BRB

Hi guys.  I am taking a short break from blogging.  I will be back around Labor Day.  I have been really under the weather and have a full to do list, a really cute baby that is walking everywhere and some other changes on the horizon.  Just need a little bit of time to catch my breath.  

Be back soon!

Sorry

Good morning.  Sorry for the lack of a real post.  I am seriously under the weather and fighting my way back.  Here's some inspiration I found on Pinterest to brighten your day.

Source: blog.modcloth.com via Laura on Pinterest

Back to the Dorm

Have I ever mentioned how much I loved college.  I love love loved it.  I remember moving into my dorm room every year and decorating it.  There are so many more cute things now that I wish I had to stock my tiny little room.  Here are some things I picked out for those heading back to school soon...

Baggu baggies to store everything imaginable from See Jane Work.  Cloud bulletin board from See Jane Work.  Jonathan Adler makes this adorable miniature tools for quick fixes including a hammer, screwdriver and tape measure.  This might be cutest thing ever.  I remember my college had rules about putting holes in the walls and we all just laughed.  I remember my Dad wielding a concrete drill one fall and I of course just filled in the holes with toothpaste before moving out.  :)  Sarah Pinto planners are so super cute especially the union jack.  I love these boxes from SCOUT available at See Jane Work.  Great for files, dirty laundry or just moving in and out.  I could not help but post the precious owl pencil cup from Anthro.  

Sigh.  I miss college...

Another Want

I am in love with Maybooks.  They make these precious personalized notebooks.  You can choose the background, color, monogram and style.  The options are endless.  

This is the one I designed.  I haven't ordered yet because I can't pick just one!

Source: maybooks.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Bouquets of Pencils

This time of year always makes me want to buy office supplies.  I absolutely love school and school supplies.  Here are some grown up supplies that I really need....

Pencil cup, desk organizer, file folders and organizer from See Jane Work.  Mousepad and Calendar from Anthro.  

On a Side Note

How cute were Princess Catherine and Prince William at the Olympics?  I just love them. 

Source: slideshow.msnbc.msn.com via sharon on Pinterest

The Gold

Source: bdghostriderz.com via Sally Rebecca on Pinterest

Ok I know that we are all sick of this poster but I thought this was cute.  I was really sad this weekend when the Olympics were officially over.  I really enjoyed these more than any other before.  London and the rest of the UK did an amazing job.  I was super proud of Team USA and all of the other inspiring athletes.  The Closing Ceremonies were even fun (minus the Spice Girls reunion) and I loved the Eric Idle portion.  I'm sad London isn't hosting again.  Truly a great games in every way. 

Did you enjoy the Olympics?  What events did you love?  I love swimming, beach volleyball, synchronized diving and women's gymnastics.


Completely off the subject... I am currently reading the last book in the Hunger Games series, Mockingjay.  I do not like it.... at all.  I really want to stop reading it.  Can I stop reading it and just find some summary online?  Did anyone else not like this book either?  I loved the first one obviously and Catching Fire was even better.  I really have disliked this book.  I'm about 1/4 of the way through.  Can I stop reading it or am I cheating myself if I stop reading?

Happy Week to everyone!

Fall Wardrobe

I love picking out E's clothes and I have picked out some precious items for fall.  Check out this cuteness...

Child's Room Perfection

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Tara on Pinterest

Happy Gifting

I love giving (and receiving) gifts that are unexpected but fabulous.  Here are a few of my favorite gifts to give right now.  

I love Jonathan Adler's menagerie pieces as baby gifts.  How awesome are these owl bookends?  that would be a totally unexpected baby gift.  I also love the platinum elephant bank and the giraffe nightlight that are gorgeous and memorable.  

I love Petunia Pickle Bottom and their new fall patterns are lovely like this satchel available from Layla Grayce.  

The fish rose bowl and zippered pouch are fun gifts from Kate Spade.  

Style Faves

I am in love with these pieces.  The sixties flats from Boden are so adorable and so classic.  The polka dot pumps from Kate Spade are so fun.  The top from Anthro is so fun for early fall.  

Tech Girl

I was looking around at Kate Spade this weekend and fell in love with their new tech items.  Check these out...

All from Kate Spade.  How awesome are these?!

Love It

Source: google.com via Quyen on Pinterest

August Faves

I'm craving blues and greens right now.  I think its the end of summer that draws me to darker colors that are still inspired by water.    I loved these blue and green finds. 

Earrings, Pillow, Dress & Cardigan from Anthro.  Necklace, Bag and Scarf from Kate Spade. 

Love This Room

Source: bhg.com via Ashley on Pinterest

My Wish List

I just love seeing fall collections come out and these are some things that have landed on my own wish list...

Bag, Dot Henley, Black Henley, Cardigan from J.Crew.  Dress from Boden.  Watch, Owl Rose Bowl, Earrings from Kate Spade.  Pillow from Anthro.  TOMS Zebra Classics.  

New TOMS!

I love E's new TOMS that I got in the mail today.  The new mary janes are so cute!

My New Facebook Cover

I Want to Live Here

Source: madelineweinrib.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Stars and Stripes!

So proud of Team USA this week.  I have really enjoyed these Olympics more so than any other.  Some stars and stripes inspiration via Pinterest. 

Source: sfgirlbybay.tumblr.com via J.Crew on Pinterest

Source: notetosarah.tumblr.com via J.Crew on Pinterest

Source: encoreuneminute.tumblr.com via Abbey on Pinterest

Obsession

If you follow me on Pinterest, you might have seen my recent repins of J.Crew covers.  If you don't follow me, you can here!  I just love them.  

Source: jcrew.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Favorite Toy?

Source: oaktreevintage.com via Jessica on Pinterest

What was your favorite toy as a child?  What toy do you really remember carrying around with you?

Mine was a cabbage patch kid named Patty.  This weekend we were shopping and I looked over and saw this...

It's Patty!  CBK released Vintage Cabbage Patch Kids and the box said "Commemorating 1983".  It really is Patty!  

Just a useless side note but I was shocked to see her sitting on the shelf 29 years later.  

Inferiority?

Again J.K. Rowling gives us some rules for life... 

Source: lostandfoundbailee.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Kelly, or No?

I have a question for all of you mommies out there.  Those of your particularly in the South.  What do you think of Kelly's Kids?

If you don't know it's a clothing line that carries girls and boys clothes.  Lots of appliques, monograms, etc.  It seems like people either love it or hate it.  I'm on the fence.  There are certainly precious outfits and a lot of their dresses and pants have landed on my shopping list for E's fall wardrobe but I hear so many people groan at the name Kelly's Kids.  

I have two complaints.  First up, monograms.  I don't love the quality of their monograms particularly when the monogram is the only detail on a shirt.  You can get away with a less that perfect monogram when its small but when its large and the only embellishment, you need to have a big thick monogram.  Also, I don't like that their limited monogram options.  My second complaint isn't their fault but is just overexposure.  I don't like things that are common.  It's a huge flaw of mine but if everyone likes it or has it, I am not interested.  It has cost me a lot in my life like reading the Hunger Games when it was first published.  :)  

Now that being said, several of their clothes have landed on my shopping list mainly one of their dresses in every color and pattern they have.  I do love this outfit which sadly isn't in E's size. 

How cute is this?!

Love this Backsplash!

Source: decorpad.com via Jessica on Pinterest

15 Months and Shopping Fun

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.  Friday night we ran a few errands, grabbed dinner and then watched the Opening Ceremony.  Did anyone else watch it?  What did you think?  

Source: google.com via Emily on Pinterest

I thought it was good.   It totally reminded me of this clip from 30 Rock, which is hilarious!  

I really liked how the opening ceremonies focused on Britain's contributions to the world (including music and I will admit the UK contributes about 80% of the music on my iPod) and the beginning was awesome.  I loved Kenneth Branaugh reading the excerpt from The Tempest.  

Saturday, we had lots of errands to run but it was fun to spend the day with my husband and E.  I picked up E some fall clothes and my husband got some much needed goodies at his favorite running store.  He's training for his second half marathon and I'm so proud of him.  

On my former blog, I got a question once about how much of the things I featured on my blog did I purchase.  Since I post about so many things, I don't buy all or even most of them.  I am the absolute opposite of a hoarder so I don't buy a lot of random things although I do buy 99% of the children's clothes I feature.  

I did want to share some things I actually did buy and I am loving lately.  

First up, is this Pantone board book I picked up at B&N (available here from Amazon).  It's a Pantone Board Book which includes all different shades of yellow, red, pink, purple, blue, black, orange, etc.  Each page features an object and a color like red then the opposite page includes blocks of a dozen different shades of that color (rubberband pink, coral, etc.)  It's precious.  I love it. 

Next up, I have found the most perfect mascara ever.  It's called They're Real by Benefit.  I bought a $5 small tube at Sephora to throw in my purse and quickly found the tube drained.  I picked up the full sized version and I have to say this is it.  I was on the hunt for a great mascara and I have found it.  Available here at Amazon.

Finally, a glimpse at E who turned 15 months old this weekend.  Enjoying a refresher with Dad this weekend and enjoying brunch on Sunday. 

Wishing everyone happy Olympics watching and a safe week.  

What I Bought...

I am officially thinking about Christmas.  I know I know it's only July but I swear with our schedule there is no way I could get it all done if I didn't start early.  I did buy the first present of the year this week and I ordered E this book. 

A Christmas Carol!  It's one of the Baby Lit books I am always raving about.  They have Pride & Prejudice, Romeo & Juliet, Jane Eyre and Alice in Wonderland (click titles for links).  Their most recent releases were A Christmas Carol and Dracula.  I ordered Dracula but its not here yet.  I love these little board books and I thinking these will be my go to gifts for the little ones in my life this holiday season.  

So what about you?  Are you even thinking about Christmas?  Are you an early shopper or do you not start until the turkey leftovers are in the fridge?  What do you have your eye on for yourself or your little ones this season?

Simplicity

Source: thedesignfiles.net via Olivia on Pinterest

I love these simple, clean lines.  

Wishing you an organized Thursday!

More Crewcuts Inspiration

Source: jcrewaholics.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Cutting Up

Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I have to say again that I cannot wait until E can wear Crewcuts clothes.  I love love love their fall line. I will definitely be picking some up to save for next year.  Here are a few of my faves...

What A Happy Entry!

Source: bellemaison23.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Faves

A few of my favorites!

Lamp from Land of Nod.  Sweater and Clutch from J.Crew (I love dots can't you tell?!).  Socks from crewcuts.  Canvas buckets from Chewing the Cud.  

Pinterest Fave

Source: blog.urbanelectricco.com via Wendy on Pinterest

Weekend Review

Hi guys!  I hope everyone had a fun weekend.  We had a rare date night on Saturday and went to see the Dark Knight Rises, which I thought was a good ending to the series but as good as The Dark Knight.  I love the way the movie ended although I figured out two of the big twists before they happened so I think it was a tad predictable.  

I finished Catching Fire and started Mockingjay.  For those that don't know those are the second and third books in the Hunger Games trilogy.  I thought Catching Fire was excellent.   Mockingjay is slowing me down a bit but I will get through it.  

Of course I didn't take pictures but I found a healthy family tip and recipe I love.  Zucchini Fries!  I have been picking up zucchini at the Farmer's Market.  I slice the zucchini and toss it in egg and then a breading mixture of flour, panko, salt and pepper and then pan fry them.  They are excellent and while still fried a great french fry alternative.  

Ella had a good week.  She is now officially walking.  We had some smatterings of unassisted steps last month but now we finally have her walking a good distance although we have to force her.  Crawling is still her preferred method of transportation.  :)  She got her first temporary tattoo at her baby cousin's birthday.  It's Mickey Mouse so its wholesome and makes her look tough for a one year old.  She also learned to use the mouse and hung out into her toy bin.  

I am going to have a busy week at work so I wish everyone a happy and lovely week!

Back Yard

I have always wanted to do this for E somehow.  From Living, Etc. 

Source: picasaweb.google.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Rustic Dining Space

Source: milkandhoneyhome.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Bedroom Update

So as I said last week we have started working on our house again.  You can see the saga that was and is my house at my old blog Lavender and Lilies by clicking here.  

I decided to go room by room.  I started with the rooms that needed the least work and Ella's room was first (more on that tomorrow) followed by our dining room (still debating on curtains at the moment).  Next up was our bedroom.  I really want to take my time and build a great room we love.  We have never really put any work into our bedroom and so I really want to devote some time to it.  I couldn't photograph the whole room this weekend because of other projects but here is a shot of the first thing we did, which was to paint the walls.  

The room has been painted 4 times now.  First it was a mint green, then a dark dark dark chocolate brown, then Hopsack by Ralph Lauren and now its cumulus cloud by Martha Stewart.  Paint colors change a lot in my house because our house can be very dark.  This room has great windows but since we live so close to our neighbors we have to keep the windows closed a fair amount of the time.  The lighting in the room makes everything have a yellow tint so I tested several colors and finally settled on this paint color.  

I really do like it.  The room is so much brighter and bigger now.  

As for the remainder of the room... Our bed is custom and I love it.  Right now the headboard is just attached to a regular bed frame and we have a dust ruffle.  I really want to find a bedframe that has exposed legs so we can do away with a dust ruffle.  We also need several new pieces of bedding, new nightstands, a dresser, something for the end of the bed that will provide storage (would love to find an old trunk) and a chair and table for a sitting area.  My new project in the room is the ceiling and the moldings.  The moldings are in bad shape in certain parts of the room.  I have found some tutorials via Pinterest and I hope to tackle those soon.  The ceiling just needs to be sanded in some parts.  Then I want to add a ceiling medallion and a new light fixture.  I do not want anything really flashy although I considered buying the Makros pendant from Ikea and spray painting it cold like is seen below but I have decided against that.  I think something simple will do the trick just fine.  Any suggestions?

This room will take some time because I want to find pieces we love after we get the moldings fixed.  Eventually, we will have to replace the windows and the floors but that is a whole different to do list.  Sigh.  It just makes me tired thinking about it.  :) 

Loud Pop of Pattern

Source: decorology.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Boycots, Fortunes and a Random Rant

We had a fun weekend.  Friday night we went to dinner with my Dad and Ella had her first experience with Chinese food and got her first fortune cookie.  

Her fortune made me laugh because she's 1 and really doesn't have old friends.  

But look at this face...

Also, my niece competed in the Miss South Carolina pageant this weekend.  She did great but is not the new Miss SC.  We are all so proud of her for so many reasons in addition to the fact that she was in the pageant.  My true moment of pride I did not see but heard about from my mother in law.  My niece was asked who her favorite reality tv star was and she could not answer the question.  I loved it.  My honor student, full ride to college, basketball playing, sorority sister, volunteering at summer camps for disabled children niece could not answer the question and I loved it.  If I was a judge I would have given her the crown right then.  :)  

I was thinking about it and remembering that one of my most popular posts on my former blog was this one about my strong dislike of a certain reality TV family known as the Kardashians.  I remember seeing links to my post on twitter and facebook all day.  It turns out most of you despise them as well.

Now I will admit I have watched some reality shows.  In this day and age how can you avoid it but I mainly have stuck to competition shows like The Voice, etc.  I do like Guiliana and Bill too but they seem like good people who aren't doing ridiculous things just to get attention.

I also posted here about my fervent love of Jon Hamm who called them idiots.  Excuse the language but here's a screenshot.

Anyway, the Kardashian cot does continue and I hope you all remember the rules.  I was so proud of my sister who has purchased People magazine every week for the past 20 years resisted when one of them was on the cover.  She followed my rule that if the Kardashians are involved you don't buy, listen or watch it.  I still have faith that if we ignore them they will go away.  

Oh and I totally judge Oprah for interviewing them on OWN.  I have gone to desperate measures to make sure my DVR does not record their appearance on Oprah's Next Chapter because I do not want to contribute to any ratings that supports them.  I don't see why she interviewed them and how she thought they represented any ideal or set of values she wants to perpetuate.  I'd like to know what the thinking was.  I haven't watched it but I hope she lectured them or at least gave them judgmental stares. 

Anyway, that's my rant for Tuesday.  Thanks for listening!  Remember the Kardashian-cot lives on!