Momathon Blog

A Walk on the Beach

 

One of my favorite places to go is the beach. A warm sandy beach is always lovely, but a rock beach is a real adventure. I grew up in Minnesota and I scavenged for agates and other childhood treasures along the rocky  shore of Lake Superior. The beaches in Oregon and Washington have a similar feel but with larger rocks—some in familiar shapes like hearts or loaves of French bread. 

Images: ROCK BEACH images by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

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Follow Me to Apartment 34

 

Hi, friends! Today I was thrilled and honored to be part of the Live Here, Decorate With This series at the splendid blog Apartment 34. I had fun dreaming up a cozy chic bedroom—a French chateau meets glamorous penthouse look. Living in a house nestled against a mountain range in Colorado means I see western decor everywhere. And I do love that look, but I admit I also love the decorating ideas from far away places too. Go on over and check out my guest post on Apartment 34 and tell me what you think.

 

Image: FOLLOW ME TO APARTMENT 34 image and second INSTAGRAM IMAGE are by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

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Dogs Are My Fave

Some people knit, I doodle. And I love to doodle all types of animals—especially dogs. Frenchies are extra fun to draw. I guess it is something about their wise expression. 

More dogs in my doodles:

Dog Doodle: Lucy

Daily Doodle: Dogs in the city

Waiting for my coffee to brew

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Image: TO ERR IS HUMAN graphic includes a dog illustration and design by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

Love These Sweet Little Things {Zara for Baby}

Adorable, right?! I found these lovely things for baby girls at ZARA here. The irresistible pale shade of pink is what caught my eye. I like the way Zara picks soft cozy fabrics with a kid-friendly cut so baby can move freely. 

More ideas for baby...

Knitting a Hoodie Popover for Baby

Instagram Guide: Tilt-Shift Focus

In addition to the 18 Instagram filters, the photo app comes with added features to enhance your photos. Here is a guide to the focus feature.

Tilt-Shift Focus

Ever take a picture and wish you could highlight a specific area? Or maybe you have a distracting portion of your photo you want to fade into a blur. That is when the tilt-shift focus comes in handy. Although you want to make sure that your photo is in focus when you take it, you don't need to worry about highlighting a specific focus area as you take the photo. The Instagram app lets you can pick a focus area after you take the photo. Instagram includes two options for focusing that will blur the surroundings of the subject.

Instagram app includes two focus types:

• line (linear) focus 
• circle (radial) focus

When you click on the Instagram tab that looks like a water drop or rain drop, the app gives you a choice of using the circle, line, or no focus (X). Complete step-by-step directions for using the focus feature below.

Summer Love

Summer has to be the most difficult season to say goodbye to. I love beaches, barbecues, and bike rides. Pools, picnics, and popsicles. So even though summer officially ends today, I think I will keep my summer attitude all weekend long.

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Image: LIFE IS SWEET graphic is by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

Fall Colors: Black & White

What fall fashion trends are you most excited about? The combo of black and white is hot for Fall. I think it's perfect all alone, but it's also fun to mix it up a bit and add something like a B&W polka dot piece to dress up a denim. If you are the sporty type, why not feel even sleeker with B&W running gear.

1. Check Tweed Popover, Boy Shirt in Thomas Mason, Pixie Pant, Biennial Satchel from J.Crew

2. Bomber Jacket with Diamante by ZARA

3. Merino Wool Crew Neck Sweater by Alex Kramer | SHOPBOP

4. Maricel Shirt by Kate Spade.

5. Run Performance Midlayer Jacket, Run Seven-Eighths Tights by Stella McCartney at Adidas

 

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Image: BLACK AND WHITE fashion roundup is by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 

Let's Go Take the World for a Spin

 

I heart dogs—especially Yorkies. Mr. Famous was Audrey Hepburn's first beloved Yorkshire Terrier, For movie buffs, you might remember he appeared with her in a scene in Funny Face.  

You see Yorkies all the time with celebrities, but did you know that Audrey Hepburn introduced Yorkshire Terriers to the world of celebrities and the Hollywood trend to have a lap-dog.

{ IMAGE: Top: Vintage Audrey Hepburn photo with her beloved Yorkie named Mr. Famous. Bottom: My beloved Yorkie Gizmo.} 

And one more thing... A celebrity sighting.

Gotta love this spoof tape with Jennifer Aniston.

 

Snug as a Bug {Knitting a Hoodie Popover for Baby}

Simple knitting projects are my fave and this cozy popover hoodie for babies is the sweetest! With a snuggly hood this popover is perfect for layering over a shirt or sweater and then you can layer the jacket on top. Imagine how easy it will be to get your babe dressed for going outside—and easy to get them undressed once you get indoors again!

The pattern and directions are from the clever Laura at The Purl Bee. Complete directions for the hoodie popover here. The pattern uses the softest yarns from the amazing store Purl Soho. 

IMAGE: The graphic above is by me, Chris Olson and features the photos by Laura at The Purl Bee.

How to Create a Magnetic Chalkboard

 

Because I'm a doodler at heart, I love the decorating idea of adding chalkboard paint to a wall. This DIY idea makes the chalkboard portable, you can move the chalkboard you create around to different walls and different rooms. Easy peasy! I think the project is a fun accent for your child's bedroom or even the kitchen. This do-it-yourself paint project uses a Pottery Barn Kids frame and Benjamin Moore paints.

Magnetic Chalkboard

Supplies

• 18 x 18" piece of sheet metal (Or select any size to be cut to fit your picture frame)
• Household vinegar 
• Paint roller (small size, approx 6")
• Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Primer 
• Benjamin Moore Chalkboard Paint 
• 18" x 18" frame (Pottery Barn Kids frame is used in the video below)

Directions

1) Go to a metal supply shop and have them cut you a 18" x 18" piece of sheet metal—or any size that fits the picture frame you want to use.

2) Remove any grease on piece of sheet metal with ordinary household vinegar. Let the sheet dry.

3) Because sheet metal is a shiny and slick non-porous surface, you need to paint the metal with a primer like Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Primer because it will adhere to non-porous surfaces. 

4) After the primer dries, add a coat of chalkboard paint. Use long smooth strokes with a small paint roller. If you see any "lap lines" at the edges of your strokes of paint be sure to smooth the lines out with the roller.

5) Wait for the paint to dry and then add a second coat of chalkboard paint.

6) Let the painted metal dry thoroughly and then pop it into an 18" x 18" frame. Now it's ready to hang on the wall. 

You can watch a DIY video created by Pottery Barn here: How To: Create a Magnetic Chalkboard with Benjamin Moore Paint and a Pottery Barn Kids frame. 

IMAGES: Top image: Created by me, Chris Olson. 2nd image: Photo of chalkboard from Benjamin Moore paints and Pottery Barn Kids via here.

More chalkboard ideas here:

Painting DIY: How to Make a Chalkboard Wall

Stationery Notes

As an illustrator and a fan of old-school snail mail, I am always on the look out for artwork on stationery. Here's this week's spotlight: Vigilante Paper.

Image: Graphic by me, Chris Olson, featuring photos of stationery by Vigilante Paper.

Free Printable: Gift Tags {Vintage Fabric}

Do you heart vintage? Vintage fabric was my inspiration for these gift tag printables—free to download at the end of this post.

The downloadable PDF (see link below) contains 1 page that includes 6 tags—2 tags of each of the 3 designs shown above. 

Comparing 9 Instagram Filters {The Puppy Edition}

Taking photos of pets on Instagram is a great way to bring out the personality of your dog or cat. In this comparision of 9 Instagram filters I feature a shelter pup named Lady Belle at PalsForever.org. She is a Weimaraner with amazing eyes and the softest velvet gray coat. I like the results with all the filters I tried, but I think my fave is the Amaro filter. Share your favorite filter with Lady Belle the Weimaraner in the comments. (Belle is a rescue dog available for adoption at this animal rescue.)

Instagram Filters and Pets

By playing around with the Instagram filters you can enhance the color of your dog's fur and eyes. I like to try several options before picking the filter to use. Think about the mood the filter creates too. If you want to make the photo warmer try the Rise filter or the Earlybird filter. If you want to bring out the dreamy mood, try the Sierra Filter or the Sierra Filter.

Lady Bella the Weimaraner

The adorable dog mix featured above is Lady Belle. If she is still available for adoption, you can find her at this animal rescue and on Petfinder Adoptable Dog: Lady Belle, Weimaraner.

Your Ballot, Please

It's crunch time. No more excuses. Today's the perfect day to make sure you are registered to vote. On November 6, 2012, people in the U.S. will vote for the next president, as well as other state and local offices—including issues relating to school districts.

Are you unsure if you are registered to vote? The Can I Vote? nonpartisan web site created by state election officials helps eligible voters figure out how and where to go vote as well as help you determine if you are already registered to vote. You can also go online to the USA.gov web site Register to Vote and Voting for registration information and voting locations. 

If you need to cast an absentee ballot, go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program website for information on how to vote absentee. 

You can also register to vote via the nonpartisan organization Rock the Vote.

We Will Never Forget

Remembering those who died 11 years ago...

Today marks 11 years since terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. 

We will never forget...

8:46 a.m.
A moment of silence marks the time that the first plane struck the north tower.

9:03 a.m.
A moment of silence marks the time the second plane struck the south tower. 

9:37 a.m.
A moment of silence marks the time Flight 77 struck the Pentagon. 

9:59 a.m.  
A moment of silence marks the moment the south tower fell. 

10:03 a.m.
A moment of silence marks the crash of Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pa. 

10:28 a.m.
A moment of silence marks the time the north tower fell. 

 

Image: WE WILL NEVER FORGET image by me, Chris Olson.

Homework Helper: How to Write a Strong Paragraph

Composing a strong paragraph is key to writing effective reports and essays. I created the following handy guide to help you write an effective paragraph.

More HOMEWORK HELP featured in my blog here:

• How to Edit an Essay { Checklist }
• How to Write a Theme Statement in Three Easy Steps
• Why Do Leaves Change Colors in Fall?

 

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Image: HOW TO WRITE A STRONG PARAGRAPH guide, an infographic, is by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 

How to Follow Fashion Week at Home

Are you following Fashion Week? I'm quite envious of my son, he's sending me NYFW photos whenever he gets a chance.

The good news is thanks to the wonders of digital tech, you don't need to be in NY to catch the amazing designers at Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week—you can catch live streaming and on-demand content via Live From the Runway on YouTube. You can watch highlights from specific runway shows you missed this week via the Maybelline Look Book on YouTube.

What's on? The official Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week YouTube channel provides extensive coverage of runway shows including:

BCBGMAXAZRIA, Richard Chai, Rebecca Minkoff, Nicole Miller, Charlotte Ronson, Lacoste, Diane von Furstenberg, Carolina Herrera, Betsey Johnson, Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang, Narciso Rodriguez, Nanette Lepore, Michael Kors, Vivienne Tam, Anna Sui 

Go ahead, be social too. Pin something Pinteresting from fashion week here. And follow @MBFashionWeek on Twitter. Why not be Instagram-ish and check out their photos from the runway and backstage. Be friendly and like NYFW here.

There are waaaaaay to many fashion bloggers to list here, these are just a few of my faves :

• apartment 34
• The Glamourai
• Bryanboy
• Man Repeller
• Olivia Palermo's Style Blog and Website
• NYC Pretty
• Cult of Pretty
• Tuula

BlogHer has a new Style Squad. Here are a few of their bloggers covering the show.

• The Budget Fashionista, BlogHer Editor-at-Large Kathryn Finney
• ...love Maegan, BlogHer Style Editor Maegan Tintari
• LoveBrownSugar, Christina Brown 
• Style Within Reach, Caitlin Moran
• Hairdresser on Fire, Reagan Baker
• The Makeup Girl, Lianne Farbes
• STYLISH CURVES, Alissa Brown

You can see the NYFW schedule here. Fashion Week ends September 13th.

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Image: NY FASHION WEEK photo by KM Olson. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 

Back to School: Smart Tech Gear Under $75

The iPad was on my mind when I put together this week's roundup of tech gear under $75.

1) Kids can stow books and tech gear in the Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag. Ballistic Nylon bag keeps gear organized with organizer pockets inside.

2) Do your kids use an iPad to write reports? The built-in keyboard on the iPad is ridiculous to use for writing longer documents. I like the options that turn your iPad into a mini laptop with a separate keyboard that also works as a stand. Before you buy, make sure the case fits your model of iPad. Here are three keyboard and cases I like:

• Zagg iPad2 Folio Case with Bluetooth Keyboard for iPad
• ZAGG iPad 3 Keyboard Case/Folio Cover with Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard
• Hipstreet iPad 3rd Generation/iPad 2 Case with Bluetooth Keyboard 

3) Your kids can learn how to play the piano with the ION iCK05 Piano Apprentice 25-Note Lighted Keyboard connected to your iPad. 

4) Etch A Sketch turned 50 this year. Check out the Headcase Etch A Sketch Hard Case is designed to protect your iPad. (iPad not included.)

5) I admit, I like to work with some music in the background. So I don't object when my kids study while listening to tunes too. The Nova Mini Portable Speakers by TegoAudio.com amplify sound to fill a room and yet are small enough to fit in your pocket. 

6) Ensure your tech gear is safeguarded against damaging voltage fluctuations, surges, and spikes with the Belkin 8 Outlet Surge Protector with USB: Electronics

7) This tech item is a memory card your kids can wear and works with laptops and computers. The USB flash drive is almost as important as pencil and paper in schools these days. The problem is kids are always losing them. That's why I like the wearable USB flash drive that doubles as a bracelet/wristband by MemoryOnHand.com.

 

Easy Handmade Gifts to Sew

Are you looking for inspiration for making gifts that you can sew in an afternoon or less? I am always on the look out for fuss-free sewing projects. And I like projects that are very forgiving—because I will probably make a few mistakes in the process. Above all, I want to have fun while sewing. 

Recently I shared in a post one of my favorite new sewing books by Nicole Blum and Debra Immergut called Improv Sewing. Besides loads of lovely fashions to sew, this book is packed with pretty gifts to make. Here are just a few of the many projects in their book: little star mittens, a reversible belt, a simple jersey shawl, vintage hankie tissue case, blanket stitched armies.

BEADED CUFF

I am going to try the beaded cuff bracelet from the book this weekend. All it takes is a 5" x 8" scrap of fabric—I'm going to recycle some fabric from an old t-shirt. Plus you'll need 2 sets of pearl snaps, thread, seed beads, and a needle and thread. The project requires a sewing machine to zigzag stitch around the pre-folded bracelet.

In a nutshell, here's how: To form a finished edge, on both of the 8" sides, fold in 1/2" to the wrong side. Then press the folded edges. Now fold the fold the fabric in thirds—the finished cuff will be approximately 1-1/2" wide. Do a neat zigzag stitch close to the edges to form the bracelet. Then add the snaps and embellish with beads.

Easy peasy! Check back and see how my project turns out.

. . . . . . .

This is not a sponsored post. I am featuring this post because I love what these gals have created. 

CONNECT WITH DIY EXPERTS & AUTHORS NICOLE AND DEBRA

• The book blog Improv Diary
• On Facebook: Improv Sewing
• Nicole's blog: One Golden Apple
• Debra's blog: evergood workshop
• Nicole on Twitter @nicoleblum
• Debra on Twitter: @debraimmergut
• Book trailer (video): Watch the Improv Sewing book trailer here on YouTube.

Image: IMPROV SEWING image by me, Chris Olson, featuring pages from the book. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

Here's another DIY post you might be interested in too:

DIY: Improv Sewing

 

 

Paris Is Always a Good Idea

It's no secret I'm a bit obsessed with Paris... I doodle about Paris.

 

I like to say bonjour, je t'aime, and l'amour. I even created free printable gift tags featuring French and English sayings that are available to download here.

I also created an I Heart Paris Eiffel Tower Printable box for my Etsy shop that is featured on the Paris-Paris Etsy Treasury. 

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Images: PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA artwork by me, Chris Olson. French and English sayings PRINTABLE TAGS created by me. I HEART PARIS box by me. Feel free to Pin them Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 

Why Do Leaves Change Colors in Fall?

I love this time of year. The air is crisp. The weather is a bit cooler. If only the days didn't keep getting shorter. But this is exactly why one of my favorite fall things happens...

 

Image: FALL COLORS INFOGRAPHIC by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

Fall Colors

So why do leaves turn from green to yellow, orange and red? I've created a handy infographic that explains why here.

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Image: FALL LEAVES by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 

It's Going to Be Okay

It was over twelve years ago. I can still remember when I heard my pediatrician bring up the word disability... I didn't cry in the doctor's office. I didn't cry in the car on the way home. I don't know why, but I finally let myself cry while making dinner as the steam from the pasta noodles coated my face. If I only had known then, that things would be tough, but even during the most frustrating times, the new "normal" is going to be okay.

There were days—even weeks—when I felt so alone. Thank goodness for friends and family. If I could share one thing, don't go it alone. Asking for help is the best thing to do.

Having a little faith in your kids makes all the difference too. They are stronger, braver, and wiser than you ever thought possible. 

There is a community of moms and dads (and grandparents) out there going through many of the same emotions and struggles as you. Seek them out. These exceptional parents can hold your hand when words just don't say enough.

I first saw the video below about parenting a special needs child on Design Mom. The video was created by Elizabeth. I had to share it too. If you have a special needs child, you will want to see this video. 

 

Image: Photos from the video by Elizabeth.

Hello, September!

This time of year the warm sunshine during the day feels good on my shoulders and it's one of my favorite times to be outside. Perhaps it's because the sun is setting earlier and earlier each day and I feel like I have to savor every sunny moment outdoors. 

Do you like to hike with your family? We do and a favorite game we play outside while hiking is called the NAME FIVE THINGS game. I've included the rules of the game at the end of this post.

Fall is approaching. The days are getting shorter. At night when I walk my dogs I bring along my giant flashlight. In my neighborhood nestled at the base of a mountain, this is the time when the black bears begin stuffing themselves with berries before the snow falls. Walking around my neighborhood after the sun goes down is not recommended unless you bring along a flashlight so you can avoid running into a mama bear and her cubs foraging for food. 

The directions for playing the NAME FIVE THINGS game below.