lark's 1st birthday!

We threw Lark's first birthday party on St. Patrick's Day (even though her actual birthday was last week) with a 'Gold At the End of the Rainbow' theme. It was so nice and we really appreciate all of our family coming out to celebrate this little cutie's life with us. She really is a lucky girl to be loved by so many wonderful people!

For the decor, I cut out 'Lucky Birthday Girl!' from gold sparkle paper using this font and simply taped it to the wall, then made a rainbow with balloons. The utensils and straws were held in gold glitter dipped mason jars I made that morning, and chocolate gold coins were strewn about the cake. 

We kept the menu light with pasta salad, french country bread, and green grapes. I took a chance on the pasta trying out a recipe I had never made before and it was a hit! I would definitely make it again for a large crowd since it was so easy (although I would love to tweak the dressing a bit and use fresh herbs instead of a ranch dressing packet).

When it came time to blow out the candle, we had to hold Lark back because she kept trying to grab the flame, completely opposite of her older sister who shied away from the candle when she turned one. It is so fun to start noticing these little differences in personality between them - lately, Lark is really starting to show us that she is her own little person!

As has become tradition, Husband made her birthday cake from scratch and it was definitely the highlight of the party! He used this recipe using all natural dyes and the colors turned out so vibrant and beautiful. LM was so excited for the cake to be cut saying it was magical - I think she was right. 

Lark, on the other hand looked at the cake admiringly for a moment, then signed 'All done!' and attempted to shove it off the edge of her highchair. That makes two for two kids in this family not interested in eating any birthday cake at their first party. Oh well, at least I caught the plate before it fell.

At the end, we gave all of her cousins party favors consisting of watercolors and chocolate gold coins. My sister gave me this idea and I thought it was so clever - some gold at the end of the rainbow to take home! 

(These pictures are a mish-mash from my camera, my iphone, and my SIL Heather. Thank you Heather for saving me when my camera battery died!)

shop update: little boys

Little Champ Overalls//Wool Camel Aviator

 Red Button Up Jacket//Plaid Button Up Shirt

GR-R-R Tiger Turtleneck//Sailor Jumpsuit

Tooled Leather Belt//Red and Plaid Reversible Jacket

Blue Corduroy Jumpsuit//Blue Train Romper

Hello! I've been working on getting some amazing pieces for little guys in the shop and this is the first of what will be two rounds of updates (so far). I love so many of these but that reversible jacket? Killer!! Head on over to the shop to take a closer look, or click on the links above to go directly to your favorite piece.

On a related note, I started a Facebook page for Hart & Sew Vintage and would really appreciate a 'like' if you get a chance. I am still figuring everything out over there because, honestly, I don't really get on Facebook very often so I need to familiarize myself - but, I plan on doing fun giveaways, promos, and sneak peeks of items on their way to the shop so you won't want to miss out!

Also, I was honored to be named one of Babble's Top 10 Vintage Baby Shops this year. I am in great company, so go check out all of the shops that made the cut. Thank you Babble, and a big thank you to all of you! Your support over the years has meant so much to me.

xo

little vintage style: one year old

Lark's birthday fell on Sunday this year, so we didn't need an excuse to dress up for the occasion. The weather was so nice we stopped by the park after church and managed to capture our little Lark the day she turned one before our visit was cut short to avoid a potty emergency. Can't wait for the park bathrooms to be open again now that the weather is warming up!

She still looks pretty bald in pictures, but in real life you can see she is finally growing some hair. And, not only is she growing hair but so far it is coming in RED! I must now publicly apologize to my mother who has said from the beginning she was going to be a redhead and we never believed her - a mother really does know best!

At first, LM said she didn't want to be in any pictures, but the inner child model in her couldn't resist pulling out a pose or two, ha! I swear I only told her to "go over by Lark."

I am going to miss the fun pop of color a pair of tights adds to an outfit, but it will feel so nice to have some sunshine on my legs. I have been dabbling in the world of lipstick however, so I suppose I can still get a bright pop of color that way. Are you a lipstick wearer? I never wore it until recently. I decided I wanted to feel confident wearing lipstick if I so chose and it has been really fun!

I just got this skirt on sale (it seems to be gone now) and even though it's knit, I think the light colors will translate well into Spring. You've seen LM's dress before almost one year ago here (she looks so much older now!).

LM wore: dress, vintage//cardigan and tights, Old Navy//shoes, Nordstrom Rack

Lark wore: dress, vintage//tights, Old Navy// shoes, Target

Mama wore: shirt, Layers Clothing//skirt, Anthropologie//tights, Target//belt, Nordstrom//shoes, Anthropologie

And, here is Lark doing a happy dance for turning one! Yay!

weekending

Eventful happenings:
Lots of time spent outside enjoying the gorgeous weather
Our first trip to the little lake this year
Lark cut a top front tooth and the other is close behind

A hot chocolate picnic while watching the sunset
Discovered house hunting will make me go CRAZY, for real
Daylight savings is making me happy

LM rediscovered her vintage tap dance costume love
Lark finally started taking a bottle, giving me some freedom
A Saturday morning nap for all and Sunday morning church

And, the biggest happening - LARK TURNED ONE! My baby is one year old! We will be officially celebrating this coming weekend since I was truly in denial and didn't plan her party in time, but today we gave her a little taste of ice cream to honor the occasion and she enthusiastically approved.

refashion: two into one

This week LM and I worked on a quick sewing project together during Lark's nap time. I've had this refashion on a to-do list in my head ever since coming across this inspiration. LM was very helpful at handing me pins, spraying the water bottle on the fabric while I ironed, and holding the end of the fabric up as I sewed. I loved that she was really into the whole process and excited about what she could do to contribute.

Though we had fun making it, to me in the end it was looking like a rushed job on a nap-is-almost-ending deadline. But, when daddy got home later and she proudly twirled in it for him and exclaimed, "Look at the pretty new dress I made with mommy!" Well then, seeing the memory of the experience light up her eyes, it was looking a whole lot better.

shop update/life update

 1940's Pink Ruffle Dress//Yellow Embroidered Mushroom Dress//Red & Blue Grid Romper//Blue Scallops Dress

1940's Clover Top//Blue Jumper & Bonnet//Mint Baby Outfit//1950's Ascot Bow Knot Scarf 

1940's Sheer Pink Dress & Slip//Yellow Duck Boy Outfit//Blue Knit Daisy Baby Outfit//Tom & Jerry Shoes

Floral Print Baby Dress & Bonnet//Light Pink Toddler Girl Gloves

Hello! Here is this week's shop update. You can click on the individual links, or head on over to the shop to see it all.

We are slowly getting back into a normal routine around here. Lark is looking and feeling so much better and she laughed yesterday for the first time in almost a week. I hadn't realized just how much I missed hearing her sweet giggles! Her high fever finally broke and she got a rash which I was actually happy to see - that means she had roseola, and we wouldn't have to take her in to get a catheter to check for a bladder infection. The rash is almost gone now, and we are just left with trying to get her sleeping through the night again. She has been waking up to nurse more than she ever did as a newborn and I am tired! I am hoping this is the last sickness we will be hit with before Spring rolls in, happy March friends!

our favorite kiddo apps

Sadly, Lark picked up a sick-bug and these last several days (and nights) have been loooonng for all of us. LM has been a champ considering Lark's awake time is demanding almost all of my attention and both of my arms, and honestly, I have my iphone to thank for keeping her entertained during the moments I just need to focus on the sick child. On a normal day, I usually let LM play games while I nurse Lark and put her down for a nap, but she has been enjoying 'game time' a little more lately. I thought I would share a few of our favorite kiddo apps with you.

We love the Tickle Tap Apps - Toddler Pack, Toddler Pack Two, and Doodlecast. The graphics and colors are well designed, and the games are clever while covering a wide array of learning and creative play. LM chooses to play these more than any other apps and I don't blame her - they are fun!

Plic Ploc Wiz is another favorite. You fill in the blanks with the corresponding shape, and then afterward you can make your own picture using them and send it to a friend.

Although LM does like Peekaboo Barn, this one is perfect for Lark since all you have to do is touch the screen to play. It teaches animals and their sounds.

Do you have an iphone or ipad, and if so, do you let your children play games on it? Before I got my iphone I thought it was asking for trouble to let your toddler play with such an expensive 'toy', but now I am a total believer as long as the games are educational. For us the key is making sure we set a limit to playing time. Before I hand over my phone LM knows when she has to stop - ie. when I am done putting Lark down for her nap.

This article on screen time I found on MPMK is an interesting read if you have some time. I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic, and also any recommendations for creative learning apps you love!


(These opinions are my own, I was not compensated by these companies to write this post.)