Elf donuts

Are you kidding me?

These elf-sized donuts made me laugh.  You won't believe how easy they are, either!  

Happy Monday!  May your day be Merry + Bright!

Spotted on Ohdeedoh

A reminder

Last night Paul and I saw The Descendants.  We both loved it.   The story follows a man (George Clooney) and his two daughters as they struggle to define a new life together after his wife and their mom is in a tragic boating accident.

Paul and I both walked away reminded of how, just a few months ago, our lives could have quickly taken a very different course.  A few months after Paul's accident I caught myself counting up the misfortune we've had this year: Family problems, Paul's near-death accident, my surgery, struggling with infertility, even losing our cat, the list went on and on inside my head.  But, then I realized: these are all problems we've endured, issues we've overcome together.  2011 was a difficult year, yes.  But we persevered.  We remained a family.  We found peace, joy and an abundance of love. 

I'm feeling deeply grateful that we could sit together in a dark theater, share popcorn and candy and, after, leave the theater thankful for the live we still have, and head home to our little boy.

So, here's to life's noble reminders.  And may they always be accompanied with a loved one by your side and a bag of popcorn in your lap.

xo,

steph

First two images taken after Paul's accident
Top image: the first time Paul and Dylan saw each other

Middle image: Dylan showing Paul his own boo-boos

Bottom image: taken this Thanksgiving

Happy December!

Hello, December!  We've been busy little bees over at the Meyer household.  After a delightful Thanksgiving spent with Paul's family, we hit the ground running preparing for a superhero birthday party for our out of this world and soon-to-be FOUR year old!  Here's a peek at his Save the Date, plus one of my favorite Christmas photos to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. Happy tree trimming!

xo,

steph

Paul's work in Standard Magazine

My talented husband's artwork and home objects are featured in the new issue of Standard magazine.  The starburst headboard he made even made the cover!

Many thanks to Standard's Editorial Director, Kelly LaPlante.

Congratulations, Paul!  We love you and are so proud of you!

St. Louis Cardinals

You can take a girl out of St. Louis...

But she'll always be a Cards fan! (and if she isn't, she should know better!)

So happy for the best team around and for the best fans on the planet!

Photo of yours truly with my grandma. (The ducks are Cardinals fans, too.)

Lullatone

I stumbled across this album on OhDeeDo and couldn't help sharing it with you.  What great music!  The perfect companion to a cozy Saturday afternoon or a sunny, wintry day with your loved ones...

I love what the composers have to say, too:

"For this album we tried to make songs that could soundtrack all of the little things in your life to feel like they are special parts of a film. Maybe not too dramatic parts, or intense parts, but just everyday magic kind of stuff."

 Isn't that the sweetest thought? I think they accomplished their goal, listen here.

I miss you, bunnies

I've been so busy with work that I've spent the few spare moments I've had resting or spending time with my boys.  But, I miss you all and can't wait to get back to my little blog.  Until then, a bit of color for your day!

via Mini-eco

Resting up...

Hi loves.  Last week's surgery was a success and I am feeling good.  I woke up this morning and attempted to catch up on things left undone since last Thursday.  But, suddenly I'm tired and my thoughts are fuzzy and dizzy-ing.  I'm going to play it slower this afternoon and spend some time resting, but I look forward to getting back to the little blog schedule I've been keeping here.  Until then, xoxo.

{Image via Pinterest}

Round Up: Cozy Weekender

Who doesn't love a spending a cozy weekend at home?  Since it's the finest time of year to do so, here's a little round up of some of my favorite things to do while lounging...

No. 1  A soft cozy shirt.  With stripes, of course!

No. 2  I bought a pair of these socks from Madewell when we visited San Francisco.  Pretty + comfy!

No. 3  A great pair of sweatpants.  These beauties aren't the tattered balloon-y versions we knew as kids.  You'll look {and feel!} refined {even if you are just taking a nap}.

No. 4  Is there anything better than wrapping up in a cashmere blanket?  Maybe, but not much.

No. 5  A campfire candle!  It will smell like fall even if it's 90 degrees where you live. 

No. 6  These are my go-to movies.  Little Women, A River Runs Through It and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. {As a southern girl I must also include Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias on this list}

No. 7  Pumpkin soup.  Let your taste buds delight!

No. 8  I first read Prince of Tides when I was in college.  If you've never read a book by Pat Conroy, you simply must.  This book is magic.  It will make you laugh, cry and want to read all day.  His writing is so beautiful that I find myself reading passages out loud just to hear the words.

If you haven't already, add Fannie Flagg's novel Welcome to the World, Baby Girl to your reading list.  This woman is seriously funny and you'll laugh out loud at more than one part in her feel-good, fire-cracker novel.

No. 9  Le Pen est magnifique! And comes in a whole host of colors. 

No. 10  Catch up {or start} on your correspondence with pretty stationary from Austin Press.  

So what does your cozy weekend look like?  Is it similar to mine or am I missing out on a key cozy item?  I'd love to know!

Comfort food

My loves, I've got comfort food on my mind.  What do you crave when you're sick or, in my case, after you've had surgery?  After Paul's shoulder surgery, I made chicken consommé, which is like a refined version of chicken broth.  If you've never had it, make yourself some homemade chicken stock this weekend and follow this recipe.  I promise you it's worth the effort.


p.s. You could drink it out of this mug, which may make it taste even better!


{Image}

The Sweetest Superhero

Dylan decided to be an old man for Halloween this year, and to this Mom that means one thing: he isn't going as Spiderman!

While I was mentally celebrating a Superhero-less Halloween, I came across this photo of Paul and my disregard for the superhero movement faltered momentarily.  I'm pretty sure this is the sweetest superman to ever walk the earth.  I'm guessing that one of these days I'll have to come to terms with Dylan dressing up as Spiderman or Batman or the Green Hornet (hopefully before he is seven and not randomly during his thirties).  But if my little guy looks as sweet as his Dad did I may not mind.

To be clear: if Dylan wanted nothing more in the world than to dress like Spidey for Halloween then I would let him.  But I wouldn't have to like it.  These Superheros bug me.   And, as is the case with most things that bug parents, your kid loves it!  Mind-numbing banging?  Kids just can't get enough of it!  Endless whining games?  Their favorite past time!  Bob the Builder's voice?  Music to their ears!

Go figure, right?

Maybe Bob the Builder's creepy voice put me over the edge or maybe this is one of my Debbie Downer Mommy moments but, guess what: I don't like you Spiderman.  Or you either Batman and Ironman.  You guys are weird, you all have lame comebacks and I can make a better costume than all of yours put together.  I've deftly avoided your tacky bedding and annoying toys for almost four years {exception made for last minute Easter basket Spiderman pajama addition} and I'll do my best to make it through the next four without getting to know any of you any better.

For the record: I hold no judgement towards anyone who gives into their child's Superhero love-fest. I'll have you know I blatantly bribe my child to get out of buying said Superhero items so you should probably judge me.  But don't worry, I'm going to get mine soon.  Dylan asked for a Super Spiderman and Batman birthday party the other day.

Go figure.

Colette

I'm facing the hard reality that our sweet Colette is forever gone.

Five years ago when Paul and I were living in Houston, I had a weak moment when I took our other cat to the vet and ending up bringing home Colette and her brother, Fonz.  Funny fact: I had two weak moment animal adoptions in college and they still live with my parents (ha!).  Thanks Mom + Dad! : )

Colette was tiny, only nine pounds full grown, and I always thought it was cute that Fonz was so much bigger than her.  We called her our commercial kitty because she always seemed to find a spot and position that looked like some kind of advertisement.  She was really pretty, too and I often couldn't resist cuddling her against her will.

I'll miss watching her nimbly climb to the highest spot she could find, turning on the water faucet for her to get a drink (seriously) and seeing her and Fonz lovingly clean each other or taking naps together like they did since they were kittens.  I know they are cats, but I can't help wanting to explain to Fonz why she isn't with us anymore or somehow know he is comforted by the extra love we've been giving him.  I've realized that even cats can be sad: he seems so lost and lonely without her.

We live out in the country, so coyotes and foxes and even bobcats (!) come with the territory. But, even though it's all a part of nature I can't help wish whatever got her could have found a wild rabbit or some other animal who wasn't so well loved to eat.  This may make me seem like a total nut, but I can't stop myself from imagining the attack and cringing with despair.  I hope her death was quick and I am glad her little life was full of love and lots of great naps.

Bye sweet Colette.  We'll miss you always.

Top image of Fonz {left} + Colette {right}
Bottom image of Colette + Fonze as kittens.

Favorite Things: Weekend Recap

Hi loves.  My Monday was so full I felt a bit overloaded.  So, to catch up, here are a few weekend moments I loved thinking about during my very on Manic Monday.

After soccer, Dylan and I ran to the grocery store.  I've been splurging and going to the gourmet one lately.  The food is just so much better and, I admit, I just love walking around the store.


Dylan loved the lobsters.  Poor guys...

I loved this clever Obsessive Chopping cutting board.  Wouldn't it make a fun gift?  

 And, of course, my weakness for Weck Jars.  They're just so pretty!

I picked up some Lemon Fettuccine!

 Eiffel Tower pasta!

Pac-man candy.  This took me back, man.

We saw the Lion King with my sister, Kim, and niece, Brooke.  It was so good.  I got chills at the beginning and teared up (again) when Mufhasa died.  Dylan loved it!

 Dylan practicing his pouncing after the movie. Can you spot him?

 This just makes me laugh.  Dylan in our construction zone of a backyard.  Porch in progress...

I'm dreaming of the yummy grilled cheese sandwiches I made on Sunday,

 And I love that Dylan lines up all of his toys...

Hope you all had a wonderfully happy weekend.

Happy weekend...

Isn't this photo amazing?  It's of Drew Barrymore's grandmother, Dolores Costello, who was known as the "Goddess of the Silver Screen." I think she's absolutely spell-binding.  And just gorgeous!  

Speaking of thespians, I'm leaving work early to watch my little actor in his Celebrating Cultures Parade at school.  It should be pretty hilarious / endearing.  I always get a kick out of watching Dylan in front of a crowd.  His level of interaction is pretty hit or miss, but last time he belted out the song at the top of his lungs and then bowed at the end.  We'll see if he's shy and timid this time.  But, after his soccer theatrics I've been wondering if he belongs in an acting class.

We have a weekend full of organizing, cleaning and cooking up some casseroles to freeze.  I'm having surgery next Thursday so this is my last chance to get things in order before I'm ordered to bed.  Eeeks!

Here are some fun links to love...

I found this post about Dolores and the beautiful Barrymore women fascinating.

Romantic comedy stereotypes. Via Design Mom.

What a cool chair.

Starchitects.  

The sweetest lunch boxes.

I don't know how this is possible, but there is a National Coffee Day and I didn't know about it.

Speaking of coffee!  We use this magical machine to make ours.  It is so good.

I'm definitely making this snack this weekend.  You should, too!

The Diner En Blanc looks out of this world in the best possible way.  How do the French get it so right?

Plus some Meyer on the Wire posts you may have missed:

Favorite Things

Crushing on ♥ Coline

Plum Jam

Loving...

Funny notecards

xo!

steph

Missing kitty

Our kitty, Colette, has gone missing.  I'm feeling less than optimistic about her disappearance, but I'm making myself hold out hope.  Her brother, Fonze, has been so upset; searching for her here and there and crying.  It's the saddest thing.

So, keep your fingers crossed we find her.  I keep expecting her to appear at our front door and want inside to eat...

Image of me with Django, Fonze and Colette (she has white paws).

Funny notecards

People are so funny, especially whoever created these hilarious notecards.  So witty!
Buy some, here.

Loving...

The prints + patterns by textile extraordinaire, Luli Sanchez.  I think any of these would look pretty framed as artwork, don't you?

Plum Jam

Plum Jam from www.carlpendle.com on Vimeo.

Doesn't this video make you want to whip up a batch of homemade jam?

What's your favorite kind of jam?  Our very favorite is Mayhaw--ever tried it?  It's so incredibly delicious and I think it's the prettiest jam, too: it's pink!

P.S. I have a weakness for these jars.


Video via Camille Styles

Asos

Have you ever shopped at asos?  I bought this boyfriend blazer before we went to San Francisco and I adore it.  Asos sells clothes, accessories and shoes for women and men and the inventory is pretty amazing (there are over 200 new items added a day).  Plus, right now they're having 50% off!

{Image of Asos Boucle Jacket // Asos Midi Dress}

Crushing On ♥ Coline

Coline is the perfect mix of adorable + chic,  n'est-elle pas?

Via Creature Comforts.

Favorite Things: Weekend Recap

This weekend flew by!  I spent most of it hunting treasures at Roundtop, so I'm especially missing my boys today and wishing we were on a road trip to somewhere up north right now...

Here are some of my favorite moments from the weekend.

happy weekend

Does it feel like fall where you live?  I'm dreaming of crisp air, apple pies, rosy cheeks and the smell of fireplaces.  For those of us geographically located in the south, this means we have a few months to go, but I'm glad to know fall is officially here and that northern air is making its way down to the south.

Hope you all have a wonderful + lovely weekend.  Cheers!

Whoa, this is one cool dog bed. Via Desire to Inspire.

J.Crew, I love you.

Great thoughts on marriage + relationships.

Move. Learn. Eat.

Fall-ish sticky notes!  Aren't they pretty?

Duvet cover round up.

Outer-space blows my mind.

Plus some Meyer on the Wire posts you may have missed this week!


Favorite Things
Round mirrors
Crushing on ♥ Erstwhile Jewelry Co.
On Children
Round Up: Beauty

Top image via Beautiful

Loving...

These clever little magnets.  With these my to-do lists really might look better!

Round Up: Beauty

Let's talk beauty, shall we?  I always love hearing what products other people use from the ordinary to the glam.  Here's a round up of my go-to items.

Clients from Hell

The website Clients from Hell has me cracking up.  In my work, I sometimes feel like it's a constant battle of good design vs. horrible, terrible, no good, very bad, awful design.  The effort to push creative, great design can be exhausting and frustrating.  But, as I read through the hilarious scenarios on Clients from Hell, I feel comfort in knowing I'm not alone in the war on suck-y design + ridiculous clients.

A few of my favorite quotes...

"Could you please send me a different file— one that is not a… what’s it called…jpg? I spent the last two hours trying to copy the text from this thing, and it is driving me crazy!"

On Children

This poem, by the one and only Kahlil Gibran, is on my mind today:

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children

as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

Last weekend, Dylan spent the better part of his first soccer game crying over an unfortunate collision that occurred in the beginning of the game between another player and himself.  Don't worry, he wasn't hurt, he just liked telling the story to everyone and each time he did, he starting crying again.

This was funny to a point and then, it wasn't.

As I watched him run off the field {again} to tell his Uncle Jeff about "the green team hitting his head" it hit me that he was so busy seeking attention for his non-injury that he was missing the game.

Ever since that day I've found myself wondering why it is that my child was the only one crying on the sideline?  As I lay in bed the other night pondering Dylan's soccer game tears I realized why I found it unsettling:  it was what I used to do.

I recognized the behavior because I was just like that as a little girl.  And, suddenly, I was awash with worry and fear.  My life mistakes and misdoings and regrets flooded over me and I was riddled with the anxiety of Dylan repeating them all.  Surely, I thought, it is rationale to assume that if Dylan and I are alike, our experiences in life will be similar, no?

As I waved good-bye to Dylan this morning, the beginning of this poem weaved it's way through my heart:

"Your children are not your children.  They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself..."

I stopped my car and took in the moment.  He is his very own person.  Not me.  His mistakes are yet to be made, but he will make them and grow from them.  A lesson in letting go.

I watched my almost four-year-old, a happy grin on his face, wave good-bye to me with all his might.  And I felt peace.

{Top image of Dylan at the beach. Bottom image of Dylan the day he started crawling.}

Crushing on ♥ Erstwhile Jewelry Co.

The perfectly curated collection of the jewels found at Erstwhile Jewelry Co. make my heart pitter-patter.  A fourth generation jewelry company,  not only is Erstwhile's jewelry out of this world, the company's branding is also heavenly.  The logo, the website and the funky, happy photo staging give this company another kind of sparkle.  And, these vintage ring boxes...are you kidding me?!?

Although currently not in my budget, a girl can certainly dream.  Of this, this and this for starters.

 

  via A Cup of Jo.

Loving...

Large round mirrors {mostly vintage}...

via Design*Sponge

via House Beautiful

via Decor8

via Decor8

via House Beautiful

via Veranda

via Delight by Design

via Design*Sponge

via Lonny

via Lonny

via dc design coop

Before we left for San Francisco, I saw a vintage round mirror on sale in a store in Houston and passed it up. It's long gone of course (I went back and checked), and I've been kicking myself for leaving it behind. It was out of an old barber shop, too.

Ah, well, the search continues!