[I love it when...]

(top left pic via this is glamorous)

There is something that happens when these two seemingly opposing styles collide; when the functional meets with the indulgent, that I just love. Am I crazy? I've had readers dislike the picture below for this very type of grouping. What are your thoughts on this unexpected look?

[wise words]

My husband and I have been drowning in DVDs as of late (with a new nursing baby in the house...we don't get out much) and our new family favorite is Kung Fu Panda. How great is this quote? Other favs are:

Po: Legend tells of a legendary warrior whose kung fu skills were the stuff of legend.

Po: It is said that his enemies would go blind from over-exposure to pure awesomeness!

[update on the...]

Here's a peek at what little O's birth announcements are looking like. I'm liking the color combination of chocolate with canary yellow as of late. I might have considered taking this all the way to the nursery if big brother hadn't already dictated another color scheme (they have to share a room). I created the card design but the labels and envelopes are from papersource.

[handmade Christmas]

This year I am really going to try and focus on creating a handmade, DIY Christmas. I'm especially inspired by paper items and am excited to try a different number of things. I spent so much on decorations last year (for a holiday home tour) that are now all packed away in my parents barn in Colorado (they didn't make it out to Cali with us for the move). I don't want to purchase an entire slew of new Christmas decorations this year so I'm going to see what I can't create from what I have already. Of course the stuff I want to buy but, I'll post here so I can feel at least some degree of ownership. I love these bird ornaments. I've had the files around for a bit so I'm not sure of their original source. If anyone has ideas, let me know.

[getting in the spirit]

I don't know anyone who doesn't need a full two months of Christmas so I'm starting now with my holiday inspired posts. I love the simple and clean look of these lovely letterpress designs from etsy shop, simplesong. I especially love that they have custom holiday card designs...might have to look into that this year.

[WOWZA!]

I'm so super flattered that Holly of the fabulous and favorite blog, decor8, has chosen this li'l endeavor as her blog of the week! How exciting is that!? Welcome all who have come over from decor8. I welcome and am thankful for all of your thoughts.

[I HEART this drawing]

by Alexandre Day, the husband of the lovely and talented Adolie Day.

[too cute photography]

Wouldn't it be great to get portraits of your little ones like these from Loretta Lux?

[more dangerous delicacies]

I could eat decadent chocolate all day and all night...but I'll settle for just all day.

[needing some of these today]

found on epicurious.

and I'd like to be eating them in this room. (found on desire to inspire)

[working on my...]

I've been working on my thank yous that go along with Oliver's baby announcement (so this is sort of a sneak peek at what that will look like). Let me know which design you like best (I guess of course there is always the possibility of using both).

[loving the idea of...]

Thank you all for your kind comments about my sweet little boy. We are all doing well and adjusting to being a new family of four. I found these scrap notebooks a while back on Poppy Talk and loved the idea. With a new little one around my need for recording my history has been rekindled and as always I enjoy new and creative ways of going about things. I also like the idea of using what you already have around as opposed to purchasing new things. I think I'll have to make a few a these.

[Happy Halloween!]

I couldn't let my all time favorite holiday pass by without sharing some spookies with you all.

Lorajean

magda.

found via vintage mint

[meet little...]

oct. 21st, 7 lbs 5 oz, 21 inches

[Now officially on...]

I'm going in early tomorrow morning to have my second little boy so I'll be away from the blog for while. For those of you wondering "wasn't she due on Oct. 31st?", here's the short and sweet of it. My first son was 8 lbs 9 oz and being as second children are often larger (especially if it's a boy again) my Dr. thought it best we induce delivery for this little guy sooner than later. I wasn't about to complain. So...I'm off...and will catch up with you all again, with one new addition to the family.

[photos from here and here]

[suddenly in the sporty mood]

OK but these new Stella McCartney designs for Adidas have me in a sporty mood (which is good I guess as I'll be needing to work off the baby weight pretty soon here). I've been wanting to take up tennis...and I'm thinking Stella could really be an asset for me on the court.

[she IS a maniac]

My good friend Cally, of the fabulous blog calico, is hosting a maniacal giveaway. Get on over to her blog and put in a comment for a chance to win these 3 fabulous goodies (and yes, I guess she's keeping the fourth little angel all to herself). Go now, quick. Scoot.

[Wednesday I had a...]

Wednesday was such an exciting mail day! I received a completed quilt in the mail that my mother-in-law has been helping me quilt for the new baby. She was so generous to offer up her hand quilting skills after I confessed I knew only how to pick out fabric and sew patches together. Quilting is something I had never done before. I came up with the quilting patterns and even did a few of the stitches myself but she really did the labor intensive stuff and I couldn't be more thankful. What a wonderful gift for my little Ollie on the way. Thank you Mary! It's absolutely exquisite.

[and here's...]

I just had to throw into the mix.

[color love]

Well, if it isn't already obvious by my overall blog look, I'm currently obsessed with the color combination of coral pink and gray. So lovely. So perfect. So what I'm into right now. I'm particularly smitten with the top left living room design. I'd love to re-create this...it just calls to me.

[recession chic]

Times being what they are I'm having to really look at what I already own or shop at highly discounted vintage/thrift stores for my home decorating. I love how this Sweet Paul set up, for Country Living, is so beautiful and shows the potential to reuse things you might already have. I'm all over the vintage-novel wallpaper effect. I also love how well this goes with my 2008 theme...got to love how inspired that was.

[got to love this styling]

loving the styling, photography and fashion of bea szenfeld.

[masquerade tea party]

Thanks to these haunting photos by oladios I so want to have a masquerade tea party. Wouldn't that be a great theme for a Halloween party?

[just have to share]

I have created another digital paper doll and this time in honor of Halloween. Click here to help Ellery decide what to wear for Halloween. It's so much fun and your little ones should enjoy it as well!

[gorgeous wedding, amazing photography]

These pics are from a while back (July 17th to be exact) and are from my best friend's wedding where I was the matron of honor (that's me at the end, the pregnant blondie walking with the best man, the grooms brother and photographer extraordinaire, Jared Wilson). I recently saw these photos for the first time on Jared's blog and had to share (Jared is the one who took Jon's head shots and we are big fans). The wedding was beautiful, the bride stunning...an all around perfect event.

[this makes me happy]

I'm not a coffee drinker but I'm a huge fan of hot chocolate in the winter and I love the idea of drinking it out of a reusable porcelain to go cup with a silicone lid, designed by James Burgess. What a fabulous idea. I'm always up for anything that takes something ordinary and makes it exquisite...and for only $20...perfect.

[this year for halloween I want to be a...]

I love the styling for this Free People jumper. Just looking at it makes me want to go as a boho witch for Halloween. How fun would that be? Of course I'm pregnant and scheduled to give birth soon...but maybe I can still pull it off...I mean I do already have the shoes.

1. Free People jumper
2. knitted witch hat
3. Free People tights
4, bee engraving pendant necklace
5. onyx cocktail ring
6. flourish ring in amber
7. merrilee fluevog shoes
8. steampunk large clock hand earrings
9. gray poppy broach pin
10. 1940's vintage handbag
11. test tube party favors (I'd carry these in my satchel and hand them out to unsuspecting victims)

[ahh, to sleep..]

These lovely paintings by Laura Smith make me yearn for peaceful sleep. Being in my ninth month of pregnancy I haven't been sleeping too well...and as all new moms know, I won't be getting any more sleep after the baby comes (in fact it will be less...I'm sure of it). Please, all of you who can sleep soundly and peacefully, take a few extra moments to enjoy it...for me...and the rest of us who won't be sleeping until our children are grown (well OK, until they are older at least).

[gorgeous ceramics]

I was browsing Design Sponge today and couldn't get past just how lovely these Caroline Swift ceramics are. I am head over heels for the bone china spoons. I would love to have an entire set of these.

[bird sculptures]

I'm loving how elegant and intricate these are.