Dream Life

Must watch. Absolutely fascinating, moving, inspirational. Read more here.

Winter Extreme

It's been awhile since my last post, and since then there have been many changes.  After much anticipation and consideration, I've returned back to full-time work.  Having begun my new position three days before Christmas, the last four weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement and adjustment.  Things are going really well; I love my new job, my son and husband are spending more time together, and plans are big for 2012.  Among all this we are managing our way through a blast of snow that has suddenly hit our area... and it couldn't be more crazy.  After nearly a week of wild weather and playing in 6+ inches of snow, I'm ready for things to return to normal and to get back to my resolutions for the New Year, which are...

• Save for a family cruise
• Begin a membership at a pilates gym
• Teach my son to read
• Tackle projects as they surface
• Get a promotion
• See 3 shows with my husband (we love live music)
• Watch my husband teach our son how to BMX (we're watching lots of videos on youtube now)

What are you're resolutions?

Pretty Polish

I love nail polish.  For me, it's a lot like lipstick is for other women, a quick pick-me-up.  Anytime I need one, I peruse the endless variety of colors out there and choose something pretty to add to my collection.  Generally, I've stuck with simple manicures of one color applied on short nails.  But I've recently discovered the world of nail art and have to say that now I'm hooked.  This is becoming an incredibly addictive hobby that has me doing my nails every night after my son goes to sleep.  For my most recent manicure I tried the newspaper nails technique with holiday magazine print and let me tell you it's cute cute.  Here are a few of my favorites across the web, and be sure to click here for some incredible tutorials.

btw - this tumblr sort of rules...

Trying for Bokeh

While trying to figure out how to do this, I ended up with this effect instead.  I don't even know if it will actually work with my point and shoot... although I do really like the way these photos turned out and may play around with it a bit more.  Anyone have success with trying bokeh?  I could use some tips!

Getting Festive

We took some time this weekend to put out our holiday decorations.  After my husband brought in the Christmas tote from storage, my son showed a serious interest in how things should be displayed; I basically followed his requests as to where to put the lights, garlands and tree ornaments.  Since everything we used is from last year we ended up with a sort of funky bohemian look that feels fun and offbeat in a juvenile way.  Letting my son take the lead when it comes to things like this really takes the pressure off me to make everything 'perfect'.  I also like that he finds so much more joy in anything we do when he's allowed to be creative and participate.   We still have yet to pick up our tree, and I'm looking forward to his suggestions on decorating that as well.

 - pleased with his work -

It's that time again...

... and I don't mean the holidays (although that is nice). No, I'm talking about getting my hair done. Colored, to be specific; which I get both excited about and anxiety ridden at the same time. The anxiety doesn't come from worry, it comes from a severe lack of patience. While I love to get my hair done, I have the most difficult time sitting in the salon chair. From the beginning it's been undeniably excruciating. A book or magazine can generally ease my frustration, but to this day I can't seem to get past it; wonder what that's all about...

Well that aside, Ombre is my color style of choice, and I'm really loving the cut in the photo featured last... and my husband will be happy I actually have some pics to convey what I want this time.

Singing Thanks

Although we all woke up a little under the weather, the day went off without a hitch.  All my dishes turned out well, dinner was ready by 1pm, and afterword we had time for an adventurous bike ride in  the rain.  But the best part came when it was time to say our thanks; instead of a simple statement from each of us, my witty clever husband gave us a song right before carving the turkey.  I think a new tradition has been born...

And I'm 15 Again

This morning my husband introduced me to Mac Miller...

...and something incredible happened - I was immediately transported back to high school, where I spent most of my time hanging out in my best friend's very awesome poster-covered bedroom listening to a combination of hip hop, grunge, and Bob Dylan. A time in my life when I had more freedom than I actually realized, with little obligation outside of my friends, part-time job, and dance. Aside from my mother's strict grip, each day was full of promise and anything truly could happen. At least that's how it appears to me now. Of course then there were many obstacles blocking my dreams, though somehow I think I've pulled through okay. That's why I love kids like this, so young and full of hope and energy and drive; an attitude that can be maintained through life but is just so strong when we're young. This post is going in a bit of a different direction than I intended, so let me finish it off with this... does he have mad style or what?! Oh nineties, it's so good to have you back.

Room for Color 2011

 

Room For Color 2011 contest is going on over here, and so far these are my favorite entries.  I love seeing what people do with their personal spaces and always come away so inspired by all the creativity.

 

Trail

Yesterday was a really beautiful fall day and it was next to impossible not to get out into the sunshine.  I had some things to pick up at the market so around 11am we headed toward the trail near our house.  My son and I take this trail regularly which leads us into the heart of our neighborhood, the library, and a couple of parks.  Having everything within walking distance is wonderful and having a trail like this to take to get to it is something I am so grateful for.  With the leaves turning and falling and looking so pretty, right now I look forward to and enjoy our walks beyond anything else.

 

 

until next week :)

 
I discovered this photographer via here.  These were the images that stood out to me, but to be honest every one of them are beyond compelling.

Blogs I'm Reading

I don't think there is a baby blog I could love more...

image here

Lullaby Substitute

For the last week or so my son has been asking me to sing him to sleep at bedtime. He stopped enjoying the traditional lullabies I would sing to him as a baby when he hit about two years old, so coming up with material has been a challenge. I don't know a lot of songs by heart, just bits here and there, and a whole bunch of Christmas numbers. Not wanting to flood him with holiday music quite yet (he'll hear plenty when it starts everywhere, like in a week) I scoured my memory for the songs of my youth, with that being the last time I spent hours belting out lyrics while driving my car or riding with friends. I couldn't get enough of this lovely lady back then, and if I listened to the albums today could possibly recall nearly every song by heart. This and one other stuck out in my mind, and before five minutes was up, I had my son snoozing the night away.

Runway Inspired Halloween Makeup

 

 INSPIRATION

About 2pm yesterday I suddenly decided I wanted some sort of a costume to wear while taking my son trick-or-treating. I love Halloween, and have had a lot of fun with costumes over the years (a favorite being Phyllis Nefler from Troop Beverly Hills) but since the birth of my son I have to admit my costume priorities have been on the back burner. Not to mention my terrible penchant for procrastination, something I really hope to improve on over the years. But it's of this procrastination that an idea I hadn't even considered until now was born. I didn't have any sort of costume in mind or planned, but did have two makeup cases full of cosmetics from my years in the industry (I occasionally still do weddings). Something fun and creative on the face was better than nothing. So I googled chic Halloween makeup and uncovered a plethora of ideas from runway photos. How perfect! After considering each one, Call of the Wild became the ideal choice, since I could pair the look with a fur-trimmed coat hanging in my closet. This may just become my go-to solution for what to be each year from here on. Check out some of the other images I found interesting below.

INTERPRETATION

Black and White

Black and white photos are among my all-time favorite.  I don't have a professional camera, (just a point and shoot) but if I did color would be history around here for awhile.  Find all the images above here.

--My meager attempt at black and white editing... it's a good thing I have such a great model--

Cute Playroom

I do the best with the space we have, but to say I've never wished for an extra room would be untrue.  I love the adorableness of this playroom, and all the little spaces set up for creative and interactive play.  And the wood paneling gives a quirky vintage feel to the room that makes it warm and cozy.

(although I do have room for a scrap fabric garland)

images here