Garden inspiration

Took Emerson to her first trip to the zoo this weekend and quickly realized why I have not been to one since 1986. Caged animals make me incredibly sad. The lion house nearly broke me. I can hear all the arguments that rationalize their existence and it was incredibly sweet to see Emerson's face light up at the sight of a real giraffe munching on a tree branch, but my stomach aches when I come eye to eye with a wild animal through the safety of glass. It was a hard visit for me.

Afterwards, we drove across town for coffee and plant lust at Flora Grubb. Huge bummer that Ritual Coffee had closed up early but we still got to soak up the amazing offerings. The succulents above are planted within a frame and hang on the wall outside the cafe. It looks like the most tactile carpet of living things. It's sensory overload for the eyes and completely fascinating.

The collection below just felt so calming. So many little corners of this nursery were re-imagined since our last visit and it was an adventure to stroll the many pathways. We left with one lovely little purple plant. (I'll share it once it's in the dirt.) As we drove out of the city I felt inspired and energized to work in my own little peaceful corner of the world.

Thank heaven for little girls

Is this little tutu not the sweetest thing you've seen today? I am so very envious of my girlfriend's toddler every time I catch her wearing it. I especially love it when Lark throws it on over a t-shirt and sweats.  The girl has got style.

Paris, oh my

Really, what's not to love? If it were only filled with divine little shops tempting me with cream-filled pastry and corner cafes oozing the smell of fresh crepes stuffed with Nutella and sliced banana, I guess I would only love Paris a little. But it's so much more than confection. Its streets are lined with ghosts of tortured artists of all kinds. Writers, poets, painters and chefs. It's a place where both lovers and loners are at home and its many landmarks, just as much as the ordinary nooks and crannies, continue to inspire those who visit or are lucky enough to call it home.

I've been to Paris several times, under extraordinarily diverse circumstances, since I was a baby. The most recent trip was nearly five years ago and involved dragging a husband and two tweenage kids on a food tour that took us in endless circles searching for, among other treats, Fauchon and Laduree. (Totally worth the whining that ensued).

My next visit will be in five years with the four lovely ladies whom I ventured to Napa with early in the summer. It's our gift to ourselves for our 40th birthdays in 2014. This trip is the source of endless daydreaming and lots of giddy planning whenever we are together.

Spotted this link to Haven in Paris on Cup of Jo and I'm thinking we will need to rent one of these fabulous apartments. Melissa from Reverie recommended The Sweet Life in Paris earlier this week and now I know it's next on my reading list. All in the name of proper preparation.

How about you? Do you dream of Paris and all of its delights?

One way my husband and I differ

While I have practically put my entire life on hold for the purpose of organizing my entire life, my husband has managed to purge his side of the closet and write a fantastic piece on social media for Huffington Post. Do check it out.

P.S. He also wrote a book last year. He's an excellent multi-tasker and I'm a super proud wife.

Not dreaming

I spend a tremendous amount of time in my head - thinking about all the things I would like to do, projects I will begin, places I will someday live, lives I will surely someday live. Let's just say that if there were a world championship of daydreaming, I would without a doubt be America's strongest shot at a medal. I'm quite comfortable sitting quietly within the confines of my own thoughts. And while this is a great skill when killing time in line at the DMV, it does not contribute much in the way of actually getting stuff done. I have learned the hard way.

This new phase of my life is shaping up to be more about productivity and less wandering of the mind. My closets, my yard, my car and my garage are thanking me daily with a collective sigh of relief. They are no longer crowded by weeds and little league equipment and too many 90s era cocktail dresses. And it turns out, I'm not a great multi-tasker. As I focus intently on ridding my life of the "extra" there is very little left at the end of the day for thinking or even creating. My mind is tired. Completely spent from thinking about organization and frantically weeding decades worth of accumulated crap from my life.

All the while, I've been absent from lovely blog world and I've missed all the fun I usually have here. This break I've allowed myself has been filled with the hard and so completely unsexy work of life. Shredding, filing, yard-selling, donating and basically purging. I sense the letting go of so much stuff is making room for something still unknown and really good. Whatever it is feels just beyond my reach. If I look through one more box the mystery may reveal itself. And when it does, I'll come straight here because this is where I love to share the fun stuff of life. Thanks for being patient while I sort through the more mundane pieces.

P.S. Took a sweet break to celebrate dear Jen's 35th with champagne, cupcakes, candles and balloons. A perfect backyard getaway with two of my favorite girls.

Back to school

Cover art for School Years: A Family Keepsake of School Memories. Illustration by S.Britt.

How great is this Stephan Britt illustration? If you were born in the '70s I'm pretty sure his work resonates with you. It's reminiscent of many children's books from that era and it reminds me of so many cultural influences I hope will not be lost on this next generation. This particular piece is the cover of a lovely memory book I just ordered for Emerson to hold all of her future school photos and macaroni-inspired art.

Preparing her for "school" has basically involved pushing her nap out until the afternoons to avoid falling asleep face down in her sandwich on the first day (apparently, this happens) and buying her first lunch box. 

She'll be in daycare - playing with other toddlers only two days a week but the transition is looming large in our house. The book is helping me to feel some happy nostalgia for my own school days and excited for the many new experiences awaiting Emerson. 

P.S. Stephan Britt recently released a new children's book. Check out some of the images here.

Unbearable lightness

Flowers from my favorite 3/50 shop. Just trying to do my part.

I took some time out yesterday to visit a few favorite places in my childhood hometown. Had a happy lunch with Emerson and strolled through some shops just for fun. We emerged from a deep trip down memory lane to be surrounded by a group of fresh faced teenage girls - all waiting to cross the street. All wearing bikini tops, sun dresses and flip flops.

I imagined they were grabbing iced coffees before heading to the beach or an afternoon at the swim club. Their smooth faces and relaxed shoulders reminded me of the carefree days of late summer. Oh, how I wanted to intrude on their conversation and tell them to soak up every last moment of the sun - appreciate the lightness of their young lives. But just thinking those very thoughts made me feel old and a bit like the creepy lady who says too much. I did not say a word. I stared too long and then pushed my stroller and my toddler on down the street, remembering a hundred happy moments spent roaming in and around this town with my girlfriends.

Sunday Cup: 21 of 52

This week's Sunday Cup is a repeat. I couldn't help myself. It just felt like perfection during the baby's nap. I sat happily in the room that rarely has company and admired two plants we finally potted in the backyard. It was a quiet little rest during a crazy busy weekend. Did you find any time to relax this weekend?

Thriving

Proud mama and her babies is this little lady. Yes, she is the happiest of living things in my garden. The tag said to let the soil dry completely between waterings. She always seems so thirsty but clearly she thrives on the tough love.

How does your summer garden grow?

Sunday Cup: 20 of 52

It's still hot but I am not complaining. The evenings are cool and a nice breeze picks up in the backyard as soon as the sun disappears behind the house. This is the perfect time for a cup of tea and a few moments to reflect on the efforts of the day. 

It seems I cannot get enough green tea these days. It's such a peaceful pick up in the early evening. This cup was a gift from my hubby. It's beautifully painted with three little koi fish and one on the lid. There is also a delicate little basket that rests inside the cup for brewing loose leaves, but I didn't have any. Time to go shopping.