lately..

lately...

-i've been drinking so much bubble tea, i may need an intervention. well, actually it's not so much bubble tea as a fruit smoothie with boba pearls. they are so addicting..
-i've been to salt & straw more times in the past couple weeks than i'd like to admit. you haven't live until you've tried their mint chocolate chip with lemon zest.. it's THAT good.
-i realized laurelhurst park is the prettiest photo location
-this is where you can find mosey just about any time of day. that or partially in my lap, partially laying across the laptop keyboard.
-i spotted this guy on a walk in our neighborhood. i've never met such a friendly squirrel.. i was tempted to bring home.. (do you see him standing in that picture??!)

Selling my T1i

Hi friends! I've decided to sell my previous camera and wanted to give one of you a chance to buy it before I list it on craigslist or ebay. It's a Canon t1i 500d body, you can see the amazon listing here.

It was my beloved camera for a couple years, especially paired with my 50mm lens.. (similar one here). It's what I used to take all the pictures on here up until this last Christmas. It takes pretty phenomenal pictures if you ask me.

It's no longer under warranty but I've had no problems with it and it's in excellent condition.

It comes with manual, cords and original box. I'll even throw in the 8G SD card too. The going rate for this same camera body right now is upwards of $400 but I'm offering it up for $300, that way you can buy the nifty 50mm camera lens and be set!

If you're interested, leave a comment with your email address and it'll be yours sooner than later. If someone else has already left a comment with their email and you're interested too, leave your email also just in case the others falls through.

playing catch up..

With Josh out of town for a few weeks, It's been easy for me to work extra long hours to get caught up on orders.. (i made 14 dresses this week, yowza!). I'm caught up enough to where I can take all next week off from orders and work on my photography website and the LITTLES line coming out in june. I'm SUPER excited about both, and i'll be sharing more as it approaches.

Also on the agenda next week is making beet ice cream. I'm a little bit more than obsessed with beets. I'll also be selling my previous camera (canon T1i) and about 100+ MAC eyeshadows that I never use.. so if you're interested, there will be a post next week!

And since word posts are boring, i'll leave you with some out-takes of some photos i took for a guest post that will be up soon!

Hope your weekend is great!

blog spotlight >> eat sleep cuddle

I don't do this very often but I just had to share Whitney's blog, eat sleep cuddle.

I found it about a month ago and have been obsessed ever since. I just love the simplicity in her words and her photos are SO beautiful! I had to go through and read every post.. it was that good!

Go take a peek, you won't be disappointed!

all photos from eat sleep cuddle

i ♥ portland: salt & straw

Over the weekend, while it was pouring down rain and a whopping 50 degrees outside, I convinced Josh to go on a spontaneous ice cream date. Aren't those the best kind?! Actually any ice cream date is the best kind. Salt & straw is definitely the best ice cream you'll find in Portland. I have to exercise self-control so I don't end up there every day. I just love the unique flavors...(some are crazy.. see the menu up there?) I picked honey lavender this time (which was TOO DIE FOR..) and Josh got chocolate brownie. I have my eye on the lemon basil sorbet for next time.. which I hope is sooner than later.

All you locals that have never been, you need to go stat! And if you're ever visiting Portland, put salt & straw at the top of your Must-go list.

Happy Monday to you all.

an afternoon with succulents

yesterday i decided it was time to rearrange my succulent collection. most of them were on their own and some not even in soil.. i just grabbed a few containers around the house that will host them until i can buy bigger ones. Don't you love succulents? They are so low maintenance which is exactly what i need in a house plant. Plus they sorta look like creatures!

It was so relaxing.. and felt good to get my hands dirty. I'm wishing I would've planted a balcony garden to keep up in the summer. (Maybe its not too late.. I'll add that to my weekend to-do list)

Speaking of the weekend, this week wore me out! And I'm so looking forward to the weekend to catch up on all the little things I can't get done during the week (i get so stressed about the little things) but i'm mostly excited to relax and read a book or something! And maybe make some ice cream...

apricot coconut almond bars

I feel like this last week I was moving in slow motion.. I had a really productive sewing week but my email inbox is out of control.. there's week old text messages i haven't responded to.. i haven't even cleaned my bathroom (which i normally do twice a week!). But i'm okay with that! That's what next week is for right? I'll pour myself some extra coffee and get set on that to-do list.

In the mean time I just really needed to tell you to make these amazing bars. I saw them on Dani's blog and had them made and in my belly within an hour.. They are so quick and delicious and healthy! Definitely on the sweet side so keep the squares small!

Apricot coconut almond bars

1 1/2 cups dried apricots
1/2 cup raw almonds
2 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
Coarse salt
1/2 oz dark chocolate, melted
parchment paper (i used saran wrap since i didnt have parchment paper)
9-by-5-inch loaf pan

Pulse apricots, almonds, coconut, and a pinch of salt in a food processor until finely ground.

Line your loaf pan with parchment, leaving an inch overhang on all sides. Transfer mix to pan and press firmly to form a rectangle.

Drizzle or spread chocolate and sprinkle with some coconut. Use parchment/saran overhang to remove from pan.

Transfer to the refrigerator and leave until firm, about 15 minutes or so. Slice into 6 bars, and then into 12 square pieces. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Thanks for sharing the recipe dani!

New items!

The new items are now up for grabs in my shop. About 24 hours later than I expected but oh well, they are worth the wait! 

There's one more dress that will be listed later tonight.. And there's still a few kinks to work out but most everything is finished.

I also gave the whole shop a mini make-over. I'm working on making it all look cohesive.. so I replaced all but a few old photos. Head on over to vanillaandlace.com to check it out.. and please feel free to to blog/tweet/whatever about the new stuff! 

Oh yeah! And coming May/June, 

Little Vanilla and Lace! 

I've been working lots and lots on a big expansion for this little dream come true.. and i'm aiming for a beginning of summer release for my first baby and little girls line. It'll be chock full of darling dresses and blouses and everything I'd want my girl to wear. Here's some (rough) finalized sketches but there will also be mini versions of just about everything in my shop right now.. everything is better mini right?

I'm so so SO excited about this! 

Thanks again for all your support... Today feels so happy!