Organic Child's Messenger Bag | Cedar House Fabrics

{ Scroll right on to the bottom of this post to find the 15% coupon code to Cedar House Fabrics! } 

I discovered Cedar House Fabrics in my hunt for gorgeous organic fabrics for my Red Charlotte Etsy store. I had the idea to ask Lela, the owner of Cedar House, to work with me on a project for my daughter Cora. So very soon in the mail I received these two gorgeous fabrics:

Cloud9 Maman - Petite Filles, Organic Cotton fabric + Cloud9 Across the Pond - The Banks SKY, Organic Cotton Fabric for sale at Cedar House Fabrics.

And then I got to work:

We had a family vacation to go into in a couple of weeks and Cora (21 months) had become increasingly interested in wallets, purses, and bags. I could tell she would love her own so I started cutting out the pieces for this child's size Messenger Bag by Oliver + S.

I had never worked with an Oliver and S pattern but my friend Paige encouraged me to try and I'm so glad I did. Their directions are incredibly easy to follow. No hidden tricks or head scratches. They've really thought out how to talk to even beginning sewers.

I LOVE the combination of these two organic fabrics by Cloud9. When I got them from Cedar House I squealed and showed my husband who is used to such outbursts over fabric. "This fabric," I emphatically pointed to the teal color of the Banks fabric, "does NOT get enough love in the crafting world."

He nodded quietly and waited until I moved on to show Cora the pretty fabric instead. Good man that husband. He knows when to listen :)

Just look how gorgeous it is with the pink trim.

I backed it with cotton duck to make it sturdier.

So from one mom to another, another reason why I picked the darker turquoise Cloud9 fabric was to hide stains on the outside of the bag. I picked the Cloud9 Petite Filles fabric because Cora loves little pictures of girls and babies. I knew as soon as she opened the bag she would point and say, "Babies! Babies!!"

But there was one more thing I wanted to do, and I have to go back to my husband and give him even more credit, because it was his idea. 

"Why don't you embroider a motorcycle on it too?"

Now, I get it, and I know you do too.

One does not simply embroider a motorcycle into your craft project.

One must have a machine to do do that. And some know-how. I do not have either of these things but Eric thinks so highly of me that he just assumes I do. Love him, right?

And why a motorcycle? Well, my child loves motorcycles and bicycles more than anything else in this world. She calls them "bubbles." This is the word order of things that Cora talks about when she waks up first thing in the morning:

Mama? - Yes

Dada? - Yes

Bubbles? - Yes

Elmo? - Yes

Bus? - Uh huh

BUBBLES!!!!!!

And so I got together with my friend Kathy who does the embroidery for my shop, and voila..... a bubble!!

Okay, okay, it's not a motorcycle. But I wasn't ABOUT to ask Kathy to embroider a sport bike onto this fabric. Maybe a cafe racer style motorcycle, but we couldn't find any good ones. I think this looks much more age appropriate anyway, don't you?

Ready for the finished product?

Le sigh. Isn't it lovely?

Paige added snaps to the front pockets and I realize I'll have to add a good shot of the inside (there's an adorable inside pocket with three pencil holder slots).

I got the webbing for the messenger bag strap and the strap adjuster from www.strapworks.com.

A special shout out to my friends Kathy and Paige. Kathy for doing the embroidery, in oh, less than 24 hours because that's how I roll when it comes to planning. And to Paige for being an awesome friend and hand-holding me through sewing with a pattern (I've always made my own.) Sidenote: uhhhhh, sewing with a pattern is so much easier...

Paige was working on her own Oliver + S pattern, this shirt and shorts set for her daughter Maddi (also pictured above.) I'll post some pics of the finished project when she is done. 

And Cora? Well she loved the bag!

Cora admiring the bubble on the front and looking a little shell-shocked at having her own bag!

It was perfect to carry all her special things on our vacation. It is also practically impossible to get a 21 month old to stand still and pose for a photo :)

So to sum up:

LOVED working with an Oliver + S pattern for the first time. Oh, and they are offering 20% off today on their patterns with the code: FACEBOOKFLASH

Want to get some gorgeous organic fabric of your own? Check out CEDAR HOUSE FABRICS.

Reasons I love Cedar House?

They sell organic fabrics from the Birch, Cloud9, Daisy Jane, Monaluna, and Saffron Craig collections.

They now offer organic ribbon and trim and ORGANIC THREAD. Seriously so excited about that!

Cedar House also offers FREE US and Canada shipping on their orders. 

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{ C O U P O N } 

For the entire month of May you can use the code: FINCHFOUND at their site http://www.cedarhousefabrics.com/

(Add the coupon code in 'Notes to Seller' section and Cedar House will refund your 15% after purchase)

{ C O N N E C T } 

Cedar House Fabrics: http://www.cedarhousefabrics.com/

Cedar House Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cedarhousefabrics

ZAZA Baby Hammock, Toddler Swing | Product Review

When our ZAZA baby hammock arrived at our house, I knew lots of things about it. I knew it was handmade in Israel by a wonderful woman named Robyn, I knew the fabrics used to create the baby hammock + toddler swing were upcycled, frequently vintage and I knew that it was a versatile product that could either be positioned to create a baby hammock, or you could switch it up and make it a comfy swing for a child. I also knew it was a product that The Beast would love. It was just one of those products that I knew would fit in with our family, and who our son is as a tiny human being.

What I didn't expect was how quickly the ZAZA baby hammock and toddler swing would become his everything.

When I say his everything, I mean it. 

Seriously.

It is the place he goes when he isn't feeling well (okay seriously, the worst picture of us EVER, but he was so, so, so, sick with a 104+ degree temperature and all he wanted to do was bounce in his hammock. Yes I said bounce. The bounce kit consists of two huge elastic bungee loops to make the baby hammock + Toddler Swing bounce. By far the greatest ad on ever!) 

It is his snack fort

It is his reading nook

It is the place he goes when he feels the world getting away from him and he needs a happy to cancel it all out (AKA he is mad that he wasn't allowed to do something he wanted to and feels the need to cry about it).  

Don't worry, that is a happy scream! No, really. It is. 

It truly is his space. We live in a nice cozy 900 sq. ft. house, and while our living room is basically his play room, the hammock has really carved out a safe spot that is really, truly,  just his, and when company comes over, if the hammock is hanging up in our living room we just take down the two carabineer and toss it in a closet. 

I could keep blabbing on and on about this product, because it is such a big part of our household, but, I will end it here with a few important things.  

One thing I really, really appreciate about the hammock? The versatility.
If you didn't notice, all the pictures thus far were taken indoors. That is because we (using this term loosely here folks.  I did nothing) installed two really simple eyelet screws into our ceiling so the ZAZA Baby Hammock and Toddler is able to be used indoors. However, since the kit comes with the complete set up for hanging it up in a tree, we just grab the hammock, toss the ropes around the tree (or any other anchor spot), click in the carabineer and we are good to go in 25 seconds, tops. There is no permanent instillation required for the outdoors because Robyn had the foresight to make it easy to set up, and easy to take down. You could even throw it up for a nap at the park. Check out this quick 60 second video that shows you how to set up your ZAZA hammock outside.

One thing you should plan on? Having an extra pillow handy
Kids are little, and seats are deep.  To ensure that The Beast is propped up and happy, we almost always end up tossing a pillow in the bottom of the hammock. It also helps when he is napping to support his body.

One thing that isn't lame? Dude, the bounce kit.
A pretty simple thought, but the bounce kit has been one of The Beast's favorite things about the hammock. He loves to sit and bounce, and have us bounce him to sleep - or as he says. "Bow, Bow?". 

One thing I find really interesting? Did you know that indoor hammocks and swings are often used for children with sensory processing disorders and children with Autism? I didn't. 
The Beast doesn't have any sensory processing disorders, and he isn't autistic, but I had no idea that indoor hammocks and swings were used for sensory integration therapy until I started looking into hammocks for The Beast.   

Also, if you are interested in how to hang up an indoor hammock or swing in your house, my husband is putting together a tutorial on how to do it, and I should have it up next week!  

Spa Night GNO | His2Hers Spa products review & giveaway

(His2Hers giveaway is now closed. Winners announced below.)

One of my favorite parts of Girls' Weekend in San Diego was our spa night on Friday evening. When we arrived in our rooms the Hilton Homewood Suites had left us each a fluffy white robe and slippers. So glad we let them know in advance that we were coming!

We contacted 2GoSpa in San Diego and scheduled to have pedicures done in-room.

To say it was heavenly would be an understatement. The woman who came was named Jennifer and she was so friendly and personable. We ordered take out and then kicked back as each one of us got a foot massage and pedicure, had delicious wine, and pizza. Blissful way to start the weekend!

While we took turns getting pedicures, we spent some time writing postcards to our fellow July moms who couldn't make it to San Diego. The postcards are from a vintage image we found through Found Image Press in San Diego. A special thanks to them for contributing the postcards at a discounted rate.

After all that pampering, we still had the incredible spa products from our sponsor Megan at His2Hers to try out.

French pink clay for facial masks by His2Hers

O.o La La Sugar Scrubs by His2Hers

O.o La La Glyercin Soap pack of 5 by His2Hers

I'm going to be completely honest with you when I say that I am not a "spa products" kind of girl. We thought up the idea of having  a spa night in the planning stages of our Girls' Weekend and I SO GLAD we connected with His2Hers.

But when I applied the clay mask to my face, it felt smooth and relaxing.

(Kudos to Ella for remembering to bring cucumber slices for our eyelids!)

My skin felt soooo soft when I washed it off. It's been over a week since I used the mask and my skin is still glowing. Totally hooked (and Ashley and Ella let me take the rest of it home too.) Score!

We washed the mask off with one of the soaps from the five pack and then used those for the rest of the weekend. Again, I've never been a crazy soap lover so I was impressed how incredible each one smelled and that they left my skin feeling moisturized instead of dry and tight. We all had to debate over who would take the remaining soaps home (since I got the French clay, I relinquished my rights to the rest of the soaps.) 

But we have two more that are are just dying to be sent to an awesome FinchFound reader.

{ G I V E A W A Y  C  L O S E D }

Congrats to Melissa L and Ali for being chosen by Random.org to win. Just sent you both emails!

Want to win one? If so, leave us a comment in this post about your favorite types of spa products. Clay masks? Fancy soaps? Indulgent body lotions? I'd love to hear what you enjoy. Two winners will be chose at random at 9:00pm PST tomorrow (Wednesday) night.

{ C O U P O N  C O D E }

Can't wait to get your hands one some of these products? His2Hers is offering a 10% coupon code to their shop to FinchFound readers until May 31st. Just use code: GNO2012

Best of Girls' Weekend | GNO in San Diego

Girls' Weekend in San Diego was a smashing success. It is decided, I need a girls' weekend AT LEAST once a year. Period. End of debate.

Ella spent the weekend being glamorous. Ashley spent the week brightening up San Diego's gloomy weather, and I spent the weekend eating. I approved of this equation.

We spent time up in North County and drooled over the beaches.

Did you see the photos of some of the other shots we took at the beach? Let me just refresh you on those if not:

:collective sigh:

Torrey Pines was gorgeous too.

I hope Ashley loved San Diego as much as we do. 

Sooo much fun!

And more to come, including a giveaway for some of the awesome spa products we tried out from His2Hers!

Getting Back To It | Girls Weekend

I don't know about Charlotte and Ashley, but I have been home for a few days and I am still recovering, and making up lost time with The Beast. I can't wait to blab about all the fun we had though! 

In the meantime, I thought I would leave you with a total mom post.  The photos shown above were not taken by an extreme hipster. Nay. The Beast has had me wrapped around his little finger ever since he was born we got home on Sunday.  Part of that was, I let him roam around the yard taking pictures of whatever he felt the urge to capture. Turns out, after going through his photos, you are left with a really fun look at street taco Sunday.

For some reason I find his photos a never ending source of amusement, as they really do seem to reflect what he finds important. His cats, us, a few favorite toys and the flowers he loves to pick so dearly. I love the glimpses from his point of view, taken with out being prompted. A short little glimpse into how he sees his world. 

Man I love that kid.

We will be back ASAP to talk wine.