Suzannah Hamlin Stanley's Blog, page 71

We're calling it "the miracle house"--and it's really happening!(#stanley90sreno!)

It's alllll happening! The earnest money is in, the inspection is done, and we have applications in for our townhouse! Fingers crossed the appraisal goes well and on time; if it does we'll be moving in a month! Now I'm so excited to share more info about the house and photos with you!
As I shared last week, we switched up our search parameters (and max budget) and found a home that we think will suit us for a long time. We're surprised we could afford something so big, in such a nice location,...

We're calling it "the miracle house"--and it's really happening! (#stanley90sreno!)

It's alllll happening! The earnest money is in, the inspection is done, and we have applications in for our townhouse! Fingers crossed the appraisal goes well and on time; if it does we'll be moving in a month! Now I'm so excited to share more info about the house and photos with you!
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A bright print open shoulder top for early fall (and my birthday!)

It's my birthday tomorrow!! I made myself a new top. I've always had fun picking out my outfit for my birthday or birthday party, and a BRIGHT color or print always seemed most appropriate. I remember one childhood birthday party in the park that involved a full-skirted dress with a white background and bright gumball-colored polka dots of varying sizes (ah, the 90's).

I've come a long way since then, but I still met my brightness goal! This top was born from 1) the leftover fabulous fabr...

Playing Fixer Upper (and I need your help. Please!)

We got back into the house-hunting game. We've been off and on for the past year and a half with a few big breaks, and picked up again this summer, but the market around Portland is completely bananas and we haven't had any luck with the offers we've made. Maybe until now...

We got energized again recently. Last week we dipped our toes in again and drove around to six homes by ourselves (all but one vacant), looking in the windows and poking around the yards of the vacant ones (sshhhhhh). None...

Homemade real food, all natural, gluten-free protein bars!

I have a happy story about fitness goals for you, plus a healthy, balanced real food snack bar recipe! Perfect for back-to-school or your own on-the-go snacking needs!

So earlier this year I did an experiment and tracked my food and training sessions in MyFitnessPal and set macro goals for myself. I think I figure out that about 40% carbs, 30% protein, and 30% fat worked well for me. I tried to make each meal and snack pretty balanced with that ratio. At the time I had been doing a pretty low...

Falling in love with sewing again

I've been sewing for myself for a long time. I grew up around sewing machines but finally got the sewing bug one summer, I think right before I started college. I made myself a halter sundress from this pattern and a light bulb went off in my head and I was hooked. Oh, so THIS is how garments are put together!


Fast forward a few years. I asked for sewing machine as a graduation present from grad school and when now-husband and I got our first apartment together, I set it up in our office. I ha...

Ocean prints & paintings, and easy DIY wall art

Sometimes I do crafty projects other than sewing or cooking!!

I've been inspired lately by the beachy art print trend. Maybe because it's summer, maybe because it goes so well with indigo patterned pillows and house plants which I've also bee into lately... I wanted to bring it into my home!

Here are a few of my faves. Common elements between them are saturated, bright colors (or pastels) (mostly blues), plants, and natural wood, leather, or rattan, and fabric textures. Aren't these rooms lovel...

Versatile denim ruffle off-the-shoulder top

I just love the off-the-shoulder trend!! I've worn this top quite a few times, particularly after shortening it, and it was so fun and easy to make, so I made another! This time out of a lightweight denim and with a very different proportion to the ruffle!

I used McCall's M6558 for the ruffle and super basic loose bodice with armholes, but it's pretty basic and obviously mine doesn't look like any of the options on the pattern! I tweaked it a lot. (See below for details.)

I seriously...

Celebrating our anniversary two ways--and a giveaway!

We celebrated our FIFTH wedding anniversary last week. FIVE years ago we became married people! FIVE years ago I made my wedding dress and bridesmaids' dresses, made vintage-inspired decor for our wedding venue, gathered our friends and family for a very personal service, and danced the night away. (See all my wedding posts here.) SO much has changed since then in our relationship and we're happier than ever and excited to celebrate!!

We've done little getaways around our anniversaries in the...

White oversized polka dot shift dress, new LWD

I love the LWD (little white dress). There is just something special about an all-white lacy top or dress for summer! I've made quite a few. (I think my favorite is this one from last summer.) But I tried something new this time around with a simple shape and a very cool woven textured huge polka dot voile!

I used my go-to plain shift dress pattern, Simplicity 2584 (see all my versions of it here). You could use any basic shift dress pattern. I am used to doing ma...