logo

This is a view of the new logo designed by DueSouth. I have this glass shoe sitting on a bookcase in my shop. I grab it at the last minute thinking it would make a great card holder. It reminds me of the"Little Old Lady Who Lived in the Shoe". This was all beautifully captured the photographer of the event, and friend of mine, Amanda Hammerli.

shop sucess

We had a great time this weekend at the Jingle Jubilee. I'd like to send out a BIG thank you to all the ladies of the Tallahassee Jr. League. They were so awesome, serving us lunch and taking care of all the vender's needs. And also to Grammy & Gee for sharing a booth with LOVELY LOU. One of my favorite vendors from the show (besides Lovely Lou) was the governors daughter. She makes beautiful necklaces, no two are alike. It is my newest addiction. It is always inspiring to be surrounded by such creative people. It really gets the ideas flowing. I am pleasantly overwhelmed with new ideas to explore, so watch out for things to come. I also wanted to thank all the shoppers who came out and supported not just the Jr. League but all the vendors. Everyone had a good show and the shoppers went home with their Christmas shopping off to a great start (mine too).

show time

Today is the first show of the Holiday shopping season for Lovely Lou. I will be at doing a show to support the Jr. League of Tallahassee this weekend; Friday night, all day Saturday, and all day Sunday. It is at the Tallahassee Automotive Museum. So much work goes into doing a show of this nature. There is always more that I want to have ready and very little time. I am proud of how this one is jelling despite the many hurdles there have been to jump. I must admit I have had to knock a few of those hurdles down because they were just too stubborn. Mainly this horrible cold that every member of my family including the ones who help keep my sanity have had. I have entrusted the rest of my brain to my Mother so that I can focus on the tasks at hand. I am thinking about forwarding my calls to her next time so she can handle anything not Lovely Lou related. All is well and we are ready to roll for preview shopping tonight. Get your orders in now for your Holiday clothes, it will be here before you know it.

slow minute

Here is Clair waiting on an elevator. She was under the impression that when you push a button something should happen right away. When I told her the elevator takes a slow minute she understood and stopped being frustrated with the elevator. A few days back Clair was eating and taking her time about it while of course I was ready for her to be done. I made some comment about her needing to be finished and she said she to give her just a minute. She had already asked for "a minute" like 10 minutes before and when I reminded her of this she replied with " I need a slow minute". Well I had to give this one to her she is from the South and as a true Southerner she has already at her young age found the key to be a Southerner. The true antonym to a New York minute, the Southern minute is a slow minute. The Webster definition of a minute being 60 seconds whatever part of the world you reside, I believe it is open for interpretation. In the south a minute is a long sip of sweet iced tea followed by a sigh in other regions it is a lifetime of accomplishments done in an instant. Others may find either type of minute to fit their lifestyle, she has found hers to be the relaxed version. How do you define your minute?

sweet land of liberty

Tyeson has the honor of raising the Flag on this day of remembrance. While he was alive when the towers fell on this day 7 years ago, he has little memory of it. He was too small to know the impact that day had on our country. It was the first day of my generation that I can say I remember that day, what I was doing and where I was. I can now relate to the World War II times when Pearl Harbor was bombed and D-day. I feel so blessed to have been born an American; to have family that has and will continue to fight for her. I pray that my country will still be great for my children and that they will know the same freedoms I have known. And when they see Old Glory raised it will have the same impact of pride and sacrifice.

soldier boy

This weekend was a great celebration of Asher first year. But the highlight was the surprise visit from Uncle Adam. Along with that great smile and a very short high and tight doo, he brought MREs for his oldest nephew. Tyeson had a blast warming his tortilla in a pouch filled with water that began to boil on its own. There is something I nor Clair or I guess women can understand what is so good about eating nacho cheese by squirting it out of a packet into your mouth then repeating the its "notyourcheese" joke. He is still talking about how good the food is and would like to eat them every day as an after school snack. Then I remind me they have like 3000 calories and he doesn't eat that much in 2 days. I"m not sure if I should be concerned that he likes the food so much he decides to enlist or if my cooking is so bad that a bag of cheese is better. As a sidebar Asher has decided the flash is too bright and every picture I have taken for the last week he closes his eyes.

dirty jobs

OK so when the time came to clean up this mess, my husband quickly calls ,"I got the kitchen". Like you would do as a child gunning for the "not it" position in a back yard game of tag. I was feeling like I got the better end of the deal and carried him to the tub with outstreched arms so as not to futher spread the ickeyness. I was sucessful in not spreading icing all over the place and decided to put the other munchkin in the tub at the same time. All goes well and I take Asher out to dry off while Clair stays to play. She gets out of the tub without permission and comes running in the baby's room in her beloved hooded towel. At first I was frustrated with the sound of those feet hitting the floor but once she arrived and I saw the towel she was praised for remembering to not get water everywhere. Later go into the bathroom to pick up and the smell hits me before I reach the door.Not sure where the source of the smell is I check to see if the toliet was flushed and it was. I look in the tub and the water was all drained. My first tought was she is so good she even drain the water; and then I found the source. Not only had she used the tub as a toliet but thought she could hide the edivance by making it go down the drain. I have to give her credit for the attempt however the baby's bath seat was blocking the path to the drain. So instead of getting off easy with putting a few dished in the washer, I have to get all the stinking bath toys out of the tub and the monster baby tub and get out the bleach. I went to fetch the spray bottle from the kitchen and gave my husband a good thump for knowing that this would happen and once again getting out of the dirty job.

a whole year

Happy Birthday Asher!! Has a whole year really gone? It is hard to believe that our little baby is one. It is such a privilege to observe a person grow; to learn how they learn and watch as they find new joys in their world. He has overcome so many challenges in a short time and I am so proud of how hard he has worked. He is working on crawling and is just about there. He's newest thing is to shout out when his brother & sister are talking like he is a part of the conversation. He has also learned that chewing on your sister's puzzle pieces does not result in a pleasant reward. Each one of these little gifts have taught me about human nature as they learn how to navigate the world. Tyeson taught me that I could channel stubbornness, Clair taught me self confidence, and Asher has taught me to slow down and take note of each moment. So I take this moment to celebrate him and all that he adds to my world. You may visit the shop to view his outfit, the Louis long reversible romper in khaki.

little mama

This morning I was allowed a few moments of extra rest. When I woke up and went looking for the kids, one was missing. I wouldn't normally dare go in the baby's room in fear of waking him up but I thought I heard laughing. I found the missing one entertaining the baby. She was so proud of having taken care of him. It was one of those moments when you are not sure if you should correct her or praise her for her actions. I was impressed with her ability to climb into the crib. But even more so with her mama instinct to care for her younger brother. Now I just need to teacher her how to make breakfast and I can sleep in even longer.

best buds

I recently read a sign that stated, "A good friend is one that will bail you out of jail but a best friend is sitting next to you saying, Man that was fun!" This past weekend I had some enjoyable time with my friends. Nothing as exciting as going to jail. Just some much needed girl time to have a break from everything else. I am amazed at the talent of my friends. Each one is so talented in different ways. I know God had placed each one in my life for a special reason. I am thankful for not only the respit they provide my but the wonderful examples they are of godly women.

new for fall

These are the sample "tags" for the LOVELY LOU fall line. The tags button on to the front yoke of the Louise dress in navy and reversible navy gingham. Just in the reversible dress you have two outfits but with the added tags you now have a year round dress for any occasion. There is a Christmas tag coming soon with embroidered candy canes. To order please call 850-228-5589

question?

Small accomplishments like getting to sit in the shopping cart are so much more exciting when we have been working so hard on sitting up. I am sorry that I have no other choice but to use the "green" buggy as my children refer to it. The idea is wonderful to distract them from all the sugary mommy can I's. However the thing is impossible to drive. I have adapted well to driving the super cart as long as I don't have to do much turning. I fail to understand why we just can't have the larger version of the traditional cart like at Sam's club or Costco. The buggy basket is big enough to actual hold food and diapers for a family of 5 and the seat holds 2 children! They would be much easier on driving. And maybe they could have more than ONE in the store so that all the mommies could shop with ease. Instead of hunting down the one green buggy without any luck and having to hold one child and push the buggy with the other child while they ask to be held because it is just no fair to hold one and not the other. Only to turn the corner and get into a buggy wreck with the mom that found the green buggy first. I guess this modern day hunting and gathering is still better than having to kill something and drag it home. I wonder if they had to carry their children on their backs in a papoose and still throw a spear with accuracy. One things for sure it would definitely be a multitasking spear packing mama that could do it.

So the question is, What is your most frustrating product or lack of product you use with your children?

great and grand

Once a mother always a mother. The job duties may change but the caring never stops. I love how we add words to the job title. It is as if we are being promoted to the next level of wisdom. Mother, GRAND mother and GREAT grandmother. To be great and grand what an accomplishment! The smiles here show what great and grand must feel like. For this mother her name was shortened to just GG to stand for how great and grand she is. She says it's because great grandmother is just too many words for little ones to speak. But Love doesn't need to be spoken.

camper boy

We are so happy to finally be reunited with our oldest child. He has been away with his grandparents for a whole month! This is the first time we have (or he has) been away for a lengthy time period. We all have fared well, although we have all missed each other abundantly.He had definitely grown in more than just height. He seems to developed a stronger sense of independence. It is wonderful to see your child grow and mature. Even though I miss my little boy who couldn't leave my side, I feel our job as parents has met some milestone. He has begun to be more him and less us. We got to him just in time for him to run off again. His new obsession is Backpacking. Maybe when he gets back he will want to love on his mama.

john john

A submitted picture of a LOVELY LOU customer. He is wearing the short Louis romper in blue pin stripe seersucker and monogrammed in the diamond font. The peter pan shirt, also made by LOVELY LOU, is piped in the same seersucker fabric. This pattern style was named the John John because JFK Jr. wore them so much. Jacqueline was a fashion icon for not only women but for children as well.

Your children are lovely dress them so.

fruit of the week

This is a sample of the some orders filled this week. I am so blessed to be able to do what I enjoy. Each outfit is a new creation. I love knowing the occasion for which the clothes are intended. As I am filling an order, I think about each child in their outfit, looking lovely. From left to right: Louis boys romper in royal, NEW pattern Libby baby in floral lawn and red gingham, NEW pattern Leigh in white and red gingham, Louise dress in red gingham. New patterns are available by phone order or sold at Grammy and Gee . And as always check out the online shop for LOVELY LOU.

defence

I have read about how child as young as 3 months can learn to manipulate others in their environment to meet their needs. I haven't done as much study on siblings and how fast they learn to defend themselves from older brothers and sisters. My personal observations are it is soon after they learn how to get fed. With the 2nd child I believe she was around 6months old when she learned to go for her brother's eyes. She instantly received the response she was looking for which was for him to get out of her face. Her first sentence was,"Back off'." Now the even our littlest has learned his defence. He has found a way to make the helmet he is required to wear a weapon to his advantage. When he had enough he began to head butt his sister. He got his response. She backed off. Even though he had just asserted to her that he was done playing she just laughed and made a fort out of his play yard. What amazing forgiveness!

brotherly love

There is nothing like having a big brother to look out for you. They are useful for protecting you from waves that might knock you over and for aggravating when you are in a more feisty mood. I love to watch these two. One second they are trying to do each other in and the next they are conspiring to see if they can get me do something I might otherwise reject. Being able to observe siblings this way, I have noticed how family life is so much like the "real" world. We all need a partner in crime and a shoulder to cry on.

question?

This week in the shop I am finishing up some summer orders. I will post pictures of the fruits of my labor later in the week. After finishing the last orders up I will begin working on the fall line. Above is a sample of what is coming. Click on the link to view the summer collection from LOVELY LOU. Working on new projects is always exciting. I am constantly looking for new ways to make mothering more practical. That is how the reversible line started; 2 outfits for the price of one, very practical. So here is the question this week, In regards to mothering objects(diaper bags, nursing, clothing,bedding, toys) what is your or your child's favorite thing?

doors and windows

Why do we torture ourselves to try and get good pictures of our children? You start out making faces and dangling toys in front of them to try and coax out some look of happiness. A picture of the parent would be more appropriate at this stage because you look like a circus act. When acting foolish doesn't amuse them you resort to,"Just do this for me and I'll get you a lollipop." Sometimes they will see your struggle and sit still for a moment but the camera's delay is longer than their moment. Frustration leads you to go with what ever you can get, they were both looking your direction or at least they weren't crying. You tun off the camera, move out of the way of the T.V. and then like rays of sunshine their faces light up and you realized you have made a better door than a window. Click on the link to view the short Louis boys romper and the Louise dress shown here and the rest of the LOVELY LOU collection.

Getaway

We enjoyed seeing friends for the holiday. Every holiday has its own unique tradition. Christmas has a tree, Easter has eggs, and the 4th has fireworks. One of the reasons I love the 4th is because fireworks are a few of my favorite things. I also love the colors, red and blue against crisp white is so bold and clean. It speaks of summer days with bright sun and wonderful scents. You see these colors together and you can hear the cicadas buzz. As life happens our traditions may vary but the practice of gathering with friends and family is timeless. We had just one day to get a way from the demands of everything and just be. In just 24 hours it is amazing how you can be renewed.

Legacy of Freedom

This plaque hung in my grandmother's classroom. She was a teacher of many lessons but formally taught American history and English to 8th graders. On the back of this plaque she made a pocket out of a poem about the flag and put inside many articles about our flag and its symbolic meaning. She was the wife of an Air Force Officer; this flag was more to her than stars and stripes. On a day when we celebrate our Independence as a Nation to be free from persecution it can be easy to remember those who serve to fight for our freedom. We need to not forget the families that serve with them. This is my second favorite holiday to celebrate(my 1st is Easter) because I have been blessed just to have been born an American and double so because I have a family who honors the Flag.

happy days

Our youngest child is not a child who is very generous with his smiles. This is one of the rare moments of insight to his thoughts. I must agree that swings are very exciting. I rejoice with him on the discovery of something that brings happiness. Click the link to view the short Louis romper shown here and the rest of the LOVELY LOU collection.

miss fancy pants

Some days what seems to me to be an act of defiance that is inconveniencing me, in turn is another lesson taught by my child instead of the parent. It seems that she is refusing to wear what I feel is a reasonable outfit for the day just to assert to me that she is indeed her own person and not simply an extension of me. For this day, to her, did not call for a festive sundress smocked with American flags but her fanciest dress. She seems to think that every day calls for her best dress. On most days it is a suggestion to what she would like to wear. On this day is was an extraordinary display of her claim to decide what was best for her. It made me think why do we reserve our best? What are we afraid of , getting so dirty that it cannot be cleaned? Today an act of childish independence has reminded me to give my best always, everyday with out fear of rejection. Some days we need to not hide in the back of the closet. What is best for us may be our fanciest.

the shop

This small space is the literal shop. Finding the time to get into my shop to work can be the biggest challenge. Sometimes my youngest will only be satisfied when able to see my face. I solved this problem by putting the Bumbo chair on the work table. Now I am able to steal a few moments to whip together my next order for my children's clothing line. All I have to do is keep the sharp objects away from the baby. Click on the link to view Louie shorts worn in this picture.

brown bear

Last night my little brown bear came home from a week at the beach with her grandparents. She is so tan and I believe her legs are a bit longer too. There is nothing in this world like an unsolicited hug from a child. The hug she wrapped around me when she got back was 5 minutes long. Once she decided to let go she ran to her brother and kissed and loved all over him. We are glad to have her home. She is wearing Lilly Belle shorts from LOVELY LOU. Click here to vist the online shop and view the entire LOVELY LOU collection.

watermelon dress

Today I wore the watermelon dress to church. This dress was a gift from my mother and she described it as a watermelon. I must admit I was doubtful about wearing anything that would make me appear to be a watermelon. After having spent a total of 27 months of pregnancy the last thing you want is to look like a watermelon. When I received the dress I felt it didn't look anything like a watermelon; there is no green on it and the "seeds" are white instead of black. The neck line did look a bit like a nice slice of ripe melon but otherwise I did not make the same association and loved the dress. I wore it for the first time today and as we are pulling out of the driveway to head to Church, my husband says to me,"Your dress looks like a watermelon".