Starting the week off right

Words to live by. And inspiration to plow through my to-do list.

 

via groundwork on etsy

Weekend sewing projects

I'm embarrassed to say I've had a sewing machine in my closet for over 7 years that I've only touched once. And that was when I pulled it out of the box. And mind you, I requested it as a gift. I bought supplies and how-to books. I even took a sewing class at Make Workshop.

I think it's about time I put that bad boy to work! And not just because I want to make things for myself, but so that I can make stuff for my little cutie as well. Case in point: Oliver + S Little Things to Sew. The book features truly adorable classic accessories and toys for kids. From what I've seen so far, I want to make them all!

images here

For even more cuteness and whimsy, take a look at this video.

Dreamy photographs

Dreamy prints from Lonny via their Etsy shop

Flags, fun and freebies

I've been on the lookout for a flag garland for some time now. This one from Oeuf I adore (and how cute is that baby?!).

Here's one from Etsy I've been keeping an eye on.

I was really hoping to make it myself but I haven't gotten around to picking up fabric. So on Sunday I decided to pull out construction paper and colored pencils and make a temporary one with Jules. I don't love the colors, but it was all I had. And Julian says it's perfect. So for now, it's staying put.

Local mamas: are you heading over to SuburbanMomma's Momma's Night Out tomorrow? The lovely organizers managed to add even more deals and giveaways to the already long list of awesome stuff (details here). And all proceeds from the event benefit bergenPAC. Mingle, score a deal or two (I'm addicted to daily deals and have already scored two from SuburbanMomma), enter a great raffle, and support the arts. Good deal all around. See you there.

Stay inspired

What a week! Jules and I have had a really tough time adjusting to the time change. Work was pretty crazy. I took two intense Bikram yoga classes. And the news out of Japan got more heart wrenching with each passing day.

I also spent a lot of time this week thinking and worrying about what the future holds for my son. Certainly not a foreign feeling for a parent, but given the state of the world today, I can't help but to feel consumed by sadness.

But I have a responsibility to my son and so I look for inspiration in possibilities. Have a great weekend. And support disaster relief efforts in Japan by donating what you can. 

Digital art by Jules | March 2011

Bill Cunningham's great voice, sharp wit and many eccentricities are the focus of a new documentary by Richard Press.

Check out the trailer.

Because moms need their time too (something I need to make note of myself)...

SuburbanMomma's Momma's Night Out promises lots of fun and great giveaways while supporting the arts.

As if there already aren't enough reasons to love Moomah, now moms can eat, drink, make art and discuss parenting challenges with an expert during their monthly Mom's Night Out.

No sitter? No worries. SPACECRAFT makes it easy for single moms to get out and meet other single parents during their Single Moms Night. They'll keep kids busy with craft activities while moms relax and mingle. SPACECRAFT is also hosting a benefit for the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 26th.

Feeding my animal obsession

I can't decide if I want this guy over my desk or in Julian's room.

Jules loves it when I wear jewelry (yet another thing for him to play with). He'll surely get a kick out of this ring.

Found this cutie at a local thrift shop. We've got a lot of giraffes around here. 

I adore owls

Bikram convert

I've been practicing yoga on and off for many years. But I've struggled to keep a steady practice post-baby. The yoga studio I visit is too far out of the way and their schedule no longer works for me. I'm also feeling uninspired by my home practice. My energy level is low and I feel very out of shape. So when I spotted the nearby Bikram Yoga at the Palisades I became excited but equally hesitant. As much as I love yoga, I had ruled Bikram out a long time ago. I don't fare well in the heat and I have a very sensitive nose! But given that my local options are limited (and I'm not a gym person whatsoever), I figured I would give it a try. And coincidentally, Bikram came up in a conversation with two friends over the weekend. And while they echoed the same sentiments about how tough it was, they also raved about how good they felt afterwards. I was sold. 

So I talked myself into taking a class yesterday. And I kid you not, I literally had to push myself to go. I kept thinking how much I was going to regret sticking myself in a hot room for 90 minutes. I felt nervous and a bit on edge, but I didn't want to walk into the situation already thinking it was going to be a failure. So I cleared my mind and psyched myself up for the challenge. 

My nerves began to unravel upon walking into the room because I didn't expect it to already be that hot. But I put mind over matter and pushed through. And I'm surprised to say that I actually loved it! It really wasn't as hot as I was expecting it to be. I thought the heat was going to make it impossible to breath but it didn't. And my body adjusted pretty quickly. The challenge was super intense, but great. I felt really focused, very connected and accomplished. I'm hooked. Later in the day, I was actually daydreaming about heading over to an evening class. Crazy!

I'm sore today but still feel good. I'm taking two more classes this week as part of my trial membership and will make my membership official next week. I'm excited to get back into a practice and looking forward to the challenge. Any locals willing to join me? Anyone willing to share their Bikram experience?

 image here

Color me happy

Because sometimes you just really need to smile...

Color and cuteness courtesy of Kate Spade. Click on over for even more colorful inspiration.

Yellow balloons and a happy whistle.

Red velvet! And glitter!

Pinwheels. This one I especially love because Jules' first art project at school was a pinwheel.

Color and cuteness via my little cutie

August 2010

And it reminds me of Palm Springs

image via here

Mama bliss

I miss the infant days...those early smiles and giggles, teeny tiny baby feet and scrumptious baby chubbiness (and Jules had a lot of it!). But toddlerhood is such an awesome adventure. Every day I'm blown away by how quickly Julian's vocabulary is expanding. I live for the moments when he unexpectedly tells me he loves me and kisses me. I love that he's growing more and more independent and insists on being mama's little helper. And the curiosity of this stage is just amazing. I'm enjoying watching and capturing every single moment of it.

This short film by West Elm captures the essence of toddlerhood in such a lovely way. I've been wanting to create shorts with all the great footage I've shot over the last couple of years, but still haven't gotten around to it. Must, MUST do soon.

No more Cookie withdrawals...Momfilter finally launched! The ladies of Cookie are back, along with a bunch of alums, to talk all things modern parenting. Just as informative and inspirational as one would expect, with an added sense of community. So happy they're back!

 

I'm loving all things fringe

I spent the last couple of days compiling images of style trends for a client report. While perusing the runway coverage, I came across Isabel Marant's fringe fest, as seen through the lens of Garance Doré. Words can't describe how much I love these boots. So much so, that I'd love to have this first image displayed in my living room!

The pieces are beautiful, but the images are truly stunning.

Too bad I got rid of my fringe boots back (back) in the day! 

Weekend creations

And speaking of wall decor, how great are these?  Such an interesting way to display nature in the home.

This one I adore and must have asap!

via Terrain

I have a couple of projects I'd like to wrap up this weekend:

• Caulk tub
• Finish Jules' airplane mobile
• Make a couple of pieces of jewelry/accessories 
• Start closet/wardrobe organization project

And Sunday we're off to the Montclair Art Museum for a Lego Building Workshop where families will be creating Lego models of Montclair buildings. Should be fun for my Lego obsessed little guy.

Wall jewelry

Spotted these at the Hotel Palomar in DC. From afar, they reminded me of vintage clip-on earrings. I just love the idea of wall jewelry. I need to figure out how to make one of these!