The Design Group I belong to is giving away a Petti!

I'm a member of a sewing design group, The Girlfriends Manor, and we're giving one of these away!
If you've never had one, they are ridiculously fun for photo shoots! We had them last year for our X-mas photos and just loved them. If you've ever wanted to take some photos you'll cherish for a lifetime that have a special punch of fun, these are perfect to wear. I've seen so many gorgeous photos of girls on the beach in the white ones, the red ones during the holidays or at Valentines or just any fun occasion! You can check out some of the professional photos at Oopsy Daisy's site. All you need to do is go to The Girlfriends Manor Blog to leave a comment and you also need to be an active subscriber to the mailing list! Once that's done, you're entered to win, good luck!

Happiness from Hong Kong

My post office is a long enough trek to get that it's annoying to have to make a special trip. Apparently I had something that needed a signature on it and since I wasn't home the first time they attempted to deliver, they sent it back to the Post Office who was ready to send it back to my friends in Hong Kong. Yep, I took the plunge, I got labels!! I feel a little more official. I know, small thrills in life but that was about it for tonight. Pretty soon my customs will be going out tagged and labeled. These aren't your grandmothers homemade clothes :)

Okay, so I couldn't wait, pulled out some of the samples that we keep in our own closets and added the first label.

Polka Dots.......more of them!

and I think I'm starting to see spots! We're in the South, so it takes a while for our cool weather to finally hit where we then officially retire the shorts and tees. We're getting some blasts of chilly Fall here and there so we're putting the warmer clothing into the closets, trying things on, and seeing what we've got that needs a mate! This tee from Mini Boden this year asked for something other than jeans so here we are! We just added this new one to Etsy today and relisted the brown one. I'm all caught up on the orders from that style and offering it one more time :) These are custom orders to get a perfect fit for your little one! M wanted to put her pink lo-top Converse with this but since I'm talking cold weather (even though it's 80 here as I type) we photo'd with some fun, furry boots.

I met McDreamy last night....

...isn't he sweet? Ever since I gained my married last name, I've heard the phrase, "Dr Livingston I presume" and my kids do too. T decided he was going to be a doctor this Halloween and I think he makes a fine physician. After watching Grey's Anatomy last night, I've decided the real McDreamy is under my own roof. We're allowed to be smitten with our own kids right? Well watch out if you see us Halloween night, he's giving everyone flu shots and has a very large syringe :) We had delusions of all these cool costumes made by mom but when we visited the store, the kids had too much fun picking out their own. I guess it's the American way, why wait for something when you can have it right now and my kids are no different. More pics to follow as we finish off Batgirl's costume and our very own Hannah Montana.

Polka Dots - It's my love language

Yes, I just never tire of them and M let me snap a few photos today. This is a new twirl skirt and has been added to my Etsy store as of today and it matches to everything. Brown is for kids like black is for adults! Available in custom size 2-8 yrs. We paired it for photos with a few of our Mini Boden tees that we had on hand and really liked these combos. My 2 young assistants both gave it the thumbs up so I know it's passed the most critical test in my house :) Happy Hump Day!

M2M Gymboree Sweeter than Chocolate Twirl Skirt

Here's the tiered twirly skirt that matches to so much you probably already have in her closet! So simple, yet so versatile. I saw the new Gymboree Line, Sweeter than Chocolate come out, and I knew I wanted to make something to match. This skirt matches to so many of the tee's from this line as well as some of the Mini Boden tees from the Fall/Winter lines this year. I can't wait to get a few modeled photos but for now, since it's late night and my model is getting some shuteye, these will suffice. The horse tee is from Mini Boden this year. They've also got a large flower tee as well that this would look fabulous. Add some fun tall boots and she's set for Winter! This will be sent to Etsy soon!

Ruffles on etsy

I had some fabric gone missing which required me to dump out every bin of fabric I owned in search of it. It never turned up but the outcome of this was me getting reacquainted with some old loves. I found the remains of some chocolate brown cord with pink polka dots and had enough to make a single pair of ruffles. They are on Etsy as we speak and this will be the only pair offered as this project saw the end of this fabric. Perfect to wear with a simple brown top like we picked, or layered underneath a knot or tunic top. Of course in our house, we make most things work as an everyday item and dress it casual with a little denim thrown in. Thank you M for obliging and taking a photo for me! Elastic waist for easy on comfort!

Holiday Peppermint Treats Sneek Peaks

Have a little something for the younger girls. I've been forbidden in my house to try things on my son to check fit anymore so I'm gonna have to wait til I can find a warm little body to try this on! T, you've officially been released of any modeling responsibilities!

Ready to ship Holiday Skirt on Etsy Sz 7/8

Just click on the photo and it should take you directly to the link. I'm working in the background trying to add things each week so keep checking back for more listings.

A Camping we will go....

the girl scout troop that is! L is so excited for her entire troops weekend camping adventure in early November. Cabins by the lake and a massive group of giggling girls! We thought it'd be fun for each of the girls to have a special pillowcase for the weekend trip so I let L at it this weekend with her own test project. I'd seen these cute little word pillows once in Garnet Hill I figured, easy enough to make and we'd do no sew lettering. I instructed and watched but SHE did it! Oh the taste of sweet victory, she was so tickled to share with her girl scout buddies what she finished. She sewed the edges together, has grasped the concept of right sides together, knows how to lock a stitch and make iron ons of her own. T was there as spectator, for moral support and desperately pleading to have a go at the iron only to be disappointed to hear the words no. This is a project that we hope to get cracking on real soon for all the girls to complete. We chose 2 fabrics and decided to mix it up on each side.

Good Luck my Texas Longhorns!

Yes, this game is a special one to us, very near and dear to our hearts as it marks the annual inter-family/cousin college rivalry coming head to head. Anyone who is a Longhorn, or an OU Sooner fan for that matter, knows this is a HUGE party weekend in Dallas and a fantastic game to go to and watch. Here's a shout out to my alma mater, the Texas Longhorns. We have little Longhorns in our house who are already bleeding burnt orange. From a very young age, after the careful coaching from my older brother, I believed there was only one college to attend and that was Univ. of Texas. It's only fitting to carry on this family tradition! This is how we dress 'em in Longhorn Country...........

Ummmmm.........this is how they dress them in Sooner Country. We still love you guys though. Okay, we'll play nice, may the best team win!

I fed the blog, now she's full!

Wow, I've gone 21st century and created a Facebook page for la*tee*da*kids! If you are on facebook and want an easier way to follow along, I've fed my blog over there. Never thought I'd say that!! With the encouragement and help from my dear friend April, she helped me get it all set up so the blog entries get fed directly to that page. You can simply click on the photo for this blog entry and it'll take you directly to the Facebook page and you can join on and become a fan. By the way, if you snickered a tad, I agree, Fan is a generous term but I don't pick the language, they do :) Happy Hump Day!

Listed Happy Santa!

He's up on ebay tonight along with some other fantastic holiday custom pieces from the ladies in my design group. You can find my listing HERE This custom set will be made in a size range from 3 to 8 years and would be so cute at school for the holiday party or a trip to see Santa. To see all of the listings from The Girlfriends Manor, you can simply click TGFM

Santa Claus is comin' to town!

Just got a few photos back from my friend with her beautiful daughter wearing my Holiday Set! Here's one of my faves of her in the Santa set that launches tomorrow night. I just love the face on this girl and will show lots of others on ebay tomorrow :) I've seen some of the previews from all of the gals on The Girlfriends Manor and they are all so aDoRAbLe!!!! Between us, we know we can have your little ladies look so cute for their visit to Santa.

It was Soccer Saturday

I just adore Fall and both girls are playing soccer this season. M, who is the girliest thing around, suddenly has emerged as this little athlete who now agrees it's okay to break a sweat and we don't need to limit our activities to ones in the air conditioning! I promise I take pictures of more things than just clothing so wanted to share a bit of our Saturday. T is as patient as they come and likes to share with anyone who is listening that he is going to play soccer and football when he gets big. For now, I enjoy the weekends where he doesn't have to wear his uniform and pull out my favorite Mini Boden stuff for him, ain't he cute! Needs a major haircut, but cute :) Next Fall season my little man then it's soccer for you too, it'll get here! L has emerged as the defensive weapon on her team playing goalie and she carries a lot pride with her role! Later today, I'll be shifting over to my other baby! Yes, I feel like I'm full-time mom, part-time sewer and part-time writer! Check out The Girlfriends Manor Blog We're doing another giveaway, everyone's favorite so check there for our question of the day! We periodically give things away, you can peek at our stuff if you surf through old posts. Just join the TGFM mailing list and you can follow along. Also peek at what I just bought that I have on it's way to me. If you are a lady or just have a lady in your life and you've got kids, I guarantee this would be a gift she might even get teary eyed to get. I'm so excited to get mine in the mail and I opted for the big circle! Happy Sunday!

sent a fun new one to Etsy

Just finished a new apron skirt and this time sticking with a more coordinated combo of fabrics. After an email I received, I figured I'd better clarify that this is an "apron skirt" not just an apron!! Thank you to miss M who begrudgingly agreed to go take some photos for me. Got my Santa set close to finished, I'm just loving him and can't wait to share that one too :)

If you click on the photo, it will take you directly to the listing on etsy.

# 4......isn't he cute!

The funky blend of fabrics I've been doing on the apron skirts isn't for everyone so I'm also working on some pieces that appeal to those who like the "bit more coordinated look" I just loved this lil Santa when I saw the fabric and knew he'd be coming home with me. I'm turning it into something special for a little girl who is surely making her long list to share with Santa and the elves! He's not done but this set is well on it's way!

sneak peek #3

......How about some Holiday Funk! Coming soon cause we're prepping for something Merry and bright!!! This went to EBAY tonight.