seasons – my six spring essentials

Posted on by

0

1 – sunnies – I’ve been searching for the perfect sunnies to replace my last (broken) pair and I knew I wanted some round modern retro cat eyes. I know i know, that’s a mouth full! But take a look below…there are so many options! I ended up snagging a yellow and green Lucite pair at Target for super cheap. Now I don’t have to worry so much about Harriet grabbing them and snapping them in two like my last pair! BTW – I want ALL OF THESE!

sunnies!
2 – straw cowgirl hat – Oh man, why didn’t anyone tell me that straw hats are so amazing? I totally would have gotten one earlier! I bought one recently and it’s perfect for protecting me from the sun. I use it in the garden and at the playground — two places I spend a LOT of time.
sun hats!

3 – a good book – I’ve been trying to read 1Q84 since before it even came out. I even checked out a digital copy for my kindle from the library and I still never even started it! My friend Brad recently loaned me his copy and it’s sitting here next to me taunting me — I suppose it’s time to bust it out and give it a go! I would also like to read Ender’s Game (my favorite book hands down) and The Great Gatsby before I head to the theaters to see their film versions. I like to get a refresher before seeing the film just so I can pick the film apart – haha. No, I don’t really do that. But I do like to feel like I know the story before the film taints my ideas of an already amazing book. I also have a list 20-25 books long that need read for my doula certification. What’s on the top of that pile? Natural Healthy Babies and Children by Aviva Jill Romm and Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. These are required reading for anyone doing the type of (((work))) I plan to do. For me, this is a HUGE list of books and seems terribly daunting and exciting. It’s going to be a great summer for reading!

summer reading
4 – reusable water bottle filled with herbal infusion – I have a tendency not to drink as much water as I need and have found that if I take the time to brew an herbal infusion that I’m more likely to remember to drink it. So I like to have herbs steeping as often as possible. The combination of dried herbs I use are: red raspberry leaf, nettle, alfalfa,  oat straw, rose hips and chamomile. There herbs are nutrient rich and chock full of vitamins and minerals so I’m basically getting a multi-vitamin and water all in one glass jar or bottle!
herbal water...

5 -  my new bike and bike trailer – For my birthday I received a new (used) bike from Pat and his parents. We also received a bike trailer for Harriet at the baby shower from our friend Jonah (AWESOME!) and I’ve been getting out and about with Harriet almost every day lately. Harriet LOVES our bike rides and I am getting a major workout pulling Harriet, the trailer and the diaper bag behind me. I can feel my body toning up and becoming leaner and more toned. It had been a very long time (more than two years!) since I had ridden a bike and I missed it so intensely and now that I’m back behind the handlebars I can hardly imagine not riding! There is something new and awesome about riding with Harriet, it feels so celebratory and I get so energized having her with me — I’ve noticed that when I’m pulling that load I am better capable of handling the stress of it. When I’m alone I get worn out so  much faster even though I’m pulling less weight. That feels so special to me. I love her energy and the energy she gives me! There is also something very nostalgic about riding along with Pat next to us. When Pat and I were first dating we would ride everywhere together and that all ended shortly before I became pregnant. Now we ride along and it feels new yet totally sentimentality!

***Harriet and I both wear helmets when we ride — SAFETY FIRST!! if you want recommendations for a kid’s helmet please ask!***

cafe_latte_disc_blk_600instep6 – a large thick scarf – I seriously can not say enough about how important scarfs are to my every day! I use them for everything! I wrap it around my neck while I ride my bike to protect myself from the wind. Scarfs are the added layer I need once the sun goes down and the Bay Area weather gets intensely chilly even on the hottest summer days. I use scarfs as impromptu picnic blankets, head wraps, makeshift satchels and of course as a fashion accessory! I could hardly live without scarfs in any weather!

scarfs
xoxo – grace

ritual – nature inspired pyramid diy

Posted on by

0

 ”Pyramid is symbolic of a mountain. A Square base represents the four corners of the World and the four directions.
Its peak rises to the sky, piercing the heavens, where it connects Heaven and Earth.
It is a path between the worldly and the heavenly.”nature pyramid diy

I needed to feel one with my physical and spiritual self and knew that a subtle form of meditation was necessary. Lately I’ve been playing around with ways to meditate without actually meditating. Usually I go out and walk a chalk labyrinth in my back yard, but the other day the thought came to me to create something instead – something that got me out in nature but also involved math. I wanted to hold in my hands a piece of the earth and I wanted to manipulate it without thinking – so a pyramid was born!

I gathered some fragile twigs from a lemon tree in our yard that had recently been cut back and snapped them into 8 equal lengths. I then formed a square with 4 of the lengths, wrapping and tying off some black jute twine I had laying around. I then attached a single twig to each corner and then tied them off in the center. It was super simple, though the twigs were very fragile and I had to be gentle with them to keep them from snapping.

The pyramid now sits upon my evolving altar to remind me of my little meditation and be a witness to my self-awareness.

Do you  have any little simple meditation activities to share? What helps you to be calm and connected?

xoxo – grace

spring cleaning & shedding some ‘skin’

Posted on by

1

I recently participated in the launch of Hillary Rain’s new blog Spirit Soul Earth and as much as I wish ONE thing/day/person/event wouldn’t have such a huge impact on me, it most certainly did. Hillary Rain touched me, deeply, and I’ve felt the echoes of that touch reverberating for days. I bore witness to her sensitivity and compassion, her energy and passion and I was lifted up. Surprisingly to me I feel better capable of reaching out to the world with that same passion and (com)passion.  I feel like I’ve found the tools needed to shed layers of skin and I’ve found the tools to see what is in front of me with open eyes and an open heart. The crazy thing for me is that I know that if Spirit Soul Earth and Hillary Rain did not exist, or if I had never happened upon her former blog and signed up for her email list…if if if…I would still be fretting and I would still be content in my emotionally negative bubble.

So, this post is dedicated to you Miss Rain! Kudos to you and your EXTRAordinary self!

There are two steps I feel I need to take to cleanse my home, body and soul. Spring cleaning of my physical surroundings will help set the stage for what is to come when I shed the nasty layers from my body and soul and bring in all sorts of positive energy. (((***sometimes a run-on sentence is necessary***)))

First and foremost, Pat and I will be going through a huge Spring Cleaning Cleaning ritual. Purging and creating and rearranging and just plain setting the scene for the awesomeness that is to come! There has been a lot of negative energy all around due to a general postpartum funk and our physical space never really ever being fully functional. Now we’re adjusting to having a toddler in the house and so the dynamic in the house from a year ago is completely different. Change is due!

photo(24)

The second step in this process is Shedding Skin and embracing my new self, nourishing my body and soul. Food, friends, family, community, self-confidence, service and love. Everything in my life right now is new but my way of dealing with the events in my life is based in the old. It’s time for shedding that old life and birthing a new and better me!

photo(25)

The past two years have been a rebirth and everything I know and live is so real and new. To fully love and be present for my little family and be able to serve my greater community is my highest goal.  Now I must empower myself for the challenge – I am humble and ready.

xoxo – grace

we will be wed – flowers

Posted on by

0

Some of you might not know this already, but Pat and I are planning to have a wedding ceremony and celebration this summer! It’s very important to both of us to celebrate our little family with our wider family and community who are oh so special to us! We really feel like we have the best of both worlds; the family that was chosen for us and the family we have chosen are both supportive, inspiring and full of love.  I can hardly wait to have everyone together in one place to celebrate with us!

Planning our big day is both overwhelming and exciting! Yesterday we met with our florists Crimson Horticulture Rarities and, though I won’t be sharing exactly what look we’ve chosen, I do want to share with you what has inspired our choices. Expect bunches of herbs and edibles and interesting flowers – green, yellow, indigo, black and white! Oh, I am so excited to see what the ladies of Crimson Horticulture Rarities come up with for big celebration!

Check out some of the images that inspired us!

apothecaryjars flowers emily g photography Portland Headshot Photographer frida

jarsandflowersbouquet1/2/3/4/5/6

xoxo – grace

mama’s rippers remix challenge!

Posted on by

2

In the past year two things have limited my wardrobe — pregnancy and my postpartum body and a rash of mold in our closets. What clothes I had left that still fit me were almost all wiped out by the mold. So what I’m left with is mostly new as well as a few salvaged items that still fit. Pat compared my closet to what happens after you clear out your record collection and sell all the unwanted junk, what you’re left with are all “rippers”. So at this point I’m left with a closet full of rippers and that’s fine with me! A year ago my closet was packed with clothes (most of which I didn’t wear anyway). Now it’s easy to sort through and not only can I see everything available to me with just a glance, but I could reach in grab a perfect outfit without much thought if I wanted to! As a mom I can’t imagine anything better than a task that simple! I rarely have to think about what I’m going to “put together” because basically everything goes with everything else. Woot! Staying motivated to take that step is a totally different hurdle though!

photo(23)

In the past I’ve participated in Kendi‘s 30X30 outfit remix and Ive decided to start a similar project! I have more than 30 items (though not much more) and it would be inspiring for me to see what I can create with my closet of rippers! I’m also hoping that by doing this little challenge I can motivate to “get dressed” every day. Mamahood has really made it difficult for me think and care about myself. If I can just do this little thing — spoil myself with cute clothes — every day — hopefully I can show the world and myself that I care about ME as well as my sweet little girl.

As much as I think rampant consumerism is detrimental to my family and community, I also think that feeling good about myself is more important some times. And let’s face it, this lady loves clothes and expressing her personal style! So with my limitations and goals in mind I am going to embark on a little restyle/remix journey.

My outfits must allow me to:

  • Crawl around on the floor and chase after a rambunctious 17mo, garden, walk several miles pushing a stroller and get house work done. All without ruining my clothes.
  • Nurse comfortably in public without a lot of hullabaloo. I simple want to lift my shirt and go.
  • LAYERS. The weather in Berkeley and the SF Bay Area is beyond unpredictable. What often starts off as a cool and foggy day will quickly switch to hot and sunny and then back to biting cold once the sun goes down. I must be able to add and discard layers as needed.

The goals are this:

  • Get dressed every day — even if I’m just going out into the yard to garden and toss the ball around with my little one.
  • Use what I have in my closet to create new creative outfits.
  • Be conscious of what I need and where it comes from when shopping for new items. At the moment I need a new pair of flats, a nursing bra, sunglasses and a sun hat. Do I buy these at Target or do I search out local and/or independent stores, designers and artists? What can I afford? What makes most sense for me at the time? I’ll be happy as long as I’m thinking my decisions through — some times I simply can’t buy the eco-friendly (forty dollar pair) sunglasses at the boutique down the street, but need to just buy the $5 pair from Target because some eye protection is better than no eye protection.

20130418-203241.jpg

20130418-203253.jpg

20130418-203302.jpg

My first Mama’s Rippers outfit is super comfy and reflects my edgy bohemian aesthetic. Since it’s separates I can easily nurse Harriet and the peplum on the top disguises my post prego tummy that is taking ages to disappear. Oh yes, I still have hope for getting back to my pre-pregnancy athletic build! Boots are my go-to almost always and since I only have three pairs of shoes at the moment (black boots, Bass flatforms, and Doc Marten saddle shoes) it’s good I love them so much!

  • Vintage African print skirt – thrifted – there are amazing African print skirts here, here and here!
  • Striped peplum top – from Sears sale rack – more cute peplum tops here, here and here.
  • Brown studded leather skinny belt – Anthropoligie.com – This is the only belt I own at the moment. Every single belt I had was covered in mold. Similar style here.
  • Black Chevron tights – I’ve had them forever. Thankfully the mold didn’t affect my tights and leggings!
  • Marisa Haskell Paso necklace – a gift from my friend Casey
  • Greyson lace-up suede boots – these are from Free People and were my birthday splurge — I love them!!!

I would love it if other mamas would participate in this with me. We deserve to spoil ourselves as well as our kiddos! If you do participate please follow wildweedsdirtyhair on instagram and use hashtag #mamasrippers and #mamastyle and please link back to this post if you blog about it! I’m super excited to see what other mamas are wearing, so also leave a comment with a link to your blog so I (and others) can check it out!

-grace

mama’s kitchen – raw vegan oat milk

Posted on by

0

I dream of waking early in the morning, getting a loaf of bread in the oven and finishing the batch of oat or rice milk that has been soaking over night — all before Pat and Harriet wake for the day. I dream of self sufficiency. I want to grown my own food, make my own clothes and toys for the little one, build my own home equipped with eco-conscious materials, fixtures and solar panels. I want to save my family money as well as have as little of an effect of the environment as possible. I suppose these are lofty ideals that most people would assume are unattainable, and maybe some of them are, but things like making my own oat milk, rather than purchasing a gallon of oat or rice milk every other day or so, definitely ARE attainable. In fact, I’ve been making my own raw oat milk for the past few days. Not only am I saving a ridiculous amount of money and am lessening the amount of packaging we use, but we’ve also made fewer trips to the grocery store saving us hours a week! So in the end this miniscule amount of self-sufficiency has saved us time, money, packaging AND I get the satisfaction of knowing that I’ve made something by hand that my family will use and love.homemade raw vegan oat milk

The best thing about this recipe is that it is so easy and so forgiving! I researched and made several oat milk recipes before I settled on the things I liked and disliked about each of them. The recipes I tried that called for cooking the oats were all way too slimy and I really didn’t like them at all. Some of them were too watery or too gritty. Some called for oat groats or steel cut oats which honestly I avoided simply because I wanted to use the least expensive option. In the end I developed my own recipe that is just sweet enough, just salty enough, smooth and silky, totally raw and totally vegan. Oh, and it’s oh so yummy!

The tools you will need are:

  • Gallon sized BPA free container with an air tight lid. I use around tupperware style food storage container.
  • Blender of food processor – I use a stick blender when I make mine but any blender or food processor will work. Just be sure not to fill them too full or liquid will be everywhere.
  • Fine mesh strainer – I double strain mine with a regular mesh strainer and then follow it with an even finer mesh strainer normally used for straining coffee and tea because I really like to get most of the grit out.
  • pitcher or glass jars to store milk in the refrigerator.

4 cups water
1 cup rolled oats
1 tsp sea salt
1 tbs raw agave syrup

COMBINE the water, oats, agave and salt in the air tight container and let sit all day or over night. I tend to let it sit for at least 6 hours and shake it around a couple times if I’m making it during the

BLITZ the contents with an immersion blender in its soaking container OR in smaller batches in a blender or food processor. Just be sure if you use a blender or food prcessor that you don’t use too much of the mixture or it will spray everywhere!

STRAIN or double strain the mixture into a larger container or into pitcher or glass jars.

DRINK

homemade raw vegan oat milk ingredients

phonto(3)

phonto(2)

I’ve used this recipe on cereal, in pancakes, in vegan mac n cheese and straight up with homemade chocolate chip cookies warm out of the oven. I’ve used it in my tea (Awesome) and coffee (not so awesome), but what I haven’t tried YET is adding some extra agave along with some spices for a sweet treat or using it in my favorite hot cocoa recipe. I guess I have to get on that!

So, this all means I’m a “good mom” right? Right? I’m totally patting myself of the back for this one! I hope you enjoy making oat milk as much as I have, because really it’s a bizarre amount of fun!

xoxo – grace