Golden Happiness

It feels like the perfect day to chase a gold cube. Designed by Martin Azua, this genius little inflatable cube fits right in your pocket. Just looking at it makes me happy.

{via Destined to Design}

Reset, Relax, Regroup

How beautiful are these purple and white allium blooms? They make me happy. Terrain has a allium mix that if planted now will yield a combination of the two colors come summer. I wish I had a garden.

Hope you're having a blissful weekend.

Weekend Inspiration

My life has been a whirlwind of insanity over the last couple of weeks. But I've cleared my mind a bit and am taking more of a laid back approach to all of the curve balls life is throwing my way. And here are a couple of things that are making me happy along the way...

Smitten Kitchen's Scalloped Tomatoes recipe. To say I love tomatoes is an understatement. I can't live without them! And this dish is the most delicious thing I've ever tasted. Tomatoes, bread and cheese...what's not to love. If you happen to have leftovers, try it for lunch with a poached egg on top. Heaven! We picked up enough tomatoes at the farm last weekend to make lots and lots of batches!

My new royal blue pebble Clare Vivier Foldover Clutch. It's such a beauty. I love the color and the texture. And the pop of red. I've been rocking the Bando for the last couple of weeks but I think the clutch just beat it out as my new go-to bag.

I didn't think it was possible to love Feist more than I already do and then I listened to her new album, Metals. Love!

Heather's webisodes have become my go-to resource for easy and tasty recipes (her plum and tomato salad has become a favorite around here, and her salad dressing is perfection). But truth be told...they make me happy. Heather is adorable, the music is uplifting, the colors in the videos are beautiful, and I so want to live in her house (or her backyard). Seriously, if you need a pick-me-up, hop on over and hit play.

PS: I'm back on Little Skyline (my blog for moms and little ones) with Fall fun, art and food.

Have a great weekend!

I Will Never Forget

As a little girl I would beg my dad to drive along Boulevard East so I could lose myself in thought while gazing at the magnificence of the New York City skyline. Some of my fondest memories of family walks took place in the shadow of the skyline. And for four years I started and ended my day with the view of the skyline outside my apartment windows. The New York City skyline has served as the backdrop to my life.  It shaped my drive, my dreams and who I am today. As I think about all of the memories I have that are defined by that amazing view it saddens me to know that Julian will never get to see it as I once did.

I will always remember the day that forever changed such a precious part of my life. A day that arose feelings of sadness and despair like I had never experienced before. A day where I felt connected to everyone I walked by on the street because we were all feeling the same sense of fear and confusion as we tried to make sense of the tragic events that were unfolding before our eyes. It was a surreal experience to walk the city streets that awful day. It was perhaps the longest day of my life. A day I will never forget because I can never forget.

In the days leading up to September 11, 2001 I took a boat cruise around New York City. The boat stopped in front of all the NY landmarks, including the World Trade Center. It's almost as if time stood still as I marveled in the glory of those two beautiful buildings and snapped picture after picture of their beauty. After the 9/11 attacks I developed the film from that day hoping the pictures would provide some sort of solace. Imagine my disbelief upon discovering that the buildings did not appear in not one single picture. All that appeared was a big blur, yet every other landmark I photographed -- the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the bridges -- they were all there. The eerie feeling that came over me at that very moment is one I will never be able to shake.

Today I grieve for the lives lost and the people touched by 9/11. I remember a colleague who lost her life that day. I listen to and admire the stories of the survivors. I honor and quietly thank the heroes that risked their lives to help others. I smile thinking about just how much I loved to stare at those amazing structures that once towered over the Hudson River. And I am comforted by my son, who as I type this post walked over to me, asked if I was ok, and proceeded to give me a kiss.

Weekend Inspiration

This block from Paloma's Nest is precisely the kind of inspiration I need to keep the 5 Simple Things momentum going. I'm also thinking it would make a great Christmas gift.

The digital version of the Design*Sponge newspaper is now available for download. I'm hoping to pick up a hard copy in Park Slope tomorrow (I'm getting a hand made silhouette of my little guy at Pink Olive...more here).

I've made Heather's Heirloom Tomato and Plum Salad three times this week. It's delicious. And the salad dressing is perfection. Tonight I added cucumbers. Jules loved it. Watch the video...it's beautiful!

As we honor and remember 9/11 this weekend read these inspirational quotes from women who were touched by the tragedy. 

5 Simple Things

via pinterest

I'm a creature of habit, but I always welcome new beginnings with the change of seasons. This time around I thought I would start what will hopefully become a monthly exercise in mindfulness and simplicity. My intent is to gather my thoughts at the beginning of each month to come up with 5 simple yet meaningful things that will keep me centered and happy.

For September I'm inspired by the slowness of summer. Although I'm more than ready for fall, I don't want to get caught up in the hecticness of the back to school routine, busier work schedule and longer to-do list. So this month I'll look for ways to slow down and be present in the midst of all the change.

Here are my 5 Simple Things for a slow and simple September:

1. Sunset walks. We spent hot summer nights chasing fireflies...now I'm looking forward to the crisp breeze of early fall. 
2. Sleep. It would be nice to actually feel rested for a change so I'm going to shoot to be in bed by 10:30 on weeknights. 
3. Breakfast with Jules. Usually while Jules has breakfast I pack his lunch bag and listen to the news. I vow to find at least 5 minutes to sit and be present during this time. It might even result in me actually having something to eat other than a cup of coffee. 
4. Read. As in get through all the books I borrowed from the library over the summer but never actually read. 
5. Declutter. I already got a jump start on this yesterday with my closet. Unlike my failed attempt earlier this year, this time I meant business (I didn't let my emotions cloud my judgement). 5 bags of clothes later...you can actually walk into my walk-in closet. Next up: Jules' closet and toys, the medicine cabinet and magazines/paperwork.

How are you welcoming the change of seasons? What are your 5 Simple Things?

Savage Beauty

My attempt to see the Savage Beauty exhibit on Friday morning was unsuccessful. We waited outside in the blaring sun only to learn that the exhibit line was shut down for several hours. I've been super bummed since. Luckily, Garance posted several stunning shots on her website. 

Cool Weekend

Unbearable. That's all I can say about this heat. I can't breathe. It's impossible to stay cool. Staring at these beautiful caftans and tunics from Two helps. Well, not really, but they're gorgeous. And I love the story behind the brand.

We're off to Tarrytown tomorrow to catch Laurie Berkner, and were hoping to spend time checking out local shops and attractions, but considering the heatwave will continue through tomorrow, I'm not so sure we'll see anything other than the inside of the venue and a restaurant. We'll have to try to head up again in the Fall.

And Tenafly is hosting its Summer Street Festival this weekend, but again, who can stand the heat?!

Hope you stay cool. Here are some fun things to check out from around the web...

Keep cool with these easy to make summer cocktails

The lovely Liz rounded up 10 great ways to reuse mason jars 

Some inspiration from the Ikea 2012 catalog

Jules and I love this California roll in a bowl recipe 

Follow a young chef through her kitchen adventures in New York, Hanoi, Tel Aviv and Paris

The awesome Miranda July hosts a multimedia evening inspired by her new book

Sunday family dinners

On Sunday, Jules and I were treated to an impromptu family dinner at my aunt's house. Something we used to do all the time when I was growing up, but is now reserved for the holidays. It was nice to just kick back all afternoon with loved ones, and then share laughs over a good meal. Normally, my Sunday evenings are spent getting ready for the work/school week (and trying to get it done before my Sunday night shows). But this little get-together reminded me that it's okay to let things go every now and again. That I need to make more time for things that really matter. And that weekends should not be cut short! Now I just need to figure out when the laundry is going to get done.

And I'm making it a point to bring back Sunday brunch with the girls and kiddies. A tradition we start at the beginning of every year, but can never seem to keep going past Spring.

 images via Sunday Suppers

Color Therapy: Rainbow

Because I was inspired after spotting rainbows with Jules last night...

All images via Pinterest

Summer Weekends

images via Toast

The Joys of Summer

My Heart and Soul

I can still remember the first time Julian smiled at me. I melted. And how I longed to hear him say I love you. Now I can't hear it enough. My baby boy turns 3 today and like most parents I can't help but to feel sad about how quickly time has gone by. But I cherish every little step I've seen him take along the way. And as much as I look forward to what's ahead, I just want to take this time to be present in this moment...in the unbelievable joy this amazing little being brings to my life. Happy birthday my love. 

Our birthday carousel ride tradition...at 1 and at 3 (how I miss those chubby rolls!)

Serene Sleep

Anthology welcomed summer with a post on dreamy outdoor beds. Sigh.

On a side note, I finally got around to picking up a hard copy of Anthology and I must say, it's a gorgeous publication. Feels more like a lifestyle/design book than a magazine.

image credits here

The Glow

I'm pretty obsessed with the new site, The Glow. It's like a Selby for the mom set. Photographer Kelly Stuart does an amazing job at capturing tender mom and baby moments, and awesome spaces.

Summer wheels

How great would it be to zip around on one of these this summer (and look this chic doing so)?! Too bad they don't make a car seat for it. 

 

 via The Satorialist 

Starting the week off right

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

 

via groundwork on etsy

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.