spotlight: loley's & co

Another fabulous Etsy find...

(Vintage Necklace from Loley's & Co.)

I was really drawn to this lovely strand of gray, yellow and black vintage beads and baubles. And who can resist that darling owl?

deep thoughts - on a tuesday

To say that I have a lot of time to think these days would be an understatement. I'm awake more hours now than I think I ever have been, and there's nothing like a middle of the night feeding session in a dark, quiet nursery to get your mind a-wandering.

Anyhoo, my latest from last night's wee hours is that there should really be trick-or-treating for grown ups. Think about it... all of us "big kids" can go out house to house and get little glasses of wine and tasty hors de'ouvres as we go. No costumes necessary.

How do we get this ball rolling?

design inspiration: french bedroom

So dreamy...

I am loving this charming French bedroom inspiration found at Marie Claire Maison.

I've always wanted a lovely old armoire for our bedroom, and was reminded again just how much when I spied this photo. Think of all the stuff you could stash in there. It's huge!

The muted tones, shuttered windows and exposed beam ceiling make this rustic bedroom truly remarkable (and unforgettable).

i want it now: pampering

To say I could use a little pampering would be an understatement. So it's no wonder that these bath products from Terrain look so delightful. Borderline sinful.

(Lavender Milk * Bath Soak * Lavender Sachets * Mud Masque and Brush)

I'm going to go daydream about a quiet bath now...

spotlight: heart of light's etsy shop

Oh my gosh. I adore everything in this shop.

Especially these...

(Eat Napkins)

(Navy Rosebud Belt)

(Forest Green Rosebud Corsage)

Heart of Light will definitely be one of go-to shops this gift-giving season.

(Is it really almost that time of year already?)

a message for mom

Today is a special day.
It's my mom's birthday!

Henry and Amelia have a little message for her...

Happy Birthday, Mom.
We love you with all our hearts. ;)

i want it now: ladybug pillow

I want to get a second pillow for our nursery rocker, and I think this is the one!
Isn't it great?

(Ladybug Pillow from Linea Carta, $28)

It's going to look wonderful with our Je t'aime pillow from Reverie Daydream -- that I love love love!

insta-poll: which sneakers?

I think flip-flop season is just about officially over, and I want to get a new pair of sneaks to kick around in for the fall. I've narrowed my search down to two pairs:

(Tretorn Canvas Sneakers, $68, at J.Crew)

(Jack Purcell Distressed Sneakers, $$65, at J.Crew)

Which do you think I should get?

they're HERE!

Our little ones have arrived, and I'm proud as can be to introduce them to you.

Big brother, Henry Wallace, was born on September 11 at 9:22 AM, and his little sister, Amelia Jane, came just four minutes later at 9:26. Both are healthy and doing just great.

Words can't express how amazing it is to have these precious little beings home with us, and I can feel my love for them growing deeper each day.

Here are a couple pictures from our first week at home. Enjoy!

just a little update

Hi All!

Sorry I haven't written anything these past few days. I started my maternity leave on Monday (nope, no babies yet), and well, to be honest, I just haven't really felt like sitting down to my computer. And I can't think of anything to write about, to boot! So I figure it's better to just go a few days and collect some ideas than to put pointless posts up just for the sake of posting.

So, anyhoo... I'll be back!

Hope all is well and that you're enjoying the start of September!
xo, Kristin

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To think that three years ago we were sitting here at this little Florence cafe sending postcards to family and friends over {many} glasses of wine...

Have a good weekend
and see you next week!

xo, Kristin

i want it now: peanut erasers

Love these...

(Peanut Erasers, $5.50/pack of 5)

Check out more super cool gadgets, gizmos and gotta-haves from Black Ink.
Lucky for us who are not in the Boston area, they do have an online shop!

design inspiration: powder room

I love all the pretty details in this powder room...

(via Home Sweet Home)

The bright yellow carved mirror, the button & bead knobs and the pom-pom fringed towel make the small space special.

happy anniversary, honey!

Three years simply flew by.

And I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend it than with you by my side.

(Here we are on our honeymoon outside of the Uffizi Palace in Florence.)

you are going to love this

Some people are just so darn clever...



I could watch it over and over!

Thanks, Megan!

(via Thoughtful Day)

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Another weekend is upon us! Hooray!
Are you up to anything fun and exciting?

Have a good one, and see you next week.
xo, Kristin

(Watering Cans by Bucks County Frames)

I just like this picture. It made me smile.

spotlight: lilla lotta

I can't believe the kiddos are heading back to school (at least around these parts).

Look how cute it would be to pack their lunches in these delightful (reusable) fabric bags!

(Yum Bag in Pink * Yum Bag in Blue)

Lilla Lotta has the best Etsy shop... full of great handmade goodies. Take a peek!

design inspiraton: doily love

Some eye candy for your Thursday.

I love the soft, heirloom quality of this bedspread bedecked with doilies at the foot.

(via Dear World, You're Pretty!)

spotlight: nifty kidstuff

A cute fabric baggie full of five wee animal finger puppets = hours of fun!

I love the monkey...

(Happy Fun Finger Puppets)

Be sure to check our her shop for more handmade fabric goodies!

favorite things from a to z

(warning: lots of words, no pictures)


Just a few things that make me happy...


Anthropologie, "Annie", homemade apple crisp, AG Jeans (definitely my favorite fit; I can't wait to wear jeans again!)

vintage buttons, bubbles, ooey-gooey brownies, brunch with friends, blogs (from where else would I get all this inspiration?), Bleeding Heart Bakery blueberry scones

cardigans, christmas carols, C.O. Bigelow mentha lip gloss, crooner music, vintage cake stands, cupcakes, chocolate mousse, cookbooks, chesterfield sofas, cheese popcorn, camp fires, the board-game Clue

date nights with wade, dove chocolate, dark wood floors, dairy queen, diet coke from out of the fountain

etsy

farmer's markets, fortune cookies, flip flops, fonts, fireflies, flea markets

glazed linen, grilled cheese sandwiches, gummy bears, giggling babies, ghost stories

our honeymoon in Italy, hammocks, Hariboo raspberries, historical fictions, havarti cheese with dill

ice cream, Italian food, interior design books

Judy Blume's "Just As Long As We're Together," Jack-o-Lanterns, costume jewelry, J. Crew

kookaburra licorice

letterpress, lilacs, lulu, lazy weekends, libraries, "Love Actually," La Cucina handsoap, lilies of the valley

antique milk glass, milkshakes, monograms, my Michelle watch, memoirs, Michael by Michael Kors perfume

naps, Nestle Flips (chocolate covered pretzels)

otters, christmas ornaments, Oberweis dark chocolate ice cream

peonies, peanut butter m&m's, polaroid pictures, petit fours, photobooths, pop-up books, parmesan cheese, Painted Lady boutique in Chicago

handmade quilts

ruffles, homemade rice pudding, Real Simple magazine, running

free samples at Trader Joe's, stationary, stripes, s'mores, sundresses, sparklers, sharpies, strawberries, scarves, Sweet Mandy B's (the best cupcakes in Chicago!), spooky movies, "Sixteen Candles"

turtlenecks, Turtle Sundaes from Scooter's

ultrasound pictures of our babies!, Up in the Air Somewhere handmade pottery

homemade valentines, violets, Vinho Verde from Trader Joe's, vanilla steamers

Wellies, "When Harry Met Sally," white interiors, words to live by

"Young Frankenstein," yoga, "You've Got Mail"

(sorry, I can't think of any x's.... or z's.)


How about you? What are some of your favorites?

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Thanks for visiting and leaving your sweet comments. It means so much.

Have a lovely weekend and see you next week!
xo, Kristin

(Restaurant Kasbah by Opart)

Just a pretty pink picture to sweeten your day!

belly shot: 32 weeks

I haven't done any belly shots to date, and I figured I'd better at least show you one. Here I am at 32 weeks with twins.

Only 6 weeks to go!*

*Our doctor told us that they'll let us go as long as 38 weeks... god willing, we get that far!

design inspiration: black and white

I'm not usually a fan of black and white interiors. I think it's because a lot of the time they're done in a very glitzy, glammed up way, which definitely isn't my style.

But this room.
Oh boy, I sure do like this.

(Via Look Mom)

This is neither glitzy nor glam.
To me, it is perfect.

i want it now: boden accessories

Some brightly colored accessories that are perfect for fall...

(Patent Buckle Flats and Spotty Wool Scarf)

house love

What a dreamy old house...
I can just imagine what it looks like on the inside.

I love love love that Isabelle at Dos Family calls it Villa Villekulla...

because it totally made me think of Pippi, too!

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Have a wonderful weekend, All!

I'll be running to the theater to see "Julia & Julia."
What are your plans?

See you next week!
xo, Kristin

(LOVE this... The Rush by Courtney Hood)

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller

I can't believe John Hughes passed away yesterday.

I don't know about you, but as a child growing up in the 80's, his movies gave me countless hours of entertainment. (They still do!) And they just made me look forward to being a teenager.

Thanks, John, for the great movies.

And for Jake Ryan.

design inspiration: danish style

What a great room.

I LOVE that patchwork ottoman...

(From Emma's Design Blog)

spotlight: addison ava knot dress

This little knot dress is cute as can be!
I {heart} the coordinating Amy Butler fabrics...

(Nola Knot Dress by Addison Ava, $32)

Available at Paper 'N Stitch and Etsy.

spotlight: pillow love by oromono

These pillows by Oromono are fantastic.
Love the ruffly details...

(Top: Rouch Pillow in Charcoal; Bottom: Frill Pillow in Elephant)

Available at Burke Decor.

monday mornings

Oh boy, am I getting off to a slow start today.

It all started with the perfect morning, actually. The kind where the cool breeze was blowing in just the right way so that we had to pull the blankets up under our chins. I just laid in my cozy bed listening to the birds outside and cuddling with Lulu and Wade. Our bed was so warm and cozy and peaceful... no one wanted to get up!

And now I'm just moving in slo-mo. I wish I could crawl back in bed!

(The Window II by Jersey Maids)

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I cannot believe it's the last day of July already! Yikes.

Enjoy your weekend!
xo, Kristin

(Brand New Day by Photo Valle)

I really like Natalia's photography. It's carefree and magical.
Check out more here.

things i'm loving from around the web

This clock!

I love the bright red finish and the modern styling. What you don't see (I wish there was a picture!) is that it actually opens as a hiding place for keys, sunglasses, your dog leash, or more! And it's magnetized, so you can hang little clips and notes as well. It can be hung on the wall or set on a tabletop. I love it!

(PS Clock from Ikea. Only $30!)

A booklet of 30 pages of iron-on fabric transfers from British design studio Sukie. I can already picture how adorable a few of our plain white onesies would look spruced up with some of these delightful designs!

(Sukie Iron-On Transfers. Available here. $10)

Do we think this would suffice for a diaper bag? I am loving the bright color and patent-y finish of this purple-trimmed backpack from Boden.

(Autumn Rucksack in Moss. $88)

spotlight: jolie berry

Know what's super fun about having twins on the way?
Getting to ooh and aah over baby girl AND baby boy clothes!

(Sweet Baby Daisy Set and Sweet Baby Henry Set)

The cuteness factor on these sets is irresistible.

crafting: homemade muffins/gift boxes

Remember when I posted about this craft project here?

Well, look what I made last weekend!


The second of my four (!!!) baby showers was Saturday, and as a little thank you to my dear friends who hosted, I made some homemade blueberry and strawberry muffins and put them in these circle and square boxes decorated with fabric flowers.

I think they turned out quite lovely. ;)

design inspiration: rustic cottage kitchen

Check out this very cool, very rustic cottage kitchen.

(Torn from one of last summer's issues of House Beautiful)

A charming retreat with bluestone floors, cabinets made from old fencing, and fresh white walls. The vintage industrial pendant lights and old truck springs cum counter stools are a great (and unexpected) contrast to all the old wood.

This is definitely the sort of casual, livable weekend house that beckons you to put your feet up and relax. Aah...

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When it's summer, it just seems like every day should be Saturday.

Have a great weekend,
and see you next week!

xo, Kristin

(Pink Bike by The Bucks County Frame & Moulding Co.+)

Check out the rest of the amazing photography collection!

spotlight: little pink house

Here is a great gift idea!

Each handmade 10" hoop features a custom-made felt portrait of a home that the artist copies from a photograph you send in to her. She'll personalize it however you like -- and will add in any special details you want to see.

(Little City Hoop by Little Pink House)

spotlight: clementine handmade jewelry

These earrings are really quite lovely...

(Snow Blossom Earrings by Clementine)

There are so many lovely pieces to fill your jewelry boxes. Check them out here!

design inspiration: gray & white kitchen

Some people might look at this and say, 'gray and white? boring boring boring.'
But I look at it and say, 'ahhh... perfection.'

(Kitchen on Delikatissen)

I simply must someday live in a house that I can put beadboard in so that I too can have a lovely, understated kitchen like this.

I found my way over to Delikatissen from none other than Mary. What would I do without her?

spotlight: moozle home

Remember when I was swooning over this playroom here?
Well, look what I found!

(Tee Pee by Moozle Home)

This is just too cool for school.

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I hope you spy something so lovely this weekend that it stops you in your tracks.

Have a great one and see you next week!
xo, Kristin

(Shed by Simple Moth on Flickr)

on my bookshelf: beach cottages

How wonderful it would be to call a beach house home.

Since I'm not planning on moving to the coast any time soon and I definitely don't have any extra money lying around to buy a cottage, I'll just have to live vicariously through the pages of the wonderful book, "Beach Cottages" by Mary Emmerling.

(This isn't technically on my bookshelf yet, but I plan to add it soon!)

Order online here.

recycled glass tumblers

Check out these very cool glass tumblers made from recycled pop bottles.

With these, you can pat yourself on the back for being eco-conscious (they are recycled glass after all!) and you get a set of four super-cute, one-of-a-kind glasses!

(Set of 4 Clear Pop tumblers in assorted "flavors", $32)

design inspiration: laura resen interiors photography

I can't get enough of the beautiful interior shots by photographer Laura Resen.

Such wonderful eye candy in each and every one...

(This living room looks cool yet cozy, well designed yet lived in. I'm loving the stacks of books on the cabinet and the way the art is hung sort of randomly - though I'm sure lots of thought went into it. And of course, how can I resist white floors?)


(Hello lovely! The planked wood ceiling and old farmhouse style furniture beckons you sit down and stay a while. How wonderful is that ceiling pendant?)


(Dreamy and breezy, this bedroom sitting area epitomizes casual comfort. That slipcovered wing chair looks so cozy to curl up in with a good book, and the big leafy print on the ottomans is fantastic-ly unexpected.)


(Ok, this might seem a little odd to some to highlight as an interiors shot since a) it's outside and b) there's really not much interior to be seen at all, but what I'm really liking and totally inspired to copy is the use of butterfly chairs on the porch. They're lightweight, comfy and stow away in a pinch. Why didn't I think of this for our deck furniture?)

I have no idea who styled these shots or designed these rooms, but he/she/they certainly deserve a big pat on the back.

Once again, via Mary Ruffle. She really finds the most amazing inspiration, no?

spotlight: trace my face

How stunning is this?

To me, it is perfect.

(First Bloom of Spring Necklace by Trace My Face)

See more goodies at her Etsy shop here.

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I couldn't have said it better myself...

Have a great weekend, All!
And see you next week.
xo, Kristin

(Daydream by Susannah Tucker)

And seriously, check out the rest of Susannah's shop... her photography is amazing!

design inspiration: dreamy bedroom

What an idyllic escape...

I can picture a whole scene where this room would fit perfectly...

The master suite of a lakeside cottage. Imagine rolling out of bed in the early morning, walking over to the beautiful window and peering out to see the sun rising over a calm lake. Knowing that you don't have a care in the world today... only to relax and take in the beauty of nature.

(Tudor Style Country Bedroom at Canadian House & Home)

design inspiration: swedish simplicity

I've been oohing and aahing over this lovely Swedish country room.

Less certainly is more here with the mix of a naturally bleached wood floor and understated yet elegant furniture. The white painted paneled walls are a great backdrop to a simple plate collection.

Lovely!

(Room Inspiration at Marie Claire Maison)

anthro wish list

There's still more to love at Anthropologie.

I've drooled all over the July catalog...

(Sunlit Angles Sheath)

(Lilac Ombre Heels)

(Inverness Trench and Crewelwork Bag)