I’m not gunna lie, dressing the twins is super fun. literally like I have dolls again and I get to dress them however I want…at least for a couple more years anyway. I have discovered so many amazing brands from being on Instagram. I studied fashion design and merchandising in college so you would think I know a lot about fashion but it wasn’t until I started using Instagram that I realized there was a whole other fashion world out there. I found small and large businesses that design the most beautiful pieces for kids and adults. When I found Purllamb I was so excited because not only was the collection super cute, comfortable, laid back and stylish but it has a message, a message I find I struggle with daily. This simple message reminds me that I’m not alone, I’m not weird, and I’m very very cool!!!!!
Hi! My name is Irina and I try to be cool, but fail at it a lot. So I started designing cool hoodies that succeeded. A LOT. So it’s safe to say that I live vicariously through my hoodies. I design with comfort in mind because there isn’t anything better than living in your sweats 24/7. Trademark designs that capture the fun spirit of childhood is what we are all about. Welcome!
Oh and besides being totally uncool, I also discovered that life is not about fitting in but following Christ, no matter how uncool some people may find that to be. Create the life you want with the feature life in mind. www.purllamb.com
I have tried to write and keep up a blog since 2006…each and every time I fail. I don’t know how many times I have written the title “It’s been way too long.” I have every intention of keeping it up but each and every time I get in the way of myself. I feel like I don’t have anything interesting to say or more recently I’m not specific enough. I was under the impression that my blog had to be a perfectly written piece that was about something specific, something jaw dropping or something people could learn from. Maybe all of that is true, maybe not but I don’t really care, it is all too much pressure. Today I’m starting from the beginning. In 2006 I started my blog to keep family informed about our life during medical school and as a way for my husband and me to record moments in our busy, crazy, stressful, wonderful, happy, sad, messy, boring, and exciting lives. I think my voice can at least offer you genuine honestly, humor, and maybe even something jaw dropping or informative, that is when I do get around to posting. I’m promising nothing about it being perfectly written though…that is unless my husband or Kailtin edit it…lol Hope you stick around. XO
All I can say is that I was beyond excited for Rylee and Cru to release their Spring/Summer 2015 line…It is such a sweet, delicate, yet modern line. When my package arrived I ripped it open quickly…dying to see the tiny little pieces inside, I was beyond blown away. The fabrics are so soft and luscious, I have never felt anything like it. I honestly need a King size blanket made out of their amazing fabrics.
I tried to be casual with this shoot. I literally dressed the girls up, put them in the car and away we went without a spot in mind. It was late so I knew I had to pick a spot and just do it. I stumbled upon an RV park. I thought…this could be an interesting backdrop. I was almost right until the Arizona sun once again, was ruining my shoot. There was no escaping it either. Open shade? In Arizona it is more like open sun…everywhere!! I decided to snap a few anyway.
toooooo sunny!!
This was literally a test shot….Mila was sleeping in the car and I didn’t even bother to take her out. I snapped one or two, got back in the car and again drove aimlessly. I drove the streets by my house looking for something that caught my eye. Within minutes I found myself standing in a gas station parking lot. Behind the gas station was an empty lot that had basically been neglected. The weeds were growing so tall it looked like a field of flowers…lol!!! I jumped out of the car surveyed my surrounds and decided to give this spot a chance.
So this is not The school performance obviously. While I was taping I got a phone call. Luckily the at-home version is way way better. The school acoustics are pretty much horrible.
She’s already written three more songs that are even better. I’m so amazed by this girl every day. Her courage and grace is immeasurable. And like Marjorie Houseman says is Dirty Dancing, “I think she gets it from me.” Bahahahaha!!
I love love love to spend hours on Etsy, pinterest, and Instagram looking for different prop ideas. I have my usual search terms (which I also get from different trends I see floating around) like wooden toys, macramé, bonnets, knit toys, yarn wall hangings, knit blankets, organic toys, wooden teethers, etc. I always find something different and unique. Today I have rounded up a few of my favorites.
First up, an amazing company that make the most amazing hammocks and swings…Hang A Hammock. These hammocks are hand woven and made to order with care in Nicaragua using natural cotton threads. They are environmentally friendly using recycled paper and for their spreader bar only use wood not at risk for extinction. Also 10% of their proceeds go back into their community to help with different improvement projects.
I have never opened a package and been in such awe of its beauty. This bassinet crib, which is way bigger than a bassinet and could last for quite a while for your baby, it’s breathtaking. It is so simple and delicate with its natural color yet amazingly complicated with its intricate woven design. I literally wish I could climb in and fall asleep with the girls. For these pictures we hung it outside near our pond but since it is soon to be 100+ degrees outside we are going to move it inside somewhere. This is a piece I want to keep and treasure myself for as long as possible and will then pass on to my sisters and any babies they may have. They also make beautiful traditional hammocks ( of which I just ordered yesterday) and the most adorable baby swing…see below.
While scouring the internet for baby products when I was pregnant I came across Sprout San Francisco. I was searching for anything pretty much that you wouldn’t find at Babies R Us. Since this was definitely going to be my last baby (babies…lol) I wanted to go all out. I wanted pieces that where useful and safe for babies and me but also looked good if they were just sitting out. Sprout San Francisco has it all from clothing to baby gear to cribs and toys. Ironically my friend from high school and college Katina Kontos works there as one of their buyers. The clothing lines and products that they carry are not only stylish but are also organicly made with natural materials. It can’t have any toxic chemicals (that includes the big ones you’ve heard about—BPA, phthalates, toxic dyes and perfumes, pesticides, PVC and formaldehyde—and many you haven’t heard of yet). The girls are wearing identical stripe bubble rompers in papaya by Noch they are 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and made in NYC, USA. They are also sweetly snuggling up to the softest cashmere blanket by White and Warren and fighting the terrible teething stage with safe and simple maple teethers. To order any products or to find out if they have something you are looking for call the Sprout San Francisco Brooklyn location at (718) 488-8200.
If you have looked at my Instagram account for even a minute you will see that I have an obsession with bonnets. It wasn’t until I had the girls that I realized there are many different style and types of bonnets. Some styles look amazing on Emma and some look amazing on Mila. I love Briar Handmade bonnets for Emma…they are perfection in everyway. Designer Rachel Goode, began creating her signature bonnets in a sewing nook of her home. She was on the hunt for a bonnet that tied but also fit her style, in the end she made her won. Once her daughter started wearing them, Rachel couldn’t believe the response: Grandmas praised her for “covering her daughters ears” but even more, mamas praised her daughter’s style. That was the beginning of Briar Handmade. I can’t even express how happy I am that Ranchel started her bonnet mission. Emmas ivory bonnet is 100% Hemp Linen, Medium weight, lined with 100% Pima cotton and perfect for all seasons.
I was introduced to another bonnet via Instagram and soon discovered it had Mila name written all over it. The cut is a little different and when I put it on her it was as if it was made for her. Laupers Kids designs and produce stylish clothing for babies and children. All of their products are exclusively Made in Spain. This bonnet has a beautiful knit design and has a little less coverage than other bonnets which is perfect for Mila’s tiny face. They also design the most beautiful clothing pieces I have ever seen. As I was typing up this blog post it took everything not to stop, shop and buy all of the beautifully handmade clothing pieces.
toooooo sunny!!
