{post christmas craziness}

{Jack and Mommy in DC}

Hey everyone! Sorry about the unannounced absence from my blog last week - we had Christmas with different family members from Wednesday until Monday. It was a busy week! I hope everyone had a wonderful time with family and friends. Our first Christmas with Jack was wonderful (he wasn't so into the gifts and food, but he was definitely fun to snuggle). Emma was adorable opening everything in sight (whether it was for her or not....) and Bran and I had a great time just getting to hang out.

On the Monday after Christmas I took the kids to DC with my mom, sister and her hubby, and my cousins Alex and Joey.  We went to Bobby's Burger Palace for lunch, then headed to Georgetown to walk around. It was great, and the weather was beautiful! I'm loving how warm it's been!

Bran had LASIK surgery yesterday so we're spending New Year's weekend hanging close to home. What are your plans?

I'll leave you with this quote from one of my favorite authors:

“The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.” — G.K. Chesterton

Happy New Year!

{ordered!}

Think I'll be able to get them out before Christmas? We'll see! Here's a preview...

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

 

Are you sending out cards this Christmas? I love shutterfly. They are definitely my go-to for any kind of photo cards (I've used them for Christmas cards, announcements, and even a valentine's day card the first year we were married!). Who do you like to use?

{new look and a video!}

Hey everyone! Finally got around to updating the look of the old blog and I'm happy with the results :) I'm still threatening to switch over to my own domain (I own marriedlane.com, but haven't gotten a chance to mess with things to make it all pretty over there yet!). But for now I thought some vintage photography and new colors would be fun.

I'm totally in love with this clip. I hope it brings some summery warmth to your cold winter day (plus I'm totally going to try these next summer).


S'Meaches from Claire Thomas on Vimeo {via} .

{b&w}

{woodland baubles; £25.00}

{via}

I'm always looking for new ways to use color, especially when it comes to Christmas. I'm not a fan of the typical red and green, which is impossible to avoid in some cases (NOT going to have a white Christmas tree). You can imagine my excitement when I got the latest catalog from Niki Jones and the featured colors were black and white! I'm thinking about doing some black and white with pops of color to add some variety. Would you use black and white to decorate for Christmas or are you too traditional for that?

{console tables}

{via}

{via}

Aren't these console table displays just gorgeous? I'm dying to find a place for one in our home, but am at a loss with no real wall space. Plus we've got those annoying baseboard heaters that make it so nothing can be flush with the wall.... so for now I'm filing these under "someday"!

{leftovers galore}

We had a TON of leftovers after Thanksgiving this year (as in, thanks to there being 2 turkeys and a ham at Thanksgiving dinner, we got to keep our entire 18 lb turkey for leftovers!). So now I'm on the hunt for some yummy leftovers recipes. Here are some I want to try:

{Turkey Reuben sandwiches via Real Simple}

{Turkey and Corn Enchiladas via Real Simple}

{Turkey Noodle soup via Martha Stewart}

I think for lunch today we'll do turkey sandwiches with leftover cranberry sauce spread. Mmm! Do you have any go-to recipes that use leftovers in a new way?

{we're back!}

Source: asortafairytaleblog.com via Claudia on Pinterest

Hey folks! We're back from a long weekend in West Virginia. Sorry for the unannounced hiatus, but we try to be careful about the whole "don't announce to the world that you house will be empty for 4 days" thing. Our vacation was so much fun, and just what our little family needed. Since returning home, I've started decorating for Christmas (not going crazy this year; stockings hung and nativity set up, tree will go up soon), Jack has started teething, and Emma got her first hair cut (done by yours truly!).

Hopefully things will return to normal soon and I'll be able to start posting regularly again. We've got a busy week and busy weekend ahead, so I'll pop in when I can. Have a great week!

ps. Isn't that ornament adorable? I'm thinking about doing those with Emma and Jack for our tree... they would make cute gifts for the grandparents, too!

{yum}

{via}

I love chocolate chip pancakes and love the idea of doing this as a birthday breakfast. 

Using ice cream instead of syrup is an amazing idea (especially if the pancakes are still hot!).

Have you noticed that I'm on a bit of a birthday ideas kick lately? I've been forcing myself to wait until after thanksgiving to think about Christmas, so I've been focusing on birthday ideas instead. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week {we'll be spending it with family and friends}. I might pop in once or twice but won't be posting regularly. Ciao, lovelies!

succulents

{via}

I'm loving succulents these days. They seem to be the perfect plants for winter - low maintenance, simple, but pretty. Design Sponge did this post a while ago showing how to create a bouquet with succulents. I love it!

{emma style}

Sweater - Gymboree (gift from Mimi)

LS Onesie - Oshkosh (gift from Mommom)

Pants - Old Navy

Shoes - Kohls

Emma loves slides. She's fearless and always goes straight for the slide at the playground. This one had lots of static and made her hair stand straight up!

{rock&shop}

{via}

Aren't these photos gorgeous? The dress with the blazer is definitely my favorite look. They're from a promo shoot for the Rock and Shop Market in North Carolina. If you live near Durham, you should
definitely check it out. They feature local bands and local designers, plus their website is pretty :).

{hello, monday}

How was everyone's week last week? I was glad to give myself a break from blogging. It was becoming
more overwhelming than enjoyable, and I'm definitely of the mind that if you're not having fun you
should do something different! We spent the week playing with friends, organizing our winter clothes,
and then ended it yesterday with a trip to Winchester, VA with the hubby and kids.
What were you up to this weekend?


Not sure yet if I'll be having a Monday Giveaway today, but check back later just in case!

{beautiful}

{via}

Just stopping in to share this gorgeous photo with you all. I love everything in it: the snow on the trees out the window, the wreath, the curtains, the floor, the quilt (and I'm so not a quilt person). The gifts by the bed are adorable. Wouldn't that be a fun birthday tradition - waking up to all your gifts in a pile by your bed? 

Can you believe it's almost winter? I've been keeping warm by snuggling my babies :).

Have a lovely weekend!

{taking a break}

Hello lovely readers, I'm just popping in to let you know that I'll be taking a break from married lane this week. I've felt like things have spiraled out of control a bit and I need to take a week to pray, get rejuvenated and get back on track. Please pray for me if you think about it; I could use lots of encouragement and love.

2hands Week {a winner!}

I'll email you with instructions! 

Thanks so much to everyone for entering!

{be there!}

{via}

2hands week {vendor feature - whoop}

{vintage bead necklace, $25}

{starry night "fascinator" hair clip, $15}

{up-cycled cocktail ring, $17}

Some pretty things from Dana's Etsy shop, Whoop. Bonus: they'll also be at the 2hands Indie Craft Market this Saturday! I'm especially in love with the cocktail ring. If I buy one do my chances of getting invited to a cocktail party go up? ;)

2hands Week {vendor feature - 2hands studios}

Things have been a bit of a roller coaster around here lately, and I could use a break! So for today's feature, grab yourself a nice cup of hot coffee (or tea if you prefer), relax, and let the beautiful things available at 2hands Studios take your mind to a happy {nautical} place! 

Who are you?

2hands Studios is a collaboration between Jill, Ally & Carleen. We were friends first, each of us working on our own individual lines, which we still do. After many cups of coffee and lots of show and tell sessions, we decided to open a studio where we could combine our talents in sewing, felting and jewelry design and create a wedding accessories line. 

Where are you based?


Annapolis, Maryland 

{sentiment flag, ahoy, $5.75}

How did you get started with Etsy?

Etsy gives artists instant access to a demographic of shoppers who appreciate artist made. It's really a no-brainier to have an Etsy store and tap into their huge of community, not only for selling our work, but also for buying supplies and being customers ourselves. We're constantly drooling over other artist's work and getting inspiration from all the talent that Etsy showcases.   

{personalized wedding hanger, $20}

What would we be most surprised to learn about you?

Well I don't know if this is much of a surprise, but we also organize a craft market called 2hands Indie Craft Market. It's this Saturday, November 5th from 10 - 2, at Holy Grounds Youth Center in Severna Park. There are 30 crafters and musicians on tap and the caliber of craft can be described in one word - awesome! More info can be found at 2handsmarket.com.     

Is the studio your full-time job?

We are full time craftspeople. We also maintain our own individual lines which are also available through Etsy and at local boutiques and Whole Foods stores around the Mid-Atlantic.

{heirloom silk ruffled clutch, $45}

Of the items currently for sale, which is your favorite?

We are having so much fun cutting up used sails and up-cycling them into flower clips and flags. It feels so good to breathe new life and energy into something that was headed for the discard pile.

You can win one of their adorable flower clips here!

{recycled sail & ticking bouquet, $190}

And finally, where did you get the idea for your shop name?


It all started with the Ben Harper song, With My Own Two Hands. It's a beautiful song that speaks to how each person can change the world with small gestures. Our work is a catalyst for allowing us to donate to causes that are close to our heart. The name also reinforces that our products are handmade by us. Although, it seems we're up to six hands at this point.

Can't get enough of these adorable ladies? Like their facebook page and
follow them on Twitter and Pinterest!

Be sure to check out their shop and enter this week's giveaway!

{knittybutton}

We're all a bit under the weather, so our halloween consisted of me putting Emma in her disney lion costume (Nala from the Lion King) and Jack in his winter coverall that has little lion ears and walking up the block to my mom's house. I didn't even take any pictures! So I thought I'd share this adorable photo with you instead.

This is my friend Ali's son, Sam. Is that not one of the cutest costumes you've ever seen? Ali knitted the costume herself! I absolutely love it. To see more of her awesome creations, check out her blog.

2hands Week {vendor feature - donna's decembers}

Absolutely loving these things from Liz's etsy shop, Donna's Decembers! Wouldn't that scarf be cozy for the cold winter months that are {too quickly}approaching? And I'm loving her statement necklaces. You can either buy them from her shop, or come meet her in person at the market this Saturday.

{it's free, and there will be live music!}

Can't get enough of her shop? She's got an adorable blog, too! Check it out here.

{on being lefthanded}

Little known fact about me: I'm left handed! I got it from my momma, who is also left handed (she does everything but write right handed, though!). I'm a full-fledged lefty and do everything with my left. I found this list of 10 advantages to being left handed and thought I'd see how many of them seem to be true to me. Enjoy!

1. Being left handed gives you an advantage in many sports. Yep - this is definitely true. I think it's because talented athletes can do things ambidextrously. I played soccer and lacrosse growing up through my high school years and had a much easier time playing with both hands/feet because I started with my left. Plus, I have two female Athlete of the Year awards from my High School to show for my talent!
2. Lefties have a greater chance of being a genius, or having a high IQ. Haha. Not so sure about this one! I'm definitely not a genius, and was happily smack dab in the middle of my high school class ranking. Funny side story: I was in a class of 6! And not only that, but I was the only girl. And I married one of the guys (I like to say that he won!). So anyway I'm definitely not proof of this one.
3. Left handed men make more money.Well, I'm a woman and I make no money as a stay at home mom. Next!
4. Lefties adjust more easily to seeing under water. Huh. How could this possibly be proven? I can see underwater, but I feel like I adjusted just as easily as my brother and sister when we were little.
5. Lefties are better at multitasking. I give credit for my ability to multitask to having 2 children under 2, not to being left handed. But maybe it helps!
6. Some lefties have better memories. I'm definitely among the some that don't. Especially when I'm pregnant. Oh boy do I have a bad memory when I'm pregnant!
7. Left handed people are better at playing video games. I'm pretty good at video games. I loved them (and still would if I had time to sit in front of the tv for hours!) and once had a little boy I babysat excitedly tell me (and his mom) that he had "never met a girl that was so good at killing people!". Heh.
8. Left handed people recover faster from strokes than right handed people. That could be convenient someday. Hopefully I'll never find out!
9. Left-handed people are more likely to be more visual-based than language-based. Yep this is definitely true for me. I'm definitely a visual learner. Though, I would rather express myself through language than art.. hmm.
10. Lefties are better at learning to drive than righties. Before my mom and sister get all "oh no you don't" about this one, by "learning to drive" I'm sure they don't mean "taking the driving test". There's a rumor that I failed the written test twice and the driving test once. It might be true. But I am an excellent driver (reference, anyone?).

Are any of you left handed? Do you agree/disagree with these advantages?

ps. enter this week's giveaway here!

2hands Week! {giveaway monday}

{see it here}

I've got a special announcement for my local readers! The 2hands Studio Indie Craft Market is this Saturday, and I'm going to be featuring several of their vendors on the blog this week! I had the privilege of meeting the ladies behind 2hands Studios at an event they recently hosted, and I can tell you that their personalities are as sweet and lovely as the beautiful items they sell. Check back on Wednesday for a feature on their shop and the story behind it.

Alright well I can't think of a better way to get things started than with a giveaway!

One of my lucky readers is going to win a Coastal Recycled Sail Flower Clip from 2hands studios Etsy shop! To enter, visit 2hands studios and leave a comment below telling me which of their pieces is your favorite. Entries close Thursday, November 3 at 11:59 pm and one winner will be chosen using random.org on Friday.

For an extra entry, follow this blog and leave a separate comment saying you do! Good luck!

This giveaway is now closed.

{friday finds, pinterest edition}

Friday finds {on saturday} are coming in late today, folks! Brandon ended up not having to work today so we got to spend lots of time just hanging out with the munchkins. After a long month full of side work for him, it was a welcome (and needed!) break!

For today's finds, I'm linking up with jessicaNdesigns and sharing some things I've pinned this week. Because I like things to be organized, here they are divided by board.

for myself

Love the color, pockets, and buttons.

Some pretty ankle booties.

schemes and fabrics

I'm loving all the neutrals.

for inspiration

The pop of pink is delightful.

for our tummies

Blueberry cupcakes with blueberry icing.

Have you pinned anything pretty recently? Don't know what I'm talking about? Request an invite in the comments below - you don't know what you're missing out on!

{blue eyes winner!}

Out of a whopping 87 entries, our winner no. 24, Melanie! 

Congratulations!

{happy friday}

{via}

I'm leaving you all with just a fun photo today. They're calling for snow on the East Coast tomorrow... how crazy is that? I'm definitely not ready. I want it to be fall for a little while first! Thanks to my manic Monday, every thing is backed up a day on the blog this week. I don't usually post on Saturdays, but check in tomorrow for some saturday finds, and the giveaway winner!

New feature! {emma style}

That's right! I'm adding a new weekly feature to married lane, and the star of this feature is none other than my 20 month old little girl! I've had several people (and not all of them relatives of mine!) tell me that they love how I dress Emma, so I thought I'd start sharing Emma's style with you all. Here's what she wore today:

h&m onesie - hand-me-down

leggings - macy's

belt - thrifted {it's actually a silky scarf!}

shoes - kohl's

handmade wednesday {on thursday}

I'm really excited to share this little interview with Stephanie from Blue Eyes & Bare Feet - her scarves are adorable, and her children's clothes look so sweet! Wanna know something awesome? She works from home while taking care of 3 kids! That was enough to tell me that she's got it going on. Read on to learn more about the great lady behind this great shop!

Who are you?

I'm Stephanie, am a mom to three little kiddos and wife to the world's most supportive husband.

{recycled jersey headband - $8.50}

Where are you based?

I work out of my home in a tiny, tiny town called Williams, Indiana. It is a town my husband's ancestors established! 

How did you get started with Etsy?

I was encouraged by several peers in the craft/art industry to give it a try so I did! It has been a great place to reach a wide audience faster than I ever could have on my own.

{hug a tree skirt set, $29.50}

Is your shop your full-time job?

  I have finally taken that 'leap of faith' this year to launch my business full-time. My leap of faith is backed by my enthusiasm, vision and experience of demand in the market for unique, quality, handmade children’s clothes. I believes strongly in originality and strive to create pieces that are not only functionally practical but that bring out the bold individuality and contagious spirit of children. As of now, I am the sole designer, operator, seamstress, promoter, janitor, and anything else in between.... :)

What would we be most surprised to learn about you?

I was a financial advisor for 7 1/2 years before I took the leap of faith to do this full time. Total right brain, left brain switch. The funny part is that I do even MORE manual math now designing and sewing than I did in finances! 

{recycled tee shirt jersey scarf, $22.50}

Of the items currently for sale, which is your favorite?

Right now, I have to say the Jersey Scarf because it is super comfy, stylish and recycled. Can't go wrong adding it to your wardrobe as I do almost daily!

And finally, where did you get the idea for your shop name?

My husband actually named my business. We had our first two kids when he named it, both with blue eyes so that is where the first part came from. Our third, though green eyed, ended up fulfilling the final part, bare feet, because I can't keep shoes on her!

Thanks so much for stopping by, Stephanie!

Be sure to check out her shop  to see more adorable clothes! 


**Married Lane readers get 20% off at Blue Eyes & Bare Feet! Use code LML20 at checkout!** 

card love {and a surprise!}

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner: 

Elizabeth from Love is the Adventure! 

 Shutterfly recently released this year’s slew of Christmas cards, and I’m ready to get my design on! I adore shutterfly, and use the site for photo books, Christmas cards, and birth announcements. Some day I’ll post Jack’s announcement on here, but I think I should get them mailed before I do! I’m also getting Christmas gifts for the kid’s grandparents and great-grandparents from shutterfly, but since their grandma’s read my blog, I’m not going to tell what they are yet!

I wrote this post last year about my favorite new designs, and ultimately ended up going with this one:

  

One thing I’m loving about this year’s cards is that they have them divided up into holiday cards and christmas cards. As someone who strongly dislikes the terms “happy holidays” and “season’s greetings” this made me very happy. They have lots and lots of cards that say “Merry Christmas” this year!

Here are my favorites:

 

 

So why am I posting about Christmas cards when it's still October? Because I've got to give you guys a chance to get yours ordered in time to send them out for Christmas. Oh, and did I mention that one of you will be getting yours for free? 

That's right! I'm giving away 25 Christmas cards from shutterfly! To enter, you must be a follower of married lane and leave a comment below. The winner will be chosen next Wednesday (November 2) using random.org. Good Luck!

p.s. Don't forget to enter this week's other giveaway!