Smile And Wave

Our Dwelling Place

Yesterday was a rough day. I was so short on patience and full of irritability. I almost yelled at a homeless guy asking for money outside the grocery store parking lot after hauling a cart full of groceries and two whiney kids through the store at suppertime, having my card denied, having Sebastian break something that we then paid for when we came back to retrieve our cart full of groceries after having to put them aside so we could make it to the bathroom in time so that Ruby didn't pee in the aisle, all the while getting those side glances from other impatient shoppers. The homeless guy had no idea what I almost let loose. 

Today has been slow and easy. We haven't left the house because Ruby got into my lipstick and I can't for the life of me get it off of her face. Since we can't take her to the YMCA looking like a clown (side glances) we're just enjoying plenty of down time at home with a bucket of water and swimsuits, lounging in swinging chairs, and enjoying leftover brownies that Brett made last night. Yes, my dear husband gently pointed me towards the front porch with my lap top as I came home from the grocery store yesterday and not only kept the kids from another yelling match but made dinner and brownies, cleaned the kitchen, started laundry, and got them ready for bed while I decompressed. It was one of the best gestures of love.

I hope you're having a peaceful Tuesday. If not, there's always brownies.

-Rachel

 

Home Made: Wrap Skirt

A simple wrap skirt should be a staple in every fancy lady's wardrobe. They're easy to wear, flattering on most body types, and simple enough to finish in one sitting (or two if you have short nappers). This pattern is also versatile because you can turn into into a maxi by adding length. Wear it with a boyfriend tee for a casual look or dress it up with a sheer button-up for an evening out. 

Sometimes getting the correct hem line can feel tricky if you don't have someone to measure you while standing straight. I suggest using another favorite skirt length to help as your guide or to hold a measuring tape or ruler to your side and looking in the mirror at your inch marker and then applying that to your skirt length. 

If you'd like more volume in your skirt simply add another 8"+ to your width and if you like something a little less voluminous simply take away a few inches for smaller gathers. I suggest using a moveable cotton for your first try and then moving onto fabrics that float and move like rayon or crepe.

As always I suggest testing your first sewing project on inexpensive fabric such as a thrifted sheet or white broadcloth. This way you'll build your confidence and mistakes won't cause you to ruin that fabric you've been hoarding for the perfect project.

I'd love to see your Home Made projects linked in the comments below so please feel free to share! If you enjoyed this project you might also be interested in my Home Made Lace Top tutorial.

-Rachel

Outfit Details: Vintage button up, thrifted. Wrap skirt, handmade by me. Wedges c/o ModCloth. Vintage purse, thrifted. 

Family Time: Glamping

All summer we promised the kids we'd bust out the tent and camp in our backyard. Last weekend we made it happen. Don't tell real campers in our new city but we didn't skimp on comfort. There were fizzy drinks, fancy hot dogs, sparkly lights, and wifi. 

I made foil packs for the grill for the first time and Brett gave the kids a lesson on fire safety. 

I spent most of the afternoon on another project so we didn't get the tent set up until after dinner as the light was fading. People say going to IKEA with your significant other is a true way to test your love and patience but I say putting a tent together in the dark is where it's at. I cussed, I stomped my feet, I threw a tent peg, and I almost threw in the towel but I didn't want to disappoint the kids and we finally figured it out. 

Sebastian got this 5 person tent for his 4th birthday from my grandparents. I'm sad to say we've had the best of intentions but this was the first time we'd actually used it. It was cavernous in there! We had Sunday snoozing with us while we ate popcorn and watched a movie on Netflix using our wifi. We weren't sure if we'd all make it through the night or be heading indoors around 1 am but we kept those kids up late enough that they fell asleep in no time. Even Brett, who usually has a hard time getting to sleep, was out like a light. I layed awake for about an hour trying to ignore the cricket opera on my side of the tent but seeing another shooting star was worth it. 

We took the tent down the next afternoon so as not to kill our new grass but I have a feeling now that we know how to get it up in a hurry we'll be doing that again. 

Maybe we should try a campground next time.

What are your favorite camping recipes? I pinned this one recently. What's worked for your family?

-Rachel

We Love Instax, Yes We Do

I found another pack of Instax 210 (wide) film in a drawer last week so the kids and I promptly used it up. Sebastian was less than thrilled about it at first but I promised him he could take two if he smiled for me once.

I got the shot below and he took the shot above. He's proud of his blue face.

Then he turned it on Ruby and without missing a beat she pulled one of these.

These kids are no stranger to a camera, that's for sure.

-Rachel

Home Made: DIY Lace Top

My desire to make more of my own clothing has been renewed this year. I love having store bought new and vintage pieces but there's something deeply satisfying about starting from scratch with a piece of vintage fabric and turning it into a skirt or dress that no one else in the world has. My projects don't always turn out as lovely (or symmetrical) as I imagine them but I've learned a lot through each success and failure and have become more confident in what I can produce. It's my plan to share a few of the more simple sewing projects over the next few weeks as I create or recreate pieces for my wardrobe. I hope a few of you will join me in making your own.

First up is a simple lace top created using another one of my favorite tanks as a template. I'm not great at reading patterns but cutting out shapes is a piece of cake. It's common practice to deconstruct something (take it apart) to use it as a template but I don't like chopping up clothes that fit so I have chosen something that shares it's shape easily by moving it around a bit. I'm really happy with how it turned out and think I might try something in a lightweight cotton next.

Starting this project with an unfussy, loose tank will be your best bet at getting a wearable lace top out of it. I used synthetic lace so it was a bit stiffer than the top I started with but I love the way it wears. It's not static-clingy and doesn't swallow me up. I suggest ironing your seams using a dish towel or cotton fabric on top of your lace to protect it from too much heat. If you're unsure about your sewing ability, try testing this out on a cheap piece of fabric so you can work out the kinks before cutting into something you love. 

CHALLENGE: Use a similar top but extend your length to turn it into a dress. Belt it and enjoy your new layering piece.

This project took about an hour including stopping to photograph and iron seams and only cost me $2 since the lace I used was thrifted. It's perfect for summer but I can also wear it over slip dresses and layer it with a tank and cardigan this fall. 

If you tackle your own lace top using this DIY I'd love to see a photo! Feel free to link back and share your work with the rest of us.

-Rachel

Outfit Details: Top, handmade (duh). Tank, Target. Cut off jeans, thrifted. Vintage bolero and locket, thrifted. Wedges and sunglasses c/o ModCloth.

Adorned: Part Two

I got my second tattoo almost a year ago right around my birthday. I was delighted with the way it turned out after having spent quite some time thinking about what would permanently go on my left shoulder. It was just what I'd asked the artist to do but after a few days it just didn't feel complete. I went back in and booked an appointment shortly after to add another bloom that I felt would help balance the whole piece and two hours of pain later I was a happy lady.

I haven't ever shared the second part in this space because it rarely shows up in full in my outfit posts so recently when we were outside enjoying some sun I had Brett take a few. It's a bloom from the same vintage fabric I took the original design from and was placed quite well for being a later addition, I think. Ethen from Hearts of Fire in Springfield did a fantastic job. If you're in that area and are thinking about a tattoo you need to book with that guy.

Almost a year later and I'm still so glad I chose to get this piece. It's something that represents my aesthetic that also feels really happy and beautiful. I love how it drapes a bit over my shoulder like I'm adorned with a bouquet. I chose the placement so that I can let it be seen when I want and also covered up when I want. I get to enjoy my tattoos every day but I also felt like it was appropriate to consider how other people would react if I were to reenter a professional position in the future. I put a lot of thought into how it would change my appearance and how people who aren't comfortable with tattoos might view me because of them. In the end I felt like it was an expression of my creativity and style and it made me feel pretty. 

In forty years when I'm seventy I'll have wrinkly skin and my bouquet may have drooped or faded a bit but I imagine it'll still make me feel pretty.  It'll also act as a marker in time, much like my first tattoo did, and remind me of my days as a young mother.

I also imagine as seventy-year-old women and men, many of us will still be meeting up at local coffee shops for face-to-face conversations like the good ol' days and stretching out our wrinkled folds to reveal our tattoos to each other, reliving what each one meant. Then we'll probably discuss what the young kids are doing these days and how things just aren't what they used to be. Yep, we'll be there someday, too.

My first one was a gift from Elsie right after I miscarried in 2008. She showed up with flowers and offered to take me on a road trip for some girl time to take my mind off of things. We went to Kansas City together to our friend, Silje's, salon where I got an antique sewing machine with a banner that reads 'Red Velvet Forever'. I almost passed out an hour into it but still love that reminder of friendship and one of my favorite tools of the trade.

As far as more tattoos, I think I'm done. I love the design and placement of the ones I have and just don't have a desire for more. Who knows, though.

Do you have any tattoos/plans for tattoos? Was it a struggle for you to get your first one or just another decision to make? 

-Rachel

First Outfit Details: Swimsuit, ModCloth. Cover up, gifted from my grandmother. Vintage hat, thrifted. Sunglasses, a shop in South Carolina. 

Second Outfit Details: Dress c/o ModCloth. Belt, thrifted. Ring, trade shop in New Mexico.

Summer Days

I'm working hard to fill our days with exercise and sight words. Can you tell?

Be back soon...

-Rachel

An E-Course Every Blogger Needs: The Study of Light

Arrow and Apple has just released an exciting new e-course, The Study of Light, that teaches you how to maximize your photos by learning a little more about using light. Not only is it a useful skill for anyone wanting to improve their photos but it's based on using what you have and my thrity side appreciates that kind of e-course! Sarah teaches you how to build your own indoor studio at home for less than $50 and is making herself available for questions during the full eight weeks of the class. 

The lovely Sarah has kindly allowed me to share a 10% discount with my readers! Enter "friend10" at checkout for your discount. For more information visit Arrow and Apple's site.  

 -Rachel

 

Lyrical Bunting DIY

I favorited something really similar to this bunting from Oh, Albatross a month or more ago but it was made of vintage metal signage. Sadly, it sold and left a bunting sized hole in my vintage loving heart. It didn't take long to realize I could make my own version from the black vinyl letters they sell at hardware stores so I gathered some supplies (twice since the first round I forgot to space the letters out) and got to work. It's not quite the same but it's a great alternative to something I may not find again online.

Supplies: Vinyl stickers from the garage sale sign section of your local hardware store, baker's twine or yarn, cardstock or photo paper, scissors or a paper cutter, and a hole punch.

Peel and stick each letter on your cardstock or photo paper with about 1/2" of space on either side so you can cut them out with edges to spare. Cut them all the same height with about 2/3" of space above the top of the letter for your holes. Then punch two holes near the edges but not so close that they might rip. String them up and hang.

I made ours for our sun room/front porch and sand the song as I hung it. The kids had never heard it before so if you are familiar with toddlers you can guess that Ruby has had it on repeat since then - at least this part of the song.

Banners are a fun way to personalize your space without spending a lot of money. My letters cost $ .68/piece so you could essentially make one for almost nothing depending on your word or phrase. 

What would your banner say?

-Rachel

Now Accepting Sponsors for August Through Passionfruit Ads

I've made a change with my ad program and am excited to share that I'm now working with Passionfruit Ads. While I enjoyed working with an ad manager for the past two years I'm thrilled that an option is available that will allow me to manage things on my own while being more efficient for both myself and sponsors. 

If you've not heard about how Passionfruit works it's basically set up with the option for you to purchase an ad spot immediately, upload your image and the link, provide a short blurb to give me an idea what your blog/shop is like, and then wait approval before being automatically loaded into my sidebar. It's just about as simple as it gets for both of us! 

As always I'm offering a variety of ad sizes to make sponsorship affordable for a number of budgets and there is still a giveaway involved for all sizes except the mini ads. My hope is to continue to support blogs and businesses that see the value in sponsoring blogs with a similar aesthetic and growing readership in order to gain new traffic and/or hopefully sales. 

In fact, one of the new features with Passionfruit is the ability to see how many times someone has clicked through to visit a sponsor. I think this is going to be great feedback for me in ways I can better serve sponsors but I'm also looking forward to corresponding with sponsors directly in order to keep things a little more personal.

Here are a few of my most recent stats as of 7/20/12:

-7,260 subscribers through Google Reader

-2,856 followers through Bloglovin'

-11,200+ followers on Instagram 

-5,668 followers on Twitter

-10,000+ followers on Pinterest

 

 

I'm looking forward to working with sponsors in this new format and have already welcomed my first Large sponsor with Passionfruit! If you're curious about whether your shop or blog is a good fit for Smile and Wave's ad program or have any other questions about the change I'd be happy to hear from you at racheldenbow(at)gmail.com. 

Thanks for your readership and support of Smile and Wave! It is so appreciated.

-Rachel