Sorry I ended up being MIA this week. I have a good excuse, I swear. And that excuse is the little face you see up there in all those photos. I took a mini trip out to Kansas City for a few days to see my sister and my little man, Liam. 

The last time I saw him, he was only a few days old. Now, he holds my hand (kind of), is a big fan of his own feet (and his thumb), and can sit through an entire dinner out without crying (too much). Oh, and he still reeeeeally loves his puppy sister’s kisses. I know, the cuteness is a bit overwhelming. 

Are you on Instagram? Follow along! My username is : hollyjollydolly

» Have you checked out Megan’s new pattern collection, Breakwater, yet? I’ve started to get to work on some variations and tutorials, so watch out for them throughout the month of May on Design Diary!

» This week I was interviewed and featured On Chictopia’s blog, Everybody Is Ugly. Check it out here!

» Also, earlier this week, I was featured on Hollaback! Boston. Hollaback! is an awesome movement aimed at stopping street harassment. You can read my feature here.

» This week’s wishlist items include this golden hem skirt, these polka dot shorts, these Seychelles heels, and these comfy pants.

» Last but not least - thank you all for your comments about our new baby kitty, Henry! We’re pretty smitten with the little monster :)

We’ve got a week of NEW things! So without further ado…

» My NEW posts on Design Diary this week - Basic Sewing Supplies you should have, and How To Keep Your Creations From Looking Homemade.

» Speaking of Megan Nielsen, her NEW collection of patterns have been released today! Seriously, go check them out… they are fricken adorable. I’m so excited to get to work on them!

» Please welcome two NEW sponsors to HollyDolly - Loly In The Sky and Amanda of Indie Jane!

» NEW Boston bloggers to be added to my blog reader : Elissa of Style Wire, Katherine of Style Tab, Alyssa of Ruffle and Curl, Smita of Hogger & Co. And so many more! One of these days, I should do a round up of all the lovely Boston ladies that I’ve met. 

» Lastly, I’ve done a tiny bit of an update to HollyDolly. Not much - just a few changes to the sidebar, and I’ve added a NEW shopHollyDolly page. 

» This week on Design Diary, along with my Kelly maxi skirt, I also shared important sewing terms, and a round-up of fun business cards.

» I had a blast at the LOFT Prudential grand re-opening event last night with Emily, Amy, and Alana! I’ll have a re-cap post up on monday.

» I’m also excited to see all the girls (plus so many more!) again tomorrow for Blog Better Boston: Style Summit! I’ll have a recap of that event next week too, but you can follow along with me tomorrow on Instagram. 

» I’m still eating lots of birthday cake. Funfetti birthday cake. And I never want it to end.

» I picked up this sweatshirt, this skirt, and this dress for my birthday. And I’m really excited to wear them.

» Don’t forget - you can follow along with HollyDolly on Bloglovin’!

» This week on Design Diary, I shared a tutorial on how to sew buttons using your machine, and a colorblocked Kelly skirt (above). 

» It seems I find a new swimsuit every week that I think I need (can you tell I’m ready for summer?). This week, it is this one. 

» I’m still at a lose for words for what happened here in Boston monday. I’ve been loving all the little bits of love for the city - little handwritten notes left in random spots, and my hockey team, the Buffalo Sabres, saluting the Boston fans alongside the Bruins after wednesday’s game. And that national anthem? Ugh, so good. UPDATE: THINGS HAVE GOTTEN CRAZY. IF YOU LIVE IN THE AREA, STAY INSIDE AND STAY SAFE. I’m not going anywhere today. 

» No new projects this week on Design Diary (don’t worry - I’m saving them up for next week!). But I did talk about the importance of good packaging, and introduced April’s Featured Designer - Merl of Clyde’s Rebirth!

» I really, really want to make this lip scrub that Megan created. I love lip scrubs, and I bet it tastes so yummy!

» I’ve been loving all the Etsy treasuries featuring my jewelry lately. This one is one of my favorites! This one too. 

» Only one more week to get your ticket to Blog Better Boston: Style Summit. Julie of Orchid Grey and Tieka of Selective Potential have been announced as speakers. Is anyone else as excited as I am?!

» Are you on Instagram? Follow along! My username is : hollyjollydolly

» This week on Megan Nielsen Design Diary, it was all about scallops : a scallop tutorial, a scalloped hem, and a scalloped collar (above). 

» The winners of the Firmoo giveaway have been announced and notified!

» Are you fashion or style blogger in the Boston / New England area? Have you gotten your ticket to the Blog Better Boston : Style Summit yet? You should get on that! It’s going to be a pretty awesome day :)

» Amanda of Indie Jane recently featured my outfit in her “things I love” post, and also introduce me to these teas. They have collections based around the Harry Potter and Hunger Games characters. And now I think I need all of them. 

» In other news : there is still snow on the ground, and I am listening to JT’s 20/20 Experience on repeat (like everyone else on the planet, I’m pretty sure).