In case of emergency

Do you ever get the blues? Down in the dumpity dumps for no particular reason? I generally try to keep my sweet life in perspective, but I get sucked down into the abyss from time to time. Marisa talked about this concept ages ago. The idea is to make a short list of things you can easily do to turn your mood around. She inspired my list - my in case of emergency list. If you catch me rocking quietly in the corner check to see if I've tried any or all of the following. Sometimes we all need a reminder of the special little things that reliably bring us satisfaction, contentment and plain old joy.

Turn off the TV

Walk about outside

Organize a closet or a drawer

Make something, anything

Eat chocolate croissant

Step away from the computer

Take a shower

Drink one cup genmaicha, slowly

Vacuum the house

When all else fails, play reggae really loud, dance like a fool

What's your recipe for beating the blues?

Swanton makes me swoon and #2 on the summer list

My girlfriend and I took the kids strawberry picking at the beach last weekend. Swanton Berry Farm is one of the oldest organic farms in California and it's a lovely day trip if you're in Northern California. The berries are perfect right now and after you fill your baskets there's a great little cafe full of vintage toys for the kids, couches for lounging with Mexican hot chocolate, coffee, homemade jam, strawberry shortcake and yes, more berries if you don't feel like putting in the labor. And it's all on the honor system. It's generally a very happy place and one of those experiences I hope that Emerson someday remembers nostalgically.

To top it off, our collection easily turned into refreshingly tangy and sweet yogurt strawberry popsicles and I got to cross off an item from my list. I'm pretty sure popsicle making will be a regular occurrence this summer.

Summer list 2011

Cake inspiration from Apollinas via Pretty Mommy.

With summer officially underway, I've found myself back to planning mode. Since Emerson arrived on the scene I've grown to love the summer months (I used to be more of a fall lovin' lady). But now when it warms up, I start craving homemade ice cream, lazy picnics and berry picking adventures.

Last summer's list of goals was hugely motivating and helped me focus on the few simple pleasures and some ambitious projects that were important to me. The truth is, I sort of love being accountable to the internet. Keeps me honest.

So here's the plan for this year and I promise to keep you posted with progress. And of course, I'd love to hear about your top plans for the summer.

1. Take Emerson on this train ride through the redwoods
2. Make popsicles
3. Go on a date with my husband here
4. Wear the vintage dress I bought at the Alameda Flea last summer and wear this new favorite (both great dresses but for some reason don't feel "easy" i.e. they require the perfect venue and company.)
5. Serve this cake to my girlfriends (I'm blaming Michelle for this one.)
6. Get comfortable in my jeans (ed. note: I hate talking weight so I'll simply say I have not been able to comfortably wear denim since giving birth. It's not an earth-shattering problem - simply a trend I would like to reverse.)
7. Find a rooftop telescope for some real star-gazing
8. Hold a garage sale (not sexy, but will require multiple closet cleaning and that's a big-time goal)
9. Taste a multiple Bi-Rite Creamery flavors

Dresses for the sexes

The prospect of dressing for this event really stumped me. Probably because Hollywood is not exactly my playground and it's been years since I went to a party with a capital P. I went through my own closet but I knew deep down I wanted something special and new.

I hit up Anthropology and quickly narrowed it down to the two selections above. Texted my husband and two trusted girlfriend for thoughts. To be clear, I LOVED the long dress. It satisfied my current obsession for cobalt blue and the tiny brass buttons made me very happy. It felt cool and fresh. I knew the shorter dress would be easy to wear and accessorize. I was torn so I bought both. (The long dress was deeply discounted so I felt completely justified).

Would it surprise you to know that every man I showed these dresses to supported the shorter one. Overwhelmingly. As in, "no, you can't wear that long dress," "it's just not right," "are you trying to cover every inch of your body?" My husband even asked me who I was dressing for - the girls or the guys? The girls, of course, I replied. Well, in that case wear the Amish dress, he said.

I brought both dresses to LA and ended up the short one. Loved it. I felt great but after arriving at the party realized I definitely could have pulled off the longer one.

Come to find out that Jamie from Souled blogged about this exact same question a while back. (Thanks, Melissa.) I love the internet for this exact reason.

I'm looking to continue the conversation and I'd really like to know who you dress for - in particular on special occasions...yourself first? Significant other? Friends? I'm so curious. Do you have any outfits that you love but your partner can't stand? Or vice versa?

P.S. I cannot wait to wear that long dress. Once this heat wave dies down I'm coming up with a reason to chill with a cocktail in my sexy Amish-wear.

Party files: starlight, starbright

Dreamy starlight print via Etsy.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the stars, the nighttime sky, constellations. All the things you notice when you have quiet moments to simply stare out into the sky. Grown up life seems to be filled with stuff to do in the evenings. Dishes, laundry, bed time stories, TV and general zoning inside. Now that summer has officially hit I'd like to make some time for some outdoor zoning. Star gazing to be exact.

I'd love for Emerson to know the exhilaration of spotting a shooting star or identifying one of the Dippers. Yep, stargazing is officially moving to the top of my summer goal list. More on this years list soon.

For now, how brilliant is this Star and Earth birthday party over at The Winding Road? So pretty and refreshing for a children's party theme.

Magical star and earth party from The Winding Road.

Baby mama baking

My favorite honey cake recipe.

New babies and their mamas have been on my mind of late. I catch myself staring at Emerson swearing it was just last month that we were crying together in the dark hours of every morning, getting to know each other in ways only a new mom and infant can. Those first few weeks were mysterious and strange and then strangely wondrous.

I am forever grateful for a package of homemade cookies that arrived in the mail from my one of my friends, Tiffany. She sent me a batch of chewy molasses and a batch of lemon. I took them directly to my bedroom and shared them with no one. I ate them as I watched my new babe sleep, as I attached myself to a medieval pump, as I changed yet another set of my own pajamas after waking up soaked from hormone-induced crazy sleep, I ate them in my loneliest of moments. And silently thanked my friend. I have yet to taste better cookies. They were absolutely life-sustaining.

All of this to say, if there is a new mama in your proximity, bring her something delicious and easy to eat. Stay only if you are willing to hold the baby while she takes an extra long shower and a nap. I'd bring honey cake in a disposable tin. (A new mother does not need one more thing to wash).

This book has made it's way around blogworld for good reason but, wow, Samuel L. Jackson reading from "Go the F**K to Sleep"? Genius. Give it a listen and try not to laugh/cry when you remember thinking or (oops) saying the same thing out loud to your own precious little.

What would you bring a new mama?

Studio Update: summer fabric

I've made a real effort over the past year to use fabric from my obnoxious stash. I ran out of storage space a long time ago so for several projects (see this dress, blouse and play tent) I've pulled from remnants and yards of fabric I've collected over the years. Dare I say, it's hardly made a dent in that overstuffed bin. It's just that every new season brings loads of the most delicious prints and every so often my mom uncovers a "new" box of vintage fabric from my great grandmother. And I can justify a fabric purchase like no body's business.

Here are a few goodies from this morning's rather naughty adventure to the fabric store. Dresses for Emerson (turquoise butterflies) and her bestie (hot pink batik), Lark and napkins for her mama's outdoor table (flowers). They are tumbling in the dryer at the moment but I can't wait to spread them out and soak in all the color.

And I'm awfully excited to try my very first Oliver + S pattern. It claims to be easy peasy but I'm sure that won't stop me from cursing out my machine when the time comes to insert the pockets. Wish me luck, friends.

P.S. I could not bring myself to photograph the god-awful princess fabric we also bought for our girls. It was crazy cheap and will likely result in some equally cheap love and adoration from our Disney-obsessed gals. Maybe a photo - someday when I've lost on blog dignity.

Bit of summer

This weekend offered so many key ingredients for happiness. Good friends, laughing children, meals had outdoors, sticky ice cream fingers and mild sunburns. O.k. I could have done without the pink cheeks and shoulders for both me and Emerson - the sun is not good to our kind and admittedly, I am off my sunscreen, shades and hat game.

My husband travels quite a bit for work and I usually try to fill those days with my surrogate families. This weekend that included four good friends and all their kids. Emerson and I were booked for three straight days of play dates. Last night included crostini appetizers (thanks in large part to my magical date with Melissa and the Crumb on Friday morning.) She showed up with a most generous package from her own garden - fava beans. You cannot imagine my delight. To have a bit of harvest from her garden was a real treat and I was so excited to turn them into something delicious.

Last night, we started our meal with fava bean puree crostini with goat cheese from this recipe and also roasted sugar tomatoes with garlic and basil. There were so many garden fresh goodies on the table as my girlfriend, Melanie, had fried up some squash blossoms stuffed with cheese and fresh herbs and grilled the sweetest summer squash I have ever tasted. It was pretty special.

Also, our TV up and died on Friday morning. And if you know me in real life you'll appreciate how potentially devastating this could have been. I'm a friend to the TV. I mostly grew up without one and I'm making up for it as an adult. Seriously, ask me about my childhood and then try to judge me. Anywho, it's been a pretty great couple of days. The mornings are peaceful and full of funny toddler conversation. The quiet start seems to set a sort of graceful tone for the day. At least, that's my story four days in. I'll let you know how I'm doing tonight if the new one isn't set up in time to get a RHONJ fix.

Creative Crush: Collected treasures with Bink & Boo

Each Friday, a special blogger friend shares her current Creative Crush - whatever is cause for inspiration at this very moment. Today I'm happy to welcome Bianca from Bink & Boo. Bianca is another one of those creative Southern California gals I'm dying to meet in person. She's supremely talented - as evidenced by her shop of the same name and she's also wickedly funny. One of these days I will surely crash one of her famed thrifting adventures. For now, I'm happy to browse her beautiful findings.

Lately I have been inspired by things in my home, collected items from many, many thrift trips. Some finds I clean and display right away, and others I tuck away in cupboards and boxes to be surprised by later. Case in point, I stumbled across this photo I took last year; my favorite finds from a weekend of thrifting. I had completely forgotten about the gold eyeglass case! I had to rummage through a few boxes before I finally found it lying on top of a swatch of fabric, the two items haphazardly tossed in a box and forgotten about. The juxtaposition of the two inspired me. Since then I have spent some time going through old photos of my favorite finds--which I usually photograph--finding inspiration and being reminded of the gems once found that I've temporarily forgotten about.

A new happy place

Last weekend, my husband and I whipped up this little tent fort for Emerson. I used an old fabric from my stash and added a border at the bottom because it was not quite long enough and he made a quick run to the lumber store. It should be said that I owe the motivation and inspiration to Twitter.  Danielle from Domestic Dish tweeted her adorable version of this tutorial from Cakies a couple weeks back and I know I had to jump on it.

I've been fort-obsessed from a young age. (Playing in a homemade fort is my very first childhood memory.) Emerson loves to create her own hide-aways with our blankets and now she has her very own place to daydream, imagine and play. I can't wait to drag it to the backyard for a summer tea party.

A perfect tart; more from the life list

Practice makes perfect, right? I've been working on this tart for a few years and I think I'm nearly there. The idea of being able to whip up a lemon tart worthy of a Parisian patisserie window has been on my dreamy life list for a while. This time I substituted lemon for grapefruit since I had a bag full on hand. It was sweet and subtle and I ate most of it myself (for breakfast). And if I keep eating like that there is no way I'll ever zip up my wedding gown again - just another item off that list. I highly recommend this recipe for your favorite citrus.

P.S. I'm noting all of those who showed even an ounce of interest in the Half Dome challenge next summer. You will be hearing from me. I seriously want to tackle this one next year. But even more than that I'd love to know one thing from your own "life list". Who knows, maybe we can join forces and tackle some big dreams together.

Party files: Hollywood hills style

Holy smokes last Thursday was a nutty whirlwind of fun. My husband is involved in SHFT, an organization focused on promoting sustainable living in all forms (art, culture, food, environment, etc.). Its founders, Adrian Grenier and Peter Glatzer are incredibly passionate about finding creative solutions to sustainability issues and were recently honored with two Webby awards. And in celebration of the honors they hosted a pretty fantastic party, high atop the Hollywood Hills at a private home. A truly "green" home built to LEED standards and filled with beautiful photography and original art. Ferraby Lionheart performed, a DJ spun and I walked around mouth agape at the 360 degree views from the third floor.

Our LA madness started with a luxurious lunch at Fig & Olive. Can't recommend this place enough - I'm already scheming a return visit. The menu is dreamy and the people watching is beyond entertaining. (Side note: if you happen to be Greek it will remind you of church. They burn a lot of rosemary branches in several of the dishes - as in a rosemary branch is on fire when it arrives at your table and this is possibly the most distinctive churchy smell you'll ever experience from Greek Orthodox Mass.)

Then we walked up to Sunset (and it's true, no one walks in LA. We were the only pedestrians for at least 8 blocks). I got the Mai Tai at Dry Bar and loved the results - messy and beachy waves. Hands down, best blow out ever and they're opening in San Francisco later this month. I was a little bummed when the stylist mentioned that my grown out highlights were blending nicely with my "silver." Honestly, I could have lived without that observation.

I changed into my party dress and we headed for a light dinner at the super romantic La Boheme. Sat in between a fountain, lit fireplace, bushes of white roses and a family speaking exclusively in French. The children were devouring a bowl of steaming muscles. In other words, the patio of full of lovely sights and sounds.

We stopped in the Chateau Marmont for a quick glass of champagne and more people watching and I was too cool to take a photo but that place is straight glamour. I would love to book a room there next time.

Then it was off to the party where I mostly stood and stared. The lights, the people, the art - it was sensory overload. When we returned to our room and clicked on the news, there was a story about photographer Jill Greenberg, who was being interviewed following a sold-out talk at the Annenberg School at USC. We both watched the segment, instantly recognizing the iconic photography as we had just taken in so many of her originals moments earlier IN HER HOME. Yeah, the party had been at her house and we put it all together as we stood there watching the local news. Crazy and weird world I'd say.

Stuff off the list and an invitation

Last weekend my little family headed north for a very impromptu overnight at Ft. Baker. We caught the last room at Cavallo Point, excitedly packed our bags and jumped in the car. Forty minutes later we were stopped in San Francisco traffic and spent the next THREE HOURS creeping across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was not fun. I'll spare you the obscenities. In total contrast to the drive, we had an incredibly relaxing dinner on the front porch of Murray Circle. The only Michelin star-rated restaurant I know of that you can curl up under a woolly blanket while watching the sun dance across the Golden Gate. It was a magic.

We got up early the next morning to have breakfast at Pt. Reyes Station. The Pine Cone Diner totally delivered and Tamales Bay Foods provided loads of goodies for our impending picnic at Stinson Beach - a little adventure I'd been dreaming about for at least a decade and an item off the life list. It's funny how you can build something (or someplace) up in your mind. I had imagined Stinson Beach to be mysterious and sort of magical. It's long been one of those last exits calling to me as I flew by on the highway headed home from wine country or from visiting friends in Marin County. I was always sad to pass it by.

And don't get me wrong, it was lovely. A little crazy from Memorial Day bbq-ers but really lovely. Emerson and I played a mean game of beach ball, we built sand castles and ate a feast of cheese and fresh bread. It was a happy day at the beach. But shrouded with mystery and romance it was not. I'd visit again and highly recommend it to others as the drive over and around Mt. Tam is spectacular, but I'll happily take my home beaches of Santa Cruz in the future.

In semi-related life-list news, I'm itching to hike Half Dome and I'm thinking that next summer might be right timing. The only problem is that I don't want to go it alone and my husband is not into heights. It's a biggie - something like a 12-hour commitment real hiking so I'd imagine lots of physical training, blah, blah. Did I mention I am not a hiker - really more of a stroller. Seriously, I really want to do this with friends. Anyone interested? Let me know and I'll put a real plan in action.

and...we're off

It's been a nutty week, friends. Holidays really throw me off my game. And not always in a good way. Lots to talk about but very little time. We're headed for a whirlwind trip to L.A. I might tweet about it. Oh yeah, now that your grandma is probably following you on Twitter I finally decided to join in the fun. You can find me @estellehayes - if you're into that sort of thing.

Also, I've been reading but not commenting. I'll try to catch up with blogs this weekend. Miss you guys like crazy. Happy Thursday!

P.S. I recently started collecting vintage postcards. And today my hoarding ways just paid off big time.