[for memory's sake]

The oh-so-lovable Fujifilm Instax camera. One of my favorite purchases from 2009, for sure. I'm sure a lot of you readers either already have one, or have heard of them. (look at the newer model!)..

I have the Choco one.

The photos are a cute size, and the "instant" factor is so satisfying, especially when art journalling, or traveling.

They are easy to find on eBay, as well as the film. I believe they are available at Urban Outfitters as well.

I love Elsie's little instax display (she's got lots of great ideas of how to use these photos in projects, and around the home).

I love Danielle's instax Blythe photos.

I was thinking about making it a goal to use it more, and take more photos with it, especially during these precious days at home with Simon (and soon to be Delilah!). I plan on keeping my photos in a cute album! This etsy shop has a great selection of cute polaroid albums.

...she's got some cute Shinzi Katoh designs as well!

I got one just like this (in yellow) and can't wait to fill it up! It's going to be a perfect little coffee table book, and I think my kids will love to look back at these charming little photos, and have a cute keepsake.
There's something very special about instant photos, and I just wanted to share this plan I had, with you.

How many of you have an instax camera? Do you love it? Do you use it all the time?

lovely: Replicca Etsy

Just a quickie post to let you all know that my favorite Etsy shop had an update tonight, and the new articles are simply fabulous. Head on over there to see for yourself. I used all the rest of my birthday money. :)

One thing I love about her cowl tops are that they are made with nursing mom's in mind. I've probably mentioned that before... but I love them!

Check out Replicca Etsy here.

XOXO

.raspberry leaf tea & art journalling.

[birthday flowers from my mom]

Today's prompt from the Tell Your Story art journal class was great. We all want a lot of things. It was hard for me to decide exactly what to paint in words. I thought of putting 'I want more than anything to be a good role model for my kids'... but what would that mean exactly, I wanted it to be more personal... so how can I be a good and positive role model.... I think if I can manage to live my life to it's fullest, and be thankful for everyday we have, and for everything we are blessed with, that might be a good place to start.

It's a very windy day today! Our bbq almost blew off of our deck, no joke. Hopefully I'll still get out this evening for a walk though, because I want to get this labor started!! My doctor says I'm already dilating, and everything seems to be in position, so let's get this show on the road! :P

I have hope that Delilah won't be overdue like Simon was (but you still never know)... I tried everything last time, even castor oil!! (EWWW) Does anyone have funny labor inducing stories? I'd love to hear.

Hope everyone's having a great week.

make a wish.

(source)

I'm 23 now. I had a fabulous birthday weekend, I just love birthdays.

You know how when you were young, you got to have cake with candles, and you made a wish when you blew them out?

I didn't have candles to blow out this year (seems the older you get, the less attention a cake gets), but if I could make some wishes:

I wish...

*that I wouldn't worry

*that Delilah would come on time (or earlier!)

*that she would come naturally, and I wouldn't need to be induced

*that she's healthy and strong from day 1

*that I find enough energy to love both my kids equally, and share my attention

*that Ryan had more holidays

*that I will be able to nurse without a hitch

*that I could go clothes shopping with some girlfriends

*that I could go for tea with my Grandma Johnston

*we had a Starbucks in town

*for a beautiful rainy day, complete with the smell and a rainbow.

.......

What do you wish for?

Help Share the Love..

Sophie from That Vintage Etsy shop (I love her shop!!) is giving you the opportunity to make a difference. $15 from every Pair of Birds brooch will be donated to the World Vision Australia Child Rescue cause until June 20th. (Look how beautiful the brooch is for one thing...)

Read her blog post here, and make sure you read Nell's touching story, and how she was affected by seeing children suffering in Africa.

Get one for yourself, get one for your Mom (Mother's Day is almost here!), tell your friends.

today:

..this pretty washi tape came in the mail. Just in time for the upcoming Art Journalling Class, Tell Your Story.

It made me happy.

Trying to focus on happy things... Simon and I were getting on eachother's nerves today.

10 favorite ________.

Saw this on LA's blog, Freckled Nest. :)

1. Favorite hobby?

it's a tie.

2. Favorite tv show?

3. Favorite restaurant food?

4. Favorite thing to shop for?

5. Favorite animal?

(source)

6. Favorite song?

7. Favorite word?

8. Recent favorite youtube video?

LOL. (my mom e-mailed this video to me a while ago)

9. Favorite movie?

of all time:

currently:

10. Favorite childhood memory?

That was fun! You can play along too if you fancy...

Answer the 10q's with photos and link to it in the comments of this post :) (and LA's post too, I'm sure she'd love to see)

1. Favorite hobby?

2. Favorite tv show?

3. Favorite restaurant food?

4. Favorite thing to shop for?

5. Favorite animal?

6. Favorite song?

7. Favorite word?

8. Recent favorite youtube video?

9. Favorite movie?

10. Favorite childhood memory?

adventures in nesting.

(blackberry photo)

- I called my mom to come over and we made cinnamon buns together. They turned out MIGHTY good, and this is the recipe I used. Thank you Michael Smith. (except I want a KitchenAid mixer even more now.... my arms are sore!)

- We finally ordered a change table for Delilah's nursery. (we didn't have one with Simon, and it was very inconvenient, so I'm so excited we'll have one this time)

- I want to put this decal on the wall above the change table.

- I am also very excited to have a diaper bag, a REAL diaper bag, made for that purpose! (first one I've had, and it's a freaking nice one at that!)

- My freezer has lots of pizzas and lasagnas and baked goods in it, making "husband-made" dinners easy.

- A cute crocheted hat is waiting to be worn home from the hospital.

- nursing stuff has been ordered.

I still need to:

- catch up on the laundry.... there's mountains.

- buy a package of 'N' diapers.

- finish sewing 2 stroller blankets.

- buy yarn to finish the one edge on pink crocheted afghan.

- make granny squares. (when I feel like it, I'm not expecting to finish it before she comes)

- make 2 chicken lasagnas for the freezer. (we'll be eating a lot of lasagna.... but hey, it's easy to make and freeze, and I know I'll be thankful for them later)

- clean the stroller.

- install the infant car seat.

- get a few more sleepers.... if she was born tomorrow, she'd only have one to wear! and you momma's know that just won't cut the mustard.

- that's all I can think of for now.....

I'm full-term now. 37 weeks.

She could be here soon, or it could be 5 more weeks.... so we just wait.

this summer.

this summer, originally uploaded by hollysarah..

Looking on the bright side, I have this dress hung in my bedroom, and I look at it everyday. I plan on wearing it to a wedding coming up in July, and it's a lovely reminder that this pregnancy is not going to last forever (even though it feels like it is), and that I will have my body back.... one day.
<3

10 questions.

I saw this over at Rachel's blog, and thought I would do it for fun too.

1. When do you feel happiest?

Friends and family are the 2 things that make me the happiest.

Like watching Simon grow up.

and how much fun my Dad has with him.

Being there for my Grandpa's 84th birthday party.

Having friends surprise me with amazing gifts!

I was THRILLED after opening a box from Elsie & Rachel today!! Made my day. Just look at that quilt!! Not to mention the most amazing diaper bag I ever did see.

2. How do you take care of yourself?
hmmm, I try to nap when I'm feeling exhausted, eat well, make time for friends, spend time with family, and be creative whenever I can.

3. Are you internally (by yourself) or externally (by others) motivated?

I would say a bit of both. When I get an idea, all I can think about is that until I put a plan into action. I'm very externally motivated when I'm with inspiring people, such as spending a weekend with the RVA girls. I can motivate myself when I want to, but sometimes I need a push from friends, or my husband, to get something done.

4. What do you do for fun?

-crochet

-get crepes and bubble tea

-play board games with family

-bake

-make things

-blog

5. What intimidates you?

making phone calls.

6. What is something you're proud of?

My husband, Ryan.

He works, and then comes home and does all the paperwork for the salon and other responsibilities that go along with owning a business behind the scenes. He's the reason we can own McKenna Salon & Spa, and make it work. We're a good team. So I guess I could say I'm proud of our teamwork as well.

7. Finish this sentence. I never _____________.

...want to grow up.

8. Favorite vacation spot.

To date, Kawai and Kona, Hawaii. Only been there once, but it's definitely the top of my list.

9. Today is a (rate from 1 - 10).

10

Sometimes you just have to tell yourself it's a 10 day, right? Even if it's really a 8 or 9.

"I'm alive and I'm free, who wouldn't want to be me?" - Keith Urban lyrics. :P

10. Finish this sentence. If you knew me really well you'd know_____________.

...that I go to Starbucks everytime I'm in the vicinity of one. ha!

What about you? Copy & paste for your own blog post if you like, or feel free to answer in the comments. :)

Thanks for asking, Rachel!

ps: thinking that D may have dropped now...

can't tell for sure, but seems like it.

[Photobooth Files]

I have the internet at my house!!! :) Can you tell I'm excited? Ryan is too... not having it made blogging, and running a business a bit tough.

So as I sit in bed with my macbook, not able to sleep for many reasons (oh why don't I share them with you... hip pain, leg pain, crazy heartburn, upset tummy, extremely active baby, and so on.), I figure why not blog!

I was browsing through all of my photobooth photos from over the last 2 years (that's how long I've had my macbook), which was a lot of fun! I thought I'd dedicate a post to some of the ones I chose to share, just for fun. Most of these are self portraits, and silly, so you may not find them interesting at all. I think it's fun to see the hair changes, and Simon's growth....

My sister took some fun photos too!

lol!

...and here are some recent ones from today. I'm 36 weeks, 2 days now, and the baby belly is getting crazy. Just when you think your skin can't stretch any more, it DOES! Hoping she makes her debut earlier than May 9th... but I'm not crossing my fingers.

Thanks for all the love on my art journal pages!! I'm really looking forward to filling up that journal, and seeing what other amazing page layouts Elsie and Rachel have designed.

Good news! It's NOT TOO LATE for you to sign up for their class either! Here's the info:

Tell Your Story is a six week online art journal class taught by Elsie and Rachel of Red Velvet Art. They've designed this class to help you artistically document your daily life as well as your hopes and dreams through daily prompts and challenges. They'll be sharing book making projects as well as tips and tricks for finding and storing your supplies.

Along with daily prompts you can participate in live chats to get friendly with your classmates and enjoy Q&A time with your teachers. Click here for registration information (or visit the RVA website) and more details or e-mail racheldenbow(at)gmail(dot)com. xoxo, Rachel and Elsie

Ok, so I guess I'll give this sleep thing another try....