S.HOPtalk

{ thursday thoughts }

2012-01-26T08:04:00.000-08:00

{ geeky goodness: katie daisy iphone covers }

2012-01-24T08:03:00.000-08:00

I am a huge fan of Katie Daisy's artwork. In fact, I just ordered this lovely print for Bella's room re-do that's currently in the works. So I was absolutely thrilled to see that Uncommon recently introduced Katie's iPhone 4/4s cover designs, which you can customize. A little bit of sunshine and cheer to perk up those dreary winter days.

{ flower power }

2012-01-23T08:26:00.000-08:00

click here for larger image

Happy Monday, friends. What did you all do this weekend? We had a quiet couple of days, which provided me the opportunity to dig into some of the de-cluttering projects on my to-do list. Phew…it felt good to knock some of those out! I was also brave and ventured into the backyard, which is very brown and very sad looking these days. Sprucing it up is going to be a BIG project! Just as I was starting to feel overwhelmed by all of the work that needs to be done, I spotted this single, pink bloom peeking out. I ran inside, grabbed the clippers and popped it into a vase. It was just what I needed to remind me of the beautiful possibilities ahead…

Have a lovely week!

{ weekend style }

2012-01-20T10:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday!

I think the last time we all chatted my sweet Bella was a chubby-cheeked nine year old, fresh from the 3rd grade. Well, now she's a busy tween with big dreams of publishing her own book, like NOW! And since I don't have an "in" with any publishers, helping her start her own blog was the next best thing. I must say, I'm impressed with her skills. She's a natural...whipping out a couple posts a day and already obsessing over her stats - Oy!

Anyhoo...how does this relate to my post, you ask. Well, in one of her posts this week, Bella shared her favorite things to wear on a casual day { baseball t-shirt, shorts and converse tennis } and asked her "readers" to share their favorite things to wear. I thought it was a brilliant idea and decided to borrow it. Now that I go into an office most days and must dress up like a big girl, I really appreciate casual weekend days. These wish list picks are my go-to style.

1. hester reading glasses - kate spade

2. belted trench coat in red - target

3. striped shawl collar top - anthropologie

4. cropped skinny jeans - old navy

5. opal applique clutch - mar y sol

6. block letter initial necklace
7. play hooky bracelet - kate spade

7. navy toms -

What do you love to wear on casual days?

{ thursday thoughts... }

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

wise words from one of my faves

{ instalove: oranges from our garden }

2012-01-16T10:02:00.000-08:00

I'm grateful that our orange tree is full of these beauties...

can't wait to make freshly-squeezed juice.

shot 01.16.12 using my iPhone/instagram

{ making me smile... }

2012-01-13T12:37:00.000-08:00

cotton candy skies - no filter, shot on my iPhone

bella's observation that the sky looked like cotton candy on our evening walk with Buddy

handmade ryan gosling - can't help but giggle

a three-day weekend

plans to make this yummy salad over the weekend

these cute rain boots...on sale! (should I go bright or navy?)

a fresh look for our living room thanks to a few quick furniture moves

What's making you smile today?

{ thursday thoughts }

2012-01-12T07:22:00.000-08:00

spotted here

instalove: urban chickens

2012-01-09T07:31:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, we stayed with friends who recently started raising chickens in their backyard. I was the first one up Sunday morning and had the pleasure of letting the chickens out of their coop. They are a rowdy bunch--each one with its own little personality. Have you considered raising "city chickens?" I'm so tempted after hanging out with this bunch!

captured with instagram (@suzhopkins)

a new journey: my 3 words

2012-01-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

I love this photo: Ohio #2 by Alicia Bock

As I wrapped up 2011, I thought a lot about what I hoped to do and accomplish in 2012. Alas, I was not feeling inspired to draft yet another set of New Year’s resolutions. The intent of this ritual is always good but hasn’t proven to be very effective (at least not for me). And then I stumbled upon this post which talks about selecting three words which become your theme for the year--words that will help define and guide your goals and experiences. I was instantly inspired! On the surface it seemed like a quick and simple exercise, but I found it surprisingly challenging to narrow down my hopes, goals, and dreams for the year into three little words. There are some really good words out there that didn’t make the cut!

So here goes, my three words for 2012... simplify. enrich. smile.

Simplify is about clearing the clutter from my life and I’m not just talking about the piles of paperwork and laundry staring at me. My hope is that I can slow down the pace of our busy life a bit and focus on the things that are truly important to me and my family. I will carve out time for spontaneous weekend adventures and exploring new discoveries instead of using any free-time to catch up on chores. I will set financial goals and be thoughtful about purchases, minimizing those oh-so-tempting impulse buys (sorry, Target). Instead of acquiring more things or “stuff” we really don’t need, I will focus on creating experiences my family and I can share together because when we look back at the end of the year that's what we tend to remember and appreciate. I will go through our garage, files, and closets and purge, give away, and recycle the things we don’t use or need. I will create clean and serene living surroundings and repurpose some of the spaces in our home so they are better used and enjoyed (I already have some makeover projects brewing).

Enrich is about making the most of my experiences, relationships, and opportunities this year. I will make time to connect with friends and family and nurture those relationships. I will create meaningful memories for my daughter. I will spend more time outdoors and tend to my garden to create a space where my family and I can entertain friends and family. I will take more time to shop for groceries and experiment with new recipes (Yes, you heard it here...I'm going to cook!) I will pursue my passions like photography, pretty things, and writing. I will seek out opportunities to combine these passions with my professional pursuits. I will visit and take in a new city. I will schedule time for daily exercise that I enjoy. I will try to curb my night owl ways and get more sleep.

Smile is about gratitude and choosing joy. I will remain mindful of the blessings in my life and give them the time and attention they deserve. I will celebrate successes—big and small and worry less about the endless “to dos” that don’t get finished. I will talk more about the positives and less about the negatives. Each day, my family and I will reflect upon one thing that made us smile and share it with each other.

I’m excited to start the journey I’ve mapped out and look forward to sharing it here on S.HOPtalk. I've missed blogging and my readers SO much. I'm a bit rusty...thank you for your patience as I find my blogging voice again (and try to remember how to format a post).

Cheers to an amazing 2012! Do you have 3 words…I’d love for you to share them.

{ making me smile... }

2010-07-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

petals by bike

a dreamy cottage

a weekend without plans

twilight thursdays at the zoo

blueberry + blue cheese dip (delish!)

do tell...what is making you smile today?

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-07-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

cloud nine print by studio mela

{ monday morning blues }

2010-06-28T08:09:00.000-07:00

We spent a positively perfect Sunday, blueberry picking and picnicking with friends.

Even sweeter? Serving our fresh picks from this sweet vintage find...

the latest addition to my pyrex collection (thanks, mom!)

{ making me smile... }

2010-06-25T11:04:00.000-07:00

this movie (loved!)

making time to blog

our garden in full bloom

weekend plans to go blueberry picking with friends

reading through Bella's 3rd grade memory book (priceless!)

what's making you smile today, friends?

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-06-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

letterpress aardvark manifesto

from the Keep Calm Gallery

{ art i heart: skippy designs }

2010-05-07T00:18:00.000-07:00

How adorable are these Market prints by Skippy Designs?

I simply must have one!

I love strolling outdoor markets in the Springtime, don't you?

Happy Weekend, friends!

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-05-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

spotted here

{ we left our hearts in san francisco }

2010-05-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, we spent an incredible couple of days in San Francisco. In addition to seeing this magical production of Peter Pan, we had time to walk the city during the day. We decided to stay close to the Ferry Building and the strip along the piers...indulging in a perfect mix of tourist attractions and local hang-outs. I thought I'd share a few of the gems with you...

clear skies above the ferry building

{ ask a native...this is rare! }

a visit isn't complete without a sweet treat from miette

Gott's Roadside...my new favorite lunch spot {dinner was good too! }

I loved that it was warm enough to walk at night

Red's back deck was the perfect spot to enjoy our breakfast on a sunny San Francisco day

shared smiles with family {my favorite part of the weekend}

Did I mention how hard it was to leave?

P.S. I panicked when I realized that I didn't have a digital camera for the weekend {ours was stolen recently}. Then I remembered the camera on my new iphone. I was pleasantly surprised by the results, especially after a little experimenting and post processing with Camera Bag.

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-04-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

{ oh how i love this one! }

spotted here

{ making me smile... }

2010-04-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

barbecuing in our backyard on warm Spring nights

the rewards of {finally} developing my film

matching mother/daughter sandals for summer

buying bunches of sweet peas at the farmer's market

taking baby steps back to blogging

{ making my way back to you... }

2010-04-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

I miss you all & will be back soon...thanks for your patience!

image spotted here

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-04-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

spotted here.

{ weddings: a forever kind of love }

2010-03-26T15:18:00.000-07:00

Never mind that it's been nearly {ahem} 17 years since my own wedding, I still love weddings and all of the detail work that goes into them. So I was thrilled to discover that my favorite hotel in town just revamped their wedding site and made sure to include oodles and oodles of lovely eye candy.

I am especially smitten with the fun details and the cheerful pops of yellow that highlight this Spring wedding...all orchestrated on a DIY budget {my favorite kind!}.

Congratualtions Ashlee...the new Eat, Drink & Be Married site looks amazing!

Additional wedding details here. Images courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

{ making me smile today... }

2010-03-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

this vintage caravan

one-on-one time with my favorite girl this weekend

the scent of wisteria outside my bedroom window

the warm spring sunshine on my face

these striped ballet flats

what's making you smile today?

I hope you'll forgive my extended absence here on S.HOPtalk...it's been a busy couple of weeks full of exciting new adventures. Please know that I miss hanging out with all of you and will return to a consistent posting schedule as soon as I'm able. xoxo

{ constant cravings: vintage goodness }

2010-03-13T08:05:00.000-08:00

Have you had the opportunity to stop by Victoria's new le petite flea etsy shop? As you might imagine, it's chock full of her delightful vintage finds. Last night, she posted the little gem pictured above and I simply couldn't resist it. Treat yourself to a visit this weekend {and be sure to check it often...lucky for us, it's continually being updated }.

Happy Hunting!

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-03-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

found here

{ art i heart: mixed media artist laura amiss }

2010-03-10T09:05:00.000-08:00

Have you discovered mixed media artist, Laura Amiss?

I am in love with these textile canvases found in her etsy shop.

Wouldn't one {or two} be cute in my home office?

{ making me smile today... }

2010-03-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

image source

a rare lunch date with my hubby

the daffodils blooming in my garden

my new shorter {and perhaps a bit sassier?} haircut

plans for a girls weekend in the wine country next month

my daughter's cheerful, "happy friday!" greeting this morning

What's making you smile today?

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-03-04T09:04:00.000-08:00

spotted here

{ best kept secrets }

2010-03-03T10:51:00.000-08:00

Stunning jewelry customized with secret poetry? Yes, please!

Discover more delights in the Delias Thompson etsy shop.

{ interior inspiration: good bones, great pieces }

2010-03-02T10:37:00.000-08:00

The rooms in our 1930s built home are relatively small, causing a fair share of tricky decorating dilemmas. So, I'm constantly on the hunt for tips on making the most of small spaces and instantly fell in love with this tiny Brooklyn Heights brownstone, which was decorated by the mother/daughter team behind the fabulous blog, Good Bones, Great Pieces. Most of the pieces selected include some family history and are versatile enough to move from room-to-room and serve different functions (if necessary). I think the results are fabulous, don't you?

Get the full scoop on this space, which was recently featured in Traditional Home magazine.

{ weekend plans }

2010-02-26T10:42:00.000-08:00

Recently, I was organizing one of our closets and {re}discovered an old Canon AE-1 camera

that my dad handed down to me years ago. I can't wait to play with it for the first time this weekend!

What do you have planned for the weekend, friends?

image found here...my go-to resource for all things beautiful

{ blog it forward: what inspires me? }

2010-02-25T09:29:00.000-08:00

Today, I am thrilled to be participating in the Blog-it-Forward event. For those of you not already familiar with it, the lovely Victoria from SFGirl has coordinated over 300 bloggers to participate in a progressive blogging party of sorts in which we all share what inspires us personally. The idea is that readers will discover new and inspiring blogs along the way {I've already added many new favorites to my list}. So, without further adieu, I'd like to share but a few of the many things that inspire me...

Homes that tell a story

Family mementos, treasured collections and pieces with a past....my kind of dream home.

image via lola b

image via joanna goddard

image via from me to you

Creating Memories

Road trips, days at the beach, and new discoveries...if forced to choose, I'd pick shared experiences over things any day of the week.

Outdoor Cafes

Whiling away the hours at an outdoor cafe is about as good as it gets. Those I experienced in Paris are my favorites, but just about any one will do.

image via From Me To You

image via little brown pen

and of course...the thrill of the hunt

{ a few of my favorite finds }

Click here to follow the Blog It Forward schedule and be sure to check out the other nine bloggers also participating today:

~ nectar & light

~ angiegoboom
~ cafe cartolina
~ pois rouge
~ design fixation
~ her sunday dress
~ the baker's daughter
~ lilac & ivy
~ victoria klein

Psst...don't miss Shutterly Lovely's blog-it-forward post tomorrow.

image sources: all images were taken by me unless otherwise noted.

{ inspired by: dottie angel }

2010-02-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

I recently happened upon Dottie Angel's flickr stream and fell totally and completely head over heels for her fabulous, eclectic style. An avid collector and DIY genius, Tif is generous about sharing her projects and oodles of inspiring eye candy along the way. It was just what I needed to get me off my tush and actually tackle some of the DIY projects that I've planned, but yet to execute. Be sure to visit the Dottie Angel shop (her one-of-a-kind items seem to go quickly...follow her blog for alerts to shop updates)

P.S. I want an airstream named Gladys too.

{ garden inspired: terrain }

2010-02-22T11:32:00.000-08:00

A few of many favorites found in Terrain's perfectly curated online shop. Their brick & mortar location, which includes a cafe, looks amazing!

I'm so ready to spend some time in my garden...

{ feeling blue...and white }

2010-02-19T10:36:00.000-08:00

A few sunny, 70 degree days this week tricked me into thinking Spring had arrived. Alas, this morning's clouds + rain forecasted for the weekend snapped me right back to the reality that indeed, we have another month of winter. So, I decided to create my own sunshine with one of my favorite color combinations: blue + white....add a dash of polka dots, stripes, and checks for an early dose of Spring.

****

*****

****

Cheers to a great weekend!

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-02-18T08:05:00.000-08:00

Google Before You Tweet poster by i love typography

Do you tweet? I do.

Thanks for the tip Steve!

{ something old, something new: save the date handkerchiefs }

2010-02-17T10:26:00.000-08:00

I adore these hand-printed "Save the Date" handkerchiefs. What a wonderful keepsake!

Is it too early for me to start an inspiration file for Bella's wedding?

spotted on this super duper cool blog

{ weekend snapshot }

2010-02-16T12:23:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, my sweet Valentine escorted me to the Second Sunday Antiques Faire and waited by patiently as I indulged in my latest obsession, vintage cameras. I happened upon a Brownie Six-20 Junior and had to have it for my tiny, but growing collection, which I plan to display in our home { photos forthcoming }. Exactly how I will display these little beauties has yet to be determined, which is why I found these flickr faves oh-so-inspiring...*swoon*.

via everyeskimo

image sources here

via kimhas7cats

What did you all do over the weekend?

{ on holiday }

2010-02-15T10:21:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends. I'm taking a personal time out to enjoy this gorgeous, sunny holiday. I hope you have a lovely day planned as well...meet you back here on Tuesday. xo

image spotted here, where you'll find all sorts of goodies.

{ unconditional love }

2010-02-12T11:23:00.000-08:00

happy friday...

may your weekend be filled with love...and all of your favorite things

xoxo ~Suzanne

image sources here

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-02-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

spotted here

{ small talk: crewcuts }

2010-02-10T10:40:00.000-08:00

As a small fry, who was still wearing a children's size 14 through my freshman year of high school, I have a love/hate relationship with the über coolness of kids' fashion these days. On the one hand, I love scrolling through the drool- worthy images and styling, yet, all I can think is, "Curse you, fashion designers...where were you when I was rocking my Garanaimals and doing everything in my power to make them look hip?" {I assure you, I was not very successful}.

Case-in-point...the to-die-for Crewcuts' looks for Spring. Adorable...but so not fair!

{ google's parisian love? c'est magnifique! }

2010-02-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

By far, my favorite Super Bowl ad.

So cute. So clever. And that giggle at the end? Irresistible.

Did you have a favorite?

{ it won't be long now... }

2010-02-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to see tiny buds on our trees and the teeniest of green starts poking their way out of the ground -- a welcome reminder that Spring is just around the corner.

In the meantime, I'll continue to stalk Shana Rae's insanely pretty flickr stream {and you should too!}

Have a beautiful weekend friends. xoxo ~Suzanne

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-02-04T09:16:00.000-08:00

seen here

have a lovely day my friends...

{ constant cravings: simple jewelry }

2010-02-03T09:39:00.000-08:00

I just might need to incorporate one of these lovely

pieces by VerreEncore into my daily uniform. I love the sweet simplicity

of the designs which are handmade by fusing glass to metal.

Discovered via this new (to me) blog.

{ paint it black }

2010-02-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

A vintage door re-imagined with chalkboard paint. Pure genius, don't you think?

Happy Mondy...we had a fabulous, sunshine-filled weekend.

I hope yours were just as lovely.

{ inspired by: lisa congdon's, a collection a day project }

2010-01-30T09:43:00.000-08:00

I recently stumbled upon A Collection a Day, 2010--

an utterly delightful 365 project, by artist, Lisa Congdon.

Each day, she documents one of her collections, creating a daily masterpiece, if you will, that showcases her talent for capturing the extraordinary in the ordinary. Real collections, found in her home or studio, are photographed. Those that are "imagined" are either illustrated or painted. Pictured are a few of my favorites. To see more of her swoon-worthy collections, visit the lovely A Collection a Day blog.

I missed you all yesterday...I hope you're enjoying a most wonderful weekend.

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-01-28T13:09:00.000-08:00

as seen here

{ how to have fun for $15 or less }

2010-01-27T10:21:00.000-08:00

I'm always on the hunt for little lovelies that fit my budget while still satisfying my desire to keep things fresh and stylish. This year, especially, I've made a concerted effort to make the most of what I already have in my closet and simply add an accessory or two to update the look. So, I was thrilled to recently stumble upon Down & Out Chic's fun etsy shop. I adore Christina's line of accessories which are handcrafted using vintage finds. A pop of pink blossoms on your ring finger and suddenly your favorite jeans and t-shirt feel new again.

Visit the Down & Out Chic shop here and stop by the Down & Out Chic blog for oodles of affordably stylish inspiration.

{ psst... }

2010-01-25T09:33:00.000-08:00

I'm daydreaming over here today. I hope you'll stop by for a visit.

{ sunshine on a cloudy day }

2010-01-24T09:12:00.000-08:00

from our garden to our table { oh-so-delicious! }

hope you're having a lovely weekend too.

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-01-21T09:39:00.000-08:00

spotted here

{ art i heart: lovebird plates by nina in vorm }

2010-01-19T13:21:00.000-08:00

So cute for Valentine's Day or to create a fabulous plate wall.

{ pretty in pink }

2010-01-15T08:10:00.000-08:00

Happening upon the peonies and polaroids blog was just what I needed today.

It's been a rather gloomy week and I was longing for some pretties...

And then I spotted this...

I can't help but smile when I see a pink door.

Discover more lovelies in the p & p flickr stream.

P.S. The shop reopens in February.

Smiles and a happy, happy weekend!!!

{ thursday thoughts }

2010-01-14T10:03:00.000-08:00

image found here

Today, I can't help but think of the unimaginable losses and suffering in Haiti.

So, I'm doing my tiny part to help spread the word about ways in which we can all help.

If you would like to contribute to the earthquake relief fund, there are many options.

I was amazed how easy it was to contribute simply by doing this -- 20 seconds max.

{ real digs: kelli jane's photography studio }

2010-01-12T01:16:00.000-08:00

You may remember my friend Kelli from her inspiring guest post on S.HOPtalk last month.

kelli and her daughter in their matching wellies

Recently I was perusing her lovely new photography blog and was thrilled to see that she had included some shots of her studio space which I had the pleasure of visiting last year. I was instantly smitten with its casually chic and warm, welcoming aesthetic -- a reflection of Kelli's irresistible photography style.

I especially love that Kelli was able to furnish her space for pennies on the dollar with pieces found by stalking Craigslist and local thrift stores. My kinda girl! A few coats of colorful paint and her studio was born. Isn't it sweet?

I know we all love to drool over home design magazines, but I find it refreshing in these budget and environmentally conscious times to see how real people use repurposed pieces to style real spaces , don't you? Thank you, Kelli, for letting us take a peek.

I'm always on the hunt for stylish spaces to feature on S.HOPtalk. Please email me at shoptalkbuzz {at} gmail . com if you're interested in having your real digs featured on S.HOPtalk.

{ hazy shades of winter }

2010-01-08T14:10:00.000-08:00

Alicia Bock's latest photo collection is absolutely stunning.

Fingers crossed that the lovely Alicia will add these

dreamy captures to her etsy shop {soon}.

Happy, happy Friday!

{ turquoise...a love affair }

2010-01-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

acreativemint

allen_company_inc via sfgirl

Turquoise...because my adoration of it is well documented and now, I feel validated.

My first 2010 tribute (of many, I'm sure) to Pantone's color of the year.

{ a photo a day for a year? shutter sisters 365 }

2010-01-06T21:47:00.000-08:00

Very excited {and a little nervous} to challenge myself this year

by participating in the Shutter Sisters 365 project.

This is one of my first few photos taken and submitted.

You can follow the featured photos here.

To see all of the photos submitted, visit the Shutter Sisters 365 flickr pool.

{ winter c-h-i-l-l }

2010-01-05T12:01:00.001-08:00

I'm back! Thank you sweet friends for giving me some PTO...I promise you, I used it wisely.

We approached our winter holiday break with one main mission in mind: to do as little as possible. By that I mean, under commit and over relax. By all accounts, we were wildly successful.

It's amazing how busy we kept ourselves doing nothing. Oh the fun we had...Stay in our our PJs till noon? Totally acceptable. Snowball fights at midnight? Absolutely. Hot Cocoa AND cotton candy at the ice rink? Well, of course! Sure, the laundry piled up, the Christmas decorations still haven't been put away, and I now have a to-do list that's about 3 pages long. The bonus is, we're relaxed, reconnected, and ready to take on this thing called twenty-ten*. Bring it!

P.S. Quite happy to say buh bye to 2009 I might add.

{ thursday thoughts...worth repeating }

2009-12-31T11:21:00.000-08:00

A favorite "Thursday Thoughts" post from 2009...

and a perfect reminder of all that I hope to accomplish in 2010.

How about you dear friends...what is your wish for 2010?

Thanks to a last minute invite from friends, we're off to the snow for a few days.

Meet you back here Monday.

Cheap & Chic: for 2010

2009-12-29T09:15:00.001-08:00

Hello sweet readers!
Melissa from Melissa Loves here, so happy to be helping hold the fort over here at my lovely friend Suzanne's for the New Year! I thought I would put together a cheap & chic oufit for a New Year's party. Something comfortable and a tiny bit casual but, with a little flair. Something inspired by this print by Sarah McNeil on etsy.

~facinator here $19.95
~ top here $27.99
~ lovely earrings here (shop) $14.00
~ clutch here $7.50
~ boots here $47.99
~ pants here $12.80
~ necklace here $19.95

Total ~ $150.18

I sure hope you liked it lovelies and Suzanne, thank you so much for having me hun! I hope you are having a wonderful family break and enjoying every moment!

xo
Melis

A little Santa in all of us.

2009-12-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

Sweet Suzanne asked me to share with you some of my favorite holiday traditions, and I must've started and stopped this list a thousand times. When I was little, really little, my favorite things list would've been about closing my eyes as tight as I could, squeezing them shut and listening to the sounds on the roof... is that him? is that? and then MOM WAKE UP I THINK SANTA'S HERE! That tradition would've been at the tippety top of my {littlest me} favorite things list.

When I got a little older... old enough to see that Santa's handwriting and wrapping paper were quite like my mom's... well, then my favorite things list would've been about wishing for snowfalls on Christmas day... watching A Christmas Story over and over and Ralphie-you'll-shoot-your-eye-out! over again... seeing my family open the cards that I'd made the night before with cotton balls and crayons and glue... and playing with my delicious new treasures for the next several days. These traditions would've been at the tippety top of my {medium me} favorite things list.

And then I got a lot older... old enough to know that Christmas was wonderful but also stressful. Families seemed to fight a bit more... it became a lot about money and less about thought and love... Christmas trees started going up a bit later... the magic of the holidays was around me here and there, but that tangible, prickly, glittery feeling? It was missing.

This year, though, something changed. Our little girl arrived: Devon Whitney. Stinky McStinkpot. Twenty inches and six whole pounds of giggly, warm, loved up and new. She's too little to understand now, but soon she'll believe in Santa, in reindeer, in the importance of cutting paper snowflakes and leaving out snacks for the elves. Sometimes you need a little reminder of that feeling... of waking up to the smell of pine and presents... of hot cocoa and sugar cookies in the morning... of realizing that maybe Santa isn't as big and red and ho!ho!ho! as you once thought, but that there's a little Santa in all of us. This feeling is at the tippety top of my {biggest me} favorite things list.

Psst: Thanks, Suzanne, for having me here. I hope you'll all come visit me at my blogs, The Lil Bee and Feather Report.

Big kiss,

Bee.

Images from top to bottom, all via We Heart It: Scream Colors; Katherine writes.; Inspirart; and unknown.

i believe...

2009-12-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

hey, friends! it's me. karey of mackin ink and also one of the t.ruffle girls. i hope your holiday weekend was pure magic. oh, it was? good. mine, too.

so. my favorite holiday tradition sounds pretty simple. it's to believe. which, for me, gets a bit more difficult with each year. but that just means i need to try to believe harder.

i was a sick little kid. every christmas, mrs. claus sent a special letter telling me how proud she was of me. how she loved that i never complained when i missed trick-or-treating or the circus or birthday parties or playdates with other littles who had cats or dogs or peanut butter or dust or chlorine or hay in their houses. and that i was the greatest little sick kid ever invented.

long after i stopped really really believing in santa, i still believed in his wife.

i've tried to keep my girlies three believing, too. this entails making nine reindeer bowls of food every christmas eve. did you know they all love carrots, oats, beads, and buttons? did you know vixen also enjoys a sprinkling of pink glitter over her snack? blitzen gets an extra dash of something from uncle sugar's bar? or that rudolph never never eats the red beads and - in his typical passive-aggro fashion - positions the only one how-could-you-have-missed-it smack in the middle of his empty bowl? of course you did.

there's the torn piece of red velvet fabric hanging from the girlies' attic door, the red glitter footprint where santa landed, and usually one or two other details that always surprise even me.

uncle sugar and i aren't the tallest parents in the world, which means that the giant tree he bought this year in a panic because our other two trees hadn't arrived from jordan {but sadly showed up two short days after purchase. grrr.} would probably go angel-less. i'm not good with geometry or physics or anything else smarty-smart numberish, but that tree's width multiplied by its height and divided by our short equaled a very. bare. tippy. top. balanced out nicely by the three hundred and forty seven shiners adorning its bottom third. thank you, esmé.

lillie's the one who noticed it first. the angel! she squealed. oh. our angel. the one i bought just after my sister died. tulle and tiara and glitter galore and even a wand. easily one of our most beautiful possessions.

santa must've put her up there! he must've known! this from my grae-girl, who has spent most of the christmas holiday angry with her older sister for not believing hard enough.

we all sat in that magic for a moment. and even though i knew how it had surely happened...for a split second? maybe probably longer than that? i forgot i wasn't supposed to believe in santa claus anymore.

didn't realize how much i'd missed that guy.

warmest wishes and imaginary hugs and kisses to all of you. please visit me at the sweeterie or our etsy shoppe or even mackin ink. i'm always happy to see you. mary is, too. and thanks, suzanne, for inviting me over for the holidays. i will see you in dc soon, yes? say yes. gorgeous photos from for stars will rise again on tumblr.

{ all is calm. all is bright. }

2009-12-25T10:12:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

May your day be filled with love & joy.

photos by moi. holiday card design by tiny prints.

{a cherished holiday tradition: by guest poster Simply Mel of Reverie}

2009-12-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

Being a daughter of a Fire Chief, I grew up welcoming Christmas Day with very early morning sunrises. You see, sometimes, the Chief had to work on Christmas Day, and this meant my brother and I would be roused from our beds to open our gifts before dawn. Dad had to leave for the fire station by 7:00 a.m., so in order for all of us to share in the magic of this anticipated day, we would open all our gifts and share a bit of breakfast before the rays of Christmas sunlight peaked through our frosty windows. It became a tradition (including the Christmases in-between the holiday shifts), a very early morning, blurry-eyed, beautiful family tradition which lasted even after my hero, my dad, the Fire Chief retired.

And as the years went by, I would find myself wide awake just waiting for him to open my door and declare, “Mornin’! Merry Christmas!” We would then run down the stairs and be welcomed by the festive atmosphere of the sparkling-lit Christmas tree surrounded by ribbon adorned presents, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the local radio station playing Christmas songs, and my Dad standing there with the biggest grin on his face and his camera ready in his hands. This is what Christmas was all about….the pure joy that filled every fiber of his being just watching as his two kids gathered around the tree readying themselves to open all the gifts he worked so hard to give us. Every year he checked our lists and made sure he granted our wishes … the perfect pink 10-speed bike, the ‘you’ll shoot your eye out’ bb gun, and the ‘must have this exact one’ black cashmere sweater (yes, this was only a few years ago!). However, the magical sparkle in his eyes every Christmas morning is the one gift that I will cherish the most – forever and always.

So now that I have my own little crumb, we will be starting a new Christmas morning tradition this year. The ‘early rising syndrome’ seems to run in the family which means I will most likely be following in the Fire Chief’s footsteps. And even though this Christmas, there will be 3,000 miles between me and my Dad, I’ll find comfort and joy in knowing that we will both be greeting the morning sunrise with magical sparkles in our eyes as we reminisce upon and begin a holiday tradition that we will forever hold close to our hearts.

{you can find me daydreaming here and learn more about all the pretty things I love here.}

blurry eyed Christmas photograph by Gaia Miette McArdle

Grandma's House

2009-12-23T07:09:00.000-08:00

No matter how many Bing Crosby songs I hear, no matter how many twinkle lights I see, and no matter how many cookies I consume, it never really feels like Christmas until I go to my grandparents' house.

My grandmother is 80, has six children, 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Every year, we all convene at her house to celebrate and see who can score the most homemade caramels. The highlight for many of us, though, is her vintage decorations. My dad is the oldest at 60, and he remembers almost all of the trimmings from his childhood. The santas, elves, ornaments and angels are from the early part of the century, and many of them belonged to my great-grandmother. It's as if time stopped, and it's such a wonderful feeling to know that they've brought joy to so many generations.

Seeing my grandparents surrounded by their large family is my favorite part of the holidays, and a reminder to cherish what's important.

Happy Holidays!
Nichole, Little Brown Pen

{ the simple things: by guest poster kelli from kelli jane photography }

2009-12-22T12:53:00.000-08:00

This December has been different than past Decembers. This December I'm celebrating the spirit of the season through the eyes of my 3-year-old....and maybe it's just me, but isn't everything about Christmas time more magical and fun when you see things through the eyes of a child? Our family traditions seem to be about the simple things we do together....making cookies, drinking hot chocolate, getting all bundled up and going ice skating, decorating our home with colors of red and green, and watching every movie from "Charlie Brown's Christmas" to "Love Actually" (well, technically it's just me watching "Love Actually" over and over again :). It's the little expressions of joy and wonder on my daughters face that have meant the most to me over the past few weeks, and being that I am a photographer, I try my best not to let any of them go uncaptured. I never leave home without my camera....even if it's just my polaroid.

I do plan on starting a new tradition this year and it came about from a vision I had. After the Holiday's are over, I'm going to design a photo book that is solely about how we spent our Christmas; that way, when Christmas comes around next year, we can pull it out and have fun looking at the ways we celebrated in the past. I want to design one for each year to come, and my vision is that hopefully, when my kids are grown, we can pull them all out each Christmas and enjoy looking at our Christmas journeys of the past.

May you be richly blessed this Holiday season!

{ sharing holiday traditions }

2009-12-21T17:07:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of Jay Mather, found here

Ever since I can remember, visions of sugar plums...candy canes and snow fairies have danced in my head at Christmastime, thanks to my favorite holiday tradition, The Nutcracker Ballet. I still recall the thrill of going to see it each year in San Francisco with my grandmother and being utterly captivated by the music, costumes, and scenery. I've loved sharing the same tradition with my own daughter the last couple of years and watching her fall head over heels in love with the story as well. This year, our tradition continued with a very special twist when my daughter auditioned and was cast as a teeny tiny mouse in the Sacramento Ballet's production of The Nutcracker.

Each year, The Sacramento Ballet casts 400+ local children to perform throughout the holiday season with their own company of professional dancers, creating unforgettable, tug-at-your-heart magic on stage. {I recommend having tissues on hand}. It's an amazing experience for the kids to perform with professional dancers in front of such a large (and adoring) audience and the opportunity to hang out backstage and discover the hard work and dedication behind the scenes is priceless. I chaperoned one of the performances and was able to take a few pics. I thought you might like a sneak peek through the eyes of my teeny tiny mouse...

we wait for the cue that it's okay to put on our costumes

and then, we wait...again

we watch the "big girls" & dream of someday playing the part of a party girl or Clara

we have our makeup done

and visit with the **stars** who stop by for a visit

we chase away the butterflies in our tummies

and then...it's SHOWTIME!!!

a new twist on a favorite tradition = a lifetime of magical memories...

what a gift!

P.S. I'll be taking a little bloggy break while my daughter is on winter break from school and will return after the Christmas holiday. In the meantime, I've invited some fabulous blogger friends to stop by S.HOPtalk and share their favorite holiday memories and traditions with you all {as the lovely Mary did earlier today } Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays! xo ~Suzanne

Local readers can find ticket information for the remaining Sacramento Ballet Nutcracker performances (today - December 23rd) here.

{ my favorite holiday tradition : by guest poster mary from pretty good }

2009-12-21T06:44:00.001-08:00

Our neighborhood is not for everyone. It’s in a historic part of our city, so the houses are all 150+ years old, and they’re, quite literally, on top of each other. The charm is obvious, but being packed in together tight with your neighbors is something that, when we moved in three years ago, I wasn’t sure how we’d adjust to.

But we fell right in love with our new community. Rather than feeling suffocated, we felt immediately connected with people who were more like family than friends. People who would spend their Saturday helping you expose the hidden fireplace in your living room and would bring you a pair of fresh lobsters they caught earlier that day and were only steps away with a bottle of wine and a roaring fire during a blizzard. So when the holidays roll around, we make it a point to put together special goodies for these special people whose houses we can practically touch when we open our windows.

The first year, we made my husband’s favorite fudge and proudly delivered them to everyone, until we soon learned that the ex-mayor (who lives just a few houses away) has been wowing everyone with her great-great-great-grandmother’s fudge recipe for years. Ohhkaaay.

The following year, determined to make our mark, we tackled this amazing, fall-off-your-seat fabulous cinnamon rolls recipe. They were completely, sinfully delicious, but making them turned our kitchen into a total disaster area and although I have been known to exaggerate for effect, I swear I was scraping the sticky butter/sugar/cinnamon mixture off obscure parts of our counter through late June.

Two days ago, on Saturday, with a smidge of a red wine headache, I was thankful that this year I had scoped out something easy (but still wickedly yummy) to make for the neighbors: Oreo truffles and red velvet cake balls. They're simple, require minimal baking, and are kid-friendly -- because three years here has added a few little ones to these homes.

This new ritual of baking, packaging, and delivering treats door-to-door is one of our favorite things about this time of year. And the very act of creating something to share with others and spreading a bit of cheer is the absolute reason for the season.

---------------------

{ You might know Mary from her photo blog, pretty good, and her whenever-she-gets-around-to-posting Tumblr. Or, you might not. She’s also fifty percent of the t.ruffle girls, and would like you to know that even though Karey said they’d close up the shoppe for the holidays on Friday, the doors seem to still open. So take a peek inside before she goes to lock up. And have yourself a very, very, super, happy Holiday! }

{ thursday thoughts }

2009-12-17T09:30:00.000-08:00

letterpress poster found here.

{ tis the season for giving: amala gift set giveaway! }

2009-12-16T10:19:00.000-08:00

UPDATE:

We have a lucky winner... #33, Amanda. Congratulations!!! Please email your address to shoptalkbuzz at gmail dot com and we will ship your lovely Amala gift set to you. Thank you to everyone who participated.

I am so excited to announce today's giveaway from Amala, an organic skincare line out of Germany that's committed to providing "a brighter future for your skin, and the earth." through their pure & natural product collections. Making Amala even more irresistible is their stunning packaging...I feel refreshed and radiant just looking at it.

Now for the details. One lucky reader will receive this lovely Amala Hydrating Spa Valise Gift Set, featuring sustainable skincare tucked into a luxe organic hemp and woven straw travel bag { valued at $102 }. The Hydrate Collection replenishes and sustains skin's moisture level with Egyptian Jasmine, renowned for its nourishing, smoothing and antioxidant benefits for skin.

For your chance to win, simply leave a comment on this post before Monday, December 21st. Be sure to include a way for me to contact you if you're the lucky winner.

That's not all! All S.HOPtalk readers will receive 20% off their entire Amala order through Dec 20th by entering SHOPTALK at checkout. Perhaps it's time to treat yourself to a little something.

Special thanks to Nichole and Amala for sharing this generous offer!

{ window shopping: spool no. 72 }

2009-12-15T12:54:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love the gorgeous photo styling and fabulous pretties found at Spool No. 72--such great texture and colors (and dare I say, a tad more affordable than that other lovely shop we all adore).

Stay tuned...I'll be posting another exciting giveaway tomorrow--you're going to la la love it!

{ giveaway winner! }

2009-12-14T15:52:00.000-08:00

I asked my daughter to pick a number between 1 and 81 (the number of comments left on the giveaway post) and she picked....

Lucky winner, #33 {Tiff}, who said: "I am loving warm jackets right now!"

Please email your contact/address info. to me at shoptalkbuzz at gmail dot com to receive your very own mini diary from Marta's shop.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the mini diary giveaway. I absolutely LOVED reading all of your comments...they totally put me in the holiday spirit. xoxo

{ reader giveaway: the mini diary }

2009-12-10T13:38:00.000-08:00

Scrumptious new diary covers

The lovely and creative Marta recently contacted to let me know that she's currently creating another batch of her divine mini diaries to arrive in time for the holidays and is taking pre-orders through her shop. I was thrilled...after procrastinating and missing out on her last production run, I've been visiting her shop daily hoping to find more in stock.

Its tiny, fill-in-the blank style makes it easy to pop it into a handbag and jot brief, {happy} thoughts from the day while on the go. I plan to buy one that my daughter and I can share and record both of our thoughts at the end of the day--a new bedtime ritual and the chance to celebrate and share the little things that make both of us happy.

The really good news is that S.HOPtalk readers have the chance to WIN their very own mini diary. Simply leave a comment on this post before Monday, December 14th and tell me something you're currently loving {a favorite smell, sound, book...anything}. A winner will be chosen randomly from the comments left and announced on Monday afternoon. Good Luck!!!

Quick Links:

Marta's shop of goodies

Marta's always inspiring blog

{ thursday thoughts }

2009-12-10T08:19:00.000-08:00

Simple yet powerful, no? Spotted over on this lovely blog.

Psst: I'll be posting a reader giveaway later today...be sure to check back.

{ holiday gift guide: winter whites }

2009-12-08T09:07:00.000-08:00

Wintry whites + a bit of sparkle inspired by the wondrous blanket of snow that fell upon our area yesterday (for the first time in 20+ years).

Sources:

Odette cuff on sale at Anthropologie

Ivory winter bracelet by paper flower girl

Victoriana scarflette by Tickled Pink Knits

Orquidea Tea set at Anthropologie

Scoop neck Corsage Tee at J.Crew

Lollia breathe Bubble bath at Reverie Daydream Boutique

Frosted rose necklace by La Vieja Tun Tun

Paper floral wreath Winter Wonderland by Dana & Carol

{ happy, happy monday }

2009-12-07T12:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday friends! I am back and catching up after my daughter's fabulous, whirlwind birthday weekend. We kicked it off Friday with a surprise, first-time visit to the American Girl store in LA--so, so fun. She loves the historical characters/dolls and was in awe seeing them all in person. The celebration continued Saturday with a magical day at Disneyland which is still one of my favorite places to visit--and especially so now, seeing it through my daughter's eyes. There were moments we laughed so hard that our stomachs ached. My idea of bliss!

I will be back with a fresh post tomorrow. In the meantime, treat yourself to a visit to Cafe Mom, where the lovely Sheri has gathered affordable gift ideas from some of my favorite bloggers. { You may even spot a few from moi }. xoxo

25 Gifts for $10 & Under

15 Gifts for $20 & Under

{ thursday thoughts }

2009-12-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

I'm off to find some happily ever after at the Happiest Place on Earth...

a certain little someone is turning nine.

P.S. Did you hear...the t.ruffle girls have opened a shoppe where you can find all kinds of happy & magic!

{ holiday card outtake }

2009-12-01T09:51:00.000-08:00

I grabbed my daughter and the pup and headed to the park the other day to shoot some photos for our holiday card. It felt reeeeeally good to dust off my good camera {film} and take something other than quick snapshots. Must make a point to do it more often! This shot is one of my favorites from the day. From a technical standpoint, it may not be perfect, but there's something about it that I love. {Obviously there was something much more interesting than the crazy lady behind the camera.}

P.S. Do you have a recommendation for good photo cards? I've been really happy with Shutterfly, but would love to explore other options as well.

{ gratitude }

2009-11-27T09:21:00.000-08:00

via theresca

As I reflect on our Thanksgiving -- a most enjoyable day spent laughing, loving, and celebrating with our families -- I am reminded of what's truly most important and grateful for all the blessings in my life. Wishing you all a joy-filled holiday weekend. Meet you back here Monday.

{ added to my someday list: nick's cove }

2009-11-24T10:06:00.000-08:00

I recently came across the site for Nick's Cove & Cottages and have been day dreaming about it ever since.

Located on a secluded stretch of shoreline in Tomales Bay--about an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge--Nick's Cove is a small settlement of buildings and cottages built mainly in the 1930s. The cottages were recently restored & reinvented to create relaxed luxury lodging-- featuring a mix of original details and modern amenities such as wood burning stoves, private decks with seaside views, and luxurious bed linens. With an on-site restaurant by renowned SF restauranteur, Pat Kulteo, my only concern is that I'd never want to leave this idyllic spot.

{ gift giving simplified with wishzilla }

2009-11-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

About this time every year, I being to stress about holiday gift giving. With two December birthdays in our household (hubby + little one), my inbox will soon be flooded with emails from well-intentioned family members requesting birthday AND Christmas gift ideas for my lovely family. It always becomes an overwhelming project with multiple back and forth emails and panicked phone calls. Thanks to my (ahem) not so great tracking system, we often end up with duplicate gifts that are either {shhh} regifted or donated to our favorite charity. While this may sound very "eco friendly", it's a bummer for both the gift giver and recipient.

So, when I heard about Wishzilla declaring war on regifting, I was intrigued. Wishzilla, I discovered, is a genius online service that allows you to easily create free, personalized wish lists filled with anything you want. We all know how much I love creating wish lists, so it's probably no surprise that I was immediately hooked and have been singing its praises ever since.

One of my favorite tools is Wishzilla's fun, one-click bookmarking feature that allows me to instantly save each of my online window-shopping finds in one centralized spot and, if I choose to, specify my wishes by occasion (think: birthday, anniversary, mother's day...).

But, it's not just about me...I also love that I can use Wishzilla's family feature to create separate lists of gift ideas for my husband and daughter and then, easily share them with our family and friends. They can then coordinate purchases with other family and friends and lock items so others won't purchase the same gift. Easy peezy and Suzanne is out of the loop (yeah!) Lastly, users have the option of signing in with Facebook Connect, so there's no need to create yet one more password. Did I mention yet how much I love Wishzilla?

If you do decide to try this lovely service (and I hope you do), you can add me as a friend...who knows, perhaps there's something on your list that I'll like too.

P.S. Pictured are just a few of my many favorites I've started adding to my wish list (which I plan to use well beyond the holidays to save both gift and blog post ideas.) You can find details about each of my wishes here.

{ mwah! }

2009-11-21T20:18:00.000-08:00

It's true what they say...(online) absence makes the heart grow fonder. I've missed you all terribly.

My internet connection was out sick last week. 4 days, 15 phone calls, and one minor temper tantrum with Comcast customer service and voila!...a cure has been found.

I can't wait to join you you all again on Monday. Hope you're having a fabulous weekend. xoxo ~Suzanne

i hate to belated...

2009-11-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

hi there! it's me... karey m. ...just popping in to drop off some surprises for my little suzanne.

you see, i treat my imaginary friends with very. real. care. and when i {gulp.} missed one of my absolute favorite and first imaginary friend's special day last week? i felt sick to my imaginary stomach. {it is a six-pack, by the way. wait. it is an eight-pack. because this is my imagination. thank you for playing.} but imaginary aches are the best because they're the easiest to assuage.

imaginary gifts always do the trick. here are mine for my friend, suzanne, on her twenty-ninth year...

a sweet family of three for her sweet family of three.

two petite jugs from which we'll daintily sip a celebratory champagne. or five. {don't judge. i am just following the instructions on the ceramics.}

a stunner of a treasure box. because my friend treats pretty much everything and everyone in her life as exactly that: a treasure.

and a bangle to store in it on the odd day when she's not wearing it 'round her wrist. because the shells will remind her of the beach and the colors will remind her of her little brown bear. and amour? well. i do speak french.

i would also buy her this. but only because she would know it was perfect for me and gift it back straight away. she is a very kind imaginary friend like that.

there is a chance that these might hurt her delicate little tootsies. this is a chance i am willing to take. they might also only come in size mine. and i am certain she would not mind. not one bit.

of course, if i know suzanne - and i do. i really do. even though we've not yet met. minor details. - she will want to write me a thank you note. i must order these for her, then. but imprinted with suzanne and not richele silva. again, minor details.

one more gift from mary swenson...my partner in t.ruffles...our creative confectionery. she baked suzanne a cake. then, i believe she took a photo of it. probably after that, she ate it. once again, minor details.

suzanne? are you listening? mary and i both wanted to tell you how much we enjoy you. and even though we tease about the whole imaginary friend thing, there is something very real about our friendship. for that, we thank you. and we're sending an extremely loud and laughing happy birthday, suzanne! belated...but beloved, for sure. xoxo.

if you'd like, visit me and mary at t.ruffles. she also hangs up heaps of beauty here and here. if you're ever looking for nonsense and/or a complete lack of capital letters and proper punctuation, you're always welcome at mackin ink. see you around, and xoxo to you all.

{ small talk: sophie & lili }

2009-11-17T10:06:00.000-08:00

These handmade dolls by Sophie & Lili might just be one of the

cutest things I've even. I love their stylish little outfits and the fact that

you can personalize them with the name of your choosing.

You can purchase these cuties here and here and learn more about how they're made here.

{ thursday thoughts }

2009-11-12T10:39:00.000-08:00

via imgfave

{ window shopping: ink & button }

2009-11-10T15:39:00.000-08:00

Love these "fascinators" from

the new + adorable Ink & Button Shop.

I'll take one in each color please.

Be on the look out for Lisa's

sweet headbands in future shop updates.

Thank you all for the thoughtful birthday wishes--I'm so lucky to have such amazing readers!

{ 29...again! }

2009-11-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

all my wishes come true!

P.S. So happy to learn that my sweet imaginary friend and I share the same day. Please make sure to wish her a happy, happy day!!!

{ caught on film: photographer, irene nam }

2009-11-06T09:24:00.000-08:00

I was in need of a little mental escape today...

Irene Nam's portfolio whisked me away to two of my most favorite places. Just what I needed. Paris & Venice... as magical as my memories of them.

Have a lovely weekend everyone. What are you up to? We have lots of kiddo activities...soccer, ballet, and Brownies. Looking forward to it. See you all on Monday. xxoo

P.S. I love her blog too.

{ thursday thoughts }

2009-11-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

spotted here

{ window shopping: tiny toadstool }

2009-11-04T10:23:00.000-08:00

Seriously adorable handcrafted woolen goods from new {to me} etsy shop, tiny toadstool.

Love the intricate, custom details.

{ a sweet surprise: t.ruffles }

2009-11-03T13:18:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't heard the BIG news (which seems to be all over the blogosphere and twitterverse today)...two of my favorite girls, Karey & Mary, have joined their mighty super powers to create a brilliant new blog, T.Ruffles...candy for your soul. If you know these lovely ladies, then you can imagine that any kind of collaboration between the two of them would be positively scrumptious! But don't take my word for it...grab your sweet tooth and skip on over there now!

{ celebrating the little things }

2009-11-02T12:43:00.000-08:00

After discovering this gated entry while walking my daughter to school today, I had to smile. I've walked past this spot hundreds of times and never noticed it. That I also happened to have my camera with me made it all the sweeter. It seemed serendipitous after giving myself a much needed attitude adjustment yesterday...one of those "Snap out of it!" moments if you will. The start of a new month seemed like the perfect opportunity for a fresh perspective and I vowed to find the good in each and every day. Who knew it could be found in a weathered gate?

P.S. Karey's bits of magic were the icing on the cake!

{ happy halloweekend }

2009-10-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is moi in the bunny costume...circa 1970s something. I absolutely loved celebrating Halloween as a child, didn't you? My mom made all of my costumes and I vividly remember each one. This year, my daughter's going to be an astronaut thanks to our amazing visit this summer to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.

What are your halloween plans...I'd love to hear about your and/or your kiddos' costumes. Whatever your plans...enjoy!!!

{ thursday thoughts }

2009-10-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

via jolie marie

Psst: Have you seen these little gems yet? I absolutely love the idea. I think everyone on my Christmas list will be receiving one this year.

{ life...unplugged }

2009-10-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

It's amazing what can happen when the power goes out for a couple of hours...

bigger

I'm reminded of the importance of creating unplugged time every once in awhile. It's not always as easy as it sounds, but the payoff is priceless!

{ perpetually perfect... }

2009-10-27T14:14:00.001-07:00

I tweeted*** about this project earlier, but it's just too good to not also share it here. I've gushed about these talented lovebirds before, but I think their latest creation is my absolute favorite. Using photos they took from their travels and brief residence in Paris earlier in the year, Nichole and Evan Robertson from Little Brown Pen created this amazing perpetual calendar. You can purchase it from their shops here and here and also learn about the creative process via their blog (that they took the time to share the details with us makes me love them even more). Enjoy!

***P.S. Are you on Twitter? If so, I'd love to connect with you. You will often find me sharing some my favorite finds there as well.