J.Crew Final Sale - Make it Snappy!

I'm writing this as quickly as I can. I guess with Snowmageddon, people are cooped up at home and doing what I've been doing--online shopping. And apparently we are all trying to take advantage of the final hours of the J.Crew 'Extra 40% off Sale' Sale. I had a couple things in my cart earlier, stepped away to start H's bath, and when I came back they were sold out. I hate it when that happens! First world problems, right?

Anyway, I thought I'd share some of my picks that are (as of right this second) still in stock. But you better hustle!

Stay safe and warm, y'all! XOXO

Gold Stripe Dress - Extra 50% off!; Dean Midshaft Boots - Extra 50% off!; Double Cloth Sabrina Coat - Extra 50% off!; Embroidered Peasant Top in Green Plaid - Extra 50% off!; Keeper Chambray Shirt

Sweet Dreams

Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone had a good weekend. Ours was very quiet... I really appreciate the luxury of being able to sort of shut out the rest of the world and hibernate with my little family for a few days. As long as we have snacks and wine. I'm not a total cave woman.

I spent most of yesterday deep cleaning my house. Lots of scrubbing, scouring, rinsing and repeating. I love starting the week with a clean house, but I admit I also had other motives in mind. I'm clearing the way for a revamp of our master bedroom. Right now we have hand-me-down furniture with old bedding, a rug that no longer worked in the living room, pictures that don't seem to work anywhere else in our house, and laundry baskets (yes, plural) with clothes waiting for me to fold and put away. Très chic, no? 

My goal for the room is a space that is cozy--a little cocoon where we can snuggle up with H for movie night (a Friday tradition in our house, complete with popcorn)--with equal doses of sophistication and humor. I guess it's the Gemini in me, but I love design with duality. Spaces that strike a balance between two extremes (masculine and feminine, traditional and modern, boho and classic) are always what I'm drawn to. And I think in a space like a bedroom, balancing the tastes of the people sharing it is especially important.

The jumping off point for the room was the bedding. I became enamored with shibori after seeing countless Pinterest and Instagram pics, and when I found the Vera Wang duvet cover on eBay for a steal, I knew it was meant to be. After I saw the deep navy pattern in person, I felt the perfect complement would be pink, but I was hesitant. I didn't know how to pull it off without it looking too Preppy Handbook, knowwhatimean? 

Enter one of my favorite bloggers (and total girl crush), Chassity. If y'all don't already follow her, hop on over there right now get yourself a little dose of fabulous. She shared a post yesterday about adding pink to your decor. If someone as stylish as Chassity recommends it, it's reassurance enough for me! 

This board is part inspiration, part reality. There are pieces I've already collected (bedding, table, top throw pillow), pieces that are on my shopping list (rugs, prints, hurricanes), and pieces that I will most definitely be searching for in a lower price range (that gold feather pillow? I mean, come ON. If someone has $500 to throw down on something like that, I have a big honkin' list of worthy charities that could put that money to much better use). Anyway, I think it strikes that balance I'm seeking. Just enough sophistication to look like a "grown up" room, just enough humor to keep it from being too grown up, just enough pink that my husband will allow without protest.
 

Benjamin Moore Pink Opal paint; Bottled Liquors print; Peony prints; Lalita rug; Sheepskin; Navy tufted chair; Faceted hurricanes; Gold feather pillow

How do y'all navigate decorating a shared space? I'm curious how others do it. XOXO

On Mommy Guilt

Happy Friday, friends! I had no less than 10 post ideas for what I'm sure was my long-awaited return to blogging (hahaha), but this has been one of those days, so I thought I'd just spill my guts instead. Stick with me, though, because there will be some pretty pictures at the end. Because blogs are supposed to be pretty, duh!

We had a parent-teacher conference at H's preschool today. There was just enough good in her evaluation that the hubs and I all but fist-bumped over our rock star parenting. We are effin' AWESOME at this sh*t, is the exact thought that went through my mind (which is probably not what you should be thinking at a church preschool). But my inner victory dance was short lived, because there were areas of concern. It's kind of like the parent equivalent of an elephant tranquilizer. You sit stunned, yet your mind is still racing, thinking through every possible second of your child's life since conception where you potentially (maybe, likely, most assuredly) screwed it up. I effin' suck at this sh*t.

Mommy guilt is a powerful thing. I've been wearing it around my shoulders for most of today (and many days prior for a countless number of things both real and imagined, truth be told). And while capes were in this season, I have no desire to continue sporting this one on a regular basis. Because it isn't healthy. Because it hinders my ability to be in the moment with my son and my husband. Because it puts the focus where it shouldn't be.

So I'm going to keep this short (for me, anyway) and say that one of my so-called resolutions for this year is to silence the mommy guilt when it starts to whisper, and focus my energy on doing my best for my son, for my husband, for my family, for me. Less inner critic, more inner cheerleader (right, Alicia?).

And now, a few of my favorite pics of mamas and babies...