Make This, Wear That - Valentine's Day at Home

Hello from the frozen tundra of North Carolina! Today is day three of no school, no getting to the office, no sanity. Heaven help us.

We're not big on Valentine's Day celebrations around here... maybe a bottle of champagne and a handmade card, but that's about as fancy as we get. The hubs is working on Valentine's night again this year (I think this makes 4 years in a row?), so it looks as though H and I will be having a quiet evening at home--at least as quiet as an evening with a 3 year old can be. We'll have our usual Friday night movie (probably Despicable Me 2, as it's been in heavy rotation lately--gotta love Gru and his chip hat!), but I'd like to make a special treat. I'm thinking this might be perfect...

Old Fashioned Pink Popcorn from Cooking Classy

As far as what to wear for Valentine's Day, I'm not a typical red dress kind of gal. I much prefer the idea of a soft pastel like lavender paired with just a splash of red. And I guess I'm in denial about the fact that winter is sticking around for a while, because I am ready to start wearing spring clothes. Snow storms be damned!

Margaret Elizabeth Cube Studs; J.Crew Merino Tunic Sweater; Old Navy Sweetheart Distressed Skinnies; Minnetonka Back Zip Booties; Essie Polish in Fishnet Stockings; Gold & Gray Medium Wood Stretch Bracelets; Rikshaw Design Lulu Scarf

I am loving the new merino tunic sweaters from J.Crew... they're like the swing sweater 2.0. And though I will admit I was a skeptic, I am here to tell you, Old Navy's Sweetheart jeans are pretty much perfect for those of us with more voluptuous posteriors. Great amount of stretch, and they're high-waisted, so they suck in the muffin top really well. I can't recommend them enough. And if you need another reason to give them a try, they are on super duper sale right now. Like, such a crazy good sale I'm thinking of ordering a size down so I can have them when my current ones are too big.

If you are looking for fun bracelets at a fabulous price, check out Gold & Gray. I have three of the wood bead bracelets and I just want more. So fun! And this necklace is at the top of my wish list for spring.

Rikshaw Designs founder Catherine Fitzsimmons has southern roots, but her bohemian flare is what I admire most. I have a Rikshaw classic kurta that I wear non-stop in the summer, so I think adding one of the scarves to my wardrobe is an obvious choice. And for you mamas reading, they have a children's line that is pretty much the cutest ever. H outgrew his kurta at the end of last summer, so we'll be ordering another for this year.

Whether you're big on the "Hallmark holiday" of Valentine's or not, I think it's a perfect opportunity to tell those you love how much they mean to you. Not that any of us need a holiday for that, but sometimes it's a good reminder. XOXO

Spring Style: Skater Chic

Hello, friends! Hope you all are having a great week so far. We are bracing for the snowpocalypse here, which is expected to hit tomorrow. yaaaaay. Yesterday we had about three inches of "pre-snow." This was the view from our back porch earlier...

So pretty! So peaceful! So f&@king over it!

To maintain my sanity and keep cabin fever at bay, I've been doing some online window shopping for spring. I've already picked out some fun things for H (which I'll be sharing later this week!), so I started browsing for myself last night. I'm not ready to buy any clothes yet (still trying to shed a few pounds I packed on over the holidays--damn you, Christmas cookies!), but shoes always fit, right? And since my piggies haven't seen a nail salon in far too long, I figured I'd start with something other than sandals.

The old school slip-on sneaker trend seems to be getting stronger... I found a pair last summer that I wore constantly, but I have my eye on a few more that would be perfect with skinny jeans now and shorts later. Please, Lord, let shorts weather come soon.

Sam Edelman Becker; Sperry Mariner; Vans Chambray Dot; Vans Bronze Metallic

What trend is on your radar for spring? XOXO

Five on Friday - Things I Heart Right Now

Happy Friday, friends! Thanks and praises be for a week with no school closures--seriously, I thought we might be on the verge of a revolution last week being cooped up in the house so much. Tensions were high. There was much unrest. H started referring to himself as Che. OK, not really, but you get the idea. Very grateful for some improvement in the weather, although I don't think we're completely past the polar vortex just yet. Ugh.

Anyway. I wanted to share a handful of things I'm loving right now, in real life and on the interwebs...

1. Weleda Skin Food

Winter weather absolutely wrecks my hands. It doesn't help that I tend to leave the house without wearing gloves--not because I don't have any (I do, including a gorgeous pair of cashmere-lined leather ones my mom gave me for Christmas after seeing my chapped, dry hands at Thanksgiving one year), but because I consistently forget them or I'm in such a rush to get out the door that I can't be bothered. Enter this amazing cream. It's pretty much the only thing keeping my hands from looking like something out of a horror movie. I get mine at Target, but you can also find it online at places like drugstore.com or Amazon, or in health food stores.

2. Coola Liplux in Peppermint Vanilla

Like 99% of women, I have more lip balms than I can count, most of them used once or twice then tossed to the side when I find a new one to try. But Coola's Liplux has become my staple. As in, I keep one in my purse, one on my nightstand, one in my makeup bag, and one in my desk drawer at work. It's smooth (read: not waxy like so many lip balms out there) and the peppermint vanilla scent (flavor?) is just right (read: delicious and ever-so-slightly tingly, not at all cloying). You can find it online here.

3. Catbird NYC Elfin Studs

 

Lately I've been obsessed with the idea of getting a third (and maybe fourth) hole pierced in my left ear. These teensy studs would be just the thing I'd want to wear. 

4. Greythread "Do Small Things" Tee

I've been looking for spring clothes for H (which I'm planning to blog about next week!) and I went down the etsy rabbit hole and came out with this adorable gem. And the best part? They have a brick & mortar storefront in Georgia--in the same town where my mom lives! Like we needed another excuse for a weekend trip to GiGi's. Also, this shirt will soon be on heavy weekend rotation in my wardrobe. Embrace messy hair, y'all. 

5. The Ultimate Anna Wintour GIFs (via The Cut)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, the Winter Olympics started today, but for many of us, the games take a backseat to the high holy days of New York Fashion Week. I mean, who needs ice skating when you have the Ice Queen herself? The mavens at The Cut pulled La Wintour's best withering gazes via this collection of gifs for our viewing pleasure. Enjoy, and in the true spirit of sportsmanship, remember: "If you can't be better than your competition, just dress better than them." -AW

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! XO

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...

Five on Friday

Happy Friday, friends! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and first week of December. Has the year flown by for y'all, too? After I had H, a family friend said to me, "The days are long, but the years are short." So true, especially this week. Seriously, yesterday I was counting down the minutes to bedtime for a certain 3 year old. But today is a new day, and a Christmas cookie makes for brighter spirits... I think...

That is a serious case of side-eye he's giving me.

So I figured I'd jump in on this "Five on Friday" blogging trend with a handful of fun internet finds...

1. Have you all seen any of the Convos with My 2 Year Old clips? Hysterical. I seriously can't get enough of them. I'm sure all mamas and daddies with toddlers can think of multiple conversations with their own that would be suitable for reenactment.

2. I took the Myers-Briggs personality profile when I worked at an ad agency years ago, and I've been fascinated by personality tests since. So of course, this one was perfect for me... and in case you're wondering, I'm champagne (duh).

3. Awards season is going to be awesome again this year. How much do you want to spend an evening hanging out with those two?

4. Are y'all in the know about the Elf on the Shelf? I am a little weirded out by them, as I mentioned here, but I wondered if I was the only one. So I posed the question to my friends on that great font of opinion, Facebook. And let me tell you, I haven't seen an issue cause such a divide since Coca-Cola vs New Coke. Anywayyy, my stepsister sent me the most hilariously inappropriate link, Elf from the Wrong Side of the Shelf. 

5. And for my finale, I leave you with dirds.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! We're headed to my hometown to surprise my grandmother for her 80th birthday. She is such an incredible lady, and I can't wait to celebrate with her! XOXO