Neighborhood Love

This weekend felt short, not long at all. I need another day! I tackled Stella's closet and we started painting her bathroom so we're wrapping up the weekend exhausted, not relaxed. And yet, we had a lot of downtime, too. We went swimming, grilled steaks, and attended a precious block party in our neighborhood and got to know more friendly faces. Nick had a tomato sale so we bought a pound from him as well as his cookies and took a tour of his garden. He has quite the operation! I think if anything happened this weekend, it was that our love for our tiny, very unassuming neighborhood grew in leaps and bounds.

Happy Weekend

Have a lovely Memorial Day weekend, my friends!

Bob Dylan

Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me...

Happy Birthday Bob Dylan!

Born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941

Cabana Stripe

My simple black iPhone case is cracked in two different places. I've resisted getting a fun graphic case, however, I think I've found one I actually like from Pencil Shavings Studio. Which is your favorite color combo? 

   

Tiny Tomato Farm

This picture reminds me of the map of my little neighborhood, which is comprised of 8 streets. Each slice of tomato represents a house. We've lived here for 2 years come this Memorial Day weekend and we've gotten to know just a handful of neighbors, whom I really adore. Together, these few women and I have just started an on-line neighborhood community, which we were in desperate need of. We've only been live for a few days and tonight, this post was made below, which made me feel like all of our efforts and discussions over email, wine, and cheese have been worth it. THIS is the kind of community I wanted to be part of and I can't believe we'd never know about Nick and his darling enterprise had it not been for our new connection on-line!

Dear Neighbors,

My name is Nick, I’m 10-years old and I am the proud owner of Nick’s Tomato Farm.
Tomatoes are coming off the vine now.
They taste better than any you can get at the grocery store: fresh, home-grown, organic, and vine-ripened.

They are $2.00 per pound.
Free home delivery in the (our neighborhood) area.
My mom says it’s OK for you to contact me at xxx.

Your sandwiches and salads will thank you.

Sincerely,
Nick
Owner, Nick’s Tomato Farm
Established 2010 

Nautical Rope

In my post below, two of you inquired about the nautical rope placemats, so I went on the hunt. I found a few cute rope designs on Etsy here.

Placemats

Coasters 

Doormats

What I Daydream About

Sunscreen. Floppy hat. Big containers of both fruit salad and orzo salad. Last minute stop into the drug store to pick up magazines for our road trip to San Antonio. Loading up on House Beautiful, US Weekly (guilty pleasure) and Bon Appetite for this story that will make me reconsider the direction of my life a million times. It's none other than John Derian's Provincetown home (for all pics, recipes, and story, go here). THIS is the kind of house near the water that I daydream about:

Coral & Tusk

I'm totally in love with this embroidered pouch, "surly sailors and hungry whale". Coral & Tusk is chalk-full of other fun things, so take a peek here.

Mother's Day

This was one of the best Mother's Day weekends ever. First, I enjoyed an annual lunch at The Mermaid Bar in Neimans with my grandmother, mother, and aunt. It's super casual but it holds lots of memories for me and they have yummy cakes. We ventured to Northaven Gardens for flowers and tried cupcakes from the Trailercakes Air Stream that was parked in front. Then today...it was the first where I was directed to stay in bed as Stella drew me a flip book of funny faces and Jeff cooked breakfast. And if that wasn't enough, they surprised me with two jasmine plants I've been wanting. Madison Hardy Star, a type of Confederate Jasmine...I could smell them the minute I stepped foot outside. While out there, Stella went on a doodle bug hunt, her new favorite past time. Let's see..I baked brownies for my mom and we later spent the day with family. It was perfect and sweet and I feel so blessed. I hope each one of you had the most wonderfully sweet day as well.

Random Weekend Thoughts

Sloane Ranger: A commonplace term in 1980s London refers to a stereotype of young, upper class or upper middle class women. Often shortened to Sloane or even Sloanie, it was originally popularised by British writer Peter York and co-writer Ann Barr in The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook.

I spotted this Sloane Ranger case I'd like to get for my Samsung Galaxy in Swoozie's today. They also have cute bags I'd consider for Stella. I thought the name was just a spin on The Lone Ranger until I tried searching for their website and came across its genesis. So...I'm thinking anchors for me and whales or scotty dogs for Stella.

Oh, and my little Stella Bella turned four today. As soon as I can, I'll post pictures from her birthday party, which we held during the Kentucky Derby. It was loads of fun complete with a pink pony! 

Here she is posing with one of her presents, a suitcase and matching backpack, looking like such a big girl.

Speaking of birthday presents, last year Jeff gave me four hydrangea plants and I'm so happy they are blooming beautifully. I check on them daily and I finally cut one to bring inside. I'm thinking I'll treat the soil to turn them blue next year...

Have a wonderful week! 

Long Hair Story Short

It all started with the best of intentions. I cancelled Stella's much-needed appointment to get her hair cut for a multitude of reasons and thought it could be done at home. Long story short, it resulted in an emergency trip to Super Cuts, the closest place that would be open 15 minutes to closing time on a Sunday evening. I had envisioned an adorable, flippy, shoulder-length bob, however, the correction called for a much shorter style, especially in the back. Stella cried hard all the way there. But then she sat quietly in the chair, with a little peanut face that said "I'm traumatized but I'm going to get through this". At first I liked it. But it was shockingly different and I couldn't get that brave little face out of my mind...so the guilt set in. But now I love it! It's sassy and it suits her and hey, we all know it grows back. She did say that the girls in her class laughed and said they didn't like it, which made her "nervous and jealous" (clearly not knowing the correct meaning of those words yet). Thankfully, teachers and parents raved about it, which made her feel better and confident. After school, we went to Target and she picked out a cute new hair accessory and before the night was over, she told me she loved it.

So here are pictures from how our Sunday started, playing in the yard, pre-cut. And then some post-cut shots...