Oh, Canada!

We just returned from our first family vacation to Tofino, British Columbia. Tofino is a beautiful place, a lush, wild rain forest inhabited by the most friendly and genuine people around. It was such a wonderful, relaxing trip!

The Nipper did great, considering we schlepped her in a car seat and on a ferry for 12 hours! In light of our success for road-tripping with a baby, I'm working on a follow up post with recommendations on gear and how to's on keeping sane while travelling with your baby.

Here are some pictures of our adventure. Enjoy and Happy Monday!

Waiting for the ferry to arrive.

We lasted about 30 seconds on the deck.

beautiful Victoria

 Walking along the inlet behind our cabin.

 Visiting the Tofino Botanical Gardens.

Daddy and The Nipper in the Gunnera

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.