Sometimes Things Should Sparkle

I'm not sure if you all know...I'm pretty sure, unless you really know me, you don't. 

After Hadleigh was born I had a small issue. No, not postpartum depression...although this problem created a small case of "OMG if this doesn't stop my life will end"-itus. (yes that's my very own ailment)

I had a c-section with Hadleigh. Mostly because I was scared to death that she was going to be the same as Brien. 

With Brien I was promised an 8 pound lovely little bundle of boy. I gained 7 pounds in my whole pregnancy...to be honest...it was a dream. When I was delivering...we had a TON of problems. Mostly because his heart rate dropped deadly low...my heart rate dropped deadly low...I was woozy and feeling like boo boo. The doctor threw paper work at me to sign because WE HAD to have an emergency c-section. Brien came out a whopping 10 pounds 10 ounces of flubbery baby boy. He was perfect. And to be honest...he was a string bean...He was 24 inches long. But needless to say...he scared the bageegees out of me. 

So with Hadleigh I planned everything. I wasn't about to be put in the place I was before. Well Hadleigh was a HUGE 7 pounds 6 ounces. Tiny TINY little thing. My smallest baby...And everything with her delivery (AND pregnancy) went beautifully. It was genius. However afterwards...within 3 months of her birth I was dealing with the same problem I went through with Brien.

I was dealing with postpartum alopecia. My hair was falling out in clumps. That was depressing. Like really depressing. Finally my hair stopped falling out. And it's growing back in. And it's looking fabulous. So once I started dying my hair blonde again my fabulous stylist, Bobbie, said "Kristin...you're gonna have to cut back and only wash your hair once a week. Start trying out dry shampoos and you'll be able to do it."

As horrible as it sounds...I have. However in doing that by day 3/4 I'm wearing my hair in pony tails, messy buns, braids...you name it...I've done it. It's been hard. But it's almost all the way back in and I'm still just washing my hair once a week (because let's be real here...I went from black to blonde) But when I go to wash my hair...I pull out that pony holder it still rips out hair and just breaks my heart. So I went looking for something amazing to help me. To be able to hold up my hair and be super easy on my locks.

Cue {Knotieties}. 

Created by the ever fabulous & ridiculous sweet Jen Croghan. She is the sweetest little thing ever...not to mention amazing. She makes beautiful little elastics. Some sparkly, some for blondes, some for brunettes...completely up to you! Now let me explain. These aren't your typical hair ties. These are wide elastics, that you can also rock on your wrist for some bling as well.

I bought myself some. I love them. I can sleep in them, run in them, gym it up in them and when I take them out...NO HAIR. You don't hear any breakage. And I love them.

I bought Hadleigh some...they brighten up her little piggie tails. And she clearly loves taking them out and using them as bracelets...because Hadleigh...is a girly girl.

Every girl should sparkle.

You should check out Jen & her adorable {knotieties}. 

She's having a GIVEAWAY right now now too...so get in on that...

Her Facebook can be found HERE!!!

Her Blog can be found HERE!!!!

& 

Her SHOP can be found HERE!!!!

Go to her Facebook and tell her I sent you...

Show her some REAL Love, Hadleigh Fan love...because you all are the greatest!!!

I love you all! =) 

And you know what...while you're showing her some love...drop by our Facebook page and say hi!

Until Next Time!

XoXo

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, LHD!!!

It's our very first birthday! We've been creating beautiful little hats for a year now and I am pleasantly pleased with all of you wonderful followers & the beautiful fans we have over at Love, Hadleigh Designs Fan Page. You all have been completely amazing and super duper!

We've actually passed our actual first birthday because to be honest...I forgot about it back in the hustle and bustle of January. I know I'm a horrible person right?

I am here today to make it up to you =)...."how" you may ask?

Well I will be giving away a hat tomorrow and having a sale the rest of the week. SO...get over to LHD and join in the fun! =) 

Say happy birthday and have a cupcake (you might have to make your own!)

On this day I do want to stop and say thank you...for making this all possible. Without my followers and fans I wouldn't be in business today. Sharing my joy with you and it really just warms my heart to think how lucky I am to have all of you! =)

Maybe if I'm feeling up to it on Friday we'll have a game night...just because I literally have such a BLAST playing with all of you! So lucky me and lucky you!!

So here's to the past amazing year of Love, Hadleigh Designs and to a year getting to know so many of you!!

xoxo,

Saturday night? What's that?

What'd you do on your Saturday night?

I'll tell you what I did on mine....I'd show you photos...but I can't...my camera is slowly heading to the final resting place of dead cameras. It hates me. So until it's replaced...my memories will have to do.

To start off my Saturday evening...we had some fabulous friends over. Matt & his adorable little underlings, Rowan & Gio. My boys adore Matt & love it even more when he brings them little playmates.

Gio & Hadleigh are about 9 months apart in age. hehehe...moving on. Hadleigh being the elder. They get along great and actually spend most of their time staring at each other...following each other or hugging. I love it all. It's just adorable!

Well we enjoyed "playtime" with 8 kids in the house....in case you count wrong...my kid count goes like this...

Nathanael, Thomas, Rowan, Brien, Hadleigh, Gio, Studley & Matt. Yes, you know it as well as I do...that men are just giant children. They'll agree if they're being honest! =)

We stuffed our faces full of pizza & washed it down with root beer floats. All 4 of my babies crashed around 8:30pm. A full half an hour past normal bedtime...will they sleep past 7am tomorrow...doubtful.

As soon as they're in bed, I find my cell phone and bust out EVERY SINGLE COLOR OF YARN I have on hand. 

My sister in law (genius photographer & awesome in general) (you can find her HERE or HERE!!) 

texts me & says "I need some crowns...." follows that with I'm not sure what colors...let me see what you've got" 

he he he.....its a massive amount and I don't think I even sent everything. I was pulling yarn out of places I wasn't sure they could be...and NO not there. You're gross.

She picked her colors and I settled in on putting away and REorganizing all of my yarn. Which literally took me about 1.5 hours to do. Yes. 1.5 hours. I have so much & in so many colors. But I finally got it all done, looked at Studley and said...I think I need more baskets. 

I laugh. Mostly because when you come into my home...aside from projects sitting around on "my" end table and a giant aqua mason jar filled with notions, every size crochet hook they make & a bunch of knitting needles...you wouldn't know I have a hoard of yarn and run my own "crochet" business from home. People ask me "where do you keep it all?" I say...hidden in every nook and cranny. And now as of tonight...it is back to being color coordinated and in the right place. It's been a long time coming.

And then I sit back, look at Studley and say..."whoa babe, watch out...I'm a woman on the ledge. Spending my saturday nights organizing yarn....uh oh. What's next?"

He just laughed. Apparently he already knew I was crazy. Who knew!

Although who would have thought my idea of a Saturday would be spending it with some crazy children & organizing yarn...and be completely ok with that! =)

What a day! Sweet, sweet Saturday!

Pinddicted

Oh Pinterest.

Have you all gotten addicted yet?

I LOVE Pinterest.

It's an amazing way to keep track of about 129387283461823729347 new projects you want to start...I love everything about it. It's easy to use and completely and utterly addicting.

Here's my issue.

I now have a ton of stuff I want to make. I will have to eventually find the time. But when I do. Yes I plan on doing each and every one of them...or at least that's my goal. Finding the time to add in addition to the rest of the stuff I have to do is my problem!! Where do these people find the time? 

I manage some time here and there...and let's be serious here....when I'm out and I'm bored doing whatever it is that I should be doing...like waiting for pizzas at Little Ceasars...I'm PINNING on my iPhone. Because come on now, that's one of the most amazing apps. I love it!

I just pinned. From my phone. hehe

I haven't been on in a few days, other than my phone, which is fine with me, but I can hear it calling every time I'm on the computer. It's hard to stay away, but I know that everything else comes first. AND then I get Pinterest. I also know that when I'm on Pinterest I need to slot a few hours. Not because I'll spend them all on there, but it is a possibility to lose track of time and it stretches INTO hours lol.

It's just an amazing thing though. To have all of these beautiful ideas and interests in one spot.

I love to think that these people are completely genius who think of these amazing things.

Genius.

Go follow me.

Love, Hadleigh's got a board. 

Let's spread the love!

Ok I'm off of here to go do some actual work...wait until you see the beautiful goodies I'm working up!

remember...I love hearing your comments. I read every comment ever posted...no matter where it is.

Coming out from under the bed.....

So I literally feel like I've been hiding from the blogging world.

I know so many people say...Oh it's so hard to work and spend time in the Blogosphere. BUT let's be honest with everyone...

I have 4 kiddos. 

I now have a completely successful business.

In having a completely successful business it requires all of my extra time. And when I'm not working until 12-1 am on orders...I do try and spend time with my insanely handsome, Studley.

So I guess the real question is:

In my blogging hiatus...what have you been doing?

I've been popping out some new styles, working on orders and trying to stay sane.

The McKenzie

I love this little variation of the Chloe. It also comes in these colors however is not limited to these colors. Remember I work in the beauty of YOUR imagination if you so choose...

The McKenzie

How about this one?

The Aviator

The aviator was actually inspired by a client. She said...I need something like this. Can you make it?

Let me tell you.

I AM ALL UP FOR A CHALLENGE.

I don't think that many people realize that if I don't offer it in my shop and you find something you like...

EMAIL ME. 

Because I love an excuse to make something NEW!

There are some other new beauties. 

So go check out:

Love, Hadleigh Designs on Facebook

become a fan (if you already aren't) and keep up to date with EVERYTHING going on.

Like our newest referral contest on Facebook.

Get involved, bring in some friends and get a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to use on your next order.

Interested?

Here's what you have to do.

Have your friends come on over to Love, Hadleigh Designs!
Have them like our page.
Have them post on our wall to tell us that YOU sent them. (I'm gonna need your whole name to keep track.)
They must stay fans, they can't just come like and then disappear.
SHARE SHARE SHARE!!!

This contest will start today and go until February 27, 2012.

The person who refers the most people will win a $25 gift certificate to Love, Hadleigh!!

So come on by and join the fun!

My goal is to keep up with everything...but you all know how fun that can be at times =)!

Enjoy and I'll be back soon.

xoxo,

Our Thanksgiving Day Trip!

Oh..hello there...it's Me...I know. It's yet again been awhile. I'm reaching the bottom of my list of orders...well at least over the extremely large hump. I think once I can breath a bit I'll be happy. But for now I'm happy to take a few minutes to say hi to my readers. 

So hello.

Ha...I won't leave you with that.

I hope you all had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving! I know I did!!

I was re-reading my blog and I saw the post from 9/11. I teared up. Mostly because as non of you know (since I didn't tell you) for Thanksgiving, Studley, my dad (pop) and my step mom, literally PILED the 4 kiddos into their Honda Odyssey (yes that's a shameless plug hehe) and we drove up to New York City.

We had such great seats!! Almost so close you could touch people. The boys got countless hugs and high fives from passing people IN the parade. They had a BLAST. This was our second trip up to NYC for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It SHOULD be on EVERYONE's bucket list. You have to go once. It's such an amazing experience.

This was our view for the parade!

We really didn't do as much sightseeing as we did our first trip, but that was mostly because we had SOMEWHERE to be. I was so honored to be able to visit "Ground Zero" this trip. Mostly because 9/11 had such a profound impact on my immediate life. The kids knew what happened on 9/11 but to them its some boring event in their history class. They weren't alive when it happened, it wasn't as sensitive an issue for them.

The South Reflection Pool (this photo doesn't even do it justice)

The whole atmosphere was just so quiet and respectful. It was such an amazing place. To be honest it was completely sobering to be there and to know why we were there and what had happened to be needing to create such a beautiful memorial. Even now I tear up. It was completely moving.

 

Freedom Tower

Definitely take the time to check out their website 9/11 Memorial.

Get your tickets to go visit. It's definitely worth the trip.

All in all, our Thanksgiving was wonderful. I am completely thankful for my family & extended family. I couldn't live without them! 

Happy Holidays!!

Sewing Love

I love to sew, but I seriously haven't had the time in literally ages. 

When I dusted off my lovely trusty old machine I come to find out that storage ghosts have been playing with it and broke my backwards button. 

Eventually I need a new sewing machine. Studley thinks I can make mine work *which I can* but who doesn't want a new one.

Until then I continue to collect these LOVELY fabrics...which again...drives Studley INSANE! But whatever...it's my job.

But of course before I get it a machine I needed a dress. I have been shopping and shopping for pillow case dresses FOREVER. Mostly because when you see them you think "oh, gee. I could do that myself" or "um well that kind of looks tacky" and to be honest...some of these dresses out there are just that..."tacky". Cheap ribbon is used to tie up the sides? What ever happened to craftsmanship? Seriously?

So I continued to shop....and shop, and shop, and shop and shop...and then WAIT. What is this? The most adorable dresses in the fabrics I've been dying for...because let's be honest...they're gorgeous!

Which brings me to the point....Etsy is such a lovely place...

a place where I found Marissa Smith. 

The most brilliant, accommodating seamstress, I think, I have ever met! 

Her shop can be found HERE! It's called "Creative Bee by Marissa Smith". She is just that! Amazing!

I'm shopping for Hadleigh's birthday present. Literally on her birthday because I have been searching for weeks...and finally I see this picture. I'm in love. It's perfect. Then I say well shoot, I need it by next Sunday, I wonder if she can do it...

Wouldn't you know she could! 

This is my Hadleigh in her beautiful custom dress from Creative Bee. I love it. When I got it (literally 3 days after I paid for it) I just fell in love with it. The quality is just AMAZING.

The fabric is designer. 

It's everything you're looking for in a boutique style dress from a SAHM!

So if you're looking for dresses, or skirts, or anything of the kind...you should go check out her shop.

I am so thrilled with her work I just bought another dress for my little princess...

Want to see some more?

 Yes I'm shameless...that is a headband I just made specifically to match this dress...turned out adorable!!!

(want to order one? shoot me an email at {lovehadleighdesigns(at)gmail(dot)com})

Ok. I'm done for now. Go check her out..because she's pretty awesome! :) She also makes women's shirts...so you could definitely get a matching outfit with your princess! :):)

Until next time! :)

Xoxo,

Bows, Clips & Headbands...Oh MY!

Good Monday to you! :) How'd the weekend treat you?

Early Saturday morning found me freezing my little tail off down at a local yard sale/ craft show (mostly yard sale) in the freezing wind with some lovely rain to accompany it...I was excited once I sold a bunch of "junk". Not really junk...rather great stuff that was actually well loved :).

Mid Saturday found me at Tommy's baseball game....(still cold and breezy...less rain!) The game was great...he loves baseball...

Saturday afternoon found me at a BBQ/ Fall Bash at one of Studley's co-workers. They have it every year and it's a party we go to religiously. It's one of the BEST times around and it really shows what amazing people Studley works with and for...and how "family" oriented they all are. It's a great group of people and ALWAYS a great time!

Sunday. Sunday was a lovely lazy Sunday. Freezing cold, which meant the most delicious white chili for dinner with homemade tortilla chips. (definitely forgot to make my famous cornbread!) I also spent nap time doing a lovely craft while my boys practiced their drawing. They decided it was time to practice being an artist because "Mom is an artist" hehehe....

So would you love to see my end product? How about a tutorial on how to make your own? I know plenty of Etsy shop owners who are going to be pretty upset at this...but it's ok :).

Yes, that's Studley's hand...whatta sweetheart! :)

Hadleigh has a nice collection of bows, clips and headbands...not to mention hats and such...but I've been finding bows and clips all over the place. Everytime she decides she's done she pulls it out and I set it down and then spend more time looking for them than she does wearing them! 

SO...boom...accessories holder......SUPER CHEAP!

What you'll need:

Letter (it was already white and it's big! Michael's + coupon = $2.39)

1.5 inch ribbon (1 spool, it will use an entire spool, I used what I had on hand.)

7/8 inch ribbon (just used for an extra embellishment)

Thread

Embellishments (I used scrapbooking elements I had)

Glue gun & glue stick

Matches or a lighter

This particular letter had holes in the back to hang on the wall so I didn't even need to hang it from anything. WIN!

First cut your first strip. Its length really depends on you and how much you plan on hanging on it.  Mine are between 26" and 28" I just roughly measured it. Hot glue it down.

Now what you wanna do is take the rest of your 1.5 inch ribbon off of the spool so you can freely loop and tie it up. You wanna hot glue the tip of the other side as well.

Now you're gonna loop up your 1.5 inch ribbon up and behind. The loop is as big as you want. I did 3 loops, but your goal is that at the bottom it's as long as your straight side. So when you hang it they match. This is the most tedious part because you also need to make sure your loops are matching widths. For a perfectionist & OCD sufferer this part was not my favorite, but still pretty easy! 

 Then tie it up. I just used a couple square knots on top of each other. Don't worry this gets covered by your extra ribbon. These loops are what will hold your headbands. You'll do this 3 times to get 3 loops on the one side. Once you've finished with that you're just about done.

Now it's all about embellishments!

Take your 7/8" ribbon and cut nice sized strips. Wrap it around your ties. Tie a bow. This also took me a little while, because clearly they had to be perfect. I could still mess with them! :)

This is before I trimmed the ends of the bow.

Once you get those three bows done, cut the extra length off of your 1.5" ribbon so it is even with your straight side. Now it's time to move on. Get a match or lighter & run it close to the ends of the ribbon. This will heat seal your ribbon so it doesn't fray.

Take your extra 1.5" and tie an extra bow and put it on the top of your letter, or really wherever you please! Embellish as you like! I started out with a wooden word Princess, but it got nixed when it didn't look like it should (Brien had broken it, I tried to fix it...never looked cute again! I'm sure I could have taken more time with it, but I didn't want to.) I went minimal with the embellishments, but painting polka dots on the "H" crossed my mind. I went with 1 heart, 1 heart with a lock & 1 key. Threaded on itty bitty ribbon and hot glued by the bottom of the big bow.

 And now you're done and have saved yourself a bunch of money! :) There's a lot that can be said for Michael's and their coupons :)...and a little ingenuity! 

This is just a small selection of bows Hadleigh has from Girls & Curls Accessories!!! We love Mindy!

Go check her out! She's also on ETSY!!!

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and I hope to see some photos of your own bow holders!! :)

XOXO,

Remembering

I can't believe it's been 10 years already...I remember it like it just happened yesterday. I didn't have any babies yet...in fact I wasn't even in my last trimester with Nathanael. I was sitting at home watching the news, having a cup of tea and in the middle of laundry.

I sat and cried most of the day. Thinking of families who've now lost loved ones due to the selfishness and repulsiveness of the people willing to take not only their lives, but the lives of millions of others. Not stopping to think that maybe these people had husbands, wives, babies, kids, moms, dads, and any other branch of relationship a human can have. No they saw terror. The way to bring the biggest terror possible.

It wasn't like a that for America. No. I saw it as a reason to bring the entire country together and fight back against these people so willing to take away from people they didn't even know. We banded together like a giant family. Consoling those who've lost, comforting any fears that were there, and standing strong....Together.

Watching the news today brings back all of those feelings. My eyes are welling up with tears and just listening to the stories is just heart breaking.

They tried to break us. We didn't break...we got stronger. I thank all of the firefighters, our soldiers, the courageous men and women in the towers trying to help, on flight 93, all of the men and women in the Pentagon and the families who've lost and a country who has bonded and come together as a family. Thank you of all of your courage, bravery and strength.

You might ask..."Who are you?"

Good evening my lovely bloggians! (yes...I just made that up)

I've missed you all dearly. I know...you want to know...Who the heck are you? Oh duh...I know...It's been a long time! Since I last posted a few things have changed!

First...my awesomeness has gotten even awesomer...haha (also a new word.) I have decided that the super dark brown hair must go....considering that I've had dark hair for forever...and NO that is NOT my natural hair color. I am actually a dirty blond. So with saying that I have decided to go back to the blond, but a PRETTIER blond, because honestly I don't like the color of my hair. SO...I'm making it prettier...well actually my fabulous stylist is making it pretty.

ignore the crazy 80's wear and silly photo....I love my friends....(and I know...you can't really see the blonde yet...be patient!)

Second...Oh and yes, because I wasn't nerdy enough....I have succumbed to the eye doctor finally and purchased glasses...headaches gone, terrible blurry vision gone...awesomeness reinstated! I must say I'm liking nerdy chic though...I'm kind of in love with it! :)

Things have been going completely fabulously this summer in the life of "Love, Hadleigh Designs" as well as myself...We have been completely blessed and things have just been smooth sailing. For the most part :) Every life has a bump now and then right?

So Studley takes me to the Apple store and we get my iPad fixed for free...because seriously Apple is amazing. Followed by Studley buying "us" (yes me) a new iMac. I'm officially in love. Amazing. That's all I can say. Like best machine ever. (aside yes from the innovative iPad, which I adore to a million amazing little pieces) 

My kids have officially started back to school...loooooovin' that I'll be getting more one on two time with Hadleigh and Brien. :) We'll be learning and crafting up a storm this fall...so hopefully you'll be able to see. I have a new project in the works for the kids' teachers as a Thanks for Being awesome teachers...so stay tuned! :)

Ok I'm out of here for now, but believe me...I will be back.........sooner than later :)

XoXo,