well, i am back at my lovely little nest with my hubby, kitty witty, and dog. absence makes the heart grow fonder, not just for my man, but my bed, our little living room, and our little life. but, back home means back to work, which is not as appealing. i have to say, i love my jobs, but wouldn't it be nice to sit outside in the sun, craft, cook, and laze about during the summer? well scrolling down my blog roll before work this morning, bonnie, from going home to roost had featured a post from reading my tea leaves, on a most fabulous diy.

:: look look look ::

how easy it is to bring your garden, and outdoors inside. with a nail, bud vase {with a sturdy neck}, and some twine, ribbon, or yarn, you can transform a small space. i just love it. long ago, i had some sweet bud vases when i lived with my parents. they are still hanging in my old room, and i have thought many times about stealing them to hang in my home. but now, i dont have to. i have so many little vases laying around the house, i'm going to re:create this when i get home, i will let you know how it goes. if you don't have any little knick knack vases, you can find them at any thrift store for 25 - 50 cents.

such a cheap and sweet summer project.

happy father's day dads!

my dad is in his element at the outer banks, i think it is his favorite week of the year, so i am sure he will be enjoying his sunday. we will be on the beach all day, playing bocce ball, fishing, kayaking, and reading! oh the fun..

this year will be joe's first official|unofficial fathers day! i cant wait to see him with our little girl, i know he will be the most inspiring, loving, and spontaneous dad! i miss you hubby, see you tomorrow..

60's summer socialite

a few summers ago, my friend jared and i were browsing target and found a display of jewelry and summer accessories that we named '60's summer socialite'. it was full of corals, mint green|teal, starfish, gold chain, navy blue's, and eclectic ocean'y scarves, hats and accessories. the term has stuck over the years and when we see something that reminds us of it, we go back to the '60's summer socialite'. today's beach day did that to me. my cousin, avery, she is a ballerina. she has a vintage style and she looked so retro on the beach, so i had to capture it, and then it just carried on throughout the afternoon, so i took pictures of all the girls, and vintage'ized the pictures. enjoy...

maddie & the wave

avery & her florals

vintage mommy

retro pregnant belly

fabulous floral swim shorts

teether | necklace combo

we had a little craft hour at the beach yesterday. i saw on a few blogs, this necklace that doubles as a teether for a baby, and necklace for mommy. even though the little bebe probably won't be using a teething necklace for a year, i wanted to make it just for a necklace to wear. with a strip of fabric, 2 inches wide and 8 small 3/4 inch wooden craft balls, we created this..

easy as pie, my mammy, who can sew or create anything, stitched up a fabric tube, then we placed the wooden balls inside the tube one by one. in between each ball, you tie a knot. we weren't sure what we wanted to do with the part that went around the neck. you could use ribbon that you knot into the necklace, or continue around with the same fabric. i chose to twist it, and then knot it every few inches. or you could braid it, whatever you choose. then, easy easy easy, i just tied a knot to the side just to see the final product, i originally thought we would sew it, so we wouldn't have a sem. but i loved the little bow after i saw it, it adds a little sweet'ness, i think.

i hope you enjoy! if you are a mommy, mommy to be, or someone like me who just enjoys a fun new accessory. try this, you can do it, so so easily. trust me! if you do, come back, comment, and let us know who it turns out. i would love to see...

happy beaches and saturdays.

ninth grade.

my little sister, maddie, will start high school in august. what? sad sad day for me. i still think of her as little. well, she had her eighth grade graduation and dance a couple of weeks ago. so, you all know i have a problem with fabric rosettes, i am obsessed and want to use them at every possible second. so, we decided she needed a little fascinator to match her dress. i bought this rosette pattern off of etsy a few weeks ago, and have just been making them for everything imaginable, just in my spare time, to sit and look at.

with just three 1/4 yards of fabric, some tulle, a glue gun, and some thread. you can create your own fabric flowers, and believe me, you will become addicted. just a little shortcut, i really have a problem with doing everything the easy & quick way. instead of sewing the fabric, i hot glue'd the flower as i went. a hot glue gun changed the crafting world, in my opinion. you can fix or make anything with one.

and here is the fancy girl all fixed up..

and, the three gibbs (one, now ledford) girls...

seven months!

here it is. the ever growing belly.

i forgot to mention yesterday, that i was 28 weeks, seven months, and in the third trimester yesterday! hooray.. i never thought that this could all pass by so quickly. september 8th (or whenever she decides to make her big arrival) seems to be just around the corner. we can't wait, but we just have so much to do! when i get back home, we have carpet to replace, walls to paint, and a nursery to put together, oh so much fun but alot of work ahead. and no, we still haven't decided on the little bean's name. i really think we need to meet her, before we can name her! so.. the on going name saga continues...

oh, and look.

we finally decided on a nursery look, ordered and got our crib bedding!

i put together a little design board, that is a secret for a few more days, but here is our bedding as soon as we opened the box.

did i mention that i love dwell studio? and i know you will too.

and here it is, on a crib

have a happy thursday!

a little crafty'ness

i have been a little craft'er over the past couple of months, and have been so busy that i haven't been able to share all of the fun with you. first, i did a masquerade mask and hairpiece for prom. tara looked so pretty in her dress and accessories, she looked like a little greek goddess. here was the process, sampson's help and all..

and here she is, looking so fancy..

nautical.

oh the weather at the beach is absolutely beautiful! it has been sunny and almost 90, with a slight breeze for two days. oh it is so nice. i have been scouring etsy for wonderful beach & nautical finds.

here are a few i know you will enjoy.

1. octopus headband

2. coral pillow

3. anchor print

4. jelly fish tea towel

5. whale print

and don't forget baby...

1. sailor stripe hair clip

2. moby the whale rattle

3. whale onesie

4. nautical pom mobile

5. nautical undies

6. anchors away shoes'ies

oh a cloudy day.

happy sunday! today is our first beach today and it looks like it's going to be cloudy all day. which i don't mind, i love to sit around a beach house and craft, and snack, and read the books that are awaiting me. this morning, i just wanted to show you some pictures from our outer banks beach trips from the past. my family has been meeting on the outer banks for fifteen years. it's hard to believe that the first year we came, my sister maddie was still in the belly! and now, joe and i have a little beanette on the way. i wish i had pictures of the first few years we came, but that was before the age of digital cameras and laptops, so i only have them in photo albums at home. there are 14 gibbs-mcgee-and now ledford families that meet here, from franklin to wilmington, delaware. my hubs isnt here this year, he started working for a new company, and couldn't take his vacation time this week, he is really missed, already!

you bring the fun joe, we love you!

but, here we are. a little collage of the fun we have in corolla...

i am working on some sweet & nautical ideas for your home and life.

see you this afternoon friends...

it's official, we are outer banks'ers.

until next monday i am destination outer banks, north carolina. i will have a full week to share so much with you. no work, just sandy beach, good food, family, and blogging. so get ready! i will be back to you in the morning, bright and early. see you then loves!