ART I HEART

IRIS IN PARIS BY ERIC GIRIAT FOR LE BON MARCHÉ

Dust off your neon orange fur and bedeck yourself with strands of turquoise jewelry while we dish about our beloved Rare Bird! Have you heard? Earlier this month, Iris Apfel unveiled her latest exhibition, Iris in Paris, at Le Bon Marché, and now I have this strong urge to book a flight and live in the French department store. Forever. The show, which runs through April 16th, features ten display-trunks illustrating different activities Iris might partake in around the French capital with looks curated by the style icon herself. The grande dame of fashion's mischievous spirit was captured perfectly in these whimsical sketches by Eric Giriat, which have also been turned into gorgeous window displays. Eek! Can you even imagine?? In addition to the colorful showcases and outfits from Apfel's personal collection, there's also a pop-up store. Gulp! Somebody, hold me... And as if we needed any more persuading, the exhibit honoring the doyenne of eccentric style proves once again that the City of Lights really is heaven on Earth. Le sigh.

Channel your inner Iris today! Break a few rules and have some fun.  

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

WHILE PUTTING TOGETHER ONE OF HER OUTFITS IN THE OPENING SCENES OF THE DOCUMENTARY,
IRIS ENDED HER EXPLANATION OF ALL THE STRANDS OF BEAD AND LAYERS OF FABRIC WITH THESE THREE WORDS. 

THINKING ABOUT: It's time to upgrade Max's car seat, which really means my eyes are permanently glazed over after spending hours researching options and reading reviews. Because we have to take the size of The Rig into consideration in addition to the height of both drivers, it's turned out to be quite the pesky task. We're currently looking at models from Diono and Britax, but I just really wish Nuna would put me out of my misery and make a convertible carseat to use whenever babies outgrow the PIPA. Flyboy and I have been incredibly pleased with the ease and quality of their infant seat; we'd buy more of their products in a heartbeat. So while I continue to consider our current options, does anyone with experience care to weigh in with advice or recommendations?

FEELING: I have a dental appointment tomorrow morning and I'm just a tad bit bummed about it. When the beginning of this week rolled around, I tried to come up with a gazillion reasons as to why I should DEFINITELY reschedule the routine visit. But since Flyboy has the day off and he'll be around to watch Max, it's probably best I just suck it up and get it over with. At least I already know what shoes (these bad boys) I'm going to wear to my appointment, so I'll show up looking like a real winner. Perhaps a little sparkle on my feet will distract the doc and she won't discover any new cavities or a need to replace fillings. Hey, it's worth a shot!

THANKFUL FOR: After singing the film's praises on Instagram and my blog, you probably saw this coming. However, if you get a chance to watch Iris, promise me you'll do so. Ugh, I wish I could send you each a copy. Seeing the rare bird of fashion in action was brilliant! The documentary brought me SO much joy and left me feeling inspired by Apfel's spunk and originality. As terrible as it sounds, I often feel stifled by our current location and the repetitiveness that comes with being a new mom, but the film was a fabulous reminder to be YOU and do what makes you happy. The next time I think twice about whether or not I'm overdone for a quick trip to Wally World, I'll think of Iris' clever and carefree approach to getting dressed.

EATING: Ooh, I tried two new recipes for dinner last night that I think some of you will enjoy. If you're meal planning for the week ahead and looking for ideas, I highly recommend Blackened Salmon with Lime Cream via The Garlic Diaries paired with Zucchini Rice via Damn Delicious. I can't speak for Max, but I know I'm pretty jazzed about warming up a bowl of leftover rice for lunch.

LISTENING TO: While Flyboy was working on Sunday night, I decided to bake. It was only after the dough was prepared and the oven had preheated that I remembered I also have a baby to entertain. Oh, hey kid, where did you come from? Oops! In my attempt to be productive while simultaneously do my best to keep Max content, I started handing the babe random kitchen utensils to see if he'd find any of them intriguing. I failed miserably until I presented him with a glorious sheet of, wait for it, parchment paper. You guys, he was beyond thrilled! You would have thought he'd won the lottery. Four days have passed since Max and his baking bestie were first introduced and my little trick still works. Huzzah! The sweet sound of Max zooming around the house in his walker while playing with crinkled parchment paper is like music to my ears. Even if it's short lived, it's not fussy crying.

WATCHING: You may have seen this little gem make its way around social media, but in case you haven't, you need to stop what you're doing and watch this group of senior citizens whip and nae nae. I adore everything about the lively performance, but part of me is still really concerned about the whole break your legs part. (Don't) break 'em, (don't) break 'em... 

READING: Something about this past Tuesday felt really off and I spent most of the day operating in survival mode. Nicely put, the Fine household was one hot mess. To shake off the craziness, Max and I made a quick trip down the street to check our mailbox and get some fresh air. I expected to fill my Baggu with the usual junk mail and coupons, but what I discovered waiting for me was an unexpected delight. Are you ready for this?! Because Mindy Kaling is on the cover of Domino's newest issue!!!! Squeeeeeeeee!!!!!!! Suddenly I didn't even care about the laundry that was piled up on the kitchen table or the unreal amount of Ritz cracker crumbs that Max sprinkled throughout the house. Now before I get too carried away, I should probably tell you that I haven't actually had time to read the beloved glossy just yet. Ha! That realistically won't happen until this weekend. For now, the magazine is placed on my desk and acts as motivation to get through the week (I'm looking at you, dentist!). It's placed far away from Max's crumby paws.

LOVING: Four-day weekend. Four-day weekend. Pour me a cocktail and cue the happy dance, because it's a four-day weekend!

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

IMAGE BY THOMAS WHITESIDE

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

THINKING ABOUT: On Saturday, HRH Charlotte Elizabeth Diana graced the world with her royal presence, and I was tickled pink at the sight of Wills and Kate with their precious little princess. Swoon! When events like this take place, I love reading what others have to say on social media. Flyboy, Max, and the pups aren't much for royal chitchat, so I have no choice but to turn to Twitter, blogs, etc. for a little entertainment. Perhaps I'm being too sensitive, but I couldn't help but notice the general feelings of excitement turned sour when images of the Duchess surfaced. People were rather harsh about how coiffed she appeared just hours after giving birth. I get where they're coming from to a degree, but do we really want to see royalty step out in yoga pants? And why are we so quick to judge others when something isn't done in a manner that we see fit? Do we feel threatened? If I had the staff that she does, you can guarantee I'd want to leave the hospital with a blowout and a beautiful dress. 

FEELING: After Monday's juice mishap, Max and I headed to HEB for a few odds and ends. I stopped by the fresh flowers, as I typically do, to see what was available and got a little queasy when I realized they dyed the Hydrangeas. Who in their right mind thought that was a cute idea? If that wasn't bad enough, they dyed them in pastels. Ew. I got out my phone, snapped a quick picture, and sent it to my mom. I knew she would be equally terrified at the notion. I really never thought I'd use Hydrangea and tacky in a sentence together, but this was hideous, folks! I'm certain Yolanda Foster from RHOBH and all of her Dutch fabulousness would cringe.   

THANKFUL FOR: Whenever I earn a free drink from Starbucks Rewards, I see it as an opportunity to splurge, so I always swing for a venti. I can't rationalize the cost and calories if I'm the one paying for it on a regular basis, but if they're going to treat me to a drink, then I might as well get the most bang for my buck. Just yesterday I opted to use my free drink and it was delightful.

EATING: This week I tried a few new recipes that are definitely worth sharing. On Sunday, we devoured Grilled Spicy Cilantro Shrimp and Spinach Salad. It was fabulous, and I can't wait to use the marinade in other ways! It's definitely one of those recipes I'll make frequently this summer. On Tuesday I dabbled with the Veggetti and made zucchini noodles for the first time. For $15 I figured the contraption was worth a shot, and I was actually impressed with the outcome. I can see myself incorporating the "zoodles" into other recipes even though saying "zoodles" feels a tad bit awkward. Last night, I whipped up these Thai Chicken Salad Wraps with Blueberries. Since Flyboy has been coming home around 9:00 pm, lighter meal options are ideal.

LISTENING TO: As I attempt to write today's post, Max is screaming from his crib. It's nap time and he's fussy. We've been going and going all morning, jumping around from one activity to the next. He MUST be tired because I'm exhausted. I really think we both need (deserve?) a little break. As he wails and whimpers, I can hardly think straight. It's taking everything inside of me not to just give in and go get him. Gah, I can't help but wonder how it's possible to love someone so much, yet they have the ability to drive you bonkers at the same time. Was this what my mom meant when she said "I love you like crazy cakes", because this kid is driving me crazy, and I could totally eat my feelings with a fat slice of cake.

WATCHING: It all started when Flyboy was gone for a few weeks in January and I found myself sending him videos of Max. At that time our darling child was really starting to be expressive, and I would do ANYTHING to make him grin or giggle. Then one night, after a particularly rough day, I got out my phone and played a video of Max to feel the good feelings. You know, as a reminder for myself... Well, I couldn't help but notice that Max also liked to hear and see himself, so I showed him the video. BIG mistake. Huge. From that moment on, I think I created a narcissistic monster. This kid lights up when he sees footage of himself. Quite honestly, it's sweet but also slightly embarrassing. I really don't know what to make of it, but it's clear I've already ruined him.

READING: I read the Iris Apfel quote above, and it immediately made me think of my mom and what I find most beautiful about her. She has this incredible way of connecting with others and makes everyone she comes into contact with feel treasured. I think that is such a gift! In an age of cell phones and selfies, I think we're slowly losing the art of being genuinely interested in others. 

LOVING: While visiting my parents in DC, I picked up one of these Side-Slit Scoopneck Tees in Navy from J.Crew. I had no clue how much I would adore the simple shirt or how often I'd wear it. They're on sale right now, which means I should stock up, but I wish they would consider making them in more colors. The neckline is perfect, and they wash up like a dream.

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

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

THANKFUL FOR: The pill-popping sitch seems to be improving for Beesly, and that makes me a very happy camper. Out of the three capsules she takes a day, I usually have success with two. Per the vet's recommendation, we gave Pill Pockets ANOTHER try. If I get it sealed up just right, she won't resist it like she did when we were in Hawaii. I'm not sure why she's okay with them now, but at least it works most of the time. That being said, I do have to woo her with a Beggin Strip reward after she's swallowed her meds. I'm not only pleased with the ease of pill-popping, but I'm also impressed with the puddle of drool she produces. Get it, girl!

THINKING ABOUT: A piece of me died last Friday when Max's Jumperoo arrived. Why must baby toys be so stinkin' ugly? Yuck! Up until this point, I haven't had to buy anything too incredibly hideous. For months, I dreaded the day I had to buy an exersaucer or jumper. In anticipation, I Googled high and low to find at least one tasteful option. I mean, what sort of snazzy things do the Europeans use? In all of my searching, I found zilch. I read hundreds of comments on Apartment Therapy in hopes someone, anyone, would share at least ONE aesthetically pleasing product. Nope, not happening. With the coercion of my mother, I finally gave in and purchased one. Eww! Max loves to stand, and she thought it would be a nice option to have while Flyboy is away. Since mom's always right, I gave in. She reassured me that I could stow it in the spare bedroom whenever it wasn't in use and that put me at ease. Then it arrived. With my nose turned, I put it together and it's just as atrocious as I thought. I didn't realize, however, how ginormous it would be. OMG! In an effort to save myself from a potential meltdown, I attempted to hide it in the guest room. I picked it up and found that it's too wide for me to fit in our hallway. I have to turn it on its side. Honestly, I'm not even sure if Max enjoys it. Can't I just give it away? Could he be one of those oddballs that doesn't like toys like this? Pretty please. When I shared all of these sentiments with my mom, she erupted with laughter. I feel like this is payback for all of the Fisher Price crap we had when I was a kid.   

FEELING: The nuthouse was in rare form yesterday. It seemed as though everything went to hell in a hand basket by 11 am, which didn't leave me feeling very hopeful about the day or weeks ahead. I wanted to cry, but that didn't seem like my best option. In an effort to regroup, I took a moment to focus on something that brings me joy. Enter rare bird, Iris Apfel. Seeing pictures of her and reading about the fashion icon makes me dizzy with delight. In fact, I've decided I want a life-size cutout of Iris to have on hand when I need a little pick-me-up. It would be something similar to the Flat Stanley Project we participated in as kids. Does anyone remember that? Anywho, I think a "Flat Iris" would help me channel her pizzazz. It would be just the right oomph to take on the day with gusto.

LISTENING TO: There was a moment this past Tuesday night where my phone was shuffling through my iTunes library, and I couldn't have picked a better song for the shit-uation. It was poetic, really. Just wait as I paint you a picture. You see, I had everything set up so I could bathe Max in the kitchen sink. Feeling hopeful, I thought, "Maybe tonight bath time will be fun?" So I changed his diaper, grabbed a few washcloths, and wrapped him in his adorable hooded towel. Feeling rather peppy, we skipped down the hallway with nothing but smiles and coos. Then I started to feel a rumble in my hand. "Oh no, it can't be. He's never done THIS before." I slowly peeked inside the towel and realized we better go back to the nursery and get ANOTHER towel because the stinky explosive mess he just made is no longer fit for, um, drying. As this is all happening, I hear Hall and Oates in the background: 

Well well you (ooh ooh ooh ooh)

You make my dreams come true (you you) you (you you)

Well well well you (ooh ooh ooh ooh)

Oh yeah you make my dreams come true (oooh ooh ooh) hell yeah

As Max started wailing, I began cackling. Sometimes life has the best comedic timing. Yep, this child makes my dreams come poo.

WATCHING: Please tell me you watch Fixer Upper on HGTV? I seriously love me some Chip and JoJo. Just one episode will have you dreaming about shiplap and subway tile. If we're going to live in TX, why can't it be in Waco?

EATING: I'll be honest, I'm using Flyboy's absence as an excuse to really hunker down and focus on my diet. I'm starting to see progress when it comes to losing the baby weight, and I'm hopeful that with a little extra TLC, I can drop a few more pounds. I'm sure this is probably annoying to read about, but it's a priority to me. Aside from the occasional Starbucks treat, I'm not indulging in anything really exciting.  Most of my meals these days consist of roasted veggies and either some salmon or baked chicken.

READING: This mom stuff is tricky. As the queen of self-doubt, I've found a lot of solace in the Shel Silverstein poem, The Voice. I guess it makes me feel better about the choices I make for myself and for Max on a daily basis. I need to trust my instincts.

There is a voice inside of you

That whispers all day long,

"I feel this is right for me,

I know that this is wrong."

No teacher, preacher, parent, friend

Or wise man can decide

What's right for you--just listen to

The voice that speaks inside.

LOVING: Last week, I decided to switch up my spinning routine. I have five DVDs that came with my stationary bike, but after watching the same videos for five years, the workouts tend to get a little stale. With a little online digging, I learned about the Peloton iPad app. Have you heard of it? The free app has a variety of on-demand spinning workouts in addition to live classes that you can stream on your device. How cool is that? I was worried that I'd have to have a Peloton bike in order to use the app; however, I've found that any ol' spin bike will work. Whenever I work out, I put Max in his Mamaroo Swing and he watches as I pant and sweat. 

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

An Ode to Iris

As I was flipping through the pages of the latest J.Crew Style Guide—okay, let's be real, it was probably the third time I pored over this past issue—I was reminded that I've never really expressed my true love for style icon, Iris Apfel, on m' blog. She's one of those women who instantly warms my heart whenever I see an image that features her or read an interview with her. She epitomizes what it means to be flamboyant and quirky. I want to BE her. She makes me want to speed up time so I can be just as carefree and fabulous. Wait, why is it that I feel a need to be ninety years old before I can be completely comfortable with my own personal style? Does this mean I'm going to have to wait numerous decades before I actually feel carefree and fabulous? That sounds so silly, but with age comes wisdom and security in oneself. Rare birds like Iris are there to remind us to take risks and be the best version of you. Why wait when you can be YOU today? Take advice from Iris and don't put any thought into what others might think. Wear what makes you happy! I don't consider myself a fashionable person. I know what I like, and I'm learning what works best on me. I'm not trendy; I'll take a Tippi sweater or v-neck tee any day of the week. With that being said, women like Iris have taught me that I can take whatever pieces of clothing I feel most comfortable wearing and express my personality through accessories. This gal brakes for baubles and colorful ballet flats, but you already knew that! What's your jam? Don't be afraid to play around and experiment, but don't force yourself to wear something that doesn't feel like YOU either. I think we all need a little dose of Iris to boost our style confidence.

P.S. Can't get enough of Iris? Read this. Looking for a smile? This picture should do the trick!

Image Credits: Iris Apfel // J.Crew Bangles // Mod Focals // Essie Clambake // Lipstick in Morange // Loafers // Brooch // Ring // Elva Fields Necklace