Wearing Maternity Clothing While NOT Pregnant, Episode 2...

I had to laugh at all of your comments in reply to my Maternity clothing question from yesterday. So, I'm NOT alone! Some of you DO have some cute maternity clothes that pass for "regular" wear.

However, most of my Facebook friends stated that they don't wear ANY maternity clothing items when not pregnant.

I must admit, wearing maternity clothing while not actually pregnant is a gamble.

• First of all, someone might actually ASK YOU where you purchased, oh, I don't know, a CARDIGAN and you have to be all vague and not answer in complete truthfulness.

• Secondly, someone might suspect that you actually ARE pregnant. However, my style consultant has let me in on a little secret: If someone IS pregnant, they try to HIGHLIGHT their belly....if someone IS NOT pregnant, they try to HIDE it. Good to know. ( And I never never NEVER ask if someone is pregnant unless I am assisting them while they deliver their baby. You shouldn't ask either.)

• Thirdly, maternity clothing might actually make you look BIGGER. You need to have an in depth discussion with a good full length mirror before trying this. Also, you might want to enlist the opinion of a friend or ( if he has good taste and will actually answer HONESTLY) a husband.

• Fourthly, Get to know your seam ripper and take those incriminating tags OFF your Maternity clothing!
  

There, those are my rough guidelines.

My biggest reason for choosing to wear some maternity clothing while not pregnant is that over the past four years maternity clothing was the cutest, newest, and most stylish clothing I purchased....strike that, the ONLY clothing I purchased.

Our clothing budget last year was a big fat $0.00 and I had to improvise. Which is why I hauled my Maternity clothing stash up the stairs to my sewing room and started cutting and resewing them....all sassified, of course, and taken in on the side seams so I didn't LOOK pregnant.

Refashioning Maternity (or any other) clothing can be tricky and at times frustrating, but in the case of a low budget with a splash of creativity...it's a perfect fit.

A

***Didja know you can find me HERE on facebook? True story. Become a fan and see the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day :) ***

While In Line At The Costco Food Court...AGAIN...

On Friday I was in line at Costco's food court to get a (*ahem, 2) mocha to sip on my drive home. It was quite a long line as the lunch crowd was getting all antsy for their chicken bakes and slices of pepperoni pizza. And by slice I do mean the equivalent of a medium sized pizza. But in slice form. HUGE slices.

Anywho.

So I overhear these two young women chatting behind me in the line. They were dressed in workout gear and all cute and sassy. Best of all?

They had British accents.

Maybe it's my current obsession with 'Pride and Prejudice' that is making me love a British accent right now. I read through the entire book last week. Yep, in ONE WEEK. I've actually started it a few times but never got past the first 50 pages or so. Now that I've watched the latest movie version ( yes, yes, I realize that it's sputton (aka: sacrilege) to you die hard Austen fans who prefer the A&E version from 1995 or maybe even the BBC production from 1980.) I think I understand the story line so well now that it was an absolute delight to read. I'm now on to 'Sense and Sensibility'. After that maybe some Emma. I've also been told that 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' is quite good. Not sure what THAT'S all about but I think I'll give it a try.

ANYWHO. Got a smidgen off subject there.

Back to Costco.

So the sassy British accent woman says to me, "Excuse me Miss, where did you purchase your cardigan? I've been looking for a short sleeved cardigan and can't seem to find one?".

NOW. I was feeling all proud of myself for actually sorta dressing cute that day. I had a hot date with the hubby that morning at the office. Nothing like some drilling and sealants on a date! But I wanted to look cute so I retired my faded-to-gray yoga pants and actually tried to put an outfit together.

Dark yellow fitted tee, black short sleeved long length cardigan with hot pink flower pin, a black necklace, Diva jeans from Old Navy and my normal black wedge shoes. I was so proud of myself for mixing colors.

When she asked me I paused a bit before answering her a vague, "Oh, somewhere in the mall?" smiled and turned back around.

I hope she didn't see my flaming red cheeks.

You see, how do you explain to a young, hip woman that you are not currently and haven't been pregnant for about 16 months but bought your coveted cardigan at MOTHERHOOD MATERNITY and are STILL WEARING it?

I just didn't have the self-confidence or nerve to tell her.

Methinks it's time to get the ole seam ripper busy and take that incriminating tag off of my black cardigan.

And I think I'll be sticking with my vague, "Oh, somewhere in the mall..." answer.

Hey, at least I looked cute and had a mocha (*ahem, 2) to sip on while driving my non-pregnant but maternity clothes wearing self home.

C'mon ladies, spill it. Do YOU have a item of maternity clothing that you STILL wear despite not being preggers?

A

***Didja know you can find me HERE on facebook? True story. Become a fan and see the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day :) ***

Palm Sunday...

We had a lovely Palm Sunday.

I was singing on praise team with my Mom-In-Law and Bubbalu was scheduled to sing a few songs with all of his fellow preschoolers during the service.

We were right in the middle of a song at the beginning of the service as the kids were being led down the aisles, waving their palm branches with gusto, and being arranged on the front steps of the stage.

I had hoped he wouldn't see me. I figured he would act up if he saw me.

However, he found me.

"MOMMY!!! HI MOMMY!!!" He is standing with his back to the crowd, waving his palm branch at me with the HUGEST grin in this universe on his face.

I know I smiled, and I'm certain I missed a few notes.

He kept looking at me and then got this strange look on his face. I'm thinking he was wondering why I wasn't going to him or acknowledging him.

Then....tears, huge crocodile tears, open mouth...and wailing.

Thankfully his wonderful Little Lambs teacher stepped in and comforted him. Poor kid. Musta though his Mama was completely deserting him.

He managed to go back up and maybe even sang a word to two during their songs. Gotta love little bitty kiddos singing their hearts out...or twirling in their new dresses...or making faces at their parents :)

The kiddos did a great and adorable job (per the usual) and then were dismissed...to do it all over again during the next service.

So next service (while singing) I backed up farther and hid behind my Mother-in-law so Bubbalu wouldn't have a repeat performance. I KNOW there were people in the crowd watching me hide while Bubbalu craned his neck looking for me. I may have distracted one or twenty-two folks. Sorry bout that.

Almost three days later and it still makes me smile to think how happy he was to see me and of his cute little face singing, "Hosanna in the highest!"

Ya know, after the crocodile tears were wiped away.

A

Spring Green Lace Trimmed T-Shirt...

I have a bag of brand new Old Navy T-shirts just waiting to be sassified. I've actually had that bag for a good month now and just this morning FINALLY got around to attacking one.

It felt GREAT to be back to my sewing machine. I took a sewing holiday for awhile, but am feeling the sewing twitchies coming back full force! If only I had a clean sewing room in which to fulfill my sewing creations...looks like I found my Saturday clean-up project.

Anywho, I grabbed a lovely spring green T-shirt and give it some good ole Vintage Dutch Girl lace-trimmed t-shirt action. I love how it turned out:



This is NOT your Grandma's lace collar shirt!



You can find this springy green t-shirt listed this in the Vintage Dutch Girl Etsy Shop, hopefully more to come soon.

You know, after I clean up, purge and organize my sewing/crafting room... OY.

A

***Didja know you can find me HERE on facebook? True story. Become a fan and make my day***

The Olive Hope Shirt...

Awhile back I donated a t-shirt sassification for a fundraising auction. I finally was able to finish it and am naming the t shirt design in her honor, Olive Hope. We haven't forgotten this tiny baby girl, who is now resting peacefully in Jesus' loving arms. Rusty and Lynette, we are still praying for you!

The recipient and I chatted about general design and style and then I ran to my sewing room to attack it. The Olive Hope shirt is full of lots of circles and O's that ruffle up when washed and create a lovely flower effect.

Here is the Olive Hope Shirt in White:



Lots of dimension and ruffly goodness:



And yes, I DO know that these pictures make it look like the shirt is gray. Really now, I must get in the habit of taking photos when it is bright and sunshiny!

A

Getting To Know Me...

I KNOW I should get back to blogging. I enjoy it, its my life journal, I can share my crafties, it's fun to chat with and make new friends online...

However.

Sometimes I just don't have "it".

Some days I compose blog posts in my head all day long. Other days my head is like, "Dude! Take a break from all the mental composing and just chillax!"

We are currently on an extended chillaxing season.

However. I miss it and miss you! Back to it I go!

It's been quite awhile since I posted some great stuff, so in the interest of getting to know you and getting to know all about you, getting to like you, getting to hope you like me (Yep, hum the song from 'The King and I' along with me please) I'm filling out a bunch of questions about me.

Because Vintage Dutch Girl? She's chillaxin and has nothing fresh and sassy in her head right now.

Here goes:

High heels or boots? Depends. If it's THESE high heels:



then by all means yes, high heels. But I've discovered they don't quite go with everything. Like my used-to-be-black-now-faded-to-gray yoga pants. Not a great look.

If it's THESE boots:



then by all means yes, boots! And these look MUCHLY better with my used-to-be-black-now-faded-to-gray yoga pants. However it makes me look like a slubby slob. No one wants to be a slubby slob. Still love my rain boots though!

What time did you get up this morning? I slept in til seven. I know, such a rebel.

Diamonds or pearls? Uh, both!? Love me some pearls, but diamonds??? You know what they say about diamonds and being, you know, a GIRL.

What was the last film you saw at the cinema? So long ago I don't even remember. Because really? Spend $25 to sit in a stuffy or freezing theater with someone stinky sitting in front of you, someone laughing too loud behind you and coughing all over you (ewwwwww) or spend $1 on a new release movie from those handy dandy DVD dispensing machine thingys and get yummy takeout??? HELLO. Duh.

What is your favorite T.V. show? This is sorta embarrassing, but 'Say Yes To The Dress'. I have NO idea why I'm obsessed with weddings. I just love em. Yes, I got married TEN years ago (celebrating getting to double digits this summer!) and have zero plans for having a recommitment ceremony or anything, but I surely do love me some wedding dress shopping.

What do you usually have for breakfast? Flavored sugar-free creamer with a splash of coffee, bowl of healthy cereal or yogurt.

What food do you dislike? Super spicy food, curry

What is your favorite CD at the moment? Seeds Family Worship. LOVE THESE. Thanks to Missy for the recommendation awhile back.

Favorite Clothing? A good well fitting pair of jeans and a LONG perfect t-shirt....hopefully individually sassified by me of course.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Just give me a warm sunny beach, my husband, a book, a bikini, some light sunscreen and a fruity iced drink and I'm good. Pick me up in a month or two.

Are you an organized person? Um. Yes? (Stop laughing Mom. And Lance...you can pick your jaw up off the floor now.) I'd LIKE to be organized. We are in an a major house revamp/organization/clean/purge overtaking right now. Which reminds me I'm supposed to be in the garage purging as we speak (Type). Ah well, gotta have a break now and then, right?

Where would you like to retire? See the vacation answer.

What was your most recent memorable birthday? A few years back I was three months postpartum with a screaming colicky child and we were booted out of our apartment (they converted them to condos) and were moving. I remember thinking, "really!? THIS SUCKS." So memorable? Yes. Good thing is it's the worst birthday I've had. Every other birthday has been great!

When is your BIRTHDAY? It was 3 days ago! Yep, my birthday rings in Spring!

What are you going to do when you finish this? Uh, revamp/organization/clean/purge the garage. Ugh.

Are you a morning person or a night person? Night! However, I have two little peoples who are VERY much morning peoples. I have to pretty much force myself to go to bed at a decent hour and while I wake up between 6 - 7 every morning I'm not really awake until nine-ish.

Any exciting news you'd like to share that is great? We bought new garage storage shelves! Woo HOO! E.X.C.I.T.I.N.G!

What did you want to be when you were little? Kristi Yamaguchi

What was the last thing you ate? Knock off Olive Garden Salad Dressing on romaine and a bottled Starbucks Mocha Frapp.

Last person you spoke to on the phone? My sweet hubby.

Favorite soft drink? Diet Coke, all the way baby.

Hair color? Dark Brunette. So far, I've pulled one gray hair out of my head. I'll keep you updated.

Summer or winter? I love each and every season. I'm one of those who says, " I LOVE this (whatever season we're currently beginning) season the BEST!" with every single season.

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate, chocolate and some more chocolate.

Coffee or tea? Coffee! Hello!? I live in the pacific NW. Not drinking coffee is almost sacrilegious.

When was the last time you cried? Yesterday.

What is under your bed? All my gift wrapping supplies and only ONE dust bunny.

What did you do last night? Got all caught up on my Beth Moore Esther bible study (it's awesome if you are looking for one) and watched 24.

Best quality you have? No idea.

How many years at your current job? Three plus change. Before that seven years being a high risk OB RN. Miss it like crazy, but don't know that I'll ever go back. We'll see.

Favorite day of the week? Saturday!

Positive or negative? I'm positive in general. What's to be negative about? I'm saved by grace. End of story.

Nice to chat with y'all again...

A

A Quick Lil Sneak Peak...

Amazingly, I remembered to grab one quick picture before bringing over a huge box full of fun new product over to Grandiflora yesterday.

A quick lil sneak peek for you:



A

I'm Returning! Eventually...

Hey, I have a blog!?

Who knew!?

Apparently not I.

Yep, I've been gone for awhile. Sorry bout that.

One very long, very fun and very enjoyable vacation.

Followed by one very long, very un-fun and very un-enjoyable bout of stomach flu.

Blech.

However, stay tuned! I'm doing a huge craft week getting projects ready for our local Arts & Craft Show next weekend and will hopefully be listing some new funky items in my ETSY shop soon.

Missed y'all!

A

The Day the TV Died...

The day the TV died.

On the day the TV died it was quiet and still.

Sure, we were sad to see it go but thought, "Hey, no big deal, we'll just do without".

On the day the TV died Mama sat and read the paper front to back.

On the day the TV died Bubbalu missed his Sprout, Thomas and Super Why and didn't understand why.

(Fast forward two days)

We start shopping Craigslist for a cheapo replacement!

While measuring the size of the TV, we turn the TV around, and guess what?

The TV never died. SOMEONE just unplugged it.

I have a pretty good guess who that SOMEONE was...

A

A Chick Update...

Yep, I realize most of my stories are about Bubbalu. Time for a Lil Chicky update!

Lately my Lil Chick has been, uh, SMILING, like this lately:



It cracks me up. Such a ham.

She also has been LOVING her doll cradle...which actually used to be MY doll cradle. My Grandpa K made it for me when I was a little girl. It was in sad shape so I spruced it up a bit and gave it to Lil Chick to use. I thought she'd enjoy putting her dolls (Zoe and Zara) in there. Didn't think she'd want to be in it WITH her dolls. Ah well, makes for a cute photo, right!?

She's been LOVING being outside as much as possible:




And have you heard? This little woman LOVES to eat! She is staying quite tiny though...must have the metabolism of a hummingbird.

After we got home from a walk apparently Mama was too slow in getting dinner on the table:



I LOVE my Lil Chick...

A

Naptime Piles...

SCENE: Post afternoon "naptime". Mother traipses up the stairs and into her son's room to discover a problem, and proceeds to confront him regarding the problem.

....and....ACTION!

Mama (angry look on face), "Uh Bubbalu? WHAT. IS. THAT?!?!"



Bubbalu (matter of factly) , "It's a shirt, Mommy."

(Mama rolls eyes)

Mama, "Yeah, I KNOW it's a shirt, but what is everything else on the floor?"

(Bubbalu looks down at the problem)



Bubbalu (once again matter of factly), "Those are ALL of my clothes, Mommy."

Mama (growing in exasperation), "I KNOW those are all of your clothes, but WHAT are they doing ALL OVER THE FLOOR?"



Bubbalu (with a "well DUH Mama" expression), "I made a pile of my clothes, Mommy".

(Mama once again rolls her eyes.)

SCENE closes with son picking up clothing and Mother supervising.

Moral of the story: If you take all of your son's toys and books out of his bedroom to encourage resting during naptime, he WILL find SOMETHING to play with.

A

How to Sassify A Plain Dress...

I went shopping and purchased a clearance rack dress. It is a super comfy, flattering cut, knit dress.

With one problem.

It's BORING.

OK, time to sassify!

Here is the dress BEFORE:



Just yer basic knit black dress. With side tie straps that really don't do anything as the empire waist is already fully elasticized. They just make it look more maternity-ish. NOT cool.

SNIP those useless straps right off!

OK, next up, some BLING BABY. BLING. I found my bling at the local fabric store. Didja know you can buy lace and blingy trims by the yard? Yeppero! Here's what I found:



And I also bought some lovely blue-tealish taffeta that matches my snazzy new shoes.

First up, pin and sew blingy trim around entire neckline of dress:



Then wait a few days because you got too busy with the sick children. In between wiping snotty noses cut and create a lovely HUGE blue-teal flower pin:



Wait a few more days.

Wipe more snotty noses.

Finally, pin and sew a few more rows of sassy bling onto the front of the dress:



Use up extra bling trim to bling up your HUGE blue-teal flower pin and throw it on your now sassy dress:



Ahhhh. That's better.

I can't decide if I'll wear it like the above picture of if I will wear it pinned on my new thick elastic black belt (Megs, my beautificationist/style consultant, just fell out of her chair. Yep Megs, FINALLY bought a thick belt!).

I kinda like it on the waist:



And yes, I'm going to wear my new teal shoes with my newly sassy dress:



Hello gorgeous shoes. I've missed you.

OK now, get out there and start sassing up those boring dresses!

A

Sassy Shoes...

I just bought these shoes:



They nearly jumped off the shoe display and injured me in their eagerness for me to purchase them.

SO sassy.

SO very TEAL.

I'm SO loving them. I may need to break them in tomorrow while going about my normal day at home. Won't they look lovely with my faded-to-gray-but-used-to-be-black yoga pants and oversized t-shirt?

I skipped with joy over to the fabric store and purchased a half-yard of perfectly matching teal taffeta...matching flower pin embellishment here I come! Pics to come. Hopefully. IF I can actually finish my list. Completion of list will require giving up exercising, eating and sleeping. SO not happening.

Anywho.

Then while walking through Kohls to get back to my car I spotted these little beauties:



(*SIGH*) Oh Vera Vera Vera, WHAT are you trying to do to me?

And yes, I DID say that out loud in the store. The shoe salesguy kinda glanced over at me strangely, but who cares, the shoes deserved it.

A

Sassy n Stylin' Bedroom Paint Color...

So, you want to actually SEE my bedroom? With it's sassy new color?

Well. You'll have to wait a bit longer.

See, my camera is having some identification issues. It doesn't photograph colors well. Bad representation of the glorious color infusion that I injected into our blah bedroom. I'm going to beg for someone with an awesome colorly (is that even a word? My spell check says no but I don't care.) accurate camera to come and snap some pics. But that also means I must clean my bedroom. AND finish decorating it. Hmmm...it may be awhile.

However.

I DID find some pretty true color matches online. And while searching I discovered something else TRULY amazing.

I may have a pinch of style. REALLY. Who woulda guessed? Some STYLE. Even better, there's PROOF.

I've got to learn to trust my instincts a bit more. To just GO with it when in my head I say, "hmm, it just looks right".

OK, drumroll please! The sassy color I painted our bedroom IS:



A SASSY Teal!

OK, so LOTS of you guessed correctly...and MANY of you cheated and looked online even AFTER I told you not to. So glad to know you listen and follow directions so well. Punks.

I purchased my paint in town here at the local True Value because as I mentioned before, the day I painted I was all twitchy and needed it painted yesterday so I chose the closest paint carrying store possible. I COULD NOT find the paint color online (and neither could YOU, suckers!) but the closest match is Sherwin-Williams Maxi Teal 6769.

As I was searching for the perfect teal, guess what I found? Pantone's color of the year selection for 2010. Guess what it is? Do I even have to say?

Yep, a sassy TEAL.

Don't believe me? Go to Pantone's website and check it out.

While searching, another paint site called Charles & Hudson came up and guess what they said:

Pantone 2010 Color of the Year: Turquoise

From runways to furniture showrooms to home interiors, the 2010 color the year, as selected by Pantone, will exert its pervasive influence on a variety of fabrics, objects and surfaces.

This year's pick, Pantone 15-5519 Turquoise, is a bright, tropical hue that combines "the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green," according to a Pantone-issued press release. "Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well being."

To inject turquoise into your abode, consider any of the following paint colors: Behr's Jamaican Sea (510B-5), Sherwin-Williams Maxi Teal (SW 6769) or Benjamin Moore's Un-Teal We Meet Again or Harbor Side Blue.

Yes! I'm not a crazy woman! (Well, only partly crazy...OK, MOSTLY crazy....well, crazy in every other part EXCEPT for choosing one paint color.)

So go on now, paint your bedrooms TEAL. Why not? It's just paint. When Pantone selects a different color for 2011 just paint right over it!

C'mon and join the sassy fun..

A

***Didja know you can find me HERE on facebook? True story. Become a fan and make my day***

What Color Is INTENSE MARATHON???

I did some painting therapy this past weekend.

No, not interpretive painting or painting my feelings. Goodness gracious what would THAT look like? Can't even go there.

Anywho.

I finally FINALLY painted my master bedroom.

Our new construction house was painted decorator chosen custom colors before we purchased it. Better than stark white, that's for sure.

However, the reddish brown color painted on the window wall in the master bedroom was NOT my fave. Actually, I hated it. I LOVE me some red. I LOVE me some brown. Don't mix em together. Chocolate brown looked yucky with it. Red looked yucky with it. Finally I just gave up.

Until last weekend.

Husband rolled his eyes when he saw me get all twitchy and demanded a child-free afternoon to paint our bedroom. But he indulged me, and having finally chosen my scheme of sorts I rid myself of the reddish brown wall.

I chose a new color as an accent wall and I. LOVE. IT.

LOVE!

Here's the thing. I'm not quite done with the room, but let's have a guessing game of sorts while we all wait for the unveiling.

The accent wall paint color is called: Intense Marathon.

So, what do YOU think that color is???

Start guessing!

A

p.s. This contest with no prize is NOT OPEN to Megs, Laura, Joanie, Mom VG, Mom B or my hunny...or Bubbalu. Got it?

p.p.s. And don't even THINK about Googleing it. It doesn't even come up anyways. Cheaters.