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)

Felix's Mama Doll.

Last year for Father's Day, I surprised my husband with a custom Who's Your Daddy doll from Duke & June. I have loved watching Felix play with her daddy doll. Imagine how excited I was when Mandi started making Mama dolls! 

My sweet twinkie Marianne ordered one for Felix for our birthday and lovies--- I am so in awe of Mandi's work yet again. 

Her attention to detail (like my side part, beauty mark) makes the doll one of a kind. Marianne chose the floral dress I wore during our maternity shoot. How Mandi found fabric exactly like my dress makes her (and my doll) even more amazing! She even made sandals like the ones I was wearing.

I love these dolls so much and think how special I hope they will always be to Felix.  I would have loved to have one of my parents when they were young and first figuring out their little family.

We're best friends, didn't you know?

 and then my heart exploded!

Her poses kill me! Oh Felix girl, you are something else.

Marianne, you couldn't have picked a more perfect gift for us. We love you and your thoughtful heart! XO 

Mandi, we love your thoughtful heart too. Thank-you for taking the time to make another extraordinary doll, even with nesting and being 30+ weeks pregnant. I know I say that over and over, but I am a huge fan of your dolls. You are awesome, my friend. THANK-YOU!!! Our best wishes for baby Duke ♥

Happy Birthday Robbie Williams!

If you know me, then you know I have loved British singer Robbie Williams since I was 10 and he was in a boyband called Take That. When Felix was born, my sweet friend Faiza sent me the sweetest onesies. She made them after things I loved so naturally there was one of Robbie Williams. I literally gasped when I saw this "itty bitty Robbie Williams fan" onesie. Seriously, I have the best friends!* 

I couldn't wait for this one in particular to fit Fe. What better day to wear it (with a pink tutu & gold shoes of course) than Robbie's birthday?

Felix usually smiles for me but naturally, when I want to be a teeny bopper and tweet a photo to RW, she's like this frog. 

You guys. Look at the image of the cake Robbie posted on his instagram feed. Out of the 1,000 of photos of him, this is the image. I know I sound pretty crazy, but I thought it was kinda neat ;)

 Happy Birthday RW!


*gold shoes from Claire / tutu from Ezgi (headband made by my Momma) Felix is lucky to be so loved!

special delivery.

Speaking of happy mail, Felix received the cutest bouquet I've ever seen (seriously, I kind of love that the box was address to Felix Maxham). 

They're from my long-time best friend Maria and her sweet family. Her daughter Elena will turn 1 next month and it's crazy to think we finally have it. Maybe not have it all (who really does right?) but we've gone through so much to get here and I'm thankful that for most of it, we had each other. 

This is such an old photo of us (back when i highlighted my hair in my reporting days-- maria is right next to me). I also love that years later, her and joel (in the blue) would have their beautiful baby girl.

happy things to end the week with.

Alyssa in Australia // Micaela in Texas

♥ have i mentioned how i have the best blog readers turned life long friends? Alyssa is the Ginger Spice to my Sporty Spice. She truly is a gem and never fails to make me laugh. Or make my day with a surprise-- case and point: she bought us matching Kate Spade bangles "just because." To remind us to take heart.  Alyssa, i love your heart. xoxo

♥ i've taken to reading in a tub full of bubbles to unwind from the day. Now that it's become chilly (thank-you Autumn!) it's also a nice way to start the day... with a cup of coffee rather than my usual glass of wine at night. I love reading memoirs and was excited to find Mia Farrow's on my last used book shop run ($2 for a hardback? yes!). I'm a huge fan of Woody Allen films but what he did was horrible. I'm curious to read about it in her own words. do you like reading biographies?

♥ this, seen on jackie's blog 

♥ i met my vintage soul sister through my gf jessie's etsy swap. Amanda is also a really talented sewing goddess and had a genius idea to make cute re-usable snack bags. Since my husband works weekends, i decided to custom order one for when i pack his sandwiches:

saucy and i love the way it turned out! amanda was sweet to include the extra little pouch as a gift, because she's sweet like that. In fact... 

use coupon code: FRIEND2FRIEND in her shop and get 20% off! 

mommas, how cute would a snack bag be with your child's name on it? especially for the school year. thank-you Amanda!!! 

and a song to kick off your weekend... Coldplay's new single "Paradise" to celebrate how i can't wait for their new CD!


Happy Friday Lovies!!! what happy things are you ending the week with?

+please leave a link below if you do post-- i'd love to share in your happiness xo

summer book club? yes, please!

i have been looking forward to this ever since sarah mentioned wanting to start one awhile back and now she's done it! along with beca and carla, they've started a summer book club.

read the details here on the sadie blog and then do what i did... head down to your local library and get to reading! because i can't wait to discuss it with these girlfriends and of course you.

i was glad to have it when our street's power went out for a few hours. it kept me company on our back porch and while i sat on the kitchen floor devouring food i thought for sure was going to go to waste (like birthday pecan pie... deli fancy cheese...) all the while, still reading.

 i'm also really loving my handcrafted wooden bracelet, a gift from sweet beca {you can sport your own from her shop tumbleweeds} i could go on about how much i am a huge fan of her shop and her boyfriend's craftsmanship, but that's in a post all on its own.

(husband's birthday gift? yup! bought from their shop)

reading and wood is sexy. no pun intended.

(actually danielle, that perversity was for you girl fiancee!)


P.S. and speaking of books, there's two more days to sign up for the blogger book swap hosted by claire and lindsey. 

incredibly lucky.

honestly, i'm not a materialistic girl. i love clothes and shoes, sure-- but my idea of fashion is finding a gem at a second hand shop. While a Chanel dress would be nice, i'd rather find a vintage version of Chanel at a consignment/thrift shop. 

when my husband asked me what i wanted for my birthday, i told him a card that said "wife" and a cake. there wasn't anything i truly wanted/needed. Imagine my surprise when i unwrapped this fancy new toy from my husband yesterday!!!

i couldn't believe it!!! i truly didn't even know what to do with that kind of surprise! ha i was in shock. i am so in love with my laptop! isn't it beautiful?


incredibly lucky, incredibly spoiled by this amazing man i get to call my husband. 

a p.s. to my mail post :

in the pack of penguin postcards lauren nicole passed along to me, where ones that reminded her of me (above). [ i had to giggle ]  indeed.

and this gorgeous print by alice b garden title "i luv books."

(i wish you could see the amazing texture because it is amazing)

love love love! <3 <3 <3

thank-you sweet girl for these darling wedding gifts.

something borrowed.

i don't think it's a secret how much i love my dearest friend Claire. she's amazing isn't she? 

if you know claire, you know her carrie bradshaw love for expensive & fabulous heels. My dearest friend sent me her two fanciest pairs of shoes for my wedding day as my "something borrowed." 

as much as i love heels, i've never owned a pair that actually had it's own dust bag. 

This was a huge gift, a huge show of affection that she loves me as much as i love her. We're not talking any pairs of shoes... we're talking her Christian Louboutins and never worn Jimmy Choos (remember her post about these beauties?) it's a BIG deal. 

Christian Louboutin

Jimmy Choo

unfortunately, as you can see from the photos below... this cinderella's feet are a tad bit smaller *sad face* i wanted to cry when i walked around my parent's kitchen, hoping to make them magically work (even my pappa was suggesting perhaps getting those gel grippers!).

sad day!

even though they didn't fit, i had to express my absolute love for claire for sending these to me (right after coming back from Guatemala no less!) and trusting me with her babies on my magical day.

I love her more than words. 

she's amazing, isn't she?

ps. Claire also sent me coffee with her beloved Saints team on the package from when she was in Louisiana. I opened it the night max's parents came over to my parent's and met for the first time! special, indeed.

Claire, my life is so much sweeter with you in it. xoxo

how to feel fancy on a rainy autumn day off, when your only plans are to stay in your pajamas

wear CHANEL Rouge Coco Shine 62 MONTE-CARLO while sipping your morning coffee with your husband-to-be (flirt with your mouth).

kisses to Lindsey for this fancy and fabulous gift!

thrifting date.

me and danielle (she is just as pretty as you think she is!) met up at our favourite antique shop downtown to do some shopping for the vintage jewelry swap we're in. We found pretty pieces... and then some! 

obviously i'm keeping what i got my swap partner a surprise, but here's the rest of my loot : postcards, lace paper doilies, little ceramic deer planter, and a pretty frame. Surprisingly, i left with a light pile although i was so upset a beautiful enamel desk was sold that i wanted. What was worse is there was no "sold" sign on it so i went excitedly to the front desk, only to have my thrifting heart crushed. Uuuugh. i'm still kicking myself i didn't get to it first. 

my favorite addition wasn't anything at the antique shop... 

check out the beautiful Dinosaur Toes ring danielle made for me! i absolutely love it!!! isn't it beautiful? max joked that the rock danielle gave me is bigger than the one he gave me-- since she did ask me to marry her when she gave it to me. Her friendship is seriously a gem (no pun intended!) - one of the best things about moving to lynchburg, va.

i'm a huge fan of her shop and if you haven't checked it out yet, what rock are you living under? (i'm full of puns today!)





Danielle, thanks for the fun! we'll have to meet up again soon and grab a bite beforehand at the new tea room. i am loving my "engagement ring" xoxo

a big upset for my cowboys but SO MUCH FUN!!!

yup, i wore my Cowboys jersey that has my last name on it {a gift from my dear friend John}, cut off shorts, and my j. crew mocs (for the Redskins).

lovies, i was in pure heaven!!! even though we sat in the nosebleed section, it did not matter. It was SO MUCH FUN to watch the game live! even in a sea of Redskin fans because there was still a lot of blue and white. 

we were quite the pair in different team wear.

I seriously thought we had it at the last minute... but good for Donovan McNabb's debut.

i can not even begin to tell you how AWESOME it was to see the guys i've cheered on at sports bars, parties, or even while in my pajamas at home. It was ten times better being there and half the reason is because i had Max right beside me.

some girls want jewelry. not me. happiness is a ticket to a football game.

happiness is max.


P.S.  someone who shares my love of sports (well baseball at least!) is the pretty Faiza. My football team may not have won, but my Texas Rangers sure sweeped the NY Yankees!!! SO EXCITING! 


Pretty Faiza's Jays beat my team labor day weekend but check out this beautiful shot of my Rangers Boyfriend Michael Young Faiza took just for me on the jumbotron! too cute. Don't you love moments between blog friends where it makes it that much more real we are true friends? 


like Claire & my bestie M's texts during the game yesterday. I love those moments!

"I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward." - Bronte

I should be packing. But in need of a break, i went down to the mailbox and inside was the most beautiful gift of comfort from a lovely girl across the world. From Tillie:

"Dear Micaela, No matter what is going on there are some things that never let us down. I like to think Jane Eyre is one of these things. A friend of mine gave me this when I was going through a rough time. I thought you might like to hold onto it for a little while. It was first gifted to Joy for Christmas in 1915. I think you can smell the history in the pages."

i started crying. 

Right there, clutching this beautiful book that has comforted another and of all coincidences, started in the hands of a girl named Joy. 

i shall hold onto it for awhile then, beautiful friend. THANK-YOU. And i hope when the time comes that i package it to send off to you again, that i shall do so with a smile of absolute contentment. 

"Gentle reader, may you never feel what I then felt? May your eyes never shed such stormy, scalding, heart-wrung tears as poured from mine. May you never appeal to Heaven in prayers so hopeless and so agonized as in that hour left my lips; for never may you, like me, dread to be the instrument of evil to what you wholly love"


 -Jane Eyre

a fine frenzy.

i so badly wanted to share what my dearest friend Claire sent me earlier this week. i realized frustrated that the photographs i took were not in the best lighting, so i'll have to take them again. i'll share tomorrow, promise!

here's a preview of how much claire and i are alike...

in this darling care package, Claire sent another round of THE BEST mixed cds. Each song she puts on these mixes... i have felt. I feel that much more connected to her knowing that the reason she can relate to them is nearly the same as mine. 

one of the songs on said mix:

(i can't stop staring at how beautiful the singer is)

Mine & Claire's connection reminds me of a part in "Eat Pray Love" that i've dog eared:

He says, "I'm sorry, but I don't understand. Did you lose something today?"

But I'm still having trouble figuring out how to talk....

"It's about a love story, Giovanni. I had to say good-bye to someone today." 

Then my hands are slapped over my eyes again, tears spraying through my clamped fingers. Bless his heart, Giovanni doesn't try to put a reassuring arm around me, nor does he express the slightest discomfort about my explosion of sadness. Instead, he just sits through my tears in silence, until I've calmed down. At which point he speaks with perfect empathy, choosing each word with care, saying slowly and clearly and kindly: 

"I understand, Liz. I have been there."

-pg. 87

we have been there, me and Claire.

we are connected to each other because we have been there.

saturday morning you were delicious! (thanks anna!)

this morning me and max were catching up on a favorite show of ours, when we got a knock on the door from the postman. Guess what he brought fresh from my Virginia neighbor (and fellow Texan!) and our friend Anna of Il était une fois? the MOST delicious home made brownies!!! along with the sweetest card. Anna, it was such a lovely surprise!!! and they were DELICIOUS! Max enjoyed your present to me, joking it's a gift he can enjoy too. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!

more than anything your note really touched my heart. xo

i'm eating another one as I ponder the book I just finished from Audrey Niffenneger.

truth be told, it took awhile to get into it but i was soon hooked and curious about each of her characters. Most interesting to me was that it was about twins.

Of course nothing can compare to her first novel and my favorite book of all ("The Time Traveler's Wife") but "Her Fearful Symmetry" is creative and original... dark and clever, just as her first best-seller was.

"Afterwards she stood with her eyes closed, lips parted, face tilted. Robert thought, She's going to break my heart and I'm going to let her." -pg 208

"Julia thought him beautiful, though she knew it was the beauty of damage."

- pg 216

ps. i'm amazed by this blogging world of ours and cherish my friendships with all of you! I still want to share what sweet parcels/birthday cards were waiting for me when i returned from Texas so perhaps Monday i'll do a Mail Time Monday like Belen.

and i hope to bring back my Sharing Sundays tomorrow. I feel out of routine since my birthday holiday. Enjoy your Saturdays lovies! xoxo

(thanks Anna, for making mine!)