Midi Skirt Madness!

I am in love.  Love, love, love.  This whole trend of the classic midi skirt is exactly what I love.  I am even loving some of the midi skirt and crop top outfits we have been seeing on red carpets this summer!  But I had to pick a few of my favorites and share them with you because they are going to be the perfect piece to transition into fall.  What are you excited for about fall fashion?

Midi Skirt Madness! by snsnsnsibility featuring a neoprene skirt

Champagne Strawberry lace midi skirt / HD in Paris neoprene skirt / Halogen box pleat skirt

Have a beautiful day!

A return to the blogosphere!

Did you miss me world?!

Just kidding.  =)  I know I have been out of touch recently.

I have very good reasons.  Shortly after my last post, our family got into a bit of a housing dilemma and have been working to resolve it for the last few months.  But that meant significantly less time to blog because I was working on packing a house, taking care of my littles, and trying to figure out what the future might look like - even a little idea of what it might look like...which has not been forthcoming.

Now the reality is that I still do not know what the future will look like - but we are almost all packed, almost moved, and so ready to get out of this unknown stage of our life.  But I missed my little blog so I am back to give it a little TLC and give people an update about what has been going on.

So here are the high lights of the last few months:

• Baby girl turned 1!

We made a day of it at Disneyland and we actually got a family picture!  Even if the kids are distracted.  =)

• Not so baby boy turned 3!

He was so excited for minions AND balloons that he started jumping up and down.

• Dear friends and family visiting

My "brother from another mother" finally visited us

Grandparents were with us for a few weeks and it was a great treat

That meant lots of story time with grandma

And most recently, tea with my sister and one of my oldest friend's visiting from Hawaii.  Betcha can't tell which one is my sister?  =D

• And lots of boxes...

No, I do not actually have pictures of boxes.  But I probably should document some of that process and stuff.

It's kind of amazing how two birthdays (just in our family - there were three others in the extended family) can fill up time!  There are gifts and family dinners and activities to do and then there is a bit of a recovery period too.  Toddlers who stay up late just a little too long can take a little while to get back on track.  =)  

But with moving into a new place soon, I have lots of ideas for how to make it cute and liveable.  Those ideas will hopefully be making it to the blog very soon!  As well as a bit of a backlog of Project Pinterest posts!  I still have those going and am very excited to share some of them with you!  And if you want me to try anything for you, send it my way and I will see what I can work out!  

Can you believe that it is September already?!  That means it is time to start working on Christmas gifts!  Which I am excited about because I have some fun ideas for friends and family this year.  Maybe we will have a holiday themed Project Pinterest in the next few months!  

Until then, have a beautiful day!

Project Pinterest :: February & March!

I promise I did not forget about this!  But the last two or so months have included a teething baby, family visiting, being wedding coordinator for dear friends' special day, making jewelry for and selling at several clothing pop shops - and I still managed to get a couple of things into this project!

So for February, I had this wild idea to make something scrumptious for my hubby instead of trying to find a good gift.  Food is a love language for both of us so I gave it a shot.  And for my ridiculously over ambitious project, I took on the illustrious pain aux raisins.  It is a croissant with rum soaked raisins and an amazing pastry cream to keep it all together.  I will be sharing pictures but not the specific recipe, sorry, I won't do that to them.

Bouchon Bakery cookbook - worth every penny

But like I said, it was a bit ambitious.  I ended up baking for almost 12 hours because it has a lot of steps and you have to chill the dough between every step!  Thankfully, the hubby loved my efforts as did my dear friend who has tasted both the real deal and my feeble attempt.  =)

Kind of an old picture but we do love our Bouchon!

So that was my February project.  March was pretty crazy because I was doing a bunch of different stuff getting ready for a wedding and making jewelry (btw, several of the new pieces are listed at https://www.etsy.com/shop/AimeJewelry!)  But back to what I am really trying to talk about.  So March I did some more baking out of the Bouchon Bakery cookbook - this time as a birthday treat for the hubby.  And this project was much more within my skill level and came out beautifully...unfortunately, all the cookies got eaten before I could get a picture of any of them.  Hopefully, that means that project turned out well.  =)
I did do one other project for March that is amazingly easy!  If you are looking for a nice refresh to your jewelry box this spring, try this project out!  My favorite vendor is Rio Grande and they have this ridiculously easy wire wrapped ring tutorial that you can do yourself!

Wire-Wrapped Bead Ring

One of the easiest tutorials I have come across in a while.  If you aren't quite able to get the hang of it yourself, I have a few of my own version of this ring available at Aime Jewelry now!  But really, you should give it a try!

So if you have been able to work on any creative, Pinterest-inspired projects, share them!  I would love to get some ideas for some new things too!


Have a beautiful day!

Project Pinterest :: January 2014

Alright folks!  Here it is - our first link up party!

This month, I have been on a crocheting kick.  So thanks to Pinterest and Ravelry, I have a few really easy projects for you!

fun, soft, crocheted eggs!

sweet little chicks!

These two little projects got put together for a birthday present for one of Hito's little friends this month.  She is really into chicks and ducks and this was the perfect set of things for her.  I just packed them up in a little basket (from the 50% off rack at my craft store!) and it was pretty awesome.

What have you made this month?  Looking forward to seeing what you have to share!






Have a beautiful day!

On the days when I "love" but do not "like" my children

I am a young mom.  I have a two and a half year old and a seven month old, both of whom are apparently angels according to everyone around me.  Only my husband and I disagree.

Today was one of the days when I am positive everyone is blind - my children are NOT angels.  Despite a deep, deep love of being a mom, I still have those days when I really dislike having to take care of these two little people.

The worst part?  It isn't because I don't love the little people...I just don't like them right now.

I have a feeling there are lots of moms who may see this and understand what I am talking about.  There are days when it just gets to be a little crazy and overwhelming and chaotic trying to juggle the needs and wants of a toddler and infant who seem to want everything and nothing at once.  Literally.  My seven month old daughter cried for quite a while today because she couldn't decide if she wanted to get down and crawl on her own or cuddle.  So we ended up with a fussy baby no matter what we did and Hito gets upset if Sophia cries, whines, fusses, or talks....which makes everything so great!  And I am supposed to feed them, keep the house relatively clean, and run a business? Ahahaha...that is funny on days like today.

I made this observation to a good friend of mine recently who said that this seemed to be a healthy attitude.  Healthy or not, as she said that, I realized that this was the uneasy peace I have made with the fact that sometimes being a mom is no walk in the park and ends with more poopy diapers than you thought possible or more drool, food, and spit up on you than anywhere else in the house.

Recently, my reflections have changed a little.  It struck me that I am often the whiny child.  The child who can't decide what she wants and get upset when offered different options.  My heavenly Father is infinitely patient with me.  And this is going to be a little cliche but bear with me.  It is something that has so much more poignancy and meaning for me now.  Being a parent has given me insight into the Father/child relationship I have with my Savior.

As children, we are commanded to be holy as "He who called us" (1 Peter 1:13-21).  But that Scripture says nothing about our success in that endeavor. In fact, it seems to count on us failing because it tells us the reason why we have to keep trying to be holy (verses 17-21).   And I am just as whiny and discontent and uncertain as my daughter.

So...as much as I can, from now on, when this momma has a bad day...I will say grace.  Pray grace, be grace, beg grace.  If I have been redeemed with incorruptible things and am held close to my Christ despite my bad days, I will love my children all the more.  Through the drool and lack of sleep, there is the undeniable truth.

I am my Father's daughter and my children are mine and there is always more grace - for all of us.

Have a beautiful day.

Project Pinterest :: Redux 2014

Last year I started a journey that I called "Project Pinterest" in which I wanted to do one Pinterest project a month.  I felt it was important to approach this media as a friend and inspiration versus a measuring stick and a critic.  And I wanted to share this perspective with others - hence my attempt at a year of Pinterest projects that have been tested and tried.

Well...that did not go quite as well as expected.  While I did end up doing several projects, the arrival of a new baby, siblings graduating from high school, getting married, and returning from war put some of those things on hold.  But it is a new year and I am getting the creative itch again.

But this time, I wanted to invite you to join me!  If you have done a Pinterest project that you really enjoyed, blog it and you will have an opportunity to link up with me at the end of each month this year.  If you want to see some of the things that I did last year, here is the link to my Pinterest board where I am storing all of my finished projects.

I hope you will join me!  Now to decide what to do next...one of these maybe?  Any suggestions?

Classy necklace?

super cute skirt now that I have a sewing machine?

Hmm...well, you will know one way or another by the end of the month.  =)  Have a beautiful day!

a year in review

I was thinking about this post today and what I would say when it got to be the end of one year and the start of a new one.  And nothing seemed to really come to me.

This past year was so full.  New member of the family, baby sister graduating from high school, brother-in-law got married (read: another girl in the family which is good with all the boys on that side), rebranded my jewelry business, and am still trying to get laundry done.  =P

There were bad days this year - tired momma days.  But mixed in that were also sweet days.  Days of laughing babies, sweet friendships, family time in California and Hawaii.  It was a lot of different things...

I don't know how to say exactly what I am feeling.  But 2013 was a learning year for me.  So for 2014, I hope to be able to be more aware of things.  More aware of how I spend my time, be able to appreciate the good and bad days with the kids, to be able to focus my energy with my business, and most of all, to glorify my Lord and Savior

But for now, I am going to go keep working on that laundry.  =)

Have a beautiful day and a very Happy New Year!

6 months as a momma of two...

My little girl is six months old today...

We have gone from this...

...to this...

...in too short a time.

I had been thinking of what I was going to say in this post...but somehow I'd rather just show you what has been filling my life.  Because it is the greatest blessing I could ever receive.

Six precious months...

There can't be enough time with these moments, these smiles...thanking God for these and praying for more.

Have a beautiful day.

thankfulness...

Another year, another holiday.

But not just another day.

Today, I am doing my darnedest to hold on to the lovely, true, and good - to actively thank for those things.

For family, for kids, for house, for clothes, for a luxury business, for a brain, for writing, for coffee, for good days and bad, for marriage, for food, for wine, for sleep, for movement, for health, for cars, for fuzzy slippers, for freedom, for phones, for texting, for memories, for photos, for presents, for baby hugs and kisses, for video games, for people to game with, for pillow forts, for cuddle time, for beauty, for...everything.

Because really, nothing I have is mine.  If we are really honest, don't we all know that?  Someone else worked to give us life in the beginning.  Others worked to give us education.  It is all gift - great and gracious.

And so today, thanks to the Father of lights, the Giver of all gifts.

via Loopzart

The Good News of Little Drummer Boy

This week, one of my favorite music groups brought out an amazing version of the song Little Drummer Boy.  And I have been listening to it fairly regularly...ok, it's been on repeat but details.

And then my rough morning started today.  Corby had an emergency at work that meant he had to leave the house suddenly, Sophia was getting tired early, and Hito did not want to play by himself.  My sore throat and suspiciously pink eye were bothering me this morning and the list of things to do before Thanksgiving was growing this morning.

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum...
So to meet Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.
Come, see, gift.  And then it started to sink in...

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy to, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give a king, par rum pum pum
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

The gifts we bring don't make us better or worse because really, we have no gifts fit for a king.  The thing that we bring is that little question and the determination to do it: can I play for You?  Can I work for You?   Can I clean my house for you?  Can I live my life for You?...

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.
We often fail at our drum playing...like my morning...and I certainly was not doing my best this morning.  But I come again, to the throne of grace, and ask if I can play for you.  Trembling hands grasp the sticks and try to drum out a life that is worthy to bring the King.  

And I see the baby Jesus smile.

currently

Wishing my dear blogging friends, Megan and Sandy, happy birthdays!  

(I know I'm a little late but I do sincerely hope you both had wonderful days!)

via Julie Ann Art

Celebrating my birthday with family

From phone calls to texts to sweet gifts, it was a lovely day.  Also, my husband is the best.

Getting the new shop stocked and ready for all the holiday shopping that is coming up!

If you follow me on Instagram, some of the pictures I've been sharing of jewelry were for Aime Jewelry.  If anything caught your eye, go check it out because some pieces are limited!  (P.S. Stay tuned here or follow Aime Jewelry on Facebook & Instagram for some holiday goodies that will be coming up!)

Enjoying a good bowl of ramen

That picture over in my Instagram feed on the side?  Yeah, that amazingness.  Egg, pork, bean sprouts, nori, and the most amazing broth.  It has heavenly.

Getting my holiday shop on!

Aren't these cards from Julie Ann Art the greatest?  Kind of love them.  =)

Already have some cards, some gifts, and lots of ideas!    And I actually have ideas for guys this year!  If you need ideas, I am thinking of posting a guys gift guide.  Would that be helpful to anyone?

Have a beautiful day!

Birthday Boot Wishlist!

Birthday Boot Wishlist! by snsnsnsibility featuring sam & libby boots

So birthday is coming up tomorrow and I have been keeping an eye out for a few different things.  =P  But one of the biggest things on my wish list (besides my sewing machine) has been a pair of boots to add to my closet.  My old brown ones bit the dust last winter and I have been looking since to get another pair.  I love the bootie style but am also partial to the classic riding boot style.  So I am putting this out there for you, my readers, to give me some help.  

What should I get?!  =)

Have a beautiful day!

October - so far...

Life has once again gotten filled up with so many things that I have not had a chance to sit down and blog in a while.  So in a few pictures, here is our month so far!

~a talking toddler with an increasing affinity for the camera~

he managed to get himself into these positions himself...it makes for a lot of laughs in our house. =)

~a weekend in San Diego at the historic Hotel Del Coronado~

(I did not edit this photo at all - it really was that pretty)

~a super smiley baby girl~

you can tell that Southern California cannot make up its mind about whether to be warm or cold =)

~and kind of most importantly, a new Etsy shop and jewelry line!~

www.aimejewelry.com

After much thought, prayer, and counsel, I have opened a new Etsy shop with a different focus than my current one.  I was finding myself trying to be like a lot of other designers who were/are successful and was losing my vision and personality in that desire to imitate the good practices I saw other people doing.  Sense and Sensibility is not closing, I will still be blogging here, but I will be focusing my designing energy on this new endeavor.  And check back here for new products, holiday specials, and other deals that will be coming up as we launch this new shop!

Have a beautiful day!

Wine Wednesday :: 2009 Dierberg Chardonnay

It has been a while since I have done a Wine Wednesday post but this week the hubby and I needed a bottle of wine (it was a long day) and decided to open this one.  So I thought I would share it with you.

What wine is it: 

2009 Dierberg Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley

What I ate with it: 

cod (or any mild white fish) steamed with butter, lemon, and garlic and a side of grilled eggplant

How much is it: 

starting at $22

Where to shop for it: 

Wine Exchange (for the 2010 vintage) & Wine Searcher (for the 2009 vintage)

Point of clarification: the bottle I drank this past week was the 2009 vintage.  That is what we had in the house.  You can still get the 2009 vintage but may have to do a little hunting.  My favorite wine shop is out of it and only carries the 2010 now.  I did include the link above for Wine Searcher's 2009 vintage results. 

Whatever you can get, get it.  It is really good.  The nose was crisp, slightly apple-y, and mild sweetness.  Sipping was an even more pleasant experience.  It was not too acidic and drank well by itself but also paired with the cod very well.  It highlighted the sweetness of the fish and compensated with the light fruity-ness that was left.  

It would be perfect for a girl's night in, after a long day with the kids, or even to have in the house for those up-coming holiday events!

Find a bottle and enjoy!  Have a beautiful day!

Two years...

My Hito turned two today.

This little baby...

 ...grew into this boy in the blink of an eye.

Time goes fast...too fast.  How do I hold on to these moments?  My little baby has become a hefty boy and I am so thankful.  So thankful.

Hito, you are the sweetest, brightest little kid and I am so happy to be your mommy.  There is nothing I would rather do than stay with you for the rest of my life.  I pray every day that you will grow up to love the Lord, your family, and be the best boy you can be.  Happy birthday, little one.

remembering...

Today, I cried.

I don't remember crying on September 11, 2001.  My 15 year old mind understood that something horrific had happened.  But now my mother of two mind understands something so much greater.

The world is different.

And I cry.

We now live in a world that is full of this out-in-the-open and hidden-at-the-same-time fear called terrorism.

We live in a world where we wait with bated breath as friends with spouses and siblings and children in the armed services return from still hazardous tours of duty in far off places.  We live in a world where our children were not alive that day and need to be taught about these things.  We live in a world where we can start again to teach our children to love, always love.

Today, I praised.

I saw pictures on Facebook of another army soldier husband who returned safe to the arms of his wife and family.  I prayed thanks with a heart ready to burst that my brother made it back from his tour in Afghanistan safely.  I mourned again reading about families broken, security shattered, and hearts crushed by the hate of a few people that day years ago.

This different world also brings opportunities to us to do right and good.  Soldiers are getting help for PTSD, organizations are freeing the oppressed around the world, and we continue to find ways to sustain the earth's population more and more efficiently.

Today, I prayed.

The world is different but the prayer is the same.  Patience, humility, and love are never outdated, never unwanted.  As a mother of two, I strive, struggle, every day to try and point my children's eyes to the Savior who did everything for them, for mom and dad, for the whole world.  The whole world doesn't see it.  But that doesn't change the free offer of salvation and love - it will always be there.  And Christ draws us to Himself.

So I will continue.  Crying, praising, praying.  In full confidence of a future shaped and ordained by my Maker and Redeemer.

There are far better things ahead 

than any we leave behind.

~C.S. Lewis

learning, growing, and super comfy clothes

This weekend has been a little chaotic.  But it was sweet, challenging, and oh so exhausting.  =)  Let me recap.

My little-brother-in-law is getting married next weekend but this weekend was mostly about my youngest brother-in-law.  My in-laws have a tradition of a graduation to manhood celebration at the end of high school.  They started doing it with my hubby and have done it for all three sons now.  It is an evening of men gathered together to share their wisdom and insights about life with the "graduate" who is starting college or heading out to the work place.  Since it is for men only, I wasn't there but it was sweet to ask my husband and brothers about it and have them talk about the camaraderie and friendship that was kindled in those sharing moments.

And on Saturday morning, I had the opportunity to go to a fantastic PR and branding workshop hosted by Audrey of Conversation Pieces and taught by Tracy of Poi Planet (Do you follow me on Instagram?  Did you see the amazing baked french toast that Audrey made for us?).  It was one of the most challenging things I have ever done.  I loved every moment of it because I knew it was what I needed to hear at this point in my business's life.  But let me tell you, I have not felt that much brain drain since I was working on my largest projects in college.  At the same time, I learned the most from those intense moments.  The moments where you don't have a choice but get it together and keep up or give up and go home.  I'm not about to give up and go home so I am going to keep going!

With everything I learned at that workshop, I am working on some changes to the blog and business.  So keep visiting to see how things shape up in the next few weeks and months!  I am very excited about some of the changes but also more than a little nervous.  =)

And the comfy clothes part of the post?  Audrey runs her business out of her home where she graciously invited us in this Saturday and she gifted me the most uh-maz-ing shirt ever.

Seriously, I don't even know how to tell you how incredibly soft, comfortable, and breathable this shirt is!  Let me just say this - buy one and you will never regret it.  Be looking for a style post featuring this top very soon!  =)

And with that being said, I am going to go try to catch up on some stuff and start plowing through the week and hurry up to my brother's wedding!  

Have a beautiful day!

Black, Camel, & Fuschia for Fall!

Black, Camel, & Fuschia by snsnsnsibility featuring kate spade jewelry

I saw this dress at Target and kind of have not been able to get it out of my head.  What do you think of this color combo?  I am a big fan of jewel tones gaining popularity again this fall/winter.  I look good in these colors.  =P  Is that really self serving?  

Have a beautiful day!

all growed up...

Today, my baby sister goes off to college.  My baby sister who used to copy everything that I did, said everything I said, and is becoming so much better than me.

There used to be a little bit of an age difference (in years, there is a nine year gap) but she has grown and matured so much.  She is zealous for the Lord, cares for others, and is seriously and deliberately trying to become the woman the Lord is molding her into.

I used to teach her things and now I opportunities to learn from her.  She is a great writer (she and I blog together over at www.couragethatpleases.com) and has helped me process through a lot of my thoughts.  She is a great auntie and fun to shop with.  =P  A requirement for all sisters, right?

She will always be my "baby" (I think I called her that until she was 8) and a little bit of a pain.  But I couldn't be prouder of where she is going.

my unexpected realization as a mommy of two

I have been single mom-ing it this weekend because the men of my husband's family always go hunting in Arizona over Labor Day weekend.  And that's ok (I have no problem with my husband having some guy time in case anyone misunderstood).  But I have been having a lot of internal conversations about whether I should be a full time SAHM or if there is other work for me outside of my home.

It was an extremely hot weekend so we were sort of confined to the few rooms that we have put air conditioning units into.  Well, I have a nearly 2 year old boy and a two month old girl.  It makes for some creative parenting, lots of mommy guilt, and more tv shows in one day than I normally allow.

But despite the mommy guilt, I did have a blinding moment of clarity.  At one point in my afternoon, I had a fussy infant and a fidgety toddler.  As I held my baby girl, I couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful she is.  My son was settling down with some markers and paper, focusing so intently on what he was doing, blond hair falling forward as he tried to copy the way I hold pens and markers.

And my heart was full.

I stopped and began praying out loud because I couldn't believe that God had blessed me with these two huge responsibilities that I love more than life.  Even at a distance, I felt supported by a husband who was recharging the same way I need to do every now and again.  Perhaps the sweetest thought was knowing that when dad does get home, both children's faces will light up the way they only do when dad comes home.

It was a long weekend that was rather out of our routine.  But it was precious.  I prayed and sang and laughed and cuddled with two children whom God has given me as a charge for the time being.  I was humbled as I remembered again and again that it is all His grace that gets us from morning to night and His grace that draws my children's hearts to Himself.  I carried on in His strength.

And again the blinding clarity.  My place, for the time being, is at home.  My children's physical and spiritual growth is my responsibility.  My family has the luxury of me being able to stay home and as long as God allows, I will be here.

I will be here so that when I tuck my children in at night and they instinctively fold their hands so we can pray before bed or crawl into my lap throughout the day to fold their hands and ask "pray", I can again be blinded with the knowledge that my work is here, at home.