A Saturday Song...

We are heading to the mountains for what looks like to be a hot...and rainy... weekend.  It is kind of crazy, but it has rained every single time Jason and I have ever gone camping.  I used to get annoyed, but now, I curl up in the tent, listen to the thunder and the rain, and read a book I have been wanting to read, but always convinced myself that I had more important things to do.  Yesterday, I was actually relieved when I heard the weather report.  

Well, our car is packed to the brim, and we are heading out in a few, but before I go...

Here is a song for your Saturday...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend : )

The Friday Five...

This was the last week I would have any kids at home with me during the school year.  So, instead of writing or posting anything this week, I have been concentrating on making the best of this precious time I have left with my little one.  She had her official first day in kindergarten today...and she survived it really well. Hopefully, the school did too.  

I also have been working on converting our spare bedroom into my office.  Lots of work, but I am very encouraged by what I see.  The clock is ticking down to the first day of my new job, and I am very excited about having a proper office to work out of.  

So here are my five for this week...

{ Started the week with a belated birthday dinner for my parents. Cooking in turned out to be the key to a wonderful meal. }

{ The girls and I stumbled upon another beautiful spot in downtown Charlotte.  I love walking where I have never explored before }

{ First day of school...they were thrilled. And I was left to wonder how I could be so happy and so sad at the same time : (  }

{ Just a glimpse of my bedroom to office transition.  Still lots to do, but I now know it will happen }

{ Super excited to upcycle these thread spindles- I now have a way to organize all of my rope and twine }

What are Your Five?

Dorm rooms...through the years

It's that time of year again. Hordes of teenagers are heading off to college to make a small square room with one window, their new home for the year.  I wish I could say I had been more creative, and thought a little outside the box when I was setting up my dorm room, but I can't.  With the exception of painting my metal bunk bed in primary colors and hanging up my favorite Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn posters, there were no other interior design decisions made.  Oh...to do it over again...I would definitely take some tips from these inspirational rooms.  A little combination of modern and vintage design would be perfect.  My favorite has got to be the Beatles, Robert Redford and dreamy Michael Caine montage along with  the trusty LP record player (6th one down). 

( images via modcloth and fyeah, cool dorm rooms)

Toddlers sucking on lemons . . . so bad

It's so bad...but haven't we all done this before?  I know I have...on several occasions.  There is something about watching a baby trustingly take a lemon from your hand and dive right in.  Again...it's SO bad...but SO funny at the same time.  Isabella had to ruin it for me though - she LOVES lemons!  

Pucker is a photo series by April Maciborka and David Wile that documents the priceless expressions on toddlers' faces as they munch on  lemon wedges.  I don't know about you, but the cute little one above is my favorite : )

(all images via Lost at E Minor)

Pic of the day...cutest baby gorilla of all time

Baby Yakini was all smiles until he felt how cold the stethoscope was : )  This picture is around 15 years old, but I still LOVE it!  Yakini currently lives at  Australia’s Werribee Open Range Zoo where he has grown to be significantly bigger and stronger.  And even though he is very impressive, he is no longer as heart meltingly cute : )

(image via lost at e minor)

Design Envy: Tree coffee table

About six years ago, my Mom and Dad cut down the huge sprawling maple tree that literally sat in the center of their front yard.  My sister and I practically lived in that tree as we grew up.  And even though they tried for years to save it, the tree eventually had to be cut down.  I was so sad to see such a big piece of my childhood memories be gone, that I sat at home pondering how I could save just a piece of it.  A couple days after the deed had been done, I had an epiphany that I wanted a slice of that tree so I could make a coffee table out of it.

As soon as the image entered my head...I could not let go of it...which happens a lot with my ideas.  I called the tree service and asked them if they had had gotten rid of the tree yet, or if I could still get a slice of the trunk.  I was relieved when he said that he still had it, and would cut me a piece.  Well, needless to say, I waited for a call to pick up the wood...a call that never came.  I relentlessly called him back and left messages until he called me back one day, and told me he was sorry to tell me that he had forgotten to tell his coworkers about the tree and they had gotten rid of the wood.  I, to this day, lament the loss of that tree and the idea I had for preserving it's place in my life.  A bit dramatic I know : ) but that is me.

It's been six years and I thought I had moved on, until I came across the image above this morning.  That is my tree trunk table!  It is exactly what I had I envisioned- organic tree table top full of movement combined with slim modern legs.  It's perfect!  I don't know who manufactured this coffee table, but I LOVE it.  And I am sad once more about that damn tree.  C'est la vie to what could have been.  I may just have to form an affinity to another huge, sick tree in hopes of having this table one day : )   So yes...ENVY is the word.  

(top image via A Piece of Toast and lower images via Smitten Studio)

A Saturday Song...

It's raining...again.  And I am absolutely ok with it.  The girls are laying in bed reading.  Jason is taking a nap. And I am writing.  The only sound in the whole house is the clicking of my fingers on the keyboard...and the songs that are playing from my rainy day playlist.  

Sometimes, I wish for the rain, if for no other reason than to make the weekends drag on a little longer.  The rain forces us all to be a little closer and it tricks me into thinking there are more than 24 hours in a day. 

Here is a song for your lazy, rainy Saturday...

I hope you have a wonderful weekend : )

The Friday Five...

{ Another new addition to the family- little Anson! He is adorable : ) }

{ Personalized lunches for the kiddos courtesy of alphabet cookies from IKEA }

{ Date Night!!!!  I live for those moments that remind me of every single reason why I love him : ) }

{ I am ashamed to say that my favorite part of the BeastFeast was watching the boats flip over }

{ LOVE my sister's beach bag- definitely getting one of my own for next summer }

What are Your Five?

Have you seen this?...the full first season of "Convos. with my 2 yr. old"

A few months ago, I discovered "Convos...with my 2 yr. old"...the first episode...And then I waited very impatiently for more.  And then I forgot to check back...until now.  And low and behold it's the entire first season- eight episodes to be exact.  And I love them all : )


Here are the links if you want to catch up on all these awkward and very true to life interactions between a man...and another grown man...playing his 2 yr. old daughter. 

• Episode 1
• Episode 2
• Episode 3
• Episode 4
• Episode 5
• Episode 6
• Episode 7
• Episode 8
• Season 1 bloopers

(image via "Convos With My 2 Year Old" Facebook page)

Artist Spotlight: Suzan Drummen

Suzan Drummen is a Dutch artist who creates the most spectacular kaleidoscopic crystal floor installations.  From above, they look incredibly symmetrical and flat, but upon a closer look, you can see the amazing variety of materials and height the artist uses to achieve such amazing results.  

All of the installations are temporary because they are placed deliberately to shift and move if the spectators choose to interact with the artwork.  Can you imagine the time and concentration it must have taken to create such bigger than life pieces of work?  I think what I love the most is the vulnerability of each piece.  The chance of moving one crystal out of this intricate design would be enough to make me nervous while walking around it.  

How about you? Would you keep a distance or would enjoy the invitation to interact with the artwork?

 (via Design Boom)