Girls

Are you watching HBO's latest series?

{HERE}

We're three episodes in....airs Sunday nights on HBO.

I must say I was hoping for a little more "this generation's Sex and The City",
as promised.

Or, maybe it is such and I have just led a sheltered life?

(All I know is that first "sex" scene - and essentially every single one thereafter -
 has never happened to me or anyone else I know.)

Aside:  "Game of Thrones" has both me and the huzz completely addicted...

and there is bizarre, medieval sex happening every other scene.

While "Girls" has it's funny moments (props to the writing of a 25-year-old),

I find it to be trying a little bit too hard and rather un-relatable.

Thoughts?

~image via HBO~

Words to live by

Have a great weekend, my lovelies.

xoxo, b

~image via pinterest~

Best job

With Mother's Day (my first! ) quickly approaching,

I thought I'd share this touching
Proctor & Gamble Summer Olympic-themed commercial,
set to the beautiful melodies of Ludovico Einaudi -
an Italian pianist - Baby and I like to listen to before naps.

Have you seen it?

I dare you not to cry.

It is fitting I stumbled across this video,
as I had a realization the other night,

during one of our 3am feeding-cleaning-soothing sessions,

that this is just the beginning.

The beginning of many days and nights caring for my little one,

making sure he is well-rested, well-fed.

Making sure he has the opportunity to become the best person he can be.

 Knowing that the main focus of my remaining days on this Earth

will be ensuring that my children are

safe,

happy,

loved.

That they know I will always support them...whoever they decide to be.

Before I was a mother, I know I took for granted all that goes on

"behind the scenes",

all that our parents do to make sure we grow up "right".
The endless loads of laundry & dishes,
the early rises to get them to the skating rink for practice,
the late nights spent working on homework,
all the parenting and child-rearing books read  memorized,
all the time spent laughing and making memories,
all the times spent playing bad cop vs. good cop,
and all the sleepless nights worrying that you're doing the "right" thing.

Our mothers so often sacrificed their own desires and needs for us,

like many mothers before them,

and as I will do for mine.

But then I also reflect on how I view my own mother...
how grateful and in awe I am of her,
and realize, despite her inevitable (though unbeknownst to me) flaws, this:

Albeit challenging, I can already feel how important and rewarding
the "job" of motherhood is...truly, the "best job".

And that no matter how old our children become,

they will always fit perfectly into their mothers' arms.

So if you are so blessed, give your "super mom" a hug today...

for where would we,

and perhaps more importantly, who  would we be, without them?

~image via pinterest / photos by b~

Nonconventional doors to nature

It is no secret that I love a wall comprised completely of windows.

It allows for plenty of natural light,

not to mention feeling one with nature 365 days a year!

Here are some of my non-traditional favorites...

First up?  An over-sized, modern, sliding door.

Gorg!

I am also in love with this edgy, glass, garage door.

Industrial chic!

(I even think my husband would dig this one,

and that's sayin' something.)

(P.S.  LOVE that iron inscription on the wall, too!)

And here are two more takes on the window wall...

How do you feel about so much glorious exposure?
Not private enough?

Or, are you just as smitten?

~images via graymatter architecture, desire to inspire, trendir, & pinterest~

Slow-cooker Chicken & Dumplings

My grandma made delicious homemade dumplings.

But sometimes, homemade "anything" seems like too much work.

And this recipe is just...

SO easy.

(And still delish!)

Here's what you need:

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 Tbsp butter

2 (10.75 oz) cans of low-sodium cream of chicken soup

1 onion, finely diced

2 carrots, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, finely chopped

2-3 small potatoes, chopped (optional)

Salt & pepper to taste

2 (10 oz) can of refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces

Water (or chicken broth/stock) to cover

Here's what you do:

Turn slow-cooker on high.

Place all ingredients in...

I lay down butter first, then potatoes, the seasoned chicken,

and then top with remaining veggies and soups.

Add enough water or broth/stock to cover.

Cover and cook for 5-6 hours.

About 1 hour before serving, place torn biscuit dough into slow-cooker.

Cook until dough "dumplings" are no longer raw in the center.

Enjoy with a side salad and a glass of your favorite Chard.

Tastes even better as leftovers in the days to come!

~photos by b~

Tuesday tunes

A lively little number to kick-off your Tuesday!

Via Train.

A bit "poppy" for them, no?
It makes "Hey, Soul Sister" sound downright edgy.
Those lyrics scream Backstreet Boys.  Or perhaps even worse - say ala LFO or Nick Lachey's ex-boy band (who's name completely escapes me right now.) ??
I mean, seriously.  Something about "a shy guy, looking for a two-ply"?!?
What the heck, Train.
That sho' ain't very bad ass.

Then again, I was am a big N'SYNC fan...so it is no surprise that after first hearing this on the "Kathy Lee & Hoda" hour of The Today Show last week, that it's been stuck in my head ever since!

Enjoy!
(In all its cheesy glory.)

Monday musings

Here are some things currently on my mind/wishlist...

1.
Sweater cape...or perhaps shawl?
Regardless, I'm loving the look for these spring days with a bit of chill in the air.
This one's from H&M, as seen over at 9to5 Chic.
LOVE.

2.
More tree trunks in interior design.
All of the mother nature.
None of the allergies.

3.

Slowing down + the "little things"...

To make the most of your days with little ones memorable!

Read the article, shared by my sister-in-law, {HERE}.

So true.

 Happy Monday!

~images via 9to5 Chic & hip hip hostess~

Mini-hiatus

As I type this blog entry with heavy eyelids (and one hand),

a sink full of dirty dishes,

and a sweet, sleeping baby on my lap,

I am sticking true to my "time management" goals {see HERE}

and making the executive decision to cut down the daily blogging

to (hopefully) 3-5 days/week...

like all the other sane lifestyle bloggers out there!

;)

With that being said, 

I'm thoroughly looking forward to a relaxing, fun weekend

with the two loves of my life!

Hope you have a fantastic one, too!

See ya Monday.

xoxo

~photos by b / quote image via pinterest~

Crate & Barrel faves

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the 2012 C&B spring catalog:

First and foremost,

I'm digging this driftwood end table.

(Note:  A perfect find for those with deep pockets and/or those of us who do not have the time/energy to go foraging for the perfect piece of driftwood to DIY.)

I'm also grooving on all the vibrant dinnerware!

Exhibits 1, 2,. and 3.

You can view all the new finds {HERE}!

P.S.  Sign-up for emails and get 10% 0ff your order.

:)

~images via crate & barrel~

Spring tablescapes

'Tis the season to be outdoors

(or at least incorporate nature into the decor)!

With Easter already behind us,

and Mother's Day and a Christening just around the corner,

I've been fantasizing about festive spring parties. 

With that being said, here are my favorite inspirations...

1.

ivory & natural linens + clementines + white flowers 

2.

al fresco dining
on a fab tree trunk table with cafe folding chairs

3.

cafe chairs + wispy linens

4.

cheery daffodils + limes + burlap-wrapped mason jars

5.

pastels + stripes

6.
yellow chevron + hot pink + orange

7.

outdoor brunch + bright tiles as tablerunner

8.

tissue paper pom poms

9.

aqua + orange + white

10.
pancake + juice brunch bar!
(LOVING the menus on vintage-framed chalkboards.)

What do you envision for your spring flings this year?

~image # 6 via belle maison, remaining images via Pinterest (Parties! Board)~

White + Warren

4 spring style "musts" via White + Warren.

I concur.

Well, maybe not so much on the printed bottoms for yours truly.

(This mama is not quite back to her bootylicious standards yet.)

Do you plan on incorporating these trends into your day-to-day wardrobe?

~images via white + warren~

Stylish family home

As diapers and toys and all-things-baby inevitably begin to accumulate,

and baby-fying the home to ensure safety becomes of increasing importance,

(all the while time for cleaning and de-cluttering conversely diminishes,)

I can't help but wonder how people attain beautiful, family-friendly homes?

Is it possible?

This feature at Lonny, makes me think so.

(That is, once I figure out how to balance time for breast-feeding, work, sleep, cooking, shopping etc...and get this spit-up out of my hair.)

Let's take a look at this so-called family-friendly, design dream, shall we?

(Note:  Must purchase safe & chic, round-edged coffee table.  STAT.)

What I'm gathering...

Pick a few beautiful objects to highlight.  Then de-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter.

Paint your walls with rich and fabulous colors and/or adorn with over-sized art.

Keep expensive things out of reach.

Lonny's CliffsNotes:

Still not sure I'm convinced,

but where there's a will, there's a way!

What are your thoughts?  Is it possible to be stylish AND family-friendly?

Or am I doomed to trip over squeaky toys and bouncers for the next few years?

;)

~images via Lonny~

Moments

Busy enjoying

Every. Single. Moment.

with this cutie.

~photos by b~

Birth announcements

I am frantically working on designing ours and sending them out ASAP.

It's just so hard to pick just 1-2 photos!
For being only days old, 

the little man has quite the portfolio.

;)

In the meantime, here are 2 of my favorite non-traditional announcements.

First, (and my favorite) the "mug shot"...

...and an interesting twist on the family tree!

(I'd obviously have to include a photo or two.)

But seriously, that first one is just

Too.  Damn.  Cute.

~images via pinterest & frolic~

Five things

Here are the five things

I think you need to know about this Friday...

1.

The Party Pantry

{HERE} is fool-proof list you need to have on hand

for when the doorbell rings unexpectedly.

  

2.

The Perfect "Sock" Bun

Did I say sock?? Yep.

{HERE}'s the how-to.

3.
Silicone pour spouts.
Possibly yet another kitchen gadget I "need" to have?
Made of silicone to handle hot temps!  I specifically see using it on a bowl for pouring perfect cupcakes or on a pan to bottle simple syrups...sans the drippy mess.
Get yourself a set {HERE}.

4.

Stripes.

They're all the current rage...yet never ever seem to go out of style.

Here's just one example of their fabulouslessness.  (Much more to come.)

5.

"Living Apart Together"

Or L.A.T.

Saw a segment on this relationship phenomenon on the Today's show

and found it incredibly intriguing.

Read all about it right {HERE}.

As a person who's done the long distance thing, I sort of understand the appeal.

(Though I wouldn't trade my current situation for ANYTHING.)

Certainly makes for good conversation/discussion, no?

That's all for now, folks.

Hope you have an awesome Friday the 13th...
and an even more awesome weekend!

~images via hip hip hostess, the other emily, amazon,truly & elle~

Braided beauties

Braids, 3 ways.

I especially like (and am most capable of replicating) numero dos.

Which look is your fave?

~images via pinterest~