i want it now: felted picture frames

Lovely + handmade.





(Available here.)

i want it now: le creuset

Calling all cooks!

Sur La Table is having a big sale on Le Creuset cookware...

Classic cookware + you'll have it forever.
Just think of all the delicious meals you can make.
Now get shopping!

*UPDATE!* My darling Dearie was reading, and he got me my very first Le Creuset for Christmas! I love it! I love him!

(Available here.)

giving thanks + counting blessings

I am thankful for so much... Sharing the day with my family. Cooking with my mom. Smells of turkey wafting through the house. Breaking the wishbone.



...and pie. Lots and lots of pie.

Happy Thanksgiving!


(Pumpkin Pie recipe here.)

spotlight: pearl & marmalade letterpress

I {heart} letterpress...




I {heart} it so.


(Available from Pearl & Marmalade; their shop.)

design inspiration: rustic setting

A lovely table setting...


All that's missing is a big, juicy turkey!


(From photographer Lucas Allen.)

i want it now: knitted advent calendar

I know just where I'd hang this...


To count down the days to Christmas!


And yes, I realize it's probably a titch on the early side to be posting about Christmas. BUT it's an advent calendar, so if you wanted to order one, and wanted it here in time for December 1, you have to start thinking about doing so now! So really, I'm just looking out for you and your decorating needs and am not obsessed with the holidays approaching at all. ;-)


(Tiny Packages Advent Calendar from Garnet Hill.)

living inspiration: chic trio

I want to dress like them...



Each outfit is perfection.
And I can't stop staring at those pink shoes.


(Image via Pretty Stuff who I found via the adorable Mary.)

yum! cookies

I've got a bit of a friend-crush on Clotilde. The more I read her blog, the more I want to be her friend! I imagine how great it would be to pop over at her little flat on a quiet afternoon to talk about our fabulous French lives (in my imagination I'm French) and sip champagne as she whips up delicious nibbles and teaches me how to do the same.

I read Chocolate & Zucchini from cover to cover and have marked nearly every recipe to try. (Perhaps it would have been better to mark the recipes I didn't want.) A few of her recipes have made their way into our regular dinner rotation, and I have yet to meet a simpler, tastier cake than the yogurt cake.

So, knowing how great the others have been, I've simply got to bake these...


(Crisp Hazelnut and Pepper Cookies)


PS -- today is my first day back at work!

big announcement (well, for me at least)

I wanted to share some news...

After a few months of thinking about it and lots of long talks with the Hubby and close friends about it, I've decided to go back to work. And I start... TOMORROW! I'm going back only part-time - Tuesday through Thursday, and well, I'm really excited (and a little nervous!) to get back into it. I've missed being a designer quite a lot. While I'm at the office, the Twinkies will be making new friends and having new adventures at daycare.

I know it's going to take us quite a while to get used to things. And surely there will be times that I ask myself, "what the heck am I doing this for?" (Like when we're scrambling to get out the door in the mornings to get everyone to where they need to be!) But really this part-time gig is pretty awesome. I'll be at work 3 days, and the rest of the days I'll be home with my Little Beans. I think it's going to be pretty great, actually.

So, wish me luck!
I'll be sure to let you know how things go!

xo, Kristin

happy friday!

Hooray the weekend is here again!


Tonight is all about cuddling on the sofa with my honey and catching up on our taped TV shows from the week. Tomorrow I'm heading to a friend's house so we can start planning the menu for a baby shower we're hosting, and tomorrow night we're having some friends over for dinner. I'm making a cheesy baked gnocchi and a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. I'll let you know how it goes!

Any fun plans for you?

'Til Monday, then.
xo, Kristin


(I'm not sure where I got this image from. I saved it a while ago. If anyone happens to know it's origin, please do let me know so I can cite it properly.)

little knickers

Cutie patooties...

For him.

And her.

(From OlieBollen.)

sweet treats: tell tale preserve company

If only there were a way to actually crawl right into my computer so I could have just a taste...


Toffee has never looked so good.


(Treats from Tell Tale Preserve Company, which I first heard about here.)

design inspiration: welcoming entry

The entry in my house is pretty much non-existent. A little 5x5 box, with the main door on one wall, the garage door on another, a huge glass block window on the third, and a stairway leading up to the main floor on the last wall, there's not much in the way of space to move around, much less to decorate it in a way that says, "welcome, friends! kick off your shoes and stay a while."

This entry, however? Well, I'm already unlacing my sneakers...



All that light pouring in from the door, sidelights and transom is breath-taking. And I've always wanted an entry big enough to fit a center table.


(Image from Canadian House & Home.)

i want it now: thankful pencils

Happy Friday, Friends.

I was poking around online and had to share what I found...




Don't you love them?

How perfect to have a little reminder right there at our fingertips to be thankful for all we have. I, for one, am thankful for Suann and her brilliant ideas.

(Pencils available at SimpleSong Design)

i want it now: bedding

For years now, I've dressed my bed in all white - duvet, shams, sheets, everything. And I've been really happy with it. (Even with a black furry dog.) I think Karey M once wrote something about sleeping on marshmallow fluff, and I thought that just describes it perfectly.

But then I saw the collection of handmade Indian textiles over at Sang and Serena Co. and went gaga over it.

And now I can totally see my bed dressed in this...




(Sundial, by Sang and Serena Company)

back in the saddle again

What began as just a few days off quickly spiraled into a few weeks, and before I knew it a few months even, but I'm so happy to be back now. Hello friends! I hope you've been having a splendid fall. This is my most favorite time of year. Crunchy leaf piles, baked apples and sweater weather make me smile.

Just a few favorite fall things...

Trader Joe's pumpkin butter for breakfast.
Makes waffles taste heavenly.



Cozy pj's.
And tucking under a cozy down comforter for bed.



Orange and black.
Which, coincidentally, are my high school colors. go Phantoms!
(And, upon closer look, the stripes may actually be brown, but close enough!)



Trading in flip-flops for (beautiful!) boots.





What have you been up to? What's your most favorite thing about this time of year?

xo, Kristin

happy friday!

Hello Friends!

My Friday letter might be a little late as I'm sure you're already on your way out for a night of fun, but I just wanted to pop in and wish you a lovely weekend. No plans for me tonight. Just some lazing on the sofa with Hubby. And a glass of wine.

I keep thinking that at this time last year, I was in the hospital eagerly (and anxiously!) awaiting the arrival of my Twinkies. I spent the day reminiscing with thoughts popping up whenever I looked at the clock... this time last year I was on my way to see the doctor; this time last year, I was being rolled up to the delivery wing; this time last year I was beginning to wonder if these babies were ever going to come. (Little did I know that it would take them *all* night to make their grand entrance!) I know I'm the proverbial broken record, but I just can't believe it's already been a year!

And boy am I looking forward to the weekend. Tomorrow will be all about celebrating my little H-man and Millie Monkey. And then Wade and I are going to get all dolled up for a friend's wedding that night. I can't wait to put on my dancin' shoes!

Whatever your plans, I hope your weekend a good one!
xo, Kristin


PS - they're my little super heroes.


(Super Heroes at Rosy Designs on Etsy. Do go check out her shop if you have time. Adorable prints.)

kiddie stuff: wooden blocks

Maybe it's just the designer in me...


But I am totally digging these wooden blocks at Asher Jasper.

(Available here.)

kiddie stuff: art prints by modernpop

Modern + whimsical.
Perfect for the kiddos.






I'm pretty sure that when Henry has his own bedroom I'd like the colors to be green + yellow + blue + black like in the race-car print. (That is, if I can stop thinking about those whales from yesterday...)


(Prints by ModernPop available here.)

hello + a week of kid stuff

Hi Friends!

Have a nice weekend? Mine was about as perfect as can be with bright sunny days that felt a little bit like fall. I bought delicious plums and a colorful bunch of zinnias at the farmers market. We enjoyed a tasty lunch out with a pair of our dearest friends on Sunday. And we took a little trip to the suburbs to visit friends who just moved. Don't you just love long weekends? I wish every one could be 3 days.

Henry and Amelia are going to turn one (one!!) this Saturday and to honor their big day, I'll be doing a week of kiddie stuff posts leading up to the weekend.

Today I have a peek into a super cool whale room photographed by Mark Lund...




Great colors, no? I wonder where to find that wallpaper...

(Image source.)

yum! the jme pantry collection

Cool packaging + gourmet toppers...



Like I didn't already {heart} Jamie Oliver enough!


(Jme Pantry Collection available at Williams-Sonoma)

design inspiration: feminine blue room

This makes me rethink my stance on all white entirely...



I wish wish wish to someday have an old house with glass knobs just like these.

(Image from Lonny Mag)


PS - Wade got me this for our anniversary. I am sneaking away every chance I get to ogle all the pretty pictures and file away the handy design tips. I recommend it to anyone who likes to decorate and who misses Domino Mag!

i want it now: card set

Loving this set of animal cards by Austin Press of San Francisco.
I think they'd look really great framed and hanging in a nursery.




(Animal Kingdom Cards available at Reverie Daydream Boutique)

happy friday + momtastic

Hooray for Friday!

Guess what, Friends? I'm over at Momtastic today sharing a bit of the behind-the-scenes that went into planning Henry & Amelia's nursery. Momtastic is a really cool site with all sorts of stuff to keep you busy. If you have the time, take a peek!


This photo above is Henry's side of the room. It's a good thing I took this picture before he got teeth because now it's flecked with little bite marks all around the edge, and I'm not photo savvy enough to know how to cover that up.


Anyhoo... big plans for the weekend? Tonight our very good friends are coming over for dinner and drinks and lots and lots of catch up. And tomorrow Grandma's coming by to watch the kiddos so we can get all dolled up for dinner. It's a little date night so we can celebrate our four years.

Be well and see you next week!
xo, Kristin

10 things: getting to know mackin ink

Yippee! It's another edition of 10 Things, and today we are super lucky to have Karey from Mackin Ink with us. Karey's sparkly personality shines through in her writing as she shares stories about her life as a mom to "girlies three." Her blog was one of the first that I started reading and quickly became a favorite. With writing that is full of heart and honesty, you never know if you'll be brought to tears or laugh out loud. Over the years I feel like I've become quite cozy over at Mackin Ink. And though I've never met her, I am certain Karey is just as genuine and funny and loving in person as she is in her words.

So, without further ado...


The last thing I do before bed: I seriously walk through my house and make sure all the rooms look completely clean, flicking off every single beaded lamp. {I'm a little obsessed with romantic lighting that looks like jewelry.} I love waking up to a fresh home. It makes me feel like I've a head start on winning the next day.

Favorite thing about my house: That we'll probably sell it in a year or so? I kid. It's just that, since we moved back into it after our seven-year overseas adventure, it feels like exactly that: a backwards move. And i'm a forward kind of a girl, you know? Our view is pretty stellar, though.

My signature dish: Guests gush over my fat and chunky capreses and, more embarrassingly, a marshmallow and cream cheese blend served with tart green apples. What can I tell you? I'm genius with two ingredients or less.




The best place to be in the fall: In my limited experience, Fall feels best when sweating on a beach in Oman or Jordan, daydreaming of living in a colder climate that actually experiences seasonal changes beyond hot and hotter. Since we've moved back to the Washington D.C. area, I've realized those daydreams of mine were dumb. And while I'm looking forward to day one of "Ooh! Look at that pretty orange-ish red tree!" I'm so dreading the cold and colder that's surely headed my way. I've already bought these boots.

Book I can read again and again: The Secret History by Donna Tartt and anything by Salinger or David Sedaris or Maira Kalman. My attention span lends itself to short stories, I guess.

When I need to unwind: Nothing beats a good sweaty run, followed by a chilled Strongbow in a solid tumbler like these bad boys.

Celebrity crush: Kate Lanphear. From her hair to her don't-mess-with-me style to her editing prowess, she's just brilliant in my book.

Words I live by: More love is always better.

Don't knock a diet consisting entirely of espresso and Sour Patch Kids until you try it.

If I had one do-over: This might be too heavy, but there was one moment when I could've told my dad exactly how much I'd miss him if he died, plus all the plans I had for my life that he'd never get to see. He was right next to me. We were watching a show on telly about Muhammed Ali. I remember biting my cheeks, tears rolling down my face, and all I wanted to do is beg him to stay. As it was, I just scooted closer to him and held his hand. I'd be braver today. I would.

I could spend the whole day: Trolling 'round the internet. It's genius, don't you think? Instant inspiration, no matter what you need.

I feel my prettiest when: I've just stepped out of the shower, especially if I'm headed to bed straight-away. Shiny, flushed, clean, smelling like a blend of Tom Ford and Bliss Body Butter and CHI Silk Infusion. Also, I feel prettiest when I wear all black. Colors make me feel...off. Not myself. I'm trying my darndest to incorporate more charcoal and indigo, but it's slow-going, for sure.

It's worth the splurge: Antica Farmacista scents for your home. Forget Febreze. Please.


Karey - thank you so very much for sharing with us. You are an amazing woman, a gifted writer and so obviously meant to be a mother. I feel quite blessed to have "met" you and hope you continue to delight with your dailies. And one more thing... Your dad? He knows.



(Image: Caprese Salad by Alicia Forest on flickr)

a special day for me

happy anniversary, Love.
Together four years. And a whole lifetime ahead.




(Print by Erin Jane Shop on Etsy)

design inspiration: library workspace

This certainly beats a laptop on the dining table (aka, my workspace)...


(from the album Work Spaces at Lonny)

i want it now: coffee table book

Hi Dolls! I meant all day yesterday to get a little something written, but the hours slipped by with nary a word. Hope you had a lovely Monday, at any rate.

When I was out and about last week, a book tucked up high on a shelf at Anthropologie caught my eye. I scribbled down the title to remember it later and have been thinking about it ever since.

I'd love very much to spend a lazy afternoon curled up on the sofa with this...

happy friday!

Hi Darlings!



(Not Bothering by Letter Happy)


So what's on the docket for your weekend? I'm heading out this afternoon for some bachelorette party fun (yay kari!) that starts with a Cubs game and goes from there. Tomorrow is going to include a trip to the farmer's market (it's been ages since we've been!) and maybe grabbing a bite for lunch. Sunday is more of the same. We've had several busy weekends in a row, and so I'm really looking forward to having nothing to do. Just a lot of family time. Sounds perfect!

Enjoy yours just the same and see you next week!
xo, Kristin

guest post at curls & coffee

Just a quick one to let you know that I'm doing a guest post over at Curls & Coffee today.

Take a peek if you've the time!

design inspiration: pure + simple

Here's a room photographed by Ditte Isager that is oh so swoon-worthy.

Soaring ceilings + beautiful architecture.
Whitewashed floors + bright white walls.
Fanciful mirrors + cool furnishings.
All together breathtaking.



(Pure from the portfolio of Ditte Isager)



Speaking of swoon-worthy, anybody else watch this? I'm not sure who has a bigger crush on Neal... me or wade!

giveaway at city of dionne

I just had to share with you a giveaway that Dionne is having through the end of this week. Dresses! Dresses galore! From an adorable shop, The Shabby Apple. Go on and check it out. Who knows? You might be the lucky winner!

But I'm keeping fingers crossed that it's me. ;)



(My favorite? The Champs Elysees.)


Sorry I didn't tell you about this yesterday. I was too busy enjoying every second of my visit with Aimee and her gorgeous little bean, Anya.

i want it now: monogrammed napkins

Hi Dears! Did you have a nice weekend? Mine was quite wonderful... except that Wade was away on a golf outing, and so we didn't get to spend much time together, except for a few hours last night. But I suppose, absence does make the heart grow fonder.



I found these gorgeous napkins yesterday and had to share. Like a moth to a flame, I am helpless when it comes to monograms...




(Modern Monogram cocktail napkins available at Sferra.)

happy friday!

Hi Lovelies!

Any big weekend plans for you? Tonight I'm off to see "Eat Pray Love" with my good friend, Gen (yippee!) and tomorrow night, my dearie, Megan, is coming by for dinner and a movie and to start talking ideas for Henry & Amelia's first birthday party. (Their first birthday already? Oh my.) I do hope your weekend is full of fun and happiness.

Catch you on the flip-side!
xo, Kristin

(Image: fine art print Andrea Hornbuckle on Etsy.)

photo inspiration: barn wedding

Seriously loving this...



(Barn Wedding by HouseObsession, on Flickr)



PS - here's my new favorite song. I just keep listening to it over and over and over.

my summer reading list

Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin.

I LOVED this historical fiction that tells the story of the little girl that the book "Alice in Wonderland" was based on. It's a bit of a love story, a bit of a mystery. And a little bit sad. Historical Fiction is my favorite genre, and I was really taken with this story - I think because I never knew there was a "real" Alice. It was so good that I started doing some internet "research" to read more about her. I didn't want the book to end!




The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

Oh, this book was SO good. The story is about Edgar, a young boy who was born mute, and who lives on a small farm with his parents and his dogs. Everything's hunky-dory until Uncle Claude returns home, and that's when Edgar's world turns upside down. There's a reason why Oprah picked this for her bookclub. I laughed, I cried, and I was constantly awed by the author's knack for words and the images he provokes. If you're a dog lover, you are especially going to like this. I can't even count how many times I put the book down to hug Lulu.




Food Rules: An Eater's Manual by Michael Pollan

This is a super-quick read. As in, you can finish it in a day. It's a great little book about how to eat, what to eat, when to eat, and how much. I really liked it and have recommended it to a lot of friends. (and now you, too!)



World Without End by Ken Follett

Love. War. The Plague. Ken Follett's done it again with this historical fiction. It's huge - 1000+ pages! - but goes by surprisingly quickly once you get into the story. I actually liked this better than "Pillars of the Earth", his first novel. Bottom line - it's an epic love story with a whole lotta obstacles thrown at the love-birds. And I really liked it.





The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett

This was a favorite when I was a kid, and I couldn't pass it up when I saw it at the library. A great story about friendship and appreciating nature and believing in yourself. I can't wait to read this with Amelia some day.



The Pigeon Finds a Hotdog! by Mo Willems

Mo Willems is awesome. His books are awesome. I love that kooky pigeon.




Have you read any of these?
I'd love to hear what you think.

Now I'm looking for something new. Have any to recommend?

Happy Reading!
xo, Kristin

summer fun

So, how have I been spending my lazy days of summer? Just doing a little of this...

gobbling up ridiculous amounts of watermelon * smiling at my flip-flop tan lines * chasing after two little ones who have learned to crawl - and fast! * eating gooey marshmallow s'mores * finally getting a library card and checking out some new reads * wishing I could dance even just a little bit like my favorites on “So You Think You Can Dance” * looking out for beautiful pieces of vintage milk glass *




growing my first tomato plant * cuddling with my pup * celebrating a birthday with a volcano cake * enjoying family walks with stops along the way for chai lattes and blueberry scones * loving the days that have been humidity free * treating my tootsies to pedicures * reading a few chapters before bed each night * roadtripping to northern Wisconsin for a week of family fun * (and lamenting the speeding ticket that I still have to pay) *




baking my very first carrot cake with cream cheese frosting * running at daybreak * wishing my friends luck as they pack up and move to the suburbs * using the grill more than the oven * bending into lots of down-dogs * enjoying the bounty of fresh summer fruits * drinking a fair share of chilled white wine * brunching with my best girl friends * watching in awe as my children learn and do new things each day * playing like a kid again *




And finally, thanking heaven for this wonderful life that is mine. all mine.



(All of the images in this post are from the uber-talented Jane Heller and are available for sale here. 1, 2, 3)