{above image via Gilt.com}

I got an email from the folks @ Gilt.com who thought that many of the readers of this blog would be interested in hearing about Gilt.com's partnership with Care.com and about their very large give away and I agree. Who wouldn't want the chance to win part of the $15,000 worth of services (like babysitting, dog walking or housekeeping), a chance at one of the five $500 gift certificates for Gilt Children (which features everything from children's bedding to apparel to furniture, all at a huge discount) or one of fifty premium memberships to Care.com. A premium membership includes access to Care.com's extensive network of caregivers, free background checks and detailed caregiver profiles, expert advice and more.

There is no purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes, and goes through September 15th. Enter here. It is really easy.

Now if I were to win I would certainly use the housekeeping service to help keep my home sanitary...Sometimes my house looks like it needs much more than just a little housekeeping....I wonder if Hazmat is included in Care.com's services. Also I would love a $500 gift certificate to Gilt Children because it would make shopping for kid's clothing that much more fun.

If you aren't familiar with Gilt Groupe, they are an invite-only website featuring sales of up to 70% discounts on designer brands, making high-end products a lot more attainable for everyone. To learn more about the service that Care.com provides go here.

small miracles

Breakfast is my favorite. Yesterday as I was making pancakes I thought about how many times I have walked into where the boys have been sleeping and how they look like little puppies all huddled together on a full size bed. The really fascinating part is that half of the time they are situated on the bed in the same position that they were in the womb. It's the coolest thing. I never want to forget life's smallest miracles.

Speaking of small and simple miracles, I have also been thinking about when my husband & I had a hard time having kids. We were called to serve as primary teachers at church to teach the 3 year olds. In fact it felt like our eternal calling @ church because I think we had that calling 3 different times in a row for a span of 7 years. Anyway I remember thinking, "why even prepare a lesson for these little rugrats because they don't even listen to a word we say". Then it hit me really hard...what really mattered most was that these sweet little children just felt loved more than anything. I approached our Sunday lessons a little differently from there on out. We had so much fun & came to love that age group. Anyway I needed to reflect back to that time in my life because we are so in that same stage again except my calling has changed to mother and it really is eternal.

Who cares if the house is messy becasue I am gaining a new hobby today...playing with trains.

Heaven help me.

Why is it always easier said then done?

{that little boys room]

I am a little obsessed with the above little boys bedroom that LindsB just posted. It comes from the portfolio of Laura Stern. I will be on the hunt for some really good animal sihouetees ASAP. Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

A few more shots from the Brooklyn penthouse that the above room comes from.

To see more head over to Everything LEB.

{rentals on airnb} and alternative way to travel

Why not go to Italy first and then head on over to France. I love to pursue the spaces on airnb and other sights where people rent out their own private spaces. I think renting a quaint, unique space sounds rather appealing right now. Besides the bright pink velvet sofa below, don't you love how just a bunch of stuff is just thrown together but looks so effortlessly chic...I guess that is the French way.


The above space is in Puglia, Italy and the below space is in Paris, France. I think the space in Paris is even American friendly, hence flag blanket on the couch:-)

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{images via airnb}

I almost forgot about sharing the below...
...that was until I thought about making Jaimee Rose's macaroni & cheese.

...or until my friend Amber called me from the throne wondering why she just saw my face in her new September issue of AZ Magazine...there was a bit of confusion going on.


Want to see what I consider the best issue that AZ Mafazine has put out...ok let's be honest it is actually the only issue I have ever seen...but I am probably going to be a little partial because my sweet little girls faces exist amongst those pages. Anyway I think the crew that works in The Arizona Republic building downtown did a fabulous job on the publication. I'm thinking I will have to subscribe. There sure are some fun and stylish people down there. For example Celine showed up to my house in a vintage Missoni dress that she had thrifted and I believe Ginger styled the beautiful models below for some fall fashion. Oh and doesn't the spread that Jaime styled with the mac & cheese look so good. If you look really close you can see the cute little mice that she made out of chocolate-dipped maraschino cherries, Hershey's Kisses and sliced almonds.


Thank you AZ Magazine for the fun opportunity & momento for my girls and I.














Mom, you can subscribe here but be sure to mention promo code INAZ.

P.S. Christy thanks again for scanning and sending pictures over to me a couple weeks ago.

{modern art, the boys room & an inspiration piece}

I am a really big fan of artist and sculptor Eduardo Chillida and will occasionally search for one of his lithographs (that's all I could afford) on Ebay which led me to one of my new favorite Ebay shops that is packed full of fantastic art. My husband does not appreciate most of the artwork that I like and fails at seeing the beauty in it the way I do. I love modern & abstract art...which includes many pieces from the 70s. Anyway husband & I collaborated on picking up a bunkbed and painted it together this last weekend. We are making progress even if it is slow. I really (sort of) value his opinion so we are quickly trying to compromise on what the boys' room will look like. Anyway I explained to him that it is just fine to mix a more modern piece of artwork and still have the room look comfortable, rustic and boyish. I had been eyeing the above print on Ebay but completely spaced bidding on it. I visit this particular Ebay sellers shop often and feel like they get some of the best pieces so if you are interested go here.

I can't wait until the room is done. Also I am feeling very inspired by the striped banners that Elizabeth from Peacock Feathers used @ her wedding and then hung in her home. Go here for the scoop.

deCesare

I blogged about Caroline Decesare here before her website was updated. Well after pursuing her new portfolio, can somebody pls. hand me a paper towel to wipe the moisture that made it onto my keyboard...some may refer to it as drool. Seriously so many of the projects she touches are perfection. I remember briefly meeting Caroline back in her college days when a guy that I was hanging out with took me to meet her because he thought she was so cool. I remember thinking her college apartment was even done up nicely. So fun the see this fellow Mesa-ite's career evolve. Such talent. To see more go here.

animal print & lucite

Now the animal print and lucite can certainly be classified as current trends. What I really like about the 2 elements are that they also can be catagorized as classics as well. For example the lady in the above pictures is named Aureta and that little purse is a vintage lucite from the 40s so these things have been around for a while. Just remember a little goes a LONG way. The above woman has style. To see more of her and her company go to her blog here.

Also the big animal print can be found many places but H & M sells a nice little cardi for $24.99.

martha's home tours

After getting this months Martha Stewart Living and falling head over heals for Kevin Sharkley's contemporary apartment in New York I had to re-visit some of the home tours on Martha Stewart.com. The above is such a fun family space.

All photos via Martha Stewart.