Point of View.

 The other day, thanks to a friend the LM skates with, I was able to get a glimpse of what it's like to be a six year old skater. Seeing things from his point of view was a wow moment for me. 

It's almost like he is an artist, and the park is his canvas. What a cool feeling that must be. Even though he sometimes drives me insane, I sure do love being this kid's mom. 

Current Lust Item: Carter Kustera Portraits.

 The plan for our soon to be guest room is almost done, and at this point I'm just waiting on Gray to make the move to his big boy bed (more on this later.) The one thing that is undecided is the age old, "to wallpaper or not to wallpaper?" I come from the school of, anything is better with wallpaper, whereas my husband just hears the words wall+paper together and cringes. 

When it comes to our guest room, I go back and forth. Yes, it would be amazing in this print and it would add so much character to the room. On the other hand, this isn't our forever home, and given how high the ceilings are, this would not be a cheap addition. Plus, it's a guest room, and we really don't have that many visitors, so why break the bank there? You see what I'm doing here, don't you? Yes, I think I might be trying to talk myself out of it all together.

 Either way, the room will most definitely need a new coat of paint, I'm thinking this, and there is quite a bit of wall space that needs to be filled. I'd love to do a gallery wall, similar to this one, but I feel like a guest room should probably err on the cleaner side, kind of like a hotel. Which brings me to my current lust item for the room, Carter Kustera custom portraits of the boys. Ever since I first saw them in the showroom of Jonathan Adler, I have been obsessed, and after they popped up again up in the dining room below (still my favorite home tour ever) I knew I wanted to find a way to incorporate them in to my home. We are pretty low on wall space at this point, so the guest room would definitely be the perfect spot for these guys. The more I think about, the more confident I am that this is the way to go. 

I really love how people use this prints pretty much everywhere, from the kitchen to the nursery, and of course, the dining room. I also think it would be fun for the boys to have these in their own homes down the road.

I know they aren't cheap, but I really think they would make a big impact in the room, and definitely have more value than a few rolls of wallpaper. 

 ... and I think I might have just made up my mind.

Wardrobe Essentials: Save, Crave, Investment #6

Thinking about it, the chambray shirt probably should have been #1 on my wardrobe essentials list. I'm slightly embarrassed about how many times a week that I wear mine, I have to wonder if the teachers at the kid's schools think I only have one shirt to my name! It really is the perfect layering piece and you can wear it with anything and everything, from leather leggings, to a maxi shirt. With a sequin pencil skirt or a pair of denim cutoffs. The list is endless. Unlike a T-shirt, the chambray shirt gives instant style, and the the comfort factor alone is what keeps me grabbing for it day after day. If you don't have this staple in your wardrobe, you might want to reconsider that one. Your weekends will never be the same again! Here is a little chambray inspiration, and the most perfect shirt ever created. 

I know I usually give you all three options for the "essentials" but guys, when it comes to the perfect chambray shirt, there is no better one than this guy from J. Crew. It really is the best. At 78 bucks it's a crave/save/investment all in one. I have worn mine so much it's almost see thru from being washed so much. Next time J. Crew has a sale, you can bet this is going to be in my shopping cart!

source

Serena and Lily, Build a Bed.

Confession: Sometimes I lie awake at night obsessing over design decisions, usually bedding and paint related, until I get so crazed in my own head that I finally fall asleep. Part of it is because I am a little crazy, and the other part is because I really (really) like patterns, and sometimes what I think will look good in my head, doesn't always look as good in person. Because I am a 100 percent online shopper, this means my local UPS store has me on speed dial, and I'm not going to lie, I have a small closet full of fabrics that are waiting for a good home. Preferably in my future house. 

This is why I was so excited when I stumbled upon the Make Your Own Bed feature over at Serena and Lily. Earlier in the day, I had received an email that they are having their friends and family sale right now, and I'm still deciding what sheets I want to get for our guest room. A while back, during another sale, I purchased the Catalina duvet cover, and I've just been trying to nail down the wallpaper before I finish buying for the room. While on the site, I found this this new feature, and I swear it was made for people like me!!! (Does this mean I'm not the only one?) I love that you get to "try" everything out first, and unlike a mood board, you can see what the actual final product will be. If only every site did this, I swear I would never make a return again! 

Below are a few options I created, and I'm kind of partial to the bottom two. I love that you can try combinations you never considered and that all the inventory is laid out on one page. I have a feeling that I'm going to be playing with this for the next few days. 

They even let you design kid's beds (my favorite!) For fun, I put together a bed perfect for a big boy room, and a girl's bed that has me rethinking that whole no more kids policy. ;)

Such a great tool, right? That plus the 20% off means they are pretty much killing it right now! 

... and now I'm going back to making beds!

The New/ Old Cut.

 Stop me if you heard this one before. 

Friday, on a whim, I popped in to my hairdressers, and without hesitation I pleaded with him to chop all my hair off. Okay, not all off, but definitely a good amount (3 inches to be exact) and given that my hair was already above my shoulders... for me, this was a pretty big deal! I know, I know, I tend to have a love hate relationship with my hair, and I'm starting to realize that nothing gives me more of a thrill than dreaming of the perfect cut or color change, obsessing about it for days/weeks and then going for it! But, what I've found is that a few weeks later I'm already a bit bored of it, and the cycle starts again. This, my friends, is why I probably shouldn't get any more tattoos. I swear it's the same thing!

When I came home with my freshly cut do, I knew I was in love, but I still had to laugh when my husband told me that I basically had the same cut that I've had on and off for the last 12 years. I tried to argue with him, but while washing my hair that evening, I realized that he had a point. Yes, it's kind of the same below the chin length bob that I somehow always end up with after spending years growing my hair out, but I swear this one just feels different. Most definitely more modern than the bob of yesteryear. Perhaps its the ombre, which is finally exactly how I wanted, or the middle part that five years ago I wouldn't have dared trying out, and the blunt ends are something I never had at this length before. I'm sure I'm slightly more in to given that everyone, everywhere is chopping their hair, and really they all look so much better. Who knew?  Or maybe, in the end, it's just that this is the best haircut for my thin(ish) hair and even though I grit my teeth when I hear the word "bob" it's what I should probably keep forever. Well, that or the next 6 months, which in my world might as well be forever. 

So, without further ado, the new/old cut. The best part? No blowdrying necessary. 

I really love this cut, so please please, when I get itchy for a change, can someone please reach through the screen and give me a good shake? We all know it's bound to happen one of these days!

Weekend Links.

 

Happy Friday! What are you all doing this weekend? We have three, yes three! birthday parties to attend for boys from the LM's school, and although it's not exactly how I would like to spend the next two days, I'm psyched that he's making new friends! I can't wait to "meet" them in person and finally put some faces with all the names we've been hearing about for the last few weeks. 

I wish you all a fantastic weekend! Here are a few links from around the web to get this party started! (pun intended, of course ;) See you all next week!

A great song on this rainy afternoon.

Adorable cookies for Fall.

... and I'm downloading all of these right now.

I'm "officially" 1/4 through my novel, or 21,000 words in, to be exact. I'm making this my new background to keep me motivated.

I would love nothing more in life than to be able to take awesome pictures of my kids and my home. Armed with this clip and my iPhone, I'm determined to make that happen!

I'm totally over the EAT letters in my kitchen, and instead I'm going to recreate this down the wall... on the cheap of course. I'll post pictures when I'm done!

I'm in the process of helping my sister rejuvenate her new/old home she shares with her boyfriend. I have a feeling this Ikea hack sheet is very much going to come in handy!

My husband is turning 38 next week! Is it wrong that I want to give him this hilarious gift?

I'm not usually a milkmaid braid fan, but I'm thinking I need to re-think my stance on that! Classic beauty!

'Tis the time of year!

I so, so, so, SO want to do a room/ bathroom/ closet in this. someday.

This is AWESOME! I've got to get all the grandparents in our family in on it!

I hate to admit it, but Gwyneth really did it, with this bag and those felix ankle boots. I want both, very very badly.

Speaking of fashion, my absolute favorite place to shop is BACK and their website/blog is up and running again. If you've never been to Dress, you have to pop in!

P.S. No spoilers here, but I can't even begin to tell you how insanely happy the Breaking Bad series finale made me. It almost, almost, made up for the travesty that was Dexter. Now, what to do with those extra two hours each week? Oh yeah, Homeland and Parenthood are back! I'm pretty sure I would be lost without quality television to get me through the week.

(Photo via Martha Stewart)

Our Favorite Children's Books.

 Around the time school started, something magical happened in our house. At night, after dinner and baths, BOTH of our kids decided that they wanted nothing more than to sit and read books on the sofa with us. Usually for as long as we are willing to do so. Prior to the birth of Gray, this was something we did every night, but I have to admit that this tradition got lost in the mix the two years that followed.

 Until recently, most nights I would climb in bed with the LM and read to him, while my husband would try to corral Gray long enough for us to get through at least a book or two. Sure we would "read" to Gray, but I have to be honest, he was usually happier throwing the book than listening to it, and any books that he would want to read were too "baby" for the LM (his words, of course.)

 Over the Summer I did a large book and toy purge, while prepping the boy's room for the makeover, and I tried to pull out all the books that the LM really, really loved for the past few years. It's not surprising that Gray too started to love these books, and by having his old favorites on hand, the LM has become incredibly excited about sharing these with his baby brother. Sure, we still try to sneak in our Harry Potter time, but most nights I let each boy pick out one book, and then we all decide on one book together (usually a new library book.) I've noticed a trend over the last few weeks, that the boys tend to gravitate to books in the same series over and over. Some of it has to do with the content (trucks, superheros, etc) but more so I think it has to do with the fact that these are just really good books. I never tire of reading them, and the boys rarely tire of hearing them. For you seasoned parents out there, most of these will not some as a surprise, but for you newbies, or those looking for gifts, here are the book series that get 4 thumbs up from my little guys (mom and dad too.)

Awesome Man is by far the LM's most favorite book. The second in the series Bumblebee Boy is great for those with siblings!

From day one, any and every Leslie Patricelli book has been a hit in our house. I'm pretty sure we own every book she's ever written. Yummy Yucky has to be the house favorite, followed closely by No No. Yes Yes. Gray probably asks to read it no less than 15 times a day!

I Stink is a story about a garbage truck. I'm not exactly sure what the allure is, but every kid I know who's read it, loves it. There are two other books in the series I'm Mighty and I'm Dirty.

Knuffle Bunny is by far my favorite children's book EVER. So is pretty much every other Mo Willems book, but Knuffle Bunny takes the cake. There are three book in the series, and we usually have to read them all once we get started. I still get teary at the end of book three!

I have to say I will buy any and every book that Todd Parr writes. The man is a genius when it comes to explaining "big" things to children in a way they can easily comprehend. The Family Book is forever on the top of my reading list, followed closely by The Earth Book. If you have yet to crack open this series, I say run to your local library now!

What about you all? Do you have any books your kids can't get enough of? I'd love to hear!

6 Favorite Fall Soups.

 For me, the minute that the temperature falls below 70 degrees, I have only one thing on my mind when it comes to dinner. Soup, soup and more soup.  Not only is it warm and filling at the end of a cold day, but it makes for such an easy evening in our house when I am able to prepare things ahead of time. Of course, there are about 100,000 soup recipes out there, but these 6 have been used over and over by our family, and always get two thumbs up. We only eat fish, so these soups don't include any meat, but you could easily sneak some chicken in to any one of them! 

White Bean and Broccoli

Apple and Butternut Squash

Red Lentil Dahl (technically not a soup, but I serve it as such)

Vegetarian Crockpot Chili (same as above)

Chicken and Shrimp Udon Soup (I omit the chicken)

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

I had meant to post this last week, when we were in the throws of some Fall like weather and I realize that right now it is more like Summer outside, so just file this one away for another week or so. It is New England, and you all know this is just the beginning of a long cold season! Eek.

Currently.

Oops. I did that damn disappearing thing again, didn't I? This time I really have no excuse, so instead I'll fill you in on what we've been up to.

On Thursday, my husband took the LM down to Maryland for some fishing (they caught 41 fish!!!) and the little guy and I were left to spend our days alone, which meant we were able to do a lot of catching up with our friends who we don't see nearly enough! On Friday, I spent the day with my beautiful god daughter who is already 3 months old (!!!) and then again on Saturday, I was able to sneak in some more snuggles. Since we knew the big boys would be away, I convinced my SIL to come up from NYC for a little shopping excursion, and we happily passed  the weekend drinking wine, chatting, and enjoying the silence that comes with having only one child! Sunday, the boys came back, and we hit the ground running, getting back in to the swing of things. I'm not going to lie, having only one kid to deal with all day sure was a lot easier than the two, but I missed my little man so much, I'm not sure he will be allowed to leave my sight again anytime soon. 

I hope you all had a great weekend. Here is a look at the week that was! xx

Our little country boy!

Cuteness overload!

Gray continues to melt me every chance he gets...

... and this kid is just so much fun!

We even had a glimpse of Fall, which has given way to some Summer like days. I, for one, am not complaining!