Wednesday Walkabout: Brothers

Unbelievably, I almost have no pictures of these two together.  It's always all three of my kiddos or usually the twins are paired.  And even these weren't intentional on my part. Last week my determined plan was to get pictures of all three of them, even though the boys had almost no clean clothes (hence the hobo-wear).  But alas, little sister had a meltdown over shoes just as we were ready to take our walk.  So she stayed home with Daddy, and I got a walk with my boys.  They adore wearing bowties, so we attached them just as we left.

It was a pretty sweet alternative, taking just these two.

I know I will treasure these pictures always.

 

Delighting in a "tree tent".

(Doing a little framing with the branches :)

So glad things did not work out according to my original plan. 

 

Funny how that's usually when the best things happen.

XO Valentine's Mantel

So this is my first time in our six years of married life that I decorated for Valentine's. 

About time, yes?  The "holiday" does seem to be here and gone before I know it, but it certainly deserves some attention.  Since I didn't do much with our mantel since taking down Christmas, I thought I might as well valentine it.

I did a little "xo" theme.

This little cone book page wreath is my favorite part. Can't believe I haven't made one of these before.

I kept up my frames, and just worked with them.  The same frames that first went up when I put together a Fall Mantel.

Fall Framed Mantel

And made them work for Christmas too.

Christmas "Framed" Mantel

 And now we have my "xo" Valentine's Mantel.

I tried to keep it as simple as possible - the last thing I need is more holiday decor to pack away when we move!  Also didn't spend much - just glitter and 99 cent wooden letters from Hobby Lobby.  Sticky tack keeps the letters and hearts up :).

I can't believe I haven't made a cone wreath before.  It was so easy and quick to make.  Granted I wasn't too scientific about it - don't look too closely, it is a little wonky, but it's got character, I tell you. ;) Didn't use a tutorial just started hot-gluing some cones and gluing them round a cardboard circle.  Perhaps I put together a little tutorial, but it really is pretty simple.

I tore up an American Poetry book my husband said he didn't want.  Just realize the words "rage" and "ecstasy" are on one of the hearts below.  wow.  Pretty intense sentiments going on here!

 

So there you have it. A little Valentine's day cheer to start out your week.

Hope it's a bit lovely.

xo, 

Cailan

rest of the house trimmed for Valentine's {HERE}

{Linking to The Southern Institute, Home Stories & Bowl Full of Lemons
Feathered Nest Friday, Saturday Nite Special & Tatertots & Jello}

It's the Little Things & Important Reminder

You may remember this Pure & Good soap from Anthropologie I invested in last summer. I say investment, because it's not your regular use and toss soap, the lovely bottle is for keeps.

 

Anyway I just finally finished the original hand soap that came in it - an exciting event because it's time to fill it with this lovely dish soap from Seventh Generation.  I love Lavender & Mint scent and now I will be able to use the Pure & Lovely pump for both hands and dishes.

It's the little things, I tell you. 

We just got a case of 6 of these bottles of dish soap using Amazon's subscribe & save subscription- at about 20% than the bottles cost at the store.  Link {HERE}.  The Clementine & Lemon Zest scent is delicious too.

{note: the soap is actually wonderfully clear it just looks whitish because I had just squirted it into the bottle so it was sudsy. }

The Pure & Good Soap bottle is found {HERE}.

Finally, the most important bit. : )  I just got this happy email in my inbox yesterday and am compelled to urge you once again to sign up for your very own Anthro Card.  It's just a free little membership card and the best part is they send you a code for 15% off for your birthday month.   Even off sale stuff - 15% off already clearanced Anthro goodness - it doesn't get much better than that.

So quick-quick, go {HERE} and sign up!

I'm signing up my husband today - why didn't I think to do this before???   ; )

Photography Notes: Editing Tips

When I started this little photography series a month ago, I'd planned to show you some photo-editing tips using a free program called Picnik.  In the last week or so, Picnik has announced that they are discontinuing service April 1st. : (

I'm still going to show you how to use Picnik today, because it is a great way to get used to tweaking your photos even for just a couple months and I think you could transfer what you learn.  I will be on the lookout for a comparable replacement and hopefully share with you in the future. Maybe I'll even share about Photoshop Elements...

So I love to use Picnik for casual editing because it is so user-friendly and it's esp. nice for blogging, because it automatically re-sizes pictures, making them easy to quickly upload. 

So first, go to www.picnik.com.  You find a screen like this.  

Click on the "upload a photo" button and locate your picture file you want to edit.

My photo shows up like this.  It needs to be rotated.  The rotate feature is under "Basic Edits". 

 I also often use the "Straighten" pictures to right pictures that are slightly wonky.

 My next step is usually to go to "Sharpen" and adjust the "Clarity".  Here I adjusted to 23%, which is kind-of high.  Usually 12% or 15% is a enough to crisp the image just right.

 Then I go to "Exposure" (also under "Basic Edits").  Here, it's just time to play around.  For this photo I put my Exposure to 4; Highlights to 11; Shadows to 0; Contrast to 19.  Usually I do a little less highlight and contrast.

 Now go to "Effects".  My go to effect is "Cross Process"  When you first click on it, your photo will look like this.

 So I fade Cross Process down to 91%.  This is about right for most images to brighten them and add a little drama without turning them yellow.

Sometimes, I'll use the "Vingette" effect. But take the size down to 32%, Strength to 0% and Fade to 73%, for just a touch of framing.

 Since we're here I'll show you how I add the white border for my picture gallery.

Go to the "Frames" tab under "Edit" and choose "Border".   The Border color is auto-black, so click on the color square which will open up your color options from which you can choose white. 

Then put both the Outer and Inner Thickness to 100%. This will give you a nice thick border.  Like I use {HERE}.

 Finally, go the the "Save & Share" tab to save your image.  Always save it as a copy!

Whew!  I hope that was a little helpful.  Perhaps at least a place to get your feet wet if you've never done much editing before. 

In other news, hurray for February!  So glad it's here, it's such a lovely month.

Time to get a little Valentine's cheer about the house. : )

Baby Photo Session: MinJee

 Goodness. This was lovely fun.

It was my first real "newborn" shoot, and forced me to get a little creative as you can't quite take a newborn outdoors for pictures...especially a sweet nekkid one. : )

I took all of these pictures on my bed upstairs in the afternoon. 

I get nice light from west and north-facing windows. 

And then I draped by four-poster bed with white sheets, and voila! a little studio.

Recognize that pillow?

It's been awhile since I spent some time around a newborn.  I was so awed by how little she is. After awhile you forget how little your three-year-olds started out.

That little yawn!

And feet!

Sigh. I think I want one.

I love that momma wore her pearls.

If you live in the Ft. Collins, Loveland, Greeley {Colorado} area and you would like to plan a photo session just for you, email me at everydaylovelyblog@gmail.com  for info.

See portfolio {HERE}.

I Found It! A Lovely Pillow

Isn't it beautiful?  It's a hand-drawn, silkscreen print by Jenna Rose.  I stumbled upon it over at the inspiring Birch & Bird site and was instantly smitten.  She's created such beautiful prints, but the ships are my favorite.  I love the movement of the waves.

Also love this bag in the same print ...but I think the pillow will be what makes it to my birthday wishlist. : )

 

Jenna also makes these lovely bucket hampers.  Wouldn't one of these be so fun in a little boy's room?  (imagining it in the ship pattern, of course, though this honeycomb would be lovely in the right setting, too)

Also taken with this anatomy of a bicycle print - would be such a fun gift.

Here's also a little bucket in her "tree house print".  Such a handy little bucket, especially useful for storing and toting your needlework.  Someday I will start crocheting again and then, I will most certainly need one of these.

You can find these and Jenna's other beautiful creations at her Etsy shop {HERE}.

Note: this is not a paid advertisement. 

Just had to share the talented Jenna Rose with you quick-quick.

Off to have a hopefully lovely, productive Monday morning - payroll tax reports are due and the laundry room is flooded....with laundry.

Good times : )