I've Already Had Dinner...

..and this is my dessert, a toasted plain bagel lathered in Nutella. I needed a pick me up tonight, and along with a good cup of coffee, it's helping... a little.

I've just had a miserable week; a truly yucky one. It's been a number of unrelated events that have just made for a bunch of head aches, lots of tired yawns, and even a few tears. And today I made the awful mistake of deciding to forego my makeup, a very bad idea because as it turned out, I found myself in front a gigantic mirror in a Core class at the Y and staring back at me was a face I did not recognize (okay, so maybe I'm being slightly dramatic) with dark circled eyes and kinda greasy hair, the very same hair I washed this morning. My lack of effort made everything all the more awful. But you see, yesterday I made an effort. I took a cue from J Crew's catalog and I found an old pair of khakis, and I rarely wear khakis... rarely. So I tried that whole tuck and fold to make them "boyfriend khakis" (yeah right) and then I paired them with textures and patterns on top that were slightly mismatched yet super cool together. I saw Jenna, J Crew's top lady, on Oprah and she wore silver sequined harem style pants with a loose navy and white striped top and it was awesome! Anyway, my own attempt at creative styling fell horribly short but it was nevertheless an attempt, and to cut a way too long story short, I never got to leave the house that day because I couldn't find the car keys. I'm sure my kids appreciated the look though.

But you know what? The worst part is that it's all stupid stuff that went down this week. Nothing life altering or more important than the next person's difficult week. In fact, I did not have to shoot down robbers from my balcony (true story!) or watch my daughter carried away into surgery. I have 3 healthy kids at home and that's pretty great. I have no reason to complain.

But my guy's leaving town for several days, and that really, really stinks.

So I'm going to a women's conference at my church this weekend, and usually I would stay well clear of those. But this time it says it's going to kick my butt (it really says that!) and for that simple reason I'm going to go.

1. Because if it's a butt kickin' women's event then there will surely be no break out sessions or awkward (for me), tearful speakers.

2. I think I need my butt kicked a little (or a lot; whatever you think God).

So to end things on a lighter note, I want to invite you, the readers, to share a little with me. I'd love to know what your love lists or wish lists are and I'd also love to feature them here and share them with everyone else. I not only want to hear from my dear family and friends, but also from the lovely readers that I have never met and know nothing about. So.... send me your love list (i.e. jogging in the rain or sleeping in a soft, fluffy bed) or your wish list (i.e. silhouette portraits of my kids from etsy or a fancy new perfume). You can include pictures with your items or I can find some, it's up to you. Send them my way everyone and I'll feature a new list every week (if I have enough to do so!). I can't wait to read them!

Hope you have a really lovely weekend.

Image via jamesmerrell.co.uk

Fashion and Cake....A Perfect Combo!

1. shopbando.com

2 & 3. lanaloustyle.com

4. photobucket.com

5. designlovefest.com

This Week's Kid's Room

Lucky little lady, Miss Molly, has an understated yet charming room. I love the stuffed fabric angel wings!

Images via kenziepoo.com.

Designer - Tord Boontje

A few Christmases ago, 2004 perhaps, I asked for a very unusual and special gift, a garland light that I had seen at momastore.org, the online store for the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The light was made by Tord Boontje, a designer from Holland, and I recently came across an article at newyorksocialdiary.com that included other pictures of his beautiful work as well as an interesting interview. I particularly enjoyed his response to this question:

What do you say to people who think what you make is frivolous?

"I respect the fact that it's whimsical and it's very lightweight. Maybe because it makes you happy, people think that that is frivolous ... I don't know ... if you give a lollipop to a child, it can be very meaningful, or flowers in your hair can be very meaningful ... so ..."

~

This is my spectacular garland light in 2 gorgeous shades of pink.

Here are images of a few other designs (he even did a Christmas line for Target in 2006).

An art exhibit at the Showroom Moroso, Milan, 2004

My "Worldly" Wardrobe

Here are the few pieces I promised to share with you, those that remind me (some just barely, mind you) of the recent runway collection I featured (Dries Van Noten). There's no better shopping than the flea market kind, and the best flea markets I've ever had the pleasure of treasure hunting have been those in South Africa. There is always a stall at a SA flea market that has a lovely assortment of sari type skirts, in rich Indian fabrics in so many patterns and colors that it is almost impossible to pick one or even two of your favorites. I found a store at our mall called "Touch of the World" that imports clothing and odds and ends from overseas and they actually have a really beautiful collection of these same long wrap skirts in silky fabrics, though they're imported from another Asian country (forgotten where exactly).

Just a side note. It was like pulling teeth this afternoon, attempting a little photo shoot with all the clothes I had to put on and all this between feeding everyone lunch and hurrying before naps ended. So in our haste, the images are not the best, but they will have to do. I had also hoped to style things a bit better, adding tops or bottoms reminiscent of the runway versions, but alas, my time was short and sweet. Hope you enjoy it anyway!

Silk wrap skirt - "Touch of the World" and Krugersdorp flea market (the other was too wrinkled to photograph).

Orange tribal print blouse - a gift from SA

Another long wrap skirt in a really gorgeous batik print. Also a gift from SA.

A skirt with the same "ethnic inspired feel" though from Old Navy (a few seasons ago).

A shorter wrap skirt in a vibrant aqua blue and gold - from SA.

Photo by Monty

Same skirt as before. The colors in this one are stunning - golds, ambers, reds, chocolates.

It's been some time, but here's another Sunday outfit! We had to make sure all the very ugly and unnecessary props where in the background just to make things more "real life" (not really; real life just happened).

I'm loving...

...Dries Van Noten's Spring 2010 collection, a fantastic display of ethnic prints and patterns that inspire me to keep this sort of cool and colorful fabric in my own wardrobe (and not to be overtaken wholly and completely by the floral mania). A little closer to "ready to wear" than some other runway collections I've gushed over.

Actually, I have a few gorgeous skirts and tops that are very much along these lines. I'll have to do a little fashion shoot of my own this weekend. Coming soon!

I can see my little sister wearing this one, out for drinks with her friends.

Am I right Miss Cara Meliah?

Think the shirt and the shorts are perfect. But I'd have to wear them separately, of course.

A stunning skirt. Every top and bottom is just so gorgeous.

Images via style.com.

A Dance-y Music Video!

Last Night's Dinner

I felt a little wild and crazy at the grocery store on Monday, as if I had just stepped off a motorcycle and was about to make another rash decision. I ended up buying something new that morning, spicing the menu up a bit. Things tend to go in the same food direction each week because I fear that something new and improved will simply take more time than I have, especially at night when my body begs for the couch.

I gave Tortilla Scramble (with Fresh Salsa) a try, because I knew that if the eggs were scrambled, the dish would be quick and easy. And more importantly, I love breakfast at night! (My husband does not feel the same way about this but I am happy to say, he loved the dish). It's out of April's issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Chilaquiles, a Mexican dish of tortillas simmered in a spicy tomato sauce, inspired this scramble. Start to finish: 35 minutes.

1 Tbsp. butter

1/2 cup clipped fresh cilantro

1 small bunch green onions, chopped

1 10 oz. can purchased enchilada sauce

5 cups yellow corn tortilla chips

1 recipe fresh salsa (recipe included in mag but I opted for fresh salsa from the store's deli)

6 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup milk

sour cream (optional, but a must!)

cheese (optional, but a must!)

1. Heat 1 tsp. of the butter in a skillet over medium heat; add half of the cilantro and half of the green onions (use remainder for fresh salsa - if you're making it). Cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in enchilada sauce; gently stir in chips. Cook and stir until chips are coated in sauce; reduce heat to low.

2. Prepare fresh salsa or quickly grab the salsa you bought.

3. Prepare scrambled eggs (they have instructions on how to do this but I'm going to just assume that you already know how to scramble an egg).

4. To serve, slide chip mixture onto plate. Top with eggs and salsa. Serve with sour cream, cheese, and a lime.

Don't be frightened! It was delish.

A Vintage Wedding Bouquet

Aren't these bouquets divine? They are made out of antique flower brooches and are too lovely to be true. Makes me want to get married again, and still to you my love (in case that worried you :). And then I heard that "A" will launch their wedding line next year which makes a renewal of vows that much more exciting. Though if I did that, it would only be appropriate at our 25 year anniversary, I'd imagine (at 10 currently). Hope "A" is still holding strong in 15 years!

It would be so much more fun to plan a mini wedding now than it was to plan a "all out" one back then. I think it's because I know what I really love and I wouldn't flail about as much. But the best reason for all of this prearranged enchantment would be to celebrate being with my man for all these years. I never imagined love would be this good.

A few photographs taken in my sister's front yard.

Thank you spring for delighting us today.

Brooch bouquet images - Alice Hu via ruffledblog.com and flowers - me.

Speaking of Wonderland...

Ooh, ooh! Today I came across harmonie-interieure.com, a stunning site dedicated to creating decorative stickers with "spirit" and they are truly beautiful. The business is based in France and consists of a husband and wife team who simply do what they love.

Here is their home in the French country. Wow.

Their daughter's bedroom.

A few of the designs they sell for children's rooms.

So, so sweet.

A growth chart that's a work of art!

Such lovely work.
I wonder how this buying overseas business works? I've not attempted a web purchase when the price is in euros or pounds. But they accept purchases made from the US so I suppose it's just converted. If you're interested in giving it a try, there is currently 1 euro to 1.3 dollars. Good luck and tell me how it goes. :)