I didn't realize that I had a future break-dancer on my hands...
Sending lots of motherly love out there this weekend. It feels different this year (for obvious reasons) but it really has me pausing to reflect on my little miracle and the joy she brings me. They say motherhood changes you, and I believe that. I would go on, but it looks like nap time is over and I need to get back... :)
personal I feel like I've been going full speed for the past couple of weeks...but in the best of ways. I've been sewing my hands away on dress orders, we just photographed our first wedding of the year (and so begins wedding season!), and I've got the little one to look after -- all of that competing with the fact that the weather has been AMAZING making it hard to focus.
But I'm thankful. And very grateful. I love to make/create and to be able to do that all day long is a blessing. If only there were just a few more hours in the day.
I'm excited to have a few new things brewing that I'm planning on sharing so soon. And yes, I'm prototyping baby leggings as we speak..
I like to pretend my sewing studio is a magical place...like this of Dior, c.1957.
personal ..things are moving just a little too quickly. I just want to take in every single moment with this little one.
You may have noticed a few visual changes here on my blog -- I switched over the aesethic to align more with my website and I also dropped Darling Dexter from the header. Tear.
I've been blogging since 2007, when I graduated college and started my first job. I found the work I was doing not meeting a creative level that I needed so I started a blog. Simple as that. My how things change... This little space has followed me through a few jobs, a few states, getting married, school twice, becoming an entrepreneur, and most recently, having a baby. I've met an amazing network and community of people across the globe. I've been kicked down by new blogs with amazing features, and new bloggers with super talents. The good with the bad like anything you do.
All that said, I felt as though I had somewhat graduated from my original presence. Darling Dexter was a quick name I chose, I have a 9 year-old Bichon who is a delight and people light up when they see him. His positive energy inspired the name. However, now that I have a photography business with a unique name, and a clothing company under my name, I wanted to just simplify. So, I'm saying goodbye to my dear Darling Dexter. The domain will stay active of course, you will always be able to get to me this way -- but I'm simply just Whitney Deal now.
The new look is a breath of fresh for me -- I'm getting back into the blogging spirit and look forward to continue sharing glimpses of my life and inspiration with you.
You may recall that we welcomed three laying hens into our backyard last summer. They have effectively given us three eggs nearly every day since. Peggy, Joan, and Betty (or as we like to call them "the girls") were the beginning of my hub's backyard farm to table adventure. We have plans for a much larger garden this year that will be supplemented by a local CSA and, hold your hats, we'll soon be experimenting with raising our own poultry for meat!
Two things of importance....I would have never thought that the temporary move back to our North Carolina hometown from Brooklyn, NY over a year ago would have lead us into settling in and embracing such a simpler life. Secondly, it's amazing that in this rural and agriculturally rich area it is almost impossible to find fresh/local/organic/seasonal/etc food. But that's for another post, another day.
Anywho -- We think we have just the prettiest birds and that they needed their own styled photoshoot...enjoy :)
I distinctly remember Valentine's Day last year -- I was battling through pregnancy sickness and attempted to put myself together for a lunch date with the hub. Right after ordering my sandwich, I ran out of the restaraunt and dry-heaved in the parking lot. Romantic. Not sure why, but he captured this photo of me that evening.
Fast forward one year later, we went back to that same restaraunt today to enjoy a sandwich with our daugther. Excuse Dexter's awesome hairdo , he was groomed today and his ears are out of control.
personal This little nugget is 5 month old -- get out, right?! When she was first born I felt time moved so slowly and then all of a sudden we stepped on the baby train and have been going full force ever since! I'm so proud of her chubby cheeks and spikey blonde hair. I don't want to miss a single moment which is why I'm constantly sewing a seam and running back to see what she's up to. Not the best for productivity, but it's worth it.
She has become so curious about the world around her and has been gobbling down her pureed foods. She definitely needs her sleep, up to 12 hours a night with three naps during the day. Although I cringe when I write that, I don't want to jinx anything! I'm looking forward to warmer temperatures so we can sit outside and watch the chickens. Come on spring!
