summery busy-ness...

The kids got out of school for the summer on wednesday!



I have mixed emotions about this :) It sure is busier (and louder) with 4 little people home everyday!



But I want to do lots of fun stuff with them and we have lots planned... cookouts, swimming, picnics, camping, fishing, camps...



and we got a small pool for our backyard that the kids want to live in everyday...



I really want to have a campfire at the lake and roast hotdogs and marshmallows with the kids one night!

What is something fun you want to do this summer? Would love more ideas!

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and the randomly picked and overdue winner of the Two Little Tots giveaway is: Jessica, who said: I just had a baby girl on Saturday & I can totally imagine this one messy clip:
http://www.twolittletots.bigcartel.com/product/messy-hair-clip-multi-flowers
on her head!
Thanks!- I hope I win!

Congrats! Email us Jessica!

jt.

Jonah asked me the other day where was I born?

I said in Virginia.

He says, "oh wow, really? Can you still speak the language?"



I think we will be learning some geography this summer...

:)

two little tots {a giveaway!}

Two Little Tots is an adorable shop full of goodies! I adore the fabrics Melissa chooses in her creations... especially this one and this one!



Melissa is generously giving away 3 items from her shop to one lucky winner! The winner gets to pick their choice of:

-1 crayon roll up (I LOVE these! VERY handy to have!)
-1 color pencil tote
-1 set of messy hair clips

To enter, go visit Two Little Tots shop and then come tell us what you favorite thing is?

Also, visit Melissa's ADORABLE blog and leave her a comment for an extra entry (be sure to come back and tell us that you did it!)

Blog and tweet @thevintagepearl for more extra entries!

A winner will be randomly chosen friday, good luck!

NYC

Ryan and I snuck away this weekend...

we flew first class for the first time for both of us,

and we had a BLAST in New York City...

We stayed a block away from Times Square

and we saw The Lion King

on Broadway- it was amazing!



We took taxis (which Oklahoma does not have many of!)
{snuck in a business meeting}
walked through SOHO
Little Italy
Chinatown

walked down Wall Street
sat in the Trinity Church
got lost
rode the Subway
checked the maps (iphones came in very handy)



slept in late
climbed to the top of the Empire State Building
rode bikes through Central Park
shopped
ate NY style pizza and shared a canoli



We soaked it in
had alot of fun
got lost in the hustle and bustle
and realized -

we are not big city folk at heart :)

But it was fun for a weekend!

Thanks for a fabulous belated birthday gift Ryan!

modern bird studios winner (and a coupon!)

The lucky winner of the Modern Bird Studios giveaway of a 12" x 12" custom piece (valued at $215!)
is...



Stephanie & Jason, who said: Checked out their website!! I think this would make a PERFECT and UNIQUE father's day gift for my husband...now I just have to find the perfect pic of the kids!


CONGRATS! Email us at thevintagepearlinfo@gmail.com and we will get you hooked up!

Everyone else can get a 15% discount using the code VINTAGEPEARL at checkout for one week! Expires May 31st!

friday randomness

We were driving around the other day and Ryan pulled over and asked if I wanted to take a picture of this wildflower.

Why yes, I did, isn't it pretty? Wildflowers are my fave...



As it's been getting warmer we have been making...



Ryan likes coke floats, I prefer root beer ones... if you haven't had one in awhile make one this weekend! Kids love them :)

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We are going on a little trip this weekend, can you guess where? I'm giving you a hint... Any tips of things we should do there?

Follow our trip on twitter!

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Have a fab weekend!



ps... don't forget about the giveaway from Modern Bird Studios (scroll down a few posts)! A winner will be picked when we get back!

a graduation, a dance and awards.

We have had a busy week!

I've been up at the kids' school everyday for something... graduations, awards assemblies and talent shows.

Tessa graduated from kindergarten...



and she received the determination award...





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Jonah earned highest honors and he recieved the "merry heart" award... he's a happy guy :)

He danced in the talent show as "Paul" (on the left, with "Silas") to "Jailhouse Rock"...



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Caleb also earned highest honors and received the fervent in prayer award (sorry, it was dark and his pics have lots of noise)...



Just 3 1/2 days of school left and then it's SUMMER!!!

modern bird studios {amazing giveaway!}

Have you heard of Modern Bird Studios?

They are new to me.

And so unique.

Their art is a.ma.zing!!!



Modern Bird Studios creates personalized, modern art from your photographs.



Each work is a one-of-a-kind, original studio piece created with a combination of digital, hand, and painting processes on an Oak composite.



They take your photograph, and break it down into a two-color image, which results in abstract shapes that make up the form. Then they choose two contrasting colors to create the painting.



The result is a marriage between technology and traditional painting to create a totally hip urban-style art piece that enriches your home...



I emailed them this picture of Eden (one of my faves!)...



and after emailing me several proofs (amazing customer service!) they mailed me this:



I. LOVE. IT!!!

And what's even better- RYAN LOVES IT! We are buying more very soon :)

They are sweet works of art with a sentimental personal touch. I want to buy more and hang them all over my house :) Their art is truly original and unique, our friends have oohed and aahed!

And guess what?

Megan and Gregg are giving away a 12" x 12" custom piece (valued at $215)!

They are talented and generous!

Please go check out their website and then come back and tell us how much you love it! Don't forget to bookmark their website for future gifts.

Follow them on facebook (scroll down their facebook page for MORE amazing pieces they have made!) and twitter here for extra entries! (please be sure to leave separate entires for each).

Also blog it and tweet it @thevintagepearl and @modern_bird or RT for extra entries!

Lots of chances to win, gOoD lUcK!

friday, winners and a code.

Hooray for Friday!

It's time to play!







(we have TONS of fun in our backyard! and yes, we run around barefoot alot.)

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The randomly picked winner of something for Dad is:

haagx5, who said: I really like the wide leather cuff! Very cool idea. I would get: Tristan.Colby.Peyton (the names of our 3 children). He'd love it! I'll just have to order it if I don't win!

and

the 2 winners of the $25 gift certificate to Toile Tales are:

Brittany, who said: BLOG Follower of Toile Tales!! --Wow, I know somewhat feel like a stalker after going to "follow" these wonderful ladies on all their websites! LOL Oh, the joys! :)

and

Melissa Borchardt, who said: I think my son would look even more awesome in the Townie(Brown, Black, Charcoal). I became a facebook too. I actually like all of them, but my heart will definately melt when my son wears the Townie :)

email us!- thevintagepearlinfo@gmail.com

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TODAY (friday) ONLY- use the coupon code FRIDAY to get 15% off your order!!! Must enter the code at checkout :)



This would be the perfect time to get your Father's Day orders in!



Happy Friday!

mp3 player + star wars = mixed up lil girl

me: Tessa, watcha doin'?

Tessa: Listening to my mp3cpo.

:)

toile tales shop {a giveaway!!!}

I love hats on my kids.

Hats are a great way to add color and personality to any picture!

Plus they are just plain cute.

The Etsy shop Toile Tales is FILLED with the CUTEST crocheted hats... these girls have some mega talent and adorable models!



A little bit about the artists:

We are two SAHM who are addicted to crocheting, sewing and photography. We are never short of inspiring ideas. Bringing those thoughts to fruition is the fun part. We create adorable yet functional hats, scarves and accessories. We have 8 children between us, 7 of which are girls. Creating is our outlet for sound, rational behavior. Although our husbands may beg to differ.



They make hats for all ages- newborn babies to adults and even boys-- my Jonah would LOVE one.

(how sweet is this picture? I ADORE hats on newborns...)



They are offering 2 $25 gift certificates to my blog readers!

To enter go visit their shop and come back and tell us what's your fave?

(don't forget to "heart" them while you're there!)

This one is MY personal favorite!
(I think? It's so hard to choose... maybe this one...?)

*additional entries (please leave extra comments for each):
1. Follow Toile Tales blog!
2. Become a Facebook fan!
3. Follow them on twitter!

Good luck!

stuff for Dad! {a giveaway!}

We gets requests almost daily for men's stuff,
so we have been working on adding stuff
for dad...

and so now we have a few things
in time
for Father's Day!!!



We will also have these bracelets listed on the women's bracelets page because quite honestly- I LOVE them- and will be wearing them myself also!

The wide leather cuffs can hold up to 3 lines of text!

Ryan has one of the thin leather cuffs with DADDY on it.

My brother in law, who runs half marathons, wants one that says 13.1.

Or wear an inspiring word.

Lots you can do with them!



And the simple keychain that dad can carry with him always...



We have a few more things for men in the works, hopefully later this week we will get them up on the site.

*let's give one away!!!

You can win your pick of any of the above for dad
(or for you... we won't tell!)

Just tell us: which one is your favorite and what would you put on it?

Blog, facebook and tweet for extra entries!

Mom's day.

I woke up to breakfast in bed- the kids made me toast and eggs, then Eden ate my toast and left lots of crumbs in our sheets for us :) I got lots of hugs and kisses and home made cards and flowers.

Then we went down to OKC for Mother's Day lunch to celebrate with my mom and family- dad, brothers and niece and nephew. The moms beat the dads at spades :)

We found 2 geocaches in the woods behind my parents house- the top right picture is one of the ones we found- it was attached to the tree with an arrow! How cool is that!?! Caleb spotted it first.

Ended the day with a chocolate cheesecake from the kids and Ryan :)

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What did you do on Mother's Day?

drumroll please...

The 5 winners of the $50 gift certificates to our website are...



1. Kendra, who said: Happy Mothers Day to you! =] I would love to win this giveaway!



2. Ry and Ally, who said: Tweeted! https://twitter.com/allyvc/status/13549720703

Happy Mothers Day!



3. Jenn, who said: I would love to win this! I wasn't able to afford to buy my mother a gift this year. We have hit some hard times and had to cut back.
I made her a hand made card, but i would love to send her a real gift!



4. Cat, who said: I would love a Vintage Pearl necklace with my little Lydia's name on it. I'm celebrating my first Mother's Day this year! Thanks for the giveaway.

and



5. Dan, who said: These are gorgeous! I'd love to be entered to win one for my wife's first mother's day!



Congrats to all of you - please email us at thevintagepearlinfo@gmail.com to get your gift certificate!

And THANK YOU to all that entered! All of the sweet comments are read and appreciated :)

HAVE A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

a last minute giveaway {for mom!}

Mom's day is in 2 days... anyone need/want a last minute gift?

In honor of mom (and that today is FRIDAY, woo-hoo!) we are giving away 5 $50 gift certificates to our website!



Let Mom pick out her perfect piece!

Simple leave us a comment and you are entered!

Blog it / tweet it / facebook it for extra extries- please come back and let us know you did it!

All 5 winners will be announced tomorrow!

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I am in meetings all day today but we have a fun night planned with the family :)

HaPpY FrIdAy!!!!!