Music Monday: Lisa Hannigan

Happy Monday! 


Lisa Hannigan

xoxo Katie

We're Moving

We've been in this house for almost 10 years.  It's crazy to think that I've been doing anything or lived anywhere for 10 years, but it is so.  We bought this house when were newly married and found out we were expecting Hope.  Compared to our SUUUUPER crappy rental home, this place was a palace.  We've grown as a family, acquired waaayyy more stuff than we should (almost hoarding... let's call it collecting), and been needing to leave for a while.  It's also true that we've been wanting to move to a bigger place like Springfield, since it takes us an hour and 20 minutes just to go do anything.  We are slowly coming to terms with leaving this place, and though it is something we've been wanting for a long time, it still stings a little.  I did my first bit of nesting here.  I can remember bringing Hope home from the hospital to this house.  Hope took her first steps in our hallway.  My daughter has grown from a baby to a young lady in this place.  My business was born here.  I've spent many tired, sleepless nights sewing until my fingers hurt to make sure I didn't fall behind on special orders.  There have been many living room band practices in cramped quarters.  We started home school here.  When I found out I was pregnant with Poesy, this bedroom was my naptime sanctuary.  We brought our second baby girl home to this place.  There has been so much love and so many special moments here.  I have painted windows, hung pictures, rearranged a million times to make sure that our house felt like our home.  It will be very bittersweet to leave.

I'm so excited for things on the horizon, but I wish I could give this place a big hug before we go.  I will continue to drive by year after year to watch my Magnolia tree that we planted in the front yard grow bigger and bigger.  I will laugh about our crazy driveway and how we couldn't even drive down into the garage in the winter because it was so steep.  I will reminisce about the time the neighbor boy drove a van through the front of our house and we had to live in a hotel.  I will miss the picnics and photoshoots in the backyard.  We will probably have better/bigger/cleaner houses down the road, but Jamie Drive will always hold a special place in my heart.  As we pack our things and make our way out of here, I just need to remember that home is family, and wherever these goons are, that's where my home will be.  I promise to only shed a few tears.

xoxo Katie

Weekly Wears: Granny Style

My friend Vanessa and I always joke about our "toddler style".  You know, the abundance of bows, peter pan collars, tent dresses, and saddle shoes... things you might see on a toddler or small child.  When I saw this shawl last weekend, I knew I HAD to have it to help "grow up" my wardrobe.  That day I just happened to be sporting my horn-rimmed glasses, so I took my "toddler style" and threw in a very granny twist.  Thus the toddler-granny look was born.  ;)

 Dress, shoes, and ring:  c/o Francesca's Collections

Shawl:  Vintage from Funtiques in Springfield, MO

Purse and necklace: gifts from my MIL

Tights:  Ebay

Okay... so, in that last picture I may or may not have been shimmying like a goon.  Things that wrap around my shoulders are funny to me.  I don't know why...

As you may notice, there were no horn-rimmed glasses in these photos.  I think I'll save that look for another day.  ;)  Though, the smell of this shawl really makes me miss my own grandmother.  I think I'll call her soon.  I hope your Thursday is granny-licious.  (Wow, did I just say that?) 

xoxo Katie

P.S.  Francesca's Collections is offering all Skunkboy Creatures readers 30% off a single regular priced item (online only).  You can use the code KATIES until 11/30/11.

***If you are having problems with the code, feel free to order over the phone. 1.800.980.1180

The Halloween Post

Warning:  I'm getting ready to do that thing that proud parents and grandparents do.  I'm getting ready to bombard you with cute pictures of my kids.  After a while you'll probably be like, "yeah, yeah..." but then I'll keep going because that's my nature.  You have been warned.

We had an old costume from Hope's first Halloween for Poesy, but we tried it on her and it almost swallowed her whole.  She's kind of a little thing.  So, the night before Halloween I made Poesy a little turtle shell with straps.  We put a crocheted cap on her little head and called it good.  Or turtle.  Yes, we actually called it turtle.  She was a really good sport through the whole night.  She hung out and enjoyed watching all of the kids dressed up and running around.

You saw a peek of Hope's costume already last week.  I spent hours putting sequins on that dress... and before you think I'm the greatest mom in the world, I should tell you it was sequin trim.  I DID NOT sew on every, single sequin.  That would take more time than I have.  The boots and dress were from eBay and I made the hat out of a cereal box, white felt, feathers, and sequin trim.  I was pretty proud of myself when I finished that hat.  It turned out better than I expected, and how often does that really happen? 

It was a fun night and all of the old people just GUSHED about Hope's costume.  This is the first year everyone knew who she was, and she ate that attention right up!  

I hope your Halloween was great!  If you have a Halloween post up, leave me a link in the comments.  I LOVE looking at everyone's costumes! 

xoxo Katie