Monday, September 29, 2014

DIY Mermaid Costume & picking grandma's flowers

DIY kids Halloween mermaid costume fin you can walk in starfish headband Ivy and Company

DIY kids Halloween mermaid costume fin you can walk in starfish headband Ivy and CompanySo this post is about a year overdue. Last year for Halloween, Ivy was a mermaid.  I don't know how much of a DIY this will actually be, because I made this costume so long ago! Let me try to jog my memory… 

DIY kids Halloween mermaid costume fin you can walk in starfish headband Ivy and CompanyBasically I bought purple clearance fabric and made a tube top with elastic and some pleats. I used a peach-colored elastic headband to make a little halter strap. I used my seaweed ribbon and a real starfish from the year before's costume (see the Starfish costume here). For the skirt/mermaid fin, I measured Ivy's waist and cut out a maxi style skirt out of the scalloped fabric, a little wider than her waist and added elastic to the waist. I made the bottom edge come to a point in the middle. Then I used the blue/green batik fabric to make fins (8 panels to make 4 panels - 2 fins on the front, 2 on the back.) I sewed giant sparkly green rik rak on the front 2 fins, then sewed them all to the pointed edges of the skirt. 
PROBLEM: kids can't walk in mermaid fins

DIY kids Halloween mermaid costume fin you can walk in starfish headband Ivy and CompanyTo solve this problem, I made a slit up the back of the skirt/mermaid fin. Then I added snaps on the side of the fin and skirt, so it could be hiked up. Oila! She can walk!
DIY kids Halloween mermaid costume fin you can walk in starfish headband Ivy and CompanyOur ritual each year is to go to the beach in front of my grandma's condo and take pictures of Ivy in her Halloween costume. It's actually not my grandma's condo anymore. She passed away a few years ago when Ivy was about 2. I remember going to show my grandma my Halloween costume every year growing up, and it seemed to bring her so much joy. She loved seeing the grandkids all dressed up. Every time I take Ivy, I remind her about who her "G-Gma" was and that this was where she lived and talk about how special she was. She and my grandpa's ashes are spread in the ocean right where Ivy is looking. 

What was crazy on last year's trip to the condo is that Ivy stopped on the sidewalk exactly in front of my grandma's condo and picked a flower for me. I couldn't believe it! She had no idea that she was exactly in front of G-Gma's condo, (it's been remodeled by the new owners), but also, I picked flowers from that same bush for 20+ years, and gave them to my grandma. 
DIY kids Halloween mermaid costume fin you can walk in starfish headband Ivy and Company

I don't know what Ivy is going to be this year… we are on a different island now, but will have a chance in mid-October to go visit my grandma's beach. I better get my act together and make a costume! (And hopefully it's beach-themed again, haha). 

DIY kids Halloween mermaid costume fin you can walk in starfish headband Ivy and Company

This girl makes it too easy to take pictures! She's just up for anything. Don't you love the starfish head band? A friend of mine saw I was making a mermaid costume, and said she had the PERFECT head band for it. Pearls and starfish. I love it!

DIY kids Halloween mermaid costume fin you can walk in starfish headband Ivy and Company

If you have more questions as to how to make this costume, feel free to comment or email me. 
Sorry the DIY part of this post is pretty lame… haha. 

Aloha, Becca

DIY kids Halloween mermaid costume fin you can walk in starfish headband Ivy and Company

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Thursday, September 25, 2014

LOCAL SPOT: a. ell design & atelier - now carrying Ivy & Co.!

a. ell atelier  designs, Hawaii, Kauai, where to buy, Heather Brown, Caitlin Ross Odom, Cultivate Hawaii, Kopa Kauai, Kaikini, Denise Tjarks
I am so excited to announce that Ivy & Co. head bands, boho wraps and clothes pins are now sold in a. ell designs & atelier! The shop is located on Kauai in Old Town Kapaa (with a new store opening soon in Portland!) I've known the owner for about 7 years through our businesses (her store, my dance classes), so I was so excited when everything lined up for me to put my products in her shop.

a. ell atelier  designs, Hawaii, Kauai, where to buy, Heather Brown, Caitlin Ross Odom, Cultivate Hawaii, Kopa Kauai, Kaikini, Denise TjarksThis is the display Kit & I created. My vision, his drilling, then he painted it, (without my permission, and I about had a cow), but it turned out great. You know me, I was going to paint it black! Regardless, it turned out awesome. It's a wooden picture frame and a wooden box I found at the Habitat Restore.
a. ell atelier  designs, Hawaii, Kauai, where to buy, Heather Brown, Caitlin Ross Odom, Cultivate Hawaii, Kopa Kauai, Kaikini, Denise Tjarks
Some close ups of the head bands and bohos that went to a. ell designs & atelier.
a. ell atelier  designs, Hawaii, Kauai, where to buy, Heather Brown, Caitlin Ross Odom, Cultivate Hawaii, Kopa Kauai, Kaikini, Denise Tjarks

For starters, they carry a.ell designs (aloha shirt on the left, and the polka dot shirts in the middle). 

a. ell atelier  designs, Hawaii, Kauai, where to buy, Heather Brown, Caitlin Ross Odom, Cultivate Hawaii, Kopa Kauai, Kaikini, Denise Tjarks
They have fun hats. The one on the right is part of the a.ell designs collection. (Buy it here!)
a. ell atelier  designs, Hawaii, Kauai, where to buy, Heather Brown, Caitlin Ross Odom, Cultivate Hawaii, Kopa Kauai, Kaikini, Denise Tjarks
They carry some great bags from local designers: Clutch and Denise Tjarks.
I love my Clutch coin purse!
a. ell atelier  designs, Hawaii, Kauai, where to buy, Heather Brown, Caitlin Ross Odom, Cultivate Hawaii, Kopa Kauai, Kaikini, Denise Tjarks
Bikinis by Kauai designer Kaikini and Barcelona-based Desigual.
a. ell atelier  designs, Hawaii, Kauai, where to buy, Heather Brown, Caitlin Ross Odom, Cultivate Hawaii, Kopa Kauai, Kaikini, Denise Tjarks

a. ell atelier  designs, Hawaii, Kauai, where to buy, Heather Brown, Caitlin Ross Odom, Cultivate Hawaii, Kopa Kauai, Kaikini, Denise TjarksI love the raw edge on these Kopa Kauai soaps. Sandalwood, Lavender, Lychee, Papaya - they smell wonderful! 

a. ell atelier  designs, Hawaii, Kauai, where to buy, Heather Brown, Caitlin Ross Odom, Cultivate Hawaii, Kopa Kauai, Kaikini, Denise TjarksSince I'm obsessed with tea towels right now, I think these Cultivate Hawaii tea towels are perfection. Made with 100% organic cotton!

Their extensive jewelry display contains designs by:


a. ell atelier  designs, Hawaii, Kauai, where to buy, Heather Brown, Caitlin Ross Odom, Cultivate Hawaii, Kopa Kauai, Kaikini, Denise Tjarks

Art work by Heather Brown is all over the shop.

a. ell atelier  designs, Hawaii, Kauai, where to buy, Heather Brown, Caitlin Ross Odom, Cultivate Hawaii, Kopa Kauai, Kaikini, Denise Tjarks

I love this quote from the a. ell website:

"Enjoy Island wear with a classic flair, fabrics that are environmentally sensitive, and clothing designs that not only look “hot” but are cool, comfortable and fun to wear.  High quality, naturally eco-friendly, exquisite fabrics and guaranteed workmanship are hallmarks of an a. ell design. Specializing in casual island wear for men, women and children, beach style wedding dresses and home decor."

The next time you pass through Kapaa or Portland, hit up a. ell design & atelier
If you're not on island, browse their website.


a. ell designs & atelier Kauai
4-1320 Kuhio Hwy
Kapaa, HI 96746
Monday -Saturday 10-6
Sunday 11-5

a. ell designs & atelier Portland
3535 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214… coming Nov. 2014

Aloha, Rebecca


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Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Before & After: Nautical Side Table

before and after chalk paint black and blue side table with nautical map accents
There's a particular thrift store around here that, well, scares me a little. Let's just say I don't think they're actually in the business of thrifting, and they come up with outrageous prices off the top of their foggy heads. (Am I being mean? Not naming any names!) I finally went in there because I could see some wooden gems in their lot, and thankfully walked away with this cute side table:

before and after chalk paint black and blue side table with nautical map accents

It's most recent stain/varnish/glue (who knows) was warped from the sun, so this was definitely going to have to be on the shabby chic side of the spectrum, which is not my frequent style. After sanding my brains out I realized the rippled varnish was not going to give in, so I whipped out my Long Island Sound maps. (Remember when I got them here?) 

before and after chalk paint black and blue side table with nautical map accents

I got Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint from Home Depot in the color "vintage" and painted the whole outside in that. 
before and after chalk paint black and blue side table with nautical map accents

before and after chalk paint black and blue side table with nautical map accents

Then I did the inside in black chalk paint (drawer inside also). 

before and after chalk paint black and blue side table with nautical map accents

I modge podged the maps on the 3 horizontal surfaces. The bubbling was a little tricky (sorry, no tips on that issue) but I pushed them out as best as I could. I modge podged over the maps, then waxed the whole thing with clear wax. Remember - Measure twice, cut once! I wasted a square of this precious map :(

before and after chalk paint black and blue side table with nautical map accents

before and after chalk paint black and blue side table with nautical map accents

Oh yes, and it got a new knob. Faux crystal. 

before and after chalk paint black and blue side table with nautical map accents

Kit wants it next to his side of the bed, but sorry hubs, it's for sale. 
(Comment or email me if you're interested: ivyandco@icloud.com). 
before and after chalk paint black and blue side table with nautical map accentsbefore and after chalk paint black and blue side table with nautical map accents

before and after chalk paint black and blue side table with nautical map accents

I must say, I'm really enjoying buying, rehabbing and selling from the Garden Isle! 

Aloha, Rebecca
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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Playing On My Pod #6 - Who has the #1 album in the country?

playing on my pod - Ivy & Co - top songs of the week - new music - instagram accounts to follow

5 new songs to start this week off right! (Sunday-Monday are my days off… so I start my week  on Tuesday. It works out because then I never hate Mondays!) FYI- this week's first 3 picks are pretty mellow, and the last two are straight hip hop. Lecrae has the #1 album in the country! 

1. Endless Love Suite, by Christophe Beck

2. Ever After, by Josh Kramer


3. Bottled Up Tight, by Luke Sital-Singh

4. Say I Won't, by Lecrae (feat. Andy Mineo) 


5. King Like Mine, by Trip Lee 

Also, are you following me on Instagram? If not, get to it! Every Friday I feature 4 new awesome accounts that you'd just love (if your taste is AT ALL like mine, and I'm assuming it might be, since you're here, reading my top 5 songs of the week!) Here's link to the last 2 weeks:

playing on my pod - Ivy & Co - top songs of the week - new music - instagram accounts to follow
Click here to view

playing on my pod - Ivy & Co - top songs of the week - new music - instagram accounts to follow
Click here to view

playing on my pod - Ivy & Co - top songs of the week - new music - instagram accounts to follow
Click here to view

Aloha,
Rebecca
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Saturday, September 20, 2014

Quotes from "When To Speak Up (and When Not To)" - Part 1 of 3

My mother-in-law gave my husband a book a few weeks ago. Neither one of us read books, but for some reason I picked up this one and it's been blowing me away: 

"When To Speak Up (and When Not To)"
Godly Principles for Conversations You Won't Regret
By Dr. Michael D. Sedler

quotes when to speak up michael seder book review Christian self help

The subject matter is simple: communication. But we all know how complex that can be. 

Disclaimer: These are quotes from the aforementioned book. They are not written by me, but are merely excepts from the book. To gain the full context of the quotes, please read the book in its entirety. 

Let's glean from some quotes from the first 3 chapters:

"...to the tongue, All the limbs of man are erect but you are horizontal; they are all outside the body but you are inside. More than that, I have surrounded you with two walls, one of bone and the other if flesh." p. 18

In regards to Adam not speaking up when Eve ate the forbidden fruit:

"Adam was not being caring, protective or loving. On the contrary, he was being selfish, self-absorbed and perhaps fearful. The price of his silence is staggering." p. 22

"Our silence will only create a spiritual death within us." p. 25

quotes when to speak up michael seder book review Christian self help

In regards to David slaying Goliath:

"The army of Israel had been given the honor of protecting the people, yet they were shrinking back. David saw this and it violated the sense of shepherding so ingrained in his spirit... David knew the cost of losing a battle... Due to his understanding and experience, David was able to respond to the challenges from Goliath with authority." p. 31, 33

"Too often we speak emotionally or act impulsively, not having assessed the whole situation. While we may disagree with what we see, we must be sure that our actions are valid." p. 32

"Too often we feel that we must elevate ourselves to a person's level of authority or position in order to speak truth into his or her life... When we are willing to pour into the lives of others through obedience, God often open their ears." p. 33

"If you want to maximize the possibility of others "hearing" your voice, it is imperative they see your heart of service. Too often the heart people see in others is the heart of "self-service," which breeds suspicion and animosity... If you feel compelled to confront a situation, it is imperative to step forth with a heart of humility and service." p. 34

"When we feel the desire to speak up in a particular situation, it is important to understand each nuance as completely as possible. Too often, we blunder ahead and find out that we did not have all the facts. Asking questions is an excellent way to garner information before formulating a plan. It also shows those who are involved that we are interested in their ideas and thoughts." p. 35

"Timing, timing, timing. Test the temperature of the water before jumping in... Get the information you need so that you can better pick and choose the appropriate times to bring up issues." p. 37


quotes when to speak up michael seder book review Christian self help

"When we find ourselves in a place of confrontation, it behooves us not to come against an individual, but to help people expand their perspectives and see the possibilities in God." p. 37

"While it is not always necessary to have a great deal of experience or knowledge in order to have a strong belief system, it may affect the receptivity of the persons with whom we are sharing... we are most effective when we are motivated to encourage and educate." p. 38


quotes when to speak up michael seder book review Christian self help

"When we are caught up with "proving" something, it often turns into a power struggle." p. 39

"If a problem is addressed with accusation and innuendo, the only results are frustration and defensiveness. Instead of attacking one another, we need to attack the problem." p. 40

Good stuff, huh? It's even better in context, because Dr. Sedler lays it out so nicely with pertinent stories. There's 7 more chapters to summarize, so stay tuned! 

Aloha, Rebecca

quotes when to speak up michael seder book review Christian self help Kauai sunset

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Friday, September 12, 2014

LOCAL SPOTS: Pagoda in Kapaa, Kauai

Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa HawaiiOn our way to pick up Thai food from Mema's last night (it's in Kapaa, dine in or take out, best Thai food ever, and the only Thai food I eat!), I noticed a new store next door, called Pagoda.  
Blue Q Bags Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa HawaiiThere have been other random shops in this spot, but this zipper pouch display, which I could see from my parking stall, caught my eye. I love these bags from Blue Q! I have a fox one, remember? (see it here). Little did I know I was going to find a treasure trove of other items in Pagoda!
There were so many things to ooh and aah over!

Hawaii License Plates Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii
Vintage Hawaii License Plates
Pie Safe Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa HawaiiThis refurbished vintage pie safe. (I have one of these, too, awaiting it's makeover!)
Pie Safe Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa HawaiiI love the screens on the side, which are part of the original design on this one. It brings in so much light!
flower frog Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa HawaiiThis might be my favorite discovery - a vintage flower frog! I've never heard of them before, but I took a poll on Facebook and Instagram, and I was surprised how many people knew what it was. How did I miss that lesson in my American Folklore class in college?! Anyways, for the uninformed, a flower frog is something you put in the bottom of a vase, and you stick your flower stems in each hole to create an evenly-dispersed arrangement. According to Liane, Pagoda's lovely owner, people are now buying them to use as paperweights, or to put their pens in them on their desks.   

Here's another version. I kind of like this one better. 
Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii flower frog
Vintage Flower Frog
Here's another cool item that apparently was popular in the 1980s: Fairy Balls. 
They have a subtle little jingle, and are shaped like globes! I'm all about these. 
Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii fairy balls
Vintage Fairy Balls - circa 1980
Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii mermaidThis little mermaid case is so cool. 
Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii black card catalogThe lighting was all wrong, but I had to take a picture of this card catalog! You know me and card catalogs. Have you seen my latest metal one? Click here
In the shabby chic corner were these little round cushions, sweet coin purses and vintage door handles.  (I'm gonna remember those door handles…)
Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii Shabby Chic Coin PursePagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii Shabby Chic cushions
Crystal Door Knobs Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii

There was also a whole lot of vintage "pacifica" goodness in Pagoda. 
Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii Kapa Cloth Wall Hanging
Kapa Cloth Wall Hanging
Glass fishing floats and pressed butterfly art. 

Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii real butterfly artPagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii glass fishing floats
Lanterns galore.
Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii chinese lanterns

A ceiling full of parasols. Gorgeous!
Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii parasol ceiling

Don't be shy, go check out Pagoda! 
Pagoda Kauai vintage antique shop store Kapaa Hawaii

Pagoda
Antiques - Gifts - Accessories
4-369 A Kuhio Hwy
Kapaa, HI 96746
(808) 821-2172

Hours:
Tue, Thu, Fri - 11am-6pm
Wed - 11am-5pm
Sat - 11am-4pm
Closed Sun-Mon

So excited I found this gem of a shop. 

Aloha, Rebecca

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