Birthday Party Inspiration

I'm taking inspiration from this room for a circus themed birthday party for Monty Rowan, who will be turning 3 in a few weeks. Lots and lots of pictures to come!

{Room by designer Kate Dixon via Design Sponge (designspongeonline.com)}

Boating Dayz

Today was beautiful! I love long holiday weekends because they mean there will be water, heat, ice cream, family, food, and perhaps a movie. The morning started off a little shakily with Elliot's, shall we say, "first" fall. Off the bed and onto the floor. I'll not say whose fault it was, but I will say this... it was not mine. He survived nicely and so on we went to the boat for a lovely chicken licken lunch (oh wait, I stopped to buy an adorable day bed first!). And then to the pool where we splashed and sun tanned for, gosh, almost 3 hours! On a day of firsts, Elliot also had his first swim in a pool and of course, completely loved it. It was all totally fab. And then, on the drive for cherry limeades we came across this wildly brilliant van, if that's even possible (see below). So to end tonight, with all the chickies plucked and tucked, I have just finished ironing a dress for church tomorrow. Now you may (or may not... probably) remember that I don't iron, simply because I'm not a good person, but I did this time. And the Gap care label elves said that a warm iron was okay, yet it was not okay. Once again, the ironed item looks completely the same after as it did before the ironing began. I say a piping HOT iron was necessary, but at the risk of a hole or a burn, I will follow the suggestions and simply wear it wrinkled. I don't care. (And you ask me why I'm not a good person... there.)

On the boat

Mmmm..... apple juice looks yummy.

Coolest dudez ever!

Here we have it! Gold glittered van, sparkling like the sun. Driven by a man in a tie dye shirt, obviously. Knocked our socks off and made me wish for a pink glittered Cadillac version of my own. Magnificent.

(You know I'm kinda kidding here, right?)

Added later: I don't mean to imply that E has had more than 1 fall. Rather than it might be the "first" of many. It was horrible!

French Beauty

I just loved these pictures that I found at Black Eiffel. I've not had the chance to travel to France yet but I'm told that they are immaculate over there. I think these looks are perfect!

I love the polka dot sheer blouse, the over the knee socks, and the ruffled one shoulder dress (just to start)!

{Pauline Darley via blackeiffel.blogspot.com}

Granny Chic

I have a thing for all things old and handmade and a special love of the knit and crocheted kind of retro items... quilts, blankets, doilies, and linens. I've noticed, in my blog reads, that most decor and style enthusiasts tend to lean in a specific direction, admiring either the modern or "Swedish" decor style (Ikea being an example) or the vintage inspired home. And they are usually die hards. The handmade, vintage-y lady often takes a handmade pledge and stays far, far away from anything new or edgy. And I've noticed how the modern lady makes fun of those of us that might make, say, doily cushion covers. And then there's me, who I think is somewhere in the middle.

So here we have "Granny Chic", a term coined by DottieAngel and boy, does she do it well. She also has an etsy store (which at this very moment in time, is empty, as she seems to sell fast) which is filled to the brim with the cutest handmade, touch-of-vintage items (also featured at her blog dottieangel.blogspot.com). Here are just a few pictures of her home which is charming and full of fun old things.

And then there's what I'll call "cheer chic". Poms have made a colorful come back and I love the way they look suspended from ceilings for parties or just for a fun touch in a kid's room. Also at etsy, you can find both pomqueen and sweetpoms, who sell tissue poms in bright or soft colors and varied sizes. (I never got to be the cheerleader but rather watched critically from the side lines. And though cheerleaders are completely uncool up here, I went to high school in Tulsa, a city that fell under the cheer spell. Anyway, this is my opportunity to live out any cheer fantasies :).

Engagement Sessions

I had so much fun looking through the gorgeous engagement pictures featured at ruffledblog. There's something about these side-by-sides that is so unique and quite magical. Wish they'd thought of this 11 years ago when it was me and the soon to be huz (photography tended to me a bit more pose-y then, to put it mildly). My own engagement pictures may not be as stunning, but they sure do give me a good laugh!

{via ruffledblog.com}

My Little Peeps

Just wanted a show off a few cute pictures that I took of the boys over the past couple of days. Mr. B did a fancy session with Elliot yesterday that I'll share soon. These 7 months have gone way too fast!

We spent much of today outside; pool filled, sprinklers on, and swimmies donned. Even lit the tiki torches to keep the bugs away which, surprisingly, works wonders (love the fact that they can provide both ambience and bug extermination all at the same time).

Summer project:

Spiff up the tree house - so that the boys never want to play anywhere else, as I now find myself home for naps for a good 6 hours of my day, making it exceedingly difficult to entertain these restless little men. So I too, (Daena), will have to make my back yard a wonderful getaway of extraordinary pleasures for my kids as they will be spending much of their summer break in it. Hmph!

Pretty Things

Here are a few pictures of pretty little things that made the past weekend extra lovely.

Dance roses in tiny vases

The sweet centerpieces used at the show and made by my "can-do-anything" mom

Backyard seating

Hot Summers

It's been a sweltering couple of days around here and I think summer is kicking into gear. We had our first outdoor dinner party over the weekend and it was perfect! Good food, great friends, a bonfire late into the night, and lots of laughs.

This is what I would like to wear to keep pretty yet cool in this summery heat!

This hat...

with this dress...

And these shoes...

on this hammock...

listening to a few tunes.

Now that sounds lovely.

{via wehearit.com and anthropologie.com}

A Wish List!

Today we have our first wish list and it comes from my amazing sister, Daena. I'm so excited to share it with you. Here we go!

These are all the items on my wish list, in no particular order...

1. Pretty pedicures

2. A bimonthly housekeeper.

3. A "Baby Moon" getaway, but not to the ocean. I am unusual in the fact that I don't like the beach. A cruise makes me nervous about the possibility of sea sickness and a spa weekend might be too boring. I need something active and social but relaxing with lots of 'inclusive' eating. Although, my ultimate getaway destination would be Greece.

4. A margarita (accompanied by some great fajitas). I probably crave this so much just because I can't have one.

5. For my backyard to be a secret garden of escape (maybe even the Secret Garden in Notting Hill), but complete with a kids retreat too because I'm sure it will be impossible to escape without them:).

6. The perfect smelling perfume - not too fruity or too musky.

7. Silhouette showcases of my kids, whether that comes in the form of a matted picture beautifully framed or a sweet pendant around my neck.

8. The Zac Posen dress from Target...now I just need an occasion to wear it to. Oh, and the flat tummy to fit into such a statement piece.

9. To constantly have the time for a good, ficticious book on hand. I would reread the Twilight Saga over and over again, but something new and just as good to throw into the mix would be nice.

10. To be superwoman. I wish, hope, and pray to be the best wife any man (specifically Bob) could ever dream of, to be the mom that each of my kids needs me to be, to be an appreciative daughter to the best parents 3 girls could ask for, to be a loving sister stuck in the middle of my 2 favorite people (the best place to be), and to finally be a good friend who knows how to laugh, cry, dream, and pray with those who add life and spice to my world.

The End...

Thank you Daena for sharing these with us! I'd like to join you in Greece and also on your secret garden bed with a book. And, my love, you are already all those things you wished for in number 10. xoxo.

Please send me your own wish lists readers! We'd love to see what they are.

{images via weheartit.com, etsy.com, & jamesmerrell.co.uk}

The Tooth Fairy

We're getting really close to jiggly, wiggly teeth and all that ensues and we've had a few little talks about what happens when a tooth falls out. Parker is a little frightened at the idea of a tooth fairy entering his room in the middle of the night and then lifting his pillow to take his tooth, even if an exchange of money is involved. He might be quite fearful of loosing a tooth at all, so perhaps I'll have this cute little bunny take care of his tooth overnight instead. And on the shelf right by the door. That way the tooth fairy barely has to enter the room at all and will definitely not have to struggle to find a tiny tooth under a pillow in the dark (never mind the head that's on the pillow!)

{found at inchmark.squarespace.com via ohdeedoh.com}

We Dance!

In honor of this weekend, I'd like to share a kaleidoscope of balletic images for your enjoyment. How different my life might have been without dance.

(Shhh... but my husband was, in fact, a ballet dancer too once upon a time and in a roundabout way, this fact allowed for our meeting 11 years ago.) So...I think quite different. Thank you God for dance and it's profound impact on my life.

Costumes from the New York City Ballet's "Nutcracker"

Cape Town Ballet

{via lanaloustyle.com & weheartit.com}

Outfit into Room

I saw this flirty dress by Mara Hoffman and fell in love. I always love the idea of wearing a floor length, open back little number simply because of the way it makes me feel. Though, of course, the opportunity rarely presents itself. Gorgeous nonetheless.

The colors in this dress reminded me of a soft and sweet nursery I recently spied. Designed by a mom of 3 boys (for her 4th child, a daughter!) and choc full of meaningful keepsakes and handmade gifts. I especially love the collection of lanterns and pom-poms hanging from the ceiling.

Perfection!

{via ohdeedoh.com and ohjoy.com}