I Am Overpropped.

 

 I stumbled across this article in the New York Times the other day only to learn that I am "overpropped". I have a bookshelf with spines arranged by color, a terrarium ( it was a gift!), colorful Le Creuset cookwear (I do use these regularly), a few vintage fans, and antlers (that I wrapped in colorful thread, no less!). I also have several other elements that I consider to be quite cliche when it comes to overpropping. Almost every room in my house has art hung in a frame cluster and various furs splayed across most chairs and beds. Oh, and I also have a very intentionally stacked collection of Pendleton blankets and afghans. And if you really want to see overpropped, check out The Nipper's nursery. That room is crazy.

 

 While I completely understand how commonplace and even cliche my decor may be, I don't believe it is because I am self conscious or trying to be "awesome". And I do really like to entertain. I also studied and love design. I'm neurotic and detail oriented. My husband and I collect interesting little things we find and prop them up around our place. So what? I'm only a little awesome. And in case I get a little too cool for school, there's this clever blog to take me down a peg or two.

(photo credits Jamie Schwaberow for The New York Times)

Hello, Monday

 

 Sorry for the radio silence, folks. We've had a busy time last week, and spend most of it with our family out of town or at doctors appointments. The Nipper had a hell of a time. Much soothing was required! But, over the weekend, we managed to do a couple of things that were fun.

 

 

 We started our garden with heirloom carrots, French green beans, canning pole beans, basil, cucumbers, squash and four varieties of heirloom tomatoes. We'll complete the garden with peppers, chard, butter lettuce and eggplant! Not to mention the raspberries, cherries, strawberries and blueberries we already have! Yum.

We made granola with dried cranberries, almonds, puffed rice, flax seed and vanilla.

We nursed and nursed the pain away.

and we'll do it all again.

Friday, I'm in Love

 For our Mother's Day weekend, we're going to visit with my family for brunch, where mom's get free mimosas, and attempt to have a date night. Can't wait! Plus, the weather is down right summery here in Portland. Yes.

Have a great weekend. Here are some links to get you started.

P.S. Thank you, Mr. Sendak.

I kind of love and hate the idea of these.

If it weren't 80 degrees out, The Nipper would be wearing this.

Love this DIY, Allan actually did something like this years ago!

Awesome dining room.

 

Who doesn't love penguins?!

 See you later, alligator.

Tattoo You

My husband and I both have tattoos, and I've recently been giving it some thought to have The Nipper's name immortalized on my body. I think with the right placement and style one can be really beautiful, but then again, I can't really stand the tattoos I have ( although they are pretty, pretty, bad!). Perhaps I should just stick to these!

I've always loved this tattoo. Perfectly delicate and wonderfully placed.

via A Cup of Jo and All Things Stylish

via Tattoologist

Beautiful Bouquets

It's been a few year since I walked down the aisle, but with several friends getting hitched this year, I'm all sorts of nostalgic for wedding planning.  I LOVE this bouquet of garden roses and succulents. The soft gray green colors remind me of my bouquet, and I think it would be just perfect for a beach wedding!

Some memories of our own trip down the aisle.

P.S. Check out this great wedding hair how-to!

(Top photo via Once Wed, our wedding photos by Frank Paletta)

Wishful Wednesday: Three Days Until Mother's Day!

Sweet and simple Mother's Day Card

Pixie Faceted Ring Boxes made from reclaimed wood by Oh Dier

Black Diamond Earrings by Jiwon Park

I have a thing for arrows, and this ring.

The Instagram gear just doesn't stop! Check out this new digital polaroid.

10 Things You Do (all of the time) When You Become a Mama

I've been thinking about Mother's Day and becoming a mom, and how much my life has transformed down to the smallest detail. Learning to be a mom has to be one of the steepest learning curves ever, and you can never really anticipate how different your life will be once you bring a baby into your world. Here are some things that stand out in my life.

1. You go to the bathroom with the door open. All of the time.

2. Learn how to do just about everything one-handed.

3. Can't read, watch, or listen to news/movies/nature programs that are remotely upsetting.

4. Speak openly about your nipples and lady parts.

5. Frequently only have one shaved leg.

6. Can discuss baby poop, barf, and spit up over dinner and not flinch once.

7. Will worry about whether or not you are doing a good job.

8. You will become liberated from many of your own insecurities, because they just aren't worth the energy anymore.

9. Really won't mind that you have to stay home with your amazing creation.

10. You will finally understand how much you can love, and how much your parents love you.

So, happy Mother's Day to all of the moms who took on the steepest learning curve ever and did the very best the could for all of us.

(photo credit by Richard Foulser)

Casetagram

Have you been introduced to Casetagram? It's another great way to immortalize your Instagram photos. I think one of these would make an excellent Mother's Day gift (if it arrives in time!). Check out some of the designs we played around with on their website!

(Top photo via the Casetagram gallery)

The Best Nursing and Maternity Clothes

Knocked up or nursing, you don't have to sacrifice your style. Here's my top picks!

1. Top / 2. Bra / 3. Tank / 4. Hoodie / 5. Dress

Hello, Monday.

 It was a beautiful weekend in Portland.

We laid in the grass.

We grilled fish with our friends.

Mom made The Nipper a new dribble bib.

We admired our toes.

We visited this shop.

We gazed at the super moon.

And we'll do it all again.

Friday I'm in Love

It's going to be a wonderful weekend.

I think we may take the family here and here.

I'll take one of each, please.

This will make you laugh out loud.

The Nipper definitely needs a pair of these.

Mama needs a pair of these.

We go places in this.

(photo credit Mark Borthwick)

Clothes for Cool Kids

 Adorable knits by LA based Boy+Girl

The best bloomers ever by Rikshaw Design

If I could afford it, The Nipper and I would wear nothing but Album di Famiglia

Amazing basics from Bobo Choses

 Coral and Tusk Booties

Best Camera Apps for Taking Baby Pictures

I try to snap a few photos of The Nipper everyday, and like most people, rely on my iphone as my digital camera. Lucky for me, there are some really great apps out there I use to make my memories look great.

Instagram

With family and friends scattered across the country,  I am constantly getting hit up to send pictures of the The Nipper. Instagram is a great way to send out quick updates, without racking up your text message limit. You can apply plenty of filters and borders to give you that toy camera look, and people can reply with little love notes and comments. Bonus, you can have you photos printed like little polaroids by Printsagram.

Camera+

Camera + is my camera app of choice. My favorite features include a stabilizer and burst setting, allowing you to fire off a ton of photos at once, excellent for squirming babies. You can also dress up your photo with plenty of borders and filters to choose from.

VSCO Cam

 
 VSCO Cam is my favorite app for processing and touching up photos. The features are super easy to navigate to new and existing photos.

What photo apps do you use? And what do you think of these? XO!

3 Perfect Summertime drinks

Allan and I love to throw summer get togethers in our backyard, and when we do, we have the ingredients on hand to serve these three delicious drinks.


1. The Michelada 

 Cold, salty, and spicy, Micheladas are perfect for drinking in the sun. Mix your favorite Mexican lager with tomato juice, lime juice, hot sauce and worcestershire sauce. Garnish with chili salt on the rim and serve over ice. Yum!


2.  The Spiked Arnold Palmer

 

 A little tart, a little sweet, these go down really easily! Float sweet Tea Vodka over lemonade and serve on ice in a mason jar. Garnish with a slice of lemon and one of these adorable paper straws.

 3. A Dry Rosé

 

No mixing required, there is something about a cold glass of this beautiful, pink wine that just feels like Summer. Bottoms up!

(top image of Kalama bottle openers via Design Sponge)

Wishful Wednesday: New Mom Gifts

This year will be my first Mother's Day as a mother. I can't imagine a better gift than spending time with my sweet baby, but one of these tokens of appreciation couldn't hurt.

                                                                    This mama ring

                                                      Wonderwood by Comme de Garçons

                                                Rag and Bone photo binder for our memories.

                                                        Something beautiful to look at

                                                           Bellevue Tank to feel pretty in

( Top image credit unknown, flowers via Saipua)

Baseball Caps

 It appears that baseball caps have replaced straw fedoras as the new trend this Spring. I think the tomboy look is pretty adorable and am happy to see these updated accessories used for more than just covering a bad hair day, think: pairing a cap with a playful summer dress or a simple skirt. This Pendleton cap is darling, and love this sophisticated version, but my heart really belongs to these guys.

Will you be wearing a cap this Spring? I've been know to wear one when the mood strikes...