photo inspiration: jose picayo

The food shots by photographer Jose Picayo are fantastic! Left me drooling all over my keyboard.

For example...

Click here for more from his fabulous portfolio.

(There are some fabulous interiors shots, too. Yay for us!)

i want it now: box cover

I wasn't aware of just how much I loved linen, until I heard myself saying, "why, yes, I do need a tissue box cover" after spying these...

(Linen tissue covers by Pilo)

Gosh, I really do love linen. It's my most favorite fabric.

I first heard about Pi'Lo from the lovely Suann.

spotlight: noel young art

I am loving the whimsical, original artwork by Noel Young.

Someday when we move to a bigger house and Henry has his own room, I'd very much like to hang this on his wall...


(via Hygge & West)

gift idea: chocolate "olives"

Yummity yum. Here's a cute gift idea...

They look like black and green olives, but they're actually chocolate covered praline dragees from a famous French factory that started making sweet confections in the late 1800's.

A recipe that old? It's gotta be good!

("Olives" from Quel Objet)

spotlight: linda bloomfield ceramics

Some gorgeous, understated porcelain pieces from Linda Bloomfield...

(Mug* & Pouring Jug)

*check out the adorable knitted mug cozy, too!

design inspiration: bathroom edition

Two baths that brought on some serious design envy...

(Country Bath)

(Chalkboard Bath)

The first is a charming space replete with all of the delicious details that I love... time-worn antiques, neutral tones, and lots and lots of light.

And the second. Well, do I need to even say anything? There's a chalkboard door! With a quote by the Dr. S!! So clever. So charming. It's a delight to behold.


Both are from here.

gift idea: cashmere socks

Some stripey cozies for your toe-sies!


Available here.


*UPDATE* I got two pairs of these socks from Dear Hubby for Christmas, and they are even cuter in person. And just as cozy as I suspected...

spotlight: k studio

These customizable Family Series pillows from K. Studio are adorable.

And what a great gift idea, too!




Be sure to check out the rest of the shop for totes, wall art and more!

design inspiration: white fireplace

A lovely image for your Thursday...

(via Home Sweet Style)

I really like the arrangement of white pieces on the mantle. And very much wish I had a mantle so I could copy. ;)

a small miracle

Dinner. A well-rounded dinner. With a meat, a potato and a vegetable.

This, my friends, may seem like nothing, a what's-the-big-deal-? to you. But to me? A new mom to nine (going on ten!) week-old twins? Well, this is a miracle. A delicious, nutritious miracle.

I can't believe I actually had the time to make and eat dinner last night. With my husband eating at the same time. At an almost leisurely pace. And we almost finished our whole plates, too, before we were interrupted by Little Man. He wanted to eat too.

It's the little things, you know? ;)



In case you're wondering what's on the plate, we had turkey meatloaf (recipe from the Joy of Cooking, balsamic potatoes (recipe from Everyday Food) and green beans.

book club: weekend retreats

We went out for a walk this morning, and as we were walking up Southport, I couldn't resist the pull of Anthropologie. So we stopped in just for a bit.

I took a minute to page through this book, and now I definitely want to get it. From what I can tell, it's full of lovely photos that are the perfect inspiration for creating cozy rooms.

(Weekend Retreats by Susanna Salk; available at Amazon)

*UPDATE* I picked up this book in the sales shelves at Anthropologie (it was half off!) and have loved slowly paging through and dreaming of walking through the lovely interiors. You should most definitely check it out for yourself.

design inspiration: child's bedroom

As a little girl, I always wanted a daybed. I begged my parents, but despite my persistence, they were not convinced that a new bed was better than the bed I already had. That matched the rest of my furniture. That I later sawed the headboard off of in an a-ha moment of design inspiration. (I'll explain that another day.)

Well, it's now many many years later, and here I am thinking about that bed that never was.

Because I spied this...

(via Dwellings and Decor)

That blue! Those pillows!

I would love nothing more than to give my little girl a daybed just like this.

Oh yes, this WILL be going into my favorites file.

spotlight: bella cucina

I like to give food gifts for the holidays. I think, because most of us never buy them for ourselves (so impractical!), but we all really enjoy nibbling on fancy treats. Plus, who am I kidding? I love food and therefore have a tendency to think that everyone on my gift list is the same.

Well, I drooled all over this site. It's full of tasty treats...

(Chocolate Hazelnut Sauce, Farmhouse Olives, Savory Salt, Cranberry Applesauce, Tuscan Olive Oil from Bella Cucina)

i want it now: my cardigan obsession continues

Will I ever tire of this wardrobe staple?
Not likely.

I {double*heart} cardis...

(Circuitious Cardi)

And now I'm majorly obsessed with this lovely number in my fave cold-weather hue (yay! soft gray!) with swirly felt appliques.

From where else? My favorite place on earth. My shopping mecca.

i want it now: anthropologie edition

There's a little game I like to play when I flip through each coveted Anthropologie catalog that hits my mailbox. I slowly look through it page by page and then at the end decide on one (yes, just one!) outfit that I'd want to wear exactly as I see it. Usually, this little game involves lots of dog-earing, flipping back and forth through the catalog and finally narrowing it down to just one.

This is hands-down my favorite from the November '09 edition...

(Full Bouquet Clip, Wassailing Jacket, Sky-and-Snow Blouse, ETT TWA Stephanie Boyfriend jean, Golden Discs Oxfords)

It's casual and romantic all rolled into one, and I love it. Head. to. toe.

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.

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.

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.