My alarm clock

Iris...

stuff I want

It feels like it will never be warm again, but while I wait these looks are burning a whole in my pocket of dreams.

Also- I went grocery shopping yesterday and the only food we have in the house to eat are fruits and vegetables. I am getting ready to bare some skin when the sun comes out, so get ready Portland!

From the top- the cutest look from Madewell, dream jeans from my very favorite Seattle based Prairie Underground, sexy sandals from Madewell, a sweet striped dress and a Liberty of London swim suit from J Crew

My big girl

When Dane was in town he spent an afternoon taking photos of the kids. These two of Angelina are especially treasured. 

Some things that made me happy this week

These things made me happy this week...Some amazing art that Iris made with washi tape and oragami paper, my Saltwater sandals arrived (LOVE THEM), Angelina's spring nature table ("Mom, you can make you own nature table...this one is mine.") and my growing collection of craft and art books. I keep hoping that if all of my books are out and in one place I will have time to read them.  I will keep hoping.

Style Crushes

Once again Toast UK is killing me. I am dying to buy Spring clothes, but resolve to walk with my stroller for at least 6 weeks before I purchase anything ( DO NOT hold me to this.)

Fear

Poster from Popcorny

 Since my Quit Your Day Job feature on Etsy I have received countless emails from designers and Etsy sellers who have questions about how to makes sales, get started and expressing that I am an inspiration to them. It has been overwhelming and humbling. But one email really struck me- a woman saying that she was a designer that was not working because of fear.  It struck a very deep chord with me.
What people do not see when the read a feature on a someone (and I am no exception) are all of the fears, worries and doubts that plague creative people trying to make a go at selling their work.

I lost my father in 2003 to cancer. He was my compass.  After I lost him I had no idea which direction to point, where to go, what to do.  I had two children...worked hard at being a good mother and wife, but there was a gaping hole in my heart that was filled with fear. Everything was so overwhelming, but nothing more so than the feeling of shame that I felt, knowing that I was not reaching (or even trying to reach) my potential.  Thank goodness for my mother who by telling me to "Give it a shot" somehow have me permission to move past my fear and start working on my art again.

So what does all this mean? If you do not try you will fail for sure. That is the truth. If you try, you still might fail, but at least you know that you tried. Then you get up, dust yourself off and try again.
You can do it. I believe in you.

Salt water!

I just ordered these for summer...$26.00 sandals cannot be beat. I am thinking they are going to be really cute with dark jeans and striped tank tops...and red toes.