LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Habitat Gold Extension Cord // Okay, how long has this been around and why didn't I get the memo? Pure genius!
• Patio Rolling Cooler // I can't stop thinking about this option from Target, but the reviews are meh. Perhaps one of these from Wayfair might be a better choice?? The color options are pretty are enticing. It would look so cute on our porch.
• Studio Salad Plate Set // Four colorful plates that are fun and won't break? This sounds like a kid-friendly dream.
• Hip Water Bottle // Style and functionality unite for good. Who wouldn't be on board with a pitch like that?
• Bruno Rayas Stripe Clutch // The next time I have a little "fun money" to waste, THIS is what I'm buying. Eek!
• Orly Fireball Nail Polish // In need of a little pampering? This summery shade ought to do the trick. It's my new fave!
• Lapcos Lip Tint in Pink // Are you familiar with this Korean skincare line? The color selection is gorgeous.
• Cha Cha Drop Earrings // The name alone says everything. Swing and sway with a set of these adorning your ears.
• Heart Sunglasses // These look like they would cost a lot more than they do. For $9.99, why the heck NOT??
• Xinh & Co. Mini Basket Tote // "Xinh" means pretty in Vietnamese. I like that this tote is honest and gets to the point.
• Tie-Shoulder Dress with Embroidery // There aren't enough adjectives to describe just how much I adore this dress. 
• Pineapple Keychain // Scrambling for you keys never looked so sweet. Leave it to KSNY to knock this one out of the park.
• Yay All Day // I get a lot of questions about children's books and I think Wee Society is a great place to start.
• Pretty Okay At Life Ribbon // These would be nice to have handy and give out when someone needs encouragement.
• Abstract Collection // Ampersand Design Studio has a new line of planners for 2018-2019 that are bold and cheerful!
• Thumbs-Up Soap // Start your day off on a positive note with a soap that brings on lots of likes.
• Green Sailing Ship Kite // I can't stop obsessing over these beauties. They're seriously a work of art. Which color??
• O Boy // This Kule tee should become a permanent piece in my mom uniform. I feel like it suits any situation with Max.
• Brass Crab // Fenton & Fenton is an Australian shop that I reeeeeeeeally wish would start  selling worldwide.
• Ellsworth Kelly Book // This book is just is just as bold as it is beautiful. Something about his colorful work calms me.
• Suzanne Flat-Weave Rug // I'd eventually like to find a rug for our office space. This isn't it, but we're getting warmer.

Happy Friday, m' dears! Make this weekend count.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

VIA

FEELING: On Tuesday I went to my first therapy appointment. I think I'm going to give it another shot; however, they won't be able to see me again until mid-August. Bummer! I can't say anything groundbreaking was accomplished during our visit. Then again, what more would you expect from the initial "getting to know" you introduction? I don't have much to compare my visit to, but I couldn't help but laugh when I left the facility because it definitely checked all of the stereotypical boxes. There was a couch with a box of tissues close by (I had my Oprah moment and used a few!), the room was dimly lit, there was white noise in the background, an array of essential oils, healing crystals, and possibly a lava lamp. No matter what happens, I promise to report back to you on that last detail. I could have sworn I saw something psychedelic and pink in the corner. Don't lose any sleep on this one, but please standby. 

THANKFUL FOR: Have a kid they said. It'll be fun they said. What they didn't tell me was that I'd raise a very bright and curious child who would engage in arguments with me regarding topics like skid steers and whether they have tires or tracks (for the record, they can have both depending on the terrain). First, Ashley pre-Max would have NO interest in this sort of subject matter. Second, I've watched enough Blippi, Truck Tunes, Mighty Machines, etc. to know the answer to this question by now. So when my 3.5 year old quizzed me yesterday about the topic and I responded CORRECTLY, he told me I was wrong and recommended I check my "pooter" because it always knows the right answer. In an effort to put an end to this machinery madness, I referred to Google as Max advised and wouldn't you know I was right?! BOOYAH! Thank goodness for technology and search engines that prove moms are pretty smart.

LISTENING TO: A few years ago when Beyoncé surprised us with Lemonade, it was A LOT easier for me to listen to the album and become familiar with the songs—as mom, dad, and no, were the only words in Max's vocabulary. These days I don't have that luxury, and instead of listening to The Carters in the car like I would have done in the Swell Rio days, I've relied solely on spinning to preview Everything is Love sans child. It definitely gives me something to look forward to when I workout, but it's prolonged the process.

WATCHING: If you need a pick-me-up, hop on Netflix and watch the reboot of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. When they debuted the new cast earlier this year, I was on the fence and wasn't sure I wanted to get to know the new Fab Five, but my sister talked me into it and I'm so glad she did. They're even better than before!! I can't believe I'm actually saying that, but as a whole they're just so stinking endearing and sweet. You can't NOT love them. I'm still working my way through Season 2, but the genuine and emotional growth witnessed in every episode always leaves me in happy tears. 

EATING: What's the deal with Rita's and her "Ice-Custard-Happiness?" Is this an East Coast thing? They're everywhere around here and as an ice cream aficionado, I can't help but wonder if I'm missing out. Is anyone out there familiar with the chain? Is it worth trying? What would you recommend? One of these days I plan on taking Max for a treat, but I thought it was worth asking you all first. 

READING: One of my favorite things to do with Max is sit on the back porch with a stack of books and read together. Being in the company of a miniature version of myself, I try to give up some of the control and let him choose the reading material from time to time (Spoiler alert! They ALWAYS deal with dinosaurs and sharks.). On Tuesday morning, this decision paid off big time when he hopped up on the chair and requested I read Henri's Scissors. This was one of those children's books that I bought when I was pregnant because I just adore Matisse, and it would look super cute in his nursery.  Ha! It was obviously more for me than it was for him, so I didn't expect that he'd be so interested and engaged as I read it. I joke a lot about how I know more about excavators and tow trucks now than I ever imagined I would, but it's pretty fantastic getting to delight in some of my own interests with our little boy as he gets older. Moments like that are fleeting, but it left me feeling tickled to death that I got to share it with him!      

THINKING ABOUT: If I wasn't such an introvert, I'd totally throw a Bravo themed party and insist that Slob-Kabobs be on the menu. Dorinda is seriously the gift that keeps on giving. I love her so much. Please stay on RHONY forever!! The world needs your one-liners.

LOVING: I went off the deep end earlier this week and got all preachy on Instagram about these pants. In my defense, the Point Sur Wide-Leg Crop is kind of BANANAS, and there are a handful of other rejoicing reviewers on J.Crew's website that stand right next to me on this one. I thought the Madewell version was the holy grail, but these have made me reconsider my stance on the matter. 

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

MAXWELL'S ROOM: THE TODDLER EDIT

When they packed up Max's room at our rental in Swell Rio, I seriously wanted to ugly cry. Actually, I DID ugly cry. It was my favorite spot in the house, which I still find hilarious because I spent the first nine months living there in a state of absolute terror because it symbolized the unknown. But as with any new chapter, I grew to adore the space and the memories we shared together over a span of three years. It was our corner of happy in the hamster wheel that sometimes feels like motherhood, and I was really proud of the nursery I created for our wily one. On those days when I felt like I was failing miserably on the "ma" meter, I knew I was killing it on the aesthetic end of things. Ha! Oh, and let's not kid ourselves, my reason for crying as the movers boxed everything up wasn't solely based on sentimental value. No, I wasn't prepared for Max to move into a "big boy" bed. That's right, we were one of the few parents we knew who had a three year old still snoozing in a crib. Gulp! In our defense, he never tried getting out on his own. Max pushed (and continues to...) limits in countless ways, but he always loved his crib and the idea of independently escaping never crossed his mind. Ka-CHING! But, out of necessity, we eventually had to make the transition after Christmas while we were living with my parents. Oddly enough, it went shockingly well — thanks to the magic that is the OK to Wake Clock!

Because it was our threenager's first experience moving, I spent a lot of time talking about the perks of our new place, especially HIS room. I didn't want to overwhelm him with too much change and I selfishly wanted to recreate aspects of his old nursery at our home in Delaware (#letthembelittle), so I integrated most of the same artwork, knick-knacks, and organization as we had in Texas. Since this is what he's always known, it felt like a very natural transition. With a refresh of bedding, a new LARGE bed, light sources, and more room for organization, I was able to give the space a few todleriffic tweaks that I think elevated the space in a way that can grow with him the longer we live here. It's colorful, quirky, and matches the overall vibe I like to maintain throughout the house.

In addition to a few other small future projects and the inevitable tchotchke, here are sources for what I used...

KOPARDAL Bed Frame in Grey via IKEA

Candy Stripe Coverlet and Shams via Serena & Lily

Dinosaur Sheet Set via Crate & Kids

Vintage Pant Hanger via Etsy — Great for hanging artwork!

Home Is Where The Heart Is Wall Art via Idlewild Co.

Colorful Coat Rack via IKEA

LED Cloud Sign via Etsy

Hartford Desk Lamp via Houzz

Custom Silhouette via Mr. Boddington

Babyletto Spruce Tree Bookcase via Amazon and The Tot

Herve Tullet Books via Amazon

The World Is Your Oyster Print via Rifle Paper Co.

PS 2014 Pendant Lamp via IKEA

Pioneer Wooden Car with Canoe via Candylab Toys

Yellow End Table via Amazon

Pick a Color Wall Hook via Crate & Kids

EKET Storage Combination via IKEA

Up-cycled Dinosaur Planter via Etsy

Fiona Walker Zebra Head via The Tot

Wood and Wire Cube Bin via Crate & Kids

Room Essentials Woven Cube via Target

Steele Canvas Laundry Cart via Rejuvenation

Bamboo Roman Shade via Wayfair

Paint: Dorian Gray SW 7017 via Sherwin Williams

Paint: Flat Black Chalkboard Paint via Home Depot

Note: Some of the items listed aren't in the graphic, but I've included them for reference as they may appear on the blog or 'Gram.

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LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

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

Happy Wednesday, m' dears! We got back from visiting my parents last week and Flyboy returned home a few days later from a two-week course in Florida—just in time for Father's Day weekend. Woo Hoo! After a whirlwind ten days in NoVA helping my mom with end-of-school year festivities and enjoying a handful of city life amenities (mostly gelato and croissants), it was nice to return to the Delaware countryside and partake in a little blueberry picking at a local orchard, yard work, evening fireside s'mores, and a trip to Bombay Hook Natural Wildlife Refuge. I think we're starting to find a rhythm out East and it feels really nice!

FEATURED DETAILS: JOSEF ALBERS BOOK // SANDALS (30% OFF) // STRIPED POLO // COIN PURSE // BEATRIX PAINTING // DOG BED

ON A MOTHER'S NOTE

EASEL // LETTERS // NUMBERS // SCISSORS // CONSTRUCTION PAPER // CHUNKIES // VELCRO

A few weeks ago, I shared a snippet on Insta-Stories of my setup for Max and I got A LOT of questions about it. When we moved to Delaware, I wasn't really sure what our daily routine might look like, but I knew we would need one ASAP or I'd feel very overwhelmed by all the new-ness. While I don't currently have plans to home school Max, I'm always looking to find ways in which we can supplement at home and add structure to our days/week. I suppose our time together during the work week feels less daunting as long as we have a plan. Anyone else in the same boat?! What I'm about to share with you is very simple, requires minimal planning, and should cost you very little. In fact, I feel a bit silly for even posting about it, but for those interested, here's my easy approach:

• I created a mobile learning center with the help of a cheap easel from IKEA and a set of felt numbers and letters from the dollar bins at Target. After acquiring these bargain buys, I got out a few index cards and construction paper and doodled the days of the week and weather. I wanted to give Max an interactive approach to learning and start getting him accustomed to a routine he might anticipate in preschool or kindergarten. I attached a small piece of velcro to the back of each card, number, and letter, so we could swap them out according to the day/week.

• Depending on the number or letter we're focused on for the week, I try to look at both our local and home library to pick out a few books that incorporate each. This week we're focusing on the letter "F" and the number six, so we'll read books about fish, farting frogs, and food. Max loves to make things, but I wasn't feeling particularly creative, so we got out the construction paper, googly eyes and markers and threw some fish together on a whim. The thing about kids is that it doesn't have to be "template perfect" to suit their needs. Just let them create and they'll be thrilled to the gills!

• I've never been someone that LOVES numbers, so you'll probably notice that our weekly lessons are heavy on the letter recognition and reading side. To emphasize math and the number of the week, I rely heavily on manipulatives. We use links like these from Discovery Toys to "graph" our numbers, along with keeping a group of popsicle sticks and plastic bear counters handy to represent the number we're discussing. Each week we add another to our grouping.

• If the week is particularly busy with other errands and to-dos, learn on the go. Point out items that begin with the letter of the week or have them count. Our makeshift learning lab has helped a ton with Max's recognition. Whenever we're on the go, I'll have him point out the letters or numbers we're talking about on billboards, signs, etc. He especially lives for speed limit signs and likes to remind me to go the speed limit. Ha Ha! Sometimes if things get nutty, we'll extend the letter/number into two weeks. The point is, YOU get to decide the pace you want to go. There are NO rules.

• I'm a planner, but I'm also busy and would rather spend my free time watching Bravo or scouring J.Crew's new arrivals, so I try not to over think this setup. In fact, most weeks I throw something together on Monday morning while Max eats breakfast. I get out a basket, browse his room, look for items around our house, and come up with a game plan for activities, books, or low-key crafts we can create to learn the letter/number of the week. It could include cooking or baking, building the letter/number out of play dough, collecting items that begin with the letter of interest or the amount we're focused on. Sometimes we'll scan his books to see if he can recognize the letter, or I'll have him look through One Thousand Things and pick out words that sound like they begin with the letter. One of his favorite activities includes sorting through his magnetic letters/numbers and alphabet blocks and collecting the week's number and letter with his vehicle of choice. This is also a great way of having him work individually and I can tend to laundry or drink my coffee.

• I opted to go in alphabetical and numerical order because it honestly makes sense to organize it that way for us. While there are many opinions regarding the order in which you should teach the alphabet, I believe that symbols like numbers and letters are still very foreign to a 3 year old and Max questions the WHY to everything. If I chose just any random letter or number, he would look at a number or alphabet chart and question WHY I skipped something.

• As most of you are aware, there are oodles of resources online so you can personalize this however you like. I personally try to stay off of Pinterest, because it can be a lot and most of the projects entail more steps or materials than I'd prefer. Instead, I stick to YouTube for catchy musical videos by Jack Hartmann, Koo Koo Kanga Roo, Go Noodle, and ABC Mouse. These especially come in handy when the weather is less than ideal and your toddler needs to MOVE. A LOT.

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