[parting is such sweet sorrow]

We are packing up and shipping out...and we aren't entirely emotionally ready for the move. When I started to take down all of the artwork and trinkets throughout the house I got really melancholy and nostalgic so I had to take a camera around for a few last moment snapshots. We have had such a great time here in Knoxville and I've had a blast decorating the first home of our own. I've been especially emotional about AJ's room. Knoxville is where he was born and this is his first home, his first room, etc. (you get the picture). We were lucky with a quick sale, a true blessing in today's market, and things are moving ahead at a quick pace. Our goal is to ship out on Monday...

So...where are we going next? The end in sight is Valencia, California. It is close enough to L.A. for Jon but far enough away to be somewhat affordable...and we hear it's a great place to settle. Before we make it all the way to Cali, we are planning to stop by Colorado and Utah to visit family and friends. If anyone is in the area, we'd love to see you.

To all our Knoxville friends, I can't really think about saying goodbye...my throat gets all dry and I immediately swing into denial mode. We love you all so much and are thankful for your kindness and friendship. You have been here for us in some of the most important moments of our lives and you will never be forgotten. Come on over this weekend for food and fun and if you want to exert a bit of muscle, we'll let you help us load the truck :) but mostly we want to see you all before we leave...so don't be a stranger.

[more puppy dog tails]

Rats, now I'll just have to get more cute little boy gear...what a drag ;).

We are actually really excited to have two little boys running around the house. I have visions of pirates, knights, dragon slayers, robots and more...It will be a blast.

As some of you know, for the longest time I felt like I was having a girl. Well this continued up until I stepped foot into the Dr.'s office yesterday. Immediately I knew what I would be seeing up on the ultrasound machine...another little boy. And we couldn't be happier.

Oh and the baby is due on October 31st! A Halloween baby...can you get anymore perfect? (Halloween is Jon and I's favorite holiday).

[Happy Father's Day!]

I have to give a shout out to my father today. When I think of my dad I think of board games, chapter books being read to me as a young girl at bedtime, daddy-daughter dates, Hewlett Packard/Agilent hot chocolate and dry erase markers, Star Trek, gardening, Visiting Scientist, homework help, corny jokes and bad puns (who doesn't right?), the paper route, occasional but meaningful chats about life and the future, and much more. Thanks Dad for being the best! (and who can deny your geek chic fashion sense with those chops, cons and rockin' retro glasses...so many young boys today would kill to look this cool :)). Happy Father's Day dad!
And of course I can't forget my husband, Jon. This is his second official Father's Day and I hope we treated him appropriately (apple pancakes, a homemade card from AJ, a memory book...and an iPhone...you know small things like that). I'm so thankful for Jon and what a great dad he is. I'm lucky to have him and am excited for all the memories he'll be making with our kids for years to come. Happy Fathers Day Jon!

[time for another mad hatter's tea party]

My sisters and I had a Mad Hatter's tea party a couple of years ago and Alexander McQueen's recent display of glorious millinery has got me itching for a second one. Who's game? Everyone's invited - the more hats the merrier!

[rockin' retro suits]

I love the current trend of retro suits for many reasons...the nostagia, the coverage, etc. I'm especially fond of these fabulous ones by Abaete's 2008 resort line. Too bad I'm currently in the maternity swim suit market...still looking for something that works for me. OK, but that pink floral swim cap, I'm all over that.

[chair obsession]

Anyone who knows me probably knows that I have an obsession with chairs....and lets be honest, couches. I have an old winged back chair sitting underneath my back porch just begging to be re-covered (if the poor thing isn't too damaged by now). I'm such a fan of these Black and Spiro chairs that owner Anna Spiro, and blogger of absolutely beautiful things, re-covered. I actually had this exact black look with white piping complete with either initials or some sort of insignia in mind for my office/studio. We are moving now and fear that I won't ever be able to do it with my sad little chair. Perhaps another time...sigh, and another chair (hey, anybody want a free chair that needs a bit of TLC?).

[Creature Comforts givaway]

Creature Comforts is turning one and Ez is having a fabulous give away. You must check it out!

[setting the bar a little higher]

I recently subscribed to Eliza magazine and just received my first issue. It's a lovely magazine whose standards are set higher than most (and thank heavens this also includes their photography, fashion styling and layout design - insert Hallelujah Chorus here).

ELIZA Magazine is created for women who want to be stylish, sexy, and engaged in the world while retaining high standards in dress, entertainment, and lifestyle. In a media culture that frequently objectifies and commercializes women and their bodies, ELIZA strives to provide an alternative to the current mainstream media that emphasizes sex and skin in order to push products or sell magazines.

read more here.

Way to go Eliza! I look forward to seeing more of what you have in store for the future.

[gorgeous french furniture]

My friend Jen gave me the heads up on this fabulous furniture company, Maisons du Monde. They have several different styles to meet just about everyone's tastes. My favorite, of course, are the French style pieces. And if you live in Europe, the prices aren't so bad either, especially if you consider how unique each piece is.

[thanks Holly!]

I'm so flattered that Holly Becker of decor8 spotlighted my mood board to show the progress of the contest. It's also exciting to see what everyone is doing with Amy Butler's fabric. Truly the sky's the limit. I have about 4 other rooms in my head based on her Midwest Modern line. Fun stuff I tell you, fun stuff.

[more girlish glam]

Images found in the June issue of Home Companion (Euro Trash furnishing company) .

[welcome to the adorable world of...]

Abigail Brown. I love all of her soft creations and works of art, especially her bird pieces. Very nice.

[my entry]

OK folks, here's my entry for the decor8/Amy Butler mood board contest. I had so much fun with this and now really want to make this into a room! Anyone have two young girls who want to hire me to do this? :)

[darling online mag]

I always look forward to perusing through Small and the latest summer issue was no disappointment. Incredible photography, inspiring indie finds, artist spotlights...what more could you ask for? I guess just a darling girl to adorn in all of these lovely things :) .

[design/mood board contest!]

I'm SO doing this, and you should too!

[favorite designer update]

I receive email updates from Net-a-Porter whenever Temperley London has anything new in their online store (you know just so on the off chance I have $1000+ to spend on a dress, I'll know what's available). A recent email update got me looking around again at all of Alice's lovely designs and of course I'm smitten. These are a just few of my fav's.

[always one for glam]

There are a lot of design styles that currently inspire me; danish modern, shabby vintage, neauvou Victorian, a splash of folk here and there, industrial accents, etc., and would more or less say my style is very eclectic. However, no matter how versatile I am, I find that my favorite looks always have a hint of glamour in them (and at times they are 100% glam like in the bedroom, bathroom, etc.). I just can't get away from things that look sumptuous and make you feel luxurious. The lovely blog, This is glamorous is becoming a daily read for me and I have to say, I drool over just about everything posted. As a result of my obsession with glam my design staples are rapidly becoming pampering, feel-good fabrics, cool tones, tufted furniture and peonies galore. Oooh La La, bring on the glam.