A Sleigh Bell Rings

Jingle, jingle. Jing, jing, jingle.

The sound of sleigh bells is commonplace this time of year. Friends, family, and shops hang them on doors. The bells are equally warm greeting you, "So glad you're here!" as they are bidding you, "Farewell! Until next time."

It is the sound of a single sleigh bell that is the source of one of my favorite Christmas memories.

One snowy evening, Maile's first holiday season, I was stuck. Stuck in that hour or so before bath and bedtime when, as a new mom, you aren't quite sure what to do with your baby. Peek-a-boo'd out, every board book you own read a dozen times over, too cold and dark to go outside. So we sat. I plopped down with her in front of the Christmas tree. Maile's deep brown eyes were firmly fixed on the hundreds of twinkle lights in front of her. Satisfied, I allowed my mind to wander for the first time that day.

Our house was so silent, I could almost hear the heavy snowflakes falling outside, blanketing our semi-pastoral neighborhood in a thick, pillowy down. I imagined the cattle two blocks down grouped together -- fresh powder on their broad backs, their tails flicking from the huddle in nonsensical harmony. I thought about the local prairie dogs piled in their dens, warm and dry and sleepy. Prairie dogs have family units just like people, you know ... I mentally told no one in particular. The sweet, savory aroma of warming cider suspended in the heated air.

Jingle, jingle. Jing, jing, jingle.

I was gently brought back by a tiny girl's tiny hand grasping the dark green bough in front of her. 

Jingle, jingle. Jing, jing, jingle, it sang.

I remember feeling that I was exactly where I was meant to be, a sense that so often eludes people.

Like many best memories, there are no pictures to look back on, yet I can still see, hear, smell that moment in time, as if it was just last night.

Thanks so much to the artist Patience Brewster for inspiring this post. If you are looking for whimsical ornaments, full of wonder -- involving sleigh bells or otherwise -- I encourage you to visit her page.

I'd love to read about your Christmas memories, sweet or silly, in the comments!

Baby Boy

It's still kind of hard to believe that in just a few short weeks, we'll have a little boy. As Maile gets older, I realize that even though I'm athletic, and am a rabid sports fan, I'm also pretty girly, and I love having a girl.

Equally fun (and terrifying, ha!) though, is picturing having a mini Tim cruising around our home. And I sure know Tim is thrilled to be evening the playing field around here. Above are a few things that I'm currently loving, from around the web, for our little man ...

1. A classic we somehow don't yet own. Probably due to Maile's extreme love for its companion book, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? | 2. The perfect tee. | 3. These slouchy pants are awesome. | 4. This masked, handmade plush has stolen my heart! | 5. Lindsey was so sweet to send us a custom pillow cover, and I can't wait to see it in the nursery. | 6. Little Hip Squeaks is quickly becoming a new baby standard, and the mint color of this blanket is totally on trend. | 7. A handmade, wooden, off-road adventure set. Dad would approve. | 8. His first pair of moccs will have to be Freshly Picked, of course.

10/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Maile: "Playing science," and utilizing the glass from her and Tim's rainbow-making experiment for a cool drink of water in the morning light.

Maile is fully into doing experiments with her dada; it's a new, special aspect of their relationship, and I love watching the excitement it fosters. 

Last week, I particularly enjoyed Jane Mabel, and Emma's photos. Please, pay their lovely portraits a visit.

If you haven't hopped over and said hello already, please extend a warm welcome to our newest sponsor, Alana; her blog is full of girly inspiration!

6/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Maile: The 'mad' scientist. The picture of concentration.

This week, I have to admit, this project was not at the forefront of my mind. One snowy day, though, we were having a particularly slow afternoon, and Tim grabbed some old Coke bottles, some food coloring, and the two of them had great fun mixing colors.

Last week, I particularly enjoyed Visual Love Notes', and Dressing Ivana's photos. Please, pay their lovely portraits a visit.

Maile's "Wild & Brave" tee c/o Quarkbaby. Thank you, Lindsey!

5/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Maile: Taking a breath. Jumping on the big bed.

A little girl, full of energy. I encouraged Maile to get her sillies out by jumping on the bed. And jump she did, yelling happily, "Count my jumps, Mama!"

Last week, I particularly enjoyed Alia, and Jami's photos. Please, pay their lovely portraits a visit.

Maile's "Wild & Brave" tee c/o Quarkbaby. Thank you, Lindsey!

Monday Giveaway! Kindred Oak {Closed}

Today I have a fun giveaway for you, from sponsor Kindred OAK! Paige is offering one reader a pair of Burnt Orange and Cream Ruffle Leggings (on Maile, above). We haven't forgotten about the boys, though -- the winner may select a pair of Geo Leggings in place of the girlier option. Kindred OAK is a family-inspired clothing company that features quality items everyone will love. We're huge fans, in this house!

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter widget below. The winner will be selected at random and announced this weekend.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hello, Hump Day!

Hiya, Wednesday! We love 'second week Wednesdays,' because they mean that Dada will be home to us in just a few short days, and -- let's face it -- everything is a lot more fun when our family is whole. 

This week so far, some of us wore mermaid costumes for the great majority of our waking hours (sorry to disappoint, but "some of us" = Maile). We made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. We explored Hudson Gardens (the best time of year to meander this lovely, free! venue). We ate too many biscuits (with copious amounts of gravy) for breakfast. This week has been good.

Other plans include a girls date with our friend Shea, a yard sale with neighbors (so exciting, I know), and some new material for Real Oilfield Wives. 

Here's to the rest of the week! Hope yours is fab!

PS - We have a beautiful Instagram giveaway going on right now, with sponsor Little Starling. Enter here!

Around This House

The cutest little ice cream face ever. With the sun shining through her hair, and those near-black, almond shaped eyes.

Someone likes pretending to sleep, right around what used to be her nap time. Part precious, part why-don't-you-still-take-naps-Miss-Maile?

I've been desperately trying to add an afternoon movie to our routine over the past week, as first trimester exhaustion has hit me full force.

A delectable meal of Crock Pot Savory Asian Meatballs. Tiny amount of work, big flavor ...

When Tim is home, we spend a lot of our time cooking dishes like this one.

Maile giving her dada a checkup. (He needed a shot!)

Maile's hair bow c/o Bizzy B Crafts.

Bizzy B Crafts

About two months ago, when I first started accepting sponsors of See You There, I had the pleasure of starting to get to know Brittany, of Bizzy B Crafts. Brittany quickly became one of my favorite people. I'm all about pieces for mamas and littles that you can wear all year 'round, which is the case with everything in Brittany's shop. I was really excited when Brittany, designer and businesswoman behind Bizzy B Crafts, decided to sponsor See You There, and asked Maile to be a part of her shop!

I've featured a few of the photos we've done for Bizzy B Crafts ... see more of her lovely work here. 

*And use code fall2013 for $5 off your Bizzy B Crafts order of $25 or more. Happy Weekend!

Tuesday Giveaway: Bizzy B Crafts {Closed}

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered!

The winner is Brittany B!

Brittany, please contact me at katie@seeyouthereblog.com, so I can pass along your information to Brittany L. Congratulations! 

If you didn't win, remember that Bizzy B Crafts is offering See You There readers $5 off orders of $25 or more, using code fall2013. Happy Tuesday!

Happy 'Monday' to ya! Today, we have a giveaway from Brittany, the maker of some of the prettiest hair accessories Maile has ever owned. Truly, these are those handmade pieces you know will last forever, even with little toddler hands grabbing at them all day. 

This week, one lucky reader is going to win an item from Brittany's shop, Bizzy B Crafts!

Brittany asked me to select my two favorite current items for you to select from, and here's what I came up with (not an easy decision):

This Triangle Fall Colored Felt Elastic Headband (you may also select the cool metallic color combo -- so cute). Or,

This Set of Five Neutral No Snag Hair Ties (you may also select the Chevron Set).

Every one of these items are available in sizes for girls of all ages.

To enter, Like Bizzy B Crafts on Facebook, then come back here and comment with the item you'll choose if you win!

For an additional entry, Favorite Bizzy B Crafts on Etsy. Good luck! :)

PS - Brittany is also offering See You There readers $5 off orders of $25 or more, using code fall2013. And though there are many sweet hair accessories to choose from, she also makes infinity scarves (love the simple, but bold colors of this one). So much to choose from. Happy shopping!

Little Starling

At the top of my to-do list for the past week has been to introduce you to the lovely creations of Little Starling. These breezy, ultra-girly pieces are some of my favorites for Maile, and I know Amy is on her way to great success! 

Maile is wearing the Lady Charlotte Set, and the Pinkie Pie Hair Clip. Each piece is handcrafted to perfection, and is truly beautiful. 

This weekend is a wonderful time to add some Little Starling to your own little lady's wardrobe! Simply use code back2school through midnight tonight, for 20% off your order.

As for me, I'm kind of hoping that this warm weather continues, so that Maile can wear these lightweight pieces a bit longer. Though I'm sure the top will be adorable over leggings, too!

Happy Weekend, friends.

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions and thoughts are my own. The personality and sass are all Maile. ;) For more about sponsorship, please click here. 

Tuesday Giveaway: All That Glitters

Today, we have a super-fun giveaway for you from sponsor, All That Glitters! Rebekah is offering one reader a chance to win all of the above, plus a Prettier in Hot PINK candle tin, and an additional duo of pocket-size Moleskine notebooks. 

To enter, simply follow the Rafflecopter prompts below! The collection Rebekah put together is so fun, don't you think? It looks an awful lot like all the items I want to bring home from Target, but end up putting pack before heading to the checkout. ;) (By the way, I commandeered a blue version of the Camelback Eddy from Tim, and it's my favorite!)

The winner will be randomly selected and announced this Friday. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday Giveaway: Kindred OAK {Closed}

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered!

The winner is Serena!

Serena, please contact me at mrskittymitch@gmail.com, so I can pass along your information to Paige. Congratulations!

If you didn't win, here's another fabulous giveaway for you to enter! And don't forget that I often host giveaways for mama-owned businesses, so be sure to check back often.

Happy Tuesday!

Today, I have a FABULOUS giveaway for you, from my amazing sponsor, Kindred OAK -- a chic brand that carries the trendiest handmade goods for mama and littles.

One of my favorite things about Kindred OAK, is that the creative mind behind it, Paige, is a mompreneur! Paige works so very hard to be an awesome mother, and an awesome businesswoman. She also offers custom orders, which is such a rarity!

Kindred OAK makes it easy to shop, with their vintage-classic appeal.

So, what is Kindred OAK giving away, you ask? Only one of their newest, most adorable pieces: the Chevron Turban Twist Headband! Ridiculously exciting, right?!

The winner will be able to select what color headband they want to receive: purple, navy blue, mustard, or coral (pictured). To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. A winner will be randomly selected, and announced, on Monday, May 20.

Gooooood luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What We Wore: OAK Edition

Paige, of OAK, sent Maile one of her beautiful, handmade little girl rompers, and a complementing headband -- and I'm in love! Amazing quality, gorgeous fabric, and OAK even takes custom orders. 

Maile also loves this outfit. She calls the romper her "princess rom-puh," and even wanted to wear the headband to bed! I know we're going to get a ton of use out of this little ensemble. Add a sweet pair of Salt-Waters and we're ready to take on the zoo, or a little shopping on Pearl Street ...

On Maile: Mint Knot Headband (similar here) | Rainbows & Feathers Romper

OAK creates designs for the entire family. This Nautical Infinity Scarf is a personal favorite of mine, and I can just see the softness of OAK's Men's Henley. For your wee man, the eco-friendly Turtle Graphic Tee is darling. Oh yes, little unisex leggings galore, too! 

You may have noticed that OAK is my very first sponsor here on Standpipe and Sprinkles. This is super special to me, because I've gone back and forth about offering paid sponsorship, but when Paige contacted me about sponsoring my blog, it didn't take me long to say "Yes!" I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful woman to be my first sponsor. A fellow mama, with a passion for creativity, and a heart for her adorable family. Perfect.

Ads will be offered on a limited basis, and will focus on supporting handmade, local, and small blogs and businesses. Arrangements for highlight posts or giveaways will be made on a case-by-case basis. I'll have a sponsor page up soon, but in the meantime, feel free to send me a quick email at mrskittymitch(at)gmail(dot)com!

Now, be sure to visit KindredOAK.com to see all the vintage-classic pieces Paige and her team have to offer. Paige has been kind enough to offer a 10% off discount code for Standpipe and Sprinkles readers -- just use code mitch10 through the end of April.

Happy shopping!