Friday, January 29, 2016

LURVE LOAVE LUFF


Let's get right to it, shall we?
Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

  • Red Velvet White Russian // Dude, you're being very undude. Unleash your inner Lebowski with a festive V-Day cocktail.
  • Moroccan Tassels Pillow // Trasport yourself to Marrakech with this delicious mustard beauty. Hubba, hubba!
  • Lips iPhone Case // A tech case that will ensure every conversation or text is sealed with a kiss.
  • Baggu Pouch // Have you seen Baggu's AMAZING collaboration with The Land of Nod? I'm smitten with the hand-painted diaper bag, clutch and pouch designed by artist Adrienne Antonson. Squeeeeee! Why must they be so expensive??
  • Pom-Pom Basic Keyring // Let's set the record straight. There's nothing BASIC about a pom-pom. Nope, NEVER.
  • Rainy-Day Umbrella // My very favorite umbrella bit the dust when I was pregnant with Max. Is it bad that I still mourn the loss? Maybe. This might be the closest replacement I've found. Navy paired with polka-dots? Classic.
  • Chateau Trench Coat // J.Crew's new arrivals have me feeling silly giddy inside. This gingham-lined trench takes the cake.
  • Gemma Flats in Stripe // My peeps in Hawaii thought I could use a few pointers. Ha Ha! Now I want to wear them daily.  
  • Love Rules Forever Pouch // enSoie's accessories are darling. I'm obsessed with their selection of embroidered pouches.
  • Troi Ollivierre Lip Stain // Has anyone tried it? I'm so intrigued by the latest additions to Troi's collection. 
  • Fo' Eva Beaming Greeting Card // Because I dropped the ball on Christmas cards, I hope to make up for it with Valentines. The only downside? There are just too many cute options to choose from, but I guess that's a great problem to have.
  • Green Linear Stool // I simply can't get enough of this modern stool that could totally double as a side table.
  • Sketchbook Faces // I couldn't adore these Elizabeth Graeber illustrations more if I tried. Whimsical and wonderful.

Cheers to a snazzy weekend, m' dears! Make it count. 
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Thursday, January 28, 2016

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

ILLUSTRATION VIA LÉA MAUPETIT

THINKING ABOUT: In one of the parenting books I've been reading, the author compares the strong-willed child to a shopping cart with a crooked or bent wheel. You know the one I'm talking about.  It ominously awaits your arrival at the front of the store and when you push the cart forward, it has a mind of its own and tears to the left. Refusing to be outmuscled by the pesky cart, you throw your weight behind the handle. Desperate to keep the ship on course, the next thing you know you've knocked over a display of spices. Yep, this control freak speaks from A LOT of experience! As I read through Dr. Dobson's analogy last Sunday morning, I had a good chuckle and nodded along in agreement. Next page, puh-leez! I just wasn't prepared for life to imitate art later that afternoon when we made our way to HEB and I ended up with THAT cart. Are you kidding me?!? It was almost as though the universe wanted to really hit home on the topic and subject me to some sort of parenting pop quiz. I'm proud to tell you that I successfully navigated our way throughout the supermarket without knocking over an abuela, but we did come close to hitting a parked car.  

THANKFUL FOR: Tuesday was a particularly long day. It was cold and rainy and very little could appease Max. So after I cooked dinner, we put on our raincoats and walked to our mailbox for some fresh air and a change of scenery. The babe typically looks forward to our quick errand because he knows he gets to walk home, which is a really big deal for this independent toddler. As we made our way back to the house, I crouched down and held his hand with the mail in my Baggu. Max's face was puffy from all the crying, and I looked like I didn't have anything left in me to give. We were quite the pitiful pair until we heard a vehicle slowly follow behind us. We stopped and pulled to the side to let the car pass by, but when we both looked up we were surprised and elated to see it was Flyboy in his truck with the window rolled down. I don't think I'll ever forget the goofy smile painted on his face at that moment. I'm ever so grateful for those kinds of simple and dear moments that offer a pick-me-up whenever we need one the most.

FEELING: I'm all about encouraging Max's curious and creative side, but I draw the line here! You see, our wild and woolly tot has taken up a new hobby this past week. He's decided it's fun to lick his index finger as though it's a paint brush and use his saliva as paint. And since every "artist" requires a canvas, Max has opted for any/all glass surfaces in our house. Erm, gross! Conveniently, he always opts to create quickly when I'm not looking. You say crafty and I say crappy! You guys, there's not enough time or Windex in the world to keep up with this kind of nonsense. Just when I thought I'd successfully nipped this new hobby in the bud, I caught the little sneak doing it AGAIN. Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to the day we replace our current media console with something that doesn't have a lick (see what I did there?) of glass. It will be one less "canvas" for our little Picasso Baby.

EATING: In case you're looking to mix things up in the meal department, here are a few recipes I tried recently and loved...

LISTENING TO: Over the holiday break, my dad introduced us to Captain Smile's catchy dental ditty that's intended to make brushing your teeth a blast. It was an immediate hit for Max, so we adopted the song as part of our nightly routine. While the babe gets down with his pearly whites, we make sure the video is queued up on YouTube. Inevitably there's a lot of singing, dancing, and clapping that goes on in my bathroom. Did somebody say par-tay?!? After weeks of listening to this tune several times a day, I decided it was time for me to personalize our evening ritual this past Saturday and drop the dental beat sans video (my phone was dead). I mean, I've listened to the song enough times to have a decent grasp of the lyrics. I really thought I was doing an admirable job, until I looked down to find Max laughing AT me and shaking his head no. Is it normal for kids to mock their parents this soon?

WATCHING: Have you seen the video of Drake's "Hotline Bling" reimagined with the help of 13 celebrities (including Bryan Cranston, Kristen Wiig, and Amy Schumer)? It's kind of amazing! For obvious reasons, our Breaking Bad beloved steals the show.

READING: I recently picked up The Sense of Style because I loved the book cover (real talk) and I liked the idea of making improvements to my writing. When I purchased Pinker's guide to writing in the 21st century, I was pleasantly surprised by the book's panache and wit. I must admit that I'm only a third of the way through the book, but it's been a nice break from the parenting reads on my nightstand. From time to time, it's fun to geek out about topics like grammar and punctuation. I know, I know, NERD ALERT!

LOVING: I apologize for all of the Max-tastic thoughts in today's posts. I wish I could shake it up for you, but I'll save more of what I lurve in tomorrow's Love List. Deal?! Now let me drone on about my kid some more. Ha! Max recently started passing out dog treats to Tripp and Beesly and it might be the cutest thing ever. It took him a few days to grasp the idea that the Milkbones weren't for him, but he's totally got it now. He takes his new job VERY seriously and the pups are even more smitten than before. Be still my heart.


Enough about me. How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!

P.S. I know I'm behind when it comes to replying to blog comments. I promise to get my act together and soon.
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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

STACKS BY MAX


MoMA STACKING BLOCKS

We've remained fairly healthy around here this Winter, but it looks as though Max has caught a cruddy cold and cough this week. Go figure! To combat the congestion, we've spent a good amount of our week snuggling to the sweet sound of Sesame Street and stacking boxes. Yes, you read that correctly. Boxes. Lucky for Max, the fun we had playing with recycled Amazon and macaroni and cheese boxes got a bit of an upgrade over Christmas when he received this cheerful set of stackers. The simple toy infuses just the right amount of color into our day and offers an endless amount of entertainment for the both of us. While I feed my urge to organize, my little Texas Tornado gets to be destructive. It's perfect, really! And perhaps I've grown a bit delirious after picking up far too many toys and books, but I can't help but delight in the artful way these boxes look no matter how they're arranged.


So take that, Winter blues! We'll settle instead for a burst of hump-day hues.


P.S. Try not to look too closely. That's definitely a little bit of Oreo underneath Max's fingernails. Oy!


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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS


"THE DETAILS ARE NOT THE DETAILS. THEY MAKE THE DESIGN." — CHARLES EAMES

Happy Tuesday, m' dears! While I'd love to break down some of this past week's colorful details for you, it's best for all of us if I keep things brief today. The past 72 hours haven't been all pink smoothies and cardigans—although I did attempt to facilitate both. Can you blame me? To be quite frank, I got an ungodly amount of poop in my wedding ring on Saturday, experienced plumbing issues on Sunday, and haven't been able to rely on our regular sleep/nap-time routine since last Friday. I'm looking at you teething!!! I should note that amid the grit—or standard parenthood ops— there's been oodles of sunshine, trips to the park, and way too many hours spent monitoring Max as he chases (nay, terrorizes) the dogs around the house. Thankfully, I've found there's nothing a dose of Flyboy, fresh tulips, and striped sunnies can't fix. Then again, I'd totally be on board with one of those predictable afternoon naps...

Alright, enough with our Swell Rio shenanigans. How the heck are YOU?! Do tell. I'm dying to know.



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Friday, January 22, 2016

LURVE LOAVE LUFF


Let's get right to it, shall we?
Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

  • Merben Orange Stripe Pillow // Let's face it, if I had a place in the Hamptons (neighbor to Ina, of course!), I'd frequent this shop AND own this pillow. I would also probably make up some witty song about my mother bleeping Clic (...ain't nobody fresher...) as an ode to the store's name— because I'm a giant dork like that. This is nothing new to you.
  • Dinosaur // Perhaps this Mesozoic marvel is another one of my desperate attempts to gain street cred as a #boymom.
  • Shirt Shop // This button-down connoisseur can't get enough of F.E. Castleberry's fabric swatches. Holy swoon!
  • Wallpaper Downloads // How darling are these free desktop downloads? I'm suddenly excited about February.
  • Yellow Cube Stool // Created by husband and wife design duo Lara and Jan of Universe Positivo, this piece serves as a modern stool or sleek side table. I can't get enough of the punchy pop of color and modern simplicity!
  •  J.Crew Staples // I'm eager to see what our dear beloved has up their sleeve for Spring. In the meantime, you'll find me drooling over these bright classics. How about this V-Neck Cardigan in Sweet Persimmon? Eat your heart out, Mr. Rogers! Oh, and how fabulous is this Long-Sleeve Garment-Dyed Pocket Tee in Vibrant Fuchsia? Hubba, hubba!
  • Ban.do Bonanza // Oddly enough, it's been awhile since I browsed the ol' Ban.do website. Since when did they offer work out gear? Squeeeeeee! I've had my eye on this cheeky file folder set (Hooray for Friday!!) for quite some time. While I'm at it, I might as well throw in this Chill Pills iPhone case. It might make my days with Max a bit more manageable. 
  • Mid-Century Wooden Accent Lamp // Designed in collaboration with Rejuvenation's sister brand West Elm. I'd say they knocked this one out of the park! I could think of a place or two for this desk lamp.
  • 'Colour Notes' Plastic Sticky Notes // Are you familiar with Hay's line of houseware and office supplies? I'm obsessed.
  • Periscope Vase // Snaps to CB2 for a fun and fresh batch of new arrivals. Go on and stash your blooms in this beaut.
  • Burt's Bees Lipstick // Did you know this existed?? I've got to thank Alyssa of Glitter and Grey fame for the heads up.
  • Large Gold Dot Leather Tassel Keychain // If you're in the market for a little treat yo self, look no further.
  • NARS Eye Paint // I'm a sucker for blogger beauty posts, so when Mrs. Lilien spilled her makeup bag and shared all of her favorite treasures in this post, you better believe I took note. This NARS Eye Paint left me intrigued. Must. Try. Stat.

Cheers to a snazzy weekend, m' dears! Make it count. 
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Thursday, January 21, 2016

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS


LL(ama) Cool J Illustration by Megan Gray of Ghost Academy

THINKING ABOUT: Perhaps it's time I get Max a cape? If he's going to be running and jumping around the joint, he should probably dress the part. Not to mention, I've found toddler meltdowns are so much cuter when they consist of striped leggings or a cheeky statement tee. I imagine a colorful costume would have the same effect. Now, let the great cape search commence!

THANKFUL FORThis whole blogging bit just improved BIG time! Would you believe me if I told you that our modem and router are hidden behind a bunch of cookbooks in a bread box displayed in our kitchen? Of course you would—you know how much I despise cords! As a result, we've tolerated shoddy Internet service for almost two years because yours truly can't stand the sight of a technological monstrosity. Can you blame me? Really, though?? I guess I kind of assumed it was my super secret hiding spot that was the cause for frequent buffering and disconnected Wifi, but when one of Flyboy's friends visited and they got to talking about our cruddy Internet, we started wondering if the issue was our router (purchased in 2008). Ah-ha! Since I set up the new equipment last Friday, it's been working like a charm. Oh, and I didn't have to change a thing about my concealed corner of cords! Woo Hoo!

FEELING: My better half will be MIA this weekend, which means I'll definitely be #maxedout by Monday. Sweet readers, if you notice a lack of pinning or 'gramming going on around here, please send fruit snacks and gin. But seriously though, we've totally got this! 

EATING: After we returned from our trip to DC, we vowed not to indulge in an evening treat during the work week and only snack on the weekends—you know, at least for awhile. Snore. I suppose it was a small way for us to cut back on all the indulging that ensued during the holidays. Yep, snooze fest. Lucky for me, I married a real rebel because Flyboy came home on Tuesday night with a box of Mike and Ike Candy. Yassssssssss! Truthfully, rules are meant to be broken, and with a box that fresh I can't even feel bad.

LISTENING TO: In the event you want to see Max dance (don't expect more than a subdued shimmy), you'll want to ensure that Missy Elliott's WTF (Where They From) is on your playlist. I noticed our tot had an affinity for the tune back in November when he began bobbing his head in his carseat, and the hit hasn't failed me since. I'm still not entirely sure what his selection says about our parenting, but I can handle it if you can. However, if one day he signs his school work as Maxwell 'Misdemeanor' Fine, I may wish that I'd stuck with Baby Einstein or something classical instead. Like m-m-m-m-m, yak it to the yak...

WATCHING: Please tell me you watch Lip Sync Battle on Spike!?! Did any of you catch the season two premiere, which included epic performances by Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum?? For those of you who haven't seen the Tatum Takeover yet (are you living under a rock??), I won't spoil it for you, but PROMISE me you'll watch this clip. I still can't decide who I'd pick as the winner.

READING: Max's bed-time routine has become my favorite part of the day, but not for reasons you might expect. Ha Ha! No matter how crazy the day might have seemed, it's all forgotten when we make our way into his room and he climbs up on my lap to read a book. My heart explodes EVERY time, and I turn into a giant puddle of mush. These days Hippoposites by Janik Coat is "read" on repeat. Our nightly ritual involves some clumsy page turning and requires that Max touch all of the illustrations that have texture. Despite revisiting the book at least a dozen times a day, it's as though he's discovering it for the first time every night. I dreamt about moments like these before Max even arrived; I just wasn't prepared for how precious they'd actually turn out to be.

LOVING: I can't say I ever saw the need for a highlighter until I purchased Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal last fall. I've used Estée Lauder's Double Wear Foundation for years, but often found myself dissatisfied by the matte appearance. I worried if it looked natural, but I loved the coverage and staying power. Ready to ditch my beloved foundation altogether and search for something new, I ended up on YouTube and watched a boat load of tutorials. I couldn't help but notice a trend among beauty bloggers who also swear by Double Wear—most of them either mixed a liquid illuminator into the foundation or they'd brush their face with a powder version. Skeptical of the shimmer factor, I went on to read reviews and found that Becca's selection of highlighters stood out among the rest. I was blown away by the consistent positive feedback, and now I understand the hype. It really does give you that glow from within look that you want from a highlighter. I initially feared that too much shimmer might draw attention to some of the scarring and imperfections on my face, but this powder is quite subtle. While the initial investment is a bit spendy, a little goes a long way. I've had mine since last November and it looks as though it's never been touched.


Enough about me. How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

COLOR STUDY



THIS WINTRY WEATHER CALLS FOR AN ICY ASSORTMENT OF IVORY FINDS:
Deco Dot Teat Kettle via Kate Spade
Rae Dunn Taste Plates via Waiting On Martha
Authentic Juju Hat via Etsy 
NOPI: The Cookbook via Amazon
Spot Dot Slide Sandal via Madewell
Alpaca Bunny via Accompany
Leather Moccasins via Freshly Picked
Bath Bar via Rodin
Large Cowbone Beads via Ann Mashburn
Organic Eames Chair via Rakuten Global

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