Sseko Designs- 12 ways/ 12 days...

I'm back and as usual...in love with summer...and my Sseko's. I feel so blessed to be involved with a company that has such an amazing goal...and passion. This year the challenge is a bit different...we are celebrating the 12 women who are graduating from the program in August. YEAH! Join us...the challenge is only half way through and everyday someone wins...FREE STRAPS for a YEAR! For inspiration check out my blog posts from the year I won. :)

Day 6-Rosey-Toe-sy

Day 5-My Version of Baylee's Simple Tie

Day 4-Classic with a twist

Day 3-how to-yes or no??

Day 2-Solstice Tie- how to coming soon

Day 1-Be-Weave in Me Tie

To learn more about Sseko Designs...their passion and the lives they are changing visit their website. xoxo

Sseko Style 2

Sseko's and Keds for the little guy

I pretty much always have a dinosaur or a car with me...

Cardi-Banana Republic, T-shirt and capris-Target, Shoes-Sseko's

We went to a bakery by the water and enjoyed some coffe, hot choco and pastries. I have been trying to really pull myself together. I used to dress with my own personal style but over the last few years I have kind of just been putting on clothes. As a new mother, I felt like I akways needed to be stain proof. This new cardi is not something I would have usually picked out for myself but now its one of my favorite pieces. I love how it goes with everything and I really love the lace detail that adds something special without being to much.

The good old Classic Tie

And last but not least...my lovely Sseko's! I chose navy straps to add a little more color. We also went out shopping after and I was asked, "hey where did you get those, they are so cute?" I of course explained a bit about them and wrote down the website...I love sharing the Sseko story!

Beco Baby Carrier love...

I have been wanting a good baby carrier for a long time, I finally got myself a Beco Butterfly II a couple months ago. I love the Beco Butterfly II because I can still carry my toddler who is over 30 pounds comfortably. It seems weird to purchase a baby carrier for a 2.5 year old but it will hold up to 45 pounds. We shop at a bulk store that doesn't have carts, pretty hard to carry bulk items and a 2.5 year old but now he can just ride on my back. We love hitting farmers markets and boy does it help to just keep the little guy on our back. I really love that it has a lining between him and I, it makes putting him on easy by myself, plus it makes it easier switch person to person without taking the child out. I'm sure its going to be a big help on portland public transit in the future. I recommend one for any momma!

A good month...

...and we are not even half way through.

1. I (Jennie) got a part time job working at a local baby shop, Apple Blossom Baby. Its the perfect job for me, I start today!
2. Our blog now has 20 followers
3. We broke 10,000 page views, one of my secret goals.
4. We already switched 7 products we would normally buy to homemade versions.
5. I get to celebrate my birthday! I feel old (my baby sister turns 21 today), I will be 27 this year. I feel like the last 3 years have gone by way to fast. That's what kids do I guess.

Happy Valentines day to you all!

Favorite things...winter

I am a cold weather person. I have always loved it way more than the heat. I love getting all bundled up.

Watching Rudolf the Red nosed Reindeer
The holidays...Christmas, New Years, Valentines Day and my birthday
Knitting by a warm toasty fire
Getting a Christmas tree and decorating the house
Spending time with family
Making homemade Christmas presents

The other day the doctor and I where bored and couldn't figure out what we used to do with all our time...then we realized that we used to be in the garden all the time. Fall/winter gardening is so much less work. :)

Happy Holiday's from Team Dean. :)

A great gift idea for anyone...a chicobag!

Sorry we have been a bit absent on the blog, we have been very busy creating our home made Christmas present that we make every year for family. I finally finished two of the big projects and now I will have time to write about them and all the other stuff I have been waiting to write about...

I use the messenger style as my purse!

The messenger style is really the perfect mom purse. It has a hook for you keys right at the height to unlock any door with a kid on your hip. It has two side pockets, I use one for my sunglasses and the other to store two vita chicobags. It has one small pocket on the inside (its what you fold it up into), which I use for my cell phone. It has a large outside pocket that zips that is perfect for wallet, chap stick, and receipts. Then there is the big, huge pocket that can fit all the kid stuff you need! Diaper, wipes, books, snacks, extra clothes, toys, another Sweet Repeats chicobag...the list goes on and on. Hey and guess what its made of recycled materials and folds into a little pouch if need be!

I also really love the new Vita's, mostly because you can fit so much in them and they actually stay on your shoulder but also for all the other awesome reasons I love Chicobags. One thing I don't like is trying to use self check out with them...you have to set all your stuff to be weighed and then bag it after. I feel like the stores should be able to fix this problem pretty easily...its all about weight so just let me weigh my bags prior and then I could bag right into them. Some day I'm sure they will fix it! :)

PS: They make great gift wrap!

Chicobag.com

The perfect gift for any gal...

Us gals love shoes and these ones are for a good cause. These sandals are comfy, cute and can be changed up for any occasion...plus they help women. Check out all the different strap colors they have! The Stocking Stuffer Package is $65 and it comes with the soles and 3 pairs of straps...plus exchanges are free! If you need something under $65 just shop Sseko Designs.

Check out some of my other posts about my favorite shoes ever...

Every sandal has story...

Just few awesome things about Sseko's

30 days 30 way Sseko Sandal Challenge

30 days 30 ways Sseko Sandal Challenge the Beginning, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Finished

As you can see, I'm a bit obsessed and once you read the story you will be too! Check out what is coming on Nov. 25th...vimeo!

PS: I feel the need to share that I am not sponsored or paid to talk about Sseko's. I just simply love them and am inspired by their story.

Halloween used to be my favortie holiday...

and I won't lie...it kind of still is. I really cannot choose between Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. My reasons for loving Halloween have changed a lot. I used to love it because I would create awesome costumes, most of the time I would plan months in advance! Then I would spend the night, well the Saturday surrounding Halloween, out with my honey!

Times have changed and I must admit I love it just as much. I still get to create awesome costumes...one for the little guy and one for me. My honey (the doctor) now plays his music every year on the Saturday surrounding Halloween (some year I will make it to see him). Plus we get the fun of being parents and seeing the little guy in his silly costume(s) all excited to go trick or treating.

As silly as this sounds the real reason I started to write this post is because I found the candy corn! For some reason I love this stuff but only at Halloween. Any other time I get sick even thinking about it. What a silly thing to get me writing...right? It reminds me of quick writes in high school. :)

favorite things...fall

I love fall and I decided to wait to post this until fall actually arrived...instead of the first day of fall. I feel like it is finally here...I have been leaving our windows cracked everyday, all day long! I love fall and...

being able to enjoy a hot cup of tea on the back porch
the first fire that is almost to warm
wearing my hair down instead of always in a ponytail
wearing my Sseko's with pants
planting our first fall/winter garden
wearing warm ViolaStitchStudio hats
thanksgiving
fall leaves...colors...everything

my favorite season for sure

picture from I <3 Chico on facebook

Neighbors...

What happen to the neighborhood? I was walking to the grocery store everyday awhile ago because the starter went out in our car (now fixed, thanks to the best neighbors anyone could ever ask for...I'm not joking...the BEST). It seems that most people don't think I should be walking...I have almost been run over a few times. Oh and then there are the wonderful "neighbors" who hear your son (two and in the stroller) yelling, "HI...HI...HI!" waving crazily and you saying, "Good morning" and they decide the best they can do is turn their head and start walking faster. What happen to "it takes a village(community) to raise a child"? What happened to common decency? I don't expect you to be my best friend...but you can say Hi! Sorry for the rant...and keep reading.

We are actually very lucky in our neighborhood (those people are not my close neighbors). This is the third house we have lived in on this street because we fell in love with it! We know at least 11 of our neighbors and I would say 4 of them well. I really don't know what we will do if we have to leave this neighborhood, I don't even want to think or talk about it. We also keep meeting more and more wonderful neighbors, this is the best neighborhood!

In our current house we kept our previous neighbor by moving to the house on the other side of him. I would say he is the night-watch-man of the neighborhood. Most people think he is a grump because of this but he is really just a sweet guy. He watches out for everyone, not to snoop but because he cares about the neighborhood and everyone in it. He loves our son dearly.

Our awesome neighbors to the other side of us simply amazing me with how giving they are. I honestly cannot even explain how shocked and amazed I am by them. They are constantly sharing; food, advice, things, and the best of all; their time. I feel that the little guy is getting a taste of "it takes a village to raise a child" because of them and a few other people in our lives. One the latest gift completely astonished me...the woman of the house (I don't want to post their names) had a close friend of hers paint a picture of the little guy and the Doctor...she used a picture I took and the artist captured it in 9 different mediums, perfectly. I was left completely speechless when she left after bringing it over to us...they simply amaze me ever day with their kindness and generosity.

I don't know how put in words how thankful I am for them...

a new vintage cookbook

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Copyrighted, 1915-By Larkin Co.~Received (by previous owner) Nov. 27th 1917~Price, 25 cents.

To the woman who takes pride in serving tasty and attractive dishes, who delights in placing on her table "Good Things to Eat," who wishes to have the means of "variety" ever at her command, this Cook Book will be a valuable and constant adviser.-It is interesting to note that is contains recipes from North, South, East, and West; the favorite recipes of practical and experienced housewives. No recipes were accepted from professional cooks but all from the homes of our many customers. We believe that this book will prove unique on account of the immense variety given.-Here will be found an answer to the question that is ever perplexing the housewife-what to serve for the coming meal. Here she will find the most valuable suggestions that will enable her to prepare, in a great variety and in a practical and economical way, delicious and appetizing dishes that will be a source of real satisfaction and extreme delight to those in her home who truly appreciate "Good Things to Eat."

speechless...

Oh and thanks to my impressive mom, who knows me well and picked this up for me at a yard sale...then because she is more awesome than your mom, shipped it to me, along with fun stuff for Gnar, the doctor and me. Be on the look out for new and most likely, interesting recipes from this cookbook!

Happy 2nd Birthday Sseko!

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So I don't know how to load this video but it made me smile so I had to share. Happy Birthday, I love you Sseko!
Sseko turns Two!

Simple smoothie recipe

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Are we the only ones with lots of fruit and veggies left over from the 4th of July celebration? My mom brought a flat of peaches, and a watermelon. We were busy all weekend and kind of forgot about harvesting zucchini, so we have four huge ones that are not going to taste the best. They would be perfect for bread or grilling but we don't have grill and its to hot to use the oven. The little guy loves bananas or as we call them bugabugas but he doesn't always eat the whole thing, so I have been putting them in a freezer bag so they don't go to waste. All of this adds up to this mornings inspired idea...

I was searching for zucchini recipes to use this stuff up in a different way then plain old steaming and I saw recipes for smoothies. What a great way to sneak in more veggies, use them up and have a yummy breakfast. The little guy is really great about eating veggies so I never worry much about that but I figured the more the better.

4 strawberries
1/2 banana
1 peach
1/4 c or so watermelon
1/8 c or so zucchini diced
blend and splash in some juice or water if needed. We found this great juice that the little guy loves it has cranberries, banana, strawberries, sweet potato, carrot, and beets.

It made enough for the little guy to have some with his oatmeal, I had a small glass and I made a popsicle with the rest. Perfect breakfast treat for both of us, plus no sugar added!

Happy Summer Solstice! Favorite things...summer.

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Its fitting that the temp today is supposed to reach 101! Perfect first day of summer!

a cold beer by the pool

swimming all the time

vine ripe tomatoes from the garden

a lot less college students

aloe vera

using the clothes line to dry everything

The little guy and I are heading off to the park to play with friends...covered in sunscreen! I'm sure we will jump in the pool when we get home to cool off! Enjoy your day!

my dustbuster is my best friend

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When I was in college I could never understand why my mom even had one...

then I had a child of my own....

yes you can use your vacuum...if you want your child to scream!

Or you can spend a couple extra dollars...

my son thinks it is the best thing in the world!

He actually gets upset when I put it away.

So I say again...my Dustbuster is my best friend.

Thank you mom for introducing it into my life and I encourage every mom to get herself one or ask for one on her first mothers day! :)

International Yarn Bombing Day June 11th!

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We are back home! We decided to focus more on family, gardening and relaxing for a week or so while we got back into our normal routine.

The idea of Yarn Bombing is to brighten the world by making something with yarn and placing it publicly. I decided to do something really simple and I placed it near our home on a bridge we drive over daily. I hope that it stays up for awhile but who knows maybe someone will take it home with them.

favorite things...spring

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cold mornings...hot afternoons

starting our garden

not using the heater...or the air conditioner

wearing my ssekos with skirts

drinking a hot cup of tea in the mornings

walking with my son in lower bidwell park

flowers flowers everywhere

every sandal has a story...

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Amazing sandals that make the world a better place. I have a few friends who have used them in their weddings for their bridesmaids. My sister is getting married in May and we all got these for her wedding. They tie many different ways and you can pretty much use any ribbons in them. This is my version of making them slip-ons. The company in Uganda "...Sseko \say-ko\ Designs was created to help these bright young women continue their education."