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

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

happy weekend...

happy friday kittens!

some links to love...

spaces + places.

these clothes made my jaw drop.

Design*Sponge at Home is in bookstores now!  I picked up a copy last week and it's so good (and pretty).

What pretty crayons.

Metallic lampshade linings!

I'm in love with Erin's house in Austin, Texas.  Part 1 and Part 2 of her house tour.

Those nails!

Dylan has his very first soccer practice tonight ♥ so we are off to grab a bite before he hits the field!  Hope you all have a fun + happy weekend.  See you back here next week!  I'm almost finished editing our photos from San Francisco, can't wait to share them with you!


Until then, xoxo,
steph


Image of Four Kings via 20x200.

a summer catch-up + happy friday

After a long time spent unplugged, I'm back.  I've tried hard to figure out how to avoid the ubiquitous I'm back blogging post, but I've come to the conclusion that it's best to just dive right back in to this little world I created and then stepped back from.

Summer is slowly fading here in the south and I can feel the tiniest bit of fall in the air and see it ever so slightly in the light.  Since the last post on my blog was about swimwear, I figured I'd catch up first with some fall-ish links to love.

I stocked up fun bracelets at Forever 21.  This one, this one and this one!

Back-packs are back!  Paul used this one (in gray) on our trip to San Francisco.

Linda Rodin, you're the coolest.  And those silver boots!

Zara! Online!  Whoo-hoo!  p.s. Don't miss their Dear America photo series. It is beautiful.

This trench is already on my Christmas list.  But Oh! How I want it for fall : )

Our cousin's use these adorable bins for their daughter's toys.  The fox is too cute (and fall-ish!)

My favorite fall purchase.  Great inside a purse + on it's own!

After two months away, there is lots to catch up on!  Here's a little look-see into what's been going on in my world since July (!)....

happy {spring forward} weekend...

As a working mom and a devoted member of the "people who sleep >5 hours a night and are also 'morning people' are crazy" club, I don't take losing an hour of sleep lightly.  But, can I get a woot-woot for day-light savings this weekend?  I mean, I am o.v.e.r. dark winter nights (for all you northerners, I use the term 'winter' here loosely.  Sorry some of you still have snow on the ground.  Come visit...the redbuds are blooming!).

Here's to dinners on the porch and longer days for little {and big} weasels to play outside.

Links to love...

The March*April issue of Lonny is live!  Yay!

I love these.  {confession: they make me ridiculously happy}

It's pricey, but works magic on those pesky under-eye circles.

Still loving Wayne Pate prints.  Dylan has one in his room and loves it too.  Kid approved.

These beige summer sandals are comfy and go with everything in my closet.  Plus, they're less than $100.

These easy, breezy hair tutorials make me miss my long hair.

10 Commandments of Flea Marketing in France.



xo,
steph

{image via lonny}

happy weekend...

{image via Sunday in bed}

Hats off to you darlings, we made it to Friday.  It's 82 (!) degrees here today!  Crazy, huh?

What are your plans this weekend?  We'll be doing house projects, which makes me happy, which some people may think is weird.  Paul is finishing a new coffee table for us and I'm determined to hang approximately 82 paintings I've been collecting.  Dylan will probably drive circles around us in his jeep and be happy as a clam.

Wherever you are, I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Some link love...

A cave hotel.  Let's go!

Pretty cupcake liners + Pretty (free!) Printables.

Behind the scenes of Black Swan: Costumes and Special Effects.  Aren't movies amazing?

Cashmere pillow puffs. {via DesignMom}

My favorite Etsy store right now.  I just ordered this pillow.

And so my IKEA obsession continues:  love this and this. (p.s. the second one looks amazing in person.)

I need a bunny.  Immediately.  {via for me, for you}

At some point in my life, I'm going to need to purchase a Maggie Austin cake.  Just because.  THEY'RE GORG!

xo chickens,
steph

happy weekend...

{image via Ohdeedoh}

I'm just going to admit blogger defeat and accept the fact that I don't have it in me to post the holiday themed loveliness I had planned on posting this week.  Sorry.  It's Christmastime though, so please forgive me promising you wonderful gift guides and then failing to produce them.

You should check out these awesome modern gingerbread houses though.  And, if you really want to know about stuff I find gift worthy, you can take a peak at my Pintrest gift guide page and see lots more gift ideas from very cool peeps while you're there.

Enjoy!  I know it's not much link love, but I couldn't leave you completely link-less, now could I?

Have a great weekend, chickens.  See you back here on Monday.

xoxoxoxo,
steph

happy weekend...

I lucked out and snagged an unexpected half day at work, so I am off to do some mad-dash, day-before-party running around.  Sometimes, when we do the party thing,  I wonder how we are going to pull it all together, but, remarkably it happens.  I hope the same goes for this party.  Does it make me a crazy person if I'm considering baking this amazing, adorable, so perfect rainbow cake tonight?

Here's a little link love for you...

How crayons are made.  Do you remember watching this as a kid!?!  It totally took me back in the best way.

1001 books to read (before you die).


Author and illustrator M. Sasek.  Dylan loves these books and I love M. Sasek.

Paul Rand Rocks.

How fun is this zoo?

Very cool album covers.

Santa's Portable North Pole.  This is the coolest!  I made a message for Dylan and it was hilarious watching him watch it.  Check it out!

Reindeer Cards.  Free templates for adorable reindeer cards that the kids or you can color! 

Enjoy your weekend!

xo,
steph

happy weekend

{image via the cherry blossom girl}

Lovelies,  I am always ready for the weekend, but after this week, I am especially happy.  It was one of those weeks where you demand the universe tell you, 'what is going on!' and I am glad to bid it adieu.

What will you be up to this weekend?  We have a f.u.l.l. schedule which includes shopping for a new car and franticly preparing for Dylan's birthday party.  I am really excited about my little man's 3rd birthday festivities, but didn't realize that I would only have one weekend to plan it when I set the party date for December 4th.  Whoops!  Darn December birthdays...there really isn't an easy way of doing one.  But, I can't wait to share the party details with you!

Some link love...

It's my sister, Katie's, birthday today.  She was going to amputate a patient's leg on her birthday, but that got cancelled.  So she did fat injections to the buttocks of another patient instead.  WOW. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!  You are truly a special duck.

If you think the feathery purse above is gorgeous...wait until you see the wedding.  Oui! Oui!

Beautiful polaroids.

Oh, wouldn't it be amazing to spend a day here.  I don't know if I'd ever leave.

A pretty Thanksgiving paper-chain. Free template download + instructions!

More pretty Thanksgiving decor!

This is my kind of library.

The pesky coat closet organization solved.  At least, it's something to think about doing.

Speaking of coat closets...check out this glam entry way.

How to properly warm up.

The perfect striped shirt. 

A gorgeous calendar.

xo,
steph

happy (late) weekend...

{photo by francois halard}

I'm still not sure how many people actually read this blog, but for those of you dear ones who stop by, I send you my apologies for the lack of a happy weekend post on Friday. I was hardly by my computer and, when I was, I actually had to get some work done (ugh).  So, I had no choice but to put my Friday link love on the back burner.

But, better late than never, right?  Here is some lovely link love for your Sunday enjoyment...

This cabin takes my breath away.

An adorable goose.

Confession: I judge a book by it's cover.  And this one looks beautiful.

Celebrities channeling Proust.  Plus, Martha Stewart.

Look!  Dylan is on the flora and henri website!  Isn't his tush adorable?
p.s. I'd be in trouble if I had a girl.

Inside and Outside.

Pretty kitchens.

Stephen Colbert is so funny.

What would you write to your 20 year-old self?  I think the gist of mine would be: it always works out.

Dogs rule.  And cats do too.

I hope you've had a wonderful weekend.  We had the most beautiful weather, dinner tonight with old friends and new friends and I am sitting by the fire right now with a kitty asleep on my feet.  Sigh.  Dinner parties are the best:  good food, good friends and an excellent motivation to clean house and buy fresh flowers.  I wish my home would stay like this forever!

xo,
steph

happy weekend...

After a recent heatwave of 90 degree, humid weather, it finally feels like fall again. Today, it was 67, breezy and sunny.  I wore these foxy tights.  My co-worker, BB, and I also went to Cracker Barrel (don't worry, we didn't actually eat) to pick up some fun stocking stuffers.  If you didn't know already, the Cracker Barrel gift shop is a hidden gem.  You just have to get over the Yankee Candle smell and navigate around countless bluehairs. I tried on some 3D glasses that made Christmas lights look like snowflakes so it should at least get points for that.  I can't show you my purchases because some readers are receivers (hi katie and ellie).  I'll give you a hint though: most of it is sweet!

Paul's cousins + their families are in town this weekend and I can't wait to hang out with everyone tomorrow.  I am so glad they all fly in from the corners of the U.S. (San Francisco and Brooklyn to be exact).  It's so fun to get together with them.  The last time I saw two of the couples was our wedding and, let's just face it, there isn't a whole lotta down time when it's your wedding weekend.  Here's to good family and lots of food.

And here's some link love for your pretty fall weekend...

Can we just talk about how awesome these shoes are?  

Kids + Design.  We really can have both!

Juxtaposition.  (This photo makes me reconsider my hatred of the word.)

I really Dylan really wants these for Christmas.

All I need is this and a big pitcher of milk.

The perfect holiday purse!

I hope this weekend you are this happy...

xo,
steph

happy *spooky* weekend...

For reasons beyond my control, but mostly because I am a fearless procrastinator, I was up until 3:30 last night finishing Dylan's monster costume.  But, in my insane defense, I also made these cute Halloween wrappers to give to his teachers.  Didn't they turn out great!  I saw something like it in a store here and thought, 'I could do that'.  This is one of the very few times I've actually followed through on that thought.  I'm really happy with them though.

I am heading out early to go to Dylan's school's Parade of Costumes and I couldn't be happier!  The weather here is perfect: cool, crisp and breezy with sunny skies.  I hope you enjoy your weekend and have a very happy, frightfully delightful Halloween.

a little link love...

You must look at this house.

Pretty hangers.

A great fall tote.

Thx. Thx. Thx.

I'd love to make my grocery list on this cute little pad o' paper.

Do you watch Modern Family?  This week's episode made me laugh.  So funny.

Go see Jeana Sohn's series of Closet Visits.

xo,
steph

happy weekend...

*Stay fabulous*

Dylan has a sinus infection and the dreaded pink eye, which I am afraid I may have gotten.  So, we are home today, staying cozy and watching Elmo.  I so wish I could bottle up the energy this child exudes--not even the pink eye can get him down!  

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.  We will be celebrating my sister-in-law's birthday on Saturday. Happy Birthday Gwen, we love you!

Here is some link love for the weekend...

Tea cosies!

An outfit tour.  Anthropologie never ceases to amaze me.

Check out The 1010 Project.  100 pictures taken on 10/10/10.

Pretty gardens and lovely terraces.  I want to have breakfast, lunch and dinner here.

DIY Pumpkin candle holders.

Have you seen Etsy's corporate offices?  Creativity in the workplace is so nice to see.

Did you visit P is for Party this week?  Christi unveiled a brand new adorable blog design.  Check out today's Woodland Forest birthday party.  So cute!

It seems like lots of my friends are having more babies.  I'd love to make this cozy blanket for all of them.  Not sure I could pick a color though!

xo,

steph

happy weekend...

{image}

I am so glad it is Friday.  So is Dylan.  He held my face this morning and looked at me earnestly and said, "Don't wanna go to school taday mama."  And then my heart melted into a puddle on the floor.  Normally, I would cuddle with him by the fire and talk about the tractors and cows he will see on the way to school, but this morning the minutes seemed to tick by faster and faster and we all were rushing out the door.  When I tucked Dylan into his car seat I reminded him that today was Friday so tomorrow we all get to stay home and play.  "Ok, mama.  That's good," he said.  I totally agree.

Paul and I are going to a wedding tonight.  I'm actually looking forward to getting dressed up and spending a night out with my main man.  We were thinking of venturing back up to Chappell Hill this weekend to go to the Scarecrow Festival.  There are pony rides and a petting zoo and Dylan would go crazy with excitement.  But, I have a feeling we all may just curl up in our pj's and be homebodies.  We made our own scarecrows last year and I think it would be fun to do again.  Plus, Jack the donkey lives next door so we can pretend we have our own petting zoo, right?

Here is some link love for the weekend:

Pretty calling cards.

A sweet nature mobile.  Isn't Joel the coolest?

A scarecrow how-to for you.

From field to table.  I want one of each, please.

Zucchini Bread.

Great prints from great artists.  And they come framed, too.

Let's all go to Iceland.

A schnauzer + a pug.  It's a schnug.  I die.

xo,

steph

p.s. My ten year high school reunion is this weekend in St. Louis.  I so wanted to go back, but we just couldn't make it work.  I moved my senior year of high school, but had gone to school with my tiny little class of 95 or so since 7th grade.  I'll miss seeing everyone in person, but I am so thankful for the social networks out there that make keeping in touch possible.  Can you imagine not having Facebook?  I am certain I wouldn't have any clue what was going on with the people I grew up with or went to high school in St. Louis with.  I am so glad I do.  I hope all my old WCA friends have a great time this weekend.  Sending you all good wishes from Texas!