Hey Little Birdie!

Sometimes I play a little game with my daughter, Claire, where I tell her all the things I love her more than. Some days it may be naming items within my line of sight, or favorites near and dear to my heart (you know- like Nutella, Martha Stewart, and glitter). But often I pick sentimental subjects such as puppies, rainbows, and stars. Because what could be sweeter than those except for my beautiful little girl? When I spotted this darling wall decal from artist Shanna Murray, you can bet I fell head over heels for it:

I would love to get it for Claire’s room. What a pretty visual of our silly, sappy game.

In case you didn’t already know, Claire was born with rare special needs. And this past Christmas marked two years since we first noticed that she was having seizures. Unfortunately, we still see them pretty much every day. It can be overwhelming, deeply saddening and the worst for me- frightening. But surrounding all those tough things is the biggest, brightest love you can imagine. Shining like millions of stars and reminding me that she is worth it, she matters, and no matter what- it will be all right.

(Image Credits: 1. Stuf Yellowbird; 2. Zara Button Jacket Dress; 3. roughdrAftbooks Y Journal; 4. Cynamonn Honey-Gold Linen Necklace)

Every once and a while I find myself overwhelmed by a particular color combination. So today, I have a treat for you – a retreat into the crevices of my mind. Don’t be scared. Today, it’s a wonderful place. Now yesterday, I wouldn’t have taken you there… but today it is nothing but sunshine and unicorns and pastries… because who can stomach unicorns without a muffin or danish, really. If I am completely transparent, I find unicorns slightly unnerving. I think it’s their obsession with rainbows and their ability to impale me at a moment’s notice.

But this color medley has nothing to do with rainbows. I know it’s a bit autumnal, but I love fall. So suck it, Mr. Unicorn. Sorry, I had no idea I felt so much hidden resentment towards the mythical horsey with a horn.

What about you? Are you still red and green and Christmasy all over? Or are you already looking forward to spring colors? Or do you buck all trends when it comes to colors? I didn’t intend to “pun” there with buck, but I’m leaving it in because I am that rebellious.

You know what it’s like when you buy something, and then you are so struck by its awesomeness that you want to tell everyone about it. But you don’t want to be all showy and “keep up with the me’s” about it. So you’re stuck.

That’s one of the reasons why this whole Hey Little Birdie thing is so great for me. I mean, you guys basically want me to do that. You come here everyday asking me to enlighten you on things I deem awesome. If I didn’t do it, you would be upset, devastated perhaps. I just can’t bring myself to let you down like that.

So, in light of the holidays, let me bestow upon you some goodwill… and throw in some tidings of great joy (why not, right?), all while spotlighting the cutest handmade doll I just purchased for my newest niece, 3 month old Kayleigh Mae, for her very first Christmas.

(Side note: if you are my sister reading this, you have two choices… look away right now, or at the very least, make sure that Kayleigh isn’t surfing the web with you… in order to ensure a Christmas morning surprise.)

Crafty Mama Creations makes the most amazing one-of-a-kind dolls! That’s right, our little Kayleigh Mae doll will never find its twin. And she got it to me in plenty of time for Christmas. Thanks Kelci!

Oh and a special shout-out to all of you who enable another seemingly “flaw” that I have. Self-improvement is so overrated anyway.

I’m not really a DIY girl…home improvement or craft-oriented. But that doesn’t stop me from collecting ideas of things I could create if only I had the necessary supplies, skills, or at the bare minimum, an ounce of follow-through. Maybe that should be a resolution for me for the new year… but honestly, who expects a girl with little follow-through to actually take on the whole New Year’s resolution thing. I would be a walking oxymoron, although walking might imply a certain level of exertion I’m not sure I’m ready for.

Okay, I need to stop typing before I betray my inner couch potato and appear to be completely devoid of all initiative and true effort. Insert DIY Chalkboard Block Puzzle, thanks to the revolutionaries over at Momtastic (they totally live up to their name).

I honestly think I could do this, and… I think it is super cute and… inexpensive, and… I think I love it. But even if I don’t get this done, that doesn’t mean you can’t. I believe in you. I mean, I bet you already have your list of resolutions ready to go for January 1st. I’m so inspired by you. Go forth and DIY!

I just have to share with you these cute, little pinafore dresses from the all the numbers shop.  Not only are they adorable, but they are reversible.   You know what that means?  Two dresses for the price of one! (I like to state the obvious at all times.)  I also like the fact that they can move with your little one through the seasons.  They would work great as sundresses, but in the winter you could throw some tights/jeans and a long sleeve shirt underneath and it would be just as adorable.

Reversible Pinafore Dresses are the way to go!

Want more from all the numbers? Shop || Twitter

Feast your eyes on the cutest tees for babies and kids from Finley and Oliver (via The TomKat Studio).

While browsing for a Halloween costume this year, I was sort of dismayed to find that Etsy is heavily dominated by ginormous tu-tus and flower headbands. It takes quite a bit of digging before you see a handful of things not related to those two subjects and finding something for a little boy is even more difficult! Not that tu-tus and flower headbands aren’t super cute because they are undeniably adorable, but come on! There are so many more creative ideas out there for your little one’s first Halloween. Claire was a ladybug for her first trick or treating day. Although she didn’t trick or treat, she slept. But she did match our golden retriever Lily’s costume, which was my ultimate goal. Would I be that crazy mom who if she had twins dressed them in matching outfits until they were 5? Yes. Yes, I would. And I obviously don’t have twins so I take advantage of my amicable dog. Plus, she kinda likes it. But I wish I would have had more time and creativity in choosing Claire’s first Halloween outfit. With only being a couple months out of the NICU, feeding tube and all that other fun stuff that I was just getting a handle on, it didn’t get my full attention. (So many moments I wish I took in and cherished more during that time. Isn’t that the case with any new mom- special needs or not? Anyway, that’s a whole other subject for a whole other time.) If I did it all over again, here are  a few fun ideas:

Baby Sushi, anyone?

or how about a sack of potatoes?

maybe some candy corn?

Oh snap. I found tu-tu creations I love. Oh well! A little ladybug and bumblebee.

All of these costumes can be found on Etsy, but many would be a great starting off point to recreate on your own too!

This week I became an aunt again. My amazing sister gave birth on Monday to a little girl whom I’ve decided I already adore. Our little Kayleigh is the perfect addition to our family, and I ache typing this and knowing I am soon leaving Memphis and will not get to snuggle, kiss and all around love on my newest niece for a period of time that inevitably will be way too long.

However, in honor of our littlest miracle (another blog someday to explain the extent of blessings all our babies have been), I am sharing with you the custom birth announcement art my sister has fallen in love with on etsy. And… I have to admit that her taste is impeccable.

Smith Street Boutique is the ultimate in customization. She designs keepsake prints and wall art for all major family events – births, weddings, baptisms, etc.. You can choose your color scheme. And from there, you answer a list of questions that is incorporated into a memento worth all the Elvis impersonators in Vegas.

Check Smith Street Boutique out.

I am feeling a bit scattered lately. Hey, I heard that giggling… and that sarcastic “just lately?” seemed a bit much; don’t you think? Anyway instead of fighting my new and totally uncharacteristic scatteredness (wink, wink), I’ve decided to embrace it. So, here are several things that I am infatuated with lately.

(Images: 1. Vintage Inspired Fabric Headband 2. Freaking Love Card 3. Ivory Bloom Shoe Clips 4. Vital Bicycle Glassware)

Maybe if I bought all of them, it would clear up some much needed real estate in my foggy little head. Hmmm…where is my wallet?

Do you have kiddos? Do they have feet? Then I have a shoe for you…actually two. These are sold in pairs; ingenius, right? Okay, enough footwear humor. These shoes from Gracious May are, as my grandma would say, “the bee’s knees”. Where the heck did that phrase come from anyway? It’s seriously weird. And why do old ladies have some of the strangest colloquialisms? I mean, was there a time when such sayings made sense… sayings like “throw the baby out with the bath water” and “oopsy daisy”? Sorry I just rewatched Notting Hill this weekend. I love the scene when Hugh Grant repeatedly says “oopsy daisy”. It’s classic. In fact, I think the baby that Julia Roberts is pregnant with at the end of the movie (spoiler alert, sorry too late, huh?) would be wearing these shoes! Did you notice how I circled my rant back around to Gracious May? I am seriously becoming a pro at this blogging thing. Or, you are getting accustomed to my illogical thought processes. Either way, we are bonding. I feel it.

So, which shoes are your favorites? Here are a few of mine.