Giveaway Winner!

[source]

First of all, thanks so much for entering my giveaway and sharing so many great songs! It was such a pleasure to read through all your favorite parts of summer, as well. I smiled often, and it reminded me of how short this season is, and how there's so so many great things about it to be thankful for, and enjoy. :)

I used Random.org to chose a comment, and the winner is.....

Trina Curran!!

Congrats, Trina. Please e-mail me [holly.neufeld@gmail.com] your shipping info so I can send you your mid-summer prize! XO

I will most definitely be reading through all the comments again, to make a special list of tunes for a playlist. I love being introduced to new music!

Time to work on a special crocheted project before turning in for the night. Happy weekend everyone!

ps: shout out to Elsie and Emma at Renegade Craft Fair! I would love to be there!! I look forward to seeing photos!

[some HOME EC love.]

Some uber-lovely friends of mine are going to be teaching an exciting class coming up, perfect for the beginner seamstress! If you're looking for something to spice up your summer, or for a great reason to bring out your sewing machine, look no further!

Home Ec is an online sewing class perfect for beginners (no sewing experience needed) and those wanting to develop their sewing skills and create 26 awesome projects! This is a take it at your own pace class beginning August 10th that includes 3 Guides, 26 step-by-step Projects with at least 1 new Sewing Technique in each, and a tips post on How to Invent & Adapt projects of your own! Take a look at all the projects!...

Along with daily sewing projects in the private class blog, you can participate in live chats to get friendly with your classmates and enjoy Q&A time with your teachers. Clickhere for full details and registration information or e-mail LA with questions[FreckledNest@gmail.com].

Looks fabulous, right?

I'll be back later today with the giveaway winner.... but you still have time if you haven't entered yet! (below)

TGIF! :)

{create*loves} Mid-Summer Giveaway! *closed*

I love mid-summer. The thunderstorms, the warm (make that hot!) weather, spending time with family, watermelon on the deck, crocheting outside, bike rides, holidays, and festivals.

I also love you guys, my blog readers! So I thought it was time I share some love and do a giveaway. A giveaway of some things I'm loving right now.

I will pick one winner at random, and the lucky winner will recieve.....

*an Orla Kiely hardcover embossed stem journal

*floral print scarf

*OPI nail lacquer in "Funky Dunkey"... this is such a fun purple shade!

*oversized vintage sunglasses from Lune.

*a packet of Via Iced Coffee (yes, I'm obsessed)

*and lastly, an assortment of pretty vintage buttons from my personal craft stash!

xoxo

All you have to do is leave a comment with your name, and tell me your current favorite song or your favorite part of summer. :)

Thanks for reading {create*loves}. I appreciate all it's readers.

I'll choose the winner on FRIDAY, July 30th. :)

What's in my [diaper] bag?

I love my diaper bag. I was so thrilled when Elsie & Rachel surprised me with such a fantastic baby/mama gift! Here's my baby edition of What's In My Bag!

click to enlarge

-daytimer + blackberry

-cupcake coffee cozy from Twinkie Chan

-matching Orla Kiely change pad

-Haba clutching toy

-bib from Little Jumping Beans

-bow from Red Velvet Art (for me) :)

-gum + tictacs

-Aveda lip tint in 'Spice'

-Mentha lip gloss in 'Plum Shine'

-sunglasses (Joe Fresh)

-my JuJuBe BeQuick, equipped with spare clothes, burp cloth, RVA baby bear hat, and a ziploc bag for soiled items just in case. This makes a great bag for a few diapers and some wipes and my wallet for a quick trip. It's like my mini diaper bag.

-nuk pacifier

-diapers and pull-ups of course (soon we won't need the pull-ups, I'm hoping!)

-wipes (not pictured)

-blabla rattle

-bebe au lait nursing cover

-instax camera

-keys

-wallet

-zincofax (this is just for emergencies, I prefer to use the Arbonne Herbal diaper rash cream, but we leave that at home)

-Tide To Go for the spit up mishaps. It doesn't do the trick all the time (for my shirts), but for the little messes it's great to have. Also if baby makes a leaky #2 diaper (tmi!) it's good to use before washing her clothes so it doesn't stain.

-eco-owl coin purse

-Orla Kiely journal for keeping ideas on the go, or for jotting down those kids-say-the-darndest-things moments.

-the latest issue of Canadian Hairdresser magazine, for those times in the car when I'm the passenger, and for inspiration.

-not pictured: kashi bar and bottle of water for me. I've realized the importance of not only worrying about feeding the kiddos, but making sure I'm fed and hydrated on the go, as well.

-also not pictured: the digital thermometer and bottle of motrin.... wouldn't want y'all to think I'm an over-prepared/paranoid mom.. hehe.

ps: Simon has his own backpack for sippy cups/snacks, books, trains and other toys... but when we're on the road, he usually just likes to sit in the car and take in all the sights. It's nice that he's so good at entertaining himself and that I don't need a ton of stuff for him in the diaper bag.

Looks like a lot but it all fits!

That was fun. :)

[bow-utiful belts.]

I love these so much! They are a new item offered by the lovely Darlingtonia.

They would be a great way to add cuteness to pair of jeans, or pop to a cute dress.

Ryan is on holidays this week, and it's so good to have him home! We went golfing this morning (thanks Jackie!) and had bbq lunch. :)

He leaves on Wednesday for a motorcycle trip with his Dad, so I'm enjoying my time with him while it lasts.

This was taken on the green where he proposed to me, 5 years ago. xo

It's a scorcher here today! I bet we'll get a good thunderstorm tonight.

Happy summer!

ps: I'll be back with a fun giveaway post and a "what's in my 'diaper' bag" post. :)

back in the groove.

(prettiest)

I was at work today, and actually a few days this past week. I felt a little rusty after not taking clients for the past few months! Especially with the new Aveda product/color, I was feeling out of the groove....

But after today, I feel much better! I feel like a fun hairstylist again, which feels awesome!! I'm thankful to have my SIL around to watch the kids, and Ryan watched both of them today, and Delilah took a bottle no problem, so I feel good about going back to work. It'll only be part time (I'd miss my little ones too much otherwise), but getting back into it is going to be great.

Feeling positive today.

[the zoo, new obsession, and a wishlist.]

My SIL and I took Simon and Lilah to the zoo. We went with 2 of our cousins and their kids. There were 8 children in total!! It was a great day, and everyone was (believe it or not) super well behaved. The kids loved it!

Simon's favorite part was feeding the gophers of all things. ha! It was so fun to watch them chase the gophers around... and then to see the gophers chase them around, vice versa. :P
It was fun for me to see the animals too. My highlight was seeing an African lion, and hearing it's roar! I want to go again this summer yet...

Wanna know my new obsession!? Iced coffee! Well it's not totally a new obsession... I've been a regular customer at our local Tim Hortons, but this!!...
It's brilliant. I can make it at home, save money, quit always bugging Ryan to bring me one on his way home from work... and it tastes so good. I enjoyed some this afternoon while Simon played in his lil pool on our deck. :)
**Tip: it's super strong if you use the entire packette for one beverage, so I only use half. Then I get twice as many, even better! ;)

Now for my wishlist... Orla Kiely's A/W '10 collection is oh-my-gosh so gorgeous.

I love this entire outfit, especially the color of that bag!


The cutest rain coat ever!
I've found myself being inspired by fashion lately, that and these images of Aveda salons:

What's been inspiring you lately?

[Lipstick - What's your color?]

[good times from last year]

I've never been one to wear lipstick. I usually stick to a gloss, or very light tint. When choosing a color, I always go for the nude shades, or light nude shades with a hint of peach. I never like looking over done, but I like there to be a little something to show I took the effort. ;)

I loved the Mad Men episode where the ladies are asked to try a certain brand of lipstick. Most of them squeal in delight, and rush to make sure they get "their color".

I've never had a color.... until now! Jenna has inspired me to wear lipstick, and after trying her MAC matte lipstick, I was convinced. It wasn't goopy feeling, or dry looking. It felt nice and lasted all day!

We ventured to MAC while on a shopping trip last week, and with the affirmation of the make up consultant, I went with the matte Velvet Teddy. On days when I want a little shimmer, I'll wear my Aveda lip tint in 'Spice' on top.

So far, I have worn it everyday since I bought it, and I think it's safe for me to call it "my color". Seems like such a silly thing... lipstick, but I feel more "grown-up" now, hehe! I forgot to take a photo of me wearing it, and now it's too dark.... so I'll have to show you later. ;)

Do you wear lipstick on a day to day basis? What's YOUR color?? I'd love to know.

XO

summertime.

My little Fawn took her first dip in the pool today.

She enjoyed herself.

We were at a friends son's 1st birthday party, and it was a great afternoon. Look at this fruit salad!! How adorable. It was so yummy too, Simon ate a ton of it! Naming each fruit as he ate it.... I love how he says watermelon. :)
There were SO many cupcakes, Tamara went all out! Great party. And all the while I managed to forget to take a photo of the cute birthday boy.... he was so adorable playing his new baby sized piano.

Other good things of note from the day:

-sunkissed shoulders

-lunch at the drive-in

-peach frozen yogurt (never mind that I dripped it all over myself...)

-vintage dress to church

-long bike ride with the whole family

It was a gorgeous evening! The outdoors does good for the soul. :)

Thank you Carolyn.

Click to enlarge.

AMEN.

Parenting is a much crazier job than I expected, but it's also so much more rewarding than I expected as well. It's so full of ups and downs, and there are some people that just don't get it.

I'm trying. I try every day to be the best mommy I can be, and let me tell you, it's the hardest and most fun thing I've ever done. How does that work, you ask? I ask myself the same thing.

"Parenting is an amazing, tiring, beautiful, crazy and absolutely the most important Task. It turns your life upside down - but you soon find that upside down is right side up. I found this article on-line: stay positive all you parents-in-the-trenches. keep your head held up high - you are truly all amazing."

- My Auntie Beth

Looking forward to the weekend! Working at the salon, pedicures with my SIL, making use of the little Fawn's new swimsuit, a cutie's first birthday party, wearing a new dress, and soaking it all in... xo

[Watch this.]

Marcie is a stylist at our salon, and she made this video demonstrating the newest Aveda hairspray. :)

She is entered in a contest and the video with the most views wins! If you could help out, click here and watch her video! Thanks so much! If any of you ever have any questions about Aveda or their products, I would love to answer them!

Much love.

ps: I'll be back later with a make-up post!

[I heart Ruche]

Just browsing the Ruche site, and wanted to share a few of my favorite items with you. :)

knit fedora.

floral & lace.

bow-utiful!

pretty in peach.

a built in scarf.

a different kind of legging.

polka dot love.

I think their site is beautiful, and feminine, and makes me want to get dolled up go out with my friends.

Notes from the day:

- I finished crocheting a blanket for Delilah (7 months later!) I just need to weave in the ends once I find my yarn needle, and then I will post photos, and the pattern. :)

- I made grilled quesadillas for supper.

- I went for a walk with my friend Ashley, and we enjoyed iced coffees.

*Thanks for all the great advice on the french press! I haven't used it yet... I need to get myself some quality course grind coffee first. I love that my blog readers are coffee addicts too! ;)

love love,

[Le french press]

I shall call him Mr. Bean. ;)

I got myself a french press coffee maker today. I'm kind of very excited to start using it! I thought that the coffee addict in me should graduate from the the percolator and try the french pressed version of my favorite bevvy. :)

How many of you have one? Do you love it? What kind do you have? Any tips?

*fyi: this one is the "Bean" press by Bodum.

Other things of note from the day:

- it was my first day back at work. (eeeep!) I'm happy that my SIL has offered to care for the kiddos so I can work at the salon part time.

- Jenna and I made fresh strawberry wareneki! They're like perogies. Our husbands enjoyed them so I say it was a success!

-I felt jazzy listening to Diana Krall and drinking wine.

-The sky is full of storm clouds one minute, sunshine the next, beautiful sunset, and rainbows all in one evening. Pretty.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

[2 months]

My little Fawn is 2 months old already! Time flies.




She's sleeping through the night, nursing well, and doing great! I love her to bits, and it's fun having a baby girl. :) She was giving me a few smiles today during our mini photo shoot, but after lots and lots of photos (and me making stupid faces/noises)...
...she looked like she was going to punch me if I didn't put the camera away. hehe.

Thanks for reading, and stopping by now and then. :) I haven't had time to be super creative lately, but I'm hoping we start a napping schedule soon... so I can have more dates with my crochet hooks and knitting needles etc. I have some yarn coming in the mail for a special project that I can't wait to start!

I want to also do a fun post on my top ten baby must haves, so if you're expecting a little one, or know someone who is, it might be a fun gift guide! :)