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}

New Year's already?

Unfortunately the reason I haven't been posting isn't because I've been off doing something fun or glamorous, I've been home sick in bed with the flu.  So annoying to be home when it's prime time for having fun.  I'm getting awfully tired of my bed. 

So what's the plans for this evening?  A fun night out with friends, dinner somewhere posh or a family party spent at home?

{image via Design Sponge}

Were you naughty or nice?

Morning friends! Did Santa bring you everything you wished for? We had a great, laid back Christmas. The kids had the BEST time (of course) and we had a great time watching them have fun. My favorite part has been that the boys have been so busy playing with their new toys and each other that we've all spent a good portion of our weekend in our jammies. I did do a little post holiday shopping yesterday and surprisingly came away with lots of deals. I finally found my black blazer at H&M which will be perfect for a New Years celebration. Thankfully for everyone the after Christmas letdown has been pretty minimal.

So tell me what your favorite gift you received was, here's ours:

Me: Kindle!! (Which of course led me to the what cover dilemma and for once practicality won over fashiony goodness.)

Big: The black Wii (he insists that a white Wii is just a Wii, because it's the original. The red and black ones must be prefaced with their color. Strange, but ok...)

Little: Mater's Monster Truck Wrastlin' (Cars obsession continues.)

Mr. SFD: ??

Tell me all about your holiday, try any new recipes, find some smokin' post Christmas deals??

Eat it :: Foster's Homemade Granola

Christmas mornings are spent at my parents. At Mom's Santa brings your gifts all set up and ready to play with. The kids play with their gifts while the adults attempt to wake up (usually after a late night of elf duty) with their coffee, then we open gifts one by one in age order. The youngest starts and everyone gets a chance to ooh and ahh over each person's present. After all of the gifts are opened we have a big Christmas brunch of my mom's most delicious Eggs Benedict. The only problem with this is as kids the first course was usually the goodies that were in our stockings; for some reason it took us years to wise up and we decided we needed a more substantial snack before brunch. So we came up with yogurt parfaits with homemade granola. Specifically the Foster's Market recipe. It's delish and I'll admit I skip the last step and don't add the dried fruit, not because I don't like dried fruit just because I want to get my hands on it! Here's the recipe just in case you decide you need yogurt and granola on Christmas morning too.

Foster's Homemade Granola
Makes about 6 cups

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

1 cup sliced almonds1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

¼ cup canola or safflower oil, plus more for greasing the pan

¾ cup maple syrup

¼ cup honey

½ cup dried cherries or cranberries

½ cup dried apricots, chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 275°F.

2. Spread the oats, coconut, and almonds on a large baking sheet with sides. Sprinkle with salt and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ingredients are lightly toasted but not yet golden. Transfer the ingredients to a large bowl.

3. Increase the oven temperature to 350°F. Lightly grease the baking sheet with oil or spray with vegetable oil spray.

4. Stir the maple syrup, oil, and honey together in a small bowl, pour over the oats, nuts, and coconut, and toss to coat evenly. Spread the granola onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the granola is just crispy and golden brown, stirring several times while baking. Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet, breaking up any large clumps while it is still warm.

5. When the granola has cooled completely, add the cherries and dried apricots and toss to mix. In an airtight container, this will keep at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Vintage Santas

I found this picture last year right after Christmas and saved it until this year. I almost forgot all about it, whoops. We have one of these, it's from my husband's grandparents house and he loves it. I've always kind of thought, "Hmmm, where are we going to put this?" But thankfully I've come around to loving Santa Baby as long as he's hanging out somewhere en masse. Now I just need to find a couple of more of these.

I could kick myself because I did see one at an antiques store but didn't buy it because I had just purchased something else and couldn't justify buying two things. Of course I went back the following week and figured if it was still there it was meant to be. Well I was s.o.l. and after Christmas I'll be combing eBay and Goodwills to see if my Santa can find some friends.

{image credits? I didn't save them, if you know shoot me an email!}

Tropical vacay anyone?

I know it's Christmas but for some reason I keep coming back to this photo and it makes me want to hop on a plane somewhere tropical.

Mojitos anyone?

{via Desire to Inspire}

Love it :: RED

Just a little red vi.sualize roundup. It is my favorite color and it's Christmas after all.

What are you doing during break?

How was your weekend peeps? Mine was good, great in fact. A family dinner and Sunday night was a Christmas carol filled night driving around looking at lights. The only low point was I missed my best girl and her Mr.'s 12 Tastes of Christmas party. That would have been a good one I know. Such a cute idea and their parties always fun. A hilarious couple and they always have amazing eats. Maybe they'll have it again next year (hint hint).

The kids are home from school and you know what this means. It's not usually holiday fellowship and cheer. I will cross my fingers that their happiness at playing together lasts until at least tomorrow. Oh and if I see another cookie I might turn into a cookie because I ate so many this weekend. Note to self: no cookie baking. What other Christmasy activities can we do? Ideas?

{prettiness via Pink Wallpaper}

Santa Photobooth? Love it!

Rats! Why didn't I see this sooner? Big has his Christmas party at school today and I think that this would have been a huge hit. A bunch of littles clowning with Santa accessories would have been too cute...next year.

Cute and not to mention easy all you have to do is print and cut.

{Hostess with the Mostess via Kim Vallee}

Finally feeling it

This is the last week of school for Big and Little is already on holiday break. I'm actually looking forward to the excitement of the the Christmas holiday. Finally! I've been feeling rather Grinchy. Top that with a bad winter cold and it doesn't make for a very happy camper.

But that's changing this week. I'm pretty excited because my little brother is coming home for Christmas from boot camp in a few days. We've missed him. So while I wait I'm going to wrap presents, do some baking and get tackle some projects around the house. I kinda feel like I'm waiting for Santa too!

{image via We Heart It}

New Balance

Several months ago I was contacted by New Balance to see if I would be interested in being a guest editor. Ummm, hello. Of course, flattered! So here's a little about me, the fitness me that you don't hear too much about!

My take on Fitness What I'm dying to try in the new year, Motivation A few of my favorite rewards and Time some Big and Little time in the kitchen.

Thank you so much New Balance for having me!

Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the Shopbop Giveway is comment number 2o Laura!!

Yippee!! You'll have to fill me in on what you get with your gift certificate!

(Sorry for the confusion..I'm sucking with dates lately)

On the fence

I really have no idea why I've been wanting a pair of Minnetonka Moccasins. Doesn't really seem to go with the style I usually favor but they look so comfy and I just rolled out of bed cool.

To moc or not?

My weekend

So here I am Monday morning thinking, "Oh no...I've not a single gift. Crap." This is the week peeps, I'm going to get my Christmas shopping all done. For the past couple of years I've been on an school event committee that takes up a big chunk of time in the couple of weeks leading up to it. We had the Winter Wonderland event this past weekend and it was super cute if I do say so myself. Snow, Santa, breakfast, boutique, games, treats, a street hockey tournament, it's got any wintry fun you could ask for. The kids wished that they could go again on Sunday so that makes me happy. Always leave them wanting more right? Well it left me exhausted. I went to bed at 6:30 Saturday night.

Thankfully I'm now rested and ready to tackle all of the housework and laundry that has been piling up on me. Well not really ready because the piles look so daunting but I think a few cups of coffee might perk me up to tackle it...maybe. How was your weekend? Make me jealous and tell me that you've finished all your shopping and your house is all shiny.

{image from JCrew}

Organic Junk

Last night my son asked for Pop-Tarts, he informed me that there are all sorts of flavors. He's tired of the flavor that I buy and he wants the Pop-Tart brand. I tried to go the non-confrontational brush off route with the standard mom line, "We'll see". To which he replied, "It's not fair you never buy anything with hydronated oil". Cute that he sorta really knew my no way ingredient.

{my boys would be in heaven if this showed up at our door, sorry guys not happening.}

So then I explained that while I do my very best not to buy food with partially hydrogenated oil I let him eat stuff with it in it from time to time. Then I also explained that I still do buy treat food, I just check the ingredients and it can't be just any old junk. He wasn't buying my explanation on the whys though. So tell me where do you draw the line? I don't kid myself about organic processed food being "better" because hey a toaster pastry is a toaster pastry...except for those icky few ingredients. Yes, No? My feeling is a treat is a treat but I try to at least buy the best ones that I can when we're feeling treaty.