So not for the birds

In looking through my little stockpile of images I realize that I have a thing for birds lately. Not just Audubon prints but also paintings of birds and apparently taxidermy. Hmmm. What do you think is it for the birds?

{from top Michael Partentio via Desire to Inspire, Jay Jeffers via Coco + Kelley, The Graphics Fairy, Southern Accents, Southern Accents, Southern Living via Two Ellie}

It's too nice out to blog

The kids are on different spring break schedules so Little is rubbing it in that he doesn't have school while Big will have to wait for April. (Which by the way is crazy because Little loves his school, it's just play, play, play but what he does love is bugging his brother.) Since we have some time on our hands we met some friends here today. There's plenty of room to run and play and really yummy food for moms so really it's win-win all the way around. So while we were there we did some digging, played, saw some chickens, made some wishes and I got to chit-chat with friends (for almost 3 hours). I feel like I got away with something...

Somtimes I like fancy

Don't these rooms make you feel fancy? They're not over done, just perfectly glam, girly and luxurious.

{from Southern Accents}

Where oh where are you?

I'm obsessed with these stools? Anyone know the source?

{photo from Southern Accents}

Love it :: Made By Girl

I don't know if I've told you but my little sister is engaged. She and her fiancee have been dating for years and now are planning their nuptials. I'm super excited, the only crummy part is she lives in Kansas City and I live here. So sadly I haven't been able to do the dress shopping or help with the event planning details. Which if you know me personally I love all that stuff. She's been wonderful and always emails me her stylish picks so I feel in the loop. She's getting married in a cathedral and having her reception at a very posh but traditional location so this print probably wouldn't work at the reception but I sure think a shower planned around it's hip color and style would be fun!

Picture it, Niki {hearts} Tom....swoon.

So party/shower planners take note you can find other colors here.

I question

As a mother I often wonder:

{The kids and I had a picnic in the yard for dinner on a particularly nice day. Fun was had by all as you can see with the girl scout cookie remnants on Big's mouth}

Will my kids be happy?

Am I a freak for being the mom that can't deal with Lunchables?

Do I let them eat too much sugar?

Are they happy at school?

Are they learning all they should?

Do I push them too hard?

Will they be nice people when they grow up?

Will my future daughter-in-laws like me?

Will Little be an actor when he grows up? He's not called Drama for nothing.

I wonder if they'll ever be sick of spaghetti?

Will they ever break a bone?

What will happen to them when something happens to our dogs?

Do they have any allergies that I don't know about?

And this is all stuff that I think of driving to the groc. Thankfully for me these thoughts are so fleeting and really I think I know the answers to most of these questions. What is it about these little guys that make us want to be the best possible people/mothers/teachers that we can be? Surely I can't be the only one who thinks these crazy thoughts, right?

Mad Men Barbies?

Am I slightly off my rocker for wanting this whole set?


As seen here.

Read it :: Pinch My Salt

I love reading food blogs. There's always great photography (which makes me a little jealy) and then all those yummy recipes (which makes me a little hungry). I browse these when I'm tired of all of my day to day cooking to find some inspiration. But these oh my the cuteness can't be contained.

Seriously why haven't I seen these sooner?

{cuteness found at Pinch My Salt}

Now these are cabinets

Every now and then I see one room and there is nothing that I don't like. This kitchen from Southern Accents is my idea of the perfect kitchen.

It's not just the look, I mean a white kitchen is classic and gorgeous but I really love the cabinets. They could be painted in any color I would still like them. There are so many other elements about them that I like, I love the glass doors, the nice wide drawers underneath, the open shelves on either side of the range, the closed storage on top and that there's a soffit above most of the cabinets. I loathe that space above cabinets, it turns into a gross dust collector. Now lets talk about the back splash, those shelves are adorable and oh so handy for those often used spices. Appliances, a cooks dream especially the range. And well a chandy in the kitchen that's just icing on the cake.

Brass bin pulls

Did I ever tell you that I found the motherlode of brand new brass bin pulls and knobs at Habitat Restores for only a dollarish each?

And if you're wondering yes they're still sitting in the grocery bag I bought them in but maybe one of these days I'll find a place for them.

{Image via Elements of Style, Southern Accents via Urban Grace Interiors}

Go play!

Can you tell that Big's had the last 3 days off from school? Some sort of weird mini-break, I have no idea. Anyways since Spring is now kinda springing doesn't this make you want to play outside?

Or maybe just settle down outdoors for a glass of wine?

{from top Urban Nature design via Desire to Inspire, Sixx Design and

Helen Green Design via Desire to Inspire}

Fred's + yummy candles

Today I had a shopping day with my mom and grandparents and for lunch we decided to eat at Fred's in Barney's Scottsdale.

It was yum and not crowded (why, I have no idea) so I will now be making it one of my new lunch spots. If you're local you should go. The service was great which is always a make it or break it for me.

While I was there I fell in love with the Modern Alchemy candles History Lesson gift set. With fragrance names like opium den, dia de los muertos, speak easy, ex libris and boston tea party they all hint at their perfect blend of warm, spicy and not too sweet.

I need new spectacles

Last night I went to Spiked with one of my girlfriends and on the way home we stopped at a local watering hole for 1 beer. It was a hole in the wall bar that hosts local bands and lots of indie hipster peeps. We had quite a time people watching, eavesdropping and laughing. One of the girls we saw was wearing these, I loved them.

I don't know if they'll be the same on me as on the bun-wearing dark haired girl with the requisite plaid shirt/skinny jeans combo but they sure were cute.

Style Crush :: Chloe Sevigny

Who What Wear posted one of my favorite fashionable stars last week. I adore Chloe Sevigny.

Who are your style crushes?

What a day.

Thought you'd want to know that Little's 4th birthday wasn't bittersweet at all it was just sweet.

The day started off with doughnuts

and ended with Sprinkles chocolate cupcakes.

Not to mention Big told Little that he "totally" looked taller now that he was 4. Hilarious.

I know I should be excited but I'm not.

Ugh, I'm so dreading tomorrow. It's Little's 4th birthday. It's not possible for my little baby who we've called Bottle Boy, Drama, Buzzkill and we're now on Frank the Tank to be that old. Not only do I not want him to get any bigger because I miss having a baby, I feel old. Like old as the hills old and it sucks. That's all.

This picture from Desire to Inspire really has nothing to do with this post but I like it.

Wishful thinking

Dreaming of a tranquil beachy days because of Fulvia Farolfi's home in the Hamptons.

And she's wearing my hat...

{all images from The Selby}

Happy Monday

Morning friends! How was your weekend? Are you as ready as I am to go outdoors? I love spring, it's not too hot and not too cold it's just right. Perfect weather for parks, riding bikes and al fresco dining. And this year for me gardening.

Yes it's true I'm going to see if my thumb turns even the slightest hint of green. Yesterday at my in-laws they made a huge raised bed and the kids helped plant lots of herbs and a few veggies. So even though it's at my in-laws house we are required to go over and help with the gardening duties. I'm totally excited and crossing my fingers that it turns out well. So any gardening tips from you green thumbs? I'm all ears.

{image from Epicurious}

Love it :: Cameras

I found all of these gorgeous images at the Audrey Hepburn Complex. They were certainly lovely on their own but I adore them all grouped together.

{images from adelaiderose flickr, tommaso nervegna and gridlines flickr}

Fashion + Weather = Feather

Still not too late to win a outfit consultation with Melisa from the Feather Report.

Enter HERE

Warm and Toasty

I like painted wood as much as the next girl but I really love it all warm and toasty.

{from top Laurey Glenn photography via Southern Living, Southern Living via Two Ellie, Nathan Turner}

It's not too late!

No worries, you have until the end of the day to enter the giveaway for the Stella & Dot Signature Clover Bangle.

Enter HERE

WIN IT :: Dresssing on the Side Tee

Today the big party favor is a Dressing on the Side Tee of your choice. Yep that's it, you get to decide which one you would like to win! Ever since I spotted these adorably cheeky tees I've been smitten. My only problem is I can't decide which one I like best?

So you wanna win? Well here's the skinny.

There's lots more shirts to choose from so go to Dressing on the Side now and pick your favorite. (I also really like Morning Buzz, perfect for moi). When you choose your fave leave a comment telling me which one you'd like to win. Please leave your email so I can let you know when you've won your super duper prize, not to be a grouch but in order to win I need to be able to notify you. Merci.

The giveaway is through Friday, February 26th.

Thank you Dressing on the Side for the cutest tees ever!

Woot woot, the winner is Faith like Potatoes!

winner chosen by Random.org

Shorty

Sienna's old hair-do makes me miss short hair. Give me a year and I bet I'm back.

WIN IT :: Feather Report

One of my favorite bloggers is Melisa from The Lil Bee, she's hip and hilarious which is a deadly combo. She came up with The Feather Report which comes up with outfits per the daily weather, genius and makes shopping easy. Melisa has generously offered to come up with a customized outfit for the winner of the giveaway. Who wouldn't want one of these chic getups made just for them?

Phoenix: Hot with abundant sunshine, High 104 degrees.

Outfit details here.

LA: Breezy in the morning, bright, and sunny; high 61 degrees.

Outfit details here.

NYC: Some sun, then turning cloudy, high 36 degrees.

Outfit details here.

So you wanna win? Here's the skinny.

In comments leave a comment about your body type (Curvy Cathy, Booby Brenda, Leggy Linda, Petite Patty or Pregnant Paula), occasion and location (for the weather of course) and I will randomly choose a winner. The giveaway is through Thursday, February 25th. Your customized, stylish outfit will be posted on The Feather Report. Just make sure to leave your email address so I can notify you of your winning!

Thanks Melisa!

Yay, we have a winner!! Jeanette LeBlanc you've won a Feather Report!

Winner chosen by Random.org

Seesaw Vintage

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Angela from Seesaw Designs, I'm sure many of you bloggers will recognize the name from their bada*& calender that was all over blogland. Well the girls from Seesaw decided to open a vintage Etsy shop, which like their calendar doesn't disappoint.