This is 12-year-old Maude. Looking fantastic! Maude looks good in everything and she loves experimenting with clothes so it’s nothing but joy when we put together outfits for her.
This year, she did quite a bit of shopping from Ralph’s closet. Trashed jeans (we’re calling them boyfriend jeans), flannel trousers that happen to fit wonderfully at the waist, a necktie for a belt, a chambray button down and a heather grey polo — all items Ralph had outgrown and Maude adopted.
What do you think? Would your daughters like these clothes for middle school? Are these as Euro as Ralph’s looks? Find the whole series here.
Click here for sources.
I gasped when I saw this writing made of live moss. Isn’t it amazing? I bet it would grow like crazy here in the-garden-that-is-France. I’m tempted to write something and use one of the gorgeous stone barn walls as a backdrop. What would you write?
Directions:
Put in blender: one can of cheap beer (or 1 1/2 cups buttermilk), a few handfuls of moss, one teaspoon of sugar. Paint on wall and mist daily until it grows.
I wonder how long it takes to grow? Wouldn’t it be fun to grow it for an event — maybe the bride and grooms name for a wedding in your backyard. My mind is spinning!
Created by Anna Garforth. More images of the project here. Directions here. Spotted on Pinterest.
ralphschoolclothes_201104
Hello, Friends! Are you ready for the annual series of What to Wear to School posts? I hope so. Because here they come! Ralph is first. Maude and Olive’s photos will be posted soon. Oscar and Betty’s will get posted as soon as we get some photos taken. : )
Ralph was very pleased when his school wardrobe came together. He said it looked more French and that he would fit right in clothes wise. What do you think? Do they look Euro to you? Would your 8th grader wear similar clothes?
P.S. – You can find the whole What to Wear series here.
Click here for sources.
My friend, Tina of Swiss Miss, just launched a new line of design-y temporary tattoos and she sent me an envelope full so I could check them out.
They’re called Tattly and they are coolest tattoos ever! My kids went totally nuts over them and would have covered every inch of available skin in a matter of about 10 minutes, but I made them set some aside because I think they’d make fantastic party favors. Also, I want some for myself!
Remember Tina Fey’s prayer for her daughter from Bossypants
? “First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.” Maybe Tattly will prevent real tattoos from being too tempting. : )
What’s your take? Are tattoos (temporary or otherwise) a part of your house?
Are you a beet eater? Ben Blair loves them. Maybe from his days living in Russia. I can’t say I’m a fan, but maybe I’d like beet cake. If nothing else, this is the prettiest recipe video I’ve ever seen. I think I’ve watched it 10 times now. I want to copy everything about it.
Spotted on Pixie Blossoms.
Do you have state pride? These prints from One Canoe Two are really good-looking. They would make a fun gift for a homesick friend or maybe a college student.
Both my parents grew up in California (I was born there too) and we would drive from Utah to California several times a year. As we approached the state line my family would break out into the chorus of California Here I Come. I LOVED that. Seeing the California poster reminded me. : )
Spotted on Design Crush.
P.S. — More state pride: pillows and cutting boards. Plus a paint by number USA.
The last two weeks of August are filled to brim for my family. Olive Jean Blair turned 10 yesterday. (Double digits!) Ralph Wallace Blair has a birthday today. Our anniversary was last week. School begins, which means a long list of things to do and buy. And all this competes with an instinct to do nothing but make the most of summer before it’s gone.
This year, we’ve also been excited about houseguests (more arrive next week!), and we’ve been thinking of my parents, Grandma & Grandpa Mac, who flew to China yesterday. They’ll be spending the school year there teaching English.
That’s a lot of good stuff for one little half-month. : )
Yesterday, for Olive’s Birthday we woke her with breakfast in bed — a crepe filled with rasberries and whip cream, plus ham on the side. (Maude woke early so she could gather raspberries from the garden. She’s a sweetheart.) Instead of a party, we spent the morning at a small amusement park call Festyland. In the evening, we sang Happy Birthday and Olive opened presents. Her favorite was a Swatch. It was a happy day.
What’s August like for you? A good month? A boring one?
P.S. — Something funny: August 25th is legendary in our families. It’s the birthday of Olive, Ben’s brother Jim, my nephew Colin, Ben’s niece Lindsey, Grandpa Mac, and two of his kids. Do you have funny dates like that in your family?
Today’s second giveaway is perfectly timed for back to school. Olive Juice is offering a $100 gift card!
Olive juice carries classic and traditional children’s clothing. Everything they make feels timeless, and their sales are legendary — when they happen, you’ll see people tweeting about how they just scored a cute Olive Juice jumper or jacket. I love seeing my kids dressed in stylish clothes with classic cuts. Somehow, it makes me feel like they’ll stay small a little longer.
To enter, visit Olive Juice and leave a comment below. The winner will be announced on Monday. Good luck!
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Elise is the lucky winner. Thanks for playing!
I’ve got two great giveaways for you today! For the first one, Sticker Mule is offering a $100 store credit to 3 winners. Yay for three winners!
Sticker Mule is an online custom stickers printer. They work with lots of independent crafters and designers and have a reputation for being easy to order from. Custom stickers are the best! They’re fun to hand out at parties and they make homemade products feel extra special (think pretty labels on your jam jars). What would you use a custom sticker for?
To enter, visit Sticker Mule and leave a comment below. The winners will be announced on Monday. Good luck!
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Beth, Portia and Michelle G. are the lucky winners. Thanks for playing!
