Happy Friday!

This place makes my heart sing. How fabulous would it be to live in such a vibrant building!  I just adore those soft pink blossoms on the tree, they are the perfect little accent--although they would do some serious damage to my allergies.  I hope you had a great week friends.  Cheers to the weekend, may it be filled with sunshine & cheer!

image via pinterest, sourced from lifestyle bohemia

gift giving: clever & cost effective

This weekend was packed with birthday party after birthday party--three to be exact. We already have several parties in the books for next month and I can only imagine the invitations will keep rolling in. To my relief, Bronson inspired a very clever, kind, and cost effective gift.  Bronson kept asking me if he could bring his skateboards, cars, and special treats to the party to share with his friends.  The kid was relentless.  Struggling to find an answer that would cease his pesky begging, I finally thought of something after telling him no for umpteenth time. I asked Bronson if he would like to buy his friends a few of his favorite things and gift them.  He was so excited by the idea (really his idea), and Roman and I were excited that we didn't have to break the bank to make a few little curtain climbers happy on their birthday.  I included a fun note (see below) and had some fun with the packaging (which I forgot to photograph).

"You can never have enough Band-Aids...or Hot Wheels.  Hope you're a fan of tech deck--I am!  Oh and if your mom is anything like mine, goodies like these are scarce.  TREAT YO' SELF!  Happy birthday amigo."

Happy Monday friends!

Wishing you sunshine & cheer,
Bianca

favorites: gold fish, hot wheels, tech deck, m&m's, cars band-aids

SAMPLE SALE

It's that time of year, time for us to clear our studio of samples, tests, and {very} lightly worn creations. Our sample sale goods might show slight wear, but are in great condition and ready to be delivered to you, or gifted to a friend.  SHOP NOW, sale ends January 24th!

P.S. Have you joined our mailing list? Sign up today and enjoy 15%off your next order!

Little (one's) Obsession

There is some serious construction going on across the street from our house, and Bronson has to monitor the action EVERYday.  Each morning we load up the buggy with trucks and hard hats (he brings extra to share with other kids who might drop by--it's so sweet) and park ourselves on the sidewalk for an hour or so to play and enjoy our time together.  This is Bronson's most favorite thing to do.  All he talks about are trucks, and building things (well, occasionally he talks about swords and guns too, but mostly trucks).  Sometimes I get lucky and he wants to go to the park to "play".

Happy Monday friends.  Wishing you a week filled with sunshine & Cheer!

Happy Finds

I can think of no better way to kick of the new year than with a seriously happy find--the totally adorbs mug.  I am sad however to report that I only found one of these mugs, but! I thought the pattern looked familiar, so I began to rummage through my stash and look what I found!  Last year sometime I bought this tablecloth, complete with festive and fun dingle ball trim.  These two finds make me so happy, I love daisies--they remind me of my mom.  If you are out and you see the mates to this mug, please pick them up for me! I would love to have 6, but I'll settle for 3,4, or oddly 5, and I don't want to pay more than $20.  I am dreaming about a complete set and inviting friends over for coffee.  

Wishing you sunshine & cheer!

B

Fresh

There is nothing like the new year to make you appreciate a fresh start. I am looking forward to what 2012 has to offer and so happy to put 2011 behind me. I wasnt sure I wanted to bore you with my goals, but then I remembered this an online journal for myself--I am just fortunate to have some awfully kind folks who want to follow along and share in the journey. So here is a mixed bag of some of my goals both professional and personal. I would love to know what some of yours are.

*Make time for the little things, they make the biggest difference
*Be good with letting go, it will help you grow
*bink & boo in 20 stores in 2012
*Resume Saturday (long) runs with the hubs
*Be strong--physically
*Make time for myself each day--even if it's 5 mins
*Start each morning with prayer, scripture, and meditation
*No excuses
*Be more thoughtful
*Say yes more to Roman and Bronson
*Disneyland weekend
*Start speaking Spanish to Bronson
*Remember and hold tight to the lessons learned in 2011.  God has awesome plans for me and my family, but slipping into old patterns will not allow us to grow as he desires.

Sunshine & Cheer friends!

image: sweet paul

Going out with a FIND!

I just had to pop in one more time before the new year with the most incredible, awesome, colorful find.  This dress was made for me!  The color, the fabric, the details, the buttons, the style, the price.  Ready for the draw dropper?  Wait for it. . .wait for it. . .just one more second. . .$1!  Yes, ONE SINGLE DOLLAR!!!  I can't keep a deal like this under wraps, I have to shout with joy!  Sometimes I can't believe my thrifting luck.  Of course I will be ringing in the new year in this lovely little number, paired with black tights and pumps, I will feel festive even though I will just be hopping around our neighborhood to different parties.  I do not like to travel far from home on nye.  How about you, any big plans?  Well friends, I'll see you back here next year. 

Wishing you sunshine & {new year} cheer!
Bianca

Happy Birthday Bronson!

Yesterday my little guy turned three.  THREE!!!  Oh, what a source of joy he has been in our lives and to this world.  Bronson, you were a life changer.  Thank you!

Merry Christmas!

image via WhatToExpect.com

Candy Colored Christmas

via

via

via

via

via

Noel

Can you believe Christmas is almost here?! It makes me sad to think that soon all this holiday cheer will be over, and the new year will begin, and before you know it summer will be here and--okay, let me stop before I send myself into a tailspin.  Anywho, I thought it would be fun to wrap up this Christmas season with some of my favorite Christmas images from Pinterest.  These ornaments are inspiring me to make more of my own.  The pipe cleaner star/snowflake ornament is first on my list to make. . .for next year. ;)

image

The magic of Christmas

It really is the most wonderful time of the year! Wouldn't you agree?  There is something so magical about Christmas, especially when you have little ones.  Bronson is old enough now to understand what Christmas is {really} about, and I am excited to begin to build the memories and traditions he will one day share with his children and family. Tonight we are going to decorate a gingerbread man.  Sometime this weekend we are going to cruise the streets of San Diego ooh'ing and ahhh'ing over all the pretty lights while sipping hot cocoa and noshing on doughnut holes.  Today we will do some baking and most likely enjoy hot cocoa--it's actually been cold here in Southern California and I have been enjoying the "freezing" temperatures before they're gone.  The only thing that makes me sad about Christmas, we won't be celebrating it with my parents.  This year has been financially challenging for our family.  But, we are so blessed to have each other, a roof over our heads, {yummy} food on the table, our health, and hearts filled with sunshine & {holiday} cheer.  Those really are the true gifts of life, and the riches we share as a family with our friends, make us one of the wealthiest families in the world.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays amigos!

image via

Just right

I am off to buy some flowers for the studio today.  I am a bit exhausted, and the gloomy weather has me feeling a bit ho-hum.  I found a bag of sequins in my craft stash last week and I can't wait to recreate this look.  Just the right amount of sparkle to help kick off the week--it's gonna be a busy one.  How about you, do you have a full plate this week?  Have you even started your Christmas shopping?

Oh, I almost forgot! Follow me over to Post Social for my "Fave Five" must haves for the DIY-er

Wishing you sunshine & cheer!



image via insidetheloop.tumblr.com

Click here to see the other local designers and talents that will be joining us.

Doodads

Kicking off the week with a little inspiration for you.  I made these "doodads" (thanks Bethany) to decorate the tree for our pop-up shop over the weekend.  I used all sorts of scraps and collected junk (the more the better), and some cotton twine to string everything together.  There is no rhyme or reason when making something like this, just go crazy and have fun.  They're quick and easy to make, and I think they would be fun Christmas gifts for friends--you can customize them to their collected style.

I plan on making more and turning them into my business cards for the media and retailers.  Happy Monday amigos! 

Wishing you sunshine & cheer!
bink

The tree is up!

I had a serious case of creative a.d.d. this weekend.  In between getting ready for two pop-ups next month, and sewing orders, I had the overwhelming urge to decorate the studio for Christmas.  I have been dying to "put up" my tree from m.o.m.  Isn't it fun!  Ok, so I went a little overboard with the sparkles and glue gun, but sometimes I just don't know when to stop. (It's the Latina in me).  I adorned the tree with vintage buttons (some from my great, great, grandmother), a deconstructed gold necklace, and a vintage broach my mother gave me. 

I was never into Barbie as a little girl, but I like her now.  In small doses.  These were my grandmothers, I am surprised that she had them--not really her style, maybe they reminded her of her younger days.

I found this necklace at an estate sale back in August, and haphazardly hung it here.  I like the way it shines in the Christmas lights.  I still have some more decorating to do in the studio, but this is as far as I got before I was distracted with something else to do--GLITTER-IZING STUFF!

Have you begun to decorate for the holidays?  Is your tree up?  Be sure to check out M.O.M and their fun selection of Christmas Tree's and other lovely creations.  I think Bronson needs the "traditional tree" for his room.

Thank You

via pinterest

I just wanted to pop in real quick say hi, and share a little something.  I hope everyone had a  wonderful Thanksgiving.  I know I did!  It was just the three of us, but we made the most of it lounging around, playing legos, watching football, and of course eating. 

via etsy

Yesterday was a bit emotional for me, it's hard not having family around during the holiday's, and this year has been the most difficult, and challenging for me and my family.  I share that because yesterday I realized what I am most thankful for is all the joy I have inside.  I am thankful for a heart truly filled with sunshine & cheer.  I wish I could share everything that we have been through these past three years, and everything that we are going through, and even some of the stuff that's on the horizon, but that would be a complete downer of a blog post.  I will spare you. ;)  Maybe one day I'll write a book (it's on my bucket list).  Instead I would rather thank you, thank you for your support, your wonderful comments, and your emails, they mean so much to me.

via etsy

Sometimes life really stinks, but even during these times I have so much to be thankful for: my faith,  my incredible family (husband, son, mom, and dad), my beautiful friends, and most importantly all the riches I could ever want in life--the kind that money can't buy, the kind that matter the most.  It's impossible to plan for everything, although we have tried.  Sometimes, it's all my husband and I can do to put one foot in front of the other and continue to move forward, together.  During these times I cling to one of my favorite scriptures.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart...lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

So thank you friends, thank you readers, and thank you supporters of bink & boo!  You are all little bright rays of sunshine in my life and I am sure the lives of many others.  Have a great day, and let me know if you got any fantastic deals today!

Group hug!  (I stole your line Haydee, hope you don't mind)

Have and Have Not

 

A few of these items I already have (bag, pocketbook, and t-shirt), and a few are on my wishlist. What's on your wishlist this season?

images: Pocketbook bink & boo, t-shirt James Perse, earrings Stella & Dot, jacket and sweater from Old Navy, Frye Paige Tall boots, CoH Ava jeans, Marc Jacobs bag

Oh brother...

Is it really Monday?   Last night I was in bed at 7:30 p.m. and snoring by 8 p.m. (at least that's what the hubs said).  I popped up at 11:30 p.m. well rested, ready to work, and feeling like I got eight hours sleep.  I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS! 

If only I could catnap in this chair all day, sip on some tea, and read blogs on my ipad (which I don't own, I'm just putting it out there).  Ugh, I better try to catch a couple hours sleep before the little one wakes ready to start the day and full of energy.   Happy Monday peeps!


image via decorology

Fave {key ring} Finds

I stumbled upon these at an estate sale over the weekend and thought these would make perfect little Christmas gifts for some of my friends.  I plan to spray paint one of the guns gold.  Who knows I might even go crazy and glitter it gold instead.  Thoughts?

Thrift Tip:  Random chachkies make great little gifts for the holidays, a birthday, or just because.  Unique gifts like these are a {very} inexpensive way to make someone smile.