a happy decision

I know, I know. I've been away from here for forever. Christmas, ya know? But now I need help. I have a mondo decision and don't know what to choose! Remember when I talked about my love of treehouse28? My wondrous Mom saw the post and purchased the wide leg pants for me for Christmas. Best. thing. ever. I wore them for 2 or 3 days straight before I decided I probably couldn't get away with it anymore. They're wondrous though. {I knew they would be!}

So now for the help. I generally can't justify spending much on non-basics like awesome clothing. But I can totally justify spending Christmas money on it! So I've decided to get the wrap top. I have a zillion "favorited" but keep coming back to this one. Alix has even said she'd make the thumbhole sleeves with it for me! {So the shirt above from the left and the sleeves from the right.} I'm way excited. {In case you couldn't tell.} Now I just have to pick a color. I'm down to 3. New rust, plum, or teal. Help!

Any opinions? I'm itching to order! {Then I just have to find some way to measure myself around work... }

An Evening Activity

Let's start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.

After wanting to dye my hair dark dark for quite some time, I finally made time. My Boddy Boddy {think The Wedding Planner} recently dyed her hairs red and I learned that she buys the professional stuff from Sally's. I thought that was a brilliant idea! Why didn't I think of that? So I was out running a couple errands and made my way over to Sally's, where I picked up some "dark brown" dye and components {all for $14, beat that salon!}. I slid home in the freezing cold. Then after my guys were in bed, I got to work!

I had dyed my hair red-ish from a Target box a month or two ago. You can kinda see if growing out. It mainly just tinted it. So something needed to be done.


Gotta have the sad "before" shot. {I actually like this picture though! And my part is awesome.}


During, right before I relaxed and watched a show. I'm working my way through CSI NY Season 1.


And after! See? I'm oh so happy and in love with my hairs.


And then you need new self portraits with the new look.




Ok, so this was JUST as easy as dyeing your hair from a box purchased at Target. Next time it'll be even cheaper, as I already have the developer, brush, and bowl. So like $5, whereas the box is usually at least $7, and the salon is $50 {? I've only had my hair professionally dyed once, so I don't remember!}. Plus, I have not had any fading or lost dye even when washing my hair. No colored shampoo or anything. It's awesome! I love it.

So. If you're bored with your hair and need to spice it up, just dye it yourself! It was super easy; I did it all myself. Don't let it become mom hair, ok?

P.S. Thank you my dear!

5 THINGS GAME

I'm finally doing this little survey that Shantel tagged me for a bit ago. Awesome. {I'm so bored.}

The "5 THINGS GAME"
The rules are to write 5 things under each of the 5 headings, and then tag 5 other people.

10 years ago...
1. I was a freshman & trying out high school {after being home schooled for two years...hated it and went back to home the next year}
2. busy babysitting. At least 2-3 nights a week. I had fans, people.
3. I was on the best puppet team ever through church. We had a blast traveling around performing.
4. On swim team.
5. Detoxing from my summer of obsessive candle making.

5 Things on Today's "To-Do" List
1. Work the day job.
2. Go to my job interview @ 1:30.
3. Burn a new screen {applied emulsion last night}.
4. Snuggle my boy & give him lots of kisses.
5. Hang out & probably watch Heroes with my hubster.

5 Snacks I Enjoy...
1. apples with melted chocolate chips and peanut butter {bananas are also good}
2. mochas {sometimes a meal}
3. the green bagged lifesaver mints {which are really white}
4. pretzels & cream cheese {plus you have to have Pepsi with it}
5. I'm having a brain fart and can't thing of something else worthy of this list.

5 Things I Would Do if I were a Millionaire!
1. Pay everything off
2. Buy a house perfectly sized for us, but not over the top
3. adopt some munchkins from Haiti
4. Give
5. Save

5 Places I Have Lived...
1. Maine {0-3 months}
2. California {3 mo - 3 years}
3. Florida {3-4}
4. Washington {4-11}
5. Iowa {11-now}

5 Jobs I've had/Still have...
1. Babysitting. Lots of babysitting.
2. Diamond Vogel {sold wallpaper & blinds...paint too}
3. Gregory's Coffeehouse
4. Alpha Copies
5. MGMC Switchboard & Radiology

5 People I'm tagging...I don't know five people that blog so we'll have to go with three (really, I didn't just copy you Danielle, I only know 3 other people who blog too!)
1. JP
2. Mandi*
3. Sandy
4. Lori
5. Christy

*I could have listed all 5 of her blogs, but refrained. Self control and all.

This morning I was digging through a laundry basket of clean clothes {come on, you know you do it too!} and Mike asked what I was looking for. I told him underwear. He looked at the top of the dresser, where I had been piling all the underwear I came across, then back at me and asked, "How many pairs are you planning on wearing?"

Then I realized something. There are so many things girls have to worry about that never cross a guys mind. Like finding underwear that won't leave an obvious underwear line in certain pants. Or show through. Or...that match your outfit or mood for the day. Because yes, some of us are weird like that.

Just thought I'd throw it out there...

recent clothing experimentation

I just mailed out a custom order of 5 of these babies today. Christmas presents. I think it's cool.



This maternity shirt is listed over in my shop {click pic to get to listing}. I have a medium and large left. They're not the best product photos, but they're kind of artsy and cool. I may re-take them in a few days. {Or I may not need to. I've sold 2 of the 4 I listed last night!}



The shirt below is my fav! It's a really pretty purple {deeper than the pic} and it has a few random hazy blue areas. You can see one a little to the left and below the words in this picture. If I was preggo and it'd fit me I'd be keeping it!



I've been getting uber tired of the brown maker shirts, so I decided to switch it up a bit. I'm having fun with color and some OOAK creations!

Also, tonight I'll be listing some more kiddo clothing. I need to get my new favorite set up. :) Ki's had it for a bit and it is one of Mike's favorite outfits of his.

Just call me Crafty Caitlin

A few weeks ago Ki was not going down for his nap and I was frustrated. I went out to get some coffee and was playing the afternoon back in my head. Ki broke half his mini blinds {which I abhor} about a year ago. They've been halfway up since then. The other side has been all the way up so he doesn't break them {or hurt himself}. During his naptime it's so bright in there I can imagine having trouble sleeping. So I decided to finally make some curtains for my little man.

I think they turned out pretty cute -er- handsome!





Plus I did a super job matching Ki's sheets to the top of the curtains without them. Ki's been in his twin bed for a couple months now. We've just been using his little blankets to cover him up. I picked up a brown comforter for him and he just seems so much more like a boy, not a baby! I think it helps him stay in bed {as in not roll out} too.

I love making curtains. They're so easy to whip up an can completely change the look and feel of the room. Plus the nasty mini blinds are GONE! An uber easy thing to make a rental feel like home.

New duds

a few of which have been hanging in my closet since...summer...

I listed a few new things over on Etsy. I SO don't like my new pictures. They're kind of back to the way my old, boring pictures were. I like my clothes with people in them. But alas, I do not have a daughter or a baby. And I'd be dead meat if our sweet son was caught wearing girl clothes. {Not to mention he has a very boyish figure.} So I need to snag some pics from friends I've given clothes to. {Beware! I'm coming after you, my friends!} Also, if you've bought from me and want to send me your pictures, I'd love to use them!

*Click on the image to check it out in my shop.*






And one of my favorite new things...a crib sheet! It's so cute! I wish I'd made them when Ki was in a crib. But he's a big boy now. Hmm...I should print on his sheets...

Tonight right after I get home from work I am going to run around {hoping Ki will chill and color} and finish a few shirts and pop them in the mail before 6. I want them out! And I need to work on my backtack project. I'm so pumped for it! I'm excited to send stuff out to my partner.

Hope you all have a swell weekend! I may be blogging more often. I spent most of the afternoon reading old posts and I have blogging fever now. :) hehe.

The best clothing staple...

Dude. Friends and homies. I have found the smartest person alive. Ya know all those times when you have to scrounge for an undershirt, make sure it matches, deal with being a hot {actually, I never have that problem I'm always cold!}, mess with the bunched up shirts over your belly... It's irritating.

I was browsing Etsy a week or two ago and I came across the coolest thing ever! It's called a t-let. It's kind of a mix between an undershirt and a sports bra, I guess. But oh so comfy and stretchy. It goes up high enough to work as an undershirt {in straight, scoop, or square neck}, but it stops down under the girls just like your bra. Now, this is not in place of a bra! It has little spaghetti straps and wouldn't hold much. But it does wonders.

I bought a white straight neck t-let and had to wear it today {it came yesterday}. Before work I even "checked" it by bending over and you couldn't see down my shirt even like that! It rocks. I can't even tell I'm wearing it and I don't have extra bulk and girth around my midsection. Seriously. And it's cheap, too. Probably less than a lot of tank tops you'd find. This is my new favorite staple. I couldn't wait to share it with you!

The t-let is made by Gettis Accessories, who is brand spankin' new to Etsy. {I was her first sale, but she's already sold 2 others since then.} These babies are only $15. If you buy one let her know I sent you her way. She has a little referral program - if I refer 7 purchases {I think} I get a free one! So go buy away. You will not regret it. {Oh, and then spread the word and start racking up points for your own freebie!}

Christmas with MomDot Day 4

What is your favorite Holiday recipe?
My favorite thing to bake around the holidays is pie. Hands down. Especially apple and pumpkin. I love to make them from scratch. None of the pre-made crust or filling for me. This year I'm contemplating making my own pumpkin {as opposed to buying it in a cal}. It's been very intriguing lately. I wonder if I can still get a pumpkin around here...

Describe your Holiday table.
We don't decorate a table. Both of our families live in town, so we are usually bouncing back and forth between the two. And they're about as opposite as can be! At Mike's parents it's a big crowd {with 10 kids, plus a bunch of extended family and now spouses and a grandkid}. It's loud and there's always some fun to be had. It's usually buffet style on the bar of their counter.

At my parents is usually pretty laid back. My mom gets out the fancy china and silver utensils and we all sit down together at the table. We don't have any family nearby, so it's usually just my immediate family and now our spouses and the 2 grandkids on that side.

I've got it made. I don't have to cook anything. Although I do generally take something.

What is your biggest Holiday cooking disaster?
Ummmm, well since I don't really have that much holiday cooking experience, I don't have one. Sorry peeps!

And now I'm off to browse other peoples responses. :)

Sponsors: Day Four Blog Party Question is Brought to you by Bottlewise and Glow Mama
VIP BLOGS to visit are Parent Reviewers , Mom Most Traveled, Mommy Zabs, MomStart, HipposToes, Run DMT

Christmas Day 3

I'm finally jumping in and doing a post for MomDot's mega Christmas Giveaway. The first two I just felt like I needed to be home and by the time I'm there the rest of the day zips away from me and I'm too late. This one I can do at work though. :)

I have not started my Christmas shopping yet. I am a mega procrastinator with things like this and it drive me crazy! I hate it! Maybe I should start today? The past few years our gifts have been sporatic and small because we haven't had money for it. It drives me crazy. I absolutely love giving gifts. I'm pretty sure it's my love language and I kinda stink at it. I feel like I need money to give gifts, when if I am a good planner I can get creative and do it pretty cheap.

So this year, I plan to make a bunch of stuff, as well as purchase off of Etsy. {Oh how I love Etsy!} Unfortunately I can't share with you any plans, as pretty much everyone I know reads my blog. Well, maybe not everyone, but a bunch of people who shouldn't know what I'm getting them. We'll see if I make it to Christmas.

My other thing is I usually completely forget that I will probably get stuff too. I get so excited about giving things to other people and watching them open. I kinda like that though. I hope to teach my little man to put more into giving than receiving.

How about you? Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Sponsors: Day One Blog Party Question is Brought to you by Appledonia, Hippos Toes and My Bag
VIP BLOGS to visit are Parent Reviewers , Mom Most Traveled, Mommy Zabs, MomStart, HipposToes, Run DMT

Thinking Christmas

So I just discovered a new site yesterday. Actually I kinda feel like I've been there before a while back. But I got a sweet email inviting me to check out their mega contest going on right now. So. I will be posting a bunch about Christmas for a while. They {MomDot...I should at least tell you the site, eh?} have Christmassy questions each day and you can earn points for each time you answer on your blog and comment on others for over $1000 worth of prizes. Pretty cool! So you should check it out, too. Their site kind of confuses me, but I'm slowly navigating around over there.

So for the big prize, I'll fill you in on my dream Christmas. I've never really thought about this before. And I'm bad at decisions. I would like plenty of time off of work {or at least half days?} so I could actually decorate my home and bake yummy winter treats. Oh, and someone to shovel my driveway all winter! That'd be awesome! I would spend gobs of time with my favorite guys. We'd hang out and go shopping for our families {cuz we'd have moolah for things of that sort}.

I don't really have too much else. I don't have anything I need. Yeah, I have wants, but getting those won't make or break my Christmas. I'm more about chillin' with my homeboys. {Stuff is just an added bonus!}

And without further ado, the many sponsors {whose links hopefully pasted as well!} :

Dyson
BabyPop
The Shrunks
Soda Club
Kadi Prescott
Uncommonly Cute
Lollipop Book Club
Kuster - adorable decor & furniture!
Silly Monkeez
LA Plates
Natitys Design - really cool car seat covers
Little Black Box
Koshas
Kidz Sunglasses
jaC Jewelry
Appledonia - very cute appliqued onesies {& a penguin one my SIL would love}
LeapFrog
Mutsy - some stylin' strollers
Kushies
Huddy Buddy
Mimsi-Bags
BottleWise
Lets Go Strolling
DaBib
Sassy Baby
Baby Legs
Scentsy - um, yum. That's all.
FeeFiFoto
Randi100
Organic Blankees
Shi Shu Style - very sweet, delicate, stylish baby blankets
Georgie Tees

I just had a nice time strolling through all those shops. There is some lovely stuff to be had! Seriously. You should all go check it out. I'm not one to plead my own case, so if you are...head on over. You'll probably have a better chance than me at snagging the loot!

And the hub said I had to link him {??}. So here he is. He also posts here occasionally, or ya might get me. P.S. dear hubby, you are allowed to go here and leave a comment why you/I/we deserve this too. :)

If I were a rich girl...

Wanna see what I really want? A girl can dream, right?

Wrap Top from Treehouse28 - $70



Wide Leg Pants from Treehouse28 - $65

For all of her clothing you give her your measurements and even get to pick the color. Totally custom. {Oh how I want a serger!} She also has a web site of pre-made clothes in set sizes that are a smigde cheaper {and have better pictures}.
And there you have it. My uber expensive want. :(

Tropical Tree Frog Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!

Tropical Tree Frog Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!

This is amazing! You've got to check it out.

Oh my, oh my!

I have a new favorite. I was printing a sweet little onesie, much like one in my shop, but with a name on it for our friends' new niece. I decided to make a little set. I've dyed socks to match before, and I think it gives it a nice finishing touch. However, this time I tried something new.

I added in a burp cloth {cloth diaper} when I dyed, then printed the same image on it. {I though about flopping the colors on it, but didn't have time to dye 2 loads. Plus Beatrix will have other clothing to break up the outfit.} I am in love!

I love every detail about this little thing. The detail in the fabric is so sweet and dainty...and yet so handy. And washable. And positively showing up in my shop sometime soon.

And now I am off to put my sweet little man back in bed. He woke up crying as I began this post. I ran in {yep, seriously ran} and scooped him up. Then I laid him back in his bed and he said with in a very stern voice, "Lay down, Momma!" So I did and he gave me a huge goofy cheesy grin. Then followed me out here a few minutes later. So off to bed we go.

{Steph, I'll iron these before work and drop them by on my way. ;) }

Birthday Cake!

My little man is officially 2! Yesterday he seemed like a baby still @ 1. But 2? That's a boy! Sad. :( So cute though.

All glazed {Thank you Christy!!}, frozen and ready to go. I missed a few sides and they were a bit more crumby than the glazed parts, which was so slick!

All ready to frost red.

Frosted yeller.

A little stack. Don't think this qualifies as a tower at this height. {I didn't want to attempt a tower and have smashed cake everywhere!}
Duplos - his favorite toy.

I like this guy. For now the toothpicks are holding him, but we'll take those out for the show. He's covering up an oops. Added bonus!

This guy is funny.
Well hello Mr. Jungle Dude.

I just hope he recognizes them. If not, I'll be bummed. Happy birthday Little Man!! {Now I just have to wait for Mike to get home with my press & seal and I can cover them and hit the hay for a few hours!

Pottery Love

I was off work early yesterday and was hanging out with Ki. The doorbell rang and I was like, "Who the heck is that??" It was the UPS dude. With 4 boxes for me.

I was racking my brain trying to firgure out what I had ordered. And that much, too. I hadn't spent enough money to be getting 4 boxes... Maybe someone just loved me? Or it was birthday presents for one of my guys {both the end of this week}? I opened one of the boxes and Ki was entertained for the rest of the evening.

I'll post some funniness on our blog tomorrow. :) He's a nut. Anyhoo, I peeked in and was oh so excited! My pottery from Jeanette! Remember way back when Mike decided to make her web site in return for bunches of pottery as my birthday present? He finished the site a few weeks ago. It's cool. And I didn't mind my effortless {unless you could dish/color/# decisions} part of the job one bit! This pottery was SO amazingly packed! Very very well padded and peanutted.

I'm still missing 4 green plates because there was an issue with the green glaze. But I'm in love. 12 salad plates, 12 mugs, 12 itty bowls {all had 4 green, 4 teal, and 4 white}, 1 serving bowl, 1 special plate.

There's a smattering of stars. Some none, some 3...anywhere in between. And swirls.

Mike loves the bowls. The rim curves in a bit, so when you're trying to scoop something up the side, the rim kinda pushes it back onto the spoon, instead of plopping it on your lap. Genius.

Oh! I saw one of her serving bowls over at Vegan Dish and loved it. Except it said Vegan, which we aren't. She was so lovely and put our last name on this serving bowl instead! Love love love.



Then I still got one more thing, so I asked if she could do a "you are special" plate. {You know, to use on special days. To say "happy birthday" or "nice job sharing!" or "just because I love you"...} She totally whipped one up and I adore it too! I got a different color so it'd stand out from the crowd. Now don't you want to rush over and buy one??

Needless to say, everything will be eaten in/on tiny bowls and plates for quite some time. Love, people. They're gorgeous. And I'll let you use them if you visit sometime. I'm a good sharer. I could not be more impressed with Jeanette. She is awesome. If you're in the marked for pottery, check out her wares. Serious.

Tackle it Tuesday

I must really love you, cuz you get to see pictures of my nastiness. The pink stuff is emulsion. I had to use emulsion remover to get it off, but the rest is done with CLR.

*If you're brave, you can click to enlarge photos.

There was a pale orangey color in the bottom part of my sink. Like if it were filled up with a bit of water...orange. CLR zapped it away! Around the rim and faucet are a bit better, not perfect. The grout just needs to go!

I know. It's a pit. I spose that's what happens when you work full time, screen print on the side, and have a hubby & 2-yr-old. Don't judge, k? Ok.

The result of this is my resolution to do all the dishes and shine the sink before I go to bed each night. Isn't it gorgeous!? CLR totally rocked the house on this.


I didn't really love CLR in the bathroom. It was ok, but my Lysol wipes probably worked just as well. {Maybe if I had spent a long time I'd have had better results...but I just don't have that time.} I absolutely loved it in the kitchen though! It took stuff off the counters with one easy swipe. No scrubbing. And my sink? Umm, look up a bit. If I weren't already married, I may well have married that there sink {aside from the broken garbage disposal part, but that's another story}.
Also, the CLR smelled funky. Like abnormal for a cleaner. I don't think I would go out an buy it {it was free from 5 Minutes for Mom!}. The best part was the sink and I think I could get about the same with elbow grease and baking soda. It will come in handy while it lasts though! {But next time? I think I'll read the label first and wear gloves. It really dries out and stinks up!}