Pink Papillon

This is a Test!!

Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head...

It's been a crazy few days here in S. Cal with the RAIN. I love it. We need it. Evan has been wearing his rain boots and jacket all week to school! Here is my cute little boy all ready to conquer the RAIN. Rainy days...never get me down!

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Happy Birthday, Son

My dear, sweet little boy is turning 5 years old today.  He was born on Labor Day weekend September 4, 2004.  A labor of love it surely was!  Oh, my sweet first born child what a precious blessing you have been in my life and your daddy's.  The other day I was looking for his Birth Certificate and I found this letter Stev had written the day he was born:

The First Days of Life (He titled the page!)

"My Son Estevan Andreas Guerra II.  I love him so much.  I could gaze into his face for hours, and when I hold him he looks at me as if he is talking to me without using any words.  I feel like my life truely has meaning now, to be a good father to my son.  I want to raise him to be a good man, the way my father raised me."

Then, he goes on about MY LABOR and when it all started:

"On Friday, Sept. 3rd Shar went to her doctors appointment and Dr. Pappas checked her and said that we might be having a Labor Day baby.  That got everything started.  She started having contractions about 7:00 that same evening, I was helping her breathe and timing all of the contractions.  We decided to go to the hospital at 12:00 midnight, they checked Shar and said she was still only dilated to 1 cm.  So they had her drink alot of water and walk for one hour.  They sent us home at 4:00 in the morning.  The contractions continued at home becoming more frequent and more intense.  We went back to the hospital at 10:00 Saturday morning.  Dr. Pappas checked Shar and said she is definately progressing.  Now dilated to 6 cm.  We knew he would be here soon..."

 I'm so glad he jotted these words down on paper.  As I read this, I started to get emotional again.  Remembering that day, and all that my body had gone through to give birth to a healthy boy.  I ended up having an emergency C-Section.  And, then we got our son. Many happy days have led up to now.  We look forward to his smile,  his funny little jokes, his confident shyness, and most of all just loving him! 

Happy Birthday, Evan.  We love you.

Mom, Dad, and Sissy Sienna

A Sweet Masterpiece!

Take a look at this adorable cupcake flag cake that my sister-in-law baked for the the 4th of July.  I came across this photo in my files and just had to share.  Alatha, is a talented baker!  She pays attention to detail and challenges herself with the most time-intensive recipes.  This cupcake cake was not only beautiful and oh so patriotic, but it was also very yummy!  She topped off the cake with fancy little candies and I must've eaten 3 of those cupcakes!   She gets her ideas from this wonderful little book:  Hello Cupake, by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson.  They sell it at most major bookstores and I've also seen it at Michael's! 

May "The Force" Be With you...

I've embarked on yet another redecorating  project.  This time it's Evan's bedroom.  He is such a fan of the Star Wars series that I just had to make his little world imaginative and fun to be in.  He has such a big imagination on his own that all he really needs is a Light Saber and his talking Darth Vader or Storm Trooper masks!  Oh, his costumes too!  Stev was and still is a Star Wars fan and he has encouraged Evan to like it too.  I have a brother who was never really into it, when it all started in 1980 something.  So, in turn I was never that interested until now!  It's actually a really cool story and how brilliant was George Lucas to bring it back again with the newest prequal stories.  Anakin Skywalker was just a little Jedi when he kissed his mother goodbye to attend  Jedi Training Academy.  To think that sweet little Jedi Anakin turned to the Dark Side and became the infamous, deep voiced-Darth Vader!  Well, you gotta know that story to embrace Darth.  He really isn't all that bad.  So, I've had some fun talking to Evan about his liking toward Star Wars.  We've come across some really great videos on Utube that we've enjoyed watching over and over and over again!   So these are some of the ideas I have for his new bedroom!  I love Pottery Barn Kids.  The ideas are endless, even if you don't buy from them directly.  It's a great place to get inspiration for themes, wall colors, anything fun for kids.  Go to this link Pottery Barn Kids/Star Wars Bedroom for prices on bedding and accessories for your little guy!  

 Evan has dark wood bunk beds in this rich espresso color, so coordinating will be easy!  I think I'll ask my mom who is an artist if she could replicate that space artwork in the back ground.  The one here is actually really cool, it features small led lights that cast a glow on the digitally printed space scene.  But, this costs $299. 

Pottery Barn Kids, had this for sale too but I don't see that it's available any longer.  Well, that's OK because I found this poster on Ebay for $11.95!  All I need to do is have it matted and framed.  Pottery Barn was retailing this for about $150 framed and matted.  Doing a little footwork always saves money! 

This pillow sham will add a nice touch to his bedding!  I had to buy 2 of everything since he has bunk beds!  So,  I bought 2 of these.

I'm not completely sold on this light fixture, but I might try to find something similiar.

The Star Wars bedding is a reproduction of an authentic vintage pattern.  This sheeting feature Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2, C-3PO and the Star Wars  logo from Star Wars: A New Hope.

Not sure, if we'll be buying this blanket.  Since I bought the duvet. 

Lunch box and backpack with the option to personalize.  

Last, but not least here is Evan using "The Force", see little R2-D2 hanging?  I end with this, "You don't know the power of the Dark Side." --Darth Vader.  

Stella McCartney

She's one of my favorite designers to look at.  Her runway collections are always so beautiful, wispy soft and feminine with touches of modern and classic.  Her newest collection Resort 2010 is just that.  Her elements are always in place with her easy unfussy sex-appeal. In this collection we see a more sportier side to Stella, which is my favorite.  My favorite seasons in the fashion world are Summer and Resort wear.  The fabrics are lighter, the colors softer more demure.  It's always a fuss to put on Fall/Winter clothing.   It's so much fun to look at runway fashion, it  gives us a glimpse of what's to come.   It's all begins at a Runway show, then trickles it's way down to our little world of fashion.  That's why it's so important to follow if you're a fashionista.  Artist always inspire other artists.  The same goes with  fashion designers. 

This a perfect Summer look.  The dress is light, casual yet dressed up with a lightly detailed belt.   Very Ladylike, yet cool and sophisticated.

Jeans and a tee, always a good look.  Dressed up with a light-weight cuffed blazer!  Those are back in style ladies, just without the over-sized shoulder pads please!

 Pale Gold Lame high-waisted skirt with a knit, slouched sleeve sweater w/ assemetric detail design.  Love the dot kitten heals too!  So pretty.

Beautiful. I even love the sassy heals with Gold placket.

 I want this jumpsuit!

Knotty and Nice Bags!

I adore silk !  There are so many textures-Taffeta, Dupioni, Shantung, Charmeuse to name a few.  I can easily work with this fabric when it comes to draping and sewing.  So, I think this is my next project.  I am now on the hunt for luscious silk scarves!  I saw a similar bag here: Anthropologie.  I wanted to buy it, but I knew that I would have to try my hand at knotting one up myself (no sewing required!)  So I found this 10-minute easy project on Martha Stewart.com.  Go here Silk Scarf Bag if you want to make one too!  I would like to carry one of these chic little Silk Scarf Bag around this Summer, wouldn't you? 

Called a Bangle Bag or Silk Scarf Bag.  I love this print.  I need to go Silk shopping soon! 

A little note about Martha (Stewart) that is...

Those of you who know me, KNOW that I am a Martha Stewart fan.  I frequent her website often, read her magazines, cookbooks, blog, watch her televison show, I just love looking into her immaculate life.  She is sheer perfection, although not realistic in every way.  I think everyone wants a little Martha Stewart in their lives.  Naturally people hate her.  She is perfectly, perfect.  Lots of women, especially woman with children and jobs, already have too much to do and nowhere enough time to do it, let alone follow something MS does with complex recipes that require "fresh" herbs from your own garden (not herbs from the market), organic Gray salt (who has that in their pantries?), free-frange chicken...the list goes on.  But, what I've learned to do when I aspire to use one of her recipes is "improvise".   I do make her Macaroni & Cheese Casserole to perfection, I even search for the White cheddar, and Gruyere cheeses!   Here is that recipe if you so desire--Perfect Macaroni and Cheese!  When I want to attempt one of her crafts, I look  for the 20 or 30 minute easy-to-do ones.   About 8 years ago I was at a yard sale, and I saw a box full of old publications of her magazine Martha Stewart Living, and I thought I struck gold!  The woman sold me the box of about 25 magazine for $5 bucks!   My neighbor got married a few years ago and gave me all of her Martha Stewart Weddings, magazines.  I struck gold again!  I own her beautiful Weddings book  which I referred to for my wedding and I loan it to every bride-to-be to help them with ettiquette, traditions, ideas etc.  Every bride I know has used at least one of her ideas!  So that's something!  Even if it's just ONE  idea,  why not do it how Martha would!  She is useful, even if you don't like her.

 A young Martha.

Treehouse Update!

It's coming along!  He has almost completed the stair case.  I can't keep up with him, he's working pretty fast.  By the time I take a picture and post it to my blog, he's already moved on the the next phase.  He's in a rush to get up the railings on the staircase, so the kids don't feel tempted to climb up it and gosh forbid anything happen to anxious little climbers!  These are the most current.  Will post newest by the end of this week!  Go Stev, keep working hard honey!  We want a "Tree House" open house by the end of the Summer.

This is the VIEW from the top, looking at our back yard.  As you might notice my patio set isn't finished!  Anyway, the view is pretty neat.  We could see roof tops, Lambert Road, The Greenway Trail and the RR tracks, oh our back alley too!  Fun stuff.  Please go here: http://pinkpapillon.typepad.com/photos/project_tree_house/

Evan sitting on a branch inside his tree house!

More Hair Pretties!

Look at what we got in the mail today!  Kristen at Ladybugbowtique made these 2 beatutiful bow baskets for Sienna.  The Mouse Inspired one is necessary for all the trips to Disneyland of course! The Hello Kitty one was my special request and it turned out so adorably cute!  Sienna's bow collection is HUGE!  Stev thinks I'm over board, and I tell him "I know I am".  What does he think I'm crazy and don't already know that!  Well, as long at Ladybug Bowtique is in business we'll keep buying her gorgeous bows.  Sienna wears a new bow everyday and never leaves the house without one.  I know, I know look at what I've started.  O'well too late to go back now!  Wait until you see her purse collection.  That's next!  Now, go order some BOWS!

Mouse Inspired Bow Bouquet from Ladybug Bowtique.

Hello Kitty Bow Basket-Custom from Ladybug Bowtique.

Wearing her Hello Kitty dress and made-to-match bow!  So cute, and so fun!

Beautiful Boy...

Evan celebrated his last day of  pre-school this past week.  He will be attending a really great school in the Fall and on his way to Kindergarten!   Now we have to get through the Summer!  He'll be spending long days swimming in his grandparents pool, playing in his tree house and will even celebrate birthday #5.   He's also enrolled in a Summer school program and will be going to some fun places like Knott's and Build-a-Bear and staying on campus for fun activites.  He is looking forward to seeing a Magician and Circus Day!  Happy Summer! 

Every girl needs one of these...

Enough said!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I'd like to introduce you to my dear mother Annette.  She is a wonderful mother, grandma, daughter, sister and friend.  She's wonderful everything, actually.  She's a free spirit who lives, loves and cherishes all the little wonders in life.  When I'm getting caught up in the big things, she reminds me of the everyday little things, that I need to treasure.  Mom always has me on check.  I love her for that.  My kids eyes light up when they see her and she's always ready to play and  have fun with them, and always has either a watermelon or cantalope with her to cut up and serve!  She gives them fruit,  instead of candy!  These are just a few things, but today I want to wish you a Happy Birthday, Mom.  I love you. 

 
Mom looks great!  Born June 18, 1956.  She shares a birthday with Paul Mcartney-A Beatle.

Isn't this beautiful...

My father-in-law made this for me.  I provided the vintage-looking pins and the frame and did all the rest.  He covered the inside of the frame with upholstery fabric, removed the pin from the backs of each one and glued them in place.  Maybe I should ask him to do a tutorial for me so that I could show you!  Just thought I'd share! 

Still loving the curls...

Here she is wearing this cute headband her grandpa bought her.  It had to be Pink of course!  Her curls are getting longer and there are a few ringlets too!

The Little Black Dress

Talk about timeless fashion!  Here is the beautiful Audrey Hepburn.  Always one of my favorites for her simple, sweet beauty!  I just loved this picture of her.   The "Little Black Dress" has been a classic must have piece ever since Hubert de Givenchy invented it!  He designed this piece for Audrey when she was filming  Breakfast at Tiffany's. 

Ice Cream Social

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice-cream!  Yum, well despite the June gloom weather we've been having here,  I took the kids to get  ice cream cones!  The kids love the vanilla soft serve cones from where else, but McDonald's!  So, I grabbed a sugar free Vanilla iced coffee and got the kids a cone.  The sun peeked out for a little while, and the kids were happy! 

She even wore her ice cream social dress!  Yummy, mommy!

 

 

My White Picket Fence

It's Spring and my roses are blooming!  I've been doing lots of cuttings, too.  It's pure joy being able to bring in flowers from your own garden! 

From The Garden...

I felt like cutting some roses today.   My living room is filled with the scent of sweet rose.  I'm walking around the house wondering what smells so good, and I look over and see my roses!   If you have rose bushes, I encourage you to make as many cuttings as possible.  Yes, they look so pretty all bloomed in your garden and you want your neighbors to admire them, just take out a vase, put them in water and you'll find yourself in sheer splendor as YOU admire their beauty and scent.  These are a Tea Rose hybrid.  Amazing how this bush gives me both Coral and pale Butter Yellow colors.  Very, very beautiful indeed!