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.  

Nautical Door Knockers

I have a spinnaker wheel knocker on my front door, oyster shells fill my old built-in planter, paintings of ships on my walls, and shells adorn my mantel. I think I live on the coast. So naturally, I need this whale's tale knocker, right? Oh, the crab is too cute, too! I need more doors! 

   

Pimento Cheese Club

For the southerner that has it all, a membership to the Pimento Cheese Club. I'm in! Just kidding. The price tag for this is a little crazy pants. But now I'm craving pimento cheese...

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Father's Day

We had a very sweet Father's Day. Stella woke Jeff up with cards and present in hand. I don't think she even let him open his eyes before asking him to open them. We got him the new Rikshaw boxers since he is our anchor. 

We finally hit up Smoke for brunch, which was delish, and saw Madagascar 3 at the Inwood Theatre, which is loads of fun for kids since it has comfy sofas and bean bags instead of regular seats. Super fun day for a super dad!!! 

      

Daily Rythms

I happened upon a blog discussing a book on parenting. This one chapter spoke about rhythms, those daily rituals we have that our children become accustomed to, which makes them feel safe and secure. They may seem innocuous, the tiny minutia of day to day living, such as bedtime stories, braiding your little one's hair in the morning, or throwing the baseball in the backyard. But these little moments create our lives. 

I started thinking...what would be considered a reoccurring rhythm in Stella's life? My first thought was classical music. It all started when I'd pick her up from school. It was the end of the day and she was often tired and a little crabby (ok, a lot), and the radio just sounded like a bunch of noise. So I turned it onto the classical music station and found it to be so calming. Now, all this time later, she actually requests classical music when we're in the car (if not her one favorite Katy Perry song). I like to imagine her being in her 20's one day, living in her own apartment, and turning on classical music to listen to, and letting it transport her back to her childhood.

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What would be a rhythm in your life - or your child's? I like these tips on establishing one (like my friend, Amy's Sunday Morning Pancakes) if you don't have one already, but also giving yourself a break as well, as we don't all have lots of spare time to think about these things. I think the idea is to recognize and cherish those small habits, routines, or traditions you already have, as most certainly, your children will grow up to cherish them.   

Tote

Another day, another need for a bag. Oh, but this one's different. It has pockets! And it's only $35. It's a gardening tote but I'd use it for normal day to day use and have something cute monogrammed on it.

And while I'm at it, I'll take this one, too...

p.s. I went directly to the Parrot Canvas site and they offer monogramming.

Kentucky Derby Birthday Party

A month ago, we celebrated Stella's 4th birthday. We threw the party during the Kentucky Derby so we rented a pony for the kids to ride and made mint juleps to brave the heat. Once we were ready for some a.c., we all headed indoors to cheer on I'll Have Another. Here are pictures from the party...

These popcorn cones were a fun project. I took two medium sized UPS boxes and spray painted them white. Then Jeff drilled 12 holes in each. The cones are just paper party hats turned upside down with the strings removed (make sure yours also have no staples...I don't think they make them like that anymore, though).

Stella riding Napoleon.