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.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Love, love, love this collection of photos from a project William Waldron did for a book by Carlos Mota called CHEAP AND CHIC.

Be back in full force next week my friends.

Robot Momma..no me gusta

I wonder if my home would be different if it were a wine house rather than a "whine house"..if you know what I mean.

You know the saying, "that's going to drive me to drink" and trust me if I were ever going to use that saying it would clearly be applicable now more than ever.
Alas I do not drink even though I have a bottle of dry white wine sitting on my top shelf in the pantry...I make a killer risotto with shrimp. I am totally fine with not drinking alcohol because it makes me feel very ayurvedic (that one is for you Tori) and besides I am already really fun to hang out with, I swear.

Seriously all of that aside I have been forced to ponder many things as of late because it seems life has been a bit trying and I have turned into robot momma. One may think that robot momma is like some kind of super momma but in this case would be considered a bad thing. Robot momma has a hard time feeling the good emotions because she is overwhelmed and focused in on the daily mundane stuff that comes with being a Mom. We all know that words related to mundane are everyday, routine, unremarkable but what I found interesting is that in the dictionary the first definition of mundane is "of or pertaining to this world or earth as contrasted with heaven". That really hit me because I believe we should strive to have a little heaven on earth and I believe the ultimate goal is to make it back to heaven..so if my perpesctive is correct then mundane should be kicked to the curb and that sometimes means there has to be a change or a reinvention of oneself. I have a few things up my sleeve so we'll see if those little changes will help out.

I'm thinking this would be a great time to observe happenings that don't suddenly seem so mundane even if they are everyday happenings. Kind of heavenly if you ask me...mixed with some earthly...like fur coats and sequins.

Highlights:

*Never have seen a few boys so happy to have a train set in my life.

*Literally crying at the sight of little children snug as a bug in their beds because they looked so precious.

*Was given a special ticket to a "music concert" live and unplugged on the white cowhide rug.

*A certain little 5 year old girl who told me she would like a fluffy furry coat only to have her Mom pull out a real fur shrug (don't worry it's vintage) and have it fit her perfectly. Oh yes I plan on wearing it this winter.

*Those tender moments when the boys aren't so territorial and want to be best buddies.

*A special Wed. when help arrived so this crazy lady could go run errands by herself without kids. Don't think I didn't wear a sequined top to celebrate. Also was really excited to trade in my Trader Joe's bag for a customized shopping bag that was monogramed by Bag Full of Posies. I must mention that the lady behind the shop is my friend and if you feel the need to upgrade your Trader Joe's bag too then may I suggest checking out her shop here. I think they would make great gifts...shhh don't tell my sisters. Love you Kellie. Did you notice the green shopping bag matches my sweet green vaccum?


P.S. - Thank you Bella Girls for featuring my blog with some of the best homies around. Really there are some very cool girls that are from my town. I like them. Go here to read more.