Zinnia from Bucktown Farmers Market

110 degree heat index. No problem.

Just screwin' around in the "backyard."

The Not So Bummer Summer

Ice Cream.

Bike Ride!

Peonies in a Mason Jar.

"Alpaca with Painted Nose" (a mommy daughter collaboration).

Sound as a Pound

'Aint No Cribs in this Crib

Guess what Johnny learned to do last week? Swing his leg over his crib and hop out! How exciting for us, right?! In addition to being overjoyed with his latest accomplishments, I wasn't at all scared when he came creeping up behind me twenty minutes after I had laid him down for his nap. I seriously thought there was an intruder in the home. NOPE. It was my two-year-old son looking at me with the biggest shit-eating grin you have ever seen, telling me with his eyes, "your life as you knew it is over, lady ." So I did what any mildly insane stay-at-home mom would do; I dropped to the floor and cried. But if there is one thing I have learned from this whole motherhood thing it is: you kinda have to let things roll off your back AND take action.

So here are some photos of "the twins" room, as I like to call them. Our decision to put them in the same room came after three days too many of trying to contain Johnny in a room with french doors, lots of reading, coming the realization that I am not a "crib-tent" mom and surprisingly, several requests from Sofia to share a room with her brother. But what REALLY sealed the deal was a photo I saw in the NY Times design magazine of a co-ed kids room and it kinda made my heart melt. We are going on day 7 and (I hope I don't eat my words) I think it is one of the best decisions we have ever made. Johnny has consistently napped everyday for well over two hours and they go to bed at night together having sweet little conversations until one fades off. I put my ear to the door the other night and just stood there..It really was one of the sweetest sounds i have ever heard. 


So that's our story. If anyone is considering it, it just might turn out to be a pleasant surprise. Now, thank goodness for this blog because I will now have this story when they are 15 and 16 and both want to move out of the house and live alone. 

"My mind is a puzzle brushed off the table, my thoughts are colorful, my eyes are wild when they look into yours and I'm not sure you will ever get me."  - Me

A Lovely Little Photo..

"I am simply looking for beauty, whatever that is - it's nothing that can be explained - only felt. If I find it in a single bowl, or wandering line of pots, good. I am grateful."  
- Potter, Gwyn Hanssen Pigott

Like.

Inspiration.

Thousands of miles away in a city in Spain, I am vacuuming up the scenery with my eyes and recording the looks for fall as I make my way through a plethora of antique streets. My eyes suggest to me that fall 2005 for the women of Barcelona, perhaps Europeans as a whole, has much to do with risk. As I make my way across town through the newly transformed and ever so hip " Barrio Gotica" (Gothic Barrio)  I notice that fashion in Barcelona is moving, in many ways, to the same beat of the streets.  Everything about these narrow and sunken in maple turned gunmetal streets suggests that there is something very elegant, weathered and mysterious going on. As old as this city, you can almost feel the depth that has transformed it into something quite the opposite. The layers become unmistakable, the dimensions of interest, the color contagious.  From as far as my neck can extend I begin to notice the fashion following suit.

Fall 2005, miles over the Atlantic, tells me about black pencil leg pants making their way to a weathered pointy toe shoe, say mint green; suddenly i am recalling my mothers teacups and saucers. The bra strap shows, a simple off the shoulder cotton t-shirt surfaces, then another, then another. The depth continues to pour out in the form of accessories. To some, it would appear this outfit is complete. But no, just as the streets, it continues, and of course becomes more interesting. Over this seemingly simple canvas comes a maze of color, a "moschino-like"scarf thrown carefully around the neck and overflowing onto the shoulders. A long wool cardigan with over sized sleeves drapes off the arms just because; I now think of my grandfather.  Four or five, maybe six thin leather necklaces hang about the neck. Silver metal bangles douse the right arm, an ascension of symbols to the elbow. The look I am seeing shows signs of confidence, accented by a handful of unnecessary yet divine afterthoughts. Kinda reminds me of these mysterious little streets I guess.   –Meredith Natale

Sweet Baby Girl

Add caption

I just found these photos tonight from Sofia's costume party at Sprouts Academy. Oh how I wish I could freeze time. My sweet little butterfly princess who tells me at least five times a day that she loves me. It just doesn't get any better. I love her.

Best Friends.

Sofia 3 years 4 months

Johnny 22 months

They're baaaaack

I'm so glad I saved all my long skirts because there were several times I really thought seriously about sending them off to the Goodwill Gods..but now all the cool kids are saying they're back! So I guess i'll be cool for a minute...and then..back to leggings.