On Treasures and Trees and TVs (Or A Few Random Bits)

First up the treasures scored at Round Top: a little piece of hotel "silver" to house sugar cubes (bought with this post in mind) / a fabric remnant destined to become pillows for Audrey's room / some little mounted antlers from Germany / a driftwood stool that I'm planning to spray paint white / a couple of vintage bracelets + some wooden beads/ an old turquoise vase / some great prints and an etching...

But my favorite two finds by far were a beat-up vintage mirror and a kilim rug for my teeny tiny office. They are total game-changers. I never want to leave my desk now...it's a bad scene.

the beloved tree in all its splendor last summer...

Next up, I have to pause to mourn the completely majestic and wholly magical tree that generously shaded a good portion of our backyard. It was dying...pulling up the driveway, about to fall on the neighbor's roof, so we had to (and I am cringing as I write these next words) cut it down earlier this week.

Sadness doesn't even start to describe what I'm feeling...

a few of the things on my spring reading list as featured on Caitlin's blog...

Then there's the matter of our T.V, which completely and totally out of the blue, well... died. It just turned off and never turned back on. Upon hearing the news Audrey audibly gasped and asked how we would watch Project Runway (never mind that Project Runway isn't even on right now...she's a planner that one).

I have to admit, I was slightly panicked too, as despite not being much of a television person, I do love me some tivo'd episodes of The Daily Show and 30 Rock. But mostly I was a little elated. I've been wanting to do a week long "no T.V." experiment for a while but always chickened out, and now we're sort of conveniently forced into it. So far it's been pretty great. We've spent the past three nights listening to music, reading, doing little projects around the house. Things just seem slightly more mellow.

But you never know, a week from now the girls could be in some sort of Yo Gabba Gabba withdrawl (Millie only natch...according to Audrey, she's much too old for DJ Lance), and it could be wheels off around here. I'll keep you posted.

And last but not least (this was a long one, yes?) a peek at what's on the agenda for the weekend...So, so excited about the Wigwam pop-up shop in Oak Cliff.

Letting Go... (Just A Little)

Audrey wearing outfits I picked out for her...

I had a bit of a "break-through" mothering moment a few days ago, and it felt sort of well...epic.

It occurred when Audrey and I were at the store exchanging a couple of dresses that didn't fit her quite right for some new summer clothes. My normal M.O. when we shop together is to grab some things I think she'll like (but are really things that I like) and send her into the dressing room to try them on. She has the illusion of control, as she's picking her favorites from my pre-approved selection. It's a pretty fool-proof system.

But this time, things were different the minute we walked into the store. She immediately started browsing, caressing fabrics, pondering skirts. There was no acting nutty or darting between the racks. It was serious, all business. She was shopping. And upon seeing her shopping around like a totally mature young lady, I was thrown-off my game (or I could have been hungry, as when I'm hungry I get all low-blood sugarish and light-headed, resulting in all sorts of ill-advised decisions), and before I knew it, I was suggesting she pick out a few things to try on -- on her own.

There was no going back. She was flush with power. She started handing me things in rapid succession -- a pair of pastel/metallic madras shorts, a bright turquoise skirt emblazoned with hot pink and orange peace signs and hearts, a t-shirt sporting a picture of a dog.

Holy crap.

Seriously if you had asked me to pick out the three things in that particular store that I would never buy for her, I would have selected the exact three items that she was about to try on.

I knew this was one of those defining moments (like my response would somehow set the stage for every future mother/daughter shopping trip and clothing negotiation -- remember I was hungry), so I bit my tongue (hard) and let her roll with it.

There was also the fact that she seemed to really have an opinion about the clothes in question. Up to this point, Audrey has been pretty mellow in the fashion department (Millie is a whole different story...let's just say that kid knows what she likes sartorially), her only requirement being that she doesn't look "crazy" (her words) and that it's comfortable. In fact, 99% of the time, she just asks me to pick out something for her to wear. My disdain for her selections were tempered a bit by her learning to suss out what she liked -- an important process that I didn't want to squash. I'm building confidence here friends, fostering creativity...right? right?

That's what I'm going with the first day she wears those madras shorts. Wish me luck.

Loving...

image via KITKA

The gallery-like vignettes at mjölk...and those wooden cups. Wow.

image via Montmarte

The forthcoming Anaise...a shop from the magical eye behind the beautiful blog, Montmarte. I can not wait.

images via honestly WTF

This genius DIY. That bracelet is rocking my world...especially jumbled together with all those sparkly numbers... (thanks Kelly!)

image via Nate Berkus

This gallery-wall perfection + the deep blue paint...and that chandelier too. Pretty much loving it all.

image by Heidi Swanson via Remodelista

Maybe the prettiest flower class ever... (+ how awesome is it that her dress matches the flowers?)

image via Garance Dore

This outfit...which I pretty much want to copy verbatim. (via Kristie)

Some Scenes From The Weekend...

I am a big believer in the power of a girl's weekend...

Especially when said weekend includes a handful of smart, funny friends, shrimp BLTs, sitting on the lawn under a starry sky listening to live music and hours of digging through acres of antiques in the Texas hill country.

That pretty much sums up the past two days for me...My lovely and generous friends* invited me to come along on their annual Round Top weekend, and I have to say it was pretty great. I scored a few awesome treasures (photos forthcoming) and partook in some totally restorative girl time.

It's also nice to come home with some fresh perspective and be greeted by two girlies and a hubby who are insanely happy to see you. That might be the best part.

Hope your weekend was lovely!

(*thanks for including me Sarah, Sam, Trisha and Martha!)

Blogger's Favorites -- Michelle of Armas Design

image via armas design

Michelle Armas is wickedly funny...

One more than one occasion, I've opened an e-mail from her or clicked over to her (totally fantastic) blog and laughed out loud (I maybe even guffawed). I like a funny girl, I do.

She's also (and I know you already know this) a brilliant artist...one of my all-time favorites even. Her paintings are gorgeous and wild and colorful. They are instant happy-makers. As I'm typing this, I'm realizing in describing her paintings, I could be describing her...

Gorgeous, wild and colorful. Michelle, lady, you rock!

So without further ado, herewith Michelle's favorites. Enjoy and have a splendid weekend!

BigBang Studio blog. Run by Lily Stockman as she lives in India for a year with her husband and paints in her beautiful studio. Her paintings are really great, but I just love her blog. This post in particular shows her great style, eye for color and makes me so envious of her amazing adventure! Plus she is super nice. Sigh. (images via LilyStockman)

Kelly Louise Judd, artist. I have two of her sweetly dark prints, and I love them! I especially love her new pillows, so dreamy and spooky and wonderful! Her shop on Etsy, Swan Bones Theater is great. (images Kelly Louise Judd)

This raw porcelain hurricane from Isabella Bramson. I love the repetition and the slightly random quality, plus light peaking through the holes would look soo dreamy. (images via Isabella Bramson)

Dannijo. Pretty much anything from store Dannijo. But especially this cuff... WHAT? Amazing.

Rox and Fin. This stunning (and not over-exposed) Joseph Frank Rox and Fin print on linen...sigh

This vase, also from the same store, is stunning, like a true gem!



Satire! I love humor, no, scratch that, I need humor in my life. I can be easily over stimulated, so I don't have a TV, or even watch one when I am somewhere else, no radio, no news (I get the important stuff when I need to), nothing. Except...I love radio programs, or podcasts.

My all time- hands down favorite is a Times Online (UK) Satirical Newspaper called The Bugle. Comedians Andy Zaltzman and John Oliver (of Daily Show fame) make me laugh so hard, and make all of the horrible, unbearable world events and corrupt world leaders not only palatable, but addictive! I can't get enough, if you enjoy laughing, you will enjoy The Bugle. Download here + Learn more here. (image via the colonial theatre)

Nellie McKay's music. I especially love Mother of Pearl (which starts off "Feminists don't have a sense of humor...") This interview with her on Fresh Air is great, she is adorable. I guess this also falls under satire! (image via NYMag)

Ice cold Lemon Cello, preferable from Italy. This bottle, that my awesome mother in law brought home from northern Italy is soo tasty, just the thing to mix with water (or vodka, or nothing!) for a refreshing afternoon cocktail.

Santa Maria Hotel in Florence, and the amazing fragrances that come from there too. This is my idea of a perfect hotel, and a perfect vacation always has to have a perfect hotel.

Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't add this bacon to the list, b/c the world needs to know, they need it.

Something New...Introducing Tiny Dallas

I'm excited to finally (formally) share a project I've been working on for the past several months with a few friends (who also happen to be altogether amazing ladies)...

It's a website called tinyDallas, celebrating (but not limited to) all things "kiddo" in our fair city.

It seems like Christine and I have been talking about doing something like this for ages, as we were frustrated that there was no great online resource for sleuthing out cool things to do, see, eat, experience... in Dallas. We knew firsthand that the city was full of hidden gems, but it seemed you always had to magically stumble upon them or learn about them through word of mouth.

Let's face it, Dallas gets a bad rap for all sorts of imagined (but sometimes real) reasons, so while tinyDallas is targeted at local folks with kids, we also want it to be something that can act as a sort of online ambassador, sharing the Dallas that we know and love with the rest of the world (so all you non-Dallasites please read it too).


The tinyDallas "manifesto"


We also wanted to create a place where we could celebrate being the types of parents we're all striving to be -- balanced, focused, adventuresome...a place where we acknowledge that life with kiddos doesn't have to mean we check our interests at the door but instead we share them with our offspring in hopes that we'll inspire them to grown into well-rounded, fulfilled adults.

At least that's the goal ;-)

So take a peek and feel free to share any ideas about what you guys would love to see over there!

"Everything Was A Moment"...

(image via Laure Joliet)


Last week I was included in a little weekly round-up of "what's inspiring you online" over on Elle Decor's fantastic blog.

Emma (one of my favorite bloggers) also contributed to the list, mentioning Laure Joilet's photos of the sculptors Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne's home in France...


(image via Laure Joliet)

Emma was right (of course), the photos were indeed awesome, but what really struck me was Laure's description of how Claude and Francois lived:


"The workshop was adjoined to the house and everything about their life was an expression of creativity. It was not about knowing the right people (although man did they actually know all the right people) or owning the right things. They were blazing their own path and the focus was on their work and on quality of life (they were the best cooks). "

Everything was beautiful. Everything was a moment.

(images taken by me at The Hotel St. Cecilia)

I think that's what we're all striving for a little bit, yes? Making everything a moment?

I know for me, the most memorable experiences are the quiet ones that sort of surprise you with a meticulous attention to detail -- the paper-thin drinking glass, the silverware that feels all weighty and significant in your hand, the perfect pot of french press coffee served with big chunks of sugar in the raw and real cream...

I'm always trying to figure out how to improve our quality of life by taking the little details to the next level and making the everyday feel truly special. I like to honor the mundane.

I get ribbed for this a lot...for example, it irks my husband immensely that I refuse to buy plastic bowls for the kids (I can't help it, I have an aversion to plastic...) But the hazing is worth it, as it somehow feels infinitely more special when we're eating cereal out of our china bowls. (Mind you we only have four china bowls left due to the fact that the girlies keep, well...breaking them, so he might have a point.)

Am I crazy? (Wait, don't answer that.) Do you guys do stuff like this too? How do you make the everyday feel special? Do share...

Loving...

photo: petra bindel via dwell

This quiet little vignette...and the dreamy light.

Blanca Monros Gomez's sweet everyday earrings (via magpie and rye). If I owned these, I'm not sure I'd ever take them off...

pillow via capellaKid / photograph via Aubrey Trinnaman spotted on Ali Loves Curtis

That Ali's blog is back in full swing + her excellent "better together" posts...

image via Global Views

DwellStudio by Global Views new decorative accessories line. I have a particular fondness for this one since lovely cousin Erin (a product designer at Global Views) has been instrumental on the line + I am insanely fond of those DwellStudio girls.

But I'd love it no matter what, as it's just seriously good stuff...

Jamie's lovely art (and equally lovely blog, found while walking...)

image via street fsn

Shaggy bangs + sooty eyeliner...

image bellocq tea atelier via remodelistia

Tea so lovely that makes me (almost) want to give up coffee... Plus a wholly rad beard (as a side note, I'm trying to convince hubby to grow a beard, so far I'm failing.)

image via momfilter

Momfilter. Everything about it (it's as smart and stylish as Cookie). But especially the addictive "That Mom" feature...Man how awesome is Jenny Cooper??!