LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

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

• Izu XL Pool Float // Hang seaside with the ultimate form of relaxation in this super chic floatie.
• Cool Glass Straws // Can't slip away to a beach? Sip on something strong with one of these cute straws.
• Orange Plastic Sunglasses // Make a serious statement in the sun with these colorful spectacles.
• Raffia Hat with Band // This is just like the hat Linnea wears when she visits Monet's Garden in Giverny.
• Mini Scooby Earrings // The peach pair is fantastic, but you should probably check out the pink/coral too.
• Dot Swim Shorts // Max is growing like a weed. Thankfully Zara has a bunch of snazzy Summer stuff.
• Brass Clips in Organic Shapes // These beauties give your most important papers an artful distinction.
• Jennifer Behr Faille Bow Barrette // This is freaking adorable until you see the price tag. Is it necessary?
• Mallorca Beach Towel // Bold stripes and tassels. Have you seen a sweeter looking beach towel?
• Four Guys Print by John Lisle // This is a fun idea for art in a children's room. It would be simple too.
• Rugby Stripe Tee with Poppy Lips // A classic staple that will be on heavy rotation all Summer long.
• Colorblock Bucket Tote // If this incredible Frances Valentine tote could go on sale, that would be great.
• Shameless // I'm trying to convince Flyboy to watch the last season of Shameless with me. Let's do this!
• Star Cushion // This could be considered a dupe for pieces I've seen from Meri Meri, Oeuf, and Kip & Co.
• Art by David Fullarton // I found Fullarton's work on Instagram and I'm digging the concept. Take a look!
• Cinque Terra II Print // Forever Matisse obsessed, I can't help but love this eye-candy by Jessica Rowe.
• Nike Classic Cortez // I got a pair like these from J.Crew a few years ago and miss them. Replacement?
• Talking Points Lip Pencil // I found an old MAC lip liner in my makeup bag and forgot the staying power.
• Get Well Card // I love that Greer Chicago is carrying stationery designed by Katie Leamon. Her work is fab!
• Remove and Chill Nail Enamel Remover // Is this tube magic? I'm so intrigued. The idea is pure genius.
• Art at Serena & Lily // While browsing their website over the weekend, I found the art graphic precious.
• Modern Melamine Dinner Plates // You can't beat a trusty set of melamine plates in the Summertime.

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

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

VIA

FEELING: I got an Apple Watch this week (there was a really good deal going on at Walmart!) and I'm starting to think I have no business owning one after all. I mean, I'm super excited for the accountability portion, but I just feel way out of my league in terms of all the swiping and buttons. Everyone I know that has one is obsessed, so I'm sure I'll get the hang of it soon enough. For now, I'm left feeling like an old lady. Where's my cane?? Technology be damned!

THANKFUL FOR: We came home this past Monday after spending Memorial Day Weekend in D.C. and were totally bummed to find out that one of the tall pine trees on the side of the house fell down in a storm while we were away. Thankfully, there was no damage to our house or the neighbor's. Phew! Shortly after we walked around the property and made this unfortunate discovery, a local tree service quoted us a mere $400 to take down the rest of the tree and remove the brush. Erm, how about NO?! So Flyboy grabbed the chainsaw and went to work, only to have two of the neighbors come over to help him remove everything (on an incredibly muggy HOLIDAY afternoon). Needless to say, we were absolutely blown away by their kindness! They not only saved us a pretty penny, but they helped get the job done a lot faster than we originally anticipated. We're truly blessed to have found this house and neighborhood.

THINKING ABOUT: All Max wanted this Spring was to grow something from seeds. After much deliberation (he talked about it NONSTOP for weeks until we finally took action), he decided he wanted to grow Sunflowers. I figured this should be easy enough, so we spread our pack of seeds in the garden boxes and let nature take its course. My mom reassured me this should be a slam dunk, as Sunflowers are very low-maintenance. Just as she promised, we began seeing sprouts almost instantly. Max was beside himself with pride until we began noticing the bunnies were eating his crop, and what started out as six flowers turned into two. Ha Ha! Bless his little heart. He's at odds with the situation because he absolutely ADORES the bunnies, but he's so disappointed in them for destroying his Sunflowers. 

READING: I was recently demoted from my duty of reading bedtime stories. I wish I could say it doesn't bother me, but it does. According to our resident four year old, "Daddy is better at reading." Insert eye roll and deep sigh here. Who out there agrees it's time I find a new kid? My creative read alouds should be appreciated, damn it. 

LISTENING TO: Flyboy is mowing outside while I type today's post, and I'm getting emotional again. I don't want to forget the gift we were given when we learned he'd come home early. Our quality of life has improved tremendously these past few weeks, and I've found myself taking stock in the littlest things like hearing the garage door open when he comes home from work, the sound of his boots hitting the steps before he walks into the house, or him firing up the lawnmower for an afternoon of yard work. What a privilege it is to pick up exactly where we left off.

WATCHING: Wednesday nights on Bravo are everything. I'm talking about our beloved RHONY chaos AND the return of Southern Charm sans T-Rav. Eek! A few random thoughts regarding both shows—who wants to slap the next person that says cabaret?? Lu went back to jail? Yikes! Barbara K should be on The King of Queens, not on the Housewives. WTF, Austen?? Naomi is DEFINITELY over Craig (sorry, buddy!). Eliza is a nut. What's Patricia's McD's order?

EATING: I got spoiled when Flyboy was gone and didn't have to do much in terms of meal planning. Now that he's back, here are a few recipes I've made or plan on making in the coming week:

Jalepeño-Honey Steak with Cilantro and Lime via The Splendid Table

Firecracker Salmon with Peach Avocado Salsa via Ambitious Kitchen

Mexican Cobb Salad via What's Gaby Cooking

Honey-Teriyaki Salmon with Cauliflower Rice via Skinny Taste

Blueberry Pie Overnight Oats via Beauty Bets — an old fave revisited!

LOVING: The "fun" part about getting older is just when you think you're over something—like acne, for instance—you start noticing that you're breaking out on your neck and jaw line. Why Lord, WHY??? Hormones, who?! I found a patch of blemishes in that area a few weeks ago and freaked. I haven't had to worry about acne since I was pregnant with Max. What gives? I began Googling ALLLLL the things immediately and opted to try this EradiKate Daily Cleanser because of the impressive reviews. No, I didn't want to initially spend that much on a face wash, but I can tell you that after using it religiously for the past two weeks, I'm very pleased with how effective the product is. A little goes a long way, so I can justify the price tag when something works as quickly as this has for me. I highly recommend it!

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

LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

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

• Lupa White Large Planter // Spot on is right, CB2! And how about that price? This is a need, right??
• Acrylic Display Box // IKEA went and knocked it out of the park with this super chic display box. Bravo!
• Magenta Check Baggu // It's like the designers at Baggu read my mind with this one. I'll take one of each.
• Wholeness // I'm convinced Morgan Harper Nichols is the millennial's version of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
• Matisse Leaf Poster // Because if we can't own the REAL thing, this is the next best option, am I right??
• Hibiscus Ginger Lemon Camp Craft Cocktail // I saw these adorable jars for sale at Terrain a week ago.
• Yazia Bow Slides // Have you bought anything from the Cupcakes and Cashmere line? These are perfect.
• Snacks Tray // This tray along with Three Potato Four's line of canvas tote bags are giving me heart eyes.
• Orange and Pink PT Cuff // The folks at Parker Thatch don't mess around. I'm swooning over this gem!!
• Horizon Day Dress // The perfect beach cover-up or pajama dress. I'm here for the striped ribbon straps.
• Goldenrod Flore // The Clare V. sample sale will be going on in LA next weekend. Who wants to go??
• Teddie Gold Knot Headband // My obsession with headbands has reached a whole new level and I love it.
• Overthinker // Trying to channel the wisdom of MHN, but deep down I'll always be an overthinker.
• Cult Paper Note Cards // Who knew I'd have so much in common with Mark Twain's mother? Tee Hee Hee!
• Oval Statement Earrings // I got these in DC a few weeks ago. They're fun and ridiculously lightweight!
• Plant Party // This drawing from Object-Matter perfectly summarizes the past two weeks. Plants on plants.
• Malfy Con Limone Gin // I'll be checking out Total Wine pronto to get my hands on a bottle of this beauty.
• Avett Tufted Sofa // The shape of this sofa is dreamy. And how about the sinkably sweet and cozy factor?
• Large Brass Candle Bowl // This bowl full of glow is proof that not all candles have to be pricey AF.

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

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

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

Happy Thursday, m' dears! It's been awhile since I blogged, but I promise I have the very best excuse this time. Those of you who follow along on Instagram are well aware that Flyboy came home from his deployment EARLY. I mentioned the possibility of it happening briefly on the blog about a month ago, but I didn't want to get our hopes up for obvious reasons. Now, here we are—just seventeen days after picking him up from the Baltimore airport—and it's safe to say that our life got so much sweeter upon his return. Over the past two weeks, we've managed to pack in ALLLLLL the things we've missed doing together in his absence. There's been lots of mowing, yard work, afternoon jogging (for the boys), strawberry picking, visits to every park in a 25-mile radius, scouting bakeries and cafes in nearby towns for pastries and coffee, numerous nap-times swapped for Lego building and inflatable pools, etc. Anyone who has done the deployment thing knows that the idea of returning to your norm is all you have to hold on to when you're in the thick of it. It's what gives you hope. And now that he's home, the load is so much lighter and life feels whole again.

As always, thanks for tagging along with us. Your support and encouragement means everything.

FEATURED DETAILS: SUEDE SMOKING SLIPPERS // BOYS' SWIM TRUNKS // BISOUS SWEATSHIRT // TEXTURED VASE

A MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE

THE GOODS:

Modern Long Sleeve Stripe Tee $98 via Kule

Stackable Baguette Crystal Ring $35 via J.Crew*

Wheat Straw Hat $63 via Nordstrom

Wild Bluebell Cologne $68 via Nordstrom

Bobbi Brown Crushed Lipstick $29 via Nordstrom

Why I Drink Frame $15 via Easy Tiger Co.

Mom On A Mission Tote $38 via FEED

Schooner Earrings $110 via LEIF

Ribbed Halter Neck Tank $90 via J.Crew*

Le Specs Air Heart Sunglasses $69 via Shopbop

Aesop Intensive Body Balm $35 via Nordstrom

Raffia Fringe Disc Earrings $65 via J.Crew*

Seeing Eye Mobile $24 via Furbish Studio

Now House by Jonathan Adler Grid Box $58 via Amazon

Pom-Pom Tassel $65 via Clare V.

Extra Pillow $98 via Furbish Studio

Lips Coin Pouch $65 via Clare V.

Dreamy Cotton Pajama Set $78 via J.Crew*

Am I Dreaming Sleep Mask $18 via Ban.do

NARS Afterglow Lip Balm $28 via Sephora

Rifle Paper Co. Cabana Stripe Fabric Journal $25 via The Paper Source

Assouline Mother and Child Book $85 via Amazon

Overnight Resurfacing Peel $63 via Beautycounter

Smeg Electric Tea Kettle $150 via Amazon

Scallop Low-Top Chuck Taylor $70 via Nordstrom

*25% OFF AT J.CREW WITH PROMO CODE STEPITUP THROUGH MAY 5, 2019

JURASSIC QUEST

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

I wish every Sunday was as magical as the one we experienced this past week. With my parents and sister by our side, the day began by indulging in a delicious brunch followed by an afternoon of prehistoric bliss at the Dulles Expo Center for THE Jurassic Quest. Eek! Max was beside himself, equal parts overwhelmed and elated. I could tell by the intense gaze of his big blue eyes that his brain was about to explode from all of the excitement. We went into the event with no expectations. Parenthood teaches you a thing or two about that, so we let him take the lead. After all, this was HIS day. He wanted to do it all (minus the rides), but he wanted to hold someone's hand (or neck!) at the same time. Haha! Maxwell is at that perfect age where he's aware the interactive dinosaurs are either puppets or animatronics, but he also reminds himself and everyone else that while the ferocious creatures look lifelike, they're are indeed EXTINCT. While I wish Flyboy could have been there to join in on the Cretaceous craziness, I feel so grateful to have shared this memory with my family. It ranks up there as one of my favorites. Thank goodness for this sweet boy and dinosaurs!