Monday, November 15, 2010

Positively Sunday

Positively Sunday
  ;a dose of positive sugar to start the week off fresh.


                                               ( via WEheartIt )


I find myself making mental lists of things/values I want to instill in my daughter. I need to write them down. My father really did a wonderful job of teaching my sisters and I values, and I hope to pass on those traits to V. The above quote is definitely something I hope V takes to heart. People these days can be so cruel; so caught up in their own lives that they don't pay attention to who & what's around them.  I have noticed how people act a lot lately when I am out alone with V. It truly astonishes me the fact that there are people in the world who don't hold doors open for women with children. With a stroller. I have always been the type of person to hold a door open for anyone, with or with out a reason. I hope to raise a daughter who will open doors for everyone, just because.

As this week goes on, hold a door open for someone and notice their reaction. I bet they didn't anticipate the random act of kindness.

And watch out... it might make you feel good!


xo,
jillian

Oh Baby!

Oh Baby!

My sweet little V had the most adorable giggles today while I was giving her a bath. She has giggled once or twice at random but this morning was different. Big gleeful giggles. Three separate times. I swear my heart almost burst. These moments, these precious actions that become routine as we grow older, are the highlights of my days now. How special, magical these giggles are.



Seeing my daughter smile & laugh at me or with me is just so darn wonderful. I hope I never forget these precious moments in the beginning of her life.


Having a baby really makes you appreciate the important things in life no matter how little or unimportant they may have seemed prebaby. For me everything seems to have new purpose.

<3


Sunday, November 14, 2010

Friday, November 5, 2010

sisters

Sisters.

I am so lucky to have two amazing sisters. Near or far they hold a strong grasp on my heart. Friends may come and go, but nothing can break the bond my sisters and I have.


Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship.  ~Margaret Mead


Monday, November 1, 2010

(found here)

Tis the season! So excited to celebrate the upcoming holidays with our new addition! If only the weather will get cool and actually feel like November here in Florida! Wishful thinking!!

xo,
jillian

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Positively Sunday

Positively Sunday; a dose of positive sugar to start the week off fresh.

This is my first Positive Sunday post and I am so happy to have stumbled upon this lovely blog to start off the week with.

Their mission:
       THE SERENDIPITY FACTORY.
"Our mission is to be a resource for encouragement and inspiration. We honor people for being true to themselves and their dreams. We believe in collecting and sharing happy discoveries that make the world a brighter place."

What a happy, lovely blog. Check it out. Something, or many things in my case, will put a smile on your face. 


Happy Halloween!
xo,
jillian


I'm Back.

It has been six weeks and one day since I gave birth to my darling baby girl. Unbelievable. The past six weeks have flown by in a blink of an eye and yet so many things have happened. Jay and I have adjusted to this new life as a family as three, and while it is a daily learning experience I must say that we are tackling the new addition quite well.

Without further ado here is Veda Blu:


I never have imagined a love like this. Words can not describe how incredible this experience is. People try to tell you beforehand, you may even think you know. But nothing, nothing can prepare you for labor, the birth of your child and the bond and love that comes with all of it. 


All I want is to be the best I can be for her, to show her unconditional love, to protect her, to provide her with the tools to make it in this world.  The world is hers for the taking. 




So I am back to blogging. I am going to spice things up around here! I hope you join me in my new adventures as a new Momma, a crafter, a sewer & a wife!

xo,
Jillian






Wednesday, September 8, 2010

girl crush wednesday.

Oh how I LOVE Drew. She's it. She's got it. She's magical. Haven't seen the new movie yet and I am dying too!! Anyone out there see it yet?







Loving her hair and total look at the moment! She just gets more beautiful as she grows and gets older. And I love the roles that she has been choosing lately. I mean, Grey Gardens anyone?? Amazing.

Who's your girl crush? 

xo,
Jillian

i heart poodles.


How adorable are these poodles? I have never dyed my poodle, but my last poodle always was sporting a full body mohawk ;)

Having a  pup has completely changed my life. I am on my second dog ever, my second poodle in fact, and couldn't say more positive things about them. I lost my first dog, Sid Vicious, tragically & out of the blue. It was one of the hardest things I have ever dealt with and experienced. My second pooch, Gabel, has been an absolute joy, and has really helped me heal from the loss of Sid. 

#8 A dog is a loyal friend from whom you will learn the nature of love and devotion.


my Gabel



RIP Sid Vicious

Time to go cuddle with my pup. Isn't amazing how they truly are part of the family? 
xo,
Jillian

trying to figure out this whole posting pictures thing...






I think that I might have FINALLY figured out how to post pictures from the web! Yay me! This is what I do when I am 38 weeks prego and can't get comfy enough to sleep! Now to figure out wireless for Wii for my husband...

Goodnight!
xo,
Jillian

Sunday, September 5, 2010

My Crafty To-Do List


So many crafts so little time! I am going to start posting a few tutorials a month that I have saved in my to-do folder with the goal of making them that month and posting for you to see! Please feel free to make them too & post your pics!

Here are my crafty web project goals for September!

Table Runner Tutorial This one looks awesome, and so easy! I am a HUGE fan of table runners, and can think of a few areas in my home that could benefit from one of this snazzy quilted ones!

QUILTED TUT

Newborn Gown from Tee Shirt! How cute are these! I think I have a few tees to spare to make baby girl some of these. My husband will love these too!


gown_mosaic

Braided Headbands I am going to make a few of these simple, but adorable headbands to wear in the hospital! I can't imagine looking cute will come easy during labor, but with these headbands I at least won't have to worry about my hair!!


Those are my crafty project goals for September. I am due this month, on the 22nd so I will not load up on too many projects!

Have a tutorial you want to share? Please let me know! I am always looking for new projects!!

xo,
Jillian


Sunday Funday

Sunday Funday.

Sundays are the best day of the week to regain focus, regain control, relax a little and ponder all of life's miracles. It's a day to dream, a day to be thankful and a day to spend with people you love.

While I near the end of my pregnancy I am finding it harder to fit many things into the day, and find myself resting more than anything else. My to do is list is still long, yet I am almost to the point where I can do no more! Jay and I are crazy too; last week we out of the blue decided to put new hardwood flooring in the dining room, which of course meant we had to paint the dining room and kitchen. Oh, and might as well stain the cabinets too. !!! AHHH! What were we thinking! I had been spending weeks and months cleaning and organizing my nest only to destroy it in one afternoon! Now I confess, I haven't actually lifted a finger to paint or put in the flooring. Jay's been working around the clock to get this all done in one week. He still has a lot to finish before tomorrow night, his deadline. I can just imagine baby girl coming in the middle of this mess!

I will post photos as soon as my house is back in order!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

oh, september.

It's September!!!! The last nine months of my life have been full of new discoveries and feelings, heartache, love, truth, honesty, and so much more. Not only has my body been growing and nurturing a new life, but I have also started to create a new life of my very own. This year has been so very different than last year. It has been full of positive discovery and growth. Every milestone, every moment has been a learning experience and a stepping stone in the right direction. It hasn't been smooth sailing this journey I am on, but it's been full of more ups than downs. I have come to realize that home is where your heart is, friends come and go, and true friends are few and far between.

September makes me miss home so badly. Even more so this year, as I wish I was closer to my family. It would be so much easier to share this next chapter in our lives if we were in New England.

I am overjoyed for this month, and every month after. Cooler air (hopefully), fall festivals, and most importantly all things bambino!!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Daughter, Loudon Wainwright III

maternity series.

Here is week 35, which was last week. I am officially 36 weeks... and will try my best to post this weeks letter and photo this week!


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week 35 mommy shot


So close!!

xo,
Jillian

my currents

Currents found via The Crimson Owl



listening: lily allen, It's Not Me, It's You album
eating: had a pb & J that my hubby made for lunch today, with a banana
drinking: water, courtesy of my pal Danielle. I forgot the shop was all out and she saved me Thank you!!

wearing: third day in a row wearing a black dress, not the same black dress, but still. 36 weeks prego is not an easy time to get dressed, especially when its 100 degrees outside, for the 50th day in a row! I can not wait for cool weather and my regular wardrobe!

feeling: tired, and insanely excited about the very near future. Big changes ahead in so many aspects of my life. All sunny! Also, feeling gentle kicks and bumps from my sweet baby girl. I am going to miss these private moments!

weather: hot, hot and hotter with thunder showers mixed in. Not the type of rain that actually cools the air, more so rain that makes your hair frizz up and makes you sticky. Ugh, Florida in the summer, why did I sign myself up for this??

wanting: my family to be closer. or me to be closer to them. Also some beautiful boots for fall, along with cool autumn nights, pumpkin spice lattes and craft fairs.

needing: for my sweet baby to arrive. I am soooo looking forward to sweet baby time!

thinking: about my brick & mortar shop and the end of a wonderful journey, with the beginning of an entirely new chapter.

enjoying: this quiet, nesting time before everything as I know it changes. I am looking forward to the future, and thankful for every adventure and moment that has gotten me to where I am today.

wondering: how quickly the next few weeks are going to go by, if I will complete everything I need to before Baby G arrives, and how everything will work itself out.


What are your currents?

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Operation Beautiful




Have you seen this? Operation Beautiful



What a positive message this website is sending. In the bathroom of my shop, Sew Vicious Boutique, I wrote "You are Beautiful" in chalk, pointing to the mirror last December. The message is still there. Everyone deserves to feel good about themselves. Everyone deserves compliments! It is truly amazing what a few positive words can do to a person. They can make a bad day better, they can instantly lift one's mood and spirit. There needs to be more positivity in this world.

I am going to make sure this lesson is something my daughter inherits. This is like a smile on paper. Smiles are infectious and so are positive words!

I have already thrown a pad of never used post its into my purse to spread some happy thoughts and smiles on my journeys around my town.

xo,
J

Monday, August 16, 2010

maternity series.

Week 34

Now I know I will be 35 weeks tomorrow, but I tend to post the weekly photo and letter at the end of each week. As this pregnancy has progressed it has gotten hard to post midweek... That said I can not believe I now only have 5 weeks left! Give or take a few (wishful thinking would be a few early!)



Week 34 Mommy Shot


page0001

OH Baby!! Our baby supply list is almost crossed off completely! Right now I am searching for a swing. I am looking for something comfortable, lots of padding!, something soothing, and something that plays a few different tunes. Any suggestions? I wish there were more modern/hip baby selections out there. I have had to search hard for the few things I have purchased for my nursery, resorting to making lots of the decor elements in there.

My husband and I have teamed up to really put together a room that is perfectly perfect for our little bambino. I hope she likes it as much as we do. Because I am nice, here are a few sneak peaks into our nursery!! I will be posting more about the nursery, with details and price points, soon!

Hope you enjoy!



Pretty baby outfits all in a row...
DSC_0070

Little love birds singing sweet tunes...
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A lovely little book collection...
DSC_0071

Sweet little animal friends...
DSC_0064

A pretty entrance...
DSC_0063


xo,
Jillian

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Trendy

I stumbled on these Keds tonight while reading the August issue of Real Simple.
How darling!

keds

They seem to be sold out, boo! They remind me of my childhood. And they would be so cute to wear with summer dresses, and then with skinny jeans in the fall. That is if I wasn't 9 months prego with swollen feet ;)


Clicking on the photo will bring you to the image source!

xo,
Jillian

maternity series.

Here is a glimpse of what I have been up to the last nine months!








We are having a sweet baby girl! Estimated due date is
September 22. My life has been completely consumed by our
upcoming arrival. For the first time in my life I am making
baby items. The baby to do list is getting shorter and shorter!
I can not wait to share photos of the nursery, and other
projects that Jay & I have devoted to the bebe!

Here are two of my favorite baby sites/blogs:



Do you have any favorites? I love looking for new baby
crafts & also reading about new mommy/baby adventures!
This is an entire new chapter for my husband and I and
we could not be more excited about the future.

xo,
Jillian

Starting Fresh

It's been awhile for me to post something, but believe it or not this blog is something that I think of often. I want to be a good blogger! It's difficult because I am not very confident in posting! I simply do not know what I am doing. Alas, from this day forward I will do better. And what a way to start my fresh attempt at the blog world than being prompted by Elsie's 4 simple goals!


4simple goals


Here are my 4 Simple Goals that I am going to work on for the rest of the year:

1. Blog More! I am going to start slowly, giving myself a minimum of three posts per week. This could be become difficult after the birth of my daughter, but I will do my best to get into a routine and start with at least 3 posts!! Hey, the more often I do it, the better I will get!

2. Take photographs of everything I create. I make things almost everyday, what better way to document and share my creations than taking photos?? I used to be very good at this. I will do better. And hey, accomplishing this goal will make goal #1 even easier!
Doing what I love to do.

3. Document my sweet baby's life. She's not even here yet and I have weeks of letters and photos for her to read when she is older. When she does arrive into this world I want to continue my documentation in fun and creative ways. I have a few ideas up my sleeve already; the hard part is going to make sure I make the time to do this sweet things. We both will appreciate the effort later on in life.


babyg


4. Embrace my inner crafter/seamstress. Yes, I may do it full time at the moment with my brick & mortar shop, but there is always room for improvement. I want to increase my etsy sales big time. I want to sell my craft at local art walks, and state wide craft fairs. I need to make these goals a priority! I need to focus on my individual products, make them the best they can be and promote myself like crazy! I really want to be a stay at home momma and this outlet would help me be able to do that!

It is always a wonderful thing to have a list of goals for yourself. A nice way to keep things moving! I love the satisfaction I get when I cross off items on any one of my many lists, and trust me I have many!

Signing off for now. But I will be back soon!

xo,
Jillian