and enjoy my favorite weekend of the year!
I'm looking forward to: the Provo hot air balloon launch, parade, spending time with the Beans, Seven Peaks, a bbq or two, fireworks, cramming in as much time as we can with our BFF's, a Brooklyn friend reunion in Midway, eating this cake, and celebrating my mom's and my birthday on Monday!!
and I'm really hoping to document it all with an early birthday present (a hint to a special someone) !
(Not to be confused with "Maxi pads")
This year, the long, really long skirt and/or dress made a comeback. Lucky for me this is a style I can wear, unlike last year's mini's. I was unsure about the look at first, but like almost every trend, it didn't take me too long before I too wanted to take part.
I eased my way in first with this GAP skirt. I loved the neutral color and it looked super comfortable, so I ordered it in a tall length just to make sure it skimmed the ground. And the Result? I love it and wear it all the time.
And then I got a little more brave. I saw this dress on Rachel Bilson, a style maven in my eyes and decided I could do it. I initially wanted to copy it exactly, but had a hard time finding decent sailboat fabric, then Sew Mama sew sent me some complimentary fabric and thought it would look totally great all smocked up. Then this dress inspired me some more, and so, below is my version. It's wild, it's crazy, and not at all what I originally had in mind, but I love it too.
I'm having a summer sale over at my Brooklyn Bean Etsy Shop. All ties and smocked dresses are on sale 25% off, including custom dresses! Hurry over and grab something before the summer's over!
This Monday Today, Built by Wendy, one of my most favorite brands, is having a 50% off summer sale. I post about this only because I always always seem to miss the sales. By the time I get to a site, everything is usually gone, so I thought I would let those who maybe interested know. I mainly browse for inspiration, but sometimes her sales are really awesome. I mean 50% off? you would only need to spend around $150 for something really great and unique. Bargain eh?
These are some of my favs. I especially love the denim bag and all the high waisted stuff!
but I love my hippie sandals.
I debated on getting these, for several months. For one, I have plenty of sandals, and two, I just wasn't sure I could pull them off the way I imagined in my head. While I was in Vegas a few weeks ago looking for running shoes, I stumbled on these. I put them on my feet and the comfort was so tantalizing, I thought hell, I'll make them work.
And these gladiators. I saved up forever for them, just kidding I used some of the money from the equity of our the sale of our house. Tom got a bike, I got these. You probably think I'm crazy, and I am, but I have been wanting them for three years now and I knew I would never ever be able to have them unless I did what I did. And I wear them almost every day. An investment for an investment.
And if you happen to like my skirt, check back next week. I'm going to put one or two in the shop. I'm just looking for the perfect fabric.
ok men, old men.
*notice the old lady in the front row, she's our biggest fan!
My dad has been playing in a bluegrass band since he was well, my age. I have fond memories of those old bluegrass songs, mainly from going on tour with him to all of those Utah hot spots. Both he and I dreamed of the day I would be up on stage fiddling along, this is the main reason I was put on the violin, and Suzuki specifically since ear training is the method of learning the instrument. And I did. I didn't really learn the art of playing anything other than classical until college, nor did I gain a love for the instrument until I realized it could do and be something other than another violin in a symphony. But since, I crave writing my own parts to songs, and look for all opportunities to play even if they are with my dad and his "old" buddies.
Every Monday night, The Smith Brothers Dirt Band, and me, being the only female, and the only one under 60, get together and "jam". Bluegrass isn't my first choice of music to play, or even my second, but the group is really so good, and since I've listened to all of it since I was a wee one, I have really grown to love the sound and style of the music. We've had a few concerts since I have been back, one at a pretty big venue in Ogden, but mainly (for practice) at Alzheimer's homes, they get a big kick out of us!
My dad is the most passionate about his band, he is the founding member and originator. For the past two weeks he has been editing, splicing together this video of our practice before our last big concert. I'm not wearing makeup, and had I known it was going on YouTube I would have. Anyway, we are also putting on another "big" show this July 19th at Westminster College, if you so care to get your Blue Grass on.
I really feel like I have been waiting forever for it too. School finally ended on Saturday, it was long, and hard for me to get back to a regular schedule of 8-5, but I really enjoyed every minute of it. I love being reminded of when I was so young, just learning how to play on my tiny violin, watching the older kids and imagining that someday I might be as good as them. Or walking through the halls listening to the echos of the violin's playing in unison and being reminded that they are probably no older than 10. But I'm also happy to be finished, at least until next year when I hopefully can go and hear some of my own students play for teachers from all over the nation and have them be inspired by the talent and beauty of the music and the musicians.
The weather has also finally turned warm, well hot. We were able to sneak a pool trip in last Friday evening. Luke was very brave and went down the slide at least 15 times then persisted in jumping off the side of the pool whether I was ready or not. Much like NY, I think we will be spending a lot of time here over the next few months. I can't wait to get tan!
But the real telling of summer, at least for me is the anticipation of my birthday. This year I have a feeling it is going to be really great. For starters, I share it with my mom, lucky her, and for the first time in a a few years, we get to spend it together again. Mom, you can pick the cake this year! Our house is also set to be completed by the beginning of July, empty of furniture, but still ready for us to move in. Having a house just seems almost too good to be true, and a room for my sewing stuff? I can hardly wait. In addition, four of our favorite NY families will be here around the same time. What a party!
I'm also feeling really greedy this birthday. I'm not expecting to get really anything I want, mainly because I can't narrow it down, and because it is all pretty expensive, but the list is adding up quickly. If you care to indulge in my wants, you can see them here, here, here, here, and here. I better start teaching...and soon.
I'm at it again. This year I am learning how to teach Suzuki violin book 2 and book 3. I'm hoping this time around I will actually do something with my training. Last year I walked away motivated, inspired, and very excited to teach little ones how to make beautiful sounds from a such a small instrument. With moving,I somehow let that excitement get a little clouded, but I'm ready again.
If you know someone that is interested in learning the violin through the Suzuki method, pass them along. I took Suzuki from the early age of 5, and it has done so many things for me, even beyond learning to play.
Here's to 8-5 classes for the next 12 days!!
or loungegown if you will.
With renovations going smoothly on our house, we hope to be in by July, a loungegown for myself with Simplicity pattern #3835 seemed to be in order. Katie and I have talked about nightgowns before, the idea of them just didn't seem to fit with New York apartment life. But for some reason with a house the idea makes me so happy. I really don't intend on sleeping in it, but throwing it on in the morning and maybe stepping outside to grab the paper or mail, or making breakfast in it, all barefoot of course just is all too perfect, and suburban.
I even had enough to make an extra little one size 2T. I am putting it in the shop today, it is a slightly modified version of mine, actually a little fancier with a tie around the neck. I love this fabric, it's so sweet and feminine, perfect for a loungegown.
I used to have a handle on buying fabric. Don't get me wrong, I had to exercise major self control, but I always had the excuse of not being able to use it for Luke, and it being just to cutesy for me to pull off. I would only buy out of these bounds if I had a baby gift I was intending to make or if I thought I would still like it by the time I have a girl. (Deep down I'm pretty sure I'm having all boys, but that's a whole other can of worms).
But now, I'm having a hard time holding back. With my etsy shop, I just can't control myself. I'm hoping at some point I too will be grossed out by all of the fabric I have laying around, but for now, all of it is calling to me, and you guys are the ones who are benefiting. I at least get to stare at it while I turn it into something little and cute.
This particular fabric line, My Folklore by Lecien, I was a little too late in finding. I was able to score a few of the prints, one of them I am making into a dress for myself, stay posted, but the rest of them I will just have to stare at on my computer screen. There are a few half yards of it floating around at Sew Mama Sew, Reprot Depot, and Purl, I highly suggest grabbing some before it's completely gone.
