Easy Handmade Gift

Thanks to Pinterest, I've found yet another easy, adorable project- Hand Shaped Ring Dishes! Now this is a DIY for anyone, even someone who feels a bit craft challenged :)

I'm thinking they'd look good painted gold or I might have the kids paint them themselves for added specialness. I know Granny is going to love them regardless!

For complete instructions go here.

Have you made any gifts this year? Please share!

♥ anne

gift giving

My favorite gifts I gave this year were the two photo books I made for my parents. In the age of digital photos that sit on your computer, never to be seen, this my friends is the answer. For the Yosemite book I used Picaboo and for the smaller one I used Artifact Uprising. Both turned out lovely. Artifact Uprising has a high end catalog feel to it which I really like. After it came in the mail I was pretty sold on their product and will be using them for future books. But, regardless which company you use, this gift is a winner every time!

♥ anne

wednesday's with nana // gifted treasures

last night i was over at my nana's having dinner with her and my mom. we were talking about jewelry and she mentioned she had some turquoise that she thought i might like to have. (i have to add that nana LOVES jewelry and she has quite an extensive collection.) she went off in search for it and returned with the pieces pictured above, which weren't the ones she was originally looking for. i had seen them before, oh yes i had! she asked if i would like them and well, you know what my reply was. what makes them even more special is the story that goes along with them. 
my great grandpa was fisherman. he'd be out at sea for weeks at a time but on this particular trip he was gone longer than usual. nana said gifts from his travels were rare so when he gave her this necklace and earrings from mexico it was a real treat! and i know they hold a very special place in her heart. i'm honored to have them and the story that goes with them.

♥ anne

a snow day

yesterday we had the pleasure of visiting my sister. it was a beautiful, crisp, snowy day! during our break between visits we headed outside for some fun in the snow. the sisters let us borrow their sled and the kids had a ton of fun riding down the steep driveway. there were birds to watch, animals to pet and a snowball fight which inevitably ended with tears. and i'm very happy to say that after almost 8 years in the convent i can say without a doubt that my sister is truly happy! i'm so proud of her perseverance. it's just goes to show that with any vocation in life, if you stick it out through the tough times you are sure to enjoy the good times.







did you notice adorable "orange cat" in the first picture? well, my sister has been trying to convince my mom to take him for some time. apparently the other cats reject him and he is often found in the chapel trying to get warm and looking for some love. one look at him and mom decided to take him. i think he'll be happy with her and i know my sister is relieved to have found him a home.
and no day is complete without some crying! 


i know you are wondering about the cutest red jacket in world right? well, it came all the way from ireland to keep marianne warm this winter. thank you so much elizabeth for passing it on to us! it kept your little lady snugly and now it is doing the same for mine :D

♥anne

sister sweaters

hi there, oh you've been wondering what i have been wearing for the last 2 1/2 weeks straight? go ahead and scroll down to see my current uniform.

sweater, silk top, backpack-thrifted

jeans-forever 21 (they were $10. you can't really beat that price!)

clogs-gift from mary

scarf-gift from my mom from a recent trip to paris

and as if one perfect sweater isn't enough, i found her twin on wednesday while thrifting for my etsy shop! it's exactly the same except it's grey. and yes, i am going to be a greedy goose and keep them both.

have you had any super scores thrifting lately?

♥anne

vintage clothes for babe

i have been collecting vintage clothes for marianne since i was pregnant. below are SOME of the amazing things i've bought over the last year and a half. i think she's going to look pretty stylish when she can fit into them, don't you?!

baby moccasin collection.
from left-
BOUMY-gift from granny
red Minnetonka's-gift from our friends
cute embroidered pair-gift from my wonderful aunt and uncle
blue Minnetonka's- scored at the goodwill
*the wee windmill dress and pink ruffle overall's were gifts from nicky

♥anne

violet moon

our friends, dale and maia, had their baby last week! well, maia did ;D a beautiful baby girl named violet moon (she was born on a full moon on the 8th, the same birthday as these two lovely ladies!). i'm glad to report that mama and baby are happy and healthy.

remember the blanket that i was working on? there it is above! 7 stripes by 7 of maia's friend's and family. my strip is second from the bottom. it is super thick and cozy and turned out so awesome! i'll say it again, i think this the coolest baby gift ever!

happy saturday!
♥anne

i'm still here

well, it's been nearly a month since my last post. i was sick yet again and being ill that many times in a matter of months really begins to put a damper on your spirit. thankfully i'm now feeling quite well. last night i read this and found it to be oh so true-

"I suppose it is that sickness and weakness are selfish things and turn our inner eyes and sympathy on ourselves, whilst health and strength give Love rein, and in thought and feeling he can wander where he wills."

Bram Stoker, Dracula

i have been the recipient of many wonderful, love filled gifts in the past weeks. first, claire sent a most sweet, heartfelt package. it was filled baby clothes, books, a most special beeswax candle, a postpardum remedy and so much more all wrapped up in a gorgeous shawl.

Wise Woman Herbal Childbearing Years is awesome! i've already referenced it many times (and will for sure do so many times in the future) and have found it to be extremly useful.

thank you so much claire!

i also received a package from the lovely milla, but you'll have to wait to see what goodies were in that one! i'll be wearing a special top she sent me this weekend, so an outfit post will be coming your way soon.

the goodwill has been decorating my walls lately. i found these two gems-

that's all for now. my computer is acting up big time.

hope all is well!

♥ anne

a box full of calico

when i sent a package off to the ever lovely nicole a couple weeks ago, i never anticipated to receive such a generous gift in return. on friday, i had the pleasure of finding a box waiting for me when i got home. i can't explain my excitement upon seeing it. the outside was artfully decorated, but what was inside surpassed my expectations! it was filled with calico goodness!

both dresses fit now, as you can see in the first picture, and will be great after baby as well. and how rad are the tooled leather butterflies, handmade by nicole herself?! one is hair clip and the other is a belt/headband/use your imagination. i've worn both already and know they will get much use in jazzing up my outfits.

and as if that was not enough, she sent baby clothes too! a sweet red dress with embroidery on the neckline, a most adorable purple skirt and blouse, a precious floral top and a cute vintage receiving blanket. my daughter alex was with me when i opened everything and she said, "wow, she really knows what you like mom!". i could not agree more!

thank you so much nicole!

if you are not already following her blog, do yourself a favor and go check it out here. she has some amazingly inspirational style, but more importantly she is a sweet, creative soul.

♥ anne