The Chirp

Joy Found!

2012-01-27T13:44:00.000-08:00

There's just something about a crisp, sunny--absolutely gorgeous on all accounts--Friday that gets me going :) 

I have had so much fun getting back in the swing of working Little Birds in now that the New Year has had a chance to settle in.  

Of course, as much as I would love for it to be, it's not always able to be a main priority of mine.  I'm a mommy and wife and Christian first, homeowner/homemaker and all that comes with those titles, second, and career person--a 3rd party consultant with a Louisiana based company, third.  Creative Mompreneur usually falls 4th if not further down the list, sometimes beaten out by Party Planner/Event Coordinator or Park Ranger or Crossing Guard, depending on my little people's celebrations and activities of the day, week or month;)  

I'm actually pretty cool with it though.  

But TODAY was extra special, and I adore days like these. Not only was it gorgeous, not only did Kalliope and I get out in it, we shared it with friends by walking together to lunch at a new bakery in town, and by the time we got back, it had warmed up to shorts weather--which we both immediately donned--and right in time for her afternoon nap and my afternoon creative time!  

Excited to be painting Bird's (pictured above), Lion's, Octopus and 

Gecko's this next week!!!  

Stay tuned for items for sale shortly--including the debut of Kaki the Gecko, whose namesake (also pictured) just turned 

1 year's old this past weekend :)  

Kalliope Jude, a 1 year old now!!

 And the debut of our new Labels!! 

Wishing you and your little bird Warmth, Love, and Happiness~

grace

SAMMinistries Blanket Donation through Little Bird's Branching Out!

2012-01-19T18:16:00.000-08:00

In 2011 we were able to donate 40 blankets to a local San Antonian organization, SAMMinistries, a homeless shelter that supports needy families.  They actually have a campus that provides housing and assistance in order to directly support these families in need.  

Dropping off Donated Blankets with my crew at SAMMinistries

Little Bird's Branching Out projects have been centered around things that I hold dear to my heart, such as security and safety and income through a steady job which I am grateful for.  I can barely travel without going crazy with the uncertainty and absence of a regular schedule, so I could not imagine not having these securities in my life.  My 4 birds are LOVIE and Blanket enthusiasts!  Lovies bring such happiness to each of them and provides each with their own sense of protection and security, even when we travel or are without our normal comforts.  It is my wish to provide that sense of security and warmth and love, to all children--whether through the purchase of one, or as in this case, the donation of one through purchase.  

I received a really sweet thank you note from SAMMinistries, and a couple of pictures of a blanket in use from this sweet little girl! It meant a lot to me, and made me even more thankful for you, all our Little Bird fans who made such a gift possible. Thought I'd share them with you:) Thank you!

Dear Grace,

On behalf of the smallest residents in our SAMM shelters,thank you for your thoughtful donation of blankets! It is clear from youremail that this donation is truly a gift from your heart. Your sincerityand generosity are so special and I want to thank you for sharing of yourselfand your business with those who are struggling.

I apologize for the delay in getting back to you with moreinformation about you donation, but I am the new employee working with in-kinddonations and am playing a little bit of catch-up. I had the opportunitylast week, however, to meet a sweet three-year-old little girl at our Haven forHope campus. She is pictured in the attached photos using one of theLittle Bird blankets. She had the brightest smile and was eager to haveher photo taken with the new blanket. Her mom just brought home a newbaby sister for her (just a few weeks old) and I am sure that the blanket willgive her comfort during the transition. I hope you can see that yourblankets are truly making an impact.

Thank you for thinking of SAMMinistries for your outreachand donations. If you follow us on Facebook you can view the thank younote I posted with a link to your website. If you are interested in a tour orwould like other information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Liz

Elizabeth de los Santos
Development Manager

Our Berios Disney Adventure

2012-01-18T11:41:00.001-08:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo books are the perfect gift for any occasion.

Happy 2012!

2012-01-13T08:39:00.000-08:00

Entering our 5th year 

in business!!!

January is such a special time to me.  January 7th, 2007 is the official birthdate of Little Bird Vintage Designs.  So long ago I started this company alongside the Ava Bird Designer, Staci Postema, my best mommy friend at the time.  She and her little family were moving from Corpus Christi, Texas all the way to Portland, Oregon, and it was a last attempt to keep connected in creativity even with distance--and we did!  Little Birds took off faster than we could have imagined together and gained quite a following in Corpus Christi, which was so neat to witness and be in the middle of!  Demand grew great for Staci to keep up with a new full time job and distance, so I continued on with our dream of success solo, adding on our now Graphic Designer and designer of the Leo Lion, Maximus our Octopus and New Kaki, the Gecko, Erin Wallace of www.tinytwistcreative.com/.  Little Bird's has been so blessed to have her on our team :)

In 2010, we went from being a wholesaler to direct to sale retailer through our current Etsy shop and we've been flying high since!  Through the 5 years in business I've been able to grow it alongside our growing family.  Starting with our Ava Bird--now 5 1/2 years old, we've had 3 more beautiful, spirited, enthusiastic, additions to our Nest all for the better!  Now, with our Nest officially complete, we look forward to wowing you in 2012 with our 4 New styles and designs.  Additional animals added to our Lovie and Sport Blanket collections and more color options to our Appliqued Tee's.  We offer matching totes in 100% Organic Material.  AND since our ages are growing, we are offering many more sizes from infant to Youth to even mommy and daddy sizes :)  

I thank you for your consistent support as we consistently grow, and stretch and fly here.  Through you, our flock, we have been able to really give back to Birds in Need through our Branching Out projects--In 2011 We donated over 40 Sport's Blankets to SAMMinistries, an organization that supports families in need,  and $150 to relief in Japan from it's Tsunami in April.  I hope to only increase our giving in 2012!  Please share any ideas that you might have for Little Bird giving or pictures of your Bird being worn or loved!  We'll highlight them on our FB page!

We have a NEW Etsy Shop Name:  LittleBirdVintDesign, a little more direct than gracelbvd ;)  Please visit towards the end of the month as much will be available to purchase again!!  

Thank you again!  And HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Here's to Fresh Starts:)

Wishing you WARMTH, LOVE and Happiness!

Grace

To Give Finale!!

2011-12-21T20:48:00.000-08:00

Branching Out Project Complete! Here's what 40 LBVD Blankets look like bundled :)

These little elves behind played a HUGE part in creating each of these, from the painting, to the cutting, to the trimming, to the sewing,

to the bundling!

I am truly thankful, grateful and blessed :)

Thank you to all who purchased from Little Bird Vintage Designs this year--40 blankets donated to SAMMinistries to given to homeless families this Christmas. Leo made sure they understood when we were dropping them off with the SAMM staff that "these are for kids without blankets."

I was so proud of him ;)

Thank you LBVD supporters! See you in 2012!

To Give Part 2:

2011-12-16T17:59:00.000-08:00

Busy, Busy, Busy!!  

For the good though :)  

Getting out last minute custom Christmas orders and finishing up this year's Branching Out Project:  Donating 40 Sports Blankets to SAMMinistries, an organization centered around assisting homeless families.  Could not think of a better give project than to offer a bit of warmth, love and hopefully, happiness through a Little Bird Blanket to a child who may not have a "lovie" of any sort.  As I'm making these, I get the joy of praying over them and enthusing well wishes and spirited vibes throughout the entire batch :)  It has been a sincere joy adding our Branching Out Projects to the 

Little Bird Venture.  

In the middle of work, I have definitely enjoyed the holiday parties and concerts with my kiddo's!  They are all at such fantastic ages and truly are LOVING the season :)  We had a wonderful time at their Christmas Concert last night, Maximus, our Octopus played Santa which was a huge surprise to us, and our other 2 "bigs" were SO BIG as they sang every word and stood so tall and confident!  

2 very proud parents:) 

NEW DTG PRINT Tee's and Totes are in--check out my Etsy shop and order yours just in time for Christmas, simply convo me with your animal and size!! The only Little Bird Product available to ship by the new year.

To Give!!

2011-12-07T08:23:00.000-08:00

It's been a total of 15 months since Little Bird Vintage Designs revamped and took a new fresh look at the future through Etsy, the world of blogging, Facebooking, Tweets, and GIVING ... This company began back in January, 2007 with a desire to make a difference and impact in Eli (The designer of the original Ava Bird's, son) and Ava's world, and now, 5 years later, I'm proud to say that it has--Not only for each of those, but their siblings as well--and hopefully more little birds out there 

throughout the world :)

Since August, 2010, I made a goal to go it solo via my website/blog and Etsy store.  We've had 1 more addition to our nest--Kalliope Jude, or Gecko!  Our loyal fans have been so patient as Little Bird grows both in business, but also within our personal nest ;)  In the 5 years, it's been fun looking back and seeing how for 6 months we'd revamp and grow and strengthen, then I'd have another baby, we'd take a few months off, reintroduce a new animal into our nest and get right back to revamping and growing and strengthening!  That's what I'm most thankful for these days--that I can have a business that I LOVE and adapt it around the natural needs I feel are important in my goals and priorities as a mother and in raising my family.  I am thankful for Little Birds especially because it allows me to oporate in front of my children on a daily basis under the understanding how great it is to make a successful business so that we can, in turn, help others with it and make a positive difference in the world we live ...  And that's exactly what we're celebrating this holiday season in the Berios house--Giving!  

How can we be more elflike?  Making something for someone else and giving it to them, of course ;)  (My kids are wanting to be elves these days).  So they have been helping me in my workshop making blankets to give from each of the blankets sold throughout these past 15 months--40+!   My goal these next few weeks as we're gathering up the blankets and preparing them to be given, is to keep you, the reason we have so much to give in the loop!  I would love to hear how your bird blanket is being loved!  Comment below :)

Wishing you Warmth, LOVE and Happiness from our Nest to yours this Holiday Season :)

grace

Operation Christmas Child!

2011-11-16T08:09:00.000-08:00

Want to experience such overwhelming joy and anticipation and excitement over a charitable act--Pack a SHOEBOX!!

It was such a pleasure to share in this activity with each of my children:  

Kalliope helped do the shopping, Leo and Ava the sorting and packing, and Maximus the sampling ... Either way, they each touched, inspired and enthused love some way or another into each of these 12 shoeboxes we packed together to donate to 

Operation Christmas Child! 

 I LOVE lessons in giving with the kids, especially when they do so with loving, open hearts and joyful spirits :)  Thanks to Jessica Burns, one of my dearest friends and creator of Clip with Purpose Blog, who is very outspoken and involved with OCC all throughout the year.  IN January she encouraged her fans to pledge shoeboxes for OCC, and the kids and I came up with 12, one for each month.  There is still time to participate in this easy, breezy giving to others with your children or even solo :)  The drop off for boxes is this week November 14-21!  Enjoy!

October!!!

2011-10-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

I feel as if time is just flying by! Last month was in scary high speed since Labor Day it seems. John was out of town for 6-7 days and crammed all of his shifts in, for the most part, prior to his journey which equaled, one LONG month of working in work along side 4 little people. So I'm a bit behind in getting out our fall collection ...

The great news:  Little Bird's has some truly fabulous new looks and options to choose from, AND they are all 100% hand made and photographed by me.  I was really excited to do everything from start to finish to decide exactly how to hire others to help in the future when we head towards making Little Birds HUGE :)  The FANTASTIC News with this, every product posted is 100% authentic, and unique.

It was before as well, but as we have evolved into the company and direction we want to head, there hasn't been a definite style that we've stuck with and loved.  The only constant:  The Ava Bird itself, other than that each new additional image Little Bird's has produced has been tweeked--to now, perfection!  (At least from my opinion:))  Last year (August 2010 thru roughly June of 2011) Little Bird made strictly Yellow Birds and placed them on juts a few color and blanket options to enable the product to be easily mass produced for large orders.  What we took from that:  Consistency in painting, quality and design.  The cons, or things that were missed, uniqueness ... 

So this summer, I spent it with Ava and my children, studio, washing machine, art studio, and of course, trusty sewing machine perfecting the art of 

LITTLE BIRD VINTAGE DESIGNS.

Will be featuring new items as they are photographed :) 

For Now:

Check out Our Halloween Collection, I hope you like it :)

Thankful for another Day.

2011-09-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

I'm thankful today.  Just as I am everyday, for another start, another joy, another celebration whether those come in the form of happiness or sorrow.  

I am thankful for another chance to be kind rather than rude, to be grateful and open rather than resentful and closed, to be strong and confident rather than weak and easily swayed, to be the me I was born to be rather than following someone else's lead, to have chosen to bring children into this world and to choose to be their mother and 

all that that title entails, to have a choice, to have a voice, and to use it for good rather than for evil.  

I'm thankful for all those who have made so many sacrifices before me to ensure that I am free.  I am thankful for another opportunity today to take full advantage of that freedom, of my blessings and share 
blessings and love with others.  

Today, I am thankful for much. 
grace  

So much for Perfect Attendance this year...

2011-08-15T18:57:00.000-07:00

That's right, who in the world misses the first day of school when not on a planned vacation or ill???? We do ...  

I was so psyched about celebrating the last week of summer with my crew this week, that I didn't even realize school actually began today for 2 of my 3 heading off to school this year.  

We had a great day accidentally playing hooky though:)--turned it in to a full day of State Parking it!

We had such a fun spur of the moment Family day together, we checked out Guadalupe State Park--wondering where everyone was??  Why weren't they all out soaking in the last bit of summer with us???

And here we are at Canyon Lake State Park, because, why not?  

Rounded off the day enjoying some ice cream and Rudy's Barbeque, it was a GREAT Day :)  

 Check out this montage of Maximus, true to form and true to the shirt he's sporting! 

Our Octopus ...

By the end of the night though, especially after the sugar low came roaring through and the effects of no nap times shined brightly and LOUDLY,  John and I are more than overwhelmed with joy, and a bit of giddiness, of having 2 in school for the remainder of the week ;)

Here's to an early Fresh Start tomorrow to 2011-2012 School year--Yay!!

summer 2011

2011-08-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

I have taken this summer to truly, fully, wholly embrace each moment that I have been given with my wonderful four, my family, my friendships, my work, my craft.  I have organized each room in my house--once, it needs to be done again actually ... BUT I did do a one time major clean out/purge/filing/sorting of EVERYTHING week.  I played with each of my children, read books, rode bikes, swam ... I created with each, shared paint, shared stories, shared dirt, and lots of germs for sure.  I took just the 'bigs' out on occasion, and hung back with just the 'littles' while John got to share in the same experience of just having 2 again ;)  I went on date nights, and girls nights and had nights all to myself.  I made a cake from scratch, and Beef Wellington!  I became obsessed with the Food Network ... I entertained, I love hostessing :)  I exercised and really started taking a good hard look at what I eat ... I went on my first vacation since my honeymoon, granted it was with 4 children--but also a babysitter ;)  I enjoyed lots of one on one time with my husband and we really got to know each other again in these new roles we play in our real life now.  I brought Ava into the family business, she helped to create our next line of birds soon to be out, in fact!  

I lived this summer, and really enjoyed being me, and loved being with all those that make me, me:) I'm so thankful to be able to have the time to embrace Summer Breaks, 

I'm glad I took the time and really did this summer.

Each of these pictures make me smile :)

I will always love Summer 2011!

Kidspiration of the Month--our very own AVA BIRD!!

2011-07-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

Kidspired Creations: Kidspiration of the Month!

Check out full interview and get inspired!!  
Such a fun blog, Casey :)

This was such a special moment for 

Ava and it shows :)  

She looks and sounds like such a natural throughout this interview.

I was so proud and thankful that 

I get to be her mommy :)

BIG BIG news coming next week!!!

Stay tuned ...

And the Winners Are ....

2011-07-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

 
Cat IS THE WINNER

of the 

1st drawing: 

(Picked by Ava Bird)  

Our Lion, Leonidas, chose Pam as the winner of Drawing #2!

And MAXIMUS OUR OCTOPUS Picked Lizzie Brown as our winner of Drawing #3!!!  

 
A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO 
EACH OF OUR WINNERS!!!   
And an even larger thank you to all of our Little Bird fans out there who make us, us:)
Next drawing will be picked on time next time--I promise!  
 

Uh-Oh!

2011-07-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

Okay,  this is what happens when you're a mompreneur that works mainly around  school, nap and night time hour days ... You forget how crazy it gets to  work with kiddo's around and forget about things ... 

Precisely what took place tonight--dinner ran over, bath time was late, bedtime was needed and then, just as I got the last sleepy headed duo down, I realized it was 7:05 and the drawing did not take place.  

Positives: One more day to enter! We'll draw the winning entries right after nap time tomorrow--4:30ish.

Drawing tonight!!!! 9 hours and counting ...

2011-07-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

Drawing takes place at 7 o'clock tonight in our newly redecorated 

Little Bird Vintage Designs 

home studio!!!  

Pictures to be included with every win :)

Thanks to my mama blog friends Rebecca, of http://parkercountymama.com/ and Casey, of http://www.mykidspiration.blogspot.com/ for adding a new way to get entered in the drawings 3x's by posting us on your blog!!  

Our non-blogging fans can earn 3x's the entry as well by forwarding it out to friends via email or posting us on your Facebook wall--just cc us at grace@littlebirdvintagedesigns.com 

to let me know.

Wishing you luck!

9 hours and counting!!!

5000 views!! and it wasn't just me;)

2011-07-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

The Chirp reached 5000 views today since it's Hatching last summer!!  What a year ... As a big thank you to all our Little Bird Fans big and small, we have not one, not two, but 

THREE giveaways today to celebrate!!!!  

1st drawing: 

(Picked by Ava Bird)  

The Little Bird Tote Collection, both our Maximus Our Octopus Tote and Our Ava Bird Tote perfect for toting around all of 

your summer goods :)

2cd Drawing: 

(Leo our Lion will be choosing this one)
 

a Vintage Little Bird Tee!  

You're choice of color and size.

3rd Drawing: 

(and Maximus our Octopus 

will decide the fate of this win)
  

Our Mama Bird Tee with matching Tote filled with our DTG Infant onsie collection

How to enter:

**Simply post a comment on this entry--or any one of your favorite entries posted to date.

--each comment equals one entry ...

**Buy  something Little Bird--although our stock is limited--sorry about that,  we're still nesting awhile with our newest addition Kalliope Jude:)  So  as an added bonus to shop Little Bird--please expect a 25% return back on  your entire PURCHASE from what we have available on our Etsy shop page!!

**Fan us on FaceBook--please comment and let me know you've done so ...

**Tweet about us, and then, leave a comment letting me know you've done so ...

**Join our Flock!  We'd love to have you following us :)

We'll start now and end on Wednesday--tomorrow at
7 o'clock PM :)

A HUGE thank you again for sharing in our journey :) Looking forward to what's in store for Little Bird throughout Summer and Fall of 2011!!

grace

July 10th, 2004 :)

2011-07-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago today I woke up anxious, a little under pressure, a bit stressed, but excited and ready for the day!  I gathered my tools, flowers, coffee, and headed to 

First United Methodist Church in Downtown Shreveport, Louisiana to finish setting the stage for the perfect summer evening garden party celebration one could create inside a church gymnasium :) I was the floral choreographer to the most important event of my life thus far, our wedding.  

It was a week full of family and help and love, just as John and I wanted.  So thankful to have parents who were on board with letting us have it and going along with our plans, filling needs and major roles in and out of their comfort zone—like florist for my mom and event coordinator for Dad.  I am so thankful for my brothers throughout the entire event, Jude and Taunton and Blayne took charge of the entire big picture, ensuring the little details were attended to.  The night would not have been so perfect and beautiful if it hadn’t been for them, and then afterwards, with the help from my other brother, Daniel, they coordinated the clean up/tear down!  I guess all those Student Council Days of event planning and 

stage set up and tear down paid off :) 

My favorite memories were made throughout the entire week leading up to this day.  On this day, I was joined by my brothers, mom and dad, family friends, my two Matron’s of Honor—and best friends, to do the final 

preparations and help me transition 

from florist to bride:)

John and I wanted to keep the wedding as intimate as possible, each having our closest friends by our side.  It was only fitting that Josh Young and Julie Anderson were our Best Man and Matron of Honor since it was with the two that John and I first met and became friends during Spring Break, ’99.  And it was Julie’s wedding in 2001 when we had our first date together—and we’ve been together ever since:) Dave McCall and Jessica McHugh Burns, were our besties too up there.  Although they had nothing to do with us as a couple, they each were such a significant part in our individual lives as friends and still are.  Our siblings and my sister-in-law Sonya were standing with us as well, which was important to each of us.  Gracey Jayne, my namesake and 3 year old niece was our flower girl :) My Father walked me down the aisle, and then married us.   It was definitely a beautiful 

week/weekend/day/evening.  

 We were surrounded by love, and it showed!  

John and I are still two very strong individual people with a constant emphasis on unity in all that we do, and in each of our decisions and choices that have been laid before us since that day.  Our lives are better together and more full with each year that passes, especially when you count each impending birth, birth and 

delivery we’ve shared. 

I feel so blessed to be

Mrs. Grace Melville Berios :)

Here's to year 8!

"Hey, where's Atticus??"

2011-07-01T10:08:00.000-07:00

Ava B and Atticus:)

Ava has been taking Atticus, her infant who shares a wonderful wardrobe with Kalliope Jude, to American Girl Camp this week.  It's a week long camp of making things and crafting alongside your baby:)  Both have LOVED it, and she's made such cute things for her.  Today is their final day together, and what happened??  We forgot Atticus ... had to go all the way back home to get her.  Ava was so sad at herself for the oversight.  I assured her it's a mother's worst fear, to have that mental check list and realize something, or worse--someone had been forgotten.  It's not easy being a mommy, and it's a lot of responsibility to make sure everything and everyone is cared for all the time, day in, day out.  I think it was a great life lesson moment for her and a reminder to me just how lucky I am to be a mommy and, by being a mommy I get that unique power to juggle so much and somehow, someway keep everything running forward and in sync, most of the time ;)  

Here's to mommy power!

Happy Independence Day weekend!!  We are so thankful to be sharing it with our Avia and Papa David who are making a special trip down to San Antonio this weekend to enjoy it with us!  

Wishing you a perfect end to your week:)

Work's out for summer!!! YAY:)

2011-06-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

My first time grilling :) LOVED it!

June 30th is always such a fantastic day of the year for me, it marks the official start of summer within my job--I am a consultant to Louisiana School Systems that facilitates Medicaid Reimbursement back into their parish.  I yawn as I write this, which is the response I get when people ask what it is that I do... It's all for the greater good though, and that's what matters.  BUT my CFO's for each parish tend to designate the month of July to take off for the summer, and that is totally fine by me :)  I love the freedom and excitement of thinking towards my July plans. 

This month, my 2 boys will be in camp at their school from 8:30-3:00 each day, Ava will be at Soccer Camp in the AM, and hanging with Kalliope and me until we pick up the boys everyday.  I plan on soaking in that time with her and inviting her to join in on some Little Bird projects that we'll be excited to debut throughout the month:)  She's so excited to have the time, I am so looking forward to letting her create uninhibited with younger sibs!  She's getting so big, it will be such a joy to have just full attention on enjoying real quality time and projects together, 

looking forward to the outcome:)

Taken after a very long day of potty training

Tonight I'm kicking the month off by going to Painting with A Twist, my latest joy. I haven't been able to go since February, so I'm thrilled!

Wishing you a summer break today :)

grace

dyshidrotic eczema

2011-06-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

I have this.  It's a super annoying, painfully irritating form of stress induced, heat sensitive eczema.  It's awful.  It makes me mad, sad, frustrated, angry, crazy--all in one, all the time ... It's not only painful (imagine tiny deep paper cuts all over your fingers and under your fingernails--OUCH, right??)  and completely about as uncomfortable as you can get, it's also hideous and extremely vulnerable.  It debilitates me. I'm hesitant to reach for something or touch anything for fear of how my skin will react to it.  IT's a nightmare.  And depressing. 

dyshidrotic eczema 

I haven't always had this.  My first case of it flared up the last 6 months of my pregnancy with Maximus, our 3rd, and since then I have outbreaks off and on which vary in severity and duration.  My recent outbreak occurred when I went into labor with Kalliope.  I was completely calm, well, as calm as one can be when going into Labor, calm, and it happened.  An outbreak.  It's been 5 months and 8 days, with 2 doses of steroids and still here...  It doesn't help that all that you're told to avoid interaction with if you have this condition is everything that I'm in constant contact with on a daily basis being a mother of 4,with one of those being an infant:  Wipes, washing your hands, detergents, cleaning products, wetness, latex gloves---seriously, if you've ever experienced an episode of cleaning up after one of Maximus' poop art explosions, your hands must come into contact with some heavy duty defense, or else!  a lot of foods, like tomatoes, onions, potatoes, citrus, which makes it hard to play out my passion for cooking.  Citric Acid is a biggie.  I had to train Leo how to peel his own oranges at a very young age, he now is our family's designated orange peeler :)  You are basically told there is no cure, to take precautionary measures to avoid contact with all irritants as much as possible--did I mention that stress is a major factor in this curse as well, and anxiety.  How do you take away that being a mama to 4 who are all 5 and under?? And heat.  It's summer in San Antonio about 8 out of the 12 months of the year ... 

It attacks the areas around your sweat glands and form these time cuts and blisters and bumps.  Those then spread, heal, breakout again, and heal, and then just when you think you've almost gotten it beaten, you touch a tomato or something else and there it goes again, painfully attacking your hand's epidermis, with greater fury and rage than before since your just healing skin is still so sensitive...  Depressing.  

That's exactly what has been happening lately to me, I've been losing myself in the self loathing, why me, how do I get it to just go away, depression for the past few months.  I have seen doctors about it, it's still an unsolved mystery, genetics...  So their solution is a steroid, but who wants those side affects, and actually when I've taken them, the outbreak stops only until the steroid has run its course and then comes back with a vengeance.  The last straw was when I saw my doctor for the last time, around the end of May, and he informed me that unfortunately this is something that is incurable and will be with me for the rest of my life...  What a grim last statement to make right before he bids me farewell and wishes me a fantastic summer.  So, I get down about it, snappy, edgy, sad, but then, all of a sudden I realize, you know what, who's to say I can't beat this?  So what if I have to change my whole entire lifestyle and way of doing things so that my hands stay protected and pain free, at least I still have 2 hands.  And it's not a terminal illness.  I'm still extremely healthy and my life is abundantly full, and blessed, I'm thankful:)  Looking at some of the blogs out there and the comments posted on them, I realized that this illness needs a more optimistic voice.  Maybe that's why it was given to me, to be that optimism?  We'll see.  It helps to have a supportive partner too--if you're ever out with John and me notice him squirting the lemon on my fish, or in my ice tea, it's because he loves me so much and does it for me, now without even having to ask him:)  (You can't touch lemons or any other citric produce with this condition).  

That's it.  I'll keep you posted, it's something that's a part of me and I'm trying really hard to accept it these days and move forward.  I thought what a better place to start than right here at the Nest:)

I'm excited about little birding it in July!! Ava, the one who inspired it all, will be painting with me--can't wait to share :)

Happy Summer! 1st DAY YAY!

2011-05-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

Enjoying our new shade!
The first day of Summer kicked off officially today at the Berios Home  :) 

 We spent it at home recuperating from an extra, especially long week  of end of school celebrating and birthday festivities.  It was so  pleasant to have a worry free Saturday to fall into. 

 I cleaned out  the laundry room which was stuffed with unsightly objects that were  hidden away for the Pirate Party on Thursday, and felt so refreshed  afterwards!  Ava and Leo played with their new Rocket Avia sent to Leo  for Maximus and Ava's birthday--Maximus gave rides on his new cruising  mobile from Papa David and Avia in honor of turning 2, Daddy rested  upstairs, and came down after an entire house napped peacefully and  played until he had to return to work for a night shift post bedtime. 

I  made homemade french bread loaves in the oven!  And they turned out  PERFECT!  I remember nostalgically these seemingly empty days at our  house growing up.  Dad and mom working on "Saturday" projects around the  house, inside and out, and my brothers and I enjoying countless hours  of free play and exploration--the world was ours and I hope I soaked it  in more times than not. 

I wish for Ava, Leo, Maximus and Kalliope,  imaginative exploring, lots of laughter and new ideas and success with fabulous memories that our bound to follow. 

 
I love you each :)

Our Octopus turns 2!

2011-05-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

Our 2 year old--what a handful of complete joy!

My day was great.  The end of a very long year here as official San Antonian's!

Today  was fantastically refreshing!  What a long awaited week that finally  comes to a halt today!  Coming down from a huge day of party prep and  celebration, to heading to school this AM to greet the final day of the  school year--our first and last year at Child Montessori, what an  incredible feeling :)  I have really not liked as much as I should have,  or loved as much as I have past schools, this school.  For various  reasons.  #1 being the commute to and from each day--it's 10 miles away,  but a good 20-30 minutes one way depending on traffic, which changes  from day to day.  And that's about the consistency I received as a  parent.  There, to me, was not a consistent role as a figure head or  person in charge at any moment on any given day.  That frustrated me.   Ava and Leo thrived there though and were cared for, so I suppose that  was a great since of relief.  I was ready for the end though and to  begin a fresh new chapter of school in July and this Fall.  Settling  into our now home for a year in Alamo Heights. 

Making Alamo Heights our  city within San Antonio.  I can't wait :)  And I'm really excited about  this summer, glad it kicks off tomorrow!  I have hired Meara and Tiara  to help out throughout the entire month of June and really plan on  making the most of this summer now that we're officially all moved in  and settled, unlike this time last year, when we had just moved--this  weekend in fact, and settling and unpacking seemed Monumentous!!  I was  newly pregnant with Kalliope as well, which made my energy non existent.   and It was summer in South Texas:  Hot. 

This year we have great  friends, neighbors, a lived in back yard, no packed boxes in sight, and a  membership to a beautiful pool and GYM!  John loves his job and the  schedule is fantastic!  We are so lucky to be able to live out this life  we have created and been so blessed with, together. 

I love us :)   Happy Summer kids!

And Happy Birthday Maximus, our never a dull moment,  joyfully energized 2 year old!  We are so blessed by you each day!!

Let the clean up begin! Arrrrghh!!

2011-05-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

And we're done!  

We made it through the week :)  No major melt downs or fits had, and the kids did great too ;)  One thing that was soon realized this week is that it definitely takes a team spirit to get through such a whirlwind of a week of celebrations--So thankful for my Johns, he's a perfect daddy and wonderful husband:)  He not only put on such a fabulous Treasure Hunt and transformed our entire yard into a Pirate wonderland, but he made birthday pancakes for each morning of birthdays too!  

The kids are so lucky to have him:)

This week was filled to the brim with last week of school activities for all three, Snack Day Host for all three as well, 9 teacher gifts total and 2 birthday celebrations that we turned into one GIANT Pirate Fiesta!  

I LOVE planning parties, doing the decorating, baking the cake, coordinating the food and our outfits, but I was so thankful for John this week helping put our master game plan into action!  It's tough to event plan when someone is always needing you, whether it was my 4 month old, my toddler, my still growing into being a big boy, 3 year old, or my now 5 year old--

who was such a superstar this week and shined!!  

Ava has the added bonus of shining brighter through being a big sister--which can either go really wrong or really well, and she holds that title fabulously:)  She is such a great big sister, and we are each thankful for her and were so excited to give her a day of celebration!                          

  She loved sharing it with another great guy to be a sibling with, our Maximus, who loves any celebration.  

Leo embraced the pirate theme and ran with it-remaining dressed and in character well after the party :)

I realized that it's a necessity to hire a babysitter for a party you are hosting as a mommy/daddy of 4.  One needed our complete attention at all times yesterday, so we will definitely be 

enlisting a helper for the next Berios Bash!  

The nature of being a family of 6, 4 of which are newly 5 and under. 

Here are some highlights!   

The Cakes! Maximus had the Lost Island, Ava, Buckey the Pirate Ship


The blowing out of the candles was post Cannon Ball soaking, thus why the 2 birthday kids are out of costume--

The Treasure Map!!

The Hunt!

My Ava is 5! May 26th, 2011

2011-05-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

5 years ago today--our family began :)
WOW!  What a long anticipated, totally full day of  celebration and excitement wrapped in fun and the ordinary motions that  come from such a packed day!  Today is Ava's 5th birthday and we  celebrated big time, with a birthday walk at school--her final birthday  walk at a Montessori, and then John and I worked frantically, yet as  coolly as possible, prepping for the huge Pirate Fiesta to commence  immediately following their day at school.  We kept the party as small  as possible, just the Broadwell's, the Hernandez family, the  Davidson's--our next door neighbors, Ana, from across the street and our  new friends, Kim, Steve and their daughter Charlsey, yet it was a  packed party full of little overly energized, hyper bodies :)  By the  end, I was pooped.  Literally every single part of my body refused to be  put to use.  I had used every extra ounce of what energy I did produce  on putting on a great party with the tremendous help and support of John  :)  And we did it! 
 IT was a great party :)

Happy Birthday my  Special, wonderful little 5 year old!!   I love you more than you will  ever know and be able to comprehend--well maybe when you're a mommy,  you'll relate a bit :)  You started our family a little more than 5  years ago and what a joy it's been since you entered our world.  I look  forward to seeing what you will become, I have treasured all that you  are today and before.  I am so thankful to be a part of your life long  journey and grateful to be your mommy :)
http://gallery.me.com/graceberios/100377
I love you!
Mommy :)

And a happy May Day to ya!

2011-05-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it was today--the start of a new month,  the end of a long week, the finale of John's weekend of work, 

a great  nights rest??  

My day began just like yesterday, way too early, nonscheduled excess chatter well before coffee and the sun, but everything  went eerily  better.  Moods on all accounts were brighter, no  crying/hitting/fighting/shortness of temper took place. 

Breakfast was  made-and devoured-happily :)  We arrived to church fully dressed,  hair--and teeth brushed, early!  I even surprised the kids with a  picnic lunch at the play ground immediately following the service :)   ALL 4 are down without complaint or struggle or even question for a nap,  and John will be home immediately following--I made it :)  Another  weekend down, 

and on a fantastic note :)  

Thankful. 

**I'm writing this to prove to myself 

and all my Little Bird fans what a 

significance a day makes.**  

I was so full of negativity yesterday, almost like a quicksand reaction, everything just kept building and building and building.  Poor John even arrived home from work early, but it was too late, I was done.  Everything made me sad, or mad, or made me feel slighted, even down to John getting a shirt in the mail for a concert we're both going to in June and I got super offended and hurt that he didn't get one for me as well?? That's not me..  Thankfully he knows that, and got over the wrath of emotions and silent anger towards him that followed immediately after, very quickly... 

Today is a great day!  Thank you for enduring my blog and celebrating my life beside me in my great days and not so super, but still, in the grand scheme of things, pretty great days as well. :)  

Sewing happily today--instead of as a therapeutic outlet:/

Wishing you a little cool breeze, happiness, and LOVE today :)

Grace

What??? April of 2011 is over??

2011-04-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Sleepy today, tired.  My B-Team collectively, me especially, are extremely fortunate to now enjoy the life that we share together--it's perfect, an almost dream life, if you will ;), especially when compared to what we were sharing before July 2010--a husband in residency, a work from home, mostly edgy mommy of 3--expecting #4, a little stressed, to say the least ... 

Now that John is officially out of residency, we have vowed together for him to work only the minimum amount of shifts per month (12).  In doing so, I keep my full time job, but what a piece of cake to work it in now with him home helping out the other 18 days;) and the kids get 2 full time parents.  

We have it pretty good, I'd say.  NO room to complain, but yet, here it goes.  

*D. B. has to work 2 weekends every month, and I dread Saturdays ... I have our entire parenting life.  Sunday's are easy, and even more special when it's just the 5 of us.  We have our church activities, lunch, sometimes even open art, we love Sundays!  Saturdays stink though.  It's super hard to solo parent on a day when the majority of 2 parent homes have 2 parents home that particular day of the week ... So here I am venting about it.  I wouldn't trade our life for anything.  It's pretty incredible having D. B. around most regular days of the week, participating and helping in drop off/pick up routines, activities, pre dinner time entertainment, enjoying date days together while kids are in school :) ... But there is a tiny percentage of me that longs for that predictable 8-5 daddy weekday, guaranteed 2 day weekend off scheduled life, usually that yearning for falls on Saturdays like these.   

Today we woke up at 6ish--cause who doesn't wake up super early on a weekend???  Pancakes were demanded for breakfast, and grumpily made ... poop on the door of my 2-year-old's freshly painted--just this week--room to clean:(  My 3 month old had a leaky, very leaky diaper on me as I was herding all 4 out the door from playing at The Little Gym--my planned activity of the day, not to mention she and Leo, my 3 year old throwing a fit as we made our grand exit.  And that all occurred by 11:30 AM ...  I spent the next hour in the car stalling.  We drove to Chick-file, picked up lunch, while they picnicked in the car, I explored the roads of San Antonio, we headed home around 12:45, changed 2 diapers, washed 5 sets of hands (mine included), read 2 bed time stories and each were tucked away separately throughout the house for *hopefully* an extremely long afternoon siesta :)  Fingers crossed!

Sewing today and finishing up our March-April branching out project--All profits are headed to Japan in relief efforts from their recent devastation.  Looks like Tuscaloosa, AL should be our May relief effort--I'll keep you posted.  Keep the orders coming, it keeps me somewhat sane :)

Wishing you a little coolness, happiness and LOVE today :)

Off to catch a brief siesta myself :)

grace

*D.B.=Daddy Berios, My Johns :)

spring 2011

2011-04-18T14:59:00.001-07:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Fiesta!!

2011-04-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

It's Fiesta in San Antonio, Texas this weekend!!!

I think instantly of RED :)

Looked all over (at the last minute) for TUTU's for the girls, should have ordered from http://www.tutumoi.com/ a long time ago ...

We borrowed this one way back in 2007, right before Leo's arrival, to put together a last minute Christmas Card ... It would have been perfect for this weekend's festivities.

Cucumber with Cream Cheese Sandwich anyone??

2011-04-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

Much to my surprise this week, Leo, my 3 year old son, requested to bring Cream Cheese and Cucumber sandwiches for his snack day at school tomorrow--A first for me, John and I actually had to Google the recipe just to ensure we were making them correctly and that the ingredients were just that--Cream cheese and Cucumbers on bread ...

We learned that the addition of cream cheese is what makes up the American version of the British sandwich.

Branching Out -- For Japan Part 2

2011-04-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

LOVING and appreciating all the fun feedback and support for our 

Branching Out for Japan project!!  

This past week my Little Bird Crew flocked together with fellow Little Bird Fans and Lovers in Austin, Texas 

for a Melville Family Retreat!  

These little birds are the reason 

I LOVE what I do :)

Cooper Eliza Melville, A HUGE Little Bird Fan :) And my youngest niece.

My niece and Namesake, Gracey Jayne Melville, 9 years old, my oldest niece :)

While we were there, Little Bird received several orders that I get to prepare 

and send out to day :)  

All in support of Japan Relief! 

Currently enjoying a relaxing Saturday morning at home, it's amazing how being away, even on a super fun adventure, can make you appreciate just being at home:) Love!

Wishing you a day full of Warmth, LOVE and Happiness--

Grace 

2011-03-24T13:21:00.000-07:00

Loving the interest and support we're getting on the 

Little Bird effort in 

Branching Out for Japan!  

Keep the comments and purchases coming :)and please re post this on your blog, Facebook, Twitter--the more the merrier :)

Having a great week this week--We're getting our shower fixed upstairs this week causing me to be a bit more home bound than I normally would be on any given day and thus enabling me to get much accomplished!  I'm in that post addition nesting phase (translation:  weeding out things to make the addition of one more, to an already full home, welcome) :)  WE ARE IN LOVE with Kalliope Jude, such a joyful blessing, we couldn't have pictured a sweeter little offspring!


Pictured here smiling with oldest sibs and Papou :)

Last week the Little Bird crew headed to Houston, TX to enjoy the last half of our Spring Break together at Papou and Yia Yia's house--our first adventure since Kalliope's arrival.  Boy, were we all ready!  That trip and grandparent get away was just what each of us needed.  We took in some sites while we were there as well--NASA, the kids loved it and the Farm, who doesn't love to get down and dirty feeding the animals and riding horses??  

Manning the sheep

 It was a perfect break, we all came back with renewed spirits and fresh energy  after.  Ready for Spring! 

The official Crew Pic!

Wishing you a great end of your week and a Happy Weekend!

AND REMEMBER ... 

The FALL promo is still in effect and The Profits for Japan goes through April!  

As Always we LOVE your feedback -- 

Let us know how you're lives have been impacted since this latest disaster?  

I'd love to hear:)

Wishing you warmth, Love and happiness--

grace

Branching out -- For Japan

2011-03-15T12:53:00.001-07:00

As a mommy, friend, sister, daughter, granddaughter, neighbor, person, I can't help but be affected by the tragedy Japan is facing at the moment. I am devastated, heartbroken, helpless and thankful all in one. I could not even fathom going through such a horrific situation, what I would be like, what I would do?

How can I help?

I have started with being thankful for what I have and still have--my family, neighbors, friends, shelter, food, transportation, peace. The next step is reaching out--thus this blog:

All Profits for MARCH and APRIL from

ALL Little Bird Sales will be donated to the Samaritan's Purse International Relief Organization.

I'm a big believer that one person can make a difference no matter how small of a contribution, but just think of how big of a difference many people can make with even the smallest of contributions adding together as one!

Please help spread the word by sharing it on your Facebook Page, Tweeting about it, Emailing it out. And I urge you to find ways in which you can share with those that are in need by researching organizations like Samaritan's Purse International Relief, RedCross, and many, many other reputable organizations that are simple to donate too, and find a way that you feel comfortable branching out.

Wishing you and your little birds continued,

Warmth, Love and Happiness~

Grace

SALE!!!

2011-03-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

You'll notice back at the shop all

DTG Fall Collection is on SALE!!

I'm a firm believer in refreshing and renewing and although I love this Fall Collection, I'm more than ready to highlight some fresh

new items for Spring! Plus, down here in San Antonio,

it's already reaching 90 degree temps outside!!

I get hot just looking at my long sleeve stock!

***For all of our northern fans, these are the perfect comfy long sleeve tee's to take your little birds into the cool spring/summer nights :)

***For our fellow Southerners--

a perfect opportunity to stock up for next year :)

****Enter COUPON CODE: LBVDFALL at checkout to reflect sales price****

Wishing you and your little birds continued,

Warmth, Love and Happiness~

Springing back into 2011

2011-03-09T10:29:00.000-08:00

We are slowly getting back to our regularly scheduled life and routine since the arrival of our Kalliope Jude :)

All siblings have adjusted so well to our new addition which has been such a joy to experience in and of itself! I am LOVING being a mommy and wife to our now complete family of 6!!

Kalliope's animal will soon be announced and unveiled--I really, really appreciate all the wonderful suggestions and ideas, can't wait to add it the the Nest!

Some new things to look for this Spring:

**More Colored Ava Bird Direct to Garment print options, much like our adult Tees now offer.

**Spring DTG Print shirts just in time to welcome in the warmer seasons!!

**Some awesome sales from Winter Wear items to snatch up for next year's cold season!!

******I'll announce when each our introduced into the Collections Page. *******

As we enter into this new year--now in our 3rd month of 2011--I can't believe it--I truly thank you for a great Fall '10! We raised over $75 through our Halloween Tee sales, for SAMMinistries- -helping our Nest-less friends, and will donate 6 blankets from the one for one blanket/lovie program Little Birds offers. Little Birds will be offering more charitable giving through buying opportunities throughout 2011 because who doesn't like to get that warm and fuzzy feeling all over when buying things we love ;)

We love your feed back--let us know what you like, what you suggest, what your favorite Little Bird item is, AND especially when you see Little Bird out and about in your world :)

Wishing you Warmth, Love and Happiness ~

Grace

Our little Aquarius!!

2011-02-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

I proudly introduce our Final Addition to our Nest...

Kalliope Jude Berios

arrived January 21st, 2011!!

Kalliope (Cali-Opey) Jude (Dude) Berios (Bear-i-os)

Just like her sister and brothers before her, she was a fast labor and perfectly healthy delivery coming at just about the most perfectly convenient time possible :) Yia Yia was in town to take care of the older 3 allowing John and me to totally soak in and "enjoy" our final labor and delivery together worry free. So thankful for that.

Finding out she's a she and super healthy :) So emotional, excited and overwhelmed with joy all at once :)

We were so excited to find out that we were welcoming another girl into our family, and she definitely suits the name we had decided on as our girl choice: Kalliope--greek for Beautiful Music, in honor of My mother, her Avia, and Jude, her oldest Uncle, one of my all time role models--next to my other 2 brothers and father of course :)

She came out loud and strong right from the start! Ava, Leo and Maximus are all over joyed being older sibs, and welcomed her into our little--now complete Nest--

with loving, gentle arms and kisses and intrigue :)

Getting all excited and bundled up to enjoy our first Snow Day!! 1 week old :)

We LOVE her :)

We are in search of the perfect animal for her to join in the Little Bird Family of images. I welcome your suggestions!! We were thinking since we have air (the Ava Bird), land (Leo the Lion) and sea (Maximus our Octopus)--why not reptile? Thoughts and ideas welcomed :)

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-10T10:40:00.000-08:00

37 weeks pregnant celebration :)

Little Birds has been busy working away this month for 2011--I apologize for the lack of updates on my blog, but promise great things to come in February--including the announcement of our newest additions to our Little Bird Nest, both in our immediate family as well as new Animal to represent his/her presence in the family business :)  Until then--I leave you with this--A painting I painted at our local Painting With A Twist!  Our Little Bird Headquarters is called Our Nest--so I have been craving a Nest on my office wall--I was going to pay big money for someone else to create this--and viola!  I created it myself, perfectly personable to represent our nest with 4 eggs all accounted for!  I completely recommend trying out a class near you either alone, with a friend or a group--It's John's and my next date night outing!!  We're working on our gallery :)  

Cheers to you and your family with great New Year wishes from our Nest to yours! I'll be back blogging post arrival of our latest little bird, until then, you're welcome to continue shopping with us back at the shop, still taking and sending orders out :)

Holiday decor from the B team :)

2010-12-23T12:45:00.000-08:00

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 ...

2010-12-13T10:01:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

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!!

2010-12-09T09:12:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2010-12-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-12-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-03T09:19:00.000-08:00

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 :)

2010-12-01T20:26:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-11-27T13:08:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-11-22T07:52:00.000-08:00

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 :)

2010-11-20T19:45:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-11-16T08:17:00.000-08:00

 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!

2010-11-16T08:02:00.000-08:00

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 :)

2010-11-08T11:37:00.000-08:00

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 :)

2010-11-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2010-11-04T06:26:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2010-11-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-11-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

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!

WINNER!!!

2010-10-27T17:33:00.000-07:00

After a disastrous drawing with Maximus (He grabbed all 18 entries...) I elected big brother Leonidas to be our official picker :)  He did great--and the winner is ...  

Congratulations Sharon Howey!!!  You won our 2nd Giveaway, a Little Bird Maximus the Octopus Long Sleeve T-Shirt!!!

Thank you for all who participated--

Will post our 3rd Giveaway on Friday!!

Giveaway's, new product, charitable projects, Oh My!

2010-10-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

A Nest full of our new colors, sure to warm up your little bird!

**Our latest Branching Out project comes to a close on the 31st--you still have time to make such a difference--Check out our collections page and place your 

Halloween Tee and Lovie/Sport order today!

**Wednesday is the final day to enter in our 2nd Giveaway!!  Many ways to enter--check out the post and enter today!!

**New Bright Appliqued Bold Collections in for Fall!  Such cool, hip, warm, inviting, richly intoxicating colors sure to liven up you're little bird's wardrobe :) Be sure to check them all out--snap tees, gathered sleeve tees, long sleeve tees

I love feedback and suggestions--constructive :) 

Facebook us, Join our Fan Page, Twitter Us, Leave a Comment, but especially Become an official Member of the Flock and enjoy lots of specials and first hand deals :)

Wishing you a day filled with Warmth, Love and Happiness--
mine just got brighter :)

Grace

Have you seen the latest from Little Bird's????

2010-10-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

Introducing our LATEST Collection just in time for Fall!!!  

Little Bird Vintage Designs

Bold Bright Long Sleeve Collection has arrived!!

Offered in 3 delectably warm colors sure to warm up your little bird as we approach the cooler seasons :)

Raspberry, Navy and Smoldering Chocolate

Each can be found pictured on our Collections page at www.littlebirdvintagedesigns.com

***I apologize that the posted new pics are  model-less.  I was super excited to get them out there... I'll adjust  and add more as they get captured worn and in action, but for now, just  picture your little bird looking oh so chic, hip and adorably happy in  them :)

Little Bird's Giveaway #2!!!

2010-10-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

Last week was my first ever Little Bird Giveaway and I learned SO much!  For one, this week I will have clear, stated, outlined rules so there is NO confusion and it will make it all that much easier for you to enter and increase your chances in winning :)  

Thank you to ALL who participated last week,
it was a huge success and too much fun!

So without further ado:  

This Week's Little Bird Vintage Designs Second EVER Giveaway!!!!!!!

A Maximus the Octopus Long Sleeved DTG Print Tee!  

Available in sizes 6 mos-5/6 T!! 

This will coordinate perfectly with that Maximus Octo Tote you've been eying or any other Little Bird Product, for that matter :)  Your little bird is sure to love it!

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 coordinating 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!!

Names will be drawn at random from a witches hat at 5 PM on Wednesday October 27th  

by Maximus himself.  

Announcement of official winner and pictures will be posted that evening.

Good luck to all!

Gourmet Caramel Apples~from home :)

2010-10-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

Now, granted, the end product is not any where close to the beauty found at specialty gourmet apple shops ~ do they even have such a shop??  But I assure you, from many taste tests, looks are not everything :) The one thing I noticed in the end, when I bit into the decedent, rich, slice smothered messily in Chocolate, Caramel and crushed Candy, my first thought was, 'It didn't fall apart!'  Each bite was just as wonderful of an experience as the first :) 

To Start
Daddy and Maximus unwrap the Caramels for melting :)
Our Motto:  The uglier the better :)
So yummy!

I got the idea from A Little Tipsy's Blog--check it out for the recipe and her more beautiful end result :)

It's a messy undertaking, but for this 7 month pregnant lady, completely worth the effort!

Let me know how yours turn out :)

Octo Tote Giveaway Winner!!!!

2010-10-18T17:31:00.000-07:00

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who participated in our First Ever Giveaway!!!  From the response, we will definitely be making this a weekly event--It was so much fun :)

I tried to prove just how legit it was via photo documentation, but alas, we have three very, busy bodies and this was as much proof as we could muster...

Me cutting, Leo crumpling and placing in tote...


Ava Drawing a name, but disapproving of my handwriting...


So she rewrote it :) McCall is the WINNER!!!

 Congratulations McCall the Grand Winner!!!  Yay!

Come back and see us Wednesday for our 2nd weekly giveaway!!!!!

Brown Sacking it!

2010-10-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

At church this morning we were all given a sack to fill of staple, non-perishable groceries as we hit the market this week.  The sacks will be returned throughout the week and distributed to the Hope Center in San Antonio, TX.   

I love how simple they made it for me to give.  

They gave me a sack with a grocery list of just 10 items to include.  I can now simply add these 10 items to my grocery list, keep this sack of filled goods in the car as I unload and, viola, I'm all set to give back next Sunday.  

As I was thinking about the simplicity and affordability of this "good", a thought came to mind:  Why not do this every time I grocery shop, and make a point to deliver it to a food bank throughout my week?  Or keep in my car ready to give the next panhandler I see--which is many on my route throughout my day...  I'm going to give it a try each time I go to the store from now through Thanksgiving.  

Posted you'll find the grocery list in case it's something you feel the desire to try as well, or better yet--Share another idea!  It's much more exciting of a case study to explore all options :)

Sack of Groceries:

 *  Green Beans

*  Canned Tomatoes

*  Macaroni 'n Cheese

 *  Canned Vegetables

*  Canned Chili

*  Small bags of Dry Pinto Beans

*  Canned Fruit

*  Peanut Butter and Jelly

 *  Small Bags of Rice

*  Pudding Packs

**Any non-perishable food items are welcome!

To simple not to try :)

How will you Branch Out today?

Wishing you Warmth, love and happiness today--and full bellies.

Grace 

Seriously Spooky--Just in time for Halloween!!!

2010-10-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

Anyone that knows me, my kids, our schedule, our routine, would realize this to be true of me~

Homelessness frightens me, scares me to death, terrifies me, saddens me.  Not only for the obvious reasons I would feel strongly for pre-kids--but now, in kid mode--it stirs all kinds of deeper emotions and haunts.  How would I cope without my "Nest", my home base?  Where my families security  lies, the comforts that every "nest" provides~Warmth,shelter, sense of safety, control, peace.  

As A mother, I have come to the conclusion that one of the greatest gifts you can give a child is just that:  Routine, security, consistency.  I am thankful, at this time and moment, to be able to provide them with that and treasure that freedom it affords me as a mommy.

Little Bird's Second Branching Out Project lies in building and creating "nests"!  We have teamed up with SAMMinistries--a local homeless operation here that provides a safe haven for families who have some how or another lost their "nest".  

**For each Halloween Ava Bird Tee sold, 100% of all profits rendered will go directly to SAMMinistries family program.  For every Little Bird Lovie and/or Little Bird Sport Blanket Sold, one Little Bird Lovie, and/or Little Bird Sport Blanket will be also donated to the family ministry program.** 

To purchase:
www.littlebirdvintagedesigns.com

Could you imagine your little bird without his or her favorite blankie or lovie?   Our Maximus alone has three on hand at all times just to ensure his comfort and sense of security~overkill~I know, but you get my point~they play an important role in their little lives.

Please help us to spread the word about this ministry and organization by visiting and becoming a fan of http://www.samm.org/ Know that your purchase will make a difference~something you can be reminded of long after Halloween has passed.

In Warmth, love, and happiness~

Grace Berios

Fall Packages sent with Love!

2010-10-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

I adore receiving mail, I also adore sending mail.  The packaging (wrapping it up), presentation, anticipation of wondering just when it will arrive, the response it will invoke, emotions it will render ... I love it!  Everything about a good ole package, love it.  

Thanks to all my little bird customers, I now get the joy of sending out purchased packages all the time now.  Just today, Maximus and I shipped to all different parts of the USA--from Alaska--to Georgia, Kentucky to right back here in the Great State of Texas!  

Thank you for making my day :)   Keep the orders coming!

New Maximus Octopus Tote--Go Eco! Give Away!!

2010-10-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a great Tote Bag--a cute one at that :) ??

I have trillions it seems--but use them all at some point throughout  their lifespan--whether it be the permanents kept in the car intended to  be used at all times rather than plastic.  A make shift diaper bag for  any of the three--if not all, "attache" to stash my misc writing and  business gear in a pinch, a mail sack, a "junk drawer" bag, filled with  misc goods that should be sorted, but get hidden for the time being...  the list is endless for me :)

What's your best purpose for your tote?  
And while your on the  thought--how about adding ours to your collection :) 

Introducing -- Our Maximus Octopus 100% Cotton Canvas Tote 

--totally  washable--oh so desirable tote bag  $12.00

Perfect as a gift for yourself of some other bird in your life!

Tell us your most outrageous purpose for  your tote and one lucky name will be picked to get their Octopus Tote  Bag free 

in our Tote Giveaway :)   

***Yikes!***Realized  just this morning that I didn't put a deadline on this or any details  other than "Free Tote" on here :)  

I'll  be closing this Giveaway on Monday the 18th-

you've still got time to get  your comment in!***

****Man, I stink at this!  It's my first giveaway... The winner will be drawn on Monday the 18th by Ava, Little Bird's inspiration.****
I promise to have this more laid out next time :) 

Secret Guilty Pleasure for a WAH-mostly solo-Mommy

2010-10-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

Cinnamon Chip Scone-toasted to heat-accompanied by a strong, rich, no frills, latte--this is my morning pleasure for today-Sunday, 10/10/10.  A little guilty over it though, just a little.   It's another weekend of John (my adoring husband) having to work, me solo parenting it.  Our new church home in San Antonio is conveniently located .2 miles from a Starbucks (a couple locations actually) one way and Panera Bakery-today's choice indulgence-the opposite direction up the road.  It makes it all too convenient for me not to just drop the kids off, each settled in their Sunday School Classes, checked in with my cell number available if they were to need to locate me (it's a large church, so this is protocol :))I then walk inconspicuously back through the forward approaching crowd in the parking lot, get in  my car, turn off all toddler tunes and go enjoy a quite, relaxing, worry free hour to myself to slowly sip and devour my latte and pastry, catch up on thank yous, read, or just sit back and soak in the peace :)  

I feel as if I've stolen this hour all to myself, free of charge, free of pay back--Although I am a strong believer in and active Tither :)  The perfect escape.  And for the record--here's the guilt--I am usually early for the 11 o'clock service, ready to worship!

What's your guilty confession today?