Joy+Love 2016 Holiday Collection

Parker made his official modeling debut a few weeks ago for Joy+Love's 2016 Holiday Collection. I couldn't be more proud of my little man for doing so well in front of the camera and really working all the holiday looks with the other mini models. All of the holiday looks were stylish yet functional so the kids had no problem twirling, jumping and running around during the photo shoot. I love that there are so many separates that you can mix and match but I'm most excited about the fact that they now carry clothes and accessories for boys! My favorite looks from the collection are pictured below. Enjoy!

https://shopjoypluslove.com/

Scarlett Jacquard Dress
Poppy Sleeveless Polka Dot Dress

Ethan Slate Grey Sweater + Chase Charcoal Grey Jogger Pants by Splendid + Tyler Red and Black Bowtie

Evan Red Suspenders + Preston White Polka Dot Banded Collar Shirt

[Work it, Parker!]

Hannah Ivory Pearl Neckline Short Sleeve Top + Avery Grey Sparkle Tulle Skirt 

Audrey Soft Pink Lace Collar Long Sleeve Top + Avery Ivory Sparkle Tulle Skirt

Samantha Striped Shirt with Lace Detail + Emma White Tulle Tutu Skirt with Gold Glitter Waistband

Hannah Ivory Pearl Neckline Short Sleeve Top + Avery Grey Sparkle Tulle Skirt 

Mary Flower Headband

[These girls had great chemistry and were natural models! I think Parker may have fallen in love at the photo shoot.]

James Dark Stone Jogger Pants by Splendid

[These joggers were so soft and comfortable. I love stylish kids clothes that are not restrictive! The boys had no problem climbing trees and running around in these outfits.]

Lucy Long Sleeve Polka Dot Tulle Dress

Sophia Long Sleeve Bow Peacoat

  

We are approaching holiday family photo season and if you are still looking for outfits for your little ones visit Joy+Love! Enter code Happy15 at checkout for 15% off your total purchase. Offer ends 11/2/16.

*This post is brought to you in collaboration with Joy+Love. All words and opinions are my own. 

Glow Stick Halloween Printable

Can you believe that Halloween is next Monday? I'm so excited! P's class is having a costume party to celebrate and I worked with my talented sister Tania to come up with a teal pumpkin project friendly Halloween treat for the kids in his class. I've been a supporter of the teal pumpkin project for the past couple of years and am happy to continue the tradition with these fun glow stick treats this year. 

Instructions

All you have to do is click on the download icon below for the printable file, print and cut along the two black lines then insert a bracelet sized glow stick (8"). Glow sticks are plentiful in-store this time of year and very affordable. You can also order 100 for $10 on Amazon.

For more information on how you can help to raise awareness of food allergies and promote inclusion of all trick-or-treaters this Halloween season visit the F.A.R.E. teal pumpkin project website. 

Click on the icon below to download the printable!

5 Year Wedding Anniversary Song Dedication

Dedicated to my hubby on our 5 year wedding anniversary. Thanks for being a mighty mighty good man. Now let's so celebrate at the happiest place on earth!

xoxo
M

Epic Octopus Costume Photos and Instructions

After many many hours of watching Jonathan Bird's Blue World videos on Youtube, Parker decided he wanted to be an octopus for Halloween this year. Not just any octopus, a blue ringed octopus. Threenagers have very specific needs. You feel me, mamas? So I said challenge accepted and started researching octopus costumes and inspo. If you follow me on Pinterest and were wondering what I was up to, now you know. There is a method to my madness! I lucked out in finding this octopus costume pattern and tutorial from Martha Stewart and the rest was history. Enjoy these snaps of my little octopus contemplating his return to the sea. All photo credits belong to my wonderful husband who is totally supportive of my crazy ideas. 

This costume took a total of 4 hours of actual sewing and construction time. Add a few hours for the time it took for the puffy paint to dry. In total, it took me 4 days to complete the whole project because trying to find 4 hours of time to craft is nearly impossible.

I perused the aisles of Joann's to find a solid yellow cotton similar to this and a lighter patterned yellow cotton for the interior that looked like octopus suckers. I used the instructions from this DIY Octopus Costume tutorial to add a bit of a curl to the tentacles.

After sewing the outer part of the cape together, I pulled up a few photos of blue ringed octopuses (octopi?) and drew the blue ringed octopus pattern onto the outer part of the cape using brown and blue puffy paint. I had considered cutting the rings out of felt and sewing them on but figured puffy paint would be less time consuming. The paint actually gives the costume a cool texture too. Threenagers totally appreciate hand painted fabric, right?

After the paint dried overnight, I finished sewing all the parts of the costume together and let Parker help me stuff the tentacles and head with poly-fil. He loved that part! Side note: the "filling tool" aka single chopstick that comes in the poly-fil bag is such a joke. HA!

I was so happy with how the costume turned out that I made Parker and Tuan go down to La Jolla Shores to snap some photos. We arrived as the sun was setting and the tide was low. It was perfect and Tuan did a fantastic job capturing the essence of the costume.

Now the only thing left to do is make my tiger shrimp costume and our family will be all set for Halloween. Happy crafting, everyone!

If you have any questions about the costume, leave a comment below!

Bates Nut Farm 2016

Every fall we make the trek out to Valley Center to visit the pumpkin patch at Bates Nut Farm. It has become a tradition for us that I look forward to. I love seeing the fields of Big Macs, bins of pumpkins and the hodgepodge collection of animals. Bates is one of the best pumpkin patches in town and this year it's grown quite a bit. There is now  $5 parking fee and more booths selling goods and food than I have ever seen before. If you are looking for an authentic Fall experience in San Diego, go visit Bates Nut Farm.

Right before writing this post, a friend told me she calls it Nates Butt Farm and now I can't get it out of my head! Hahaha. Take a stroll down memory lane by checking out these photos from 2013, 2014 and 2015. 

[The highlight of Parker's day was finding a lady bug on one of the pumpkins.]

[Yup. Same size as his head.]