Mommy Tips: Great Baby Gift!

Our friend, Rachel got Junebug these Nowali Moccassins and they are amazing! These were in size 18 months and this is the size June got the most use out of. When she was a newborn I bought her a little pair and she never really wore them but once she started walking these became a daily wardrobe necessity. She puts them on every morning when she gets up. They are perfect for running around the house when you want something more than a sock but something less than a shoe. I recommend this as a great baby gift for a boy or a girl and a good price point. P.S. I love the little ladybugs, they are so cuuute.

Mission Organization Day 6: Hoarding

My husband calls me a hoarder. Okay, so I like to keep things. BUT - I tuned into that show on TV, "Hoarders" and I saw people who sleep on chairs because they can't find their beds because they are under piles of 22 years worth of newspapers, dirty dishes and cat carcasses... I'd like to think my "hoarding" looks a little different. Like for example, I like to keep nice ribbons from birthdays and Christmases. I like to take soap from hotels (that basket above is about 15 years worth of business trips) and I never throw out make-up. I must admit the make-up all over the place was getting bad so I bought these handy-dandy jars from Cost Plus World Market and separated the make-up into three categories: Face, Lips and Eyes. Voila! Hoarding at it's BEST!

Trend Alert: Baby Bangles!

Dear Junebug,

Straight from the streets of Jaipur, India these little bangles are CHIC! And they only cost like 10 cents! (trust me, that's cheap) I wish I had bought more but I didn't know they would be so cute. I guess we'll have to take a trip to Little India (Pioneer Street in Artesia) very soon and see what other little treasures we can find.

XO

Mommy

When I Grow Up...

Dear Junebug,

Everyone cracked up on Christmas when some of your gifts begged the question, "Who's footsteps will you be following in the future, will you be getting into the family business?" When it comes time to choose a career will you be holding a camera like Daddy? Or will you be sitting in a chair with an open laptop and a little baby behind you like Mommy? I promise I will not steer you either way. I'm excited to know who you want to be when you grow up!

XO

Me

Mission Organization Day 5: Planning New Dining Room!

So one of my biggest projects for 2011 is re-decorating the dining room. I took pictures of us having Christmas dinner in there and it looked like we were eating in PRISON! Something MUST be done.

I picked a great black and white striped fabric for the drapes but I just found out that the fabric doesn't run vertically, only horizontal. This threw me for a loop as I had only pictured it in my mind as a vertical striped drape. I searched for inspiration and the pics above is what I've found. Gotta live with it for a minute. My whole plan is contingent on this fabric. If it doesn't work out I must go back to the drawing board which is devastating. I'm warming up to it.

Mission Organization Day 4: Guest Bed

There was just something not right about the bed in the guest room... how to describe it? BORING! The whole thing was cream... nothing popped. At first I thought it was serene and calming but the more I lived with it the more I realized this room needed a pick me up. Big Time! So here is the end result.

The Breakdown:

Drapes: Restoration Hardware

Accent Pillows: Anthropologie

Euro Shams: Shabby Chic

Paisley Indian Quilt: Thomas O'Brien for Target

Sheets: Thomas O'Brien for Target

Coverlet: Shabby Chic

Mission Organization Day 3: Playroom

Recently we switched the playroom and nursery rooms. Turns out what was originally the nursery had all the daylight and the playroom was like a dungeon. This started to make no sense. Junebug would go down for a nap and all the sunlight would keep her awake... she also didn't seem to like hanging out in the playroom at all! The new layout is great as the new nursery is dark and cozy while the playroom is sunny and fun. However, I misjudged how much work it was to swap these two rooms and as a result things were just thrown into the playroom closet. It was a disaster... but disaster no more. It took about 5 hours of focused work time but I think it's finally in a good place.

Soles 4 Souls!

Dear Junebug,

Mommy works with an incredible artist and humanitarian, Michael Franti. He is very focused on bringing awareness and help to those suffering in poverty. There are millions and millions of poor people who are so poor they don't even have shoes to wear. This concept is so foreign to you, I'm sure, as beautiful shoes are overflowing out of your closet. Michael is so committed to this cause that he chooses to not wear shoes! Everyday for 10 years he has walked around barefoot and as a result so many people have learned about this situation. He supports a great organization called Soles 4 Souls that distributes shoes all over the world to those in need. Our family was very inspired this Christmas by this story so we took up a collection. We collected 22 pairs of shoes! I hope someday you will grow up to be a humanitarian like Michael and that you will inspire others to give and live with hope and possibility.

XO

Mommy

What is THAT?!

Dear Junebug,

Your Ama Helene went completely off script and bought you this U-G-L-Y Mickey Mouse chair for Christmas. Needless to say, it was a shock. I was sitting in the dining room eating my meal when I saw it out of the corner of my eye in the living room. I said to Ama, "What is THAT?! It's HIIIIIDEOUS!" Of course, you loved it and Nanny BEGGED me not to take it back to Toys 'R Us. So I've gotten used to the fact that it goes with nothing in your playroom or anywhere else in the house for that matter, sticks out like a sore thumb. But you like to sit in it and read books and every time you see it you say "Oh, Maw-shhh!" which melts my heart.

Mommy will survive.

XO

Me

Christmas Cute!

Dear Junebug,

This year you enjoyed the Christmas festivities a lot more than last year which was so much fun! I like these pics of us having a good time.

XO

Mommy

Mission Organization Day 2: X-Mas Cooking

I love cooking sides on holidays (I leave the bird up to my husband). This recipe for green beans in hazelnut butter is one of my faves but it's a lot more enjoyable to make when you're organized about it. I don't know where I'd be without these little glass mini bowls. You can purchase them at Cost Plus World Market. I LOVE them. It makes it easy to prep the ingredients, line them up in order of when they go into the recipe and completely feeds my neurotic brain that needs everything to look and feel a certain way.

GREEN BEANS IN HAZELNUT BUTTER (from Epicurious):

Makes 4 servings

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 30 min

ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot (1 small)
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup hazelnuts (1 1/2 oz), toasted , any loose skins rubbed off, and nuts finely chopped
• 1 1/2 lb green beans, trimmed

print a shopping list for this recipe

preparation

Stir together butter, shallot, zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until combined. Add hazelnuts and stir until combined well.

Cook beans in a 4- to 5-quart pot of boiling salted water , uncovered, until just tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain beans in a colander, then return hot beans to pot and toss with hazelnut butter.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Green-Beans-with-Hazelnut-Butter-109454#ixzz1B7ZCMhh9

Oh Christmas Tree!

Dear Junebug,

I wasn't able to convince Daddy that a potted Christmas tree was the way to go. Better luck next year, I guess. We did go with a small tree and put it on the table behind the sofa. This was a good idea because you are still a little mischevious and would've been all over it had it been on the ground. We went with all red lights and gold, copper and cream ornaments. I like a good monochromatic scheme, after all!

XO

Mommy

White Christmas...

Dear Junebug,

There's this rule about not wearing white after Labor Day but I'm pretty sure that doesn't count for Christmas. Regardless, you looked so cute in this little dress from Splendid and sweater from Janie and Jack that your "Ama" Cynthia got you, who would dare call the Fashion Police?! I loved it!

XO

Mommy

Mission Organization: Day One

My Christmas vacation begins today and I'm DETERMINED to GET ORGANIZED...

10 full days at home! OMG! I've never been so happy. First things, first. The office.

Tip #1 - Purchase furniture where you can hide your things. I got this old tibetan piece at an antique store somewhere in LA and it's been awesome. I was told it was a coffin but I can't say for sure. When you shut the doors, voila! Clutter gone. Of course, things should not look like a hot mess when you look inside. But this is what vacation is for. Let the games begin!

Potted Christmas Trees!

Dear Junebug,

How great would it be to get a live Christmas tree this year? Let's keep it in the pot and then afterwards I will plant it in your little play garden. I like this idea.

XO

Mommy

All My Friends...

Dear Junebug,

Sometimes you like to invite your friends to watch Sesame Street with you...

XO

Mommy

Inspiration: more big girl rooms!

Dear Junebug,

What about these?! Me Likey!

XO

Mommy

Inspiration: Big Girl's Room

Dear Junebug,

It's probably a little early to be thinking about upgrading you to a "big girl's room". But watching your bestie Ruby going through this transition got the wheels in Mommy's head turning (uh oh). I came across this great room inspiration and the dog picture reminded me of the painting by Georgie Flood I bought you last year for Christmas from Art for Empty Walls. Maybe a good place to start? Plus I love all the chevron pattern in the room. Let's discuss.

XO

Mommy

Must Have! Vivienne Westwood bubble gum scented shoes!

Dear Junebug,

I found out about these Vivienne Westwood plastic baby slingbacks with velcro closure and just about had a heart attack. They smell like bubble gum!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wha Wha What?!

XO

Mommy

Cool Traveler...

Dear Junebug,

I'm happy to report that on the flight back from Albuquerque you chilled out...a lot. Let's hope this is the baby traveler of the future!

XO

Mommy

Baby Beethoven!

Dear Junebug,

You look like quite a natural on this piano... You're so silly. And cute.

XO

Mommy

Santa Fe...

Dear Junebug,

We spent the day in Santa Fe, New Mexico which is one of my favorite places in America. Your "Ama" Cynthia showed you around the great outdoors and Mommy was of course more interested in the great INDOORS. I took you to my favorite rug store in the whole world... Seret and Sons. By the look on your face I think you like rugs too! Every rug that was presented was met with a reaction of "WOW!"...the sales people at the shop said they wished every customer expressed this much excitement over being shown a rug. Needless to say, this did not make your Daddy very happy. Oops.

XO

Me