Happy Weekend!

Woot woot, everyone excited for Friday?  Nothing terribly exciting going on at my end.  I have a jam packed Saturday filled with fun stuff so that's good.  But today I'm planning on cleaning, laundry and the usual lameness that accompanies home ownership.  So later if you have nothing exciting sit down with coffee and enjoy some of my latest faves from the web this week.

These gorgeous wool blankets.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Spread?  Yes please!
If you want a case of the "I wants" go to Greige to drool.
That Decorno and Scented Glossy Magazines (thankfully) can't quit us.  This one and this one are classic!
The new Rue.

Elle + Parenthood

When my Elle magazine arrived in my mailbox this month I was excited to read it because it featured one of my low brow favorites...TV!  I was excited to see the ladies from my favorite show Parenthood featured in one of the pictorials.  So I thought maybe we should discuss the importance of what is going on in this photo.

1.  Don't take this the wrong way but doesn't lovely Lauren Graham look just a wee bit too photoshopped?  One of the best things about her is she looks real, thin and gorgeous but real. Here she looks almost lollipop headish.
2.  I've come around to really liking Erika Christenson's character Julia but Monica Potter's Christina is still super annoying in my book. I can't decide if it's Monica or Christina? 
3.  The ladies are all wearing the same shade of lipstick.  It's Chanel Coco Rouge in Gabrielle. Note to self, get this shade pronto!

So do you guys watch?  If not try it I think you'll like it.  Now on to something else about this month's Elle, please no more Katie Holmes.  Sorry, but I think she's the world's worst cover girl.  She seems to worm her way into everything and I can't figure why that happens. 

One each

I could live with all of these...

{images via Desire to Inspire, vi.sualize and House Beautiful}

Bookshelves

I've always loved the super styled bookcases filled with interesting bits and antique leather bound volumes,

 but lately I've been loving the random stuffed shelves of people who love to read.  Which do you prefer?

{images from Velvet & Linen and The Selby}

It's a groundhog morning

My mornings are often like groundhog day with endless phrases on repeat that go something like this, "Get dressed, please.", "Did you brush your teeth?", "Please stop picking on your brother.", "What would you like for breakfast?"  I'm sure all you moms of school age kids can relate and if you're like me a stressy clock watcher the mornings are even worse.  I know no one really cares but it is nice to commiserate with you lovely folks out there. Knowing that I'm not the only one who feels like she's going to lose her shiz in the morning makes me feel better. It's almost up there with seeing my friends kids having little meltdowns, it makes me feel better just knowing that I'm not the only one.  A little immature? Yes maybe but don't judge it gets me through those tough parenthood moments.

{via Aurevoir Paris}

So now that everyone is off  I will get myself my coffee and wish I had a really good book.

I had an email about where you could purchase these Emma Bridgewater mugs so if you're interested she has lots of cute things HERE.

He's 7

Did I tell you last Monday that Big turned 7?  Yes, 7!?! When I started this blog he was barely 4, I can't believe it either. My sweet little Mama's boy has now officially marched into kiddom. He says, "Mo-om!" when he thinks I'm being annoying and a little too weird.  He tries things on his own without looking my way for approval. He's a boy that is kind, silly and has never met a stranger. 

I say, "Wow, I'm so lucky." to myself every single day; as I'm sure all moms do. We are lucky aren't we?

Bow ring

I found this picture on vi.sualize so there's no telling where it came from but I wonder where one could find such a sweet bow ring?

TGIF topics

Believe me it's not as if I've forgotten about the blog this week if you can believe it I just haven't had much to say.  Sometimes it's hard to be a blogger.  There are lots of lovely places to go to find just about anything, interiors, what to wear, what to make for dinner that night; so with all of that eye candy it's a wonder that one can find anything to talk about.  So tell me what topic sounds good?

-I'm finally engrossed in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.  I tried to stay away but last night I got completely sucked in.  I'm a Bravo whore.
-Certainly I can't be the only one who wonders how their house gets so messy in the blink of an eye after the kids get home.
-What new nail polish are you wearing?  I need to go out and buy a few new colors and I need suggestions. No blue though, I don't wear blue except for denim and turquoise.
-What new blogs are you reading?  Really as if I need any more, but what the hell.
-Confessions: I'm the world's worst procrastinator, I do the short order cook thing (a lot) for the kids' dinners bad I know, I've never been to New York City and it's a little embarrassing.

-I wonder if when I go back to work I can put professional volunteer on my resume?

-Yikes, my hair is really damaged or dry...or both? What's the difference?

All shallow topics but hey it's Friday so let's keep it light. Go!

{image via vi.sualize}

I'll try it

I'm sure you may have seen it but if not some great food for thought for the new year.

Not only is the content of this poster awesome you can also download it HERE.

{via Black Eiffel}

Wear it :: Emerson Made

I've been stationed at my computer drooling over EmersonMade's Spring looks. A polka dot scalloped skirt? Such cuteness. 

A tuxedo jacket paired with their rolled shorts? So unexpected.

And these jeans and jacket?  To die.  The jacket is waxed cotton which ups the cool factor considerably, I've now gone from drooling to putting it on my covet list.

Happy Weekend!

This has been the fastest week that I can remember.  Saturday and it's Big's birthday party.  He was up all night because he was excited, this was worse than at Christmas.  Hopefully his Robot/Bowling party will live up to it's hype.  You guys have anything planned?

{not sure about the image...}

The Poppy Farmhouse

Last weekend at a meeting I heard about Cascina Papaveri (The Poppy Farmhouse for those of us unfamiliar with the Italian language).  Sounds like my kind of place, their tagline reads Pilates and Cookery vacations in Piedmont, Italy.  Umm, yes please, why am I only hearing of this now?

Dear Cascina Papaiveri if you need an instructor for a week or two, I'm in. 

On another note if you're a Pilates instructor, Balanced Body's Pilates on Tour will be in Rome this year in December.  Nothing like a trip to Italy that can be counted as continuing education.

Make it :: Tattered books

I don't think I ever shared with you a little project that I did.  It was awhile ago and it all started with these books from The Willows (one of my favorite local stores).  I saw these books scattered in a tray in one of their vignettes, I loved.  The books didn't appear to be for sale and I figured it would be a very easy DIY. 

Crummy picture quality, my camera phone.

So then I made these, probably last September.

And then yesterday I was flipping through a Ballard Designs catalog and saw these. 

Hah.  No way would I have paid this for these books.  It was as simple as heading to your local thrift store and picking up some paperbacks for some change.  Now I did spent a lot of time ripping out the books from the covers (usually page by page) and picking off any glue that stuck to the pages but they've come in so handy when my table just needs something.  I tied mine with regular twine but jute twine would look great also.  My mom suggested getting the edges wet so they would be a little more distressed which maybe one of these days I'll get around too because her ideas are usually good ones. 

TV Peeves

As you know I love to watch TV and it's been awhile since I've talked about it so I thought I would share with you one of my biggest TV pet peeves.  Do you notice anytime they show a couple in bed it's always the shrimpiest bed they can find?  Seriously what married couple do you know that sleeps in a full size bed or at best case scenario a queen?  I get it's all about the camera shot getting them both in or showing the conflict or the resolution in tight quarters but it's still annoying.  I'll be honest if Mr and I are at a hotel and we end up with two doubles we kiss each other goodnight and hop in our own beds.  So married TV couples please get bigger beds to help me manage my issues with strange things being super annoying.

PS:  My other pet peeve is that on Gossip Girl anytime they show wine or champagne it's served in a cylinder glass.  Switch it up stylists!

Oh and PPS:  I know I need to get a life. Seriously.

Wanna get up and go?

Somewhere beautiful of course.

{images from here and here}

Color Crush :: Navy + Pink

As a general rule I don't wear navy.  It's always been my no-way color, too preppy, too safe and it isn't terribly flattering on me.  But every now and then I find something that I must make an exception for. 

Now navy paired with pink feathers?...Yes please.

Happy New Year!

So it's the new year and everyone is back at work (boo) or school and probably sitting there thinking, "This really sucks."  I agree people, I agree.  I kind of go back and forth with loving the fresh start of the new year or being crabby with the post holiday hangover.  This year I'm leaning towards the crabby side of things so to freshen myself up something bright and pretty might be what I need.

{from top photo by Anna Kern via Curbed, Country Living and Martha Stewart}