John Derian

I can't resist popping in to gush over John Derian's apartment. Yes, I am posting about John Derian uh-gain. But I can not help it. Everything he touches, I love! This is no exception...

 

Brag Books

We now have smart phones chalk-full with photos to show off our little ones, but who doesn't still love a good old fashioned brag book? These are the most precious ones I have seen {found at Paper & Chocolate, my favorite paper store in Dallas}. The gingham ones are actually silk.  

Stock The Bar

This weekend we had a "stock the bar" couples shower to attend. I was a bit stumped as I didn't want to bring just a bottle of liquor and I didn't give myself enough time to have cocktail napkins monogrammed. And how many martini shakers can one get? Thankfully, I found a beautiful tall glass pitcher at Pottery Barn with the accompanying glass wand to stir and muddle. I included a bottle of bourbon and a recipe for The Perfect Mint Julep. We used this recipe for Stella's Kentucky Derby birthday party and they were a hit. 

Tooth Fairy

There truly is an app for everything. Visa has launched a Tooth Fairy Calculator app so you can determine how much to leave under the pillow. I guess the $1 days are a bygone era. And the way you store your tooth was never as fashionable as it is now. I have this porcelain box ready for Stella's first tooth (there is a fairy wand painted on the inside).

There are so many cute options, though.

The monogrammed square ones

have me rethinking the box above.

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Rise & Shine

Labor Day weekend was wonderful and relaxing. I actually sat and read through an entire magazine. OK, I didn't really read...but I flipped through every single page slowly. If you're a mom, you know this is a feat! 

During the weekend, I made smoothies using a new find...dark chocolate Pure Almond. I'm not a fan of drinking this on it's own, though, it's not bad. But in a smoothie, it's great. I added vanilla Greek Yogurt, a banana, and ice to this as well. What's your favorite smoothie ingredient?

      
p.s. adding a straw to your drinks makes it more fun. This colorful pack I picked up at Target.

Lime Tots

On Saturday, a food truck came to our neighborhood pool and while everything was delish, it was the Lime Tots that made me wonder why we've never had them this way before. Fresh out of the oven, squeezed lime juice, salt and pepper. So simple and delish, I made them at home the next day and they tasted just as good!  

  

Summer Recap

Hello, friends. I hope to not be a stranger much longer. For us, summer has come and gone in a wink of an eye. It's not my favorite time of year...heat, West Nile, heat...so I'm happy girl September is around the corner! Stella started her second year of dancing this week, she begins Pre-k on Monday, and I'm looking forward to a new chapter the autumn brings. In the meantime, I thought I'd post a few pictures of how we spent our summer.

First up, a road trip to San Antonio, hoping Sea World would suffice until we're ready for Disney one day...

 

While in San Antonio, we stumbled upon this great place for lunch.

And yes, it's slanted!

 

 

 

I picked up one of these and am saving it for Christmas from an adorable children's shop that had just opened, Roo & Me. I felt so proud of myself because I don't usually buy that far ahead for Christmas.

 

 

We had dinner at Mi Tierra, which is a huge Mexican restaurant and bakery that stays open 24 hours and is decorated like a thousand pinatas have exploded.

 

 

 

In early June, Stella performed in her first dance recital and even had a tiny solo. She cried hard backstage so when I ran back to my seat just in time for her number, I wasn't even sure if she'd come out on stage! But she did and she was a shining star. Here she is backstage, in the middle, surrounded by the most precious group of girls.

We had cousins visit from Florida.

 

We acquired a new pet fish, Chloe.

She's tiny and peach, just like Stella.

 

I discovered the sub-culture that is Instagram, but only love it since further discovering Statigram, where you can view Instagram pictures on your PC, laptop, etc., not just your iPhone. Seriously, this is where the party is and as usual, I'm late. Here are a few of my summer snapshots of life over on Instagram...

 

 

I've also been working on a little project that I hope to launch next holiday season. It's taken up the better portion of my daydreaming. I have been collecting images on Tumblr as inspiration. Here is my page, The Tiny Whale, if you want to escape and feel like you're in a New England coastal town: http://thetinywhale.tumblr.com/ 

Last but not least, my sister got engaged to the sweetest guy! Love this shot of them in Mexico. Would you believe, he proposed in the exact same spot Jeff and I married?!

{Sara Richardson Photography} 

Amber Interiors

So THIS is where you get a Morrocan wedding blanket! My head just exploded looking at this website and all it's wonderfulness. Starting Christmas list pronto.

Little Maven for JCP

I am so excited for Tori Spelling's launch of her children's line, Little Maven, at JC Penny on September 1. I really can not recall the last time I stepped foot into JCP but I think this is worth checking out. Smart move on JCP's part to pair up with Tori on this line. I'm all over this top for Stella but there are some cute things for boys, too!

I Scream, You Scream!

It's National Ice Cream Sandwich Day! This summer treat dates back to 1900 and was created in New York City. I've been eyeing this "almost no sugar" variation using graham crackers, cool whip, pudding, and milk.  I think Stella will have fun making them. I'm not sure she'll have the patience to wait for them to set, though. 

   

London 2012

When I was in college, I was a member of a dance team company that held camps all across the US. One of these camps, I found myself in Eau Claire, WI while the summer Olympics were being held. I remember wearing myself out instructing classes all day, taking a shower, and really wanting to crash but would instead head to the dorm building's rec room to watch the games every night. Oh, and then there are the memories of watching Mary Lou Retton. So excited for the games to begin!

Longing For...

Hello world. I'm still here. Kind of. Life has been a whirlwind lately and I have not yet come up for air. I long for days when I can get comfy on the sofa with a cup of tea and catch up on my beloved blog world. I miss ya'll! Don't think we've broken up, k?

In the meantime, I offer you something else I'm longing for...I'm in love with these kneesocks and it has me daydreaming for fall days already. With a pair of mary janes, how darling would these be on a little girl? Cart: 1 item.

I Pink So

In a few years I'll probably forget all the cute things Stella has said during her toddler stage, such as, "I Pink So". So in attempt to cherish them forever, I ordered personalized pencils and had some of my favorite sayings of hers engraved in them. I got these a year and half ago so I don't recall the vendor. I happened to come across them in my drawer and thought I'd share the idea. 

July

HELLO JULY!

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Baby Product Love

I am in love with these two new baby products from Infantino. If you've been on an all-day venture with your little one in an umbrella stroller, say to Sea World, you know how much you need this first one...the "Stretch" (only $14.99 at Target).  

While this highchair and grocery cart cover is nothing new,

it's probably the cutest one I've seen.   

Our Table. In The Middle Of The Room.

One day, the dream home I build will have a table in the middle of the kitchen instead of an island. It seems so wonderfully European to me. Windsor Smith seems to capture this perfectly in a lot of her kitchens but here are some other examples that I love. All sources can be found on my board here. The first picture I found via Nutmeg and Company and it immediately went on my very short dream kitchen list.