mommy, Designer, sinner, saint, wife.

condensing | expanding

2009-09-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

I am making some changes in regards to my business... it's all been mums but to be honest I am really going to try and focus this autumn + winter on plunking down the cash for a professional camera. Continue to brush up my photog skills from my long ago achieved BFA in fine art. And I must work on filling my poor, sad, empty Etsy shop. All the while continuing on the wedding front I have foraged but I will take on a limited number of clients. I am also taking on less blogs, I have been expanding myself in the digital forums and something's gotta give... BUT! If you want to continue to keep up with me please find me at any of the below (and I will be posting more "personal" items and random things about the girlies on my Dolce Design blog).

Dolce Design :: The Dish
Twitter
Facebook

special k

2009-09-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

Nyla had kindergarten orientation yesterday so she could meet her teacher beforehand and her dad grilled her a bit about it last night.

"Did you like your teacher?"

"Yes."

"How old is she?"

"Nanny's age" (She's is probably 35, but dressed very, uh, teacherly so I can see how Nyla thinks she is closer to a typical grandmothers age.)

"Is she skinny? Or heavy?"

"She is heavy for mommy to pick up." (She is skinny for the record, but larger than me so yes, I suppose I couldn't lift the teacher if it were required.)

"Okay" I said cutting them off. "It's a school night."

"Hey!" He said half serious, half joking. "I don't ever want to hear that again!"

"Oh, you might change your mind about that." Nyla said grinning.

I think that grin of anticipation lasted. Today was no dress rehearsal and Nyla seemed pretty pulled together because leaving your child in a building full of strangers for the afternoon is a pretty surreal experience.

On the steps that her Auntie Jamie stood on her first day of kindergarten twenty plus years ago.

Awaiting the teacher's aid to walk all the kids to the classroom. Daddy whispered a little pep talk—who knows what he said today.

in use

2009-09-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

Calla Lilies from the gracious Steve (working weddings have it's perks!) in my recently acquired milk glass vases. Happy Tuesday.

when it's too quiet

2009-09-07T16:10:00.000-07:00

Washing the dishes I realized the silence. I put down a sauce pan and went to go check on Kennedy. No more than a step was taken and she came around the corner grinning, "Yookit mommy! Yook! It!" Typically she gets into my make-up. The blush is her favorite, but today she discovered Q-Tips.

What a lovely, silly, lazy long weekend.

close

2009-09-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

As parents we do our best to shield and protect our kids. We remind them, "Be Careful." We tuck away chemicals, cleaners, medicines, razors and the like. As parents of siblings we are used to the shriek of a cry because a toy was snatched, hair was pulled, a chubby arm bitten. As I was nonchalantly folding laundry this morning Keira walked in to rifle through the pile looking for her favorite yellow skirt. She found it, happy, she went over to the dresser to retrieve socks (she likes to wear mismatched socks and insists upon it-on even the warmest of days). And there is was. That shriek and cry I am so used to.

But no other sisters were around. I didn't even put down the small pajama pants of Kennedy's I was folding and went to her. Her hand cupped over her eye I pulled it back and reeled internally. "Oh shit." I thought as salty tears mixed with the blood running from her eye down her cheek. I scooped her up and with a cold towel I pressed against her face. Picking up my BlackBerry I called her doctors office. It looked like it would need a single stitch or two but I really didn't want to haul everyone to the E.R. I explained this all to the receptionist who said, "Well, you're in luck, we have a 9:50 available."

I pulled the phone away to look at the time. 9:40. We are at least a fifteen minute drive, I am holding one bleeding child while two others dance around me still in their pajamas and my nanny was due to arrive at 10:00. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes." I told the receptionist. Exiting out of that call I pressed the K button for our nanny. "How quickly can you get here?" I asked.

"What happened sweetie?" The nurse asked Keira pulling away the ice pack she had held to her face the whole ride to the doctors office.

"I bonked."

"On what?"

"Kennedy's dresser." That's where I keep all the kids socks. Keira had opened the drawer, grabbed out one navy sock and one pale pink sock. She went to close it and it stuck, being a finicky antique. She gave up on closing the drawer and bent down to put her socks on-bashing her poor little face in the process.

The doctor came in and asked the same questions while cleaning out her cut. "There are three options for this sort of wound." He said speaking to me. "Ideally I'd like to glue it, but I can't so close to the eye. Our other options are we could stitch it or see how she does today with just a steri stip. If it stays on and doesn't bleed too much it will heal just fine. If not, you'll have to come back."

"Okay, let's do that."

And she got a sparkly pencil for being a good patient.

being me

2009-09-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

Because she's cute and to prove I'm not some sort of domestic freak (see the dirty plate in the foreground and the heap of swim gear from our morning lessons by the door?) here is Kennedy doing her best impression of me: huge sunglasses + BlackBerry. Also notice she is on our island countertop? The girl is an out of control climber.

clearly these were needed

2009-09-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

I bought five vintage milk glass vases today and two rose glass cake stands last week. The cake stands were random TJ Maxx purchases. But clearly I have a problem with my kitchen lately...

week + end

2009-08-31T10:30:00.000-07:00

On Thursday I took Nyla to get her first real haircut. I have always just trimmed (or hacked) her hair to the best of my ability but with the excitement of kindergarten drawing closer and closer (Finally! We have a most excellent school* to attend) it was time for a proper trim. It's pretty amazing how something as simple as a haircut can change a person's attitude-even a five year old. Her use of the word awesome is triple-fold and she refused to give me a nice kid smile to document her girly milestone. I only got sass and one eye, that is, unless I snuck my photos in.

We spent a relaxing weekend playing "gardening" and chasing moles which is really just smashing down the hills to nice flat spots of dirt.

We made a purchase to build a new home! I will be very sad to leave our gorgeous view but the real of it is-we are tight on space and the school district is really crappy all the way through middle school and it was just another of my husbands jobs that we were to live in temporarily. There is lots of paperwork still ahead and who knows when we will actually break ground but it's exciting to think about building something just for us.

currently

2009-08-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

Obsessing about my pantry. I have been skimping off the grocery budget for weeks purchasing glassware storage jars. Eventually, I want some resemblance of this:

{photo :: country living}

the deal with the red

2009-08-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

The difference between the reds was hands down a no brainer, I mean SO obvious. The odd thing was, photographically there was barely a discernable difference. Sorry for the teaser but I didn't want y'all to think I was crazy because it looked like there was no difference between the shades but there totally was. My hubby moaned and groaned the whole time prior asking me not to wear it and wouldn't you know it? In the ladies room at the wedding I had a woman tell me how much she was admiring my red lips and wished she could wear red lipstick... yeah, yeah there is a shade for everyone but she has had make up professionals tell her, "Sorry, I guess you just can't wear red."

You can imagine that she helped put an extra bounce in my step, but not only that it was a great wedding for two people I am so excited for.

Since I don't really have an excuse in the near future to sport red lips again I just bought a couple drug store brands. It wore really well throughout the night and I'd highly recommend it. The final pick was Prestige Fatal Red, which you can find at Target, most grocery stores and probably any drug store.

fairy light

2009-08-11T17:02:00.000-07:00

What's better than practicing shooting in intense natural light than with a baby in a fairy costume?

Not much. Other than trying out the new red lipstick I bought. You see, I NEVER wear lipstick. For many reasons. I find that it's too high maintenance. That is, if you don't want it to look like shit. Ever. Also I like kissing, drinking and eating. I do these things frequently throughout the day. I kiss my kids and my husband. I like coffee in the morning and Cucumber Dry Soda in the afternoon. So day to day lipstick just doesn't work for me. BUT! (finally, I mean what am I blathering on about?) I am now the proud owner of this amazing curry yellow dress and I thought: Red Lipstick would be Hot (with the dress). So I bought one shade, and I wore it today because I need practice applying, reapplying, keeping my teeth clean, ect. Since it's a work day but I didn't have any meetings it was perfect because it meant minimal kissy face and no one had to see me, except for when my husband came home for a minute...

"Jesus!"

"Huh?"

"Lipstick!"

"Oh, yeah. I forgot I had it on." Bwahahahahaha.

"It's so dark. It's, um. You're not really wearing that are you?"

"Yes, I am. I am trying it out. I thought I would wear it for so and so's wedding with my yellow dress."

"Can't you pick a red that's not so dark? And maybe not so red?"

"Um, No. That's the whole point of wearing RED lipstick."

Men. They are so silly sometimes! What do you think? Red lipstick every once in awhile for special occasions, yay or nay? And if you're good maybe I'll let you pick the final shade.

the magic school bus

2009-08-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten is a mere four weeks away. Because I finagled Nyla's way into a school out of our district I will be driving her. So, how could I resist taking these "starting school" photos with a super amazing abandoned old bus near our house? I was going to do this closer to school and I still might but she looked so dang cute today that when we left the house I took the camera and a 10 minute pit stop.

As I was directing her and she was literally scaling the bus she got the giggles.

imagine your surrounded by surrounded by tiny little seahorses

2009-08-04T13:38:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we drove to Deception Pass and took a picnic lunch and hiked around a bit. I, of course, brought the camera and while none of my photos of the Pass do it justice I did manage some good shots of the girls, specifically Keira. The light was amazing and she was smiling and being goofy. A pretty rare event for her. Don't get me wrong she's a happy kid. In a quite sullen sort of way, that is, unless she is screaming at someone or biting them. On second thought, she's happy like a middle child which is rare when you are constantly vying for attention or just trying to stay out of the damn way...

Where was I? Oh yeah, happy and goofy and great lighting and hair blowing in the surf which is cool except, well... maybe they are a little too glamour shots. Let me just say, The Center Photo. When my husband saw it he said, "She looks like a nail technician. And her name should be Cheryl Lee."

vintage mouse dress

2009-08-01T16:30:00.001-07:00

My mother gave this to me. It was mine circa 1982. On this sunny warm day 26 years later my youngest daughter is wearing it. And it means the world to me. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

heat wave

2009-07-31T16:00:00.000-07:00

Means babies in bikinis.

goon squad

2009-07-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

As promised the pink Barbie goggles were purchased. They were highly coveted and I said to Nyla when she could swim I would get her goggles. Last week all her swim instructions clicked she was feeling really confident in the shallow end and said she was going to go jump off the diving board.

"Mommy, come with me but DON"T catch me."

I agreed. Off the board she went. She sunk down and just when a hypervigilant mother's fear begins up she surfaces blowing water out of her nose and sputtering. It wasn't pretty but she began to kick and splash her way back to the shallow end all on her own. Nyla can swim!

dinner entertainment

2009-07-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

It started with Keira. She strung one of her olive oiled fettucini noodles across her upper lip. I sort of glared at her while Daddy didn't notice. Nyla giggled and said, "Nice moooo-stash!" Which made everyone laugh. Because she's last in line and refuses to be outdone Kennedy strung one of her noodles very seriously across her lip, while standing on her chair.

And we wonder why we never invite people over for dinner.

skinny

2009-07-13T15:34:00.000-07:00

This girl's hair warrants it's own entry. What would you call that? A rathawk? I have cut the one stray curl in the back once already and got in trouble with Daddy as he was not pleased. But it's the only spot it seems to grow. And now I am realizing you can't even see it in these photos. But trust me she has one curly rat tail in the back and that center oompa loompa tuft has become a full mohawk. Nyla and Keira had piggy tails by now... but instead of growing hair this kid is growing attitude. And Lashes. Those lashes get thicker everyday while the baby fat melts off.

not worth it

2009-07-12T10:38:00.001-07:00

Nyla has started biting her finger nails. This is highly irritating and disgusting to me. But she has this look to her when she is doing it. She looks grown up, and a little nervous and a little bored, which are emotions people learn. People who aren't babies anymore. I see this and I can't seem to harp on her about it.

...and by technical I mean emotional

2009-07-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

I had some problems last week that lead me to treat some customer service representatives rather harshly. But I was under some undue stress. Because I later found out, holy cats! You mean I can go out and spend $200 on my own new fancy router in lieu of dealing with the horrid customer service team? I (sheepishly) had no idea. I thought our internet provider gave us the router. Oh well. Those are the lessons you only have to learn once.

* * *

Keira woke up a few mornings ago after a rough night. She had woken a couple of times crying and screaming but mostly out of it. (And yes, she slept in that necklace.) I asked how come she didn't sleep very well.

"I had a terrible dream" She said wide eyed.

"You did?"

"Yes. There was a MOOSE! It was walking across the trees in front of my window." (We have perfectly trimmed flat top Pyramidalis in front of their window.) I had to choke back laughter. But she grew more serious and lowers her voice. "And it was a Pink Moose."

Of course it was.

star

2009-06-22T12:40:00.000-07:00

I didn't cry. I was far too busy laughing. Nyla did so well! She was one of the only kids who managed to remember most of the dance moves. Keira was right next to her (although the hand holding chain walking out on stage broke and never recovered so they were literally standing five feet apart). But she was able to follow big sister and do most of the moves a step behind.

The lights dimmed and the kids wandered off stage but Nyla scooted toward to center stage and spread her arms as wide as they would go and took a power bow. There she stood, alone on stage in the dark bowed down to applause. I thought they were going to have to drag her off stage but she finally stood up and smiled and ran off. It was a night I will never forget. She beamed and Daddy gave them both flowers. I was proud not because she remembered her steps and danced well but because her happiness that night was contagious.

P.S. Thank you all for the hair advice. In the end we did the old-fashioned rag curls because those were most similar to the soft spikes that Sasha suggested and they worked like a charm.

recital

2009-06-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

We have our fist big show tomorrow! The girlies had dress rehearsal today and for some reason a lot of my shots were blurry... probably due to shooting while consequently juggling a nap and lunch deprived Kennedy (rehearsal was at 12:30). But here is one of Keira for you in all her glory-processed a couple different ways.

Straight out the camera

Lomo inspired

Me, still lovin' on vintage finishes.

52

2009-06-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

My new mission to improve my photography skills and document the kiddos... one of each kid every week.

arugula affair

2009-06-16T16:28:00.000-07:00

In my last post about the farmers market I failed to mention that I went for one particular item: arugula. I love, love love the stuff. I use in in lieu of lettuce on egg salad sandwiches and I have made this super easy pasta for dinner twice in two weeks now. Everyone loves it and uh, did I mention how freaking easy it is to make?

Pasta (I used large shells)
Cherry tomatoes (about 1 pound), rinsed and quartered
1/4 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 pound arugula
1/2 cup Romano
Salt to taste (I just generously salt the pasta water.)

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Sprinkle in your salt.

In a separate skillet over medium high heat warm the olive oil. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, about one minute. Add the chopped tomatoes, cook until softened, about five minutes. Remove from heat.

Add the pasta to your boiling water and cook according to the directions. With about six minutes left in the time, add the arugula to the pot. Reserve half a cup of pasta water, and drain the pasta and arugula.

Turn the skillet with the tomatoes back to medium high, and then toss in the pasta and arugula. Stir together, and cook for a few minutes until warm. Add some of the reserved pasta water if it is too dry. Season with freshly grated Romano cheese.

week end wrap

2009-06-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

We are lucky enough to have two Farmers Markets in town. A very busy Saturday morning one and a smaller low key one on Wednesday afternoons. I had never been to the Wednesday Market-it always slips my mind to go and this week I made a point of it. It was so enjoyable. Instead of wandering through people trying to keep track of three kids Kennedy hitched a ride with me in the pack and Nyla and Keira were able to hang out and play in the central grassy knoll.

Nyla on Wednesday at the Farmers Market.

Afterwards I walked to one of my favorite local boutiques and splurged on a new pair of jeans. Embarassingly, I haven't bought a nice pair of jeans since Keira was born. The owner hems for free if you buy a full price pair and it happened that my punch card was full so I got 25% off and still my free hem job so it was a great deal and I get to pick them up on Saturday just before my evening in Seattle visiting an old girlfriend for dinner and drinks.

As a total random aside with no segue if anyone has advice for getting Nyla's hair to stay curly for a few hours I'd welcome it. Their dance recital is next week and they are doing the whole Shirley Temple thing. Do you see that kid's hair in the photo above? Short. Straight. Fine. I have tried the pink sponge rollers on wet hair overnight which creates a slight bouncier version of the hair above. I have also tried a curling iron and an obscene amount of hairspray. Spraying prior to rolling-sizzle-spraying after rolling-cough-cough. This results in a crispier version of what you see above and she "needs" ringlets... ummm, how does one achieve that?

like grandma's

2009-06-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

I was randomly given rhubarb out of someone's garden on Saturday. (Do people really buy rhubarb from the grocery store?) The only thing I know how to do with rhubarb is make pie. My grandma used to make strawberry rhubarb pie with the fixin's from her garden. I had never made it personally but it turned out very well and it was such a comfort to eat out side on a warm summer evening. I might have to make this once a year from now on...

Crust :: adapted from fine cooking.

8 oz. (1 cup) cold unsalted butter
9 oz. (2 cups) all-purpose unbleached flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup cold water*

Add the flour, sugar, and salt into a bowl. Mix for a second or two to incorporate. Cut the butter into 1/2-inch pieces and add the butter to the dry ingredients. Mixing on low work the mixture until it's crumbly and the largest pieces of butter are no bigger than a pea (about 1/4 inch). The butter should remain cold and firm throughout mixing.

Sprinkle the cold water evenly over the flour and butter. (*I found that 1/4 cup wasn't enough but I would start out with that amount and add by the tablespoon until the dough is proper consistency.) Work the dough until it just pulls together as a shaggy mass. At this point stop mixing and get after it by hand to shape it into two round sections.

To roll out the dough for a double-crust pie pat each piece into a thick flattened ball. Lightly flour your work surface and tap one of the dough balls down with four or five taps of the rolling pan. Begin rolling from the center of your dough outward. Stop the pressure 1/4 inch from the edge of the dough. Lift the dough and turn by a quarter and repeat the rolling until the dough is at least 12 inches in diameter. Be sure to re-flour the work surface if your dough is sticking.

Filling :: partly adapted from grandma, my mother in law's cousin (get that?) and epicurious.

2 large rhubarb stalks trimmed to 1/2-inch-thick slices.
1 16-ounce container strawberries, hulled, halved (about 3 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
a skimpy 1/2 cup of flour
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cardamom

1 large egg yolk beaten to blend with 1 teaspoon water (for glaze)

Spoon filling into crust. Layer with second crust pressing to seal. Crimp edges. Brush glaze over crust. Transfer pie to baking sheet to catch the drippings in the overn. Bake 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake pie until golden and filling thickens, about 1 hour 25 minutes. Transfer pie to rack and cool completely.

I am having a hard time not eating some for breakfast.

typical

2009-06-05T21:44:00.001-07:00

The little one, Kenny aka "Little Miss" with her puppy and guppie in tow.

average wednesday

2009-06-04T00:21:00.000-07:00

On Wednesdays Nyla and Keira attend ballet. In my attempt to be more diligent about photographing the kids here is Nyla dropping her shoe on the way in, then getting sassy because I had pulled out the camera. I'm finding it pretty amazing how the mundane things are so beautiful when they are still.

tres amigos

2009-05-28T17:08:00.000-07:00

I love vintage treatment on photographs... I am finding more and more that I have a passion for photography. I wish I would have paid better attention to Chalmers (my college photography prof) but let's face it, the guy was a geek and sort of a perv. I took the afternoon "off" and we went to the park so the kids could run loose and I could snap some new shots all with the intention of putting to use some new PhotoShop Actions. I am loving how these turned out.

images taken by me!

photo friday

2009-05-22T16:31:00.000-07:00

Nyla had kindergarten orientation today-don't they look excited?

Also, this one's hair is finally starting to grow... like an oomp loompa.

anywhere

2009-05-16T08:19:00.001-07:00

Does she look tired to you? It's been a long week.

not mom bangs

2009-05-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

Keira wanted her hair cut, "This Short!" she emphatically stated with her little hand splayed out flat just under the lobe of her ear.

"Oh Keira, your hair is so pretty."

"Waaaaaaah, I want it cut!"

I lopped off the the seven inches in the front. "There you go honey-bangs! They look great."

And all was right in the world.

curable carrot cake

2009-05-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

With a secret ingredient*.

CARROT CAKE
3 cups all purpose flour
2 3/4 cups sugar
1 TBSP baking soda
2 TSP ground cinnamon
2 TSP kosher salt
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups corn oil
2 TSP vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups grated carrot (about one large carrot)
8 ounces carrot puree (I use two 4 oz jars of organic baby food!*)
1 cups shredded sweetened coconut

CREAM CHEESE ICING
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
12 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temp.
2 TSP vanilla extract
1/4 TSP kosher salt

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350°

Sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

In a separate bowl whisk eggs, oil and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients mixing on low speed until incorporated.

Add grated carrot, puree, and coconut and mix.

Pour batter into your two greased 9 inch round pans. Bake in the center of the oven for 40-50 minutes until a knife comes out of the center clean.

TO MAKE THE ICING

Sift powdered sugar into a medium bowl.

In a separate bowl beat together a medium speed the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and kosher salt until smooth and fluffy (top photo).

Slowly add the powdered sugar until well blended (bottom photo).

Assemble cake by placing one cake flat side up on your platter. Spread part of the icing over the top then top with second cake flat side up and finish icing.

Pour a nice glass of white wine and eat your troubles away.

look! t-shirts.

2009-05-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

Borrowing (okay totally stealing) {this} awesome DIY t-shirt tutorial I created five shirts for my new little nephew and hung them up as part of the decor for our non baby shower we threw last Saturday.

Photo credit: Ambrosia Girl

The hardest part of the whole thing was finding plain baby and toddler tee's. And ultimately the ones I found within my time line already got a bit fuzzy during the pre-wash requirement, so if you are up for the challenge I would really recommend the source mentioned in the tutorial: American Apparel.

I took my camera over to take photos of the set up, but I was a bit distracted with myself and the fact 50 people were coming over for the shower I had less than a week to plan, so, well, I forgot. But here is a picture of me and Kennedy! And we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

rhymes with poop

2009-04-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

Once again I woke to my newsletter of Goop. The newsletters are always promoting someone else and their product which is sort of annoying in itself. Last time I posted she was slinging her friend's really creative (har har) kid friendly cook book with the cut out animal shapes.

This morning she wanted to fill me in on the "gut bombs" she has endured while trying to take her children out to a dinner they like. To help the Average Joe along she listed many restaurants that are kid friendly but serve adult fare. They are all located conveniently in New York, Los Angeles and London.

I understand it would be Impossible to send out a newsletter to the masses listing a restaurant that everyone could go to-but that is also why I think most of these newsletters are so entertainingly awful. The topics should have never been covered from that angle in the first place. She needs fire her marketing person.

I didn't even cover the newsletter from weeks ago suggesting I run out and grab a jumpsuit to be fashion forward.

binky wars

2009-04-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

I guess that title is pretty dramatic since I haven't even declared war yet. I just know it's impending and I'm the one who's scared. The evolution of feelings I have had towards pacifiers has taken a dramatic turn over the coarse of my motherhood years. When Nyla was born I swore I'd never. But when the slightest intake of dairy on my part caused her to become a bloated screaming scary little beast the binky soothed her in ways I never could. Because her and Keira were so close in age I was quick to yank the binky from Nyla. I wanted her to be totally disinterested when her sister showed up with a binky so she was 11 or 12 months old and there were three nights of screaming before bedtime but that was it. Then my sweet silent Kiera came along and didn't want a pacifier at all and I was thrilled. We were a binky free house once again.

Kennedy, at 14 months is the oldest of my children that still takes a pacifier. And panic fills the house if the two she has go missing. It's not like 14 months is an age worthy of the catty "Isn't she too big for that?" remarks but how far away are they? My husband thinks its time and I'm all "Meh. whatever." I can't help it that I am slightly entertained when she wants it and holds her chubby hand out looking at me through long lashes with eyes of concern chanting, "Guppie! Guppie. Guppie!"

And when she gets it-that little grin behind pink plastic.

I'm sorry but guppie=binky is just about the most random cutest damn thing I have ever heard.

princess for a day | tell me when your bored

2009-04-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

I got a few more photos this morning... I really like this one. Mostly because I am a total sucker for old brick buildings covered in ivy.

the crazy reality

2009-04-21T12:08:00.003-07:00

See all those photographers down at the bottom? Madness, I tell you.

princess for a day

2009-04-20T15:26:00.000-07:00

After a few years and a few babies it was quite the ego boost to slide my body back into my wedding gown. It's not quite the boudoir session I originally had in mind but I think it's so much better. My wedding photographer sucked ass. And that's being nice. So Saturday I was lucky enough to nail a spot as a bridal model for a photography convention and relive a little of the fun. I spent a day in my wedding dress with an army of photographers following me. I had a little girl stop me for her own photo op because she thought I was a real princess and I almost got all teary thinking of my own daughters and their love for the movie Enchanted. And here is their crazy mother who ditched them for a day of running around the city in heels.

pretty little board books

2009-04-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

The Easter bunny brought books for each girl and I love the pick for Kennedy. . . because of course since the Easter bunny brought it I had nothing to do with it. You know, in case my four year old is reading my blog. It's Rachel Hale's Baby Giggles book. A book of emotions. She also has a book of colors out which is equally pretty and next time I'm at Target I'll be grabbing it. Kennedy is enamored with the photographs and who can blame her?

I want to bite all those cheeks.

makin' it all worth it

2009-04-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

. . . my nephew.

belly button backstory

2009-04-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

That last post? The one about the creatures living inside my children's belly buttons? I confess I may, nay, I DID cause that.

Keira has an outie. A weird gnarled knobby outie. I hope she loves it but I worry she will hate it. She already knows it's different and her favorite past time used to be sticking her itty finger in mine. I hate pokes in the belly button. So I told her I had a very small person living in mine-like a who. And that wee little person didn't like to be poked and if you weren't careful it might even take a nibble of you. So yeah. Okay. I told my three year old that I have a small person living in my belly button that will bite her if she sticks her finger in it.

What sort of fibs have you told your kids or do you remember a fib your parents told you? Did it scar you for life?

pretty reflective of their personalities

2009-04-05T19:26:00.000-07:00

All the girls were in the bath together last night and it was time to wash. We make a point of washing all the crevices. Armpits, toes, bums, bellybuttons. Sometimes imaginations run wild.

"Be careful!" Nyla warns, "I have a creature in my belly button."

"What kind of creature?"

"A pink lobster! And if you get too close she will give you kisses. Her name is Mandy and she has a purple bow in her antlers."

"You mean antenna?"

"Yes her antenna's. She has long eyelashes and pretty red lipstick."

"Yeah!" Keria ups the volume in an aggressive tone. "I have a creature too!" Pointing and shaking her finger at my face. "Mine's a CRab! And it has tattoos."

"Tattoos!" I exclaim with a laugh. "Tattoos of what?"

"Snakes."

I nod. It all makes so much sense.

her reputation precedes her

2009-04-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a "slumber party". The girls and I went to Blockbuster and they got to choose a movie with a little help from me otherwise we would have been stuck watching Dora Saves the Snow Princess. And my husband's hatred for Dora would have been enough for him to call the whole thing off.

We ate pizza for dinner and put Little Miss (Kennedy's nickname courtesy of Nyla) to bed just a little before schedule. Then we all put on jammies, made a fort in the living room and cuddled up to watch Bambi with a bowl of popcorn. The girls were wide eyed and giggly and I didn't cry (I thought Bambi was supposed to be terribly sad).

In reality the girls only went to bed about 50 minutes later than usual but they thought it was really late. After they were asleep my husband said that our slumber party was nice.

"Yeah, I think the girls had a lot of fun." I said.

"Oh they loved it, even Keira, and she hates fun."

best game ever

2009-04-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

The girls were being really obnoxious while I was trying to cook dinner tonight so I forced them into their room to play. "If you are going to be wild, do in in There!"

They ran in and bounced around for a bit then it all went quite. I poked my head in to see Keira playing by herself quietly but Nyla was laying on the floor with just her head under her bed. I got on my knees and laid my head on her belly. "Hey you, what are you doing under there?" She just grinned and giggled.

When Keira saw her move slightly she tromped over. "Mommy, Stop! She's being a barnacle."

"A what?"

"Bar-na-cle!" She says slower and louder pointing her miniature stick finger at me (Keira's classic angry move).

I just walked out and burst into laughter.

At dinner I asked Nyla what exactly a barnacle is and she practically gave me a dissertation on how they attach to rocks and sea creatures live in them, but when the tide goes out the sea creatures are gone and they dry up and can be sharp if you step on them and so on and so forth. Alright then. Just so we are clear. You know what a barnacle is and you were so obviously being one.

The kids are in bed now and it's been a long week and I have to work tomorrow. So I am going to go clean my kitchen, drink a glass of wine and spend the rest of my night being a barnacle.

worthless friday

2009-04-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

My email is down so here I sit in my office shelling out perfectly good money to accomplish virtually nothing. . .

I had lots of fun in Seattle yesterday although I did come home a bit grumpy because the house was THRASHED. So I went to bed, woke up at 6:30 and ate the leftover coconut cake from our shoot yesterday for breakfast and the cleaning commenced once I was properly induced with sugar. As I stood in my pajamas eating cake Kennedy managed to scuttle into the big girls bathroom and come out like this:

That's how we roll in the AM: Some cake, a hot pair of sunglasses and sweet bedhead.

bad mommy :: exciting stuff

2009-04-02T09:22:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write a more coherent post today but alas I am off to Seattle for work fun. . . I can give you one hint but you will have to wait until July for the unveiling. It does involve a magazine. I was telling the girls last night that I will be gone all day today something that just doesn't happen that often. I was met with pouty faces and questions. I began to explain yet again what mommy does and Keira just shouted, "You are NOT a jrafic ziner you are a mom!"

Jrafic ziner say it fast and pouty.

Keira was also kind enough to model my DIY headband for all of two seconds in the end I had to do it myself. . . this is becoming sort of my outtakes blog isn't it?

high | low

2009-03-31T06:42:00.000-07:00

Part of our bedtime routine includes what we call high | low. I think it's important to give your kids the opportunity to talk about their day honestly before they are in school and come home to, "What did you do today?" The reply is always, of course, "Nothing." If you want your kids to talk to you I think you need to 1.) start early and 2.) listen. Stop what you are doing and actually listen to your kids. What they have to say at three might not be all that important or even interesting, but what about when they are 13?

High | Low is an easy concept for little kids to grasp, simply the best part of your day and the worst part of your day. Having these conversations with a three and four year old can be pretty entertaining and also put adult life in perspective. Sometimes the low can be that mommy worked that day. . . which usually leads to why do grown ups work? And I don't want to be a grown up, I want to be a kid forever! And, well, um, Yeah! It's just not going to happen kid.

Last night I went first, "My high was that you girls like Megan and had fun with her today." [Megan is our new temporary nanny while ours travels abroad for a quarter] This lead to the conversation that our previous nanny is now living in Greece! over a (omg) cookie shop! GIggle, giggle. "I bet she'll have great cookie stories when she comes back!" Nyla squealed. My low was I still have my cough from our colds weeks ago. Nyla's high was that she got to skip bath time and finish watching 101 Dalmations and her low was *yawn* that "I'm so tired." (She's dramatic that one.) Keira's high was reading books together and her low was getting spaghetti in her hair during dinner. Spaghetti in your hair = bad. And that girl's hair can be pretty unruly. . . unruly enough if she's not careful in her formative years she might get a penis stuck in it.

dancing with myself oh oh oh ooooughumpf

2009-03-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

My hip hop class was SO. Much. Fun. I wouldn't qualify myself as sore today but I am feeling stiff which is great and was totally the point. I paid for six weeks last night, so onward. There was an interesting phenomenon though. After nursing three babies my boobs are 1. small and 2. deflated? Is that the proper word? And perhaps it is because I stopped nursing Kennedy relatively recently they are still, well, let's just call them sad. I have small sad boobies. And during dance last night they were subsequently sliding out from under my bra and causing my bra to shift up inside my tank top toward my chin. My boobs are so squishy and small and slippery they were falling out Under.Neath! $%&#*

Obviously I am excited about my next class but now I am also daunted with this awful new boob wrangling dilemma. The high school girl behind me with the lip ring, and the missing tooth, and the ginormous rack had no trouble keeping herself contained. I on the other hand looked like olive oil and was constantly tugging my boobs up and my bra down.

kindergarten blues

2009-03-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (or lasterday if you are Keira, my three year old) I realized that kindergarten registration began March 2. I had wanted to enroll Nyla in the all day pilot program. . . of course the deadline for that was the 13th. (Way to go loser mom.) I have heard good things about all day kindergarten and I know Nyla could manage the full days but going into further detail about that topic is now fruitless. Moving on. . .

I have heard mixed reviews about the elementary school for which we are in the district for. Mostly from my husband because he grew up in this town and likes to tell me that all of this friends that ended up in jail went to this particular elementary school. My sister in law offered to let us use her address to go to the elementary school that is actually closer to our home which scores a five star rating if you believe in this website that rates and compare schools. The "particular school" in our district scores a one.

I went to the "five star" school and picked up a packet and gave the snooty office lady my SIL's address. She oddly looked at me and asked which side of the street we were on. Turns out that her address is a border street and the folks across the street from my SIL are in the district but the side of the street she (we) are on go to yet a third school.

Feeling only moderately defeated I pack up the girls and we go to the "one star" school we are supposed to attend. It's a meek brick building with the playground invisible from the street, which I like so I shrug and optimistically charge the kids through the front door, aaaaand is smells. Badly. There is random crap all over the hallway and the office is a disorganized mess. I grab their packet and now I feel pretty crummy. I also feel pretentious and strangely guilty about it.

This is what's wrong with our current public school system. I want my daughter to go to a clean orderly school-an environment conducive for learning. I want the teachers to shower and dress nicely and comb their freaking hair (actual sightings from "one star"). We can't afford the artsy private school we prefer at $7,000 a year x3 and the other private schools are religion based which we aren't keen on either. But we do have the luxury to manipulate our current district zones and for that I feel lucky. For us the crappy economy has a silver lining: we have an undeveloped lot on the other side of town that no one, not even my husband the developer, wants anything to do with. So I will drive the 60 minutes roundtrip to take Nyla to one of the three best schools in our town. The guilt comes in because I think the kids that don't have another option except to go where the district tells you deserve clean schools and teachers too.

Good school aside there was an irrational (or very rational) part of me that considered homeschooling. An option which, for me, can easily be waved off with a, "I couldn't possibly. . . " I run a business. I have multiple children. I'm artistic which means I'm disorganized and suck at math.

That brings me to you people. E, I know you are planning on homeschooling, hijack the comments, what's your driving force? Crappy Schools? Curriculum? I am honestly curious as I think there are a slew of current and up and coming homeschoolers that will break down the stereotype that if you homeschool you are some sort of freak. And honestly I'm in awe of those people. Others who have school age kids, are you pleased with your school? Why or why not?

I have to go to bed now, dance starts tomorrow!

remembrance

2009-03-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

Because of the sheer amount of time it takes to evolve from singleton to girlfriend to wife to knocked-up to motherhood it's no wonder that some days you realize more than others that you are an entirely different person. A number of things happened this week that reminded me of the girl of the past. Not the emotional selfish party girl but the girl that used to have time for things that made her (me) feel free and happy, things that I could continue learning or improving physically or intellectually.

I think as grown ups we tend to further push the things of the past that we enjoyed and valued under the rug for fear of looking silly, or being perceived as reliving the "glory days" with a roll of the eyes. For fear of our spouses thinking we are stupid and wasting time with an activity that maybe has no "real world" application. So we chug along and fill our days with things that are perceived as more appropriate. Book clubs, Pampered Chef parties and church groups*. These are things that grown women do. These are things I loathe, therefore I can easily be categorized a someone who doesn't want to grow up. What I really am is someone who isn't willing to fake reality.

All this to say that on Wednesday night I will attend my first hip hop dance class and I couldn't be more thrilled. Dancing is something I used to value but deemed myself all of those falsehoods above; too old, inappropriate, not a mom activity. Well, to hell with all that. It will be enough to keep me feeling fit and it's something I truly value and will enjoy doing which will make me happy and a happy woman is a good wife and mother.

* If you love these things you should absolutely do them. However, I do think there are plenty of women that partake in these activities that are really seeking to fill a different void, and I would be one of those women.

freaking brilliant

2009-03-20T16:32:00.001-07:00

Mohop has perhaps created the most genius shoes ever. I want some. They ship for only two bucks. Now I just need to scrounge the other $148. For a girl who constantly has excess ribbon laying around I could not think of anything better to put those scraps to good use. ME. LIKEY.

found via Tangled and True.

best bloody peanut butter pie

2009-03-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

There is a local haunt, the legendary Colophon Cafe, that has some amazing grub. Specifically, their peanut butter pie.

While rummaging through a used bookstore I found Northwest Best Places Cookbook which features The Pie. I have made it several times. it rarely yields leftovers and it's one of those desserts where people tell you several times how delicious it is. Nodding with wide eyes to say, no really, I am not blowing smoke up your ass, "It's Delicious."

And you know what my lady friends? You deserve such accolades so I present The Pie adapted from Northwest Best and Colophon.

One discretionary warning: you do need to make it slightly in advance, it comes together very easily but needs three hours in the freezer, so don't wait until the last minute to whip it up, and making it the day before and letting it freeze overnight is A-OK.

PIE
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
8 oz cream cheese, sofened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup powdered sugar
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped peanuts
COOKIE CRUST
8 ounces Oreo or other chocolate wafer cookies finely crushed (2 cups)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350°

FOR THE COOKIE CRUST

Combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter into a bowl and mix well. Pour mixture into an 8-ince pie pan and press evenly onto bottom and sides. Bake until set 7-10 minutes.

PIE

Put 1 cup of the whipping cream in a medium bowl, preferably stainless steel, and freeze for 10 minutes. Meanwhile beat cream cheese, peanut butter and brown sugar together in another bowl until creamy.

Take the whipping cream from the freezer, add the vanilla and beat on low speed for 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and beat on high speed until soft peaks form. Do not overbeat.

Fold the whipped cream mixture into the peanut butter mixture. Pour the filling in the crust , spreading evenly and freeze for at least three hours.

When the pie is frozen, combine the chocolate and remaining 1/2 cup whipping cream in a small microwave safe bowl for 30-45 seconds. (Or heat over medium low on stovetop) Stir until smooth, let cool slightly.

Take the frozen pie from the freezer and spread chocolate over it. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts before chocolate sets. If not serving right away return to the freezer. 20 minutes before serving, take the pie out of the freezer. Cut the pie with a sharp knife that has been run under hot water, it's easier to cut if it's still a bit frozen. Let sit another 5-10 minutes and serve.

Now sit around with your company, don't think about calories and enjoy the compliments.

perfectly captured motherhood

2009-03-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

I was nosing around photographer Max Wanger's website because he takes some beautiful wedding shots. Some that incorporate what should seem like an odd prop but somehow looks amazingly natural. (That balloon! The giant lollipop!) I'm in love. But it was the photo below that totally blew me away. It expresses what would take me a million words to say.

It's gorgeous; sleep deprived and out of focus, ethereal and sweet. The color is both bright and soft at the same time. Motherhood is imperfect and chaotic and it's a beautiful thing.

trying to keep an open mind

2009-03-19T06:23:00.000-07:00

I signed up for the GOOP newsletter, the monthly scoop (of GOOP?) from Gwyneth Paltrow. It wasn't received very well which sort of intrigued me (I guess for it's trainwreck effect) but more than that I wondered: what if somewhere along the way she got better? What if there were a few real gems in there? My first one popped up in my inbox this morning. . . with recipes to make things like this:

That is the actual photo from the newsletter. I wish I was making it up. Perhaps it would have been better received in the afternoon when a day with the kids leaves you weary and making animal shaped slop for dinner seems more reasonable. I don't know. . . you?

motomoto

2009-03-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

I first discovered boudoir photography (for real people, like you and me) last October during a wedding show. The fabulous Laurel McConnell offers what she calls "The Sexy Shoot." It is often paired with wedding packages or a mini shoot can be done while you are primping for your big day. But I thought; what a fabulous thing to do after you have had babies. I honestly can't think of anything that would make me feel more liberated and sexy. I'm thinking for our five year wedding anniversary in January I will gift the rewards of a little boudoir sesh to my husband as little reminder of how hot is wife is; the wife that gave him three beautiful baby girls.

A good photographer will know how to photograph you in a way that makes you look and feel comfortable. Your ease and confidence will show through in the images, and that's really what sexiness is all about!

I have done some research to prepare myself and found these helpful tips:

Choose someone whose work you love and who you feel comfortable with personally.

Show your photographer images from movies, magazines or websites that you think are beautiful and that embody the kind of sexy style you're going for.

On the day of your shoot wear loose fitting clothing and no tight bras or undies before hand to avoid dents and lines on your skin.

Photo shoots can take place anywhere; consider a hotel room for luxury and privacy, the photographers studio or even your own home. Choose the location you will feel most comfortable.

Pick an assortment of lingerie that makes you feel fantastic, as well as any props, sentimental items or other outfits. Consider grabbing a few items from his closet like his favorite tee, his button down shirt, or one of his ties. You may not use it all, but it's a good idea to have options with you.

Images are from Cheryl Jones whom I plan on using, her images are flirty and tasteful and her price is very reasonable if I can get in on a "marathon" session. There are photographers all over the country that specialize in this type of artistic photography but if you are in the Seattle area, Laurel and Cheryl are awesome ladies.

If you haven't been subjected to Madagascar II as often as I have, motomoto means Hot! Hot!

kersh crush

2009-03-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

cross posted*

I have several Kersh items in my closet. I bought this lovely poplin swing top last weekend. The gorgeous jewel green is the fourth addition to my wardrobe in that hue (I organize my clothes by color) and what better day to break it in?

*Except I'm laughing at one of my kids in this photo.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Sláinte!

xo

lovely little headband

2009-03-16T06:12:00.000-07:00

One rainy Saturday the girls and I hit up our local craft haunt and grabbed the supplies to make four of these adorable headbands (above) and one lovely for mommy (below) for under $30.00

Supply List

• Headbands (something like these)
• Scissors
• Hot Glue Gun
• Ribbon; at least 2 inches wide
• Faux Floral (I do not recommend anything larger than your fist)
• Additional Pretties of Your Choice (We had Guinea Feathers and Rhinestone Jewels on hand)

Measure your ribbon along the entire crest of the head band. Cut your ribbon approx. one inch longer on each end; you need the overhang for wrapping the edges.

Secure ribbon to the headband using hot glue or a strong permanent double stick adhesive. Wrap the edges and tuck the ends much like you would wrap a present. You should have a seam on the inside of the head band where the ribbon meets.

Cut the stems off your flowers as close to the base of the flower as possible without cutting the base.

We started working on our flowers off the headband. I let the girls pick feathers and arrange them how they wanted while I handled the hot gluing.

Once your flower is close to how you want it, secure it to the headband. Add your finishing touches of jewels, feathers, or other embellishments until complete.

I am going to pin my lovely into an updo with bobby pins for a wedding these weekend. I am looking forward to getting all dolled up, something I could stand to have reason to do more often.

skin deep

2009-03-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

Our skin is our largest organ and as women we slather all kinds of things on ourselves in the hopes of beautifying, firming, delaying aging, fading freckles, and minimizing scars or stretch marks. I am totally guilty of it. There are almost no regulations on cosmetic companies which is fine, but it is up to us to be educated about what we use on our bodies and in turn slather our kids in. Even the stuff that is supposed to be good for you-like sunscreen, can be chock full of metals and other things we probably wouldn't apply liberally if we stopped and thought about it.

Skin Deep is a highly resourceful cosmetics database that ranks the toxicity in each ingredient to provide an overall score ranking in three categories: low (0-2), moderate (3-6) and high (7-10) hazard. They have category short cuts for Makeup, Skin Care, Hair Care, Eye Care, Nail Care, Baby Care, Oral Care and Fragrance, or if you are curious about a specific product you use you can search by name brand or narrow it down to ingredient.

My Neutrogena sunscreen that I layered on myself and my kids last summer scores a 7. Naturally I freaked out for a moment, but did I really increase my children's cancer probabilities in one summer? Unlikely. Will I research and consider other products this year. Absolutely. Power in information, but be warned this website can be a total time suck. Don't put is past yourself to casually search a product and then feel compelled to raid your medicine cabinet. Oh and just please don't start with the deodorants.

house keeping

2009-03-12T09:09:00.001-07:00

I'm Brittany, aka MDSSW. I have three daughters; Nyla is four, Keira is three and Kennedy is 13 months. I am a mommy, I run my own business, I love design, I love my family, I pretty much (on most days) love my life. I have never been in the business of pretending to be perfect, but I am making an effort to use this space positively, to help and empower women, mothers, business owners, designers, crafters, cooks and anyone else who will put up with me. So if you are a mom, or if you are a career woman, if you like to shop or cook please stay awhile, Nice Things to come.

growing up

2009-03-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

Kennedy turned one last month, which means she is less and less like a baby. More and more like a little person who flirts, pouts and throws fits. Yesterday when Daddy came home from work and promptly scolded her for playing in the cupboards (I know better, I was actually getting dinner made without her on my hip, so what's a few loose cabinet doors?) She looked at him and frowned and ran off to lay under her big sisters bed and whimper pitifully until someone (anyone) came in to scoop her up and tell her everything was okay.

Also adorable sale items like this won't fit. Size is 6-12 months. Someone please get this, it's adorable. I need to live vicariously through your baby girl. E that means YOU.

on sale at Anthropologie

xo,
MDSSW

first

2009-02-16T09:46:00.001-08:00

(Cross posted on my design blog.)

Over the weekend, on Valentine's Day, our baby turned one. We celebrated with family early in the day so everyone could spend the evenings with their sweeties.

I had fun gathering items for decorating. From wrapping paper and 12x12 scrapbook paper sheets I made a birthday flag paper banner inspired by Simple Silhouettes (which has some great bridesmaid dresses btw) thanks to the tip from Orange Beautiful.

It's a very easy DIY-although I would recommend to those of you who are uncomfortable wielding an exacto knife to print out letters that are less intricate. It was a fantastic way to add decoration without bringing in any of the traditional licensed characters that most childrens birthday banners are limited to.

Even though it was a baby's birthday almost all the guest were adults so I wanted the decorations to reflect both our baby girl, Valentine's Day and the grown-ups who love her.

Fresh flowers are an easy and always sophisticated decor item. They help your place smell wonderful and you get to enjoy them for a week or so after the shindig is over.

The pink polka dots gracing the table is wrapping paper from Paper Source. It makes a super cheap table runner and I used the extra for the paper flag banner and wrapping gifts making coordinating easy and inexpensive. The babe got her own petite cake and the adults enjoyed cupcakes in either vanilla bean or red velvet.

Happy first Kennedy Jane!