What started out as a little accident (spilled breast milk) turned into a big dilemma last Thursday night. Turns out, breast milk is great for babies, but really, really bad for computers. Of course, I had sort of figured that was the case, but my theories were confirmed when my computer wouldn’t turn on at all on Friday morning! So, amidst a busy weekend with a family wedding and church stuff, I scrambled to get a new computer (budget buster!) and figure out how to get Photoshop licensing to work with this pretty new iMac.

I’ll have a few blog posts to share this week, but not what I had originally planned. Of course, you probably wouldn’t have known the difference (save for the missing Movie Monday post), but I felt the need to share my woes. And the lessons I learned: Always, always, always back up your computer (mine was last backed up two weeks before the accident, saving all my crucial work files, but not all of my images for blog posts- gadzooks!), and never, ever, ever keep liquids close to your laptop. Like this. You might be careful, but the people yanking on cords next to your liquids might not be. Computers are not invinsible. Lesson learned. And now I’ll spend this week recouperating my software and files. And regretting the fact that I kept my blog schedule on Stickies which are now gone with my sad laptop. Yipes.

(As always, you can keep up with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!)

There’s quite a selection of great cloud-themed kiddo decor out there these days, between the mobiles, art, and pillows. I wanted to get in on the fluffy action without picking up knitting needles or spending much money on buying something new. So I looked through the aisles of sweaters at our local Salvation Army, and settled on one sunny, one cloudy, and both in great condition sweaters to be cut up and made into pillows. Check out my easy instructions below to make your own!

• 2 old sweaters in good condition (or a usable portion in good condition)
• poly fiberfill
• fabric scissors + regular scissors
• matching thread
• sewing needle and sewing machine (machine optional, though very helpful!)
• kraft paper on a roll
• straight pins

Lay out the kraft paper over the sweater you want to use for your larger cloud. Trace the outline of a cloud shape you like (keeping the bottom of the shape a straight line), and cut it out. Pin the paper onto the inside-out sweater, being careful to keep the lines or patterns straight along the bottom edge of the cloud. Cut out the cloud shape from the sweater, remove the paper, then pin the two sweater pieces together. Sew 1/2″ around the edges, leaving a 4-5 inch opening in the middle of the bottom. Flip the shape right-side-out, stuff it with batting, then hand stitch closed the opening at the bottom. Repeat this process with a smaller cloud shape that compliments the first cloud.

These thin little cloud pillows are resting on the rocking chair in Lucy’s room, and I can’t wait to one day see them on her big girl bed! I hope she likes them as much as I do.

Before you cry, “Enough with the maxis, already!” you might want to take a look at the scenery in these photos. It may be March already, but babies, it’s still super cold out there! I figured, if I’m going to wear a psychedelic patterned maxi dress, I might as well take it to the next level and wear a one with a quilted skirt. That’s right. A quilted skirt. I’m essentially wearing a blanket. Like I said, it’s cold outside! So I might as well enjoy this a new winter favorite, alongside layered cotton tights, cozy boots, and fluffy angora berets. And then pray for Spring.

O U T F I T   D E T A I L S :

dress: Violet Velvet | flower pin: Secret Past (Cuyahoga Falls) | hat: thrifted | coat: thrifted
photos by Phil Johnson