Merry Christmas

Gifts for tiny ones

Playhouse that is portable...and stores away easily. I know someone who just may be able to make this!
Spiderman sleeping bag.  Anything Spiderman, really.
Snow jacket.  It must be red!
Every great spy needs special glasses .
Christmas wouldn't be complete without candy canes.  These are all natural.  Yum!
Boots that dance with you.
Blabla dolls are a sentimental favorite in our home.
Fun scooter for boys and girls!
Colorful socks to fill your dancing boots.
Vintage-inspired toy furniture make playing house so fun.
Bunny backpack to carry all your treasures.

Gifts for him

His idea for a winter trip.
The perfect raw denim jean.
A goes-with-everything boot.
Driving cap.
Small little luxuries.
Ducati monster.  Owned three but currently there is an empty space in the garage.  A new one, perhaps?
Technological fun for the whole family.
Wool warmth.
Classic "dad gift" but so smart looking!

Gifts for her

Finally the perfect leather jacket!
A nice cozy robe to wear while sipping hot chocolate in front of the fire.
A vibrant addition to my shoe collection.
New shades of my favorite sugar lip treatment.
Notebook to record the funny and enlightened thoughts of the two tiny ones.
Pearls.  Need I say more?
Cozy, festive sweater for the long winter months.
This Chloe bag is a beauty and my current handbag needs replacing.
Diamond earrings. Yes, please! I'd settle for these.
A new pair for me.  A new pair for someone in need.
A trip for two, maybe?

Rock your Holiday

I am loving Madewell this season. 
Check out this video that I have seen everywhere. So Fun!

















And here are a few things I wouldn't mind adding to my closet...

Happy Day sweet Juliet...

Happy Day my Oliver...

Pink

Just a little colorful cheer for your week...

Cheers! {images via Pinterest}

Five Favorites: Fall Picks

The nights are bringing a nice crispness and I can feel Fall is nearly here.  Here are a few things on my list...
The perfect leather jacket I will always own
A new Lululemon yoga mat
Toms wedges  I already own the glitter classics and love these!
iPhone 4  vs Android?  I'm leaning toward the iPhone
A few accessories to add to the collection

Perfect White

When we bought our home we had every surface painted before we moved in.  I didn't think I would ever need to paint again.  The kitchen was first painted a medium yellow and was too vibrant for me, so we had the painters tone it down to a more mellow yellow.  Although it was acceptable, it was never just right.
I have been wanting to change it for a while now and I finally got the nerve and over the weekend we painted it. 
White. 
Easy enough?
Not really.  There are so many whites to choose from! 
Since our bedroom is white and I really like the way it turned out,  I chose the same Sherwin Williams Pure White, but with the lighting in our kitchen, it wasn't right.  So it was back to Sherwin Williams. 
The walls are now Glass of Milk and I'm still not 100% satisfied. 
My husband disagrees.  He says it is fine.  I think he just doesn't want to paint again :)

Anyone else found their perfect white?

Parisian Chic

 

If visiting Paris, this little red guide would top my list.    Not only does it give you tips on how to get that oh-so-enviable classic Parisian style, Ines de la Fressange lets you in on where to eat, shop and rest your head.  Here are just a few items I would pack in my carry on bag.

Navy cashmere sweater, white denim, and a nautical stripe top

And this fabulous Burberry trench and Chloe tote

{images printed in French Vogue via Habitually Chic and trench via  Net-a-Porter}

Dreaming of Paris

One of my favorite blogs is hosting a giveaway.  And the prize?...  A week in Paris!!!
I can't contain my excitement!  Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day! is celebrating 5 years of her fabulous blog and as a Thank You to her readers she is generously giving away a 7 Day Trip for two to Paris!  Wow!
Her site is one of my daily reads for creative and inspiring ideas.  You will quickly find yourself hooked.
Take a look and enter yourself for this voyage à Paris! 

Memorial Day

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Have a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend.

Mothers Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.
We will be taking advantage of the warm and sunny weather today and having a little picnic in the park!
Maybe we can find a field like this?
Enjoy your day. 

Taking the Stairs...or Slide

I grew up in a big house with lots of stairs.  My bedroom was on the third floor so I made the trek up and down several times a day.  It never really seemed like a chore and for fun, my sisters and I would sometimes sit on pillows and slide down - to our parents disapproval, of course. 

 

 























































These parents most definitely encourage sliding.  How fun!

Happy Easter

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Children

This caught my heart today while perusing my new favorite site.
I have, like many others I'm sure, stumbled upon pinterest.com.  I spend too much of my free time looking through the amazing images others have pinned.  I have not setup my own account because, honestly, I think I would pin everything!  What a great site and concept!  Go check it out.

Sydney to NYC

I have family visiting the USA soon and we plan to meet up with them in NYC.  They are coming all the way from beautiful Sydney Australia! It has been a few years since we have seen each other and we have both added little ones to our families.  
Although my husband and I have visited New York many times, this will be the first with kids.  I am both excited and nervous for the trip.  We plan to focus on things we've never seen or done.  It should be an easy list since it will focus around the kids. 
One day we will walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and spend time in Brooklyn. I can't believe we've never done this!
I know Babyccino Kids has a great guide for families. Any other great sites?

If you have any tips or ideas of activities for small kids, I'd love to hear.

Summer Vacation

I know Spring has only begun but I can't help myself from dreaming of Summer.  Last year we took our first vacation as a family of four and had so much fun we are going to the same place again this year!
You may recognize this house from a little show a while back starring Jim Carey.

 



























The Truman Show was filmed in Seaside, Florida and this quaint town couldn't be more perfect.  If you haven't been, I would highly recommend visiting.  It is laid back and family friendly.  Everyone rides bikes or walks and they have so many activities (besides the beach) including movie nights, live music in the grassy center of town, even a farmers market and story times for kids.  I could go on...

We simply loved it and can't wait to return. 
We rented our house through this site

Five Favorites: Spring Wardrobe

 
It has been such a long cold winter this year for many of us, I know I am not alone when I say...Bring on the Sunshine! The trees and flowers are beginning to bud and bloom and the warmer temperatures have made a brief appearance.
Its time to reorganize the closets and put away the heavy sweaters.  I am anxious to wear brighter colors and sandals to show off a pedicure. Here are five things that I am adding to my Spring wardrobe.

Hunter Wellies.  My wellies need replacing.  These are on the list!
J.Crew Chambray button up.  Love the heart shaped pocket.
Quicksilver Tunic.  First spotted on Sara Jane's blog.  Such a versatile piece.
EmersonMade. Trench.  I will take one of everything from this fabulous line!  Made in the U.S.A.
Leather Wedge.  These will get plenty of wear.  Now I need that pedicure.

Welcome Spring

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The first full day of Spring has brought with it warm weather and sunshine. 
I'm off to enjoy the sunshine.  Yay!
Happy Monday.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

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This really sums up my mornings. 
It started as a rare indulgence of an iced frothy coffee-like creation and over the past few years (and more likely, two tiny ones) I have become addicted to a large latte.  Nearly every morning I think I need one.  I'm sure it is a little trick my mind plays one me, but it works.  I feel that I am magically refreshed and ready for the day, even if I've had very little sleep!  We visit the same local coffee house and they know our names.  They knew our kids names first and they love it there. 
We love it there.  Maybe a little too much. 

Have a Happy and Safe St. Patrick's Day.

Five Favorites: Chevron

{images: sunsuit  tray  tote  coat  notecard}

Seeing the chevron rug in sweet baby Vivi Charles' nursery inspired me. 
Here are some fun ways to bring chevron into your day. 
There are so many great finds out there right now.

Sweet Nursery

This nursery is just perfection.  The colors. That rug.  And I love her daughters name. Love it all.
Joni does a fabulous job of creating amazing style boards for baby and kids rooms.
Go ahead, take a look but be prepared to stay for a while!

Heavy Heart

{image via NYdailynews}

The devastation in Japan is unimaginable.   Let us keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

Birthday Breakfast

{image via hgtv.com}

We have a little tradition in our house for birthdays.  Donuts for breakfast...mmmmm.
The kids think this is fantastic and I have to agree.
We buy the tiny ones.
Stack them on a plate.
Add candles.
And enjoy.
This morning was one of those mornings! Yay.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband and thank you for sharing your donut cake.

Mellow Yellow

Yellow makes me smile.  I think it may be the happiest of the colors.  Is it because the smiley face is yellow? who knows. I hope this makes you smile today. 

Lovely french doors say Welcome.

 It's a garden party. This is what I want my table setting to look like.

 

At bedtime I will walk up these stairs.

 

And sleep in this glorious bedroom. 

Goodnight. 

crewcuts - cheerful and bright

This is such a fun collection.  J.Crew does a fabulous job of bringing their classic styles to the smaller set.  Bright colors and fun accessories for tots as young as 2.  My son already has several crewcuts pieces in his closet and I can't wait to add some to my daughter's.  With styling like this, how can I resist?

A little Shimmer

It is snowing here again today. But instead of wishing for Spring and the warm 70 degree days (soon, very soon!) I decided to look at the beauty of the snow...with the little bit of sunlight peeking through the clouds, it shimmers!
Oh how I love a little shimmer.

And not forgetting the tiny ones.