Layers of love

Cooler weather is all about layering.

And I'm finding the following weekend looks

~ which begin with your basic white tee and favorite pair of jeans ~

to be both comfortably and fashionable!

Unbuttoned denim + Cowl-neck Norwegian-style cardigan + Skinny's

(Note:  Please avoid the Canadian tux look and make your denims non-matchy!)

Unbuttoned plaid + Camel cardigan + Boyfriend jeans + Flats

Are these "layered looks" something you'd sport this season?

I say YES and YES!

Layer away, loves!

~images via pinterest~

Savory vegetable beef soup

Or, "Hamburger Soup" as we affectionately call it.
Another freezer meal that makes 2 batches!
Recipe {HERE}.

Simple remove from your freezer in the a.m.,

pop into a slow cooker with some beef broth,

and then come home to a hot "pot" of savory soup!

Pair with some good crusty bread and possibly a salad and you're good to go!

A cold weather must.

(And any recipe that makes 2 batches is a keeper for me!)

Bon apetit!

~photos by b~

The Friday Five

I survived another week of 7-5:30.  Barely.
With Baby A's first ear infection (read: an a + b all-nighter cry fest) to boot!
Waaaaaaaaa!

1.

Welcome Home

This melody has been floating around in my head all week.

Can't WAIT to get home and spend the weekend snuggling my two loves!!

2.

John Vogel accent chairs from West Elm

{HERE}

I think they're so architecturally interesting...and stylish!

3.

Simple + chic birthday cakes

The huzz's birthday is next week.

How cute (and easy!) is this cake design?!

Candles optional.

4.

denim + army green + navy nails

Great fall color combo, no?

5.

30 Simple Ways to Get Your Child to Read

I'm not sure what it is, the bright colors or fun page flaps,

but our little guy is really into books.

I can only hope this love sticks!

These tips are sure to help....{HERE}

And just a few more links, just because...

Too tired for sex?  Here is how to snap outta that bad habit - quick!

Out of eggs?  Dont' worry.  Here's a handy dandy list of baking substitutions.

I want one of these name rings so bad! (Insert baby/husband's name.)

This layette looks soft and cozy.

This made me LOL.  (Because it is true.)

~images via west elm, briana monaco photography, cup of jo & the simple mom~

Treat yo'self

As I am once again a person who works for their weekends,

I am reminded why small treats are essential to your happiness.

Let me explain...

By small treats, I mean ordinary, minor indulgences that we don't give ourselves every single day (or week...or even month).   Small treats are a lovely source of momentary pleasure, a simple indulgence, in our day-to-day lives.  

When we feel depleted and drained, and we have no time or energy to devote to activities that give us a boost -- an evening jog, a family trip to the ice cream shop, or a bubble bath -- we start to feel exhausted, resentful, and angry.

Think about it...

Isn't it easier to be patient with our children and significant other in the afternoon if we had coffee with a friend that morning?  Isn't it more fun to tackle a big afternoon of cooking if you splurged on local, seasonal ingredients from the farmers' market that day?  Don't we feel more attractive and put-together with a fresh, shiny manicure on our fingers?  Don't we feel more relaxed and pampered when we sip from that favorite bottle of wine on a Friday evening?

On the contrary, it may be hard to think of a small treat that's "worth it"...as so many of our guilty pleasures come at a cost:  that ice cream cone sure has a lot of calories and that trip to the mall for "one" treat may turn into a shopping spree my bank account wasn't planning on!  Or, maybe we're so busy that it is difficult to even think about setting aside time to treat ourselves.

So, here is MY list of small treats that don't cost too much time, energy or money...

Hence, I think small treats are soooo worth it.
Indulging in one (or two!) can do wonders in refreshing our spirits.

So, be sure to treat yourselves today, m'loves...you deserve it!

~collage by b~

Taxidermy on trend

Perhaps it's my recent excursion to the Northwoods,

but I'm kinda feeling the white taxidermy look for wall decor.

(Namely animals with antlers or horns!)

Example:  West Elm animal papier mache sculptures...

Another case in point?

This swanky Jean-Pierre Heurteau dining room...

LOVE it.
(And those black + gold Louis dining chairs!)

What do you think of the faux (or real, for that matter) taxidermy?

A do? Or, a don't?

~images via west elm & coco+kelley~

tan + gray + pink

A surprising color combination I am loving this fall!

Here are some of my favorite looks...

This gorgeous, over-sized (and sadly over-priced) scarf from Pretty Mommy

{HERE}

Loose sweater + skinny's + rider boots + circle scarf + drop earrings

YES.

And don't forget the digits.

Try either of these Essie hues (as a break from the traditional ox blood reds!):

Demure Vixen

Sand Tropez

Would you rock this neutral color combo in the fall?

Or, save it for spring?

I say, why not both!?

~images via pretty mommy, polyvore, shortnchic, & essie~

More peas, please.

 The babe likes peas.

I am thrilled!  Beside myself!

We might as well chalk this one up as a miracle.

Recipe via Baby Love.

All you need is 1.5 bags of frozen organic peas ($1.99 each at Whole Foods),

water, and a blender!

Then, voila! , 30+ 1-2 oz servings of fresh, bright green peas.

Once he's ~8 months old, I can't wait to try their recipe for "p.e.a."...

peas, edamame, and apples!

Protein, veg, and fruit all in one little nugget!

LOVE.

I urge you all to try making your own baby food.

Easy, economical, and wonderful knowing exactly what your little one's consuming!

I should also note that this recipe could double as adult food.  Namely, I think it would make for a killer sauce base for a grilled piece of white fish OR a delicious topping (with some feta) on crostini.  

Yum!

~photos by b~

The Friday Five

I survived Week 1 (and all stacks of paperwork).
So thankful it's Friday!
And that we're off for a fun weekend with family & friends!


1.
T-Sweezy's new album.
Fine.  I give in.
My husband has been listening to this shit on every recent car trip we've made.
(Illegal download, admittedly.  Album drops next week.)

Is it normal for a 32 year old man to enjoy country pop music?
(I should note this is not a new hobby.)
I say "yes"....and can already see our future teenage children cringing when their dad sings said songs aloud when toting them (and their friends!) around in the car. Ha!
:)

2.

Warm modernism.

Perhaps finally a "name" for my personal design aesthetic?

(At least it's close.)

3.

Out-of-the-box Housewarming Gifts
Like this adorable one...simply attach a tag that says
"just add ice cream"!
How sweet!

4.
Navy + Lace cocktail dress
{HERE}

Love, love, love those jewel tones for the fall!
Now, I just need a reason to purchase this dress...
Can someone please invite me to a party or get married soon?  Thanks.

5.
Playtime Activities for Baby's First Year
{HERE}
How fun!

And a few more links, just because I love ya...

What a fun little treat for football viewing.

20 key measurement rules for decorating your home.

A cute photo idea for cousins.

These dinner salads looks tasty and healthy.

7 relationship mistakes even the smartest couples make.

Check out the 50 most romantic photos {HERE} - so adorable I can't stand it.

True and true.

Have a fun weekend!

~images via lonny, stella mccartney, & pinterest~

Fall essentials

I think this is one fabulous list...

I'm all about minimalism lately.  Shell out all that crap just taking up space!

By having a closet full of classic, quality basics,

you can dress them up with fun accessories (jewelry! scarves!  fun nails! )

and ultimately get by with fewer pieces.

LOVE.

~images via little bits of lovely~

California cool

I love the cool, clean look of this California abode.

Stylish, yet still inviting!

That Palladian mirror is stunning.

(A twist on the classic sunburst!)

I don't know what I love more,

that two-sided fire place or that lattice leather accent chair?

That bar armoire and dining room?!?

Swoon city!

What do you think of a slightly eclectic space such as this?
Can you groove?
Or, do you prefer of a more "matchy-matchy" look?

~images via Lonny~

No-carve pumpkins

I came across some great "no-carve" ideas {HERE}.

My favorites?

Festive ribbons

Find ribbons in black, white, and orange motifs...then simply affix with double-sided tape for a chic look!  Bonus:  Simply remove the ribbon and continue to use your mini-pumpkins on your Thanksgiving tablescape.

Clusters

Use painters' tape to plot out patterns, then spray away with white, black, and/or gold spray paint!  Group together for your own stylish pumpkin patch.

Unfortunately, I have no photo of this last fabulous idea,

but my mom loves to tie faux leaves onto the stem with green and brown raffia.

SO cute.  I keep telling myself to try this one year!

What are your favorite no-carve pumpkin tricks?

~images via delish~

This is not my first rodeo.

Oh, wait.   Crap.  Yes, it kind of is.

Enter:  Day 1 of new job.  My first  NP job.

...mantras to myself.

Along with this:

I can do this.

My baby will survive.

He will flourish!

Millions of strong moms do this every single day.

This is the best thing for my family...and for me.

5 o'clock Friday will be here before I know it.

(Repeat)

And in case he asks someday,
be sure to tell my son how hard it was for me to leave him this morning,
the almost embarrassing amount of tears I cried,
about how much I'll miss our days together,
okay?

Wish me luck.

(I've got lives to save!)

~images via pinterest~

Of this, I will never tire...

Logging all the cuddles and snuggles I can this weekend...

...for it's back to the grind on Monday.

(sigh)

So thankful for my hard-working husband.
I truly cherished my 7 months being a stay at home mom!

~photos by b / image via pinterest~

The Friday Five

1.
Matt Nathanson
I heard this song while picking up some pre-farmers' market coffees at Espresso Royale last weekend, and I was reminded of how much I like him.

2.

Assorted frames in varying sizes.

Loving these on a mantle, console or entryway table, and/or shelf!
A look that appears effortlessly styled.

3.

Inglesina Fast Table Chair
{HERE}
Holy crappers.  Those Italians sure know a lot about bambinos.
For one, I love this "high chair" because it is portable...easy to assemble/disassemble and cart to restaurants and Grandma's house alike.  I also love the notion of instilling the importance of everyone eating dinner together at the table from an early age.  Maybe this is why Italian babies are so well-behaved at restaurants??(I'm sure, eventually, to keep with this notion, I will splurge on the Tripp Trapp or OXO Sprout, but for now, this is "the" high chair for me!  A steal at ~$50!)

4.

L'oreal Power Volume 24 Hour Mascara
Especially for contact lens wearers.  No more irritating flaking!
I did not buy waterproof, but that is also an option.
Only $6.99 at drugstores.
I love my Diorshow and Bare Esscentuals, but that -ish gets expensive, especially since it is recommended to get a new tube every 6 months.  One coat leaves you with long, full lashes.  Two coats = no need for falsies.  I think we have a winner!

5.
99 Ways to Simplify Life with Kids
{HERE}

Some moms really have it together, no?
I think my favorite is "Don't expect perfection from them...or from yourself!"
Amen, sista.



And a few more links, just for f-u-n...

Loving these affordable maxi dresses over at Modern Vintage Boutique.

Mitt Romney Style (a Gangnam Style parody) - {HERE}!

7 treadmill workouts for all fitness levels.

Free, customized garden plans based on where you live.

20 easy soup recipes - perfect for fall and winter.

What an adorable checkered shirt...with bows!

A (slightly daunting) D.I.Y. for amazing hanging tiered plants.

This is too true funny.  And so is this.

Have yourselves a kick-ass weekend!

~images via ats, amazon, & the complete guide to imperfect homemaking~