DIY Toddler Scarecrow Costume

I decided to give it a shot... My very first DIY toddler costume!!!

For those that know me in "real life," know this is a HUGE step for me.

I'm usually really good at paying people to make things rather than even attempting to try them myself.

I'm telling ya, something has gotten into me! You amazingly talented bloggers are rubbing off!!! I decided, what the heck, I'll give it a shot and how bad can it be. I was so thrilled with how it came out that I think I sent the Instagram images below to everyone in my family including a few friends. I think they were all just as shocked to see me being crafty.

We went to a Harvest Festival at a local church today and I was able to try out the costume on my little man. The costume was an absolute hit. People were stopping and staring at his cuteness! And best of all, I didn't see ONE other scarecrow there! Now, trying to take pics of a 19 month old boy at a festival is nearly impossible. I got a few and hope to get more tomorrow when we are out trick-or-treating. It will be our first time taking the kids around our neighborhood!

As for the DIY scarecrow costume... well, I was concentrating too hard to even think about taking pics of the steps, but here are all the "ingredients" that I used. 

BEFORE

AFTER

Since we are out in San Diego, I thought the surfer style trucker hat made the perfect accessory. Sawyer won't ever wear hats, but he actually kept it on most of the evening. I was stoked. 

Oh and FYI, I have never cut Addyson's or Sawyer's hair. I thought the "wings" of hair on the sides made him look more in costume. LOL. 

A few pics of my little man modeling the costume. 

{More of Snow White and her rainbow tiara tomorrow}

Looking at my little loves in their costumes today made me kind of sad... I couldn't believe how big my boy was... 

This was him 1 year ago... 

My little sock monkey is growing up too fast!

And my little bunny has now turned into a princess.. 

Oh let the tears begin!! 

 Wishing you all a safe and happy Halloween!

You can follow me on Instagram @heathermhawthorne

{Linking up here, here, here, here, here, here, here }

WIW {wine tasting}

 We live about 20 miles from a pretty amazing row of wineries. I don't know about you, but I love a crisp, not too sweet, chilled glass of wine. I love red as well, but white always sounds so refreshing. 

This weekend I met a dear friend up at one of the local wineries. We used to cheer together in college and even moved to Hawaii together for school. We are both back on the mainland now, but cherish those memories and catch up as often as our busy lives allow us. 

The winery we went to was absolutely beautiful and I'm really annoyed at myself for not even taking an instagram photo. What was I thinking! Ugh.

But this is what I wore wine tasting... and I had a little fun and messed around with the editing process and used a color technique called cross process. I thought it made quite boring photos look a little more fun. haha. Oh the simple things... 

I also sported the messy bun inspired by the always lovely Casey Wiegand and notice the Momma Rake headband! LOVE.

Top: Marshalls {cheap!!}

Jeans: Jolt {Nordstrom Rack}

Boots: Reference

Necklace: Kaemaloche Jewelry

Headband: Momma Rake

Watch: Michael Kors

photographer: the awesome hubby

{Linking up here, here, here }

Instagram Friday. Tidal Wave.

My business comes in waves. They are usually slow and steady.  

This week a tidal wave hit. 

I'm a spray tan technician and I give my clients a healthy alternative to frying themselves under the bulbs in a tanning bed, which out here in San Diego, is very common. I swear you see tanning salons as much as you see Starbucks. Okay, maybe not that much, but you get my point. ☺

I used to tan under the bulbs myself, until I realized how much damage I was doing to my skin. I decided to save my skin once I had kids. It's funny how your perspective can change on things as we get older. Oh hindsight is always 20/20!

My tanning solutions are actually all organic and even safe to give baby bumps some color! 

Anyways, I work from home and go mobile for tanning parties and this week was a record setting week. 

I had 28 tans on the books including a bridal tanning party, lots of lovely ladies before the Marine Corps balls this time of year and those just wanting a little color before getting into those cute little costumes this weekend. 

I did 17 tans yesterday and my feet are feeling it today!! 

But I'm blessed to have so much business. 

On the weeks where the tidal waves of work hit, when I'm not holding my spray gun, I'm doing nothing but hanging with my kids and hubby...okay and reading a few blogs. ☺

So I took pictures of the simple things.

Happy Friday and welcome to all my new followers. 

I'm honored to have you. ♥

{Linking up here, here}

FOLLOWER FEST {this is me}

Welcome. I'm blessed to have you.

I'm Heather, a mom without Facebook. 

I love Jesus.

I'm a wife to my biggest fan and my best friend.

I'm a mother to Addyson {3} and Sawyer {19 mos.}

 

Part of my heart is in another state where my step-son, Haden, resides.

I was a sports writer...

Turned mommy... 

 Who supports my husband at our family owned auto repair shop. 

Hawthorne Tire & Auto Service.

We deal with lots of these...

After becoming a mommy, my writing went on hold and I began a mommy hobby, that quickly turned into my own small business.

Raving Tans.

I'm a certified spray tanning technician that does home and mobile spray tanning specializing in brides all over San Diego county. 

It allows me to stay home with my kids and only work a few nights a week. I love it.

I started blogging in January of 2011 when I felt the Lord tell me to put an end to the biggest time waster in my life... Facebook.  

I felt called to share my journey through a blog, although I had never even read a blog or knew anything about the blogging community.

I listened, and took down my personal Facebook page and pledged that I would not get back on for 365 days. 

I've learned... A LOT. 

Most importantly, I've learned that this journey is not about Facebook at all... it was about me learning to face my real issue of lack of self control... 

It took me 284 days to realize this. 

You can read about my Facebook "aha! moment" here.

I finally feel free from the burden of lack of self control. 

Now THAT is something to like.

I don't know where the Lord is going to take me in regards to this little blog. 

But writing has always been a desire of my heart.

I truly believe that each of us have a story and the Lord can use OUR stories to encourage, inspire, and even convict each other from time to time in a good way! 

So this is mine and I thank you for following. ♥

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

{Linking up here,  here}

Giveaway! {auto repair} and we were on T.V!

I want to extend this giveaway that my husband and I are doing here in San Diego at our family owned and operated auto repair shop. 

Hawthorne Tire & Auto Service is our place and we are doing a giveaway this Thanksgiving, and guess what, it's on Facebook. LOL. 

We love reflecting this time of year and because we are so thankful for all our amazing customers and friends, we are giving away $500 worth of services to one family in need. 

Basically, you nominate the family, email us a picture and a blurb about them to: 

 hawthornetire@hotmail.com

Starting on Nov. 1st my hubby will be posting all these stories/photos on the Hawthorne Tire & Auto Service Facebook page and then votes {by commenting} will determine the winner. 

Voting ends Nov. 22 at midnight and the winner will be announced on Thanksgiving. 

Please feel free to tweet about this, post it on Facebook, or even send in a nominee if you know someone in the area that could really benefit from this giveaway. 

Our shop specializes in tires, brakes, alignments, suspension, shocks, A.C. you name it. 

www.hawthornetire.com

And just a random fact for ya, our shop was featured on  

The Style Network in 2009

 

The show was called "Peter Perfect."

 

It was a small business make-over show. They made over our entire waiting room, logo, and even made over our employees! Yes, me and hubby as well! It was such an amazing experience.

 

We have been forever thankful.

On set at the shop.

Getting my mic set up!

Before our make-overs! Hubby and me!

After our make-over!! Addyson was 5 months old!