Monday Mid-Century Mania!

Shhhhh....

These are our little secrets...

Nobody has to know...

Even the babe's lips are sealed!

Beautiful? Yes. Summer death trap? You betcha. 

Gramps is gonna love this shot. Go on with your baddass hat!

99% in head size up in this bitch!                               

Giving all new meaning to "patio approved." 

Nothin' goin' on here, just taking some random shots. Carry on. 

Oh, what's this? A fountain in the middle of the house? Perrrrfect.

Nope, this party did not suck. 

Gorgeous! 

Speaking of gorgeous...

Holy time travel, Batman. I swear I can't believe it's been almost a month since I left you guys. We got back from our "vacay" (a story to be told at a later date) about a week ago and since then have had one first birthday, 2 monsoons, 3 deadlines and a partridge in a pear tree. Er, something. You get it. Annnnnyway, today's post is dedicated to all things Palm Springs. My grandparents raised my mom there, I spent my childhood there and something deep within my soul says I'll find myself living there one day. (Hubs' soul says otherwise but mine tends to win such battles. Don't tell him I said that.) I don't know what it is about that place. It's the desert, and I live in the desert with the same heat, cactus and sunsets, yet somehow it's totally different. Maybe it's the small town vibe, eclectic peeps or magical mountain backdrop, but regardless, I feel totally at ease there. Always have. Which is why I was stoked when my cousin decided to get married there last month. There are all kinds of details I could get into about the events that took place, but for the sake of sanity (yours, I can assure you) I'm just going to give you the Cliffs Notes. Yes? Yes.

1.) We rented a fab condo designed by my mom's one-time boss and friend, Arthur Elrod. The pool was amazeballs, there were more light switches than I ever knew could exist, one of the bathrooms was totally mirrored (and I thought dressing room mirrors were unkind) and the front door may or may not have seared off my fingerprints. 

2.) The rehearsal dinner was held at THIS amazing house. I don't know what was better - the view, indoor fountain, retractable roof or sunken bar. I'm goin' view, mostly because I almost fell in the fountain because of the sunken bar. Thank you. 

3.) My favorite portion of the program was the architecture tour. You see, my cousin and her now husband are architects, as was my grandfather, so many of their guests were interested in seeing some good 'ole mid-centery masterpieces. We decided to skip every house but one. My grandparents' house, where my mom was raised and I created forts, sunburns and memories. I haven't seen it since I was in high school, and it's had two owners since then, but somehow my cousin gained access. Not only that, but we were able to hang out there, alone, for as long as we wanted. It was amazing. The only thing that's really changed is the expansive lawn that I once knew to be covered with my grandmother's flowers is now halved by a swimming pool. A STUNNING swimming pool I might add. I wish I could show you all the photos I snapped that day, but the owners were pretty specific about maintaining their privacy. I get it. But I can show you the exterior, right? And the fireplace because my kid is in front of it, right? Right?? Okay, good, let's keep that between us. 

4.) The wedding was beautiful and my cousin stunning. Held in the shade of the mountain and among the sculptures of the museum, it was everything I knew it would be and more. My grandfather would have been proud, and I'm sure he was. 

And with that, I'll take a breath. I'm sure I lost you somewhere before Indio, but what can I say? I'm a talker. Let's chat again in a couple days, okay? I promise I'll let you get a word in here and there. Word. 

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Beach Blanket Baby

I keep meaning to share pics from my cousin's wedding in Santa Barbara a few weeks ago! We stayed in Carpinteria, rested in Palm Springs and had a blast. I won't bore you with all the deets, but here
are the Cliffs Notes - the weather was amazing, the beach beautiful, the bride stunning and the baby happy. Oh, and there were weird clouds to boot. Seriously, that's weird right? I was strangely obsessed. Whatevs. That is all, carry on!

PS - My other cousin is getting married next weekend in Palm Springs so back we go. All kinds of goodness will be going down there so stay tuned. I know you're excited!

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Round 2

Let’s keep it real for a second, shall we? Babies are amazing. Little glowing, fresh-faced cherubs of wonder who bring joy to all who cross their paths. Know what else they bring? Stress. Pre-babe, the Hubs and I rarely had cause to argue. I mean, what to eat on a Friday night was seriously a top 2 contender. And then came baby. Suddenly tongues are a little sharper, tones are a little higher and patience is a little thinner. I’m just sayin’. While most of the time I don’t remember what our bouts are about, I do know that I usually (okay all the time) regret things I’ve said. Just like I hope my little one doesn’t wake up at 4 am again tomorrow, I also hope that during our next “match” I remember that Hubs and I are in the same boat. The same sleepless, weighted down, single-ore vessel that tends to retain water and definitely needs a fresh coat of paint. It may not be pretty, and it may take us a while to get to our destination, but the bottom line is there’s nobody I’d rather be traveling with. Life jacket or not.

In other news, this is a great post I’m thinking of laminating and hanging up in my bathroom – 15 tips for staying married for 15 years. Gems include, “don’t criticize,” “get really good at sex” and “make a husband pact with your friends.” Yup.  

(Vintage-style boxing print via mynameisjz) 

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Desert Storm

When I was a kid, we’d spend hours splashing in puddles and watching the clouds roll in like waves. It’s never just gray here, but instead continuously reflects the landscape like a seasoned shape shifter. Streaming light breaks through every now and then to dance on the pavement, and occasionally, snow will fall lightly on the mountains behind us. The hubs and I went for a drive with the baby this weekend and while he dozed to the pitter-patter of raindrops, I opened my window to the smell of sage and the magic of my childhood. People ask me why despite living overseas and having opportunities to move to the “big cities,” I always find myself back here. The truth is I’d miss the breathing room, and the inspiration it cultivates. There’s something about the desert that lives in my soul, and after long hours and sleepless nights, it’s the inaudible sigh I need to remind me what really matters. What about you? Where do you feel inspired?

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Seriously?

The top photo is my mom in Switzerland and the bottom is her in New York last week. The catch? They were taken TWENTY-FIVE years apart. Uh, what dude? I'm pretty positive I look ten years older today than I did on Friday sooooo, yeaaaaa. Happy Monday everyone! Stupid aging.

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See, I Told You I Like Color

On this fabulous Friday, I thought I'd share my latest fabulous addition from Michelle Armas. I love the colors in this piece, and how it fits perfectly on the tiny wall outside our bedroom. And the little bits of gold satisfy my craving for a little shimmer while keeping it from being all Studio 54. Even though secretly I'd be fine with that, too.

PS - You can't believe how many pillows live on our bed. Ready? I sleep with 2, Hubs sleeps with 3, I've got 2 kings with shams, 2 standards with shams and 2 throws. Uh, what dude? I feel like Ben Stiller in Along Came Polly. And yes, that's a ceiling fan. Stop judging me.

(Painting via Michelle Armas)

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7 Months Of Mid-Week Fun

I know, I know, this is a design blog, so why do I keep posted pics of my kid?? Well, because he happens to be VERY stylish, that's why. I mean, check out that striped getup he's got going on? Right on trend. And that fresh face? No makeup required! What can I say? I'm a sucker for a pretty face, and it IS his 7-month birthday after all.

In other news, Hubs killed a giant scorpion this morning about an inch from the blanket where Baby T plays/rolls/tries to learn to crawl. I'm currently trying to contain my crazy and keep from packing up all our belongings and moving in with my parents by week's end. We've always had these bastards to deal with, but this is the first time we've ever seen one in the winter. Raise your hand if you think it's a sign that summer (when they're more active) is going to BLOW? We've been planning on moving in about a year, but I think we need to step up our game a tad at this point. Unfortunately we’ve got a couple of things standing in our way including being WAY upside down on our property (thanks economy), astronomical rents (in the event we decided to walk away from said property), and not being stoked about living beyond our means (with said rent). On top of it all, we really love our neighborhood AND our condo, but obviously wouldn’t sacrifice our little guy’s safety for any of that. So yeah, mama’s gotta get her shit straight and formulate a plan. Thoughts? I’m taking ideas here, people. Anyone interested having a sweet baby (see above) and parents with sparkling personalities live in their basements rent-free??? No? Fine. Stupid 2012.

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A Toast To Tatas

Sometimes the only way to move forward is to let something go. Today, my beautiful cousin, mother of two young boys and home to double Ds is undergoing a double mastectomy. For once, I don't have many words, but I DO have a lot of hope. Hope that her surgery is quick, that her recovery is speedy and that the outcome is positive. Here's to remembering to breathe and the renewed joy of going braless.

(Photo via lumieredumatin)

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Sup. I'm 6 Months Old.

And why yes, I sure am rockin' camo PJs. I also can't decide if I like sucking on my fingers or a pacifier, but it's cool. Don't try to box me in. A man's gotta have choices, ya know? In fact, I think I'll have some mashed squash AND peas today. 'Cause that's just the kind of rule-breaking, 6-month old badass I am.

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Festivus

I have a lot of friends who moved to the desert from other parts of the world, and as a result, never feel that Christmas is very "Christmasy." No snow, blah, blah, blah, blue skies and 65 degrees, blah, blah, blah. They did not, however, grow up with my mom. She has this way of making everything magical, and this year was no exception. Surrounded by twinkling lights, perfectly wrapped presents and lots of family, Baby T's first Christmas couldn't have felt more festive. Christmas Eve was spent drinking too much Aquavit and singing Helan Gar (as happens every year), Christmas Day was dedicated to PJs, and Christmas Night left us happy and full of yummy food and wine. From her beautifully decorated home to her willingness to open her door to guests near and far, my mom embodies everything I hope to be to my new baby son. Thanks, Mom, for being the kind of mother I could only dream to be, and for making everything beautiful. Always.

XOXO

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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)

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