I SPY FRIDAY

I spy with my little eye...

an amazing office space, the perfect piece of artwork, intention inspiration, and a fab birthday party pow-wow complete with adorable felt fox favors.

We're having my mother-in-law in town this weekend.  Should be a happy excuse to get out {despite the heat} and explore the city.
Do you have any happy excuses planned?  I hope so.  Ta ta for now.  See ya Monday!

IMAGES | DesignLovefest {via} La La Lovely | Miranda Skoczek | Jess LC | Dear Lizzy 

A Peek At Our Week

Kam on first base

Flapping her "wings" to get to mommy

I somewhat pulled off this outfit

Did you see my post on this sweet teething necklace?

This is what we fight about all day every day.  

We 3 girls enjoyed 2 nice walks

It has been a loooong week for me.  I'm looking forward to the weekend for sure.
How's your week going?

IMAGES | {via} my Instagrid

Hot Mamas | Celebrity Edition

I've been feeling a bit blah lately and could use some hot mama inspiration.   

Albeit, looking good is part of their job, they still prove it can be done.  

IMAGES | Busy | Sarah | January | Jessica | Kourtney

MADE | Teething Necklace

Remember those teething necklaces I was obsessed with a while back?  Well, I've has success and I thought I'd share.  I ended up buying this amber teething necklace.  Best.  Purchase.  Ever.   Best ever... that it actually seems to calm Lu down.  Plus, she gets tons of compliments from everyone when we're out, because it's so darn cute to see a baby wearing a necklace.  

   

Then I followed this DIY teething necklace tutorial to make one for myself.  It was super easy to do and the variations are endless.  

She likes to chew on it and it gives her something to do when she's chilling in the sling.  

Another project done.  

MONDAY MANTRA & Mommyhood

Did you happen to see the season finale of The Conversation?  I was truly touched by Gwyneth's comments on parenting {skip to 11:40}.  Her wise words totally resonated with me.  What really struck me is how she desires to watch her daughter emerge into the person she is and be interested in that alone without judgment or expectations.  It sounds rather fabulous to me (as most things do coming from Gwyneth), but I feel I can apply this mindset to my own life.  It would be all too easy to pass on my own predispositions of pleasing and pretending so that they might fit into society.  But as I know from my own experience, none of that really matters or works out in the end.  So maybe I'll just bypass all that BS for them and instead focus on letting them blossom into their true authentic selves.  It's a lot happier of an outcome and a much more beautiful journey.  And most likely I'll learn a thing or two from them as they view this hard-edged world through innocent eyes.    

IMAGE | {via} i go through all this

I SPY FRIDAY

I spy with my little eye...

an outfit I want to wear, a tattoo I think I need, the most fabulous headboard ever, 

a foldover clutch to make, and a Brownie turned clock.    

Have you spied anything out of the ordinary? 

Have a great weekend!  Ours will be filled with my son's double header baseball games, inevitable yard work, endless Lu feedings, a few naps, grocery shopping, and maybe an adventure or two.  See you back here on Monday.  Ta ta for now!   

IMAGES | (clockwise) Kendie Everyday | pinterest | Design*Sponge | Scared Stitchless | Abernathy Crafts

Eucharisteo

It happened... Lu fell asleep on the way home from taking Kam to summer school and I was able to enjoy my black coffee.  

It was pure bliss.  A moment I hoped for and a moment that came true.  The perfect example of eucharisteo.

I sat on my front porch and savored the silence.  Wrote a few words.  Took in the deep aroma.          

I am so grateful for still moments like these.   Thank you, God, for the chance each day to begin again.

BEGIN AGAIN

It's time to get back to basics.  I'm going to sip my coffee black and subtract all the extras elsewhere in my life, too.  I need to start from scratch and remember the taste {so to speak} of what's real and true again.  

I'm going to sit on my front porch and clear my thoughts... while enjoying my coffee of course.  That is, IF  the baby will allow it.       

Doing it this simply would add to the beauty, yes?

IMAGES | 1 | 2 | 3

SUMMERTIME

Most of us moms are well into summer with our kids even though it's just now officially summer today.  So far so good in our household.  Luckily, my eight-year-old has been enjoying summer school and that keeps him busy for the first half of the day.  Then Lu and I pick him up and enjoy each others' company in the afternoon.  The first part of the "summer" was spent outdoors at the park and in the back yard just leisurely letting the hours pass.  Recently though the heat has kept us indoors and we're desperate for some new things to do.  This summer list from last year has inspired me to make our own list.  Summer school ends in July and I need to stockpile some activities to keep us sane.  At the same time, I have to rein in my mother's guilt and remind myself that there's only so much we can do with a little baby.  And it's okay to just doing nothing some days, too.  Isn't that what summer's all about? Freedom to enjoy all those little unplanned moments in life.  I think so.                     

How has your summer been so far?

IMAGES | 1 & 2 

7 MONTHS YOUNG

My sweet little angel turned seven months old a couple weeks ago.  This past month passed in the blink of eye.  I want every moment to slow down, but instead it seems to be going faster.  

Some highlights: 

• Now that you've mastered sitting up everything is more fun!  
• You experienced Chuck E. Cheese for the first time for big brother's birthday party.  You were mesmerized by all the noise and kids.   
• You spoke your first word "Owl".  Now you've also said "brother", "Mamma", and "Hi".  
• You like to play "Where's LuLu?"
• You love to "swim" in either the bucket or pool.  Our little water baby.  
• Another tooth broke through.  Now you have your two front bottom teeth and they are sharp!
• You've tried lots of new foods including:
• quinoa - inevitably stuffed up your nose
• snow peas - you like to scrape these with your two teeth.  So satisfying.  
• arrowroot cookies - and you held it yourself!
• lots of foods in the mesh feeder - frozen banana, peas, strawberries, mangoes, blueberries, etc.
• we're practicing finger foods everyday - you love any type of puff, but not so crazy about peas or corn (their skin gags you)
• You're drinking water from a sippy cup now.  Sometimes you still like it from a straw though.
• You're officially grounded off my laptop after ripping the space bar off (stillgivingmeissues)
• You're crawling!!!  I have a feeling you're going to get into a lot!  Your brother never had the urge and so far you're opposite of him so I know we're in for it. 

So much has happened and I treasure every moment that I can experience discovering the world with you.  You are a true blessing.  

Mommy loves you xxo

See more photos from the last month here.

MONDAY MANTRA

I haven't been here, but I have been there... and all there.  I've been building my daily practice of living in the moment.  And it's truly been refreshing and centering.  Now I'm back with a new outlook.  It's good to see you.         

IMAGE | Patterson Maker

Happy Father's Day

To My Husband,

My Everything 

I wonder if you know

that in so many ways,

you're the center

of our family -

the one we count on

for strength and support,

the driving force

behind so many

good things that happen

in our lives.

There's no way

I could ever thank you enough

for everything you do,

and for all the ways 

you're such a wonderful

father and husband,

but on Father's Day

and every day of the year,

I want you to know that I love you - 

with every grateful,

so-lucky-to-have-you

corner of my heart.

Thank you, Joe.

Every word is true.  

(I lucked out with these beautiful words on an American Greetings card)