LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Cheers Matchbox // The Social Type has the most darling variety of paper goods. Dots and gold foil? I'll drink to that!
• Bindi Tassel Necklace // In an effort to ease back into the blogging bit, you know I've got to include some sort of tassel or pom-pom. Right?? It just wouldn't be a Friday Love List without them included.
• White Rim Lacquer Tray // This may or may not be on its way to Swell Rio, and I have a gazillion different ideas buzzing about in my head as to how I might use it. A splash of orange is ALWAYS necessary.
• Dot Life via Lucy Halcomb // Fellow snail mail enthusiasts, you're going to want to take my advice on this one. Follow Lucy's account on Instagram. Don't waste another second! Who wouldn't love to receive something this pretty?!
• Harbour Stripe Duvet Set // Stripes. Scallops. And what about that signature Kate Spade green? Hubba hubba.
• "It All Just Clicked" 4X6 Photo Album // I've printed oodles of pictures of Max and they keep accumulating in my desk drawer. Perhaps this adorable photo album is just the inspiration I need to give our beloved snapshots a home??
• V-Neck Cardigan with Embellished Pockets // You want to know how I know that the old J.Crew is back? The latest style guide. Yep, that's right! A slice of Parisian perfection. It reminded me of the good old days. Not that I ever lost hope. Now way. There's just been so much buzz about the store letting down its fan base. I believe it's all about the classic cardigan. The bejeweled pocket details are beckoning. Now bring on the cooler weather por favor!!
• Bennett Crossbody Bag // I will admit I have problems collecting throw pillows and scarves, but I will never admit to hoarding accessories. It appears that J.Crew likes to encourage my "hobby" by introducing me to its latest bag style. Of course they had to make it in this fabulous spearmint color. OMGooooodness! I'm hooked.
• Crystal Flower Earrings // Can't you just imagine these on your ears? Feminine, sophisticated, and a whole lotta sparkle.
• End-Of-Summer Bucket List // As Labor Day nears, don't forget to check a few of these fun activities off your bucket list.
• Fox Baby Body Raglan // Even though it's so stinking hot in Texas, I can't help but look ahead and dream about Max's fall wardrobe. This onesie with some chinos and cute kicks have got me swooning big time.
• Wooden Camera // A certain half-pint in the house is obsessed with my camera. Snap happy is the best kind of happy.
• Breton Stripe Napkins // How is it possible that Max will be one in 1.5 months?? Time to start the party planning.
• High Brew Coffee // I saw this at the HEB a few weeks ago and learned the company hails from Austin, TX. My interest was piqued, so I grabbed a few cans. I totally blame it all on the cute packaging. It's tasty to (cowboy) boot!
• Milk Bar's Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies // If the only thing I get accomplished this weekend is baking these cookies, I'll be proud as punch. It's time to dust off the mixer and lick the bowl clean. Wouldn't you agree??

As always, thank you kindly for stopping by. Cheers to a snazzy weekend, m' dears! Make it count.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

Brace yourselves dear readers, today's post isn't written in the typical Thursday Thoughts format. Gasp! Okay, now everybody take a deep breath with me. Still there? Alright. I guess I just feel the need to deviate from the ol' routine and tell you about my Guardian Malaysian—a stranger who deserves an entire post devoted to his kindness. Now where should I begin...

When I initially booked our flight to Omaha, I knew the itinerary was going to be a little bit wonky. You see, from San Antonio we were set to fly all the way to Charlotte, North Carolina. From there, we'd hop on another plane and head to Nebraska. Nothing about our flight path made sense, but at the time it seemed like a doable way to save a penny or two. Never again, I tell you.

In the days leading up to our departure, I tried my best to mentally prepare for this trip. I reminded myself to keep a sense of humor and stay hopelessly optimistic. All I needed to do was just get to my family in Iowa. The rest would be cake. So when the day came and we kissed Flyboy good-bye at the San Antonio Airport, I knew I was in for an adventure. Ready or not, here we come.

After breezing through airport security without any hiccups, we got settled at our gate. I spent the next hour trying my best to wear Max out. Veteran moms said this was key to traveling, so I hopped to it. I quickly learned that letting him crawl and teeter around while simultaneously keeping an eye on two bags is easier said than done, but we survived. Thankfully it was only a matter of time before our group was called to board, and that's precisely when our trip got... fun?

As soon as we arrived at our seat, Max's disgruntled level was turnt up (because ours go to eleven...). I figured the fussy factor had something to do with the warm temperature on the plane. No biggie. While I got the babe out of his carrier, situated our bags, and strategically placed snacks and toys in the seat pocket before us, I glanced around at the passengers in our area. How did we get seated by a bunch of business men? Couldn't we be seated by a nurturing grandma or something?

Much to my dismay, Max's discontent nature came out to play. The crew had yet to shut the door of the plane and my child was putting on a Broadway style production. In that moment, I wondered if it was too late to just get off the aircraft and abort this entire operation. The introvert in me hates being a spectacle and it felt like all eyes were on seat 9B—the one with the screaming baby and rattled mother. In my attempt to ride out the storm, I nervously smiled at the passengers seated around us. I tried my best to quiet Max. Nothing worked. I fished through both of our bags presenting the unruly babe with every novel toy and snack in my arsenal. How could I possibly exhaust all of my tricks before take-off? This 2.5 hour flight didn't look pretty.

Now, in the past I've always avoided making eye contact with other passengers on the plane. I'm not big on small talk and I inevitably get seated next to a really loud and chatty person. But with a baby in tow, you have no choice but to get friendly and fast. I figured the gentleman seated next to us pretended to be asleep for a reason. Heck, I would avoid us too! Unfortunately for this "snoozing" stranger, Max opted to introduce himself by kicking the man's elbow. Fabulous! Overwhelmed by my kid's awful demeanor, I immediately apologized. I felt terrible and never expected my look of embarrassment would be met with a warm smile.

The gentleman went on to entertain Max with lots of grinning and cooing. Amid the flailing and crying, the two of us attempted to have an adult conversation. I learned the father of four was visiting the U.S. from Malaysia and was on a military business trip to learn English. He explained he has a baby girl at home and asked if he could hold Max. Desperate for help, I emphatically agreed. Stranger danger no more! But after ten minutes of Max bucking and sobbing, my Guardian Malaysian admitted defeat and returned the gem to me. On the bright side, things began to improve. Perhaps those silent prayers were starting to work?? Um, not so fast. That brief glimmer of hope was interrupted with intense grunting and a foul smell—definitely not the sort of relief I'd asked for.

GM: I think your baby has poop.

Me: I think you're right. I'm just waiting for them to turn off the seat belt light.

GM: I can help. (Presses button to alert flight attendant.)

Me: Oh, thank you...

GM: They say you can go.

I grabbed the diaper changing necessities and we made our way to the back of the plane. I glanced at the other passengers as we walked by and the results were mostly mixed with gracious smiles and annoyed glares. I tried not to think too much about us being THOSE people, and I had a really good feeling about this diaper change. Certainly it would do the trick! 

When we finally returned to 9B with clean drawers, Max and I were welcomed by GM who was sporting two thumbs up. Who doesn't love a splash of optimism? I certainly appreciated it. Unfortunately for us, Sir Maxalot was back to his old tricks.

GM: Here, I hold baby Matt again. 

Me: Okay. Are you sure? (Call him whatever you want. You can have him. Honestly.)

GM: Come here baby Matt.

As I passed "Matt" off to GM, I glanced at my watch and realized there was still another 1.5 hours left to this flight. How could I possibly survive any more? I didn't expect the day would be polka dots and Skittles, but I never thought it could get THIS bad. Overwhelmed and fighting the urge to cry, I bent over to pretend I was pilfering through my bags. In that moment of despair, I needed a second to myself. I stared at my disheveled totes and suddenly heard singing. Where in the world was this coming from? 

GM: So silly. That's Malaysian hymn. You no understand. How about something American?

"She's got a smile it seems to me

Reminds me of childhood memories...

Oh, oh, oh

Sweet child of mine..."

Yes, the Guardian Malaysian was in fact singing Guns 'N Roses to my baby. I couldn't help but giggle inside. I suppose this was just what I needed to regain my composure. I looked over at the seat next to me to find GM quite literally rocking out with my relentless 10 month old, and I smiled. I don't think I'll ever forget that moment or this man's eagerness to help.

People love to tell you how a baby changes you and I guess they're right. I'm not someone who warms up to strangers or accepts help. But on that particular flight, Max pushed me out of my comfort zone in countless ways and I'm oddly grateful. I don't even lift the arm rest for family, but when GM insisted it be done so Max could sprawl out on our laps, I agreed. How's that for change?!

If you survived all of that rambling, PLEASE tell me a little bit about YOU today.

SHOP SPOTLIGHT

It appears Max does not understand my desire to get back into the bloggie groove this week. Oy! So while he does his best to boycott his afternoon nap, just imagine me stubbornly scrambling to put some sort of snazzy post together. Thankfully, this fabulous assortment of lifestyle necessities from Sideshow Press delivers BIG time. Did somebody say jackpot?! After drooling over the shop's newest curiosities, I have this crazy desire to purchase a desktop bell and these cocktail coasters. Also, have you ever seen a sweeter set of toothpicks?! I want it all. Somebody book me a one-way ticket to Charleston and stat. I think I found my happy place.

Have a swell Wednesday, m' dears!

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

"THE DETAILS ARE NOT THE DETAILS. THEY MAKE THE DESIGN." — CHARLES EAMES

Yes, it's true, I've got some 'splainin' to do. When I said good-bye two weeks ago, I promised to share snippets from our trip to Iowa. However, the radio silence on Instagram and Facebook makes it evident that I didn't hold up my end of the bargain. Oops! 

You see, for the past year I've been looking forward to this trip. The last time I saw many of my family members, I was just a naive preggo unaware of what life with Max might look like. But since his arrival last October, I've been giddy about the idea of introducing the babe to my dear tribe. Finally, the time had come. Woo hoo! I boarded the plane to Omaha on August 8th, and I knew I just needed to survive the flights {insert pep talk here}. The rest would be cake, right?! That was, of course, until I got ridiculously sick on day TWO. What the what?! I NEVER get sick like this. To make matters worse, Max got sick as well, but thankfully his symptoms only lasted a few days. I couldn't help but be frustrated by all of this. Argh! It's the sort of thing that Type-A(shley) can't control. It wasn't part of m' grand plan. Then again, if there's one thing the past ten months of motherhood has taught me, it's that you just have to roll with it. As much as I hated that Max and I felt so cruddy, I was really grateful to be in the company of my people. Even if that meant trading in an evening gin cocktail for NyQuil and Emergen-C, it warmed my heart to look across the room and see Max smiling (okay, maybe fussing) with relatives eager to smother him with love. It doesn't get much better than that!

Despite feeling under the weather, we managed to squeeze in some pretty memorable highlights, which is precisely what I'd hoped for when we planned this trip. Here are a few details I know I'll cling to forever...

• Max LOVES being outdoors and the weather in Iowa was perfect, so we spent a lot of time hanging out in my aunt and uncle's beautiful back yard. There were s'mores and nightly fires, rounds of corn hole and cooling off with sprinklers.
• A trip to Iowa means you will more than likely gain five pounds because you suddenly have the urge to eat. All. The. Food. No one will go hungry on my aunt's watch, and I can't say I mind. Self-control gets thrown out the window when you're surrounded by grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza burgers, smoked ribs, and Italian wedding cake. OMG!
• I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to introduce Max to both sets of grandparents. It was a little bit surreal to see them holding my baby for the first time. Somebody pinch me! I was torn because I wanted to whip out my camera to take pictures and document the special moments, but I also wanted to be present and soak it all up. Just as I'd hoped, Max got a taste of everyone's personalities and that's exactly what I wished for. He witnessed the ornery and silly traits of both grandfathers and the calm and sweet sides to both grandmothers. I just adore that!
• In a span of ten days, we managed to sneak in a few firsts. Aside from the biggies like meeting family, I'm talking about a big boy haircut courtesy of my cousin, Brianne, and Max's first taste of ice cream thanks to my Grandma Landra. By the looks of the photos, it's clear the love nugget preferred spoonfuls of creamy goodness to getting his coif snipped.
• It's not often that Max gets to interact with other kids so watching him with my cousins' children was a riot. They were so sweet to him; he was in heaven. I especially loved seeing my godson hold Max and introduce him to the world of Star Wars and Lightsabers. In fact, I have a video of the two interacting and I imagine it will be played on repeat. So darling!
• This trip was EXTRA memorable because it marked the beginning of my sister's journey at Creighton University in Omaha where Aubrey will study to become an occupational therapist. You guys, I couldn't be prouder! For almost 28 years my mom has had to remind me that she's the parent and I'm the sister, but the mother hen in me struggled with leaving her on her own. As odd as it sounds, I wish I could hold her hand forever or maybe just hang out in her pocket in case of an emergency. I know she's fully capable to take on this chapter with zeal and gusto, but I still really wish I could be there when she feels lonely or needs an extra boost of confidence and a good laugh. Seeing her in her white coat made my heart leap with joy. She's exactly where she's supposed to be and that brings me great peace. Her future looks bright!  

Now that I'm getting all misty-eyed again, I should probably wrap this post up. One day, I know Max will grow to cherish these summer trips to Iowa just as much as I do. I hope he understands that it's such a gift to be surrounded by people who show up and love BIG. Our tribe is a wee bit crazy at times, but there's a whole lot of beauty in the madness. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Alright, enough of my rambling. How are YOU?? Let's catch up. Pretty please!

A BLOGGIE BREAK

IT'S TIME TO KICK BACK AND RELAX...

Hooray! We're off to visit family in Iowa! Regularly scheduled blog posts will return NLT August 25th. 

Until then, be sure to follow along via Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Lemon Drop Terrarium Sand // I'll be honest, I have no intentions to create sand art or fill glass orbs with this stuff. I'm just crazy smitten with the vibrant hue. What else would you expect around here??
• Blue Swatch Velvet Cushion Cover // Simple with a splash of colorful velvet. You are delicious, my friend! I guess this is where you might insert #ihavethisthingwiththrowpillows. Problem or hobby? I'll just let you decide.
• S'mores Marshmallows // Upon seeing this on Pinterest, I began to salivate. If this is for real, I gotta get me some of that.
• Raen Sunglasses // My goodness I'd love to try these on! I'm oddly attracted to the color, and I'm not entirely sure why.
• Belted Oxford Dress // For as long as I can remember, I've been ALL about the belted shirtdress. The fact that it comes in this fabulous shade of orange? Even better! So on Saturday while I'm trying my best to keep Max under wraps on the plane, I'm going to imagine I'm wearing this dress somewhere fancy with a handful of Peonies preferably sans baby.
• Pining for Pineapple Print // I recently added this wonderful print from Minted to the gallery wall above my desk. Total game changer. I've got a taste of Hawaii right at my fingertips. I can't almost see Lil' Puna from here.
• Rustic Pom-Pom Wool Blanket // Have you ever seen a blanket more delightful than THIS? Ugh, I think I already know what I want for my birthday. Of course, I always have two months to be wooed by something else.
• Calhoun Mini Pattern Binder // How gorgeous is this binder from Russell and Hazel? Swoon!
• Retractable Ballpoint Pens // School supplies are set up throughout the stores. It's the most wonderful time of the year...
• Pink Ric-Rac Tape // Oh geez, why didn't I think of this? And here's the real kicker, it comes in several shades of neon. 
• Zond Brass Arm Desk Lamp // Are desk lamps the new throw pillow? I can't decide, but I'm quickly becoming obsessed.
• Little Blue Paper Sculpture // It looks like Rachel Castle has expanded her whimsical shop to include textiles, clothing, and sculptures. Sign me up! I have no clue what I'd do with this, but I love it!
• Mid-Century Two Door Accent Table // I didn't realize that Target had such a great selection of mid-century modern pieces. They're killing it right now! Should I just go ahead and send Emily Henderson a thank-you note for this?

As always, thank you kindly for stopping by. Cheers to a snazzy weekend, m' dears! Make it count.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

THINKING ABOUT: Upon finding out I was pregnant with a boy last year, this J.Crew fanatic was elated to add a few of their baby items to Max's wardrobe. Sure I was smitten with the miniature gingham button-downs and colorful wool sweaters, but I didn't realize how much I'd adore their onesies. They're perfect! Since Max inherited my long torso, we quickly learned that it doesn't take him very long to outgrow his onesies. He needs the added length, and that's precisely what J.Crew's basics had to offer. Although a tad bit snug in the belly, there are still a few 3-6 month onesies that Max can wear from m' fave store. Eager to add more to his closet, I hopped on the website a few weeks ago and was heartbroken when I realized there's no longer a baby section. What the what?! I really hope they plan to bring the collection back because their basics were some of my favorite purchases—well worth the money!

FEELING: Last Wednesday while waiting for Max's doctor to see us, I got a glimpse of what things might look like on the plane this Saturday. All I can say is, YIKES! Up until this point, I wasn't too worried about traveling solo with the babe. I'm not sure what I was thinking; I tend to worry about everything. In fact, I probably should have worried about NOT worrying. Sure kids are unpredictable, but I figured as long as I packed a sense of humor and armed myself with ALL the baby gear, I would show up as prepared as possible for our trip. What I failed to remember is that the baby I'm flying with this time around is not the same Max I flew with four months ago. Nope. This nine month old is active and has no concept of what it means to sit still. Perhaps it would have been smart to practice this lesson in the weeks leading up to our departure. TOO LATE! Ugh, I guess this is what I get for encouraging him to jump, walk, crawl, etc. in an effort to wear him out each day. And since tranquilizing babies is frowned upon, I can only pray we're seated next to patient passengers. We're all in for a very memorable flight and a round of stiff drinks at our end destination.

THANKFUL FOR: Just as my dad promised, all of Max's crawling and cruising has resulted in some pretty lengthy naps. I'm going to try my best not to get too used to it, but I'll definitely enjoy one of the few perks to a curious and mobile baby for now.

EATING: This Grilled Corn Salad recipe featured on A Cup of Jo!! It's happening tonight and I'm all sorts of giddy. Someone tell me, is there anything better than a good char on fresh corn? Clearly I'm ready for ten days in Iowa...

LISTENING TO: Because Max struggles with digestion, his doctor recommended I make him a daily Droopy Poopy Smoothie (her words, not mine). So immediately after the appointment, we headed off to Wally World in the 102-degree heat to load up on ground flaxseed and a special organic yogurt that's chock-full of probiotics. Seems easy enough, right?! WRONG. Max refuses to drink out of anything but his bottle. Let's rewind to a few months ago, shall we? Flyboy was drinking from his own water bottle and Max was intrigued. FB proceeded to squeeze his bottle making a poof sound and Max flinched. Since then, our neurotic babe has remained leery of any bottle that doesn't require a nipple. We've tried straws, sippy cups, regular drinking glasses, etc. Nothing works. So imagine my dilemma when I whip up a batch of Droopy Poopy Smoothies and Max refuses to drink out of any of the cups and bottles he's presented. After dirtying seven different drinking vessels, I opted to pour the Droopy Poopy Smoothie into his bottle and cut an opening in the nipple. Ah-ha! Unfortunately, my genius plan was a flop because Max got ticked off and chucked the entire smoothie across the kitchen. Droopy Poopy Smoothie was everywhere. A week has passed since we received the doctor's orders and this stubborn child continues to refuse the fruity drink. I just want him to successfully down some of the concoction (it's delicious, I swear!) at least once so I don't have to hear myself say Droopy Poopy Smoothie ever again. What has my life come to? Honestly.

WATCHING: All aboard the fun bus! This last week's episode of Real Housewives of Orange County had me rolling. I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard at a TV show. In fact, I think my obnoxious cackling managed to wake Flyboy. Oops! Please tell me someone out there tuned in. Let's dish! Vicki, Tamra, and Shannon were hammered beyond belief, which I found hysterical. And what about when Vicki commandeered the golf cart to dinner? I lost it, you guys. Somewhere deep down I want to believe that Vacation Ashley could totally "whoop it up" with the OG of the OC, but I just know I wouldn't stand a chance.

READING: My sister found the quote featured above on Instagram and tagged my mom and me. After reading it, I was overcome with joy and excitement. It's all SO true! Growing up in the military, we had no choice but to get used to missing our people. Whether it be friends or family members, you learn how to say good bye often (almost 30 years of experience and it never gets easier), and you eagerly count the days until you're reunited next. While a big part of me wishes my dad and Flyboy could join us for this upcoming trip, I know our Iowa reunion with family will be brimming with memories. Bring on the hugging, the stories, and togetherness.

LOVING: I have very flat and fine hair so I'm always looking for new ways to get some volume and texture. After reading a ton of rave reviews, I decided to give Amika Un.Done Texture Spray a whirl and I love the results! It's giving all kinds of life to my messy topknot. Oh, and it smells fantabulous, too—a HUGE win when you wash your hair twice a week! I definitely won't hesitate to buy this again.

Enough about me. How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!

HUMP DAY HAPPY HOUR

Alright, it's time I share two confessions with you...

1. I haven't been keeping up with my New Year's Resolution, but that doesn't mean I haven't been enjoying m' gin.
2. Code red! We are currently out of Hendrick's in the Fine household. See what I mean about confession numero uno?

Last Friday I polished off a bottle of my favorite spirit when I whipped up a batch of these Watermelon Gin Fizz Cocktails. While I was sad to see the last of my Hendrick's ration disappear, I must say it was totally worth it because this recipe was delicious and refreshing. In fact, if summer could be poured into a Collins glass, I'm certain it would taste just like this. And just in case you find yourself wondering how I'm managing to remain so chill about the unfortunate state of our Hendrick's drought, it's only because I know that Flyboy is going to pick up a bottle or two this weekend after he drops his favorite people off at the airport. Hallelujah!

WATERMELON GIN FIZZ

Recipe from Ashley Brooke Designs

(Serves 2—or in my case, one parched Fine)

INGREDIENTS:

2 CUPS OF DICED WATERMELON

3 OZ GIN

4 TBSP FRESH LIME JUICE

1/2 CUP OF GINGER ALE

LIME WEDGES, FOR GARNISH

DIRECTIONS:

1. Puree or muddle diced watermelon.
2. Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker.
3. Shake it, shake, shake, shake, shake it...
4. Pour into an ice-filled Collins glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
5. Whip out a colorful striped straw and enjoy your delicious adult beverage.

Cheers, m' dears!

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

"THE DETAILS ARE NOT THE DETAILS. THEY MAKE THE DESIGN." — CHARLES EAMES

Happy Tuesday, sweet readers! I'm so excited to be reunited with my dear family this Saturday. As a result, I can't seem to focus on much of anything at the moment. Perhaps it's best for all of us if we get on with the snazzy details already...

• I bought these striped sneakers for Max last March when we visited a H&M store in Washington D.C. Unsure of his shoe size at the time, I opted for the largest pair I could find. Certainly it would be awhile before he'd fit into them, right?! Um, not quite... I guess I forgot about the puffy factor. You see, my sweet babe has some thick hooves that I rarely have to think about when he's sporting his trusty moccasins. So while organizing his closet last week, I pulled the striped sneakers out to try on—you know, just for "kicks" and giggles. I was certain they would be much too big and we'd have to wait a few more months before Max could strut around in them. Like a scene straight from Cinderella, I struggled to get them on his feet. How could he possibly outgrow them already? With great determination to see them grace his feet at least once, I managed to get them on with just enough time for a quick photo op and he proceeded to tear them off.

• When you look up the definition of mischief, you will find the faces in the second photo. These days I can't look away for a second or I'll find the adorable duo into some sort of trouble, but I guess that's what you get when you choose the name Max. It's the curse of the Wild Thing. Most of my day is spent following the babe and Bees around the house saying the word "no." Whether he's crawling or cruising around in his walker, we make countless trips around the apartment. You'd think this place would get old by the third or fourth trip, but Max always manages to discover something new.

• It didn't take long for me to pull the trigger on this purchase, but hear me out on this one... The Uptown Tote is the PERFECT bag for schlepping around all of Max's necessities. Okay, and maybe some of my stuff too! But that color? Gah! I'm certain this was what John Denver meant when he penned the lyrics, "sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy."

• Rachel of Pencil Shavings Studio fame sent me a box of gorgeous pillows with the intent to be styled. Is this a dream? After fawning over these colorful beauties for weeks, it's been so much fun sprucing up drab corners inside and outside of the house! I still can't believe all of the color and print options offered via PSS; it's absolutely dreamy! Oh, and the fact that the pillows can be utilized outdoors is a HUGE bonus when you spend as much time living outside as we do. It's just too bad I'm stingy and want the pillows to follow me from room to room throughout the day. Maybe one of these days I'll figure out an exact spot for each pillow, but for now I'll continue to stare at all of the happy hues and designs.

• Max managed to kill my snail mail game in a really big way. After months of sending very few notes (the horror!), I've made it a point these past two weeks to sit down on Sunday afternoon and send an envelope or two out to family and friends. I forgot how therapeutic it is for me to sit with a blank notecard, a set of stamps, some washi tape, and a pen. I think I ought to make this a habit! Of course, cute new stationery from Sugar Paper is the perfect motivation.

• One of my sister's friends is a co-owner of Logboat Brewing Co.—a craft brewery in our beloved college town, Columbia, Missouri. Since Aubrey's friend was celebrating his birthday, we figured it was time for Max to get in on the celebration and flaunt his favorite brew, Snapper IPA. The expressions from this particular series of photos just crack me up.

• Since Max kicked back an entire six-pack of Snappers, I had no choice but to indulge in an iced coffee. This afternoon treat has become something I look forward to every day. Thank goodness for nap time and Crest Whitestrips!

Enough about me. What are some of YOUR highlights from this past week?