refashion: less is more

I love an easy and gratifying project that can be accomplished in one afternoon, and this refashion certainly fits into that category. When I came across this dress at the thrift store I immediately knew it could be something more - with less.

Out came the seam ripper with a fond farewell for the sleeves and lace. The ribbon was attached with a safety pin and that came off as well. Then I just had to sew the now raw edge of the arm opening down to finish it up. Twenty minutes later and voila, a whole new look!

More refashions here and here.

little vintage style: little patriots

We had a nice Fourth of July and hope those of you who are stateside did too. We spent the day with family playing volleyball, swimming, eating, and watching some firework shows from afar. Utah has been burning up with wild fires all over the state, and just this week the mountain next to ours went ablaze. It was heartbreaking and scary watching the huge smoke cloud billow up like a bomb as the neighborhood congregated on the street wondering if the flames would jump over to our peak. Needless to say, all fireworks were banned in our area.

The flames were mostly under control but still burning as we drove home late on the Fourth, so we went a little closer and watched them flicker in shock and awe...not the firework show we were anticipating this year, but mesmerizing none the less. Thankfully, everyone is alright and no homes were lost, but it definitely put the power of nature into perspective. Also, I love firefighters.

But, let's move on to happier subjects - like this face, for example:

I am telling you, this face has me wrapped around it's little finger. Lark is almost 16 months old and her personality is bursting out. She is so funny, and expressive, and learning new things faster than I can keep up. She loves looking at books and the other day I found her reading in the shower. Sometimes when she gets a little bump she will run to her sister for comfort. Watching the Little Miss hug her and pat her back while Lark buries her head in her shoulder and pops that thumb in her mouth... well, it's just about all my mothering heart can take. 

LM really is a sweetheart to her little sister. She cracks me up every single day. She is such a ham and loves performing whether she has an audience or not - I often walk in on her mid-song and dance routine and she is completely unashamed and just starts singing louder. Between the two of them I am completely done in.

For their patriotic attire this year Lark wore a vintage dress that you may remember LM wearing as a top. LM wore a vintage sleeveless shirt in a fun red, white, and blue print. See what she wore last year here.

Lark wore: dress, vintage//sandals, Target hand-me-downs

LM wore: top, vintage//worn-in pants, Target//sandals, Saltwaters

our growing library

(We are back and settling into a non-traveling summer routine. I have yet to go through all of our vacation pictures, but a recap will be coming soon!)

Most afternoons I carve out an hour or so during Lark's nap and the Little Miss and I have 'book time'. I've been letting her choose picture books, her favorites starting to look worn in, but the other day I decided to try a chapter book for the first time. This very copy of Charlotte's Web was my first chapter book, and it is a story that helped shape my love of reading early on, so it was an easy choice. I explained that there were not as many pictures so she would have to listen carefully and use her imagination. That day we got through two chapters which was more than I had hoped for and best of all - she liked it!

Adding a chapter book to our reading routine was such a nice change of pace for me. It helped rekindle my desire to build a library for my girls to fuel their love of books and learning. I have always been a bit of a bookworm myself, and enjoy snuggling on the couch reading all about bugs just as much as getting lost in a story.

Although we have plenty of present-day books in our library as well as on our wish list, I cannot resist snatching up all of the vintage books I come across at the thrift. And, lucky for me an old school teacher must have donated her books lately because I have been finding some real gems. Those pictured here are just a few of my favorite illustrations and typography - two of the main reasons I cannot resist them.

"Illustrated Atlas for Young America" 1956

"The Song of the Day Birds and the Night Birds" 1967 

"This is Music 5" 1962

"The Story Hour" 1957 

What present-day or classic books do you count as must-haves in your child's library? I would love to hear so we can continue to grow ours!

checking in

Life has been extra busy, filled with extra good things... We had a blast in California, visiting Disneyland, the beach, Sea World, and hitting up a baseball game somewhere in between. I turned 29 on the 25th and was spoiled by my sister who brought me lunch and then shoved me out the door to go shopping while she watched the girls (I know, right?), and by my husband who came home from work early and took me out on a date until late. He also surprised me with a Kindle. I love a good book so I am excited to try it out. As for the girls, they are keeping busy eating their weight in watermelon and wearing in their swimsuits.

But, the extras don't stop there... This weekend is our annual Girl's Weekend my mom puts on, so the girls and I are hitting the road once more! I spent the majority of today cleaning the house and car, and doing laundry after being gone last week, so it is crazy it's already time to pack again. At least this time I will come home to a tidied up house :)

More photos to come... thanks for sticking around while I am out.

Has summer been keeping you extra busy too?

{{p.s. the SALE is still on}}

shop update + a SALE!

Blue Rick Rack Dress//Floral Top + Shorts Set

Striped Sailor Blazer//Red Striped Golf Outfit

 Peach Gingham Pinafore Dress//Pink Embroidered Yoke Outfit

Red Roses Button Up Shirt//Yellow Smocked Dress

 Red Animal Overalls//Denim Cars Overalls

 Pink Lamb Overalls//Gray Ruffle Dress

Hello friends! I finally got around to updating the shop this summer, only to be leaving on vacation soon. We are heading out this Saturday to go to California for a week, so I will be closing up shop from the 16th-24th. If you see anything you like or have had your eye on that certain item - now is the time to get it! But not before you ...

enter the coupon code SUMMERLOVIN for 20% off!

That being said, things around here will likely continue to be quiet for the next little while. Summer is doing a great job at pulling me away from the computer and I am not complaining. I am welcoming any activity to take my mind off of the stresses of home buying. We are still waiting to find out if we got the house and it is seriously taking a toll on my sanity. I am not the type of person to stress much, but this has been a major exception. So many factors out of our control are causing the delay, but what is most frustrating is having no choice but to put all of my hopes and dreams into the hands of other people. People that I am praying do their job right the first time, and do it quickly. This has been quite the ride. I am ready for it to be over, preferably with a new set of keys, but either way we will know soon enough... 

Good thing we are leaving on vacation because I need one!

our ballerina

The Little Miss ended her first year of dance a few weeks ago. She loved it and is already asking me when she can start going again. It was definitely one of the highlights of my week helping her pick out an outfit, putting her curls up in a top knot, and then watching her concentrate as she proudly put on her ballet flats all by herself.

If you follow me on Instagram (stacyhartsew) then you probably saw my weekly ballerina series which I've (mostly) rounded up here. We usually stopped on our way out the door before class and LM would humor me and strike a pose. I'm so happy I took these pictures since, at least to me, they show how much she grew both physically and technically throughout the year. Her first day of class was the picture just below on the right (pink leotard, blue bow) - compare that to the last picture which was taken after her recital almost nine months later and you can really see how much she matured.

We are so proud of our little ballerina! She got up on that big stage in front of everyone and danced every step with a big smile on her face - I may be biased, but I think she was the best one :) We have a natural born performer on our hands and I hope to give her many more opportunities to shine, as long as she wants them.

Year one, check.

lately

Well, the week I said was starting out pretty great quickly took a turn for the worse and in fact was pretty darn miserable. I got realllly sick and Lark apparently decided since mama was down for the count it would be a stellar time to cut four new teeth, including molars - we were just trying to get through each day without too many tears. Although I do have to say, I was SO thankful to have some amazing friends and family step up and get LM out of the house on play dates and park adventures for me. It is so wonderful to have a loving support system to call on.

Once we were all finally feeling back to normal I couldn't bring myself to sit at the computer when I could be outside! Breathing through my nose and swallowing without my throat punching itself! And, somehow two weeks passed since I'd dropped in here...whoops. In order to get myself back into the swing of things, here are some photos of life lately - minus the stint when we were sleeping and crying more than usual, drinking gallons of honey-laced tea, and creating big piles of tissues.

 I suppose we haven't had too bad a start to summer :)