Category: friday i’m in love

Welcome back Friday!

{one} Pregnancy Pillow.

So I know I just talked about it in this week’s update but it is life-changing so I thought I would mention it again for any mamas-to-be! I sort of poo-poo’d a huge pregnancy pillow last time around & thought using a bunch of small pillows would be the same, but I was so wrong. I haven’t gotten to the point where I am not sleeping well & am up a few times a night to pee, but I still have been sleeping SO WELL & I know it’s partly because of this pillow. I fondly refer to her as Bertha (or Gertie) & even though Aaron doesn’t share the sentiment, I am definitely in love!

{two} BP Tripp Booties.

I am really excited that booties & skinny jeans are still in style because I never want to not wear them together in the fall. I have been on the hunt since late summer for a good pair of new every day booties for the fall & winter. I have to start looking early for fall & winter shoes since stores carry just a handful of my (small) size. I think I finally found them: these BP Tripp Booties from Nordstrom. I needed something that was low (no heel), that was semi-waterproof, & that I could easily slip on & off. Plus, these were under $100! I don’t think the picture is a good representation of the black, though, because in person they read navy blue in bright light (my favorite of course!).

{three} Q&A A Day for Kids journal.

I have two of these Q&A journals (one of the original & one of the mama ones) & I really like them. They are a super easy way to journal over time without having to make a huge commitment (though if you are really consistent with it, it’s way better!). So I am loving this 3 year Q&A A Day for Kids especially since we are getting to the point with Eloise that she is able to answer questions that we ask her. And, kids say the darndest things, right? I know I will start needing to keep a list somewhere of all the amazing things she says!

Be sure to check out what Kendra is loving this week! What about you?

M

This post contains affiliate links.

Welcome back Friday!

{one} This Is Us premiere.

{via NBC}

I am pretty excited that all of the network shows are starting their premieres after a summer of binging on Netflix & Amazon Instant Video series. One show that I hadn’t really heard anything about but we happened to catch the premiere of was This Is Us. It is supposed to be the replacement for Parenthood which I never watched, but after just one show, I am hooked! I cried (a lot) but mostly because one of the characters gives birth (but let’s be honest, everything makes me cry these days!). So if you missed it, catch up on the premiere and watch it this week!

{two} Scandinavian Swimmers.

{via Trader Joe’s}

If you know me, you know I love all things gummy & I had a particular fondness for Swedish Fish. However, I gave them up a few years ago because of the (toxic) food dye. Boo. Since I have been craving sweets this pregnancy, I was ecstatic to find these Scandinavian Swimmers at Trader Joe’s which are essentially Swedish Fish but are naturally dyed! You wouldn’t even know that the red lobsters aren’t Swedish Fish unless you are looking at the shape. And while I know they really aren’t great for me, I am happy to have an alternative for my sweet tooth!

{three} Happy Fall!

{via Just Destiny blog}

I am not sure anyone is more excited that it is fall than me! And Seattle has been giving us some seriously awesome fall days – sunny & a little warm with just the start of leaves starting to turn. Fall has some big things in store, including some big stuff going on with The Petite Flag Shop after having a long summer hiatus. I have a small Fall Collection to release in the coming weeks & a huge event coming up next month. I will be sure to share all of the details soon. Until then, Happy Fall Y’all!

And be sure to check out what Kendra is loving this week!

What are you loving?

M

{We ended a morning of shopping with a pizza lunch & Eloise got to play with some pizza dough while we waited for our food.}

{We spent Friday night at the Sadliers’ house for family dinner night which was so fun! These three had a great time playing with each other & getting ready for bed, and the parents got to enjoy a fun game night post-bedtime. Thanks for hosting us Sadlier family!}

{While Eloise napped on Saturday I finally got some sketching done for the Shop! I have a few big things happening this fall & I am so excited to share them with you.}

{This morning we headed to the Zoo with Grammie & got to see the tigers really close up. Usually they are on the far end of the exhibit & really hard to see, so it was such a treat to have them so near the glass. This tiger had just walked right in front of E & me!}

{E loved having Grammie to help hold her up at the exhibits!}

{Dinner was Snappy Dragon take-out. Yes, please! I mean, why else do I go to Pure Barre on Sunday afternoons?}

We had a fun weekend with Grammie in town! Even though the weather was pretty rainy on Saturday, we didn’t let it stop us from having a good time. And today was the perfect fall day – a little crisp but so, so sunny! I am loving that fall is in just a few days.

How was your weekend?

M

Welcome back Friday!

{one} Halloween Costumes.

{via Chasing Fireflys}

Okay, I know it is only the middle of September & since it isn’t even technically fall yet, we shouldn’t even be thinking about Halloween yet. But, if you have ever wanted to buy something for Halloween, be it a costume or décor, you know you actually have to buy it in late summer or else everything is picked over. And that is absolutely 100% true with kids’ Halloween costumes. Kat over at Thrifty Littles posted a great round-up of online costume shops!

I had every intention of making Eloise a costume this year, but ended up snagging this adorable pumpkin costume from Pottery Barn Kids for just slightly more than it would cost me to make it!

{two} Honest Beauty Lip Crayon.

{via Honest Beauty}

For the past few months I have really been loving lip color, especially this simple & easy to put on lip crayon from Honest Beauty (I have it in Sheer Raspberry). Lipstick can seem a little too high maintenance for this stay-at-home mama to wear every day, but I do like a fun lip if we are out of the house. This lip crayon feels like a mix between a lipstick and a lip balm which is perfect for everyday! Plus, I feel good about the ingredients since you pretty much end up eating most of your lipstick… ugh.

{three} Solly Baby Wrap + Rifle Paper Co.

{via Rifle Paper Co}

You all know how much I LOVE Rifle Paper Co (I definitely have a girl-crush on Anna Bond) & since I am diving right into all things baby again, this Solly Wrap + Rifle Paper Co collaboration is right up my alley. The wrap just launched & is sadly already sold out… But you better believe I am on the email list waiting to scoop one up in the next launch! Seriously that fabric – swoon!

Be sure to check out what Kendra is loving this week!

What are you loving this week?

M

This post contains affiliate links.

Welcome back Friday!

{one} Screen Passes.

{via Crib to Table blog}

We haven’t officially started screen time with Eloise (beyond FaceTime with family) & are just starting to talk about what that might look like. As much as we want her to be technology literate & know there are benefits to (some) screen time, we figure we have gone this long & why rush it? She doesn’t know what she is missing & we think she is better for it!

When Denaye posted this blog post called “My kid asks to watch TV all day long” I knew it would be good. She has set up a system for screen time that allows her 2.5 year old son four 15 minute passes to watch a show (once in the morning and once in the evening) and includes a visual timer. For me personally, this is genius! It gives your child freedom & choice in when she wants to watch TV (using the passes back-to-back or not) but maintains some structure so you don’t end up in an endless power struggle! Thanks Denaye for a great tip! What do you Mamas do about screen time?

{two}  YHL Bonus Room.

{via Young House Love blog}

Even though they aren’t blogging regularly anymore, John and Sherry of Young House Love still do awesome home DIYs. (And have you tuned into any of the new podcasts yet? I haven’t but it’s on my list!) Enter their finished bonus room. Swoon! If there is one thing I could change about our current home (& the one I will live in forever!) is to add a big bonus room space. I love that this is a family-oriented space with lounging space for movie nights (which doubles as a guest bed) as well as toy storage and creative space for the kiddos. Now I will go and plot adding a guest space… by raising the roof (literally?)!

{three} Cup of Jo: City Guide Seattle.

{via Cup of Jo blog}

Does anyone else like to read thru city guides for cities they either live in or grew up in? I find city guides to Seattle fascinating because there are so many things to see in a single city & it’s hard to pinpoint just a few highlights to visit so that you feel like you have seen a bit of everything. We live in the very north side of town & don’t venture outside of our neighborhood that often (but we should!) but we have both lived here for many years, & yet I don’t recognize any of the places listed in this Cup of Jo guide to Seattle! So maybe we have a travel bucket list for our own city! (There are City Guides for Nashville, Minneapolist, & NYC here!)

What are you loving this week?

M

Be sure to check out June’s Linky Party below. And we are taking Fridays off this summer, so we’ll be back after Labor Day!

Happy Summer!

Welcome back Friday!

{one} Asian Broccoli Salad with Peanut Sauce.

{via Gimme Some Oven}

We had friends over last night for dinner & I wanted to do a fun meal that was out of our normal recipe realm. Plus, it is starting to be nice again, so no oven was a must! I have been loving everything from Gimme Some Oven food blog and yesterday’s meal did not disappoint! This broccoli salad was super yummy & SO easy! And it was delightful paired with these steak kabobs & brown rice.

{two} Sonnet James Spring & Summer Collection.

{via Sonnet James}

I have waxed eloquent about Sonnet James dresses for so long {I wore them all thru my pregnancy with Eloise & am still obsessed!} & the spring & summer collection that is now shipping does not disappoint! I am dying for another one (or two or three!) to add to my collection but I am trying to have some self-control… Until then, here are some of that I have had my eye on: Scout in Navy, Quincy in Black, Reese in Red, and Marni in Fushcia.

{three} BR Margeaux Sunglasses.

{via Banana Republic}

When I was in Bend last weekend, we spent a fair bit of time shopping since it was girls’ time without kids AND Oregon has no sales tax! We all spotted these impossibly cute pink sunglasses in the case & knew someone had to have them. My friend picked them up for a steal (there is always a good promo in-store!) & we all lusted after them for the next full day. So we went back in & tracked another pair down in Portland which just happened to be on my way back home from Bend! And let me tell you, I am in LOVE! The pink is such a fun pop of color & there are lots of others, so go check them out!

What are you loving this week?

M

Be sure to check out the June Linky Party & add your link below!

This post contains affiliate links.

Welcome back Friday!

{one} Nutcase Helmets.

Since we got Eloise a bike for her birthday {the Miir Bambini} we thought it would be a good time to also get her a helmet. After doing some research, I stumbled across Nutcase Helmets & was immediately sold. Not only are they rated well & support a local PNW company (Portland), the designs are SO fun! We were able to find the line at our local bike shop (Gregg’s Cycles) & even though they didn’t have the watermelon one that we originally wanted (we’ll get it in the next size up!) we did get the awesome Cow print one that she is wearing above. I think the best feature of these helmets is the magnetic closure; so, so nice when you are trying to clip it onto a moving toddler! Eloise has been riding this Y-Bike Pewi that she got for her birthday last year from Grammie & Grandpa, & loves it!, which we will have her use as her bike until she is tall enough for the Bambini (she is just a few inches too short).

{two} Fubble No-Spill Bubbles.

{via Amazon}

Eloise is OBSESSED with bubbles recently & I have been trying all types of bubbles to see what works the best for a beginner bubbler! Our friend introduced us to this Fubbles bubble container & we are hooked! There is a small liquid reserve but then once you screw the cap on, the container is no-spill! It also comes with this little wand that has a large end making it easy for Eloise to hold. My biggest issue now is that Eloise puts the wand right on her lips to blow bubbles which means she has bubbles all over her face & doesn’t make very good bubbles… any tips or tricks from you mamas with older kids?

{three} Cupcakes & Cashmere Office Reveal.

{via Cupcakes & Cashmere}

I have been following Emily over at Cupcakes & Cashmere for many years – have I talked about her before? – and if you don’t follow her blog, you should! I get so inspired by her posts on fashion, food, & life! Any-hoo, she just did a big reveal of her new office space & it is awesome. Go check it out if you haven’t already!

What are you loving this week?

M

Be sure to check out the June Linky Party!

This post contains affiliate links.

Welcome back Friday!

{one} Califa Café Latte Cold Brew.

{via Califa Farms}

Many of you who know me well know that I don’t drink coffee. I know, it’s shocking since I have a young toddler, but sometimes when you go to law school & then sit for the Bar exam, you meet your lifetime quota of coffee & have to give it up! I was tired of getting the crazy shaking hands from caffeine, so, alas, I gave up full caff coffee. But, I do LOVE coffee – the smell especially – & there is nothing better than a hot cup of rich, smooth black coffee (hey, if you can’t drink it black, you shouldn’t drink it IMHO!), plus, I live in Seattle right? Any-hoo, this is all to say that I recently tried Califa Farms Cold Brew Coffee with Almond Milk & I am hooked! I have been having just a small glass in the morning & haven’t noticed any ill effects from the caffeine (cold brew is supposed to have less caffeine & be less bitter!). And even if you drink coffee all day every day, you should give this a try. It is awesome!

{two} Freshly Picked Lemonade Moccs.

{via Freshly Picked}

My obsession with Freshly Picked moccs is pretty clear since Eloise is on her fifth pair of gold moccs! Even though they are soft-soled, Eloise still wears moccs a few times a week. The only reasons I don’t put them on her is if the ground is wet (from rain), we are going to the pool (same issue with wetness), or it is super hot & I feel like her feet need to breathe in sandals.

Onto the Lemonade Moccs. They are pre-order now & are available for a super limited time! I love the gold soles (obviously) & that lemon print is so great for summer. If I wouldn’t have just bought her a new pair of gold ones (we somehow had the size 6 but not the size 5 so I had to put in a quick order!) I would have probably pulled the trigger on these ones already. Any other Mamas with daughters scooping these up?

{three} Summer & Wedding Collections in the Shop!

{via The Petite Flag Shop}

Even though summer is officially a few weeks away, now that Memorial Day is over, it seems like summer is already here. I just launched the Summer Collection, which includes two special Fourth of July flags, over in the Shop, as well as a small Wedding Collection!

{four} LC’s 30 Day Ab Challenge.

{via Lauren Conrad}

Speaking of summer, it is the time when everyone hustles to get back in shape since bikinis & smaller summer clothes are just waiting to be busted out from the back of our closets! I have been doing Pure Barre twice per week lately & it feels great to be back into a workout routine. We have also been taking a long walking loop (about 5 miles) on Sunday mornings as a family, though I should probably be looking to add some more cardio to my week. I stumbled across this 30 day ab challenge (abs are my weak spot!) & thought it could be fun to do on days that I am not also doing Pure Barre since I am already doing 90 second planks & lots of other ab work on those days. Check out the link above for the entire 30 day workout & let me know if you want to join!

What are you loving this week?

M

And Happy June! We are kicking off a new Linky Party, so go join in on the fun!

Welcome back Friday!

{one} Grilled Watermelon.

{via Brit + Co}

Nothing says summer like watermelon & a grill, so why not put them together? I can’t wait to try this recipe.

{two} “I know!”

Eloise has entered the phase where she repeats almost everything she hears… it’s super fun. And along with this dictabird phase (which is how I refer to it) she also says most things if you ask her to. Just in the past week or so, Aaron has taught Eloise to say “I know!” in response to him saying “I love you.” It is pretty cute. But then she will also say “I love you” too! #toddlerantics

{three} DIY Eyelet Peplum Shirt.

{via Merrick’s Art}

The past year or so I have been feeling much more ambitious with my sewing projects & Merrick over at Merrick’s Art is such an inspiration! She posted this DIY eyelet peplum shirt a few days ago (which is based on a now sold-out Kate Spade shirt) & I am definitely making this for the summer!

{four} Summer Giveaway!

Heading into Memorial Day weekend & with summer right around the corner, I am teaming up with a friend over at Threadbare Candle Co. for a big giveaway! Check out the Shop’s Instagram or Facebook pages to enter! Also, I just added the Summer Collection, so go check it out!

What are you loving this week?

M

Be sure to check out this month’s Linky Party!

Welcome back Friday! Did this week fly by for anyone else?! I swear it was just Monday…

{one} UW Research Studies.

Shortly after Eloise was born, we received an email from a research group at the UW asking if we would want to add Eloise to a pool of babies for future research studies. Of course, we said yes, and she has done like five or six studies! Ranging from hearing tests to robots, it has been really fun to have her be a part of these studies & learn all about what types of theories and studies they are up to down the street at the U. If you are local to Seattle & want to lend your child to a study or two, they are always looking for new participants! Eloise has always seemed interested in the study (or else we wouldn’t keep taking her) & she always gets a toy & $10 (which we put into her savings account) at the end. Plus, such a small world that I ran into a blog follower & local mama with her daughter just this week at a study – hello Maggie & Elizabeth!

{two} Easy Tomato and Tortellini Soup.

{via Closet Cooking blog}

We have been really good the past year or so about eating dinners at home & probably eat out just once a week (including weekends!) which means that meal planning can be serious business. Since I refuse to make Eloise a separate meal (though she isn’t too picky) I do have to keep in mind that our meals have to work for all of us. I also try to keep at least half of our meals meatless. I try to keep meals simple and often will rotate in a repeat meal each week (I am keeping track of recipes we have liked over on Pinterest) & this Tomato & Tortellini Soup has been in the rotation a few times over the past month. It is SO good & SO simple, especially considering it is a soup from scratch. I serve it with cheesy bread & a side salad (with fruit for Eloise). Plus, it is really good as leftovers. Enough said.

{three} Summer!

{via Long Distance Loving blog}

We are experiencing some definite spring gloom here in Seattle, but that doesn’t mean summer isn’t right around the corner! Hello Memorial Day weekend (soon)! I have been working hard on the Summer Collection for The Petite Flag Shop so stay tuned. (And there may or may not be a giveaway involved, so check in with the Shop’s Instagram or Facebook late next week. Wink wink.) And, be sure to place your order for Charlotte’s flag and get free shipping!

What are you loving this week?

M

Be sure to check out this month’s Linky Party!