Me and my boys.

That sounds like one of the Little Critter books! :) I love those. So does Parker-man.

Just a few random pictures for your viewing pleasure...

"See my nostrils, Mom?!"

Zzzzzzzzzzzz....

Drivin' Nanna's car!

Aren't we cute???

Date Night!!!!!!!!!!!! Sushi and a movie. Thanks for a fun night, Craig and Missy!

Hope y'all have had a GREAT weekend! And I hope most of you are getting to enjoy a relaxing Spring Break! :)

More Inspiration...

I am currently loving the vintage/vintage-inspired styles. I can't help but look through the loveliness that places like Anthropology and Modcloth contain... I usually run to my craft closet (as of right now, it looks more like a junk closet) after getting lost in the beautiful creations I see and use those inspirations to recreate something that only slightly resembles my favorite finds... or I head to the thrift store to hopefully find something that I can "upcycle" using the inspiration I pull from these lovely shops... here are a few of my current favorite finds...

ModCloth Fresh Coat of Paint

ModCloth Guajira Vest

Anthropologie Go With the Flow Trousers

Ruche amongst the flowers one shoulder dress

Etsy 1970s Muted Redwood Tall Leather Boots

Libby Story Lenna Agnes Vintage Beaded Trim Stretch Bracelet

Urban Outfitters BDG Double Buckle Cross-Body Bag

Do you like vintage or vintage-inspired? Where do you look for vintagey-goodness?

P.S. I do not actually purchase these things! I would be beyond broke if I satisfied every craving for all things vintage. I just love to look and draw inspiration!

Things to come...

Headbands galore...

Triple Rosette in Plum Chiffon

4 Rosettes in Antique Lace

4 Rosettes in Grey Double Georgette

4 Rosettes in Antique Gold Chiffon

Triple Chrysanthemum in Grey Double Georgette

Hairclips and pins in all four colors...I can also make the pressed posies (Grey and Antique Gold flowers with the pearled beads) for a headband!

What's your favorite style headband and hairclip? What's your favorite color? What other colors would you suggest? I'd love your feedback!

My sister and I are working on a variety of goodies for a craft fair in May! R+J Handmade's shop isn't so impressive right now...but we are working on it! Let us know what you would like to see in our shop! :)

The Park-ster

Sometimes we get to do fun things like go to the Children's Museum...and I, of course, was unable to charge my camera to document such an exciting event...so I got 2 measly little pictures of my little guy before my camera died. We had a GREAT time, and Rox was able to get quite a few pictures of the boys when they weren't running around (and away from) us!

Parker LOVED the "puppy". I think he found his way back to the dalmation about 10 times...here, he's hugging the "puppy".

Parker wasn't quite into the dressing up part of the museum...but like I said, I didn't have much battery time left. I HAD to take advantage of this opportunity!! :) I will have to "borrow" some of Rox's pictures to show you we (Parker specifically) really did have fun!!!

Other goings-on in the life of the Routh's...

Parker had a check-up today at the doctor's office. Today was a great check-up because Parker is up-to-date on all of his shots!! No more immunizations until school! YAAAYY! Actually, Parker has done very well every time he's gotten shots...we have no horror stories of bad reactions or freaking out... BUT a doctor's appointment without shots is always a good one! :) He's currently 91% in weight and 87% in height...and constantly growing!! I can't tell you how many times people are surprised to hear he's only 18 months old...Parker's a BIG boy. I am so grateful to have a healthy little guy! I just pray that we can endure these "terrible two's" that we seem to be encountering a little early...I am normally a pretty scatter-brained person, but the toddler stage is only intensifying my insanity...haha...all is well here, but it's not too surprising to find the peanut butter in the fridge or the keys in the sock drawer at my house these days...ok, back to Parker.

Parker got a sucker for being a good boy at the doctor's office. Sticky hands, sticky face, sticky shirt.

We also had to make a trip to the grocery store after Parker's check-up (I know, poor little guy...), and this is obviously the first box of raisins he's ever eaten. I felt pretty bad because I couldn't really help much since we were in the car...he eventually figured it out.

That's all for now...have a good day!!

Inspired...

My sister recently introduced me to what is now one of my favorite blogs: Kara Paslay Designs. I LOVE her style, she's very talented, and she has quite a few tutorials for you to follow!

I saw her post about her DIY busts and silhouettes, and I fell. in. love. I have loved silhouettes and busts for awhile but haven't had enough inspiration to move forward in making anything...until now! My absolute favorite is her Metal Bust. I didn't have any scrap metal, but i had a wire hanger! I knew I wouldn't be able to manipulate the hanger very well, but it was worth a try. So...here it is:

It's not quite as elegant as hers, but I'm happy with it! I can't wait to paint the base (also inspired by another of Kara Paslay's projects...), and I think it (or she) will find its home on my bathroom counter...

P.S. The fabric flower is a new style of hair clip I'm working on to add to R+J Handmade... our shop is pretty empty right now, but we have plans to change that sometime soon! :)

Parker lately...

Oh, the many faces of Parker.

The Leave-me-alone-I'm-just-sweeping scowl.

The I'm-up-to-no-good squint.

The Just-let-me-chew-on-my-blanket face.

Cheesy-cheesy-I love-me-some-Elmo grin.

The I-hate-hummus-and-don't-take-my-picture wail.

The I'm-really-tired-and-out-of-it-so-I-could-care-less-if-Mama-wraps-blankets-all-around-me-and-takes-my-picture stare.

I love ALL of his faces and can't help but share them! :)

DIY Lovelies...

Sometime last year, I found a blog/website called P.S. I Made This, and it totally changed what I thought about buying jewelry and accessories. I never really had much jewelry of my own just because I couldn't afford much. I realized that with a little thought and creativity (and tutorials!), I could make some of my own jewelry! Some of Erica Domesek's ideas are a little TOO much for my liking, but it's interesting to see what she comes up with next!! Plus, I've sometimes been able to use her general ideas and change them to fit my style. So here's one of my favorites...

Chunky Pearl Necklace

What you need:

-A couple strings of glass pearl beads (Wal-Mart craft section: $2 a strand)

-Ribbon (I wish mine was thicker...I really like how her's looks with the wider ribbon)

-Brooch (optional!)

Loop a piece of ribbon through the pearl beads...

...tie a knot and repeat on the other side. Within 2 minutes...

...you have a new piece of jewelry!! At this point you can attach a fabric flower or brooch, but I liked it without...

The longer you make your pieces of ribbon the more "drapey" your necklace will be. She suggests to mix and match different shades of pearls, and I loved that idea!! The pink-ish colored pearls would look so pretty mixed in with these...I may try that..

Let me know if you make one!! I would love to see how yours turns out!

Have a lovely day!