friday flowers : mums

this week's flowers are brought to you by my son. i had another selection chosen at the market but before i could make it past the flower display he had managed to grab these from his seat in the cart and insist they were better than what i had. i have to agree...

zero waste life

i love this. this family is living a zero waste lifestyle flawlessly. not only have they downsized from a 3000 sq. foot home to a 1400 sq foot home, they have implemented some incredibly impressive ways to reduce waste (taking mason jars to the market for deli meats and cheeses...wow!). and aren't they a beautiful couple?!   i am avid at recycling and now inspired to see what more i can do to reduce our own household waste. we've already got the square footage part, a luxurious 800 for us :)

diet? me???

i have never been one to diet. for one they pose too many rules which has never agreed with me. i like to make my own rules, and eating (and feeding my family) healthy unprocessed foods has always been number one. but this idea seems revolutionary to me and i am seriously considering giving it a try. it will no doubt be a challenge because i do love my flours and breads and rices, but the health benefits seem out of this world! i'm going to be visiting and reading this, this and this blog/site regularly from now on, and will keep you posted on my progress. wish me luck!

friday flowers

although i haven't been consistent all winter, now that spring is nearly here i've been making more of an effort to pick up fresh flowers each week.  there is something simple and sunny about waking up each morning to a pretty display, and this effect continues to brighten up my kitchen day after day.  tulips happen to be my favorite, and the store where we do our shopping carries a wide variety of colors.  since the selection is slim when it comes to general variety, i'll have to get creative each week; at least until the farmer's market opens in may...

oscars 2011 red carpet favorites

since everyone will be talking about their favorite celebrity dresses from oscar night, i thought i would create a poster of my top five picks; likely you've already seen the looks as they were and i had a some fun making this while my son napped today! it was a great time watching the show with my husband and son while we ate too much cheesecake and chocolate mousse; and it was a thrill to watch Natalie Portman win her award for best actress, looking radiantly pregnant.

font fanfare

i am a font fanatic.  above are some of my favorite new fonts for 2011.  find them here.  and if  you are a fan of handwriting fonts and you've always dreamed of turning yours into one, visit this site (you'll need a scanner).

baking essentials

ever since i laid eyes on these nesting measuring cups and bowls i've been dreaming of all the ways they would improve my life; a better cooking experience, more organized cupboard, mood enhancement from the cheery colors...the list goes on.  the ceramic measuring spoons from anthropologie may not be practical, but their sweetness more than makes up for it; and various shades of lavender are becoming my favorite colors.

out of hibernation

a funny thing happened...

over the past six and a half weeks i discovered in myself a fair amount of composure.  in fact, over the last nearly five months, my discoveries have been crucially life-changing.  this is somewhat largely due to the sudden realization that i am no longer in my twenties.  it's true i've crossed that threshold of age almost half a year ago, so let's just humor the fact that i'm a late bloomer (which is truly true...i hadn't even figured out the world of PC's until two years ago).  over the course of the above mentioned time i've exercised a considerable amount of patience and tight-lipped reservation.  naturally it hasn't all come easy, and in my efforts to persist i set myself to the challenge of finding botanical remedies to ease the pain.  i have become a regular tea swilling, essential oil smelling, vitamin popping fanatic, and i couldn't be more calm.  and now that i'm on the beginning path to centered-ness, the cause of my ailments has been all but relieved; although none too quickly because the habits i've developed over this rather short period of time will i believe benefit me well into the long run.  and now for the big reveal...
I HAVE MY LAPTOP BACK!
my husband's mac is once again fully functioning and so forth now can i.  so as long as i'm on this streak i guess i'll put this little baby away (that is, until i'm ready to compose my next letter to my pen pal (you know who you are girl!!)
it's good to be back~

 

 (found at the thrift store for 10 bucks; i am truly in love)

buried in books

since the turn of the new year, something has come over me. a sense of calm and cool has replaced my overwhelming anxiety and sense of rush. i truly despise feeling that way and take every precaution to avoid it; although that can be the biggest challenge during the holiday season. in the past before my son was born, my husband and i kept things very minimal and only enjoyed the spirit of the season. but with a little one in tow, suddenly it now feels crucial to participate and create many moments of magic. i understand this must be done in the effort of creating and instilling tradition, although i will grapple with the balance of it for some years to come. now that our first week of the new year is nearly over, i can breathe, and i've been taking long, deep inhales for days. it feels good, along with the time i can now spend buried in books. as an avid reader, it's been over two years since i could really sink my mind into the words of another world; those worlds being of the ones i enjoyed in my own childhood. exploring the stories i read in my youth have been inspired by my son's own love of reading, and although many are advanced for his age, i've come to find he enjoys hearing them nonetheless (to the point of spending upwards of two hours reading at bedtime). of course i am thrilled as this gives a welcome break to all the young children's stories we both nearly know by heart.

stormy sunday

tacoma narrows bridge near my home, via here

although i am an early riser through the fall and winter months, this morning i awoke to a rainstorm at a time that left quite a few hours to go until daylight. wind and rain outside my bedroom window whirred and whistled until i was left with no other choice than to get up and brew an extra large pot of coffee. these days i'm a much lighter sleeper since having my son, and after i rubbed most of the sleep from my eyes and had a few sips of caffeine, i was able to see the opportunity at hand and take advantage of it~ some alone time. it is an elusive occasion for me and truly one i don't think about until the moment presents itself. when it does i'm usually left contemplating what i should do with my time, until it has run out and all i did was spend it trying to make a decision. not so this time. i fired up netflix and chose a selection i would otherwise never have the opportunity to watch in the presence of my two year old. it was a 2 hours in the early early am that was well spent, and inspires my next film fashion post. stay tuned!!

seasonal must see - you've got mail

although not technically a christmas movie, you've got mail is most definitely a must-watch seasonal film. taking place at the beginning of fall and ending in riverside park in the spring, it's a cute love story that takes us through nearly all of new york's weather changes - minus the blistering heat of summer. i have a fairly lengthy list of films i like to watch starting in the fall, but this is the only one that hits all the right notes. and i don't think meg ryan looks prettier in any other film (except maybe this one; another one on my list...) not only is the story delightful, the set is one that i could be happy living in forever; to be surrounded by books, coffee and french-inspired vintage furniture and linens?! but ultimately the laptop theme played throughout the movie is my favorite. while this was filmed at the very beginning of the internet boom, it seems years beyond...what are your favorites?

i was supposed to be holiday gift shopping...

...but then i started thinking about spring (i know, i haven't even put our tree up yet) and i know i'm not going to be able to resist this color combination. the rose pillow might be a fun project for a diy knockoff, and with the tablecloth fabric i'm thinking kitchen curtains (or an apron, or cute potholders; the list could go on~ i love this print!).

child's heirloom serving set

with christmas just around the corner i have been somewhat cramming gift ideas for my two year old son.  while there are many winter necessities that are making the list (pj's, cute slippers, anything snow-related) along with some new toys and art supplies, i can't help but consider that it is also a good time to add a few possible heirloom gifts under the tree.  i ran across this adorable serving set while checking out this year's ornament collection on anthropologie's website, and it somewhat channels a set that i have from my own childhood. i love the barnyard animal and abc theme (mine is humpty dumpty; i'll post a photo...) especially since right now the "abc" song is among his favorite selections!