Monday Memo: The Latest

 Greenhouse Goodness

 Strawberries

 Boating

 So Green!

 Shrimping

Beautiful Dinner

This is what I have been up to lately - farm life. I don't get much down time to play around online as we spend most of our time doing things - gardening, fishing, shrimping, exploring...my kids are in heaven out there and when it is super nice out, frankly, so am I. So when my posts slow down, you can picture me here...

Monday Memo: Blow Ups

I made a huge collage-y/painting of a llama for my daughter's room when she was a baby and she loved looking at it - still does. So I am thinking of making another one for Sebastien's room...here are some options. Scary or cool?

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Monday Memo: Toys

Toys can kind of take over if you are not careful. It took a few years for me to nail down exactly what worked best in our home. I generally prefer wooden toys but here are some plastic ones that are pretty crucial to our play.

Duplos - My mother-in-law saved a bunch from when my husband was a kid so we have a fair amount of old school-squarish duplo people around along with the more modern shapely ones. My daughter can play with these for hours - building zoos and pools and houses. The people that come with the various sets now have a nice wooden home to live in and pairs of skis to play on (thanks to my handy cardboard cutting skills). They go in the shower, in the bath and sometime eat with us. They are true friends.

Babies - We have a collection now. One that stays up at the mountain, one at Nana's, one at the farm and a few that reside with us full-time. This is Joovy. She is the current favorite.

Trucks and Cars - Both my kids love these trucks, bulldozers, tractors and cars. Sebastien likes to "drive" his all over the house. They have created ramps and hills and garages for them.

All these toys spark a certain amount of imagination that's for sure...and that is always the goal.

Monday Memo: The Skinny Jean

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You guys, I think I did something I said I would never ever in a million years do. I bought a pair of jeans that may or may not highly resemble the dreaded "jeggings." I am telling you, from an avid bootcut jeans wearer, the skinny jean road is a very slippery slope. It started with a pair of Levis skinny boot cuts (which now feel like bell bottoms compared to this latest purchase), then it moved on to a more stretchy skinnier leg, then the classic skinny and now this, the ultimate end of the spectrum...the tightest jeans made to man. I mean you can hardly even call them jeans anymore. And they are so damn comfortable. 

Monday Memo: Dresses for Everyday

From thesartorialist.com

Anthropologie

tortuenews

unknown

thesartorialist.com

These are dresses that you could wear everyday but are a little different so they add a splash of pizazz to your wardrobe. I think everyone could use a little of that from now and then!

Monday Memos: Bangs

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So I used to have bangs and then I decided they were too much work for a mama so I grew them out. Well...I want them back. I keep seeing pictures of myself with them and they look so good...keep in mind that the pictures were taken pre-children but still - I have a few minutes in the morning to fuss over bangs right? I mean, I need to try a little harder cause throwing my hair up in a top bun every day is getting a little old.

So I cut them. In my bathroom. While my kids were napping. And...not so good. So I cut a little more, maybe making them a little shorter would do the trick...nope, still not cool. Oh well, pin them back, grow them out again and call it a day. Until...

P.S. some fun colorful dresses as well...

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Ahhhhhh! More amazing kid's fashion - these are from Antik Batik kids. See? Simple but colorful and oh so perfect. 

Monday Memos: Kiddo Clothes

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Kid's clothes seem to hang out on the opposite ends of the fashion wand - ok, sorry, that doesn't make much sense, I'm writing this at night as I wait for my kids to go to sleep and am starting to feel a little loopy with sleepiness - what I mean to say is that is seems kid's clothes are either super chic and expensive or pinkalicious pops of cartoon characters and cheap. Where is my classic boat neck striped kid's T under $15? Or a super simple but beautiful dress for under $30? I mean, I am not even sure I would spend $30 on a dress for my three year-old given there are so many amazing consignment shops around town but maybe if it were just perfect? Nah, probably not. Who am I kidding? I can't even remember the last time I bought my kid's something brand spankin' new. Is that horrible? Ah, well, they  still look adorable. 

Anyhoooo, here are some quite delicious looking girl's clothes that seem almost DIY-able if I could ever find some time to sew again. The key to good looking clothes is the fabric - some nice linen or sturdy cotton would work really well and be very versatile. Clean, simple patterns or none at all would fit the bill as well. I am currently obsessing over every thing at this shop at d'Arthur a Zoe - I would wear every article of clothing they sell myself! 

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Monday Memo: Glasses

 shopbop

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Many years back my sister found some glasses like this top photo at a thrift store - she took them in to get her prescription filled and voila, a very retro glasses look. I guess she was ahead of the curve because now you see these types of glass everywhere! They are very cool I must say. For someone who has fairly perfect vision, it gives you some glasses envy for sure. My dear old friend K used to wear glasses without a prescription in them because she felt cooler in them...isn't that funny? But it's so true - it's like a little bit of a prop of some sort. Makes you feel a little different than the person next to you. I had to get glasses for driving at night and you better believe I picked out the coolest pair I could find. There is this store in my neighborhood that has about a thousand uber hip glasses to choose from - it is quite the shopping experience. Some sunglasses after the jump...

Monday Memo: Winter Outfits

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zara

Some fun winter looks...since we still have a few more months of the cold weather. I love the layered look of this Zara jacket above and the striped shirt/sweater/jacket combo below. Tights/boots below are such a staple in a winter wardrobe. And cashmere undies?!!? I bet those are so awesome.

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Dollhouses - MiniMe's

 the Chalet

 the barn

 ecohaus

Dude. Dollhouses are insane! Look how cool these are - I especially like the EcoHouse. So modern! And there are a million cool little accessories that go with them...from gardens to toilets to a camper van! My Maya turns 3 in 6 weeks or so and I thought about making the leap into dollhouse land but now I'm hesitating...it is kind of intimidating. Maybe my Dad and I can make a simple one. She's really into putting her animals to bed and etc so I thought maybe if she had a house for them...we shall see. But it's fun to look at these amazing creations.

Monday Memo: Sweaters

sacramentostreet

lagarconne

humanoid

 With chilly weather headed our way, here are some nice looking cozy sweaters. See more after the jump. Just realized that these are all GREY. Where is the color when you need it most?? Story of my life - my closet is filled with grey sweaters for some reason - I guess they just go with everything so it works but I need some to brighten up these grey days of winter.