Arizona to Chicago: Farewell Erin!

Happy Monday! I wonder how many other weekend posts around the web started that way this morning. It is a happy one though, if only for the fact that we got all of our errands done before 9am and now both boys are napping. And this weekend? Oh, was such a great one. It was full of all the things I love the most- friends, family, really, really great food, and lots of dancing. On Saturday in fact I had to pinch myself as I took a look around on that crowded dance floor, and realized that this was IT. This was one of those really happy moments I'll think back to for years to come- surrounded by some of my oldest friends, drinks clinking, singing along to really ridiculous 90s country at 12am. The song playing at the moment was Shania Twain's "Any Man of Mine," if that gives you a better picture of the awesomely embarrassing girl power celebration that was going on. Earlier that night I had tucked another moment away, taking a second to memorize all the details as we all spun each other around that hot, crowded dance floor at the Rusty Spur as the live band played and played. And if my memory fails me one day, at least I have a poorly-lit two minute video to take me right back. ;)

And I have to say this too- when you grow up with the same group of friends- when they've seen you through all the weird phases and weird hair and even weirder boyfriends, there's a deep comfort and love there. I've talked about this countless times here, but all of us lived together through college, experiencing every bit of life together for years. And then after we graduated, we lived together too, all meeting each others' husbands as we met them for ourselves, and then later watching each of our separate stories unfold; jobs and marriage and houses and kids, the easy stuff and the hard stuff- all the stuff really. So it was an emotional weekend, full of lots of laughter and some tears too, as we celebrated our friendships while also saying goodbye to Erin, who is moving to Chicago next month.

Erin and I met our freshman year of college- we lived in the same dorm and ended up rushing the same sorority- and we had an instant connection. Fast forward 14 years down the road and we've experienced all sorts of life's adventures at the same time, even being pregnant with Henry and her Kyler together. I'm very sad to see her go, but it's also incredibly exciting to know they are off on this new adventure. Plus, I've never been to Chicago and I can't wait to check it out! So Windy City people, if you see Erin around, tell her hello...she's a good one!

Below are just a few iPhone photos of our weekend at The Valley Ho. I wish I had taken more of the hotel itself- it's one of my favorites- and if you like mid-century design definitely check it out. The history of the place is pretty awesome. Autumn, Shirley, Alana and I actually lived right down the street from it on 2nd Street after college- the whole area is really fun.

And one last request before we get to the photos- Chicago people, do you have any must-sees or must-dos (places to go, restaurants, etc) for Erin and her family? I'm going to direct her to the comments, so hopefully a few of you are from the Chicago area and can share some expertise! Thank you in advance.

xoxo

Weekend Wrap-Up (on a Wednesday)

1 // Veronica hosted the cutest little Valentine's party for little ones. We had a blast, and left in a total sugar coma. This was the cake she served- SO good. It was a triple layer, fruit infused masterpiece and it made me happy that days like this don't come around too often. I eat healthy a lot of the time, but I will never (and can't ever) say no to something like this!

2 // On Friday afternoon Jana and I took the boys to Lappert's, a little custard spot that just opened in the next town over. It was a fun treat and I was actually pleasantly surprised by the grilled chicken salad I ordered. I didn't try the custard (still over-sugared from that cake!) but Henry really loved it.

3 // Sisters and babies. It's very cool to have my best friend home with her babies doing the same stuff I'm doing, at the same time. Now if only we lived in the same place. We took this photo Sunday after while at the park at my parents' house. It was 75 and sunny- best weather ever.

4 // Speaking of best friends, on Saturday I got to have brunch with two of my oldest friends to celebrate Erin's birthday. We went to Luci's Healthy Martketplace in Phoenix I was pleasantly surprised. Great, healthy food and a cute atmosphere. Plus, I had the best company. You know those people that know you- really know you- and remember all of the stages and phases you've been through? Hold onto them. These are those people for me.

5 // Lucy and Charlie at breakfast on Sunday morning. They were born just 7 months apart and I love watching them together. And can we talk about sassy little Lucy for a minute?! She kills me.

6 // Sunday dinner at my parents' house. I live for it. This plate was chock full of goodness- filet, shrimp, kale salad, and some more veggies.

I hope you had a great weekend too...although we're already halfway to the next one!

DIY Gift Idea & Tutorial: Make a Magic Suitcase!

Henry's  very lucky to have a lot of special people in his life- three sets of grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends who are like family- but there isn't quite anyone like Erin. Erin and I have been friends forever. We went to the same junior high and high school, and although I knew her brother (he was in the sports medicine program and wrapped my ankle before every soccer game!) she and I never had the chance to really connect. After high school though, we finally got a chance to know one another and I fell in total friend love with the girl. Now she's been one of my closest friends for over a decade, a bridesmaid in our wedding, a dear friend of Hanks, and an auntie to Henry.

Erin is one of "those" women, the kind of woman that everyone always has questions for: where did you get that? How did you do that? And the most common- did you REALLY make that? The answer to the last question, when talking about Erin, is always, always yes. She's insanely talented at what she does, which is everything. She's a true Martha, a crafter extraordinaire, and although I've been bugging her for years to start a blog, all of her creations never see the light of the blog world. Instead, her friends and family get to quietly enjoy them as she often showers her loved ones with the most amazing presents. She's not just the most creative person I know, but one of the most giving too.

And today Erin is here to share a tutorial on what has to be the GREATEST child's gift I've ever seen. And lucky Henry, it's all his!

It's a magic case, filled with children's costumes, and Erin is here to give us the background on her wonderful creation.

For this project you'll need:

Vintage suitcase (use one that has flat, paintable surfaces)
Acrylic paint
Paint brushes
Paint markers
Chalk

Step 1: Form a plan for how you would like to paint the front of your suitcase

Step 2: Throw out half of step 1 and form a new simplified version for the sake of sleep. I printed the lettering out and using a lightbox, traced it onto the banner to make sure it would read nicely.

I used chalk to sketch out the design on the suitcase and printed the letters from the day before in scale with the new banner. After trying endlessly to redraw the hands I decided to scan my drawing, colorize them in photoshop and print them out.

Next, using paint pens and acrylic paint I painted the chalked image onto the suitcase. While the paint on the crystal ball was wet I sprinkled glitter on it.

Step 3: fill with costumes and fun hats! Anything that will get a child's imagination going. You do not have to spend money on this - think old dress shirt and ties, robes, dresses you don't wear...kids love it all!

Now if you will, please join me in BEGGING Erin to start a DIY/Craft blog. The world wide web could use some fresh ideas from Ms. Peters, wouldn't you agree?

Thank you EP for sharing. And to everyone else, happy DIY-ing and gifting! Please let us know if you decide to make a magic case of your own, and be sure to send photos so I can share them in a future post. And if you have any questions be sure to leave them in the comments, and I'll pass them along to Erin.

xoxo