Two-fer

Lately my mind has been a bit crowded with two distinctly separate concerns...first for the pretty & frivolous - our new bedroom/office is almost ready to start decorating (yeah!!) and even though I'm putting it in the capable hands of Revelry I couldn't resist shedding a little light on the subject, so to speak...

left to right, top to bottom: my longtime obsession from a Kelly Wearstler room, love the simplicity of this table lamp at DWR, dramatic dark pendants at Jayson Home & Garden, and a parisian apartment, totally smitten with this globe pendant & peachy/gold table lamps (and the price!) at West Elm, and 2 versions of faceted loveliness

see more here...

image of Stella M via Happenstance

Now that we have the lovelies out of the way let's talk about the other (much more) pressing issue on my mind...parenting...seriously these last few months have been a bit challenging - I'd like to place all the blame on the ever impossible 3's but to be perfectly honest I'm sure a lot it can be laid at the feet of my transition from stay-at-home mom who dabbles in work to work-at-home mom who dabbles in child rearing...and something has to give...thankfully Carina (who's awesome shop and parenting wisdom never cease to amaze me) had a great post this week about getting ahead of your kids and it has helped me see a little light at the end of the tunnel...it's amazing how simply going to bed with a clean house and a plan for the next day can take a bit of the grump out of the morning...Gwynnie also has a great interview on Goop with Mary Hartzell (co-author of Parenting from the Inside Out - which just shot to the top of my reading list) that was pretty enlightening...and for full crazy mom controversy if you haven't read about Amy Chua head over to the WSJ (although her response really tempered my WHAT!! reaction)...okay, now that I have that off my chest I'm off to pry Miss L away from the boob tube and enjoy a lovely day together...

any advice, my wise friends?

Happy Friday

xoxo, M

ALT- ternative Apparel

Good Morning!! So many of my favorite bloggers are flying off to Utah today for the Alt Design Summit and even though I'm sad that I'm not trekking out there (conflicting schedules with the Mr) I have to say I'm a tiny bit relieved that I don't have to dress to impress for the next 4 days...packing for winter/snow while trying to look uber cool just throws me for a loop...however I couldn't resist a little virtual shopping inspired by a mishmash of my favorite interweb goddesses

All hail the hipster design queen...last year you could spot her fishtail braid and Warby Parker frames a mile away but now she's sporting a cool pixie a la Michelle Williams/Emma Watson...Stripes are her permanent staple and the girl's not afraid of color so she's mixing it up with a poppy Clare Vivier Messenger, a giant stack of dull Diamond bracelets (ahead of the pack as always), a nordic hat for the chilly mountain air and a nod to the heritage trend with some cool Madewell Ring Boots...

Sitting next to her on the panel is everyone's favorite mysterious sophisticate...She has the sexy bangs and ombre hair you've been dying over all season and is dressed in tones that perfectly match her minimal swedish inspired decor...fending off the cold in a J Crew lighthouse cardigan, The lady & the Sailor drapey tee, and Virginia Johnson Zig Zag scarf...she always sports a serious piece of jewelry (today it's a Dream Collective crystal mountain ring) and is planning to hit Sundance later with her Clare Vivier foldover clutch and No 6 lace ups to catch the latest art house fare...

Have fun ladies!! I'll be staying in (below zero temps today - ackk!) and dreaming of a warm weather weekend later this month - anyone want to have a mini Alt 2 in Palm Springs in a couple of weeks? I'm game!

xoxo, M

You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile...

The sun is shining, Lou is smiling...my internet connection is still spotty so I'm ditching the computer and am off to snuggle with L...I think it's going to be a good day...

xoxo, M

photo - Vanessa Jackman

PS - love an awards show for a good fashion debate - thanks for chiming in!  Now on to the Academy Awards...(I'm a terrible tweeter but had fun with it during the GGs - if you want to hop in for Oscar Night you can follow me here...)

Nat & Annie

What's the point of writing a fashion leaning blog if I can't dish about awards shows, eh? So let's get started... First, can we say pretty mommy?? Natalie just blew me away - so, so lovely...(and I saw Black Swan this weekend - whoa! a little bit trashy, a whole lot of creepy, and really fantastic costumes!)
(ps - I'm realizing that there wasn't a lot of love for this dress but I'm sticking by my first impression, maybe a slight case of pregnancy comraderie)

 and then Annie in fleshy shimmery sequins and that back...WOWSA! (You know Rachel Z was at home freaking out with Rog)

 I think Michelle would have been just perfection if they had tweaked the bust line of this dress a bit but who cares when your hair and face look this amazing - she just glows.....

 and Of course I'm crazy about the color of Claire's dress but the real stunner is that ridiculously awesome bracelet, right??

Who were your favorites of the night?? Ricky Gervais had my jaw on the floor, belly laughing all at the same time.....

Happy Monday!
xoxo, M

And The Award Goes To...

 

Ahhhh....Friday! Who else is excited about the Golden Globes this weekend?  Considering I've only seen two of the best picture nominees (The Social Network - really loved and The Kids Are All Right - A+++ for the hotness that is Mark Ruffalo but I really didn't need to spend the other hour watching other people argue) I'm in serious danger of losing my film buff status.   So before Sunday I'm going to try to cram in a rental of Inception and a viewing of Black Swan & The King's Speech...any recommendations?  and then there's Somewhere & True Grit...did I mention that The Town was super, super good?  Also, can't wait to see Mr Hamm, the rest of the Mad Men cast, Natalie Portman's tiny baby bump, cutie pie Michelle Williams and my favorite new man crush James Franco...and of course the gowns, the gowns! (I wonder how a pregnant RZ is holding up?)

Who are your favorite nominees??

xoxo, M

Ballet picture via Nikole

in honor of my newest neighbor - little Clara born yesterday and dubbed the nutcracker baby by Miss L

PS - Don't forget about all the markdowns at the shop - lots of deals and and extra 25% off your order when you enter "wintersale" at checkout - seriously!

PPS - Need a little pick me up in gray January?? this poppy clutch is making me super happy, esp back with some stripes (and I know how you girls love stripes)

Current Crushes

 a round table and a bit of green just look so fresh...

via The Brick House

 a smile, a great hat, some stripes, toggles and not a hint of black in site...

photo by Garance

 cool/tacky chairs that would be perfect for my new office...

via Mrs Lilien

Tell Tale Preserve's breakfast sausage and soft cooked egg savory cake...all I need is a ticket to SF...

speaking of  - their monthly goodie bag of sweets is simply amazing - the best thing to arrive on my doorstep this month

See you tomorrow - my precious interweb time is all up for the day but looking forward to showing off my new space soon ;)

xoxo, M

Radio Silence

Pardon the station interruption this week - we are in the middle of some renovations and I've lost my precious dsl line for a bit...(right now I'm in the preschool pick up line sponging off the U of M)...here's a quick inspiration pic...exactly what I want to be wearing come spring...Gotta Run!

xoxo, M

photo - Vanessa Jackman

Food For Thought...

Hello! My name is Michelle and I'm a former magazine junkie ( you name it Vogue, World of Interiors, Us Magazine, Cookie - I left no page unturned)...I finally kicked the habit 3 years ago (mainly because the arrival of L severely limited any free time) but yesterday at Whole Foods I was completely seduced by this Whole Living cover and into my cart it went...something about it and January just made smoothies, kale, and broiled Salmon sound delightful - right? maybe?...and now that I've made a short list of beauty goals it's time to dive into diet territory...however by diet, I am in no way referring to limiting myself, going sugar free or any crazy ideas like that - just that I have a couple of aspirations for the new year...(and only a couple)

1) Eat More Vegetables & Fruit - why is this so hard? Come csa and garden time I'm all set but something about a salad in the dead of winter just seems unappealing...smoothies and juicing seem like a great alternative...Elizabeth posted some yummy sounding detox fruit and almond shakes, Heather has a great immune boosting juice idea, Gwyneth has entire cleanse plan and Whole Living has 25 recipes to try...a different one a day?  or you can "cheat" like me and drink a glass of Dynamic Greens mix everyday (I have for the past month and it does make me feel a bit greener)

2) Finally start menu planning for the week instead of rushing to the grocery store with a cranky 3 yr old and a half baked (literally) idea of what's for dinner - Estelle inspired me and it sounds like she's off to a delicious start...so meal planners - any tips? I know you're out there - hmmm....maybe we should do a detox/meal planning recipe exchange this month..any joiners?

Hope everyone is having a happy, healthy Monday!

xoxo, M

Things that make me say Ahhhhhhh....

 All my faves...flesh, champagne, gold, pale pink, coral...I just want to move right in...

via this is glamorous

 drink some forbidden pink cocktails

via Caroline

 wearing this amazing ring by Low Luv

via Emily

and a crisp linen tux jacket from Emerson Made

Hope everyone has a soothing weekend ahead...

xoxo, M

PS- If anyone has the secret to keeping your house clean, being on time, not fighting with your significant other, not letting your kid watch too much tv and getting them to listen to at least half of what you are saying, running a business, and making dinner on a nightly basis I could sure use your help...just sayin...whew!

Stripes Ahoy...

 I may or may not have bought these lovelies...I'm not fessing up...but maybe, just maybe they might be headed my way...and when/if they show up on my doorstep I will be a very happy girl...
the lady & the sailor henley, no 6 buckle boots, J Crew Lighthouse Cardi & Stripe Dress

 and how ecstatic is Madewell's spring lookbook making me?? Wowsa!  I'll be snapping up that skirt for some post delivery pretty...

 and as far as my current state of pretty goes I'm finally heading in for cut and color today...since studiously unkempt seems to be my modus operandi I'm loving Freja's tousled do...thoughts?  (Freja - good name huh?) and I finally shimmied my way into a couple of new maternity jeans (although I still think maternity & pants are 2 ideas that should never cross paths...) -  Gap Denim leggings (comfort level - B+, low rise - yikes!) and Gap Always Skinny Jeans (comfort level - B+, full nude panel - weird, constantly having to hike them up - yuck)
Hope everyone is having a lovely Thursday!
xoxo, M

PS - I almost forgot - We just marked down tons of goodies in the shop!! Matta, Stewart + Brown and more - great deals AND you can take an extra 25% off when you enter "wintersale" at checkout - WHEW!! Click here to view the SALE section...

Dull Diamond

Aren't these bracelets just the perfect thing to brighten up your January?  They are by the just launched Dull Diamond (aka Emily & Jen - two friends and super cool mamas right here in Minneapolis).  I'm lucky enough to be friends with the uber talented Emily and have one of their early pieces (which I wear EVERY day) so I'm excited to snap up a few more for a nice colorful stack...best of all? they come in around $20 a pop - kind of a no brainer, eh?

xoxo, M

Dull Diamond blog & shop

Low Fi

 Clearly, I don't mean half of what I write in this little space because there I was on December 31st declaring a no resolution, go easy on myself 2011 and here I am making lists and trying to give myself a virtual kick in the pants...mind you, nothing dramatic - just a push to go from frumpy to fresh (yet again, sort of the theme of this blog) but still maintain my low fi status like the ever lovely Sofia & Clemence...

 Unfortunately being 5.5 months pregnant and living somewhere where 20 degrees is "warming up" is a fantastic excuse for sweatpants and frizzy hair...but a few things happened last week that demand a clean up of the beauty/fashion routine...first, I was lucky enough to have coffee with my absolute favorite blogger (who is, yes, even more gorgeous, smart, funny, and cool in person...sigh) and had a mini panic attack when I realized my suitcase was full of oversize comfort tees and nary a good outfit in sight (luckily I had a groovy handbag which I hoped was a excellent distraction), then I was at the Coop on New Year's Day and caught a family smirking in my direction - perhaps my yoga pants tucked into clog boots/knee length parka/ mismatched gloves/ and toddler hat were a little too hobo chic? and the last straw was the present my husband brought back from a Target run - a package of razors...a hint yes?  

So I'm taking a little inspiration from these ladies above...(come May I will be breaking out my collection of belts and flowery dresses!)

and here goes...a few things to get me through til spring...

1) I will not let my roots get so long that springy grey hairs are evident

2) I will paint my nails red once a week because it makes me happy

3) I will not leave the house in anything that might resemble pajamas (which necessitates at least one more pair of maternity jeans - any suggestions?)

4) I will finally, finally visit Nordstrom's lingerie department and buy real bras (my least favorite part of being pregnant = boobs! please can I have my a cups back?)

5) and I will quit hiding my unkempt brows behind my bangs

There, no heavy lifting, just easy peasy maintenance...anything on your agenda?

Happy New Year!! It feels good to be back...

xoxo, M

image credits here