Lake Powell 2011

After a year off (too close to Blair's due date last year) Ben and I were excited to get back in action with his family's annual trip to Lake Powell.  It was a wonderful trip. My mom kindly offered to take Blair to what we dubbed "Grandma Camp" - a stay in Montana at my parent's house.  I was relieved to have the person I trust most keep her but we'd never left her for more than a few hours in her ten months!  Babies on boats = 24/7 stress so we took advantage of it being just the two of us.  

 Here are a few of my favorite pictures.  To sum it up and save from over captioning we cliff jumped, tubed, wake boarded, played many rounds of times up & push rummy, ate lots of junk, took a billion pictures, got too much sun (or donned too much block: me: came home whiter) and had a great time.

Summer Bonfire

A few weeks ago we 'bonfired' with some friends. Ben and I have been married almost five years and had never lived in a place where we got to know neighbors.  It was well worth the wait because we have hit the jackpot with incredibly fun people on our street.  We all have a lot in common, some newlyweds, some with young kids, all new to the neighborhood as of a year ago and all in the mood for a good time at the drop of a hat.  Lindsay & Dan hosted the inaugural party complete with a fire pit for roasting hot dogs and later, s'mores. I was in charge of the chocolate and I may have brought enough to last the entire summer. We set up our makeshift baby monitor and put Blair down for the night.  Three hours later we were hardly ready to say goodnight!  Here's to many more summer nights with good friends and melted marshmallows.

kyle & andrea, danielle & chad

 

 the hosts

My chair wasn't close enough to the fire or the goodies - so I parked it on the grass. Yes, I'm a total pig when it comes to anything related to chocolate and marshmallows. Now the neighborhood knows.

Studio 5 : How to Add Feminine Frills HE Would Approve Of

I had a great time with the segment today.  The display turned out beautifully - who wouldn't love pink, treats and fresh flowers? To watch, click the play button below or click here to redirect to the Studio 5 website.  My write - up is below.

Some women may think that the home is their domain but there definitely needs to be consideration given to the males in the household. We need to keep things civilized, right?  Designer Lauren Oviatt shares a few tips today that will give you the pink you need in your life without alienating any men. Here are a few ideas to disguise the fact that you’re still getting your way.

1. Apply in Small Doses 

Haven’t we all heard that men are N.I.D  - ‘not into details’?  I agree.  If you need the floral patterns or pastel colors, apply them in small doses and the men in your life may not even notice.  A neighbor of mine recently said, “I’ve got to figure out a way to bring some pink into my family room without my husband noticing.”  Later that week I noticed a small pink porcelain dish as part of her coffee table display.  It blended seamlessly. Success!  Other great ideas may be a throw blanket in your favorite feminine color or a colorful cake stand in your kitchen that is disguised as a place to put treats.  How about fresh flowers or candles?  Who would ridicule you for that?   Be careful of scents that are overtly feminine… choose unscented candles and place fragrant flowers where there is space to breathe. The great thing about small doses is that is affords you the opportunity to rotate items seasonally.  There are so many fabulous colors trending right now – applying these pops of color adds energy to any neutral space right where you need it.

2. Pick either color or pattern

When it comes to soft goods like pillows, drapes, bedding, and upholstered pieces like sofas, chairs and even headboards… play down the femininity by choosing either pattern OR color, not both.  If the romantic floral prints like Laura Ashley or Shabby Chic look is what you love, then pick that pattern up in a neutral tan-on-white color or even blue and cream. A lovely choice.  If the color (pinks and teals and purples) is what matters more to you, look for those colors in graphic, bold, masculine patters or even solids.  You’ll still get the look you’re after, but you won’t be taking things over the top.  Try to ground both florals and bright colors with neutrals that will both draw attention to them while also downplaying the frilly-ness of it all.

3. When all else fails, go crazy!

If the two ideas we’ve mentioned just won’t cut it for you – then consider this one : there is probably a space in your home that you consider your own… a vanity or dressing table in your bathroom, a craft room or closet, a powder room or even your laundry room (especially if YOU’RE the one doing all the laundry!).  This would be a great place to splash lots of girly color and feminine touches.  We’re talking everything from wall color to drapery, decorative baskets, ruffles, flower pins, colorful desk accessories, you name it!  This will become your ‘happy place’ and you can tell your hubby to just stay out of it if he doesn’t approve.

Happy Baby

Blair loves the view from her stroller.  Strolling makes her happy.

Introducing : Linkon Ashton

I finally had my chance to meet baby Linkon yesterday.  He is the firstborn of my dear dear friend Lacey, and her wonderful husband (also dear family friend), Ashton.  He was born on Cinco de Mayo - how fabulous is that!?  He was just a little thing, weighing in under six pounds, but a pure angel.  I had only texted pictures to reference until seeing him in person - but I had already decided he was darling and he had rockstar hair right out of the womb... so appropriate coming from his super stylist mom.

Ben, Blair and I drove down yesterday to meet him in person and finally get to hug and congratulate Lace and Ash.  First thoughts:  Linkon was asleep in his little lamby swing when we arrived, and he is the dreamiest little thing! So small (and made Blair look SO big) with the teeniest little features.  WHAT a cutie.  He awoke just in time for our dinner and was alert for a while after that.  Lacey and Ashton are already looking the part of well-adjusted parents - taking turns feeding/changing and rocking baby Linkon like seasoned pros.  Linkon's presence in their home felt so natural - it was wonderful to see Lacey fulfill the motherly role I always knew she would, and so beautifully.

Blair couldn't get enough of Linkon... she kept crawling over to him and climbing up the sofa, the swing, and Ashton's legs just to catch a glimpse.  When we were leaving Blair was allowed to get close enough for a kiss and she fussed when kissy-time was over.  "no, wait?  - where are you taking him?"  We can't wait to see them again soon and to kick off what will be 18 years of 'playdates' - until they'll start calling it dating.

My Little Inchworm

Does anyone remember that adorable little sidekick of Oscar the Grouch's?  Slimey - the tiniest muppet inchworm there ever was.  Once Blair started learning to crawl she reminded me so much of a little inchworm.  Her lower half worked before her upper half.  I thought it was too cute.  She also surprised me with poses and moves like "downward facing dog" and "child's pose" as well as a cute little bunny hop where her bum and knees bounced back and forth, very fitting as it was Easter time. She would also pause and lay on her side - kind of like a pinup.  Oh, and she pats.  I love her little pats. Where does she get this stuff? Now she is a crawling machine - so I want to document what came before.