The Cure for Cabin Fever on the Today Show

No School this week?  No Problem! I took the family along for the morning at the TODAY Show and I have all sorts of suggestions for activities for you family.  

Click here to watch the segment!

Friday Favorites

My favorite pin of the week.

I love every single post on this site!

This could possibly be the cutest baby gift ever! 

Love this summer "playsuit" for grownups!

I hope you will join us for MTV ReDefine.  My sisters and I are co-chairs and we are working hard to bring you a fantastic evening!

I'm thinking I might order this to cover up my messy hair this summer! I always love it when other people wear them but I don't know if I have the guts but, for $1, I think I'll give it a shot!

You can "contour" like a Kardashian with this makeup! I swear it makes you look ten pounds lighter!

Little Goodall Coats

photo from Little Goodall

Don't you love it when someone stops you in the street and asks you where you got something?

I do!  

I love to share my favorite sources but I have never owned anything that gets as much attention as my daughter's Luxe Bunny Coat from Little Goodall.  It is made right here in Texas by the talented perfectionist, Molly Goodall, and I'm seriously not kidding when I tell you that I have to add a few minutes on to our outings to allow time to answer questions about where the coat came from. 

The bunny ears are so precious and irresistible that it can make the naughtiest and loudest toddler look adorable white out and about - trust me, I know that part from experience.

So, if you want one, you need to reach out right away!  There is a linen version available by pre-order for spring that will melt your heart but they do sell out so hurry on over to LittleGoodall.com to get your paws on one now!

and p.s.  If bunnies aren't your thing, there are plenty of other darling creatures available too!

It's Time!

It's time to order your Holiday Cards! Here are a few of my favorites this year:

Postcard from Memphis

Justin and I just returned from our first trip to Memphis and we loved it!
I had a book signing at the Woman's exchange of Memphis, the most delightful shop run entirely by volunteers.  They have a sewing room that is famous for it's darling baby clothes.  I bought this little outfit for my nephew for his Christmas Portrait.

After the signing, we checked in to the River Inn and watched the gorgeous sunset. 

It was breath-taking!

The entrance portico at Graceland.

On our second day, we went strait to Graceland. I must say that it exceeded my expectations!

The digital tour was incredibly well done and it was full of personal anecdotes and stories that really made the house come to life.

The dining room with it's antique mirrored top - I love this because I could always check my lipstick! ;)

A detail of Pricilla and Elvis Presley's wedding China. 

Downstairs in the tv room, the fireplace surround was mirrored when it was re-decorated in the 1970's.  I love that this look as come back!

The tour states that Elvis's mother designed the poodle wallpaper in her powder room.  

The best part of the tour?  Seeing Elvis use his "TCB" logo (I'll call it a monogram!) everywhere, even on his plane!  The plane is amazing!  It is a part of the tour and worth taking the time to walk through.  

After an amazing lunch at Central BBQ (THE BEST!!!), we went to the Gibson Guitar Center on the advice of my friend Pat Kerr Tigrett.  Pat organizes an amazing Blues Ball Fundraiser every year in Memphis that is the party of the year!  If you are not in Memphis during the Blues Ball, sign up for a tour of the Gibson Factory.  It was really neat to watch the workers in action. You do need to sign up in advance. They sell out! Also, shoot for a tour before 2pm because many of the workers head out.

Sun Stuidos

After a little bit of shopping in the Gibson Factory Store, we got the news that our flight was delayed due to weather so our charming host for the day, interior designer Ken Cummins whisked us off to Sun Studios for a great visit.  Their guide was so enthusiastic about the history of music in Memphis and told wonderful stories about the Million Dollar Quartet - Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Our favorite coffee shop and snack spot along the way as Cafe Eclectic.  It was charming and offered this little tidbit of advice on it's chalkboard. 

Looking for more on Memphis? I love this article from the amazing Julia Reed.

I'd love to hear about your favorite spots in Memphis!  Please leave a comment and let me know what you love about this amazing city!

Friday Favorites

I want an apartment in this Venetian Palazzo.  Don't you?  Good news - they are available!

Five things you didn't know people collected.

Dreaming about these gorgeous lanterns!

If you are a parent, you will love this list of creative consequences.

I'm excited to try this buzzed-about new restaurant in Toronto this weekend!

I'm dying to see this Robert Motherwell Exhibition.  Have you seen it?

Friday Favorites

The Glitter Guide - see credits at bottom of post

DYING over this amazing outdoor setup by one of my favorite Canadian Bloggers.

I'm crazy about these flowers and the pretty letterpress invitations made in Santa Barbara.

Next party I have I am going to swap out my crystal wine glasses for these handmade ceramic drinking vessels from Mazama.  I've never been called hip before but maybe after this....

This little girl tulip dress just makes my heart melt!

An Architect's take on the essential qualities of a summer porch. 

School is almost back in session and I love this take on penmanship and more from the French persepctive.



Credits for Glitter Guide Photo:

Photography: Kyrani Kanavaros

Décor: The Cross Decor & Design

Flowers: The Flower Factory

Vintage crates: Stepback

Cake: Coco Cake Land

Mini pies: Vancouver Pie Hole

Food: Cioffi’s

Custom “Happy” Banner: Confetti & Sparkle Party Shop

Tiffin Carrier: The New Domestic

Styling: Nikki Renshaw, @englisheccentrichome

Outdoor Etiquette: Taking The Family to the Park

Baby Girl's Summer Swim - Sale time!

I just can't seem to stop shopping for my little girl.  She is one now and, although summer is sadly halfway over, I couldn't resist these sale items from the Gap.  How darling is the fishy dress and bathing suit?  So cute!  There are tons of darling options on Gap.com so check out the sale before you miss out!

GAP BOW STRIPE TOP - BLUE MIRAGE / Tassel top

Kite flutter top / Skinny jeans

Gap Fishie Eyelet Trim Dress - shocking pink / Gap Fishy One Piece - shocking pink

GAP ESPADRILLE SLIP ONS / Floppy hat

Friday Favorites

Anna Wintour's Summer House

I'm going to try to make this skinny summer cocktail with Aloe today!

Love this NYC home.

No parent has time to read all of the great parenting books out there so I love this summary of the best sellers!

This makes me want a pet rabbit.

I love shiny things....especially these kitchens.

21 Darling Beach Crafts for to make with the kids.

Shop It - Summer Whites

So, I've been wearing a lot of white lately - and it always has baby food or coffee or something on it.  You would think I would learn my lesson by now but I keep wearing it and dreaming about the day that my children are out of the house and I don't spill coffee anymore.  Anyhooo.....

I'm old school about saving whites for after Easter and I put it away at Labor Day so I like to wear as much of it as I can while it is "allowed."

Here are some of my favorite summer whites:

Made in the South for Baby

I am so excited about my first Southern Living Blog, The Daily South, post.  Of course, I have baby on the brain so I wrote about one of my favorite baby lines that is made in the South, Pixie Lily.

Click here to read the post.

I think I am going to start a "Pixie Lily Fan Club" and I hope you will join!

Friday Favorites - Let's start with Dolly Parton!

Loving this look!  Check out a modern day beauty look inspired by Dolly Parton circa 1970.

Top five scandals of Marie Antoinette.

Loving this classic little girls dress.  So happy I have a reason to order it now!

Pretty wall treatment - It makes me want to re-do my powder bath.

I'm giving away something from this jewelry designer in September!  Don't miss it!

My sister, Krystal's, favorite things.

This is the color for fall and I love the idea of adding it with a clutch. 

Rules for Mothers of Girls

While on holiday this summer we were able to take a photo of Four generations of girls on my Instagram.

Back in January of 2012 I posted a beautiful write up by Tab Studer with 25 rules for Mothers of Sons.
At the time, I didn't dream that I would be the Mother of a Daughter as well!  Well, Tab Studer's friend Sarah at Diapers and Daisies Blog has written her own 25 rules for Mothers of Daughters and it is just as lovely!  Click here to read it. 

I am feeling inspired to write my own rules!

A few that come to the top of my mind:

-Teach her to celebrate the little things.  My mother always went "all out" to remind us to make the most of every moment.  It is important to cherish life's special occasions but don't forget to celebrate every day occasions as well.

-Admire God's beauty.  My Grandmother is so good at this one and I want to pass it down to my daughter.  There isn't a flower or an interesting cloud that my Grandmother doesn't acknowledge. I hope that my daughter remembers to appreciate these natural beauties as well.

-Have an attitude of gratitude.  I try my best with this one but I hope I can model this for her as she grows.  I once read that writing a Thank You note to someone every night as part of a bed time ritual can help!  I have my son write notes for gifts he receives but I think I would like to make it a nightly family project. It would be a great habit to instill in our children and a great reminder for me as well!

-Respect Traditions.  I have always loved honoring family traditions.  I carried the same bouquet as my grandmother at our wedding.  I want to do the needlework on the stockings for my kids just like my grandmother did.  I love that my mother makes sure Christmas Day is full of traditions, right down to getting oranges in our stockings just like she did when she was growing up.  I hope that my daughter cherishes these traditions as well.  Not only do I want her to pass them down to her children but I hope that she finds comfort in them just like I do.

I am going to keep working on my personal list of rules for being the mother of girl but I think I have a good start here.  What are your rules?

Baby-time Beauty: My five favorites

My maternity beauty routine has had quite the ups and downs this time!  So many of the products that I used pre-pregnancy didn't seem to do the trick anymore so I had to make some changes.  A few of the items below have stayed with me and some others I added in to help with some of me new beauty blunders!

I've been using this wonderful Oxygen Cream from Natura Bisse for years and I just love it.  It is light enough for my oily skin and I use it morning and night.  

I always use Johnson's baby lotion and now I am stocking my bathroom and the nursery! 

My friend, Barbara Arnondin, the author of the amazing Metroplex Baby blog gave me this wonderful oil and love it!  I am on bottle number 2 and I put it everywhere that seems to be "stretching."

I can't get enough of this Natura Bisse hand cream right now.  I bought a fresh tube to keep beside my bed at the hospital when the baby comes!

Sleeping is not coming easily but I love lavender essential oil.  I rub a tiny bit on my temples or put a few drops on a tissue in my pillow and it helps me fall in to a sweet slumber in spite of my discomfort!

Interview with: Portrait Artist, Stella Ehrich

2012 was full of some milestones for our family, including our son, JR's, fifth birthday.  We wanted to commemorate the year by having his portrait painted and artist, Stella Ehrich, was the perfect person for the job. 

The process was magical and the final portrait is even more special than we could've imagined.  What we didn't expect to get out of the process was a new friendship. Working with Stella was a dream.  She truly cares about her subjects and has a passion for portraiture.  JR adores her and often asks when she is coming over again. 

I couldn't wait to share her with you! I hope you will take a moment to read our Q&A with her below:

For more information visit Stella's website here. 

You need to know about this:

I am constantly looking for ways to save my precious four year old son's masterpieces of art.  He brings a new one home from school almost every day so I have to get creative!

When the amazing Sharyn Blond launched her new linen featuring your child's artwork appliquéd on to one of her fine linens, I about fainted because I adore her linens and I adore my son's art! This is the perfect gift for my mom, who is impossible to buy for, for Mother's Day!

Here's the deal:

There are three simples steps to make it happen but you must do it quickly!  The deadline for Mother's Day orders is Friday, Feb. 10th.

Three simple steps:

1. Email, Fax or Mail your child's artwork to
Sharyn Blond Linens
2718 W. 53rd Street
Fairway, Kansas  66205
913-362-4420
courtney@sharynblondlinens.com

2. Specify the product you want:
-cocktail napkins
-fingertip or guest towels
-bedding

3. Pick from your favorite linen color.  There are 40 colors to choose from!