Halloween Costumes

Happy Fall!  It's time to start thinking about Halloween costumes.  What are you going to be?

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Dash and Remy are going as Woody and Jessie from Toy Story.   They are super excited about their costumes and can't wait to try them on...again.

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I'm thinking of going as Lady Gaga....in one of her more demure looks. 

What are your costumes of choice during this spooky season?

Back to School Picks

The kids are headed back to school, which means it's time for the annual BTS school shopping pilgrimage.   I spent the better part of last Sunday trying last year's fall clothes on my little ones, keeping what fit and boxing up what didn't to make room for the new.  I've picked up a few things so far...

For Miss Remy, I picked up the Gap Mini Skinny Jean.

And this leopard print cardigan from Old Navy, paired with black leggings and little ballet flats.

For Mr. Dash, I scored the Gap Mini Skinny for boys.

And this cute tee from JCrew.  I just love their stuff..especially for the kids.

Still left on our shopping list...boots for both kids, some new white t-shirts and a couple of fancy outfits for the kids' 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 year pictures.

Freedom

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Happy Monday!  This has been a summer of good books at my house, and I am at various points in about nine books at the moment.  However, I will be setting them all aside tomorrow to begin the much-anticipated Freedom by Johnathan Franzen.  Book lovers everywhere cannot help but be drawn into the hype, as Franzen's soon-to-be-released novel is being touted as the great American novel of our time, profiled in articles from The New York Times to Vogue.

I'll be picking up my copy at Barnes & Noble tomorrow morning.  What are you reading during these final days of summer?

Keep Calm and Carry On

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I've been on a bit of a hiatus lately, focusing on some major changes to my day job.  I have this poster hanging in my laundry room, and lately I have had to stop and take a look at at whenever I feel overwhelmed.  Sometimes, you really do just have to take a moment to breathe.

How have you been?

T-Shirt Love

Doesn't it seem so much easier to buy cute clothes for little girls than for little boys?  I have to confess, I'm lucky enough to have a mom who outfits my kids in the absolute cutest clothes, so I don't worry much about shopping for them.  However, when I do need a specific item or just want to browse the latest trends, I tend to find several things for my daughter for every one item I spot for my son.

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My little guy pretty much lives in t-shirts, paired with cargo shorts and sandals in the summer, and worn over long-sleeve thermals with jeans in the winter.  I adore DX-Xtreme t-shirts, made of a durable yet soft cotton and raw edges to the collar and sleeves.   Available at Nordstrom, these funky designs aren't your typical graphic tees.  Perfect for my Dash, who is not your typical kid.

How Did You Get This Number?

Last summer I spent several days in hysterics while reading Sloane Crosley's, "I Was Told There'd Be Cake".  Crosley can best be described as a younger, female version of David Sedaris, with a self-depricating wit and a penchant for getting herself into precarious situations.

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This summer, Crosley followed up her debut with "How Did You Get This Number", a second book of non-fiction humorous essays about her life.  While I didn't love it quite as much as the first book, I found it funny and easy to identify with her tales of a sometimes rocky journey into adulthood. 

Crosley is definitely a voice of the female in her late twenties and early thirties, old enough to know better but cool enough to sometimes go ahead and do it anyway.

Christmas Ornaments

I know, I know.  It's only August, right?  But I just picked up the Hallmark Keepsake Dream Book, and I've been perusing all the lovely little ornaments and thinking about Christmas. 

I tend to prefer ornaments of the handmade, paper clip plus popsicle stick plus pipe cleaner variety, and look forward to the annual tradition of unwrapping them from their crinkly tissue paper-induced hibernation and relishing the memories associated with each one.  My husband, on the other hand, has amassed a three decades-running collection of Hallmark ornaments, and has his own wonderful memories of opening up the glossy treasures.

I want my children to enjoy both the handmade sweetness and the magic of store-bought fun as we continue to make our own traditions.  Here are a couple of my Hallmark favorites:

This one is called Max Sets Sail.  My kids just adore Where The Wild Things Are.

And I adore the mini versions of toys we had as children, a la the Fisher-Price schoolhouse.  So sweet.

Have you perused the dreambook yet?

Tasting Party

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Have you been to Pier 1 Imports lately?

They are featuring the coolest collection of porcelain dinnerware for a tasting party.   Click on the link to their web site for a look at the tiny dishes, spoons and cups in various shapes and sizes, along with photos of gorgeous party setups and printable recipes! 

Now I need to schedule a tasting party to use my new dishes.  Won't it be so much fun?

Bows

I love bows.  I love them on adorned on clothes, clipped to shiny shoes, sparkling on jewelry, hanging gingerly from pretty packages, and just about anywhere else you can put them.  And I love this Marc by Marc Jacobs bow ring.

It's so classic and sweet.  Sort of Tiffany meets Hello Kitty, no?  I think I need to have one.

Orange Addition: Chicago Neighborhoods Poster

How cool is it that the Chicago poster I have been coveting for a year happens to be available in a lovely shade of orange, and I am on the hunt for orange accessories for our bedroom makeover?  Perfect.

I adore these posters and screen prints by Ork! Posters, which spell out the neighborhoods of various cities (Los Angeles, Manhattan, etc.)  I think I'd like to have the NYC version as well, but we'll start with this one.

Coconut Water

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Have you tried coconut water?  I've been hearing lots of buzz about this health drink, extracted from actual coconuts.  It is supposed to be a sweeter version of water, with tons of electrolytes, potassium and other health benefits.  I made the mistake of heading to the grocery store hungry, and therefore prone to impulse buys.  I picked up some coconut water and tried it last night.  Here's what I learned:

1.  I don't like coconuts.

2.  The water has floating, cloudy, coconut bits, which I found ridiculously unappetizing.

3.  The water tasted a bit fishy.

4.  Coconut water is not my favorite.

I will say that after drinking a glass, I felt very hydrated, but slightly nauseous over the taste.  I think I may have to try a different brand.  Have you tried coconut water?  If so, what is your favorite brand?

Book Review: Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Have you read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo? 

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I realize that millions of people are already in on my secret, but this book, and the two others in the trilogy, are some of the most entertaining and exciting novels that I have ever read.   Written by the late Steig Larsson and translated from Swedish, the Millennium Series books are brilliantly written thrillers that feature one of the most compelling characters in modern literature in the form of computer hacker Lisbeth Salander.

Give the first book a try, and hang in there for a few chapters.   It starts a little slow and the Swedish names and places take a bit of getting used to, but eventually you will be hooked.

Bedroom Makeover

Happy Tuesday!

My dear husband has agreed to paint our bedroom as part of a much-needed room makeover.  It's not that we have any hideous decor or garish wallpaper or anything.  In fact, it's quite the opposite.  The room is just...boring.  White walls, plain furniture, neutral curtains.  Snore.  I know you're supposed to fall asleep in the room, but not while looking at the room. 

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I'm a big fan of grey, so we'll definitely use it as the wall color.  There's been a lot of grey and yellow used in design lately, so I want to try something a little different.  I've decided on orange as the accent color, and have picked up lamps and bedding to coordinate.  Wouldn't this rug go just perfectly?

The only issue is that we already have carpet in the bedroom.  What do you think about area rugs on carpeted floors? 

Mad Men

Season 4 of Mad Men starts tonight!  We're dusting off our martini glasses in preparation for the big event.  Who's your favorite Mad Men character? 

Weekend Concert: Kings of Leon

Happy Friday!  It's been a crazy one, and I am looking forward to the weekend.  We're headed to the Kings of Leon concert!  I love this band and am excited to see them perform live.  It should be a great show.  Don't they look extra serious in this picture, though? 

Hope your weekend is delightful!