Oh, Internet... {91}

We're going to the Maryland Renaissance Festival tomorrow- which gives me just a few more hours to finish our costumes!  (Talk about last-minute...)  Between all the October activities around here this week, I found these awesome things on the internet:

Check out this (hilarious) DIY Halloween-themed doormat at Jojotastic!

For a costume or even just for everyday office wear: check out this easy victory rolls tutorial at A Beautiful Mess!

The Sew and Tell Project shared a look at a pattern for DIY wings- my little one needs wings for her Halloween costume this year, but I cheated and bought some cheap ones.  Next year I should snag this pattern!

How do you put big love into small things?  (See what Erin at Humble Handmaid has to say!)

Angie at Yellow Pelican shares 11 things she loves about NFP (and we Geeks agree!)

Julie at These Walls recently discovered her parish's adult faith formation class and now I want our parish to start one, too!  I really enjoyed sponsoring Mr Geek in RCIA because the classes were so engaging!

So what all did you find on your internet this week?

Much love,
The Geeks

Family Costume Inspiration Round-Up

I'm sure you can tell by now that Hallowe'en is my all-time-favorite holiday.  I'm such a big kid at heart, and I've always loved assembling creative costumes for myself, so having two other people to dress up is like a dream come true!  (No joke, I actually had a dream once, before I was pregnant- or at least, before I knew I was pregnant- that I was up late finishing family Winnie the Pooh costumes...I might have a problem.)

My parents never joined in on the costume fun when I was little, but because I enjoy dressing up so much myself, I see no reason to let my little one have all the fun!  You've seen our past costumes- but what about some other inspiration for group costumes?

via The Sew & Tell Project

The Sew & Tell Project is run by two amazingly talented women who have made all sorts of beautiful outfits.  Check out this post to see how Eleri put together these coordinating Little House on the Prairie costumes!

via The Sew and Tell Project

And here are Emily's incredibly detailed and beautiful Zorro costumes.  You can check out more sewing inspiration from the Sew and Tell Project on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

via Love Our Crazy Life

Becca from Love Our Crazy Life has an adorable and super simple DIY father-and-son Wreck-It Ralph costume tutorial!  (Check her out on Instagram too!)

via Make it and Love it

Make It and Love It always does incredible family costumes every year- her children are adorable and her talent is peerless.  My personal favorite was the Tangled crew, mostly because that little chameleon is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen :)  (Also her Pinterest is seriously drool-worthy.)

And then of course there are All Saints Day costumes!  (Two occasions to wear costumes, back-to-back?  Awesome!)

Catholic Sistas has an amazing post of All Saints Day ideas- not just costumes!

And of course Kendra at Catholic All Year is the queen of Hallowe'en-turned-All-Saints costumes, because she's awesome.

So, are you inspired?  What will you and your family be wearing in just a few weeks?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {90}

Ah, October.  My favorite month of the year!  And it opened with some awesome stuff on the internet, like this:

My new favorite sewing blog, the Sew and Tell Project, shared a tutorial for a DIY candy bag for Halloween- it's super simple and super adorable!

The Modcloth Blog shared some super awesome outfits inspired by classic literature and I want all of them!

Speaking of outfits- Lauren at Fizz and Frosting is always one fashionable mamma (and if you hurry quick, you can enter her Sephora gift card giveaway!)

You know who else is one chic mommy?  Anna at In Honor of Design, who I thought just recently had a baby but obviously I'm mistaken because there's no way she looks that good...

Okay so over on Weddingbee, Miss Wishbone and her beau are getting married on Tax Day, so their save-the-dates were designed to look like W2's!  Go check it out!

Another insanely creative DIY that also happens to be sappy and romantic is this beautiful DIY wall art over on Bean in Love.

Better than Eden has a beautiful reflection on marriage- "Their marriage exists until someone has "changed," ours desperately hopes that we will be."  Go read it.  It's powerful.

And Haley at Carrots for Michaelmas is the queen of weekly roundups- she's got some wonderful stuff in her "This Week's Miscellany" post!

What awesome stuff happened on your internet this week?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {84}

Looking for a few interesting reads for the weekend?  Look no further!

Jamie at Petite Panoply is adorable, and I absolutely love the hairstyle she wore with this look.  I mean seriously.

That's Sew Kari made a beautiful little dress for her daughter for Easter!  I love that keyhole back!

Bean in Love painted a beautiful pattern on the concrete floor of her covered porch and I love it!

I may or may not have been stalking Dwija's newest addition on Instagram lately, so I loved reading this update over at House Unseen.

Haley at Carrots for Michaelmas provided a wonderful overview of liturgical living for the month of April.

What blogs are you really into right now?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {80}

I realize it's been a while since I did an Oh, Internet... so it's time to rectify that!  Here are some of the most awesome things happening on the internet lately:

Make it and Love it shared a roundup of handmade Christmas gift ideas- time to get started!

Miss Emma at A Pinch of Pixie Dust had the most perfect Hallowe'en costume this year (as always)!

Kendra at Catholic All Year wrote about praying for the dead with children- and how we shouldn't shy away from the topic of death with little ones.

Sterling Jaquith shared five ways to be the peace center of your home- a very timely read for me this week.

Allie at Everyday Adventures shared a beautiful reflection on savoring the simple moments together.

Do you remember the exact moment you discovered you were pregnant?  Daja at The Provision Room does!

Ashley at Between the Linens shared 7 books to read aloud with your spouse.

I'm really getting tired of "the mommy wars".  There's a lot of effort being made to make sure we moms don't feel bad about ourselves if we don't live up to our Pinterest expectations, but now, apparently, it's cool to vilify those moms who are, in fact, mistresses of the domestic arts.  Amy at Motherhood and Miscellany thinks that's ridiculous (and so do I).

Jessica at Little Fiat speculated about why Sherlock Holmes is having a moment right now in pop culture.

What awesomeness happened on your internet the past few weeks?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {79}

First of all- thanks so much for all who entered the gift card giveaway last week- the winner has been notified!  I'd say it was a pretty successful first attempt at a giveaway, so I'll do another one soon!

Lots of awesome things happened on the internet this week- here are some of my favorites:

Miss Emma at a Pinch of Pixie Dust offered a review of the Legoland Hotel in Florida.  Obviously nothing can beat a Disney resort, but this still looks like a pretty fun place to stay!

A Beautiful Mess shared an awesome DIY for dressing up plain closet doors!

This article on Mothering.com clearly explains what Attachment Parenting is not.

Jamie at Petite Panoply looked adorable in this yellow shift dress.  (That silhouette has never been flattering on me but looks great on her!)

Catholic All Year talked about Enforcing the Rules When Family Isn't Supportive (which I'm sure is advice that we will never have to use in our household...)

Mary from Better than Eden posted on Elizabeth Ministry about Learning to Love in All the Wrong (to us) Ways.  I think something that a lot of people miss in discussions of the Love Languages philosophy is that marriage purposefully makes us live outside our respective comfort zones, and that challenges in learning to love each other is not a detriment to marriage- it's the whole point of marriage!

Haley at Carrots for Michaelmas is a nerd after my own heart- this week she wrote about How Hogwarts Prepared Me for the Liturgical Year.

And in honor of this week's historic visit by Pope Francis- 6 Times You Were Flat-Out Lied to About Pope Francis.  Silly media.

What awesome things happened on your internet this week?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {78}

Super short Oh, Internet this week but lots of substance!

Infarrantly Creative shared a delicious-looking slow cooker recipe for Thai peanut chicken- have I mentioned how excited I am that it's slow cooker season?!

Love this blue skirt on Jamie over at Petite Panoply- and those shoes!

Oh Joy! has been blogging for 10 years!  Whaaaat?  Go congratulate her!

There's a Hocus Pocus -themed show at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year.  Yet another reason why I want to visit Disney in October one year...

Catholic All Year shared her secrets to teaching kids to read.  We're not quite worried about learning to read yet, but we've already started step one!

Oh, Internet... {77}

I know it's kind of late, but if you're sitting around this Friday evening looking for something to read, look no further:

When Marriage Feels Like Work: what a tragic thing when people encounter difficulty and would rather walk away than face it together, like they said they would at the altar.

Should I Let My Kid Dress Like a Weirdo?  And this is why Simcha Fisher is so awesome, in case you didn't know already.  Crazy hair colors and odd clothing choices do not a bad kid make.

It's OK to Skip Your 20's and Start Your Life: It's like Haley at Carrots for Michaelmas just gets me, you know?

What Does a Doula REALLY Do? I'm thinking maybe next time, we get a doula...especially if she's like Mary...

11 Affordable Online Fabric Sources: It's that time again- Hallowe'en Costume Making Time!!

Jamie at Petite Panoply did an adorable Little Shop of Horrors cosplay!  (And she looks fantastic as a blonde!!!)

What awesome things happened on your internet this week?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {76}

It's been a couple of weeks since I've done an Oh, Internet... so today I'm bringing you two weeks' worth of awesomeness from across the internet!

For awesomely simple home decor projects, check out:

This incredible starburst ceiling light fixture DIY on A Beautiful Mess.  So simple, so clever!

And ABM also shared a kitchen DIY that completely transforms the walls with just a simple coat of paint!

For random awesomeness, check out:

The xkcd survey.  I'd love if you'd come back here and tell me how you answered some of the questions!

For an awesome family outfit post, check out:

Kaelah Bee and her adorable, fashionable little family.

For awesome parenting advice:

The lovely Haley at Carrots for Michaelmas shared her secrets for road trippin' with tiny kids- which is timely for us, as we just decided to skip the airport and drive straight to Gulf Shores, AL this Thanksgiving!

Kendra at Catholic All Year shared the secret to receiving communion while holding a child (a nursing infant, a struggling toddler, or the hand of a little goober)- receive on your tongue.  I figured that out rather quickly, I'm proud to say, and now it's a pretty natural way for me to receive communion, whether I'm struggling with a toddler or not.

And finally, check out this article on Ethika Politika about how the Duggars get this whole chastity thing completely wrong.  Scandals aside, I've never found it prudent for Catholics to turn to any reality tv star family as models of moral behavior, even if they seem wholesome and harmless on the surface.

What awesome things have you found on the internet lately?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {75}

It's naptime on a Saturday- the perfect time for Mommy to catch up on her blog reading.  Here are some of the best things that happened on the internet this week:

I quite literally laughed out loud at this // *by XKCD*

Shayla shared a beautiful reflection on gardening and life over on Northern Exposure.  This was pretty timely for me, as lately I've been struggling with the need to better provide for my family, and stressing out because it's just not happening fast enough.  Perhaps I should take a deep breath and just grow where I'm planted.

Hallowe'en is right around the corner, which means it's time to blow the dust off my sewing machine and whip up some costumes.  So of course, I'm getting distracted by all sorts of awesomely simple crafting tutorials on the internet...

My little one loves wearing skirts, but she needs to wear shorts underneath.  Enter: this tutorial on Make It and Love It for a simple skirt with shorts attached.  Freaking.  Genius.

Also on Make It and Love It: this elastic bookmark with a big adorable bow!  I know several ladies who would probably appreciate this as a Christmas present...better get to sewing!

Bean in Love (who, by the way, was on the cover of Mobile Bay magazine, what??) shared this genius solution for a temporary change-up to a lamp shade.  (Spoiler alert: it involves elastic.)

And finally, the single best thing that happened on the internet this week (well, for me, anyway):

Catholic All Year shared an absolutely incredible post on How to Raise Good Little Catholics.  If anybody reading this blog is looking for gift ideas for my daughter's birthday and/or Christmas, literally any of the things Kendra links to in this post would be welcome.  Any of them.  (All of them!)

So what happened on your internet this week?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {74}

Yeah so I didn't blog at all this week.  Oops.

But lots of other people blogged this week!  And they wrote things that are way more interesting than anything I could come up with anyway :-P  So check 'em out!

Kendra at Catholic All Year talked about things she doesn't do with her newborns (anymore).  I really think our culture has turned pregnancy and child-rearing into cute hobbies or fun status-symbols as opposed to, you know, life, and as such, we've made it into a high-maintenance exercise full of specific do's and don't's that just don't fit every family.  They say babies don't come with instruction manuals; in reality, there are thousands of manuals out there, and it can be overwhelming to pick the right one, so it's refreshing to hear that you really can just write the book yourself.

Better than Eden gave some wonderful tips about breastfeeding she's picked up in her 8 years of practice.  I think the major takeaway here is, once again, books and doctors and the internet can provide you with a wealth of information, but you have to figure out what's right for your child.

Carrots for Michaelmas hit the nail on the head yet again when she wrote about how you should totally take your kids to places where you're not supposed to take kids- because children are people, too.

A Knotted Life talked about why she is a Mrs Mom and not a First Name Mom and it really made me pause and think.  Growing up, my mom was sometimes Mrs LastName and sometimes Ms FirstName depending on the context (my friends from school tended to call her Mrs and she introduced herself as Ms FirstName as a Girl Scout leader and band mom) and I think that when Chief is in school, I'd like her friends to call me Mrs Geek (well, you know, my real name).  Right now, at daycare, all of the teachers are Miss FirstName and so it's sort of easy to stick with that naming convention- I've introduced Chief to my friends by their first names, because that's what I call them in her presence.  But they don't seem to enforce the honorific at school, so she calls her teachers Amy and Stephanie and Trina and Cathy (well, Amy and Samedi and Tweena and Caddy) and I really do think it's important to show respect to these adults by at least adding the Miss at the front.  I think I'm going to make more of an effort with the way I introduce Chief to people (although my friends don't seem to care and would probably be a tad weirded out by having a toddler call them Mrs, even if that is how they've chosen to be known as married women).

And then on the not=baby-related-front:

When's the last time I raved about Jamie at Petite Panoply?  I feel like I don't do that enough... (I mean seriously her hair.  It's like I need a little eyedropper tool in real life so I can just steal her exact hair color and plop it on my head.)

A Beautiful Mess talked about the purchases and decor in their various houses that they have no regrets about- since it's easy to have regrets when making bold decorating choices.  I cannot wait until we buy a house (you know, a century from now, when we can afford it) so we can make our own bold decorating choices...

What awesome things did you read on the internet this week?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {73}

I'm sitting here on the sofa on a Sunday afternoon when there are chores waiting for me that are not going to do themselves...

But first I wanted to share with you some of the best things I found on the internet this week:

A Beautiful Mess shared a simple and delicious buttermilk biscuit recipe.

A Pinch of Pixie Dust made me want to stay at the Yacht Club Resort in Walt Disney World next time we go...

Kaelah Bee looks adorable, as always.

And most importantly: Catholic All Year wrote everything you need to know about Cecil the lion and moral relativism.

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {72}

So, yeah, it's Sunday evening and I'm just now posting this week's Oh Internet.  But I can't help it- this is the first time this week I've had a chance to sit down and read some blogs!

Here are the awesome things I read, that you should read, too:

You are not a locust.  PREACH, Heather from Mama Knows, Honey Child.

Everything I read about The Benedict Option makes me feel weary, but then I read Daniel Bearman's take- Benedict Option B.  Hmm.  He may be on to something.

I figured out a long time ago that you can't talk about sex without offending people.  So I completely understand Kendra at Catholic All Year when she says we probably can't talk about NFP without offending somebody, so why don't we all try to put ourselves in each other's shoes, and realize that when somebody shares their own very personal journey, it is not intended as a critique of yours?

In much less heavy territory:

Mary at Better than Eden has taken the phrase epic birthday party to a whole new level with a Lord of the Rings-themed party for her son.  That cake is so awesome!

Emma at A Pinch of Pixie Dust visited Walt Disney's hometown, and I have now found a reason to visit Missouri.

I absolutely adore the top that Jamie is wearing in these outfit photos over on Petite Panoply!

I'm not gonna lie, I'm super jealous of Kendra's latest birth story.  (Although it was her 8th childbirth so I guess she deserves something so easy?)

What awesomeness happened on your internet this week?  (Er, last week?)

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet...{71}

My sister bought her wedding dress yesterday!!  (You know, the sister who was crazy enough to ask me to take her engagement photos.)  I wasn't able to go shopping with her, but I did pin some suggestions to her Pinterest board as sort of virtual support (and texted back and forth with my mom who took pictures during the actual shopping trip, of course).

And during my virtual dress shopping adventures, I perused Alfred Angelo's latest offerings for the Disney Princess wedding gown line.

via Alfred Angelo

The wedding gown from the new live-action Cinderella, ladies and gentlemen.  And you can also get it with the embroidery all in white- but why would you want to??  It probably costs as much as my car, but by golly if we do an elaborate vow renewal (we won't be doing an elaborate vow renewal, most likely) I am TOTALLY WEARING THIS DRESS.

You know what else I found on the internet this week?  Lots of awesome stuff!

The ModCloth blog interviewed a beautiful girl named Abby who is wise beyond her years.  Go read it and be inspired.

The amazingly talented Bean In Love extended the lives of some sweet little dresses for her twins by turning them into skirts.  So precious!

The always fashionable Petite Panoply proved that redheads can wear red (and look awesome while doing so).

Speaking of fashionable- how is it that Kaelah Bee manages to accomplish everything that she does and still look so cute?!

A guest poster on Make It and Love It shared a simple tutorial for adorable monogrammed zipper pouches that I'm itching to try.

Miss Black Cat on Weddingbee shared a tutorial for gorgeous embroidered handkerchiefs made with the same lace she used for her veil!

A Pinch of Pixie Dust took us on a tour of the new hub around the castle at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World- the moat is gone, replaced with grass!

Do you read House Unseen?  You definitely should because Dwija is hilarious.  Like this list of three "tips" for doing laundry.  I feel ya, girl.

What awesome things happened on your internet this week?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {70}

I don't know about you, but I'm itching for another vacation.

To substitute, I took a little vacation on the internet this week.  Here's where I went:

Catholic All Year shared a SUPER awesome overview of the Catholic faith

Petite Panoply is fabulous as always.

Molly Makes Do made an adorable Doctor Who skirt for herself (and jammies for her son!) and now I'm itching to make something from my ridiculous fabric stash!

Make It and Love It introduced me to the wonders of Craftsy- I'm going to look at some photography classes!

A Beautiful Mess talked about how to chose a color story for your home.

Bean In Love made re-upholstering chairs look super easy...almost deceptively so...

Infarrantly Creative shared an incredible makeover for a cheesy old chandelier.

Where did you go on the internet this week?

What are some of your favorite blogs?

Much love,
The Geeks

Baby and Me: Jellies!

Baby:
Dress: Carter's
Shoes: Carter's

Me:
Dress: ModCloth
Shoes: ModCloth

If Chief ever gets a pair of jellies, I think it's only fair that I should get some, too.

Much Love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {69}

We're getting on an airplane tonight!

Like, really late tonight.

Like, 10pm tonight.

It was the only flight available that would allow us both to work a full work day today and still leave tonight as opposed to tomorrow (but only just).  Please, please say some prayers that we'll make it in one piece and with minimal tears and/or screaming...

More pleasant than a late night flight- the awesome things on the internet this week!

I don't want to be a girl boss.  Preach.  I'd like to make and do and create but I don't want to manage.  I will never make it to the boardroom, and I hate that modern feminism sees this as detrimental to womankind.

If you feed them, they will come.  I always thought it was a southern thing, but I, too, associate food with hospitality.

Finally: a defense of children at weddings!  Are kids loud and messy and unpredictable?  Yes!  Does that mean they will absolutely ruin your special day?  No!

And for some crafty inspiration:

10 Colorful Dip Dyed DIY Projects

5 Ways to Repurpose a Drawer

What awesome things happened on your internet this week?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {68}

image via IMDB

I'm watching The Tender Trap as I assemble this list (late, as per usual) and it's a pretty adorable movie.  Even when he's an absolute cad, Frank Sinatra sure is charming ;)

Here's some charming things that happened on the internet this week:

A Beautiful Mess shared a list of 10 easy DIY projects that make me excited to one day (maybe? hopefully?) buy a house!

Make It and Love It shared her Ultimate List of Favorite Sewing Supplies.

Studio DIY shared a simple tutorial for clay trinket dishes that would make great gifts!

Catholic All Year shared how she uses PicMonkey to make even ordinary photos look incredible!

Miss Hammerhead on Weddingbee shared an awesome DIY aisle decor idea that uses photos instead of flowers!  I'm going to have to show this to my sister...

The oldest runner at Disneyland's Tinker Bell Half-Marathon was an 84-year-old great-grandmother who is absolutely adorable!  I hope I'm that active when I'm 84...

Petite Panoply is pretty much my fashion muse, I think.  (At least she's my favorite fashion blogger that I follow anymore.)  I mean seriously- look at this outfit!

"Have you ever felt like being a mother has ruined you?"  You owe it to yourself to read this beautiful piece from Carrots for Michaelmas.

Molly Makes Do and a bunch of my favorite Catholic Bloggers have started The Credo Project.  I'm thinking about participating!

What charming things happened on your internet this week?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {66}

*personal photo*

This week, someone showed us that she's capable of going down the slide by herself.  (And also that overalls are about the most adorable clothing item ever.)

This week, the internet showed us these things:

Jamie at Petite Panoply was way more fashionable for The Feast of Saint Patrick than I was in my green sweater and boring black trousers.

Carrots for Michaelmas shared a wonderful review of the new live-action Cinderella.  I think Mr. Geek and I are going to go see it next week when his mom is in town and can babysit for us and I am SO excited!

Catholic All Year explained what Solemnities are (yay dessert!).

A Beautiful Mess shared a really intriguing looking cheesy baked cauliflower dish that I'm itching to try!

Over on Weddingbee, Miss Clownfish discovered a bridal crop top to potentially wear over her wedding dress and it's totally not what it sounds like.

The Blue Angels flew over Main Street, USA in Walt Disney World!  I bet that was cool to watch!

A Pinch of Pixie Dust shared her Top 7 Desserts at the Magic Kingdom and my mouth is literally watering.

What happened on your internet this week?

Much love,
The Geeks

Oh, Internet... {64}

I'm posting this late, I know, but I still wanted to share with you some of my favorite things that happened on the internet this week!

I honestly don't think we should be giving people like Rob Bell the publicity that comes by talking about them, but Carrots for Michaelmas has written the best commentary I've read so far on the "controversy" of his comments.

Here is a great video about why porn is bad for you.  And yes, that's Russel Brand.  Yes, that Russel Brand.

The Killer B. Designs blog shared an awesome tutorial for a kids' activity table that has me itching to get my hands on some woodworking tools...

Better than Eden shared a delicious-looking recipe for homemade whole wheat sandwich bread that I'd like to try to make soon!

Miss Hammerhead is the newest blogger Bee over on Weddingbee and she sounds pretty awesome.  Go say hi!

I totally saw the dress as white with gold lace.  My life is a lie.

Jimmy Kimmel made a PSA about vaccinating your kids.

I cannot reasonably spend $90 on a new swimsuit, but if I could, I'd buy this one.

What are the coolest things you saw on the internet this week?

Much love,
The Geeks