shimandsons

goodbye, summer!

Last week flew by so quickly. Appah returned from a long business trip and the next day we drove up to Seattle for a few days of R+R with some friends. We ate at some of our favorite spots and walked around the city + the beautiful Olympic Sculpture Park. This week is filled with various activities at Big J's new school [I can't believe he is in Kindergarten!!!], appointments with movers and property management companies and all the fun stuff that goes along with moving overseas. And although my "to do" list seems to be growing longer by the minute, I'll be able to tackle it with the help of some free babysitting [hello, grandparents!].

One last reminder that the shoppe will close on Saturday, 9.6.08. Thank you to all of you who have placed orders the last few weeks!

top + bottom

:: top :: Liz Lange for Target skirt :: snipped + shortened the elastic band :: decided it looked better high up on my waist rather than low on the hips as it is intended ::

:: bottom :: yellow + grey flats from Target ::

:: top :: go! international top ::

:: bottom ::

 :: top :: white T from old navy :: clothpony skirt :: picked up at the Modern Economy sale :: yes, another girl's clothing item ::

:: bottom ::

the tag sale

:: cleaning out the studio :: brand new japanese craft books :: available at the tag sale ::

brothers

+ Thank you for all the well wishes + advice regarding our upcoming overseas adventure! 

+ Since we will be leaving our beloved Portland soon, I plan to do several posts dedicated to my favorite spots in Portland for eating, shopping and hanging out.

+ I am in the midst of some major purging and plan to add a bunch of items to the tag sale next week. There will be several Japanese craft books and bags of fabric, so stay tuned. And another reminder that the shoppe will close Saturday, September 6.

+ Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

the shims :: an international family

I know I've mentioned it before, but this summer is flying by too quickly. There are still so many things I would like to do before school starts up next month. But I've gotten a bit sidetracked since learning the news that our family will be moving overseas in a few months. Yes, The Shims are going international [South Korea to be exact]. This is something Appah and I have been discussing for a year or so and in the past month everything came together. We will be leaving in a few months and plan to be out there for three years. I think I've said, "I can't believe we're moving to Korea" at least a hundred times already. So instead of starting quilts for the boys or cutting out patterns for fall clothes, I've been busy writing out checklists and visiting South Korea expatriate sites. There is a lot to do and I'm trying not to get overwhelmed by all the things that need to be accomplished.

I would never describe myself as an adventurous person, I'm quite a homebody and I don't particularly enjoy being on an airplane. But Appah has opened my eyes to a whole other world out there and his extensive international travel experience has piqued my curiosity. He asked me over a year ago if I would consider living overseas for a few years and to his surprise I said, "Sure. But I would only want to move to Korea. And only when the children are young." Looks like someone was listening to me.

We are looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. As someone who was born and raised in the States and who has only visited Korea once as a young child, I'm looking forward to learning more about the Korean culture, which at times feels like a part of me and also quite foreign at the same time. I'm grateful that I'll have the opportunity to learn Korean with my children, travel around Asia and spend more time with Appah since he will traveling less. The boys are looking forward to living close to the beach, going to the aquarium and visiting the dinosaur park/museum with Halmuhni [my mother, who lives out in Korea half the year].

I have decided to temporarily close the shoppe beginning Saturday, September 6. I have already closed the shoppe over at big cartel. I would have loved to update the shoppe a few more times, but life is pulling me another direction right now. I plan to re-open the shoppe in March 2009. If there is something you would like that is not currently available in the shoppe, please email me [info AT shimandsons DOT com]. I will be accepting a limited number of custom orders. I cannot believe how fulfilling running the shoppe has been this past year and I thank you all for your support and encouragement. I look forward to sharing my adventures in Korea with you all.

P.S. If any of you have advice on moving overseas with children or living in Pusan, I would greatly appreciate it!

winderlea vineyard + winery

:: went back to visit Winderlea with friends ::

:: I really could live there ::

:: cannot wait to return during harvest time ::

:: they have a wonderful little herb garden outside ::

:: the boys hamming it up for a photograph ::

hello, my name is sally...

...and I'm so lucky to know a super talented designer named Jenny [of Wiksten fame]. She sent me this beautiful Haeshu dress and I'm in love. It is ok to be in love with a dress, right? The dress is made out of this amazing bamboo fabric and is so comfortable! I can see myself wearing this in the winter with some tights and a cardigan, although it came just in time for this outrageous weather we've been having here in Portland. Man, it is H-O-T here. The cool cuff was a present from the lovely Martha.

...and my favorite thing to wear in the summer is a dress. Nothing could be simpler than pulling on a dress, putting my hair up in a ponytail and slipping on some sandals or flats.

...and I shop in the girls' section. These are all from Target. I removed the ties, took in the sides and redid the sleeves a bit.

...and I secretly have a fear that I will run into a pre-teen wearing the same outfit.

...and even though I love summer dresses I'm looking forward to jeans + sweater weather.

baby j's 3rd birthday bash

:: Baby J's 3rd birthday bash :: one month after his birthday :: posting photographs one month after the party :: balloons with red + white baker's twine ::

:: welcome sign ::

:: paper mobile ::

:: fabric bunting ::

:: 25 yards of it ::

:: all the decorations were made with fabric + paper from my stash ::

:: paper chains ::

:: photographs of the birthday boy ::

 :: on the menu :: mini cheeseburgers + homemade fries + sausages + hot dogs + freshly picked raspberries + blueberries + watermelon + ice cream cones ::

:: letter candles from our local party supply store ::

:: from the dollar bins at Target ::

:: favors for Baby J's friends ::

:: bubbles + sidewalk chalk + tattoos + bag of animals ::

:: counting animals ::

:: my first attempt at making tattoos :: used this paper :: the tattoos are a bit plastic-y ::

:: for the little boys ::

:: for the little girls ::

:: for the babies ::

:: thank you cards have been sent off ::

:: it was a fun day! ::

i love...

:: homemade kettle corn :: finally picked up a Whirly-Pop for Baby J's birthday party last month ::

:: my new Nantaka Joy notebook :: purchased at the modern economy sale last month :: where I met the lovely Ahn-Minh in person ::

:: new Lotta Jansdotter fabric :: a gift from Leslie ::

 

::  my Ikea teacup :: filled with Japanese candy [also from Leslie] ::

:: wooden spoons :: this one came with the Ikea teacup ::

::  this handmade rolling pin :: this wood cutlery set :: this work shirt :: this notebook :: these binders :: these wood pencils :: these colored smencils :: these academic datebooks :: this recycled newspaper vase :: this alpaca throw :: these pancake molds ::
 

summer in the sandbox