Fall Frenzy

It is Fall....and I'm in a Frenzy! 

We moved into our house at the end of summer last year, and didn't get around to finishing the front porch before the rain came.

So we waited, and waited, annnnnd waited for the rain to stop.

When summer finally did hit, we had a small window to work with, and before I knew it,

it is Fall, and again I'm in a race with the weather to finish this deck.

We decided to go bold and stain the deck red!

Funny thing is, these pictures are actually the "after" pics!!!!

I am super bummed about the way it turned out.

On a positive note, it is now sealed and protected, and I have new plans for her!

Our oldest is keeping us very busy with all of her activities.

Saturday mornings are now spent in the cool fall air cheering her on.

 I managed to snap a couple of pics of one of my outfits for What I Wore Wednesday,

and will be linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy.

Infinity scarf: Made by me

Corduroy Jacket: Hand-me-down from my sister

White eyelet tank: Victoria's Secret (purchased at Goodwill)

Jeans: Calvin Klein from Macys

Leopard flats with super fun red buttons: Naturalizer

Purse: Vintage Nordstrom bag from my Grandmother

Belt: Ross Dress For Less

One of my Favorite things about fall is taking the kids to the pumpkin patch!

The battery was dead in the camera, so I snapped a couple of pics with my phone.

Reese was old enough to enjoy the festivities this year.

Raegen was quick to teach her all of the tricks....

"Dad, we're ready!"

This kid cracks me up!

She never misses an opportunity to pose...look at that hand on her hip!

When we told Reese to pick a pumpkin, this was her first choice!

 Taking a break from the obstacle course.

Another fall favorite....Football.

And who says football and tutus don't mix???

Around here, you are either a Beaver or a Duck fan.

It is a serious matter.

Can you tell which I am?

This "Beava Diva" tutu should give it away!

Fall=Sunflowers....Love them!

And the last bit of good news.....

Our hens are laying!

Raegen wanted to take a picture of one of the eggs, so she found,

 "a pretty place" to set the egg for the pic!

That's my girl!

And that is what has been going on around the Frankus Household.

Balancing Act

Between motherhood, trying to run my little business, and the charity,

I have been swamped...to say the least!

Are there any other mamas out there who wonder where the idea of a "lazy" SAHM came from?

Soap Operas and Bon Bons?

Yeah Right.

While the to-do list grows longer, I find myself gravitating to the charity...could also be because the end of the year is upon us, and I haven't given it the attention it deserves.

 Sooo, I am coordinating two Tutu Workshops before Christmas!

It's amazing how motivated I am when I am passionate about something! I have been dreaming about tulle and decorations to make these Clinics special for our little guests and their mamas!

Interested in learning more?

Check us out at Toadally Tutus

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention this...

I am currently working on a ginormous amount of Cowgirl Canteens to be sent out for the launch of a new online flasking company!

The Company is currently hosting a contest, so if you like to write...

head on over and check it out!

www.flasking.com

Fall Fashion...Cowgirls and Indians

Fall is in the air, and while I have been fighting off the reality (summer just got started here in the NW), I really am happy. Fall is hands down, my favorite season!

The mornings are cool and crisp, the sun is shining, and there is a smell in the air that is indescribable.

This time of year, my oven returns as the most used form of cooking and the bbq gets covered for the winter. Baked goods, homemade chili, and soul food are abundant.

My closet also welcomes the change of seasons.

Time to put away the summer clothes and dive into sweaters, boots, and jeans!

Ahhh, cozy clothes, that not only keep me warm, but cover cellulite as well.

I am loving the style this year...here are some of my personal faves:

Fringe.

It is everywhere, and looks good on so many things.

It's playful and relaxed and I love the earthy feeling of all of the leather and suade.

Feathers.

Since I no longer have them in my hair, I have to incorporate them in other ways.

I found a belt similar to this one at Ross Dress For Less for $7.99 that I will be purchasing if I can find it in a size smaller than 1x!

This gal has it figured out.

Feminine, stylish, aaaaaand comfortable!



I am a sucker for coats.

After shopping with my Mom yesterday, I learned that I got this obsession from her.

I have been drooling over this one from Anthro. The ruffles seal the deal.

However, the Anthro price is a little much...found a great mustard colored toggle at Forever 21 that might find a new home with me!

 Another great fashion statement.

A girl's gotta wear socks with her boots, so why not make 'em pretty and show 'em off?

Love that gals aren't limiting themselves to skirts, but doing over the pants as well.

Rosettes, Riding boots, and Tall socks!



 Check out this adorable girl...

Love how her tall socks are lacy and tie in with her top!

 This dress is my idea of perfection.

Some fun jewelry, boots, and a cute denim jacket....yes please!

These Minnetonka Boots are on my wish list this year.

I already knew I liked them, then I found them in grey, and it was all over.



Seems like anything that resembles those braided rugs is also in right now. At first I was a little hesitant, but I'm warming up to the idea.

Lastly, I just found this cowgirl the other day, and fell in love!

She has a business called The Rusty Rose, where she sells clothes and jewelry to the fashionable country girl.

It's fun, and classy all at the same time!

The picture above is from her facebook page.

Look close at her bootlegs...

Yes, those are fur leg muffs!

Add those to my list of fall must haves.

I am so happy that this years style incorporates the rugged, and earthy elements that tie in well with a cowgirls wardrobe.

Feathers, fringe, boots, leather, colorful woven fabrics that scream Pendleton blankets...

I like to refer to the 2011 Fall Fashion as

Cowgirls and Indians

Sweat Shop Friday

So far, most of the day has been spent in the sweat shop....errr, studio! 

One by one, I busted out over 100 blanks for what will become Cowgirl Canteens™.

Meanwhile, my kids/ragamuffins either watch TV, make beautiful art for me, and sometimes...

decorate small tables for tea parties!

She may be only 5, but I think she's onto something!

Nonetheless, she definitely has her own style!

This is my main work table.

I recently splurged...I mean, invested in this awesome new cutting mat that covers the entire table top!

This table sets in the middle of my craft room.

It is where I cut and play with fabric and trims.

Looks like I'm going to need to add a Beware of Dog sign to the door.

 Meet Lexi, she is a ginormous rotty that doubles as a body guard for us Frankus girls!

While she sheds a little...ok, A LOT, has a goopy eye, bum back leg, and broken tooth...she is part of our family and we love her!

She likes to sit outside the door and watch over us while we work and play in the studio.

 A view from my seat..fabric, scissors, trim, and don't forget my addiction...

COFFEE!

On days like today, I like to be comfortable and productive.

That's right, no time for showers, or big people clothes...

on sweat shop Friday, we mean business!

Slippers, and PJ pants...that's just how we roll.

(which is also why I hate it when people show up at my door unexpectedly and look at me like, "why aren't you dressed yet lady?")

The work horses.

A brother sewing machine that my wonderful hubby purchased for me years ago,

and a Janome serger.

See the beautiful artwork above my sewing machine?

It's a one-of-a-kind piece by Raegen Frankus age 5.

It makes me smile :-)

Tattooed

This week I decided to link up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy, for "What I Wore Wednesday".

As a stay-at-home mom, who also works from home, I tend to gravitate to the PJ Fashion...you know what I mean, hair in a pony, and super comfy pajamas, alllllll daaaaay looong (or until just before my hubby gets home). Laugh if you must, but it really is amazing.

However, with our oldest entering Kindergarten I am required to actually get out of the car to drop her off, and then walk her across the street, and into the classroom. Now, you may think that at age 5, kids don't notice what's appropriate.....wrong!

My little fashionista has taken note of everything I've said along the way. She is no dummy, and wouldn't be caught dead with a Mama in PJ's in public. Which is good because I would actually never do it. So now, every school day I too get dressed (and then take advantage of only having one in tow, and run my errands).

Because I am new to this (my first WIWW), I only have one day to share.

Top: Forever 21

Necklace: Claires

(again, no laughing-Raegen wanted Mother/Daughter necklaces so she could wear it to school)

Shorts: GAP

Shoes: Ross Dress for Less

Brand Spankin' New Tattoo: That Tattoo Shop

Yes, it's real!

I did it!

If you look close, you can see that the heart is made up of two back-to-back R's, for our girls, Raegen and Reese.

In honor of the new tattoo, I have a new flask (sorry for the crummy photo)!

How much more Farrier's Daughter could this get? Turquoise...check, horseshoes...check, a little bit country...check, a little rock n' roll...check, some ruffles for a girlie touch...check!

Happy Wednesday!

Cheers

The Petticoat Saloon at Molly Mo's Antique Faire

Another great show by Diane of Molly Mo's has come and gone, and I am so happy to have been part of it!

Since my original plan was to simply showcase my Cowgirl Canteens, I stuck with the Petticoat Saloon theme!

I went with a color scheme of pink, red and black...

and had fun with splashes of color on the lighting.

This ragamuffin lamp shade was super easy to do (aside from the fact that I gave myself my worst glue gun burn to date-OUCH).

These chairs are some that I have been holding onto for some time now. They got a fresh coat of glossy black paint, and some pink vinyl seats!

And of course in my chaotic state of preparation, I left my camera in the wrong truck the morning of the show...lucky for me, two other vendors, and my phone's camera came to the rescue!

We had cowgirl bling...

boots...

and Poker!

This beauty hung above the poker table in the gazebo.

Hats

Belts

And a bar!

I had so much fun setting up for this show.

I couldn't serve any alcohol, but what's a bar without drinks???

I decided to make sweet tea (a nod to my southern mother), and serve it in souvenir mason jars. The perfect addition for a 90*+ day!

I know I've said it before on here, but I have the best sister ever!

She is so supportive of my crazy passions, and is always right there beside me on sale days.

No matter how early I ask her to be awake and ready, she comes with a smile on her face. She makes me laugh, wears whatever I ask her to, and helps me lift heavy things...

See her there behind the bar?

Isn't she cute?

Thanks to all of you who came out.

Like always, I met some great new people, connected with old friends,

and had a Wonderful time!