Goodbye August!
Hello September!
Growing Up
Take trains by yourself to places you've never been. Sleep out alone under the stars. Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back. Say no when you don't want to do something. Say yes if your instincts are strong, even if everyone around you disagrees. Decide whether you want to be liked or admired. Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you're doing here. - Eve Ensler
While probably meant for a woman in her 20's, this speaks to me as Stella had her first day in her new class (3-4 year olds). I wasn't all that worried because I got a call from her school...they thought better of their decision and moved her into the other class with all of her girlfriends from her previous class. This thrilled me. She had spent an hour each day this past week in the class she was originally placed in - just to get acclimated before today's switch. Each day I'd ask her how it went, if she liked her new room, teachers, and girlfriends but each time, she remained silent. I got absolutely no response from her. But when I told her about the change, that she was going to be with her "girls" after all, she was so excited and talked non-stop about it. So my heart is happy once again and I learned that while I'm not the type to speak up for myself, I found my voice very quickly when it came to my little girl (who wouldn't stop jumping up and down to take this picture).
I hope everybody had a wonderful return or start to their new school year!
A Southern Summer
I'd love to have a porch like this some day. One where you can sit and listen to the cicadas, drink your sun-brewed iced tea, and talk and talk and talk...just seems like the perfect place to enjoy these long last days of summer. Y'all want to come over?
Have a wonderful weekend!
And if you're on the path of Irene, stay safe.
Tray Chic
Keeping in step with organizing, how about these trays from Michael Devine's home collection?
They have the same wonderful patterns as his hand printed fabrics...
Could you not just swim in this color palatte?
Doesn't it make you want to visit his shop in Kinderhook, NY?
Like pronto?!
Getting Organized
I bet many of us have visited The Container Store recently, getting organized for the new school year. While there, I spied these "buckets" that are just too cute. I really see them in a more beachy setting but I like them so much I think I have to purchase one or two and make use for them; perhaps in Stella's closet. And I like the idea of mixing it up, color-wise.
Random Weekend Thoughts
We had a fun girly day with my mom getting tap shoes, having lunch, and browsing a few stores...
We had great salads at the T Room at Forty Five Ten. But the tuna melt panini and lemon pistachio tart makes me want to return as quickly as possible. The house iced tea is a refreshing blend of china black tea with boysenberry, blackberry, and blueberry.
{via}
While there isn't a kids menu, they were so sweet to make Stella a grilled cheese on ciabatta and a big bowl of fruit. She was a happy girl.
After lunch we browsed their store...
I thought this painted metal magnolia by local artist,
Larry Whiteley, was interesting.
We ventured into Nest...
And Pottery Barn Kids where I fell for these linen covered bulletin boards and the way they used string and mini clothespins to display artwork, postcards, etc.
I just bought a bulletin board last weekend so now I think I'm off to buy linen and trim to transform my board to look like this...
Mignon Faget
Growing up in New Orleans usually means you own a little piece of Mignon Faget's jewelry. She incorporates the likes of red beans, pelicans, alligators, king cake babies and Fleur de Lis in her designs and a trip to her Uptown shop was always a treat. My high school best friend gave me the silver garden snail earrings that I cherish and wear to this day (she wore the matching ring). A lot of those earlier pieces, however, have not been available for many years - so I was so happy to see that she's brought back designs from the archives for purchase.
I'm also loving her baby collection, which has expanded since I last visited her site. I like her take on the piggy bank...(kind of wish I saw these before getting Stella's, which we found in the French Quarter)...
Thank You
Thank you for all of your sweet and supportive comments. I loved reading your similar personal experiences and parental advice. I'm feeling much better today knowing that this will probably turn out to be a blessing in disguise and that Stella will make new friends. It was a lesson I probably needed to learn early on as a mom so that I can get strongerer, too. OK, now let's talk about something pretty....
The Girls
Oh, ya'll. Sometimes it's hard being a momma bear.
{Vanessa Redgrave with her daughters}
My heartbreak has officially begun. Stella's fast and furious friends at school are Sophie, Piper, and Brooke. In a week, these girls will move up into the next class and I fully anticipated them being split up. Change is good! But when the new classes were posted yesterday at school, my heart fell to see that not only would Stella not be with these three but literally every single girl in her current class will be moving together into one room and Stella is the only girl moving into another. She'll move with some other boys she knows (like precious Andrew!!!) but not even 1 of her "girls". I had to hide the tears from her in the car driving home. I can't believe I'm already feeling this way. She's only 3. And so this morning I found myself in the school office, fighting back my tears (again), as they addressed my concerns in a very sweet way. I'm expecting a call later as to the reason behind the decision but heard words this morning like, "very social", "bright", blah blah blah...words that a parent wants to hear any other time...I just want to make sure she's going to be OK in other ways. So now I find myself thinking back to her very first day when she was so shy and clinging to us and Andrew, who is so very shy himself, walked up to her and handed her a toy car. At least he'll still be in her class to watch over her.
{Stella + Andrew First Day of School last year}
Random Weekend Thoughts
A pot of Portulacas...
A birthday party...
A little hula hooop and bubbles...
Here's to a great new week ahead!
Beach Towel Inspiration
While visiting family last week, I had to take a snapshot of this old beach towel that really inspired me. It's sun-bleached, extra soft and big, a little tattered, and the colors and pattern reminds me of when I was young (read: the late 70's).
Have a groovy weekend!
Pierre Deux Ballet Bag
Stella will soon be starting her first dance class. Seriously, what is cuter than those itsy bitsies and their jelly bean bodies in pink leotards and tights? I'm already tearing up over the thought of her recital!
I needed to get her a small bag to carry her ballet and tap shoes and clothes but wasn't finding anything that I was loving. Then today I went to the sample sale at Pierre Deux's showroom. If you haven't heard the sad news, they have filed for bankruptcy and shuttered all locations, only to reopen for the next 6 - 9 weeks to sell off their merchandise. All Connecticut homes decorated in the 80's are crying...can you hear them? I'm actually a little nostalgic over their infamous fabrics...my mom had the most adorable wicker sofa that had cushions upholstered in one of their navy floral numbers. So when I spotted a bag in a very similar fabric, I had to get it! Since my mom will be taking Stella to her dance classes every Monday, it only seemed fitting.
If you aren't in a city that has a Pierre Deux showroom, prices have been cut on their website and there is a clearance section, too. You'll just need to scroll on down past the legal notice and click on the tab at the bottom of the page. Happy stroll down memory lane! Don't you think you need to nab a little bit of history before it's gone? 
Library Images
Did you know that the New York Public Library has an extensive digital collection of images that you can print out for free? Just ask Patience and Fortitude, the two lions that flank the entrance and just celebrated their 100th birthday. School starts soon...wouldn't it be cute to cover books in an old map or zoology print?
{New York, from Brooklyn Heights 1837}
{Papilio philoxenus, Inde, 1928}
{I love the collection of dustjackets}
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