Local Artist Feature: Meredith Mooney Photography

I am so excited to tell you about this week’s local artist feature, Meredith Mooney Photography!  Remember a few weeks ago when I posted the birthday banner that I made for a friend?  Well, that lovely friend called and told me to check out the professional pictures she had taken of her precious birthday girl, and they used the banner in their backdrop.




When I saw these pictures, I squealed from the cuteness!

Really, what’s cuter than a one-year old smashing cake in her face?




Since then, I have been following Meredith Mooney’s photography on her website and Facebook page, and I am consistently blown away by her stunning photos.




Meredith Mooney is a local Louisville photographer specializing in family, children, maternity, and wedding photography.  Her artistry and ability to embrace real moments is superb and shines in every photo.  While building her photography business, she is working on her Masters of Art in Teaching.  A very fitting career since Meredith’s joy and graciousness is apparent in all her photos, but it’s easy to see that she has a soft spot in her heart for children and families. 

You can find current information on all services and prices on the Meredith Mooney Photography website:  http://www.meredithmooneyphotos.com/

To keep up on day-to-day happenings with Meredith, you can like her Facebook page.  As an added bonus for Facebook fans, Meredith hosts periodic contests for Louisville locals that include free mini-sessions for lucky winners.  You definitely want to be included in her current contest, so “like” her page today!

Additionally, she updates her blog with current, beautiful photography sets:  http://www.meredithmooneyphotography.blogspot.com/. 



Do you love little Harper’s outfit?  It was purchased from these etsy sellers:

Birthday hat from Little Pink Tractor
Embroidered shirt from London Stitches
Ruffled diaper cover from Rae Gun

Thank you Meredith for allowing us to feature your beautiful photography at D.I.Y. Louisville!

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Weekend in Pictures

We had a nice laid back weekend, getting caught up, working on some D.I.Y. projects and staying snuggly in our home away from the rain.  How was your weekend?

Vintage Fischer Price love.

Pumpkin hot cocoa with caramel marshmallows.

Dumb, but snuggly, cow socks.

A new decoration for Halloween from World Market.

My husband built new shelves for my pantry and then organized all the spices.

Piles of fleece waiting to be turned into some party favors.

Halloween Decorations!

Button stash.

Progress.

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Healthy Autumn Muffins

I've been on a real "Autumn" kick lately.  It's by far my favorite season and we try and squeeze every last enjoyable moment out of it around here.  I also love pumpkin.  If you put the word "pumpkin' in front of just about anything I'm in.  Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin candles, the color pumpkin, yes please!  So yesterday I set off on the task to make a healthy muffin that would be Weight Watchers friendly and of course star my BFF, pumpkin.  This recipe is so easy and it's pretty good for you.  You could use an all natural cake mix if you have one to make it a little healthier.  These muffins are even vegan friendly!

Healthy Autumn Muffins

1 box carrot cake mix
2 c. pumpkin
2 c. crushed pineapple
2 medium carrots grated
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger

Mix up all of your ingredients and fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full.  Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes.  These have 2 weight watchers pts each.  Makes 2 dozen.  If you want to make a smaller batch use 2 c. cake mix, 1 c. pumpkin, 1 c. pineapple, 1 carrot and half the spices.

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What We Wore: Meet Up Addition

I have to admit that the weather is kind of reeking havoc on my wardrobe choices lately.  I always seem to have something in mind to wear and then it's either too cold or too warm and I have to change my plans.  That was kind of the situation here.  I really wanted to wear some cute boots with my new burgundy tights that I love, but the weather was just a touch too warm and I had to compromise with clogs.  This dress was also another cheap summer clearance, although to me it looks much more fall like.  It's a lightweight cotton poplin, so I guess that's the reasoning.

I have a super weird look on my face here, lesson learned: don't chew gum while having your picture taken.

Dress: Target 

Sweater: Marshalls

Tights: Hue

Clogs: Born via Marshalls

Glasses: Walmart

Ring: JCPenneys

Craft bag: Dee's Crafts- gift from MIL

We linked this post up with The Pleated Poppy.

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Meet Up Recap

Tuesday was our meet up night and as usual it was a night filled with great coffee and conversation.  We were joined by a few members of a knit/crochet group that normally meet that night and it was really nice to meet some new crafters.

Working on a Halloween embroidery project

A closer view.  You can get this pattern for free here.

Our crochet maven hard at work on a blanket.

A stack of colorful doll's feet from Craft E Magee

Julee's cute quilled pumpkins.

A little bit of knitting.

Our favorite silver smith, Robin, who will have a booth at St. James this year.

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Easy Weeknight Pizza

Let me first say that I totally stole this idea from Julee.  She mentioned that they used Naan bread as a pizza crust and I was intrigued.  We love some Naan to go with our Indian food, but I had never thought to use it for anything else.  If you haven't tried Naan before, it's basically and Indian flatbread.  It comes in plain and a few other flavors with garlic being the most common.  I often make our own pizza crust, but it's kind of time consuming and sometimes I just want a fast option.  You can purchase Naan in the bakery section of many stores such as Kroger and Target.  It really does make a fabulous pizza crust and it's so quick and easy.

Weeknight Pizza
(makes 4 individual pizzas)

2 packages Naan- we use the garlic kind
Low fat Mozzarella
pizza sauce- we love the Muir Glen brand
Choice of toppings- I used turkey pepperoni, onion, green pepper and garlic

Lay your Naan out on a baking sheet and heat your oven to 400 degrees

Spread some pizza sauce on top.

Add some cheese and your toppings and bake until cheese is melted and the bread is lightly browned.  My husband loved this I think even more than our homemade pizza crust.

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The Birthday Bag

If you give my daughter a birthday party invite, chances are your kid will end up with one of these personalized tote bags.  They are my favorite go-to gift.  I’ve made so many, I can now whip them up in my sleep and my husband jokes that I will not stop until every girl we know has one. 

   

I don’t know where I purchased this girl talk fabric, but I love it.  This bag was made for a neighbor friend.  We have 5 neighborhood girls, and they are all very much into the whole b.f.f. and secret girl club thing.  I added some pockets inside and my daughter picked out some crafty goodies to complete the gift.

   

This bag was made for a schoolmate over the summer.  I thought the pocket would be a perfect snuggly place for my first ever Bit of Whimsy doll.  My daughter chose the guinea and helped me sew her.  I just love the imperfect little face.

Kim and I have both purchased Bit of Whimsy patterns, and found them to be easy to use, even for new sewers.  If you’re looking for a tote bag pattern, there are many many free tutorials online, but the reversible tote tutorial from Skip to my Lou is the one that I almost always use. 

Do you give handmade birthday party gifts?  If so, what are some of your favorite things to give?  Feel free to share your ideas in our comment section!

Happy sewing, D.I.Y.’ers! 

~julee~

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What We Wore: Three Ways To Wear Your Summer Dress Into Fall

As temperatures start to drop I find myself looking forward to new wardrobe options.  One thing I don't look forward to is spending a lot on a whole new wardrobe.  A great way to save money is by picking up some of the less "summery" summer dresses that everyone is marking down right now.  I picked up this black dress at Marshall's this week for five dollars and decided to show you three different ways to make it work for fall.

Look one:  I would wear this out to coffee with the girls or shopping.
Dress: Marshall's
Leggings: Target
Boots: Steve Madden
Sweater: Marshall's
Sunglasses: Betsey Johnson
Necklace: Claire's
Cuff; Handmade by my dad

 

Look two:  I would wear this menswear inspired look out thrifting or to see some bands play.
Dress: Marshall's
Sweater: Target
Tights: Target
Oxford's: Target
Hat: vintage, thrifted
Bracelet: gift from parents, flea market
Necklace: vintage, belonged to my Great Aunt

Look Three: I would wear this on a dinner date with my husband or to a D.I.Y. Meet Up.
Dress: Marshall's
Skinny Jeans: Avenue
Black Shirt: Marshall's
Hair Scarf: thrifted
Clogs: Born via Marshall's
Gold Purse: thrifted
Necklace: Forever 21
Bracelets: Charm- Avenue, Cuff- vintage, from Mom
Ring- vintage from mom

Thanks for looking.  I hope you are inspired for fall and I hope you like our new weekly fashion post!

-Kim

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Impromptu Picnic

 

I found this little gem of a basket at the thrift for $4.  It came with the bamboo mat and additional drawstring bag inside, and I may have squealed when I found it. 

To prove to my hubby that I indeed would use – nay, needed - the basket, I set up an impromptu afternoon picnic yesterday for the two of us.

 

The weather was a more summer-like than fall-like, but the leaves are steadily falling.  I’m prepared to eek out the last bit of warmness before the cold strikes.

Are you guys ready for fall?

Happy fall picnicking!

~julee~

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