. 

Line the top of your elastic up to the top of your skirt.  

 The elastic will flip up when you're done. 

Now you have to move your gathers/ruffles around so that your skirt is even.  

Pin your elastic and then sew at the top.  

I had some places where my loose stitch was sticking out some so I had to cut it off in some places.  This stitch doesn't matter any more since you now have the elastic sewed on. 

Finally, iron and hem your skirt. 

And that's it!  

Hope you all had a great weekend!

craft o maniac   ask anna

Mingle Monday

High Five for Friday

 shirt: TJMaxx  skirt: target  shoes: kohls

1.  I bought these shoes last weekend and have worn them at least three times this week.  I love them. 

2.  I made this recipe this week.  BLT Pasta Salad. 

warmer weather = more salad recipes for dinner

3. Last week my mom and I made favors for Jacob and Lauren's wedding.

By the 400th pretzel we got pretty good at it. 

We put two together in a bag with a ribbon.  Wish I would've taken a picture of the finished product!

4. Isn't this idea the cutest?

This weekend, I am going to try to make one of these signs for my nephew Travis to carry down the aisle for my brother's wedding.  

5.  We've got some big dates coming up in the next few weeks.  

Chris' 30th birthday is Saturday.

My brother's wedding is next weekend.

Our 7 year anniversary is right after that.

Lots to look forward to! 

Have a great weekend!

High Five for Friday
5 Days 5 Ways   Serenity Now

You're growing on me

 

pants: loft  shoes: kohls  shirt: old navy cardigan: maurices 

Although the stresses of school can easily get to me, especially at the end of the year, I am thankful for stories like these that remind me why I love my job. 

The other day a student was helping me "inspect" students' passports as we did a simulation of what it might have been like for immigrants coming to America.  Despite a student's missing information on his passport, I let him go through because he looked overly nervous and I didn't want to make him cry. 

When he walked away I said to my student helper that I thought I'd let that one slide by because I was feeling extra nice. 

She leaned over to me and said, 

"Mrs. Vale, you're really starting to grow on me." 

With only a month left of school, I guess it's about time.  

Linking up to:
whatever wednesday   the letter 4
momma go round  rae gun ramblings
the pleated poppy