Ornament Swap fun!!!

Hi Lovies!

I can't believe the most magical time of the year is here again. I also can't believe this is the 5th year of this amazing swap that has brought so many friends together. It's a swap dear to my heart and I hope (if you've participated in the past) it's been one of your favorites too.

Since I'll be having baby Noel (our second daughter) this December, my lovely friend Erin will be hosting this year's swap over on her blog Pugh's News. Not only is she the perfect hostess but it's pretty amazing that our friendship happened through this very swap five years ago. Erin was who I sent to that very first ornament exchange I hosted. She is such a close friend and it always makes me smile to think of how we "met."

For details on how to join this year's ornament swap, head over to Erin's blog post here. {Sign-ups start today and close on the 12th of November} 

Getting to spread Christmas joy while connecting with another blogger is my favorite. I hope you'll join and welcome our new hostess while you're at it. If you don't know her, you'll instantly fall in love with her like I did, I just know it. 

Erin, thank-you again for always being such a wonderful friend! love you xo

Doo Nanny Flower Crown - I'm in love! + GIVEAWAY

One of my favorite people in the world is Kitty of Fritzi Marie. Yours, too? The day I get to hug her and Felix gets to hug Roscoe, my heart would be complete. 

I have the most talented friends. Kitty makes custom sock monkeys with vintage trim, she made Felix this sweet dollie, and most recently-- Kitty has created Doo Nanny flower crowns. The floral crowns/headband was, "inspired by Frida Kahlo, burlesque dancers, circus performers and pin up girls." I just love that! the perfect touch of bohemian whimsy, romantic and if Sex and the City was still running, couldn't you just see Carrie Bradshaw loving in one?

Kitty is giving away a red Doo Nanny flower crown to one lucky reader. Take a look at her etsy shop and leave a comment below-- tell us what made you happy recently. 

{the tag is even cute!}

The winner and I will be twins! Kitty sent me one for my birthday and I couldn't have asked for a better gift! I love mine. Love. It's so wonderfully made. 

Felix loves it too!

Update: Phoenix, you are the beautiful winner!!! Thank-you to all who played along and thank-you Kitty for hosting xo

Speaking of portraits... the sweetest gift.

My vintage soul sister Amanda seriously has a heart of gold.

A couple of months ago, she shared an art swap she did with another artist, Danielle of too you to be hippies. Amanda made her a beautiful embroidered pillow, lavender filled sachet, and a water color and Danielle drew the most incredible portraits of Amanda's beautiful children. 

Amanda, I hope you don't mind I borrowed this from your blog but dear readers, you should check out Amanda's blog post for better details. They're so wonderfully done! 

Imagine my absolute surprise and delight when Amanda sent me the sweetest Mother's Day card with a note saying my gift was a custom portrait of Felix by Danielle. What a perfect gift for my first Mother's Day! That's simply just the kind of thoughtful person Amanda is. 

I wanted to share the awesome portrait Danielle sent me. I love the photo and the style she went with:

I LOVE IT! Danielle, it's amazing and something I (and Felix. plus, my family since they'll all get a print!) will always treasure. 

Amanda, I am so lucky to know you and one day I hope to hug you in person and tell you so. Thank-you with all my heart! xo

(You can contact Danielle for a portrait of your little by getting in touch with her through her IG @tooyoungtobehippies. You'll be happy you did! trust me)

Fall in love with Ren Dear.

My friend Lauren just opened a beautiful embroidery shop on etsy called Ren Dear. I'm smitten with everything in it! 

From her description of her happy little embroidery shop: You can find simplistic, sweet-and affordable!- designs made with needle and thread. 

Lauren specializes in lyric & movie quotes like the above, a great line from one of my favorite books (I agree with her description on this listing--we all have a bit of Charlie in us). I need this for above our bed! 

 ^Hands down, my favorite movie line. Gets me every single time

These would make the perfect gifts for any occasion. Housewarming, baby shower, birthday, or for yourself because you deserve a treat. They go with every decor and are everything you'd want in a gift- so pretty (+ handmade!) and incredibly thoughtful.

Such beautiful details:

the back of the embroideries are double-felted for protection

I love she offers a great price on custom orders. I know Lauren, and I know anything she made for you will be with a lot of thought and heart. 

*Lovies, definitely check out Ren Dear on etsy because right now through May 10th, Lauren is offering 30 % OFF with coupon code FELIX. 

Why go anywhere else than Etsy?

Etsy really is my go-to place for any occasion that calls for a gift. I thought I would share my last couple of purchases that went out to sweet friends. 

To me, nothing is better than handmade. I believe in sharing Etsy shops where I wanted to hug the shop owners in person. I love when they go that extra mile-- like when you tell them it's a gift going directly to the recipient and ask if they could include your note. Not only will they gladly do that, but they'll put it on pretty paper. Things like that make me want to recognize these shops (and again, hug their owners!) and always want to buy from Etsy. 

For Christmas, I sent Lauren a plush Narwhal (two things she loves) from Pink Chocolate. Chanel makes her plushies by hand and without a pattern. Because of that, I couldn't believe how reasonable the prices were for great handmade quality. 

For our friend Phoenix's birthday, my twin sister Marianne and I purchased this beautiful embroidered pillow from Sincerely Micah. Phoenix's husband calls her bunny so we thought this pretty would be perfect for their home. 

Remember my ornament swap? (the one I swore I would post a showcase about and then motherhood happened? I promise to showcase them in November during sign-ups. Ugh forgive me!) Christine was so understanding when her swap partner had something come up and wasn't able to send her something in time. I wanted to surprise Christine, just like when she made these ornaments for me. I sent her this cute vintage Santa ornament from Sweetgyrl and Pops.

I asked Anne (the shop owner) if she would include a note for me and look at the notecard Anne sweetly printed it on. 

For our future sister-in-law's birthday in January, Marianne and I played detective and surprised Christina with this open back yoga top that was in her Etsy favorites. Sexy for her 30th birthday and practical since she's a yogi. It's from Lychee Grove where you can find handmade, hand dyed fitness/loungewear apparel.  

Another Etsy and shop owner to love is Maria of Minimalista Clothing. Marianne and I sent this Frida Kahlo onesie to our friend Jessy, who just had her first baby, a beautiful girl named Frida. Maria included our note on her pretty stationary. 

It's these little touches that make me want to shop handmade always. 

Don't get me wrong, I love me some Target. But when it comes to getting something for a one of a kind friend, they deserve something one of a kind.

What was your last purchase(s) from Etsy? (even if it was a gift for yourself, I wanna know!) I'm always on the lookout for new Etsy shops to love. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Since my Baby Valentine woke me up at 2 a.m. and then again at 6 a.m. (Felix hasn't done that in awhile so I was extra sleepy) it was nice to sleep in on our first Valentine's Day as a family of three. 

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have my husband and Felix as my forever Valentines. 

Hope you feel extra loved today lovies!

(also, Happy Birthday to my Ezgi! + how cute is this valentine post ? I'm going to have to print out Reeve's photo with Felix's name for her baby book)

My adolescent self hasn't stopped screaming!

If you're like my twinkie and I, we've had fun crushing over our celebs since we were little. Two people we just loved and were going to marry one day was Zach Morris and AC Slater. 

photo via

Yesterday, Marianne & I had this twitter exchange:

After Pilates class, I checked my email and my heart jumped out of my chest!

I've never even had a celeb tweet me before. CJ Wilson tweets Marianne all the time. Terrell Owens has even tweeted her back. After this, Marianne gave me her Twitter Tiara. 

Sigh. It's my teenybopper dream come true!

photo via

He was sexy in his Bayside days (those dimples!) but how much sexier is he now as a Dad?

photo via

 thump thump thump!

I've asked this question before, but have you ever had a fun twitter moment with a celeb? And were you Team Preppy or Team Slater? 

The Lit Girl.

My friend Courtney (remember our book club?) recently started a new blog called The Lit Girl. It's a place all bibliophiles should all hang out. She recently started a featured reader series that I am so excited about! In her words:

When I was first dreaming up this blog, one of my main goals was to bring readers together. I am always incredibly curious about what people are reading, where they read, and how they read. I'm that weirdo on the train craning my neck to catch a glimpse of the cover someone is reading across from me. It's my way to break the ice with strangers. I wanted to use this blog partially as a fun place to share the reading habits of others, since I am sure there are people out there just as curious as I am.

I love that! I was honored when she asked me to be a featured reader (especially since Joanna Goddard was the introduction to the series). 

Please come check out my Q&A here? 

Thanks for having us Courtney xo

(Amanda, do you see what Fe is reading? One of her very first gifts)

Christmas in January.

I was probably the only one taking their Christmas tree down last week. But you might remember that us Maxhams were apart for Felix's first Christmas that we decided to celebrate twice. 

Fe and I flew in on Sunday and a week ago today we celebrated Christmas together as a family of three. 

Felix and I in our matching silver sequined bows (hers was a gift from Gracienne)

Felix's first cabbage patch doll! A present from Grandma Maxham. Her name is Mary ("Mary had a little lamb, little lamb...") and I can already tell they're going to be the best of friends. 

Trying to take a family photo. Why does the front facing camera never come out as clear?

I had to get Felix and her cousin Sollie and Nora these custom name puzzles after Jessica blogged about them on her son's Christmas wish list. Even though it's way too early for them now, what a fun way for the girls to learn how to spell their names.

Hmmm... what will Mary and I do today?

Christmas was a hit with this four-month-old and tired her out! I can only imagine how much more fun next year will be.

I mean seriously, how did I get so lucky? sigh.

Wishing My Favorite Happy Birthday!

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finally, finally!

Once upon a time I wrote about a blog crush of mine named April. When I talk to blog friends, we usually talk about who we would love to meet. April has always been one of my answers. 

You guys, i finally got to hug her this past Saturday. Lovies, she does not disappoint. We had SO much fun!

You wouldn't believe Felix was the first baby April had ever held. She was a natural with my little who loved her too. April came with fabulous gifts for Mama and baby--you know how I feel about Love Story and records + i can't wait until Felix can wear her zebras! 

Since she got here around lunch time, Marianne and I took to her to one of my favorite local eateries, a family owned greek place called Hibiscus Cafe. 

 

(Please ignore the hot mess that was my hair) Yummy hummus and gyros and the best greek coffee. 

The little babe was worn out from all the attention at lunch that we dropped her off with her grandparents so we could enjoy some thrifting!

Twinkie and I are going to pretend these are from Felix. 

We also went out for some drinks while watching some football and then stayed up late watching Parenthood (which Marianne and April just started so no spoilers!). 

Of course, there were a lot of Felix cuddles

and of course, I fell in love with April even more after meeting her. 

I mean seriously, look at her tweet. Hilarious! 

(read her write-up of our date ♥ )