la la lovely things

two, how do you do?  i’ve known you three other times and you’ve been sweet but this time i find you rather bitter.  yes, in the form of my squishy and smiley little guy you could not be sweeter but in knowing this is likely the last time two lives in our home, i feel a little sour.

sweet rocco you are sunshine through and through.  pudgy hands and thumpy feet that leave smudges of happiness down the halls and in our hearts.

+you are so animated with the cutest little expressions that i somehow know that i used to make
+instead of yes, it’s a sure “mmmhmmm” and to that i can never say no
+you insist on going to bed with at least two binkies (memees). preferably three.  one for your mouth.  and one for each hand.
+whatever liam does or has, you must have or do too
+it’s been all about muno but as of last week spiderman (man) it is
+meal times are wild.  no sitting still.  food everywhere.  walking on tables.  begging for coocoo (cookie).
+you can break dance with the best of them
+ we call you roc, rocco the taco, and (i’m sorry) little roc
+you’re favorite book is wild animals by rop van mierlo
+you love to watch common + colbie caillat break it down with elmo
+you just started giving bear hugs and i hope you never stop
+you look up to uLA, Uke and EEum
+when i’m not looking you dance like maniac in your car seat.  but i always catch a glimpse.
+you love to put on my shoes or anyones that might be laying around

by now it may be known that your name means rest.  truth be told you are my most active.  the messes you make are second to none.  i’m always right behind picking up after you or you are right behind me undoing what i’ve done.  your running.  i’m chasing.  but here we are together.  maybe you don’t afford me physical rest but you’ve given my soul some.  that is the kind i need anyways.  the peace of mind kind.  good day.  bad day.  random, nothing new kind of day.  and there you are shining your sweet smile my way and covering me with little heaps of happiness.  giggling goodness back into my serious self.  creating chaos and casting calm into my heart.  finding rest when you rest your head upon me.  it’s all there wrapped up in your pudgy little body and bright shining eyes.

although it’s your birthday, i’m the one who gets the gift.  and i pray that two with you is imprinted in my mind and stamped upon my heart for all the three and four and forty fours that follow.

ahh london.  it seems like it was all a dream.   this trip was somewhat of a last minute thing but i’m so glad i ended up going.  i tagged along with some of my close friends and we went to colour conference  which was pretty amazing.  after a few days at the conference in london i headed south to worthing to visit my british bestie, maggie.  maggie and i have been friends for almost 20 years.  on my very first trip to england i stayed with her family and we’ve stayed great friends over the years.  i spent time with her sweet family, drank lots of tea and chatted and chatted and chatted.

+the colored houses get me every single time.  made a super quick trip to the portobello market with a friend.  could have spent hours wandering about

+we stayed right in the piccadilly circus area which was perfect.  with paul + laduree near by my taste buds traveled to france.

+i brought along my baggu pouch which is my new favorite thing.  it was perfect to slip on my wrist and it held all my essentials.  i have the medium gold pouch and the neon strap.  i’ve been using it almost everyday since i’ve been home too.

+maggie’s mom, Pam Weaver,  has written several books and it was fun to see them at the bookstore

so, i had a bit of money saved up for a new couch and i spent it on this trip instead.  usually, if given the choice, i’ll take the trip every time.  things come and go but memories last a lifetime.  my sister, who kept pushing me to go, said i should be able to live on this trip for a good 6 months and i believe she is right.  i shared a bit about why i went and i can’t tell you how happy i am that i did.  now instead of geting annoyed every time i look at my mangy old couch i just smile.

is it any wonder that today i picked something so proper?  probably not, because as i write this i’m still in my bath robe and pajama pants (which i wore in the car to drop the littles off at school – don’t worry, i stayed in the car).

i’m liking this ensemble quite a lot.  red shoes.  ripped jeans.  the little louis case .  would you wear this?  i’d be feeling all businessy trina…ready to take on the world.

if you are looking for some rugged jeans…i’m loving these destroyed skinnies by free people.

what about you, lovelies?  what do you wishing you were wearing today?

oh, and after my long businessy kind of day, i’d spend my evening here!

this entry way.  the floor.  the light.  the bike.  the white.  yes, perfection achieved.

labeling jars like this (and check out the kitchen in which they reside).

big hair and good color.

a diy cherry blossom light inspired by lost in translation.

lemon curd.  almost bought some in england +  wish i would have.  maybe i’ll attempt to make some.

what are you loving this week?

if there is the slightest chance you don’t know camille than it is my pleasure to introduce you!  camille is the founder and lady behind camille styles (and yes that is her real name) which happens to be a favorite stop for all things entertaining, food and beauty.   if you want to know how to throw a beautiful party than camille is your girl.  she has mad entertaining skills and doesn’t miss a detail.  her site is one of my go to’s and i’m pretty sure it will become one of your’s too.  thanks for sharing your mess, camille!

I’m a major card-sender and letter-writer, and I’m a total sucker for beautiful stationery – (if it happens to be letterpressed, even better!) The only problem? Organizing my growing collection and keeping it from getting out of control! I’d like to setup a system for corralling cards by occasion, so that when I need a birthday, thank-you or congratulations card, I can easily see all my options. I’m thinking that a file system might be my best bet…

Since the CamilleStyles.com office is on one side of my house, our dining room table often becomes my team’s “conference room” (or photo studio, or break room, depending on the day.) A typical Monday morning brainstorm session usually ends up with magazine tears, stacks of books and lots of coffee cups strewn about, and I actually kind of love it. This photo (above)  is a visual illustration of all the creativity and productivity that is happening!

i’m curious … does anyone else collect stationery and cards?  i do and, i have to say, my supplies are all squished in a drawer and i always find myself buying double because i don’t first check my disorganized stash.  thanks to camille, i’m definitely thinking about a filing system now too.  how do you keep your stationery and such organized?  i’d love to know.

images :  1 + 3 by Suzy Q / 2 + 4 by Camille Styles

hi lovelies.  i’m back from england with a tired body but rested heart.  i  can’t wait to share photos and stories with you next week.  but, before i begin that i suppose i should start with, at least, one of the reasons why i traveled across the sea.  a few weeks ago i wrote this in my journal :

i am tired.  inside and out.  the list of to do’s (mostly ones i’ve brought upon myself) is pretty long and i want to blow them off, almost, as much as my high school geometry homework.

all i want to do is read and write.  write and read. look at words.  hear them.  ponder them. and think them.  all the while, making making my own with an inky pen or the punchy click of my computer keys.  stringing words together to make sense of my soul.

Read More

i’m so excited that my entry way finally looks inviting!  i’ve been wanting to do something in this little spot forever!  i longed for wallpaper but it just wasn’t happening.  and the more i thought about it, (it’s a darker space) i just wanted it to be bright and inviting, but most of all i wanted it to welcoming to all guests and family who enter our home.

i strung together a few words, sharing what we are all about as family and i really wanted them on the wall as reminder to our brood.  what is really funny is that when one of the littles gets in trouble they come reminding me that the wall says we give second chances – ha!

if you are wondering, the words are actually wall stickers and they are from vinyl impression.  they have a variety of stickers (images and sayings) but what i love is that they take custom orders.  and the customer service is really great.   which is always #1 with me.  

have you decorated with wall stickers in your home?  it’s an easy way to make a big impact.

sticker c/o of vinyl impression