LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

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

• Madewell x Biltmore Striped-Band Panama Hat // With a classic striped grosgrain, who would take it off?
• Cerise Tie-Front Jumpsuit in Linen-Cotton // Are you sick of my obsession with all things cerise yet? Good.
• Pineapple Cushion // How cute is this velvet throw pillow? Meri Meri's hint of whimsy is always on point.
• #5 by Marleigh Culver // I'm convinced I will own a piece by Marleigh Culver at some point. It's dreamy!
• Validated Parking Card // In a world that feeds off of likes, this card is a cute reminder to be yourself.
• Charmer by Ashley Mary // Remember when I used to post about art-inspired outfits? This would be good.
• CV x Every Mother Counts Long Sleeve Tee // This might be at the top of my Mother's Day wish list.
• Contrast Zip Pouch // That's a chic secret weapon! I'm loving the sleek design and punchy color combo.
• Stay Put Tape Dispenser // Say what?! The colorful design stays put with every piece of tape taken.
• AC/BC Chair // Let's discuss Nico and Yeye's adorable kid-friendly designs. Take a gander. Thank me later.
• Art by Ronan Bouroullec // I stumbled upon the new-to-me artist on Instagram and felt the need to share. 
• F.E. Castleberry Swatches // I could seriously stare at the selection of blue-and-white swatches for days.
• Gingham Slingback Flats // Let's talk about these stunners. This is a Spring/Summer mood. I'm here for it.
• Lilac Paint by Loren Hope // I can't help but get lost in the dreamy color and simplicity of Loren's photo. 
• Keep Rolling // A cheeky little reminder thanks to Black Lamb Studio. Now I want to go skating...
• Calathea // It's been a hot second since I browsed Léa Maupetit's e-shop and I love her latest additions.
• Callie Brass Accessory Stand // Hurray for organization so pretty and sleek, you won't want to hide it. 
• Elizabeth Graeber's Sketchbook // I love a glimpse into Graeber's mind! Her illustrations are everything.
• SMEG Yellow Refrigerator // Owning one of these is a dream of mine. Now I think it must be this hue.

Have a fabulous weekend, m' dears! Make it count.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

VIA

FEELING: My sister is coming to DC this weekend for Jurassic Quest and I couldn't be more excited that she gets to join us for a long weekend together. Aside from our day of dino mania, it will be a blast to dish on all the Bravo drama (you know we'll #mentionitall), go shopping, hit up a museum or two, and just catch up on life. She's been so busy settling into her new job and location these past few months; I can't wait to hear about it! I'm proud of her.

THANKFUL FOR: I don't have all the details yet, but there's a very good chance Flyboy will be coming home A LOT sooner than we anticipated. You guys!! The relief this brings. The joy. I become a blubbering ball of overwhelming gratitude when I start thinking about him returning. The idea that we could potentially get two months back that we were prepared to spend apart is such a gift. I don't know what we did to get this lucky, but I'm beyond grateful.

THINKING ABOUT: Two weeks ago, Beesly could hardly move her hind legs or lift her body from the ground. I was sick to my stomach just watching her struggle and prayed that a little rest would do the trick. Thankfully, she managed to rally for us a few days later and has been back to her (stiff) old lady ways ever since. I'm still trying to get used to the idea that this is our new normal with a ten-year-old dog. We're going to witness both good days and bad days. 

READING: It's been awhile since I've shared children's books with you all. Here are some of our latest favorites:

On The Origin of Species by Sabina Radeva

I Can Only Draw Worms by Will Mabbitt

Diggersaurs by Michael Whaite

High Five by Adam Rubin

Crunch, The Shy Dinosaur by Cirocco Dunlap

Beautiful Birds by Jean Roussen

I Need a Hug by Aaron Blabey

LISTENING TO: I went approximately ten days without painting my nails because it was pretty much worthless with all the cabinets and yard work. Naturally, I was itching to give myself a manicure after we were done, and when I finally got around to it on Monday, Max ran over and shouted: "Mommy! You have your nails back. Thank goodness!" Haha! What can I say? I guess he's grown accustomed to my Clambake adorned digits over the past four years.

WATCHING: You knew this was coming, right? It deals with Netflix and starts with the letter B. Since I haven't gotten around to Beyoncé's Homecoming yet (What is wrong with me??), it's got to be about Brené. Did you watch her special yet? Simply put, it's amazing and reminds us that hard things are born of vulnerability, whether it be heartbreak or grief of disappointment. We just need to remember to show up and put ourselves out there. There is no courage without being all in and that means you're going to feel a little scared in the process, but it's worth the risk.

EATING: I knew there would be moments in motherhood that would make me proud, but I assumed they would deal with acts of kindness or bravery. That just makes sense, right? I wasn't prepared for a similar feeling to come over me as I watched Max down a Reese's Egg in just two bites. Y'all, I got choked up and was ready to slow clap after his performance this past weekend. Thoughtfulness is great and all, but have you tried peanut butter and chocolate?  

LOVING: About a month ago, I found myself complaining about headbands on Instagram. Most of us agreed that they're cute, but they hurt, and we can barely make it through the day before we have to give in and take the darn thing off. Always a glutton for punishment with a soft spot for a sweet Liberty London print, I gave this Turban Knot Headband from J.Crew a shot, and I'm obsessed. First off, the turban design is just the right size if you want to dabble with the trendy style. The proportion is perfecto. Second, it's lightweight and DOESN'T pinch the sides of my head. I was skeptical when I bought it and figured this accessory would end up in my basket of cute headbands that I can never really wear, but I was proven wrong this time. If the folks at 770 can keep this up, that would be fab!

How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!! 

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

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

Happy Wednesday, m' dears! I've been MIA this past week, but for a really fantastic reason. You see, my mom was on Spring Break and spent her time in Delaware painting our kitchen cabinets. Eek! I know I'm a little bit biased, but they turned out SOOOO good. Those of you who follow along on Instagram got a tiny glimpse at the process, but I have every intention of sharing all the nitty-gritty details on the blog as well. While I'm still waiting on the Farrow & Ball "Hague Blue" paint to cure (could be another week or two!), I'm incredibly pleased with the transformation. This is EXACTLY how I wanted it to look when I dreamt everything up in my head this past year. Now every time I walk into the kitchen, I have to pinch myself that it's our reality. The process was definitely a messy one and took lots of prep work, but it was totally worth it! Above all, I'm truly grateful for my parents. Without their help this past week, none of this would have happened. While my mom was busy painting, my dad took care of Max and helped me place a truckload of mulch in various flower beds around our house. In less than seven days, the inside and outside of our home was freshened up for Spring. All of the little changes suddenly make it feel like we're starting to get somewhere with this deployment and we'll hopefully be reunited with our favorite Fine very soon.

Enough from me. What details have you found delightful lately? 

I hope you had a fabulous Easter holiday.

FEATURED DETAILS: BUNNY GLASSES // T-REX POLO // BENCH // PAINT // KITCHEN DETAILS // JOGGER PANT // GIN FIZZ

LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

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

• Scalloped Clutch // The "only clutch you'll ever need" comes in six different colors. Those scallops though.
• Antti Kalevi's Work // As if it wasn't obvious based on Wednesday's color study post, I love Kalevi's pieces.
• So Far, So Good Card // I love visiting Greer's website to learn about new-to-me letterpress companies.
• Tie-Waist Shorts // I've got ALLLL the heart eyes for this fiery sunset hue and that adorable bow. Gimme.
• The Biggest Color Trends of 2019 // I loved seeing all of the happy shades of yellow that made the cut. 
• Hippolyte-3 Chandelier // I'm DYING to add the pink and orange combination to our office space. Eek!
• Pepto and Poppy Earrings // Yasssssss, Matine! I love that you've expanded your accessories to jewelry.
• Cora Slide Sandals // Keep on the sunny slides, always on the sunny slides, keep on the sunny slides of life.
• Double-Breasted Sheath Dress // You  guys! I saw this fuchsia dress in person and it's even better.
• Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lipstick // My mom got a sample of this in Boss Pink and RAVED about it.
• Wooden Clasp Crossbody Bag // How dreamy is this bag? Are you ready for this next tidbit? It's $40!!!!
• Chartreuse Headband // Would you be totally annoyed if I jumped on the Lele Sadoughi bandwagon? Ha!
• Black Lamb Studios // How precious is Isabel's work??? She had me at HELLO with her colorful drawings.
• Little Lights Dinosaur Lamp // This night light makes the ultimate statement. Max would totally approve!
• Kinda Sketchy Prompted Journal // Easy Tiger Co. has a fresh batch of new arrivals and I'm obsessed.
• Oeuf Mini Mouth Tooth Fairy Pillow // The whimsy factor is through the roof with this cozy cutie.
• Directions Series by Hallie Bateman // I want one of each prints. This series makes me smile and giggle.
• Tait Desktop Clocks // Why the (orange) face? I think it's more like, why NOT the orange face? Adorbs. 

Have a fabulous weekend, m' dears! Make it count.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

PRINT VIA BEKAH WORLEY

FEELING: I think Spring is finally here to stay, and with the warmer temps I'm rediscovering all sorts of hidden gems that come with doing regular yard work—many of which, I managed to forget from last year. For instance, while picking weeds (AGAIN) in the garden boxes out back, Max pointed to my beloved pink blooms and shouted "Look mom, your 'panties' are popping!" It appears that Max's mispronunciation of the word Peonies is still alive and well. Haha! Oh, how did I EVER let that little gem slip my mind?? Suddenly being an oversharer got even more awkward.

THANKFUL FOR: You guys! Max and I BOTH have dental appointments on Saturday and I'd usually be freeeeeeeeaking out right about now, but it turns out we have routine cleanings only. Phew! When the receptionist called last week to confirm, I instantly felt sick to my stomach. Just as she was getting ready to say good-bye, I blurted out really quickly: "Um, we're just getting them cleaned right? There's no x-rays or anything??" She reassured me and hung up. Le sigh. After Max's dental drama back in November and my colorful history of cavities and damaged nerves, I can't take any bad news. I seriously need Flyboy to be around the next time we learn we need a filling (or five), which could certainly be the case in six months. But hey, at least he'll be home by then! Woot woot!

THINKING ABOUT: With the rise of Instagram, the focus has shifted to influencers mostly and less about blogging. This change has been slightly discouraging and has ultimately kept me from putting myself out there for fear of schlepping products or selling out to silly sponsorships. Regrets mixed with the comparison game can be downright exhausting on social media. Somewhere along the way, I managed to miss the mark and watched as others continued to gain "followers" all while mine continued to yo-yo. Earning money was never my primary motivation behind blogging (maybe that's my problem?), but I'd be lying if I didn't say that I would like it to result in a few new creative opportunities here and there. That being said, I recently made a pitch to a company that I'd like to work with. I haven't heard back from them, but I'm proud that I put myself out there. I was hesitant to do so, mostly because my stats aren't quite as shiny as some of the super bloggers and Insta-famous. Ultimately, if the quantity isn't what they're looking for, I know I can bring it with the quality of the content. It's important for me to stay in my lane, keep focused on what I'm doing, and challenge myself along the way. Fear of rejection shouldn't keep me from trying. 

READING: Me being MIA from the blogosphere last week is a good indication that life has been a little nutty. Here are the tabs I currently have open on my phone with articles I found interesting/entertaining:

Playtime Is Over! via Slate

Meg Ryan On Romantic Comedies, Celebrity, and Leaving It All Behind via The New York Times Magazine

The "How I Get It Done" Series via The Cut

How to Be a Better Listener via A Cup of Jo

Things I Wish My Therapist Would Say to Me but She Never Does via McSweeney's

On Creativity via Atelier Doré — I loved the part about Roald Dahl!

Why Are Dads' Texts So Freaking Cute? via A Cup of Jo

What We've Learned After Two Years as Home Owners via Jess Ann Kirby

LISTENING TO: My kid started referring to himself in the third person recently and it's driving me bonkers. I'm fairly certain he knows it annoys me at this point, so ol' M. C. Fine really dials it up some days in true four-nado fashion. Um, can you spell stubborn? I correct him ad nauseum, make him repeat the sentence correctly, offer explanations as to why this isn't necessary, etc.—but here we are. If it's not one thing, it's another with kids.

WATCHING: While I get ready each morning, I usually have Nick Jr. on the TV in our bedroom for Max to watch while he plays with his Legos. A few weeks ago while doing our usual morning routine, he walked into my bathroom with his shoulders slumped and a pouty face. Naturally, I asked him what was wrong and he responded: "I'm just sad I don't have a furniture store named after me." Anyone who watches the kids' channel is probably pretty familiar with the fact that they air Ashley Home Furniture commercials FREQUENTLY. Haha! It took me a few seconds before I realized what Max was referring to, but then a light bulb went off and I couldn't help but giggle. Now I wonder how long it will be before he realizes the channel he's watching is named after his dad??? Gasp! This age is an absolute riot.

RECOMMENDING: If you want a consistent source of comedic relief, follow Heather McMahan on Instagram. Y'all, she cracks me up! Her storytelling results in me laughing out loud hysterically while staring at my phone. What can I say? She's living her truth, one Soulja Boy song and Aperol Spritz at a time and I'm here for it. You should too.

EATING : Earlier this month, we visited my parents and saw Dumbo at the Alamo Draft House. The movie remake was sweet and all, but I was mostly in it for the chili dog. If you have access to one of these fancy theaters, order this from the menu immediately, and thank me later. Seriously. We attended a 10 AM showing on a Saturday and I called this meal brunch. No shame in my game. I was NOT going to miss out on my chance to order the best chili dog ever.

LOVING: My parents are coming to Delaware next week for my mom's Spring Break. We're going to work in the yard (mulch delivery day!!!) AND paint the kitchen cupboards. OMG!! I'm so excited!! Paint is going to totally transform/update the space, and the yard definitely needs a little extra TLC. Checking stuff like this off the to-do list is very gratifying on so many levels, but it also makes me feel like we're getting closer to Flyboy's homecoming. Whenever that might be, I think he's going to be so impressed with the changes.

How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!! 

COLOR STUDY

TODAY'S SELECTION OF HUMP-DAY HUES:

Oro Pendant Shade $40 via Made

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate $37 via Nordstrom

Word Blue Pen $25 via Easy Tiger Co.

Batched and Bottled $17 via Amazon

J.Crew x Oxford Pennant Logo Tee $35 via J.Crew

Gingham Straw Hat $78 via Draper James

Striped Boys' Shorts $15 via Zara

Cali Villa Branding via Swoone

Blue Flower by Antti Kalevi

Striped Cotton Jackie Cardigan Sweater $75 via J.Crew

Tall Blue Mug $44 via Workaday Handmade

Miller 1 Sunglasses $260 via Kaleos

Freedom Moses Slip-On Shoes $35 via The Tot

A Summer of Art by Antti Kalevi

Colorblock Pansies Silk Scarf $30 via J.Crew

Breach in the Blue by Ludovic Philippon

Capri Blue Volcano Candle $26 via Amazon

Women's Sesame Street Grover Socks $14 via Bombas

Vionnet Heart Drop Earrings $42 via Bauble Bar

The Aesthate's Evil Eye III $19 via Society 6

6 Line Lumbar Pillow $120 via Erin Flett

Basket Pebbles Sapphire $53 via Lorena Canals

Prescription Xanax Pillow $88 via Jonathan Adler

Luxe Velvet Round Pillow $108 via Erin Flett