An Office Chair for O

I took O to Ikea yesterday after school. Which can be a bit painful if I actually want to browse. But this time I just needed coat hangers. And a couple vases for a booth display idea I had.  Which meant we really just needed to visit the Children's section and then head out.

In the middle of the Children's section (literally - sitting in the middle of an aisle) sat a child-sized office chair.  Oh, the exclamations of excitement.  "It's just like Dad's!"  It swiveled.  It had a lever that made it go up and down.  It fit him perfectly.  And it had a big sticker on it that said it was from the As Is section and was previously a floor model/display and was marked down.

As he sat and swiveled, a salesperson came over.  She had never seen one before.  She didn't know they carried those.  She looked like she was going to take it if I told O no.

I don't very often buy the kids things just because they ask for them.  But really, this was just cool.  And less than $14 dollars.  And actually useful.  I put it in the cart.  Ollie sat on it.  In the cart.  For the rest of the shopping trip.

We were stopped again by another staff person on our way out.  Where did we find it?  A child size office chair?  They'd never seen it before either.

So I checked online when I got home.  And found this.  It turns out it is not actually 'child-size', though it fits perfectly and is just right for his art table, and can be found with all the other office chairs.  It is noted on the Ikea website to be 'appropriate for children'.  For O, it is perfect. Score.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual of SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Hello, Old Friend

A couple months ago, after much wanting to add new designs, I stopped making new Reversible Roundabout Dresses.  You see, I had run into an interesting dilemma.  They kept selling.  So I kept making more.  Which meant that I didn't really do anything else.  Don't get me wrong.  I love making these dresses.  And of course, I love shopping for the fabric that they are made out of (definitely my favorite part of all this), but I really wanted to do something different for a little while.

So I stopped.


I had a good inventory stocked up and figured I had some time to deplete that before I would need to make more.


Instead, I made Treasure Totes.  And Lunchbox Napkins.  And started making Twirly Skirts.

And now, with the GFS Craft Show looming, I took stock and realized that I actually needed to make a few more Reversible Roundabouts.


So, I've been ironing and cutting.  Yesterday I did the first set of sewing.  And honestly?  It felt like coming home.  I know these curves.  My hands know them.  My machine knows them.  I've missed them.


So it was nice to visit them again.  Just a couple for now, but I hear them calling me.  Just in time to get ready for summer.

The List


Every morning I wake up with a list in my head.  A litany, if you will.  Before I even open my eyes, it is there.  What I want to do that that day.  What I want to do better.
  • Sew
  • Take Pictures
  • Post something in my Etsy Shop
  • Make the space I live in more beautiful (and/or organized) than it was the day before
  • Eat healthier
  • And less
  • Exercise
  • Be a better parent
  • Be more patient with my kids
  • Blog
  • Be present
  • Appreciate the Day
Some days I'm better than others.  Some days I feel like I've done more.  Done better.

I used to worry that waking up with this list meant that I wasn't getting any of it done.  But I'm coming to realize that it is part of recognizing that every day is new.  And every day is a fresh start.  And every day I have another chance to try a little harder.

What's on your list?