A Girl Crush Times Three

I was flipping through the (excellent) No. 6 Spring lookbook and found myself instantly scheming ways to be friends Adrienne, Jaclyn and Teddy (above). They just look so confident and interesting and fun... total girl crush material.

Their photos also made me think about something I read recently on The Littlest about raising girls, as encountering poignant images of compelling woman inevitably gets me thinking about my own girlies and the adults that they'll one day become. I loved Elizabeth's thoughts on the attributes she hopes her daughter possess when she's older:

confident, playful, kind, creative, adventurous, unafraid, compassionate, intelligent, nonjudgmental...

Ditto Elizabeth. Ditto.

More Dispatches From the Land of B+ Parenting...

I love this excerpt from Stila founder Jeanine Lobell's interview on Into the Gloss:


"When I was eighteen, my dad was visiting me in New York and he said to me, ‘Honey, see that guy over there, with the hot dog stand? There’s nobody standing there, telling him to spread the mustard this way, or that’s how much relish to use. You need to get your own hot dog stand.’ I think that I’m lucky that my dad knew that I just couldn’t function like that—that I was never going to be able to work in a traditional job. I’m lucky though, because most parents would be like, ‘What the hell, you can’t even keep a job?’ So I would say that I’m very lucky that he just knew who I was, and didn’t have a problem with it."


But I especially love that last line, as that's the really the magic bullet, don't you think? This ability to really know your children's characters -- their habits and passions and interests and then helping them become the best possible version of themselves (rather than trying to mold them into exactly who *you* want them to be) is just huge.

I hope I can pull that off with my girlies...

Be Mine... + A Minted Giveaway

Previous years' hand-painted(!) valentines...


And this years' model from Minted...

I'm a fan of a good homemade valentine. They're sweet and special, but sometimes they're not, well...realistic. Like say, when you're about to start a new job and have a "to do" list a mile long that you'd like to accomplish before said job begins. Or when (hypothetically of course) one of your daughters goes to a really cool elementary school where they combine the 1st and 2nd grade classes, necessitating you to create 50(!!!) valentines for her to hand out (not counting the additional 15 that you need to make for your younger daughter's class). Or, when the homemade valentines that your girlies insist on making take something like 9.5 minutes per card (not that I'm counting), which when multiplied by 65 equals a looong freakin' time to make homemade valentines. Just sayin'.

So we're going a different route this year...somewhere between bought and homemade, "homemade light" if you will. I met up with the lovely folks from Minted at Alt last month and was smitten with all their cute classmate valentines, which, upon returning, I immediately pulled up on the old interwebs to show the girlies. They were (surprisingly) 100% on board. No whining. (Frankly I think they too were daunted by the 617 minutes of homemade valentine crafting that they'd signed themselves up for...)

I let them each select a card with no input from me (well, sort of...you know of my control freak tendencies), and we picked out a photo of each of them to use as a backer to make them more personal. We're planning to write a little note on each one and attach a sucker with a bit of Japanese washi tape. Done and done.

I figured I might not be the only one in the "homemade valentine dread" boat, so we're going to do a super quick Minted giveaway (to give you plenty of time to order those valentines before heart day arrives).

Just leave a comment on this post by midnight CT tonight(!!) and I'll announce a winner of a $50 Minted credit tomorrow.

Good luck!

Sisters...

photos of the girls by the amazing kelly christine

I want my girlies to be best friends...with every. fiber. of. my. being.

Based on my belief that the more you pressure a kid to do something you want them to do, the more they *don't* want to do it, I try to be somewhat low-key about this desire. But I usually fail miserably.

Usually I tell them (all passionately, with conviction) that sisters are one of the most special, most sacred relationships. I tell them that sisters should be soul mates, confidants, protectors, conspirators, and yes...best friends. I preach it.

I love my own two sisters immensely. They are amazing, inspiring women (not to mention fantastic mothers). They are also identical twins, so they posses a closeness that I can't even begin to emulate in my relationships with them individually. This might be why I'm so wholly and completely obsessed with the idea of Millie and Audrey forging that super sister bond. (Yes, I realize this is veering into therapy territory, and for that I thank you for saving me $125/hour ;-) I owe you guys.)

When I come across super-close sisters in real-life (like the lovely Molly and Sally) or on the interwebs (Heather and Megan are my gold standard for sister love), I am entranced. I ask endless questions, tucking their experiences away to use as future anecdotes for the girlies. And then I put a little wish out into the universe that my girls will end-up with some of that magic themselves one day.

So I'd love to know...do you have a sister, are you close?

Sisters as design partners -- Annette and Pheope creators of the jewelry line Anndra Neen (via Terms of Endearment)

Sisters as soul mates -- the beautiful + soulful Heather of L.A. in Bloom and her equally beautiful + soulful "sissy" Megan of Poem Sweet Poem

Sisters as style icons -- Lou Doillon and Charlotte Gainsbourg (via Vogue)

Scenes from The Woodland Fairy Weekend...

Millie's party with all its glitter and garland and sparkle and wee fairies running about was just the sort of joyous mayhem we needed to offset the intensity of the previous days...

The girlies had a blast making fairy huts, playing "pin the tail on the squirrel" and stuffing themselves with little chocolate stars and mini-cupcakes and rock candy and other assorted sugar-laden goodness. Suffice to say, it was a day filled with happy makers.

But the very best part came midway through the festivities when Millie looked up at me, grabbed my cheeks and breathlessly yelled "thank you for my beautiful party".

That was, for sure, the ultimate happy maker.





The five snaps above were taken by our friend Russ Aman to capture a little of the calm before the storm.

McQueen as Birthday Inspiration...

image via the sweetest occasion

image via le dans la



Making things with your hands is essential to well-being... It feeds you, grounds you.

That's what I told Bryan this morning at 7:00 a.m. when he walked into the breakfast room and asked me why I was (in his words) "trying to re-create the set of The Lord of The Rings out of string and twigs". In his defense, he did find me sitting all crazy-eyed in the midst of a massive pile of brass wire and yarn and bells and gold spray painted twigs and other assorted ethereal detritus.

I was in the craft "bell jar". Just sayin'.

Yes, it's that time again friends. It's birthday madness, and in an attempt to get some of that aforementioned grounding and well-being, I've gone in, deep.

There are fairy crowns and wands to make, tiny plastic woodland animals to spray paint, a giant tree branch to decorate (it's GIANT), burlap to drape and moss to spread. I'm going for that crazy gorgeous Alexander McQueen creation above meets Pixie Hollow vibe. We'll see where I end up.

Have a fantastic, festive (and safe) New Years... I'll be back next week with tales of our woodland fairy adventure.

Working on "The List"

my friend jessica's pretty blue velvet flats...I loved the way they looked with the rug ;-)
















There is progress on the list...we've made snowflake garlands and fireplace s'mores and gingerbread houses and a nice sampling of baked goods (the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies were the stand outs). We've seen The Muppets at the movies (so cute) and are in the midst of "game day".

Next up a viewing of Little Women and some drive-by Christmas light ogling.

Have a lovely and magical Christmas friends. Thank you for all your kindness and support. It means the world to us, truly. You guys are amazing.

Bob...

Bryan's dad Bob passed away over the weekend...

Bob was a hugely brave, smart, fiercely loyal... oh and he 100%, unequivocally believed Bryan and the girlies hung the moon. He was for sure the guy you wanted in your corner, and he will be missed...greatly.

He was also my blog's #1 fan, which was incredibly sweet given the fact that "loving" lists and outfits and random musings were decidedly not his thing.

So Bob, this one's for you.

The List...

a few of the items on our "list": homemade grapefruit gumdrops, paint-dipped pine cones, paper snowflakes...

I am a planner to the core.

It's a blessing and a curse, as for all the times I've been perfectly prepared, there are an equal number of occasions when I've lamented my lack of inherent spontaneity. But it can't be helped (as a wildly successful female pop star once said); I was born this way. I've been tapping my inner girl scout since I was a kid.

I have gotten pretty adept over the years at tamping down my over-planning impulses in an effort to be perceived as more mellow (it's working I *think*), but all bets are off when I'm faced with even a modicum of stress or uncertainty (both of which have been floating around the Taylor household with unwelcome frequency of late).

Audrey is clearly a kindred, as last night, out of the blue, she announced that she wanted to make a comprehensive list of all the items she wanted to bake with me during the month of December. There are 19 items on the list. There are only 17 days left in the month... Wow. But I was so seduced by her planning that I decided to jump in and raise the stakes. After all, we have two full weeks of vacation from school and work to fill with festive goodness, why not go crazy and make a list of everything we want to do for the rest of the month??

The list ended up being a funny mishmash of items, and who knows if we'll actually do them all, but at least we have a plan.

You gotta have a plan.

Herewith a few things on our "December List"(just in case you were wondering):

make a gingerbread house/watch Little Women/make paint-dipped pine cones/bake something new every day (Audrey is focused on baked goods; I'd like to tackle toffee and grapefruit gumdrops)/watch It's a Wonderful Life/make a snowflake garland/go to the museums in Ft. Worth/drive around and look at Christmas lights/make flower crowns for Millie's birthday party/clean out the game closet (me)/play games for an entire day (audrey)/make fireplace s'mores/go to the movies

So...what's on your December list?

Fancy Hair + Some Minted Winners

behind the scenes at the shoot...

Several months ago I was in NYC in the midst of a decidedly "pinch-me" moment...

I was there to be shot for the December issue of Better Homes and Gardens, an experience involving a huge, light-filled photo studio, racks of lovely clothes, hairdressers, make-up artists, caterers, super chic editors, stylists, a hilarious (and immensely handsome) photographer, and loads of confetti.

It was some seriously crazy (once in a lifetime, stories for the kiddos) business friends. Big time.

It was also seriously nerve-wracking...let's just say I am not so good at the whole having-my-photo-taken enterprise. It freaks my action out. But any trepidation was totally off-set by the loveliness of the aforementioned "village" at the shoot. Kind, funny, warm...just a really fantastic group of people.


the finished product...

The result recently hit newsstands, and I can safely say that my hair has never looked so bouncy -- it's a far cry from my standard disheveled vibe. Suffice to say, my mother is extremely proud.

Thank you Better Homes and Gardens for such an amazing experience.

Ok now for the really important stuff -- the winners of the Minted holiday card giveaway. Congrats Araya and Michele!

And last but not least happy, happy Thanksgiving friends. We're gearing up for some major consumption with back-to-back feasts. We'll celebrate with Bryan's folks tomorrow and then cook Thanksgiving dinner part II on Friday for a big group at our house. So I'm taking the rest of the week off to revel in the carbs.

Let the gratitude (and the eating) begin!

An Aha! Moment and A Minted Giveaway...

This year's holiday cards (yep, there are two of them) via Minted.

When we did our family photo session with the lovely Kelly a couple of weeks ago, my goal was to procure a snap to use for our holiday card. I did not have high hopes.

My consternation had nothing to do with the photographic prowess of Kelly -- she's an immensely talented gal that one. No, it was solely due to the fact that, well...my family sucks at taking family photos. Truly. Oh and when we're in the act of sucking at taking them, I have the tendency to drop the f-bomb. A lot. It's not a good scene.

I won't bore you guys with ruminations over why this particular seemingly innocuous act sends the Taylor crew into such a tizzy, but I will say that I'm dealing with the reality by taking a decidedly more mellow approach about the whole enterprise. Basically I've stopped caring if we end up looking crazy (reasoning that looking crazy in a family photo adds to its charm). I'm just going to go with that and move on, ok?

Family photos complete, now it's time to select one for the card... Enter more consternation. I want to go with the crazy photo with the girlies wearing masks. It feels fun, irreverent, real. The rest of my family (i.e. Bryan and my mother who I've called in for opinions) thinks recipients of our holiday card will actually want to see the girlies faces. Hours of waffling ensue: do I go with the photo that bucks convention, or do I go the more traditional (but less fun) route and opt for the standard family photo? Ah the agony, the indecision.

Then on the way to work this morning, like magic (magic, that is, to a completely obtuse person like myself), I have the aha! moment. Why don't I order some of each... I'll send the "zany" version to folks we see all the time under the assumption that they know what the girlies look like and reserve the more traditional version for relatives and friends afar. A no brainer, yes??

So now it's your turn (and there's something in this for you). Give me your thoughts on the whole holiday card enterprise. Do you agonize over this as much as I do?

In return for sharing your tales, I'll pick two of you to get 50 free personalized holiday cards courtesy of Minted*. Just leave your comment by end of day next Tuesday the 22nd and I'll announce a winner on the 23rd...

Good Luck!

* A note on Minted -- This is the third consecutive year I've used Minted for our holiday cards, and I have to say they manage to make it an altogether amazingly easy process (quite a feat given my holiday card travails). Suffice to say, I'm a fan.

Perfume, A Pop-up Shop and Fun Press (a.k.a The Random Bits)

First up, an update on the shopping front (specifically the "shopping while in NYC" front)... In addition to the dress mentioned yesterday and the goodies I posted over on Operation Simplicity, I also bought another lovely dress (which I'll disclose soon) and MCMC's Maui perfume oil during my trip last week.


I've had a bottle of MCMC perfume oil on my wish list for a while, based solely on the thoughtful, artisanal approach that creator Anne McClain takes in creating each scent (for example that image above is one of the inspiration photos that Anne took while in Hawaii conjuring her perfume "Maui"). There are no shops in Dallas that sell the line (!), so I've hesitated, as I really like to wear perfume a bit to see how it works with my chemistry before I commit.

So when I came across the little vials in a shop in Nolita, I took my time sampling them all. Maui was the clear winner...it's crazy lovely and interesting, unlike anything I've worn before. If you have a chance to try it out, I would highly recommend.



Next, (and I'm so excited to share this one) Christine and I have joined forces with the lovely Michelle to create a Pretty Mommy pop-up shop at Little Bean on Friday, September 9th. Michelle will be here in person and is bringing along loads of amazing things like Clare Vivier bags, Laura Lombardi necklaces, John Robshaw bedding... (it'll pretty much be her entire online shop brought to life).

Mark your calendar for 6:00-9:00 on September 9th to check out all the lovely goods and have a glass of wine and some snacks!


photograph by Mei Chun Jau for The Dallas Morning News

Ok and finally I wanted to share some fun press stuff happening of late. tinyDallas was featured in FD Luxe's August "Hot List" (that's us with our kiddos above)...We were so honored to be included!


photograph by Mei Chun Jau for The Dallas Morning News

In that same issue of FD Luxe, I was also a contributor, writing a little piece on the amazing potter (and friend) Jonathan Cross and one about creative kid's parties. The team at FD Luxe is is so smart and creative and cool; it was fantastic to work with them...


My "On Our Radar" picks for Dallas Child...


Millie's rainbow party in Dallas Child...

Last by not least, in addition to my monthly "On Our Radar" picks for Dallas Child, I also contributed a piece on packing a "foolproof" school lunch for their August issue. And as an added bonus, they featured Millie's last birthday as their "party of the month".

Whew...Sorry for the press overload, but I thought you guys might enjoy taking a peek some of the stuff happening in my "offline" world ;-)

I'm be taking a little blog break for the rest of the week to spend some concentrated time with Bryan and the girlies before the craziness of the new school year kicks-in next week! I'll be back on Monday with tales of our adventures.

Have a great rest of the week and weekend friends!