Last Weekend...

Here's a little peek into last weekend's birthday festivities - which went swimmingly despite my party fear...we started off on Friday with a trip to Gale Woods Farm with some of Lila's best friends...the kiddos got to pet the cows, chickens, meet the sheep dogs and run wild in a hay maze - good time was had by all and many mini cupcakes from Sweets were consumed...Saturday L, my mom, and I headed out to pick out some super cool decorations - hello purple and pink crepe paper and balloons (very 80's redux, no?) and I stayed up late to make kolaches for brunch - whew - from the excellent Pastry Queen cookbook.  The fam came over for brunch and Miss L opened a million and one presents including a whole set of dress up costumes custom made by Mimi (including the much longed for Spidergirl??!!)  Then I shuttled everyone out the door to hit the MIA for Family Day, lots of crafting, running through galleries and listening to harp music followed by cake in the courtyard...finally on her actual birthday we stayed in our PJ's til 3pm, made a quick playground trip before her requested pizza and a movie (Funny Face - her pick) - a girl after my own heart...

Hope you have a lovely weekend ahead of you - I intend to take it easy...

xoxo

Current Crushes...

Something about a denim sofa just sounds all wrong but I've been dreaming about this one ever since Kate posted it...

Miss Sofia facing the paparazzi in Venice

via A Lovely Being

The color and prints in this house kind of blow me away...Miss Nadia & Flora - I need that ottoman!

via Design Sponge

Anna Della Russo's briefcase - Hello!

via Katie

and speaking of Miss Katie A - I think her engagement photos are the classiest I've seen...

and these might be two of the most beautiful veils ever...

Jo & Cherry Blossom Girl

(in fact - if you haven't checked out Alix's wedding hurry, hurry - it's just heaven!)

 and two new pieces from Laura...yeah!

Stud earrings are back too...

xoxo, M

Annie Hall 2.0

I really just kind of worship Garance...her posts are such a brilliant mix of fashion, wit, and self-deprecation - they always make me smile...and even though we are the same age she just seems to exude Woman, while I,  with my round cheeks and petite height will forever feel like a girl...so Can we talk about this photo? the red nails, the blazer, the watch, her boyfriend's shorts, the tough heels - Super Fantastique!!  I think my new style mantra might be WWGW (what would Garance wear)

xoxo, M

photo - The Sartorialist

ps - I had a really good long post planned but got sucked into reading these comments (via Bink & Boo) and ran out of time - WHOA!! My little snarky side just couldn't look away...but now I feel a bit dirty - ugh!

Breaking Open The Piggy Bank

I was just going to take a little, teeny, tiny peek over at Steven Alan...whoops! there goes my bank account...

THREE!!

to my beautiful brown eyed girl...my favorite princess, ballerina, superhero...my quirky, funny, smart, pint size soul mate...you surprise and delight me every single day and I love you madly...Happy Birthday! 

Love, love, love, Mommy

ps to my readers - yes, I survived not one but two bday parties - whew (more on that tomorrow - and let's not mention the missing candles - jeez!)

pps - Thank You to the lovely French girl and her beautiful daughter I met at The Birchwood saturday night - you totally made my day ;) Hope I didn't dork out too much...

ppps - If I don't collaspe in a heap tonight after 4 days of cake eating I'll meet you in front of the TV to check out Blair & Serena in Paris - Holy Outfits!!  xoxo

Old Favorites & New Ones...

Matta Dupatta scarves for Fall have landed and the shop is already sold out of many, many colors so head on over to snap one up - I'm partial to this lovely copper color...
also available in a great medium size

on the way - a couple of new cozy cardis from organic superstars Stewart + Brown

Two new - Soda Bag & Gun Powder, two old - Black & Saddle - which one are you?


and a little something for your weekend coloring pleasure - the final installment in the Pretty Mommy Summer 2010 Coloring Book - a genuine Paper Doll from the lovely and talented Badaude...
Okay, I'm off to the first birthday celebration for my soon to be 3 yr old (is that possible!!)...we have a trip to a farm on tap, family day at the Minnesota Institute of Arts this weekend, and I'm crossing my fingers to have a babysitter Sunday night so I can hit the reunion of my favorite 90's band PAVEMENT - whohoo!!....I'll be cranking Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain to get me in the mood...any plans ladies?
xoxo, M

Hot Streak

Yes, I'm starting to sound like a broken record but I just can't seem to pull it together lately...maybe it's the not quite summer not quite fall weather but I'm just at a loss to think (or write) clearly...However I'm taking comfort in Miss Barrymore's sartorial hot streak - she looks absolutely fantastic but just slightly undone so maybe I can channel that for a bit, eh?

xoxo, M

PS - Random Thoughts

 * How amazing was Mad Men this past week - loved the whole Don/Peggy dynamic - whew!

 * Am I the only person who finds it incredibly rude when people don't wave when you let them your lane...manners, people!  Come to think of it no one in MN does this - Minnesota Nice my foot...

* Where has Julie Delpy been? Caught 2 Days in Paris on TV last night - miss her... Before Sunrise & Sunset are two of my all time favorites (oh! the last scene in Before Sunset just kills me...)
* My oldest niece started Jr High this week (is there anything more terrifying than 7th grade?) Remembering my first week wardrobe - Coca Cola Rugby Shirt, Liz Claiborne purse with the embossed triangles, tight rolled jeans, Units (UNITS!!), Black Guess Acid Washed with zippers...ring any bells?

A+ for Alexa

Write it down ladies...Alexa Chung for Madewell hits Madewell.com tomorrow, 9/9, and I have my eye on these pretty blouses...maybe one will have to join this snappy fedora that's already sitting in my cart!

Fall Must List - Alexis, Fern & Feather

This fall there are two things on my mind... being cozy & stew. I feel like every home {or Art Barn} needs a Hudson Bay Blanket. And stew... sigh. I love stew and my drug store crock pot from college {yes I was the only person in college that actually put my roast in the pot before class} might not make it another 'stew season.' I want this spectacular crock pot that you can put on the stove top and then into the pot to cook. It is perfection.

Thanks for having me Michelle... hope you had a wonderful little break. ox, Alexis

Alexis Garrett - Fern & Feather

Decisions, Decisions...

Oh No. 6 - You get me every time...

ps - I always order mine with a low heel (a little more playground friendly)