tooth fairy

This morning I was woken up by a little girl who was very excited about what the tooth fairy left her for her very first tooth. She said that she didn't understand how the tooth fairy got the toothbrush under her pillow because she thought that the tooth fairy was just too little to carry such a big Hello Kitty toothbrush. I then asked her how she knew the tooth fairy was so little. She then told me that she saw her. I then ask her what she looked like. She gave me a very detailed answer about how little miss tooth fairy had pink hair with yellow diamonds and zig zags all over her dress. I told her it would be a very good idea if she drew a picture of her. She agreed and then asked me if it were alright if she could jump on her bed. I didn't really have a choice in the matter at that point...I went to fetch the camera.

Oh MAN! masculine goodness from Tommy Smythe

Well if a man cave looked any better than then I want to know about it. It has been so fun to figure out about Tommy Smythe. Since I have not watched tv in a very long time I would not know about Sarah Richardson or Tommy Smythe if it weren't for blogging...and that would be a darn shame.

{photos via get it girl style & apartment therapy}

take me to my real happy place...

NOTE TO MY FAMILY: I am really missing you today.

Sometimes when I am really missing my family and need a boost I break into my sister's photos just to see them in action. This summer we all had the opportunity of spending a couple of days together in California. It is a very rare occasion for all of of us to be together so when we do get that chance it is a treasured moment. Speaking of treasured moments...we can't wait to meet the newest addition from Korea. My sister and her husband are in the process of bringing the above sweet little boy home to their already 3 children. Did you know that adoption paperwork can be brutal? My sister reminded me about some of the same things my husband and I went through when we submitted our very own adoption papers 1 month before we found out we were pregnant with the girls. Apparently it is very important for any agency to know that my Dad is 6'5", was born with dark brown hair (turned gray), tells the best but dumbest jokes, has worn the same style of Levi 501s for over 55 years and was a crazy knee-boarder in his day. Seriously though agencies do ask those sort of questions about all immediate family...ok probably not about Levis 501 jeans..still a very intense questionaire nonetheless.

P.S.- I'm still wondering why my brother is trying to put seaweed on my Momma..weird. (refer to top picture)

{all pictures were taken by my sister}

{yellows, blues & grays}

I like the above from Chicago Home Mag which highlighted designers, Summer Thornton & Julia Edelmann. Very nice colors indeed.

At this very second in my life I would compare the color yellow to my very happy boys who happen to be bouncing off the walls in their bedroom as I type. I'm considering breaking them up into 3 seperate bedrooms. I'm such a party pooper.

{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}