Gone Fishing



Hello friends!

I'm sorry there's been a shortage of posts happening on Rosebud & Penny this week. We've had our hands full, little Rosebud had surgery on Wednesday and between multiple other projects and keeping up with the laundry (haha, keeping up!) there's not a moment to spare.  So for the next 2 weeks I'm gone fishing.  Summer vacation, if you will.  I'll be back soon with more pretty things to share.  In the meantime, enjoy what's left of your summer!

Xoxo

HAPPY FOR HUE: HOT PINK


1. May28th & Kate Spade watch in spirograph, Kate Spade Saturday //  2. Crossover dress, Kate Spade Saturday // 3. Leather thong sandal, Zara // 4. Play the angels posts, Kate Spade // 5. Factory tiny dot tee, J. Crew Factory // 6. Hancock park - ginnie leather cross body bag, Kate Spade

What I've Been Up To Lately

I've been knee-deep in a few projects, making it tough to post more often.  I wanted to share the few things I've been working on the past couple weeks, and hopefully this week I'll also have another "I Love You, California" post for y'all.  I have a few in the hopper, who knew there were so many amazing things to do with your babes, toddlers and chilluns in the Bay Area?

First, I've been working on a website and branding for my parents, the beekeepers at River Road Honey Farm.  They started out in 2005 with just a few hives, and 7 years later it's a whole operation!  I love simple, clean and charming websites, so this was a really fun one to be working on.  It's not done yet, I'm hoping it will wrap up this week.



I've also been working on a wedding album for my dear friend Sara.  She got married in Hawaii in April, and I've been creating a super special album for her.  I love wedding albums, don't you?  It brings back memories of looking through my grandparents album and thinking about how young and chic they were.  I know many people forgo the album these days, but to me it's a tangible and beautiful artifact of your wedding day to share for generations.



This is my favorite page from the album.  The bride is seriously cool and a indie music lover.  She is genuine, funny and unique, and I wanted to create something that reflected her personality.  I create all my albums without templates, using only the photos and story of the day to inspire an album that is absolutely personal.  For this layout, I was inspired by an album that won WPPI’s Wedding Album of the Year in 2012.  The photographer Jerry Ghoinis said about it "I thought I would take a risk and create a polaroid collage creating a sense of movement in each spread. It makes a 2D image almost appear 3D. It was like creating a puzzle from the inside out with no knowledge of the final image."  Amazing.  This page is a collage created from five different images of their sky lantern send off.  It was the most fun I've had on a project recently, I felt like I was in the zone creatively speaking and so thrilled about the final result.  I LOVE a good puzzle!

Anyway, that's what I've been up to lately.  Hope your weekend was as motivating as mine was.  Happy Monday everyone!

Kevin Russ

Lately I have been drooling over the photos of Kevin Russ - do you know him? It all started with a photograph I suggested to a client for their office, and then while trolling Instagram one day I came across the Most. Gorgeous. Amazing. Photos. Ever.


The lighting, the framing, the stunning West Coast scenery and gorgeous wildlife (in seemingly unreal poses.)  My mind kept asking "How did they get that shot??!"  I wanted to get out and take some amazing pictures of my own, I love that kind of motivating inspiration!



Obsessing over every single one I thought I should know more about this talented person.  So I followed the link in his profile, low and behold it was the same photographer as the buffalo print I'd recommended. Of course, awesome!


(Kevin Russ prints, clockwise from top left 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

He sells many more of his gorgeous prints here on Society 6, if you're as entranced as I am. His Instagram is so much fun to see. Warning: if you follow, you will want to hike every waterfall, gorge, seaside, forest, cliff and beach up and down the coast. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Style Crush: Vintage Rings

Do you get hung up on a particular thing?  For me, it's always been rings.  I love love love rings. Necklaces are lovely, but I never seem to get around to wearing them.  I can't wear earrings because my ears are stretched.  I have two watches I really like to wear, but bracelets are not really in my wheelhouse - I think partly because they tend to get in the way when I'm on my laptop.  So, rings are my jewelry of choice.  But not ANY ring, I love luscious, unique, and vintage (ish!) rings. When you haven't seen one anywhere (and it's floral), it's exactly my style.  For example, my engagement ring is a pale green diamond, almost seafoam green, my favorite color!  And the ring I received from Edwin when Rosie was born is a morganite stone (peach/pink emerald) set into a rose gold flower.  I was trolling around the other day and found these rings, too pretty not to share.



1. C. 1960 Vintage Carved Coral and Diamond Bee Ring from Ross Simons // 2. Vintage Hexagonal Diamond Engagement Ring from Ritani // 3. Ornate Retro Vintage Tri Color Gold Eternity Band from The Three Graces // 4. Star Amongst Stars in a Russian Diamond Ring from 1st Dibs // 5. Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Ruby Bow Motif Ring from 1st Dibs // 6. The Irina Ring from Brilliant Earth // 7. 1.93 Carat Art Deco Diamond Ring from 1st Dibs

If I had more confidence about buying vintage when we were ring shopping for my engagement ring I would have totally gone for one of these.  There are some amazing and reliable resources for vintage rings out there, maybe for our anniversary?!  A girl can hope!  Swoon!

Farmers Market Flowers

I am just delighted every week with the flowers at our local farmers market. They are always whatever is in season, they look fresh and are the loveliest colors.  Best of all? It's $20 for 6 bunches of flowers, regardless of variety. In the past I've gotten ranunculus in every color, snap dragons, cosmos, daffodils, sunflowers, sweet william (a flower I love the look and name of.) 



This week there were rows and rows of a personal favorite: dahlias. Oh how I love dahlias! They are so interesting texturally, they come in so many hues and sizes, they look vintage and modern at the same time, and they look lovely in many different varieties of arrangements.



I'm also partial to them because they were in my wedding bouquet and bring back sweet memories.  Our genius wedding florist, Church Street Flowers, had suggested them based on the black and white, vintage modern look of our wedding and the flowers (and the florist!) have been a favorite ever since.



Here are the four arrangements that I made this week, all done from the $20 for 6 bunches investment.  Similar in process to this post on arranging $18 worth of Trader Joe's flowers, I sorted all my flowers out in piles by color and type, arranged my large bouquets first and used the odds and ends to make a little posy for the bathroom and the kitchen window.  It might be a ridiculous way to spend 30 minutes of very precious free time, but I find it relaxing and it creates lasting enjoyment!



We've been having a rough couple weeks with the baby munchkin, so it has been uplifting spotting these flowers at every turn in our house. Hooray! Hope you are all enjoying this lovely sunshine. Bon weekend!

HAPPY FOR HUE: STONE GREY

Grey is one of my favorite neutrals. I could wear jeans and a v-neck grey t-shirt everyday for the rest of my life and be very happy. natalie 

1. Cece leather ballet flat, J.crew \\ 2. Boxy leather holdall, Topshop \\ 3. Cropped matchstick jean in garment dyed denim, J.crew \\ 4. Quilted sweat, Topshop \\ 5. Gloss short rain boot, Hunter \\ 5. Colored shirt, Zara \\

Happy Monday

I hope you enjoyed the 4th of July holiday!  We had a lovely time, and I was so busy chatting, eating, and mixing drinks I didn't take a single picture of the party - boo.  Rosie showed her toddler friends quite the good time, beating the heat splashing away in the water table and the kiddie pool.  Isn't it amazing those two silly looking plastic items are endless hours of entertainment and happy toddler making in the summer?  I'll admit I sneak my toes in too, it's the coolest (get it? coolest?)




Rosie's outfit (sadly so tight in the chest I'm pretty sure it's time to pack it away) is last season from Janie and Jack, my dress is Anthropologie here.

P.S.  If I had the time, or energy, I would totally make this tricycle car wash - I'm obsessed! Happy Monday y'all!

Photography Challenge: Week 3

Well hello, and how do you do?  We have been enjoying the long weekend, despite a few bumps in the road (my daughter slept for a total of about 6 hours last night, good times!)  The BART strike looks to be on at least a 30 day reprieve, and the 4th of July was sunny as it should be - all is well in the world!  This is week 3 of my photography challenge, and although I do seem to be getting more familiar with my settings, I'm still not very quick in fixing them.  My new ridiculous habit is to forget my ISO setting and so the first 10 pictures I take are so badly lit they are garbage. Then I realize UH DUH, I'm on ISO 100, inside the house, with practically no light.  No bueno.



This picture is Rosie and her dear friend Elise, who is so precious and I just adore her.  She looks just like a little doll, doesn't she?  Adorable separately, I think they are compounding the cuteness together.  I just want to kiss them both!  I wish I had increased the aperture a bit because Rosie is sitting up a little further than Elise and a teensy bit out of focus.  I should have chosen another photo, but it was so sweet.  Nevermind, I stand behind my choice!  I will keep trying, I will!

Style Crush: Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid

I've seen the movie Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid at least 649 times, honestly.  It's a classic, it has tons of action, humor, and young Robert Redford and Paul Newman - swoon!

(pictures 1, 2)

But the real scene stealer is Katharine Ross as Etta Place (you might recognize her from The Graduate.)  Her long brown hair, her big brown eyes, that serious look and adventurous spirit.  She's totally gorgeous, and I have a style crush.  A full blown western-maxi-skirt-heavy-eyebrow-wild-spirit crush.

(pictures 3, 4)

So here are a few items I think you might catch modern day Etta wearing, in all her Sundance Kid loving glory.  I just want to ride off into the sunset in that maxi skirt and bleached denim shirt, on the back of Paul Newman's horse would not be a bad day.  Giddyup!


1. The Transport Rucksack from Madewell // 2. Annie Bing Sleeveless Dress from Shopbop // 3. Brixton Tiller Floppy Hat from Zappos // 4. The Archive Boot from Madewell // 5. Vintage Maxi Dress from Etsy // 6. Braided Updo Tutorial from She Let's Her Hair Down // 7. 1969 Bleached Western Shirt from The Gap

A Rose By Any Other Name...

We named our daughter Rose Luella Lee.  We named her long before she was born, the minute we said Rose out loud we knew that is what she would be.  The name Rose has several family ties for me, first, I was raised in Roseville, Minnesota.  My grandfather grew roses and entered them in competitions, Rosie is my step-great grandmother's name and a favorite aunt's middle name.  I love roses, I have several rose tattoos and pink spray roses and garden roses are my favorite flowers.  Rose was also my favorite Golden Girl

Luella means warrior, and boy did we ever name Rose accurately.  What comes first though, the chicken or the egg?  Is she a warrior because of her name, or did we just guess extremely well with our little antagonistic daughter.  I sometimes wonder if we didn't bring her battling nature upon ourselves (and if so, should we name our next child Peace?)  No, I am not thinking about having another child, we have our hands full thankyouverymuch.

The name Lee means "plum tree" in Cantonese, the language of my husband's family.  They are from Hong Kong, and moved here when my mother in law was (unknowingly) expecting my husband Edwin.  The plum tree we planted when Rosie was born 17 months ago is already bearing fruit, way ahead of schedule and always pushing towards the sky - also so much like our young and tall warrior daughter.  We have been eating the fruit from the tree and it's sometimes bitter and sometimes tooth-achingly sweet.  Oh, you've met my daughter?  Sounds just like her doesn't it?

Sometimes I think the world is just full of meaning.  A few random musings for your Monday.  Hope you are surviving this ridiculously inconvenient BART strike, for those of you in the Bay Area.  I wish for you speedy commutes (or better yet, instant tele-commutes!)

Photography Challenge: Week 2

Boy is it hard to shoot in manual mode!  I feel like I can't capture anything in time because I'm busy fiddling with my settings.  I'll admit, at one point I did switch to Aperture Priority for a few minutes but caught myself cheating and gave myself a little slap on the wrist.  So here's the shot I loved this week, I know it's not probably what traditionally looks like a great photograph but I like it.  Those girls sure are sweet in those little Target swimsuits, aren't they?



Practice makes perfect, no?  Onwards and upwards!

Fourth of July Party!

One of my all time favorite holidays is the 4th of July, it brings back so many fond memories of home. I grew up in suburban Minnesota and often try to make it back there specifically for the 4th of July holiday. In my hometown 4th of July starts with a quick trip to Central Park to lay out a blanket and a couple lawn chairs to reserve your space for the show later on, followed by an early BBQ in the backyard with family and friends (brats and potato salad are served, of course!) and a lazy afternoon of swimming and snacking before heading off to see the fireworks.

I love that when we get to Central Park we see kids running around with glow sticks, the band is playing patriotic numbers in the bandstand, even the smell of bug spray makes me feel like home. My dad was in the Army for a long time, and so I always feel a swell of pride when the bandleader asks members of the military to stand and be recognized as they play themes on each branch of the military's songs.  My favorite part is definitely the cheesiest, when the band plays the National Anthem and the fireworks start at "the rockets red glare..."  I'm not going to lie, I'm a little misty-eyed thinking about it.  I miss my home, and I'm really going to miss being there for the 4th.



(Balloon Fireworks from Martha Stewart, Sparklers in Stand from thesparklerstand.com, Streamers and Lights from Style Me Pretty)

So this year, we'll be throwing a Midwestern 4th of July Backyard BBQ in honor of my sorely missed home. I'm thinking balloons! And sparklers! And streamers! Of course I'll be serving bratwurst, I mean obviously, and bomb pops!  As well as iced tea and lemonade with a splash of bourbon, for those partaking.  We'll squint real hard and pretend the colored fog fireworks of the Bay Area are really the small town displays of suburban Minnesota.  I'll have my brothers nearby, my own little daughter running around with glow sticks, and the nostalgia will be flowing. 



1. Berries in Paper Cups from here // 2.  Bomb Pops photo from here // 3. Glass Teardrop Tank from World Market // 4. Red White and Blue Star Paper Straws from Etsy seller Bin There Designs // 5. Ikea Elly and Tekla Kitchen Towels (as napkins) // 6. Navy Gingham Tablecloth from Amazon.com // 7. Vintage Sparkler Packaging from Etsy seller nbdg

Oh, you're planning a little soirée of your own?  Well, then please feel free to use this free printable 4th of July invitation I've whipped up for you.


Lastly, a little off topic, but I just have to mention one other thing making my tear glands tingle today: the Supreme Court overturning the Defense of Marriage Act.  It makes me feel truly patriotic indeed! Equality, isn't that what being American is all about?!  Makes my heart wave a little American flag in celebration.  Hooray!

HAPPY FOR HUE: COBALT

I love a good bright blue. It's just so happy and summery! natalie 


1. Enlightenment crew neck sweatshirt, Poler \\ 2. Multi-strap sandals, Kate Spade Saturday \\ 3. Everyday shopper, Zara \\ 4. Cuffed short, Kate Spade Saturday \\ 5. Super ciccio eyeglasses, Madewell \\ Small enamel hinge bangle, Sequin \\

Health Kick

You guys, I'm on a health kick!  Our office is having a "Biggest Loser" challenge.   The winner not only gets to rub it in the faces of all his/her coworkers and look AMAZING, but also walks away with the pot of cash raised by the $50 buy-in.  Not a bad deal, right?  I've packed on a few pounds now that I've reduced the amount I am nursing Rosie (still not totally weaned), and I've been feeling like my jeans are a little too tight.  I'm super excited to win this challenge, hope it doesn't sound too shallow that I intend on taking my winnings straight to Anthropologie!


My plan is to get more exercise hiking with Rosie, and to really concentrate on eating healthy.  I'm a vegetarian, so I'm totally into fruits and veggies - but I eat more than my fair share of cheese and chocolate.  YUM.  No bueno for your waistline though.  I'm not a skinny girl, and I actually love curves on women in general myself included.  I need to feel comfortable and good in my clothes and in my body, and that's my goal here.  Oh, and to WIN.  I love winning, don't you?



(Photo from La Tartine Gourmande)

My big sister lost a boatload of weight based almost on diet alone and she's a real inspiration to me.  She looks fantastic and eats so well.  My husband and I made our weekly visit to the Lake Merritt Farmer's Market on Saturday morning, and instead of picking up just strawberries and flowers we came home with kale, red lettuce, basil, heirloom tomatoes, apricots, nectarines - so many good things.


(Photo from Pinterest here, originally from inactive Tumblr VeganHome)

The contest started last Monday and I'm already down 4.2 lbs!  Eek!  It's two months long, wish me luck!

Twins

I have a twin brother, a lot of people don't know that.  If you're wondering what it's like to have a twin, it's kind of like having a sibling that is a little closer, a little more frustrating, a little more forgiving, and a little more aggravating than your average brother or sister.  I never had my own birthday, so I'm not much of a "birthday princess."  He's definitely able to get away with more than my other brothers and sisters, but I'm also faster to judge and correct him.  It's a little good and bad rolled into one.



We are totally two sides of the same coin, we could not be more different if we tried.  We are close though, and even though he seriously drives me nuts sometimes, I'm so grateful to have him around.  He's my only family member who lives in California, my daughter is totally in love with him (he is literally her favorite person on earth.)  She will spot him from a block and a half away and start reaching out for him.  He has saved my sanity on more than one occasion, driving 45 minutes at a moments notice to play with her and cheer us up when she was really ill.  I love that our daughters are growing up together.  We even work at the same office together, sitting at desks facing one another, 2 feet away from each other every day.  I'm not kidding, and we enjoy it.



And he has the most ridiculously goofy and hilarious sense of humor.  I took these photos of him today.  I asked him to stand in to check lighting/position for a couple portraits I was about to take for the corporate website that I've been working on.  The photos pretty much say it all, he is quite the character.





I really love him.

Cosmic Thing

I'm obsessed with these photos by Cole Rise (talk about a name that was meant to be!) His work is surreal, otherworldly, and so so so lovely.  I keep coming back to these images, I think I might have to have one for my walls (prints starting at $25!)  The only problem will be deciding which one...








Did you guys know today is the 30th anniversary of the first American woman in space, Sally Ride?  And, today NASA announced 8 new astronauts, including 4 women.  Fitting pictures for the occasion I think.

Photography Challenge: Week 1

I have been talking and writing about taking better photographs for a long time now (examples 1, 2, and 3.)  So when my little sister came to me this week and asked for advice on how to get started with photography, I decided it's about time for both of us to take some action.  For the next eight weeks I'm going 100% manual mode on my DSLR and plan to post my best weekly picture here for posterity.  I was inspired by this post on You Are My Fave about Four Steps to Better Photos, and the weekly portrait blog You Are My Wild.  Here are a few other resources I'm using to get off Auto and into Manual:

How to Shoot in Manual Mode - The Basics, by Click It Up A Notch (via You Are My Fave)
Seller Summer School Photography 101 with Michelle Bobb-Paris (30 minute video, super helpful!)
100 Tips From a Professional Photographer, by Eric Kim
Photography 101 - Avoiding Rookie Mistakes, by Justin Hackworth

If you know of other great resources, I'm all ears!  And if you feel up to it, why don't you join in the challenge and shoot in manual mode for 8 weeks?  Let's see what happens!  If you send me the link to your picture or post I'll totally link to it in next Monday's post.

Here's my photo this week:



It's not bad, I actually had some really gorgeous shots that were so badly lit because I didn't correct my settings.  ERGH!  It's a start though, and I'll learn!

Today Was A Good Day

Sometimes I get so tied up talking about how difficult my daughter is, I get surprised about how truly delightful and amazing she can be.  I've mentioned it once or twice before, but my daughter is honestly just a very very challenging child.  Or as my pediatrician likes to say, "You got the double black diamond of babies."  Our experience parenting is not the typical one, although as time goes by we are finding people that also have "spirited" children who really relate to our struggles.  Rosie has had a multitude of health problems, coupled with a strong personality and need for constant stimulation and distraction.  If you're thinking we are just weenies or crappy parents (you wouldn't be the first), a "spirited child" is a real thing.  You can read about other parents with spirited children here, or if you need help with your spirited child this book has been enormously helpful. 



Rosie is wonderful, but doesn't sleep well (or really at all - I'm serious, some nights she's up for 4-5 hours on end) and it leads to epic meltdowns (not to be confused with normal toddler temper tantrums), alternating with seemingly manic behavior the next day.  She's tough to keep up with on a good night's sleep (haha, a good night's sleep, that's hilarious), but when you're sleep deprived, oh man, it's torture.  She's never slept through the night, she's 17 months old.  On a good night she's up every 2.5 hours.  She fights you at every diaper change, car ride, clothing change, getting into the high chair, any kind of grooming, getting into the bath, getting out of the bath, basically sometimes it seems like she hates everything.  She is bored very easily, she's very sensitive, and intense.



It's not like we spend the day cooped up, I've learned my daughter needs constant action (but not too many transitions.)  We spend our days together on playdates at the park, or Children's Fairyland, or Little Farm, and our afternoons playing outside and taking walks with the dog.  Even that is not enough to keep her entertained many days.  And those beautifully poignant moments you picture in your head before you have your baby, it's not that they don't happen, they are just way fewer and farther between than you ever expected.



All that being said, sometimes we just have such a great day.  A day that restores my faith in procreation.  A day that makes me feel like I won the lottery in awesome, super fun, sweet, cute and smart babies.  I feel like I LOVE being a mother, and I feel like I don't want it to end (instead of calling my husband at 4pm and telling him I'm never spending another day alone with our daughter ever again and come home right now before I seriously freak out.)  And today was one of those days.  We didn't do anything "special" per se - we went to a friend's new house that is empty of furniture, we ate lunch picnic-style on the floor, we ran from room to room with Rosie's little BFF Melly, we went swimming, sat in lawn chairs, and then we ran around some more.  Rosie ate like a cow, napped like a rock, smiled like a clown, and all around loved life.  She hasn't been sick in a while, and I can't help but think maybe her great moods lately are a reflection of feeling healthy and basking in this glorious summer weather we've been having.  She's still not sleeping well, but I'll take this little win and run with it.



There was nothing special about today, it was just such a special special ordinary day.  I hope I'll remember it forever, and so I document here.  Happy Happy Happy Friday, everyone.

Hairdo

I broke down and cut my hair.  I know that's probably not the biggest news of the day, but I've been growing it out since I got engaged in January of 2009.   SERIOUSLY, it was pretty darn short.  You can kind of see in this picture, it was actually much longer in front than it was in the back. 



My hair has pretty much been short my whole life.



Years later, years and years...and lots of neglect, it was looking pretty ragged.  And despite really wanting to be the kind of person who has long hair, it really was not me.  My hair is fine and I have about 12.5 minutes on a good day to do anything with it.  It basically lived in a sad sad pony tail and I was really starting to hate it.



No bueno.  So a couple Saturdays ago I brought these pictures to my trusty hair stylist, he's been cutting my hair for 7 years and I adore him.


I was going for a long-ish bob, with bangs.  I told him to do his thing, and he did.  It hits right at the collar bone, so I think it shows off that lovely line.  He said "it reads short, but it's still long-ish if you want to grow it out again."  I can still put my hair in a cute pony, and I can even twist it into a top knot.  I think he's a genius.  I look like a stylish person again, and boy does it ever make me feel good.



Someone once told me "you wear your hair everyday", and it's so true.  I think about that when I'm plunking down some cash for a sweet cut or some new hair product.  I know it's silly to be so vain, but I feel SO GOOD when my hair looks amazing. 

For more hair inspiration, I love the blog She Lets Her Hair Down (pictures 4, 8 and 9 above are from her blog.)


HAPPY FOR HUE: BLACK & WHITE

I'm back with black and white! Feel free to sing some MJ while you read. natalie

1. Scoopback dress in signature zig zag, Kate Spade Saturday \\ 2.  Something else paradox printed tank, Madewell \\ 3. Cross-back tanksuit in morroccan stamp, Madewell \\ 4. Metro in black dot, Kate Spade \\ 5. Elsa piped suede sandals, J.crew \\  6. Inkdot bandana, Madewell 

Underbed Storage Easy DIY

I will admit to having a little obsession with buying on super crazy clearance for Rosie, which is awesome because we always have the next size we need on hand and Rosie always looks terrific (on the cheap!)  Like these adorable and durable Baby Gap jammies I got on clearance last weekend for $4.97 each.  Down from $24.95 each.  Gosh I love a good sale, I really really do!

The downside however, is this:




I know, overstuffed blue and clear plastic bins probably don't bother you as much as they bother me, but Rosie's room is just so sweet and pretty it's jarring to see that thing hanging out under her crib.  We used to have a crib skirt on the crib and viola, hidden.  However it was white, and always dirty (wood floors), and when we dropped her mattress down I had to toss it in the Bermuda triangle of the sewing pile to hem all four sides.  Never to be seen again.  Ho hum.



So, what to do?  I thought about cuter bins, but they were not really cheap and nothing was short enough to fit under the crib, or had that vintage-y vibe I love so much.  I thought about moving the clothes, but it's so convenient to have them right there for when my baby godzilla is ready to move into the next size.  I also love being able to keep an eye on what we have and what we possibly need to buy at the end of the season on SUPER clearance for the next year.

Then at the Antiques Faire this weekend I came across these beauties!



The perfect neutral color, size and shape for her room.  Endlessly useful and totally adorable.  Perfection.  $40 for the whole set (which also includes this sweet little bag I thought I might use for either toy storage or as a play handbag.  The RR on the side was just meant to be!)



Now comes the sorting.  Here's what I do.  First I sort by size, and then by outfit.  That way I can tell what's working together and what's not.  This way we don't end up with one set of leggings or a top that doesn't match anything, which is wasteful.  Also, it sure is easier to get her dressed when the majority of her clothes are somewhat coordinated, especially since my husband usually gets her dressed in the morning.  He comes up with some pretty "amazing" and "interesting" outfits when left to his own devices.



When all the clothes are sorted, choose a suitcase that best fits the amount of clothes in that size.  I tried again to keep the outfits together, while utilizing the space in the suitcase to the fullest.




Last, a little tag with the size on it so you remember.  I printed them on a piece of cardstock and used this punch to get the cute label shape.  I created a free printable template for you here!




More vintage suitcases here, here, here, and here.  Enjoy!

Sources for the what's pictured here in the nursery: 1. DaVinci Jenny Lind Crib in Ebony from Amazon.com // 2. Dwell Studio Fitted Crib Sheet, Pin Dot in Petal from Amazon.com // 3. Aden + Anais Security Blanket similar here from Amazon.com // 4. Gund Bentley Wire Hair Terrier (gift from friend), buy it here // 5. Grey crochet blanket with peach flowers, handmade by Aunt Ellen // 6. Suitcases, vintage from Alameda Antiques Faire // 7. Stars concert posters by Jason Munn, frames custom // 8. Hot Air Balloon Mobile from Bellacor, similar here (different colors)
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