Silent Night

Here's to great family and friends, strong cocktails and sweet sleeping babes! Happy everything, everyone. See you in 2012!

Read more...

Photo Fantabulousness

Since the birth of T-Kong, I've done A LOT of things I said I never would. You know, like take my baby to a bar, rock a little spit-up like an accessory, let my living room be taken over by bright, shiny objects, and now...holiday photos. Not that I ever saw anything wrong with holiday photos, I just didn't consider myself a photo-on-a-card kind of gal. And then I saw Joanna Polling's site. Ummm, yeaaaa, she's the kind of photographer that makes me want to be a better person. As soon as I saw these shots of her own kids, I was suddenly overcome with the need to have as many photos of my own little guy as humanly possible. And then I needed to share those photos with anyone who cared enough to open the envelope. Lucky for us, Joanna not only fit us into her already busy schedule, but she was ridiculously patient AND didn't make me feel like a total ass while standing in the desert in my flip flops (smart) with my too-long jeans rolled up (seriously, who wears that to a photo shoot?). (Don't even get me started on how sweaty I was, by the way.) She even got my kiddo to smile despite his total exhaustion that day; an act of GOD I tell you. I could go on and on, but the moral of the story is that I can't thank her enough for how beautiful the shots turned out and how much we'll always cherish them, so instead I'm going to pimp her out from now until the end of time. So yeah, if you live in AZ, get on it already and contact her will ya? Sheesh.

PS-If you find a holiday card in the mail from me and we're not even that close, please accept my apologies. I blame the alien that seems to have taken over my body and turned me from dark and gloomy to sunshiny and gushy about all things babies, family and apparently holidays. Sigh.

(All images via Joanna Polling and her genius)

Read more...

Deck The Halls With DIY

This year the fam's decided to focus a lot on DIY Christmas gifts. Let me be clear - I am NO crafter. In fact, things like scrapbooks make me want to die. (Shudder). However, I'm all for a beautiful candle like the one my friend Jen shared awhile back, or some kind of baked good even. Then I saw this photo of a pendant made entirely of coffee filters and a flood of ambition washed over me. What's this? A gorgeous light that would impress my recipient not only with its beauty but with my mad creative skills?? The thought was fleeting though, after I realized how long it would take and that empty filters would only lead to the empty promise of coffee which would surely derail my ambition. You feel me? It's still purrrrtty to look at though. Sigh.

(Check out the DIY deets HERE)

Read more...

Weekly Whiteout

Holy balls it's been a long time since I blogged. Anyone else's days running together? Anyone?? No? Suck. What if I told you I've been taking on a little light reading? Yeah, that would be a lie. It would be awesome if I were like other bloggers I've seen of late who disappear for a short while only to come back and admit to working on big, fancy, lucrative projects that were taking them away from their daily posts. Sorry, friends, I'm pretty boring these days. Busy, but boring. I still got love for you though! I'll be back in some kind of normal routine soon I swear. Er, ish.

(image via I have no idea! Double suck.)

Read more...

Gimme Shelter

Architect Cary Tamarkin built his home for his family on Shelter Island, New York and I’ve decided I’d like to be adopted. I love how he keeps his lines clean and his décor minimal to instead focus on the natural elements of light, wood and water. I also love a space that doesn’t seem like it’s trying too hard, you know? Kind of like when you spend hours on your makeup to make it seem like you’re not wearing any. These days I’m all about searching for kid-friendly interiors, and with built-in furniture that won’t break and concrete floors that beg to get wet, this house more than fits the bill. Speaking of bills, how much do you think he’d charge for his designs? You know, gotta get my ducks in a row for when I win the Lottery/write a bestseller/score a reality TV gig/sell my soul to the devil.

(images by House Beautiful)

Read more...

Weekly Whiteout

Holy holidays. Anyone else shocked that it’s almost December??? I seriously just realized how long it’s been since I last posted. WTF? I swear someone is coming into my house in the middle of the night to steal my waking hours and I’m finding it horribly offensive. If he/she would like to steal some from my kid, however, I’d be totally fine with it.

Today I’m dreaming of a giant tub, a little natural light and an hour of silence. Oh and possibly a box of wine. Yep, no shame in my game.

(image via Skona Hem)

Read more...

Your Seaside Subscription

People, if you know about 20x200, you already know about Christian Chaize and his Praia Piquinia collection. (If you don't, get on it will ya?) I purchased two of the now mostly sold out photos and have long wished I'd snapped up more. That is, until I happened to come across this amazing opportunity on his website. Chaize is currently offering a subscription for just $600. For this price, he'll send you six 16x20 photos that are meant to work beautifully together, or on their own. Additionally, he'll send you a NEW print for every year he continues this collection, and all you'll have to pay for is shipping. Soooo yeaaaa, not that I have an extra $600 laying around, but I just may have to ask Santa to work his magic. Hear that, Santa? Just checking.

Get the Praia Piquinia subscription HERE.

(photos by Christian Chaize)

Read more...

Weekly Whiteout

Loving everything about this room. The pattern of the wood floors, texture of the tree, size of the light fixture, combination of the stone desk and Eames chairs, and of course, that heart. I wouldn't like at nearly as much if it sat empty, but with the single, offset photo? Brilliant.

(image first seen on Greige Design)

Read more...

4-Month Moves

Man, this place is dead today. Not a cub or a coug worth talking to up in this mix.

Oh wait, what's this? Well hellllo there, mamacita. Why thank you, I know I'm way more mature than my four-month age would lead you to believe. You're not so bad yourself. Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, waddya say we crack open a bottle of the house's finest?

Seriously, what can I do to make this happen? I'm willing to do just about anything to close the deal.

Eeesh, sorry, I get a little grabby when I'm excited. Bad hands! I swear I'm a really nice guy. Even a bit of a mama's boy if you can believe it.

...no but seriously, how about that bottle?

Read more...

Weekly Whiteout

Kind of obsessing over the textures in this room. And isn't that tree fantastic??

(image via Emmas Design Blog)

Read more...

Home, Home On The Range...

While I was down for the count after cataract surgery last week (yah, I'm 80, what's it to ya?) and enjoying guilt-free DAYTIME sleep, I was dreaming of a fabulous vacation. I know - daytime sleep and a vacation?? Unheard of, but whatevs. Usually my fantasies involve sandy beaches and warm blue waters, but not this time. Maybe it was because of the rain we got or that the temp finally dipped below 80, but I was suddenly craving a cozy fire and crunchy snow underfoot. Oh and yea, I'd like to experience both in this place. The Amangani Resort is a luxury locale in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and it's open year-round. Not that I would go anytime other than the winter because it would obviously suck (rigggggght, see photos above). "What does the lovely name of the resort mean?" you wonder? Peaceful home. Yep. I approve that message.

Read more...

Leather, Lover.

There's something about a single leather chair in a room that feels both masculine and sexy. I'm in constant search of the perfect vintage piece to add to my ridiculous seating collection, but so far, nada. Maybe it's because I'm horribly indecisive, or maybe because I fear where there's one, there are a hundred. Not that living among an army of chairs in maze-like formation in a 2-bedroom condo is a bad plan. Can I get a what what?!

But seriously, if there was one piece of furniture that you'd give up all others for, what would it be? And no, you can't say Sean Penn as a stool. (You know who you are.)

(I swear I have sources for these images but I can't seem to find them. Stupid no-sleep zombie.)

Read more...

Weekly Whiteout

Ahhhh, Halloween decor that doesn't scare the hell outta me. Love it!

(image via Sweet Paul)

Read more...

Hallow, Easy Costume

What better way to start our week than by introducing you to the easiest Halloween costume on the planet? I'm pretty sure these killer ponchos are the love-child of pajama jeans and muumuus, and frankly, I couldn't be more stoked. I mean honestly, did you read my post on Friday? I'm a woman on the verge, people, and trying to squeeze my ass into a sexy nurse/devil/Disney character getup makes me want to die. But a blanket with a face? Now that's a fashion statement I can get behind. Literally.

(panda buddy, tiger buddy and owl buddy via Urban Outfitters)

Read more...

Who I Am Today

I am tired. I have a child whom, for whatever reason, suddenly doesn't feel like sleeping more than an hour at a time. I'm back in the office, facing 2-hour commutes, 3-hour meetings and impossible deadlines. I'm exhausted just getting dressed in the morning, let alone trying to juggle my work, my family and my friends. I'm overwhelmed with guilt some days while walking out the door...desperately trying to become a mother who works and not a working mother. I am the wife of a man who was laid off right before our baby was born and one-half of a couple in the midst of reevaluating priorities and responsibilities. I am trying to be thankful for his time with our son instead of jealous at my lack thereof. I am trying not to give myself a heart-attack and MS episode all at once. I am not as focused on happy hours, relaxing getaways, fabulous handbags and daily blog posts. I am dedicated to the happiness of a tiny little person, a loving relationship with my husband, combating my insurance company, and figuring out how to support our family while not working for The Man. I am trying to remember to breathe. I am terrified I will forget how. And then, in an instant, I am reading THIS article...

I am blessed. I am blessed. I am so very blessed.

(photo by Vivienne Ward)

Read more...

Weekly Whiteout

Though I'm married to my ceiling fan, I fantasize about gorgeous light fixtures in the bedroom. Don't judge. You'd do it too if you had to give up style, good taste and a touch of your pride simply in an effort to not spontaneously combust.

Stupid desert.

(image via Brick House)

Read more...

Dear Maternity Jeans,

Just want you to know you're doing a bang-up job masquerading as regular jeans. And none of that Coke Zero as real Coke business. People REALLY think you zip up. So thanks for that.

Sincerely,

Stretchy Pants McGee

P.S. Yes, I am aware I am no longer pregnant. Thank you.

(Button via BadgesByQuake)

Read more...

Weekly Whiteout

Well helllllllo glossy white cabinets, white subway tile and GORGEOUS butcher block counter tops. I don't know your story, but your style's got me all hot and heavy. If you're not doing anything later, I'd love to spend the day together. Or the night. Mmmmhhhhmmm, that just happened.

(image unknown)

Read more...

I Am 3 Months Old

And what I don't have in hair, I make up for with mad game and super rad style. Oh, and hand gestures. I love me a good hand gesture.

Read more...

Super Pumper

Scene
Vast wasteland of cubicles.

Mood
Bah.

Saga
Ongoing internal debate about the pros and cons of continuing to breast pump now that I’m back in the office.

Conversation about such saga with fellow mother/co-worker/friend
Me: “Pumping at work sucks, but…”
Her: …“it’s the most unselfish thing we can do for our children.”
Me: “Totally.”

For the record, I was about to say “but it burns so many calories.” Happy Thursday.

Love,
Selfish Mom

(Image via Davididaho)

Read more...

Weekly Whiteout

After my first day back at work yesterday, I would kill someone to soak in that tub. Realistically though, I'd probably just end up drowning from sheer exhaustion, and that's no fun for anyone. On that note, another coffee. Sigh.

(Image via Airspace)

Read more...

Their Turf To Surf

My company does this big "great places to work" thing. You know, recognizing people for their efforts with say, a water bottle or $10 Target gift card. Not that I'm givin' the stink eye to a $10 Target gift card, but I can think of better ways to reward employees for their hard work. Like providing them with a surf shack in Montauk exclusively for their use. You know, an impossibly COOL surf shack, for an impossibly cool company. This one, for example, is for the clients, staff and friends of those lucky enough to work at Chandelier Creative. For the love of God, even their website is all kinds of awesome at awesomville.com. (Yes, seriously.) So when I bid adieu to maternity leave and head back into the office on Monday, I'll be sure and stare at these pictures. Right before diving into endless hours of hard work in hopes of earning a sweet magnet. Another one. FML.

(First seen on Honestly WTF)

Read more...

It's Black And White

I spent more than a few minutes looking at these photos. Same furniture, same styling, yet totally different vibe. Ready for this? I like the black walls better. Uh, what dude? Maybe I'm in a dark period, or maybe I'm just picturing the white room covered in baby food/spit-up/other grossness, but it's speaking to me on a lot of levels. And you know what they say...once you go black you never go back. We'll just have to see about that.

(photos via Emmas Design Blog)

Read more...