Holiday decor from the B team :)

We are so thankful and excited this holiday season to have a home to decorate and really make cozy and personal for the holidays. 

This is our first year to celebrate with John not working crazy shifts all month leading up to Christmas and right after, we're not traveling since I'm 35 weeks pregnant, and each of our 3 are really at a fun age soaking in everything about Christmas, 

from Christ's birth to Santa and Rudolph.  

Their favorite Christmas Carols this season have been The Chimpmunk's "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" and "Deck the Halls"--especially the Fa la la la la part :)  Our Avia--their grandmother--gave them the Elf on the Shelf book at Thanksgiving and they have LIVED for it, literally, each day since.  I asked John if we could consider keeping him up all year, 

just to hone in on the fact that Santa keeps watch ALL year long ... He said no.   

My absolute favorite thing though about this year is our tree! 

 

We have just had a tiny one since we had Ava, and never really had a theme or tradition.  But this year we bought a really beautiful faux, pre lit tree, with train tracks and the Santa Express to circle around it--the highlight of Max's year!  

We decided to start a tradition of hanging significant memories throughout our year and personal favorite ornaments and treasures collected rather than just buying decorations just for the sake of decorating it and it has turned out to be the most joyous experience for us.  Not only have John and I fully embraced the concept adding momento's here and there, but the kids have really gotten into it--adding new things each day it seems :)  Here are just a few of the highlights nestled in our tree--

makes me smile each time I look at it.  

leo the lion--Atticus, the baby, was tucked beside him yesterday :)

random ribbon

empty ribbon spools, Zoo passes, and a drawing of "Dr. Rigby"

John's most recent race this year

From our home to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a year full of Celebration and Joy!  We are extremely thankful for the opportunities we've been afforded and for the friends like you that we've had the pleasure of knowing and enjoying our year with.  Looking forward to sharing 2011 with you!!

Wishing you a Warm, Loving, Happy Season ~

Grace Berios

no case of the Mondies here ...

I was so ready for this week to begin!  It's an exciting one for us, John's off for the week, a date night is on the agenda!!  Kids have a full week of fun planned at school,  last week of my work with my full time career with School Boards of Louisiana until after the New Year!!  It's nice and cool here, but bearable, which is exactly why I love Texas Winters :)  SO many joys.  Obviously, I'm planning on a great week!  

Still time to get Little Bird gifts out in time for Christmas!!  Just let me know.  The free gift with purchase this week will be a surprise included in each package ordered :)

I did the majority of my Christmas shopping on Etsy.com this year and have been overwhelmed with good feelings of each as they arrive beautifully packaged with an added personal sentiment from each seller.  I pass along this information on to you to offer a warm, fuzzy, feel cozy all over kind of purchasing feeling :)  Happy Shopping and celebrating of the season this week!!! 

Let me know if you have special plans while you're kids are home for he break.  We'll be here celebrating, since I'm 35 weeks by Christmas, and need some activities!!!

One lucky comment will be chosen to win one of our new DTG long sleeve Print animal tee's of choice!!

Wishing you warmth, love and HAPPINESS!!!

Grace

a weekend in December

Saturday for me was kind of blah, with no reason to be.  Sometimes you just can't escape a mood ... 
It was just about as perfect of a Saturday as one could have wished for --70 degree temps, a cloudless sky making it cool and warm enough all in one to linger and play outside all day.  Treats were had and deserved, naps were taken and enjoyed, fun, tear-free family outings were had ... yet still I was just in a stuck mood. 

As of late afternoon though, after relenting to getting any kidless or solo reprieve--if that was what I was in search of--I was found totally embracing the moment, hanging with my three along with Rigby and Pepper--our favorite doggies, soaking in the setting of the sun and the rising of the moon together and the goofiness it brought about :)

Wishing you a great end of your weekend!

Grace

busy December!!

Really making a point this season to not get stressed over holiday shuffle and take in each moment.  I've been working at night, nap times and school times, to ensure that I can celebrate each moment with my little Animals, and it's been super rewarding!  

I don't know about you, but it's easy for me to get overwhelmed and spiral out of control.  Admittedly, I have had to reign my self back in throughout each week from time to time, I take a deep breath in and remember why I love What I do, Who I'm able to do this for and Why I do it, and take a step back in and enjoy the moment!  You can never get this time back, and I'm not going to be a 31 year old pregnant mommy of just three 

vivacious little ones forever ...

 

How are you living in the moment this season?  Send on a comment and I'll let my little bird crew randomly select a comment for an Octo Tote!

Cheers to you this Holiday Season and all that you are, and all that you do,

for all that you love :)

Grace

Free Gift With Purchase through the week of Dec 6-Dec 12!!!

After falling slightly behind schedule for Cyber Monday Week, I have posted some new things fresh to our Little Bird Collection!  Check them all out at the shop:   

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gracelbvd  

Last week our Free Gift with purchase was a hit, so much so, I decided to offer another one for this week:  Your choice of animal from our latest Bib Addition!  These make a wonderful stocking stuffer for all the new fledglings in your life!  And what great shower gifts.  They are from our 100% kid friendly, eco-friendly DTG print line.  
The print will not peel.  

We also introduced our latest in our Infant Line--Gowns!  With the new DTG print animals highlighted.  These gowns are made of thick, brushed cotton that is so plush and warm, you won't be able to keep your littlest bird out of it!  I cannot wait to put our soon to be born baby in them!

Pair the Infant Gowns with one of these new adult tee's and voila!  A perfect Shower or Christmas Gift for 

both Mommy and Baby!!  

I love gifts like that :)

More to come each day--

I'm a little slow due to lack of photo skills :/ 

Let me know what you think!

Wishing you a season full of Warmth, Love and Happiness ~

Grace

The Little Bird Team and Crew!

Being a work from home mommy is fabulous, at least to me ;)  I have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed a full time career working out of my house since 2001, and because of that flexibility, I have been able to add in creating Little Bird Vintage Designs over these past 3~almost 4 years next month!!

I couldn't do it alone though.  I have the luxury of surrounding myself with lots of inspiration~via my kids, pictured here with Santa!

~and creative talent through my team :) 

**Staci Postema, the original creator and designer of the Ava Bird, was my original partner.  We were new mommy friends that would focus our kids play dates around creating and sewing!  She introduced me to Fiber Arts--painting on fabric and quilting, and my first Brother digital sewing machine :) (one of my most beloved items!!) The original Ava Bird was a gift to my Ava created by her :)

**Erin Wallace, my lovely Graphic Designer and Visual Imaging Artists, keeps me up-to-date visually and mentally :)  She has added so much to our entire look and style.  We have worked together and evolved creatively with Little Birds over the past 3 years now!  We've both grown our family together too--she now with 2, and me now with 3-almost 4!!!  She is the designer and creator of Leo the Lion and Maximus the Octopus and the soon to be announced--coming in January 2011--the latest addition to our Little Bird Family!   

Erin has a fabulous Blog that I follow regularly for tips on photography and craft ideas, and just to keep up to date on her adorable family and life--http://tinytwistcreative.com.  Her graphic design site can be found at  http://www.erinwallace.net/.  I love the site and blog that she has created for Little Birds!

**David DeBeck with Odd-Designs is my Direct to Garment Print guy!  Super knowledgeable of wholesale apparel and eco friendly, kid safe print.  It was through him that we were able to introduce Leo Lion, Maximus Octopus to the Little Bird Family, along with lots of fun new product like our Totes, bibs and Adult Tees!!  Check out his operation at http://www.odd-designs.net/contact-us/

**Stacey Lesly has been our Little Bird Artist these past 6 months!!  She has done such a fabulous job bringing consistency and quality to the Ava Bird, with her attention to detail and insistence to creative perfection on every bird produced, she has made such a difference in the quality of Little Birds.  She is a mommy of 2 and has been a mommy inspiration and friend of mine for the past 3 years.  I am thankful to have had her as a part of our team this year and I owe where Little Bird's is today to her efforts!

My husband, John, with Leo the Lion :)

Of course, none of this would be even possible without the constant support and encouragement I receive from my best friend and husband, John :)  He is always quick to offer his creative advice~and whether taken or not, it is always wonderful to know he appreciates this Little Bird venture as much as me.  

We hope to take Little Birds to the top together, one bird at a time :)

 

Check out our latest back at the shop and think of Little Bird as your one stop shop for Holiday gifts!!

Wishing you a season of Warmth, Love and Happiness~

Grace

Sock Shirts--a couple to start, and BIBS are now Posted!!  

Check them out and give me some feedback--I'd love to hear your opinion!!

Remember 10% off all purchases through Sunday and receive a free gift with every purchase this month!!  **This Week is the ever so adored and popular Octopus Tote Bag!!!

Cyber Week has been thrilling, to say the least :)

This has been such a week for me, 
how about you?? 

I recently invested in a new Nikon D90 camera so that I can readily take and post pictures at any given "free" moment I have throughout my day and, since I opened the box, I now have an ENORMOUS respect for all of our my photographer buds, as well as my budding photographer mommy and daddy friends--definitely not as simple as 
just getting the perfect camera ...

I had so much hope to post bright new photos of our entire collection, including a bunch of new items just waiting to be listed!!!  BUT no.  The odds have been against me.  Tonight, I have edited and uploaded a few though, to be posted officially by tomorrow mid morning on my shop/collections page--fingers crossed :)

Here are some behind the scenes shots of one of my attempted shoots this week.  Lots of "little helpers":)  
They're why I love this business though--

I wouldn't trade these little enthusiastic, super supportive, will-work-for-Little Bird Product and candy canes, 

assistants for the world!

Remember 10% off through December 5th!  Just enter Coupon Code:  FLOCK in the 'Notes to Seller' box and wait for me to receive a new invoice before pressing Pay Now.  If this is confusing--Just contact me, I'll walk you through it, or reimburse your 10% via PayPal :)

ALSO!!!  Free Gift With Purchase this week!!!

Thanksgiving Holidays--Over.

We had such a joyous Thanksgiving here in San Antonio, shared with my Oldest Brother and Sister-in-law and my two nieces, Caroline and Emma.  Lot's of quality cousin/niece/nephew/aunt/uncle time had be each, reminding us just how much we have to be Thankful for!  

The finished bird with Baby #4 in the background kicking away :)

I made a Truffle Butter Turkey and, although leaning, it turned out fabulous!  I forgot all about the stuffing, but nobody seemed to complain too much as long as there was plenty of Pie--which there was :)  It was a bittersweet Thanksgiving, my last one pregnant after 5 years of eating and devouring anything I wanted too ...

Back to reality today after we had quite an exciting departure.  Working on gearing up for a whole slew of new product pics and posts to shop from on Cyber Monday! 

Holiday Week!

We are ready and rested up here at the Berios House!  Looking forward to a great week of holiday festivities and lots and lots of food and good company to enjoy it with :) 

I encourage you, as you stock up on holiday goodies for your own Holiday plans, to remember those in need and maybe try out the Brown Sack idea I have posted on our Branching Out section.  I actually have done it a couple of times and it was quite easy and cheap!  About $18.00 extra, but I bet you can even do it for less if your a coupon girl, or take advantage of 2 for 1 bargains.  

 

 We are having 2 of my 

nieces, Caroline and Emma, and their parents in to celebrate the Holiday week with us beginning Wednesday!  Having so much fun getting the house ready for 5 little people 4 and under!  

Check out the Shop on Black Friday 
throughout the week of Cyber Monday 
for some fantastic and unique, 
extremely special Christmas gift ideas!! 

And remember, Little Bird is giving 10% of all profits for the month of 
November to SAMMinistries-
-helping our Nest-less friends.  

And as always, our one for one blanket and 

lovie give drive is a year round venture.  

All donated blankets will be delivered throughout the month of December.

Let me know how creatively and inexpensively you worked in your holiday giving this year!

I am thankful this year for so much, you in particular :)

Wishing you a warm, loving, happy Holiday Season!!!

Grace

moment of joy :)

Blogging is not my strong suit, I'm a journal girl.  But what I do love about the blogging world is the added benefit of pictures to post to my "journal" entries!  

It's been a fabulous weekend.  Very relaxing, and homie.  Ava caught a virus Thursday night--yuck!  And yesterday (Friday) she was still a bit down from that so we had to skip the school Thanksgiving program.  Maximus is growing 5 teeth--2 of which are molars--this week, so he's been a little under the weather as well, so we took advantage and totally embraced a down weekend, no plans, no deadlines, no work-which is hard to do when you work from home-and I have been amazed at what joy has come from it!

Here are just a few of our highlights :) 

John and Leo waiting for the (much anticipated) arrival of our furniture

Ava

Our butterfly emerges from it's cocoon :)

Little Bird Lovies found in play :)

Our butterfly release

The release party :)

At a birthday celebration for our neighbor :)

These birds get dirty!

 

 Did you know that your entire Little Bird Collection is entirely, 100% user, kid, baby, drool, dirt, friendly???  

That's right, these birds are meant for flying high and getting used 

and worn and loved :) 

All Hand Painted birds are pre-washed and dried before being appliqued and all shirts are pre-washed, dried and preshrunk before the appliqued quilted Hand Painted Bird is applied.  THUS creating a perfect pairing :)  We suggest turning your bird shirt inside out when you throw it in the wash, but it can withstand stain remover's 

(Oxi Clean is a must use at our house) 

and any type of detergent.  

Our pre-wash of choice is 

All Free and Clear

--My lion has sensitive skin :) 

You can then choose to dry in dryer or line dry.  I for one am a big, cozy, high energy user dryer type of girl, but that's me--I like my apparel and blankies warm and soft :)  But I definitely applaud my green flock out there that are proponents of 

freshly air dried garments.

Let me know if you have any questions regarding the care of your little bird, I'll be happy to help!

Wishing you Warmth, Love, and Happiness!

And in the words of my 2 year old, 

"It's fun to get dirty, right?  You can always take a bath."  

True that, Leo, true that :)

Grace

holiday mode fast approaching!

Red Bird

I feel like it has been such a long time since my last post ... A lot has happened and as all work from home mommy's know, no day is ever routine, no matter how hard you try.  My husband went from being totally absent for 12 days (he was out of the country) to back and at home more than ever right after and it totally threw me.  We mommy's are pretty adaptable and I'm way more organized and on top of things when I have no help around, but when I do have assistance, it's as if my system doesn't know how to operate!  I go haywire, and basically fall apart.  Husbands don't understand that ... Thankful to have a great one though, and after a lot of communicating we're finally finding our balance together again--he with his down time at home and me in my work from home mode with occasional help mode :)

Mistletoe Market Booth

This weekend was a perfect example of how we worked efficiently together as a team.  I was able to take Little Bird's to a local market here in San Antonio and enjoy a full day kid and worry free to interact with Little Bird fans, and he got to participate in a big local race here on Sunday.  We both enjoyed family time together, with a little solo time with all the kids mixed in for each as well as our own personal interests.  The perfect weekend :)

New Long-Sleeve Gear and Sock Shirts!!

Look for updated pictures of our collection just in time for holiday shopping, this week.  I have LOVED our new camera and the pictures are the proof that it was the perfect investment :)

NOVEMBER Happenings :)

It looks to be an exciting month for Little Bird's!  

 

We are featured sponsors on a couple of our favorite blogs:  

Sew Liberated, I love going to this blog, I get so inspired here! 

And Walk Slowly, Live Wildly

WE're not on that blog yet, but will be in the next week :)  

I will be featuring Giveaways at each, so please check it out.  

They're two really great sites!

Little Birds will also be participating November 13th from 10-3 at a local Mistletoe Marketplace Holiday Bazaar! 

If you'd like more info on how to come and visit, 

just let me know :)  I'd love to see you there!

**Our New Longsleeved Sock shirts for girls 

are going to be officially debuted there!!!

Little Bird Giveaway #3!!! Ends Sunday-get entered today, it's a great one :)

THE 3rd Giveaway!!!

Since I am doing 2 product giveaways this month on the featured blogs below, I have decided to offer a  

Little Bird Discount GiveAway 

20% off of each of your entire little bird  order for the entire month of November!!!  

It's basically the giveaway that keeps giving and giving and giving and isn't that what November is all about???

And yes, not one, but 2 names entered will be drawn!  

Remember there are MANY ways to Enter multiple times, 

why not take advantage of all of the many ways :)  

Drawing Sunday, November 7th--5PM

How to Enter: 

*Leave a comment here at the Chirp

How to ENTER many times over:

*Become a member of our Flock by following us

*Visit our collection at little bird vintage designs and heart the shop, a specific item or two ... 

(each heart gets your name entered again :))

*Share this on your Facebook Page, 

be sure to Facebook us and tell me about it :)

*Tweet about us and 

then send me a tweet letting me know at littlebirdvint

*Purchase a Little Bird Item-

-Every item purchased ='s an entry :)

*Purchase a Little Bird donation item and get entered 2x's 

(once for your purchase, once for the item that will be donated)

Check out our branching out section to find out which items are highlighted.

*Blog about us on your Blog and get bonus entries for all the ones that say they heard about it via your Blog :)

*Send us a picture of your little bird enjoying their 

Little Bird gear!!

Since the drawing will not be until Sunday, November 7th, if you are the lucky entry drawn, all of your purchases until then will simply be reimbursed the 20% to you after Sunday November 7th.

This giveaway gets me excited!!!  
It's a one size fits all kind of deal :)

Little Bird's Giveaway #3!!!

Since last Friday my thoughts were consumed with filler, mind consuming projects to keep my thoughts away from sadness, I am making this #3 Little Bird Giveaway even sweeter :)

There will be not one but TWO winning entries in 

honor of my two loves coming home tonight :)

It looks to be an exciting month for Little Bird's!  

We are featured sponsors on a couple of our favorite blogs:  

Sew Liberated, I love going to this blog, I get so inspired here! And Walk Slowly, Live Wildly

WE're not on that blog yet, but will be in the next week :)  

I will be featuring Giveaways at each, so please check it out.  

They're two really great sites!

Little Birds will also be participating November 13th from 10-3 at a local Mistletoe Marketplace Holiday Bazaar! 

If you'd like more info on how to come and visit, 

just let me know :)  I'd love to see you there!

**Our New Longsleeved Sock shirts for girls 

are going to be officially debuted there!!!

Okay, so on to the important thing ;)   

THE 3rd Giveaway!!!

Since I am doing 2 product giveaways this month on the featured blogs above, I have decided to offer a 

Little Bird Discount GiveAway 

20% off of each of your entire little bird  order for the entire month of November!!!  

It's basically the giveaway that keeps giving and giving and giving and isn't that what November is all about???

And yes, not one, but 2 names entered will be drawn!  

Remember there are MANY ways to Enter multiple times, 

why not take advantage of all of the many ways :)  

Drawing Sunday, November 7th--5PM

How to Enter: 

*Leave a comment here at the Chirp

How to ENTER many times over:

*Become a member of our Flock by following us

*Visit our collection at little bird vintage designs and heart the shop, a specific item or two ... 

(each heart gets your name entered again :))

*Share this on your Facebook Page, 

be sure to Facebook us and tell me about it :)

*Tweet about us and 

then send me a tweet letting me know at littlebirdvint

*Purchase a Little Bird Item-

-Every item purchased ='s an entry :)

*Purchase a Little Bird donation item and get entered 2x's 

(once for your purchase, once for the item that will be donated)

Check out our branching out section to find out which items are highlighted.

*Blog about us on your Blog and get bonus entries for all the ones that say they heard about it via your Blog :)

*Send us a picture of your little bird enjoying their 

Little Bird gear!!

Since the drawing will not be until Sunday, November 7th, if you are the lucky entry drawn, all of your purchases until then will simply be reimbursed the 20% to you after Sunday November 7th.

This giveaway gets me excited!!!  

It's a one size fits all kind of deal :)

ON to November!!!

Thank you to all who participated in our 

Spooky Halloween Branching Out Project!!  

We are able to donate $50--the profit from the 5 special for Halloween shirts sold, 2 Lovies and one Sport Blanket from our Blanket Sales (One for One: for every Lovie and/or Sport purchased, one is donated to a little bird in need--old and young--which is an on going donation throughout each month)to SAMMinistries, an organization committed to helping overcome homelessness.

**I would LOVE pictures of your birds wearing the spooky shirts, please email them to me at grace@littlebirdvintagedesigns.com

--I'll post them!!

IN honor of Thanksgiving, we will be continuing along 
the same lines as the Spooky Halloween theme.  

Always the One for One donation is still in affect with the each Lovie and Sport Blanket sold, but also for 

every item sold throughout November, 10% of all profits earned from Little Bird Sales will be donated to SAMMinistries, since this time of year is usually our most thankful time to have and enjoy all of the 
comforts of our Nest surrounding us.   

I look forward to you joining us in making a difference our world one little bird at a time :)

I'm very thankful for each of my many, many blessings in my life, our Little Bird Flock included :)
I'd love to hear what you're thankful for!

Wishing you Warmth, Love, and Happiness~

Grace

Downed Bird, Now back in Flight!

I had it.  All the symptoms, signs, steps, you name it, of grief, depression, despair, heartbreak.  It was apparent in me, through me, around me ... I was deeply caught up in it.  I haven't felt this low, this sort of unbearable, can't help but collapse into tears and sorrow kind of miserable feeling since our first pregnancy ended in miscarriage.  This time was different, though.  It came upon me in such a force, I couldn't control it, couldn't stop it. And this time, I was not alone to deal with my pain. I have four other very dear lives dependent on my--thankfully usually, balanced state. Their lives would definitely be affected.  And this time, there was no loss ... 

My husband who just recently finished residency decided to take part in a once in a life time opportunity--participate in the 2500 Anniversary of the Athens Marathon--In Athens, Greece.  We were all going initially, to take part of his goal and adventure and celebrate the end of our med school/resident journey that we survived together.  We have the blessing of being obviously extremely fertile.  We found out in May that we were expecting our fourth--planned, just planned though, the month before :) That changed things.  Our joint plans of going were thwarted since I'd be so far along (I'm officially in the first week of our 3rd trimester today in fact!) yet he did not altar his plans, nor was it expected of him to have change his original thoughts of continuing on the journey, just now minus us.  I felt so abandoned and sad about it.  It's never fun to feel as if you're the one who has to sacrifice.  It was a joint decision to have number 4 at this time in our life, why is it that I feel I've made the majority of sacrifices throughout each of the four's beginnings and lives??  There you have it--The cause of my hurt.  I felt left out.

Since July, I have progressively become more and more sad and mad leading up to the day that October 1st came.  Our schedule was slammed, mine affected as well as his, due to a month's worth of his shifts being condensed to the first 2 weeks of October in order to free up the last 2 weeks for his 12 day vacation/adventure at the end of the month.  No date nights worked in, his free time was centered on working in trainings.  Thus began an entire month of pretty much solo parenting.  Felt as if we had never left residency ... 

Ava is at an age to truly soak in the experience so, we long ago decided she should still go.  And I think that is where the actual depression and darkness sank in.  I had never been away from her for that long--she is only 4, and my first born, only daughter, the inspiration for Little Birds, my passion, my perfect helper, my independent one!  Her presence was missed more than I could have ever imagined.  Not just for me, but in Leo and Maximus as well.  But it wasn't just the missery of missing her, I was envious of her.   Seeing Greece with John, when I hadn't, going on a vacation, when I wasn't, a vacation I felt I earned and deserved just as much as he, experiencing all of these magnificent sites together while the other part of our family unit stayed behind ... I was jealous!  Jealous of John, jealous of Ava, jealous of my in laws for being the one to greet him at the finish line of a race that I had helped him prepare for ... I got caught up in all of this negative energy and it affected me.  I walked through these past 12 days on autopilot, thankful for my routined schedule with the boys.  Thankful each night for their early and predictable bedtimes ...

They come home today!  The missing third of our Nest arrives tonight!!! We have missed them so :) Leo Said he was going to run super fast up to daddy and give a really big hug and kiss and ask him about his race :) He cannot wait to see Ava too--Maximus just might pass out in all the excitement! We are such a close knit family in so many ways, the distance from extended family, the ages of the kids, the way we choose to live out our life, anyone's absence affects us, but for such a period, WOW, I've never experienced such a void.  Scary how easily it engulfed me and altered our week.  I have since pulled through and will get over this.  Glad it is finally coming to an end and we can put Greece far behind us and move forward to November.  I felt, though that I needed to explain my absence.  My inspiration was in Greece!